Background: Patient engagement technologies (PETs) guide patients through the perioperative period. We aimed to investigate the levels of patient engagement with PETs through the peri-operative period and its impact on clinical outcomes.
Methods: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery from 2018 to 2022. Outcomes were length of stay, readmissions, and complications within 30 days of index hospitalization.
Results: 359 (89.1%) patients activated the PET. Patients completed a median of 7 surveys, 2 in-hospital health-checks, and 1 post-discharge health-check. Median LOS was 3 days, 57 (14.1%) patients were readmitted, and 56 (13.9%) had a complication. Patients who completed no surveys had longer LOS than those who completed 2 or more. Patients who were readmitted and had post-operative complications completed significantly fewer surveys and post-discharge health-checks. Completion of surveys in more phases was associated with shorter LOS and lower readmission rates. Completion of more post-discharge health-checks was associated with lower complication rate.
Conclusions: The use of PETs improves patient outcomes and experiences in the perioperative period. Patients who engage more frequently with PETs have shorter LOS with lower readmission and post-operative complication rates.
Keywords: Colorectal surgery; Patient engagement technology; Surgical outcomes.
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