Reducing Length of Stay in Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Objective: To investigate whether a new preoperative education and discharge planning protocol reduced unexpected discharge delays for patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer.

Methods: A quality improvement (QI) intervention was implemented in January 2021 with several components to address historically prolonged observed lengths of stay (LOS) with head and neck cancer patients. The intervention added a preoperative educational visit with a head and neck cancer advanced practice provider, a standardized preoperative speech and swallow assessment, a personalized patient care plan document, discussion of inpatient hospital stay expectations, and early discharge planning.