Use of text messaging to improve patient experience and communication with pediatric tonsillectomy patients.

Objectives: The aims of this quality improvement project were to develop a text messaging service to deliver messages to pediatric tonsillectomy patients to improve communication and overall experience.

Method: Text messages were developed to deliver important information and reminders both preoperatively and postoperatively to pediatric tonsillectomy patients. After success with a small pilot program of five patients, a sample of 85 patients who underwent tonsillectomy participated in the program.

Results: Similar to the pilot program, the larger sample size had no canceled procedures and no visits to the emergency department. Approximately 25% of the participants called the ENT clinic nurse line for a question or concern postoperatively. The majority of phone calls were for concerns with pain or pain medications. Parental survey results were positive with respect to the value and overall helpfulness of the text messages. Respondents found the information useful, easy to understand, and it also helped reduce anxiety or level of worry during and after the surgery. Respondents all felt that the number of messages was just right.

Conclusion: With the explosion of technology and smartphone use, text messaging is an innovative way to provide patient/family education for surgical procedures such as tonsillectomy.