Institution-initiated text messaging can reduce unplanned emergency department visits after appendectomy.

Background/purpose: The purpose of this study was to reduce unplanned Emergency Department (ED) visits for minor complaints in children after appendectomy through proactive institution-driven communication and utilization of telehealth resources.

Methods: We developed a text messaging system to initiate communication with parents of postappendectomy patients and connect them with a telehealth visit or a phone call with a surgical provider as needed. Using descriptive statistics, chi square, and statistical process control analytics, we compared rates of postoperative ED visits for the 8 months pre- and post-implementation of the messaging system and summarized the feedback we received from patients.

Results: A total of 791 laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in two institutions (preintervention = 382, post-intervention = 409). The postoperative ED visit rate decreased from 5.8% preimplementation to 2.4% post-implementation (p = 0.02). Over one-fifth of families messaged (21.6%) had questions in the postoperative period. The majority expressed interest in a video visit (52.5%), while some preferred to speak with the surgeon's office (25%). Over 90% of respondents found the system helpful, and 4.9% opted out.

Conclusion: Implementation of a hospital-initiated text messaging system has the potential to reduce ED visits in the immediate postoperative period after appendectomy. This system can be scaled to include different surgeries across multiple disciplines.

Level Of Evidence: III.

Type Of Study: Clinical Retrospective Pre/Post Intervention Study.