Patients undergoing total laryngectomy are at high risk for 30-day unplanned readmission. Many of these readmissions are related to stomal care, and it is thought that the readmissions could be prevented with better patient and caregiver education. The investigators are studying the effect of a comprehensive perioperative education program on 30-day unplanned readmission for patients undergoing total laryngectomy. The comprehensive perioperative education program will include the following additional interventions: -Preoperative visit with the speech pathologist for explanation of laryngectomy physiology, stomal education, and alaryngeal voice rehabilitation. Participants will be expected to undergo this intervention and to attend it with their "laryngectomy coach" (a family member or friend to accompany the patient through the education process), but failure to meet with the speech pathologist will not exclude a patient from the study. * Preoperative education class with a designated ENT laryngectomy nurse for patient and caregiver. The hands-on class introduces the patient and laryngectomy coach to the basics of stomal care. Participants and their "laryngectomy coach" will be expected to attend the preoperative education class * Printed laryngectomy journey guide given to patients at time of study enrollment for patient/caregiver. This journey guide details the preoperative, in-hospital, and post-discharge course and is provided as a reference throughout their journey. * Formalized, nursing administered practical evaluation of minimal competency of laryngectomy care for patient and caregiver/laryngectomy coach. This study will follow patients prospectively from the time of study commencement and then assess changes in patient knowledge before and after the education intervention. It will also compare rate of stomal complications and readmission rates to institutional historical averages to assess improvement in quality care.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
55
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, United States
Rate of 30-day unplanned readmission
-Calculate and report the rates of readmission for the patients undergoing the comprehensive laryngectomy education and compare to the rates of unplanned readmission and postoperative complications from historical cohorts at our institution.
Time frame: 30 days after hospital discharge (approximately 7 weeks after registration)
Rate of postoperative complications
-Calculate and report the rates of readmission for the patients undergoing the comprehensive laryngectomy education and compare to the rates of unplanned readmission and postoperative complications from historical cohorts at our institution.
Time frame: 30 days after hospital discharge (approximately 7 weeks after registration)
Change in patient's knowledge about total laryngectomy
-The change in knowledge due to the educational intervention will be measured using a within subject comparison of patient pre- and post-education test scores (e.g. each patient's post-education scores minus preeducation scores).
Time frame: 30 days after hospital discharge (approximately 7 weeks after registration)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.