Pilot of the Patient Concerns Inventory – Ward Discharge in Patients following major reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer

Planning discharge from hospital following microvascular free-tissue surgery can be complex and challenging. involves the patient, carers, multiple health professionals. Poor communication expectations delay or give a suboptimal process. It was hypothesised that prompt-list modelled along principals of Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) could help in planning. The aim this study to define items format PCI-Ward Discharge (PCI-WD) undertake small pilot. Items appropriate for PCI-WD were formulated through discussion with patients, ward staff, Head Neck Clinical Nurse Specialists, clinicians. pilot took place over three months December 2019 February 2020. Audit approval given by Department. comprises 43 items. existing PCIs use at diagnosis follow-up consultations reduced number 38 new modified added; six treatment related, five social care well-being, four psychological, emotional, spiritual seven physical functional 16 related. involved 14 transfer male, female, an age range 57 87 mean 72. Eight returned. identified most frequently ‘surgery site other than head/neck’, ‘when do I come back hospital’, ‘dental check-up/oral care’ ‘diet/eating’. Early findings suggest useful tool aiding Further evaluation is required.