Postoperative follow-up and complication management protocol

Prevention & Management of Complications

KEIT DAY HOSPITAL

Postoperative follow-up and complication management protocol

Official Manual of Clinical, Care and Organizational Protocols

1. Document Control Information

2. Scope of Application

Applicable to all patients discharged from the facility following a surgical intervention or invasive procedure.

3. Responsibilities

• Surgeon and ward physician: definition of the follow-up schedule and management of any complications.
• Clinical Coordination Team: communication with the patient, follow-up appointment reminders and collection of documentation.
• Nurse: wound care, provision of instructions and initial triage of reported concerns.

4. Operating Procedure

• Provide the patient with written discharge instructions and information on warning signs that must be reported immediately.
• Schedule postoperative follow-up appointments and wound care according to the procedure performed.
• Triage reports received by telephone, messaging, video call or direct clinical assessment.
• Establish criteria for urgent assessment, referral to the emergency department, hospital admission or specialist reassessment.
• Accurately document every follow-up assessment, medical report, clinical photograph and therapeutic decision.
• Review significant complications through internal clinical audits.

5. KEIT Operational Standards

• KEIT integrates in-person assessments, remote support and traceability of postoperative instructions.
• Patient-reported concerns are managed through a documented clinical pathway and, when necessary, a multidisciplinary approach.

6. Records and Documentation

• Postoperative follow-up plan.
• Register of follow-up assessments and wound care.
• Clinical photographic documentation.
• Complication audit records.

7. Review and Updates

The protocol is updated based on clinical outcomes and issues identified during postoperative follow-up.

8. Related Attachments and Forms

• Operational checklists, recording forms, audit sheets and maintenance registers applicable to this protocol.
• Any department-specific or equipment-specific technical attachments are referenced in the relevant local operating instructions.

9. Final Approval