Follow-up telephone correspondence 24 hours after discharge indicated Rose was doing well. The owner reported the puppy seemed comfortable, ate her morning meal, and had no signs of nausea or gastrointestinal upset. As instructed by the discharging technician, the owner had been providing the puppy with pain medication. The owner indicated the incision was somewhat red but not swollen. The only concern was that Rose seemed frustrated with the Elizabethan collar.
Rose was presented for suture removal 10 days after discharge. The incision had healed, and sutures were removed without incident. The owner thanked the veterinarian for the Get Well Soon card.
Tips for Success Introducing Nutritional Support into a Postsurgical Protocol
- Engage client in nutrition conversation at patient drop-off:
- Ask “What are you going to feed your pet tonight?”
- Provide written and verbal postsurgical care instructions (see Client Discharge Instructions)*
- Improve owner understanding and compliance
- Ensure clear instructions are included for pain control and nutritional support
- Dispense an adequate number of Prescription Diet® i/d® cans for 7 days at time of discharge; use 6-can Prescription Diet® i/d® food carriers or dispense full-can cases
- Use follow-up phone calls
- Check patient status, including appetite and food tolerance, within 24 hours of discharge
- Address owner concerns
- Mail or hand over the Get Well Soon card to demonstrate compassionate care
“All of my routine elective surgical patients are discharged with an adequate supply of Hill’s® Prescription Diet® i/d® canned food. … … Pets do well with the protocol. Owners are very satisfied. My staff fields fewer phone calls from concerned owners, increasing our practice efficiency.”—Dr. Mark Sprayberry of Olive Branch Pet Hospital (Pensacola, Florida)