The Effect of Standardized Discharge Instructions After Gastrostomy Tube Placement on Postoperative Hospital Utilization

Retrospective study of 197 pediatric gastrostomy tube patients found that standardized discharge instructions significantly reduced emergency department visits, office visits, and phone calls at 30 days and 1 year postoperatively. While total hospital utilization at 30 days showed no difference, the protocol demonstrated sustained reduction in multiple healthcare touchpoints.