ABSTRACT
Background/Introduction: Applying eHealth interventions via social media is common in modern medicine. LINE is a popular communication app in Taiwan that can deliver messages 24 hours a day. In addition to being free-of-charge, it also allows bariatric nurses (BNs) and patients to enjoy bidirectional communication via telecommunication services instead of direct, face-to-face contact for patients undergoing bariatric-metabolic surgery (BMS). Objective(s): We conducted this retrospective study to determine the frequency and reasons for early post-discharge of LINE messages/calls and investigate the relationship between this frequency and contents of these messages and postoperative outcomes after BMS. Method(s): A retrospective review of prospectively collected data was conducted in an Asian weight management center. The study period ran from August 2016 to December 2021, and a total of 143 native patients with severe obesity were enrolled. All patients were informed of the necessity of a postoperative dietitian consultation before bariatric surgery. The patterns of LINE communication with the BN and associated actions to resolve patients' needs within 180 days after index BMS were analyzed. Result(s): Among the 143 enrolled patients, 100 underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and 43 underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. A total of 1,205 messages/calls were analyzed concomitantly;most LINE communications focused on diet problems (47.97%;n = 578), weight problems (11.54%;n = 139), and medications (9.21%;n = 111). Most problems could be resolved by LINE communications directly, and only a small portion (5.6%) was directed to local clinics or emergency departments. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the usage of LINE communications significantly increased (12.2 +/- 10.4 vs. 6.4 +/- 4.9;p < 0.01);nonetheless, a higher frequency of LINE communications would not hinder the regular clinic visits (r = 0.359;p = 0.01). Conclusion(s): Based on our limited experience, the LINE consultation service operated by the BN could effectively address patients' problems. Moreover, it might reduce the need for emergency department visits or unexpected clinic appointments for patients after BMS.
ABSTRACT
Background: Elective Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeries (BMS) were stopped all over the world during this COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the availability of hospital resources to combat the pandemic and also to protect its first responders and other care givers. Only emergency and urgent cases were permitted. However, the actions taken early in the pandemic by the government of Taiwan and our center's collective efforts allowed us to be the only center in the world to safely perform elective BMS unhampered. Method(s): A retrospective review and analysis of the trends, complications and safety for all elective BMS from January to April 2020 was done. We reviewed the preparations, healthcare policies, and protocols created by the government of Taiwan against COVID-19 and our center's robust algorithm for patient and healthcare workers (HCW) surveillance and safety. Results and Discussion: A total of 99 patients underwent elective BMS from January to April 2020. The breakdown was 59 females and 40 males with an average body mass index (BMI) of 35.20 kg/m2 and 40.68 kg/m2 respectively. Compared to the previous year when a total 117 patients had surgery, a decline of 18 elective operations (-15.38%) was noted. There were no reported cases of a patient developing postoperative COVID-19 or a HCW. Conclusion(s): Elective operations may not need to be postponed if you have already in place early mitigation measures to prevent a pandemic spread, including but not limited to a prompt implementation of protocols and strict adherence to these measures. (Figure Presented).