The efficiency of quick response code versus telephone contact for post-discharge follow-up after ophthalmic day surgery: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the efficiency of quick response (QR) code versus telephone contact for post-discharge follow-up in patients receiving low-risk ophthalmic day surgery. METHODS: One hundred and sixty patients undergoing strabismus day-care surgery with general anesthesia were randomly allocated to either the intervention group using QR code (QR group) or the control group receiving telephone call (TEL group) for post-discharge follow-up. The primary outcome was the follow-up overall attendance rate on the second postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included attendance rate at the first scheduled follow-up, number of text message reminders, elapsed time and estimated cost for follow-up, omission rate of follow-up responses, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The overall attendance rate of follow-up was significantly higher in the QR group than that in the TEL group (97.5% vs. 87.5%, p = 0.016). As compared with the TEL group, the QR group significantly reduced the number of text message reminders with higher attendances at the first scheduled follow-up (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). Besides, the TEL group cost a median time of 258 s and a median cost of RMB 5.8 yuan to complete a follow-up consultant, but was associated with a significantly high omission rate of follow-up responses comparing to the QR group (p = 0.002). Patient satisfaction was comparable between two groups. CONCLUSION: QR code follow-up can be more efficient than traditional telephone contact in assessing the post-discharge recovery after strabismus day surgery, which provides a safe and intuitively alternative follow-up pathway for identifying issues that may necessitate further clinical care for more low-risk ophthalmic day surgeries.