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O U T P A T I E N T
E V O L U T I O N
Communication among all caregivers and frank discussions with
patients' parents or guardians are essential elements in determining
when and if patients are ready for discharge. Ask parents or guardians
how comfortable they are caring for their children at home. They
must ensure kids continue to tolerate fluids and watch out for excessive lethargy and labored breathing. Can you trust them to recognize
complications? How far does the family live from the nearest hospital? You need to pick the kid and the at-home caregiver when identifying cases that can be done as outpatient.
Clinical considerations
Newer techniques such as partial tonsillectomy lead to less post-op
pain and swelling, which definitely eases recoveries. However, a