What is the primary goal of postoperative care?

The primary goal of postoperative care is to promote healing and prevent complications. This involves close monitoring of the patient's condition following surgery, managing pain effectively, ensuring proper wound care, and observing for any signs of potential complications such as infection, bleeding, or respiratory issues. By focusing on these aspects, healthcare providers can facilitate a smoother recovery process, helping patients return to their normal activities in a timely manner.

While facilitating early discharge is important, the patient's safety and recovery take precedence. Early discharge should be considered only when the patient is stable and ready to continue recovery at home. Ensuring positive patient satisfaction surveys is a valuable aspect of care but is ultimately a byproduct of comprehensive and effective postoperative management, not the primary focus. Advanced pain management strategies indeed enhance patient comfort and promote healing, yet they are part of the broader goal of ensuring overall recovery and complication prevention.