Effect of Implementation of the Danish Emergency Surgery (DANAKIR) Support Network on Post-discharge Outcomes After Major Emergency Abdominal Surgery

Effect of implementation of the Danish Emergency Surgery (DANAKIR) support Network on post-discharge outcomes after major emergency abdominal surgery: a prospective before and-after study Background Major emergency abdominal surgery is performed in more than 5000 patients yearly in Denmark. In general, little is known about the period after the discharge of these patients besides that chronic pain, physical dysfunction, and quality of life are severely affected in up to 50% of patients at long-term follow-up. A recent study investigating unplanned readmission after major emergency abdominal surgery found that up to 50% undergo unplanned readmission within the first 180 days after discharge. Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of inviting patients undergoing major emergency surgery and their relatives to join a support network after discharge (the DANAKIR network). Methods This study is designed as a before- and after study. Prior to establishing the DANAKIR (Danish Emergency Surgery Network) support network, the investigators will consecutively during a one year inclusion period prospectively include all patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery with a midline laparotomy. The inclusion period starts 1st August 2021. The investigators will register the following in the pre-implementation phase: * Postoperative day (POD) 30: Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) (by telephone) * POD90: Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) (by telephone), readmissions (by hospital file) * POD 180: Quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) (by telephone), readmissions (by hospital file) * Number of days at home with 90 days (by hospital file) * Number of participants with at least one readmission (by hospital file) Hereafter the investigators will establish the DANAKIR support network. The investigators plan for a six-month inclusion period with DANAKIR starting 1th of September 2022 Intervention The DANAKIR intervention will consist of: * Structured written discharge information for