With the recent trend towards enhanced care in joint replacement, it has become increasingly important to identify and address the areas that affect early patient length of stay, while ensuring that practice remains safe. As part of an enhanced care program we conducted two prospective studies of factors delaying discharge following hip replacement in 2006 and 2010. In each limb of the study data was collected prospectively daily, by an independent observer, on 100 consecutive primary cemented total hip replacements. Reasons for delay to the discharge and variation from the patient pathway were identified and addressed.Background
Materials and Methods
+ Assistant model would play a pivotal role in managing patient flow efficiently.
An increase in the number of new referrals seen in OPD by 50% from 8 to 12 per clinic. An increase in the volume of hip &
knee replacements from 490 in 2003 to 834 in 2007. Increased theatre efficiency with routinely 2 joints per session. A reduction in length of stay from mean of 10.75 days in 2003 to 6.89 days in 2007. Continuous monitoring of post-operative infections with current cumulative rate of 0.71%. Improved patient satisfaction as measured by patient feedback sessions.
