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DOS Kongressen 2016 ·
177
The impact of information of expected length of
stay after primary total hip arthroplasty
Christian Hofbauer, Charlotte Troldborg, Christoffer C Jørgensen, Claus Varnum
Ortopædkirurgisk afdeling, Sygehus Lillebælt, Vejle; Medicinsk afdeling, Sygehus
Lillebælt, Kolding; Section for Surgical Pathophysiology , Rigshospitalet;
Ortopædkirurgisk afdeling, Sygehus Lillebælt, Vejle
Background:
Background: Since 2002 patients having a total hip
arthroplasty(THA) at Vejle Hospital have followed a fast- track concept. From
2009 to 2013 patients were informed of an expected length of stay (LOS)
between 2 and 4 days. The information was given by all staff members involved
in the patient treatment and care (surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses). In
addition, the patients received the same information in a leaflet
Purpose / Aim of Study:
Objectives: We aimed to investigate if a change in
the preoperative information about expected LOS from 2-4 days to 1 day could
reduce LOS without decreasing patient safety
Materials and Methods:
Methods: A prospective comparative study on pa-
tients undergoing elective, primary unilateral THR was carried out.122 pa-
tients were consecutively included in the control group from April to August
2014. 122 patients were consecutively included in the intervention group from
October to December 2014. All patients received the same standardized fast-
track treatment and care. Both groups received identical information except
the information related to the expected LOS: Expected LOS between 2-4 days
(control group) and 1 day (intervention group). Patients in both groups stayed
at hospital until they met the discharge criteria
Findings / Results:
Results: Median LOS in the control and intervention groups
was 2 (interquartile range (IQR), 1-3) and 1 (IQR 1-2) days (p<0.001). Within
the first 90 days after THA, 7 (5.7%) patients from the control group and 10
(8.2%) patients from the intervention group were readmitted due to potentially
surgery-related factors (p=0.45). No patient died within the first 90 days after
surgery
Conclusions:
Discussion: Our study shows that by changing the information
regarding expected LOS, it is possible to reduce LOS without compromising pa-
tient safety within the first 90 days after primary THA
No conflicts of interest reported
128.