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[Accelerated versus conventional hospital stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty III: patient satisfaction]
Henrik Husted1, Hans Christian Hansen, Gitte Holm
1H:S Hvidovre Hospital, Ortopaedkirurgisk Afdeling, Hvidovre. henrikhusted@dadlnet.dk
Insights
Patients undergoing accelerated total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA) report equal or higher satisfaction compared to those with longer stays. Shorter hospital stays do not negatively impact patient satisfaction.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Patient Outcomes Research
Background:
- Assessing patient satisfaction is crucial for evaluating healthcare quality.
- Hospital length of stay (LOS) is a key metric in orthopedic procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate patient satisfaction with hospital stays for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in relation to LOS.
- To compare satisfaction levels between departments with shortest and longest postoperative stays.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Register on Patients to select departments with extreme LOS for THA and TKA.
- Administered satisfaction questionnaires to patients operated on between September 2004 and April 2005.
- Collected data on patient demographics, co-morbidity, and satisfaction with specific aspects of their hospital stay.
Main Results:
- Patients from departments with shorter LOS were not younger or less co-morbid than those with longer LOS.
- Patients with shorter stays reported equal or greater satisfaction across all evaluated aspects of their hospital experience.
- Shorter LOS was associated with comparable or improved patient satisfaction.
Conclusions:
- Accelerated hospital stays for THA and TKA do not lead to decreased patient satisfaction.
- Findings support the adoption of fast-track protocols for total hip and knee arthroplasty.
- Optimizing LOS can enhance patient experience without compromising satisfaction.
Introduction:
The goal of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with the hospital stay in relation to the length of stay for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA).
Materials And Methods:
According to the National Register on Patients, the three departments with the shortest and the three departments with the longest postoperative hospital stay at the end of 2003 were chosen for evaluation. The patients, operated on with THA or TKA from September 2004 to April 2005, from the selected departments answered a questionnaire regarding satisfaction with elected parts of their stay, co-morbidity, sex and age.
Results:
The patients from the departments with the shortest stay were not younger nor had they less co-morbidities than patients from departments with longer stays. Apart from staying a significantly shorter time, they were either as satisfied--or sometimes more satisfied--with all parts of their stay compared to patients from the departments with longer hospital stay.
Conclusion:
Patients in accelerated stays are not less satisfied with their hospital stay (or any part of it) compared to patients with longer and more conventional hospital stays. These results support the implementation of fast-track total hip- and knee arthroplasty.