A PREOPERATIVE ASSESSMENT AND EDUCATION-PROGRAM - IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES

A preoperative program was initiated by the nursing staff of an orthop aedic unit to prepare patients and their families by providing informa tion about every aspect of hospitalization for total joint replacement in order to decrease length of stay (LOS) and improve patient satisfa ction. This included steps to minimize complications, teaching exercis es that would increase post operative function, and quality discharge planning. The program is coordinated by the Patient Care Managers (PCM ) and is offered to 4 patients twice weekly. The sample consisted of 4 63 patients admitted for total hip and knee replacement. The average L OS during the 33-month period was 8.0 days for those patients who rece ived the preoperative program and 8.7 days for those patients who did not. Several outliers that had extended hospitalizations were equally distributed in both groups. By providing education preoperatively, we have not only reduced costs, but we have also provided our patients wi th timely information and quality care.