IMPACT OF A CLINICAL PATHWAY AND IMPLANT STANDARDIZATION ON TOTAL HIP-ARTHROPLASTY - A CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC-STUDY OF SHORT-TERM PATIENT OUTCOME

This study evaluates the impact of a clinical pathway (CP) and a hip i mplant standardization program (HISP) on the quality and cost of total hip arthroplasty (THA). Two hundred six unilateral THA operations for osteoarthritis were evaluated: 89 operations were performed in 1991 w ithout a CP or HISP (4-year follow-up period); 117 operations were per formed in 1993 with a CP and HISP (2-year follow-up period). All patie nts had good clinical results and excellent outcomes with short-term f ollow-up evaluation. No differences were seen between groups in terms of patient ratings of outcome and satisfaction or in terms of complica tion rates in the hospital. Implementation of a CP and HISP did not ad versely affect the short-term outcome of THA but did reduce hospital l ength of stay and hospital cost for THA.