Total joint Perioperative Surgical Home program at 2 years

Editor's Note

In this study, researchers from the University of California, Irvine, report on data for the second year of implementation of the total joint replacement Perioperative Surgical Home program. During the 2-year period there were 328 primary joint arthroplasty patients.

• Length of stay was significantly shorter in the second year for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and was the same both years for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients.
• In the second year, significantly more patients were discharged home than to a skilled nursing facility.
• 30-day readmission rates were 0.9% in the first year and 3.3% in the second year.
• Pain scores did not change significantly between the first and second year.

BACKGROUND: Previously, our group successfully established one of the nation's first Perioperative Surgical Homes (PSHs) aimed at coordinating services to patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). As we now focus on extending the PSH to other service lines within the hospital, the long-term sustainability of this practice model is an important factor to consider moving forward.