Ian Starks1, Thomas W Wainwright2, Jenny Lewis3, John Lloyd4, Robert G Middleton2. 1. Orthopaedic Department, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, UK. 2. Orthopaedic Department, The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth, UK Centre of Postgraduate Medicine, Research and Education, The School of Health and Social Care, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK. 3. Lead Research Analyst at Dr Foster Intelligence London, UK. 4. Orthopaedic Department, The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Bournemouth, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Between August 2007 and May 2009, 2128 consecutive patients underwent either primary hip or knee joint replacement surgery at our institute on an enhanced recovery pathway. We aimed to investigate the potential benefits of this pathway in patients over the age of 85 years. METHODS: Data extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics were analysed. This data are prospectively collected and independently collated. RESULTS: In all patients median length of stay was reduced when compared with both our own data before the introduction of the pathway (6 to 4 days) and national averages over the same time period for both hip and knee replacements (5 to 4 days). Difference in length of stay was most pronounced in the group of patients aged 85 years and over (9 to 5 days for total hip replacement and 8 to 5 days for total knee replacement). Nearly all patients were discharged directly home (97.4%). Readmission rates were over 45% lower in patients aged 85 and over when compared with national averages (5.2 vs. 9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first series in the literature to assess the role of enhanced recovery pathways in the very elderly. This study not only shows that successful fast track rehabilitation can be achieved in the very elderly population undergoing elective joint replacement surgery, but that it is this cohort of vulnerable patients who have the most to gain from such multidisciplinary recovery programmes.
BACKGROUND: Between August 2007 and May 2009, 2128 consecutive patients underwent either primary hip or knee joint replacement surgery at our institute on an enhanced recovery pathway. We aimed to investigate the potential benefits of this pathway in patients over the age of 85 years. METHODS: Data extracted from Hospital Episode Statistics were analysed. This data are prospectively collected and independently collated. RESULTS: In all patients median length of stay was reduced when compared with both our own data before the introduction of the pathway (6 to 4 days) and national averages over the same time period for both hip and knee replacements (5 to 4 days). Difference in length of stay was most pronounced in the group of patients aged 85 years and over (9 to 5 days for total hip replacement and 8 to 5 days for total knee replacement). Nearly all patients were discharged directly home (97.4%). Readmission rates were over 45% lower in patients aged 85 and over when compared with national averages (5.2 vs. 9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first series in the literature to assess the role of enhanced recovery pathways in the very elderly. This study not only shows that successful fast track rehabilitation can be achieved in the very elderly population undergoing elective joint replacement surgery, but that it is this cohort of vulnerable patients who have the most to gain from such multidisciplinary recovery programmes.
Authors: Andrea L Cheville; Lori Rhudy; Jeffrey R Basford; Joan M Griffin; Ann Marie Flores Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2016-08-31 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Nicolas Verdier; Benoît Boutaud; Patrick Ragot; Pierre Leroy; Mo Saffarini; Luca Nover; Jérôme Magendie Journal: Int Orthop Date: 2022-03-02 Impact factor: 3.479