Evaluation of the impact of preoperative assessment on length of stay after a total hip arthroplasty

Abstract

Introduction

To investigate if preoperative assessment delivered by occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers for people awaiting a total hip arthroplasty decreased the length of stay in hospital postoperatively.

Method

A retrospective data review was conducted on all patients who had a primary total hip arthroplasty across a 6-month period. A total of 101 patients (mean age 67.16 years) was included in this evaluation. Clinical notes were used to determine which patients attended or did not attend preoperative assessment. Statistical modeling was used to analyse the association of a series of variables and time spent in hospital after a total hip arthroplasty.

Results

There was no significant difference in the length of stay for patients who attended preoperative assessment (P < 0.05) while patients who were medically unfit, lived alone and/or required a care package experienced a significantly higher length of stay (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

These results do not support the British Orthopaedic Association’s recommendation that preoperative assessment delivered by allied health professionals helps reduce length of stay. However, it identifies variables which could be managed potentially to reduce length of stay. A large multisite clinical trial is required to determine if preoperative assessment reduces length of stay for people undergoing this surgical procedure.