Programme Halves Hip Or Knee Replacement Patients' Time In Hospital, West Suffolk Hospital, England

Main Category: Bones / Orthopaedics
Also Included In: Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy
Article Date: 01 Dec 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Patients who have undergone a hip or knee replacement at West Suffolk Hospital have spoken out to praise on a unique programme which has halved the time they spend in hospital.

The Joint Care Programme, which has been phased in by the trust over the last four years, encourages patients who have had similar operations on the same day to work closely with each other and healthcare professionals to help them get back on their feet.

The initiative has proved so successful that it has halved the average number of days patients spend in hospital from 12 to six, helping to improve efficiency and cut waiting times.

And now, grateful patients who have experienced the programme firsthand have spoken out in support of the initiative, which is run by the Orthopaedic Department.

"I thought everything was excellent, and I was very pleased and happy with the treatment I had," said Peter Hicks, who underwent a knee replacement operation. "Everyone from the ward staff through to the consultant and the consultant's secretary were just excellent.

"I only stayed in the hospital for three or four days. I went back a month later to meet with around 30 other people who had all had knee surgery and it was very friendly and relaxed. Everyone felt they could be very open and the consultant was inviting comments and feedback, which was good."

Peter Sandford, who recently moved from Suffolk to Northamptonshire, chose to have his knee replacement operation at West Suffolk. He said: "The whole programme was very well organised, and I have no criticisms at all. I thought the cleaning regime was also excellent.

"The hospital brought me in before the operation to explain what was going to happen, and then invited feedback afterwards, which was a really excellent idea. I only stayed in for five days and was up and walking on the second day, and all of the staff were also absolutely brilliant.

"I feel like writing to the Daily Telegraph and telling everyone who knocks the NHS to get themselves down to West Suffolk Hospital."

West Suffolk Hospital was the first in the UK to encourage patients to "buy-in" to their rehabilitation by helping each other and working alongside surgeons, nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

The programme uses eight special reclining chairs, brought with funds donated by the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS), to allow patients' limbs to be supported at exactly the right height and angle. The chairs have been set up in a bay which also acts as a day room, giving patients the chance to discuss their problems and motivate each other.

"The special chairs in the day room were absolutely beautiful, and really helped," said Michael Tipple, who lives near Diss and had a knee replacement operation last October and a hip replacement in July.

"All in all I was extremely happy with the care I received, and could not have asked for any better. I was only in hospital for three or four days and did exactly what I was told, and got better quickly. I'm now in no pain whatsoever."

The programme was introduced at West Suffolk after Mr Willem Schenk FRCS, one of the hospital's consultant orthopaedic surgeons, saw how successful it had been in Holland.

"The programme gives patients the chance to help each other by sharing their experiences and advising on how to overcome problems," said Mr Schenk. "The group rehabilitation sessions also give patients the chance to see other people's successes, giving them a better idea of what to expect when they are treated.

"Since it was introduced, the programme has matured to become a great success and the feedback we have had from patients has been overwhelming. As well as helping to educate them, the initiative has also helped minimise the amount of time these patients are spending in hospital, which means we can treat even more people and help them get back on their feet.

"The evolution of the programme has come over several years, and has been a team effort, involving a lot of hard work from every specialism within the orthopaedic department, from physiotherapists to nurses to surgeons to administration staff. Everyone is involved, from when someone first arrives in the outpatients department until after their discharge."

As part of the programme, patients are also given in depth knowledge about their operation and the best way to make a quick recovery in the weeks leading up to surgery. They also meet the team who will be caring for them and are assessed for what equipment they will need when they return home to continue with their recovery.

West Suffolk Hospital NHS Trust