Same-Day Discharge After a Total Knee Replacement

Getting discharged the same day as your total knee replacement operation is getting more common as innovations in joint replacement techniques are improving. The current same-day discharge rate for Faith Regional is 53%, and the next-day discharge rate is 47%.

How has the rate of same-day discharges changed?

Dr. John Lammli, an orthopedic surgeon at Faith Regional, states, “When I started at Faith Regional in 2014, many of our patients required 2-3 days of inpatient care or transitioned to a skilled nursing facility after having a total knee arthroplasty. Now, nearly half of our patients spend 24 hours or less in the hospital and then return home.”

The number of same-day discharges has shifted drastically in such a short period of time, but why? Dr. Jared Rickert of Faith Regional explains, “Our navigator program has enhanced our focus on pre-operative preparation such as prehab physical and occupational therapy, education, and discharge planning. We strive to fully prepare the patient for recovery before the surgery even happens.” Dr. Rickert also states, “Another significant advance enabling same-day discharge for total knee and hip replacements has been the evolution of multimodal pain management over the past decade. This advancement allows us to offer a more comprehensive pain approach that includes nerve blocks, long-acting local anesthetics, anti-inflammatory medications, and nerve-calming agents.”

Benefits

Same-day discharge has multiple benefits that improve overall patient experience. Some of these benefits include:

  • Comfortable recovery at home
    • Patients are more comfortable and more likely to rest better surrounded by a familiar environment.
  • Reduced medical costs
    • A shorter length of stay in the hospital can lower the cost and leave patients with a more manageable bill.
  • Increased hospital capacity
    • With total knee replacement patients leaving the hospital the same day, more staff, beds, and other hospital resources become available for other patients.
  • Limited exposure to disease
    • Less time in the hospital means less exposure to diseases that may be present. Staying healthy after a total knee replacement speeds up the recovery process, so limiting exposure to illness increases your chances of a fast recovery.

Which patients are eligible for same-day discharge?

There are multiple factors that go into determining whether a patient can be discharged the same day as a knee replacement surgery or not. These factors can include but are not limited to:

  • Previous medical history
    • If a patient has major cardiac or respiratory issues, they are less likely to be released the same day. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and history of smoking are also taken into consideration.
  • Lifestyle
    • Patients who exhibit a healthy, active lifestyle have a much higher chance of being eligible for same-day discharge.
  • Home Support System
    • Right after surgery, assistance is needed with basic household chores and exercises. If a patient does not have someone to help with this, then going home the same day may be difficult.

Consulting with your orthopedic surgeon is the best way to determine whether you are eligible for same-day discharge after a total knee replacement surgery. Make an appointment with our orthopedic team by calling (402) 844-8158 or visit our web page to learn more.

 

Sources: Dr. John Lammli, Dr. Jared Rickert, At Least Half of Patients Having Total Knee Arthroplasty Could Be Considered for Same-Day Discharge, Same-day joint replacement surgery – Mayo Clinic Health System