UTMB Health’s initiative, the “Joint Replacement in a Day” program, aims to give qualifying patients the option to go home the same day they undergo hip and knee replacement surgery, rather than spending days recovering in the hospital.
“There’s no place like home,” says UTMB Health orthopedic surgeon Dr. Paul Dikpinigaitis. “Recovering from these surgeries is tough, but there’s something special about being able to recover in the comfort of your own home with your favorite blankets, food, family, and of course, pets.”
Dr. Dikpinigaitis and Dr. Bardia Valimani, UTMB orthopedic surgeons and assistant professors specializing in joint replacement and reconstructive surgery, are highly respected board-certified orthopedic surgeons and are excited to offer eligible patients this approach, which improves the patient experience by allowing for a more comfortable at-home recovery.
Benefits of the program include:
Recover comfortably in your own home, surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings. Enhance your mental and physical recovery experience in the comfort of your own home. Enjoy a personal routine, favorite meals, and plenty of social support from family and pets on the day. Increased satisfaction and reduced stress compared to a traditional hospital stay. Historically, joint replacement surgery required a week-long hospital stay and extended rehabilitation. Over time, advancements in surgical techniques and patient care have allowed eligible patients to shorten their recovery time and transition to outpatient surgery.
Today, UTMB Health offers patients comprehensive pre-op education, including the Joint Academy, to prepare patients for the program’s surgery and recovery process so everyone involved can feel confident leaving the hospital that day. On the day of surgery, your surgery will proceed as normal, but will be followed by physical therapy, thorough post-op care and monitoring to ensure a safe and productive recovery at home.
“Patients are pre-screened for eligibility for the program,” Dr. Balimani said, “and then on the day of surgery, patients receive physical therapy, medications and other post-operative services immediately following their hip or knee arthroplasty so they can be discharged safely.”
While at home, patients and their families are supported by a 24/7 post-op hotline with medical professionals ready to answer any questions. Just because a patient plans to recover at home doesn’t mean they have to.
“If (patients) are not feeling well because of the anesthesia or are not able to move well with the guidance of the physiotherapist, we are flexible. We can always move them to hospital,” Dr. Dikpinigaitis said.
Program Eligibility
Not all patients are eligible for the same-day joint replacement program: UTMB Health surgeons evaluate each patient individually to determine eligibility, taking into account the patient’s medical history, social support, the surgeon’s own experience, and the patient’s comfort level.
Eligibility requirements include:
Patient’s overall health: Patients should not have too many medical conditions that would not be dangerous if they went home immediately after surgery. Medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, heart problems, or a history of stroke may disqualify patients from same-day discharge. Social support network: Patients should have a strong social support network, usually with someone to help them at home. Patients who live alone are generally not considered candidates for the program, as they may require more monitoring and care. Surgeon’s comfort: The surgeon’s experience and comfort with same-day discharge plays a key role in determining eligibility. Surgeons with more experience in the program may push the boundaries and consider patients with somewhat more complicated medical histories. Patient’s comfort: Patients should be mentally prepared and ready to be discharged the same day, rather than expecting a longer hospital stay. Surgeons emphasize that there is no pressure on patients, and that patients can always transition to inpatient care if they are not able to be discharged that day. If you are planning or considering hip or knee replacement surgery, visit the UTMB Health website to learn more about the center’s Joint Replacement in a Day program.
The above story was created by Community Impact’s multi-platform journalist, Jacquelyn Chorush, using information provided exclusively by local businesses as part of “sponsored content” purchased through our advertising team.
