New Joint Care Clinic Successful

7/09/2011 | Joint Care Clinic

A new joint care clinic launched more than three months ago at Palmerston North Hospital for patients scheduled for hip and knee joint replacement surgery is proving very successful in more ways than one.

The joint care clinic was an initiative started on 27 May by a multi-disciplinary team which covers everything that the patient needs to know from first clinic appointment through to a safe discharge home.

Two weeks before their surgery, patients attend a half-day information session at the orthopaedic clinic to learn what they need to do to prepare for surgery, their hospital stay, and once they are discharged home.

During these practical sessions nursing staff, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and social workers inform patients about such things as: pre-surgery exercises, pain management after surgery, getting moving again after surgery and how to use crutches, correct seating height after surgery, techniques for dressing, how to correctly get in and out of a car, the likely length of stay in hospital and do’s and don’ts following surgery.

Patients also receive advice on what to plan in advance, for example, time away from work (if appropriate), pre-preparing or purchasing meals, shopping, transport home from the hospital and to physiotherapy appointments.

Where possible at the end of the session, patients can take crutches and other necessary equipment home with them, in readiness for use after their surgery.

Patients receive in total three new Joint Care Guide Booklets, first at the first appointment with their Consultant, the second at the pre-admission clinic and the third at the joint care clinic, reinforcing and supporting the information covered in the session.

Maria Shaw, Lead Clinical Nurse Specialist in orthopaedics said: “The joint care clinic has been very successful in many areas.
 
One of the most encouraging aspects is that, to date, 94 patients invited to attend the clinic, have all turned up – that means a 100% attendance rate.

“We are able to identify issues early, such as wound infections, which might prevent that patient having their operation and having to be cancelled on the day of surgery.

By giving us more time to assess and make these discussions early we are able to book someone else for that position. So it is reducing theatre cancellations on the day of surgery therefore using theatres to the maximum.

“Another excellent aspect was that those patients attending the joint care clinics were on average spending between one and two days less in hospital – freeing up bed space for other patients. Any issues are identified early and managed in a timely manner.

The staff involved have received positive feedback from patients and relatives. Staff across all disciplines are also reporting a marked improvement in how patients are prepared for their surgery and discharge.

When the clinic was mooted Ms Shaw said: “The establishment of the joint care clinic is all about supporting and involving our patients; by providing practical information that’s given by the same team who will provide the care and support to patients during their time in hospital and after they are discharged.

“The goal of the new Joint Care Clinic and Guide Booklets is to have well informed patients who have been given accurate information on the surgery they are having as well as what to expect when in surgery, recovery, the ward and at home.”

Those goals have been surpassed, with other District Health Boards, who have either heard or read about the joint care clinic, also showing a keen interest, with staff from their DHBs turning up to see the clinic and take home the Joint Care Guide Booklets to try and interest their organisation in following suit.

Contact: Communications Unit (06) 350-8945