Dorset County Hospital is leading the way in rapid recovery programmes for patients having hip and knee replacements.
Patients are now able to get up and about and go home within a few days of surgery thanks to a team approach.
Recently released data from the South West of England Enhanced Recovery Group shows that Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust now has the shortest mean length of stay for all specialties amongst 36 acute trusts throughout the country.
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mr Peter Ward leads the Rapid Hip Programme, which has been developed to allow most patients to be safely discharged within three or four days. Sometimes patients are ready to go home in just one or two days.
Patients are followed up with telephone assessments when they return home and the team works closely with GPs to ensure recovery continues to go well.
Mr Ward said team work made a swift recovery for patients possible: “A team approach, with the patient at the centre, involving physiotherapists, occupational therapists and the nursing staff is essential.
“Our figures continue to improve and our patients are in hospital for an average of three days. Earlier mobilisation is safer practice, benefiting all involved.
“In recent years lengths of stay have fallen but new drives concentrating on patient education and expectations linked to changing anaesthetic and nursing practice allow remarkably short stays after major surgery.
“With an organised approach and well motivated patients we hope to see more and more hip and knee replacement patients achieving very early discharge.”
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