A Patient and Public Involvement Study to Explore the Need for Further Research into the Experience of Younger Patients Undergoing Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Background: Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) is one of the most commonly performed operations in orthopaedics. It is an operation usually performed in older patients, however the need for THA in younger patients is increasing. There is a lack of literature examining whether current recovery pathways address the specific needs of younger patients. Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) is a core aspect of good research practice and is recommended throughout the research process, including the formulation and refinement of pertinent research questions. Therefore, the explicit aim of this PPI study was to collect qualitative data from patients on the feasibility and requirement for further research into the experience of younger hip arthroplasty patients. Methods: Qualitative data was collected via an online questionnaire that was advertised on social media, requesting the input of anybody who had experienced a lower limb musculoskeletal injury or condition before the age of 50. The survey asked the respondents to describe their experiences and reflect on their priorities and goals throughout their recovery. Results: There were 71 respondents, of which 90% were female, with an average age of 43. Qualitative responses identified many concerns that were issues that could be translated across all patient ages. However, other priorities were raised that are not always recognised as important when measuring successful outcomes after a THA. Furthermore, many respondents described not feeling listened to by clinicians or treatment options not being sufficiently addressed and explored. Multiple respondents reported being told they were too young to have anything serious or that nothing could be done until they were older. Conclusions: The responses to the survey indicate that current care pathways are not fulfilling the needs and priorities in younger patients. Further research is required to explore these priorities and goals in more depth in order to understand how healthcare professionals can address them.

The current status of daycase hip and knee arthroplasty within the English National Health Service: a retrospective analysis of hospital episode statistics data.

INTRODUCTION: A high volume of total hip, total knee and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty procedures, an ageing population and continuing financial pressures within the English NHS mean that strategies to reduce length of hospital stay are attractive. Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols are one such intervention, and have advanced so that daycase arthroplasty is now possible. This study examines the current rate of daycase arthroplasty within the English NHS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hospital episode statistics data from all English NHS providers of arthroplasty procedures were analysed. Activity, daycase rate, length of stay and readmission rates were recorded. All total hip, knee and unicompartmental knee operations undertaken within the time period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019 were examined. RESULTS: Length of stay was analysed for 162,966 patients; 74,665 (46%) were total hip arthroplasty, 79,252 (49%) were total knee arthroplasty and 9,049 were unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (5%). Mean length of stay was 4.08 days for total hip, 4.11 days for total knee and 2.64 days for unicompartmental knee arthroplasties. Daycase rate for total hip arthroplasty was 0.55%, 0.52% for total knee arthroplasty and 5.44% for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. The percentage of patients staying in hospital for longer than four days (a length of stay of five days or more) was 18.61% of total hip arthroplasty spells, 20.54% of total knee arthroplasty spells and 5.48% of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty spells. DISCUSSION: This large observational study of unselected patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty demonstrates that the national daycase rate for arthroplasty across providers in the NHS is low. Mean length of stay remains higher than selected international comparators.

Enhanced recovery after surgery: An opportunity to improve fractured neck of femur management.

Introduction Approximately 67,000 hip fractures occurred in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2014, and annual hospital costs for fracture are around £1.1 billion. We review the potential scope for improving length of stay (LOS). Methods Hospital Episode Statistics data on non-elective admissions to 137 hospital trusts between November 2013 and October 2015 with a primary diagnosis of fractured neck of femur were analysed. The primary outcome was superspell LOS, which is the total LOS for all related spells for a single patient during an episode of care. Secondary outcomes were discharge to home, readmission at 28 days and in-hospital mortality. Results The mean observed LOS was 22.1±3.8 days (range 12.3-33.7 days). The range for case mix-adjusted expected LOS was 21.5-24.4 days. On average, 6.7±1.5% (range 3.6%-10.9%) of patients died while in hospital, at a relative risk of in-hospital mortality of 28.2-182.9. A mean of 12.3±3.2% (range 3.9% to 23.0%) of patients were readmitted at 28 days, at a relative relative risk of 34.8-203.2. Conclusions The wide range of observed LOS in our study is unlikely to be due to the case mix, as the case mix-adjusted range of LOS is less than 3 days, but rather due to local processes and pathways. There is therefore considerable scope for quality and efficiency of care improvements in our hospitals. We propose this could be best achieved if clinicians experienced in enhanced recovery focused on FNOF pathways.

A systematic review of patient reported outcomes and patient experience in enhanced recovery after orthopaedic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Orthopaedic enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) providers are encouraged to estimate the actual benefit of ERAS according to the patient's opinion by using patient generated data alongside traditional measures such as length of stay. The aim of this paper was to systemically review the literature on the use of patient generated information in orthopaedic ERAS across the whole perioperative pathway. METHODS: Publications were identified using Embase(™), MEDLINE(®), AMED, CINAHL(®) (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), the Cochrane Library and the British Nursing Index. Search terms related to experiences, acceptance, satisfaction or perception of ERAS and quality of life (QoL). FINDINGS: Of the 596 abstracts found, 8 papers were identified that met the inclusion criteria. A total of 2,208 patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty were included. Patient satisfaction was reported in 6 papers. Scores were high in all patients and not adversely affected by length of stay. QoL was reported in 2 papers and showed that QoL scores continued to increase up to 12 months following ERAS. Qualitative methods were used in one study, which highlighted problems with support following discharge. There is a paucity of data reporting on patient experience in orthopaedic ERAS. However, ERAS does not compromise patient satisfaction or QoL after elective hip or knee surgery. The measurement of patient experience should be standardised with further research.