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Total Joint Surgery in the Ambulatory Setting
Keyword(s)
1366-2021, CBRN, NCCT, DePuy Synthes, ambulatory, ambulatory surgical center, ASC, perioperative nurse, surgical technologist, orthopedic, outpatient, total joint, joint replacement, hip, knee, joint replacement surgery, arthritis, osteoarthritis, arthroplasty, minimally invasive surgery, MIS, total knee arthroplasty, TKA, total hip arthroplasty, THA
Credits
CA:2.0, NCCT:2.0
Description
Just four decades ago virtually all surgery was performed in hospitals. It was not uncommon for patients to wait weeks and months for a surgery date, spend several days in the hospital and several weeks out of work in recovery. Hip and knee replacement operations are among the most commonly performed operations in the U.S. and will grow exponentially over the next decade. With 80 million baby-boomers coming of age it is estimated that over 1 million total joint replacements will be performed in the US per year. It is widely regarded as one of the most successful surgical procedures impacting the patient’s quality of life. Total hip and knee replacements have traditionally been performed in an inpatient surgical unit. Patients usually stay in the hospital for several days after the procedure and then receive skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or home care. As the country struggles to improve a costly healthcare system, there is a trend in safely migrating surgery to the outpatient setting and it has proven to be a great example of successful transformation. Joint replacement surgery is the newest wave of outpatient procedures. This activity will analyze the types of joint surgeries that are migrating to the outpatient setting. Protocols for this transition will be discussed and the role of the nurse in the care of outpatient total joint patients will be summarized.