Many doctors recommend and some patients prefer, recovery at an in-patient rehabilitation facility following total hip (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery, despite higher costs.
And yet a new study to be presented Thursday, March 16, at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), found that even patients who live alone can recover effectively and safely at home.
Breast Reduction Surgery
Want firm and shapely breasts? Consider the option of traveling abroad to have it done at affordable prices.
Advertisement
‘The patients who lived alone were more likely to stay an additional night in the hospital prior to discharge and utilize more home health services, especially older patients.’
Tweet it Now
"In the past, most surgeons have been reticent to discharge patients directly home after joint replacement surgery if they live by themselves; instead, opting for such patients to enter a rehab facility," said lead author William J. Hozack, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at The Rothman Institute and professor of orthopaedic surgery at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. "However, we found that patients living alone were able to safely recover without any increase in the rate of complications. Even more strikingly, patients were generally happy and content being in the comfort of their own home during recovery."
The study, "Even if You Live Alone, There's No Place Like Home after Total Joint Arthroplasty," (LINK) involved 769 patients undergoing primary THR or TKR. Of these, 138 patients lived alone and 631 lived with other people. In both groups, patients age 75 and older were well represented. The patients who lived alone were more likely to stay an additional night in the hospital prior to discharge and utilize more home health services, especially older patients. Limited support without weekly visits was reported by 37.2 percent of patients living alone, although nearly 80 percent had a friend or relative living within 15 miles who could provide help if needed.
![Alcohol Effects After Bariatric Surgery]( "Alcohol Effects After Bariatric Surgery")
Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol due to its faster rate of absorption into the blood and slower metabolism.
Among the results of the study:
There was no increase in complications or unplanned clinical events for patients living alone compared to those living with other people (10.9 percent of patients living alone had complications, compared with 9.5 percent of those recovering at home with support).
There were no significant differences in functional outcomes following surgery, or in reported pain. Patient satisfaction scores were equivalent in both sets of patients after 90 days.
The cost savings for patients who recovered at home was estimated at $10,776 per patient, or nearly $1.5 million total.
Given the cost savings of in-home recovery, the emotional benefits of patients recovering in familiar surroundings, and no measurable difference in pain, complications or functional outcomes, "we believe home discharge is appropriate for the vast majority of patients undergoing joint replacement, including the nearly 20 percent of patients living on their own," said Dr. Hozack.
In addition, the July 2016 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General report, "Adverse Events in Rehabilitation Hospitals: National Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries," highlighted "a surprisingly high rate of adverse events at rehab hospitals across the U.S.," said Dr. Hozack.
Source: Eurekalert
Alcohol Effects After Bariatric Surgery
Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol due to its faster rate of absorption into the blood and slower metabolism.
Advertisement
Among the results of the study:
There was no increase in complications or unplanned clinical events for patients living alone compared to those living with other people (10.9 percent of patients living alone had complications, compared with 9.5 percent of those recovering at home with support).
There were no significant differences in functional outcomes following surgery, or in reported pain. Patient satisfaction scores were equivalent in both sets of patients after 90 days.
The cost savings for patients who recovered at home was estimated at $10,776 per patient, or nearly $1.5 million total.
Given the cost savings of in-home recovery, the emotional benefits of patients recovering in familiar surroundings, and no measurable difference in pain, complications or functional outcomes, "we believe home discharge is appropriate for the vast majority of patients undergoing joint replacement, including the nearly 20 percent of patients living on their own," said Dr. Hozack.
In addition, the July 2016 U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General report, "Adverse Events in Rehabilitation Hospitals: National Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries," highlighted "a surprisingly high rate of adverse events at rehab hospitals across the U.S.," said Dr. Hozack.
Source: Eurekalert
Bariatric Surgery - Short Term and Long Term Outcomes
The benefits of bariatric surgery outweigh its side-effects. With the surgery you can lose 45 to 60% of the original weight and this has benefits on blood sugar, sleep and heart disease.
Advertisement
 Gallbladder SurgeryThe major reasons for doing gallbladder surgery are gallstones and abnormal functioning of the gall bladder. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest General Health News
Most Americans confess that due to constant flurry of activity during the holiday season, it is difficult to eat nutritiously, exercise, and get enough sleep.
People who suffer from depression, constipation, and urinary tract infections are more likely to get multiple sclerosis(MS) five years before MS diagnosis.
Seeking internet help for an incomplete antibiotic course resulted in kidney stone formation and urinary tract infection in a young woman.
The Brain Care Score is a tool to evaluate brain health and reduce the risk of brain disorders including dementia and stroke.
Swine influenza A viruses, including subtypes H1N1, H1N2, and H3N2, are prominent among pigs and sporadically transmit to humans.