Does implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery program for hip replacement improve quality of recovery in an Australian private hospital: A quality improvement study

Abstract

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs may improve recovery and reduce duration of hospital stay after joint replacement surgery. However, uptake is incomplete, and the relative importance of program components is unknown. This before-and-after quality improvement study was designed to determine whether adding 'non-surgical' components, to pre-existing 'surgical' components, in an Australian private healthcare setting, would improve patient recovery after total hip replacement. Methods: We prospectively collected data regarding care processes and health outcomes of 115 consecutive patients undergoing hip replacement with a single surgeon in a private hospital in Melbourne, Aust..