Many patients undergoing hip, knee, and shoulder surgery at the Brantford General Hospital are now able to return home the same day of their procedure where they can sleep in their own bed and recuperate with their family.
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“We have been providing this same day home from surgery service for two years,” Brian Brennan, the clinical director who oversees the peri-operative surgery program at the Brant Community Healthcare System said. “Our evidence indicates that patients who qualify enjoy their experience very much.”
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The Brant Community Healthcare System partnered with a leading digital solution company to provide another tool that enhances patients’ surgical experience throughout their entire journey.
“When patients come to their pre-op appointment before their surgery a nurse, anesthetist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and the surgeon will determine if the patient can return home the same day of their surgery,” Caralee Bolton, registered nurse first assistant, said. “Many factors are considered including the patients’ health and how well their home is set up for recovering.”
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Patients having hip, knee, or shoulder surgery who qualify to return home the same day of their procedure download the digital app on their smart phone or tablet before their surgery. The hospital will even loan a device to patients who may not have access to one.
“The app provides customized evidence-based pathways guiding the patient from pre-admission preparation right through post-discharge recovery,” Bolton said. “Patients have a virtual companion with them all day every day throughout their recovery.”
After their surgery, patients remain in the recovery room and are reassessed to ensure they can be safely discharged home. At home, daily health checks monitor patients’ symptoms, their overall recovery including range of motion, pain level, and incision recovery. The app also provides education to patients on how to manage low-risk issues or when to escalate to a healthcare provider and alerts staff if a patient’s health status changes which allows the care team to intervene sooner. As with any surgery, patients meet in-person with the surgeon.
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In 2023, over 40 per cent of hip, knee and shoulder surgery patients qualified for the program, up from 26 per cent the first year the service started.
“The feedback from our patients has been very encouraging,” Brennan said. “They tell us that they felt more confident before having their surgery and afterward recovering at home.”
“Verbal instructions may be forgotten, and paper booklets can be misplaced, whereas our app is with patients all the time so it can optimize their experience and improve outcomes.”
Bolton added, “Patients having access through their electronic device leads to improved compliance and fewer post-surgical complications.
“Another benefit is that more beds become available in the hospital so we can increase our surgical capacity and reduce wait times.”
“Nurses reach out to patients who returned home the day of their surgery. It is not unusual for patients to say it was their best decision.”
Hospital Insider is written by Gary Chalk, who assists with communications for the Brant Community Healthcare System.
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