Preoperative Orthopedic Education

This project identified the need for preoperative education for patients scheduled to undergo a total hip or knee replacement. The PICOT question that guided this project was: In adult patients 18 years of age and older who undergo elective total joint replacement (hip or knee), does participation in a preoperative educational program compared to patients not participating in the educational program, decrease the 30 day readmission rate, decrease complications (i.e. infection, DVT), and improve patient satisfaction with pain management, 30 days after discharge from the hospital? Patients and their support person attended a preoperative educational session prior to their scheduled operation. Class participants were educated on responsibilities and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Education was presented through a power point presentation, written materials, and verbal instructions. Participants were encouraged to ask questions throughout the presentation and after class. Results showed a clinical significance in decreased readmission and complications, and slight increase in satisfaction with pain management as a result of educating patients prior to total joint replacement. There was not a statistically significant difference between the two groups