National practice patterns for the care of the patient with total joint replacement.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine national practice patterns for common nursing procedures related to the care of total hip and total knee patients.


METHODS
This was a comparative descriptive study utilizing a survey developed by the NAON Total Joint Special Interest Group.


METHODS
Two hundred eight-seven valid surveys were completed by NAON members.


RESULTS
An average of 226 total knee replacements (TKR) and 183 total hip replacements (THR) were performed annually per facility. Data about perioperative practices, postoperative activity practices, use of equipment, anticoagulation practices, and discharge practices (including length of stay) were collected.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledge of national practice patterns and incorporation of the information into clinical practice can reduce the patient's risk of unsafe or ineffective care while promoting positive patient outcomes. Nurses can use these data to adjust clinical pathways and practice standards to improve patient outcomes.
Mauer
Karen A
KA
Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA.
Abrahams
Elizabeth B
EB
Arslanian
Chris
C
Schoenly
Lorry
L
Taggart
Helen M
HM
D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement / Q000451:nursing*; D019091:Critical Pathways; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012956:Societies, Nursing; D014481:United States