title: National practice patterns for the care of the patient with total joint replacement.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, South Dakota, USA.
authors.forename: Karen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Mauer
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Abrahams
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arslanian
authors.forename: Lorry
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schoenly
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Taggart
mesh_terms: 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