title: Significant variation exists in home care services following total joint arthroplasty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine a preliminary profile of the variation in rehabilitation and home care services for patients with total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in Ontario in 2001.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was conducted of directors at the 43 regional community care access centers (CCAC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-third (36%) of CCAC had existing care pathways, 54% had defined discharge criteria, and 32% had predetermined the length of home care services. The intensity and frequency of services provided were variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need to standardize rehabilitation protocols to maintain quality of care and contain costs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis Program, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. nizar.mahomed@uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: Nizar N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Mahomed
authors.forename: Johnny T C
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Manfred Koo Seen
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Radovan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zdero
authors.forename: J Roderick
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davey
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006306:Health Surveys; D006699:Home Care Services; D009864:Ontario; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data