[Transfer to a rehabilitation center after hip replacement surgery, frequency and related factors].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the need to clarify indications for transfer to a rehabilitation center after hip arthroplasty, we sought to determine the number of hip prostheses placed in the year 2000 in southwestern France (PACA region), the frequency of transfer for inpatient rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty, and the factors associated with transfer. We also examined the differences between private and public hospitals and between hip replacement due to fracture and those for other reasons.


METHODS
We searched the database of the regional medical information systems program (MPSI) to identify short term hospitalizations for orthopedic surgery during the year 2000 in the region's public and private hospitals.


RESULTS
In all, 4705 hospitalizations included hip arthroplasty, and 46% of the patients were subsequently transferred to a rehabilitation center. Multivariate analysis showed that the following factors were associated with this transfer: age (older patients), sex (women), hospital status (public hospital) and district of residence (the three Alpine districts). Public hospitals performed arthroplasties were more frequently due to femoral fractures and in patients with psychiatric or mental disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip replacement is a common surgical procedure that frequently leads to discharge to a rehabilitation center. This transfer is not related to the complexity of the surgery or the duration of hospitalization. The differences observed between public and private hospitals and between the districts within the region demonstrate the need for guidelines to harmonize practices.
Ha-Vinh
Philippe
P
Caisse maladie régionale de Provence, Marseille. vinh@cmr-provence.canam.fr
Berdeu
Daniel
D
Sauze
Laurent
L
D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D016304:Hospitals, Private; D006779:Hospitals, Public; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies