title: [Accelerated versus conventional hospital stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty II: organizational and clinical differences].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to evaluate hospital stays for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA) in order to identify important logistical and clinical areas for the duration of the hospital stay.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to the National Register on Patients, the three departments with the shortest and the three departments with the longest postoperative hospital stay at the end of 2003 were chosen for evaluation. This took place from late 2004 to mid 2005, and all written material and 25 journals from each department were evaluated, and interviews with the heads of the departments as well as the staff were conducted. The logistical set-up and the clinical treatment/pathway were examined in an attempt to identify logistical and clinical factors acting as improvements or barriers for quick rehabilitation and subsequent discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Departments with short hospital stay were characterised by both logistical (homogenous entities, regular staff, high continuity, using more time on and up-to-date information including expectations of a short stay, functional discharge criteria) and clinical features (multi-modal pain treatment, early mobilization and discharge when criteria were met) facilitating quick rehabilitation and discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementation of logistical and clinical features, as shown in this study in all departments, are expected to increase rehabilitation and reduce the length of hospital stay.
authors.affiliation: H:S Hvidovre Hospital, Ortopaedkirurgisk Afdeling, Hvidovre. henrikhusted@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Husted
authors.forename: Hans Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Gitte
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Holm
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bach-Dal
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rud
authors.forename: Kristoffer Lande
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kehlet
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000451:nursing / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003718:Denmark; D004434:Early Ambulation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017144:Focus Groups; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007902:Length of Stay; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012042:Registries