title: [Accelerated versus conventional hospital stay in total hip and knee arthroplasty III: patient satisfaction].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction with the hospital stay in relation to the length of stay for patients operated on with primary total hip- and knee-arthroplasty (THA and TKA).
  
  
  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. The patients, operated on with THA or TKA from September 2004 to April 2005, from the selected departments answered a questionnaire regarding satisfaction with elected parts of their stay, co-morbidity, sex and age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patients from the departments with the shortest stay were not younger nor had they less co-morbidities than patients from departments with longer stays. Apart from staying a significantly shorter time, they were either as satisfied--or sometimes more satisfied--with all parts of their stay compared to patients from the departments with longer hospital stay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients in accelerated stays are not less satisfied with their hospital stay (or any part of it) compared to patients with longer and more conventional hospital stays. These results support the implementation of fast-track total hip- and knee arthroplasty.
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: D000367:Age Factors; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires