title: Implementation of a quality care management system for patients with arthritis of the hip and knee.
abstract: The Orthopaedic Unit of the Repatriation General Hospital (RGH) in Adelaide, South Australia has implemented a quality care management system for patients with arthritis of the hip and knee. The system not only optimises conservative management but ensures that joint replacement surgery is undertaken in an appropriate and timely manner. This new service model addresses identified barriers to service access and provides a comprehensive, coordinated strategy for patient management. Over 4 years the model has reduced waiting times for initial outpatient assessment from 8 to 3 months and surgery from 18 to 8 months, while decreasing length of stay from 6.3 to 5.3 days for hips and 5.8 to 5.3 days for knees. The service reforms have been accompanied by positive feedback from patients and referring general practitioners in relation to the improved coordination of care and enhanced efficiency in service delivery.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Department, Repatriation General Hospital, Daws Road, Daw Park, SA 5041, Australia. christine.doerr@health.sa.gov.au
authors.forename: Christine R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Doerr
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Graves
authors.forename: Graham E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Osborne
mesh_terms: D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000592:standards; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000592:standards; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D017146:Models, Organizational; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013021:South Australia; D014218:Triage; D014850:Waiting Lists