title: High patient satisfaction in 445 patients who underwent fast-track hip or knee replacement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient satisfaction is important in fast-track total hip and knee replacement (THR, TKR). We assessed: (1) how satisfied patients were with the treatment; (2) factors related to overall satisfaction; and (3) whether there was a difference between THR and TKR regarding length of stay (LOS) and patient satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this follow-up study, a consecutive series of 445 patients undergoing THR and TKR completed a questionnaire 2 weeks after discharge. LOS and short-term patient satisfaction with the fast-track management were measured. Patient satisfaction was measured using a numerical rating scale (NRS; 0-10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  For THR, the median satisfaction score was 9-10 and for TKR it was 8.5-10 in all parameters. Older THR patients had higher overall satisfaction. No association was found between overall satisfaction following THR or TKR and sex comorbidity, or LOS. THR patients had shorter mean LOS than TKR patients, even though the median LOS was 2 days for both groups. THR patients were more satisfied than TKR patients in the first weeks after discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patient satisfaction is high following fast-track THR and TKR, with scores ranging from 8.5 to 10 on the NRS. A qualitative investigation of the first weeks after discharge is required to learn more about how to improve the experience of recovery.
authors.affiliation: a 1 Research Unit of Nursing, Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark , Odense.|b 2 Department of Orthopedics, Vejle Hospital , Vejle.|c 3 The Lundbeck Center for Fast-track Hip and Knee Arthroplasty , Copenhagen.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.affiliation: b 2 Department of Orthopedics, Vejle Hospital , Vejle.|c 3 The Lundbeck Center for Fast-track Hip and Knee Arthroplasty , Copenhagen.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kjaersgaard-Andersen
authors.affiliation: c 3 The Lundbeck Center for Fast-track Hip and Knee Arthroplasty , Copenhagen.|d 4 Section for Surgical Pathophysiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet , Copenhagen.
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kehlet
authors.affiliation: e 5 Center for Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Hospital of Lillebaelt , Middelfart.|f 6 Institute of Regional Health Service Research and Center for Research in Childhood Health, University of Southern Denmark , Odense, Denmark.
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wedderkopp
authors.affiliation: a 1 Research Unit of Nursing, Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Science, University of Southern Denmark , Odense.
authors.forename: Birthe D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors