Early discharge after total joints doesn’t increase readmissions

Editor's Note

Early discharge of patients after total joint replacement did not increase readmission rates in this study.

Of 174 patients discharged after 1 day and 285 discharged after 2 days, the readmission rates for both groups were similar−2.3% vs 2.5% at 30 days and 1.1% for both groups at 90 days.

Refining discharge protocols could allow more patients to be discharged after 1 day instead of 2 days, the researchers note.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols for total joint replacements (TJRs) emphasize early discharge, yet the impact on readmissions is not well documented. We evaluate the impact of a one-day length of stay (LOS) discharge protocol on readmissions.