Hip and Knee Replacement Patients' Experiences With an Orthopaedic Patient Navigator: A Qualitative Study.

Hip and knee replacement surgery is common, yet more than 10% of patients who undergo total hip replacement (THR) and total knee replacement (TKR) report postsurgery dissatisfaction. Recommendations for improving patient experience after total joint replacement surgery include increasing support to patients, including having a patient navigator available to patients before and after surgery. This article reports on THR and TKR patients' experiences of using an orthopaedic patient navigator. We employed qualitative description to understand THR and TKR patients' experiences of interacting with an orthopaedic patient navigator in a community teaching hospital. Telephone interviews were conducted with 15 purposefully selected total joint replacement patients (TKR: n = 11; THR: n = 4) who had at least one contact with the navigator. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Patients described receiving physical support services, emotional support services, informational support services, and care coordination services from the patient navigator. All interactions with the patient navigator were positive. Knowing the patient navigator was available for any future concerns also provided indirect benefits of reassurance, comfort, and security. Patients described these direct and indirect benefits as potentially having long-lasting and resilient positive effects. An orthopaedic patient navigator can have a positive impact on patients' THR and TKR experience and fill gaps in support identified in earlier studies. Addressing patients' complex and varied care needs is well suited to a clinical nurse specialist in the role. Investing in an orthopaedic patient navigator provides reassurance to patients that their needs are a priority and will be addressed in a timely manner.

The impact of patient navigation on length of hospital stay and satisfaction in patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare organizations are implementing innovative ways to deliver patient centered care, which includes the addition of the orthopedic nurse navigator role. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine length of hospital stay and patient satisfaction following the implementation of an orthopedic surgery CNS-patient navigator. METHODS: This prospective descriptive study (n = 226) examined length of stay, location of discharge, and readmission to hospital by reviewing the participants' electronic hospital record. Patient satisfaction was examined by telephone using the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigator scale, and generic health related quality of life and patient experience were measured by the howRu/howRwe scale. RESULTS: The mean length of hospital stay was 2.8 (±1.0), which was less than the provincial mean length of stay for the same time period. The majority of participants were discharged to home, and only 1.3% of participants were readmitted to the same hospital within 30 days following discharge. All participants were satisfied with the care they received from the navigator, and reported a positive patient experience and health related quality of life. CONCLUSION: The mean length of stay in our hospital was lower than the provincial mean. Participants were satisfied with the care provided by the navigator.