Discharge Needs of Patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty

Abstract
Background: Discharge needs are known to be common problems for total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients due to surgical and technological developments of arthroplasty, treatment procedures, and reducing the duration of hospitali-zation. Hence, nurses play an important role in assessment of discharge needs of patients following THA.
Aim of the Study: Is to explore discharge needs of patients after total hip arthroplasty.
Material and Methods: Convenient sample of all male and female patients scheduled to undergo THA, above 50 years, performing the surgery for the first time, having hip osteoarthritis. Data was collected using the following two tools: (a) Demographic and Medical Background Information Form, and (b) Arthroplasty Discharge Needs Assessment Tool (ADNA).
Results: The majority of sample aged between 51 to 70 years with a mean of 60.6±6.7. Moreover, the majority of participants were females and married with a percentage of 58.3% and 86.7% respectively. Before discharge and two weeks after being discharged, all the participants expressed their unsatisfactory level of information in almost all categories of ADNA with the exception of home setup category. Conse-quently the overall ADNA scores prevail unsatisfactory.
Conclusion: The study concluded that, the studied subjects had unmet needs following THA before discharge and two weeks after being discharged.
Implications: Significant implication involves the need for further collaboration between health care providers and patients related to the kind and amount of information needed by hip arthroplasty patients especially after being discharged from hospital.
Recommendation: Longitudinal study should be designed to determine the long term needs for this group of patients over a long period of time.