Patient reported importance of occupational therapy in a hip and knee replacement ERAS protocol

Abstract

operative complications and mortality. Person-centred care has been shown to improve concordance between care provider and patient on treatment plans, improve health outcomes and enhance the patient experience. Methods: A patient education programme was developed for patients and carers; delivery of this is tailored to meet individual patient needs. The ERAS education programme also extends to a range of healthcare professionals as they all have apart to play in the patient's journey. The staff education programme targets teams from pre-operative assessment, critical care and the ward and aims to reinforce the principles of ERAS from day 0 to supported early discharge. The ERAS nurse is pivotal in the educational programmes. Additional methods include; cohorting patients together for group support, using visual reminders to promote ERAS principles, DVDs, information booklets, walkway signage, 'what matters to me' boards in patients rooms, sharing targets, goal setting exercises and involving family and carers in care plans and discharge planning. Results: Patient experience data was gathered from patient stories and feedback from discharge questionnaires and the results were displayed in the form of 'You Said e We Did' ward information boards. Data from ERAS performance markers such as length of stay, early mobilisation and time taken to return to normal eating and drinking demonstrate compliance factors that influence patient outcomes and satisfaction. Conclusion: The principles of person-centred care are inherent within the ERAS programme and require added focus and exploitation to manage patient expectations achieve better outcomes and improve patient experience.