Patient satisfaction with accelerated discharge following unilateral knee replacement

The aim of this study was to identify and describe patients' satisfaction after accelerated and usual discharge from hospital following elective orthopaedic surgery. It identified patients' perceived discharge preferences and describes factors that they believed to be important. The research was conducted with 41 patients who had participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing accelerated discharge after Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement with standard care. A qualitative study design using a combination of a validated questionnaire and supplementary open questions was used. The data from this open question underwent content analysis. Both accelerated and usual care patients appeared to be highly satisfied following their knee replacement. This study indicates that patients seem satisfied with early discharge and that the majority who had experienced accelerated discharge would prefer accelerated discharge again in the future, if they required similar surgery. The benefits of being at home, altruism, experience and knowledge were reasons provided for this view.