By the morning after surgery, most patients are up on their feet and feel ready to go home.
Your care team in hospital will explain the discharge process for you. You can ask questions, so you are as ready as possible to leave hospital and stay healthy once you’re home. Let your care team know if you will not be staying in your own home following discharge.
Your Discharge summary/letter
Your care team will give you a discharge summary which should contain the following information
Procedure you have had done
Medicines you are taking
Details of any wound care arrangements
Dates or schedules of out-patient appointments
Specific post-operative instructions
In addition, you may want to clarify verbally with your care team the following and write notes down:
Any “red flags’ to look out for and what to do when you notice them
Any specific dietary requirements
How to care for your wound and what happens if the dressing starts to come off
When and how to obtain additional or alternative medication
The do’s and don’ts of your new hip
Sick note if required
Write down a name and phone number of someone to call with questions after you leave the hospital.
It is important to make sure you receive verbal instructions of all the medication you are taking home, how and when you should take them and make sure you understand the changes that have been made
Before being discharged, you need to be able to achieve the following:
Getting in and out of bet independently
Acceptable pain control
Eat and drink normally
Walking comfortably with aide
Going up and down the stairs
Able to do exercises independently
Understanding hip precautions
You must also ensure the following:
Any additional help is arranged
Any required equipment is fitted, such as a raised toilet seat
Any home adaptations are made, like grab rails in the bathroom
References
NHS, 2018, Arranging Care before you leave the hospital, viewed 23 December 2020 <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/care-after-a-hospital-stay/arranging-care-before-you-leave-hospital/>
Arthritis Foundation, Prepare for going home after surgery, viewed 23 December 2020 <https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/joint-surgery/after-surgery/prepare-for-going-home-after-surgery>
Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2020, Total Hip Replacement, viewed 24 December 2020,