every other day to make sure the recovery is progressing the way it
should, and to keep us informed. That last part is crucial. You don't
want to have a patient return 3 or 4 weeks later and suddenly start
discussing a problem you never heard anything about, despite the fact
that you had a home health agency sending a therapist or nurse out
every other day.
It helps when you can work with the same agency for every patient,
since every agency has its own method of conveying information. We
strive for that, but some of our patients come from outside the local
area, or even from other states. When that happens, we'll see what's
available in their areas, and our home health agency is happy to com-
municate with other agencies to let them know what our expectations
are. That networking approach has worked out well.
4. Setting expectations
Patients have to know what to expect, too. We've worked with our
home health caretakers on handouts that help clarify expectations after
surgery. They're easy to read and color-coded, so if a reaction occurs
that's in the green category, patients know it's nothing to worry about. If
it's yellow, however, they should get in touch with the home health
nurse; and if it's red, they need to make sure to call a doctor or 9-1-1.
Education is huge. In addition to joint class at the hospital, the pre-
visit with the home physical therapist helps facilitate a comfort level
before the surgery takes place. We don't want patients worrying after
they're home that something bad is going to happen. Knowing what to
expect gives them a better mindset going in.
5. Clear communication
When the idea of doing outpatient total joints first came up, I knew I
wouldn't feel safe sending patients home without a safety net. So I sat
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