Difficulties faced by patients following orthopedic day surgery

Abstract

Background: An increasing share of orthopedic surgery is delivered as day surgery. Care during home rehabilitation becomes particularly important. To better provide continuity of care, understanding difficulties faced by patients is getting increasing attention by researchers and professionals around the world. Methods：The authors systematically searched the PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases for relevant articles on orthopedic day surgery patients’ recovery experience after discharge from 2017 till present. Screening was performed strictly according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and finally, the relevant literature was read and summarized. Results: A total of 5 articles met the criteria published between 2017 and 2022. A diversity of difficulties faced by patients was identified, including flaws related to follow-up, education, emotional support, unclear functional rehabilitation exercise guidance and other challenges identified by recent evidence. Conclusion: Published studies indicate the importance and necessity of effective postoperative care for day surgery patients. This review also suggests that nurses should pay more attention to the recovery experience, and difficulties faced by orthopedic day surgery patients to provide high-quality continuity of care. The issue may not be receiving the best required attention in what should be a priority of healthcare management and concern with impacts on the patients’ recovery. Contribution to Evidence-Based Practice: The article contributes to an update on difficulties faced by orthopedic day surgery patients during their recovery and rehabilitation period. Professionals around the world can find a diversity of practical challenges summarized by recent international literature. This can support better patient care and rehabilitation planning following orthopedic day-surgery. Additionally, the article sustains that evidence-based nursing care can ensure better quality of care and contribute to the improvement of impacts on patients' rehabilitation.