Abstract
BackgroundFollow-up after artificial joint replacement greatly helps achieve surgical outcomes. Mobile internet technology and mobile terminal equipment may increase the effectiveness of artificial joint replacement. However, only a few studies have evaluated the effectiveness of this technology. We aimed to analyze the reasons and outcomes of patients who used the instant messaging platform after undergoing artificial joint replacement.MethodsAmong the 548 cases of arthroplasty (250 hips, 298 knees) performed between December 2015 and June 2018 in the Department of Joint Surgery of our institution; 358 (164 hip joints, 194 knee joints) participated in instant messaging platform consultation, whereas the remaining 190 (86 hip joints, 104 knee joints) participated in traditional telephone consultation, as a control group. Follow-up time was from December 2015 to August 2018 (follow-up period was 2–32 months). Data on age, sex, type of surgery, date of surgery, date of discharge, and length of hospital stay were collected from electronic medical records.ResultsWe analyzed the consultation contents of 358 patients who participated in instant messaging platform consultation. Counseling was mainly related to pain (13.6%), appointment review (12.4%), activity problems (10.5%), and incision problems (8.9%). Most problems were resolved through online guidance, with 8.4% of patients requiring only outpatient treatment and 2.5% of patients requiring rehospitalization. A total of 190 patients were followed up through traditional telephone consultation; 6.8% of patients required outpatient department treatment and 7.4% were eventually re-admitted.ConclusionThe instant messaging platform consultation service effectively informs patients of potential postoperative problems and helps resolve them. It allows early detection and management of postoperative adverse events, including problems related to medication, wound, and activity, thereby effectively reducing readmission rate.
Highlights
In the past few decades, the demand for artificial joint replacement has increased dramatically, and the number of artificial joint replacement surgeries is expected to increase in the future in view of the fact that the patient population of artificial joint replacement is generally older [1]
Modern artificial joint replacement technology allows surgical patients to be safely discharged within a short period of time after surgery [3, 4].This trend of shorter length of hospital stay emphasizes the importance of pre-discharge patient education
Telephone service is considered to reduce the medical cost of artificial joint replacement surgery, improve the efficiency of postoperative problem detection and resolution, and improve patient satisfaction
Summary
In the past few decades, the demand for artificial joint replacement has increased dramatically, and the number of artificial joint replacement surgeries is expected to increase in the future in view of the fact that the patient population of artificial joint replacement is generally older [1]. The establishment of a timely, effective, convenient, intuitive, and fulltime follow-up model of artificial joint replacement is important. The development of modern instant messaging technology has made it possible to change the follow-up pattern after artificial joint replacement. Modern artificial joint replacement technology allows surgical patients to be safely discharged within a short period of time after surgery [3, 4].This trend of shorter length of hospital stay emphasizes the importance of pre-discharge patient education. We launched an instant messaging application consultation service for patients who have undergone artificial joint replacement to reduce unnecessary postoperative adverse events. Mobile internet technology and mobile terminal equipment may increase the effectiveness of artificial joint replacement. We aimed to analyze the reasons and outcomes of patients who used the instant messaging platform after undergoing artificial joint replacement
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