Description
Dr. Ben Bloch, a hip and knee surgeon from Nottingham, presents a comprehensive discussion on the importance of reducing hospital length of stay (LOS) through effective wound closure and healing strategies, particularly focusing on knee arthroplasty. He outlines key contributions of both surgical and patient factors, emphasizing the impact of patient expectation, anesthesia techniques, and post-operative care on LOS.
Dr. Bloch mentions that prolonged wound drainage is a significant factor affecting LOS, with data showing increased risks of complications and infections associated with longer drainage times. He stresses the need for meticulous surgical practices, including appropriate closure techniques using barbed sutures, which have shown to reduce complications and enhance healing.
He also shares insights from his own practice, noting improvements since implementing a watertight closure method with barbed sutures and specialized dressings. Dr. Bloch discusses the potential for day case surgeries and outlines an evolving protocol focusing on enhancing patient mobility and minimizing hospital time through an opt-out approach rather than opt-in.
Furthermore, he cites evidence supporting the efficacy of various pharmacological interventions and dressing methods, highlighting the role of improved patient care pathways in achieving ambulation and reducing LOS. The success of recent protocols in Nottingham is illustrated with data showing substantial reductions in LOS, indicating a promising future for managing elective orthopedic surgeries more efficiently.
The presentation concludes with Dr. Bloch's assertive commitment to maintaining quality patient care amid resource constraints, particularly as winter approaches in the NHS framework, encouraging a proactive approach to optimizing hospital operations.