Information for treating doctors St John of God Murdoch Hospital requests that you please: 1. Discuss the following information with your patients as early as possible prior to their admission. 2. Confirm with each patient that they have a plan in place to manage their recovery at home following their discharge from the hospital. 3. Provide a copy of this information pack to the patient.
Recovery following a joint replacement procedure We look forward to welcoming you to St John of God Murdoch Hospital for your upcoming procedure. Your experience, care and recovery are of the utmost importance to us. We want to ensure that your journey with us is as seamless as possible. To assist with this, we have created this document to outline how you can prepare for your upcoming operation and discharge home. Recently, access to private inpatient rehabilitation services has become significantly limited within the Perth metropolitan area, particularly south of the Swan River. To help make your admission, recovery and discharge progress as smoothly as possible, and to ensure your safe discharge, it is important that expectations regarding post-operative care are outlined before your surgery. St John of God Murdoch Hospital therefore requests that you read through this information pack as early as possible prior to your hospital admission.
1. Hospital Stay Duration The standard duration of hospital admission following joint replacement surgery is generally 2–3 days, with discharge usually occurring before 10am. Your length of stay will be determined by your treating team and will be based on your clinical condition and readiness for safe discharge.
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Where clinically appropriate, you are likely to return home to continue your recovery.
2. Home Support and Recovery Planning Most patients undergoing joint replacement surgery are able to safely recover at home following discharge from hospital. We recommend you making appropriate arrangements before admission to support your recovery at home, including, where required: •
Personal care and hygiene assistance
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Support with activities of daily living
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Meal preparation and nutritional support
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Transport to appointments
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General household assistance
These arrangements relate to your non-clinical support needs and are separate from any clinical rehabilitation or nursing services that may be recommended by your treating team.
3. Rehabilitation and Recovery Options Following Discharge Where clinically appropriate, your treating team will discuss and coordinate a post-discharge rehabilitation plan which may include: •
Community or outpatient physiotherapy services
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Rehabilitation in the Home (RITH) services
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Private inpatient rehabilitation, where available
Where your health insurance policy includes cover for Rehabilitation in the Home services, and you are clinically eligible for same, these services may be available as an alternative to inpatient rehabilitation and may be arranged through an approved Rehabilitation in the Home provider. Please be assured that your treating team will assess your individual clinical needs and recommend the most appropriate rehabilitation pathway based on your recovery and health fund entitlements. We look forward to welcoming you to St John of God Murdoch Hospital, and please remember that we are always here to help you.
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How to prepare for your upcoming surgery Good preparation is essential for reducing complications, improving your recovery, helping you return earlier to activities of daily living and reducing stress for yourself and your family.
Physiotherapy Having an assessment prior to your operation with a Physiotherapist is highly recommended. The Physiotherapist can prepare you for what to expect, show you how to use your crutches, and give you exercises to help with your strength and balance. If you are interested in accessing this service, we would encourage you to contact your local Physiotherapy provider or feel free to contact one based at St John of God Murdoch Hospital (listed below). You can call your health insurance to check your entitlement to this service. Southcare Physiotherapy •
Phone: 08 6332 6666
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Address: Medical Clinic, St John of God Medical Centre, 100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
Link Rehabilitation •
Phone: 08 9312 3155
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Address: Wexford Medical Centre, Suite 25/3 Barry Marshall Parade, Murdoch WA 6150
Occupational Therapy You may wish to obtain an Occupational Therapy home assessment to review your home environment and provide advice and installation of equipment and rails, should you require them. You may be eligible for this service under ‘My Aged Care’, however there are private providers within the community. Some are listed below. 3
St John of God Healthcare at Home •
Phone: 1300 475 442
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Email: athome@sjog.org.au
OT WEST •
Phone: 08 9288 1156
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Email: admin@otwest.com.au
Lifecare •
Phone: 1300 466 313
Equipment You may have been advised to purchase or hire equipment for your surgery. This could include elbow crutches, a shower chair, toilet frame or others. Your local chemist will likely have some of these products to purchase or hire. There are also equipment stores that sell and hire these products. Some are listed below. Daily Living Products Willetton •
Address: 139 High Road, Willetton WA 6155
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Phone: 08 9457 9904
Emprise Mobility Aidacare Bibra Lake •
Address: 5 Sobek Pass, Bibra Lake WA 6163
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Phone: 08 6555 4222
Meals If you would like to purchase ready-made meals, there are some providers listed below. Poppet's Pantry •
Delivery to your door available
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Address: 23 Carrington Street Nedlands WA 6009 4
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Email: info@poppetspantry.com.au
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Phone: 0434 947 791
Portobello Foods •
Delivery to your door available
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Address: Unit 3, 252 Camboon Road, Malaga W.A 6090
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Email: info@portobellofoods.com.au
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Phone: 08 9248 7778
C Si Bon •
Address: 27 Collingwood Street, Osborne Park W.A
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Email: admin@csibon.com.au
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Phone: 0487 871 155
Services and Supports at Home Setting up your home for your post-surgery needs will help ease your transition home. My Aged Care If you are over the age of 65 and live alone or have pre-existing health conditions, you may be eligible for subsidised services under ‘My Aged Care’. You can self-refer or have a family member do this for you. Services can include, meals, shopping, cleaning, gardening, etc. It is best to refer yourself for services as soon as possible, as the assessment process can take 4-6 weeks. •
Phone: 1800 200 422
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Website: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/apply-online
Other Options If you wish to self-fund some services such as cleaning, meals, showering assistance, etc., please see a list of some of the available options below. You can also type 'home care services near me' into Google to get a list of your local options.
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White Oak •
Showering, cleaning, meal preparation, laundry, medication prompts, transport
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Email: info@whiteoak.com.au
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Phone: 08 9301 0299
Nurse Next Door •
Cleaning, meal preparation, transport, medication prompts
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Phone: 1800 236 916
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Website: www.nursenextdoor.com.au
Healthcare at Home •
Showering assistance, medication prompts
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Phone: 1300 475 442
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Email: athome@sjog.org.au
Southcare •
Transport, meal preparation, medication prompts, showering assistance, social support, food shopping
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Phone: 08 9450 6233
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Website: www.southcare.org.au
General Tips •
Organise for groceries to be delivered via your local shops, e.g. Coles / Woolworths online
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Pre-make freezer meals or purchase some from your local shops, e.g. IGA, Coles, Woolworths
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Ask family and friends to help you with tasks like driving you to appointments, picking up medications, making meals, etc.
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Make sure any equipment you need is set up, e.g. shower chair
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Arrange a trusted person to drive you to and from the hospital
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Arrange for someone to look after your pets while you are in hospital
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If you live alone and feel it could be helpful, have someone stay with you when you get home, or stay for a few days / weeks with a loved one
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Make sure your home is free from trip hazards and clutter – this includes bedspreads that touch the floor
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If you have multiple steps in your home, consider asking an occupational therapist to come and assess your home and install rails
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Create a space where regularly used items are within reach, e.g. glasses, mobile phone, TV remote, walking aid
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If you live in a two-storey home, consider living downstairs for the first few weeks
For further advice, please speak to your surgeon’s office prior to your admission.
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