Outpatient surgery helps alleviate prolonged waiting times at Tyks Orto

Published on January 24, 2024

Last autumn, Tyks Orto performed already 30% of hip and knee primary joint replacement surgeries as outpatient procedures. With the increase in outpatient surgeries, the operations at Tyks Orto have been able to be optimized, thus accelerating access to treatment for all patients. Hospital ward beds can be freed up for those patients who specifically need them. Based on the feedback collected, patients have been extremely satisfied with the smoothness of outpatient care, and almost all would choose outpatient surgery again.

Musculoskeletal disorders are becoming more common with population aging

The population is aging in Finland, leading to an increase in age-related musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis. Consequently, the need for knee and hip joint replacement surgeries has steadily increased. At the same time, as the demand for treatment grows, our healthcare system is suffering from resource shortages and financial challenges.

Motivated by healthcare challenges and previously shortened treatment times, Tyks Orto started performing outpatient joint replacement surgeries at the end of 2022. Currently, Tyks Orto is one of the largest units in Finland performing outpatient joint replacement surgeries.

Orthopedics has extensive experience with outpatient surgeries (known as PÄIKI) in procedures such as knee arthroscopy. Heavier orthopedic procedures, such as knee or hip joint replacement surgeries, traditionally require hospital stays and will continue to do so, particularly for older and sicker patients.

-Factors affecting suitability include health condition and known illnesses, support at home after surgery, and the patient’s own motivation for outpatient surgery, explains specialist physician Matias Hemmilä from Tyks Orto.

Outpatient surgery means that the patient does not stay overnight in the hospital after the operation but can return home on the same day. The decision for outpatient surgery is made together with the patient during a clinic visit, once the decision for surgical treatment has been made with the doctor.

Physiotherapy appointments before and after surgery

Every patient undergoing outpatient surgery visits a physiotherapist before and after the operation. These visits involve preparing for surgery, learning to walk with crutches before the procedure, and assessing how recovery is progressing after the operation. On the day of surgery, the patient’s condition is carefully evaluated after the procedure to ensure that the patient’s condition allows for discharge on the same day. Patient safety is also paramount in outpatient surgeries, so if it is deemed unsafe for discharge, the patient stays in the hospital overnight.

-Patient satisfaction with outpatient procedures has been excellent based on the feedback we have collected. A good surgical outcome and high patient satisfaction are the result of collaboration between the healthcare staff and the patient, adds Matias Hemmilä.

Hip replacement patients reported an average satisfaction rating of 4.95 for pain management (on a scale of 1–5, where 1 is completely disagree and 5 is completely agree), 4.9 for nausea management, 5 for the smoothness of the procedure day, 4.9 for the adequacy of preparation instructions, and 4.8 for willingness to undergo a similar surgery again. Knee replacement patients reported an average satisfaction rating of 4.5 for pain management, 4.6 for nausea management, 4.9 for the smoothness of the procedure day, 4.9 for the adequacy of preparation instructions, and 5 for willingness to undergo a similar surgery again.