Your Guide to Joint Replacement

Discharge Planning

Woman watering flowers There are several considerations that help determine whether you will be sent home or to an inpatient/rehabilitation facility when you are discharged from the hospital after your surgery.

These factors include:

The progress you have made as a result of in-hospital therapy
The coverage provided by your insurance plan
Your situation at home

Our team of social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals will work with you and your family to formulate the appropriate discharge plan. These discussions will take place both before and during your hospitalization.

In addition, a home safety assessment is recommended for all patients prior to discharge, since the majority of falls that occur happen at home. The good news is that most such falls can be prevented by taking a few safety precautions.

If you answer "No" to any of these questions, it is recommended that you make changes to improve your home safety and lessen the risk of falling. It is also recommended that you have a network of friends, family, or neighbors check on you daily, either by phone or in person. These individuals can call for assistance in the event you do take a tumble and are unable to get help on your own.

Home Safety Assessment

General Household Areas

Are light switches easily accessible upon entering a room? __ Yes __ No

Are throw rugs tacked down or is non-skid backing applied? __ Yes __ No

Are hallways free from clutter? __ Yes __ No

Are raised door thresholds clearly marked? __ Yes __ No

Are electrical cords and telephone cords away from walk ways? __ Yes __ No

Do you have a portable phone with emergency numbers easily at hand? __ Yes __ No

Do you have furniture with good back and arm support that you can
get in and out of easily? __ Yes __ No

Stairways

Are stair treads in good condition? __ Yes __ No

Is there a sturdy handrail on both sides of the stairs? __ Yes __ No

Are the stairs brightly lit? __ Yes __ No

Bedroom

Is there a lighted pathway from the bedroom to the bathroom? __ Yes __ No

Is there a clear pathway from the bedroom to the bathroom? __ Yes __ No

Do you keep a charged flashlight near your bed for emergencies? __ Yes __ No

Bathroom

Do you have safety rails or grab bars? __ Yes __ No

Do you have skid resistant strips or a rubber bath mat in and in front
of the bathtub? __ Yes __ No

Kitchen

Do you use a wide-based sturdy step to reach into high cabinets? __ Yes __ No

Are spills immediately wiped up? __ Yes __ No

Do you avoid using a high gloss floor wax? __ Yes __ No

Do you store frequently used items at waist level and less frequently
used items in higher cabinets? __ Yes __ No

Home Safety Assessment
General Household Areas
Are light switches easily accessible upon entering a room?	__ Yes __ No
Are throw rugs tacked down or is non-skid backing applied?	__ Yes __ No
Are hallways free from clutter?	__ Yes __ No
Are raised door thresholds clearly marked?	__ Yes __ No
Are electrical cords and telephone cords away from walk ways?	__ Yes __ No
Do you have a portable phone with emergency numbers easily at hand?	__ Yes __ No
Do you have furniture with good back and arm support that you can get in and out of easily?	__ Yes __ No
Stairways
Are stair treads in good condition?	__ Yes __ No
Is there a sturdy handrail on both sides of the stairs?	__ Yes __ No
Are the stairs brightly lit?	__ Yes __ No
Bedroom
Is there a lighted pathway from the bedroom to the bathroom?	__ Yes __ No
Is there a clear pathway from the bedroom to the bathroom?	__ Yes __ No
Do you keep a charged flashlight near your bed for emergencies?	__ Yes __ No
Bathroom
Do you have safety rails or grab bars?	__ Yes __ No
Do you have skid resistant strips or a rubber bath mat in and in front of the bathtub?	__ Yes __ No
Kitchen
Do you use a wide-based sturdy step to reach into high cabinets?	__ Yes __ No
Are spills immediately wiped up?	__ Yes __ No
Do you avoid using a high gloss floor wax?	__ Yes __ No
Do you store frequently used items at waist level and less frequently used items in higher cabinets?	__ Yes __ No