Pre-Op Optimization
This lab value should be controlled (<7.7) before joint surgery to reduce complications.
What is A1C?
The recommended timing for prophylactic antibiotics prior to incision
What is within 1 hour?
Proper positioning and padding during surgery helps prevent injury to this
What are nerves and pressure points?
Early ambulation typically begins within this timeframe after surgery
What is same day ambulation?
This precaution prevents dislocation after hip replacment
What are hip precautions? (no crossing of legs, bending limits)
BMI above this threshold may delay elective joint replacement due to increased risk
What is 40?
Hibiclens
This medication is often used intraoperatively to reduce blood loss
What is tranexamic acid (TXA)?
This complication is prevented with anticoagulation and early mobility
What is DVT/VTE?
Teach patients to recognize these signs of complications after discharge
What are signs of infection? (redness, fever, drainage)
and
What are signs of DVT
Patients are advised to avoid this type of work for about 6 weeks before surgery to reduce the risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream
What is dental work (including dental cleanings)
This normothermia goal helps reduce infection risk intra and post op
This device is used during surgery and immediately post-op to help reduce blood clots forming in the legs
What are sequential compression devices (SCDs)?
What is a pain scale (0-10)
This mobility aid is commonly used immediately after surgery
What is a walker?
Before surgery, patients attend this visit where labs, an EKG, and an nurse practitioner evaluation are completed to make sure they're ready for surgey
What is Pre-Admission Testing? (PAT)
Proper hand hygiene by staff and patients is the single most important way to prevent this
This sterile technique used by the surgical team helps prevent contamination during the procedure
What is maintaining a sterile field?
After surgery, patients go home on this type of medication, often Aspirin, to help prevent blood clots and it must be listed on their discharge instructions
What is DVT prophylaxis (blood clot prevention)?
What is teach-back?
The pathway that includes pre-op nutrition in order to improve outcomes
Applied nasally to reduce periprosthetic joint infection?
What is Profend?
This team-based timeout ensures correct patient, site, and procedure
What is the surgical time-out/Universal protocol?
This discharge goal ensures safe transition home
What is functional mobility/clear PT/OT goals; patient demonstrates completion of ambulation, steps, car transfer
What are patients highly recommended to attend in order to be prepared for surgery
What is the total joint class?