Impact of Bundled Care on Outcomes Following Elective Primary Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: Standardized approaches to care and care pathways for patients with joint replacement have been shown to decrease length of stay (LOS), improve patient participation in education, decrease patient anxiety while improving perception of care, and lead to overall efficiency and improved care and outcomes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether implementation of a standardized bundle approach to care influenced the outcomes after total hip or total knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA).

Methods: A retrospective, quasi-experimental before- and after-design study was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention.

Developing the Tracheostomy Care Anxiety Relief Through Education and Support (T-CARES) Program.

Home care of a patient with a tracheostomy after surgery for head and neck cancer requires caregivers to be comfortable with handling medical equipment and to be competent and proficient with completing many new and complex tasks. However, the responsibility of managing an artificial airway may increase caregiver anxiety, which may subsequently lead to improper care of the patient with head and neck cancer and increase the risk for complications and rate of readmission to oncology units. This article describes the development and outcomes of the Tracheostomy Care Anxiety Relief Through Education and Support (T-CARES) program, developed in response to high readmission rates for patients with head and neck cancer discharged with a tracheostomy.