Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project

An Improved Model of Care for Hip and Knee Replacement Patients in Alberta

Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute is helping health care administrators and physicians roll out a new model of care for hip and knee replacements across Alberta.

The model, evaluated in a year-long research study in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, takes an entirely new approach to care for hip and knee replacement patients.  It is an approach based totally on the best evidence available worldwide.  Care is delivered by multidisciplinary teams.  Services are fully integrated and standardized so that patients receive the same type and level of treatment regardless of where they are located in Alberta.

The research study, called the Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project, was among the most extensive health services delivery evaluations ever undertaken in North America.  It involved 1,125 hip and knee replacement patients who followed the new model for their assessment, diagnosis, surgery and recovery, and 513 patients who followed the conventional service approach.  The results patients in the new model had greater improvement in general health and less pain after surgery.

ABJHI is now working with public health care administrators, surgeons, physicians and other health care providers across the province to implement the new model.  It will be used for all types of hip and knee replacement procedures including total joint replacements, partial knee replacement, hip resurfacing, and revision surgery to repair or replace a damaged artificial joint.

Highlights of the Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project:

  • Patients had greater improvement in general health and less pain after surgery.
  • Almost nine in 10 patients were up and mobile the day of their surgery.
  • Hospital stay was cut by almost a day and a half.
  • Wait times were reduced for both consultation and surgery. 
  • Patients and their surgeons were more satisfied with the process and the results.
  • There was more cost-effective use of scarce public health resources

These results were achieved in a controlled research environment designed to prove whether the new model would work as intended.  The model proved a success.  However, it will be more difficult and take longer to achieve similar results in the day-to-day operating environment of public health care where resources are strained and there are wait lists for surgery.

Click on the links to the right to learn more about this innovative project.

Would you like to support the Institute’s Hip and Knee Replacement Project?  Click here for information on how to donate.