Title : Post operative blood check on patients had knee or hip replacement audit
Abstract:
Aim: The aim of this project was to check if checking bloods post primary knee or hip arthroplasty needed or not and driving to reduce the length of stay (LOS) and move towards day-case primary hip and knee arthroplasty.
Methodology: This retrospective study included all patients who underwent a primary knee or hip arthroplasty in Derriford Hospital in the period between July 2024 -Oct 2024
Blood tests check to investigate the incidence of postoperative anaemia, electrolyte abnormalities, and incidence of acute kidney injury.
Results: 2 out of 279 found to have symptomatic anaemia required transfusion 15 Out of 279 patients found to have mild hyponatremia had no intervention. 6 Out of 279 patients found to have moderate hyponatremia required interventions (fluid restrictions, stopping medications). 4 Out of 279 patients found to have severe hyponatremia required doing further investigations interventions and involving medical team. 3 out of 279 patients found to have mild/moderate hypokalemia who required interventions (Snad K tablets, ECG and repeating bloods). 3 pt found to have hyperkalaemia (mild and moderate) with no intervention just repeating bloods). No patient had AKI post op.
Most patient who developed post op complications have multiple comorbidities and on multiple medications that can contribute to these complications (antiplatelet, diuretics, NSAID).
Conclusion and Recommendation:
Postoperative blood test abnormalities were common, but the majority were mild and rarely influenced management in low-risk cohorts of patients, with overall low postoperative intervention rates.
Routine post-operative blood tests after knee or hip arthroplasty are not always necessary, and clinicians should consider risk factors like pre-existing conditions or blood loss to determine if testing is needed.
