Total Joint Center Clinical and Quality Outcomes

The Total Joint Center performed significantly better than the national average in length of stay, discharge directly to home, and other measures, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and other recent literature.

The center has earned several prestigious distinctions, including The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification for total hip and total knee replacement, a recognition for quality, consistency and safety of services, and patient care.

In addition, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island named The Miriam Hospital a Blue Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement, and U.S. News and World Report designated The Miriam a “high performer” in hip and knee replacement surgery.

Length of Stay

The Total Joint Center average length of stay for total hip or knee replacements (1.5 days) was lower than the national average of 1.8 days. (Reported by the American Joint Replacement Registry.)

Discharge to Rehabilitation/Skilled Nursing Facility

Only eight percent of Total Joint Center patients were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Most of our patients are medically qualified to recover in the comfort of their own homes. Nationwide, about 10 percent of hip and knee replacement patients transition to a care facility. (Reported by the American Joint Replacement Registry.)

Surgical Site Infection Rates

Less than one percent of Total Joint Center patients had surgical site infections for primary hip or knee replacements. That compares to a national average of two percent. (According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.)

Regional Anesthesia

About twice as many Total Joint Center patients who received total hip or knee replacements were able to have regional anesthesia (spinal, epidural, or adductor canal block) during surgery rather than general anesthesia, compared to patients nationwide. (According to the American Joint Replacement Registry.)

Needed Blood Transfusion

Only 0.8 percent of Total Joint Center patients required a blood transfusion during their hip or knee replacement surgery or during their hospital stay, compared to about five percent nationwide.

Incidence of Venous Thromboembolism

The Total Joint Center had 0.3 percent of patients who experienced VTE (either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) during their hospital stay or within 30 days following surgery, compared to 2.7 percent nationally. 

Learn more about Total Joint Center at the Lifespan Orthopedics Institute