Document Suite

The Hip & Knee Surgical Care Path and Measurement Framework are provincially endorsed documents that are evidence-based and derived from clinical consensuses. It guides the collaborative workflow between the interdisciplinary teams at hospital and central intake clinics. This integrated path has demonstrated since 2004 that evidence-based, collaborative, and integrated approach to surgical management has positive system and patient outcomes.

• Surgical Care Path (PDF) – 2024
• Measurement Framework (PDF) – 2024

The provincial Hip & Knee Arthroplasty Order Sets were released in 2019 to complement the Hip & Knee Surgical Care Path. These order sets incorporate specific care recommendations for patient activity, fluid and nutrition intake, medication treatments and discharge plan throughout the patient’s journey.

There are three types of order sets, including:
1. Total Hip/Knee Pre-operative Clinic Orders
2. Total Hip/Knee Pre-operative Same Day Admission Orders
3. Total Hip/Knee Post-operative Orders

The Connect Care Clinical System Improvement (CSI) team (formerly known as Area Councils) provide oversight of ordering tools.

All patients referred to the clinics can be provided with the following OA Education Self-Management Toolkit. This booklet and appended tools provides the patients with introductory information about OA and conservative treatment options to explore while they wait for a consult with a surgeon, and possibly surgery:

• OA Education Self-Management Toolkit (PDF)

All designated surgical patients are provided with comprehensive guides and required to attend a teaching class two weeks prior to their surgery. These guides provide essential information on what to do before, during and after the replacement surgery, how to manage your pain and use walking aids for rehabilitation.

• Having A Hip Replacement
• Having A Knee Replacement
• Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: Managing Pain After Surgery (PDF)
• Walking Aids for Hip and Knee Replacement Patients (PDF)
• Movement Precautions after Hip Surgery (PDF)
• Minimally Invasive Approaches (PDF)

The Day Surgery materials complement the existing Hip & Knee Surgical Care Path, and the Supporting Suite of Documents (i.e. H&K Measurement Framework, H&K Provincial Order Sets, etc). Consider the below materials for a surgical Hip & Knee Arthroplasty patient who may be considered a day surgery candidate, and to reduce length of stay.

• Exclusion Criteria for Day Surgery Candidacy (PDF)
• Medication Protocol for Day Surgery (PDF)
• Managing Waitlists – Guidelines for H&K Consultation and Surgical Waitlists in Alberta (PDF)

For full day surgery package (including background and action plan), contact us.

This provincial tool assists nurses with summarizing discharge instructions and best recovery practices for patients after a hip or knee replacement.

• Caring For Yourself After A Hip or Knee Replacement (PDF)