Skilled nursing facilities after joint replacement

Most people hope to go home directly from the hospital after surgery to replace a joint. Even if you and your health care provider planned for you to go home after surgery, your recovery may be slower than expected. As a result, you may need to be transferred to a skilled nursing facility.

You should talk about this issue with your providers in the weeks before your joint replacement. They can advise you about whether going directly home is right for you.

Before surgery, it is important to decide on a few facilities that you would like to go to after you leave the hospital. You want to choose a facility that provides quality care and is located in a place that works best for you.

Make sure the hospital knows about the places you have chosen and the order of your choices. Find second and third choice options. If there is no bed available in your first choice facility, the hospital still needs to transfer you to another qualified facility.

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