Same-day surgical discharge program results in less pain and limits the risk of health care-acquired infection.
Photo (L-R): Lorenzo Almonguera, registered nurse, Dr. Louis Mok, anesthesiologist, Dr. Guy Fradet, surgeon, Dr. Vic Bubbar, orthopaedic surgeon.
South Surrey resident Vicky Atkinson never imagined she would need hip replacement surgery at 45 years old.
“During the pandemic, I ramped up my physical activity with spinning and other sports,” she says. “I was leading a healthy, active lifestyle and then began experiencing pain that eventually became chronic to the point where I even had trouble playing outside with my young daughter.”
On February 5, 2025, Vicky had her left hip replaced and, in doing so, became one of 25 patients to date who have gone home the same day after hip or knee replacement surgery at Peace Arch Hospital.
Dr. Vic Bubbar, co-local department head of Surgery, and Anne Brownlee, director of clinical operations, developed and launched the same-day discharge program last year.
“We recently conducted a survey of our patients and the response from those who have participated in the same-day discharge program is overwhelmingly positive,” says Anne. “They report being well supported before, during and after their surgery.”
The novelty of checking into a hospital in the morning, getting a new hip or knee and then going home the same day isn’t lost on surgeons like Dr. Bubbar.
“I recall when patients would spend up to a week in hospital recovering from joint replacement surgery,” he says.
Dr. Bubbar is quick to credit the larger care team at Peace Arch Hospital and the patients themselves for the success of the same-day discharge program.
“We identify patients who we believe will be successful,” he adds. “They must be motivated, medically stable and have good social supports at home.”
Vicky admits she was a bit nervous about checking into the hospital in the morning and leaving with a new hip the same day.
“I was excited and nervous at the same time,” she says, “but I really wanted to be home with my husband and daughter after my surgery.”
Physicians report that patients who go home the same day after surgery generally report less pain. They tend to heal faster, have fewer complications and are less likely to contract a health care-acquired infection than if they recover in a hospital. Same-day discharge is also more cost-effective, frees up hospital beds and reduces the likelihood of surgery cancellations.
“When patients are selected for a program like this, they are very motivated to succeed. They are part of an advanced program and take control and ownership of their recovery,” says Dr. Bubbar.
Just over two months after her surgery, Vicky has almost fully recovered.
“Dr. Bubbar, the nurses, physiotherapists and other health care providers at Peace Arch Hospital provided me with information every step of the way and I felt very supported,” she says. “Overall, my quality of life has improved dramatically since I had the surgery.”
