Hospital-to-Home Program
The Joint Replacement Center
Many of our patients will go directly home after their Total Hip or Total Knee Replacement. The Hospital-to-Home Program has been designed with our patient’s safety and comfort in mind, helping to ensure a successful recovery and a smooth transition home.
This is a collaborative program offered to you by Waterbury HEALTH’s Joint Replacement Center, Access Rehab Centers, other rehabilitation partners and VNA Health at Home.
How the program works
Before surgery
Patients attend our Joint Replacement Class at Waterbury Hospital. During this class, patients will meet the members of our TeamOrtho and learn more about their surgery and hospital stay.
A physical therapist will come out to the patient’s home to provide instructions for exercises essential to the individualized post-operative rehabilitation program. The therapist will also provide tips to get a patient’s home ready for after the joint replacement. Any necessary equipment will be delivered and tested.
In the hospital
Patients meet their case manager and VNA Health at Home liaison who will coordinate their return to home.
For patients who are returning directly home
A physical therapist will visit a patient's home on discharge day to review the plan and help them to settle in.
A physical or occupational therapist will visit a patient's home daily during the first week and five days during the second week to help the patient transition to an outpatient therapy program.
A nurse will call to schedule periodic home visits to check vital signs and the surgical site. They are also available to. answer questions about medication and recuperation.