Standardized Total Knee Replacement Analgesia Protocol Reduces Pain by 20% in Patients in an Academic Medical Center

The goal of this project was to standardize protocols for controlling patient pain following total knee replacement procedures. Improved pain control is associated with earlier mobility, reduced length of stay, reduced postsurgical complications such as venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism, and overall patient recovery outcomes. Working across three distinct community orthopedic groups, the aim was to reduce self-reported pain scores to less than five, the tolerance level most cited in voice-of-the-customer surveys, on a standardized pain scale, while reducing variation of pain throughout the patient stay, thus improving the patient experience of care. A Lean Six Sigma methodology of Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control (DMAIC) was used as the guiding structure for the project.

This case study is part of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's annual Quality Excellence Achievement Awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals and health systems in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These organizations are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim—improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction), improving the health of populations, and reducing the per capita cost of health care—and the Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement—safe, effective, patient centered, timely, efficient, and equitable. To learn more, visit https://www.ihaqualityawards.org/javascript-ui/IHAQualityAward/