PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Nizar N Mahomed AU - Johnny T C Lau AU - Manfred Koo Seen Lin AU - Radovan Zdero AU - J Roderick Davey TI - Significant variation exists in home care services following total joint arthroplasty. DP - 2004 May 01 TA - The Journal of Rheumatology PG - 973--975 VI - 31 IP - 5 4099 - http://www.jrheum.org/content/31/5/973.short 4100 - http://www.jrheum.org/content/31/5/973.full SO - J Rheumatol2004 May 01; 31 AB - OBJECTIVE: To determine a preliminary profile of the variation in rehabilitation and home care services for patients with total joint arthroplasty (TJA) in Ontario in 2001. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted of directors at the 43 regional community care access centers (CCAC). RESULTS: One-third (36%) of CCAC had existing care pathways, 54% had defined discharge criteria, and 32% had predetermined the length of home care services. The intensity and frequency of services provided were variable. CONCLUSION: There is a need to standardize rehabilitation protocols to maintain quality of care and contain costs.