Discharge management of the amputee

Original Editor - Barbara RAU

Top Contributors - Sheik Abdul Khadir, Admin, Kim Jackson, Tony Lowe, Tarina van der Stockt, 127.0.0.1, Simisola Ajeyalemi and Karen Wilson  

Introduction

Successful rehabilitation post-amputationrelies on the patient’s achievement of goals that were pre-determined by a multidisciplinary team (Multidisciplinary_management_of_the_amputee) and assessed through specific outcome measures (Outcome_measures_for_amputees). Successful rehabilitation is therefore intrinsicallylinked to effective discharge,which allows a patient to function optimally in his/her environment withthe necessary tools for proper management and self-care at home, inherent to the quality of life and empowerment of the patient. Because one can expect prosthetic usage to be altered or health status to change over time, timely re-evaluation of aforementioned outcome measures should be performed. However, there is currently no clear evidence in the literature supporting the optimal process for patients’ discharge following an amputation, or suggesting determinants for the management of patients post-discharge to maintain their independence through regular follow-up.