Posted by Amy Sarcevic on 15 June 2026
Overcoming barriers to short stay joint replacement programs
Short stay joint replacement programs, also known as "fast track" or "rapid recovery" programs, are gaining attention in healthcare as forecasts for joint replacement surgeries in Australia reach unsustainable levels.
Statistics reveal that the lifetime risk of knee replacement in Australia is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 7 for men. If current trends persist, the number of procedures is projected to rise by 276% by 2030, with costs exceeding $5 billion—more than $3 billion of which will be funded by the private sector.
Coupled with an aging population and the after-effects of COVID restrictions on elective surgeries, meeting this demand seems unachievable without significant reform.
The Promise of Short Stay Programs
Professor Ilana Ackerman of Monash University believes short stay programs offer hope but acknowledges barriers to their widespread implementation in Australia:
"Short stay programs have been used successfully in many countries, but they are less common in Australia. If we want to roll them out more widely, we need to address some of the knowledge gaps in this space."
Filling in the Knowledge Gaps
To address these gaps, Prof. Ackerman and her team at Monash University, supported by an HCF Research Foundation Innovation Research Grant, recently completed a major research project. The study aimed to expand the evidence base around the safety and feasibility of short stay joint replacement programs and provide guidance for new initiatives.
The research consisted of three key components:
Systematic Review:
- Examined contemporary evidence on safety outcomes and optimal patient selection for short stay programs.
- Highlighted the need for better guidance to help clinicians determine patient eligibility.
National Stakeholder Survey:
- Engaged clinicians, hospital administrators, patients, and carers to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and current practices of short stay programs.
- Identified perceived barriers and enablers to implementation.
Budget Impact Analysis:
- Evaluated the potential cost savings and financial impacts of broader adoption of short stay programs.
- Provided data on savings in bed days and increased surgical throughput.
Key Findings and Insights
The research, completed earlier this year, offered valuable insights into the economic and operational potential of short stay programs:
- Economic Value: Demonstrated potential cost savings and efficiency gains, including reduced bed days and increased surgical capacity.
- Stakeholder Perspectives: Provided a detailed understanding of the factors affecting implementation and sustainability.
- Resource Needs: Identified the resources required to support a national rollout of short stay programs.
"We now have detailed insights from multiple stakeholder perspectives into the factors affecting implementation and sustainability, and better understand the resources needed to support a national rollout," Prof. Ackerman said.
About Professor Ilana Ackerman
Professor Ilana Ackerman is a musculoskeletal epidemiologist and experienced orthopaedic physiotherapist. She serves as a Professor (Research) in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University and is Deputy Director of the Musculoskeletal Health Unit. Her research has been published in leading international journals, and she has received numerous awards for her contributions to orthopaedic surgery, rheumatology, and physiotherapy.
Join the Discussion
Prof. Ackerman will present her findings at the upcoming Short Stay Hospital Forum, hosted by Informa Connect. The event will take place on 1 August at the Rydges Melbourne.
She will be joined by representatives from Centuria Healthcare, Nexus Hospital, HIVE Legal, Medibank, and others.