**5. Conclusions**

This study provides evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated the shift towards shorter stays and more same-day discharge shoulder arthroplasties, while reducing unexpected acute health needs (e.g., ED visits) without adversely affecting readmission and reoperation rates. These findings may be generalizable to other discretionary orthopedic procedures. Additional research should evaluate and compare the patient experience and functional outcomes following elective shoulder arthroplasty before and during the pandemic.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, M.E.M., N.K., B.C.W. and P.J.D.; methodology, M.E.M., N.K. and P.J.D.; formal analysis, M.E.M.; resources, P.J.D. and N.K.; data curation, M.E.M. and P.J.D.; writing—original draft preparation, M.E.M.; writing—review and editing, N.K., B.C.W. and P.J.D.; supervision, P.J.D. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Institutional Review Board Statement:** The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki, and determined exempt from review by the Southern Oregon Institutional Review Board on 8 August 2021.

**Informed Consent Statement:** Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

**Data Availability Statement:** Details regarding where data supporting reported results can be requested at the following e-mail address: pjdenard@gmail.com.

**Conflicts of Interest:** M.E.M.—American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons: Board or committee member, Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery: Editorial or governing board; N.K.—No conflict of interest to disclose; B.C.W.—Arthrex: consultant, Research support: Arthrex, Zimmer Biomet and Flexion Therapeutics; P.J.D.—Arthrex: consultant, IP royalties.
