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PubMed2006

Clinical and economic consequences of bleeding following major orthopedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Major orthopedic surgery patients who receive antithrombotics as prophylaxis against VTE may be at higher risk of bleeding. The clinical and economic consequences of this complication may be relevant to therapeutic decision-making. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of major bleeding following major orthopedic surgery on length of stay (LOS) and inpatient charges. METHODS: Using a database with information on approximately 750,000 admissions annually to 100+ US acute-care hospitals, we identified all patients who underwent major orthopedic surgery between January 1, 1998 and December 13, 2000. Patients were stratified according to whether or not they experienced major postoperative bleeding prior to hospital discharge, defined as (a) fatal bleeding; (b) nonfatal bleeding at critical site; (c) re-operation due to bleeding; and (d) overt bleeding with bleeding index (BI)>or=2, where BI=number of blood units transfused plus pre-bleeding minus post-bleeding hemoglobin (g/dL) values. LOS and total inpatient charges were compared between patients with and without major bleeding. RESULTS: The incidence of major bleeding among 23,518 patients who underwent major orthopedic surgery was 2.6%. In multivariate analyses controlling for differences in baseline characteristics between patients with and without major bleeds, adjusted mean LOS was 1.8 days longer among those with major bleeding (95% CI: 1.5, 2.0) (6.1 days vs. 4.3 days for those without bleeds); adjusted mean total inpatient charges were 7,593 dollars higher (95% CI: 6,622 dollars, 8,646 dollars) (25,669 dollars vs. 18,076 dollars). CONCLUSION: Bleeding following major orthopedic surgery may increase length of stay and total hospital charges and should be an important consideration in choice of VTE prophylaxis.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Does pediatric orthopedic subspecialization affect hospital utilization and charges?

In the current climate of health care reform, there is a perception that overspecialization is responsible for increased medical costs. Few studies support the premise that high-quality surgical subspecialization improves the cost effectiveness of care. The purpose of this study was to compare hospital utilization and charges between a pediatric hospital staffed by pediatric orthopedic subspecialists and a community hospital system for the care of closed femur fractures and slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in a pediatric population. We reviewed hospital charges and length-of-stay (LOS) data for all children treated for closed femoral shaft fractures and SCFE between 1992 and 1994 within the Intermountain Health Care System (IHC). Within the IHC, there are 23 community hospitals and one children's hospital (PCMC). Patients were matched for age and injury severity. Four of six orthopedic surgeons at PCMC are pediatric orthopedists, but none of the community orthopedists has subspecialty training in pediatric orthopedics. For closed femoral shaft fractures (n = 334), the average hospital charges were less (PCMC, $4,943/Other IHC, $9,031), and length of stay was shorter (PCMC, 2.81 days/Other IHC, 8.91 days) when the child was treated at the children's hospital by pediatric orthopedic subspecialists. For SCFE (n = 63), the average hospital charges were less (PCMC, $2,824/Other IHC, $3,544) and the length of stay was shorter (PCMC, 1.13 days/Other IHC, 1.64 days) at the children's hospital. These data suggest that hospital utilization and charges were significantly decreased if the care was provided by pediatric orthopedic subspecialists in a children's hospital.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Comparative analysis of radiographic interpretation of orthopedic films: is there redundancy?

Cost containment is becoming the watchword in today's medical care environment. In an effort to determine possible areas of unnecessary patient cost secondary to redundant services, we decided to compare prospectively interpretations of plain orthopedic films by radiologists and orthopedists. Without performing a physical examination of the patient, orthopedic surgical attendings and radiology attendings independently read 507 consecutive radiographic studies of acute orthopedic injuries sustained by 438 patients. All readings were dictated, and the reports were reviewed by the senior author and statistically analyzed. The cost of the radiologists' readings was computed. Analysis of the two types of readings showed that both were highly sensitive and very specific, and that there was no statistically significant difference (p = 1.0) between them. The average cost of the radiologists' readings in the local area was approximately $16,100. There was no fee for orthopedic interpretations in this study. The authors conclude that because the two interpretations were accurate and not statistically different, interpretation of orthopedic films by a radiologist seems to be an unnecessary expense.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed2006

Agreement between orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons regarding a new algorithm for the treatment of thoracolumbar injuries: a multicenter reliability study.

INTRODUCTION: Considerable variability exists in the management of thoracolumbar (TL) spine injuries. Although there are many influences, one significant factor may be the treating surgeon's specialty and training (ie, orthopedic surgery vs. neurosurgery). Our objective was to assess the agreement between spinal orthopedic and neurologic surgeons in rating the severity of TL spine injuries with a new treatment algorithm. This information could be important in establishing consensus-based protocols for managing these challenging injuries. METHODS: Twenty-eight spinal surgeons (8 neurosurgeons and 20 orthopedic surgeons) reviewed 56 TL injury case histories. Each case was classified and scored according to the TL injury severity score (TLISS). The case histories were reordered and the physicians repeated the exercise 3 months later. At both intervals the surgeons were asked if they agreed with the final treatment recommendation of the TLISS algorithm. The reliability and decision validity of the TLISS was compared. RESULTS: Between-group interrater reliability was similar to within group reliabilities. Intrarater reliability was also similar between groups. The between speciality interrater reliability of the TLISS management recommendation was moderate (74% agreement, kappa=0.532). Orthopedic and neurosurgeons agreed with the TLISS management recommendation 91.4% and 94.4% of the time, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The TLISS demonstrated good reliability in terms of intraobserver and interobserver agreement on the algorithmic treatment recommendations. The recommendation for operation seems to be consistent between fellowship-trained orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons. This type of classification system may reduce the existing variability and initial management decision for treatment of TL injuries.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2006

Critical care challenges in orthopedic surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES: To review common and life-threatening complications resulting in intensive care unit admission for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery procedures. To identify specific diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities that may improve the outcome of critically ill orthopedic surgery patients. DESIGN: A review of the current literature regarding the care of orthopedic surgery patients was performed. RESULTS: Orthopedic surgery patients are vulnerable to a number of complications, particularly pulmonary complications related to scoliosis surgery, embolic complications of joint arthroplasty, and complications related to the use of opioids and sedatives in an elderly population. They also are susceptible to transfusion-related complications such as transfusion-related acute lung injury and transfusion-associated circulatory overload. Specific strategies for management of these complex patients are identified. CONCLUSIONS: Orthopedic surgery patients represent a significant and growing proportion of patients in intensive care units. They develop unique complications, and management of these complications requires understanding of preoperative co-morbidities, intraoperative management, and early recognition and treatment of postoperative complications. Prevention and early identification of these complications are the most efficacious routes to improving outcomes in this patient population.

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed2004

Orthopedic intrusion of premaxilla with distraction devices before alveolar bone grafting in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate.

Surgical repositioning of the downward displaced premaxilla in bilateral cleft lip and palate patients remains a controversial and perplexing issue because of its detrimental effects on the growth of the premaxilla. The purpose of this prospective clinical study was to introduce and evaluate the treatment results of an innovative technique for nonsurgically intruding the downward displaced premaxilla. Eight consecutive cases of bilateral cleft lip and palate at the age of mixed dentition were included for the correction of their premaxillary deformities. A pair of intraoral tooth-borne distraction devices was used for the orthopedic intrusion. Serial lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs were taken periodically for evaluating the growth of the premaxilla 1 year before the intrusion, changes during the intrusion, and growth/relapse up to 1 year after the intrusion. There was no overgrowth of the premaxilla or overeruption of the maxillary incisors during the 1-year observing period before the orthopedic intrusion. The treatment results revealed that the downward displaced premaxillae were all corrected within 1 month. Cephalometrically, 46 percent of the correction resulted from a true orthopedic intrusion and another 54 percent from a dentoalveolar effect in which the maxillary incisors were intruded and the premaxillary dentoalveolus was shortened. The cephalometric evaluations also implied that what occurred during the orthopedic intrusion was mostly the sutural contraction osteogenesis/osteolysis in the vomeropremaxillary suture combined with slightly mechanical upward displacement of the vomeronasal septum complex and nasal bones. The orthopedic intrusion of the premaxilla with distraction devices is an effective nonsurgical method for correcting the downward displaced premaxilla before alveolar bone grafting in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate, and the results remained stable after 1 year.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pediatric orthopedic surgery during the residency--too much, too little?

Questionnaires sent to chairpersons of orthopedic surgery residency programs and to private practitioners were analyzed to determine how training in children's orthopedics is accomplished, to define which procedures should be taught to residents, and to describe what the private practitioner perceives as appropriate education in children's orthopedics. The amount of time spent on children's orthopedics is adequate by present standards. For most procedures, the residency directors and private practitioners were in agreement concerning what was appropriate to teach. Education during the residency continues to be the most important resource used by the practicing orthopedic surgeon in pediatric problems.

Child↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The level of microbial contamination and frequency of surgical site infections at the department of orthopedic and traumatologic surgery of the clinical hospital center in Kragujevac].

INTRODUCTION: The level of microbial contamination is an important risk factor for surgical site infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of surgical site infections in regard to the level of microbial contamination at the Department of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery of the Clinical Hospital Center in Kragujevac. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 474 patients who underwent surgery in the period from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002 at the Department of Orthopedic and Traumatologic Surgery of the Clinical Hospital Center in Kragujevac. Hospital infections were identified using CDC definitions, modified to fit our circumstances. The traditional classification of surgical sites in regard to the level of microbial contamination includes three categories: clean, contaminated and dirty. RESULTS: The incidence of surgical site infections was higher at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward (5.94%) compared to Traumatologic Surgery Ward (5.02%). Additionally, a significantly higher frequency of deep surgical site infections, which were classified as clean were established at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward, in regard to the level of microbial contamination, whereas the greatest frequency of surface infections in clean surgical sites (p=0. 000) were established at the Traumatologic Surgery Ward. Surgical site infections were more frequent in patients undergoing multiple surgeries at the Orthopedic Surgery Ward zhan in those treated at the Traumatologic Surgery Ward (p=0.037). CONCLUSION: It is of utmost importance to estimate the frequency of surgical stie infections and identify associated risk factors in order to undertake adequate measures for their prevention and control.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

DRGs, orthopedic surgery, and age at an academic medical center.

The federal Medicare Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) hospital reimbursement system has been on line for 5 years. Hospitals contend that profit margins have dropped to dangerously low levels, due to the federal DRG Prospective Payment System. The authors analyzed all orthopedic surgical admissions to a large academic medical center under DRG reimbursement and characterized patients by age, resource utilization, and outcome. Total costs for the 1,040 orthopedic patients analyzed during a 15-month period added up to $9,718,800. Mean hospital cost per patient, mean hospital length of stay, percent outliers, and mortality generally increased with age. All age categories of patients 65 years of age and above generated financial losses under DRGs. Older orthopedic patients consumed a disproportionately larger share of resources than younger patients, and were more frequent users of the SICU and blood. The current DRG reimbursement scheme may be inequitable in relation to the older orthopedic surgery patient. If these findings are demonstrated at other medical centers, older orthopedic surgical patients could be limited in both their access and quality of care in the future.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1996

Clinical value of radiologists' interpretations of perioperative radiographs of orthopedic patients.

The content and accuracy of radiographic interpretations by radiologists was assessed to determine the reports' ability to provide sufficient information necessary to make clinical treatment decisions. A retrospective review was performed of 371 radiographic studies (211 consecutive patients) and their reports which had been generated by three Board-certified radiologists. Data were collected regarding fracture assessment and description as well as the description and assessment of orthopedic implants. These descriptions were categorized by their ability to be used clinically (precise) or not (general). Fracture descriptions were considered complete for 85% of reports, while their assessment of alignment and displacement (necessary to determine fracture care) was complete on only 9%. Orthopedic implants were described precisely on 12% of reports with 7% of the descriptions in error. The effect and position of orthopedic implants were described precisely for only 27% and 25% of cases, respectively, while implant stability was assessed precisely in only 4% of cases. For 61% of preoperative studies, the radiologist's report was not available until after the surgical procedure had already been performed. For all variables considered, an average of 3% of descriptions contained an error. Radiologists' reports of radiographs of these patients undergoing orthopedic procedures did not contain sufficient descriptive information to be used clinically, were not promptly available, and contained an error for 3% of variables studied. The attending orthopedic surgeon has traditionally interpreted such radiographs and should continue to do so to provide patients with more immediate and complete clinical evaluation and management.

Fractures, Bone↗
PubMed2004

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections: an important consideration for orthopedic surgeons.

Postoperative infections in joint prostheses and fracture-fixation devices commonly involve both MRSA and methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcus. In addition, community-acquired MRSA has also become an important consideration when infected patients are admitted to the hospital from the community. Preoperative colonization with MRSA and methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococcus increases the risk of postoperative surgical site infections in orthopedic patients. Up to 5.3% of orthopedic patients are colonized with these organisms on hospital admission. Screening and decolonization of methicillin resistant staphylococci decrease the incidence of postoperative surgical site infections in the orthopedic patient. This may be particularly important in orthopedic implants given the difficulty encountered in treating infected prosthesis. Current US guidelines advocate screening for methicillin resistant staphylococci only when risk factors are present. Growing evidence suggests that screening and decolinization of all patients having elective orthopedic procedures, especially those including prosthetic implants, will decrease the incidence of postoperative infections. The infected prosthesis may be potentially salvaged if the clinical manifestations of infection have been present for < or = 10 days, the implant is stable, and the etiologic organisms are susceptible to oral antibiotics.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Reduction of vancomycin use in orthopedic patients with a history of antibiotic allergy.

OBJECTIVE: To reduce prophylactic vancomycin use in patients with a history of penicillin or cephalosporin allergy undergoing elective orthopedic surgery by using a targeted allergy consultation and penicillin allergy skin testing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The participants in this practice improvement study were patients with a history of penicillin or cephalosporin allergy who were scheduled for elective orthopedic surgery and referred by orthopedic surgeons for allergy consultation and penicillin allergy skin testing between September 22, 1998, and April 15, 1999. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of participants who received prophylactic cefazolin during the study period compared with historical controls. RESULTS: Of the 60 study patients, 59 received a penicillin allergy skin test, 58 underwent orthopedic surgery, and 55 received antibiotic prophylaxis. Fifty-five patients had a history of allergy to penicillin, a cephalosporin, or both, and 5 had a history of nonspecific antibiotic allergy. Of the 59 patients, 55 (93%) had negative penicillin allergy skin test results. Fifty-four (90%) of the 60 patients were given clearance by the allergist to receive cefazolin. Of the 55 study patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis, 6 (11%) received vancomycin compared with 38 (30%) of 127 historical controls (P < or = .05). None of the study patients had an immediate reaction to cefazolin or to vancomycin. CONCLUSION: Prophylactic vancomycin use in patients with a history of penicillin or cephalosporin allergy undergoing elective orthopedic surgery can be reduced by a targeted allergy consultation and penicillin allergy skin testing.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The beneficial relationship of the colocation of orthopedics and physical therapy in a deployed setting: Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In a deployment setting, orthopedic and musculoskeletal injuries represent the majority of both combat-related and noncombat-related injuries. To expeditiously and efficiently manage the large influx of patients, our experience revealed the tremendous benefits of having physical therapy colocated with an orthopedic surgeon in a level III combat support hospital. A physical therapist, working in a physician extender role, can treat the majority of nonsurgical orthopedic patients, thus allowing the orthopedic surgeon to focus his or her skills and time on surgical interventions. This physician extender role, although often overlooked during peacetime, becomes essential during wartime, when critically injured patients are abundant and physicians are in short supply. The lessons learned support the continued colocation of physical therapy and orthopedics in a deployment setting and recognize the need to have more physical therapists placed at level I and II echelons of care.

Geography↗
PubMed1999

Technologies to minimize blood transfusion in cardiac and orthopedic surgery. Results of a practice variation survey in nine countries. International Study of Peri-operative Transfusion (ISPOT) Investigators.

OBJECTIVES: Due to the discovery in the 1980s that blood transfusion can transmit HIV, there has been increased interest in technologies that reduce the amount of allogeneic blood used during and after surgery. These technologies include drugs (aprotinin, tranexamic acid, epsilon-aminocaproic acid, erythropoietin), devices (cell salvage), and techniques (acute hemodilution, predeposited autologous donation). The purpose of this study was to ascertain the degree of practice variation, if any, that exists for eight technologies in nine countries in orthopedic and cardiac surgery. METHODS: In each country, either all hospitals or a random sample of hospitals with medical/surgical beds were surveyed between 1995 and 1997. Two instruments were used. The first instrument was a postcard that asked recipients whether the technologies were currently being used in their hospital for orthopedic and/or cardiac surgery to reduce perioperative allogeneic transfusion. The second questionnaire elicited information regarding the degree of use both in qualitative and quantitative terms. Data were collected, entered, and analyzed in each country, with summary results submitted to the Canadian coordinating center on a standardized data collection form. RESULTS: Pharmaceuticals were generally used in a much smaller proportion of hospitals in orthopedic than in cardiac surgery. Aprotinin and tranexamic acid were the drugs most frequently used in cardiac surgery. Nonpharmacological technologies were used to a greater degree than drugs in orthopedic surgery, although there was wide variation among technologies and countries. Acute hemodilution and cell salvage were used in a greater proportion of hospitals for cardiac surgery than orthopedic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey indicate that there is considerable practice variation in the use of technologies to minimize exposure to perioperative allogeneic transfusion within and between countries.

Antifibrinolytic Agents↗
PubMed2006

[Assessment of HBV, HCV and HIV injection in a population of Polish orthopedic surgeons].

UNLABELLED: Orthopedic surgeons are at risk for occupationally acquired infections with blood borne pathogens. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of infection with HBV, HCV, CMV and HIV among orthopedic surgeons. DESIGN: Voluntary, anonymous serosurvey at an annual meeting of Polish Association of Orthopedic Surgeons held in Szczecin, Poland in 2004. Serum samples were tested for anti-HIV, anti-CMV IgG, anti-HCV and markers of HBV infection: anti-HBc total and HBs. RESULTS: Of 1000 eligible orthopedic surgeons at the meeting, 101 (10.4%) participated; 75% participants reported a percutaneous blood contact in the previous month. None of the doctors was positive for HIV (0%, 95% CI:0-3.7%). One participant (1%, 95% CI: 0.2-5.4%), 26 years in profession, had anti-HCV. There was evi-dence of infection with HBV in 10 of 96 participants (10.4%) who had reported having no nonoccupational risk factors and in 5 participants with such factors. None of them developed a chronic infection. Only 5 out of 15 doctors infected with HBV knew their serological status, 13 out of those 15 had been immunized with hepatitis B vaccine, 4 revaccinated. The immunization rate was 91%. The seroprevalence for CMV was 63/101 (62%); it increased with age (p < 0.0003). CONCLUSIONS: Despite infection control precautions and availability of hepatitis B vaccine, orthopedic surgeons remain at risk for acquiring bloodborne viral infection. CMV poses the highest risk, followed by HBV and HCV. As the majority of HBV infected doctors did not know their serological status and underwent immunization with hepatitis B vaccine, testing for anti-HBc before vaccination remains crucial.

Female↗
PubMed1986

Use of computers to test orthopedic knowledge.

Valid, reliable evaluation of orthopedic knowledge is an essential part of our efforts to maintain a high quality of orthopedic practice and education. Current methods of evaluation have made important contributions to the field of orthopedics and will continue to do so, but they have limitations. Computers currently help score and interpret test results as well as evaluate test items. With the development of item banks, computers can aid in test and item construction. Development of a central computer item bank with appropriate programming for specialized test construction would allow computerized test administration on home computers. The most exciting potential contribution of computers to evaluation of orthopedic knowledge will be in the development of computer simulations. Computer simulations can closely replicate the processes of making a diagnosis, directing treatment, or planning and guiding the performance of a procedure and thereby overcome some limitations of current tests. Developing methods of measuring student performance on simulations and establishing the validity and reliability of simulations as evaluation instruments will require considerable effort, but they offer the promise of providing an important method of assessing orthopedic knowledge.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1995

Orthopedic surgery at a MASH deployed to the former Yugoslavia in support of the United Nations Protection Force.

From November 1992 to April 1993, the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) was deployed from Germany to Zagreb, Croatia, to provide medical support for the United Nations Protection Force serving in the former Yugoslavia. A 60-bed deployable medical systems hospital was established. The usual MASH 72-hour evacuation policy was extended to 30 days; the orthopedic equipment inventory and surgical capability were increased significantly. Eighty-three orthopedic surgical procedures were performed during a 5-month period on soldiers from 14 nations. Sixty-two (75%) of these procedures were non-emergent, including internal fixation of fractures, bone and skin grafting, and arthroscopy. There were no documented early infections; the complication rate was acceptable. Orthopedic aftercare was supplemented by physical therapy and the capability of prosthetic fitting for amputees. The majority of soldiers (60%) received definitive orthopedic surgical care in theater. The feasibility of performing non-emergent orthopedic procedures in a field environment was demonstrated. Expanded medical support for other similar missions may be required in the future.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Desktop teleradiology in support of rural orthopedic trauma care.

UNLABELLED: Research has shown that diagnostic quality images for most teleradiology applications requires a sophisticated telemedicine system and access to a large amount of bandwidth. While the ideal standards have been set by those involved in evaluating teleradiology, these standards are impractical for many small rural health centers which deliver routine trauma care. While there is no disagreement about the ultimate need for this level of teleradiology support, the purpose of this research was to determine whether Orthopedists would be able to read plain radiographs of orthopedic trauma injuries using a desktop teleradiology system in support of rural trauma care. METHOD: Two radiology residents and two orthopedic residents viewed forty radiographs, twenty through a desktop teleradiology system and twenty in person. Diagnostic findings and certainty of diagnosis were recorded. FINDINGS: There was no statistically significant difference between modalities in orthopedic residents' ability to correctly diagnose orthopedic trauma injuries. Further, for those instances when the diagnosis was imprecise, the residents were aware of their inability to make an accurate diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Although the study was relatively limited and further research needs to be done, the use of desktop teleradiology in support of rural orthopedic trauma consultation is a promising alternative to the more expensive forms of telemedicine technology.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗