The Journal of arthroplasty
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Comparative Study
Activity, sleep and cognition after fast-track hip or knee arthroplasty.
Optimized perioperative care after total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) has decreased length of stay (LOS) but data on activity, sleep and cognition after discharge are limited. We included 20 patients ≥ 60 years undergoing THA/TKA, monitoring them for 3 days preoperatively and 9 days postoperatively with actigraphs for sleep and activity assessment. Pain scores were recorded daily. ⋯ Early postoperatively cognitive decline and increased pain returned to preoperative levels by postoperative day (POD) 5-9. Despite the small sample size the study illustrated that post-discharge activity is decreased and daytime sleep is increased after fast-track THA/TKA, while cognition and pain return to preoperative levels by POD 9. Objective assessment of these recovery parameters may be valuable in future interventional studies to enhance recovery after THA/TKA.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of topical tranexamic acid in primary TKA from a clinical and economic standpoint. We retrospectively reviewed 683 primary total knee arthroplasties performed at a single institution over a 2-year period. We compared 373 cases performed in 2010 without tranexamic acid to 310 cases performed in 2011 with tranexamic acid. ⋯ The average savings was approximately $1500 per patient. There were no differences in thromboembolic events or infection. The use topical tranexamic acid in primary TKA is safe, effective, and results in significant cost savings.
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The morbidity associated with elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) may result in intensive care unit (ICU) admission. A total of 175 consecutive THA patients were prospectively triaged to either an ICU bed or routine post-operative floor according to admission criteria based on a prior published study of 1259 THA patients. Primary end points were a reduction in unplanned ICU admission, as well as major complications. ⋯ The as-treated odds of unplanned admission pre- versus post-intervention were 3.2 (1.2, 10.6). The complication rate fell from 12.5% to 2%, and the mortality index decreased from 4.77 to 1.62. Triage according to selected risk factors affects a reduction in unplanned ICU admissions and major complications after THA.
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the most common treatments performed for hip fractures over the last decade in the United States. The leading treatment for trochanteric fractures was internal fixation, accounting for 96%-98% of surgical treatments each year. ⋯ In 2009, two-thirds of patients younger than 60 years underwent internal fixation while two-thirds of patients 60 years or older underwent HA. Regardless of patient age, HA was performed more often than THA for cervical hip fractures.
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The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act contains a number of provision for improving the delivery of healthcare in the United States, among the most impactful of which may be the call for modifications in the packaging of and payment for care that is bundled into episodes. The move away from fee for service payment models to payment for coordinated care delivered as comprehensive episodes is heralded as having great potential to enhance quality and reduce cost, thereby increasing the value of the care delivered. This effort builds on the prior experience around delivering care for arthroplasty under the Acute Care Episode Project and offers extensions and opportunities to modify the experience moving forward. ⋯ This fundamental shift in payment for care offers both considerable risk and tremendous opportunity for physicians. Acquiring an understanding of the recent experience and the determinants of future success will best position orthopaedic surgeons to thrive in this new environment. Although this will remain a dynamic exercise for some time, early experience may enhance the chances for long term success, and physicians can rightfully lead the care delivery redesign process.