CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Appropriateness of primary total hip and knee replacements in regions of Ontario with high and low utilization rates.
To compare the appropriateness of case selection for primary hip and knee replacements between two regions in Ontario: one with a high population-based utilization rate and one with a low rate. ⋯ Patients selected for primary hip or knee replacement are similar in the high- and low-rate regions of Ontario. Inappropriate use of this procedure does not account for the high rate of surgery in some areas. Further studies will be required to determine which other factors account for the regional variations in the utilization rates and whether there is underservicing in low-rate areas.