Today’s Top Story
Study: Use of BPTB autograft linked to lower risk of infection compared to hamstring autograft for ACL reconstruction.
A study published online in The American Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that patients who undergo anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using hamstring autograft may be at increased risk of infection compared to those who receive bone–patellar tendon–bone (BPTB) autograft. The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 21 level 1 and level 2 studies. They found that patients who received BPTB autograft had a 77 percent lower incidence of infection compared those in the hamstring cohort. In addition, the incidence of infection was 66 percent lower with BPTB autografts compared with all other graft types. The researchers found no significant difference in incidence of infection after ACL reconstruction with autografts compared with allografts. Read the abstract…
Other News
Study: Despite retirement, SCIP guidelines may reduce risk of complication following THA.
Findings from a study published in the August issue of The Journal of Arthroplasty suggest that implementation of Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) guidelines may be associated with a reduction in mortality and other complications for patients who undergo elective total hip arthroplasty (THA). The authors reviewed data on 345,875 THA procedures from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. They found that by following the institution of SCIP guidelines, the overall mortality following cardiac complications decreased 41 percent there were also significant decreases in fatal cardiac complications, postoperative hypotension, myocardial infarction, and cardiac arrest. The authors note that in the wake of evidence questioning their safety and efficacy, the SCIP guidelines were retired in 2015. However, they argue that “evidence supports continuation of perioperative beta-blockade in primary elective total adult hip and knee arthroplasty.” Read the abstract…
Study: Abusive surgeon leadership may impact team performance.
A study published online in The American Journal of Surgery examines the effects of surgeon leadership behavior on intraoperative team performance. The research team compiled information from trained observers and team members from 150 randomly selected operations at a single center. They found that abusive supervision was negatively associated with psychological safety and collective efficacy, while controlling leadership was negatively associated with collective efficacy. In contrast, the research team noted that transformational leadership did not positively influence team performance. Read the abstract…
Maryland.
Modern Healthcare reports that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has granted a waiver from federal anti-kickback laws that will allow hospitals and physicians in Maryland to work together more closely to coordinate patient care. Maryland is the only state allowed to set its own pay rate for hospitals. To retain the Maryland All-Payer Model, the state agreed in 2014 to cut total Medicare costs by $330 million over 5 years, reduce its hospital readmission rate, and reduce hospital-acquired infections and other preventable conditions. Read more…(paid subscription may be required)
Read the waiver (PDF)…
Learn more about the Maryland All-Payer Model…
Ohio.
An article in Kaiser Health News reports on the status of an Ohio law designed to increase transparency regarding the cost of non-emergency healthcare services. Although the law was expected to take effect, Jan. 1, 2017, it has received opposition from some healthcare stakeholders, who argue that the law, as written, is applied too broadly and that forcing providers to create estimates before procedures would slow access to patient care. Several provider associations filed suit and received an injunction delaying implementation. A hearing is scheduled for August. Read more…
Last Chance to Apply to take part in the AAOS Leadership Fellows Program.
The AAOS Leadership Fellows Program (LFP) offers an exciting opportunity to all AAOS fellows age 45 and younger as of Jan. 31, 2018. The LFP is a 1-year program that starts at the AAOS Annual Meeting and is designed to facilitate the development of future AAOS leaders among younger members who have previous volunteer or leadership experience. The LFP combines didactic and experiential leadership training with an ongoing mentoring program. Each fellow is matched with an established leader within the AAOS fellowship who serves as a mentor throughout the program. The application deadline has been extended to Aug. 4. Learn more and submit your application…
Call for volunteers: Patient Safety Committee.
Aug. 18 is the last day to submit your application for a position on the Patient Safety Committee (two member-at-large openings). This committee directs and evaluates Academy initiatives designed to promote orthopaedic patient safety. Applicants for this position must be active fellows with an interest in or experience with musculoskeletal infections/infectious disease or patient safety. Learn more and submit your application…(member login required)
