Today’s Top Story

Study: Inappropriate CDS overrides may increase risk of adverse drug events

Findings from a study published online in the journal BMJ Quality & Safety suggest that inappropriate overrides of clinical decision support (CDS) alerts in electronic health records may be linked to an increased risk of adverse drug events (ADEs). The authors conducted a prospective, observational study of 2,448 overridden CDS alerts across 712 unique patient encounters. They determined that 81.6 percent of overrides were appropriate, with appropriateness varying by alert type. The authors found that 16.5 percent of inappropriate overrides and 2.74 percent of appropriate overrides were associated with potential and definite ADEs.

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Read the abstract…

 
 
Other News

Study: Thyroidectomy may increase risk of osteoporosis

According to a study conducted in Taiwan and published online in the World Journal of Surgery, thyroidectomy may increase long-term risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture. Members of the research team conducted a retrospective, cohort study of 1,426 thyroidectomy patients and 5,704 control patients. They found that the incidence density of osteoporosis was 7.91/1,000 person-years in the thyroidectomy group and 5.98/1,000 person-years in the control group, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.43. The researchers note that younger patients, women, and patients with comorbidities were at increased risk. Further, they write that the risk of postoperative osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture were significantly increased among patients who received thyroxine treatment for more than one year.

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Study: Integrating patient partners into ambulatory care QI teams may help improve the patient experience

A study published in the April issue of The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety suggests that integrating patient partners into ambulatory care quality improvement (QI) teams may help improve patients’ experience with care. The researchers conducted focus groups, in-depth interviews, and online surveys to identify the effect of patient partners on QI efforts. They found that patient partners influenced QI through three key mechanisms: symbolism, providing feedback (on written material for patients and new policies), and making suggestions (on office communication, educational materials, physical space, and clinical care processes). Nearly three-quarters of patient partners believed they had a moderate to very large impact on QI efforts, while eight of 10 QI team leaders reported that patient partners improved patient-centeredness of QI a “moderate amount” to a “great deal” through one of the three key mechanisms.

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Read the abstract…

 
 
 
CMS Extends MIPS 2017 Data Submission Deadline to April 3

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the Medicare Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) 2017 Data Submission Deadline from March 31, 2018, to April 3, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. ET. Eligible clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP) can submit their 2017 performance data through the QPP website. The agency also states that groups that missed the March 16, 2018 CMS web interface data submission deadline can still submit data through an alternate mechanism. Providers who are unsure of their MIPS reporting status should enter their National Provider Identifier in the MIPS Lookup Tool.

Learn more about MIPS…

Verify MIPS participation status…

 
 
 
Many Americans avoid recommended tests or medical treatments due to concerns over cost

According to a national survey conducted by the West Health Institute and NORC at the University of Chicago, 40 percent of respondents say they have skipped a recommended medical test or treatment in the last 12 months due to cost, and 32 percent were unable to fill a prescription or took less of a medication because of the cost. The researchers drew data from 1,302 people through a survey designed to be representative of the U.S. household population. Among other things, they found that more than half of respondents said they have received a medical bill for a cost they thought was covered by their health insurance in the past 12 months, and a similar proportion reported receiving a medical bill stating that the amount they owed was higher than expected. More than a quarter said they have had a medical bill turned over to a collection agency.

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Read the issue brief (PDF)…

Read the complete results (PDF)…

 
 
Your AAOS

April AAOS Now is available online

AAOS members will soon receive the print edition of the April issue of AAOS Now, but the electronic edition is already available on the AAOS Now website and on iOS and Android devices through the AAOS Access app. This month’s issue includes a report from the recent “Optimizing Clinical Use of Biologics in Orthopaedic Surgery” symposium, suggestions for smoothing the precertification process for orthopaedic procedures, a look at the use of “superconstructs” in the treatment of Charcot midfoot dislocation, coverage from the AAOS 2018 Annual Meeting, and much more.

Read the April issue…

Read “AAOS Tackles Controversies Surrounding the Use of Biologics in Orthopaedic Surgery”…

Read “Reduce the Pain of Precertification”…

Read “‘Superconstructs’ for Charcot Midfoot Dislocation”…

Learn more about AAOS Now in the Access app…

 
 
 
Call for volunteers: ABOS Knowledge Resource Groups

AAOS seeks members to serve as content experts on American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) Knowledge Resource Groups, which will identify knowledge resources for the ABOS Web Based Longitudinal Assessment Program. The following positions are available:

  • Adult reconstruction (two member openings)
  • Foot and ankle (two member openings)
  • General orthopaedics (two member openings)
  • Hand and wrist (two member openings)
  • Musculoskeletal oncology (two member openings)
  • Pediatrics (two member openings)
  • Shoulder and elbow (two member openings)
  • Spine (two member openings)
  • Sports medicine (two member openings)
  • Trauma (two member openings)

Applicants for these positions must be active fellows with a practice emphasis in the relevant topic.

Learn more and submit your application…