Academy Makes Difficult Decision to Cancel Annual Meeting
The AAOS Board of Directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Annual Meeting scheduled for March 24–28 in Orlando, Fla. The team had been eagerly anticipating and preparing for the meeting, but the ongoing spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) was a serious concern, and its implications have substantially affected the logistics of the meeting. The health, safety, and well-being of the AAOS global community is the Academy’s highest priority. The potential risks associated with a large gathering as well as the increasing travel advisories and restrictions were certainly considerations, but most importantly, the Academy knows its members are needed in their local communities to help their institutions and patients prepare for and react to the growing COVID-19 spread. The Academy will continue to share details through its website and social media and has created an FAQ page to help answer questions. AAOS continues to work together to bring the substance and spirit of the 2020 Annual Meeting to all who were planning to participate.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance for healthcare workers to protect their staff and at-risk patients from COVID-19. The most recent information includes guidance to State Survey Agencies, Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, and protective masks for healthcare workers.
OSHA Issues Guidance to Prevent COVID-19 Exposure in the Workplace
The Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued guidelines to help prevent worker exposure to COVID-19. For all workers, regardless of exposure risk, OSHA recommends:
Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60 percent alcohol.
Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
A long-term retrospective study published in the March/April issue of Current Orthopaedic Practice analyzed outcomes for patients treated with nonarticulating antibiotic spacer to stabilize a knee with soft-tissue injury and bone loss following explant procedures due to infection. Between 2010 and 2014, 30 patients (average age, 62.7 years; 50.0 percent were male) received antibiotic spacers. A third of patients were septic when they presented to the intensive care unit. Most patients (n = 26) had undergone a prior surgery to treat the infection. The most common organism associated with the index infection was methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. At final follow-up (mean, 16.82 months), 8333 percent of patients could move around with the spacer.
The Trump administration finalized two rules aimed at enhancing interoperability and information sharing in the healthcare ecosystem. The CMS rule requires hospitals to send electronic notifications when a patient is admitted, discharged, or transferred. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) rule sets requirements to allow patient access, use and exchange of their electronic health record information at no cost.
Why Are Orthopaedic Trainees Failing to Select the Right Job after Training?
As many as half of all orthopaedic surgery trainees switch jobs within a few years of starting practice. Several personal and financial stressors may result when surgeons switch jobs early in their careers. Personal stressors include reapplying and interviewing for jobs, negotiating contracts, relocating a family, and starting over to build a new practice. Financial stressors include settlement of old contracts, legal fees, moving expenses, and potential time off work.
Get Published Faster with OVT User-submitted Videos
Did you know that now you can share your videos and get published faster with OVT User-submitted Videos? User-submitted Videos offer an expedited peer-review process. Once uploaded, a video is submitted to AAOS committee members in the given orthopaedic specialty and is quickly reviewed and published. With this option, you can showcase your skills and help advance orthopaedic education more than ever. This growing collection offers OVT viewers the chance to discover relevant content and access to the very latest in orthopaedic surgical techniques. Log in to submit a video and discover all OVT has to offer.
