Study: Does Surgeon Experience Impact Preoperative THA Planning?
A study published online in International Orthopaedics compared preoperative total hip arthroplasty (THA) planning accuracy between fellow-trained orthopaedic surgeons versus residents. A fellow-trained surgeon and a resident separately performed preoperative digital templating for 101 THA patients. The fellow-trained group had a higher overall rate of adequate preoperative acetabular cup planning compared to the resident group (77.2 percent versus 64.3 percent) but a lower overall rate of adequate preoperative planning of the femoral stem (61.4 percent versus 83.2 percent). The fellow-trained group had better preoperative planning in complex cases, such as developmental dysplasia of the hip and avascular necrosis of femoral head.
Study: Incidence and Reasons for ED Visits After Outpatient Hand Surgery
A retrospective study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the Journal of the AAOS ® assessed the utilization rate and most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visits following elective outpatient hand surgery. The seven- and 30-day ED visit rates among 212,506 total procedures were 1.8 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively; at both time points, the most common indication for an ED visit was postoperative pain (25.4 percent and 16.1 percent, respectively). Independent factors for ED visits at up to 30 days were comorbid congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, diabetes, renal failure, schizophrenia, and depression.
Study: Predictors of 30-day ED Visits, Readmissions, Reoperations After Ankle Fracture Surgery
A study published online in Injury identified factors correlated with ED visits, reoperations, and readmissions 30 days following ankle fracture surgery. A total of 596 patients treated at a level 1 trauma center between 2015 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Within 30 days postoperatively, 43 patients (7.2 percent) visited the ED, 30 (5.0 percent) were readmitted, and 10 (1.7 percent) required reoperation. Younger age was correlated with 30-day return to the ED. Unplanned reoperation was more common in open than closed fractures. Sex, insurance status, several comorbidities, smoking status, and fracture type/location were not largely predictive of 30-day events.
CMS Releases Data on COVID-19 Impact on Medicare Beneficiaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated data on the effect of COVID-19 on Medicare beneficiaries. This is the first report that provides data for American Indian/Alaskan Native Medicare beneficiaries, who, per the new data, have the second highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations, second to Black beneficiaries.
HHS Report Highlights Increase in Telemedicine Use Among Medicare Beneficiaries
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a report highlighting a significant uptick in telemedicine service utilization for primary care delivery in fee-for-service Medicare in the beginning stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report demonstrates how telemedicine flexibilities allowed beneficiaries access to primary care during the pandemic.
Practices Can Benefit from Remote Patient Monitoring
Patients often visit orthopaedic surgeons because their pain has affected their ability to exercise and be active. Unfortunately, real knowledge about patients’ activity levels is limited to six- to eight-week intervals of snapshot medicine. However, new codes created in 2019 by CMS allow remote monitoring of patients’ activity and may have a dramatic impact in this new, post-COVID-19 world.
Nominations Are Open for the 2021 Tipton Leadership Award
The Tipton Leadership Award recognizes AAOS Active Fellows or Candidate members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities that have led to benefits for the orthopaedic community, patients, and/or the American public. View the Tipton Leadership Award criteria here. Questions about the AAOS Awards should be directed to governance@aaos.org. The deadline to submit a nomination is Aug. 7.
