Today’s Top Story
Study: During distal radial plate fixation with fluoroscopy, surgeons’ hands see greatest exposure to radiation.
Data from a study published in the May 6 issue of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (JBJS) find that, during distal radial plate fixation under fluoroscopy, surgeons’ hands receive the most radiation exposure. The authors outfitted an anthropomorphic model with radiation-attenuating glasses, thyroid shield, apron, and gloves, and attached dosimeters to various locations on the model. They found that hand exposure averaged 31 µSv/min—a level 13.0 times higher than the other recorded exposures. The addition of gloves reduced hand exposure to radiation by 69.4 percent. In addition, the authors found that eye exposure averaged 4 µSv/min—a level 2.2 times higher than the mean thyroid, chest, and groin exposure. The use of glasses decreased eye exposure by 65.6 percent. The authors noted that there was no significant difference in exposure between mini and standard fluoroscopy, and surgeon’s eyes and hands receive more exposure than previously appreciated. Read the abstract…
Other News
Study: Orthopaedist-ordered MRIs linked to appropriate interventions for knee pain.
Findings from a study published in the May 6 issue of JBJS suggest that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans ordered by orthopaedists may be associated with appropriate interventions for knee pain. The researchers reviewed the charts of 1,592 new patients seen at a single orthopaedic outpatient office for meniscal or unspecific sprains and strains of the knee. They found that MRI-ordering rates were nearly identical between orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians (PCPs). However, MRIs ordered by orthopaedists were significantly more likely to confirm the presence of a condition that could benefit from arthroscopic interventions than those ordered by primary care physicians. Compared to PCPs, orthopaedic surgeons ordered MRIs for patients who were more likely to benefit from arthroscopic intervention, including those who were younger, patients with acute symptoms, and patients with a history of trauma. In addition, orthopaedic surgeons were less likely than PCPs to order MRIs for patients with substantial osteoarthritis who subsequently underwent total knee arthroplasty. Read more…
Read the abstract…
FDA announces web portal for UDI-bearing medical devices.
Modern Healthcare reports that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the launch of an online portal for its Global Unique Device Identification Database (GUDID). The AccessGUDID site includes publicly searchable information on medical devices that are linked with a unique device identifier (UDI) code. Device manufacturers are required to submit information about each device to the GUDID database. The system was established under the 2012 Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act. The system is being phased in, and by 2020 all medical devices will be required to carry a UDI. Read more…
Learn more about UDIs…
Visit the AccessGUDID website…
HAI reporting to refine and expand this year.
An article in HealthLeaders Media looks at the issue of reporting of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rates. The writer notes that two federal efforts planned for launch this year seek to more accurately collect information on HAIs. In the first, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to expand reporting of central line-associated bloodstream (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) beyond the intensive care unit to all medical and surgical beds throughout a hospital. Under the second initiative, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has refined the definitions of what constitutes a CLABSI and a CAUTI to eliminate interpretive variation on the part of clinicians. Read more…
Study: Light-sensitive dye may help increase allograft sterility.
A study published online in the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research suggests that loading bone allograft with biocompatible porphyrins before surgery may increase sterility of the allograft during implantation. The researchers conducted an in vitro study of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis-(4-aminophenyl)-porphyrin (TAPP)—a chemical that is well-tolerated by the body in the dark, but develops antimicrobial properties in the presence of light. The researchers treated bone putty with TAPP and then exposed bone fragments to bacteria. They demonstrated that as long as the lights were on, bacteria—including biofilms—were unable to attach and grow on the surface of the bone. Read more…
Read the abstract…
Vote now! AAOS 2016 Nominating Committee, six resolutions, and three bylaw amendments.
Voting has begun to elect the six members of the 2016 Nominating Committee and to determine action on six AAOS resolutions and three bylaw amendments. Online voting is quick, secure, and confidential. For the resolutions and bylaw amendments, at least 20 percent of the total fellowship must cast ballots for the voting to be valid. Ballots must be submitted by Wednesday, May 27, 2015. If you have questions, please contact the AAOS Voting Hotline, at 800-999-2939. Submit your ballot…(member login required)
Reminder: Submit your 2014 OITE answer file by May 31 to be included in the final scoring.
To be included in the final scoring, 2014 Orthopaedic In-Training Examination (OITE) answer files must be submitted no later than May 31, 2015. The 20 scored and recorded CME credits will be posted to transcripts immediately.
Read the May issue of AAOS Now on your tablet!
The May edition of AAOS Now magazine is now available for electronic devices capable of reading files in ePub format, including the iPhone and iPad, Android devices, and desktop computers (unfortunately, Amazon Kindle does not currently accept ePub files). To download and view the ePub version of AAOS Now, visit the link below and log in using your AAOS username and password. If you have comments or questions about the ePub version of AAOS Now, please email Peter Pollack, electronic content specialist, at ppollack@aaos.org.
Download and read AAOS Now in ePub format…(member login required)
