Orthopedics
Hip fracture surgery volumes in older individuals during COVID-19
Editor's Note Hip fracture surgery volumes in individuals 65 years and older were lower during the pandemic than 2 years before, which contrasts with that seen in the general population, this study from Kaiser Permanente researchers finds. The analysis includes 18,288 patients aged 65 years or older who had hip…
Emergency departments affect postop readmission rates
Editor's Note This study by researchers at Indiana University and the University of Michigan finds that emergency departments (EDs) are a significant factor in preventing readmissions after major surgery. Researchers analyzed the electronic health records of nearly 2 million Medicare beneficiaries who had one of five surgical procedures (ie, percutaneous…
County-level social vulnerability linked to worse postop outcomes, especially in minority patients
Editor's Note This study from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, finds that patients residing in vulnerable communities characterized by a high social vulnerability index (SVI) had worse postoperative outcomes, and the impact was most pronounced in Black/minority patients. In this analysis…
Change in volume of surgical procedures during COVID-19 pandemic
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine find that the initial COVID-19 shutdown from March through April 2020 resulted in a decrease in surgical volume to nearly half of baseline rates. After the reopening, surgical volume rebounded to 2019 levels, and the trend was maintained.…
CMS releases final Medicare payment rule for ASCs, HOPDs
Editor's Note The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on November 2, released its 2022 final payment rule for ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). The final rule increases Medicare prospective payment system rates by a net 2.0%—a combination of a 2.7% inflation update based on…
No association of COVID-19 with meeting time-to-surgery benchmarks for orthopedic trauma patients
Editor's Note This study, led by researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, finds that despite the challenges associated with COVID-19, many US hospital systems were able to implement strategies in keeping with time-to-surgery standards for orthopedic trauma patients. Of 3,589 patients from 20 sites in the US and…
Back table UV light decreases environmental contamination
Editor's Note In this study, researchers from Colorado Joint Replacement, Denver, find that a back table ultraviolet light (UV) decreases environmental contamination near the operative field, which may lead to a decrease in joint infections. Either a back table germicidal UV light-emitting diode or a sham device was used during…
Survey: Orthopedic patients more satisfied with telehealth visits than surgeons
Editor's Note In this study presented at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting in San Diego, researchers found that orthopedic surgical patients had a higher level of satisfaction with telehealth visits than surgeons, the September 16 Healio Orthopedics Today reports. Of 107 patients and six surgeons surveyed, approximately…
Zimmer Biomet platform links with Apple Watch for postop patient care
Editor's Note Zimmer Biomet on August 31 presented data at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2021 annual meeting that highlighted the clinical value of its MyMobility platform with Apple Watch, the August 31 Mass Device reports. MyMobility is a remote care management platform that helps guide and support patients…
Joint Commission updates ACSS, THKR performance measures
Editor's Note The Joint Commission announced on August 25 that data collection for four new performance measures in the Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) program and one new performance measure in the Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement (THKR-5) program began on July 1. Programs are…
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