IMPLANT-SPECIFIC IDENTIFICATION CARDS FOR HIP AND KNEE ARTHROPLASTY PATIENTS

Abstract

Many orthopedic departments provide their patients with implant-specific identification cards. These cards should assist patients in various security checks and while undergoing revision surgery, especially if performed far from the primary hospital. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate patients’ use of these cards.

In our department, each arthroplasty patient receives an implant-specific identification card. A phone survey was conducted among two groups of consecutive patients who underwent a lower limb arthroplasty – first group consisted of 108 patients operated a year earlier and second – 120 patients operated 3 years earlier. In the first group, 97 patients (90%) replied and in the second group – 83 patients (69%). The patients were asked the following: whether they received the card, where they keep it, what do they know about its purposes, and have they used the card for security or medical reasons.

17 patients (18%) in one-year group and 18 patients (22%) in three-years group didn’t remember the card. The rest of the patients knew the location of the card, but most of them (80% in one-year group and 72%in three-years group) knew only about the security usage of the card and not about the medical one. Many patients complained that they were not given adequate explanations about the card.

Implant-specific identification cards have significant value for arthroplasty patients. However, patients use them mostly for security checks. The medical usage of this card should be explained when they receive it, so the patients can assist their surgeons while performing a revision surgery.