Abstract

Background

Over 35% of surgeons in the United States, and 10% in Canada use the direct anterior approach for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Some of the key barriers in its wider adoption are the learning curve and associated increased risk of adverse events. The purpose of this study was to determine the adoption rate as well as 90-day re-admission and adverse event of the anterior approach in a community-based hospital.

The burden of hospital length of stay (LOS) and readmissions for total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients has resulted in great scrutiny. The purpose of this study was to determine our patients' LOS and hospital readmissions over the past 7 years. The second purpose was to determine what comorbidities affected the LOS and readmissions of 1440 THA patients.

1440 THA patients were retrospectively reviewed. The group included 622 males, 818 females. The average age of the cohort was 60 years (12 to 94 years). Ninety-day hospital readmissions were measured for the patients. Fisher's exact test, independent Sample t-test and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine associations of patient characteristics and comorbidities with readmission status and LOS with comorbidity status.

The LOS decreased over the time of the study (p=0.02), however; readmissions remained constant at approximately 6% (p=0.73). The mean LOS for patients not readmitted was significantly shorter than for those readmitted (3.2 vs. 4.4 days; p=0.0003). Comorbidities associated with a longer hospital stay included diabetes (p=0.0052), hypertension (p=0.04), coronary artery disease (p=0.0034), congestive heart failure (p=0.0012), peripheral vascular disease (p=0.015), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.016), renal disease (p=0.009), and mental illness (p=0.03). Increased body mass index (BMI) was not associated with a significant increase in LOS (r=0.01, p=0.83). Increased readmission rates were associated with comorbidities including hypertension (p=<0.0001), coronary artery disease (p=<0.0001), congestive heart failure (p=0.0007), peripheral vascular disease (p=<0.0001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p=0.003), asthma (p=0.0128), renal disease (p=0.0001), and mental illness (p=0.0147). Obesity was not associated with increased readmission rates until the patients were morbidly obese (>40 BMI; p=0.03).

Although the LOS decreased over the time of the study, this did not result in an adverse increase in readmission rates. Several comorbidities including hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and mental illness were all associated with both a longer LOS and an increase in readmission rates. Asthma was associated with increased readmission rates only and diabetes was associated with an increased LOS only. BMI was not associated with readmission rates unless the BMI exceeded 40 and had no significant effect on LOS at any BMI level.

Following a total hip arthroplasty (THA), early hospital readmission rates of 3–8% are considered as ‘acceptable’ in terms of medical care cost policies. Surprisingly, the impact of readmissions on mortality has not been priorly portrayed. Therefore, we aimed to analyse the mortality of unplanned readmissions after primary THA at a high-volume Argentinian center.

We prospectively analysed 90-day readmissions of 815 unilateral, elective THA patients operated between 2010–2014 whose medical insurance was the one offered by our institution. Mean follow-up was 51 months (range, 37–84). Median age was 69 (IQR, 62–77). We stratified our sample into readmitted and non-readmitted cohorts. Through a Cox proportional hazard model, we compared demographic characteristics, clinical comorbidities, surgical outcomes and laboratory values between both groups in order to determine association with mortality.

We found 37 (4.53%) readmissions at a median time of 40.44 days (IQR: 17.46–60.69). Factors associated with readmission were: hospital stay (p=0.00); surgical time (p=0.01); chronic renal insufficiency (p=0.03); ASA class 4 (p=0.00); morbid obesity (p=0.006); diabetes (p=0.04) and a high Charlson Index (p=0.00). Overall mortality rate of the series was 3.31% (27/815). Median time to mortality was 455.5 days (IQR: 297.58–1170.65). One-third (11/37) of the readmitted patients died, being sepsis non-related to the THA the most common cause of death. After adjusting for confounders, 90-day readmissions remained associated with mortality with an adjusted HR of 3.14 (CI95%: 1.05–9.36, p=0.04).

Unplanned readmissions were an independent risk factor for future mortality, increasing 3 times the risk of a decease eventuality.

Background

In surgeon controlled bundled payment and service models, the goal is to reduce cost but preserve quality. The surgeon not only takes on risk for the surgery, but all costs during 90 days after the procedure. If savings are achieved over a previous target price, the surgeon can receive a monetary bonus. The surgeon is placed in a position to optimize the patients preoperatively to minimize expensive postoperative readmissions in a high risk population. Traditionally, surgeons request that primary care providers medically clear the patient for surgery with cardiology consultation at their discretion, and without dictating specific testing. Our participation in the Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) program for total hip and knee replacement surgeries since 1/1/15 has demonstrated a significant number of patients having costly readmissions for cardiac events.

PURPOSE

This study aims to identify the incidence and factors influencing readmissions following scoliosis surgery over a period of 19 years.

Introduction

CMS is now publicly reporting 30-day readmission rates following total joint replacement (TJR) by hospital and is planning the collection of patient-reported function and pain after TJR. Nationally, 5% of patients are readmitted to the hospital after TJR for both medical and orthopedic-related issues. However, the relationship between readmission and functional gain and pain relief after TJR has not been evaluated.

Introduction

In the era of alternative payment models, providers and healthcare systems must understand the implications of potentially-modifiable risk factors on outcomes that affect overall cost. High BMI is associated with increased rates of complications (infection, loosening) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), but less is known about its impact on cost. In addition, the effects of low BMI on outcomes and cost are less-understood. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between BMI and length of stay (LOS), complications, thirty-day readmissions, inpatient cost, and need for post-acute services.

Background

This clinical study aims to establish the rate of operative inadvertent hypothermia (IH) in elderly hip fracture patients (>65 years old). We postulate that differences exist in risk factors and hypothesised poorer outcomes in patients with IH.

Aim: Rehospitalisation following surgery is widely regarded as an important outcome measure. In this study we identified causes of readmission following surgery, in proximal hip fracture patients.

Method: A total of 267 patients underwent surgery for proximal hip fractures in one year (2001–2002) at our institution. Notes of these patients were reviewed to look for readmissions within three months.

Results: A total of 43 (16.1%) patients died during initial hospital admission episode. Of the remaining 224 patients, 46 (20.5%) patients had an emergency unplanned readmission back to the hospital, within 3 months of discharge. 9 admissions (19.5% of readmissions, 4.01% of discharged patients) were due to operative site complications. 8 patients (17.3% of readmissions, 3.5% of discharged patients) were referred back for suspected thromboembolic events. 29 admissions (63.04% of readmissions, 12.9% of discharged patients) were due to other medical problems. Of these 18 medical problems could be attributed to preceding hip fracture. 15 patients died during this 2nd admission episode. 10 of these patients could have their ‘cause of death’ attributable to previous hip fracture, though this was not mentioned in their death certificates. A total of 8 patients had died in community in the 3 months following discharge giving a total mortality of 24.7% (66/267 patients) within 3 months.

Conclusions: Hip fracture is underreported as a cause of prolonged morbidity and mortality. A high percentage of these patients were readmitted adding to resource crunch. An understanding of the causes of readmission would help to decrease this workload.

Background

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) was developed by the US Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to evaluate a payment and service delivery model to reduce cost but preserve quality. 90 day postoperative expenditures are reconciled against a target price, allowing for a monetary bonus to the provider if savings were achieved. The surgeon is placed in a position to optimize the patients preoperatively to minimize expensive postoperative cardiovascular readmissions in a high risk population. Traditionally, surgeons request that primary care providers medically clear the patient for surgery with or without additional cardiology consultation, without dictating specific testing. Typical screening includes an EKG, occasionally an echocardiogram and nuclear stress test, and rarely a cardiac catheterization. Our participation in the BPCI program for total hip and knee replacement surgeries since 1/1/15 has demonstrated a significant number of patients having readmissions for cardiac events.

The purpose of this study is to compare 90-day costs and outcomes for primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients between a non-obese (BMI 18.5–24.9) versus overweight (25–29.9), obese (30–34.9), severely-obese (35–39.9), morbidly-obese (40–44.9), and super-obese (45+) cohorts.

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective institutional database of primary THA patients from 2006–2013, including patients with a minimum of three-year follow-up. Thirty-three super-obese patients were identified, and the other five cohorts were randomly selected in a 2:1 ratio (total n = 363). Demographics, 90-day outcomes (costs, reoperations, and readmissions), and outcomes after three years (revisions and change scores for SF12, HHS, and WOMAC) were collected. Costs were determined using unit costs from our institutional administrative data for all in-hospital resource utilization. Comparisons between the non-obese and other groups were made with Kruskal-Wallis tests for non-normal data and chi-square and Fisher's exact test for categorical data.

The 90-day costs in the morbidly-obese ($13,134 ± 7,250 mean ± standard deviation, p <0.01) and super-obese ($15,604 ± 6,783, p <0.01) cohorts were statistically significantly greater than the non-obese cohorts ($10,315 ± 1,848). Only the super-obese cohort had statistically greater 90-day reoperation and readmission rates than the non-obese cohort (18.2% vs 0%, p <0.01 and 21.2% vs 4.5%, p=0.02, respectively). In addition, reoperations and septic revisions after 3 years were greater in the super-obese cohort compared to the non-obese cohort 21.2% vs 3.0% (p = 0.01), and 18.2% vs 1.5% (p= 0.01), respectively. There were no other statistical differences between the other cohorts with the non-obese cohort at 90-days or after 3 years. Improvements in SF12, HHS, and WOMAC were comparable in all cohorts.

The 90-day costs of a primary total hip arthroplasty for morbidly-obese (BMI 40–44.9) and super-obese (BMI>45) are significantly greater than for non-obese patients, yet these patients have comparable improvements in outcome scores. Health care policies, when based purely on the economic impact of health care delivery, may place morbidly-obese and super-obese patients at risk of losing arthroplasty care, thereby denying them access to the comparable quality of life improvements.

Introduction

Rapid recovery protocols (RRP) for joint replacements have been shown to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize adverse outcomes in academic health systems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if RRP can be safely implemented in a community health system for total knee arthroplasty.

Aims

High body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased rates of complications in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), but less is known about its impact on cost. The effects of low BMI on outcomes and cost are less understood. This study evaluated the relationship between BMI, inpatient costs, complications, readmissions, and utilization of post-acute services.

We present detailed information about early morbidity after aseptic revision knee replacement from a nationwide study. All aseptic revision knee replacements undertaken between 1st October 2009 and 30th September 2011 were analysed using the Danish National Patient Registry with additional information from the Danish Knee Arthroplasty Registry. The 1218 revisions involving 1165 patients were subdivided into total revisions, large partial revisions, partial revisions and revisions of unicondylar replacements (UKR revisions). The mean age was 65.0 years (27 to 94) and the median length of hospital stay was four days (interquartile range: 3 to 5), with a 90 days re-admission rate of 9.9%, re-operation rate of 3.5% and mortality rate of 0.2%. The age ranges of 51 to 55 years (p = 0.018), 76 to 80 years (p < 0.001) and ≥ 81 years (p < 0.001) were related to an increased risk of re-admission. The age ranges of 76 to 80 years (p = 0.018) and the large partial revision subgroup (p = 0.073) were related to an increased risk of re-operation. The ages from 76 to 80 years (p < 0.001), age ≥ 81 years (p < 0.001) and surgical time > 120 min (p <  0.001) were related to increased length of hospital stay, whereas the use of a tourniquet (p = 0.008) and surgery in a low volume centre (p = 0.013) were related to shorter length of stay.

In conclusion, we found a similar incidence of early post-operative morbidity after aseptic knee revisions as has been reported after primary procedures. This suggests that a length of hospital stay ≤ four days and discharge home at that time is safe following aseptic knee revision surgery in Denmark.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:1649–56.

The April 2023 Shoulder & Elbow Roundup. 360. looks at: Arthroscopic Bankart repair in athletes: in it for the long run?; Functional outcomes and the Wrightington classification of elbow fracture-dislocations; Hemiarthroplasty or ORIF intra-articular distal humerus fractures in older patients; Return to sport after total shoulder arthroplasty and hemiarthroplasty; Readmissions after shoulder arthroplasty; Arthroscopic Bankart repair in the longer term; Bankart repair with(out) remplissage or the Latarjet procedure? A systematic review and meta-analysis; Regaining motion among patients with shoulder pathology: are all exercises equal?

The purpose of our study is to examine the outcome of patients undergoing outpatient total hip arthroplasty with a BMI >35. Case-control matching on age, gender (46% female;54%male), and ASA (mean 2.8) with 51 outpatients BMI≥35 kg/m. 2. (mean of 40 (35–55)), mean age of 61 (38–78) matched to 51 outpatients BMI<35 kg/m. 2. (mean of 27 (17–34)) mean age 61 (33–78). Subsequently 47 inpatients BMI≥35 kg/m. 2. (mean of 40 (35–55)) mean age 62 (34–77) were matched outpatients BMI≥35 kg/m. 2. For each cohort, adverse events, readmission in 90 days, reoperations were recorded. Rate of adverse events was significantly higher in BMI ≥35: 15.69% verus 1.96% (p=0.039) with 5 reoperations in the BMI≥35 cohort vs 0 in the BMI<35 kg/m. 2. (p= 0.063). Readmissions did not differ between groups (p=0.125). No significant difference for all studied outcomes between the outpatient and inpatients cohorts with BMI≥35 kg/m. 2. The most complications requiring surgery/medical intervention (3B) were in the inpatient cohort of patients >35. The prevalence of Diabetes and Obstructive Sleep apnea was 21.6% and 29.4% for BMI>35 compared to 9.8% and 11.8%, for BMI <35, respectively. Severely obese patients have an overall higher rate of adverse events and reoperations however it should not be used a sole variable for deciding if the patient should be admitted or not

Abstract. Introduction. 30-day emergency readmission is an indicator of treatment related complication once discharged, resulting in readmission. A board-approved quality improvement pathway was introduced to reduce elective re-admissions. Method. The pathway involved telephone and email contact details provision to patients for any non-life threatening medical assistance, allowing for initial nurse led management of all issues. A new clinic room available 7 days, and same day ultrasound scanning for DVT studies were introduced. A capability, opportunity and behavior model of change was implemented. Readmission rates before and six months after implementation were collected from Model Hospital. A database used to document patient communications was interrogated for patient outcomes. Results. Prior to implementation, readmission rates following elective primary total knee replacement (TKR) at the 1st business quarter of 2021 (April – June 2021), was 8.7%, (benchmark 3.8%). Following implementation, readmission rates decreased to 4.1% (October – December 2021). 54% of patients making contact were managed with telephone advice. 15% of patients required face-to-face clinic. 32% of those required a same day scan to exclude DVT (1/4). 20 out of 684 TKRs performed following protocol introduction were re-admitted within 30 days. Readmissions were 41% surgical, 29% medical. 52% were unaware of the newly implemented protocol. Further improvements have been made to the protocol based on these findings. Implementation of a suitable pathway can significantly reduce re-admission rates in our center and could be used to reduce readmission rates in other national elective treatment centers

Arthroplasty procedures in low-income countries are mostly performed at tertiary centers, with waiting lists exceeding 12 to 24 months. Providing arthroplasty services at other levels of healthcare aims to offset this burden, however there is a marked paucity of literature regarding surgical outcomes. This study aims to provide evidence on the safety of arthroplasty at district level. Retrospective review of consecutive arthroplasty cases performed at a District Hospital (DH), and a Tertiary Hospital (TH) in Cape Town, between January 2015 and December 2018. Patient demographics, hospital length of stay, surgery related readmissions, reoperations, post-operative complications, and mortality rates were compared between cohorts. Seven hundred and ninety-five primary arthroplasty surgeries were performed at TH level and 228 at DH level. The average hospital stay was 5.2±2.0 days at DH level and 7.6±7.1 days for TH (p<0.05). Readmissions within 3 months post-surgery of 1.75% (4 patients) for district and 4.40% (35) for TH (p<0.05). Reoperation rate of 1 in every 100 patients at the DH and 8.3 in every 100 patients at the TH (p<0.05). Death rate was 0.4% vs 0.6% at district and TH respectively (p>0.05). Periprosthetic joint infection rate was 0.43% at DH and 2.26% at TH. The percentage of hip dislocation requiring revision was 0% at district and 0.37% at TH. During the study period, 228 patients received arthroplasty surgery at the DH; these patients would otherwise have remained on the TH waiting list. Hip and Knee Arthroplasty at District health care level is safe and may help ease the burden on arthroplasty services at tertiary care facilities in a Southern African context. Adequately trained surgeons should be encouraged to perform these procedures in district hospitals provided there is appropriate patient selection and adherence to strict theatre operating procedures

Aims. We aimed to compare the implant survival, complications, readmissions, and mortality of Vancouver B2 periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) treated with internal fixation with that of B1 PFFs treated with internal fixation and B2 fractures treated with revision arthroplasty. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 112 PFFs, of which 47 (42%) B1 and 27 (24%) B2 PFFs were treated with internal fixation, whereas 38 (34%) B2 fractures underwent revision arthroplasty. Decision to perform internal fixation for B2 PFFs was based on specific radiological (polished femoral components, intact bone-cement interface) and clinical criteria (low-demand patient). Median follow-up was 36.4 months (24 to 60). Implant survival and mortality over time were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Adverse events (measured with a modified Dindo-Clavien classification) and 90-day readmissions were additionally compared between groups. Results. In all, nine (8.01%) surgical failures were detected. All failures occurred within the first 24 months following surgery. The 24-month implant survival was 95.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) 89.13 to 100) for B1 fractures treated with internal fixation, 90% (95% CI 76.86 to 100) for B2 PFFs treated with osteosynthesis-only, and 85.8% (95% CI 74.24 to 97.36) for B2 fractures treated with revision THA, without significant differences between groups (p = 0.296). Readmissions and major adverse events including mortality were overall high, but similar between groups (p > 0.05). The two-year patient survival rate was 87.1% (95% CI 77.49 to 95.76), 66.7% (95% CI 48.86 to 84.53), and 84.2% (95% CI 72.63 to 95.76), for the B1 group, B2 osteosynthesis group, and B2 revision group, respectively (p = 0.102). Conclusion. Implant survival in Vancouver B2 PFFs treated with internal fixation was similar to that of B1 fractures treated with the same method and to B2 PFFs treated with revision arthroplasty. Low-demand, elderly patients with B2 fractures around well-cemented polished femoral components with an intact bone-cement interface can be safely treated with internal fixation. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(7):1222–1230