BOS Quality and Patient Safety Action Fund Update

Paul Zemaitis, MPH

The healthcare system continues to evolve quickly. Creating and implementing quality and safety tools can help orthopaedic surgeons provide the kind of care their patients have come to expect. In 2014, the AAOS Quality as Advocacy Project Team outlined the importance of specialty society involvement in the development of quality initiatives.

Studies on ACL-Deficient Knees, and More Receive Awards

Andrew J. Sheean, MD

The Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons (SOMOS) honored research on the use of local antibiotics in contaminated open fractures, as well as on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency in knees and chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg at its 2015 annual meeting, held Dec.7–11, 2014, in St. Petersburg, Fla. The CDR Michael T. Mazurek Clinician Scholar Award and the COL Brian Allgood Memorial Leadership Award were also presented.

THA, Tranexamic Acid, Bupivacaine Papers Receive Awards

Jennie McKee

A study on conversion total hip arthroplasty (THA), the procedure in which a previous hemiarthroplasty or other reconstruction is converted to a total joint replacement, was recognized for outstanding research during the 2015 annual meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Study Finds MCP Arthroplasty Safe, Successful

A promising treatment for patients with inflammatory arthritis, according to a paper presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Association of Hand Surgeons, is metacarpophalangeal (MCP) arthroplasty. This study compared the most common implant designs in terms of implant survival rates, finger and hand function, and surgical complications. The researchers, all of whom are from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

PRP: Does It Do Anything?

Robert L. Parisien, MD; David P. Trofa, MD; Jesse Dashe, MD; Scott F.M. Duncan, MD, MPH, MBA

Biologics are becoming increasingly popular in the field of orthopaedics for nonsurgical management or as an adjunct to surgical treatments. Media attention to platelet-rich plasma (PRP)—an autologous blood derivative that isolates high concentrations of platelets and is rich in multiple growth factors and cytokines—has given this treatment a starring role. But does the evidence support the multiple touted uses for PRP?

OREF Celebrates 60 Years of Promoting Excellence in Orthopaedics

Karen Pubentz

The Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) marked its 60th anniversary in September, kicking off a celebration that will culminate with a number of special events during the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting in Orlando, Fla. During its 60-year history, OREF has provided more than $142 million in funding to more than 4,700 individuals and institutions—funding that has enabled thousands of orthopaedic surgeons to pursue a professional research career.

Biofilm a Unique Factor in Orthopaedic Infection

Kenneth L. Urish, MD, PhD; Nicholas John Giori, MD, PhD; the AAOS Biomedical Engineering Committee

Infection is one of the broadest, most challenging problems in orthopaedic surgery. In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the infected implant is a leading cause for revision surgery. Avoiding infection in the management of open fractures is one of the core principles of orthopaedic residency training. Chronic osteomyelitis, especially in children, can develop a number of sequelae and was associated with high mortality before the advent of antibiotics.

Healthcare Performance Measures Increase in Importance

Jackie Ryan, MPA

Some say the performance measurement train has left the station. There is no doubt that there is widespread concern from physicians about the financial consequences and regulatory complexity of the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), Meaningful Use, Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program, and Value Based Modifier.

Questions about AJRR? Visit the AJRR Booth at Annual Meeting

American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) staff will be on hand at the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting to answer questions regarding the hip and knee arthroplasty registry, as well as to demonstrate the new AJRR Level III patient-reported outcome (PRO) dashboard system. The dashboard system is designed to collect electronic health records (EHRs) directly from hospitals or through an EHR vendor, and sort that data into charts, graphs, and reports to help visualize the information.