Mark Snyder, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Cincinnati, recently helped a private hospital develop a program to reduce complications in joint replacement and achieve Joint Commission certification as a "Center of Excellence," according to an AAOS Now report.
Dr. Snyder made 10 targets for improvement, with the ultimate goal of eliminating infections related to surgery. "Research has shown that treatment for periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty costs about $50,000," he said in the rport. "Treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections costs more than $100,000. If we prevent just 10 infections, we could save $50,000-$1,000,000."
The strategies that Dr. Snyder used to reduce infections were identified from evidence-based medicine tactics, which include:
• Identifying anemic patients by ordering a complete blood count test more than four weeks before surgery and managing anemic patients appropriately
• Using regional anesthesia on most patients and hypotensive anesthesia with patients who require general anesthesia
• Administering a dose of tranexamic acid 15 minutes before surgery unless the patient has thrombosis, a history of VTE or an allergy to the drug
Read the report on reducing infection rates during total joint replacements.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Infection Control:
6 Tips for Orthopedic Surgery Infection Control
6 Best Practices for Implementing an Effective Infection Control Program
8 Ways to Reduce Surgical Site Infections for Total Joint Replacement
Dr. Snyder made 10 targets for improvement, with the ultimate goal of eliminating infections related to surgery. "Research has shown that treatment for periprosthetic joint infection after total knee arthroplasty costs about $50,000," he said in the rport. "Treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections costs more than $100,000. If we prevent just 10 infections, we could save $50,000-$1,000,000."
The strategies that Dr. Snyder used to reduce infections were identified from evidence-based medicine tactics, which include:
• Identifying anemic patients by ordering a complete blood count test more than four weeks before surgery and managing anemic patients appropriately
• Using regional anesthesia on most patients and hypotensive anesthesia with patients who require general anesthesia
• Administering a dose of tranexamic acid 15 minutes before surgery unless the patient has thrombosis, a history of VTE or an allergy to the drug
Read the report on reducing infection rates during total joint replacements.
Related Articles on Orthopedic Infection Control:
6 Tips for Orthopedic Surgery Infection Control
6 Best Practices for Implementing an Effective Infection Control Program
8 Ways to Reduce Surgical Site Infections for Total Joint Replacement