Readmission Risk Assessment Tool (RRAT) for Decreasing 30-Day Readmission Rates in Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) and Predicting Readmission.

Background Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) has moved to a value-based care model that emphasizes increased quality and decreased costs. Preoperative patient selection and optimization significantly improve postoperative outcomes, improve quality, and decrease systemic costs. We introduced a readmission risk assessment tool (RRAT) previously verified in the literature at a large, private practice, multispecialty hospital to determine if implementation could improve outcomes and decrease our readmission rates. Methods All patients were administered the RRAT scoring tool prior to surgery. All staff was trained prior by a team consisting of multiple orthopedic surgeons, internal medicine and cardiac specialists, and anesthesiologists. If the score received by the patient was greater or equal to 4, a letter was sent immediately to the operative physician to work on optimization and a list of options for optimization was provided. No patients were expressly denied surgery. Results All 4912 patients from September 2017 to March 2020 were screened using the RRAT tool. A total of 228 patients had an RRAT score greater than 4 and required notification of the index surgeon. The overall readmission rate was 2.61% for all patients. We noted a readmission rate of 2.35% for those with a score of <4, 4.27% for those between 4-6, and 13.64% for those with a readmission rate >6. The odds ratio of those readmitted with an RRAT score >6 was 6.5488 (1.9080-22.4775, 95% CI). The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and RRAT score were significantly correlated (Spearman Rho =0.324, P<0.001). Thirty-day readmission rates across the system decreased from 3.7% to 2.61% (p<0.05) when compared to the readmission rate in the year prior to the application of RRAT (September 2016 - August 2017). Conclusion The preoperative RRAT score is significantly correlated with 30-day readmission rates. Notification of the surgeon preoperatively of risk factors with modification options significantly lowered readmission rates in our study. Preoperative optimization leads to a decreased readmission rate and surgeon involvement is paramount to adherence.

Providing Inpatient Mobilization with a Mobility Technician Constrains Cost in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Since the 2016 implementation of the comprehensive care for joint replacement (CJR) bundled payment model, our institutions have sought to decrease inpatient physical therapy (PT) costs by piloting a mobility technician program (MTP), where mobility technicians (MTs) ambulate postoperative total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients under the supervision of nursing staff members. MTs are certified medical assistants given specialized gate and ambulation training by the PT department. The aim of this study was to examine the economic and clinical impact of MTs on the primary TKA postoperative pathway. We performed a retrospective review of TKA patients who underwent surgery at our institution between April 2018 and March 2019 and who were postoperatively ambulated by MTs. The control group included patients who had surgery during the same months of the prior year, preceding introduction of MTs to the floor. Inclusion criteria included: unilateral primary TKA for arthritic conditions and conversion to unilateral primary TKA from a previous knee surgery. Minitab Software (State College, PA) was used to perform the statistical analysis. There were 658 patients enrolled in the study group and 1,400 in the control group. The two groups shared similar demographics and an average age of 68 (p = 0.177). The median length of stay (LOS) was 2 days in both groups (p = 0.133) with 90.5% of patients in the study group discharged to home versus 81.5% of patients in the control group (p < 0.001). The ability of MTs to increase patient discharge to home without negatively impacting LOS suggest MTs are valuable both clinically to patients, and economically to the institution. Cost analysis highlighted the substantial cost savings that MTs may create in a bundled payment system. With the well-documented benefits of early ambulation following TKA, we demonstrate how MTs can be an asset to optimizing the care pathway of TKA patients.

Providing Patient Mobilization With a Mobility Technician Improves Staff Efficiency and Constrains Cost in Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Mobility technicians (MTs) demonstrate value in constraining the cost of total joint replacement procedures. MTs are certified medical assistants with specialized ambulation/gait training who work under the direction of the nursing staff to meet patient mobilization demands in hospital wards. This study analyzed their impact on primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS: Data were retrospectively reviewed from both the time before and the time after MTs were introduced to the hospital for demographic information (ie, age, gender, race, and payer) and clinical measures (ie, length of stay and discharge disposition). The control group was treated and mobilized according to standard physical therapy and nursing staff protocols. Study group subjects had access to the MTs at the direction of their registered nurse. Included subjects underwent a primary THA procedure for arthritic conditions or hip fractures, or for conversion from a previous hip surgery. Excluded were subjects who underwent procedures for revision, bilateral, or hip resurfacing procedures. RESULTS: The study and control groups included 542 and 1297 subjects, respectively. They shared a median length of stay of 2 days (P = .121). More study group subjects were discharged home than were their control group counterparts (91.51%-87.43%, P = .012). Cost analysis revealed an annual savings of $119,794.50 in total first post-acute care (ie, the period spent at a patient's initial discharge disposition level) costs to the institution. Therefore, MTs would need to successfully treat only 5 patients annually to recoup a savings equivalent to their salary. CONCLUSION: MTs support the recovery of THA patients in the hospital, in turn optimizing their discharge disposition. Institutions may experience a financial benefit in a bundled payment system, in which avoiding costly rehab facilities may result in savings over the episode.

The cost-effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement versus plain bone cement following total and partial knee and hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infection is one of the most prevalent complications following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). As such procedures become more prevalent, it is imperative that we develop new prophylactic methods to prevent the need for revision procedures. In recent years, surgeons have opted to use antibiotic-loaded bone cement (ALBC) rather than plain bone cement (PBC) in primary hip and knee replacements due to its theoretical potential of lowering infection rates. However, the cost-effectiveness of this intervention remains in question.Questions/Purposes: To determine the rate of infection and cost-effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded bone cement as compared to plain bone cement in hip and knee arthroplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 4116 primary hip and knee arthroplasty cases performed between 2016 and 2018 at Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. Data regarding demographics, complications, and any readmissions due to deep infection were collected retrospectively. During that time period there were a total of 4016 knee cases (423 ALBC, 3593 PBC) and 123 hip cases (63 ALBC, 60 PBC). The average cost for one bag of antibiotic-loaded bone cement and plain bone cement for hip and knee arthroplasty was $336.42 and $72.14, respectively. A statistical analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test; the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) surgical site infection guidelines were used to distinguish between superficial and deep infections. RESULTS: Ten patients were readmitted due to deep infection, all of whom had undergone total knee arthroplasty. Of those cases, plain bone cement was used for the index procedure in seven instances and antibiotic-loaded cement was used in three. This resulted in an infection rate of 0.19% and 0.62%, respectively, p = 0.103. There was no statistically significant difference in infection rates between the two groups. A total of 778 bags of ALBC were used in 423 knee surgeries, and 98 bags of ALBC were used in 63 hip cases. The total cost for ALBC in TKA and THA procedures was $261,734.76 (778*336.42) and $32,969.16 (98*336.42), respectively. If PBC had been used during all index procedures, it would have resulted in a total savings of $231,509.28. CONCLUSIONS: Antibiotic-loaded cement did not significantly reduce the rate of infection for either knee or hip arthroplasty. Thus, the routine use of antibiotic-loaded cement in primary hip and knee arthroplasty may be an unnecessary financial burden to the healthcare system. A larger sample size and a randomized controlled trial would help confirm our findings and would provide further information on the cost-effectiveness of ALBC cement versus PBC.Significance/Clinical Relevance: In this review of cases performed from 2016 to 2018 there was no statistically significant difference between the rate of infection and the need for revision surgeries for patients treated with ALBC versus PBC. As hospital systems continue to transition towards a bundled payment model, it becomes imperative for providers to reduce any unnecessary costs in order to increase quality and efficiency. We estimate that our hospital system could save nearly $120,000/year by using plain bone cement instead of antibiotic-loaded cement.

Low Vitamin D Levels are Associated With Need for Surgical Correction of Pediatric Fractures.

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern over the relationship between the severity of pediatric fractures and low vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitaminD (25(OH)D)] status. OBJECTIVE: Compare 25(OH)D levels and lifestyle of children with fractures to nonfracture controls to determine if 25(OH)D levels are associated with fractures and if there is a 25(OH)D fragility fracture threshold. METHODS: Pediatric fracture and nonfracture controls were included. Bone health survey and medical record data were analyzed. Fractures were categorized using the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). AIS 3 fractures were identified as fractures that required surgical intervention. Univariate and multivariable ordinal regression analyses were performed to identify potential risk factors for increased fracture severity. RESULTS: A total of 369 fracture patients and 662 nonfracture controls aged 18 years and younger were included. Both groups' 25(OH)D levels were comparable. 25(OH)D was 27.5±8.9 in the fracture group compared with 27.4±9.1 ng/mL in nonfracture controls (P=0.914). AIS 3 fractures had lower 25(OH)D levels (24.6±9.3 ng/mL) versus AIS 1 and 2 (30.0±10.8 and 28.3±8.4, respectively, P=0.001). Univariate correlations for AIS severity were found with age (P=0.015) and outdoor playtime (P=0.042). Adjusted odds ratios for 25(OH)D levels <12 ng/mL was 55.4 (P=0.037), 25(OH)D between 12 and 20 ng/mL was 6.7 (P=0.039), 25(OH)D between 20 and 30 ng/mL was 2.8 (P=0.208), and 25(OH)D between 30 and 40 was 1.7 (P=0.518). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Occurrence of a pediatric fracture was not associated with 25(OH)D levels in our study. However, children with lower vitamin D levels were found to be at higher risk for more severe fractures. Early evidence suggests that the target serum level for 25(OH)D should be at least 40 ng/mL in patients less than 18 years of age as the relative risk of more severe fractures increased as 25(OH)D levels decreased <40 ng/mL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

A systematic review on the transfer of information during nurse transitions in care.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To examine the qualitative evidence on dynamics of knowledge transfer during transitions in care in acute care hospitals. BACKGROUND: The most common transition between nurse care providers is the intershift handoff. As these handoffs tend to be time-consuming and costly, it is important to understand the dynamics of the transfer of information at this time and, by extension, improve quality and safety. DESIGN: Systematic Review. METHODS: Qualitative studies conducted between 1988 and 2012 were sought. A comprehensive four-stage search strategy identified 125 qualitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 50 were retrieved for appraisal. Retrieved papers were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological quality prior to inclusion in the review using a standardised critical appraisal instrument. RESULTS: The final sample consisted of 29 qualitative studies. This represented more than 800 nursing handoffs and 300 nurse interviews. Sixteen categories were identified, which were then subjected to a meta-synthesis to produce a single comprehensive set of synthesised findings. CONCLUSION: The evidence shows the handoff to be a complex, social interaction highly sensitive to context and cultural norms, an activity essential to multiple functions that extend beyond quality and safety. They are subject to wide variability in both the methods used and the kind of information that is handed off. Notably, the elucidation of the different ways in which individual nurses act as gatekeepers and influence patient care is a major finding of this review. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this systemic review provide evidence that a consistent guideline may provide an optimal shift report given the findings of this review that information transferred may be random and variable, inconsistent and incongruent, inaccurate or absent.

Systematic review: predictors of successful transition to community-based care for adults with chronic care needs.

Difficult transition from acute hospital back to the community can be challenging. Problems encountered during this process can lead to unplanned readmission and emergency department visits. It is important for care managers to be able to identify patients susceptible to difficult transition and to understand strategies to reduce risk of unplanned hospital readmission. This qualitative systematic review of 10 studies of discharge interventions and patient characteristics finds little evidence that enhanced discharge support is related to improved physical status at home, but there is mixed support for its role in preventing or delaying hospital readmissions in certain discharge diagnoses, specifically heart failure and stroke. Additionally, those with adequate social support and confidence in their self-care ability tend to experience fewer readmissions than do those living alone and those who perceive themselves as not ready to return home.