Logistical and Economic Advantages of Sterile-Packed, Single-Use Instruments for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is well established as a clinically successful and cost-effective procedure. The transition of the US healthcare system from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care model requires careful examination of patient care to ensure both quality and efficiency. Sterile-packed, single-use instruments have been introduced as a tool to help streamline the operating room (OR) logistics while reducing sterilization requirements. The aim of this study was to examine the potential logistic and economic benefits of single-use instruments compared to traditional, reusable instruments for TKA. METHODS: Four variables related to TKA costs and logistics were modeled in this study: OR turnover time tray sterilization, tray management time, and 90-day infection rates. Model input data for traditional instruments and single-use instruments were based on peer-reviewed literature. A total of 200 sites and 500 cases per site were simulated using the Monte-Carlo-Technique. RESULTS: The median total cost savings with single-use instruments was $994 per case. The largest driver for cost savings was tray sterilization. Sites with higher staff wages and sterilization costs had a larger probability of realizing greater cost savings with adoption of single-use instruments. In cases using single-use instruments, up to 51% of operating days could have accommodated an additional procedure due to the time savings in OR turnover. CONCLUSION: This cost modeling study observed significant potential for logistical and economic improvements in TKA with single-use vs reusable instruments. Although few studies have been conducted to measure the impact of single-use instruments in practice, the results of these simulations motivate further investigation.

Prolonged Epidural Infusion Improves Functional Outcomes Following Knee Arthroscopy in Patients with Arthrofibrosis after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Evaluation.

A total of 20 consecutive patients with knee stiffness post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) underwent arthroscopic lysis of adhesions and manipulation plus indwelling epidural were evaluated retrospectively. Epidural catheters were placed preoperatively for an intended 6 weeks of postoperative analgesia to facilitate intensive physical therapy. The mean loss of knee extension immediately before incision was 13.5 ± 9.1 degrees (range, 0-35 degrees) and flexion was 77.65 ± 19.2 degrees (range, 45-125 degrees). At the 6-week and final (mean, 0.47 years) follow-up, the loss of extension was 1.5 ± 5.1 degrees (range, -10 to +7 degrees) and 5.4 ± 4.7 degrees (range, 0-15 degrees), respectively, and flexion was 99.7 ± 12.3 degrees (range, 75-120 degrees) and 98.5 ± 16.1 degrees (range, 75-130 degrees), respectively. Of the 20 patients, 2 missed their 6-week clinic visit. Improvements in motion immediately preoperative to 6-week and final follow-up were each significant (p < 0.01). At examination 6 weeks postoperatively, 94.4% of patients met the definition for clinical motion success and 70% maintained success at final follow-up. Visual analog scale improved significantly from 5.4 to 2.0 (p < 0.01) at 6 weeks postoperative in the 12 patients with this data recorded. On the basis of this data, use of tunneled epidurals with arthroscopic lysis of adhesions for arthrofibrosis after TKA is correlated with a high likelihood of functional success postoperatively as measured by range of motion improvement.

Chronic anemia and fatigue in elderly patients: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover exploratory study with epoetin alfa.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of epoetin alfa treatment on hemoglobin (Hb), fatigue, quality of life (QOL), and mobility in elderly patients with chronic anemia. DESIGN: An exploratory, 32 week, randomized, double-blind, crossover treatment trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two community-dwelling individuals aged 65 and older with chronic anemia (Hb < or =11.5 g/dL). INTERVENTION: Subcutaneous epoetin alfa or placebo weekly for 16 weeks (Phase I) with crossover to the opposite treatment (Phase II). MEASUREMENTS: Hb and QOL scores from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) measurement system. Mobility was assessed as a secondary outcome using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. RESULTS: Of the 62 subjects enrolled, complete data were analyzed for 58 in Phase I and 54 participants in Phase II. Of those enrolled, most were African American (95%) and female (85%) and had multiple comorbidities and a mean age+/-standard deviation of 76.1+/-7.2. Mean baseline Hb was 10.5+/-0.9 g/dL (7.3-11.5). In Phase I, 67% of those taking epoetin alfa, and in Phase II, 69% of those taking epoetin alfa had an increase in Hb of more than 2 g/dL, significantly more than those taking placebo (P<.001). Similarly, elderly participants significantly improved on the fatigue and anemia subscales of the FACIT across phases (all P<.05). No significant differences were found between treatment and placebo on TUG scores. Epoetin alfa was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: In this trial involving predominantly older African-American women with anemia, a direct relationship existed between increases in Hb during epoetin alfa therapy and improvements in fatigue and QOL.