International Perception of Perioperative Risk for Arthroplasty-Experience of the Colombian Health System.

BACKGROUND: Following a recent publication of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) which found that 95% of respondents address risk factors before surgery and the challenges in the ultimate access to care, the authors proposed an international collaboration in order to gain insight on how performance measures affect access to care as well as what medical and/or socioeconomic factors are considered obstacles to good outcomes from an international perspective. The aim of this study was to poll Colombia's arthroplasty surgeons regarding their approach to patients who have modifiable risk factors. METHODS: The survey used in the AAHKS study was adapted for use in the Colombian context and distributed to the members of the Colombian Society of Hip and Knee Surgeons (SOCCAR) via a collaborative format online, and it was completed by 109 out of 163 members, a response rate of 67%. RESULTS: Overall, 67% limit or restrict surgery in patients with specific modifiable risk factors. Those factors most likely to delay or restrict treatment were malnutrition/hypoalbuminemia (95.9%), poor diabetic control (89%), and active smoking (61.6%). Limited social support was considered a liability by 82.2% of surgeons. Over 80% of respondents decide based on personal experience or literature review. Low socioeconomic status was considered a factor for limiting access by 53.4% of polled surgeons. 91.8% believe some patient populations would benefit with better access to care if payment systems provided better risk adjustment. CONCLUSION: Only 67% of Colombian arthroplasty surgeons limit or restrict elective surgery in patients with modifiable risk factors, mainly considering malnutrition and poorly controlled diabetes as a cause for restriction, and half of the surgeons consider low socioeconomic status as a limitation to arthroplasty surgery. These findings contrast dramatically to the practice patterns of American AAHKS members.