Contemplating ACL Reconstruction?

Have you torn your ACL? Are you considering surgical reconstruction? According to new recommendations, do not wait too long if you intent on being very active. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently released a new evidence-based practice guideline for treating ACL tears. For patients who are candidates for surgery, the new guideline contains a recommendation to perform reconstructive knee surgery within 5 months of an ACL injury to protect the knee joint. Waiting too long can result in additional injury to the knee, such as meniscal tears and/or cartilage injury... 

Total Joint Replacement Warranty?

A recent article in Modern Healthcare states one medical center may begin a program providing a warranty to privately insured patients regarding avoidable complications stemming from routine total joint arthroplasties (TJAs). The institution plans to cover the costs of avoidable, surgery-related complications if a patient undergoes all care—including diagnosis, surgery and rehabilitation—at the hospital, and is covered by a bundled-service contract with a private insurer or employer...

A Surgical Team of 130...

Recent research by the Cleveland Clinic showed that their average surgical patient encountered an average of 130 hospital employees from time of arrival until returning home. This staggering fact demonstrates how the delivery of surgical care is complex and truly a team effort. All members of this team, from the surgeon to the food services personnel, play a critical role in a surgical patient's recovery... 

The Benefit of Hand Washing Programs...

A recent article showed hand washing programs used by hospitals have helped to lower infections. The increased effort by providers to wash their hands resulted in decreased surgical site infections, catheter associated bloodstream infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. One hospital saw a drop in hospital acquired infections by 38%...