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

Author(s):  
Thomas A. Novack ◽  
Christopher J. Mazzei ◽  
Jay N. Patel ◽  
Eileen B. Poletick ◽  
Roberta D'Achille ◽  
...  

AbstractSince 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.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henryk Liszka ◽  
Małgorzata Zając ◽  
Artur Gądek

Abstract Background The aim of the study was to assess whether administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as “pre-emptive analgesia” in a group of patients above 65 years of age would be effective in complex pain management therapy following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Material and Methods One hundred seventy, above 65 years old patients were qualified for the study, and 10 patients were excluded due to clinical situation. One hundred sixty patients were double-blind randomized into two groups: the study (eighty patients) and controls (eighty patients). The study group received as “pre-emptive” analgesia a single dose of 300 mg oral gabapentin and 125 mg intravenous methylprednisolone, while the others placebo. Perioperatively, all the patients received opioid and nonopioid analgesic agents calculated for 1 kg of body weight. We measured the levels of inflammatory markers (leukocytosis, C-reactive protein - CRP), pain intensity level at rest (numerical rating scale - NRS), the life parameters and all complications. Results Following administration of gabapentin and methylprednisolone as “pre-emptive” analgesia CRP values being lower on all postoperative days ( 1, 2 days - p<0,00001, 3 day – p=000538), leukocytosis on day 2 (p<0,0086) and 3 (p<0,00042), the NRS score at rest 6, 12 (p<0,000001), 18 (p<0,00004) and 24 (p=0,005569) hours postoperatively . Methylprednisolone with gabapentin significantly decreased the dose of parenteral opioid preparations (p=0,000006). The duration time of analgesia was significantly longer in study group (p<0,000001). No infectious complications were observed; in the control group, one patient manifested transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Conclusion The use of gabapentin and methylprednisolone at a single dose decreases the level of postoperative pain on the day of surgery, the dose of opioid analgesic preparations, the level of inflammatory parameters without infectious processes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng-Chih Kuo ◽  
Bradley Chen ◽  
Mel S. Lee ◽  
Shih-Hsiang Yen ◽  
Jun-Wen Wang

The use of modern surgical dressings to prevent wound complications and surgical site infection (SSI) after minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty (MIS-TKA) is lacking. In a prospective, randomized, controlled study, 240 patients were randomized to receive either AQUACEL Ag Surgical dressing (study group) or a standard dressing (control group) after MIS-TKA. The primary outcome was wound complication (SSI and blister). The secondary outcomes were wear time and number of dressing changes in the hospital and patient satisfaction (pain, comfort, and ease of use). In the intention-to-treat analysis, there was a significant reduction in the incidence of superficial SSI (0.8%, 95% CI∶ 0.00–2.48) in the study group compared to 8.3% (95% CI∶ 3.32–13.3) in the control group (p=0.01). There were no differences in blister and deep/organ-space SSIs between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that AQUACEL Ag Surgical dressing was an independent risk factor for reduction of SSI (odds ratio: 0.07, 95% CI: 0.01–0.58, p=0.01). The study group had longer wear time (5.2±0.7 versus 1.7±0.4 days, p<0.0001) and lower number of dressing changes (1.0±0.2 versus 3.6±1.3 times, p<0.0001). Increased patient satisfaction (p<0.0001) was also noted in the study group. AQUACEL Ag Surgical dressing is an ideal dressing to provide wound care efficacy, patient satisfaction, reduction of SSI, and cost-effectiveness following MIS-TKA.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2_suppl2) ◽  
pp. 2325967117S0006
Author(s):  
Budak Akman ◽  
Burak Çağrı Aksu ◽  
Çağatay Uluçay ◽  
Volkan Kılınçoğlu ◽  
Turhan Özler ◽  
...  

Aim: Total knee arthroplasty is a kind of major orthopaedic operation that may go with serious amount of peroperative blood loss. Tranexamic acid administration (an antifibrinolytic agent) is one of the most common strategy among the various blood preserving strategies used in major surgeries associated with high volume blood loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate effectiveness of oral tranexamic acid in reducing blood loss and blood transfusion in total knee arthroplasty procedures. In addition hospital costs were also compared. Materials-Methods: Between 2013-2016, 256 total knee arthroplasty procedure performed by six different staff surgeons in our clinic. 125 patients appropriate for our study criteria were included in our study and retrospectively evaluated. 49 patients in study group were administered 15 mg/kg tranexamic intravenous infusion before relasing intraoperative tourniquet and continued as oral 500 mg tranexamic acid three times with 6 hours interval in the first postoperative 24 hours.76 patients were not administered tranexamic acid and compromised the control group. Information on pateints’s demographics, preoperative and postoperative 24th hour hemoglobin and hematocrit values, postoperative 24th hour drain volumes and blood transfusions were obtained from patient files retrospectively. Results: Postoperative 24th hour drain volumes were significiantly less in tranexamic acid administered group (283 130 cc) than that of control group (383 135 cc) (p<0,001). Decrease in hemoglobin and hematocrit values in the postoperative 24th hour were significiantly less in study group (1,73 g/dL-%6,13) than those of control group (2,92 g/dL -%8,63) (P<0,001). Both number of total erythrocyte suspensions (ES) transfused and number of patients transfused were higher in control group than those of study group. (52 ES and 45 patients versus 18 ES and 14 patients) Calculated average ES per patient were 0.37 in study group and 0.68 in control group. (P=0,009). As a result blood bank costs were reduced %50 in study group as compared to control group. Conclusions: Tranexamic acid administered as single intraoperative intravenous dose and sequentially continued as 500 mg oral dosage 3 times with six hours interval in the first postoperatve24 hours is a significiantly effective approach in preventing bloos loss and reducing hospital costs in total knee arthroplasty procedures. In addition easiness and convinience of oral administration of tranexamic acid makes the approach more advantageous.


Author(s):  
Eric J. Cotter ◽  
Jesse Wang ◽  
Richard L. Illgen

AbstractExcellent durability with traditional jig-based manual total knee arthroplasty (mTKA) has been noted, but substantial rates of dissatisfaction remain. Robotic-assisted TKA (raTKA) was introduced to improve clinical outcomes, but associated costs have not been well studied. The purpose of our study is to compare 90-day episode-of-care (EOC) costs for mTKA and raTKA. A retrospective review of an institutional database from 4/2015 to 9/2017 identified consecutive mTKAs and raTKAs using a single implant system performed by one surgeon. The raTKA platform became available at our institution in October 2016. Prior to this date, all TKAs were performed with mTKA technique. After this date, all TKAs were performed using robotic-assistance without exception. Sequential cases were included for both mTKA and raTKA with no patients excluded. Clinical and financial data were obtained from medical and billing records. Ninety-day EOC costs were compared. Statistical analysis was performed by departmental statistician. One hundred and thirty nine mTKAs and 147 raTKAs were identified. No significant differences in patient characteristics were noted. Total intraoperative costs were higher ($10,295.17 vs. 9,998.78, respectively, p < 0.001) and inpatient costs were lower ($3,893.90 vs. 5,587.40, respectively, p < 0.001) comparing raTKA and mTKA. Length of stay (LOS) was reduced 25% (1.2 vs. 1.6 days, respectively, p < 0.0001) and prescribed opioids were reduced 57% (984.2 versus 2240.4 morphine milligram equivalents, respectively, p < 0.0001) comparing raTKA with mTKA. Ninety-day EOC costs were $2,090.70 lower for raTKA compared with mTKA ($15,629.94 vs. 17,720.64, respectively; p < 0.001). The higher intraoperative costs associated with raTKA were offset by greater savings in postoperative costs for the 90-day EOC compared with mTKA. Higher intraoperative costs were driven by the cost of the robot, maintenance fees, and robot-specific disposables. Cost savings with raTKA were primarily driven by reduced instrument pan reprocessing fees, shorter LOS, and reduced prescribed opioids compared with mTKA technique. raTKA demonstrated improved value compared with mTKA based on significantly lower average 90-day EOC costs and superior quality exemplified by reduced LOS, less postoperative opioid requirements, and reduced postdischarge resource utilization.


Cureus ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
James R Yan ◽  
Stephan Oreskovich ◽  
Kayode Oduwole ◽  
Nolan Horner ◽  
Vickas Khanna ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Shih-Jyun Shen ◽  
Pei-Yu Peng ◽  
Hsiu-Pin Chen ◽  
Jr-Rung Lin ◽  
Mel S. Lee ◽  
...  

Objectives. The purpose of this double-blind, randomized study was to investigate whether the addition of intra-articular bupivacaine to intravenous parecoxib could improve pain relief in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty.Methods. A total of 36 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were enrolled into our study. These patients were randomly allocated either to a placebo-controlled group or study group. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption were evaluated.Results. Numeric rating scale (NRS) data of bupivacaine group in postoperative room were significantly lower than that of control group (control group versus bupivacaine group, 7.9 (6.7–9.1) (mean and 95% confidence interval) versus 4.5 (3.2–5.8) (mean and 95% confidence interval),p=0.001). NRS data of bupivacaine group in ward were also significantly lower than that of control group. A significantly lower dose of meperidine was used in the study group postoperatively during the first 24 hours (control group versus bupivacaine group, 3.08 ± 0.80 mg/Kg versus 2.34 ± 0.42 mg/Kg,p=0.001).Conclusion. Intra-articular bupivacaine in combination with intravenous parecoxib may improve pain relief and reduce the demand for rescue analgesics in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The trial is registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12615000463572).


Joints ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 05 (01) ◽  
pp. 007-011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Innocenti ◽  
Michele Mancini ◽  
Marina Faccio ◽  
Christian Carulli ◽  
Paolo Buselli ◽  
...  

Purpose After total knee arthroplasty (TKA), pain and swelling, especially in older and less cooperative patients, can limit the retrieval of a good range of motion and muscle tone and consequently the achievement of an optimal function outcome. A high-tech knee pad made of metal fibers emitting infrared energy was used in a group of patients undergoing TKA to assess its efficacy in the postoperative period with respect to a group with a placebo. Methods Twelve patients used knee pads after surgery for 3 weeks and were evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS), Knee Society Rating Score, Cincinnati Knee Rating Score, and painkillers at specific timings. Results At 3 weeks, all scores improved in a significant manner in the treated group compared with the placebo group. At 2 months after surgery, VAS was better in the study group than the control group, whereas other parameters were similar. However, the use of rescue drugs was less in the study group than in the placebo group. Conclusion A high-tech knee pad may contribute to a faster recovery within the first week after a knee replacement, limiting the use of painkillers and allowing a quick functional recovery by the control of pain and postoperative effusion. Level of Evidence Level II, randomized prospective study with small sample size.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Huang ◽  
Yuhang Gao ◽  
Lu Ding ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Jianguo Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: The incidence of dissatisfaction that due to multiple factors especially anterior knee pain (AKP) and patellar crepitus after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are still required concern. Improvements of femoral component in traditional prosthesis could reduce the incidence of these complications in TKA with patella resurfacing. This study aimed to explore whether TKA without patella resurfacing benefit from this femoral implant design modification in the aspects of AKP and patellar crepitus.Methods: Sixty-two patients (85 knees) using the modern prosthesis and 62 age-matched and sex-matched patients (90 knees) using the traditional prosthesis were enrolled in this study. The incidences of AKP and patellar crepitus, Knee Society Scores were recorded. Statistical analyses were accomplished to determine if there were differences between the two groups. Results: The incidence of AKP was significantly lower in the study group compared with those in the control group at 3-month and 1-year follow-up (4.7% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.048; 3.5% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.021, respectively). The incidence of patellar crepitus was significantly lower in the study group compared with those in the control group at 3-month and 1-year follow-up (34.4% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.004; 28.9% vs. 10.6% at 1 year, p = 0.002, respectively). There was no significant difference in Knee Society Scores between two groups.Conclusion: The results showed that TKA without patella resurfacing benefited from this femoral implant design modification in the aspects of AKP and patellar crepitus. This study may provide meaningful information for surgeons who use the modern prosthesis and selectively not resurfacing the patella in their patients.


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