Ideas from the Frontline: Improvement Opportunities in Federally Qualified Health Centers.

BACKGROUND: Engaging frontline clinicians and staff in quality improvement is a promising bottom-up approach to transforming primary care practices. This may be especially true in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and similar safety-net settings where large-scale, top-down transformation efforts are often associated with declining worker morale and increasing burnout. Innovation contests, which decentralize problem-solving, can be used to involve frontline workers in idea generation and selection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the ideas that frontline clinicians and staff suggested via organizational innovation contests in a national sample of 54 FQHCs. INTERVENTIONS: Innovation contests solicited ideas for improving care from all frontline workers-regardless of professional expertise, job title, and organizational tenure and excluding those in senior management-and offered opportunities to vote on ideas. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1,417 frontline workers across all participating FQHCs generated 2,271 improvement opportunities. APPROACHES: We performed a content analysis and organized the ideas into codes (e.g., standardization, workplace perks, new service, staff relationships, community development) and categories (e.g., operations, employees, patients). KEY RESULTS: Ideas from frontline workers in participating FQHCs called attention to standardization (n = 386, 17%), staffing (n = 244, 11%), patient experience (n = 223, 10%), staff training (n = 145, 6%), workplace perks (n = 142, 6%), compensation (n = 101, 5%), new service (n = 92, 4%), management-staff relationships (n = 82, 4%), and others. Voting results suggested that staffing resources, standardization, and patient communication were key issues among workers. CONCLUSIONS: Innovation contests generated numerous ideas for improvement from the frontline. It is likely that the issues described in this study have become even more salient today, as the COVID-19 pandemic has had devastating impacts on work environments and health/social needs of patients living in low-resourced communities. Continued work is needed to promote learning and information exchange about opportunities to improve and transform practices between policymakers, managers, and providers and staff at the frontlines.

Current concepts in graft selection for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Graft selection for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is important for optimizing post-operative rehabilitation, facilitating return to full sporting function and reducing the risk of complications.The most commonly used grafts for ACLR include hamstring tendon autografts, bone-patellar tendon-bone autografts, quadriceps tendon autografts, allografts and synthetic grafts.This instructional review explores the existing literature on clinical outcomes with these different graft types for ACLR and provides an evidence-based approach for graft selection in ACLR.The existing evidence on the use of extra-articular tenodesis to provide additional rotational stability during ACLR is also revisited. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:808-815. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210023.

Current concepts in total knee arthroplasty : mechanical, kinematic, anatomical, and functional alignment.

Limb alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) influences periarticular soft-tissue tension, biomechanics through knee flexion, and implant survival. Despite this, there is no uniform consensus on the optimal alignment technique for TKA. Neutral mechanical alignment facilitates knee flexion and symmetrical component wear but forces the limb into an unnatural position that alters native knee kinematics through the arc of knee flexion. Kinematic alignment aims to restore native limb alignment, but the safe ranges with this technique remain uncertain and the effects of this alignment technique on component survivorship remain unknown. Anatomical alignment aims to restore predisease limb alignment and knee geometry, but existing studies using this technique are based on cadaveric specimens or clinical trials with limited follow-up times. Functional alignment aims to restore the native plane and obliquity of the joint by manipulating implant positioning while limiting soft tissue releases, but the results of high-quality studies with long-term outcomes are still awaited. The drawbacks of existing studies on alignment include the use of surgical techniques with limited accuracy and reproducibility of achieving the planned alignment, poor correlation of intraoperative data to long-term functional outcomes and implant survivorship, and a paucity of studies on the safe ranges of limb alignment. Further studies on alignment in TKA should use surgical adjuncts (e.g. robotic technology) to help execute the planned alignment with improved accuracy, include intraoperative assessments of knee biomechanics and periarticular soft-tissue tension, and correlate alignment to long-term functional outcomes and survivorship.

Do Patients Accurately Represent Their Experiences After Hip and Knee Replacements?

Background To investigate discrepancies, if any, between the complications that patients report on the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) questionnaire and what is formally recorded in their medical records. Methodology A retrospective analysis of PROMs-reported complications was performed at a single elective center for all patients who had an elective primary total knee or hip replacement between April 2016 and March 2017. Corresponding patient medical records were then analyzed to correlate the PROMs with any documentation of postoperative complications, which similar to the PROMs data were categorized into wound complications, urinary complications, readmission, and further operative procedures. Results A set of 54 complete patient records were compared to the corresponding PROMs data. The combined overall positive predictive value was 0.47 while the overall negative predictive value was 0.91. Concordance between patients and the medical records was 70.4% for wound complication, 66.7% for urinary complications, 83.3% for readmission, and 96.3% for reoperation. Conclusion PROMs data are becoming increasingly important in auditing and planning healthcare provision. This study highlights a significant level of discrepancy between the PROMs-reported complication rates and those documented in the medical records. There is a visible disparity between patient perception and the medical definition of postoperative complications. Further patient education and empowerment are required in preparation for arthroplasty.

Surgical Management of Chronic Incomplete Proximal Hamstring Avulsion Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries are debilitating injuries associated with prolonged periods of convalescence and poor return to preinjury level of function. This study explores the efficacy of operative intervention for these injuries on patient satisfaction, muscle strength, range of motion, functional performance, return to preinjury level of sporting activity, and injury recurrence. HYPOTHESIS: Surgical intervention of chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries enables return to preinjury level of sporting function with low risk of clinical recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: Case series: Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: This prospective single-surgeon study included 41 patients with incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries refractory to 6 months of nonoperative treatment. All study patients underwent primary operative repair of the avulsed proximal hamstring tendon and received standardized postoperative rehabilitation. Predefined outcomes were recorded at regular intervals after surgery. Mean follow-up time was 28.2 months (range, 25.0-35.0 months) from date of surgery. RESULTS: All patients returned to their preinjury level of sporting activity. Mean ± SD time from surgery to return to full sporting activity was 22.2 ± 6.7 weeks. There were no episodes of clinical recurrence. At 3 months after surgery, 39 patients (95.1%) were satisfied/very satisfied with the outcomes of their surgery, and as compared with preoperative values, improvements were recorded in isometric hamstring muscle strength at 0° (84.9% ± 10.9% vs 40.4% ± 8.8%; P < .001), 15° (89.6% ± 7.6% vs 44.2% ± 11.1%; P < .001), and 45° (94.1% ± 5.1% vs 66.4% ± 9.0%; P < .001); mean passive straight leg raise angle (71.2°± 13.5° vs 45.4°± 11.9°; P < .001); mean lower extremity functional score (70.9 ± 5.1 vs 48.4 ± 5.2; P < .001); and mean Marx activity rating score (5.6 ± 2.8 vs 2.7 ± 1.0; P < .001). High patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores were maintained at 1- and 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Operative repair of chronic incomplete proximal hamstring avulsion injuries enabled return to preoperative level of sporting function with no episodes of clinical recurrence at short-term follow-up. Surgical intervention was associated with high patient satisfaction and improved isometric hamstring muscle strength, range of motion, and functional outcome scores as compared with preoperative values. High patient satisfaction and improved functional outcomes were sustained at 2-year follow-up.

The management of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries.

Injuries to the quadriceps muscle group are commonly seen in sporting activities that involve repetitive kicking and high-speed sprinting, including football (soccer), rugby and athletics.The proximal rectus femoris is prone to avulsion injuries as rapid eccentric muscle contraction leads to asynchronous muscle activation and different force vectors through the straight and reflected heads.Risk factors for injury include previous rectus femoris muscle or hamstring injury, reduced flexibility of the quadriceps complex, injury to the dominant leg, and dry field playing conditions.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging modality as it enables the site of injury to be accurately located, concurrent injuries to be identified, preoperative grading of the injury, and aids surgical planning.Non-operative management is associated with highly variable periods of convalescence, poor return to preinjury level of function and high risk of injury recurrence.Operative treatment of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries with surgical repair or surgical tenodesis enables return to preinjury level of sporting activity and high functional outcomes.Surgical tenodesis of proximal rectus femoris avulsion injuries may offer an avenue for further reducing recurrence rates compared to direct suture anchor repair of these injuries. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:828-834. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200055.

Surgical Repair of Distal Musculotendinous T Junction Injuries of the Biceps Femoris.

BACKGROUND: Nonoperative management of injuries to the distal musculotendinous T junction of the biceps femoris is associated with variable periods of rehabilitation and high risk of recurrence. To our knowledge, the efficacy of operative treatment in patients with these acute injuries has not been previously reported. HYPOTHESIS: Surgical repair of injuries to the distal musculotendinous T junction of the biceps femoris would enable return to preinjury level of sport with low risk of recurrence. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: This prospective single-surgeon study included 34 professional athletes (mean age, 26.4 ± 3.1 years; 31 male [91.2%]; 3 female [8.8%]; body mass index, 25 ± 2.0 kg/m2) undergoing primary surgical repair of acute injuries to the distal musculotendinous T junction of the biceps femoris. All study patients underwent a standardized postoperative rehabilitation program. Predefined study outcomes relating to time for return to sporting activity, patient satisfaction, range of motion, hamstring muscle strength, passive range of motion, functional progress, and complications were recorded at regular intervals after surgery. Mean follow-up time was 28.4 months (range, 24.0-36.3 months) from date of surgery. RESULTS: All study patients returned to their preinjury level of sporting activity. Mean time from surgical repair to full sporting activity was 11.7 ± 3.6 weeks. No patients had recurrence of the primary injury. At 1-year follow-up, 18 patients (52.9%) were very satisfied and 16 patients (47.1%) were satisfied with the outcomes of their surgery. At 3 months after surgery, patients had improved mean passive straight leg raise (69.7° ± 11.7° vs 24.1° ± 7.4°; P < .001); increased mean isometric hamstring muscle strength at 0° (93.1% ± 5.4% vs 63.1% ± 7.7%; P < .001), 45° (76.8% ± 9.7% vs 24.8% ± 8.3%; P < .001), and 90° (96.4% ± 3.9% vs 85.6% ± 5.9%; P < .001); higher mean lower extremity functional scores (64.5 ± 4.5 vs 27.2 ± 5.4; P < .001); and improved mean Marx Activity Rating Scale scores (10.7 ± 2.7 vs 2.2 ± 2.1; P < .001) compared with preoperative values. High patient satisfaction and functional outcome scores were maintained at 1 and 2 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of acute injuries to the distal musculotendinous T junction of the biceps femoris is associated with high patient satisfaction, increased muscle strength, improved functional outcome scores, and high return to preinjury level of sporting activity with low risk of recurrence at short-term follow-up.

Robotic technology: current concepts, operative techniques and emerging uses in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is associated with improved functional outcomes but reduced implant survivorship compared to total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Surgeon-controlled errors in component positioning are the most common reason for implant failure in UKA, and low UKA case-volume is associated with poor implant survivorship and earlier time to revision surgery.Robotic UKA is associated with improved accuracy of achieving the planned femoral and tibial component positioning compared to conventional manual UKA.Robotic UKA has a learning curve of six operative cases for achieving operative times and surgical team comfort levels comparable to conventional manual UKA, but there is no learning curve effect for accuracy of implant positioning or limb alignment.Robotic UKA is associated with reduced postoperative pain, decreased opiate analgesia requirements, faster inpatient rehabilitation, and earlier time to hospital discharge compared to conventional manual UKA.Limitations of robotic UKA include high installation costs, additional radiation exposure with image-based systems, and paucity of studies showing any long-term differences in functional outcomes or implant survivorship compared to conventional manual UKA.Further clinical studies are required to establish how statistical differences in accuracy of implant positioning between conventional manual UKA and robotic UKA translate to long-term differences in functional outcomes, implant survivorship, complications, and cost-effectiveness. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:312-318. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190089.

The effects of COVID-19 on perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients with hip fractures.

AIMS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many patients continue to require urgent surgery for hip fractures. However, the impact of COVID-19 on perioperative outcomes in these high-risk patients remains unknown. The objectives of this study were to establish the effects of COVID-19 on perioperative morbidity and mortality, and determine any risk factors for increased mortality in patients with COVID-19 undergoing hip fracture surgery. METHODS: This multicentre cohort study included 340 COVID-19-negative patients versus 82 COVID-19-positive patients undergoing surgical treatment for hip fractures across nine NHS hospitals in Greater London, UK. Patients in both treatment groups were comparable for age, sex, body mass index, fracture configuration, and type of surgery performed. Predefined perioperative outcomes were recorded within a 30-day postoperative period. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to identify risk factors associated with increased risk of mortality. RESULTS: COVID-19-positive patients had increased postoperative mortality rates (30.5% (25/82) vs 10.3% (35/340) respectively, p < 0.001) compared to COVID-19-negative patients. Risk factors for increased mortality in patients with COVID-19 undergoing surgery included positive smoking status (hazard ratio (HR) 15.4 (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.55 to 52.2; p < 0.001) and greater than three comorbidities (HR 13.5 (95% CI 2.82 to 66.0, p < 0.001). COVID-19-positive patients had increased risk of postoperative complications (89.0% (73/82) vs 35.0% (119/340) respectively; p < 0.001), more critical care unit admissions (61.0% (50/82) vs 18.2% (62/340) respectively; p < 0.001), and increased length of hospital stay (mean 13.8 days (SD 4.6) vs 6.7 days (SD 2.5) respectively; p < 0.001), compared to COVID-19-negative patients. CONCLUSION: Hip fracture surgery in COVID-19-positive patients was associated with increased length of hospital stay, more admissions to the critical care unit, higher risk of perioperative complications, and increased mortality rates compared to COVID-19-negative patients. Risk factors for increased mortality in patients with COVID-19 undergoing surgery included positive smoking status and multiple (greater than three) comorbidities. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(9):1136-1145.

Risk factors, diagnosis and management of prosthetic joint infection after total hip arthroplasty.

Introduction: Although a relatively rare complication, the incidence and prevalence of prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is certainly rising. This is mainly due to the number of arthroplasties performed each year and our ability to capture more cases. There is currently no consensus in the optimal diagnosis and management of the infected total hip arthroplasty. Various management techniques have been described in literature.Areas covered: We discuss and summarize the literature in diagnosing prosthetic joint infection (PJI) including next-generation sequencing. An in-depth critical analysis of the biomarkers and the novel tests available in the market is reviewed including the evolving nature of the diagnostic criteria for PJI. The key issues in managing infected THA are identified.Expert commentary: The senior authors' expert opinion on diagnostic criteria is discussed. We also stress the importance of tissue/fluid analysis of microbiology and histology being key to diagnosis of PJI. The indications of one-stage versus two-stage revision arthroplasty is examined, including techniques for successful one-stage revision.

In hot water: The impact of burn injuries from hot water bottles - Experience of a UK burns unit and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Hot water bottles (HWBs) are a common domestic item in the UK. Their use is associated with burns injuries, either by contact for prolonged periods with the skin, or through the HWB leaking or bursting. METHODS: We used electronic health records to retrospectively review HWB related burns treated by the Burns Service at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital between January 2017-March 2018. We analysed the mechanism of injury, size and depth of burn, method of treatment and costs associated with HWB burns in our centre. RESULTS: 80 patients sustained HWB burns during this period, with a similar incidence of contact burns (41/80, 51.3%) and scalds (38/80, 47.5%), with one steam burn. The commonest area burnt was the lower limb (40/80, 50%). Most burns had a TBSA of 1% or smaller (50/80, 62.5%). 30 patients had full thickness burns, with 37 in total received operative management. We estimate that the total cost for managing this cohort of patients was over £68,634. CONCLUSIONS: There are a significant proportion of patients presenting with HWB burns that could be prevented, with significant impact on patient morbidity and resource burden on the NHS. Targeted public awareness campaigns are needed to ameliorate these injuries.