Kelvin Kim

Prevalence of Neurocognitive Dysfunction and Its Effects on Postoperative Outcomes in Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND The prevalence of neurocognitive dysfunction (NCD) and its effects on postoperative outcomes have not been well characterized following total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population. This study aims at better understand this relationship. METHODS Patients were evaluated for neurocognitive function using the grooved pegboard test for the dominant (PEG-D) and nondominant hand (PEG-N), and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The patient scores for each test was compared to age-controlled normative values in order to identify NCD. Baseline characteristics and postoperative outcomes were then compared amongst the two cohorts. RESULTS Ninety-nine consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled. Nearly 54% were identified as neurocognitively deficient on at least 1 of the 3 tests (31% by RAVLT, 21% by PEG-D, and 30% by PEG-N). There was a statistically significant prevalence of NCD in patients older than 60 years when compared to normative controls for RAVLT (P < .001). Patients with depression or an American Society of Anesthesiologist score of 3 were 5 times as likely to have NCD, while patients with a body mass index between 20-30 kg/m2 were 5 times less likely to have NCD. Furthermore, patients identified as NCD preoperatively were significantly more likely to be transferred to the intensive care unit (48% vs 14%) and fail physical therapy (64% vs 17%), respectively. CONCLUSION NCD is highly prevalent within total joint arthroplasty candidates and may be correlated with higher body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologist scores, and rates of depression. The condition predisposes patients to suboptimal postoperative outcomes including increased intensive care unit admissions and prolonged rehabilitation.

The 5 Clinical Pillars of Value for Total Joint Arthroplasty in a Bundled Payment Paradigm

BACKGROUND Our large, urban, tertiary, university-based institution reflects on its 4-year experience with Bundled Payments for Care Improvement. We will describe the importance of 5 clinical pillars that have contributed to the early success of our bundled payment initiative. We are convinced that value-based care delivered through bundled payment initiatives is the best method to optimize patient outcomes while rewarding surgeons and hospitals for adapting to the evolving healthcare reforms. METHODS We summarize a number of experiences and lessons learned since the implementation of Bundled Payments for Care Improvement at our institution. RESULTS Our experience has led to the development of more refined clinical pathways and coordination of care through evidence-based approaches. We have established that the success of the bundled payment program rests on the following 5 main clinical pillars: (1) optimizing patient selection and comorbidities; (2) optimizing care coordination, patient education, shared decision making, and patient expectations; (3) using a multimodal pain management protocol and minimizing narcotic use to facilitate rapid rehabilitation; (4) optimizing blood management, and standardizing venous thromboembolic disease prophylaxis treatment by risk standardizing patients and minimizing the use of aggressive anticoagulation; and (5) minimizing post-acute facility and resource utilization, and maximizing home resources for patient recovery. CONCLUSION From our extensive experience with bundled payment models, we have established 5 clinical pillars of value for bundled payments. Our hope is that these principles will help ease the transition to value-based care for less-experienced healthcare systems.

Respiratory Synchronized Versus Intermittent Pneumatic Compression in Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism After Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of respiratory synchronized compression devices (RSCDs) versus nonsynchronized intermittent pneumatic compression devices (NSIPCDs) in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) after total joint arthroplasty. A systematic literature review was conducted. Data regarding surgical procedure, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, mortality, and adverse events were abstracted. Compared with control groups, the risk ratio of deep vein thrombosis development was 0.51 with NSIPCDs and 0.47 with RSCDs. This review demonstrates that RSCDs may be marginally more effective at preventing VTE events than NSIPCDs. Furthermore, the addition of mechanical prophylaxis to any chemoprophylactic regimen increases VTE prevention.

A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review Evaluating Skin Closure After Total Knee Arthroplasty—What Is the Best Method?

BACKGROUND Many cost drivers of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been critically evaluated to meet the heightened quality-associated expectations of performance-based care. However, assessing the efficacy of the different modalities of skin closure has been an underappreciated topic. The present study aims to provide further insight by conducting a meta-analysis and systematic review evaluating the rates of common complications and perioperative quality outcomes associated with different suture and staple skin closure techniques after TKA. METHODS The present study was conducted in accordance with both the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Statement and the Cochrane Handbook for meta-analyses and systematic reviews. Primary outcome measures evaluated rates of common complications associated with primary TKA. Secondary outcome measures evaluated wound closure time, direct surgical costs, and cosmetic and knee function outcomes. RESULTS Our meta-analysis demonstrated that skin sutures had a higher likelihood of superficial and deep infections, abscess formation, and wound dehiscence. Conversely, staples had a higher tendency for prolonged wound discharge. A systematic review of wound closure times and overall resource utilization demonstrated that wound closure was faster and more cost-effective with skin staples than sutures. CONCLUSION Primary skin incision closure with staples demonstrated lower wound complications, decreased wound closure times, and an overall reduction in resource utilization. Given these outcomes, the use of staples after TKA may have several subtle clinical advantages over sutures.

Revision shoulder arthroplasty: Patient-reported outcomes vary according to the etiology of revision

Background The study evaluates patient-reported outcomes in revision shoulder arthroplasty (RevSA) according to etiology. Methods Twenty-three consecutive RevSA (minimum 2-year follow-up) were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores and range of motion were compared by the type of revision procedure and indication. Results EQ5D-QOL, VAS-pain, ASES, and forward elevation improved after RevSA. The infection group had least improvements. Revision to a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) demonstrated the most improvement in VAS-pain, forward elevation, and ASES. Conclusions Revision to RTSA significantly improved PRO scores compared to hemi- or total shoulder arthroplasty. RevSA for infection demonstrated the least improvement in outcomes.

Rapid Discharge in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Utility of the Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment Tool in Predicting Same-Day and Next-Day Discharge

BACKGROUND Hospital length of stay is a major driver of cost in the total hip arthroplasty (THA) episode of care, and as a result, significant efforts are being made to minimize it. This study aims to assess the utility of the Outpatient Arthroplasty Risk Assessment (OARA) screening tool in accurately identifying patients for safe and early discharge after THA. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted on 332 consecutive patients who underwent primary THA at a single tertiary academic center. Patients were evaluated using the OARA score, a tool that has been proposed to identify patients who can safely undergo early discharge after THA. The validity of these claims was assessed by analyzing the OARA scores positive and negative predictive values for high vs low OARA scores between patients enrolled in our (1) same-day discharge (SDD) and 2) next-day discharge (NDD) pathways. RESULTS When comparing the utility of the OARA score in accurately predicting length of stay, the OARA score demonstrated a (1) higher, but constant, positive predictive value for discharge on postoperative day (POD) 0 for SDD (86.1%) than POD1 for NDD (35.5%) and (2) lower negative predictive value for discharge on POD0 (23.1%) for SDD than POD1 for NDD (86.1%). CONCLUSION The OARA score was developed to risk-stratify patients who can safely undergo SDD or NDD after THA. In this study, the OARA score was a highly predictive tool in identifying NDD patients at risk for failure of discharge by POD1.

Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background Hip and knee replacements for osteoarthritis are established procedures for improving joint pain and function, yet their safety in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown. Patients with MS face unique surgical challenges due to underlying neurologic dysfunction. Current literature on arthroplasty in MS is limited to case reports focusing on adverse events. Methods Of 40 identified patients who underwent hip or knee replacement, 30 had sufficient data for inclusion. We reviewed their medical records and recorded reasons for surgery, age at surgery, MS characteristics, surgical complications, and ambulatory aid status before and after surgery. We supplemented medical record review with questionnaires regarding preoperative and postoperative pain and satisfaction with surgical outcomes. Results Median follow-up was 26 months. Complications of surgery were reported in ten patients (33%), mostly mild and self-limited, although four patients (13%) required repeated operation. Six patients (20%) reported improvements in ambulatory aid use compared with presurgery baseline, ten (33%) worsened, and 14 (47%) were unchanged. In 20 patients who completed the questionnaire, mean ± SD joint pain scores (on 0-10 scale) decreased from 8.6 ± 2.0 preoperatively to 2.9 ± 2.4 postoperatively (P < .001). Five patients (25%) were free of joint pain at last follow-up. Conclusions These results suggest that pain reduction is a realistic outcome of total knee or hip arthroplasty in people with MS and that improved functional gait outcomes are possible in some patients. Prospective, multicenter, collaborative studies are needed to optimize selection and improve outcomes in people with MS considering arthroplasty.

Symposium Introduction: It's a Brave New World: Alternative Payment Models and Value Creation in Total Joint Arthroplasty

In April 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a mandatory Alternative Payment Model (APM) called Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) which mimics the voluntary Model 2 Bundled Payment for Care Improvement Initiative (BPCI) started in 2013.Well-aligned, effective hospital systems have performed well in terms of financial reconciliation and quality metrics improvement in BPCI. Key components of that success include emphasis on alignment of stakeholders, gain sharing, preoperative patient optimization, care management delivery, evidence-based care pathway protocols, patient education aimed at aligning expectations, and minimizing nonessential postacute services. CJR will affect approximately 25% of the CMS total joint arthroplasty (TJA) population and is projected to save Medicare

Preoperative Chronic Opioid Users in Total Knee Arthroplasty—Which Patients Persistently Abuse Opiates Following Surgery?

354 million over its 5-year test period. It is likely that more APMs will be introduced as a result of value-based purchasing (such as the surgical hip and femur fracture treatment bundle). CMS has eliminated nonhospital episode initiators for the CJR program. This appears to be unfortunate as the surgeons are the champions of the TJA episode of care and are in the best position to manage the episode in a cost-effective and high-quality manner. It appears that CJR and BPCI will be accepted as Advanced APMs beginning in 2018 and will be acceptable substitutes for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System in order for orthopedic surgeons to be paid under MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act) and the Quality Payment Program. MACRA was passed in 2015 as a substitute for Medicare payment formerly issued under the Sustainable Growth Rate. It remains to be seen whether surgeons and third parties will be accepted as episode