Faculty Bibliography

The purpose of this study was to analyze the perioperative complication rate and inpatient hospitalization costs associated with hip fractures in patients older than 90 years compared with patients younger than 90 years. Patients 60 years and older with hip fractures treated operatively at 1 academic medical center between October 2014 and September 2016 were analyzed. Patient demographics, comorbidities, length of stay, procedure performed, and inpatient complications were analyzed. Total cost of admission was obtained from the hospital finance department. Outcomes were compared between patients older than 90 years and patients younger than 90 years. A total of 500 patients with hip fractures were included in this study. There were 109 (21.8%) patients 90 years and older and 391 (78.2%) patients 60 to 89 years. There was no difference in fracture pattern, operation performed, Charlson Comorbidity Index, or length of stay between the 2 groups. The mean length of stay for patients 90 years and older with hip fractures was 7.8±4.3 days vs 7.6±4.2 days for the younger cohort (P=.552). There was no observed difference in perioperative complications. Finally, there was no difference in the total mean cost of admission. Patients 90 years and older are at no greater risk for perioperative complications based on age alone. They are also no more likely to require longer or more costly hospitalizations than patients younger than 90 years. [Orthopedics. 201x; xx(x):xx-xx.].

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:To determine the effect of osteonecrosis (ON) on the clinical and functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures. DESIGN/METHODS:Prospective cohort study. SETTING/METHODS:Academic medical center. PATIENTS/METHODS:Over a 12-year period, patients were screened and identified on presentation to the emergency department or in the clinical office for inclusion in an institutional review board-approved registry. One hundred sixty-five patients with 166 proximal humerus fractures met inclusion criteria. Eight patients developed radiographic evidence of ON (4.8%). INTERVENTION/METHODS:Surgical repair of proximal humerus fractures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE/METHODS:Patients were divided into 2 cohorts; 1 cohort being those diagnosed with ON and the other cohort being those who were not. All patients were prospectively followed and assessed for clinical and functional outcomes at the latest follow-up visit (mean = 22.9 months) using the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand survey along with ranges of motion of the injured extremity. RESULTS:Average postoperative forward elevation for patients with ON was worse than those without ON (P = 0.002). Additionally, there was a significant difference in Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores at the latest follow-up between the 2 groups (P = 0.026). There was no difference in external rotation or mean length of follow-up between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates the negative effects of ON after open reduction and internal fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Those who develop ON have poorer functional and clinical outcomes as compared with patients without ON. Consequently, the development of ON can be used as a predictor of poor outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Analyze the effectiveness of a BPCI (Bundle Payments for Care Improvement) initiative for patients who would be included in a future potential Surgical Hip and Femur Fracture Treatment (SHFFT) bundle. DESIGN/METHODS:Retrospective cohort SETTING:: Single Academic Institution PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS:: Patients discharged with operative fixation of a hip or femur fracture (DRG codes 480-482) between 1/2015-10/2016 were included. A BPCI initiative based upon an established program for BPCI Total Joint Arthroplasty (TJA) was initiated for patients with hip and femur fractures in January 2016. Patients were divided into non-bundle (care before initiative) and bundle (care with initiative) cohorts. INTERVENTION/METHODS:Application of BPCI principles MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Length of stay, location of discharge, readmissions RESULTS:: 116 patients participated in the "institutional bundle," and 126 received care prior to the initiative. There was a trend towards decreased mean length of stay, (7.3 ± 6.3 days vs. 6.8 ± 4.0 days, p=0.457) and decreased readmission within 90 days (22.2% vs. 18.1%, p=0.426). The number of patients discharged home doubled (30.2% vs. 14.3%, p=0.008). There was no difference in readmission rates in bundle vs. non-bundle patients based on discharged home status; however, bundle patients discharged to SNF trended towards less readmissions than non-bundle patients discharged to SNF (37.3% vs. 50.6%, p=0.402). Mean episode cost reduction due to initiative was estimated to be $6,450 using Medicare reimbursement data. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates the potential success of a BPCI initiative at one institution in decreasing post-acute care facility utilization and cost of care when used for a hip and femur fracture population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:Determine if a novel inpatient mortality risk assessment tool designed to be calculated in the emergency department (ED) setting can risk stratify patient reported functional outcomes and mortality at one year. DESIGN/METHODS:Prospective cohort SETTING:: Academic level one trauma center PATIENTS:: 685 patients >55 years old who were orthopaedic surgery consults or trauma surgery consults in the ED between 10/1/2014 and 9/30/2015. INTERVENTION/METHODS:Calculation of validated trauma triage score (STTGMA) using each patient's demographics, injury severity, and functional status MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:: mortality, EQ-5D questionnaire, and percent return to baseline function since their hospitalization at one-year post hospitalization. RESULTS:45 (6.6%) patients died within the year following hospitalization. Of remaining 639 patients available for follow-up, 247 (38.7%) were successfully contacted. There was no observed difference between patients who were successfully contacted and those who were not. The mean STTGMA score was 2.1 ± 3.6%. Patients reported on average a 76.4 ± 27.5% return to baseline function. When comparing patients between risk groups, there was a significant difference in EQ-5D scores and percent return to baseline. Kaplan-Meier survival curve shows that high risk patients had pronounced decreased survival within the initial days after discharge compared to other cohorts. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrates that patients identified with the STTGMA tool as having an increased risk of inpatient mortality following trauma correlate with poorer functional outcomes at one year. The STTGMA risk score is also a valuable tool to stratify risk of mortality up to one year following discharge. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Level IV, Prognostic.

OBJECTIVES/OBJECTIVE:1) Demonstrate that a validated trauma triage score for middle-aged and geriatric patients could identify those at high risk for mortality within the first two days of hospitalization and 2) determine the cost of care for this cohort of patients DESIGN:: Prospective cohort study SETTING:: Single Level 1 Trauma Center PATIENTS:: Patients 55 years and older who were evaluated in the emergency department setting by Orthopaedics or who met American College of Surgeons Tier 1-3 criteria INTERVENTION:: Calculation of validated trauma triage score, Score for Trauma Triage in Geriatric and Middle Aged (STTGMA), using patient's demographic, injury severity, and functional statusMain Outcome Measurements: length of stay, inpatient mortality, time between presentation and time of death, and direct variable costs of hospitalization RESULTS:: A total of 1470 consecutive patients (mean age of 72.2±11.9 years) were enrolled in this study, 17 of whom expired within 48 hours of presentation to the emergency department. These patients had a significantly higher trauma triage score than the rest of the cohort with a score of 50.9%±37.2% vs. 3.3%±9.5%, p<0.001 indicating that they had a mean risk of inpatient mortality of over 50%. Mean total cost/day was much higher in the cohort of patients who died within 48 hours of admission compared to all other trauma patients ($49,367±$79,057 vs. $3,966±$2,897 (p=0.031)). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:To achieve value-based care in this high-risk cohort, targeted cost-savings while improving patient outcomes and/or expediting goals-of-care and end-of-life goals is necessary and the STTGMA score allows for stratification of these patients in both mortality risk and cost profile. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Prognostic, Level III.

BACKGROUND:Nondisplaced and minimally displaced fractures of the radial head and neck are common injuries, yet the role of physical therapy (PT) in their treatment is unclear. The aim of this trial was to assess the need for formal PT following a simple fracture of the radial head or neck. METHODS:Patients who had a nondisplaced or minimally displaced fracture of the radial head or neck and presented to 1 of 2 providers were enrolled prospectively between January 2014 and August 2016. Patients were randomized to receive outpatient PT or perform self-directed home exercise. The follow-up intervals were 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and at least 1 year. The outcome measures were Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores; pain; time to clinical healing; and range of motion. Demographic data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Fisher exact test. Independent-samples t tests were utilized to compare outcome measures. RESULTS:Fifty-one patients were enrolled in the study. The average follow-up was 16.6 months. Twenty-five patients were randomized to a home-exercise cohort, and 26 patients were randomized to a formal-outpatient-PT cohort. There were no significant differences in demographics between cohorts. At 6 weeks, the home-exercise cohort had better function as indicated by a significantly lower mean DASH score compared with the PT cohort (p = 0.021). At 3 months, 6 months, and final follow-up, there were no significant differences between cohorts for any outcome measure. CONCLUSIONS:Patients who performed home exercises after sustaining a nondisplaced or minimally displaced fracture of the radial head or neck demonstrated better early function at 6 weeks compared with patients who received formal PT. After 6 weeks, there were no significant differences in outcomes. These data suggest that prescribing PT for patients who have an isolated nondisplaced or minimally displaced fracture of the radial head or neck is not cost-effective and that instructing the patient to perform self-directed exercises will be followed by a similar outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE/METHODS:Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

BACKGROUND:Whereas most radial head fractures are stable injuries, they sometimes occur as part of complex injury patterns with associated elbow instability. Radial head arthroplasty has been favored in patients with unreconstructable radial head fractures and unstable elbow injuries. The purpose of this study was to review radiographic outcomes, functional outcomes, and complications after radial head arthroplasty for radial head fracture in unstable elbow injuries. METHODS:This study was a retrospective review of radial head fractures treated with radial head arthroplasty by a single surgeon during a 15-year period. Demographics of the patients, injury details, operative reports, radiographic and clinical outcomes, and any complications were recorded. Patients were divided into stable and unstable elbow injury groups. RESULTS:A total of 68 patients were included. There were 50 unstable fractures that were compared with 18 stable fractures. Patients with unstable radial head fractures with associated elbow dislocation achieved mean flexion and mean forearm rotational arc of motion similar to that of patients with stable radial head fractures. However, supination loss was greater in the unstable group than in the stable fracture group, with a mean difference of 10°. Radiographic outcomes and complication rates did not differ between injury groups. There was no observed decrease in implant longevity in patients with unstable elbow injuries. CONCLUSIONS:Radial head arthroplasty is an effective option for treatment of unstable elbow injuries, with recovery of functional elbow range of motion and no difference in complication rate or implant survivorship compared with those patients with stable injuries.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the admitting service on cost of care for hip fracture patients by comparing the cost difference between patients admitted to the medicine service versus those admitted to a surgical service. Methods/UNASSIGNED:value of <.05 as significant. Results/UNASSIGNED:= .034) compared to patients admitted to the medicine service. Discussions/UNASSIGNED:In our urban safety net hospital, hip fracture patients admitted to medicine service had longer lengths of stay and higher total hospitalization costs than patients who were admitted to surgery service. Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:This study highlights that the admitting service should be an area of focus for hospitals when developing programs to provide effective and cost-conscious care to hip fracture patients.

Purpose/UNASSIGNED:The purpose of this study was to compare hospital quality outcomes in patients over the age of 60 undergoing fixation of hip fracture based on their anticoagulation status. Materials and Methods/UNASSIGNED:Patients aged 60 and older with isolated hip fracture injuries treated operatively at 1 academic medical center between October 2014 and September 2016 were analyzed. Patients on the following medications were included in the anticoagulation cohort: warfarin, clopidogrel, aspirin 325 mg, rivaroxaban, apixaban, dabigatran, and dipyridamole/aspirin. We compared outcome measures including time to surgery, length of stay (LOS), transfusion rate, blood loss, procedure time, complication rate, need for intensive care unit (ICU)/step-down unit (SDU) care, discharge disposition, and cost of admission. Outcomes were controlled for age, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI), and anesthesia type. Results/UNASSIGNED:= .026). Lastly, there was no difference in cost of care. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:This study highlights that anticoagulation status alone does not independently put patients at increased risk with respect to LOS, surgical outcomes, and cost of hospitalization.

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:In response to increasing health-care costs, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has initiated several programs to transition from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care model. One such voluntary program is Bundled Payments for Care Improvement Advanced (BPCI Advanced) which includes all hip and femur fractures that undergo operative fixation. The purpose of this study was to analyze the current cost and resource utilization of operatively fixed (nonarthroplasty) hip and femur fracture procedure bundle patients at a single level 1 trauma center within the framework of a risk stratification tool (Score for Trauma Triage in the Geriatric and Middle-Aged [STTGMA]) to identify areas of high utilization before our hospitals transition to bundle period. Materials and Methods/UNASSIGNED:A cohort of Medicare-eligible patients discharged with the Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) codes 480 to 482 (hip and femur fractures requiring surgical fixation) from a level 1 trauma center between October 2014 and September 2016 was evaluated and assigned a trauma triage risk score (STTGMA score). Patients were stratified into groups based on these scores to create a minimal-, low-, moderate-, and high-risk cohort. Length of stay (LOS), discharge location, need for Intensive Care Unit (ICU)/Step Down Unit (SDU) care, inpatient complications, readmission within 90 days, and inpatient admission costs were recorded. Results/UNASSIGNED:= .029). The mean total cost of admission for the entire cohort of patients was US$25,446 (US$9725), with a nearly US$9000 greater cost for high-risk patients compared to the low-risk patients. High-cost areas of care included room/board, procedure, and radiology. Discussion/UNASSIGNED:High-risk patients were more likely to have longer and more costly admissions with average index admission costs nearly US$9000 more than the lower risk patient cohorts. These high-risk patients were also more likely to develop inpatient complications and require higher levels of care. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:This analysis of a 2-year cohort of patients who would qualify for the BPCI Advanced hip and femur procedure bundle demonstrates that the STTGMA tool can be used to identify high-risk patients who fall outside the bundle.