Enhancing Fracture and Osteoporosis Care

David Lee, MBA; Blair Filler, MD; Matthew Twetten, MA

Orthopaedic surgeons and patients are becoming more aware that those who sustain a fragility fracture are at significantly higher risk of a future fracture. Although orthopaedic surgeons may not be able to prevent the first fracture, they are increasingly being seen as key in identifying patients at risk for additional fractures.

Coding Knee Arthroscopies

Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC

Coding knee arthroscopies can be challenging for both physicians and coders—especially when the surgeon performs multiple procedures, one of which is documented as a synovectomy. Although the rules may seem straightforward, they are not as clear as they appear. Synovectomy procedures in the knee Synovium is the smooth lining of the joint that produces synovial fluid to lubricate the joint.

How to Deal with the “Problem Physician”

Mary Ann Porucznik

“Problem physicians” are easily recognizable, but often difficult to address. At the 2012 AAOS Fall Meeting of the Board of Councilors and Board of Specialty Societies, five speakers discussed physician behaviors that undermine patient safety and outlined ways that physician colleagues could support changes in those behaviors. Moderator Frank B.

Meaningful Use Stage 2—Don’t Stop Now!

Howard Mevis

Even though the federal government has delayed the implementation of Stage 2 meaningful use criteria until 2014, AAOS members should not relax efforts to incorporate electronic medical records (EMR) into their practices. It is important to continue pursuing the goals of the government’s electronic health records incentive program—namely, better, safer health care at lower costs. “Don’t stop now,” says Richard M. Dell, MD, a member of the AAOS Electronic Health Records Project Team.

An Orthopaedic Hospital Becomes Refuge in Hurricane

Peter Pollack

Hospitals pride themselves on being prepared for all sorts of emergencies. But not even the best-laid plans can ready an institution and its staff for an unprecedented event. That’s what Tisch Hospital at NYU Langone Medical Center faced when Hurricane Sandy forced unplanned evacuations after the facility lost power. “I’m not a dramatic guy,” said Joseph D. Zuckerman, MD, professor and chair of the department of orthopaedic surgery at NYU Langone.

The Future of Liability Reform

Thomas B. Fleeter, MD

Last October, the American College of Surgeons (ACS) held its first Medical Liability Reform Summit to evaluate the future of medical liability in the United States. The consensus was that future medical liability reforms need to focus on improving patient safety to reduce malpractice claims and their associated costs. Although increases in medical liability rates have slowed, the future of these rates is uncertain.

Preventing Positioning Injuries: An Anesthesiologist’s Perspectives

Sarah Gerken, MD

Every member of the operating room team faces both individual and group challenges when caring for patients. A common concern is proper positioning of patients to prevent injury. Patient injuries due to surgical positioning can take many forms, from end organ damage due to hypoxia or hypotension to direct nerve injury due to compression or traction.