Improving Transfer of Information to Optimize Patient Safety

Andrew W. Grose, MD

The competing demands of mastering minutiae and working expeditiously create tension for many healthcare providers. Efforts to satisfy both these goals often involve negotiating "efficiency-thoroughness trade-offs," a normal process wherein providers strike a balance between productivity and safety. This is particularly evident when providing patient information during transitions of care.

Sports Medicine Research at the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting

Jeremy M. Burnham, MD; Rachel M. Frank, MD

The 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting featured innovative and thought-provoking research in all fields of orthopaedics. Summarized here are some highlights from presentations in sports medicine and arthroscopy. In the April issue, we looked at studies on lower extremity, basic science, and cost-effectiveness. Here we cover selected research on upper extremity and rehabilitation and return to play. Upper extremity In Paper 328, CPT Drew W. Nute, MD, CPT Nicholas A.

Risk Evaluation and Management Strategies for Prescribing Opioids

Stephanie Hazlett

During the AAOS Annual Meeting, experts discussed the epidemic of opioid drug use, misuse, and abuse in the United States, and focused on ways in which orthopaedic surgeons can practice safe and effective pain management for their patients. "Risk Evaluation and Management Strategies for Prescribing Opioids," a symposium moderated by began with a presentation by David H. Sohn, MD, JD, who explored the complicated legal landscape that has developed around physicians' prescribing habits.

Clinical Quality and the Pathway to Payment

Jackie Ryan

On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, George F. Muschler, MD, vice chair of the Performance Measures Committee (PMC), moderated the symposium "Clinical Quality and the Pathway to Payment" at the 2016 AAOS Annual Meeting. Dr.

AJRR Releases Guide on New Patient-Reported Outcome Platform

In late 2015, the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) launched a Level III patient-reported outcome (PRO) platform. As part of an ongoing training and educational series on registry participation, the organization issued a comprehensive patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) guide for hospitals and other institutions on implementing a PRO program. The guide will help AJRR participants and those interested in starting a PRO program better manage and build their programs.

Periprosthetic Femur Fracture Fixation

Mark Crawford

More than 300,000 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) procedures are performed every year in the United States. With seniors living longer and staying more active, the number of these procedures is expected to double over the next decade. Unfortunately, that means that postoperative complications—especially periprosthetic femur fractures that occur around knee implants—will be of increasing concern.

Collecting Patient-Reported Outcomes

Terry Stanton

An AAOS initiative to facilitate collection of outcomes data by orthopaedic surgeons is moving forward with plans to identify the means to collect and review patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in their practices.

War Injury Experts Chart the Road Ahead

Elizabeth Fassbender

During the last 15 years, while our U.S. Armed Forces have fought in very remote, austere, and hostile environments, combat casualty care as practiced by U.S. Coalition Forces has reached a new pinnacle of success," said Andrew Schmidt, MD, chief of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis and cochair of the eleventh annual Extremity War Injuries (EWI) Symposium.

Data Collection for the 2016 AAOS Orthopaedic Surgeon Census Has Been Extended

The Academy is asking all members to take part in the AAOS 2016 census of orthopaedic surgeons. The census is taken to ensure AAOS members are accurately represented in advocacy, funding, and reimbursement efforts. The information also helps AAOS tailor programs, products, and services to address professional needs and interests of its members. All individual responses are kept confidential. AAOS will be sending reminders to those who have not answered yet.