More than a million hip and knee replacements are performed each year in the U.S., a number that is expected to increase as more and more men and women remain active as they get older. The lion's share of replacement surgeries are successful, offering patients years of trouble-free use and helping patients resume their regular activities of daily living. But a few patients – about 7.5%, according to 2006 figures – experience problems following surgery that require the artificial joint to be replaced.
In an effort to improve the experience of our joint replacement patients, nine Baylor Scott & White Health hospitals recently agree to participate in the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), an independent, not-for-profit database designed to store comprehensive data about joint replacement procedures. With this step, Baylor Scott & White Health joins a group of less than 300 health care organizations leading the way to improve joint replacement surgeries in the United States.
"By participating with other hospitals in sharing information about artificial joint performance and physician and patient experiences, we can help joint replacement procedures become safer nationwide, while improving our own patients' experiences here at our hospitals," says Dr. Jay Mabrey, chief of orthopedic surgery at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas.
The AJRR serves as a central clearinghouse for hospitals and medical centers throughout the country that participate in the registry. The AJRR aims to carefully monitor the artificial joint throughout a recipient's lifetime in a database containing information about the patient, the surgeon who performed the procedure and the hospital or medical center where the procedure took place. The data collected may help more quickly identify joints that are performing poorly, and may help match patients, procedures and devices to provide patients a quality experience.
One of the most important goals of the registry is tracking the longevity of total joint implants. This data may help physicians choose which implant to use on a specific patient based on his or her individual lifestyle. That will become increasingly important as we see more of our patients live longer and more active lives than they ever have before.
By offering a single source of data, doctors and other healthcare professionals who use the registry can easily access data from medical centers around the country and use that information to help them make more informed recommendations to their patients, with the aim to improve patient care. All data collected by the AJRR remains confidential to protect patient privacy.
"In the past, the United States has relied on registries from England, Australia and Sweden for warnings about failed implants. Hopefully this will allow us to identify any red flags sooner than we have been able to in the past," says Dr. Mabrey.
Registry information about patient outcomes and experiences will also help artificial joint manufacturers improve their products and identify potentially faulty products, and can help reduce healthcare costs associated with replacement procedures and follow-up care.
"Registries for joint replacement procedures and other medical procedures and conditions have proven to be effective tools in improving patient outcomes and reducing complications that can occur both during and following surgical procedures," said William J. Maloney, M.D., chairman of the AJRR Board of Directors. "In fact, in countries where registries have been created and used, revision rates have decreased significantly, resulting in substantial cost savings and a better overall patient experience."
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jennifer McDowell
Jennifer.McDowell@baylorhealth.edu
Office: (214) 820-4581
Cell: (214) 470-1374
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 53 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com