New research published in the Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research studied whether outpatient orthopedic care was associated with fewer emergency department visits.
Researchers analyzed the data from more than 9 million adult Tricare beneficiaries who underwent total joint arthroplasty between 2006 and 2014, examining emergency department use within 90 days of surgery.
Here are the key research insights to know:
1. Patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty in the outpatient setting were less likely to visit the emergency department within 90 days.
2. Index hospital length of stay, complications and medical comorbidities were associated with a higher likelihood of using emergency department services.
3. "When considering that at 90 days, only 3,928 patients sustained a complication, a substantial number of ED visits after TJA may be avoidable," the researchers concluded. "Enhancing access to appropriate outpatient care with improved discharge planning may reduce ED use after TJA."
Click here to read the full study