Implementing a dedicated orthopedic OR-based schedule leads to fewer postoperative complications and infections and better outcomes, according to a study in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma.
Researchers compared outcomes for patients with femoral neck fractures four years before and four years after a level I academic trauma center implemented a dedicated orthopedic OR schedule. They found a decrease in after-hour surgery for all femoral neck fractures after implementing the new schedule. Patients who underwent surgery after the new schedule was in place experienced decreased rates of postoperative intensive care unit admissions, stroke, infections and heart issues.
Additionally, postoperative mortality dropped from 5.6 percent to 0 percent after the hospital started the dedicated orthopedic OR schedule.
"In our experience, a weekday [dedicated orthopedic OR] is closely associated with improvements in both patient safety and outcomes," the authors concluded.