Premier, Inc., and Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Integrated Care Pathway for Total Joint Arthroplasty. Charlotte, NC: Premier, Inc. and Cambridge, MA: Institute for Healthcare Improvement; 2013. (Available at www.premierinc.com and www.ihi.org)
Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is one of the most frequently performed elective procedures and can effectively reduce pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis. However, given wide variation in both cost and quality associated with these procedures, hospitals and orthopedic practices are striving to optimize TJA care.
Premier healthcare alliance and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement — with input from leaders of orthopedic professional societies, clinicians, patients, patient advocates, and experts in safety and lean consumption — conducted a collaborative research initiative to design a Care Pathway.
The Care Pathway, which includes safe, effective, efficient, and patient-centered TJA care processes, is now ready for testing to determine if its adoption is associated with measured improvements in TJA patient outcomes, experiences, and efficiency. The Pathway is designed for use by all members of the orthopaedic community who are responsible for the TJA process, including those at surgical practices, hospitals, and other care settings.
The Premier healthcare alliance and IHI welcome input from patients and providers to improve the Care Pathway. Please contact TJACarepathway@premierinc.com for feedback.
