Supporting Regional Upper Limb Arthroplasty: The Impact of Establishing an Upper Limb Orthopaedic Network.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

The management of complex upper limb arthroplasty has received national guidelines supporting the use of a regional network. An upper limb network was established for both elbow and shoulder arthroplasty. This study evaluates the impact of establishing this network over a 5-year period.

Methods

Data were collected from network meetings from June 2017 to December 2022. Hospital-level National Joint Registry data were obtained for analysis of case volume.

Results

A total of 243 cases were discussed. Network discussion changed the management plan in 53% of cases. Only 8% of cases required transfer to the tertiary center. The proportional caseload at either hub or spoke hospitals did not change after creation of the network.

Discussion

Reg

SUBMITTER: Oakley B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11528594 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature