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embargoed access
Embargoed until 2024-10-27
Copyright: Badge, Helen
Embargoed until 2024-10-27
Copyright: Badge, Helen
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Abstract
Primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) & total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are common, cost-effective surgeries that reduce the pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis. THA/TKA are associated with a small risk of complications, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and surgical site infection (SSI), resulting in poorer outcomes. VTE & SSI prophylaxis clinical practice guidelines exist, but it is unclear whether service providers comply, or whether this affects outcomes.
Methods
A prospective multi-centre cohort study was undertaken in consenting adults with OA having primary TKA/THA at one of 19 high-volume Australian public/private hospitals. Data were collected before and for one-year post-surgery. Compliance was calculated with the National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC) & Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) VTE clinical guidelines & Therapeutic Guidelines (TG) Antibiotic. Logistic and linear regression were undertaken to explore associations between clinical guideline non-compliance and complications and patient-reported outcomes (Oxford Hip/Knee Scores [OH/KS], EQ-5D), and cephalosporin prophylaxis and SSI.
Results
Data were analysed for 1875 participants. Clinical guideline non-compliance rates averaged 87% for TG Antibiotic, 65% for NHMRC VTE clinical guideline & 20.1% for AOA VTE clinical guideline. NHMRC VTE clinical guideline noncompliance was associated with an increased VTE risk (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.83, 95%CI=1.59-5.28, p< 0.001) and with lower (worse) 1-year EQ-5D Index scores (β=-0.03, SE=0.008,p=0.002) & an inconsequential reduction in OH/KS (β=-0.76,SE=0.30,p=0.01). AOA VTE clinical guideline non-compliance reduced the risk of symptomatic 90-day VTE (AOR=0.1, 95%CI=0.0-0.4,p=0.01). TG Antibiotic noncompliance was associated with higher SSI risk (AOR=1.98, 95%CI=1.17-3.62,p=0.02) but not with PROMs.
Reduced SSI risk was associated with cephalosporin dose (any SSI; AOR=0.68, 95%CI=0.47–0.99, p=0.05) and commencing antibiotics before skin incision (0-60 mins: any SSI, AOR=0.56,95%CI=0.36–0.89,p=0.01; DSSI, AOR=0.56,95%CI=0.36–0.89,p=0.01; ≥60 minutes: AOR=0.35, 95%CI=0.17-0.70,p=0.004; DSSI, AOR=0.35,95%CI=0.17-0.70,p=0.004). Changing dose (AOR=1.76, 95%CI=1.22–2.57,p=0.02) & receiving preoperative non-cephalosporin (AOR=1.35, 95%CI=1.01–1.81,p=0.04) increased SSI risk. Antibiotic prophylaxis duration was not associated with SSI.
Summary
Non-compliance with NHMRC VTE clinical guidelines & TG Antibiotic increased the risk of VTE & SSI. The contrary NHMRC & AOA VTE clinical guideline findings may be explained by AOA recommending aspirin. Increased compliance with high-quality VTE & antibiotic clinical guidelines may improve THA/TKA outcomes.