Quality Statements for Total Hip Replacement
Surgical Volume Quality Statement
In 2004, surgeons at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson performed 1,063 total hip replacement procedures (primary and revision).
This high volume has been generally related with enhanced patient surgical outcomes in clinical research.
Studies have shown that there is a relationship between the number of total hip replacement (primary and revision) procedures
performed at a hospital and quality outcomes. One study of 70,000 Medicare patients indicated that at hospitals in which
more than 100 of the procedures were performed per year, patients had a lower risk of death and selected complications than
those treated in hospitals in which 10 or fewer procedures were performed per year. ( The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery , November 2001: 83; 1622-1629)
In addition, The 100 Top Hospitals: Orthopaedic Benchmarks for Success study , conducted by HCIA-Sachs, found that hospitals that perform the most orthopaedic procedures appear to be doing a better job controlling patient complications
and have the lowest death rates. (For 2000 study: Modern Healthcare, February 26, 2001: 14-20)
Surgeon Volume Quality Statement
One hundred percent (100%) of the joint surgeons at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson performed more than 10 total hip replacement
procedures in 2004. Moreover, 71% or 5 out of the 7 surgeons indicated above also perform more than 15 joint revision procedures
per year, a complex joint procedure, not always performed by joint surgeons.
Studies have suggested that the volume of procedures performed by the individual surgeon, rather than the hospital as a whole,
has more bearing on the outcomes of total hip replacement. These studies have shown that patients treated by surgeons who
perform more than 10 total hip replacement procedures per year had lower rates of mortality and complications, such as deep
wound infections and hip dislocations. ( Arthritis and Rheumatism, September 2002: 46(9); 2436-2444) ( Journal of Arthroplasty, 1995: 10(2); 133-140)
Physician Board Certification Quality Statement
All 22 Rothman Institute at Jefferson orthopaedic surgeons are board certified or board eligible in Orthopaedic Surgery by
the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Twenty-one (21) surgeons are board certified. One (1) surgeon is board eligible and will sit for certification as soon
as certification period is passed.
A board-certified physician has completed an approved educational training program and an evaluation process including an
examination designed to assess the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide quality patient care in that specialty.
A specialty certificate is issued by a medical specialty certifying board, which is valid nationwide. Although certification
is not required for an individual physician to practice medicine, most hospitals and managed care organizations require that
at least a certain percentage of their staff be “board certified.” ( American Board of Medical Specialties)
