The Southwestern Ontario Joint Replacement Pilot Project: electronic point-of-care data collection. Southwestern Ontario Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To pilot a provincial joint replacement registry using electronic point-of-care data collection.


METHODS
Data collection study.


METHODS
Southwestern Ontario, which has a population base of 3.5 million people.


METHODS
Eighteen orthopedic surgeons.


METHODS
Information on total hip and knee replacements was obtained by the orthopedic surgeons over a 6-month period. Information was obtained in paper form and electronically on hand-held computers.


METHODS
Patient demographics, waiting times from referral to operation, patient satisfaction and relevance and value of electronic records compared with paper records.


RESULTS
Data were collected on 815 total hip and knee arthroplasties. A slightly greater number of hips required revision than knees. The majority of patients were in the 60 to 90-year age range. With respect to the waiting time from referral to operation 10% of patients waited less than 5 weeks, 50% waited less than 30 weeks, and 90% waited less than 59 weeks. There was a high level of patient satisfaction with the operation and with hospital care received. Most surgeons found that the gathering and use of data electronically was relevant and easy. The electronic data were more timely, accurate and complete than paper records.


CONCLUSIONS
Electronic point-of-care data collection is appropriate, particularly in high-volume, high-cost surgical interventions such as total joint replacements.
Bourne
R B
RB
London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London. robert.bourne@lhsc.on.ca
Sibbald
W J
WJ
Doig
G
G
Lee
L
L
Adolph
S
S
Robertson
D
D
Provencher
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012042:Registries; D013997:Time Factors; D014850:Waiting Lists