Are national guidelines for total hip replacement in the UK reflected in practice?
BACKGROUND
A cross-sectional study was performed to compare the practice of total hip replacement (THR) in the UK against national guidelines.


METHODS
A postal questionnaire was sent to all fellows of the British Orthopaedic Association.


RESULTS
Of the 1587 questionnaires sent out, 966 (60.9%) were returned. Of these, 706 (73.1%) were available for data collection and analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Consensus was observed in several areas including the use of pre-admission clinics and modern cementing techniques. Facilities deemed necessary for THR surgery such as HDU/ITU back-up, ultra-clean air and dedicated orthopaedic wards are almost universally available. However, a lack of consensus is evident in many areas including the process of obtaining written consent, thrombo-embolic prophylaxis, duration of antibiotic prophylaxis, supervision of trainee surgeons and follow-up arrangements. The proliferation in the range of implants, particularly aimed at 'younger' patients, available to surgeons has once again been highlighted.
Abraham
A
A
Department of Orthopaedics, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Hajipour
L
L
Innes
A R
AR
Phillips
H
H
McCaskie
A W
AW
D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000592:standards*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D032921:Consensus; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom