Organizational and Technical Considerations for the Implementation of a Digital Orthopaedic Templating System.
BACKGROUND
Digital templating systems have been promoted due to their ability to reduce costs, facilitate preoperative planning, and maintain surgical accuracy. The implementation of a templating system at a large institution is complicated and has not been fully described.


OBJECTIVE
We aim to explain the requisite collaboration between orthopaedic surgery, radiology, and information technology needed to implement a successful orthopaedic templating system at a large institution.


METHODS
A search of the PubMed database was performed to provide a comprehensive review of digital templating. Furthermore, we offer the organizational and technical details needed to implement an institutional templating system.


RESULTS
We have provided a strategic plan to describe the collaboration between orthopaedic surgery, musculoskeletal radiology, and information technology required for a successful templating system.


CONCLUSIONS
The transition to digital templating requires planning, training, and communication between multiple disciplines. Digital templating systems have the potential to foster preoperative planning, improve trainee education, and reduce departmental costs.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative digital templating is a means to reduce the risk of intraoperative fracture, decrease overall surgical time, and plan for implant size prior to surgery.
Austin J
AJ
Ramme
Richard
R
Iorio
John
J
Smiaronksi
Andrew
A
Wronka
George
G
Rodriguez
Larry
L
Specht
Gregory
G
Chang
Kenneth A
KA
Egol
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016730:Program Development; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012984:Software; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D057188:Workflow