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- Talk
- UK
Interview with Professor Anders Odgaard - Avoiding Implant Selection Errors
Description
In this insightful discussion, Jonathan Howell introduces BHS executive Anil Gambhir and Professor Anders Odgaard, a distinguished expert in orthopaedics from Rigs Hospital, Copenhagen. They delve into the recent NICE guidelines aimed at preventing implant selection errors during surgeries. Professor Odgaard outlines the two key recommendations from the guidelines: implementing two critical check moments (or timeouts) during the surgical procedure before and after implant insertion, and considering real-time data entry systems to alert surgeons of any component mismatches.
Despite the significance of these guidelines, Odgaard notes the limited evidence supporting their effectiveness, as the committee based its recommendations primarily on the members' expertise rather than firm published data. The discussion continues with an exploration of the magnitude of implant selection errors, where Odgaard estimates a low incidence rate of around 0.7% for mismatched components.
The conversation encapsulates serious clinical implications stemming from such errors, highlighting that while some mismatches are minor, others can lead to severe complications, such as joint wear. The group concludes by discussing the potential benefits of implementing bar code tracking systems in operations, which have reportedly reduced serious mismatches by 75% in Denmark by ensuring proper compatibility checks are done in real-time, thereby emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in surgical settings.