SAN DIEGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
The number of outpatient procedures is on the rise, with outpatient knee replacements expected to increase by more than 450 percent nationally, and hip replacements by more than 630 percent, in the next decade.1 Outpatient surgery has the potential to cut joint replacement costs nearly in half and improve the patient experience with potentially lower risk of complications, as well as an overall more streamlined and efficient experience. Medacta, a family-owned global orthopedics leader, has engineered its joint and spine surgery platforms to accommodate the demand for outpatient and same-day surgery. At this year’s American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, Medacta will detail its comprehensive set of products and resources that can make this growing trend possible for orthopedic surgeons, ambulatory service center (ASC) owners and hospitals. 
“Outpatient total joint replacement is leading the no- or short-hospitalization movement that is gaining traction in the United States,” said Francesco Siccardi, Executive Vice President for Medacta International. “Outpatient care and same-day surgery offer significant benefits to hospitals that are seeing an increased demand for these type of offerings and are continually asked to do more with the same or fewer resources. At Medacta, we see outpatient care as the future and we’re fully committed to helping our partners and their patients make the most of this opportunity.”
Medacta’s Propel Same Day Surgery Initiative pairs the company’s hip, knee and spine products with its world class medical education programs and suite of patient support services. The program is made up of four steps that include both surgeons and their hospital administration. An introduction to Medacta’s value proposition and products suitable for same-day surgery and outpatient care is the first step. Key products include: the Anterior Minimally Invasive Surgery (AMIS®) Program for total hip replacement, MyKnee® and MySpine 3-D Patient-Matched technologies, and GMK® Efficiency Single Use Instruments for knee replacement.
Following the introductory step, a Propel Reference Center visit is arranged, providing the opportunity to share best practices and learn about the safe and effective use of Medacta products in a same-day surgery setting. Propel Reference Centers include live surgical observation with experienced orthopedic surgeons and facility administration serving as mentors throughout the visit. Participants are also trained on patient selection, anesthesia and pain management protocols, surgical preparation, operating procedures, pre- and post-operative care, discharge management, patient monitoring, and physical therapy. As a third step, surgeons visit a learning center to practice surgical techniques and use Medacta’s products in a realistic cadaveric training environment. Finally, surgeons schedule their initial cases in their own facilities and a Propel Reference Center surgeon proctor is made available to assist locally, providing an additional opportunity for mentoring on product use, surgical technique and the outpatient process.
“More and more patients are inquiring about the potential for their orthopedic arthroplasty procedures to be performed in an outpatient setting,” said J. Mandume Kerina, MD, of the TLC Outpatient Surgery & Laser Center in Lady Lake, Florida, where he has performed more than 800 orthopedic outpatient procedures since 2009. “When properly supported, the benefits of the outpatient setting can include shorter wait times, early mobilization, reduced risk of complications, and improved outcomes. With a focus on engineering and education, Medacta’s platforms can provide a foundation for surgeons, ASCs and hospitals seeking to create additional outpatient offerings for the patients they serve.”
To-date, surgeons have performed more than 250,000 total hip replacements with Medacta’s AMIS system, 50,000 knee replacements with MyKnee, and 25,000 knee replacements with the GMK® Sphere Knee. These products, as well as MySpine and the GMK Efficiency Single Use Instruments, will be on display at the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons Annual Meeting, held in San Diego, March 14-18, 2017.