Electronic Referral Systems Improve the Documentation of Hip Arthroplasty MDT Outcomes

Description

In this presentation, Shih-Han Chen discusses improvements to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) documentation for hip arthroplasty within their Trust. The Trust has evolved from two merged hospitals and faces challenges like a continual bed crisis. Presently, a significant portion of the workload involves hip revisions due to aseptic loosening and metal-on-metal issues. Established originally in 2016, the MDT meetings, enhanced by a hybrid format during COVID-19, now incorporate contributions from various specialists. The MDT aims to facilitate education, primarily among trainees, alongside routine business discussions regarding infections and complex cases.



Two audits were conducted to analyze documentation practices before and after the implementation of a new electronic patient record (EPR) form. The results showed a dramatic increase in documented outcomes from 47% to 89% after introducing the E-form, which significantly improved the accessibility and auditing of referrals. However, some issues remained, such as the E-form not being specifically tailored for the MDT process, resulting in further recommendations for enhancements. The presentation suggests continued support for the MDT coordinator, tailored E-form development, and appropriate funding should a regional MDT be involved. Overall, shifting from traditional methods to electronic referrals has significantly improved the process of documenting MDT discussions.

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