Physician Assistant Utilization Within the Orthopaedic Practice.

Orthopaedic practices and service lines increasingly are employing physician assistants (PAs). Current research, in other specialties such as primary care, demonstrates the integration of PAs has been associated with better revenue- performing practices, as well as increased patient access and satisfaction. It is important for the orthopaedic surgeon to understand the business logic and clinical experiences of integrating PAs into orthopaedic practices and service lines.

Impact of Hospital-Employed Physician Assistants on a Level II Community-Based Orthopaedic Trauma System.

Objectives: The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Orthopedic Trauma Association have released guidelines for the provision of orthopedic trauma services such as adequate stipends, designated operating rooms, ancillary staff, and guaranteed reimbursement for indigent care. One recommendation included a provision for hospital-based physician assistants (PAs). Given current reimbursement arrangements, PA collections for billable services may not meet their salary and benefit expenses.

Clinical and economic impact of using generic 7.3-mm cannulated screws at a level II trauma center.

We retrospectively studied the clinical and economic impact of a cost-containment program using high quality generic 7.3-mm screws for fixation of femoral neck fractures and pelvic ring injuries at a level II trauma center. Included in the study were 174 patients with femoral neck fractures or posterior pelvic ring injuries.

Impact of hospital-employed physician assistants on a level II community-based orthopaedic trauma system.

Objectives: The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the Orthopedic Trauma Association have released guidelines for the provision of orthopedic trauma services such as adequate stipends, designated operating rooms, ancillary staff, and guaranteed reimbursement for indigent care. One recommendation included a provision for hospital-based physician assistants (PAs). Given current reimbursement arrangements, PA collections for billable services may not meet their salary and benefit expenses.

Early surgical stabilization of flail chest with locked plate fixation.

Objectives: To compare the results of surgical stabilization with locked plating to nonoperative care of flail chest injuries.

Design: Retrospective case-control study.

Setting: Level II trauma center.