Predictors and Characteristics of Opioid Utilization >15 Days Following Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: America is amid an opioid epidemic, best characterized by liberal prescribing practices; widespread opioid misuse, abuse, and diversion; and rising rates of prescription-related opioid overdose. While many contributors to opioid overprescribing exist, orthopedic surgery is identified as a key driver. The purpose of this study is to determine predictors of ongoing opioid use >15 days post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and those patients prescribed >1350 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) in the 15 days following surgery.

Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: Predictors of Discharge Disposition.

Background: Total knee arthroplasty is on the rise. Some patients choose to undergo simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (simultaneous BTKA). No studies were found that examined which patients may be better candidates to successfully undergo this procedure.

Predictors of oversedation in hospitalized patients.

Purpose: Results of a study to determine demographic and clinical characteristics predictive of oversedation and potential opioid-induced respiratory depression (OIRD) in hospitalized patients are reported.

Methods: In a retrospective case-controlled study, an incident reporting database was searched to identify cases of in-hospital oversedation; to form the control group, patients who did not experience an oversedation event while hospitalized were sampled in reverse chronological order until the desired total sample size ( = 225) was obtained. An allocation ratio of 2:1 was specified to adjust for case variability.

Intent-to-treat analysis of a simultaneous multisite telehealth diabetes prevention program.

Objective: Determine the effectiveness of a 16-week modified diabetes prevention program (DPP) administered simultaneously to multiple rural communities from a single urban site, as compared with a similar face-to-face intervention. A 12-week intervention was evaluated to consider minimization of staff costs in communities where resources are limited.

Research Design And Methods: A prospective cohort study compared DPP interventions implemented in rural (via telehealth technology) and urban (face-to-face) communities using an intent-to-treat analysis.

Improving Blood Pressure Control Using Smart Technology.

Background: The authors sought to determine if wireless oscillometric home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) that integrates with smartphone technology improves blood pressure (BP) control among patients with new or existing uncontrolled hypertension (HTN).

Methods: A prospective observational cohort study monitored BP control before and after an educational intervention and introduction to HBPM. Patients in the intervention group were instructed to track their BP using a smartphone device three to seven times per week.