Operative Efficiency in Military Total Joint Arthroplasty Is Superior at an External Resource Sharing Agreement Facility as Compared to a Military Treatment Facility.

Introduction: Surgeries within the Military Health System (MHS) are often performed by military physicians at External Resource Sharing Agreement (ERSA) hospitals to offload the operative demand at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs). These agreements allow physicians flexibility in selecting where to treat military service members and other TRICARE beneficiaries. However, there is a paucity of military orthopedic literature comparing ERSA hospitals and MTFs.

A Snapshot of Lead in Consumer Products Across Four US Jurisdictions.

Background: Following the removal of lead from gasoline, paint and pipes were thought to be the main sources of lead exposure in the United States. However, consumer products, such as certain spices, ceramic and metal cookware, traditional health remedies, and cultural powders, are increasingly recognized as important sources of lead exposure across the United States.

Objective: This paper reviews data from four US jurisdictions that conduct in-home investigations for children with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) to examine the prevalence of lead exposures associated with consumer products, in comparison with housing-related sources.

Evaluating metal cookware as a source of lead exposure.

Background: We previously demonstrated that aluminum cookware brought from Afghanistan by resettled families as well as some aluminum cookware available for purchase in the United States represent a previously unrecognized source of lead exposure. However, the extent to which this cookware represents a source of lead exposure to other United States residents is unclear.

Objectives: To test additional cookware for lead content and its propensity to leach lead and other toxic metals.

Investigating aluminum cookpots as a source of lead exposure in Afghan refugee children resettled in the United States.

Background: Afghan refugee children resettled in Washington State have the highest prevalence of elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) of any other refugee or immigrant population. Resettled families brought several lead-containing items with them from Afghanistan, including aluminum cookpots.

Objectives: To evaluate the potential contribution of lead-containing cookpots to elevated BLLs in Afghan children and determine whether safer alternative cookware is available.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Postoperative Falls Following Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Background: No study has examined the incidence of risk factors for postoperative falls following foot and ankle surgery. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for postoperative falls in foot and ankle surgery using inpatient and outpatient population.

Methods: A single fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeon instituted collection of a postoperative fall questionnaire at 2 and 6 weeks postoperatively.