[Possible Instrument Contamination in the Operating Room During Implantation of Knee and Hip Arthroplasty].

Integrated ventilation systems with low turbulence displacement flow (TAV) are generally legally required in the architectural structure of operating theatres. However, it seems that the instruments laid out on sterile covered tables do not have the best possible protection from bacteria. Within an operating theatre, different bacteria counts are possible on the instruments.

Thoracoscopic treatment for single level symptomatic thoracic disc herniation: a prospective followed cohort study in a group of 167 consecutive cases.

Problem: Thoracic disc disease with radicular pain and myelopathic symptoms can have serious neurological sequelae. The authors present a relevant treatment option.

Methods: Data of patients with single level symptomatic thoracic disc herniation treated with thoracoscopic microdiscectomy were prospectively collected over a period of 10 years.

[Sense and content of care pathways in orthopaedic and trauma surgery].

The aim of the study was to find the best possible methodology to evaluate the perioperative processes in the main diagnosis-related groups in an orthopaedic and trauma centre. A model in five phases was followed to develop the care pathways. Optimization potentials were derived from estimated problems and their origin.

[Clinical pathways from an economic viewpoint].

The fundamental change in basic conditions requires the establishment of structural concepts and clinical guidelines for German hospitals. Activity-based costing and process management are ideally suited to cope with these challenges.Activity-based costing is oriented toward detailed consideration of special processes.