AAOS Launches Joint Registry Pilot Program
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, OCTOBER 13, 2010
A national large joint registry championed by AAOS will be launched this month as a pilot program at 15 hospitals. The registry will track results based on details about patients, doctors, hospitals and implants with the aim of improving outcomes, and large-joint manufacturers have voiced their support for the program.
Orthopedic joint registries have been in the news this summer with the U.K. data on DePuy's ASR system. The registry recorded a higher-than-expected revision rate, which led the MHRA (the UK's health regulator) to issue an alert about the system. DePuy has since voluntarily recalled the ASR. This echoes the goals of the U.S. registry, which include the creation of real-time monitoring and identifying patients who may be at risk. The WSJ adds that the early detection offered by registry data could help curb the cost of a recall.
Officials plan to expand the registry next summer, with the goal of eventually receiving data from 90% of the U.S. hospitals that perform joint replacements. In the meantime, AAOS is finalizing details for how the registry will be governed, how hospitals will submit reports and how the registry will be funded. Under consideration is working with payers to incentivize hospitals to participate. The registry addresses a cost-sensitivity among insurers, with AAOS estimating that even a "modest" 2% reduction in revision rates could save $65.2 million each year.
While payers may benefit from improved patient outcomes, the WSJ cites some potential for concern among manufacturers and physicians, namely that exposing any problems with a product could hurt business. Registries can also work to a company's benefit; Smith & Nephew relies heavily on Australian and U.K. registry data in its marketing of the Birmingham Hip Resurfacing System. The large joint industry has so far emerged as largely supportive of a U.S. registry, with representatives from Zimmer and Biomet sitting on the registry's Board. The Journal notes that, in an era of cost-effectiveness and quality measures, devicemakers may benefit from getting on board early and having the opportunity to influence the registry's development.
