The value of ring-fenced beds in elective lower limb arthroplasty

Abstract

Background:Infection is a serious complication of prosthetic joint arthroplasty, associated with high rates of morbidity resulting in further surgical intervention and prolonged inpatient hospital admission. Rates of prosthetic joint infection have been reported as 1.5–2.5% following lower limb arthroplasty. This study compared infection rates in patients receiving primary hip and knee joint replacements before and after implementation of ring-fenced beds.Methods:Retrospective study of all patients undergoing primary total hip replacement and total knee replacement from April 2013 to February 2014. Group 1 included pre-ring-fencing patients, group 2 included post-ring-fencing patients.Results:The overall infection rate pre-ring-fencing was 6.3% (n=8). This reduced to 2.7% (n=3) post-ring-fencing. The mean inpatient length of stay for group 1 was 6 days vs 4 days for group 2.Conclusions:Ring-fencing beds for patients undergoing elective lower limb arthroplasty significantly reduced rates of prosthetic joint infection and inpatient length of stay.