PMC

Distribution of an insurer’s quality and total case-mix adjusted cost of care composite results for spine and orthopaedic surgeons in a U.S. metro area; each sphere represents one surgeon. Larger sphere connotes higher insurer volume/surgeon. (Graph prepared by Ingenix using representative data.)

Frequency of knee replacement procedures, by age: 1997 to 2006. (Source: DeFrances CJ, Lucas CA, Buie VC, Golosinskiy A. 2006 national hospital discharge survey. Natl Health Stat Report. 2008;5:1–20. Available at: http://hcupnet.ahrq.gov. Accessed Nov. 1, 2008.)

The 2008 PQRI measures applicable to orthopaedics are shown. (Available at: http://www.aaos.org/research/committee/evidence/pqri_measures.asp; accessed June 20, 2009. Reprinted with permission and ©American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. AAOS has an updated list and Measure 4 (Screening for Future Fall Risk) was discontinued in 2009, but replaced by Measures 154 & 155 Falls—Risk Assessment (Measure 154) and Plan of Care (Measure 155). Measure 125—HIT Adoption/Use of E-Prescribing has been removed from the PQRI list and is now a separate reporting mechanism.)