Mackay Base Hospital is one of 10 Queensland sites participating in a national pilot project collecting Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) led by the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AONANJRR).
The AOANJRR was established in 1999 and has been particularly effective in improving the outcome of joint replacements nationally. The Registry has recognised that to achieve further improvements in joint replacement surgery there is a need to undertake more comprehensive assessments using a wider range of outcomes.
The pilot aims to assess the feasibility of establishing a system to collect PROMs for all joint replacement patients nationally. PROMs provide quality information on the extent of pain and the disability prior to surgery as well as the extent of timing of recovery.
Dr Michael Cheesman is the Principal Investigator for Mackay Base Hospital. “The Orthopaedic Surgeons and staff at Mackay Base Hospital are supportive of being involved in the AOANJRR PROMs pilot project and believe that the data collected will assist in achieving optimal patient outcomes.”
Patients undergoing hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery are eligible to participate in the AOANJRR PROMs pilot project. Clinical Trials Administration Support Officer, Chelsea Xu assists patients with completing the electronic questionnaire prior to surgery.
“My role is to help the patients navigate the website and complete all the pre-operative requirements. It is a pleasure to be part of this pilot project and is a valuable opportunity.”
“PROMs would not be a success without the strong collaboration and support of all involved; from the Project Manager at AOANJRR, MHHS Orthopaedic Surgeons, to the nurses in Outpatients” said Ms Xu.
The pilot commenced in August 2018 and to date Mackay Base Hospital has registered 102 patients. “We wouldn’t have been successful in registering all these patients without the hard work of Chelsea” said Dr Cheesman.
Dr Cheesman and his staff are looking forward to the review of the results with the pilot due to end in October 2019. “We’re looking forward as Orthopaedic Surgeons to review the results at the completion of the project and to see PROMs form part of a routine process.”