Trauma care often presents orthopedic surgeons with complex and unusual fractures. In some cases, determining whether to provide fracture care or refer the patient to another surgeon can be challenging.

The Musculoskeletal Clinical Program is working to develop best-practice standards of care for complex injuries across the system and educate to those standards. When fracture care is treated effectively the first time, physicians achieve what’s best for the patient and avoid additional costs downstream due to complications. Building strong physician and operational relationships helps create a supportive environment where physicians feel safe to identify their limitations and confident to initiate an effective and efficient referral process.

Teamwork among orthopedic surgeons is moving forward

The Musculoskeletal Clinical Program created a system-wide Trauma Fracture Development Team, which meets monthly to develop bestpractice standards and establish effective referral processes. The development team includes a panel of orthopedic trauma surgeons and the Musculoskeletal Clinical Program leadership team, with Warren Butterfield, MD, as Medical Director.

At Dixie Regional Medical Center, a team of orthopedic surgeons, led by Dr. Butterfield, meets twice monthly to peer-review difficult cases, examine images and outcomes, and identify opportunities for improvement. This process is reinforcing the standard of care and gives physicians insight into the cases that would be best for referral based on their own experience and expertise.

The future is exciting

Physician collaboration in fracture care will continue to expand, in addition to other support efforts:

  • Sub-specialty collaboration: Orthopedic surgeons across Intermountain will meet weekly by area of sub-specialty to collaborate and enhance optimal care for patients. Topics related to orthopedic trauma care will be regularly incorporated into the meetings.
  • Outcomes measurement: iCentra will provide outcomes measurement tools.
  • TeleHealth: Physicians can consult with other surgeons on a case-by-case basis to determine whether treating locally or referring is best for the patient.