Between 2009 and 2013, the rate of hospital readmissions after hip and knee replacement surgery drastically fell for Medicare patients, according to an AARP Public Policy report, according to Forbes.
Here are five key facts:
1. In 2009, the readmission rate within 30 days after hip replacement was 42 patients per 1,000 patients.
2. For hip replacements, the readmission rate in 2013 was 34 patients per 1,000 patients.
3. For knee surgery patients, the 2009 readmission rate was 45 patients per 1,000 patients.
4. In 2013, the figure fell to 34 patients per 1,000 patients undergoing knee replacements.
5. Medicare spent $6.6 billion in 2013 on nearly 450,000 patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgeries.
More articles on orthopedics:
Drs. John Noble, Elisabeth Robinson & more — 11 orthopedic surgeons making headlines
The link between obesity and orthopedic trauma patients — 4 key facts
University of Arkansas engineering students shadow Dr. John Harp — 5 highlights