Sat., 10/20/07 Pediatrics/Spine, Paper #61, 3:21 pm OTA-2007
Pediatric Orthopaedic Trauma Call and Emergency Fracture Management
Susan A. Scherl, MD1 (n); Karl E. Rathjen, MD2 (n); Joseph A. Gerardi, DO3 (n);
Gerhard N. Kiefer, MD4 (n); Gaia Georgopoulos, MD5 (n); M. Siobhan Murphy-Zane, MD6 (n); R. Dale Blasier, MD7 (n); Perry L. Schoenecker, MD8 (n);
1The University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, USA;
2Texas Scottish Rite Hospital, Dallas, Texas, USA;
3Valley Children’s Hospital, Madera, California, USA;
4The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada;
5The University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA;
6Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA;
7The University of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA;
8St. Louis Shriner’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Purpose: Our objective was to determine the attitudes and practices of pediatric orthopaedic surgeons regarding on-call coverage and emergency fracture management.
Methods: A 32-question on-line survey was sent to the 597 active members of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. There were 296 completed surveys, for a response rate of 49.6%.
Results: 85.1% of respondents were male. Respondents ranged in age from 30 to over 70 years, with 54% between 36 and 50 years of age, corresponding to an average of 15 years in practice. 77% of respondents felt that taking trauma call is an integral aspect of being a pediatric orthopaedist. 64.9% take call 1 to 9 times per month, 15.8% take 10 to 19 calls, 2.7% take 20 or more, and 16.6% take no call. The number of orthopaedists taking call per practice was fairly evenly distributed between 3 and 10. Call was shared equally in 32% of practices, and mandatory in 72%. 28% of respondents were additionally compensated for taking call, in amounts ranging from $100 to $2000 per night, with $1000 the most common rate. One third of operative cases are done that night, one third the next day, and one third later in the week. 24% of respondents have dedicated operative block time the day after call. 47% have a dedicated fracture clinic, of which 51% receive institutional support.
Conclusion/Significance: Providing emergency trauma care for children is an integral aspect of pediatric orthopaedics. This survey provides information on the attitudes and strategies of practicing pediatric orthopaedists in the face of decreasing manpower and increasing demand for such services.
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• The FDA has not cleared this drug and/or medical device for the use described in this presentation (i.e., the drug or medical device is being discussed for an “off label” use). ◆FDA information not available at time of printing.