American Joint Replacement Registry Participation Within the Military Health System Promotes Quality and Safety: A...

Tracking the longitudinal outcomes of military patients poses a challenge due to their age, changes in duty station, and eventual transition to the Department of Veterans Affairs care. Registries sponsored by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) provide longitudinal tracking of patients with resources and opportunities for extensive data collection. This project aims to evaluate why the Military Health System should align with the AAOS and its registries, using the American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR) as an example. The AJRR may enhance military arthroplasty care by automating standardized patient-reported outcome measures, which is especially important given military patients' unique demographics-younger, active males. AJRR data meets requirements for Medicare reimbursement and supports hospital recognition as a Joint Commission Advanced Certification for Total Hip and Knee Replacement, helping to ensure that military healthcare adhere the highest national standards. While costs ($1,000 initiation, $5,500 annually per site) and concerns over data sharing exist, standard safeguards of patient information mitigate privacy risks, and the value provided offsets expense. Notably, participation in the AJRR would not lessen the importance of the Military Orthopaedics Tracking Injuries and Outcomes Network but could help streamline its efforts and increase provider buy-in. The Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons should partner with the AAOS to explore registry utilization in the Military Health System. The incorporation of the AJRR's longitudinal tracking will likely improve quality and safety and provide research opportunities for enhancing musculoskeletal health.