The objective of this study was to determine if implementation of a simplified care pathway for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would affect outcomes of total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients in the same health care system. Data were collected from a total of 5,095 consecutive THA patients in the year before and 2 years after implementation of the care pathway for TKA patients. Postimplementation increases were observed in both early activity ( < 0.0001) and continuous urinary catheter avoidance ( < 0.0001) among THA patients. These improvements in protocol adherence were associated with decreased complications ( < 0.0001), fewer 30-day readmissions ( < 0.0019), and decreased hospital length of stay ( < 0.0001). Based on these results, the implementation of a simplified care pathway for TKA patients can also improve outcomes for THA patients in the same health care system.

he has taught primarily solid state courses since 1989, winning two teaching awards. From 1985-9 he was Member of Technical Staff at Bellcore, after obtaining his Ph.D. from the Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has 120 research publications in compound semiconductor materials and devices, and mentored 17 graduate students.