The COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, altering the structure and existence of graduate medical education programs across all disciplines. Orthopaedic residency programs can adapt during these unprecedented times to continue providing meaningful education to trainees and to continue providing high-quality patient care, all while keeping both residents and patients safe from disease. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the literature and describe evidence-based changes that can be made in an orthopaedic residency program to ensure patient and resident safety while sustaining the principles of graduate medical education during the COVID-19 pandemic. We describe measures that can be enacted now or during future pandemics, including workforce and occupational modifications, personal protective equipment, telemedicine, online didactic education, resident wellness, return to elective surgery, and factors affecting medical students and fellows. After a review of these strategies, programs can make changes for sustainable improvements and adapt to be ready for second-wave events or future pandemics. Level of Evidence: Level V.

Background:Radiation exposure of orthopaedic residents should be accurately monitored to monitor and mitigate risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a personalized lead protocol (PLP) with a radiation monitoring officer would improve radiation exposure monitoring of orthopaedic surgery residents.Materials and Methods:This was a retrospective case-control study of 15 orthopaedic surgery residents monitored for radiation exposure during a 2-year period (March 2017 until February 2019). During the first 12-month period (phase 1), residents were given monthly radiation dosimeter badges and instructed to attach them daily to the communal lead aprons hanging outside the operating rooms. During the second 12-month period (phase 2), a PLP (PLP group) was instituted in which residents were given lead aprons embroidered with their individual names. A radiation safety officer was appointed who placed the badges monthly on all lead aprons and collected them at the end of the month, whereas faculty ensured residents wore their personalized lead apron. Data collected included fluoroscopy use time and radiation dosimeter readings during all orthopaedic surgeries in the study period.Results:There were 1,252 orthopaedic surgeries using fluoroscopy during phase 1 in the control group and 1,269 during phase 2 in the PLP group. The total monthly fluoroscopy exposure time for all cases averaged 190 minutes during phase 1 and 169 minutes during phase 2, with no significant difference between the groups (p < 0.45). During phase 1, 73.1% of the dosimeters reported radiation exposure, whereas during phase 2, 88.7% of the dosimeters reported radiation exposure (p < 0.001). During phase 1, the average monthly resident dosimeter exposure reading was 7.26 millirems (mrem) ± 37.07, vs. 19.00 mrem ± 51.16 during phase 2, which was significantly higher (p < 0.036).Conclusions:Institution of a PLP increased the compliance and exposure readings of radiation dosimeter badges for orthopaedic surgery residents, whereas the actual monthly fluoroscopy time did not change. Teaching hospitals should consider implementing a PLP to more accurately monitor exposure.Level of Evidence:3.

Background: The opioid crisis caused the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to reschedule hydrocodone to schedule II from III. Other narcotics (i.e. codeine) were not reclassified, becoming the narcotic medications for many surgeons. We wanted to review how this rescheduling of hydrocodone influenced prescribing practices and Press Ganey scores. Methods: A retrospective review from April 6, 2014, to April 5, 2015, was conducted on all orthopaedic trauma patients at a level I trauma center. Patient charts were abstracted for the type and amount of narcotic prescribed. Press Ganey scores for the surgeons were collected during the same period. The data were used to determine the percentage of hydrocodone prescription before and after reclassification as well as the effect on Press Ganey Scores. Results: Surgeons significantly decreased the percentage of hydrocodone prescriptions, 70% versus 44% (P < 0.001), after reclassification. Two surgeons, A (76% vs. 11%) and B (69% vs. 30%), had a significant decrease in the percentage of hydrocodone (P < 0.0001), surgeon C’s percentage (67% vs. 67%) did not change (P =0.96), and surgeon D significantly increased (67% vs. 86%) (P =0.009). No significant changes were seen for overall Press Ganey scores for the group aggregate or individual providers, 91 versus 91 (P =0.993) after reclassification. Conclusions: The results show that the percentage of hydrocodone to all narcotic prescriptions decreased after rescheduling hydrocodone. This did vary by individual surgeon, with one surgeon’s percentage being significantly increased. Press Ganey scores did not appear to be influenced by rescheduling hydrocodone.