Brit J Hosp Med
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The costs of litigation are large and increasing, to a level that places a drain on precious health-care resources and affects the way medicine is practised. This article examines whether a change to a no-fault legal system would lead to reduced costs and improved patient care.
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Infection is a serious complication of prosthetic joint arthroplasty, associated with high rates of morbidity resulting in further surgical intervention and prolonged inpatient hospital admission. Rates of prosthetic joint infection have been reported as 1.5-2.5% following lower limb arthroplasty. This study compared infection rates in patients receiving primary hip and knee joint replacements before and after implementation of ring-fenced beds. ⋯ Ring-fencing beds for patients undergoing elective lower limb arthroplasty significantly reduced rates of prosthetic joint infection and inpatient length of stay.