Fast-Track Assessment Clinic: Selection of Patients for a One-Stop Hip Assessment Clinic

INTRODUCTIONThe fast-track assessment clinic (FTAC) is a process to select patients who are very likely to require primary total hip replacement. Selected patients can then be seen in a one-off clinic reducing the number of hospital visits, cost to primary care trusts and delay between referral and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODSFifty patients on the waiting list for hip replacement were analysed to see if there were common parameters that led to their inclusion. From these data, fast-track selection criteria (FTSCs) were generated. These FTSCs were used to make a dual comparison of outcomes between 52 patients seen in a traditional clinic. Finally, a pilot study was conducted in which patients fulfilling FTSCs were seen in a designated clinic. RESULTSAn Oxford hip score (OHS) of 34 and above combined with severe loss of joint space, severe marginal osteophytes, or both was common to most patients on the waiting list (84%). FTSCs correctly predicted the outcome of the orthopaedic clinic in 38 patients out...