Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40328649›Full record

Observational studyBMJ open2025

What is the impact of longer patient travel distances and times on perioperative outcomes following revision knee replacement: a retrospective observational study using data for England from Hospital Episode Statistics.

Alexander Handel Matthews, Jonathan Peter Evans, Jonathan Thomas Evans, Sarah Lamb, Andrew James Price, William Gray, Tim Briggs, Andrew D Toms

Abstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Alexander Handel MatthewsRoyal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK ahm211@exeter.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1606-5840
Jonathan Peter EvansRoyal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0090-1012
Jonathan Thomas EvansRoyal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK.
Sarah LambCollege of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
Andrew James PriceNuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
William GrayGetting It Right First Time Programme, NHS England, London, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9597-5446
Tim BriggsGetting It Right First Time Programme, NHS England, London, UK.
Andrew D TomsRoyal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesPatients undergoing revision total knee replacement (RevKR) surgery often have difficulties mobilising and increasingly rely on family support. Evolving practice in England aims to manage these patients in specialised centres with the intention of improving outcomes. This practice will result in longer travel distances and times in this frailer group of patients. We want to examine the types of distances and travel times patients can be expected to travel for this complex orthopaedic surgery and to explore concerns of how these impact patient outcomes.

designRetrospective observational study from the Hospital Episode Statistics. Multivariable adjusted logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between patient travel distances and times with perioperative outcomes.

settingPatients presenting to tertiary referral centres between 1 January 2016 and 31 December 2019. A tertiary referral centre was defined as a trust performing >49 revisions in the year prior.

participantsAdult patients undergoing RevKR procedures for any reason between 1 January 2016 ando 31 December 2019. EXPOSURE: The shortest patient level travel distance and time was calculated using the Department of Health Journey Time Statistics using Transport Accessibility and Connectivity Calculator software and Dijkstra's algorithm.

main outcome measuresThe primary outcome is emergency readmission within 30 days. Secondary outcomes are mortality within 90 days and length of inpatient stay.

results6880 patients underwent RevKR at 36 tertiary referral centres. There was a weak correlation between social deprivation and travel distance, with patients from the most deprived areas travelling longer distances. Overall, 30-day readmission was not statistically associated with longer driving distance (OR 1.00 95% CI 0.99 to 1.02) or peak driving times (OR 1.00 95% CI 0.99 to 1.01).

conclusionsThere was no association between increasing travel distance and time on perioperative outcomes for RevKR patients.

Indexed as

Arthroplasty, Replacement, KneeReoperationTravelAgedAged, 80 and overEnglandFemaleHumansLength of StayMaleMiddle AgedPatient ReadmissionRetrospective StudiesTime FactorsHealth ServicesKneePUBLIC HEALTH

Identifiers

PMID40328649
PMCPMC12056618

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.