World Patient Safety 2022

On 17 September, we recognize World Patient Safety Day: a day that reminds us all about the importance of continued action and cooperation, not just within the medical industry, but across all companies, organizations and individuals, to keep patients safe.

As a medical technology leader, it is our responsibility to protect the patients we serve, and Zimmer Biomet people work every day to fulfill this responsibility.

Our mission is to alleviate pain and improve the quality of life for people around the world, and we commit to the highest standards of patient safety and quality in our products and services. Here are just three ways that Zimmer Biomet team members are contributing to patient safety:?

1/ ENGAGING PATIENTS WITH DATA AND TECHNOLOGY

People want to be engaged in and informed about their treatment and recovery. Through ZBEdge?, our integrated digital and robotic technologies, we’re unlocking data-powered insights and keeping patients engaged in their surgical journey. Our solutions mean people can better understand their condition and take an even more active role in optimizing their outcomes.

And we continue to add capabilities to ZBEdge: in March, we announced WalkAI?; our first artificial intelligence (AI) model. It analyzes patients’ mobility from walking data from mymobility? and uses AI to generate a personalized prediction of walking speed at 90 days after surgery. The prediction is compared with anonymized, real-world data from the ZBEdge database to identify when a patient's recovery may not be on track, which helps surgeons intervene and improve outcomes.

2/ TACKLING IMPLANT ASSOCIATED INFECTION

We know healthcare associated infections are a major concern for our customers, and infection control is a top priority for surgeons and care teams. Infections not only place a significant personal burden on patients but also on healthcare professionals.[1] They also put economic pressure on healthcare systems: in Europe, an estimated 3.2 million patients receive a healthcare associated infection diagnosis each year, sometimes with catastrophic consequences.[2]

Innovation is helping to address this challenge: Bactiguard Technology is a thin, durable and non-eluting alloy coating that is firmly attached to the implant surface. When the coating comes into contact with moisture, the metals create a unique galvanic (or battery) effect that generates tiny pico currents on the implant surface, reducing bacterial adhesion and subsequent risk of biofilm formation.[3]

3/ EDUCATING THE ORTHOPEDIC INDUSTRY

Another way we increase patient safety is by thoroughly educating surgeons. ?The Zimmer Biomet Institute? (ZBI) trains the orthopedic community on the safe and effective use of our products. Through ongoing dialogue with the scientific community, the ZBI drives innovation in education and helps healthcare professionals achieve exceptional results that ultimately enhance patient care and outcomes.

Each year, we reach over 25,000 healthcare professionals across EMEA with educational programs and ZBI EMEA is an accredited training center from The Royal College of Surgeons of England .

Today, like every day, I am encouraged by the deep commitment of Zimmer Biomet people and our customers to the very highest standards of patient safety, quality and integrity, in everything we do. As the medtech industry continues to advance and innovate, we will all continue to do our part - individually and collectively - to put patients and their safety first.

Cheers,

Wilfred?

Are you a healthcare professional looking to explore solutions for challenges in knee and hip arthroplasty? Register today for the ZBI Digital Symposium: Problem Solved?! Advancing Arthroplasty Together, October 13 – 15, to join fast-paced case discussions, presentations and interactive sessions.?

[1] Mallon et al., Surgeons are deeply affected when patients are diagnosed with prosthetic joint infection. PLoS ONE 13(11):e0207260, 2018.

[2] European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Economic evaluations of interventions to prevent healthcare-associated infections – Literature review. Stockholm: ECDC, 2017.

[3] Donlan, Biofilms and Device-Associated Infections. Emerging Infectious Diseases 7(2): 277-281, 2001.