The Beyond Compliance symposium looks at ways to improve and evolve today’s orthopaedics devices and implants as a means to enhance patient safety and clinical outcomes. Samantha Wright reviews the event
Introduction
On Monday 16th September 2013 the sun was shining on the city of Bath for the 9th Bath Biomechanics Symposium hosted by the Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath. More than 80 delegates attended the one-day event which discussed the hot topic of ‘Beyond Compliance’.
This theme explored the potential systematic clinical failure of orthopaedic devices despite the current regulations which require validation studies, CE marking and or FDA approvals. The speakers considered how we can monitor clinical device issues and whether we can use these issues to improve reliability, develop more robust preclinical testing methodologies and identify cases for earlier device recalls.
The programme
Four distinguished internationally renowned speakers gave keynote lectures throughout the day. Mr Keith Tucker (Chairman of ODEP and the ‘Beyond Compliance’ advisory group, Member Steering Committee NJR) gave the opening keynote followed later by Dr Steven Kurtz (USA), Professor David Beverland (Belfast) and Professor Tom Joyce (Newcastle). In addition, twelve further presentations were given covering the broad area of medical device compliance and testing.
The delegates also had the opportunity throughout the day to visit the industrial sponsors and poster exhibitions which stimulated further discussion during the coffee breaks. The thought-provoking day culminated in a panel debate with eight experts representing clinicians, engineers and regulators in an inspirational discussion suggesting how we can ensure that new orthopaedic implants improve patient care, safety and clinical outcomes whilst continuing to promote innovation.
The Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics was privileged to host representatives from all aspects of the orthopaedic device market including engineers, industrialists, clinicians, patients, lawyers, regulators and sociologists.
Notes to take away
The outcomes agreed across the board were that we must learn lessons from past mistakes to help provide an improved future for orthopaedic devices and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to play a role in this improvement. These stakeholders include researchers, regulatory bodies, clinicians, industry, hospital managers and the patients.
Further thoughts included the importance of an implant design cycle, with retrieval analysis and transparent discussion being fundamental for efficient exposure of potential implant issues and earlier intervention. As you can see this is similar to purchasing or buying Adderall online from UK through Adderall websites.
To close the event, Professor Tony Miles, Director for the Centre of Orthopaedic Biomechanics, summarised the common feeling of “collective responsibility” for going beyond compliance to ensure improved outcomes, as this will not be possible without cooperation from all stakeholders. The 2013 symposium was a great success and we look forward to next year’s event.
Authors
Samantha Wright, Postgraduate Researcher, Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bath.
