b'A Study in InnovationGiven the sheer number of steps required to safely perform surgeriesapproach that, while in common on traumatic bone fractures, countless opportunities exist for improvinguse in oncology drug testing, is the process. That practical approach to clinical research is at the heartnew to orthopaedics. The idea of large-scale studies currently led by Gerard Slobogean, MD, MPH,behind a master protocol is that, Associate Professor of Orthopaedics and Assistant Director of Clinicalonce you design a study and all the Research. Along with UMSOM colleagues in the Orthopaedic Traumaprocesses required to undertake it, Division and McMaster University (Hamilton, Canada), Dr Slobogean, you can use that protocol and the an orthopaedic trauma surgeon, is overseeing innovative studies toinfrastructure for other studies, identify the most effective methods for improving outcomes aftersays Dr. Slobogean. You gain huge orthopaedic surgery. efficiencies. Funded by the US Department of Currently, we are leading twoby Dr. Slobogeans colleagues atDefense and the Patient-Centered large clinical trials named PREP-IT.McMaster University, who also serveOutcomes Research Institute These trials are designed to learnas the data coordinating center.(PCORI), the study involves more about the most commonlyTheyve been great collaborators,patients as well as physicians in its used antiseptic cleaning solutions,he explains, and their reputationdesign and implementation. In the he says. Before surgery, the teamwas key to getting this award. trial design, says Dr. Slobogean, cleans a patients skin with aDeveloped under a master protocol,the team emphasized patient solution made of either iodinethe clinical trial design uses anengagement and participation or chlorhexidine.Right now, says Dr. Slobogean, the choice is basically up to the surgeon. The PREP-IT trials will compare the effectiveness of these common antiseptic solutions across a patient population of approximately 10,000 individuals with open and closed fractures. Whichever solution proves to have the lowest infection rate will become the new standard for surgeons to use, he explains. Dr. Slobogean and his colleagues have secured close to $14 million in funding to run these trials in about 25 centers, he notes. We are the lead site and the grant recipient. The UM team is joinedLeft to rightDr. Gerard Slobogean, Haley Demyanovich MS, Andrea Howe BS, Yasmin Degani MPH, Joshua Rudnicki BS,Blessing Enobun MD, MPH 24CONNECTING WITH QUALITY: A Renewed Focus on Value-Based Care'