JOURNEY AS AN ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEON, RESEARCHER, SURGICAL SITE INFECTION CONTROL & BONE LOSS EXPERT Associate Professor Kevin Tetsworth, Orthopaedic Surgeon
As an orthopaedic surgeon, Associate Professor Kevin Tetsworth, is widely recognised for his expertise in managing orthopaedic infections, chronic osteomyelitis, limb salvage, and reconstruction. He holds clinical appointments at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, Macquarie University in Sydney at the Limb Reconstruction Centre.
His credentials encompass a fellowship in the American Academy, a fellowship in the Royal College in Australia, and membership in the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the International Orthopaedic Trauma Association. Associate Professor Tetsworth’s clinical focus revolves around the comprehensive management of orthopaedic infections, segmental bone defects, high-energy trauma, limb salvage and reconstruction, deformity correction, limb lengthening, and prosthetic joint infections.
In tandem with his clinical practice, Associate Professor Tetsworth is deeply engaged in orthopaedic research, with a keen interest in infection management, infection control, limb salvage, bone defect reconstruction, biomarker development for infection, bone growth hormone delivery, and the use of 3D printed models for reconstructing segmental bone defects.
His professional journey has been profoundly shaped by training under esteemed mentors like Professor Dror Paley and Dr George Cierny in the United States. This formative training has equipped him with a high level of expertise in addressing complex orthopaedic conditions, particularly those related to bone loss and infection. Having practiced in the United States, notably at the University of Maryland and the shock trauma hospital in Baltimore, Associate Professor Tetsworth relocated to Australia in 2000 and has since played a pivotal role in advancing orthopaedic surgery at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
Associate Professor Tetsworth’s unwavering commitment to advancing orthopaedic knowledge and his exceptional proficiency in managing challenging orthopaedic conditions have earned him widespread recognition within the field.
In this Australian Health Journal interview, Assoc Professor Tetsworth talks about his clinical and research career journey and gives advice for those in medicine considering a career in orthopaedic surgery,
Assoc Prof Tetsworth concludes with a discussion on ways infection control is handled in preoperative, intraoperative and post operatively for orthopaedic surgeries.
He discusses the techniques started in the 19th century with understanding of hand hygiene, surgical instruments being sterilised and discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century, to present day practises of patient modifiable factors such as prescreening patients, lifestyle adjustments such as BMI or weight management, checking HbA1c levels for those who are diabetic and use of triclosan coated sutures in wound dressing in the early post operative period.
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Physiotherapist, exercise physiologist support for management of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is commonly managed medically and typically with treatment. Exercise is also essential in the management of osteoporosis but tends to be under-utilised due to lack of knowledge and unfounded concerns about the risk of injury. In fact, optimal care of people with low bone mass, osteoporosis and/or increased risk of falling can and should include targeted exercise to help prevent osteoporotic fracture.
In early 2024, Healthy Bones Australia released a summary of the principles of osteogenic loading and fall prevention, the translation of those principles into clinical practice, evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription, and special considerations, along with links to several relevant resources for people with or at risk of osteoporosis, falls and fractures.
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Student nurse placements in primary health care
With an urgent need to manage increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and a rapidly-ageing primary health care nurse workforce, Australia desperately needs more primary health care nurses to enter the workforce before the current generation retires and cannot pass on its skills.
Most nurses start their career in a hospital. Historically, it was difficult for universities and tertiary education providers to arrange placements for student nurses in primary health care. However, the APNA Student Nurse Placement Program provides student nurses with a foot in the door to a career in vibrant primary health care settings such as general practice or community health to perform supervised activities.
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4 Years On
Launched 4 years ago, the Queensland Health’s Nurse Navigator program was created for patients with complex care needs. The Nurse Navigators are Advanced Practice Nurses and Midwives that help patients with care coordination and care planning.
A Nurse Navigator has the system knowledge and access, clinical skills and time to understand each person’s needs and to partner with them to develop a plan of care that addresses their health needs and respects and values their time and circumstances.
