Orthopedic practices should preference surgeries not previously canceled, study finds

When scheduling surgeries, orthopedic practices should give preference to procedures that have not been previously canceled, according to a study in Current Orthopaedic Practice.

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The study authors conducted a retrospective review of all patients scheduled for elective surgery over a single year at Charlottesville-based University of Virginia’s orthopedic surgery department.

Of 7,215 elective surgeries, 13 percent were canceled prior to the scheduled time.

Of these:

  • 44 percent of surgeries were cancelled within three days of the surgery
  • 53 percent were rescheduled
  • 21 percent of these were cancelled again

Procedures that were canceled without a correctable reason had significantly more re-cancelations and a lower procedure completion rate. Study authors conclude that among previously canceled surgeries, practices should preference those with a correctable reason for cancelation.  

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