The study involved 137 patients considering spinal fusion. Surgeons outside Virginia Mason recommended 100 of those patients for lumbar spinal fusion. A panel of physiatrists, neurosurgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pain specialists, orthopedic spine surgeons, anesthesiologists and physical therapists reviewed each case.
Spine published the study.
Here are three key observations:
1. Following the review of medical charts and relevant information for each patient, the multidisciplinary team found more than 58 percent of the patients would benefit more from non-operative treatments.
2. When not including a wide array of decision-markers, surgical decision-making may increase inappropriate treatment; waste healthcare resources and boost unnecessary costs.
3. The study authors concluded the multidisciplinary decision-making approach helps enhance spinal care and decrease surgery overutilization.
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