A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine examines just that. The study reviews 22 of the 551 patients who underwent dorsal cervical fusions that developed deep wound infections that required surgical debridement. The costs were estimated using Medicare national payment amounts; indirect costs were based on patients’ missed work days and income.
The researchers found:
1. Six months after surgery, the group that did not have infections had significant pre- to postoperative improvement in the EQ-5D, but the infection group did not. The patients who did not have infections reported a significantly higher six-month postoperative EQ-5D score than the infection group.
2. One year after surgery, there weren’t any significant differences between the two groups in EQ-5D scores.
3. The healthcare-associated costs for the infection cohort were $16,970, compared with $7,658 for the non-infection group.
4. The indirect costs for the patients who had infections was $6,495. The indirect costs for patients without infections was $2,756.
5. After adjusting for inflation, the total costs for the patients who had infections were $21,778 when compared with the non-infection group that reported $9,159. There was an average $12,691 associated cost with developing the preoperative deep wound infection.
“Knowledge of the financial burden of wound infections following dorsal cervical fusion may stimulate the development and use of improved prophylactic and therapeutic techniques to manage this serious complication,” concluded the study authors.
More articles on spine surgery:
7 spine surgeons receiving honors
5 key trends in the global non-fusion spinal devices market
16 spine devices receive FDA 510(k) clearance in March
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.