For their study, the researchers relied on data in the UHC Clinical Database, which collects data from 220 academic medical centers and affiliate organizations. They analyzed “all cause” readmissions, the basis for the publically reported Centers for Medicare and Medicaid metric. The researchers found all cause readmission rates overestimate unplanned readmissions by up to 25 percent because “all cause” readmissions do not distinguish between planned, scheduled, staged surgeries and unplanned surgeries for complications.
In short, the researchers concluded use of the “all cause” readmission metric does not account for the complexity of spine surgery, which is often spread over multiple stages and several weeks to increase safety and effectiveness.
“Publicly reported ‘all cause’ readmission rates may not be realistic,” said senior author Praveen Mummaneni, MD. “To be accurate, substantial drill down of readmission rates is needed to find clinically relevant causes.”
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