A study published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery found few complications in hand and shoulder surgeries taking place in outpatient centers.
Researchers analyzed the records of 28,737 hand and upper extremity procedures performed at an outpatient surgical center in Pennsylvania between 2001 and 2012. They defined serious complications as those causing harm or requiring additional treatment.
Here are three points:
1. The clinic reported a total of 58 adverse events for an overall risk rate of 0.20 percent.
2. Among the adverse events, there were 14 infections, 18 transfers to a hospital, 21 later hospital admissions, one medication error, four postoperative hemotomas and no deaths.
3. The study authors concluded hand and upper extremity surgery can be safely performed in freestanding outpatient surgery centers.