Here are five findings.
1. Researchers studied 48,868 patient cases between 2006 and 2014. Outpatient spine surgical clinic utilization was considered the primary variable.
2. The study found outpatient spine clinic services reduce the likelihood of both 30-day and 90-day emergency department utilization.
3. Spine surgeries performed in hospitals cause an increase in unnecessary ER visits.
4. After 30 days, 15 percent of patients visited the emergency department. However, only 6 percent presented complications.
5. At 90 days, 29 percent of patients visited the emergency department. However, only 5 percent presented complications.
“Outpatient utilization of spine clinics was the only factor independently association with a reduced likelihood of [emergency department] utilization,” study authors concluded.
More articles on outpatient spine:
Do you use lasers during spine surgery? — Dr. Mark McLaughlin shares experience
Spine surgery safety in an ASC — Key evidence on complication, readmission rates
Dr. E. Patrick Curry joins Grove County Medical Center’s outpatient clinic — 3 insights
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