Hospital and surgeon variation in complications and repeat surgery following incident lumbar fusion for common degenerative diagnoses.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify factors that account for variation in complication rates across hospitals and surgeons performing lumbar spinal fusion surgery.

Data sources

Discharge registry including all nonfederal hospitals in Washington State from 2004 to 2007.

Study design

We identified adults (n = 6,091) undergoing an initial inpatient lumbar fusion for degenerative conditions. We identified whether each patient had a subsequent complication within 90 days. Logistic regression models with hospital and surgeon random effects were used to examine complications, controlling for patient characteristics and comorbidity.

Principal findings

Complications within 90 days of a fusion occurred in 4.8 percent of patients, and 2.2 percent had a reoperation. Hospital effects acc

SUBMITTER: Martin BI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3465627 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature