A Dedicated Pediatric Spine Deformity Team Significantly Reduces Surgical Time and Cost. (19th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flynn, John M.; Striano, Brendan M.; Muhly, Wallis T.; Kraus, Blair; Sankar, Wudbhav N.; Mehta, Vaidehi; Blum, Michael; DeZayas, Barbara; Feldman, Jeffrey; Keren, Ron
• Is Part Of: Journal of bone and joint surgery. Volume 100:Number 18(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09-19
• Subjects: Bones -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Joints -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; General Surgery; Bone Diseases; Joint Diseases; Bones -- Surgery; Joints -- Surgery; Orthopedics; Bot (anatomie); Gewrichten; Chirurgie (geneeskunde); Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 617.47005
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.17.01584
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9355

Abstract

Abstract : Background: As high-quality health care becomes increasingly expensive, improvement projects are focused on reducing cost and increasing value. To increase value by reducing operating room (OR) utilization, we studied the effect of a dedicated team approach for posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for scoliosis. Methods: With institutional support, an interdisciplinary, dedicated team was assembled. Members developed standardized protocols for anesthetic management and patient transport, positioning, preparation, draping, imaging, and wake-up. These protocols were initially implemented with a small interdisciplinary team, including 1 surgeon (Phase 1), and then were expanded to include a second surgeon and additional anesthesiology staff (Phase 2). We compared procedures performed with a dedicated team (the Dedicated Team cases) and procedures performed without a such a team (the Casual Team cases). Because of the heterogeneous nature of PSF for scoliosis, we developed a case categorization system: Category 1 was relatively homogeneous and indicated patients with fusion of ⩽12 levels, no osteotomies, and a body mass index (BMI) of <25 kg/m 2, and Category 2 was more heterogeneous and indicated patients with fusion of >12 levels and/or ≥1 osteotomy and/or a BMI of ≥25 kg/m 2 . Results: In total, 89 Casual Team and 78 Dedicated Team cases were evaluated: 71 were in Category 1 and 96 were in Category 2. Dedicated Team cases used significantly less OR time for both Categories 1 and 2 (p < 0.001). In Category-1 cases, the average reduction was 111.4 minutes (29.7%); in Category-2 cases, it was 76.9 minutes (18.5%). The effect of the Dedicated Team was scalable: the reduction in OR time was significant in both Phase 1 and Phase 2 (p < 0.001). The Dedicated Team cases had no complications. Cost reduction averaged approximately $8, 900 for Category-1 and $6, 000 for Category-2 cases. Conclusions: By creating a dedicated team and standardizing several aspects of PSFs for scoliosis, we achieved a large reduction in OR time. This increase in team efficiency was significant, consistent, and scalable. As a result, we can routinely complete 2 Category-1 PSFs in the same OR with the same team without exceeding standard block time.