Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/571000
15 SPINE LEADERSHIP Surgeon Scorecard — Good or Bad for Spine? - 5 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda P roPublica released the "Surgeon Scorecard" database as part of the ongoing "Dollars to Doctors" feature for patients to gauge their providers' complication rates. Here are five key notes on the program: 1. ere are more than 17,000 surgeons featured in the da- tabase, which outlines complication rates for each provider. 2. e North American Spine Society leadership worked with ProPublica to identify appropriate elective proce- dures, define "com- plications" and offer ongoing risk-adjust- ment guidance for the scorecard project. "It is our hope that the data released will help patients ask questions and make informed choices when sur- gery is required and help physicians and hospitals to identify and offer the highest quality care to pa- tients," said Charles Mick, MD, former NASS president. He was also quoted in a USA Today article on the topic. 3. ProPublica compiles data derived from government records collected about Medicare patients when assigning complication rates to each provider. e Medicare com- plication rate information is also available online for any patient to see. 4. ere are some surgeons who have higher-than-aver- age complication rates, according to USA Today, based on comorbidities and performing more complex procedures. ProPublica's model does adjust complication rates based on patient age and the hospital quality where the proce- dure took place. 5. ere are some physicians who are weary of this data transparency, fearing physicians will chose to treat low risk patients to boost their scores. at could create access issues for high-risk patients. Others are concerned the transparency could become a "witch hunt." "While there are some very troubling examples of sur- gical complications, it is gratifying that the authors found the aggregate rates of harm were quite low nationwide," said Dr. Mick. "is data underscores the importance of healthcare professionals taking advantage of professional development and support offered by their hospitals, gov- ernment agencies and specialty medical societies such as NASS." n This data underscores the importance of healthcare professionals taking advantage of professional development and support offered by their hospitals, government agencies and specialty medical societies such as NASS. -Dr. Charles Mick " "