title: A Multicenter Comparison of Inpatient Resource Use for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery.
abstract: METHODS
  Multicenter, retrospective analysis, prospective database, consecutive case series.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examines multicenter variability in patient-level surgical resource use, including implants, biologics, and length of stay (LOS), alongside health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) improvements after adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Efficiency in surgical resource use is critical to high-value health care. Decision makers and payers are placing increasing scrutiny on the costs and outcomes associated with complex spine surgery. Little is currently known regarding the variation in resources used and associated outcomes in complex spine surgeries.
  
  
  METHODS
  HRQoL outcomes were calculated from the Oswestry Disability Index, disease-specific 22-item Scoliosis Research Society questionnaire, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-question health survey domain scores. Changes in HRQoL were estimated as the difference between baseline and 2-year values. Patient-level surgical resources included blood use, bone morphogenetic protein volume, LOS, and implants. Patients were classified by mild, moderate, or severe sagittal modifier and analyzed across centers using analysis of variance and multivariable regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed 251 ASD patients, who were predominantly female (n = 207, 85%) with an average of 56 years (range 18-84 years). Significant differences were found in the average 2-year change in HRQoL across centers; however, this difference was found insignificant after controlling for patients within the same modifier groups (P > .05). However, significant differences were found across centers in average resources used per surgery (P < 0.05), with only LOS not reaching significance (P > 0.05). After accounting for clinical, demographic, and regional characteristics at the patient level, variation among centers persisted in resource use with no corresponding statistical differences in HRQoL outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of additional surgical resources does not appear to impact 2-year HRQoL outcomes after surgery for ASD. The estimated impact of physician preference on surgical resource utilization highlights the variation in current surgical practice and the opportunity for cost reductions via a more standardized approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  3.
authors.affiliation: *Baylor Scott and White Health, Dallas †Baylor Scoliosis Center, Plano, TX ‡University of California San Francisco §NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY ¶University of Virginia, Charlottesville ||University of California at Davis, Sacramento **Oregon Health and Science University, Portland ††University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City ‡‡Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, Denver, CO §§Department of Economics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hostin
authors.forename: Chessie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ames
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: Justin S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Virginie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lafage
authors.forename: Munish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: Shay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bess
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schaffrey
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McCarthy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013121:Spinal Curvatures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult