Patient experience outcomes following Spine Surgery

The importance of patient satisfaction as a metric and a desirable result in the healthcare system is increasing. There are various techniques used to gather information about patient satisfaction.

The HCAHPS is a standardized data collection method for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that is utilized nationwide to evaluate inpatient experiences. Although surveys like the HCAHPS are significant in present-day medical evaluations, they may not be an accurate representation of satisfaction levels in the entire patient population following spinal surgery.

Spinal surgeries are among the most frequently performed procedures in the United States and are projected to become even more prevalent in the future, with a trend indicating continued growth. Therefore, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the factors and determinants of satisfaction among this significant patient population.

As surgical procedures and postoperative patient care entail substantial expenses, comprehending patient satisfaction in this field is particularly relevant for our doctors at Complete Orthopedics.

Several factors play a role in improving patient satisfaction after surgery:

• Advanced age
• Lower educational attainment
• Undergoing surgical intervention
• Better physical functionality
• Lower postoperative pain levels
• Fewer emergency department visits
• Reduced use of narcotics

Due to preconceived notions about recovery and hospitalization, most spinal procedures are considered elective.

Factors that negatively impacted patient satisfaction were:

• increased comorbidity
• extended length of stay
• longer intervals between surgery and survey completion.

Patients may express dissatisfaction after a certain period has passed following their surgery, due to long-term surgical outcomes that do not align with their initial expectations. Furthermore, urgent procedures and repeat surgeries could also be experienced as negative factors. Literature hasn’t observed any correlation between gender or race and outcomes.

Most of the factors that significantly impact patient satisfaction, such as comorbidity, time passed since surgery, and type of procedure, may not be under the control of the doctors. The controllable factors, such as length of stay and complications, are usually the ones that our doctors at Complete Orthopedics will aim to reduce or minimize.

The factors that affect patients are primarily determined by their perception, expectations, and outcomes of their care, and are not necessarily related to the actions or skills of the doctors.

If you are interested in knowing more about Patient experience outcomes following Spine Surgery you have come to the right place!