Researchers surveyed orthopedic spine surgery fellowship directors about spine-related adverse events and hospital-acquired conditions in a new Spine study.
The 46 spine directors surveyed rated 27 HACs and certain spine-specific events.
Here are five observations:
1. Respondents rated the following events as completely avoidable: "incompatible blood," "retained foreign object" and "wrong level surgery."
2. Most respondents rated "site infection with risk factors" as least avoidable.
3. Specifically for spine complications, surgeons rated "L4-L5 disc re-herniation within 3 months" as least avoidable.
4. Researchers concluded most orthopedic spine surgeons believe most "never events" to be neither avoidable nor unavoidable.
5. The spine surgery fellowship directors only reached a consensus about clear medical errors resulting in HACs.
More articles on spine:
Dr. Firoz Miyanji 1st in Canada to use new scoliosis treatment — 3 notes
Medical & Surgical Clinic of Irving adds Dr. Whitney Chouteau — 3 notes
Do opioids actually exacerbate chronic pain? 6 observations