A new study published in Spine examines an accelerated discharge protocol for posterior spinal fusion patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
The study authors examined 194 patients who were discharged on the traditional path and 90 patients who were on the accelerated pathway. The patients underwent posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2013 for the traditional group patients and June 1, 2013 to Oct. 22, 2014 in the accelerated protocol.
The study authors found:
1. The patients in the traditional group stayed in the hospital for five days, compared with 3.7 days for the accelerated patients.
2. Both groups reported similar incidence of wound complications and readmissions.
3. The hospital charges for postoperative care were significantly less among the accelerated discharge patients than in the traditional group. The hospital charges for the traditional patients were $23,640 compared with $18,360 for the accelerated group.
4. The patients reported a statistically significant, but small, increase in postoperative pain on days two, three and four.
5. The authors concluded, "Accelerated discharge following PSF for AIS was associated with a 22 percent decrease in hospital charges in the postoperative period."