Lumbar spine surgery patients have a longer length of stay when surgery occurs later in the week, according to a study in Neurosurgery.
Here are five things to know:
1. The study authors hypothesized that patients undergoing lumbar surgery later in the week have a longer length of stay, as fewer staff members are available on weekends to discharge patients to rehabilitation or nursing facilities.
2. Lumbar degenerative disease surgery patients were prospectively enrolled in the multicenter quality and outcomes database registry. Researchers assessed 11,897 patients.
3. Patients discharged home were significantly more likely to have a longer length of stay if the surgery was performed on Friday instead of Monday.
4. Patients discharged to a facility were significantly more likely to have a longer length of stay if the surgery was performed on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday instead of Monday.
5. The study authors conclude that scheduling these patients for surgery earlier in the week may lead to a reduction in length of stay and cost savings for hospitals, payers and patients.