Hospital and Surgeon Variation in Patient-reported Functional Outcomes After Lumbar Spine Fusion: A Statewide Evaluation.

Study Design: Statewide retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data from the Spine Care and Outcomes Assessment Program, capturing ∼75% of the state's spine fusion procedures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the variation in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) 1 year after elective lumbar fusion surgery across surgeons and hospitals; and to discuss the potential impact of guiding patient selection using a PRO prediction tool.

Summary Of Background Data: Despite an increasing interest in incorporating PROs as part of the move toward value-based payment and to improve quality, limited evidence exists on how PROs vary across hospitals and surgeons, a key aspect of using these metrics for quality profiling.

The Spine Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program (Spine SCOAP): a surgeon-led approach to quality and safety.

Study Design: Prospective registry of spine surgery.

Objective: To identify variation in utilization, processes of care, and outcomes in spine surgery to improve statewide quality and safety.

Summary Of Background Data: Variability in the utilization and outcomes of elective spine surgery across different regions in the United States and internationally has become a growing focus of critical evaluation.