Productivity benefits of minimally invasive surgery in patients with chronic sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

Introduction: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is associated with a marked decrease in quality of life. Increasing evidence supports minimally invasive SIJ fusion as a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of chronic SIJ dysfunction. The impact of SIJ fusion on worker productivity is not known.

The Role of Long-term Acute Care Hospitals in Treating the Critically Ill and Medically Complex: An Analysis of Nonventilator Patients.

Background: Little evidence exists on the effects of receiving care in a long-term acute care hospital (LTCH).

Objective: To examine LTCH effects on mortality and Medicare payments overall and among high-acuity patients.

Research Design: A retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries using probit and generalized linear models.

Can value-based insurance impose societal costs?

Background: Among policy alternatives considered to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes, value-based insurance design (VBID) has emerged as a promising option. Most applications of VBID, however, have not used higher cost sharing to discourage specific services. In April 2011, the state of Oregon introduced a policy for public employees that required additional cost sharing for high-cost procedures such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

How does accounting for worker productivity affect the measured cost-effectiveness of lumbar discectomy?

Background: Back pain attributable to lumbar disc herniation is a substantial cause of reduced workplace productivity. Disc herniation surgery is effective in reducing pain and improving function. However, few studies have examined the effects of surgery on worker productivity.