Outcomes and costs associated with hospitalist comanagement of medically complex children undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

Objective: The goal of this study was to assess outcomes and costs associated with hospitalist comanagement of medically complex children undergoing spinal fusion surgery for neuromuscular scoliosis.

Methods: A hospitalist comanagement program was implemented at a children's hospital. We conducted a retrospective case series study of patients during 2003-2008 to compare clinical and cost outcomes for 87 preimplementation patients, 40 patients during a partially implemented program, and 80 patients during a fully implemented program.