Measuring patient-reported outcomes in elective spine surgery

Learn what tools are available for measuring patient-reported outcomes following elective spinal surgeries

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Mandatory reporting of patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) became a reality on July 1^st with CMS’s implementation of Inpatient Quality Reporting Total Hip and Knee Replacement PROMs. The industry anticipates outpatient reporting to follow and does not believe spine surgery-related data reporting is far behind.

 

One of the requirements within DNV’s Advanced Orthopedic and Spine Certification is a focus on patients completing these functional assessments as part of the shared decision-making process and we are often asked which functional assessments best serve spine surgery patients.

Numerous authors have examined the effectiveness of different tools in various areas of spine surgery. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Neck Disability Index (NDI) are valuable tools used in spine surgery to assess a patient’s disability level and the impact of neck and back pain on their daily activities. The Total Disability Index (TDI), which combines elements from both ODI and NDI, can also be a valuable method for total spine assessment in a clinical setting, offering a less time-consuming alternative to completing both indices separately.

 

Another tool often used in combination with the ODI and NDI is the PROMIS-29. The PROMIS-29 (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-29) is a survey tool used to assess a person’s health status addressing the physical, mental, and social health domains from the patient’s perspective.

 

The intent of operationalizing the data from these assessments is to assist with clinical decision making. The data elements guide clinicians in tailoring treatment plans and interventions based on the individual needs and progress of the patient.

An added benefit to the effective management of PROMs data is the outcome measure itself. These measures are standardized, allowing for the comparison of treatment effects across different patient populations and clinical studies.

 

In summary, the ODI, NDI, TDI and PROMIS-29 could be essential tools in spine surgery for evaluating the impact of clinical conditions on a patient’s life and guiding clinical decisions to improve patient outcomes.

 

 

To learn more about this content, click on one of the 'Contact us' buttons at right. Ask us about our Advanced Spine Surgery Certification and how we can help your organization achieve high-quality results in care delivery and health outcomes for spinal surgery patients.

9/10/2024 4:28:00 PM