Assessing the variation and drivers of cost in 1-level lumbar fusion: a time-driven activity-based costing analysis.
David N BernsteinBradley T HammoorChierika Ukogu ClementsDaniel G TobertThomas D ChaJessica P AidlenStuart H HershmanChristopher M BonoHarold A FogelPublished in: The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society (2024)
A large variation exists in the total hospital cost for patients undergoing 1-level lumbar fusion, which is primarily driven by surgeon-level decisions and preferences (eg, implant and technology use). Also, being a "fast" surgeon intraoperatively does not mean your total cost is meaningfully lower. As efforts continue to optimize patient value through ensuring appropriate clinical outcomes while also reducing cost, spine surgeons must use this knowledge to lead, or at least be active participants in, any discussions that could impact patient care.