Article
Improves outcome of backsurgery using a transsectoral pathway
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Authors
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Horst Poimann
- Neurochirurgische Praxisgemeinschaft, Würzburg, Deutschland
| Published: | June 9, 2017 |
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Outline
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Objective: Sectoral partition is a problem in spine surgery combining out-patient, in –patient and rehabilitation treatment. Waiting lists between sectors, delayed treatment and loss of information lead to longer treatment and quality gaps along the line of care. Porter/Teisberg (2006) found an effective and valuable treatment for patients only in transsectoral care at a certain medical condition level from the beginning of one defined disease till reintegration into daily life, if the responsibility lies in the hands of one team.
Methods: : The pilot supported by the bavarian state department of healthcare developed an IT-tool for a transsectoral treatment path in order to allow every caregiver starting from the orthopedic doctor to the surgical hospital and rehabilitation center and back to the orthopedic doctor having permanent access to necessary data of the patient during the complete circle of care. At the beginning of the pilot study in 2014 base line data concerning randomly 30 selected patients undergoing spine surgery were gathered. By December 2015 results as shorter treatment circles, higher satisfaction of the patients, improved clinical outcome, higher satisfaction of co-workers in the different organizations, and evaluation of the organization performance will be evaluated
Results: The development and the roll out of the IT—tool was completed in November 2014. 15 organizations took part and 375 patients have been treated using the trans sectoral path. Results proof the good usability of the path attested by the care givers. Some improvement projects are already underway. Patients and caregiver`s satisfaction rose (p<.001). treatment time has shortened between 5-20 days (p<.001). Medical outcome was improved (p<.001). Oeconomical data show that organizations with a higher number of patients gain more profit.
Conclusion: An IT-tool allowing all participants in the care of spine surgery patients to have an 24/7 data access is a real progress concerning the transsectoral treatment of degenerative spine disease: better clinical outcome, shorter treatment time, higher satisfaction of either patients or clinical staff, and smother hospital processes will supply an improved resource utilization.
