Most hospitals and clinics offering spine surgery in Beverly Hills have a different set of metrics when it comes to tracking patient outcomes, determining patient risk, and monitoring recovery. Changes could be on the horizon on a national level due to the success of an innovative program in Washington State. Spine SCOAP (Surgical Clinical Outcomes Assessment Program) is a voluntary program for consolidating data that has already produced some impressive results, most notably a reduction in complication and re-operation rates.
How Spine SCOAP Works
Administered by the Foundation of Healthcare Quality, Spine SCOAP encourages clinicians to streamline the selection of metrics. Surgeons participating in the program base their actions and patient recommendations on shared data and standardized guidelines while also contributing their own insights with their peers. Piloted at nine Washington State hospitals in 2011, Spine SCOAP has since grown to include nearly 20 hospitals in the state collecting data on eligible spine procedures.
Collecting and Selecting Spine SCOAP Data
SCOAP data collection is being facilitated by the increased automation of medical records, allowing for the extraction of information deemed to be relevant by spine surgeons at hospitals participating in the program. The hospital staff collecting the predetermined data is trained in how to capture the necessary data using a transparent data dictionary with internal audits conducted to ensure accuracy. Information typically collected includes:
- Patient risk factors identified prior to surgery
- Initial outcomes and outcomes up to 5 years following discharge
- Process of care given to patients following surgery
The SCOAP concept first emerged in 2006 as a means of sharing data and establishing uniform metrics concerning surgical procedures for conditions like advanced cancer, colorectal surgery and appendectomies. If the related Spine SCOAP continues to show promise, a national database for spine surgery may prove to be a valuable asset for both surgeons and patients, especially those seeking non-traditional surgical procedures such as artificial disc replacement.
For more information about spine surgery near you, call The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration at (310) 828-7757 and request a complimentary, no-obligation consultation today.
