NASS supports ProPublica’s ‘Surgeon Scorecard’

The North American Spine Society released a statement recently in support of ProPublica journalists’ efforts to bring transparency to health care through ProPublica’s “Dollars to Doctors” feature, as well as its newly-released “Surgeon Scorecard” database, which offers complication rates for more than 17,000 surgeons throughout the United States.

Leadership from the North American Spine Society (NASS) worked with reporters from ProPublica to identify appropriate elective spinal procedures, define complications and offer ongoing risk-adjustment guidance and research for the Surgeon Scorecard project, according to the press release.

In the release, Charles Mick, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and former NASS president, said he hopes the data released from the scorecard will help patients ask questions, in addition to helping them make informed choices when surgery is required. Mick also said the data may help physicians and hospitals identify and offer the highest quality care to patients.

“While there are some very troubling examples of surgical complications, it is gratifying that the authors found the aggregate rates of harm were quite low nationwide,” Mick said in the release. “[These] data [underscore] the importance of health care professionals taking advantage of professional development and support offered by their hospitals, government agencies and specialty medical societies, such as NASS.”

The NASS offers several services and products to aid spine specialists, including evidence-based training and guidelines and Appropriate Use Criteria to define reasonable care of spinal disorders.

Reference: www.spine.org.