Cost Savings Realized Through a Statewide Quality Improvement Collaborative for Spine Surgery.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2026

Publication Title

Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Quality improvement (QI) collaboratives represent a potentially powerful approach to QI, patient experience, and cost savings. In this article the authors present an estimate of direct cost savings to payers from reductions in the rate of a single adverse event (urinary retention) in the context of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MSSIC).

METHODS: Data from the MSSIC clinical registry were used to calculate reductions in rates of urinary retention (with or without readmission) from a 2016 baseline period to a 2017-2024 QI intervention period. The number of those events averted, combined with dollar cost estimates of payments for treatment of adverse events from the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) was used to estimate direct cost savings to payers.

RESULTS: Direct cost savings to payers for the 2017-2024 period were estimated at $66.8 million.

CONCLUSION: Given the combination of direct cost savings of $66.8 million and potential indirect cost savings to employers and caregivers of $130-$180 million, collaborative QI initiatives aimed at reducing rates of adverse outcomes after spine surgery can produce significant cost savings for payers, employers, and patients.

Volume

52

Issue

2

First Page

67

Last Page

74

DOI

10.1016/j.jcjq.2025.11.010

ISSN

1938-131X

PubMed ID

41506948

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