Hospitals & Physicians

Cost Savings and Benefits Associated with Utilizing Synaptic Resources Monitoring Services:

Synaptic Resources is a specialized intraoperative neurodiagnostic company offering multi-modality intraoperative services for various surgical procedures within the Orthopedic, Neurologic, Ear Nose Throat, and Cardiovascular surgical specialties. Our technologists are required to obtain national certification and our Interpreting Physicians (MD/DO) are trained in the latest techniques of intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring. There is significant value in outsourcing these services:

• No capital expenditures required for neurodiagnostic staff, equipment, or disposable supplies.
• Our staffing levels and mobility provide IONM coverage for both the metropolitan and rural healthcare facilities. With Synaptic Resources, cutting-edge technology is made affordable and dependable for any patient in any community.
• Technologists are available 24/7 365 days per year within a moment’s notice and our scheduling process is seamless for both the surgeon’s office and surgical facility.
• In conjunction with the most recent advancements in neurodiagnostic technology and the independent oversight and interpretation by an MD/DO trained in neurophysiology, IONM affords the patient, surgeon and facility the best opportunity for a positive outcome.
• “…..mean attributable lifetime costs for spinal surgeries using IONM was $35,325, relative to $58,514 for unmonitored spinal surgeries, yielding a cost-savings of $23,189 for spinal surgeries where IONM was used….” - Ney, J. P., van der Goes, D. N., & Watanabe, J. H. (2013). Cost–Benefit Analysis: Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring in Spinal Surgeries.Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 30(3), 280-286.

TELEMEDICINE

Telemedicine is the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status. Our contracted interpreting physicians (MD/DO) are online via secure internet connection with our technologists every surgical procedure for the duration of the procedure with the latest voice, screen-share, and instant-chat technology. All neurodiagnostic data is interpreted in real-time by the supervision physician and is then relayed to the surgical team (surgeon, nursing staff, and anesthesia personnel) utilizing online communications. Telemedicine enables surgeons, facilities, and patients regardless of location to benefit from professional knowledge, training and experience in IONM. An IONM report is signed by the interpreting physician and becomes a part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

RISK MANAGEMENT

There is a risk of complications for all surgical procedures. A 2005, University of Montreal Health Center historical study showed that 3% of patients had postoperative neurological deficits following a procedure which COULD have been monitored but was not. Upon implementing a comprehensive monitoring program, the percentage of postoperative deficits fell to less than 0.4%. It is widely accepted by surgeons that the incidence for postoperative neurological deficit is as high as 10% in some procedures around the structures of the central nervous system. Surgeons that utilize intraoperative monitoring during their procedures can reduce postoperative complications significantly by taking the simple step of monitoring the surgery.

HOW CAN MONITORING HELP?

Intraoperative monitoring (IOM) can help reduce the incidence and severity of medical malpractice lawsuits. If a case goes to litigation the hospital and surgeon can argue that they have done all that is currently feasible technologically to reduce the risk of a post-operative neurologic deficit. Neurophysiologic baseline values are established prior to surgical manipulation and are monitored throughout the procedure until close. Essentially, the lines between preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative neurologic status can be more clearly defined.

Hospitals benefit from fewer postoperative complications. Fewer complications mean fewer revision surgeries, shorter hospital stays, fewer cases of severe impairment (quadriplegia or paraplegia), and medical record documentation of neurophysiologic function during the procedure to help guide postoperative treatment and care. The average cost to the health system is $200,000 to $600,000 annually for the care of a patient who has suffered a debilitating iatrogenic injury. When using IONM, physicians, hospital staff and patients feel confident that every precaution has been taken to ensure a successful outcome.

THE MEDICAL LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Some Medical /Legal Statistics

• According to Jury Verdict Research data, medical liability awards are on the rise; In 2000 the number of mega-verdicts (1 million) had increased 52% compared to 1996 and the average award was nearly $3.5 million
• According to a national survey of neurosurgeons, between 2000 and 2002 the national average medical liability premium increased 63% to $72,682. In some states neurosurgeons liability premiums exceed $300,000.00
• A recent survey found that 55% of Orthopedic surgeons nationwide have reduced the type of operational procedures, with 39% avoiding spine surgery
• According to a nationwide survey conducted in 2002, 43% of neurosurgeons reported that they no longer perform high risk surgery such as treating brain aneurysms, removing brain and spinal tumors, or complex spinal surgery

This information was gathered from the following source. Statement of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine before the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee on the subject of “Causes of the Medical Liability Insurance Crisis” Thursday March 13, 2003.