Evaluation of the Relationship Between Aspects of Medical Complexity and Work Relative Value Units (wRVUs) for Foot and Ankle Surgical Procedures

Special Considerations in Podiatric Science: Translational Research, Cadavers, Gait Analysis, Dermatology, and Databases

The objective of this article is to provide a brief overview of the critical analysis and design of unique and perhaps less common methodologies in podiatric science. These include basic science translational designs, cadaveric investigations, gait analyses, dermatologic studies, and database analysis. The relative advantages, disadvantages, and inherent limitations are reviewed with an intention to improve the interpretation of results and advance future foot and ankle scientific endeavors.

Compensation based on work relative value unit for cardiovascular surgeons in Iran: A mixed method study

BACKGROUND

Work relative value unit (wRVU) is a tool for assessing surgeons' performance, compensation, and productivity. It appears that wRVU for cardiovascular procedures does not consider complexity and its value for lengthy operations is low. The aim of the study is to determine wRVU for cardiovascular procedures in Iran according to the proposed approach.

MATTERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted as a mixed method in teaching hospitals in Tabriz in the period of September 2020 to December 2021. According to Hospital Information System and expert opinions, six procedures in cardiovascular surgery were included in the study. They were compared with 18 procedures in neurosurgery, orthopedics, and otorhinolaryngology in terms of the operation time and wRVU/min. Then, we calculated new wRVUs for the selected procedures based on surgeons' opinions, time measurements, and anesthetists' points of view by content analysis in qualitative and statistical analysis in quantitative parts.

RESULTS

Among the six cardiac procedures, the wRVU for five was under-estimated. The wRVU/min value ranged from 0/28 to 1/15 in the studied procedures. Findings demonstrate no significant relationship between the length of operations and the wRVU announced by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (P value >0/05). Compared to studied procedures in four specialties, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair has the longest surgery time at 417 minutes. According to anesthesiologists, cardiovascular; orthopedics; ear, nose, and tongue; and neurosurgery specialties obtained 4/2, 2/9, 2/8, and 4, respectively, in terms of surgery duration, complexity, risk, and physical effort.

CONCLUSION

Despite policymakers' attempts to bring justice to payments, it seems that there has been little progress in paying cardiovascular surgeons. Improper payment to cardiovascular surgeons will affect the future of the workforce in this specialty. Today, the need to reconsider the wRVUs in heart specialty is felt more than before.

An Evaluation of Basic Demographic Characteristics in Foot and Ankle Surgery From the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

It has become increasingly prevalent in the foot and ankle surgical literature to evaluate outcomes and trends obtained from large databases. The objective of this investigation was to provide a broad descriptive analysis and compare basic demographic characteristics relating to foot and ankle surgery within the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. The 16 Current Procedural Terminology® (CPT) codes available within this database pertaining to foot and ankle surgery were studied. Several CPT codes were observed to be more frequently associated with male gender: 27650 (Achilles tendon repair), 27698 (Lateral ankle reconstruction), 27702 (Total ankle arthroplasty), 27766 (ORIF medial malleolus fracture), 27792 (ORIF lateral malleolus fracture), and 28805 (Metatarsal amputation). Several other CPT codes were observed to be more frequently associated with female gender: 27658 (Primary peroneal tendon repair), 27814 (ORIF bimalleolar fracture), 27822 (ORIF trimalleolar ankle fracture without posterior lip fracture), and 27823 (ORIF trimalleolar ankle fracture with posterior lip fracture). The elective case designation was observed to be more frequently associated with male gender (65.4 vs 58.7%; p < .001). These data have potential use in the development and interpretation of quality improvement/performance improvement protocols at individual health care delivery centers, as well as the interpretation of other published investigations utilizing this database.