Surgeon scorecard linked to surgical supply costs

Editor's Note

Giving monthly cost feedback scorecards to surgeons was associated with significantly reduced surgical supply costs, without negatively affecting patient outcomes in this study.

Of 249 surgeons representing 10 specialties, 63 were in the intervention group and 186 were in the control group. Surgeons in the intervention group each received monthly cost feedback scorecards, and those in the control group did not.

Median surgical supply direct costs per case decreased 6.54% in the intervention group, compared with a 7.42% increase in the control group.

Patient outcomes were equivalent or improved after the intervention, and surgeons who received scorecards reported higher levels of cost awareness, compared with controls.

This study is the largest and only controlled study of cost feedback that targets surgeons across several specialties and a broad rang of procedures, the authors say.

Question What is the association between providing surgeons with individualized cost feedback and surgical supply costs? Findings In this case-control study, surgeons in the intervention group received cost feedback scorecards during the study period, while those in the control group did not.