Over 1 million Americans experience major preventable complications when going in for surgery each year, amounting to 3 in 10 surgeries. This leads employees to suffer from avoidable pain, stress, hospital readmissions, and longer recoveries – primarily as a result of improper preparation.
Understanding the types of surgeries and complications
Surgeries can be categorized broadly into elective and emergency procedures. Elective surgeries are planned in advance, allowing for some degree of preparation and scheduling. Examples include joint replacements, cosmetic procedures, and most spine surgical procedures . Emergency surgeries, on the other hand, are unexpected and often life-saving, such as appendectomies or trauma-related events. Complications are often broken down into preventable and unpreventable events. Preventable complications are defined as those that could be avoided with proper management, adherence to best practices, or preventive measures. These complications often result from lapses in clinical procedures, inadequate monitoring, miscommunication, or errors in judgment. Examples include infections due to poor hygiene practices, medication errors, pressure ulcers from prolonged immobility, and surgical complications due to lack of adherence to safety protocols. The most common complications include infection, bleeding, blood clots, anesthesia complications, and wound dehiscence.How surgeries affect employers
Pre-Surgery Anxiety and Stress: The anticipation of surgery can cause significant stress and anxiety for employees, potentially affecting their focus and productivity even before the procedure takes place. Employers should be aware of these pre-surgery effects and provide support through counseling services or flexible work arrangements. Post-Surgery Recovery: The recovery period post-surgery varies depending on the type and complexity of the procedure. During this time, employees may experience symptoms such as chest pain, especially if pulmonary complications arise. Employees may be on medical leave, leading to a temporary reduction in workforce. For those who return to work, reduced physical or mental capacity can still affect their efficiency and output. Long-Term Health Improvements: On a positive note, successful surgeries, depending on the type of surgery performed, can lead to significant long-term benefits on the patient’s overall health. Employees who have undergone corrective or life-improving surgeries often return to work with enhanced well-being, reduced pain, and increased energy levels, which can boost their productivity and morale. For example, chronic back pain is one of the leading causes of excessive absenteeism and can often be reduced with procedures.What employees are looking for
According to IdentityForce’s annual survey, employers are most concerned with:- Rising healthcare costs
- Physical and mental health of employees
- Talent shortage
How surgery techniques have improved
Since the first total hip replacement was performed in 1969, we’ve seen massive leaps in the techniques as well as the length of the hospital stay required. The average length of stay has plummeted from 3 months to less than 3 days. Similarly, advancements in knee arthroplasty have significantly improved patient outcomes and reduced recovery times. However, the pandemic has created new challenges. Post-pandemic, the problem has only gotten worse – we’ve seen a 19% uptick in adverse surgical outcomes. Physician burnout and staffing shortages are enduring issues that are proven to cause patient harm. Choosing the right surgical team is more important than ever.Rising healthcare costs and strategies to reduce them
These concerns impact employers, too. The cost of complications can significantly increase healthcare expenses. Depending on your industry, surgery recovery is between the 3rd and 5th most common cause of employee absence. When employees are unprepared, the financial toll impacts both them and their employers. Preventable infections cost employers over $40 billion a year in treatment prices and productivity loss. Midsize employers have faced the steepest rise in healthcare spend, which also puts pressure on hospital budgets, averaging a 7.8% increase each year for companies with 50-499 employees. The cost of preventable complications for employees exceed $40 billion a year. This includes:- +78% employee absenteeism
- +114% longer hospital stays
- +$9k productivity loss / patient
- +$37k in treatment costs / patient
