NASS 2018 Annual Meeting

Symposium: Quest for Truth: Are Online Databases Reliable and Do They Reflect True Outcomes? (Room Concourse Hall 151)

Moderators: Daniel M. Sciubba, MD, Yi Lu, MD, PhD

 

In the recent past, several publications have been published based on the resources available online like the national inpatient sample NIS, national re-admission rate NRD, Pearl Diver, State Ambulatory care database SASD, Market Scan, SPARKS (NY database), Medicare/Medicaid, National Surgical Quality Improvement Program - NSQUIP and Quality and Outcomes Database– (previously N2QOD). Some of the databases like QOD and NASS registry are comprised of data entered directly by the researcher associated with the spine surgeon. This data appears to be more granular and answers specific questions required for scientific progress. On the other hand, databases like the NIS, NRD, SPARKS, SASD have been accumulated by HCUP based on the ICD and CPT codes used for billing by the hospital based on the diagnosis established. This can be during inpatient stay, follow up or readmission period. Pearl Diver accumulates similar data based on Medicare and Humana.

 

Spine surgeons/ARNP/PA rely on the publications based on these databases. For the authors working on the databases within these publications, it is important that the audience is presented with the question of authenticity of the data discussed. There are several vital parameters like racial disparity in outcome, length of stay, and cost analysis that can be extracted from the database. This information can profoundly influence the management in diverse ways. Although these databases have a very large number of population, the level of evidence has to be ascertained. In this symposium, faculty who have used these databases for publications will include a summary of each database and describe data extraction, reliability, advantage, limitation and granularity.

 

Upon completion of this session, participants should gain strategies to:

  • Ask why do we need big data?
  • Know these online databases' granularity, reliability and level of evidence
  • Assess each database and their limitations
  • Choose the right database for your research
  •  Adopt a database for your own institution
 

Agenda

Introduction
Daniel M. Sciubba, MD

 

Why NASS Registry and How It Can Influence Your Practice
Zoher Ghogawala, MD, FACS

 

QOD (N2QOD) - ODI, EQ-5D, VAS: How to Include in Your Institution
Damian Brusko, BS

 

NIS/NRD Length of Stay/Discharge/Cost Analysis/Readmission
Karthik Madhavan, MD

 

NRD: Why Readmission Data Matters
Piyush Kalakoti, MD, MBBS

 

Pearl Diver /SPARCS: Is Longitudinal Database for Everyone?
Lee Onn Chieng, MD

 

Market Scan
Anand Veeravagu, MD

 

NSQUIP: How to Use the Surgeons' Database
Nikita Lakomkin

 

Discussion, Questions and Answers
Faculty Panel