Economical aspects of intraoperative blood loss in a large spinal surgical ward in 2018

Background: Major procedures in spine are accompanied by elevated intraoperative blood loss which often results in the need of blood transfusions. A prolonged hospital stays as well as at the intensive care unit are cost-sensible factors. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine a possible correlation between the intraoperative blood loss and the duration of the intensive care unit treatment, and the overall hospital stay. Patients and Methods: This study presents a retrospective analysis of 253 patients treated in our spine surgical ward in 2018. To analyse a possible correlation the tests of Pearson’s, Spearman rho’s and Kendall-Tau-b’s were used. Results: The intraoperative blood loss showed a significant correlation towards the duration on the intensive care unit (ICU) in both Spearman’s rho and Kendall Tau-b’s. Analysis of the correlation between intraoperative blood loss and overall length of hospital stay using Pearson’s showed a direct correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.155. Conclusions: This study shows a correlation between intraoperative blood loss both with the duration of intensive care unit treatment and the overall hospital stay which illustrates the financial impact of elevated intraoperative blood loss. of evidence: