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
Since 88% of employers ranked health care-related benefits as “extremely important” or “very important” to their workforce, it’s no wonder that many are searching for new solutions to enhance the quality of care for patients and demonstrate their commitment to supporting individual concerns.
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
Psychological effect on employees and risk factors
Anxiety, chronic pain, and loneliness are major concerns for patients undergoing surgery, with preoperative anxiety affecting up to 81% of individuals. Additionally, the risk of developing a blood clot, such as deep vein thrombosis, can further exacerbate these psychological effects. These factors lead to impaired function, delayed recovery, prolonged opioid use, and lower quality of life. Each of these conditions create productivity loss for employers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these challenges, causing significant disruptions and delays in surgical care. This has led to an alarming rise in mental health issues, with studies showing a marked increase in anxiety and depression among patients as they face prolonged wait times for essential procedures.
Strategies to mitigate the impact on employers
Proactive Health Programs: Implementing proactive health and wellness programs can help reduce the need for surgery. Regular health check-ups can help monitor blood flow and prevent complications. Ergonomic assessments and promoting a healthy lifestyle can prevent conditions that might require surgical intervention.
Comprehensive Health Insurance: Offering comprehensive health insurance that covers pre- and post-surgery care can alleviate some of the financial burdens on employees, encouraging them to seek timely medical attention and recover properly. Comprehensive health insurance can cover treatments for infections that spread through the blood stream.
Return-to-Work Programs: Developing structured return-to-work programs can facilitate a smoother transition for employees coming back after surgery. These programs can also help manage wound infections, ensuring they are treated promptly to prevent further complications. These programs can include phased return plans, physical therapy sessions, and continuous monitoring of the employee’s progress.
Conclusion
Surgery, whether elective or emergency, has a significant impact on the workplace. By understanding these effects and implementing supportive measures, employers can help ensure that their employees recover well and return to work effectively. In the long run, a workplace that values and supports its employees’ health will see enhanced productivity, morale, and overall business success.
If you’re an employer looking to reduce the impact of surgery complications on your employees and your bottom line, request a demo from End to End Health.
References
https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/employee-benefits-survey
https://www.ama-assn.org/about/research/trends-health-care-spending