When Benchmarks Fail Us: A Case Study in Cytoreductive Surgery

RVU Writing Group, PSM Consortium Group

Research output: Contribution to journalEditorial

Abstract

Introduction: Relative Value Units (RVUs) are utilized to measure physician work effort and create national benchmarks. Physicians are often measured against national benchmarks to determine compensation. Using a case study in cytoreductive surgery, we explored variability in coding that can impact national benchmarks. Methods: A survey was conducted amongst surgeons in the peritoneal surface malignancies consortium (PSM). Data was collected on clinical experience, clinical full time equivalent, wRVUS and institutional coding practice. Results: Coding of the same procedure resulted in significantly varying RVUs (IQR 60-101) across institutions. Higher volume (> 50% practice) appeared to have better coding practices with higher wRVU/case (Median 102 vs 62, p = 0.04). Conclusions: There is significant variability in the measurement of similar effort across institutions due to coding variability. Such variability creates flaws in measurement necessary for benchmarks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)19-23
Number of pages5
JournalAnnals of Surgical Oncology
Volume32
Issue number1
Early online dateSep 26 2024
DOIs
StateE-pub ahead of print - Sep 26 2024

Keywords

  • Cytoreductive surgical procedures
  • Organization and administration
  • Peritoneal neoplasms
  • Peritoneal surface malignancies
  • Surgeons/standards
  • Prognosis
  • Relative Value Scales
  • Humans
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'/standards
  • Benchmarking
  • Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures/standards
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms/surgery
  • Clinical Coding/standards
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

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