Key result
Among patients undergoing carpal tunnel release, 43.4% received at least one low-value preoperative test, with higher odds associated with older age, comorbidities, and general/regional anesthesia.
Why the study?
Routine preoperative screening tests before low-risk surgery are discouraged by guidelines, but the prevalence and patient characteristics associated with low-value preoperative tests prior to carpal tunnel release remained to be assessed.
Population
572 patients aged ≥18 undergoing carpal tunnel release at an academic medical center
Comparison
Occurrence of 9 common low-value preoperative tests vs none
Design
Retrospective electronic medical record cohort study
Follow-up
30 days prior to CTR
Authors
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High rates of low-value preoperative testing persist; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective studies before informing de-implementation.
Observational (n=572)
No
Low-value preoperative tests, including ECGs, are frequently performed before minor surgeries like carpal tunnel release, highlighting an area for quality improvement.
Ding et al. (2020) conducted an observational in Carpal tunnel syndrome (n=572). Patient factors (older age, higher comorbidity score, general or regional anesthesia) vs. Younger age, lower comorbidity score, monitored anesthesia care was evaluated on Receipt of at least 1 low-value preoperative test (LVT) in the 30 days prior to carpal tunnel release. Among patients undergoing carpal tunnel release, 43.4% received at least one low-value preoperative test, with higher odds associated with older age, comorbidities, and general/regional anesthesia.
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