Can We Improve Prediction of Adverse Surgical Outcomes? Development of a Surgical Complexity Score Using a Novel Machine Learning Technique

BACKGROUND: An optimal method to quantify surgical complexity using patient comorbidities derived from administrative billing data is lacking. We sought to develop a novel, easy-to-use surgical Complexity Score to accurately predict adverse outcomes among patients undergoing elective surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A novel surgical Complexity Score was developed using 100% Medicare Inpatient and Outpatient Standard Analytic Files (SAFs) from years 2012...