Over the past couple of decades, acute pain management has proven to be one of the most dramatic areas of growth for most anesthesia practices across the country. Especially for practices that have a major involvement with orthopedics, the use of nerve blocks has become a distinguishing aspect of the practice. The table below shows the average nerve blocks performed per year by five large practices across the country. Based on this sample of Coronis Health clients, acute pain management has become a significant aspect of the services offered by these practices. The most dramatic increase occurred during the period of the pandemic but is now leveling off.
The table below shows the most common blocks performed. The two most common have consistently been interscalene blocks for shoulders and femoral blocks for knees. In the past few years, we have seen more IPack blocks performed with femoral blocks. Another block that seems to be gaining some popularity for abdominal and breast procedures is the TAP block.
The good news is that, although payment has been eliminated for the use of ultrasonic guidance for the most prevalent blocks, payment for the basic blocks listed above has remained constant, as indicated below.
The continued use of nerve blocks has accomplished multiple objectives. These targeted nerve blocks minimize the use of opioids and other general anesthesia agents. Patients contend their use enhances the management of their pain. As more providers become proficient in their administration, the use of blocks easily becomes the norm, rather than the exception, thereby enhancing the quality of care provided to the facility. The economics of acute pain management also appear to be positive, at least for now.