Same-day Discharge after Appendectomy Results in Cost Savings and Improved Efficiency

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (8) ◽  
pp. 787-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra M. Farach ◽  
Paul D. Danielson ◽  
N. Elizabeth Walford ◽  
Richard P. Harmel ◽  
Nicole M. Chandler

Appendectomy incurs significant costs for the healthcare system. There is evidence that patients can be safely discharged the same day after appendectomy. The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based protocol for same-day discharge after appendectomy. A fast-track surgery protocol was developed for same-day discharge after appendectomy. This was prospectively applied to all patients presenting for appendectomy from July 2012 to June 2013. Demographics, clinical measures, and outcomes were measured. Of 206 patients eligible for same-day discharge, 185 (90%) were successfully discharged according to the protocol. The mean length of stay after appendectomy was 3.1 ± 1.4 hours. Protocol implementation reduced inpatient use from 99 to 53 per cent. Patient transfers were reduced, resulting in 40 per cent fewer handoffs. The decreased use of hospital resources resulted in a median reduction of hospital charges of $4111 per patient. The complication rate for patients discharged the same day was 2.7 per cent. Appendectomy for acute appendicitis or interval appendectomy can be performed safely as same-day surgery. Implementation of this protocol resulted in optimization of resource use by reducing inpatient admissions, decreasing handoffs, and reducing hospital costs.

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 768-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan McCullough ◽  
Collin Weber ◽  
Chris Leong ◽  
Jyotirmay Sharma

The management of hypocalcemia (HC) after total thyroidectomy (TTx) is a challenge as TTx is transitioned into a same-day surgery. Measurement of parathyroid hormone (PTH) level after TTx may allow for prediction of postoperative HC and lead to shorter hospital stays. A prospective database was queried between January 2010 and June 2012 with 95 patients who had undergone TTx identified. Patient demographics; preoperative diagnosis; laboratory values and cost; complications; intravenous calcium supplementation; and length of stay (LOS) were analyzed. A PTH-based algorithm was retrospectively applied and theoretical cost savings were analyzed in terms of laboratory cost, LOS, and total cost. Ninety-five patients underwent TTx: 37 patients (38.9%) had cancer, whereas 27 (28.4%) had Graves’ disease and the remaining 31 (32.6%) had a benign multinodular goiter. Postoperative PTH was recorded in 72 patients (74.4%); 46 (63.8%) had PTH greater than 10 pg/mL and 26 (36.9%) had PTH less than 10 pg/mL. Transient HC occurred in 10 patients (38.4%) with PTH less than 10 pg/mL (relative risk, 17.69; P = 0.0001). Patients with PTH less than 10 pg/mL incurred a 14.9 per cent higher hospital cost compared with those with PTH greater than 10 pg/mL. With retrospective implementation of the algorithm, there is a potential 46.4 per cent cost savings for the PTH less than 10 pg/mL group, 67.3 per cent savings for the PTH greater than 10 pg/mL group, and 46.7 per cent savings when taken altogether. Algorithmic risk stratification based on postoperative PTH less than 10 pg/mL serves as both a sensitive (100%) and specific (76.7%) predictor of postoperative HC. Such risk stratification may allow for same-day discharge in a number of patients, and even in patients requiring an overnight stay, result in cost savings as a result of a reduction in laboratory expenditures.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashish Sonig ◽  
Imad Saeed Khan ◽  
Rishi Wadhwa ◽  
Jai Deep Thakur ◽  
Anil Nanda

Object Hospitalization cost and patient outcome after acoustic neuroma surgery depend on several factors. There is a paucity of data regarding the relationship between demographic features such as age, sex, race, insurance status, and patient outcome. Apart from demographic factors, there are several hospital-related factors and regional issues that can affect outcomes and hospital costs. To the authors' knowledge, no study has investigated the issue of regional disparity across the country in terms of cost of hospitalization and discharge disposition. Methods The authors analyzed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database over the years 2005–2009. Several variables were analyzed from the database, including patient demographics, comorbidities, and surgical complications. Hospital variables, such as bedsize, rural/urban location, teaching status, federal or private ownership, and the region, were also examined. Patient outcome and increased hospitalization costs were the dependent variables studied. Results A total of 2589 admissions from 242 hospitals were analyzed from the NIS data over the years 2005–2009. The mean age was 48.99 ± 13.861 years (± SD), and 304 (11.7%) of the patients were older than 65 years. The cumulative cost incurred by the hospitals from 2005 to 2009 was $948.77 million. The mean expenditure per admission was $76,365.09 ± $58,039.93. The mean total charges per admission rose from $59,633.00 in 2005 to $97,370.00 in 2009. The factors that predicted most significantly with other than routine (OTR) disposition outcome were age older than 65 years (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.411–3.518; p < 0.001), aspiration pneumonia (OR 16.085, 95% CI 4.974–52.016; p < 0.001), and meningitis (OR 11.299, 95% CI 3.126–40.840; p < 0.001). When compared with patients with Medicare and Medicaid, patients with private insurance had a protective effect against OTR disposition outcome. Higher comorbidities predicted independently for OTR disposition outcome (OR 1.409, 95% CI 1.072–1.852; p = 0.014). The West region predicted negatively for OTR disposition outcome. Large hospitals were independently associated with higher hospital charges (OR 4.269, 95% CI 3.106–5.867; p < 0.001). The West region had significantly higher (p < 0.001) mean hospital charges than the other regions. Patient factors such as meningitis and aspiration pneumonia were strong independent predictors of increased hospital charges (p < 0.001). Higher comorbidities (OR 1.297, 95% CI 1.036–1.624; p = 0.023) and presence of neurofibromatosis Type 2 (OR 2.341, 95% CI 1.479–3.707; p < 0.001) were associated with higher hospital charges. Conclusions The authors' study shows that several factors can affect patient outcome and hospital charges for patients who have undergone acoustic neuroma surgery. Factors such as younger age, higher ZIP code income, less comorbidity, private insurance, elective surgery, and the West region predicted for better disposition outcome. However, the West region, higher comorbidities, and weekend admissions were associated with higher hospitalization costs.


2020 ◽  
pp. neurintsurg-2020-016728
Author(s):  
Joshua S Catapano ◽  
Andrew F Ducruet ◽  
Stefan W Koester ◽  
Tyler S Cole ◽  
Jacob F Baranoski ◽  
...  

BackgroundTransradial artery (TRA) access for neuroendovascular procedures is associated with fewer complications than transfemoral artery (TFA) access. This study compares hospital costs associated with TRA access to those associated with TFA access for neurointerventions.MethodsElective neuroendovascular procedures at a single center were retrospectively analyzed from October 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019. Hospital costs for each procedure were obtained from the hospital financial department. The primary outcome was the difference in the mean hospital costs after propensity adjustment between patients who underwent TRA compared with TFA access.ResultsOf the 338 elective procedures included, 63 (19%) were performed through TRA versus 275 (81%) through TFA access. Diagnostic procedures were more common in the TRA cohort (51 of 63, 81%) compared with the TFA cohort (197 of 275, 72%), but the difference was not significant (p=0.48). The TRA cohort had a shorter length of hospital stay (mean (SD) 0.3 (0.5) days) compared with the TFA cohort (mean 0.7 (1.3) days; p=0.02) and lower hospital costs (mean $12 968 ($6518) compared with the TFA cohort (mean $17 150 ($10 946); p=0.004). After propensity adjustment for age, sex, symptoms, angiographic findings, procedure type, sheath size, and catheter size, TRA access was associated with a mean hospital cost of $2514 less than that for TFA access (95% CI −$4931 to −$97; p=0.04).ConclusionNeuroendovascular procedures performed through TRA access are associated with lower hospital costs than TFA procedures. The lower cost is likely due to a decreased length of hospital stay for TRA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 56S-65S
Author(s):  
Christopher M. Mikhail ◽  
Murray Echt ◽  
Stephen R. Selverian ◽  
Samuel K. Cho

Study Design: Broad narrative review. Objective: To review and summarize the current literature on the cost efficacy of performing ACDF, lumbar discectomy and short segment fusions of the lumbar spine performed in the outpatient setting. Methods: A thorough review of peer- reviewed literature was performed on the relative cost-savings, as well as guidelines, outcomes, and indications for successfully implementing outpatient protocols for routine spine procedures. Results: Primary elective 1-2 level ACDF can be safely performed in most patient populations with a higher patient satisfaction rate and no significant difference in 90-day reoperations and readmission rates, and a savings of 4000 to 41 305 USD per case. Lumbar discectomy performed through minimally invasive techniques has decreased recovery times with similar patient outcomes to open procedures. Performing lumbar microdiscectomy in the outpatient setting is safe, cheaper by as much as 12 934 USD per case and has better or equivalent outcomes to their inpatient counterparts. Unlike ACDF and lumbar microdiscectomy, short segment fusions are rarely performed in ASCs. However, with the advent of minimally invasive techniques paired with improved pain control, same-day discharge after lumbar fusion has limited clinical data but appears to have potential cost-savings up to 65-70% by reducing admissions. Conclusion: Performing ACDF, lumbar discectomy and short segment fusions in the outpatient setting is a safe and effective way of reducing cost in select patient populations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Harju ◽  
M. Pääkkönen ◽  
M. Eskelinen

Background and Aims: In some studies minilaparotomy cholecystectomy (MC) has been shown to be as good as laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the surgical treatment of cholecystolithiasis. To our knowledge, the MC operation is rarely considered as a day surgery procedure. Patients and Methods: Thirty elective symptomatic non-complicated patients were included in the study during the end of the year 2004 to June 2005. The mean age of patients was 52 years (range 27–68), the mean body mass index 29 kg/m2 (range 19–41). Gallstones were confirmed with ultrasound and the pre-operative liver laboratory tests were normal in all patients. A five (+/-2) centimetre-long incision was used avoiding to split the rectus abdominis muscle. All patients were re-evaluated four weeks postoperatively with the follow-up letter. Results: The average operating time was 51 minutes (range 30–105 minutes). Day surgery was possible in 25 cases (83%). Five patients (17%) stayed over night at the hospital. There were four (13%) conversions to conventional cholecystectomy. The average postoperative sick leave was 16 days (range 14–30). Two patients returned to hospital. One patient had wound pain, but no complication was found, and the patient was not admitted. One patient had a wound infection and spent 6 days in the hospital. Twenty-nine (97%) patients were satisfied with the operation and were ready to recommend it for other patients. Conclusions: The results of this study support the suitability of MC as a day surgery procedure, but a prospective randomised trial is needed to evaluate the relative advantages of MC and LC.


Author(s):  
Michael C Giudici ◽  
Deborah L Paul ◽  
Caroline Sloane ◽  
Gisela Press ◽  
Ashley Petersen ◽  
...  

Introduction: Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (PVI) is being performed with increasing frequency. This time and labor-intensive procedure is under increasing scrutiny as we look for means to decrease costs of delivering care. Performing these procedures on therapeutic warfarin could shorten hospital stays, eliminate costly low-molecular weight heparin (LMW) use, and decrease procedural heparin administration which could reduce hemorrhage from access sites. Methods: Over a six-year period, 180 patients, 138 M/42 F, mean age 43 yr (18-77 yr), underwent PVI for persistent - 99 pts., and paroxysmal - 81 pts. atrial fibrillation. Mean INR was 2.2 (1.5 - 4.2). Procedures were performed with standard radiofrequency (RF) catheters - 132, Cryoablation - 27, and Ablation Frontiers RF - 21. Procedural time, fluoroscopy time, hospital stays, outcomes, and complications were tracked. Results: 127 of 180 pts. were discharged the day of procedure (OP) from the outpatient unit, 51 pts. stayed one night post-procedure (IP), 2 patients stayed 4 days, one for pulmonary treatment and one for CVA. Mean procedural length was 3.3 hours, mean fluoro time was 52 min. Mean time from hospital admit to discharge was 17.3 hr. Mean time from procedure end to discharge was 11.0 hr. 77% of pts. were free from AF on follow-up on no meds or “pill-in-the-pocket”. 6 complications occurred - 1 phrenic nerve paralysis (resolved), 2 CVAs (one was 72 hrs post PVI), 1 perforation/tamponade, 1 groin bleed requiring evacuation, 1 PV stenosis. There was no difference in outcome for patients discharged OP vs IP. Cost savings by continuing warfarin were LMW = $205/dose X 6 doses - $1230/pt. Cost savings by same day discharge = $1330/day. Conclusions: PVI can be safely performed as an outpatient procedure on therapeutic warfarin with good clinical outcomes. Significant cost savings can be realized from OP PVI from reduced staff, medication, and facilities utilization.


2018 ◽  
Vol 128 (6) ◽  
pp. 1792-1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gurpreet S. Gandhoke ◽  
Yash K. Pandya ◽  
Ashutosh P. Jadhav ◽  
Tudor Jovin ◽  
Robert M. Friedlander ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVEThe price of coils used for intracranial aneurysm embolization has continued to rise despite an increase in competition in the marketplace. Coils on the US market range in list price from $500 to $3000. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential cost savings with the use of a price capitation model.METHODSThe authors built a clinical decision analytical tree and compared their institution’s current expenditure on endovascular coils to the costs if a capped-price model were implemented. They retrospectively reviewed coil and cost data for 148 patients who underwent coil embolization from January 2015 through September 2016. Data on the length and number of coils used in all patients were collected and analyzed. The probabilities of a treated aneurysm being ≤/> 10 mm in maximum dimension, the total number of coils used for a case being ≤/> 5, and the total length of coils used for a case being ≤/> 50 cm were calculated, as was the mean cost of the currently used coils for all possible combinations of events with these probabilities. Using the same probabilities, the authors calculated the expected value of the capped-price strategy in comparison with the current one. They also conducted multiple 1-way sensitivity analyses by applying plausible ranges to the probabilities and cost variables. The robustness of the results was confirmed by applying individual distributions to all studied variables and conducting probabilistic sensitivity analysis.RESULTSNinety-five (64%) of 148 patients presented with a rupture, and 53 (36%) were treated on an elective basis. The mean aneurysm size was 6.7 mm. A total of 1061 coils were used from a total of 4 different providers. Companies A (72%) and B (16%) accounted for the major share of coil consumption. The mean number of coils per case was 7.3. The mean cost per case (for all coils) was $10,434. The median total length of coils used, for all coils, was 42 cm. The calculated probability of treating an aneurysm less than 10 mm in maximum dimension was 0.83, for using 5 coils or fewer per case it was 0.42, and for coil length of 50 cm or less it was 0.89. The expected cost per case with the capped policy was calculated to be $4000, a cost savings of $6564 in comparison with using the price of Company A. Multiple 1-way sensitivity analyses revealed that the capped policy was cost saving if its cost was less than $10,500. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, the lowest cost difference between current and capped policies was $2750.CONCLUSIONSIn comparison with the cost of coils from the authors’ current provider, their decision model and probabilistic sensitivity analysis predicted a minimum $407,000 to a maximum $1,799,976 cost savings in 148 cases by adapting the capped-price policy for coils.


2012 ◽  
Vol 94 (8) ◽  
pp. 543-547 ◽  
Author(s):  
HE Doran ◽  
J England ◽  
F Palazzo

INTRODUCTION Over the last two decades increasing numbers of surgical procedures have been performed on an outpatient basis. In 2000 the National Health Service in England set the target of performing 75% or more of all elective surgical procedures as day cases and in 2001 the British Association of Day Surgery added thyroidectomy to the list of day case procedures. However, same day discharge following thyroidectomies has been adopted by only a very small number of UK centres. The aim of this review was to establish the evidence base surrounding same day discharge thyroid surgery. METHODS The British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons commissioned the authors to perform a review of the best available evidence regarding day case thyroid surgery as a part of a consensus position to be adopted by the organisation. A MEDLINE® review of the English medical literature was performed and the relevant articles were collated and reviewed. RESULTS There are limited comparative data on day case thyroid surgery. It is feasible and may save individual hospitals the cost of inpatient stay. However, the risk of airway compromising and life threatening post-operative bleeding remains a major concern since it is not possible to positively identify those patients most and least at risk of bleeding after thyroidectomy. It is estimated that half of all post-thyroidectomy bleeds would occur outside of the hospital environment if patients were discharged six hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS Same day discharge in a UK setting cannot be endorsed. Any financial benefits may be outweighed by the exposure of patients to an increased risk of an adverse outcome. Consequently, 23-hour surgery is recommended.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Carolina Quiroga Centeno ◽  
Orlando Navas ◽  
Juan Paulo Serrano ◽  
Sergio Alejandro Gómez Ochoa

Abstract Aim “To compare the outcomes of different surgical approaches for diaphragmatic hernia (DH) repair.” Material and Methods “Adult patients with a principal admitting diagnosis of uncomplicated DH registered in the National Inpatient Sample in the period 2010-2015 were included. Patients with obstruction, gangrene, or congenital hernias were excluded. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were the incidence of complications, length of stay, and hospital charges. A multivariate logistic regression model adjusted by age, sex, elective admission, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics was used to analyze the impact of the surgical approach on the evaluated outcomes.” Results “A total of 14910 patients with DH were included (median age 65 years, 74% women). Abdominal approaches were the most commonly performed (78.9% laparoscopy and 13.6% open). Patients that underwent open abdominal and thoracic repairs had a higher risk of complications (sepsis, pneumonia, surgical site infection, prolonged postoperative ileus, and acute myocardial infarction), longer hospital stay, higher total hospital costs, and a significantly higher risk of mortality (OR 2.62. 95% CI 1.59-4.30 and OR 4.60; 95% CI 2.37-8.91, respectively) compared to patients that underwent laparoscopic abdominal repair. Individuals whose DH repair was performed through thoracoscopy had a similar mortality risk to those who underwent laparoscopic abdominal repair (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.11-6.43).” Conclusions “Nowadays, laparoscopy has become the most used approach for DH repair. In the present cohort, it was associated with better outcomes in terms of complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality, as well as lower health costs. Additional studies assessing hernia characteristics are required to validate this result.”


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 205-210
Author(s):  
Jana A. Bregman ◽  
Kalpesh T. Vakharia ◽  
Oluwatobi O. Idowu ◽  
M.Reza Vagefi ◽  
F. Lawson Grumbine

There is ample investigation into the optimal timing and approach to orbital blowout fracture (OBF) repair; however, less attention has been directed toward postoperative care. This is a multicenter IRB-approved retrospective review of patients with OBF presenting to our study sites between November 2008 and August 2016. Those with isolated OBF, over 18 years of age, and who had not suffered additional facial injuries or globe trauma were included. A total of 126 surgical cases of isolated OBF repair were identified that met our inclusion and exclusion criteria; 42.1% were outpatient repairs while the remaining 57.9% were admitted for overnight monitoring. Time elapsed prior to repair differed between the two groups at a mean of 8.4 days versus 5.2 days for the outpatient and inpatient cohorts, respectively ( p = 0.001). A majority of inpatient cases underwent immediate repair, while a majority of outpatient cases were delayed. There were two cases of RBH in the outpatient cohort resulting in an overall incidence of 1.6%. In both instances, a significant change in clinical exam including decreased visual acuity, diplopia, and eye pain prompted repeat evaluation and immediate intervention for hematoma evacuation. Estimated hospital charges to the patient's insurance for key components of an inpatient versus outpatient isolated OBF repair amounted to a total cost of $9,598.22 for inpatient management and $7,265.02 for outpatient management without reflexive postoperative imaging. Reflexive postoperative CT scans were obtained in 76.7% of inpatient cases and only two led to a reoperation. No outpatient repairs included reflexive postoperative imaging. Outpatient OBF repair is an attractive alternative to inpatient management. The potential cost savings of outpatient management of OBF, which do not detract from quality or safety of patient care, should not be ignored. Our results will hopefully contribute to updated shared practice patterns for all subspecialties that participate in the surgical management of OBF.


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