Evaluation of Cost-effectiveness and Clinical Value of Routine Histopathologic Examination of Septoplasty Specimens

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110129
Author(s):  
Randall S. Ruffner ◽  
Jessica W. Scordino
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Clinical Value ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Significant Pathology ◽  
National Model ◽  
Routine Histopathologic Examination

Objectives During septoplasty, normal cartilage and bone are often sent for pathologic examination despite benign appearance. We explored pathology results following septoplasty from April 2016 to April 2018, examining clinical value and relevance, implications, and cost analysis. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Single-institution academic medical center. Methods A retrospective chart review was compiled by using Current Procedural Terminology code 30520 for septoplasty for indication of nasal obstruction, deviated septum, and nasal deformity. Results A total of 236 consecutive cases were identified spanning a 2-year period. Septoplasty specimens were sent for pathology evaluation in 76 (31%). The decision to send a specimen for histopathology was largely physician dependent. No cases yielded unexpected or significant pathology that changed management. The average total charges for septoplasty were $10,200 at our institution, with 2.2% of procedural charges accounting for pathology preparation and review, averaging $225. Nationally, this results in an estimated charged cost of $58.5 million. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement for septoplasty pathology charges was $46 in 2018, accounting for 1.3% of hospital-based reimbursements and 2.2% of ambulatory center reimbursements. With CMS as a national model for reimbursement, $11.8 million is spent yearly for septoplasty histopathology. Given that CMS reimbursement is significantly lower than private insurers, national total reimbursement is likely considerably higher. Conclusion Routine pathology review of routine septoplasty specimens is unnecessary, unremarkable, and wasteful. Correlation of the patient’s presentation and intraoperative findings should justify the need for pathology evaluation. This value-based approach can offer significant direct and indirect cost savings. Level of evidence 4.

Evaluation of the dosing strategies of biologic agents and the theoretical impact of dose rounding

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Savannah Lindsey ◽  
Laura Beth Parsons ◽  
Lindsay Rosenbeck Figg ◽  
Jill Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Wholesale Price ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
The Cost

Introduction Monoclonal antibodies possess unique pharmacokinetic properties that permit flexible dosing. Increased use and high costs of these medications have led to the development of cost-containing strategies. This study aims to quantify the cost savings and clinical impact associated with dose rounding monoclonal antibodies to the nearest vial size. Methods This study was a single-arm, retrospective chart review assessing all monoclonal antibody doses dispensed at an outpatient community infusion center associated with an academic medical center between August 2014 and August 2015. All monoclonal antibody doses were reviewed to determine the cost of drug wasted using two methods. The waste-cost analysis described the amount of drug disposed of due to the use of partial vials. The theoretical dose savings described potential cost avoidance based on rounding the ordered dose to the nearest vial size. The theoretical rounded dose was compared to the actual ordered dose to explore clinical implications. Results A total of 436 doses were included. Of these, 237 were not rounded to the nearest vial size and included in the analysis. The cost of waste associated with these doses was $108,013.64 using actual wholesale price. The potential cost avoidance associated with the theoretical dose calculation was $83,595.53. Rounding these doses to the nearest vial size resulted in a median 6.7% (range, 1.4–20%) deviation from ordered dose. Conclusions Rounding monoclonal antibodies to the nearest vial size could lead to significant cost and waste savings with minimal deviation from the actual ordered dose.

scholarly journals Time is money: quantifying savings in outpatient appendectomy

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise Taylor Bernard ◽  
Daniel L Davenport ◽  
Courtney M Collins ◽  
Bethany A Benton ◽  
Andrew C Bernard
Keyword(s):  
Laparoscopic Appendectomy ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Postanesthesia Care Unit ◽  
Total Hospital Cost ◽  
Outpatient Basis ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Level Of Evidence

BackgroundLaparoscopic appendectomy can be performed on a fast-track, short-stay, or outpatient basis with high success rates, low morbidity, low readmission rates, and shorter length of hospital stay. Cost savings from outpatient appendectomy have not been well described. We hypothesize that outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is associated with cost savings.MethodsWe performed an original retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy between June 2013 and April 2017 at our academic medical center before and after implementation of an outpatient protocol which began on January 1, 2016. We assessed appendicitis grade, length of stay (LOS), cost, net revenue, and profit margin.ResultsAfter protocol implementation, the percentage of patients discharged from the the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) increased from 3.7% to 29.7% (χ2 p<0.001). The proportion of inpatient admissions and admissions to observation decreased by 5.7% and 20.3%, respectively. On average, PACU-to-home patients had a total hospital cost of $4734 compared with $5781 in patients admitted to observation, for an estimated savings of $1047 per patient (p<0.001). Comparing the time periods, the mean LOS decreased for all groups (p<0.001). Appendicitis grade was higher in those who required inpatient admission, but could not distinguish which patients required an observation bed.DiscussionOutpatient appendectomy saves approximately $1000 per patient. Adoption of an outpatient appendectomy pathway is likely to be gradual, but will result in incremental improvement in resource utilization immediately. Grade does not predict which patients should be observed. Considering established safety, our data support widespread implementation of this protocol.Level of evidenceIII.

scholarly journals Pharmacist-Driven Management of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Hospitalized Adult Oncology Patients. A Retrospective Comparative Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramy Elshaboury ◽  
Kathleen Green
Keyword(s):  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Nausea And Vomiting ◽  
P Value ◽  
Potential Cost

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a major adverse event associated with cancer treatments. There are clinical practice guidelines that assist practitioners in managing CINV. Many cancer centers develop protocols for physicians and pharmacists to guide prophylaxis and breakthrough treatments of CINV based on published guidelines. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome differences between pharmacist and physician -driven management of CINV in adult hospitalized cancer patients in a large academic medical center. This is a single center retrospective chart review study. The primary outcome of the study was the number of breakthrough antiemetic doses needed throughout the hospitalization. A total of 106 adult patients receiving inpatient chemotherapy were reviewed for CINV management. Fifty-five patients (52%) were managed according to the pharmacist-driven protocol, and fifty-one patients (48%) were managed by the physician. There was no difference between the two groups in the primary outcome. Patients in the pharmacist-managed group needed 6.4 breakthrough antiemetic doses; whereas, patients in the physician managed group needed 5.9 doses throughout the hospital stay (P-value = 0.7). No difference was seen when results were adjusted for length of hospitalization. There was a difference in adherence to the institution CINV guidelines favoring the pharmacist-driven approach (85% versus 33%, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, pharmacist-run protocol for CINV management was as effective as the standard of care. Protocols that are based on practice guidelines may offer the advantage of care standardization and potential cost savings.   Type: Student Project

scholarly journals An Ophthalmology Resident-Led Quality Improvement Initiative to Decrease the Incidence of Perioperative Corneal Injury

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (02) ◽  
pp. e49-e53
Author(s):  
Amanda L. Ely ◽  
Mark Goerlitz-Jessen ◽  
Ingrid U. Scott ◽  
Erik Lehman ◽  
Tabassum Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Corneal Injury ◽  
Surgical Case ◽  
Anesthesia Providers ◽  
Academic Medical

Abstract Objective This article evaluates the effectiveness of an ophthalmology resident-led quality improvement (QI) initiative to decrease the incidence of perioperative corneal injury at an academic medical center Design Retrospective chart review. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all surgical cases performed 6 months prior to, and 6 months after, implementation of an ophthalmology resident-led QI initiative at an academic medical center. The QI initiative (which focused on perioperative corneal injury awareness, understanding of risk factors, and presentation of an algorithm designed to prevent perioperative corneal injury) consisted of a lecture and distribution of educational materials to anesthesia providers. Data collected through the chart review included type of surgical case, presence of diabetes mellitus or thyroid disease, patient age and gender, patient positioning (supine, prone, or lateral), level of anesthesia provider training, length of surgical case, surgical service, type of anesthesia, and type (if any) of perioperative eye injury. The rates of perioperative corneal injury pre- versus post-initiative were compared. Results The rates of perioperative corneal injury pre- and post-initiative were 3.7 and 1.9 per 1,000, respectively (p = 0.012). Significant risk factors for perioperative corneal injury include longer duration of surgery (odds ratio [OR] 90–180 vs. < 90 minutes = 4.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.43–12.18; OR > 180 vs. < 90 minutes = 8.56, 95% CI 3.01–24.32; OR > 180 vs. 90–180 = 2.05, 95% CI 1.17–3.58), patient position lateral > prone > supine (OR prone vs. lateral = 0.25, 95% CI 0.09–0.67; OR supine vs. lateral = 0.13, 95% CI 0.07–0.23), nonhead and neck surgeries (OR = 0.32, 95% CI 0.11–0.87), and surgery performed under the general surgery service (OR general surgery service vs. other subspecialty services = 6.50, 95% CI 2.39–24.76). Conclusions An ophthalmology resident-led QI initiative consisting of educating anesthesia providers was associated with a significant decrease in the rate of perioperative corneal injury.

scholarly journals Overweight and Obesity Among Adults Identifying on the Transgender Spectrum in Newark, NJ Between 2018 and 2020: A Retrospective Chart Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1244-1244
Author(s):  
Joachim Sackey ◽  
Michelle DallaPiazza ◽  
Sari Bentsianov ◽  
Diana Finkel
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Obesity Class ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
White Majority ◽  
Hormone Use

Abstract Objectives To assess levels of overweight and obesity among transgender adults receiving care in an academic medical center in Newark, NJ between 2018 and 2020. Methods We performed a retrospective review of electronic medical records of transgender adults (≥18 years) receiving care in an academic medical center in Newark, NJ from 2018 through 2020. We used CDC Body Mass Index (BMI) cut-offs to determine overweight or obesity. Results Of the 159 patients included in this study, the median age was 28 years (range 18–75 years), 47.8% were Black, 27.4% were LatinX and 24.8% were White. Majority (89.3%) were receiving gender-affirming hormones and 69.2% identified as transfeminine. One-third (34.6%) were current smokers, 35.2% had a diagnosis of depression and/or anxiety and 23.3% were living with HIV. BMI was not associated with gender identity, race, hormone use, smoking, HIV status, depression and/or anxiety. A higher proportion of transfeminine participants (31.8%) were HIV positive compared to 4.1% of those identifying as transmasculine. Median BMI of the sample was 26kg/m2, 26.4% were overweight and 32.7% obese. Of the 32.7% who were obese, 12.6% were classified as obesity class 1, 10.7% as obesity class 2, and 9.4% as obesity class 3. Conclusions In this retrospective chart review, almost 60% of all transgender adults were either overweight or obese. Future research is needed to further explore potential clinical implications of elevated weight, as well as the medical, social, psychological, and health behavior factors associated with overweight and obesity among transgender individuals. Funding Sources None.

Syndesmotic Screw Removal in a Clinic Setting Is Safe and Cost-effective

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle T. Sugi ◽  
Brandon Ortega ◽  
Lane Shepherd ◽  
Charalampos Zalavras
Keyword(s):  
Operating Room ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Superficial Infection ◽  
Syndesmotic Screw ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
Level 1 Trauma Center

Background. There is no consensus in the literature regarding the necessity of syndesmotic screw removal, but the majority of surgeons prefer screw removal in the operating room. Purpose. The aim of this study is to analyze the safety and cost-effectiveness of syndesmotic screw removal in the clinic. Methods. A retrospective chart review was performed on all acute, traumatic ankle fractures that required syndesmotic stabilization over 5 years at a level 1 trauma center. Radiographs were evaluated for maintenance of syndesmotic reduction. Orthopaedic clinic visits and operating room costs were calculated. Results. Of 269 patients, syndesmotic screws were successfully removed in the clinic in 170 patients and retained in 99 patients. Two superficial infections (1.2%) developed following screw removal. The superficial infection rate was 3.3% (2 of 60) in patients who did not receive antibiotics compared with 0% (0 of 110) in patients who received antibiotics (P = .12). No patient lost syndesmotic reduction after screw removal. Cost savings of $13 829 per patient were achieved by syndesmotic screw removal in the clinic. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that syndesmotic screw removal in the clinic is safe, does not result in tibiofibular diastasis, is cost-effective, and results in substantial financial savings. Level of Evidence: Level IV

Gross Pathology of Routine Pediatric Tonsillectomy Specimens: Optimizing the Value of Patient Care

2018 ◽  
Vol 160 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Hobbs ◽  
Joshua A. Hanson ◽  
Robert G. Nicholas ◽  
Benjamin R. Johnson ◽  
Karen A. Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Patient Care ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Pediatric Malignancy ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Pathologic Analysis ◽  
Mean Charge

Objective This investigation seeks to evaluate the effect of gross pathologic analysis on our management of patients undergoing routine tonsillectomy and to evaluate charges and reimbursement. Study Design Retrospective chart review from 2005 through 2016. Setting Academic medical center. Subjects and Methods Participants were pediatric patients aged 14 years and younger undergoing tonsillectomy for either sleep-disordered breathing or tonsillitis, with tonsillectomy specimens evaluated by pathology, and without any risk factors for pediatric malignancy. Records were reviewed for demographics, surgical indications, and pathology. Abnormal reports prompted an in-depth review of the chart. Charges and reimbursement related to both hospital and professional fees for gross tonsil analysis were evaluated. Results From 2005 to 2016, 3183 routine pediatric tonsillectomy cases were performed with corresponding specimens that were sent for gross analysis revealing no significant pathologic findings; 1841 were males and 1342 were females. Ten cases underwent microscopy by pathologist order, revealing normal tonsillar tissue. The mean charge per patient for gross analysis was $60.67 if tonsils were together as 1 specimen and $77.67 if tonsils were sent as 2 separate specimens; respective reimbursement amounts were $28.74 and $35.90. Conclusions Gross pathologic analysis did not change our management of routine pediatric tonsillectomy patients. Foregoing the practice at our institution would eliminate $19,171.72 to $24,543.72 in charges and $9081.40 to $11,344.40 in reimbursement per year. Eliminating this test would improve the value of patient care by saving health care resources without compromising clinical outcomes.

Understanding the state of pharmacogenomic testing for thiopurine methyltransferase within a large health system

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 411-418
Author(s):  
Adam Root ◽  
Randall Johnson ◽  
Ann McGee ◽  
Hui-Jie Lee ◽  
Siyun Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chart Review ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Normal Metabolism ◽  
Unadjusted Analysis

Aim: To investigate the current state of TPMT testing at a single-academic medical center. Methods: Single-center, retrospective chart review for patients newly prescribed a thiopurine. Data collection and evaluation included the prevalence and timing of TPMT testing, correct dosage adjustment if applicable, and incidence of myelosuppression. Results: 121 patients (71%) received TPMT testing. Out of the tested patients, 110 (90.9%) were designated as wild-type with normal metabolism. Dosing modification was appropriate in applicable patients. In unadjusted analysis, there was a lower incidence of myelosuppression among patients who were tested versus those who were not (16.5 vs 36.7%). Conclusion: Based on the study results, TPMT testing opportunities exist for nearly 30% of patients. Testing may reduce the incidence of myelosuppression.

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