Outpatient surgery performed in an ambulatory surgery center versus a hospital: comparison of perioperative time intervals

Cost-reduction Analysis of Percutaneous Pinning of Hand Fractures in an Outpatient Clinic

Background

The University of Sherbrooke's Hospital Center operating room has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting surgeons to seek alternative ways to treat acute injuries requiring surgery. In the spring of 2020, we began performing percutaneous pinning of hand fractures in our outpatient clinic. We aimed to estimate the savings in 2021 by transferring these procedures from the operating room to the outpatient clinic.

Methods

We identified all patients with hand injuries who received percutaneous pinning in 2021 using billing codes. Only patients treated in the outpatient clinic were included. We estimated the cost of hand fracture fixation in the operating room by considering the anesthesiologist's fee, the hospital's hourly rate for a 1-hour surgery (including a respiratory therapist, 2 nurses, and equipment) and salary bonuses for unfavorable hours, subtracting the cost difference of outpatient equipment.

Results

We identified 114 patients treated with percutaneous pinning, of whom 93 were included in our study. Our calculations showed a total cost reduction of CAD $55,789 in 2021.

Conclusions

Percutaneous pinning of hand fractures in an outpatient setting resulted in a yearly cost reduction of more than CAD $55,000. Investing in ambulatory care for hand fracture management benefits both patients and institutions.

Variation in the Cost of Hip Arthroscopy for Labral Pathological Conditions: A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite growing interest in delivering high-value orthopaedic care, the costs associated with hip arthroscopy remain poorly understood. By employing time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC), we aimed to characterize the cost composition of hip arthroscopy for labral pathological conditions and to identify factors that drive variation in cost.

METHODS

Using TDABC, we measured the costs of 890 outpatient hip arthroscopy procedures for labral pathological conditions across 5 surgeons at 4 surgery centers from 2015 to 2022. All patients were ≥18 years old and were treated by surgeons who each performed ≥20 surgeries during the study period. Costs were normalized to protect the confidentiality of internal hospital cost data. Descriptive analyses and multivariable linear regression were performed to identify factors underlying cost variation.

RESULTS

The study sample consisted of 515 women (57.9%) and 375 men (42.1%), with a mean age (and standard deviation) of 37.1 ± 12.7 years. Most of the procedures were performed in patients who were White (90.6%) or not Hispanic (93.4%). The normalized total cost of hip arthroscopy per procedure ranged from 43.4 to 203.7 (mean, 100 ± 24.2). Of the 3 phases of the care cycle, the intraoperative phase was identified as the largest generator of cost (>90%). On average, supply costs accounted for 48.8% of total costs, whereas labor costs accounted for 51.2%. A 2.5-fold variation between the 10th and 90th percentiles for total cost was attributed to supplies, which was greater than the 1.8-fold variation attributed to labor. Variation in total costs was most effectively explained by the labral management method (partial R2 = 0.332), operating surgeon (partial R2 = 0.326), osteoplasty type (partial R2 = 0.087), and surgery center (partial R2 = 0.086). Male gender (p < 0.001) and younger age (p = 0.032) were also associated with significantly increased costs. Finally, data trends revealed a shift toward labral preservation techniques over debridement during the study period (with the rate of such techniques increasing from 77.8% to 93.2%; Ptrend = 0.0039) and a strong correlation between later operative year and increased supply costs, labor costs, and operative time (p < 0.001 for each).

CONCLUSIONS

By applying TDABC to outpatient hip arthroscopy, we identified wide patient-to-patient cost variation that was most effectively explained by the method of labral management, the operating surgeon, the osteoplasty type, and the surgery center. Given current procedural coding trends, declining reimbursements, and rising health-care costs, these insights may enable stakeholders to design bundled payment structures that better align reimbursements with costs.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic and Decision Analysis Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Safety and short-term outcomes of anatomic vs. reverse total shoulder arthroplasty in an ambulatory surgery center

BACKGROUND

A scarcity of literature exists comparing outcomes of outpatient anatomic (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rTSA). This study was performed to compare early outcomes between the 2 procedures in a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) and to determine if the addition of preoperative interscalene nerve block (ISNB) with periarticular liposomal bupivacaine injection (PAI) in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) would improve outcomes over PAI alone.

METHODS

Medical charts of all patients undergoing outpatient primary aTSA or rTSA at 2 ASCs from 2012 to 2020 were reviewed. A total of 198 patients were ultimately identified (117 aTSA and 81 rTSA) to make up this retrospective cohort study. Patient demographics, PACU outcomes, complications, readmissions, reoperations, calls to the office, and unplanned clinic visit rates were compared between procedures. PACU outcomes were compared between those receiving ISNB with PAI and those receiving PAI alone.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing rTSA were older (61.1 vs. 55.7 years, P < .001) and more likely to have American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 (51.9% vs. 41.0%, P = .050) compared to patients having aTSA. No patient required an overnight stay. Time in the PACU before discharge (89.1 vs. 95.6 minutes, P = .231) and pain scores at discharge (3.0 vs. 3.0, P = .815) were similar for aTSA and rTSA, respectively. One intraoperative complication occurred in the aTSA group (posterior humeral circumflex artery injury) and 1 in the rTSA group (calcar fracture) (P = .793). Ninety-day postoperative total complication (7.7% vs. 7.4%), shoulder-related complication (6.0% vs. 6.2%), medical-related complication (1.7% vs. 1.2%), admission (0.8% vs. 2.5%), reoperation (2.6% vs. 1.2%), and unplanned clinic visit (6.0% vs. 6.1%) rates were similar between aTSA and rTSA, respectively (P ≥ .361 for all comparisons). At 1 year, there were 8 reoperations and 15 complications in the aTSA group compared with 1 reoperation and 8 complications in the rTSA group (P = .091 and P = .818, respectively). Patients who had ISNB spent less time in PACU (75 vs. 97 minutes, P < .001), had less pain at discharge (0.2 vs. 3.9, P < .001), and consumed less oral morphine equivalents in the PACU (1.2 vs. 16.6 mg, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Early postoperative outcomes and complication rates were similar between the 2 groups, and all patients were successfully discharged home the day of surgery. The addition of preoperative ISNB led to more efficient discharge from the ASC with less pain in the PACU.

The Business of Employed Plastic Surgery: Creating Your Seat at the Table

BACKGROUND

While the landscape of medicine changes, hospital employment continues to gain popularity in surgical specialties. The number of plastic surgeons entering an employed relationship has also grown, offering new opportunities and challenges alike. The authors studied the profitability of plastic surgery to the hospital and the necessity of the specialty to hospital administration through financial net revenue, contribution margin, and payer mix, to help plastic surgeons realize and capitalize on their importance and contribution to the hospital system.

METHODS

Facility net revenue and contribution margin from Houston Methodist West Hospital were evaluated. Average net revenue and contribution margin for inpatient and outpatient cases for plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, and all combined surgical specialties were studied for the 2018 and 2019 fiscal years.

RESULTS

The authors demonstrated net increase per year for both outpatient and inpatient revenue in favor of plastic surgery versus orthopedics and combined surgical specialties. Plastic surgery contributed higher facility net revenue when compared to orthopedics, contributing 20 percent more per outpatient case and 86 percent more per inpatient case. A higher contribution margin for each year was realized for inpatient cases versus orthopedics and combined surgical specialties, increasing by 8 percent and 53 percent and 61 percent and 86 percent, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A surgeon's ability to present objective financial data and develop leadership roles within the hospital system can lead to a favorable outcome for both physician and hospital. An objective dialogue with hospital administration is critical and offers an avenue to negotiate the development of your practice.

Improved efficiency of sialendoscopy procedures at an ambulatory surgery center

OBJECTIVES

To compare time spent on day of surgery and post-surgical outcomes for sialendoscopy procedures at an ambulatory surgery center versus in a hospital operating room.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review for patients who underwent sialendoscopy for sialadenitis or sialolithiasis from March 2017 to May 2020 were included. Surgery location (ambulatory surgery center or hospital operating room) was compared. Primary outcomes included total time in hospital, operative time, total time in operating room. and recovery time. Secondary outcomes included rate of symptoms resolutions, requiring further medical management, and requiring further surgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 321 procedures were included. Sialendoscopy in an ambulatory surgery center compared to main operating room decreased median hospital time (166 min reduction, p < 0.001), operative time (18 min reduction, p < 0.001), total time in operating room (34 min reduction, p < 0.001), and recovery time (64 min reduction, p < 0.001). Sialendoscopy in an ambulatory surgery center had similar rates of post-operative resolution of symptoms and further medical or surgical intervention compared to procedures in a hospital operating room.

CONCLUSION

Sialendoscopy can be safely performed in an ambulatory surgery center for sialadenitis or appropriate sialolithiasis cases while decreasing hospital time, operative time, total time in operating room time, and recovery time.

Association of Race, Health Insurance Status, and Household Income With Location and Outcomes of Ambulatory Surgery Among Adult Patients in 2 US States

Importance

The receipt of surgery in freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) is often less costly compared with surgery in hospital-based outpatient departments. Although increasing numbers of surgical procedures are now being performed in freestanding ASCs, questions remain regarding the existence of disparities among patients receiving care at ASCs.

Objective

To examine the association of patient race, health insurance status, and household income with the location (ASC vs hospital-based outpatient department) of ambulatory surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Databases of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to perform a secondary analysis of patients who received ambulatory surgery in New York and Florida between 2011 and 2013. Patients aged 18 to 89 years who underwent 12 different types of ambulatory surgical procedures were included. Data were analyzed from December 2018 to June 2019.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Receipt of surgery at a freestanding ASC and 30-day unplanned hospital visits after ambulatory surgery.

Results

A total of 5.6 million patients in New York (57.4% female; 68.9% aged ≥50 years; and 62.5% White) and 7.5 million patients in Florida (57.3% female; 77.4% aged ≥50 years; 74.3% White) who received ambulatory surgery were included in the analysis. After adjusting for age, comorbidities, health insurance status, household income, location of surgery, and type of surgical procedure, the likelihood of receiving ambulatory surgery at a freestanding ASC was significantly lower among Black patients (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.83; P < .001) and Hispanic patients (aOR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.77-0.79; P < .001) compared with White patients in New York. This likelihood was also lower among Black patients (aOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.65-0.66; P < .001) compared with White patients in Florida. Public health insurance coverage was associated with a significantly lower likelihood of receiving ambulatory surgery at freestanding ASCs in both New York and Florida, particularly among patients with Medicaid (in New York, aOR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.22-0.22; P < .001; in Florida, aOR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.40-0.41; P < .001) and Medicare (in New York, aOR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.46-0.46; P < .001; in Florida, aOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.66-0.67; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

Differences in the use of freestanding ASCs were found among Black patients and patients with public health insurance. Further exploration of the factors underlying these differences will be important to ensure that all populations have access to the increasing number of freestanding ASCs.

Laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy with uterine artery occlusion at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center: a case series

Background

Non-hysteroscopic myomectomy is infrequently performed in a freestanding ambulatory setting, in part due to risks of intraoperative hemorrhage. There are also concerns about increased surgical risks for morbidly obese patients in this setting. The purpose of this study is to report the surgical outcomes of a series of laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy (LAM) cases at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC), including a comparative analysis of outcomes in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40 kg/m²).

Methods

A retrospective comparative analysis was performed of 969 women, age 18 years or older, non-pregnant, who underwent LAM by one of two high volume, laparoscopic gynecologic surgical specialists at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center serving the Washington, DC area, between October 2013 and February 2019. Reversible occlusion was performed laparoscopically by placing a latex-based rubber catheter as a tourniquet around the isthmus of the uterus, causing a temporary occlusion of the bilateral uterine arteries. Permanent occlusion was performed laparoscopically via retroperitoneal dissection and uterine artery ligation at the origin of the anterior branch of the internal iliac artery. Minilaparotomy was performed for specimen removal in all cases. No power morcellation was used. Postoperative complications were graded using the Clavien-Dindo Classification system. Outcomes were compared across BMI categories using Pearson Chi-Square.

Results

Average myoma weight and size were 422.7 g and 8.3 cm, respectively. Average estimated blood loss (EBL) was 192.1 mL; intraoperative and grade 3 postoperative complication rates were 1.4% and 1.6%, respectively. While EBL was significantly higher in obese and morbidly obese patients, this difference was not clinically meaningful, with no significant difference in blood transfusion rates. There were no statistically significant intraoperative or postoperative complication rates across BMI categories. There was a low rate of hospital transfers (0.7%) for all patients.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy can be performed safely in a freestanding ambulatory surgery setting, including morbidly obese patients. This is especially important in the age of COVID-19, as elective surgeries have been postponed due to the 2020 pandemic, which may lead to a dramatic and permanent shift of outpatient surgery from the hospital to the ASC setting.

Does ACDF Utilization and Reimbursement Change Based on Certificate of Need Status?

INTRODUCTION

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) remain an effective treatment option for multiple pathologies of the cervical spine. As the health care economic climate has changed, so have reimbursements with a concomitant push toward outpatient procedures. Certificate of Need (CON) programs were established in response to burgeoning health care costs which require states to demonstrate need before expansion of medical facilities. The impact of this program on spine surgery is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of CON status on reimbursement and utilization trends of ACDF in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We queried a combined private payer and Medicare database from 2007 to 2015. All single-level ACDFs were identified. We then split each procedure into those performed in CON versus non-CON states. We then further split each group into the inpatient and outpatient settings. Compound annual growth rate (CAGR) was used to compare utilization and reimbursement trends. Reimbursement was adjusted for inflation using the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics consumer price index.

RESULTS

A total of 32,727 single-level ACDFs were identified, of which 28,441 were performed in the inpatient setting, and 4286 were performed in the outpatient setting. Reimbursement decreased across all settings, with the most pronounced decrease in the non-CON outpatient setting with an adjusted CAGR of -11.0%. Utilization increased across all groups, although the fastest growth was seen in the outpatient CON setting with a CAGR of 47.7%, and the slowest growth seen in the inpatient non-CON setting at a CAGR of 12.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

ACDF utilization increased most rapidly in the outpatient setting, and CON status did not appear to hinder growth. Reimbursement decreased across all settings, with the outpatient setting in non-CON states most affected. Surgeons should be aware of these trends in the changing health care environment.

Payments for outpatient joint replacement surgery: A comparison of hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgery centers

OBJECTIVE

To compare commercial insurance payments for outpatient total knee and hip replacement surgeries performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs) and in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

DATA SOURCES

A large national claims database that contains information on actual prices paid to providers over the period 2014-2017.

DATA COLLECTION

We identified all patients receiving total knee replacement surgery and total hip replacement surgery in HOPDs and in ASCs for each of the 4 years.

STUDY DESIGN

For each year, we conducted descriptive and statistical patient-level analyses of the facility component of payments to HOPDs and to ASCs.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

For each procedure and for each year, ASC payments exceeded HOPD payments by a wide margin; however, the gap across settings declined over time. In 2014, knee replacement payments to HOPDs (n = 67) were $6016 compared to $23 244 in ASCs (n = 68). By 2017, payments to HOPDs (n = 223) had grown to $10 060 compared to $18 234 in ASCs (n = 602). Similarly, for hip replacements, HOPD payments (n = 43) rose from $6980 in 2014 to $11 139 in 2017 (n = 206) and in ASCs fell from $28 485 in 2014 (n = 82) to $18 595 in 2017 (n = 465).

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that for total joint replacement, common perceptions of cost savings from transition of services from hospitals to ASCs may be misguided.

Inflatable Penile Prosthesis in the Ambulatory Surgical Setting: Outcomes From a Large Urological Group Practice

BACKGROUND

The definitive treatment for erectile dysfunction is the surgical implantation of a penile prosthesis, of which the most common type is the 3-piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) device. IPP surgery in outpatient freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) is becoming more prevalent as payers and health systems alike look to reduce healthcare costs.

AIM

To evaluate IPP surgical outcomes in an ASC as compared to contemporaneously-performed hospital surgeries.

METHODS

A database of all patients undergoing IPP implantation by practitioners in the largest private community urology group practice in the United States, from January 1, 2013 to August 1, 2019, was prospectively compiled and retrospectively reviewed. Cohorts of patients having IPP implantation performed in the hospital vs ASC setting were compared.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The primary outcome measure was to compare surgical data (procedural and surgical times, need for hospital transfer from ASC) and outcomes (risk for device infection, erosion, and need for surgical revision) between ASC and hospital-based surgery groups.

RESULTS

A total of 923 patients were included for this analysis, with 674 (73%) having ASC-based surgery and 249 (27%) hospital-based, by a total of 33 surgeons. Median procedural (99.5 vs 120 minutes, P < .001) and surgical (68 vs 75 minutes, P < .001) times were significantly shorter in the ASC. While the risk for device erosion and need for surgical revision were similar between groups, there was no higher risk for prosthetic infection when surgery was performed in the ASC (1.7% vs 4.4% [hospital], P = .02), corroborated by logistic regression analysis (odds ratio 0.39, P = .03). The risk for postoperative transfer of an ASC patient to the hospital was low (0.45%). The primary reason for mandated hospital-based surgery was medical (51.4%), though requirement as a result of insurance directive (39.7%) was substantial.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

IPP implantation in the ASC is safe, has similar outcomes compared to hospital-based surgery with a low risk for need for subsequent hospital transfer.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

The strengths of this study include the large patient population in this analysis as well as the real-world nature of our practice. Limitations include the retrospective nature of the review as well as the potential for residual confounding.

CONCLUSION

ASC-based IPP implantation is safe, with shorter surgical and procedural times compared to those cases performed in the hospital setting, with similar functional outcomes. These data suggest no added benefit to hospital-based surgery in terms of prosthetic infection risk. Weinberg AC, Siegelbaum MH, Lerner BD, et al. Inflatable Penile Prosthesis in the Ambulatory Surgical Setting: Outcomes From a Large Urological Group Practice. J Sex Med 2020;17:1025-1032.

Laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy: Surgery center versus outpatient hospital

Aim

To compare the safety protocols and operative outcomes of women undergoing laparoscopic‐assisted myomectomy (LAM) by the same surgeons at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) versus a hospital outpatient setting.

Methods

Retrospective chart review of all women ≥18 years old with symptomatic leiomyoma, who underwent LAM with uterine artery occlusion or ligation for blood loss control, at a freestanding ASC between 2013 and 2017, and an outpatient hospital setting between 2011 and 2013, both serving the metropolitan Washington, DC area. The procedures were performed by two minimally invasive gynecologic surgical specialists from a single practice. The safety protocols of each setting were reviewed to identify similarities and differences.

Results

A total of 816 LAM cases were analyzed (ASC = 588, hospital = 228). The rate of complications was comparable across settings, as was the average myoma weight (ASC = 396.2 g; hospital = 461.5 g; P = 0.064). Operative time was significantly shorter at the ASC: 68 min (95% CI 66–70) versus 80 min at hospital (95% CI 76–84), P < 0.0001. Ambulatory surgery center and hospital protocols differed in limits of preoperative hemoglobin (minimum 9.0 g/dL, 7.5 g/dL respectively), lower nurse/patient ratio in PACU, and were similar in intraoperative surgical safety standards.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic‐assisted myomectomy can be performed safely and effectively by skilled surgeons at a freestanding ASC, even in patients with morbid obesity or large leiomyoma.

Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation in the Ambulatory Setting: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction is a common problem that may be definitively treated with the implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP). The preponderance of available data on IPP surgery derives from institutional studies, most notably from academic centers or large single-surgeon series, where the majority of procedures are performed in a hospital setting. Because insurance companies and health systems look to reduce health care costs, IPP surgery in outpatient freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) is becoming more prevalent.

AIM

To review the utility of surgery in an ASC setting and to explore its role in the modern practice of urology, focusing on IPP implantation.

METHODS

A critical review was performed of the literature on ambulatory surgery, with specific focus on IPP surgery, using the PubMed database. Key search terms and phrases included erectile dysfunction, penile prosthesis, ambulatory surgery, ambulatory surgery center, outpatient surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The main outcome measure was the use of IPP implantation in an ASC.

RESULTS

In contemporary surgical practice, the implementation of ambulatory surgery in free-standing centers is increasing. The principal benefits include reducing cost and improving efficiency. Studies on the modern use of IPPs support the prospect of implantation in an ambulatory setting, which can achieve similar outcomes to surgeries classically performed in the inpatient hospital setting. Novel approaches to anesthesia, surgical, and nursing care have revolutionized IPP surgery so that it can now be safely and effectively performed in the ambulatory setting.

CONCLUSION

The role of ambulatory IPP implantation has increased, with the majority of cases being performed outside the hospital. Although there will always be a need for hospital-based surgery, such as significant medical comorbidities, more studies demonstrating the safety and feasibility of ambulatory surgery are needed. For those men who would otherwise be candidates for ambulatory surgery but whose insurance mandates hospital-based treatment, such studies proving utility, safety, and reduced cost could inspire policy change and broaden the ambulatory practice of IPP surgery. Segal RL, Siegelbaum MH, Lerner BD, et al. Inflatable Penile Prosthesis Implantation in the Ambulatory Setting: A Systematic Review. Sex Med Rev 2020;8:338-347.

Analysis of failed discharge after ambulatory surgery: unanticipated admission

BACKGROUND

Advantages of ambulatory surgery are lost when patients need an unplanned admission. This retrospective cohort study investigated reasons for failed discharge and unanticipated admission of adult patients after day surgery.

METHODS

Ambulatory patients (n = 145) requiring unanticipated admission were compared to patients (n = 4980) not requiring admission and timely discharged from a total of 5156 ambulatory surgical procedures. Demographic data, organisational data, reason for admission, type of anesthesia, surgical discipline, length of procedure, ASA classification, surgical completion time and severity of illness score were collected from both groups. Reason for admission was classified according to four subtypes. Logistic regression analysis was used.

RESULTS

Incidence of unanticipated admission following day care surgery was 2.89%. The reasons for admission were mainly organisational issues (45.52%), time of completion surgery in the afternoon between 12 pm and 3 pm (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.05-2.86) and surgery that ends after 3 pm (OR 6.52; 95% CI 4.11-10.34). Surgical factors associated with unanticipated admission (38.62%) were length of surgery of one to three hours (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.27-3.29), length of surgery more than three hours (OR 8.31; 95% CI 3.56-19.40). Additionally, anaesthetic (10.34%) and medical (5.52%) reasons were found, e.g. ASA class II (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.06-2.44), ASA class III (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.10-4.34); moderate severity of illness score (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.03-2.88) and major of severity of illness score (OR 7.85; 95% CI 2.31-26.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Unanticipated admissions following day surgery occur mainly due to social/organisational and surgical reasons. However, medical and anaesthetic reasons also explain 15.86% of the unanticipated admissions.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Outcomes: Hospital vs Ambulatory Surgery Center

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Compare operative outcomes of laparoscopic hysterectomy in an outpatient hospital setting versus freestanding ambulatory surgery center.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of two groups in an outpatient hospital surgery department and freestanding ambulatory surgical center, both serving the Washington, DC area. Women, 18 years or older, who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy for benign conditions in an outpatient hospital setting between 2011 and 2014 (n = 821), and at an ambulatory surgery center between 2013 and 2017 (n = 1210). Laparoscopic hysterectomy with retroperitoneal dissection and early ligation of the uterine arteries at the origin, performed by gynecologic surgical specialists from a single practice. Patient characteristics, medical history, uterine weight, pathology, operating times, estimated blood loss, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

The mean uterine size between settings was not significantly different (Ambulatory Surgery Center, 349.4 g; Hospital, 329.7 g). The largest uteri removed at the surgery center was 3500 g; at the hospital it was 2489 g. The surgery center had a shorter average operating time than the hospital (53.7 and 61.3 minutes, respectively; P < .001). Intraoperative and postoperative complication rates were not significantly different between settings (2.7% and 3.7%, surgery center; 2.1% and 4.8%, hospital). There were two hospital transfers from the surgery center: 1 for blood transfusion, and 1 for low oxygen saturation. Same-day discharge occurred in 99.8% of surgery center patients versus 88% hospital patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic hysterectomy can be performed safely and effectively by skilled surgeons at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center, even in complex cases with large uteri.

Specialization as an Organizing Principle: The Case of Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) recently have grown to become the dominant provider of specific surgical procedures in the United States. While the majority of ASCs focus primarily on a single specialty, many have diversified to offer a wide range of surgical specialties. We exploited a unique data set from Pennsylvania for the years 2004 to 2014 to conduct an empirical investigation of the relative cost of production in ASCs over varying degrees of specialization. We found that for the majority of ASCs, focus on a specialty was associated with lower facility costs. In addition, ASCs appeared to be capturing economies of scale over a broad range of service volume. In contrast to studies of cost efficiency in specialty hospitals, our results provide evidence that supports the focused factory model of production in the ASC sector.

Current Trends in Outpatient Spine Surgery

Because of the increasing pressure to contain health-care-related costs, the number of spinal surgeries performed in the outpatient setting has significantly increased. The higher perioperative efficiency and greater predictability of associated costs offer significant incentives for payers and providers to move surgical procedures into the outpatient setting. Nonetheless, judicious patient selection is advised to optimize outcomes.

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Prices in Hospital Outpatient Departments

Specialty providers claim to offer a new competitive benchmark for efficient delivery of health care. This article explores this view by examining evidence for price competition between ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs). I studied the impact of ASC market presence on actual prices paid to HOPDs during 2007-2010 for four common surgical procedures that were performed in both provider types. For the procedures examined, HOPDs received payments from commercial insurers in the range of 3.25% to 5.15% lower for each additional ASC per 100,000 persons in a market. HOPDs may have less negotiating leverage with commercial insurers on price in markets with high ASC market penetration, resulting in relatively lower prices.

[Can we enhance the one-day part in breast conservative surgery?]

INTRODUCTION

French national guidelines lead us to increase the part of one-day breast cancer conservative surgery. Our objective was to check if we can enhance our outpatient part and to identify solutions to improve our practices.

METHODS

From 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2014, we conducted a monocentric and retrospective register about all cases of breast conservative surgery (infiltrating or in situ carcinoma, atypical hyperplasia). The collected data were: patients' sociodemographic characteristics, modality of hospitalization, surgical characteristics, preoperative exams organization, complications and reasons for an absence of surgery planned in one-day modality. We compared the two groups (one-day and standard hospitalization).

RESULTS

We reported 324 surgeries of which 50.3% planned in one-day mode. The outpatient part increased from 39.8% in 2013 to 60.8% in 2014. There was no difference for postoperative complications between the two groups. We found a higher rate of outpatient for sentinel node axillary dissection in 2014 (65% versus 37% in 2013). We reported a rate of axillary dissection in one-day mode of 20%, of which 15% were drained. The proportion of patients unplanned in one-day mode without contraindications was reduced from 81% in 2013 to 57% for 2014.

DISCUSSION

Increasing our outpatient part in breast conservative surgery was possible. There are still efforts to do to reach the national goals of one-day conservative breast cancer surgery, especially for the organizational aspects that remains the main obstruction. The implementation of pathways specifically for outpatient in and out of the hospital could be an interesting solution.

A comparison of ambulatory perioperative times in hospitals and freestanding centers

BACKGROUND

The volume of surgical procedures performed in ambulatory surgical centers has increased rapidly.

METHODS

Ambulatory surgical visits of Medicare beneficiaries were compared for hospital-based and freestanding ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The main outcomes were time in surgery, time in operating room, time in postoperative care, and total perioperative time.

RESULTS

The mean total perioperative time for all procedures examined was 39% shorter in freestanding ASCs then in hospital-based ASCs (83 vs 135 min; P < .01); surgery time was 37% shorter (19 vs 30 min; P < .01), operating room time was 37% shorter (34 vs 54 min; P < .01), and postoperative time was 35% shorter (48 vs 74 min; P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative times were significantly shorter in freestanding ASCs than in hospital-based ASCs. It is unclear how much of the difference was the result of efficiency versus patient selection.

De-hospitalization of the pediatric day surgery by means of a freestanding surgery center: pilot study in the Lazio Region

Background

Day surgery should take place in appropriate organizational settings. In the presence of high volumes, the organizational models of the Lazio Region are represented by either Day Surgery Units within continuous-cycle hospitals or day-cycle Day Surgery Centers. This pilot study presents the regional volumes provided in 2010 and the additional volumes that could be provided based on the best performance criterion with a view to suggesting the setting up of a regional Freestanding Center of Pediatric Day Surgery.

Methods

This is an observational retrospective study. The activity volumes have been assessed by means of a DRG (Diagnosis Related Group)-specific indicator that measures the ratio of outpatients to the total number of treated patients (freestanding indicator, FI). The included DRGs had an FI exceeding the 3^rd quartile present in at least a health-care facility and a volume exceeding 0.5% of the total patients of the pediatric surgery and urology facilities of the Lazio Region. The relevant data have been provided by the Public Health Agency and relate to 2010. The best performance FI has been used to calculate the theoretical volume of transferability of the remaining facilities into freestanding surgery centers. Patients under six months of age and DRGs common to other disciplines have been excluded. The Chi Square test has been used to compare the FI of the health-care facilities and the FI of the places of origin of the patients.

Results

The DRG provided in 2010 amounted to a total of 5768 belonging to 121 types of procedures. The application of the criteria of inclusion have led to the selection of seven final DRG categories of minor surgery amounting to 3522 cases. Out of this total number, there were 2828 outpatients and 694 inpatients. The recourse of the best performance determines a potential transfer of 497 cases. The total outpatient volume is 57%. The Chi Square test has pointed to a statistically significant difference of the facilities and to a non-significant difference of inferiority of the regional places of origin with respect to the city of Rome.

Conclusions

The activity volumes would seem to support the setting up of a Freestanding Regional Center of Pediatric Day Surgery. This Center represents the healthcare facility that is most likely to allow a de-hospitalization process. Subsequent studies will be required to confirm the validity of this pilot study.

Benchmarks for the Durations of Ambulatory Surgical Procedures in Otolaryngology

Objectives:

I undertook to determine benchmarks and variability for the surgical times associated with ambulatory otolaryngological procedures in the United States.

Methods:

I examined the 2006 release of the National Survey of Ambulatory Surgery and extracted all cases of otolaryngological surgery in which one, and only one, otolaryngological procedure was performed. The mean surgical times and operating room times were determined for each procedure that met reliability criteria for their estimates. A secondary analysis was computed for tonsillectomy and for tonsillectomy plus adenoidectomy according to a patient age of greater than 12 years.

Results:

An estimated 1.68 ± 0.23 million otolaryngological procedures were analyzed as solitary procedures, including 507,000 cases of myringotomy with ventilation tube placement, 136,000 cases of tonsillectomy, and 429,000 cases of tonsillectomy plus adenoidectomy. The mean (±SE) surgical times were 8.0 ± 0.5, 23.9 ± 1.8, and 20.3 ± 0.8 minutes, respectively. The total operating room times were 17.6 ± 0.9, 48.2 ± 2.0, and 40.7 ± 1.1 minutes, respectively. Septoplasty with turbinectomy was the most common rhinologic procedure performed (48,000 cases analyzed) and had surgical and operating room times of 49.6 ± 4.78 and 79.8 ± 5.8 minutes, respectively. The surgical times for tonsillectomy and tonsillectomy plus adenoidectomy did not differ significantly in magnitude according to standard age cutoffs, although the operating room time was slightly (11.7 minutes) longer for tonsillectomy in patients more than 12 years of age (p = 0.034).

Conclusions:

The surgical times for the performance of the most common otolaryngological ambulatory procedures are remarkably consistent in the United States. Given the volume and consistency of these surgical procedures, they are ideal candidates for studies of cost and efficiency.