MP17-08 RELATIVE VALUE UNITS AND OPERATION TIME IN UROLOGY

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyHealth Services Research: Value of Care: Cost and Outcomes Measures I (MP17)1 Sep 2021MP17-08 RELATIVE VALUE UNITS AND OPERATION TIME IN UROLOGY Joshua Cadwell, Salma Ahsanuddin, Mubashir Billah, Courtney Berg, and Robert Weiss Joshua CadwellJoshua Cadwell More articles by this author , Salma AhsanuddinSalma Ahsanuddin More articles by this author , Mubashir BillahMubashir Billah More articles by this author , Courtney BergCourtney Berg More articles by this author , and Robert WeissRobert Weiss More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002002.08AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Many academic and private practice clinical urology groups are basing salaries on relative value units (RVUs). This study analyzes the relationship between operation time, complication rate, and RVUs in urology. METHODS: The 2015-2018 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried for all cases with assigned RVUs, a nonzero operation time, and urology as the primary service. Cases with concurrent procedures were excluded. Only the top 50 CPT codes were included in analysis. The median operation time, assigned RVUs, and proportion of postoperative complications, including unplanned return to the operating room or readmission, or wound and medical complications were found for each CPT. Linear regressions were completed between these aforementioned variables. Expected RVUs were calculated from the regression between operation time and assigned RVUs. RESULTS: 143,118 cases were included in the analysis. The median assigned RVUs was 15.26, operation time was 67 minutes, and RVUs per hour was 13.7. RVUs ranged from 5.2 to 26.0 and the rate of any postoperative complication ranged from 0.8% to 63.9%. There was a strong linear correlation between RVUs and median operation time (R2=0.95, p <0.001). Each additional procedural hour was associated with an increase of 7.5 RVUs. The procedures with the largest positive deviation from expected included sling operation for stress incontinence and transurethral electrosurgical resection of the prostate, at 185.0% and 162.0% of expected, respectively. Procedures with the largest negative deviation from expected were drainage of a scrotal wall abscess and open varicocelectomy, at 49.8% and 50.8% of expected, respectively. There were moderately positive associations between complications and operation time (R2=0.65, p <0.001), as well as complications and assigned RVUs (R2=0.59, p <0.001). There was a minimal correlation between complication rate and RVUs per hour (R2=0.10, p=0.023). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that RVUs and operation time are strongly correlated in urology, thus confirming the relevance of using RVUs for clinical compensation. Source of Funding: Not applicable © 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 206Issue Supplement 3September 2021Page: e310-e311 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2021 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Joshua Cadwell More articles by this author Salma Ahsanuddin More articles by this author Mubashir Billah More articles by this author Courtney Berg More articles by this author Robert Weiss More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Loading ...