P-EGS29 Is an ambulatory emergency general surgery management pathway of biliary disease more cost effective than a traditional approach? A matched case series study

Abstract

Abstract Background Patients presenting with biliary colic with or without deranged liver function tests (LFT’s) requiring surgery have traditionally been managed as inpatients or on an elective basis. Emergency surgery has previously been associated with higher costs in comparison to outpatient, elective management. Methods Thirteen patients presenting as an emergency with a diagnosis of cholecystitis, with or without deranged LFTs, who underwent different patient pathways resulting in laparoscopic cholecystectomy were identified randomly over 1 month period. They were then matched into groups to compare elective, inpatient and ambulatory care pathway management for patients with similar demographics and clinical picture. The costs of each patient’s journey, from acute presentation to discharge following laparoscopic cholecystectomy was calculated in conjunction with the patient level information costing team (PLICS). Results Three matched groups of patients were identified: 50-60M, 65-75F with normal LFTs, 60F with obstructive LFT’s. Each patient underwent an ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with additional investigations dependent on the group and clinical picture. In each group, when elective, emergency inpatient or ambulatory care pathways were compared there was a consistent cost difference. The order from most expensive to cheapest was: inpatient management, elective management, ambulatory care. The difference in costs was primarily linked with emergency department assessment and inpatient bed stays with cost saving of up to £5000 in one group when comparing inpatient stay to ambulatory emergency care management. Conclusions The use of an ambulatory emergency general surgical pathway for patients with a variety of biliary colic presentations including those with deranged LFT’s is economically comparable and potentially advantageous to more traditional and established patient management pathway options in a number of patient demographics across age, gender and pathology. An ambulatory care pathway, when developed and used correctly can provide significant cost savings to a wide range of patients.