Rising Hospital Costs Research Articles

Deciphering Low Cardiac Output Syndrome: Insights and Management in Post-Cardiac Surgery

Low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) is a dysfunctional state of the heart that often results in decreased cardiac output that is insufficient to meet current metabolic demands. LCOS is typically seen after post-cardiac surgery and is often associated with worsened outcomes and rising hospital costs. As cardiovascular disease becomes more common in an aging population, the prevalence of LCOS will inevitably increase. Understanding the underlying pathophysiology and management is essential to patient outcomes. This is a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment options, and outcomes of those who develop LCOS after cardiac surgery.

The Effect of Early versus Traditional Hospital Discharge on Activities of Daily Living for Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Section. An Observational Cohort Study

Background: Cesarean section is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide and its consequences and complications represent a major public health concern. The policy of enhanced recovery after surgery has been implemented after cesarean section to optimize perioperative care. Enhanced recovery also aims to reduce the length of hospital stay, which might imply substantial healthcare savings. Rising hospital costs are one of the factors in early discharge. Patients & Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. 158 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study, 81 patients were discharged after 48 hours and 77 patients were discharged after 24 hours. All patients received the same postoperative care and instructions. All the study participants received a phone call 1, 3, and 5 days after discharge to objectively assess the activities of daily living through Katz index of independence in activities of daily living. All patients were offered a postpartum visit 1 week after discharge during which the wound was assessed by the Southampton wound assessment scale. Moreover, other maternal complications such as mastitis, puerperal sepsis, or pyelonephritis were assessed and cases who were readmitted were documented. Initiation of successful breastfeeding and neonatal readmission were reported as well. Results: 158 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the study. There was no significant difference between the two arms of the study regarding baseline characteristics. Katz index of independence showed that the resumption of activities of daily living after CS was similar in both arms of the study on days 1, 3 and 5 after discharge. Time till the passage of flatus and stool after the cesarean section was significantly shorter among the early discharge arm (9.31 VS 14.68, p value Conclusion: The policy of early discharge can be adopted in low-risk cases scheduled for elective uncomplicated CS provided that the mother and the neonate are in good general condition and proper instructions regarding red flag manifestations are given.

In for a Penny, in for a Pound: Obesity weighs heavily on both cost and outcome in trauma

BackgroundThe current literature offers mixed conclusions regarding the effect of increased body mass index (BMI) on outcomes after trauma laparotomy. This study evaluated the impact of obesity on outcomes and cost for patients undergoing trauma laparotomy at a level 1 trauma center. Study designData on patients requiring trauma laparotomy in 2016 were prospectively collected and patients were stratified by BMI. Statistical analyses were used to determine variables significantly associated with patient morbidity and length of stay. Results313 patients underwent trauma laparotomy: 225 non-obese, 69 obese, and 19 morbidly obese. Obese and morbidly obese patients had longer ICU and hospital lengths of stay (LOS), more ventilator days, larger hospital costs, and higher morbidity compared to non-obese patients. Obesity was an independent predictor for patient morbidity, ICU, and hospital LOS. ConclusionsMorbidity and length of stay increased with worsening obesity after trauma laparotomy, contributing to rising hospital costs.

Does Hospital For-Profit Status Affect Intracranial Hemorrhage Outcomes and Cost of Care?

Abstract INTRODUCTION Health care spending in the United States continues to draw national attention, accounting for 17.9 percent of total gross domestic product (GDP) or $3.5 trillion dollars in 2017, expected to rise to nearly 20 percent of GDP by 2026. In order to address these expenditures, further examination of rising hospital costs is required. Evidence suggests that for-profit hospitals may be established in areas with well-insured patient populations, while disproportionately offering high-cost, profit-driven interventions over less profitable services. The objective of this study is to compare inpatient mortality, operation rates, length of stay (LOS), and cost of care between private non-profit and for-profit hospitals in the treatment of intracranial hemorrhage. METHODS This retrospective cohort study used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Primary outcomes including all-cause inpatient mortality, operative status, patient disposition, hospital LOS, total hospital charges, and per-day hospital charges were assessed for patients discharged with a primary diagnosis of intracranial (epidural, subdural, subarachnoid, or intraparenchymal) hemorrhage, while controlling for baseline demographic and comorbidity differences via propensity-score matching. RESULTS Out of 155 977 unique hospital discharges included in this study, 133 518 originated from private non-profit hospitals and 22 459 from for-profit hospitals. Mortality rates were similar, at 13.80% for non-profit centers and 14.50% at for-profit hospitals. Non-profit hospitals appeared to be more intensive with ICP monitor placement, occurring in 5.50% of patients compared to 4.24% in for-profit centers. Although overall discharge disposition and rate of surgical intervention was similar, LOS was greater among for-profit hospitals at 7.46 d, compared to 6.71 d at non-profit centers. Care at for-profit hospitals was more expensive with total charges amounting to $136,845 versus $85,093 at non-profit institutions. CONCLUSION Despite similar mortality and discharge disposition, hospital stays for ICH tend to be costlier and longer at for-profit hospitals compared to their non-profit counterparts.

Hip Fracture Admissions Among Medicare Beneficiaries 2010-2015 -Rising Hospital Costs and Falling Reimbursements

Hip Fracture Admissions Among Medicare Beneficiaries 2010-2015 -Rising Hospital Costs and Falling Reimbursements

Disclosure of Error in the Intensive Care Unit

Each year, as many as 98,000 hospital deaths in the United States can be attributed to medical error. Considering that at least half of all medical errors go unreported, the impact they have on mortality, morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, rising hospital costs, and the doctor-patient relationship cannot be overemphasized. At the heart of the dilemma are patients and their family members, who rely on clinicians to provide optimal medical care, devoid of mistakes and error, and want an apology if an error has taken place. In this review, we discuss the moral obligation of hospitals to disclose medical error, no matter what the impact. Whereas in the past, a paternalistic approach to medicine viewed this acknowledgment as weakness, there is now a consensus to advocate for full disclosure, apology, and discussions that facilitate early disclosure of error using teams representing administration, patient care liaisons, and treatment providers. Many institutions now recognize that medical errors are commonly the result of a breakdown of checks and balances, and an increasing number are implementing protocols that target system errors to prevent similar future occurrences. We examine institutions across the United States that take a proactive approach by assembling “communication and resolution” programs to address the concerns of patients and their families through the process of disclosure. We also explore barriers to disclosure, which are attributed to lack of training, fear of litigation, and the “shame and blame culture.” We discuss the benefit, to both patient and provider, of disclosure of accountability as we move toward a culture of strengthening systems and improving patient care and patient-provider relationships. Key words: apology, culture, disclosure, error, resolution

Disclosure of Error in the Intensive Care Unit

Each year, as many as 98,000 hospital deaths in the United States can be attributed to medical error. Considering that at least half of all medical errors go unreported, the impact they have on mortality, morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, rising hospital costs, and the doctor-patient relationship cannot be overemphasized. At the heart of the dilemma are patients and their family members, who rely on clinicians to provide optimal medical care, devoid of mistakes and error, and want an apology if an error has taken place. In this review, we discuss the moral obligation of hospitals to disclose medical error, no matter what the impact. Whereas in the past, a paternalistic approach to medicine viewed this acknowledgment as weakness, there is now a consensus to advocate for full disclosure, apology, and discussions that facilitate early disclosure of error using teams representing administration, patient care liaisons, and treatment providers. Many institutions now recognize that medical errors are commonly the result of a breakdown of checks and balances, and an increasing number are implementing protocols that target system errors to prevent similar future occurrences. We examine institutions across the United States that take a proactive approach by assembling “communication and resolution” programs to address the concerns of patients and their families through the process of disclosure. We also explore barriers to disclosure, which are attributed to lack of training, fear of litigation, and the “shame and blame culture.” We discuss the benefit, to both patient and provider, of disclosure of accountability as we move toward a culture of strengthening systems and improving patient care and patient-provider relationships. Key words: apology, culture, disclosure, error, resolution

Disclosure of Error in the Intensive Care Unit

Each year, as many as 98,000 hospital deaths in the United States can be attributed to medical error. Considering that at least half of all medical errors go unreported, the impact they have on mortality, morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, rising hospital costs, and the doctor-patient relationship cannot be overemphasized. At the heart of the dilemma are patients and their family members, who rely on clinicians to provide optimal medical care, devoid of mistakes and error, and want an apology if an error has taken place. In this review, we discuss the moral obligation of hospitals to disclose medical error, no matter what the impact. Whereas in the past, a paternalistic approach to medicine viewed this acknowledgment as weakness, there is now a consensus to advocate for full disclosure, apology, and discussions that facilitate early disclosure of error using teams representing administration, patient care liaisons, and treatment providers. Many institutions now recognize that medical errors are commonly the result of a breakdown of checks and balances, and an increasing number are implementing protocols that target system errors to prevent similar future occurrences. We examine institutions across the United States that take a proactive approach by assembling “communication and resolution” programs to address the concerns of patients and their families through the process of disclosure. We also explore barriers to disclosure, which are attributed to lack of training, fear of litigation, and the “shame and blame culture.” We discuss the benefit, to both patient and provider, of disclosure of accountability as we move toward a culture of strengthening systems and improving patient care and patient-provider relationships. Key words: apology, culture, disclosure, error, resolution

Imaging Utilization for the Diagnosis of Appendicitis in Stand-Alone Children’s Hospitals in the United States: Trends and Costs

ObjectiveTo describe the imaging utilization patterns for the diagnosis of appendicitis among children’s hospitals in the United States over the last 10 years (2005-2014). MethodsAll patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of appendicitis included in a large administrative database of 45 pediatric institutions in the United States between 2005 and 2014 were selected. Demographics, imaging utilization, and costs were described. ResultsIn all, 96,786 children with appendicitis (59% boys, 41% girls; mean age: 9.9 years) were studied. The average length of stay decreased from 5.0 days in 2005 to 3.4 days in 2014 (P < .01). The percentage of patients undergoing CT increased between 2005 and 2007 from 59.1% to 62.6%, respectively, followed by a decrease from 62.6% to 32.7% in 2014 (r2 = 0.93). Radiograph utilization decreased from 14.2% in 2005 to 3.6% in 2014 (r2 = 0.93), and ultrasound and MRI increased from 25% and 0.03% in 2005 to 61% and 1.0% in 2014 (r2 = 0.97 and 0.64), respectively. The mean total hospital costs increased from $11,700 in 2005 to $16,500 in 2014; imaging costs increased only slightly from $3,205 to $3,259. The imaging fraction of hospital costs decreased from 27.5% to 19.8%. ConclusionThere has been a significant decrease in utilization of CT and radiographs for the management of appendicitis in children, and ultrasound has continued to increase. Imaging costs have remained stable in comparison to rising hospital costs, generating a drop in the fraction of costs related to imaging.

Nationwide trends of hospitalizations for cystic fibrosis in the United States from 2003 to 2013.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a multisystem autosomal recessive genetic disorder with significant advances in early diagnosis and treatment in the last decade. It is important to provide updated information regarding these changing demographics as they also reflect a considerable improvement in survival. We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample Database (NIS) in the United States for all patients in which CF was the primary discharge diagnosis (ICD-9: 277.0-277.09) from 2003 to 2013 to evaluate the rate of hospitalizations and determine the cost and mortality associated with CF along with other epidemiological findings. The statistical significance of the difference in the number of hospital discharges, lengths of stays and associated hospital costs over the study period was calculated. In 2003, there were 8,328 hospital discharges with the principal discharge diagnosis of CF in the United States, which increased to 12,590 discharges in 2013 (p < 0.001). The mean hospital charges increased by 57.64% from US$ 60,051 in 2003 to US$ 94,664 in 2013. The aggregate cost of hospital visits increased by 138.31% from US$ 500,105,727 to US$ 1,191,819,760. In the same time, the mortality decreased by 49.3 %. The number of inpatient discharges related to CF has increased from 2003 to 2013. This is due to increased life expectancy of CF patients, resulting in increased disease prevalence. There has been a significant increase in the mean and aggregate cost associated with CF admissions. Over the last decade, many advances have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of CF, consequentially leading to a significant transformation in the epidemiology and demographics of this chronic disease. Rising hospital costs associated with the care of CF patients necessitates future studies analyzing the diagnostic modalities, algorithms and treatment practices of physician's treating CF patients.

Burden of Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers on Hospital Admissions and Costs

Costs related to diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) care are greater than $1 billion annually and rising. We sought to describe the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on foot ulcer admissions in the United States, and to investigate potential explanations for rising hospital costs. The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2005-2010) was queried using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision (ICD-9) codes for a primary diagnosis of foot ulceration. Multivariable analyses were used to compare outcomes and per-admission costs among patients with foot ulceration and DM versus non-DM. In total, 962,496 foot ulcer patients were admitted over the study period. The overall rate of admissions was relatively stable over time, but the ratio of DM versus non-DM admissions increased significantly (2005: 10.2 vs. 2010: 12.7; P<0.001). Neuropathy and infection accounted for 90% of DFU admissions, while peripheral vascular disease accounted for most non-DM admissions. Admissions related to infection rose significantly among DM patients (2005: 39,682 vs. 2010: 51,660; P<0.001), but remained stable among non-DM patients. Overall, DM accounted for 83% and 96% of all major and minor amputations related to foot ulcers, respectively, and significantly increased cost of care (DM: $1.38 vs. non-DM: $0.13 billion/year; P<0.001). Hospital costs per DFU admission were significantly higher for patients with infection compared with all other causes ($11,290 vs. $8,145; P<0.001). Diabetes increases the incidence of foot ulcer admissions by 11-fold, accounting for more than 80% of all amputations and increasing hospital costs more than 10-fold over the 5years. The majority of these costs are related to the treatment of infected foot ulcers. Education initiatives and early prevention strategies through outpatient multidisciplinary care targeted at high-risk populations are essential to preventing further increases in what is already a substantial economic burden.

Inpatient cost of treating osteoporotic fractures in mainland China: a descriptive analysis.

PurposeThe objective of this study was to provide new estimates on the per-admission inpatient hospital cost and per-admission length of stay (LOS) for osteoporosis-related fractures in mainland China.Materials and methodsData for inpatient hospitalization associated with at least one osteoporosis-related fracture were obtained from the nationwide China Health Insurance Research Association and were analyzed post hoc. Patients’ data were included if the patients were ≥50 years old and diagnosed with osteoporosis and pathologic fracture, or osteoporosis therapy and fragility fracture by an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (ICD-10) code designation, between 2008 and 2010.ResultsThe analysis included 830 patients (female: 77.3%; mean age: 73.4±9.8 years). The medians of the per-admission LOS and inpatient costs were 19 days and ¥18,587, respectively. Longer LOS and higher costs per admission were associated with older patients (≥70 years) compared to younger patients (<70 years). Hip fracture had the longest median LOS (22 days) and highest median cost (¥32,594) among all fracture sites. The per-hospitalization episode and per-day costs of osteoporotic fracture increased rapidly (60% and 89%, respectively) between 2008 and 2010.ConclusionThe analysis showed that hospitalization cost increases were associated with increasing per-day hospitalization costs. The proportion of the costs reimbursed by health insurances increased, while the mean absolute patient copayment amounts decreased. The incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures may rise rapidly due to the projected growth of the aged population in mainland China. Therefore, the combination of greater anticipated total fractures and rising hospital costs may lead to a tremendously increased economic burden in the future.

Current Trends in Demographics, Practice, and In-Hospital Outcomes in Cervical Spine Surgery

Retrospective database analysis. To investigate national trends of cervical spine surgical procedures from 2002 to 2011. There is a paucity of literature assessing the current practice trends and outcomes of cervical spine surgery following the 2008 Food and Drug Administration public health notifications regarding bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) utilization in cervical spine surgical procedures. The National Inpatient Sample database was accessed for each year across 2002 to 2011. Patients undergoing anterior cervical fusion, posterior cervical fusion, and posterior cervical decompression were identified. Patient and hospitalization parameters including demographics, BMP utilization, costs, early postoperative outcomes, and mortality were assessed for each surgical cohort. A Pearson correlation coefficient with a 95% confidence interval (P < 0.05) was used to analyze trends in patient and hospital outcome parameters during this 10-year period. A total of 307,188 cervical spine procedures were performed from 2002 to 2011. Both the anterior cervical fusion and posterior cervical fusion cohort demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the number of procedures performed over time (r = +0.9, P < 0.001). A significant uptrend in patient age (r = +1.0, P < 0.001) and comorbidity burden (r = +0.9, P < 0.001) was demonstrated during the studied decade. Overall, BMP utilization (r = +0.7, P = 0.02) also demonstrated a significant increase during this time period, but demonstrated a decline after peaking in 2007. The posterior cervical fusion cohort demonstrated the greatest comorbidity, length of stay, costs, and mortality. This study demonstrates that the number of cervical spine procedures has increased between 2002 and 2011, irrespective of the change in BMP utilization after the 2008 Food and Drug Administration warning. Despite an older patient population with greater comorbidities undergoing cervical spine surgeries, hospital length of stay and mortality has not significantly changed. However, we did note a significant increase in costs during this time period. These findings may be related to advances in surgical technology and instrumentation that may be associated with rising hospital costs.

New working conditions and consequences on activity of home healthcare workers

Home healthcare is steadily growing in Europe. There are a number of reasons for this development: aging population, rising hospital costs, preference to stay in one's own home. Nevertheless, it has been known that home healthcare workers are frequently exposed to a variety of potentially serious occupational hazards. Furthermore, emotional labor is frequently high in this profession. This paper describes an ergonomic study conducted at a home healthcare service. The research focuses on analyzing working conditions of home healthcare aides and nurses, as well as the impacts of their work in terms of job satisfaction, well-being, emotions at work, relationships with the others and occupational stress. The study show that employee strategies are specifically centered around preserving the relationship between patients and workers and coping with the job demands. This paper also shows that home healthcare workers express emotions and conceal them from others. Finally, recommendations discussed with the manager and workers to improve working conditions in this sector led to practical proposals: for example, implementing certain equipment items better suited to difficult care, encouraging assistance between healthcare workers when operations require this through adequate organizational measures, extending work emotion-focused discussion groups with management involvement.

Ruptured aortic aneurysm: early postoperative prediction of mortality using an organ system failure score.

Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a personal and public health catastrophe because of the high and unimproving mortality rate, increasingly long intensive care unit (ICU) stay and rising hospital costs. Criteria are needed to identify patients with a poor prognosis so that treatment and resources may be directed to those with a better outlook. This retrospective study reviews perioperative variables, outcome and length of ICU stay for 99 consecutive patients with operated ruptured infrarenal AAA between 1985 and 1992 who reached the ICU alive. Early death (within 48 h) occurred in 20 per cent using 24 ICU days and late death (after 48 h) occurred in 29 per cent using 420 ICU days; neither type of death could be predicted before operation. Multiple organ failure, the cause of 93 per cent of late deaths, was assessed for each patient 48 h after operation using an organ system failure score. There was a strong positive correlation between organ system failure score and mortality rate (P < 0.00001); all 20 patients with more than two failing organ systems died. If used in decision making the score would have saved 43 per cent of the ICU days associated with late mortality. Withdrawing postoperative treatment at an early stage in accordance with an organ system failure score may be a defensible and cost-effective option.

Ketamine-Diazepam Protocol for Intravenous Sedation: The Cosmetic Surgery Hospital Experience

Rising hospital costs and operating room scheduling difficulties have influenced plastic surgeons to rely more often on intravenous sedation in office surgical settings. The use of ketamine as an intravenous sedation agent has enjoyed some popularity, but this has been far from universal. Its reputation for producing psychological sequelae such as nightmares, flashbacks and schizophrenic-like reactions have made many anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons reluctant to use this drug. The authors’ experience using a ketamine/diazepam protocol with approximately 11,400 patients since 1971 at the Cosmetic Surgery Hospital in Woodbridge, Ontario is presented. The methodology consists of intravenous diazepam followed with low-dose ketamine (0.5 mg/kg to a maximum of 40 mg) 2 min later. This provides the surgeon with a period of profound amnesia to allow for infiltration of the local anesthetic. It is this local anesthetic delivered during the dissociative state that provides prolonged analgesia throughout the surgery. The patient is maintained throughout the procedure with increments of diazepam and midazolam. This protocol is found to be effective, reliable and reproducible, and the experience of the patient and plastic surgeon has been overwhelmingly favourable.

Ketamine-Diazepam Protocol for Intravenous Sedation: The Cosmetic Surgery Hospital Experience

Rising hospital costs and operating room scheduling difficulties have influenced plastic surgeons to rely more often on intravenous sedation in office surgical settings. The use of ketamine as an intravenous sedation agent has enjoyed some popularity, but this has been far from universal. Its reputation for producing psychological sequelae such as nightmares, flashbacks and schizophrenic-like reactions have made many anesthesiologists and plastic surgeons reluctant to use this drug. The authors' experience using a ketamine/diazepam protocol with approximately 11,400 patients since 1971 at the Cosmetic Surgery Hospital in Woodbridge, Ontario is presented. The methodology consists of intravenous diazepam followed with low-dose ketamine (0.5 mg/kg to a maximum of 40 mg) 2 min later. This provides the surgeon with a period of profound amnesia to allow for infiltration of the local anesthetic. It is this local anesthetic delivered during the dissociative state that provides prolonged analgesia throughout the surgery. The patient is maintained throughout the procedure with increments of diazepam and midazolam. This protocol is found to be effective, reliable and reproducible, and the experience of the patient and plastic surgeon has been overwhelmingly favourable.

Impact of declining reimbursement and rising hospital costs on the feasibility of total hip arthroplasty

Total hip arthroplasty, although a very successful clinical treatment, remains an expensive procedure in an era of constrained health care resources. Hospitalization cost, charge, and reimbursement data were compared between all patients who underwent elective, primary, unilateral total hip arthroplasty in 1988 and 1993 at the UCLA Medical Center. Although length of hospitalization decreased by 36%, increases both in unit supply costs and in the intensity of hospital services prevented a statistically significant reduction in total hospitalization cost. Reimbursement declined by 27% after calculating inflation with the Consumer Price Index for Medical Care. Further, the margin by which reimbursement exceeded cost decreased from 66% in 1988 to 8% in 1993. These trends constitute a serious threat to the financial feasibility of total hip arthroplasty.

Nosocomial urinary tract infections

Hospital-acquired urinary tract infections, which account for approximately 40 percent of all nosocomial infections, often result in serious complications and ultimately lead to rising hospital costs. To combat the high incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections, surveillance and control programs must be developed and carefully maintained by hospitals. When urinary tract infections cannot be prevented, empiric therapy with broad-spectrum antibiotics effective against beta-lactamase-producing bacteria should begin immediately.

The role of changing clinical practices in the rising costs of hospital care.

To assess whether changes in clinical practice have contributed to rising hospital costs, we studied 2011 patients who were hospitalized at the University of California, San Francisco, in 1972, 1977, or 1982. For most of the 10 diagnoses studied, there was little change in total use of services by patients. In-hospital survival did not differ during the decade, and length of stay, numbers of special-care days, and use of laboratory services generally remained the same or declined. Only for patients with acute myocardial infarction did the use of imaging procedures increase substantially (e.g., cardiac catheterization was provided to 2 per cent of patients in 1977 and 40 per cent in 1982). Contrary to conventional wisdom, "little-ticket" procedures, such as laboratory tests, did not contribute to rising costs, and new imaging techniques were commonly substituted for older, more invasive procedures. The primary causes of rising costs were the provision of surgery to patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction, delivery, or respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn and the provision of other intensive treatments for the critically ill.