Variable Direct Costs Research Articles

Direct Variable Cost Comparison of Monitored Anesthesia Care Versus Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tournique Carpal Tunnel Release: A Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing Analysis

Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) provides a more accurate and granular estimation of direct variable costs compared with traditional accounting methods. This study used TDABC to quantitatively compare the same-day facility costs of open carpal tunnel release (CTR) performed under monitored anesthesia care (MAC) versus wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet (WALANT). We retrospectively identified 474 unilateral CTR (182 MAC and 292 WALANT) performed at an orthopedic specialty hospital between 2015 and 2021. Itemized facility costs were calculated using a TDABC algorithm. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, and itemized costs were compared between those treated under MAC (MAC-CTR) and WALANT (WALANT-CTR). Multivariable regression was performed to determine the independent effect of MAC on true facility costs. Total facility costs were $170 higher in MAC-CTR compared with WALANT-CTR ($652 vs $482). Monitored anesthesia care-CTR cases had higher personnel costs ($537 vs $394), likely because of higher surgery personnel ($303 vs $185) and postanesthesia care unit personnel costs ($117 vs $95). Monitored anesthesia care-CTR cases also had higher supply costs ($119 vs $81). When controlling for demographics and comorbidities, MAC-CTR was independently associated with an increase in personnel costs by $150.65 (95% CI, $131.09-$170.21), supply costs by $24.99 (95% CI, $9.40-$40.58), and total facility costs by $175.66 (95% CI, $150.18-$201.09) per case. Using TDABC, MAC-CTR was found to be 35% more costly to the facility compared with WALANT-CTR. Notably, WALANT-CTR facility costs presented here do not include additional cost savings from anesthesiologist service fees or preoperative laboratory clearance required for MAC-CTR surgeries. To reduce costs related to CTR surgery, greater efforts should be made to reduce the number of intraoperative personnel and maximize the use of WALANT-CTR in an outpatient setting. Economic and Decision Analysis II.

Patient Harm Events and Associated Cost Outcomes Reported to a Patient Safety Organization.

The aims of the study were to describe inpatient harm events detected via an automatic electronic trigger system (ETS) and to consider their financial consequences. Over a 27-month period, inpatient harm events were identified and documented in 1 healthcare system with 37 acute care facilities. Patients who experienced harm (all harm or preventable harm only) were compared with similar patients who did not. Clinical, financial, and demographic data were used to identify labor-adjusted direct variable costs (DVC) and potential differences in length of stay (LOS) associated with all-harm, preventable-harm, and nonharmed cohorts. Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, case mix index, diagnosis-related groups, major diagnostic category, sex, age, location, diagnosis, adverse event category and subcategory, preventability, and harm severity were used to compare cohorts. Total harm events reported via the ETS and the health system's voluntary event reporting system were compared. Nearly 93,000 encounters for all-harm (n = 25,665) and nonharmed cohorts (n = 67,217) were compared by random sampling of diagnosis-related group-matched all-harm and nonharmed groups to ensure similar clinical conditions, as measured by Charlson Comorbidity Index and case mix index. Sampling (2 groups, n = 100 and n = 200) showed that increased LOS was associated with harm; yet other clinical comparators were similar across groups. the preventable-harm subcohort had longer LOS (10.7 versus 5.9 days) and higher DVC ($13,442 versus $8024) than the nonharmed cohort. Identification of harm events was nearly 6-fold higher with the ETS than with the voluntary event reporting system. Patients with preventable harm had increased LOS that was associated with higher DVC per preventable-harm encounter in a large US healthcare system.

Impact of a family support intervention on hospitalization costs and hospital readmissions among ICU patients at high risk of death or severe functional impairment

BackgroundPatients with advanced critical illness often receive more intensive treatment than they would choose for themselves, which contributes to high health care costs near the end of life. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a family support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team decreases hospitalization costs and hospital readmissions among critically ill patients at high risk of death or severe functional impairment.ResultsWe examined index hospitalization costs as well as post-discharge utilization of acute care hospitals, rehabilitation and skilled nursing facilities, and hospice services for the PARTNER trial, a multicenter, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial of an interprofessional ICU family support intervention. We determined patients’ total controllable and direct variable costs using a computerized accounting system. We determined post-discharge resource utilization (as defined above) by structured telephone interview at 6-month follow-up. We used multiple variable regression modelling to compare outcomes between groups. Compared to usual care, the PARTNER intervention resulted in significantly lower total controllable costs (geometric mean: $26,529 vs $32,105; log-linear coefficient: − 0.30; 95% CI − 0.49, − 0.11) and direct variable costs ($3912 vs $6034; − 0.33; 95% CI − 0.56, − 0.10). A larger cost reduction occurred for decedents ($20,304 vs. $26,610; − 0.66; 95% CI − 1.01, − 0.31) compared to survivors ($31,353 vs. $35,015; − 0.15; 95% CI − 0.35,0.05). A lower proportion in the intervention arm were re-admitted to an acute care hospital (34.9% vs 45.1%; 0.66; 95% CI 0.56, 0.77) or skilled nursing facility (25.3% vs 31.6%; 0.63; 95% CI 0.47, 0.84).ConclusionsA family support intervention delivered by the interprofessional ICU team significantly decreased index hospitalization costs and readmission rates over 6-month follow-up.Trial registration Trial registration number: NCT01844492

Sepsis Order Set Use Associated With Increased Care Value

BackgroundSepsis is common and expensive and there is evidence that sepsis order sets may help improve care. There is very incomplete evidence of the effects of sepsis order sets on the value of care produced by hospitals or the societal costs of sepsis care. Research QuestionIn patients hospitalized for sepsis, is the receipt a of a sepsis order set vs. no order set associated with improved value of care, defined as decreased hospital mortality, decreased hospital direct variable costs and decreased societal spending on hospitalizations? Study Design and MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients discharged with sepsis ICD-10 codes over two years from a large integrated delivery system. Using a propensity score, sepsis order set users were matched to non-users to study the association between sepsis order set use and the value of care from the hospital and societal perspective. The association between order set receipt and hospital mortality, direct variable cost, and hospital revenue were also examined in a priori defined subgroups of sepsis severity and hospital mortality. Results97,249 patients were included in the study with 52,793 (54%) receiving the sepsis order set. 55,542 patients were included in the propensity score match analysis, 27,771 in each group. Recipients of the sepsis order set had a 3.3% lower hospital mortality rate, a $1487 lower median direct variable total cost (P < 0.01 for both). Median payer neutral reimbursement (PNR), a proxy for hospital revenue and thus societal costs, was $465 lower for sepsis order set users (P < 0.01). Receipt of the sepsis order set was associated with an $1022 increase in contribution margin, the difference between direct variable costs and PNR per patient. InterpretationReceipt of the sepsis order set was associated with improved value of care, from both a hospital and societal perspective.

Thigh compartment syndrome: Outcomes in an urban level 1 trauma center

IntroductionThigh compartment syndrome (TCS) is a rare surgical emergency associated with a high risk of morbidity with mortality rates as high as 47 %. There is sparse literature discussing the management as well as outcomes of these injuries. The purpose of this study is to review a consecutive series of patients presenting to a single urban Level 1 trauma center with TCS to identify injury characteristics, clinical presentation, and outcomes associated with this injury. MethodsA trauma database was queried for all patients with a diagnosis of TCS at a single level 1 urban trauma center between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2021. Demographic and injury variables collected included age, sex, BMI, mechanism of injury, and creatine phosphokinase levels (CPK). Hospital quality measures including time from admission to surgery, length of both hospital and ICU stay, complications, and cost of care were collected. Descriptive statistics are reported as median [interquartile range] or N (percent). ResultsThere were 14 patients identified with a diagnosis of TCS. All were men with an average age 33.5 [23.5 - 38] years and an average BMI of 26 [22.9–28.1]. The most common cause of injury was blunt trauma (71.4 %), and the remaining 28.6 % were gunshot wound injuries. Within the cohort, 6 (42.9 %) patients sustained a femoral shaft fracture, and 4 (28.6 %) patients sustained a vascular injury. The median initial CPK of patients within this cohort was 3405 [1232–5339] and reached a peak of 5271 [3013–13,266]. The median time from admission to diagnosis was 6.8 [0–236.9] hours. The median time from admission to the operating room was 8.2 [0.6–236.9] hours, and the median number of operating room visits was 3 [2 - 6]. Five patients (35.7 %) wounds were closed with split thickness skin grafting. There were 12 (85.7 %) patients who required ICU care. The median ICU length of stay was 7.5 days [4–15]. The median hospital length of stay was 16.5 days [13.25–38.0]. The median total charges for a patient with thigh compartment syndrome was $129,159.00 [$24,768.00 - $587,152.00]. The median direct variable cost for these patients was $86,106.00 For comparison, the median direct variable cost for patients with femur fractures without TCS at this institution was $8,497.28 [$1,903.52–$21,893.13]. No patients required readmission within 60 days. There were no mortalities. ConclusionTCS is a rare and life-threatening injury associated with significant morbidity. Despite rapid diagnosis and fasciotomy, the majority of the patients have prolonged hospital courses, ICU lengths of stay, and significant costs of treatment. Providers can reference the outcomes reported in this study when caring for TCS patients.

The effect of traumatic head injuries on the outcome of middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma patients

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to characterize the effects of head injuries amongst the middle-aged and geriatric populations on hospital quality measures, costs, and outcomes in an orthopedic trauma setting. MethodsPatients with head and orthopedic injuries aged >55 treated at an academic medical center from October 2014-April 2021 were reviewed for their Abbreviated Injury Score for Head and Neck (AIS-H), baseline demographics, injury characteristics, hospital quality measures and outcomes. Univariate comparative analyses were conducted across AIS-H groups with additional regression analyses controlling for confounding variables. All statistical analyses were conducted with a Bonferroni adjusted alpha. ResultsA total of 1,051 patients were included. The mean age was 74 years, and median AIS-H score was 2 (range 1–6). While outcomes worsened and costs increased as AIS-H scores increased, the most drastic (and clinically relevant) rise occurs between scores 2–3. Patients who sustained a head injury warranting an AIS-H score of 3 experienced a significantly higher rate of major complications, need for ICU admission, inpatient and 1-year mortality with longer lengths of stay and higher total costs despite no differences in demographics or injury characteristics. Regression analysis found a higher AIS-H score was independently associated with greater mortality risk. ConclusionAIS-H scores >2 correlate with significantly worse outcomes and higher hospital costs. Concomitant head injuries impact both outcomes and direct variable costs for middle-aged and geriatric orthopedic trauma patients. Clinicians, hospitals, and payers should consider the significant effect of head injuries on the hospitalization of these patients.

Abstract 350: Measuring the Return on Investment of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Early Warning System

Background: The use of AI has been associated with decreased hospital mortality for at risk patients but the financial benefit is unknown. Aims: We sought to measure the change in mortality and cost in six priority clinical conditions following a multi-center phased implementation of eCART (AgileMD), an AI early warning system which utilizes electronic health record (EHR) data to predict clinical deterioration. Methods: eCARTv2 was integrated into the EHR (Oracle Cerner) at four Midwest hospitals in a rolling two-phase implementation. In Phase I, providers viewed scores on a stand-alone web dashboard. In Phase 2, the output was displayed in the EHR, linked to clinical pathways. Phase 0 consisted of a 12 month baseline. Mortality and inflation-adjusted direct variable cost data were compared across the phases in six predetermined diagnosis related group (DRG) conditions: sepsis, heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), stroke, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and pneumonia. Results: Between 6/1/17 and 2/29/20, 15217 (20.3%) med-surg encounters met inclusion DRG criteria. eCART elevation was most common in sepsis (62.5%), followed by HF (47.4%), pneumonia (43.7%), AMI (39.0%), stroke (35.5%) and COPD (27.1%). Full eCART implementation was associated with significant cost reductions in sepsis, HF, pneumonia, COPD and AMI of $471-795 per encounter and mortality reductions in sepsis and HF (aOR 0.56 and 0.39, respectively). Conclusions: The mortality and cost benefits of eCART appear to be strongest for sepsis and heart failure, where eCART is most likely to be elevated. Savings for sepsis, HF, pneumonia and COPD are primarily driven by labor (ie LOS).

The financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sleeve gastrectomy at a major academic institution.

The COVID-19- pandemic significantly impacted metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) practices due to large-scale surgery cancellations along with staff and supply shortages. We analyzed sleeve gastrectomy (SG) hospital-level financial metrics before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospital cost-accounting software (MicroStrategy, Tysons, VA) was reviewed for revenues, costs, and profits per SG at an academic hospital (2017-2022). Actual figures were obtained, not insurance charge estimates or hospital projections. Fixed costs were obtained through surgery-specific allocation of inpatient hospital and operating-room costs. Direct variable costs were analyzed with sub-components including: (1) labor and benefits, (2) implants, (3) drug costs, and 4) medical/surgical supplies. The pre-COVID-19 period (10/2017-2/2020) and post-COVID-19 period (5/2020-9/2022) financial metrics were compared with student's t-test. Data from 3/2020 to 4/2020 were excluded due to COVID-19-related changes. A total of 739 SG patients were included. Average length of stay (LOS), Center for Medicaid and Medicare Case Mix Index (CMI), and percentage of patients with commercial insurance were similar pre vs. post-COVID-19 (p > 0.05). There were more SG performed per quarter pre-COVID-19 than post-COVID-19 (36 vs. 22; p = 0.0056). Pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 financial metrics per SG differed significantly for, respectively, revenues ($19,134 vs. $20,983) total variable cost ($9457 vs. $11,235), total fixed cost ($2036 vs. $4018), total profit ($7571 vs. $5442), and labor and benefits cost ($2535 vs. $3734; p < 0.05). The post-COVID-19 period was characterized by significantly increased SG fixed cost (i.e., building maintenance, equipment, overhead) and labor costs (increased contract labor), resulting in precipitous profit decline that crosses the break-even in calendar year quarter (CQ) 3, 2022. Potential solutions include minimizing contract labor cost and decreasing LOS.

The impact of using Elsevier ClinicalPath oncology treatment pathways on survival and cost of care.

6620 Background: Cone Health is a 921 bed hospital system in North Carolina with a comprehensive cancer center. Our aim was to determine the value of using Elsevier’s ClinicalPath oncology pathways on short-term survival and cost of care from the patient and health system perspectives. Cancer treatment has become more complex as it progresses more toward precision medicine modalities. As such, clinical decision support tools, such as ClinicalPath, have gained traction. Health systems struggle to survive after the COVID pandemic, with residual financial impacts lingering into 2023. It is more important than ever before that health systems focus on value where the patient benefits and financial sustainability are improved. Methods: We used a retrospective cohort study design with matching. Exposure was the use of the ClinicalPath decision support tool in Epic (exposed) versus no use of the tool (not exposed). We matched on cancer body site, AJCC clinical stage, the goal of treatment, Elixhauser comorbidity score, and year of a cancer diagnosis. We were able to match 509 exposed to 509 unexposed. Our primary outcomes were 12-month survival from the time of the first treatment and contribution margin. We used a log-rank calculation based on our hazard ratios (Freedman method) to determine the sample size required for each group, assuming a power of 80%. We used a Weibull parametric model to assess 12-month survival with additional covariates. An OLS model was used to evaluate the contribution margin. Results: Results demonstrate that when ClinicalPath is used to guide treatment, patients are half as likely to die within 12 months from treatment compared to the unexposed (HR 0.50; 95% CI 0.37-0.68). The OLS contribution model found, on average, that margin has an associated 74.0% (0.74; 95% CI 0.58-0.90) increase when ClinicalPath is used to guide treatment compared to the unexposed. This equates to a crude increase in contribution margin for cancer treatment of $58,362, on average per case, when ClinicalPath is used. Variable direct costs are higher when using ClinicalPath. This means, on average, it costs more to treat patients on pathway using best available evidence. Still, they have better short-term survival and payers are covering the additional costs given the increase in contribution margin for our system. Conclusions: Short-term recurrence free survival is significantly improved when providers utilize ClinicalPath compared to not using the tool consistent with the primary aim of the CDS solution. Newer, more efficacious treatments may have higher initial costs, as expected. Still, the effectiveness of these treatments on survival in the real-world setting is born out in the current study. The higher initial direct costs are counterbalanced by a higher contribution margin per patient providing evidence that improved outcomes in cancer therapy can also provide a positive ROI for provider organizations.

0927 The Evolution of Costs for Telehealth versus In-person PAP Initiation for Patients with Sleep Apnea over the COVID Pandemic

Abstract Introduction During the COVID pandemic, at the San Francisco VA Healthcare System (VASFHS), positive airway pressure (PAP) set-up visits transitioned from in person to a mix of in person and telehealth for patients newly diagnosed sleep apnea. As part of a larger study examining the clinical outcomes resulting from telehealth versus in-person PAP initiation, we performed a cost analysis of these two treatment pathways within VASFHS. Methods The telehealth pathway included mailing of PAP machines to patients (initially from VASFHS and later through a centralized national distributor), with follow-up video/phone education by respiratory therapists (RTs) and registered sleep technicians (RSTs). We used a bottom-up analysis to examine the total variable direct cost of telehealth versus in-person PAP initiation at various points through the COVID pandemic for patients newly diagnosed with sleep apnea at VASFHS. Results The total variable direct cost of telehealth PAP initiation was $49.66 per patient mid-pandemic (Feb-Dec 2020) compared to $31.02 per patient post-pandemic (Oct-Dec 2022). The total variable direct cost of in-person PAP initiation was $16.76 per patient pre-pandemic (Jan-Dec 2019) compared to $22.71 per patient post-pandemic. The reduction in costs (37.5%) for telehealth PAP initiation mid- to post-pandemic was due to 25% less RT/RST time required and elimination of PAP shipping costs as PAP distribution became nationally centralized. The increase in costs (35.5%) for in-person PAP initiation pre- to post-pandemic was largely due to elimination of group PAP initiation sessions (33.3% more RT/RST time required for individual PAP initiation). Post-pandemic, telehealth PAP initiation cost was 36.6% more than in-person due to 25% more RT/RST time required and five times as much troubleshooting help required for the telehealth pathway. Conclusion With integration of telehealth for PAP initiation, as RT/RSTs gained more expertise with this interface through the pandemic and as distribution of PAP machines/supplies became centralized, costs were significantly reduced, making telehealth a financially sustainable workflow. Future cost analysis can evaluate if group rather than individual telehealth PAP initiation would yield additional cost savings, placing it on par with the cost of in-person PAP initiation. Support (if any) VA OCC FY21 RFA, VAGLAHS GRECC, K24HL143055

Implementation of a Streamlined Care Pathway to Reduce Cost and Length of Stay for Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

We implemented a streamlined care pathway for patients undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal (TSA) pituitary surgery. Select patients are recovered in the postanesthesia care unit and transferred to a step-down unit for intermediate neurologic care (INCU), with clinicians trained to manage cerebrospinal fluid leak, diabetes insipidus (DI), and other complications. We evaluated all TSA surgeries performed at 1 academic medical center from 7th January, 2017 to 30th March, 2020, collecting patient factors, tumor characteristics, cost variables, and outcomes. The INCU pathway was implemented on 7th January 2018. Pathway patients were compared with nonpathway patients across the study period. Outcomes were assessed using multivariate regression, adjusting for patient and surgical characteristics, including intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak, postoperative DI, and tumor dimensions. One hundred eighty-seven patients were identified. Seventy-nine were on the INCU pathway. Mean age was 53.5years. Most patients were male (66%), privately insured (62%), and white (66%). Mean total cost of admission was $27,276. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 3.97days. Use of the INCU pathway was associated with total cost reduction of $6376.33 (P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI]: $3698.21-$9054.45) and LOS reduction by 1.27days (P= 0.008, 95% CI: 0.33-2.20). In-hospital costswere reduced across all domains, including $1964.87 invariable direct labor costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $1142.08-$2787.64) and $1206.52 in variable direct supply costs (P < 0.001, 95% CI: $762.54-$1650.51). Pathway patients were discharged earlier despite a higher rate of postoperative DI (25% vs. 11%, P= 0.011), with fewer readmissions (0% vs. 6%, P= 0.021). A streamlined care pathway following TSA surgery can reduce in-hospital costs and LOS without compromising patient outcomes.

The Next Frontier of Remote Patient Monitoring: Hospital at Home.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has shown promise in aiding safe and efficient remote care for chronic conditions; however, its use remains more limited within the hospital at home (HaH) model of care despite a significant opportunity to increase patient eligibility, improve safety, and decrease costs. HaH could achieve these goals by further adopting the 3 primary modalities of RPM (ie, vital sign, continuous single-lead electrocardiogram, and fall monitoring). With only 2 in-person vital sign checks required per day, HaH patient eligibility is currently often limited to lower-acuity cases. The use of vital sign RPM within HaH could better match the standard clinical practice of vital sign checks every 4-8 hours and enable safe care for appropriate moderate-acuity medical and surgical floor-level patients not traditionally enrolled in HaH. Robust, efficient collection of more frequent vital signs via RPM could expand patient eligibility for HaH and create a digital health safety net that enables high quality care. Similarly, our experience at Massachusetts General Hospital has demonstrated that appropriate use of continuous single-lead electrocardiogram RPM can also expand HaH enrollment, particularly for patients with acute decompensated heart failure. Through increasing enrollment of patients in HaH, RPM stands to enable more patients to reap the potential safety benefits of home hospitalization, including decreased rates of delirium and hospital-acquired infections, and better avoid aspects of posthospital syndrome. Furthermore, instituting fall detection RPM allows care teams to further HaH patient safety during their episode of acute care and develop enhanced mitigation strategies to avoid falls post home hospitalization. RPM also has the potential to assist HaH in achieving greater economies of scale and decreasing direct variable costs. By expanding HaH eligibility, RPM could enable HaH programs, which have traditionally operated under capacity, to care for a larger census and decrease allocated fixed costs per hospitalization. Additionally, RPM for HaH could further optimize hybrid in-home and remote nurse or physician evaluations, decreasing costs on a per-episode basis by up to an estimated 3.5%. Overall, RPM holds great promise to increase patient eligibility and patient safety while decreasing costs. However, it is in its infancy in achieving its potential to advance the HaH model of care; further research and experience that inform operational and technical as well as policy considerations are needed.

Identifying High Direct Variable Costs of Open Carpal Tunnel Release Patients Using Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing

To improve value in health care delivery, a deeper understanding of the cost drivers in hand surgery is necessary. Time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) more accurately reflects true resource use compared with traditional accounting methods. This study used TDABC to explore the facility cost of carpal tunnel release and identify preoperative characteristics of high-cost patients. Using TDABC, we calculated the facility costs of 516 consecutive patients undergoing open carpal tunnel release at an orthopedic specialty hospital between 2015 and 2021. Patients in the top decile cost were defined as high-cost patients. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine preoperative characteristics (age, sex, body mass index, race, ethnicity, Elixhauser comorbidity index, American Society of Anesthesiology score, preoperative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, Short-Form 12, and anesthesia type) independently associated with high-cost patients. Surgery-related personnel costs were the main driver (38.0%) of total facility costs, followed by preoperative personnel costs (21.3%). There was a 1.8-fold variation in facility cost between patients in the 90th and 10th percentiles ($774.69 vs $431.35), with the widest cost variations belonging to medication costs ($17.67 vs $1.85; variation, 9.6-fold) and other supply costs ($213.56 vs $65.56; variation, 3.3-fold). Using multivariable regression, predictors of high cost were patient age and use of general anesthesia. Total facility costs correlated strongly with the total operating room time and incision to closure time. Efforts to decrease operating room time may translate into reduced personnel costs and greater cost savings. Multidisciplinary initiatives to control medication expenses for patients at risk of high costs may narrow the existing variation in costs. Economic and Decision Analysis II.

Index surgery and ninety day re-operation cost comparison of robotic-assisted versus manual total knee arthroplasty.

This study looks to compare early costs of index surgery and re-operations of robotic-assisted total knee arthroplasties (rTKA) and manual total knee arthroplasty (mTKA) re-operations within 90days. The Michigan Arthroplasty Registry Collaborative Quality Initiative (MARCQI) database was queried for patients undergoing rTKA and mTKA at our institution from January 1st, 2018, to March 31st, 2021. Primary outcomes were the day of surgery and overall encounter variable direct costs (VDC). Secondary outcomes included 90-day re-operations and costs. One thousand two hundred seventy-six (21.2%) patients were in the rTKA cohort, while 4740 (78.8%) were in the mTKA cohort. When comparing rTKA to mTKA, rTKA had higher median total encounter costs (p < 0.001) and higher encounter VDC costs (p < 0.001). TKA had higher day of surgery total VDC (p < 0.001), VDC supplies (p < 0.001), and VDC of post-op recovery (p < 0.001). Multivariate linear regression showed no relationship with age, BMI, OR time, or LOS with cost for rTKA or mTKA. Results from our study show that rTKA is associated with a higher index surgery costs, and no difference in 90-day re-operation costs. The main factor driving increased cost is supply cost, with other variables between too small in difference to make a significant financial impact. Future studies should focus on post-operative costs including readmission and episode of care costs and should consider cost to the payor as opposed to VDC. rTKA will become more common, and other institutions may need to take a closer financial look at this more novel instrumentation before adoption. III, retrospective cohort.

Index Surgery Cost of Fluoroscopic Freehand Versus Robotic-Assisted Pedicle Screw Placement in Lumbar Instrumentation: An Age, Sex, and Approach-Matched Cohort Comparison.

Spine surgery costs are notoriously high, and there are already criticisms and concerns over the economic effects. There is no consensus on cost variation with robot-assisted spine fusion (rLF) compared with a manual fluoroscopic freehand (fLF) approach. This study looks to compare the early costs between the robotic method and the freehand method in lumbar spine fusion. rLFs by one spine surgeon were age, sex, and approach-matched to fLF procedures by another spine surgeon. Variable direct costs, readmissions, and revision surgeries within 90 days were reviewed and compared. Thirty-nine rLFs were matched to 39 fLF procedures. No significant differences were observed in clinical outcomes. rLF had higher total encounter costs (P < 0.001) and day-of-surgery costs (P = 0.005). Increased costs were mostly because of increased supply cost (0.0183) and operating room time cost (P < 0.001). Linear regression showed a positive relationship with operating room time and cost in rLF (P < 0.001). rLF is associated with a higher index surgery cost. The main factor driving increased cost is supply costs, with other variables too small in difference to make a notable financial effect. rLF will become more common, and other institutions may need to take a closer financial look at this more novel instrumentation before adoption.

Resource Utilization and Cost Analysis of a Chromogenic Factor X Assay for Anticoagulation Monitoring and Management

Introduction High risk venous thrombotic states such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLS) contribute to significant patient morbidity and mortality, and financial toxicity. Traditional coagulation assays (prothrombin time [PT], activated partial thromboplastin time [aPTT], and international normalized ratio [INR]) guide anticoagulation but are unreliable in the presence of a lupus anticoagulant and/or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Further, some agents used for treatment, such as direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI), elevate the PTT, PT, and INR. Collectively, this highlights the challenge of maintaining a therapeutic index with aberrant PTT values. The chromogenic factor X (CFX) assay depends on an enzymatic reaction that generates photometrically (colorimetric) distinct signals that are proportional to factor X levels and therapeutic INR levels. Rationale for the use of CFX assay is to abrogate difficulty in guiding treatment decisions in HIT with DIC, APLS, and with DTI use. It remains unclear how the use of CFX testing and need for hematology consultation impacts clinical and financial resources at an institutional level seeking to incorporate novel coagulation tests. Here we aim to understand how involving a hematologist in decision-making when using this test can improve healthcare utilization and expenditure associated with thrombotic disease and its complications. Methods This study design was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board and met the criteria for exempt review. This is a single institution retrospective cohort analysis. All patients who had CFX assays performed between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2021 were included. Each encounter was categorized by location (inpatient vs. outpatient), the indication prompting use of the CFX assay, and if hematology was consulted. Costs were aggregated by evaluating individual decentralized de-identified patient accounts. In particular, variable costs were evaluated to capture all costs from services rendered directly related to the anticoagulation management of the patient (i.e. cost of operations). Descriptive analysis was done for aggregated variable costs and expenditures relevant to the CFX-guided anticoagulation treatment episode. A two-sample t-test was used to identify association between numbers of tests ordered when hematology was consulted in patient care. Statistical analysis to identify differences was set at α=0.05 or less. Maximum type I error rate of p<0.05 was used. Results In total, 179 patient charts were analyzed, of which 90 patients met inclusion criteria (Table 1). The majority of patients had the CFX assay performed inpatient; 33 had the test as an outpatient. A breakdown of testing indication is presented in Table 1, with the majority of tests ordered for APLS, HIT, and recurrent thrombosis. As show in Table 2, for inpatients, fewer tests per patient were ordered when hematology is consulted compared (3.4 vs. 5.4 tests/patient, p=0.005 [α = 0.05]). The mean direct variable cost (DVC) was not statistically different, however there was a median $1800 cost savings when hematology was consulted. There is no difference in length of stay (LOS). All outpatient tests were ordered by a hematologist. In total, 40 tests were ordered for 33 patients (1.2 tests/patient) with a mean DVC of $602.75. Conclusion Our study highlights that there was a statistically significant decrease in tests ordered when a hematologist is involved. For institutions adopting novel coagulation testing, expert hematology consultation helps improve fiscal resource utilization and clinical practice. The discordance of mean and median DVC suggest that variation is not normally distributed. This is often seen in healthcare finance where macro-economic or supply-side factors dictate variation in medically ill patients. Further, the wide ranges in DVC and in LOS suggest a possibly more complex patient population for whom hematology was consulted. Therefore, we highlight that consultation with a hematologist should be considered in complex patients, particularly for anticoagulation given the significant implications inadequate treatment can have. Hematologist can help with anticoagulation management, and their involvement appears to correlate with decreased testing and improved overall savings even with the cost incurred of the consultant. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Cost comparison between open thyroid lobectomy and radiofrequency ablation for management of thyroid nodules.

There is an increasing array of treatment options for addressing clinically significant thyroid nodules, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA). While effective, the cost compared to alternative approaches has not been well elucidated. This study involved a retrospective chart review, focusing on variable direct cost (VDC) of each procedure, from April 2016 to January 2020. We analyzed costs for 53 open lobectomies and 16 RFA procedures. Cost effectiveness depended on the simulated cost of the RFA probe. In comparison to open lobectomy, the VDC to perform RFA was $597 (19%) cheaper when the simulated probe cost was $1500 and $403 (13%) more expensive for a probe cost of $2500. Statistical significance was achieved for both these differences. If cost per RFA probe can be less than $2100-the break-even dollar amount between open lobectomy and RFA-there would be considerable cost savings for treating thyroid nodules.

The economic impact of gunshot wounds on an urban level 1 trauma center

IntroductionFirearm-related injuries impact the healthcare system, taxpayers, and injured patients due to lost productivity and reduced quality of life. The goal was to quantify the economic costs related to hospitalization for gunshot wounds (GSWs) at a single urban level 1 trauma center. Materials and Methods941 patients over 27 months were treated for GSW. Elements related to hospitalization including length of stay, surgical procedures, medications and therapies, and subsequent readmission were identified, and costs were determined, inclusive of fixed and variable direct and indirect costs of facility care. Costs were classified based on body region: abdominal, chest, soft tissue, extremity or pelvic girdle, and head/neck/face. ResultsMean age was 30 years, with 94% male. Most patients (81%) were admitted, and 8% sustained fatal injuries. Overall, 12% were seen previously or subsequently for additional, unrelated GSWs. Mean costs per patient were: $66,780 for abdominal GSWs; $3,986 for chest; $3,509 for soft tissue; $19,875 for extremities; $64,533 for head or neck, and means of $25,249 for two regions and $26,638 for three regions. Over the prospective period, 941 individuals sustained GSWs (approximately 35 per month). 37% were to the extremities, 23% were within the skin/subcutaneous tissue, 7% to the abdomen, 7% to the chest, 6% to the head or neck, and 20% to two or more body regions. Total facility costs for these 941 GSWs was $18.9 million, or $698,960 per month. 55% of the patients had Medicaid, and 33% were uninsured, resulting in substantial uncompensated expenses for the trauma center. ConclusionFirearm-related injuries generate considerable expense. Our data underestimated cost, as professional services and indirect costs associated with lost economic productivity of patients and caregivers were excluded. No objective assessment of the disastrous personal and social impact was projected. Moving forward, interventions to prevent initial injury and recidivism in this high-risk population are crucial. Level of EvidenceLevel III

Preventable operating room delays in robotic-assisted thoracic surgery: Identifying opportunities for cost reduction

BackgroundThis study aimed to characterize the types of intraoperative delays during robotic-assisted thoracic surgery, operating room staff awareness/perceptions of delays, and cost impact of delays on overall operative costs. MethodsRobotic-assisted thoracic surgery cases from May to August 2019 were attended by 3 third-party observers to record intraoperative delays. The postoperative surveys were given to operating room staff to elicit perceived delays. Observed versus perceived delays were compared using the McNemar test. Direct costs and charges per delay were calculated. ResultsForty-four cases were observed, of which a majority were lobectomies (n = 38 [86%]). A total of 71 delays were recorded by observers, encompassing 75% of cases (n = 33), with an average delay length of 3.6 minutes (±5.3 minutes). The following delays were observed: equipment failure (n = 40, average delay length 5.0 minutes (±6.5 minutes), equipment missing (n = 15, 2.2 minutes [±1.4 minutes]), staff unfamiliarity with equipment (n = 4, 3.4 minutes [± 1.5 minutes]), and other (n = 12, 4.5 minutes [±5.3 minutes]). The detection rates for any intraoperative delay were consistently lower for all of the operating room team members compared with observers, including surgeons (34.3% vs 77.1%; P = .0003), first assistants (41.9% vs 74.2%; P = .0075), surgical technologists (39.4% vs 72.7%; P = .0045), and circulating nurses (41.18% vs 76.47% minutes; P = .0013). The average operating room variable direct cost of delays based on the average total delay length per case was $225.52 (±$350.18) and was 1.6% (range 0–10.6%) of the total case charges. ConclusionThe lack of perception of intraoperative delays hinders operating teams from effectively closing the variable cost gaps. Future studies are needed to explore methods of increasing perception of delays and opportunities to improve operating room efficiency.

BIMBINGAN TEKNIS ANALISIS PENENTUAN HARGA JUAL BUSANA MUSLIM DAN MUSLIMAH PADA USAHA CITRA GALLERY DI KELURAHAN KAMBU KOTA KENDARI

This service activity aims to increase the understanding of business owners about determining the right price so that managers can increase their business turnover and managers can innovate and deal with working capital turnover. The method used is a lecture on business management, which consists of funding and working model turnover, and business innovation. Then guidance on determining the selling price. The results of this service show that the target audience can accept what the service team conveys. Business owners can also easily understand variable costs, fixed costs, direct and indirect cost components so that business owners can easily decide at what price to sell their merchandise in order to get a big profit. However, for the BEP method, the manager finds it difficult because it is considered complicated because so far the owner has determined prices based on available stock and standard prices between competitors. With this guidance, business owners find it helpful because so far in determining prices, they are only based on the owner's estimates.