Routine post-operative labs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis.
Am J Surg
; 226(5): 571-577, 2023 11.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37291012
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Data from the National Health Expenditure Accounts have shown a steady increase in healthcare cost paralleled by availability of laboratory tests. Resource utilization is a top priority for reducing health care costs. We hypothesized that routine post-operative laboratory utilization unnecessarily increases costs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis (AA) management.METHODS:
A retrospective cohort of patients with uncomplicated AA 2016-2020 were identified. Clinical variables, demographics, lab usage, interventions, and costs were collected.RESULTS:
A total of 3711 patients with uncomplicated AA were identified. Total costs of labs ($289,505, 99.56%) and repletions ($1287.63, 0.44%) were $290,792.63. Increased LOS was associated with lab utilization in multivariable modeling, increasing costs by $837,602 or 472.12 per patient.CONCLUSIONS:
In our patient population, post-operative labs resulted in increased costs without discernible impact on clinical course. Routine post-operative laboratory testing should be re-evaluated in patients with minimal comorbidities as this likely increases cost without adding value.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Apendicite
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Surg
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article