Impact of Multidisciplinary Audit of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS)® Programs at a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: As Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) programs expand across numerous subspecialties, growth and sustainability on a system level becomes increasingly important and may benefit from reporting multidisciplinary and financial data. However, the literature on multidisciplinary outcome analysis in ERAS is sparse. This study aims to demonstrate the impact of multidisciplinary ERAS auditing in a hospital system. Additionally, we describe developing a financial metric for use in gaining support for system-wide ERAS adoption and sustainability. METHODS: Data from HPB, colorectal and urology ERAS programs at a single institution were analyzed from a prospective ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS) database from September 2015 to June 2019. Clinical 30-day outcomes for the ERAS cohort (n = 1374) were compared to the EIAS pre-ERAS control (n = 311). Association between improved ERAS compliance and improved outcomes were also assessed for the ERAS cohort. The potential multidisciplinary financial impact was estimated from hospital bed charges. RESULTS: Multidisciplinary auditing demonstrated a significant reduction in postoperative length of stay (LOS) (1.5 days, p < 0.001) for ERAS patients in aggregate and improved ERAS compliance was associated with reduced LOS (coefficient - 0.04, p = 0.004). Improved ERAS compliance in aggregate also significantly associated with improved 30-day survival (odds ratio 1.04, p = 0.001). Multidisciplinary analysis also demonstrated a potential financial impact of 44% savings (p < 0.001) by reducing hospital bed charges across all specialties. CONCLUSIONS: Multidisciplinary auditing of ERAS programs may improve ERAS program support and expansion. Analysis across subspecialties demonstrated associations between improved ERAS compliance and postoperative LOS as well as 30-day survival, and further suggested a substantial combined financial impact.

Patient Factors Lead to Extensive Variation in Outcomes and Cost From Cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is a common procedure with significantly varied outcomes. We analyzed differences in comorbidities, outcomes, and cost of cholecystectomy by acute care surgery (ACS) versus hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Patients were retrospectively identified between 2008 and 2015. Exclusion criteria included the following: (1) part of another procedure; (2) abdominal trauma; (3) ICU admission; vasopressors. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six ACS and 122 HPB patients were analyzed. The HPB subset had higher burden of comorbid disease and significantly lower projected 10-year survival (87.4% ACS vs 68.5% HPB, P < .0001). Median lengths of stay were longer in HPB patients (2 vs 5 days, P < .0001) as were readmission rates (30-day 5.6% vs 13.1%, P = .040; 90-day 7.9% vs 20.5%, P = .005). Median cost was higher including operative supply cost ($969.42 vs $1920.66, P < .0001) and total cost of care ($7340.66 vs $19 338.05, P < .0001). A predictive scoring system for difficult gallbladders was constructed and a phone application was created. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy in a complicated patient can be difficult with longer hospital stays and higher costs. The utilization of procedure codes to explain disparities is not sufficient. Incorporation of comorbidities needs to be addressed for planning and reimbursement.

Vertical Compliance: A novel method of reporting patient specific ERAS compliance for real-time risk assessment.

BACKGROUND: ERAS protocol compliance is traditionally measured and reported as 'items compliance' which is retrospective longitudinal adherence of all patients to an index element. Reporting in this manner is restrictive and cannot impact care in real-time. In order to modify behavior effectively and instantaneously, we seek to introduce the novel concept of "vertical compliance". METHODS: Vertical compliance is defined as assessment of an individual's compliance along his/her own surgical pathway as ERAS index items are encountered. Prospectively entered data from the ERAS Interactive Audit System (EIAS) database was queried for all patients who underwent pancreatic or hepatic resections. Individual linear regression models were generated using compliance data from 46 ERAS index items against LOS. Significant items with p value < 0.05 were compiled into multivariable linear regression models; each with a unique coefficient that could be used to predict effect on LOS as well as control for the effect of the other items in the model. RESULTS: Compliance data from 483 patients who underwent pancreatic resections and 292 patients who underwent hepatic resections was compiled. Seven ERAS items for pancreatic resections and six ERAS items for hepatic resections were found to significantly impact LOS. Regression models were created for each of the items in an additive fashion. Calculations to determine predicted LOS as a patient progressed through a pathway was able to be determined. CONCLUSION: Vertical compliance is a novel metric, described in this study, that can provide significant and accurate patient-specific risk prediction to impact care in real-time. This can allow for creation of a variable echelon such that pathway items can be ranked by importance on clinical outcome effect and patient progress can be monitored and altered.

Clinically Meaningful Laboratory Protocols Reduce Hospital Charges Based on Institutional and ACS-NSQIP® Risk Calculators in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery.

Postoperative laboratory testing is an underrecognized but substantial contributor to health-care costs. We aimed to develop and validate a clinically meaningful laboratory (CML) protocol with individual risk stratification using generalizable and institution-specific predictive analytics to reduce laboratory testing and maximize cost savings for low-risk patients. An institutionally based risk model was developed for pancreaticoduodenectomy and hepatectomy, and an ACS-NSQIP®-based model was developed for distal pancreatectomy. Patients were stratified in each model to the CML by individual risk of major complications, readmission, or death. Clinical outcomes and estimated cost savings were compared with those of a historical cohort with standard of care. Over 34 months, 394 patients stratified to the CML for pancreaticoduodenectomy or hepatectomy saved an estimated $803,391 (44.4%). Over 13 months, 52 patients stratified to the CML for distal pancreatectomy saved an estimated $81,259 (30.5%). Clinical outcomes for 30-day major complications, readmission, and mortality were unchanged after implementation of either model. Predictive analytics can target low-risk patients to reduce laboratory testing and improve cost savings, regardless of whether an institutional or a generalized risk model is implemented. Broader application is important in patient-centered health care and should transition from predictive to prescriptive analytics to guide individual care in real time.

Robotic longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy for chronic pancreatitis: Comparison of clinical outcomes and cost to the open approach.

BACKGROUND: This study compares clinical and cost outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) and open longitudinal pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) for chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Clinical and cost data were retrospectively compared between open and RAL LPJ performed at a single center from 2008-2015. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients underwent LPJ: 19 open and 7 RAL. Two robot-assisted cases converted to open were included in the open group for analysis. Patients undergoing RAL LPJ had less intraoperative blood loss, a shorter surgical length of stay, and lower medication costs. Operation supply cost was higher in the RAL group. No difference in hospitalization cost was found. CONCLUSIONS: Versus the open approach, RAL LPJ performed for chronic pancreatitis shortens hospitalization and reduces medication costs; hospitalization costs are equivalent. A higher operative cost for RAL LPJ is mitigated by a shorter hospitalization. Decreased morbidity and healthcare resource economy support use of the robotic approach for LPJ when appropriate.

Building the Nonuniversity, Tertiary Care Center Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery Practice: Structural and Financial Considerations.

Early in their careers, many new surgeons lack the background and experience to understand essential components needed to build a surgical practice. Surgical resident education is often devoid of specific instruction on the business of medicine and practice management. In particular, hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HPB) surgeons require many key components to build a successful practice secondary to significant interdisciplinary coordination and a scope of complex surgery, which spans challenging benign and malignant disease processes. In the following, we describe the required clinical and financial components for developing a successful HPB surgery practice in the nonuniversity tertiary care center. We discuss significant financial considerations for understanding community need and hospital investment, contract establishment, billing, and coding. We summarize the structural elements and key personnel necessary for establishing an effectual HPB surgical team. This article provides useful, essential information for a new HPB surgeon looking to establish a surgical practice. It also provides insight for health-care administrators as to the value an HPB surgeon can bring to a hospital or health-care system.