The Cost of Guideline Adherence: A Multicenter Analysis of the Financial Implications of Adopting the US Multi-Society Task Force Polypectomy Guidelines.

GOAL: The goal of this study was to determine the financial impact of adopting the US Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF) polypectomy guidelines on physician reimbursement and disposable equipment costs for gastroenterologists in the academic medical center and community practice settings. BACKGROUND: In 2020, USMSTF guidelines on polypectomy were introduced with a strong recommendation for cold snare rather than cold forceps technique for removing diminutive and small polyps. Polypectomy with snare technique reimburses physicians at a higher rate compared with cold forceps and also requires different disposable equipment. The financial implications of adopting these guidelines is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients that underwent screening colonoscopy where polypectomy was performed at an academic medical center (Loma Linda University Medical Center) and community practice medical center (Ascension Providence Hospital) between July 2018 and July 2019 were identified. The polypectomy technique performed during each procedure was determined (forceps alone, snare alone, forceps plus snare) along with the number and size of polyps as well as disposable equipment. Actual and projected provider reimbursement and disposable equipment costs were determined based on applying the new polypectomy guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 1167 patients underwent colonoscopy with polypectomy. Adhering to new guidelines would increase estimated physician reimbursement by 5.6% and 12.5% at academic and community practice sites, respectively. The mean increase in physician reimbursement per procedure was significantly higher at community practice compared with the academic setting ($29.50 vs. $14.13, P <0.00001). The mean increase in disposable equipment cost per procedure was significantly higher at the community practice setting ($6.11 vs. $1.97, P <0.00001). CONCLUSION: Adopting new polypectomy guidelines will increase physician reimbursement and equipment costs when colonoscopy with polypectomy is performed.

Radiofrequency Identification Track for Tray Optimization: An Instrument Utilization Pilot Study in Surgical Oncology.

BACKGROUND: Surgical instrument tray reduction attempts to minimize intraoperative inefficiency and processing costs. Previous reduction methods relied on trained observers manually recording instrument use (i.e. human ethnography), and surgeon and/or staff recall, which are imprecise and inherently limited. We aimed to determine the feasibility of radiofrequency identification (RFID)-based intraoperative instrument tracking as an effective means of instrument reduction. METHODS: Instrument trays were tagged with unique RFID tags. A RFID reader tracked instruments passing near RFID antennas during 15 breast operations performed by a single surgeon; ethnography was performed concurrently. Instruments without recorded use were eliminated, and 10 additional cases were performed utilizing the reduced tray. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds of instrument use across cases. Cohen's Kappa estimated agreement between RFID and ethnography. RESULTS: Over 15 cases, 37 unique instruments were used (median 23 instruments/case). A mean 0.64 (median = 0, range = 0-3) new instruments were added per case; odds of instrument use did not change between cases (OR = 1.02, 95%CI 1.00-1.05). Over 15 cases, all instruments marked as used by ethnography were recorded by RFID tracking; 7 RFID-tracked instruments were never recorded by ethnography. Tray size was reduced 40%. None of the 25 eliminated instruments were required in 10 subsequent cases. Cohen's Kappa comparing RFID data and ethnography over all cases was 0.82 (95%CI 0.79-0.86), indicating near perfect agreement between methodologies. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative RFID instrument tracking is a feasible, data-driven method for surgical tray reduction. Overall, RFID tracking represents a scalable, systematic, and efficient method of optimizing instrument supply across procedures.

Utilization fraction of rhinoplasty instrument sets: Model for efficient use of surgical instruments.

OBJECTIVES: Recognize the avoidable costs incurred due to overpacking of rhinoplasty instrument trays. Reduce rhinoplasty instrument trays by including only instruments used frequently. Establish methods to reduce trays prepared for other otolaryngologic procedures. METHODS: This is a prospective study. The study evaluates the specific use of instruments opened for rhinoplasty procedures at the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai. Instruments were counted in 10 rhinoplasty cases. Usage rate was calculated for each instrument. Additionally, all instruments used in at least 20% of cases were noted. This "20%" threshold was used to create new rhinoplasty tray inventories more reflective of actual instrument usage. Some instruments above the 20% threshold were included in multiples (i.e. two Adson Brown forceps vs. one curved iris scissor). RESULTS: 189 instruments were opened, and 32 instruments were used on average in each rhinoplasty. 55 instruments were used in at least 20% of cases. The 55 "high usage" instruments were used to create new, reduced rhinoplasty tray inventory lists. Based on our analysis, a new rhinoplasty tray inventory was created comprised of 68 instruments, a 64% reduction from 189. CONCLUSION: Instruments are sterilized and packed in gross excess for rhinoplasty procedures. Previously published figures estimate re-sterilization costs of $0.51 to $0.77 per instrument. Reduction in instruments opened from 189 to 68 is expected to lead to cost savings ranging from $62 to $93 per case, yielding a savings between $6200 and $9300 per 100 cases performed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3.

Reducing the cost of robotic hysterectomy: assessing the safety and efficacy of using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder for vaginal cuff closure.

Robotic-assisted surgery is criticized for its high cost. As surgeons get more experienced in robotic surgery, modifications to existing techniques are tried to reduce surgical costs. Vaginal cuff closure using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder can be safe and cost-effective in patients undergoing robotic-assisted hysterectomy. The objective of this study is to compare the safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness of using prograsp forceps in lieu of needle holder for suturing the vaginal cuff after robotic-assisted hysterectomy. This was a single-institution retrospective review of patients who underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomy for benign and malignant conditions from October 2015 to August 2018. Patients were stratified based on whether prograsp forceps or needle holder was used for suturing vaginal cuff. Data obtained included demographic, surgical data, and postoperative outcomes. Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used to compare qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. 367 patients underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomies during this period. 75 patients belonged to the needle holder cohort; 292 patients had vaginal cuff closure using prograsp forceps. Vault closure time was comparable between the groups (6.4 vs. 6.6 p = 0.33). There were no significant differences in the postoperative vault-related complications between groups. There was no instrument damage in either group. Using prograsp saved 220 USD in instrument-related charges. This study shows that using prograsp in lieu of needle holder for suturing is safe, there is no increase in operative time or complications, and there is a cost advantage.

Economic evaluation of suture versus clip anastomosis in arteriovenous fistula creation.

OBJECTIVE: Techniques such as the use of nonpenetrating vascular clips for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) anastomotic creation have been developed in an effort to reduce fistula-related complications. However, the outcomes data for the use of clips have remained equivocal, and the cost evaluations to support their use have been largely theoretical. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine both the clinical and the cost outcomes of AVFs created with nonpenetrating vascular clips compared with the continuous suture technique during a 10-year period at a single institution. METHODS: All patients undergoing AVF creation in the upper extremity from 2009 through 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patient demographics and AVF outcomes were collected and compared stratified by the surgical technique used. A cost analysis was performed of a subgroup of patients from 2013 to 2018. RESULTS: During the 10-year study period, 916 AVFs were created (79% using the continuous suture technique and 21% using nonpenetrating vascular clips). Patient demographics and comorbid conditions did not differ between the two groups, and no differences were present in maturation, primary patency, assisted primary patency, or complication rates between the two groups at 1 year. The suture group had a shorter time to maturation (4.3 months vs 5.5 months; P < .01) and improved secondary patency compared with the clip group (77.13% vs 69.59%; P = .03) The cost analysis of the procedures revealed a significant difference in direct costs (suture, $1389.26 vs clip, $1716.51; P < .01) and contribution margin (suture, $1770.19 vs clip, $1128.36; P < .01) for the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both suture and clip techniques in AVF creation demonstrated equivalent rates of maturation, primary patency, assisted primary patency, and complications at 1 year with higher expense associated with the use of clips. Thus, in an effort to reduce the economic burden of healthcare in the United States, the findings from the present study support the preferential use of the standard polypropylene suture technique when creating upper extremity AVFs.

Data analysis of vascular surgery instrument trays yielded large cost and efficiency savings.

BACKGROUND: Surgical procedures account for 50% of hospital revenue and ∼60% of operating costs. On average, <20% of surgical instruments will be used during a case, and the expense for resterilization and assembly of instrument trays ranges from $0.51 to $3.01 per instrument. Given the complexity of the surgical service supply chain, physician preferences, and variation of procedures, a reduction of surgical cost has been extremely difficult and often ill-defined. A data-driven approach to instrument tray optimization has implications for efficiency and cost savings in sterile processing, including reductions in tray assembly time and instrument repurchase, repair, and avoidable depreciation. METHODS: During a 3-month period, vascular surgery cases were monitored using a cloud-based technology product (OpFlow, Operative Flow Technologies, Raleigh, NC) as a part of a hospital-wide project. Given the diversity of the cases evaluated, we focused on two main vascular surgery trays: vascular and aortic. An assessment was performed to evaluate the exact instruments used by the operating surgeons across a variety of cases. The vascular tray contained 131 instruments and was used for the vast majority of vascular cases, and the aortic tray contained 152 instruments. Actual instrument usage data were collected, a review and analysis performed, and the trays optimized. RESULTS: During the 3-month period, 168 vascular surgery cases were evaluated across six surgeons. On average, the instrument usage per tray was 30 of 131 instruments (22.9%) for the vascular tray and 19 of 152 (12.5%) for the aortic tray. After review, 45.8% of the instruments were removed from the vascular tray and 62.5% from the aortic tray, for 1255 instruments removed from the versions of both trays. An audit was performed after the removal of instruments, which showed that none of the removed instruments had required reinstatement. The instrument reduction from these two trays alone yielded an estimated costs savings of $97,781 for repurchase and $97,444 in annual resterilization savings. Annually, the removal of the instruments is projected to save 316.2 hours of personnel time. The time required for operating room table setup decreased from a mean of 7:44 to 5:02 minutes for the vascular tray (P < .0001) and from 8:53 to 4:56 minutes for the aortic tray (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Given increasing cost constraints in healthcare, sterile processing remains an untapped resource for surgical expense reduction. A comprehensive data analytics solution provided the ability to make informed decisions in tray management that otherwise could not be reliably performed.

The Answer to "When to Clip" After Colorectal Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Based on a Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Delayed bleeding (DB) is the most common major complication of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). Two randomized clinical trials recently demonstrated that clip closure after EMR of large nonpedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) reduces the risk of DB. We analyzed the cost-effectiveness of this prophylactic measure. METHODS: EMRs of LNCPCPs were consecutively registered in the ongoing prospective multicenter database of the Spanish EMR Group from May 2013 until July 2017. Patients were classified according to the Spanish Endoscopy Society EMR group (GSEED-RE2) DB risk score. Cost-effectiveness analysis was performed for both Spanish and US economic contexts. The average incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) thresholds were set at 54,000 € or $100,000 per quality-adjusted life year, respectively. RESULTS: We registered 2,263 EMRs in 2,130 patients. Applying their respective DB relative risk reductions after clip closure (51% and 59%), the DB rate decreased from 4.5% to 2.2% in the total cohort and from 13.7% to 5.7% in the high risk of the DB GSEED-RE2 subgroup. The ICERs for the universal clipping strategy in Spain and the United States, 469,706 € and $1,258,641, respectively, were not cost effective. By contrast, selective clipping in the high-risk of DB GSEED-RE2 subgroup was cost saving, with a negative ICER of -2,194 € in the Spanish context and cost effective with an ICER of $87,796 in the United States. DISCUSSION: Clip closure after EMR of large colorectal lesions is cost effective in patients with a high risk of bleeding. The GSEED-RE2 DB risk score may be a useful tool to identify that high-risk population.

An Enhanced Kaizen Event in a Sterile Processing Department of a Rural Hospital: A Case Study.

Operating Rooms (ORs) generate the largest revenues and losses in a hospital. Without the prompt supply of sterile surgical trays from the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), the OR would not be able to perform surgeries to its busy schedule. Nevertheless, little emphasis has been brought in the medical literature to research on surgical instrument processing in the medical literature. The present study was done applies an Enhanced Kaizen Event (EKE) in the SPD of a rural hospital to identify sources of waste and minimize non-value-added steps in the SPD processes. The EKE consisted of three successive Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycles, which focused on improvements at the departmental level first, then at an area level, and finally at the station level. The EKE yielded an improved streamlined workflow and a new design for the SPD layout, one of its areas, and a workstation. This paper aims at building a methodology, including identified steps. Results exhibited a 35% reduction in travel distance by the staff, eliminating non-value-added processes, reducing errors in the sterilization process, and eliminating cross-contamination for sterilized materials.

Cost-Effective Approach to the Laparoscopic Appendectomy : Balancing Disposable Instrument Cost With Operative Time.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons can help reduce health care spending by selecting affordable and efficient instruments. The laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is commonly performed and can serve as a model for improving health care cost. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all adult patients who underwent LA for non-perforated appendicitis from March 2015 to November 2017. Our objective was to determine which combination of disposable instruments afforded the lowest total operative cost without compromising postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: In total, 1857 consecutive patients were reviewed from 2 hospitals. After determining the 8 most commonly utilized combinations of disposable instruments, 846 patients were ultimately analyzed. The combination of a LigaSure, Endoloop, and an EndoBag (LEB) had the shortest median operative time (25 minutes, P < .001) and lowest median total operative cost ($1893, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The LEB instrument combination rendered the shortest operative time, lowest total operative cost, and can be used to maximize surgical value during LA.

Surgical Instrument Optimization to Reduce Instrument Processing and Operating Room Setup Time.

OBJECTIVE: As health care expenditures rise, novel ways to increase efficiency are sought. The operating room (OR) represents an area where there is opportunity to optimize work flow and supply use. Evidence suggests that instrument redundancy in the OR tends to be high and that direct cost savings can be achieved by "optimizing" surgical trays. The purpose of this study was to quantify the potential time savings associated with surgical tray optimization. METHODS: Instrument utilization was reviewed for 4 procedures: tonsillectomy, sinus surgery, septoplasty, and septorhinoplasty. Instruments used in <20% of cases were excluded. Data on tray assembly time in the central processing department and instrument setup time in the OR were prospectively collected over a 3-month period before and after tray optimization. Student's t test (α = 0.05) was used to determine whether times were significantly different following optimization. RESULTS: Tray assembly times were found to be significantly shorter following optimization, with percentage reduction in time ranging from 58% to 66% (P < .05). In the OR, percentage reduction in setup time ranged from 26% to 37% (P < .05). Variability in assembly and setup times was also found to be narrower postoptimization. DISCUSSION: Tray optimization may reduce stress and adverse events and allow managers to better estimate staffing requirements. Cost-benefits could not be determined given a limited understanding of how departments choose to redistribute time savings. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Measurable and significant time savings can be achieved by assessing instrument utilization rates and reducing tray redundancy, leading to lower performance variability and improved efficiency.

Operating Costs of Full-endoscopic Lumbar Spine Surgery in Japan.

For full-endoscopic lumbar discectomy, operating costs are also important because expensive equipment are necessary. We surveyed the operating costs of surgical equipment necessary for full-endoscopic surgery together with surgical procedure reimbursement fees. A total of 295 cases of full-endoscopic surgery via a transforaminal approach were retrospectively analyzed. We calculated the frequency of damage and the unit purchase price of devices such as endoscopes, and surgical instruments such as grasping forceps for nucleotomy, high-speed drill bar, and bipolar forceps, and examined the operating costs in Japanese yen against the procedure fee per case. Endoscope breakage occurred seven times, and a payment of ¥760,000 was necessary for trade-in and purchase of a new endoscope. The total breakage number of grasping forceps was 58, and the purchase price per unit was ¥116,000. Therefore, a total of ¥12,020,000 was required for the 295 cases, and the calculated operating cost that accompanies equipment breakage was ¥40,000 per case. In addition, about ¥118,000 was required for disposable bipolar forceps and high-speed drill bar to be used intraoperatively for each case. Thus, for one case it is calculated that total ¥158,000 is utilized for equipment from the surgical reimbursement fee per case specified by the Japanese Ministry of Health being ¥303,900. Minimally invasive procedures provide great benefit to patients; however, the eventual contribution to hospital profits is small and may not be sufficient. To resolve this issue, the cost of surgical equipment should be lowered and/or the surgical reimbursement fee of the full-endoscopic surgery should be raised.

Surgical instrument standardization - A pilot cost consciousness curriculum for surgery residents.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical cost is astronomical in the US and instrument standardization is one potential mechanism for cost savings. This study describes a core competency based, multidisciplinary curriculum and evaluates resident attitudes towards operating room equipment standardization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: As part of a quality improvement initiative, surgery residents participated in an hour-long mixed curriculum consisting of brief didactics and small group exercises. Participants developed an equipment standardization plan for laparoscopic appendectomy and cholecystectomy. Participants also completed surveys to assess their attitudes towards 11 potential barriers to implementation as "improves, no change, or worsens". RESULTS: Fifteen general surgery residents participated. In general, participants felt that standardization improves or does not change metrics including surgeon autonomy, resident training experience, and patient safety. CONCLUSION: Our pilot curriculum addresses a gap in resident education about surgical cost. Residents generally regard equipment standardization as either improving or not changing hospital metrics.

Intraoperative Ultrasound Guidance With an Ultrasound-Visible Clip: A Practical and Cost-effective Option for Breast Cancer Localization.

OBJECTIVES: In partial mastectomy (PM) or lumpectomy, ultrasound (US) localization avoids discomfort and additional procedures associated with wire localization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between ultrasound-visible clip (UVC) use at the time of biopsy and US use during resection, hypothesizing that UVCs facilitate US localization and reduce costs compared with traditional radiopaque clips or no clip placement. METHODS: The study population consisted of adult female patients with breast cancer undergoing PM or lumpectomy at our institution between 2014 and 2016. The core biopsy clip type and localization method during PM were characterized as wire localization versus US localization, and associations were estimated with multivariable regression models. For the cost evaluation, breast biopsy data were obtained from the Department of Radiology. RESULTS: Among 674 patients, 490 had data on localization and the clip type. Ultrasound-visible clip placement at biopsy increased US use during resection by 13% (95% confidence interval, 6%-21%). There was no difference in the total specimen weight with US versus wire localization. The cost savings for using UVCs for the 2209 patients who underwent breast biopsy from 2014 to 2016 was $36,000. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that US localization for PM is feasible at a single institution and cost-effective when facilitated by UVCs. Placement of a UVC at the time of biopsy is recommended, as it is cost-effective and avoids the discomfort and inconvenience of wire localization.

Clipping Over the Scope for Recurrent Peptic Ulcer Bleeding is Cost-Effective as Compared to Standard Therapy: An Initial Assessment.

Clipping over the scope (C-OTS) is a novel closure technique used for the treatment of nonvariceal gastrointestinal bleeding, especially for high-risk lesions. C-OTS devices cost more than clipping through the scope and thermal devices. The high upfront cost of C-OTS may pose a barrier to its use and the cost-effectiveness of C-OTS for peptic ulcer disease bleeding is unknown. Cost-effectiveness studies of C-OTS for peptic ulcer bleeding as both first-line and second-line therapy can provide the current estimate of the conditions in which the use of C-OTS is cost-effective and give insights of the determinants to the cost-effectiveness of C-OTS.

Process optimization in total knee arthoplasty procedures : Impact of size-specific instrument sets on costs and revenue.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a frequent operation in Germany and in 2017 a total of 191,272 interventions were carried out. These interventions are associated with high costs and involve complex clinical workflow organization and time-consuming instrument logistics. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to identify the economic potential of the instrument configuration in order to optimize the entire process in TKA. Changing the composition of the set of instruments used in the operating theater for TKA resulted in time and cost saving for the complete TKA procedure, including all personnel and off-shoot procedures. In addition, the operating time saved by the introduction of a patient-specific instrumentation set meant that the operating theater could be used for more or other surgical procedures, also generating additional revenue.

Clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness analysis for the treatment of basilar tip aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms is less invasive than microsurgical clipping, but requires closer follow-up. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the additional costs associated with endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms rather than microsurgical clipping. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained clinical records and billing information for 141 basilar tip aneurysms treated with clip ligation (n=48) or endovascular embolization (n=93). Costs included direct and indirect costs associated with index hospitalization, as well as re-treatments, follow-up visits, imaging studies, rehabilitation, and disability. Effectiveness of treatment was quantified by converting functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score) into quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Cost-effectiveness was performed using cost/QALY ratios. RESULTS: Average index hospitalization costs were significantly higher for patients with unruptured aneurysms treated with clip ligation ($71 400 ± $47 100) compared with coil embolization ($33 500 ± $22 600), balloon-assisted coiling ($26 200 ± $11 600), and stent-assisted coiling ($38 500 ± $20 900). Multivariate predictors for higher index hospitalization cost included vasospasm requiring endovascular intervention, placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, longer length of stay, larger aneurysm neck and width, higher Hunt-Hess grade, and treatment-associated complications. At 1 year, endovascular treatment was associated with lower cost/QALY than clip ligation in unruptured aneurysms ($52 000/QALY vs $137 000/QALY, respectively, p=0.006), but comparable rates in ruptured aneurysms ($193 000/QALY vs $233 000/QALY, p=0.277). Multivariate predictors for higher cost/QALY included worse mRS score at discharge, procedural complications, and larger aneurysm width. CONCLUSIONS: Coil embolization of basilar tip aneurysms is associated with a lower cost/QALY. This effect is sustained during follow-up. Clinical condition at discharge is the most significant predictor of overall cost/QALY at 1 year.

Logistical and Economic Advantages of Sterile-Packed, Single-Use Instruments for Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is well established as a clinically successful and cost-effective procedure. The transition of the US healthcare system from a fee-for-service model to a value-based care model requires careful examination of patient care to ensure both quality and efficiency. Sterile-packed, single-use instruments have been introduced as a tool to help streamline the operating room (OR) logistics while reducing sterilization requirements. The aim of this study was to examine the potential logistic and economic benefits of single-use instruments compared to traditional, reusable instruments for TKA. METHODS: Four variables related to TKA costs and logistics were modeled in this study: OR turnover time tray sterilization, tray management time, and 90-day infection rates. Model input data for traditional instruments and single-use instruments were based on peer-reviewed literature. A total of 200 sites and 500 cases per site were simulated using the Monte-Carlo-Technique. RESULTS: The median total cost savings with single-use instruments was $994 per case. The largest driver for cost savings was tray sterilization. Sites with higher staff wages and sterilization costs had a larger probability of realizing greater cost savings with adoption of single-use instruments. In cases using single-use instruments, up to 51% of operating days could have accommodated an additional procedure due to the time savings in OR turnover. CONCLUSION: This cost modeling study observed significant potential for logistical and economic improvements in TKA with single-use vs reusable instruments. Although few studies have been conducted to measure the impact of single-use instruments in practice, the results of these simulations motivate further investigation.