Impact of Ambulatory Surgery for Hemorrhoidal Disease on Clinical Outcomes and Institutional Costs / Impacto da cirurgia ambulatória para patologia hemorroidária nos resultados clínicos e custos

Abstract Objective Transanal hemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy (ligation anopexy [LA]) and open hemorrhoidectomy (OH) can both be performed under local anesthesia. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact and the cost-effectiveness of performing these techniques in an ambulatory setting of an Italian academic center on the postoperative outcome. Methods A series of 122 consecutive patients with grades II and III hemorrhoidal disease undergoing ambulatory surgical treatment of hemorrhoids in 2015 to 2018 (group A) was comparedwith 122 patients operated at the same institution in the same period (group H) in a hospital setting. The primary outcome was the number of days required to return to work/daily activities. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain and complications, costeffectiveness, patient satisfaction, and recurrence at 12 months. In group A, all the procedures were performed under local anesthesia with early discharge. In group H, the procedureswere performed under general or loco-regional anesthesia with hospital admission. Results The mean number of days required to return to work/daily activities was 8.4 ± 4.8 days in group A, compared with 12.5 ± 3 days in group H (p<0.001). The visual analog scale (VAS) pain score at 1 week, 2 and 3 weeks, and 1 month after surgery was lower for patients undergoing LA in the ambulatory setting (p<0.01). We observedmore postoperative complications in hospitalized (12.5%) than in ambulatory patients (7.5%) (p<0.001). The total mean direct costs per patient were significantly lower in the ambulatory setting versus the hospital stay group (351.3 versus 1,746 euros). Conclusion Implementing ambulatory surgery for hemorrhoids is feasible, safe, and cost-effective.

Resumo Objetivo A ligação transanal da artéria hemorroidária com mucopexia e a hemorroidectomia aberta (HA) podem ser realizadas em anestesia local. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar o impacto no resultado pós-operatório e a relação custo-eficácia da realização destas técnicas em ambiente ambulatorial de um centro acadêmico italiano no desfecho pós-operatório. Métodos Uma série de 122 pacientes consecutivos com patologia hemorroidária de graus II e III submetidos a cirurgia de hemorroidas em regime ambulatório de 2015 a 2018 (grupo A) foi comparada com 122 pacientes operados na mesma instituição no mesmo período (grupo H) por hospitalização. O desfecho primário foi o número de dias necessários para regressar ao trabalho/atividades diárias. Os desfechos secundários incluíram dor e complicações pós-operatórias, custo-eficácia, satisfação do paciente, e recidiva aos 12 meses. No grupo A, todos os procedimentos foram realizados em anestesia local. No grupo H, os procedimentos foram realizados em anestesia geral ou loco-regional. Resultados A espera média para o regresso ao trabalho foi de 8,4 ± 4,8 dias no grupo A em comparação com 12,5 ± 3 dias no grupo H (p<0,001). A pontuação na escala visual analógica (EVA) da dor 1 semana, 2 e 3 semanas, e 1 mês após a cirurgia foi mais baixa para os pacientes submetidos a cirurgia de ligadura com anopexia em ambiente ambulatorial (p<0,01). Observamosmais complicações pós-operatórias empacientes hospitalizados (12,5%) do que em pacientes ambulatórios (7,5%) (p<0,001). Os custos diretosmédios totais por paciente foram mais baixos em ambiente ambulatório do que no grupo de hospitalização (351,3 contra 1.746 euros). Conclusão A implementação da cirurgia ambulatória para hemorroidas é possível, segura e rentável.

Healthcare Spending and Performance of Specialty Hospitals: Nationwide Evidence from Colorectal-Anal Specialty Hospitals in South Korea

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics and performance of colorectal-anal specialty vs. general hospitals for South Korean inpatients with colorectal-anal diseases, and assesses the short-term designation effect of the government's specialty hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nationwide all colorectal-anal disease inpatient claims (n=292158) for 2010-2012 were used to investigate length of stay and inpatient charges for surgical and medical procedures in specialty vs. general hospitals. The patients' claim data were matched to hospital data, and multi-level linear mixed models to account for clustering of patients within hospitals were performed. RESULTS: Inpatient charges at colorectal-anal specialty hospitals were 27% greater per case and 92% greater per day than those at small general hospitals, but the average length of stay was 49% shorter. Colorectal-anal specialty hospitals had shorter length of stay and a higher inpatient charges per day for both surgical and medical procedures, but per case charges were not significantly different. A "specialty" designation effect also found that the colorectal-anal specialty hospitals may have consciously attempted to reduce their length of stay and inpatient charges. Both hospital and patient level factors had significant roles in determining length of stay and inpatient charges. CONCLUSION: Colorectal-anal specialty hospitals have shorter length of stay and higher inpatient charges per day than small general hospitals. A "specialty" designation by government influence performance and healthcare spending of hospitals as well. In order to maintain prosperous specialty hospital system, investigation into additional factors that affect performance, such as quality of care and patient satisfaction should be carried out.

Mortality, Length of Stay, and Inpatient Charges for Heart Failure Patients at Public versus Private Hospitals in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study compared in-hospital mortality within 30 days of admission, lengths of stay, and inpatient charges among patients with heart failure admitted to public and private hospitals in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained health insurance claims data for all heart failure inpatients nationwide between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. These data were then matched with hospital-level data, and multi-level regression models were examined. A total of 8406 patients from 253 hospitals, including 31 public hospitals, were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate within 30 days of admission was 0.92% greater and the mean length of stay was 1.94 days longer at public hospitals than at private hospitals (mortality: 5.18% and 4.26%, respectively; LOS: 12.08 and 10.14 days, respectively). The inpatient charges were 11.4% lower per case and 24.5% lower per day at public hospitals than at private hospitals. After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level confounders, public hospitals had a 1.62-fold higher in-hospital mortality rate, a 16.5% longer length of stay, and an 11.7% higher inpatient charge per case than private hospitals, although the charges of private hospitals were greater in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We recommend that government agencies and policy makers continue to monitor quality of care, lengths of stay in the hospital, and expenditures according to type of hospital ownership to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce spending.

Mortality, Length of Stay, and Inpatient Charges for Heart Failure Patients at Public versus Private Hospitals in South Korea

PURPOSE: This study compared in-hospital mortality within 30 days of admission, lengths of stay, and inpatient charges among patients with heart failure admitted to public and private hospitals in South Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We obtained health insurance claims data for all heart failure inpatients nationwide between November 1, 2011 and May 31, 2012. These data were then matched with hospital-level data, and multi-level regression models were examined. A total of 8406 patients from 253 hospitals, including 31 public hospitals, were analyzed. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate within 30 days of admission was 0.92% greater and the mean length of stay was 1.94 days longer at public hospitals than at private hospitals (mortality: 5.18% and 4.26%, respectively; LOS: 12.08 and 10.14 days, respectively). The inpatient charges were 11.4% lower per case and 24.5% lower per day at public hospitals than at private hospitals. After adjusting for patient- and hospital-level confounders, public hospitals had a 1.62-fold higher in-hospital mortality rate, a 16.5% longer length of stay, and an 11.7% higher inpatient charge per case than private hospitals, although the charges of private hospitals were greater in univariate analysis. CONCLUSION: We recommend that government agencies and policy makers continue to monitor quality of care, lengths of stay in the hospital, and expenditures according to type of hospital ownership to improve healthcare outcomes and reduce spending.

Cost of neonatal intensive care.

Neonates are among those patients generating the highest hospital costs in recent years. There are no published data on the costs of neonatal intensive care in our country. The aim of our study was to analyse the cost of neonatal intensive care in a tertiary care unit. The average hospital charges per day were higher among non-survivors (Rs. 1857) compared to survivors (Rs. 727). Care of more than 1250 gms infant is cost beneficial in our set up.