Picking apart surgical pick lists - Reducing variation to decrease surgical costs.

BACKGROUND: Average costs associated with common procedures can vary by surgeon without a corresponding variation in outcome or case complexity. METHODS: De-identified cost and equipment utilization data were collected from our hospital for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by 17 different surgeons over a 6-month period. A group of surgeons used this data to design a standardized equipment pick list that became optional (not mandated) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Cost and consumable surgical supply utilization data were collected for six months prior to and following the creation of the standardized pick-list. RESULTS: 280 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed during the study interval. In the 6 months after standardized pick list creation, the cost of disposable supplies utilized per case decreased by 32%. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical cost savings can be achieved with standardized procedure pick lists and attention to the cost of consumable surgical supplies.

Inpatient outcomes after elective versus nonelective ventral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Patients who present emergently with hernia-related concerns may experience increased morbidity with repair when compared with those repaired electively. We sought to characterize the outcomes of patients who undergo elective and nonelective ventral hernia (VH) repair using a large population-based data set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for primary International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes associated with VH repair (years 2008-2011). Outcomes were inhospital mortality and the occurrence of a preidentified complication. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for complications and mortality after both elective and nonelective VH repair. RESULTS: We identified 74,151 VH repairs performed during the study interval. Of these procedures, 67.3% were elective and 21.6% were performed laparoscopically. Nonelective repair was associated with a significantly higher rate of morbidity (22.5% versus 18.8%, P < 0.01) and mortality (1.8% versus 0.52, P < 0.01) than elective repair. Elective repairs were more likely to occur in younger patients, Caucasians, and were more likely to be performed laparoscopically. Logistic modeling revealed that female gender, Caucasian race, elective case status, and laparoscopic approach were independently associated with a lower probability of complications and mortality. Minority status and Medicaid payer status were associated with increased probability of nonelective admission. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective VH repair in the United States tend to be younger, Caucasian, and more likely to have a laparoscopic repair. Nonelective VH is associated with a substantial increase in morbidity and mortality. We recommend that patients consider elective repair of VHs because of the increased morbidity and mortality associated with nonelective repair.