OBJECTIVE: This single-center study tested the hypothesis that preoperative risk factors and surgical complexity predict more variation in hospital costs than complications. BACKGROUND: Complications after surgical operations have been shown to significantly increase hospital cost. The impact on complication-related costs of preoperative risk factors is less well known. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) preoperative risk factors, surgical complexity, and outcomes, along with hospital costs, were analyzed for a random sample of 5875 patients on 6 surgical services. Operation complexity was assessed by work RVUs (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Resource Based Relative Value Scale). The difference in mean hospital costs associated with all variables was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the cost variation associated with all variables separately and combined. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 60 preoperative risk factors, work RVUs, and 22 of 29 postoperative complications were associated with higher variable direct costs (P < 0.05). Linear regressions showed that risk factors predicted 33% (P < 0.001) of cost variation, work RVUs predicted 23% (P < 0.001), and complications predicted 20% (P < 0.001). Risk factors and work RVUs together predicted 49% of cost variation (P < 0.001) or 16% more than risk factors alone. Adding complications to this combined model modestly increased prediction of costs by 4% for a total of 53% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative risk factors and surgical complexity are more effective predictors of hospital costs than complications. Preoperative intervention to reduce risk could lead to significant cost savings. Payers and regulatory agencies should risk-adjust hospital cost assessments using clinical information that integrates costs, preoperative risk, complexity of operation, and outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: This single-center study tested the hypothesis that preoperative risk factors and surgical complexity predict more variation in hospital costs than complications. BACKGROUND: Complications after surgical operations have been shown to significantly increase hospital cost. The impact on complication-related costs of preoperative risk factors is less well known. METHODS: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) preoperative risk factors, surgical complexity, and outcomes, along with hospital costs, were analyzed for a random sample of 5875 patients on 6 surgical services. Operation complexity was assessed by work RVUs (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Resource Based Relative Value Scale). The difference in mean hospital costs associated with all variables was analyzed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the cost variation associated with all variables separately and combined. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 60 preoperative risk factors, work RVUs, and 22 of 29 postoperative complications were associated with higher variable direct costs (P < 0.05). Linear regressions showed that risk factors predicted 33% (P < 0.001) of cost variation, work RVUs predicted 23% (P < 0.001), and complications predicted 20% (P < 0.001). Risk factors and work RVUs together predicted 49% of cost variation (P < 0.001) or 16% more than risk factors alone. Adding complications to this combined model modestly increased prediction of costs by 4% for a total of 53% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative risk factors and surgical complexity are more effective predictors of hospital costs than complications. Preoperative intervention to reduce risk could lead to significant cost savings. Payers and regulatory agencies should risk-adjust hospital cost assessments using clinical information that integrates costs, preoperative risk, complexity of operation, and outcomes.
Authors: William R Best; Shukri F Khuri; Maureen Phelan; Kwan Hur; William G Henderson; John G Demakis; Jennifer Daley Journal: J Am Coll Surg Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 6.113
Authors: Justin B Dimick; Steven L Chen; Paul A Taheri; William G Henderson; Shukri F Khuri; Darrell A Campbell Journal: J Am Coll Surg Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 6.113
Authors: F Smedley; T Bowling; M James; E Stokes; C Goodger; O O'Connor; C Oldale; P Jones; D Silk Journal: Br J Surg Date: 2004-08 Impact factor: 6.939
Authors: Aaron S Fink; Darrell A Campbell; Robert M Mentzer; William G Henderson; Jennifer Daley; Janet Bannister; Kwan Hur; Shukri F Khuri Journal: Ann Surg Date: 2002-09 Impact factor: 12.969
Authors: Adam Atherly; Aaron S Fink; Darrell C Campbell; Robert M Mentzer; William Henderson; Shukri Khuri; Steven D Culler Journal: Am J Surg Date: 2004-11 Impact factor: 2.565
Authors: Amjad Alwaal; Catherine R Harris; Mohannad A Awad; Isabel E Allen; Benjamin N Breyer Journal: Int Urol Nephrol Date: 2016-07-14 Impact factor: 2.370
Authors: Ryan S Turley; Andrew S Barbas; Michael E Lidsky; Christopher R Mantyh; John Migaly; John E Scarborough Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 4.585
Authors: Hilal Maradit Kremers; Sue L Visscher; James P Moriarty; Megan S Reinalda; Walter K Kremers; James M Naessens; David G Lewallen Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2013-01 Impact factor: 4.176