University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers extracted data from Epic electronic medical records systems to analyze more than 4,400 procedures to see if they could predict clinical outcomes. Of these cases, 54 percent were ambulatory procedures including, but not limited to, pain, cardiothoracic, dermatology, otolaryngology, family planning, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurology, ophthalmology, oral maxillofacial, orthopedics and vascular surgery.
For American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status scores, 10 percent of patients were class I; 45 percent were class II; 40 percent were class III; and 4 percent were class IV.
Here are four key notes:
1. The study found unplanned hospital admissions were linked with higher ASA, duration of surgery and certain surgical services.
2. Researcher noted they did not focus on the ‘why’ but the ‘who,’ regarding hospital readmissions. Caryn Hertz, MD, associate anesthesiology professor at UNCCH School of Medicine, said, “For example, a patient with a high ASA score who undergoes a two-hour procedure in urology has a pretty significant chance of being admitted.”
3. UNCCH researchers plan on conducting more studies that better define the population of ambulatory surgery patients at risk for unplanned admissions.
4. Dr. Hertz also aims to create an algorithm to use preoperative data to predict the likelihood of postoperative admission.
More articles on anesthesia:
Dr. William Buhrman honored for ‘enhanced recovery after surgery’ program: 4 notes
How 3 key healthcare trends affect CRNAs & predictions for the future
MEDNAX acquires Medical Anesthesia Consultants, Anesthesia Associates of Naples: 3 notes
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.