Researchers used the Texas Health Care Information Collection database to analyze outpatient and inpatient total shoulder arthroplasties performed between 2010 and 2015 for patient-level costs determined by whether a surgery center was inpatient or outpatient, as well as a center’s volume. of the study examined 21,331 inpatient total shoulder arthroplasties and 1,542 outpatient total shoulder arthroplasties performed in Texas.
Four details:
1. The study found inpatient costs were significantly higher than outpatient costs for total shoulder arthroplasty, at $76,109 and $22,907, respectively.
2. Even after excluding inpatient-specific charges, inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty was 41.1 percent more expensive than outpatient.
3. High-volume inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty was less expensive than low-volume inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty, but it was 33.4 percent more costly than high-volume outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty, even after excluding inpatient-specific charges.
4. High-volume inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty was $30,579, compared to $22,907 for high-volume outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty.
“In the state of Texas, the patient-level costs of primary elective inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty were significantly higher than those of the equivalent outpatient procedure,” researchers concluded. “This difference persisted after exclusion of low-volume inpatient total shoulder arthroplasty centers and inpatient-specific ancillary charges.”
More articles on orthopedics & TJR:
Which THA approach has the lowest mechanical complication risk? 3 study findings
13+ ASCs adding total joint replacements in the past year
Both unicompartmental & total knee replacements are viable treatment options, study suggests
