Evaluation of Cost Reduction Measures at a State University Medical Center

Components of a Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH), implemented at a large State University Medical Center (SUMC), have driven significant reductions in Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) and Day of Surgery (DOS) cancellations. Refined methodology for efficient and accurate assessment of these reductions was developed based on available electronic data systems and proven strategies adapted from literature. At our institution, the practice of evidence-based protocol-driven medicine has contributed to the prevention of an estimated 1073 SSIs over a 6 year period, representing avoided costs in excess of $24M. Management of logistics surrounding patients' surgeries starting in the preoperative clinic has yielded exceedingly low DOS cancellation rates (3.47% of scheduled procedures). This level of efficiency is critical given that a 1% increase in DOS cancellation rates can represent as much as a $5.6M loss of revenue to a large SUMC.