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Assessing the Decrease in the Surgical Population of the University of Puerto Rico-Affiliated Hospitals
Norma I Cruz1, Elvis Santiago1, César Luque1
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal
|December 9, 2017
Summary
Surgical cases at University of Puerto Rico hospitals declined 14% from 2013-2015. Patients also presented with higher American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) risk scores, indicating increased surgical patient acuity.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Surgical Outcomes
- Public Health
Background:
- The University of Puerto Rico (UPR)-affiliated hospitals serve a significant patient population.
- Understanding trends in surgical case volume is crucial for resource allocation and healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the decrease in the surgical patient population at UPR-affiliated hospitals between 2013 and 2015.
- To analyze changes in patient characteristics, including health status, during the study period.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of surgical cases recorded in the UPR Surgical Database from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2015.
- Comparison of surgical case numbers and patient demographics (age, gender) across three annual subgroups (2013, 2014, 2015).
- Statistical evaluation using chi-squared test or ANOVA to determine significance (p<0.05) of observed differences, including American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status classifications.
Main Results:
- A total of 14,626 surgical cases were analyzed.
- A statistically significant 14% decline in surgical case volume was observed from 2013 to 2015.
- Patients undergoing surgery exhibited increased acuity, with a significant rise in American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status classification of 3 or higher.
Conclusions:
- A steady decrease in surgical cases at UPR-affiliated hospitals was identified.
- Factors contributing to this trend likely include a declining population and the prevailing economic and healthcare crises in Puerto Rico.
