Statewide trends in routine pre-operative testing before low-risk surgery

Routine pre-operative testing before low-risk surgery remains common despite guidelines against it.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adults undergoing low-risk surgery (cholecystectomy, hernia repair, lumpectomy, thyroidectomy, mastectomy) in Michigan from 2015 to 2024. The primary outcome was testing performed within 30 days of surgery. Linear mixed models identified predictors of testing, and the results of a pilot quality improvement (QI) initiative to reduce testing at 31 hospitals were examined.

Among 99,501 patients, testing rates declined from 44 % to 39 % from 2019 to 2024. Older age, comorbidity burden, and undergoing a pre-operative history and physical were associated with testing. Hospital testing rates varied from 13 % to 93 %. In the QI-participating hospitals, testing declined from 38 % to 33 % in the measurement period compared to the baseline period (p = 0.035).

Pre-operative testing remains common and variable. QI initiatives help reduce testing, but broader de-implementation strategies may promote sustained improvement.