Cost Analysis of Outpatient Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion at an Academic Medical Center without Dedicated Ambulatory Surgery Centers

BACKGROUND: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) are increasingly performed at ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Academic centers lacking dedicated ASCs must perform these at large university hospitals, which pose unique challenges to cost savings and efficiency. OBJECTIVE: To describe the safety and cost of outpatient ACDF at a major academic medical center without a dedicated ASC. METHODS: ACDFs performed from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Cases were performed at the major tertiary university hospital or a satellite university hospital dedicated to outpatient surgery. Patient demographics, surgical characteristics, perioperative complications, fusion at 12 months, and cost were collected. RESULTS: A total of 470 patients were included. The mean age was 56 years, with 255 women (54.3%). When comparing same-day discharge, overnight observation, or inpatient admission, there were no differences in age, gender, or number of levels fused. Same-day and overnight observation cases were associated with shorter procedure duration and less estimated blood loss. There were no differences in perioperative complications, 30-day read-missions, or fusion at 12 months. Direct and total costs were lowest for same-day cases, followed by overnight observation and inpatient admissions (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Academic centers without dedicated ASCs can safely perform ACDF as a same-day or overnight observation procedure with significant reductions in cost. The lack of a dedicated ASC should not preclude academic centers from allocating appropriately selected patients into same-day or overnight observation care pathways. This strategy can improve resource utilization and preserve precious hospital resources for the most critically ill patients while also allowing these centers to build viable outpatient spine practices.

Automated summary

ACDF procedures performed as same-day or overnight observation at a major academic center without a dedicated ASC showed no differences in perioperative complications, 30-day readmissions, or fusion at 12 months, with significant reductions in cost. This strategy can effectively utilize resources and establish viable outpatient spine practices at academic centers.