Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.)

School

Health Services

Advisor

Kourtney Nieves

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify if there were practices that could be implemented to decrease costs in the operating room without negatively effecting patient outcomes. With the cost of healthcare in the United States consistently increasing, studies that focus on cost-reduction measures such as this one are crucial to ensure health systems continue to operate with a neutral or positive margin to remain available to provide patient care. This was a retrospective quantitative research study built on the diffusion of innovation theory. It focused on motivating factors such as differences in cost between surgical cases that used a standardized surgeon preference card and surgical cases that used a surgeon-specific preference card, with the cards listing variables including disposable items used. There was also a focus on determining if post-surgery length of stay was affected. A multiple linear regression was used to quantify if a relationship existed between the mean cost per case and mean length of stay for surgeons who used a standardized preference card versus those who used a surgeon-specific card. The results of this study showed standardized preference cards did not explain variation in total case costs for non-emergent laparoscopic cholecystectomies; however, the results of this study did show an impact on length of stay. While the results of this study did not support reduced costs, the positive social change impact still exists. This was a process that engaged surgeons and made them aware of the true cost of their case; and that motivated additional specialties to want to reduce their costs. Changes like these, which are surgeon-driven, build momentum within a healthcare organization, leading to continued discussions to find more opportunities for savings to lower the cost that is ultimately passed on to the patient.

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