Clinical and cost benefits of a standardization model in the management of acute appendicitis

Abstract

Introduction. Acute appendicitis is the most frequent surgical pathology in Colombia and in the world, with a risk of presentation of 7-8% in the general population. The treatment of choice is appendectomy, which can be performed conventionally or laparoscopically. The objective of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes and costs of a standardization model in the management of acute appendicitis. Methods. Observational, analytical study to compare standardized versus non-standardized care management. Patients older than 18 years, who were admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis in the period from January 2016 to December 2018 and underwent conventional or laparoscopic appendectomy at the institution were included. Results. 1392 patients were included; 591 met the criteria of the standardized model and 801 met the criteria of the non-standardized model. When comparing the standardization versus non-standardization processes, statistically significant differences were found in the hospital stay and total costs. In the estimates adjusted for confounding variables, no differences were found in total costs. Discussion. The standardization model showed a decrease in hospital length of stay. No differences were found in terms of total costs. © 2021, Asociacion Colombiana de Cirugia. All rights reserved.