Manuela Mastronardi (Trieste / IT), Margherita Sandano (Trieste / IT), Paola Germani (Trieste / IT), Davide Cosola (Trieste / IT), Selene Bogoni (Trieste / IT), Nicola Artusi (Trieste / IT), Nicolò de Manzini (Trieste / IT), Alan Biloslavo (Trieste / IT)
Abstract text (incl. references and figure legends)
Introduction
The recent increase in admissions for acute diverticulitis(AD) adds pressure on the healthcare system, leading to unnecessary hospitalizations and increased length of stay(LOS). To overcome this issue, in our center an outpatient surgical point of care ultrasound(POCUS) facility was established and a follow-up program was started for all AD. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact on admissions, LOS, and healthcare costs before and after the introduction of the program
Materials and Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study based on medical records of patients consecutively diagnosed with AD in a 2-year frame before(Group 2-May 2019/September 2020) and after the program started(Group 1-May 2021/September 2022). The study was conducted at Cattinara University Hospital. Patients undergoing non-operative management(NOM) were propensity score matched(PSM) according to WSES diverticulitis grade
Results
In Group 1, 15(32.6%) of the 46 patients who had undergone NOM were hospitalized. In Group 2, 60 underwent NOM and 59(98.3%) were admitted. After the PSM analysis, 44 patients for each group were considered. In Group 1, 13(29.5%) patients were hospitalized, 43(97.7%) in Group 2(p<0.001). On the other hand, WSES AD grade differed in hospitalized patients (p=0.014) as shown in Table 1. This led to a significant cost reduction(p<0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in LOS and readmissions
Conclusions
Our results show a remarkable change in AD management before and after the institution of the new follow-up program. POCUS follow-up allows closer and more accurate surveillance of the patients in outpatient settings, permitting early detection of complications, and leading to a remarkable optimization of the healthcare system resources management
References
Lai W, et al. The Value of a Surgical Assessment Unit Ultrasound Facility. BMJ Qual Improv Rep. 2017;6(1)
Tab 1. AD grade in hospitalized patients after PSM
Disclosure: Do you have a significant financial interest, consultancy or other relationship with products, manufacturer(s) of products or providers of services related to this abstract? (If not, please enter "No" in the text field.)
No