The impact of hospital grade, hospital-volume, and surgeon-volume on outcomes for adults undergoing appendicectomy

Abstract

Introduction: Acute Appendicitis and appendicectomy are common surgical emergencies worldwide. However, there is a lack of published data on the impact of hospital grade, surgeon- and hospital-volumes on patient outcomes following appendicectomy.

Aim: To establish if hospital grade, hospital-volume, or surgeon-volume impacted patient outcomes following appendicectomy.

Methods: Using the National Quality Assurance and Improvement System (NQAIS) data for all appendicectomies performed in Ireland between January 2014 and November 2017 were examined. Data relating to patient demographics, type of surgery (open/laparoscopic/laparoscopic converted to open), length of stay (LOS), mortality, admission to critical care and re-admission rates were collected and analysed.

Results: During the study period, 15,896 adult appendicectomies were performed, 14,521 were laparoscopic procedures. Patients treated in district general hospitals (DGHs) had lower LOS (2.96 v 3.37 days, p < 0.0001) than patients treated in tertiary referral hospitals (TRHs), had lower rates of laparoscopic procedures (87.38% v 95.56% p < 0.0001) and higher admission rates to critical care (1.91% v 0.75% p < 0.0001). No significant outcome difference was seen between those treated by high-volume (>62 cases/year) or low volume surgeons (<20 cases/year). Patients treated in high-volume hospitals (>260 cases/year) had higher rates of laparoscopic procedures (94.9% v 83.5%, p < 0.0001), lower rates of admission to critical care (0.85% v 2.25%, p < 0.0001) and lower 7-day re-admission rates (2.54% v 3.55%, p = 0.02) than those operated in low-volume hospitals (<161 cases/year).

Conclusion: Patients operated on in high-volume hospitals benefit from higher rates of laparoscopic surgery and fewer critical care admissions. No significant difference in outcome was noted in those patients operated upon by high- or low-volume surgeons or based on hospital grade.

Keywords: Appendicectomy; Hospital-volume; Surgeon-volume.