Multivariable Cost Frontiers-Qualitative Financial Analyses Using Operational Metrics From the Implementation of a Surgery Fellowship

Abstract

Objective: We expand the application of cost frontiers and introduce a novel approach using qualitative multivariable financial analyses.

Summary background data: With the creation of a 5 + 2-year fellowship program in July 2016, the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Vermont Medical Center altered the underlying operational structure of its inpatient services.

Method: Using WiseOR (Palo Alto, CA), a web-based OR management data system, we extracted the operating room metrics before and after August 1, 2016 service for each 4-week period spanning from September 2015 to July 2017. The cost per minute modeled after Childers et al's inpatient OR cost guidelines was multiplied by the after-hours utilization to determine variable cost. Zones with corresponding cutoffs were used to graphically represent cost efficiency trends.

Results: Caseload/FTE for attending surgeons increased from 11.54 cases per month to 13.02 cases per month ( P = 0.0771). Monthly variable costs/FTE increased from $540.2 to $1873 ( P = 0.0138). Monthly revenue/FTE increased from $61,505 to $70,277 ( P = 0.2639). Adjusted monthly reve-nue/FTE increased from $60,965 to $68,403 ( P = 0.3374). Average monthly percent of adjusted revenue/FTE lost to variable costs increased from 0.85% to 2.77% ( P = 0.0078). Adjusted monthly revenue/case/FTE remained the same from $5309 to $5319 ( P = 0.9889).

Conclusion: In summary, we demonstrate that multivariable cost (or performance) frontiers can track a net increase in profitability associated with fellowship implementation despite diminishing returns at higher caseloads.