The Impact of RVU-Based Compensation on Patient Safety Outcomes in Outpatient Otolaryngology Procedures

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effects an incentive-based physician compensation model has on safety outcomes related to outpatient otolaryngology surgical procedures.

Study Design

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database assessing the difference in outpatient surgical volume and postoperative adverse outcomes before and after the implementation of a relative value unit (RVU)–based payment structure.

Setting

Single-center academic otolaryngology practice operating at a hospital-owned ambulatory surgery center.

Subjects and Methods

Data prospectively collected from outpatient otolaryngology surgical cases performed at the surgery center from April 2013 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Equal pre-RVU and post-RVU study periods were calculated for 4 surgeons based on their chronological transition in payment structure (range, 46-56 months). Case volume and incidence rates of adverse outcomes, including postoperative infections, emergency department visits, unplanned hospital admissions, and returns to the operating room, were compared between the pre-RVU and post-RVU study periods at both the surgeon and group levels.

Results

At the group level, the post-RVU period was associated with a higher volume of surgical cases (P = .001). No significant differences were observed in the overall incidence of adverse outcomes (P = .21) or among the specific rates of postoperative hospitalizations (P = .39), infections (P = .45), unplanned returns to the operating room (P = 1.00), or emergency department visits (P = .39). Comparable results were observed at the individual surgeon level.

Conclusion

The implementation of an incentive-based salary was not associated with a change in the incidence of adverse safety outcomes in the setting of increased outpatient otolaryngology procedures.