Unplanned Emergency Visits and Admissions After Orthopaedic Ambulatory Surgery in the First 2 Years of Operation of a University Ambulatory Surgery Center

Abstract

Background:

Ambulatory surgeries have increased in recent decades to help improve efficiency and cost; however, there is a potential need for unplanned postoperative admission, clinic visits, or evaluation in the emergency department (ED).

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose was to determine the frequency, reasons, and factors influencing hospitalizations, return to clinic, and/or ED encounters within 24 hours of ambulatory surgery. The time frame for data collection was the first 2 years of operation of a university sports medicine ambulatory surgery center (ASC). We hypothesized that the percentage of encounters would be low and primarily because of pain or postoperative complication.

Study design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of all patients undergoing ambulatory surgery at an ASC during the first 2 years of its operation (November 2016 to October 2018). Data including age, sex, Current Procedural Terminology code, procedure performed, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, body mass index, medical history, and tobacco use were collected. Patients seeking care in the ED, inpatient, or outpatient setting within the first 24 hours after surgery were identified and the reasons for these encounters were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: (1) medical complication, (2) postoperative pain, or (3) other postoperative complication. Logistic regression models were used to assess risk factors for these encounters.

Results:

A total of 4650 sports medicine procedures were performed at the university ASC during the study period. A total of 35 patients (0.75%) sought additional care within 24 hours of surgery. Medical complications were the primary reason for seeking care (n = 16; 45.7%). Patients who sought treatment within 24 hours of surgery tended to be older, had more medical comorbidities, and were more likely to have undergone upper extremity (particularly shoulder) procedures. In the multivariable analysis, patients with higher ASA scores were more likely to seek additional care (P < .005) and there was a trend toward increased risk of seeking additional care with upper extremity surgery (P = .077).

Conclusion:

Orthopaedic procedures performed in an ASC result in a relatively low percentage of patients seeking additional care within the first 24 hours after surgery, consistent with other reports in the literature. Upper extremity procedures, particularly those of the shoulder, may carry an increased risk of requiring medical treatment within 24 hours of surgery. Even in the first 2 years of operation of a university-based ASC, low rates of postoperative complications and unplanned admissions can be maintained.