Preoperative Nutrition Programme Cuts Surgery Costs & Complications

Study projects $7.8 million in annual savings through reduced hospital stays, decreased complications, and better resource utilisation.

A system-wide preoperative nutrition programme improves patient outcomes and offers the potential for substantial cost savings for health care systems, according to a new study presented at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2024 in San Francisco, California. The study findings highlight the value of using nutrients to support the immune system before surgery to reduce hospital stays and decrease postoperative complications.

Key findings include:

• Implementing a system-wide preoperative nutrition programme projected an 18% decrease in hospitalisation days and a 33% decrease in postoperative complications across multiple surgical specialties.
• The programme’s financial implications include a projected annual savings of $7.8 million for the payer/insurance sector.

“Our findings show that incorporating preoperative nutrition as a standard part of surgical care can lead to significant reductions in health care utilisation and costs,” said Edward A. Joseph, MBBS, lead author and cancer clinical outcomes research fellow at the Allegheny Health Network.

He continued: “These results emphasise the importance of routine nutritional support in the preoperative period to enhance patient recovery and reduce financial burdens on health care systems.”

^{*Joseph EA, et al. Projected Financial Implications of a System-Wide Preoperative Nutrition Program, Scientific Forum, American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2024.}

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