Ankle fracture surgery should be done in the outpatient setting whenever appropriate, in order to save costs, according to research published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.
Researchers examined ankle fracture surgery costs at a trauma hospital using an episode-of-care costing system for 148 patients (61 inpatients and 87 outpatients).
The key research insights to know:
1. Outpatient care was 31.6 less costly than inpatient care.
2. There was no difference in the need for revision surgery, readmission or emergency visits between the inpatient and outpatient groups.
3. Researchers concluded, "Where medically [and] socially appropriate, this analysis suggests that ankle fracture surgery should be provided in an outpatient surgical facility to provide the greatest value to the patient and society."