Paper 1 Citation: Kariv Y, et al.

Clinical outcomes and cost analysis of a “fast track” postoperative care pathway for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. A case control study

Dis Colon Rectum. 2007;50(2):137-146.

Abstract:
There is concern that there can sometimes be a trade-off between cost-containment and quality of care, especially in surgical procedures associated with longer lengths of stay (LOS). New ostomy patients and patients with revised ostomy procedures may require post-operative hospital stays to observe for complicatioins, regain bowel function, and prepare for home-based and self-care. This study compared a “fast track” (FT) protocol to reduce LOS for patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis to more traditional care-based on experience and preference of individual surgeons.  Findings suggested that many indicators were similar between matched pairs of FT and control patients, except for shorter LOS and reduced costs of care. The authors concluded that following a FT protocol could be cost-efficient without increasing complication rates for ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.