A Comparison of Clinical and Cost Outcomes After Pancreatectomies at a Safety-net Hospital using a National Registry

Background: Our institution (UFHJ) meets the criteria of both a large, specialized medical center (LSCMC) and a safety-net hospital (AEH). Our aim is to compare pancreatectomy outcomes at UFHJ against other LSCMCs, AEHs, and against institutions that meet criteria for both LSCMC and AEH. In addition, we sought to evaluate differences between LSCMCs and AEHs. Materials and Methods: Pancreatectomies for pancreatic cancer were queried from the Vizient Clinical Data Base (2018 to 2020). Clinical and cost outcomes were compared between UFHJ and LSCMCs, AEHs, and a combined group, respectively. Indices > 1 indicated the observed value was greater than the expected national benchmark value. Results: The mean number of pancreatectomy cases performed per institution in the LSCMC group was 12.15, 11.73, and 14.31 in 2018, 2019, and 2020, respectively. At AEHs, 25.33, 24.56, and 26.37 mean cases per institution per year, respectively. In the combined group of both LSCMCs and AEHs, 8.10, 7.60, and 7.22 mean cases, respectively. At UFHJ, 17, 34, and 39 cases were performed each year, respectively. Length of stay index decreased below national benchmarks at UFHJ (1.08 to 0.82), LSCMCs (0.91 to 0.85), and AEHs (0.94 to 0.93), with an increasing case mix index at UFHJ (3.33 to 4.20) from 2018 to 2020. In contrast, length of stay index increased in the combined group (1.14 to 1.18) and overall was the lowest at LSCMCs (0.89). Mortality index declined at UFHJ (5.07 to 0.00) below national benchmarks compared with LSCMCs (1.23 to 1.29), AEHs (1.19 to 1.45), and the combined group (1.92 to 1.99), and was significantly different between all groups (P < 0.001). Thirty-day re-admissions were lower at UFHJ (6.25% to 10.26%) compared with LSCMCs (17.62% to 16.83%) and AEHs (18.93% to 15.51%), and significantly lower at AEHs compared with LSCMCs (P < 0.001). Notably, 30-day re-admissions were lower at AEHs compared with LSCMCs (P< 0.001) and declined over time and were the lowest in the combined group in 2020 (17.72% to 9.52%). Direct cost index at UFHJ declined (1.00 to 0.67) below the benchmark compared with LSCMCs (0.90 to 0.93), AEHs (1.02 to 1.04), and the combined group (1.02 to 1.10). When comparing LSCMCs and AEHs, there were no significant differences between direct cost percentages (P = 0.56); however, the direct cost index was significantly lower at LSCMCs. Conclusion: Pancreatectomy outcomes at our institution have improved over time exceeding national benchmarks and often were significant to LSCMCs, AEHs, and a combined comparator group. In addition, AEHs were able to maintain good quality care when compared with LSCMCs. This study highlights the role that safety-net hospitals can provide high-quality care to a medically vulnerable patient population in the presence of high-case volume.