SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Implementation and Clinical Implications of Surgical Hospitalist Program

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This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of a Surgical Hospitalist Program (SHP) in two surgical divisions—Colorectal Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery—at a Korean hospital from 2014 to 2022. The SHP was introduced in response to shortages in inpatient medical staff and was designed to shift more perioperative inpatient care from residents to surgical hospitalists.<br /><br />The study compared postoperative outcomes and healthcare costs before and after SHP implementation, and also used interrupted time series analysis to examine changes in trends over time. Researchers further assessed whether different levels of surgical hospitalist involvement influenced outcomes.<br /><br />After SHP implementation, more critically ill patients were managed by surgical hospitalists rather than residents. Even with higher patient severity, SHP introduction was associated with shorter postoperative length of stay across all divisions. In the Colorectal Surgery division, SHP was linked to fewer ICU transfers, re-operations, and 30-day readmissions. In the Gastrointestinal Surgery division, it was associated with fewer major complications (grade 3a or higher). Interrupted time series analysis showed significant downward trends after SHP implementation in postoperative complications and hospital-acquired infections across both divisions. The SHP also appeared to help offset rising hospital costs.<br /><br />Overall, the findings suggest that surgical hospitalist care can improve postoperative efficiency, reduce complications, and stabilize healthcare costs. The authors conclude that expanding SHP staffing may be an important strategy for improving the quality of surgical inpatient care, especially in the context of an aging patient population and limited inpatient healthcare personnel.

Asset Subtitle

Jihong Kim

Meta Tag

Author List Jihong Kim, Min-Young Park, Yoon Bin Jung

Category Research

Concept Surgical Hospitalist Program

Concept Postoperative Outcomes

Concept Retrospective Cohort Study

Concept Interrupted Time Series

Concept Length of Stay

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul

Presenting Author Jihong Kim

Track Outcomes Research

Keywords

surgical hospitalist program

retrospective cohort study

postoperative outcomes

colorectal surgery

gastrointestinal surgery

length of stay

postoperative complications

interrupted time series analysis

healthcare costs

inpatient care

Surgical Hospitalist Program

Postoperative Outcomes

Retrospective Cohort Study

Interrupted Time Series

Length of Stay