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Review
. 2022;12(1):1-9.
doi: 10.1007/s40140-021-00493-y. Epub 2021 Nov 1.

The Hidden Pandemic: the Cost of Postoperative Complications

Guy L Ludbrook  1
Affiliations
Review

The Hidden Pandemic: the Cost of Postoperative Complications

Guy L Ludbrook. Curr Anesthesiol Rep. 2022.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Population-based increases in ageing and medical co-morbidities are expected to substantially increase the incidence of expensive postoperative complications. This threatens the sustainability of essential surgical care, with negative impacts on patients' health and wellbeing.

Recent findings: Identification of key high-risk areas, and implementation of proven cost-effective strategies to manage both outcome and cost across the end-to-end journey of the surgical episode of care, is clearly feasible. However, good programme design and formal cost-effectiveness analysis is critical to identify, and implement, true high value change.

Summary: Both outcome and cost need to be a high priority for both fundholders and clinicians in perioperative care, with the focus for both groups on delivering high-quality care, which in itself, is the key to good cost management.

Keywords: Complications; Cost-effectiveness; Economics; Perioperative medicine; Surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe author does not have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

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