Cost Effectiveness of a Multidisciplinary Perioperative Protocol for High-Risk Emergency Major Abdominal Surgery in a Regional Victorian Hospital.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Australian and New Zealand Emergency Laparotomy Audit (ANZELA) was implemented as standard-of-care for Emergency Major Abdominal Surgery (EMAS) at Bendigo Health in September 2021. All EMAS patients undergo routine preoperative risk assessment (RPRA) using the 'National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) Calculator.' Patients with NELA mortality risk estimates ≥ 10% are considered 'high-risk' and routinely referred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for planned postoperative admission. This study aims to identify whether RPRA and routine ICU referral for high-risk EMAS patients is a cost-effective intervention that improves postoperative outcomes in a rural health service.

Methods

This study is a retrospective audit of high-risk adult patients who underwent EMAS

SUBMITTER: Cox JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12571933 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature