Digital Preoperative Huddle Platform Use Leads to Decreased Surgical Cost

Introduction: We evaluated the effect of multidisciplinary preoperative team communication through a mobile app on supply-related operating room costs and case length.

Methods: A digital huddle software as a service (SaaS) platform was implemented between March 2022 and June 2023 for neurosurgical procedures performed at a single tertiary care center. Surgeons were encouraged, but not required, to participate. We utilized general linear models to analyze association between participation and difference in supply-related cost and case length, using group comparison and historical controls.

Results: A total of 97 surgeons and 29626 cases were included from March 2021 until June 2023. We included participating neurosurgery cases (12 surgeons, 4064 cases) which were compared with non-participating neurosurgical cases (6 surgeons, 2452 cases), orthopedic spine cases (20 surgeons, 6073 cases), and surgeries performed on a different operating room floor (59 surgeons, 21996 cases). Across all surgeons, cost increased by 7.3% (95% CI: 0.9-14.1, p=0.025) in the post-intervention period. However, among participating surgeons after the implementation of the application, there was a supply-related cost decrease of 16.3% (95% CI: 8.3-23.6%, p< 0.001) and average net savings of $747 per surgical case. Restricting the analysis to neurosurgeons on our operative floor, participation was associated with a supply-related cost decrease of 17.5 % (95% CI: 6.0-27.5%, p=0.0037). Restricting analysis to neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons on our operative floor, the cost decrease was 16.6% (95% CI: 5.2-26.6%, p=0.0055). There was no change in case length, (median case length 171 minutes, change: + 2.7% increase, 95% CI:-2.2% - 7.9%, p=0.28).

Conclusion : The implementation of digital huddle SaaS resulted in a 16.3% decrease in supply-related OR costs among participating surgeons during a period when the overall cohort experienced a 7.3% cost increase. These pilot data support wider implementation of digital huddle SaaS and further large-scale value analysis.