2007 Utah Facility Comparison Report on Gallbladder Removal for Adult Inpatients and Outpatients

The Utah Department of Health is committed to publishing consumer-friendly reports that will enable patients and their families to become more actively involved in their healthcare. If you or an adult family member have gallbladder problems, you may find this report helpful as you consider where to receive treatment.

Patient education is a key ingredient in receiving the care you want and need. An excellent brochure written for consumers explaining gallbladder removal has been produced by the American College of Surgeons.

Select one of the links below to view facility comparison information for gallbladder removal based on utilization and charges. In this report "facilities" include hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers for outpatient treatment and hospitals for inpatient treatment.

Facility Utilization | Facility Charges

Facility Utilization

This measure shows the percentage of inpatient gallbladder removals performed using laparoscopy. It is not intended to be an indicator of quality of care. Whether a facility performs a lower percentage of gallbladder removal by laparoscopic surgery often depends on its patients’ medical history and how ill they are. You should consult your health care professional for help in understanding the best treatment options for you.

Read more about:

• Gallstones (what they are, symptoms, treatment, etc.)
• Gallbladder Diseases (overview, specific conditions, related issues)
• Why laparoscopic surgery is not an indicator of quality of care
• Methods and measures used for the utilization section of this report

More information about this indicator can be found at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Web site.

Facility Charges

Learn about the many factors affecting the cost of your facility stay.

When reading the tables below, please be aware that inpatients usually spend at least 24 hours in the facility; outpatients usually spend less than 24 hours in the facility.

Read more about:

• Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal
• Open Gallbladder Removal (interactive tutorial)
• Methods and measures used for the charge section of this report

Please be aware that information in this report is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always ask questions and seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment.

CALL YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.