Key Findings

How did Utah’s rate of laparoscopic gallbladder removal compare with the nation in 2005?

For laparoscopic gallbladder removal, Utah overall had a higher rate (82.5%) than similar adult inpatients nationwide (75.1%). Utah overall means all Utah facilities combined.

In general, laparoscopic gallbladder removal requires smaller incisions and results in quicker recovery for patients than open gallbladder removal. However, the doctor may start a laparoscopic surgery, find unanticipated problems and need to change to an open surgery. Other patients with known complex medical problems or history may require planned open surgery. In these cases, open surgery is not necessarily an indication of lower quality of care.

Measures used are in parentheses. For more details, see the Technical Document

In 2005 in Utah facilities

• 1,772 (83%) of 2,147 inpatient gallbladder removals were laparoscopic (AHRQ IQI 23).
• 5,704 additional outpatient laparoscopic gallbladder removals were performed (ICD-9-CM procedure code 51.23).
• 7,476 (95%) of 7,851 gallbladder removals among inpatients and outpatients combined were laparoscopic.
• 73% of 7,851 gallbladder removals among inpatients and outpatients combined were outpatient surgeries

When each Utah facility that performed at least 30 gallbladder removals is compared to similar inpatients nationwide in 2005:

• 15 facilities had a higher percentage of inpatient laparoscopic gallbladder removals.
• 6 additional facilities had a lower percentage. These facilities tend to treat inpatients with more complex gallbladder problems and medical history.

Note: that many factors can affect treatment for gallbladder problems at a particular facility. Read more in “About the Report.”

How did facility charges differ among Utah facilities?

Average facility charges among adults for the gallbladder removal procedures in this report differed widely in 2005 for inpatients and outpatients. Measures used are in parentheses. For more details, see the Technical Document.

• $2,050 to $11,470 among 38 Utah facilities that reported charges for laparoscopic outpatients (ICD-9-CM procedure code 51.23).
• $5,951 to $15,482 among 32 Utah facilities that reported charges for laparoscopic inpatients (APR-DRG 263) at the minor/moderate level of illness.

As expected, average facility charges for inpatients treated at the major/extreme level of illness were higher. In this report, outpatients are not grouped into two levels of illness.

Note: usually inpatients spend at least 24 hours in the facility. Outpatients usually spend less than 24 hours in the facility.

Many factors will affect facility charges. Read more in About the Report