Fever evaluation cost and time to treatment in the general surgery patient can be reduced by using a fever practice guideline

Abstract

Objectives: Evaluation of surgical patients with fever and leukocytosis (FAL) for an infection source often results in unnecessary laboratory and radiographic tests. The average cost of an FAL work-up ranges from $2200 to $5600. Lack of a systematic approach drives costs higher than necessary. We evaluated differences in time to treatment and costs using usual methods of FAL work-ups versus FAL work-ups using an established fever practice guideline (FPG). Methods: In phase I, a retrospective electronic chart review was conducted for 82 adult surgery patients who underwent FAL work-ups to determine time from initial temperature presentation to fever treatment and total cost per fever evaluation. In phase II, an established FPG was applied to 30 intensive care unit patients from the original group of 82 using phase I data points. Differences in cost and time to treatment were compared using a paired t-test. Results: Mean time to fever treatment decreased from 51.57 hours pre-FPG use to 11.23 hours afterward (p < 0.001), a 78% reduction in time to definitive treatment. Mean cost of FAL work-up decreased from $1,009.73 without FPG use to $399.00 with a 60% reduction in costs. Conclusions: Using a standardized FPG, FAL work-up time to treatment and cost can be significantly reduced.