title: Comparison of outcomes of patients with acute appendicitis between an acute care surgery model and traditional call coverage model in the same community.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compared outcomes, patient flow, and cost between an acute care surgery (ACS) and traditional call model (TRAD) for acute appendicitis in the same community and time period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent appendectomy from 7/1/2012 to 6/30/2014 were retrospectively reviewed. An ACS and TRAD were compared. Demographic data, outcomes, cost, and time intervals were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 945 patients reviewed, the ACS group had more perforated appendicitis on preoperative computed tomography scan (9% vs 3%, P < .001) and pathology (23% vs 10%, P < .001). The TRAD group had more negative appendectomies (6% vs 1%, P < .001). In nonperforated appendicitis, time to discharge was shorter with ACS (16.4 vs 30.2 hours, P < .001), and mean cost was less (P < .001). Complications were similar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ACS was superior for management of acute appendicitis with shorter time from consultation to operation, shorter time to discharge if nonperforated, and decreased cost.
authors: Department of Surgery, UCSF, 2823 Fresno St, 1st Floor, Fresno, CA, USA. Electronic address: shainadockter@yahoo.com.
authors: Shaina
authors: S
authors: Schaetzel
authors: Department of Surgery, UCSF, 2823 Fresno St, 1st Floor, Fresno, CA, USA.
authors: Rachel
authors: R
authors: Dirks
authors: Department of Surgery, UCSF, 2823 Fresno St, 1st Floor, Fresno, CA, USA.
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Davis
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001062:Appendectomy; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Acute appendicitis; Acute care surgery; Surgical model