New research from the 2024 American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress reveals that targeted pre-op nutrition boosts immunity, shortens hospital stays, and reduces complications after surgery.
Dr Edward A Joseph, lead author and clinical outcomes research fellow at Allegheny Health Network, said: ‘Integrating preoperative nutrition into standard surgical care can drive major reductions in healthcare costs and resource consumption. This proactive approach supports faster recovery and alleviates strain on healthcare systems.’
In this study, researchers analysed data from 4,078 surgeries spanning eight different specialties within the Allegheny Health Network, focusing on the impact of preoperative nutrition on hospital stay durations and long-term outcomes.
The results were striking. The initiative reduced hospital stays by 18% and complication rates by 33%, translating to 2,699 fewer hospital days and 33% fewer outlier days (hospitalisations extending past 30 days).
Overall, these gains saved an estimated $7.8 million annually.
Hospital days beyond the expected length of stay fell by 865, resulting in $6.1 million in projected annual savings. Fewer postoperative complications contributed an additional $1.9 million in cost savings.
The study estimated the total cost of surgeries within the scope at $130.9 million. Implementing the preoperative nutrition initiative, which costs $244,680 annually (at $60 per patient), yielded a projected annual savings of $7.8 million.
These savings are realised through reduced bed occupancy, decreased complication management, and improved clinical staff utilisation.
Preoperative nutrition bundles are enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and arginine. Initially developed for oncology patients, these supplements enhance metabolic readiness and immune function, suggesting significant benefits for a broader range of surgical patients.
Dr Joseph added: ‘Expanding preoperative nutritional support across surgical fields presents a substantial opportunity to improve care quality while reducing costs. These findings underscore the importance of adopting such protocols to drive superior patient outcomes and promote financial sustainability across healthcare systems.’
