Transformation of indwelling peritoneal catheter placement for malignant ascites from an inpatient to a day-case service: analysis of patient risk and financial implication.

AIM: To investigate the impact on patient outcomes, costs, and resources/infrastructure of inserting indwelling peritoneal catheters (IPC) during a day-case instead of an inpatient service.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A single-centre, retrospective analysis of patients receiving IPCs over a 4-year period was performed. Patients undergoing a day-case procedure were admitted in the morning for pre-procedural investigations, a 15.5 F PleurX IPC (BD, Wokingham, UK) was inserted, all accessible fluid drained and patients discharged the same day, barring any complications. Using electronic patient records, outcomes and complications (immediate/post-procedural) were recorded. Expenses and re-imbursement tariffs were obtained from the income department.

RESULTS: Of 138 IPC procedures, 45.6% were undertaken after formal inpatient admission, 54.3% were undertaken as a day-case. The mean hospital stay was 2.51 bed-days for inpatient procedures (n=63) and 0.31 bed-days for day-case procedures (n=75; p<0.001). Day-case procedures saved 165 bed-days per year. Complication rates were 15.9% and 16% for inpatient and day-case procedures respectively (p=0.98). There was an estimated savings of £1,850.46 per day-case procedure or £138,784.50 annually.

CONCLUSION: The placement of IPCs can safely be performed as a day-case procedure. There were substantial economic benefits as well as improved patient satisfaction, with no compromise in patient outcomes. Day-case IPC insertion is now standard practice at The Christie NHS Trust.