What is the main effect of transitioning inpatient procedures to the outpatient setting?

Transitioning inpatient procedures to the outpatient setting primarily aims to reduce healthcare costs. This move supports more efficient and cost-effective care by allowing patients to receive treatments that do not require an overnight hospital stay. As procedures shift to outpatient settings, operational costs for hospitals can decrease due to reduced overhead and the ability to treat more patients in a shorter period.

By moving these procedures to outpatient facilities, it also creates opportunities for healthcare providers to utilize Ambulatory Payment Classifications (APCs), which are designed specifically for outpatient services and can streamline reimbursement processes. This is particularly relevant as healthcare reimbursements increasingly shift towards value-based care that prioritizes cost efficiency and patient outcomes.

While options like enhanced patient satisfaction ratings or changes to specific lists may be positive effects of transitioning to outpatient care, the overarching primary effect is related to cost reduction, which encompasses a broader scope of implications for the healthcare system and its financial sustainability. Increased hospital admissions, in contrast, would contradict the aim of encouraging outpatient procedures for cases that do not require intensive inpatient resources.