Sustainability and Cost Savings:

The Vanderbilt Experience

Roy Neeley,MD, Miklos Kertai,MD, MMHC,

PhD, Curtis Baysinger,MD

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Department of Anesthesia & Critical Care

10/18/2024

Our Department

• 210 Faculty

• 57 Residents

• 24 Fellows

• 216 CRNA’s

• 131,884 total cases in 2023, approx. 93,000 at

our main campus

• 55 OR’s

2021 – Pre-MPOG

SUS-01

SUS-04

Avg 71%

Avg 19%

2022

SUS-01

SUS-04

Avg 76%

Avg 24%

2023 Initiative

Celebrating standouts

• Only positive – highlighting the star performers

• No negative

• End of year rank list

• Top 3 Overall performers

• Best performing division

• Best residents; Best residency class

• Best Attendings

2023

SUS-01

SUS-04

Avg 84%

Avg 43%

2024

SUS-01

SUS-04

Cost Savings: Volatile

Anesthetics

• 2021: $390,379

– 47,296 cases (excludes TIVA or w/LMA)

• 2022: $470,154

– 50,805 cases

• 2023: $393,768

– 53,038 cases

– $76,386 savings

– Despite 10% increase in cost of Isoflurane

• 2024: Pending

Conclusions

& Future Directions

• Effectively reducing FGF rates has led to considerable

cost savings on volatile agents

• Best Practice Advisory

– Reminder to lower flow after clicking “Anesthesia Ready”

– Pop-up if FGF remains > 2L/min for 15 consecutive

minutes.

• QuizTime

– Questions regarding environmental impact of volatile

agents and nitrous, and benefits of low flow anesthesia

• Other costs

– Medical air & oxygen