The impact of RVU-based compensation on patient safety outcomes in outpatient otolaryngology procedures.
This pre–post study found that implementation of relative value unit–based payment in a head and neck surgery practice resulted in a higher volume of procedures. The incidence of adverse outcomes, including postoperative hospitalizations, infections, unplanned return surgeries, and emergency department visits, did not change. The authors conclude that the change in payment structure did not impact surgical safety.