Exploration of the Feasibility of Lower Limb Arthroplasties in Outpatient Modality at Foscal Organization, Santander, 2025

The growing demand for surgical procedures and the limited availability of hospital beds in Santander represent an operational and financial challenge for IPS FOSCAL. Despite the global rise of outpatient surgeries, there is limited national evidence on the clinical and economic feasibility of lower limb arthroplasties performed outside the hospital setting. This lack of local research motivated the present study, which explores the implementation of an outpatient arthroplasty model with home-based hospitalization in the region.

An exploratory and descriptive study was conducted, integrating clinical and economic data. Economic feasibility was assessed through a comparative cost analysis between outpatient and inpatient modalities, based on 139 billing records. Clinical safety was evaluated using defined inclusion criteria (age <85 years, ASA I–II, BMI <30, family support, and urban residence) and through structured telephone follow-up of 1,387 patients with stays under 24 hours, of whom 1,174 completed follow-up.

Results showed 90% effectiveness in early follow-up and 85% overall satisfaction. Positive postoperative perception reached 96.6%, while the readmission rate was 0.87%. The economic analysis demonstrated an average saving of COP $233,000 per patient/day compared with conventional hospitalization.

These findings confirm that outpatient lower limb arthroplasty with home hospitalization is clinically safe, economically viable, and operationally sustainable. The combination of a standardized clinical protocol, effective telephone follow-up, and favorable cost structure supports this model as an innovative and patient-centered approach in the contemporary healthcare context.