OBJECTIVES: Healthcare utilization costs are increasing exponentially and any interventions that help reduce overall spend should be considered by providers and payors. The objective of this study was to compare the short-term resource utilization and clinical outcomes of patients treated with POLAR3 and non-POLAR3 implants in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA).

METHODS: Primary THA done between September 2016 to March 2023 were reviewed in Premier PINC AI Healthcare database. Patients with non-robotic assisted THA, 6-month baseline period and 24-month follow-up were considered. Patients were excluded if they were <21 years; had missing gender/race; revision, bilateral THA, death at the index discharge; multiple baseline complications. THA patients were identified using appropriate ICD-10-PCS codes while POLAR3 device was identified using keywords from billing records. To facilitate the comparability, 1:3 propensity score matching with caliper of 0.02 was executed. Generalized linear and logistic regression models were applied to evaluate differences in costs and outcomes between interventions.

RESULTS: The study matched 1663 POLAR3 with 4785 non-POLAR3 patients with well-balanced baseline variables. Patients with POLAR3 are 44% more likely to be discharged to home/home healthcare (odds ratio [OR] 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-1.76; p-value <0.001), less likely to be discharged to SNF and IRF p<0.02. Less odds of inpatient readmission within 30 days (34%) (OR 0.66; CI 0.44-0.95; p-value 0.033), reduced length of stay 1.52 versus 1.78 days p-value <0.001 and less Morphine milligram equivalent 106 vs 118 p<0.05 compared to non-POLAR3 patients. The mean total adjusted cost for POLAR3 hospital stays was significantly less by $1,121 p<0.001, with potentially higher cost savings through reduced use of post-acute care.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of POLAR3 in THA demonstrates statistically superior resource use and outcomes compared to non-POLAR3. This is an important finding when providers and payors expect to limit their budget while improving clinical outcomes.