Optimizing clinical productivity: A single-institution analysis of APP utilization in pediatric plastic surgery.

[BACKGROUND] Advanced practice providers (APPs) are integral to plastic surgery practices due to the frequency of staged procedures, perioperative care, and broad scope of practice. Our study evaluates the impact of APP utilization in one of the largest pediatric plastic surgery divisions in the United States.

[METHODS] Descriptive analyses were conducted to describe productivity trends from October 2012 to September 2023. Metrics included the number of clinic encounters, providers, operating room (OR) cases, and surgical conversion rate.

[RESULTS] In 2013, APPs completed one patient encounter for every five completed by surgeons. Since 2020, APPs have matched or exceeded the number of clinic encounters conducted by surgeons. The surgeon surgical conversion rate (surgeon clinic encounters to OR cases) increased from 0.19 in 2018 to 0.26 in 2023.

[CONCLUSIONS] Enhanced utilization of APPs in the division of plastic surgery has optimized our patient care model, increasing procedural productivity for surgeons without reducing clinic volume.