Brian K. Yorkgitis

The truth about trauma readmissions.

BACKGROUND There is a paucity of data on the causes and associated patient factors for unplanned readmissions among trauma patients. METHODS We examined patients admitted for traumatic injuries between 2007 and 2011 in the California State Inpatient Database. Using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models, we determined rates, reasons, locations, and patient factors associated with 30-day readmissions. RESULTS Among 252,752 trauma discharges, the overall readmission rate was 7.56%, with 36% of readmissions occurring at a hospital different from the hospital of initial admission. Predictors of readmissions included being discharged against medical advice (odds ratio [OR]: 2.56 [2.35 to 2.76]); Charlson scores ≥2 (OR: 2.00 [1.91 to 2.10]); and age ≥45 years (OR: 1.29 [1.25 to 1.33]). Major reasons for readmissions were musculoskeletal complaints (22.29%), psychiatric conditions (9.40%), and surgical infections (6.69%). CONCLUSIONS Health and social vulnerabilities influence readmission among trauma patients, with many readmitted at other hospitals. Targeted interventions among high-risk patients may reduce readmissions after traumatic injuries.

Postsurgical prescriptions for opioid naive patients and association with overdose and misuse: retrospective cohort study

Abstract Objective To quantify the effects of varying opioid prescribing patterns after surgery on dependence, overdose, or abuse in an opioid naive population. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Surgical claims from a linked medical and pharmacy administrative database of 37 651 619 commercially insured patients between 2008 and 2016. Participants 1 015 116 opioid naive patients undergoing surgery. Main outcome measures Use of oral opioids after discharge as defined by refills and total dosage and duration of use. The primary outcome was a composite of misuse identified by a diagnostic code for opioid dependence, abuse, or overdose. Results 568 612 (56.0%) patients received postoperative opioids, and a code for abuse was identified for 5906 patients (0.6%, 183 per 100 000 person years). Total duration of opioid use was the strongest predictor of misuse, with each refill and additional week of opioid use associated with an adjusted increase in the rate of misuse of 44.0% (95% confidence interval 40.8% to 47.2%, P<0.001), and 19.9% increase in hazard (18.5% to 21.4%, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions Each refill and week of opioid prescription is associated with a large increase in opioid misuse among opioid naive patients. The data from this study suggest that duration of the prescription rather than dosage is more strongly associated with ultimate misuse in the early postsurgical period. The analysis quantifies the association of prescribing choices on opioid misuse and identifies levers for possible impact.

Phenotyping the Immune Response to Trauma: A Multiparametric Systems Immunology Approach*

Objective: Trauma induces a complex immune response that requires a systems biology research approach. Here, we used a novel technology, mass cytometry by time-of-flight, to comprehensively characterize the multicellular response to trauma. Design: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells samples were stained with a 38-marker immunophenotyping cytometry by time-of-flight panel. Separately, matched peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with heat-killed Streptococcus pneumoniae or CD3/CD28 antibodies and stained with a 38-marker cytokine panel. Monocytes were studied for phagocytosis and oxidative burst. Setting: Single-institution level 1 trauma center. Patients or Subjects: Trauma patients with injury severity scores greater than 20 (n = 10) at days 1, 3, and 5 after injury, and age- and gender-matched controls. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Trauma-induced expansion of Th17-type CD4+ T cells was seen with increased expression of interleukin-17 and interleukin-22 by day 5 after injury. Natural killer cells showed reduced T-bet expression at day 1 with an associated decrease in tumor necrosis factor-&bgr;, interferon-&ggr;, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Monocytes showed robust expansion following trauma but displayed decreased stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production and significantly reduced human leukocyte antigen - antigen D related expression. Further analysis of trauma-induced monocytes indicated that phagocytosis was no different from controls. However, monocyte oxidative burst after stimulation increased significantly after injury. Conclusions: Using cytometry by time-of-flight, we were able to identify several major time-dependent phenotypic changes in blood immune cell subsets that occur following trauma, including induction of Th17-type CD4+ T cells, reduced T-bet expression by natural killer cells, and expansion of blood monocytes with less proinflammatory cytokine response to bacterial stimulation and less human leukocyte antigen - antigen D related. We hypothesized that monocyte function might be suppressed after injury. However, monocyte phagocytosis was normal and oxidative burst was augmented, suggesting that their innate antimicrobial functions were preserved. Future studies will better characterize the cell subsets identified as being significantly altered by trauma using cytometry by time-of-flight, RNAseq technology, and functional studies.

Whatever happens to trauma patients who leave against medical advice

BACKGROUND Although trauma patients are frequently discharged against medical advice (AMA), the fate of these patients remains mostly unknown. METHODS Patients with traumatic injuries were identified in the California State Inpatient Database, 2007 to 2011. Readmission characteristics of patients discharged AMA were compared with patients discharged home. RESULTS There were 203,756 (75.65%) patients discharged home and 4,480 (1.66%) discharged AMA. Compared with those discharged home, patients discharged AMA had significantly higher 30-day readmission rates (17.12% vs 6.75%), rates of multiple readmissions (3.83% vs 1.12%), and likelihood of being readmitted at different hospitals (44.83% vs 33.82%) (all P < .001). The commonest reasons for readmission in patients discharged AMA were psychiatric conditions [adjusted odds ratio: 1.67 (1.21 to 2.27)]. CONCLUSIONS Discharge AMA is associated with multiple readmissions and higher rates of readmissions at different hospitals. Early identification of vulnerable patients and improved modalities to prevent discharge AMA among these patients may reduce the negative outcomes associated with discharge AMA among trauma patients.

Primary Care of the Blunt Splenic Injured Adult

The spleen is the most commonly injured abdominal organ in blunt trauma. Immediate treatment is aimed at assessing for bleeding and abating it when it is severe. Methods for the management of blunt splenic injury-associated bleeding include observation, splenectomy, and splenic salvage procedures through splenorrhaphy or embolization. After blunt splenic injury, complications commonly occur, including bleeding, infection, thrombosis, and pneumonia. If a patient undergoes splenectomy, infections can be severe. To mitigate infectious complications after splenectomy, vaccination against common pathogens remains paramount. Patients may often present to their primary care provider with complaints related to splenic injury or long-term care of their immunocompromised state. Knowledge of the spleens function, as well as common complications and risks, is important to physicians caring for splenic injury patients. This narrative review provides clinicians an understanding of the spleens immune function and management strategies for patients sustaining blunt splenic injury.

Geographic Distribution of Trauma Burden, Mortality, and Services in the United States: Does Availability Correspond to Patient Need?

BACKGROUND The association between the need for trauma care and trauma services has not been characterized previously. We compared the distribution of trauma admissions with state-level availability of trauma centers (TCs), surgical critical care (SCC) providers, and SCC fellowships, and assessed the association between trauma care provision and state-level trauma mortality. STUDY DESIGN We obtained 2013 state-level data on trauma admissions, TCs, SCC providers, SCC fellowship positions, per-capita income, population size, and age-adjusted mortality rates. Normalized densities (per million population [PMP]) were calculated and generalized linear models were used to test associations between provision of trauma services (higher-level TCs, SCC providers, and SCC fellowship positions) and trauma burden, per-capita income, and age-adjusted mortality rates. RESULTS There were 1,345,024 trauma admissions (4,250 PMP), 2,496 SCC providers (7.89 PMP), and 1,987 TCs across the country, of which 521 were Level I or II (1.65 PMP). There was considerable variation between the top 5 and bottom 5 states in terms of Level I/Level II TCs and SCC surgeon availability (approximately 8.0/1.0), despite showing less variation in trauma admission density (1.5/1.0). Distribution of trauma admissions was positively associated with SCC provider density and age-adjusted trauma mortality (p ≤ 0.001), and inversely associated with per-capita income (p < 0.001). Age-adjusted mortality was inversely associated with the number of SCC providers PMP. For every additional SCC provider PMP, there was a decrease of 618 deaths per year. CONCLUSIONS There is an inequitable distribution of trauma services across the US. Increases in the density of SCC providers are associated with decreases in mortality. There was no association between density of trauma admissions and location of Level I/Level II TCs. In the wake of efforts to regionalize TCs, additional efforts are needed to address disparities in the provision of quality care to trauma patients.

Risk factors for prolonged need for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes in adult trauma patients: Experience of a level 1 trauma

Background: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes are a means of providing an alternative enteric route of nutrition. This study sought to identify risk factors for the prolonged need of a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube (≥90 days) in adult trauma patients. Methods: The trauma database of a level 1 trauma center was queried retrospectively to identify patients who had percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tubes placed. Results: A total of 9,772 charts were reviewed with 282 patients (2.9%) undergoing successful percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube placement. On review of discharged living patients, 195 had adequate clinical documentation to allow for analysis. The mean age was 57.5 years, admission serum albumin was 3.7 g/dL, and Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 1.1. The first recorded mean Glasgow Coma Scale was 10.7, and their Injury Severity Score was 23.2. The mean duration of total hospital stay was 23.8 days, intensive care unit stay was 16.5 days, and in‐hospital ventilator days was 11.5. Of the 272 patients, 77 (41.4%) required percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tubes for >90 days. Statistically significant characteristics on univariate analysis included increasing age, a greater Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and a greater number of in‐hospital ventilator days. On logistic regression, a Charlson Comorbidity Index score >1 (odds ratio 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.56, P = .02) and greater in‐hospital ventilator days (odds ratio 1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.09, P < .01) were predictive of the need for prolonged percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube placement. Conclusion: A Charlson Comorbidity Index score >1 and prolonged in‐hospital ventilator days were risk factors for the necessity of a percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tube for ≥90 days after placement. This observation may assist patients/surrogates in decision‐making when needing alternative routes for nutrition.

Postoperative opioid prescribing: Getting it RIGHTT

BACKGROUND Prescription opioid medications account for a large number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses. Many opioid prescription medications after surgery go unused, with the potential for diversion and misuse. As surgeons become increasingly aware of their role in opioid misuse, better tools are needed to guide behavior. DATA SOURCES There has recently been a plethora of research into opioid prescribing after surgery. A review of this literature was performed using a search for manuscripts written in the English language. Our goal was to develop an easily recalled approach to postoperative opioid prescribing. RESULTS Based on an extensive review of recent literature, we developed the acronym RIGHTT: Risk for adverse event, Insight into pain, Going over pain plan, Halting opioids, Tossing unused opioids and Trouble identification. It is important that surgeons recognize the potential for opioid misuse in their patients. Strategies have been developed to decrease the risk of prescribing opioids. RIGHTT provides a simple acronym for surgeons to integrate best-practice strategies into their management of post-surgical opioids.

Reassessing the utility of CT angiograms in penetrating injuries to the extremities

Background Computed tomography angiography has become routine in the management of penetrating trauma to the extremity. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of physical examination findings compared with computed tomography angiography for detection of clinically significant vascular injuries associated with penetrating trauma to the extremity. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients presenting to a single level 1 trauma center from January 2013–June 2016. Patients with penetrating trauma to the extremity and no hard signs of vascular injury were included. Physical examination and computed tomography angiography findings were analyzed, with particular focus given to missed injuries. Results We identified 393 patients with penetrating trauma to the extremity without hard signs of vascular injury. Computed tomography angiography was performed in 114 patients (29%). Four patients with distal pulses documented on their initial trauma surveys were found to have vascular injuries on computed tomography angiography, although 3 of these injuries were identified on repeat physical examination. One additional patient had a delayed presentation of a pseudoaneurysm. No mortality or limb loss resulted from these injuries. Total hospital charges for computed tomography angiography amounted to over

Renal Replacement Therapy

700,000. Conclusion Patients with penetrating trauma to the extremity and no hard signs of vascular injury do not require computed tomography angiography for identification of clinically relevant vascular injuries that require emergent operative repair. Serial physical examination appears to provide accurate detection of vascular injury requiring procedural intervention.