Calin S. Moucha

Discharge Destination After Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Postdischarge Outcomes, Placement Risk Factors, and Recent Trends

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare risk of postdischarge adverse events in elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients by discharge destination, identify risk factors for inpatient discharge placement and postdischarge adverse events, and stratify TJA patients based on these risk factors to identify the most appropriate discharge destination. METHODS Patients who underwent elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were assessed using perioperative variables. RESULTS A total of 106,360 TJA patients were analyzed. The most common discharge destinations included home (70%), skilled nursing facility (SNF) (19%), and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF; 11%). Bivariate analysis revealed that rates of postdischarge adverse events were higher in SNF and IRF patients (all P ≤ .001). In multivariate analysis controlling for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of complication predischarge, SNF and IRF patients were more likely to have postdischarge severe adverse events (SNF: odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.59, P ≤ .001) and unplanned readmission (SNF: OR: 1.42, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.38, P ≤ .001). After stratifying patients by strongest independent risk factors (OR: ≥1.15, P ≤ .05) for adverse outcomes after discharge, we found that home discharge is the optimal strategy for minimizing rate of severe 30-day adverse events after discharge (P ≤ .05 for 5 out of 6 risk levels) and unplanned 30-day readmissions (P ≤ .05 for 6 out of 7 risk levels). Multivariate analysis revealed incidence of severe adverse events predischarge, female gender, functional status, body mass index >40, smoking, diabetes, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4 as independent predictors of nonhome discharge (all P ≤ .001). CONCLUSION SNF or IRF discharge increases the risk of postdischarge adverse events compared to home. Modifiable risk factors for nonhome discharge and postdischarge adverse events should be addressed preoperatively to improve patient outcomes across discharge settings.

Prevalence of modifiable surgical site infection risk factors in hip and knee joint arthroplasty patients at an urban academic hospital.

Surgical site infections after hip and knee arthroplasty can be devastating if they lead to periprosthetic joint infection. We examined the prevalence of the modifiable risk factors for surgical site infection described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery Patient Safety Committee. Our study of 300 cases revealed that only 20% of all cases and 7% of revision cases for infection had no modifiable risk factors. The most common risk factors were obesity (46%), anemia (29%), malnutrition (26%), and diabetes (20%). Cases with obesity or diabetes were associated with all histories of remote orthopedic infection, 89% of urinary tract infections, and 72% of anemia cases. The high prevalence of several modifiable risk factors demonstrates that there are multiple opportunities for perioperative optimization of such comorbidities.

Short-term complications in hip fracture surgery using spinal versus general anaesthesia

BACKGROUND Spinal anaesthesia when compared to general anaesthesia has been shown to decrease postoperative morbidity in orthopaedic surgery. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in thirty-day morbidity and mortality for patients undergoing hip fracture surgery with spinal versus general anaesthesia. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality and Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to identify patients who underwent hip fracture surgery with general or spinal anaesthesia between 2010 and 2012 using CPT codes 27245 and 27244. Patient characteristics, complications, and mortality rates were compared. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify predictors of thirty-day complications. Stratified propensity scores were employed to adjust for potential selection bias between cohorts. RESULTS 6133 patients underwent hip fracture surgery with spinal or general anaesthesia; 4318 (72.6%) patients underwent fracture repair with general anaesthesia and 1815 (27.4%) underwent fracture repair with spinal anaesthesia. The spinal anaesthesia group had a lower unadjusted frequency of blood transfusions (39.34% versus 45.49%; p<0.0001), deep vein thrombosis (0.72% versus 1.64%; p=0.004), urinary tract infection (8.87% versus 5.76%; p<0.0001), and overall complications (45.75% versus 48.97%; p=0.001). The length of surgery was shorter in the spinal anaesthesia group (55.81 versus 65.36 min; p<0.0001). After multivariate logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders, general anaesthesia (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.47; p=0.0002) was significantly associated with increased risk for complication after hip fracture surgery. Age, female sex, body mass index, hypertension, transfusion, emergency procedure, operation time, and ASA score were risk factors for complications after hip fracture repair (all p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients who underwent hip fracture surgery with general anaesthesia had a higher risk of thirty-day complications as compared to patients who underwent hip fracture repair with spinal anaesthesia. Surgeons should consider using spinal anaesthesia for hip fracture surgery.

Current strategies in anesthesia and analgesia for total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty is associated with substantial postoperative pain that may impair mobility, reduce the ability to participate in rehabilitation, lead to chronic pain, and reduce patient satisfaction. Traditional general anesthesia with postoperative epidural and patient-controlled opioid analgesia is associated with an undesirable adverse-effect profile, including postoperative nausea and vomiting, hypotension, urinary retention, respiratory depression, delirium, and an increased infection rate. Multimodal anesthesia—incorporating elements of preemptive analgesia, neuraxial perioperative anesthesia, peripheral nerve blockade, periarticular injections, and multimodal oral opioid and nonopioid medications during the perioperative and postoperative periods—can provide superior pain control while minimizing opioid-related adverse effects, improving patient satisfaction, and reducing the risk of postoperative complications.

The Current State of Screening and Decolonization for the Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Surgical Site Infection After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty.

The most common pathogens in surgical site infections after total hip and knee arthroplasty are methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Patients colonized with MSSA or MRSA have an increased risk for a staphylococcal infection at the site of a total hip or knee arthroplasty. Most colonized individuals who develop a staphylococcal infection at the site of a total hip or total knee arthroplasty have molecularly identical S. aureus isolates in their nares and wounds. Screening and nasal decolonization of S. aureus can potentially reduce the rates of staphylococcal surgical site infection after total hip and total knee arthroplasty.

Risk Factors Predict Increased Length of Stay and Readmission Rates in Revision Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND This study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day readmission and extended length of stay (LOS) in revision total knee (RKA) and hip (RHA) arthroplasty patients. METHODS Patients who underwent RKA or RHA from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for 30-day readmission and extended LOS (>75th percentile) were assessed using preoperative and intraoperative variables. RESULTS A total of 4977 RKA and 5135 RHA patients were reviewed. The most common causes for revision were mechanical (52% RKA, 52% RHA), infection (13% RKA, 8% RHA), dislocation (6% RKA, 13% RHA), and fracture (1% RKA, 4% RHA). Rate of readmission for RKA patients (6.4%; 318 patients) was lower than for RHA patients (8.0%; 409 patients) (P = .002). Multivariate analysis identified severe adverse event before discharge, male sex, pulmonary disease, stroke, cardiac disease, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 as significant predictors of readmission (all P ≤ .03). Surgical complications were the more common cause of readmission for both groups. Multivariate analysis of extended LOS identified infection or fracture etiology relative to mechanical loosening etiology, functional status, body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2, history of smoking, diabetes, cardiac disease, stroke, bleeding-causing disorders, wound class 3 or 4, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 (all P ≤ .05) as independent predictors. CONCLUSION Modifiable risk factors should be addressed prior to revision total joint arthroplasty to reduce 30-day readmissions and LOS. Future P4P revision arthroplasty models should incorporate procedural diagnosis as rates of readmission and extended LOS significantly differ across procedural etiologies.

Short Term Outcomes of Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Few studies have assessed postoperative complications in revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA). The aim of this study was to assess which preoperative factors are associated with postoperative complications in rTKA. Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement (NSQIP) database, we identified patients undergoing rTKA from 2010 to 2012. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and complications within thirty days of surgery were analyzed. A total of 3421 patients underwent rTKA. After adjusted analysis, dialysis (P = 0.016) was associated with minor complications. Male gender (P = 0.03), older age (P = 0.029), ASA class >2 (P = 0.017), wound class >2 (P < 0.0001), emergency operation (P = 0.038), and pulmonary comorbidity (P = 0.047) were associated with major complications.

Discharge Destination After Revision Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Postdischarge Outcomes and Placement Risk Factors

BACKGROUND Given the rising incidence of revision total joint arthroplasty (RJR), bundled payments will likely be applied to RJR in the near future. This study aimed to compare postdischarge adverse events by discharge destination, identify risk factors for discharge placement, and stratify RJR patients based on these risk factors to identify the most appropriate discharge destination. METHODS Patients that underwent revision total hip or knee arthroplasty from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Analysis of risk factors was assessed using preoperative and intraoperative variables. RESULTS A total of 9973 RJR patients from 2011 to 2013 were included for analysis. The most common discharge destination included home (66%), skilled nursing facility (SNF; 23%), and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF; 11%). Bivariate analysis revealed higher rate of postdischarge 30-day severe adverse events (6.1% vs 4.1%, P < .001) and unplanned readmissions (9.3% vs 6.1%, P < .001) in nonhome vs home patients. In multivariate analysis, SNF and IRF patients were 1.30 and 1.51 times more likely to suffer an unplanned 30-day readmission relative to home patients (P ≤ .01), respectively. After stratifying patients by number of significant risk factors and discharge destination, IRF patients consistently had significantly higher rates of unplanned 30-day readmission than home patients (P ≤ .05). CONCLUSION RJR patients who are discharged to SNF or IRF have significantly increased risk for unplanned readmissions as compared with patients discharged home. Across risk levels, home discharge destination (when feasible) is the optimal strategy compared with IRF, although the distinction between SNF and home is less clear.

Nonelective Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: The Effect of Discharge Destination on Postdischarge Outcomes

BACKGROUND Medicare has enacted a mandatory bundled payment program for primary total joint arthroplasty that includes nonelective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). Efficient postacute care management has been identified as an opportunity to improve value for patients. We aimed to identify risk factors for and compare rates of complications by discharge destination and then use those factors to risk-stratify non-elective THA patients. METHODS Patients who underwent nonelective primary THA from 2011 to 2014 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database and categorized into those discharged to skilled nursing facility or inpatient rehabilitation facility vs home self-managed/home health (HHH). Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for postdischarge adverse events were performed using patient characteristics and intraoperative variables. RESULTS In bivariate analysis, skilled nursing facility or inpatient rehabilitation facility patients compared with HHH patients, had lower rates of postdischarge severe adverse events (SAEs; 49% vs 58%; P < .001) and unplanned 30-day readmissions (71% vs 83%; P < .001). HHH discharged patients with 1 or more of risk factors had a 1.85-6.18 times odds of complications within the first 14 days. CONCLUSION The most important risk factors for predicting postdischarge SAE and readmission are predischarge SAE, dependent functional status, body mass index >40 kg/m2, smoking, diabetes, chronic steroid use, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4. Nonelective THA patients without these risk factors may be safely discharged to home after THA. Orthopedic surgeons and their nonelective THA patients must agree on the most appropriate discharge destination through a shared decision-making process that takes into account these significant risk factors and other psychosocial factors.

Impact of Gender on 30-Day Complications After Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Impact of gender on 30-day complications has been investigated in other surgical procedures but has not yet been studied in total hip arthroplasty (THA) or total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS Patients who received THA or TKA from 2012 to 2014 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on gender. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess associations between gender and patient factors and complications after THA or TKA and to assess whether gender was an independent risk factor. RESULTS THA patients consisted of 45.1% male and 54.9% female. In a multivariate analysis, female gender was found to be a protective factor for mortality, sepsis, cardiovascular complications, unplanned reintubation, and renal complications and as an independent risk factor for urinary tract infection, blood transfusion, and nonhome discharge after THA. TKA patients consisted of 36.7% male and 62.3% female. Multivariate analysis revealed female gender as a protective factor for sepsis, cardiovascular complications, and renal complications and as an independent risk factor for urinary tract infection, blood transfusion, and nonhome discharge after TKA. CONCLUSION There are discrepancies in the THA or TKA complications based on gender, and the multivariate analyses confirmed gender as an independent risk factor for certain complications. Physicians should be mindful of patients gender for better risk stratification and informed consent.