Catherine H. Davis

Multi-Institution Analysis of Infection Control Practices Identifies the Subset Associated with Best Surgical Site Infection Performance: A Texas Alliance for Surgical Quality Collaborative Project

BACKGROUNDnIn an effort to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) rates, a large number of infection control practices (ICPs), including operating room attire policies, have been recommended. However, few have proven benefits and many are costly, time-consuming, and detrimental to provider morale. The goal of this multi-institution study was to determine which ICPs are associated with lower postoperative SSI rates.nnnSTUDY DESIGNnTwenty American College of Surgeons NSQIP and Texas Alliance for Surgical Quality-affiliated hospitals completed this Quality Improvement Assessment Board-approved study. Surgeon champions at each hospital ranked current surgery, anesthesia, and nursing adherence to 38 separate ICPs in 6 categories (attire, preoperative, intraoperative, preoperative, intraoperative, antibiotics, postoperative, and reporting) on 4-point scales for general surgery cases. These data were compared with the risk-adjusted general surgery SSI odds ratios contained in the July 2016 American College of Surgeons NSQIP hospital-level, risk-adjusted reports. Compliance rates were compared between the 7 best (median SSI odds ratio, 0.64; range, 0.56 to 0.70) and 7 worst (median SSI odds ratio, 1.16; range, 0.94 to 1.65) performers using ANOVA.nnnRESULTSnNearly all hospitals reported maximal adherence to hair removal with clippers (Surgical Care Improvement Project measure Inf-6) and to best-practice prophylactic antibiotic metrics (Surgical Care Improvement Project measure Inf-1-3). Variable adherence wasxa0identified across many ICPs and more frequent compliance with 8xa0ICPs correlated withxa0lower SSI odds ratios, including preoperative shower; skin preparation technique; using clean instruments, gowns, and gloves for wound closure and dressing changes; and transparent internal reporting of SSI data. Operating room attire ICPs, including coverage of nonscrubbed provider head and arm hair, did not correlate with SSI rates.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis analysis suggests that the subset of ICPs that focus on perioperative patient skin and wound hygiene and transparent display of SSI data, not operating room attire policies, correlated with SSI rates. Implementation of this subset of evidence-based ICPs may improve SSI rates at lower-performing hospitals.

Reviewing the review: a qualitative assessment of the peer review process in surgical journals

BackgroundDespite rapid growth of the scientific literature, no consensus guidelines have emerged to define the optimal criteria for editors to grade submitted manuscripts. The purpose of this project was to assess the peer reviewer metrics currently used in the surgical literature to evaluate original manuscript submissions.MethodsManuscript grading forms for 14 of the highest circulation general surgery-related journals were evaluated for content, including the type and number of quantitative and qualitative questions asked of peer reviewers. Reviewer grading forms for the seven surgical journals with the higher impact factors were compared to the seven surgical journals with lower impact factors using Fisher’s exact tests.ResultsImpact factors of the studied journals ranged from 1.73 to 8.57, with a median impact factor of 4.26 in the higher group and 2.81 in the lower group. The content of the grading forms was found to vary considerably. Relatively few journals asked reviewers to grade specific components of a manuscript. Higher impact factor journal manuscript grading forms more frequently addressed statistical analysis, ethical considerations, and conflict of interest. In contrast, lower impact factor journals more commonly requested reviewers to make qualitative assessments of novelty/originality, scientific validity, and scientific importance.ConclusionSubstantial variation exists in the grading criteria used to evaluate original manuscripts submitted to the surgical literature for peer review, with differential emphasis placed on certain criteria correlated to journal impact factors.

A proactive outreach intervention that decreases readmission after hepatectomy

Background. After hepatectomy, 7%–19% of patients are readmitted within 30 days, accounting for substantial cost and poor patient experience. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of a proactive outreach intervention on readmissions. Methods. Consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy by a single surgeon 2012–2016 were identified in a prospectively maintained database. In August 2013 a postoperative intervention was implemented; an advanced practice provider called each patient within 72 hours of discharge. Readmission rates were compared pre‐ and postintervention using standard statistics. Results. Two hundred thirty‐one patients met the inclusion criteria and major hepatectomy was performed in 45.5% of patients. Although the complication rate was similar (25.0% preintervention and 19.4% postintervention, P = .324), readmissions within 30 days of operation decreased from 14.5% pre‐ to 6.5% postintervention (P = .046). Approximately 30% of outreach interactions required outpatient intervention. Factors associated with readmission on univariate analysis included increased operative time (P = .007), major hepatectomy (P = .012), hemi or extended hepatectomy (P = .032), second stage operation (P = .031), bile leak (P = 0.022), and any complication/modified Accordion complication ≥ 3 within 30 days (P <.0001). On multivariate analysis, lack of post‐discharge intervention (P = .012) and bile leak (P = .031) were independently associated with readmission. Conclusion. These data demonstrate the efficacy of a proactive communication intervention after discharge to decrease readmissions after hepatectomy. The additional work created by the intervention is likely offset by decreased inpatient care needs and costs. Identification of high‐risk populations and application of technology are likely to lead to further improvements.

Extended Pharmacologic Thromboprophylaxis in Oncologic Liver Surgery is Safe and Effective

Essentials The risk for venous thromboembolism after liver surgery remains high in the modern era. We evaluated the safety/efficacy of extended anticoagulation in liver surgery. This protocol reports zero venous thromboembolism events in 124 liver surgery patients. Extended anticoagulation after oncologic liver surgery is safe and effective.

Using MRI to non-invasively and accurately quantify preoperative hepatic steatosis

BACKGROUNDnThe obesity epidemic has significantly increased the incidence and severity of hepatic steatosis in liver surgery patients and liver donors, potentially impacting postoperative liver regeneration and function. Development of a non-invasive means to quantify hepatic steatosis would facilitate selection of candidates for liver resection and transplant donation.nnnMETHODSnAn IRB-approved protocol prospectively enrolled 28 patients with liver tumors requiring hepatic resection. In all patients, fast dual-echo gradient-echo MR images were acquired using 2-Point Dixon technique in 2D and 3D. The degree of steatosis was quantified by percent fat fraction (%FF) from in- and out-of-phase, and water-only and fat-only images. The technique-specific %FFs were compared to intraoperative and histopathological findings.nnnRESULTSnFor patients with >30% steatosis by histology, the mean %FF was 22% (SDxa0±xa05.2%) compared to a mean %FF of 5.0% (SDxa0±xa02.1%, pxa0=xa00.0001) in patients with <30% steatosis. Using scaled values for the MR-calculated %FF, all patients with >30% pathologic steatosis could be identified preoperatively.nnnCONCLUSIONSnQuantitative MRI identified patients with clinically-relevant steatosis with 100% accuracy. These findings could have significant impact on the management of liver resection patients and transplant donors.