Courtney E. Collins

Variations in the implementation of acute care surgery: results from a national survey of university-affiliated hospitals.

BACKGROUND To date, no studies have reported nationwide adoption of acute care surgery (ACS) or identified structural and/or process variations for the care of emergency general surgery (EGS) patients within such models. METHODS We surveyed surgeons responsible for EGS coverage at University Health Systems Consortium hospitals using an eight-page postal/e-mail questionnaire querying respondents on hospital and EGS structure/process measures. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate comparisons, and multivariable regression models. RESULTS Of 319 potential respondents, 258 (81%) completed the surveys. A total of 81 hospitals (31%) had implemented ACS, while 134 (52%) had a traditional general surgeon on-call (GSOC) model. Thirty-eight hospitals (15%) had another model (hybrid). Larger-bed, university-based, teaching hospitals with Level 1 trauma center verification status located in urban areas were more likely to have adopted ACS. In multivariable modeling, hospital type, setting, and trauma center verification predicted ACS implementation. EGS processes of care varied, with 28% of the GSOC hospitals having block time versus 67% of the ACS hospitals (p < 0.0001), 45% of the GSOC hospitals providing ICU [intensive care unit] care to EGS patients in a surgical/trauma ICU versus 93% of the ACS hospitals (p < 0.0001), 5.7 ± 3.2 surgeons sharing call at GSOC hospitals versus 7.9 ± 2.3 surgeons at ACS hospitals (p < 0.0001), and 13% of the GSOC hospitals requiring in-house EGS call versus 75% of the ACS hospitals (p < 0.0001). Among ACS hospitals, there were variations in patient cohorting (EGS patients alone, 25%; EGS + trauma, 21%; EGS + elective, 17%; and EGS + trauma + elective, 30%), data collection (26% had prospective EGS registries), patient hand-offs (56% had attending surgeon presence), and call responsibilities (averaging 4.8 ± 1.3 calls per month, with 60% providing extra call stipend and 40% with no postcall clinical duties). CONCLUSION The potential of the ACS on the national crisis in access to EGS care is not fully met. Variations in EGS processes of care among adopters of ACS suggest that standardized criteria for ACS implementation, much like trauma center verification criteria, may be beneficial.

Effect of preinjury warfarin use on outcomes after head trauma in Medicare beneficiaries

BACKGROUND Elderly Americans are at increased risk of head trauma, particularly fall related. The effect of warfarin on head trauma outcomes remains controversial. METHODS Medicare beneficiaries with head injuries from 2009 to 2011 were identified by International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 code. Preinjury warfarin use was determined using Part D claims. Multiple logistic regression models determined the association of preinjury warfarin on need for hospitalization, intensive care unit care, and occurrence of intracranial hemorrhage. Association between warfarin and in-hospital mortality was assessed using a Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS Of 11,078 head injured patients, 5.2% were injured while on warfarin. Preinjury warfarin increased the odds of intracranial hemorrhage by 40% and doubled the risk of 30-day in-hospital mortality after adjusting for demographic and clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS Warfarin at the time of head injury increases the risk of adverse outcomes in Medicare beneficiaries with head injuries. Caution should be used when initiating anticoagulation in elderly Americans at risk for trauma.

The impact of acute care surgery on appendicitis outcomes: Results from a national sample of university-affiliated hospitals.

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is the most common indication for emergency general surgery (EGS) in the United States. We examined the role of acute care surgery (ACS) on interventions and outcomes for acute appendicitis at a national sample of university-affiliated hospitals. METHODS We surveyed senior surgeons responsible for EGS coverage at University HealthSystems Consortium hospitals, representing more than 90% of university-affiliated hospitals in the United States. The survey elicited data on resources allocated for EGS during 2013. Responses were linked to University HealthSystems Consortium outcomes data by unique hospital identifiers. Patients treated at hospitals reporting hybrid models for EGS coverage were excluded. Differences in interventions and outcomes between patients with acute appendicitis treated at ACS hospitals versus hospitals with a general surgeon on-call model (GSOC) were analyzed using univariate comparisons and multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for patient demographics, clinical acuity, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS We found 122 hospitals meeting criteria for analysis where 2,565 patients were treated for acute appendicitis. Forty-eight percent of hospitals had an ACS model (n = 1,414), and 52% had a GSOC model (n = 1,151). Hospitals with ACS models were more likely to treat minority patients than those with GSOC models. Patients treated at ACS hospitals were more likely to undergo laparoscopic appendectomy. In multivariable modeling of patients who had surgery (n = 2,258), patients treated at ACS hospitals had 1.86 (95% confidence interval, 1.23–2.80) greater odds of undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. CONCLUSION In an era when laparoscopic appendectomy is increasingly accepted for treating uncomplicated acute appendicitis, particularly in low-risk patients, it is concerning that patients treated at GSOC model hospitals are more likely to undergo traditional open surgery at the time of presentation. Furthermore, hospitals with ACS are functioning as safety-net hospitals for vulnerable patients with acute appendicitis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level IV.

Utilization of morning report by acute care surgery teams: results from a qualitative study

BACKGROUND The rigor of handoffs is increasingly scrutinized in the era of shift-based patient care. Acute care surgery (ACS) embraced such a model of care; however, little is known about handoffs in ACS programs. METHODS Eighteen open-ended interviews were conducted with ACS leaders representing diverse geographic and practice settings. Two independent reviewers analyzed interviews using an inductive approach to elucidate themes regarding use of morning report (using NVivo qualitative analysis software). RESULTS Twelve of 18 respondents reported using morning report, but only 6 of 12 included attending surgeon-to-attending surgeon handoffs. One of 12 incentivized attending surgeons to participate, 2 of 12 included nursing staff members, and 2 of 12 included physician extenders. Cited benefits of morning report were safe and effective information exchange (2 of 12), quality improvement (2 of 12), multidisciplinary discussion (1 of 12), and resident education (2 of 12). Three of 12 respondents cited time commitment as the main limitation of morning report. CONCLUSIONS Morning report is underused among ACS programs; however, if implemented strategically, it may improve patient care and resident education.

Outpatient beta-blockers and survival from sepsis: Results from a national cohort of Medicare beneficiaries

BACKGROUND Elderly Americans suffer increased mortality from sepsis. Given that beta-blockers have been shown to be cardioprotective in critical care, we investigated outpatient beta-blocker prescriptions and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries admitted for sepsis. METHODS We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries for patients admitted with sepsis. We used in-hospital and outpatient prescription drug claims to compare in-hospital and 30-day mortality based on pre-admission beta-blocker prescription and class of beta-blocker prescribed using univariate tests of comparison and multivariable logistic regression models and another class of medications for control. RESULTS Outpatient beta-blocker prescription was associated with a statistically significant decrease in in-hospital and 30-day mortality. In multivariable modeling, beta-blocker prescription was associated with 31% decrease in in-hospital mortality and 41% decrease in 30-day mortality. Both cardioselective and non-selective beta-blockers conferred mortality benefit. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggests that there may be a role for preadmission beta-blockers in reducing sepsis-related mortality.

Gender Differences in Choice of Procedure and Case Fatality Rate for Elderly Patients with Acute Cholecystitis: A Masters Thesis

Background: Treatment decisions for elderly patients with gallbladder pathology are complex. Little is known about what factors go into treatment decisions in this population. We used Medicare data to examine gender-based differences in the use of cholecystectomy vs. cholecystostomy tube placement in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare data (2009-2011) for patients >65 admitted for acute cholecystitis (by ICD-9 code) who subsequently underwent a cholecystectomy and/or cholecystostomy tube placement. Demographic information (age, race), clinical characteristics (Elixhauser index, presence of biliary pathology), and hospital outcomes (case fatality rate, length of stay, need for ICU care) were compared by gender. A multivariable model was used to examine predictors of cholecystectomy vs. cholecystostomy tube placement. Results: Of 4063 patients admitted with cholecystitis undergoing the procedures of interest just over half (58%) were women. The majority of patients (93%) underwent cholecystectomy. Compared to women, men were younger (average age 76 vs. 78, p value <0.01) and had few comorbidities (average Elixhauser 1.2 vs. 1.4 p value <0.01). Case fatality rate was similar between men (2.5%) and women (2.4% p value 0.48). A higher percentage of men spent time in the ICU (36%) compared to women (31% p value