Marcus E. Semel

Adopting a surgical safety checklist could save money and improve the quality of care in U.S. hospitals

Use of the World Health Organizations Surgical Safety Checklist has been associated with a significant reduction in major postoperative complications after inpatient surgery. We hypothesized that implementing the checklist in the United States would generate cost savings for hospitals. We performed a decision analysis comparing implementation of the checklist to existing practice in U.S. hospitals. In a hospital with a baseline major complication rate after surgery of at least 3 percent, the checklist generates cost savings once it prevents at least five major complications. Using the checklist would both save money and improve the quality of care in hospitals throughout the United States.

Rates and patterns of death after surgery in the United States, 1996 and 2006

BACKGROUND Nationwide rates and patterns of death after surgery are unknown. METHODS Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, we compared deaths within 30 days of admission for patients undergoing surgery in 1996 and 2006. International Classification of Diseases codes were used to identify 2,520 procedures for analysis. We examined the inpatient 30-day death rate for all procedures, procedures with the most deaths, high-risk cardiovascular and cancer procedures, and patients who suffered a recorded complication. We used logistic regression modeling to adjust 1996 mortality rates to the age and gender distributions for patients undergoing surgery in 2006. RESULTS In 1996, there were 12,573,331 admissions with a surgical procedure (95% confidence interval [CI], 12,560,171-12,586,491) and 224,111 inpatient deaths within 30 days of admission (95% CI, 221,912-226,310). In 2006, there were 14,333,993 admissions with a surgical procedure (95% CI, 14,320,983-14,347,002) and 189,690 deaths (95% CI, 187,802-191,578). Inpatient 30-day mortality declined from 1.68% in 1996 to 1.32% in 2006 (P < .001). Of the 21 procedures with the most deaths in 1996, 15 had significant declines in adjusted mortality in 2006. Among these 15 procedures, 8 had significant declines in operative volume. The inpatient 30-day mortality rate for patients who suffered a complication decreased from 12.10% to 9.84% (P < .001). CONCLUSION Nationwide reporting on surgical mortality suggests that the number of inpatient deaths within 30 days of surgery has declined. Additional research to determine the underlying causes for decreased mortality is warranted.

Esophagectomy Outcomes at Low-Volume Hospitals The Association Between Systems Characteristics and Mortality

Objective: To evaluate the association between systems characteristics and esophagectomy mortality at low-volume hospitals Background: High-volume hospitals have lower esophagectomy mortality rates, but receiving care at such centers is not always feasible. We examined low-volume hospitals and sought to identify characteristics of those with better outcomes. Methods: Using national data from Medicare and the American Hospital Association, we studied 4498 elderly patients who underwent an esophagectomy from 2004 to 2007. We divided hospitals into terciles based on esophagectomy volume and examined characteristics of patients and hospitals (size, nurse ratios, and presence of advanced medical, surgical, and radiological services). Our primary outcome was mortality. We identified 5 potentially beneficial systems characteristics in our data set and used multivariable logistic regression to determine whether these characteristics were associated with lower mortality rates at low-volume hospitals. Results: Of the 874 hospitals that performed esophagectomies, 83% (723) were low-volume hospitals whereas only 3% (25) were high-volume. Low-volume hospitals performed a median of 1 esophagectomy during the 4-year study period and cared for patients that were older, more likely to be minority, and more likely to have multiple comorbidities compared with high-volume centers. Low-volume hospitals that had at least 3 of 5 characteristics (high nurse ratios, lung transplantation services, complex medical oncology services, bariatric surgery services, and positron emission tomography scanners) had markedly lower mortality rates compared with low-volume hospitals with none of these characteristics (12.5% vs. 5.0%; P value = 0.042). Conclusions: Low-volume hospitals with certain systems characteristics seem to achieve better esophagectomy outcomes. A more comprehensive study of the beneficial characteristics of low-volume hospitals is warranted because high-volume hospitals are difficult to access for many patients.

Predictors of survival and length of stay in burn patients older than 80 years of age: does age really matter?

Predictors of survival and length of stay (LOS) in the advanced elderly with burn injuries is not well studied. Because of progress in burn wound and critical care, we hypothesized that a contemporary analysis would show improved outcomes. Clinical data were collected on 45 consecutive patients older than 80 years of age that were treated for burn injury at our institution during the past 10 years. Regression analysis was used to identify predictors of LOS and survival. Overall rate of mortality was 29%, and no patient survived a burn more than 60% TBSA. The strongest predictor of survival was percent TBSA burn. LOS of survivors was dependent on presence of inhalation injury and total number of operations. The survival of patients older than 80 years of age with burn injury is better than reported. Modern burn care allows survival in many patients over 80 with less than 60% TBSA burns without significant other co-morbidities.

Endovascular longitudinal fenestration and stent graft placement for treatment of aneurysms developing after chronic type B aortic dissection

The thickened intimal flap present in cases of chronic aortic dissection can present a challenge to attempts at endovascular stent graft treatment performed for subsequent aneurysmal degeneration by precluding adequate landing zones for the endograft and by constraining the endograft from full expansion. In this report we describe our technique and outcome for longitudinal endovascular fenestration of chronic aortic dissection flaps to facilitate endovascular stent graft treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysms developing after aortic dissection.

Babesiosis in the immediate postoperative period after splenectomy for trauma.

BACKGROUND In an immunocompetent host, Babesia microti has not been reported as a cause of postoperative fever. METHODS Case report and literature review. RESULTS A 52-year-old woman living on Marthas Vineyard developed postoperative fever after splenectomy for trauma. The patients mechanism of injury was a fall from a stationary bicycle. Intraoperatively, the patient was noted to have splenomegaly. Postoperatively, she developed fever and was found to have Babesia microti on blood smear with an otherwise negative fever evaluation. She was treated with atovaquone and azithromycin and made a full recovery. CONCLUSIONS For individuals who have lived or traveled in endemic areas, babesiosis should be considered as a possible cause of postoperative fever when other sources have been excluded. Patients undergoing splenectomy in an endemic area should be screened for babesiosis to prevent postoperative recrudescence of symptoms.

Preventable mortality after common urological surgery: failing to rescue?

To assess in‐hospital mortality in patients undergoing many commonly performed urological surgeries in light of decreasing nationwide perioperative mortality over the past decade. This phenomenon has been attributed in part to a decline in ‘failure to rescue’ (FTR) rates, e.g. death after a complication that was potentially recognisable/preventable.

Perivascular Adipose Adiponectin Correlates With Symptom Status of Patients Undergoing Carotid Endarterectomy

Background and Purpose— Recent symptoms stand as a major determinant of stroke risk in patients with carotid stenosis, likely reflective of atherosclerotic plaque destabilization. In view of emerging links between vascular and adipose biology, we hypothesized that human perivascular adipose characteristics associate with carotid disease symptom status. Methods— Clinical history, carotid plaques, blood, and subcutaneous and perivascular adipose tissues were prospectively collected from patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Nine adipose-associated biological mediators were assayed and compared in patients with symptomatic (n=15) versus asymptomatic (n=19) disease. Bonferroni correction was performed for multiple testing (&agr;/9=0.006). Results— Symptomatic patients had 1.9-fold higher perivascular adiponectin levels (P=0.005). Other circulating, subcutaneous, and perivascular biomarkers, as well as microscopic plaque characteristics, did not differ between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusions— Symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid endarterectomy patients display a tissue-specific difference in perivascular adipose adiponectin. This difference, which was not seen in plasma or subcutaneous compartments, supports a potential local paracrine relationship with vascular disease processes that may be related to stroke mechanisms.

Measuring the range of services clinicians are responsible for in ambulatory practice.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES At present, the range of services delivered in a health system is not known. Currently there are no accepted methods for defining the scope of ambulatory care. Therefore we used data from the electronic medical record and billing system of a large non-profit multi-specialty group practice to measure the number of different diagnoses that clinicians managed as well as the number of different medications, laboratory tests, imaging studies, referrals and procedures ordered. METHODS All patient encounters and clinicians in the group practice in 2008 were eligible for inclusion in the analysis. Data were analysed cumulatively for the practice and by specialty. Quantile regression models were used to adjust for differences in full-time equivalents (FTE) among physicians at the practice. RESULTS In one year for this practice, with 324,229 patients who made 3,193,917 office visits to 578 physicians and 248 other clinicians, patients presented with 5638 primary and 6411 secondary diagnoses. Overall, patient management resulted in unique orders for 9481 medications, 1182 laboratory tests, 613 referrals, 284 imaging studies and 1701 procedures. After adjusting for FTE, physicians managed a median of 249 primary diagnoses and 347 secondary diagnoses. They ordered a median of 278 medications, 128 laboratory tests, 51 referrals, 29 imaging studies and 39 procedures. CONCLUSION Physicians routinely manage a substantial variety of diagnoses, medications, and other tests and procedures. Quality improvement and health services researchers have generally focused on individual services but also must consider the wide variety and range of services delivered.

Concurrent venography during first rib resection and scalenectomy for venous thoracic outlet syndrome is safe and efficient

OBJECTIVE Surgical treatment of acute axillosubclavian vein thrombosis from venous thoracic outlet syndrome (VTOS) traditionally involves first rib resection and scalenectomy (FRRS) followed by interval venography and balloon angioplasty. This approach can lead to an extended need for anticoagulation and a separate anesthesia session. We present outcomes for FRRS with concurrent venography. METHODS Retrospective chart review was performed for consecutive patients undergoing FRRS with concurrent venography for VTOS from February 2007 to April 2014. Venography was performed immediately after FRRS with the arm in neutral and provocative positions. The primary outcomes of this study were primary and primary-assisted patency. Secondary outcomes included whether concurrent venography resulted in modification of the procedure, postoperative anticoagulation use, and postoperative complications. RESULTS Thirty patients underwent first rib resection with venography with a mean follow-up time of 24.4 months. The mean age was 29.5 years (range, 17-52 years), and 17 (56.7%) were female. All were maintained on anticoagulation before the procedure. Concurrent venography resulted in modification of the procedure in 28 patients (93.3%). Of these, 27 patients (96.4%) underwent balloon angioplasty and two patients (7.1%) underwent further rib resection. Twenty patients (66.7%) were discharged after the procedure with no anticoagulation. For those receiving postoperative anticoagulation for persistent minor thrombus, median time for anticoagulation duration was 5.0 months (range, 0.8 and 16.7 months). Two patients (6.7%) had postoperative bleeding requiring thoracentesis or video-assisted thoracoscopic evacuation of hemothorax. One patient (3.3%) suffered rethrombosis and was successfully lysed open, resulting in a 2-year subclavian vein (SCV) primary patency of 96.7% and primary-assisted patency of 100%. No patients required reoperation for VTOS, and all reported improvements in symptoms. Three patients (10.0%) later underwent prophylactic first rib resection on the contralateral side for symptoms and SCV stenosis. CONCLUSIONS FRRS with concurrent venography is a safe procedure for VTOS that allows effective intraoperative modification of the surgical plan, resulting in excellent patency of the SCV, early cessation of anticoagulation, and durable relief of symptoms.