Improving the Quality of Upper Urinary Tract Stone Surgery: External Validation of a Statewide Collaborative's Efforts to Reduce Emergency Department Visits After Ureteroscopy.

PURPOSE: The ROCKS (Reducing Operative Complications from Kidney Stones) program in MUSIC (Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative) was created to optimize ureteroscopy outcomes. Through data collection, distribution of reports, patient education, and standardization of medication, post-ureteroscopy emergency department visits in Michigan have declined. It is unclear whether this is because of statewide quality efforts or due to national trends. We therefore sought to understand emergency department visit rates in Michigan compared to a national data set. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the MUSIC ROCKS clinical registry in Michigan against a national cohort, Optum's de-identified Clinformatics Data Mart, from 2016-2021 (excluding Michigan). We identified patients who underwent ureteroscopy and the proportion who had a postoperative emergency department visit within 30 days. Emergency department rates were modeled over time, adjusting for age, gender, comorbidity, and ureteral stenting. RESULTS: We identified 24,688 patients in MUSIC ROCKS and 99,340 in the Clinformatics Data Mart database who underwent ureteroscopy. The risk-adjusted emergency department visit rate in MUSIC ROCKS significantly declined over the study period (10.5% in 2016 to 6.9% in 2021, P < 0.001) while the mean emergency department visit rate in the Clinformatics Data Mart cohort was 9.9% and did not change over time (9.6% in 2016 to 10% in 2021). Comparing emergency department visits between the cohorts, the MUSIC ROCKS rate significantly declined relative to the Clinformatics Data Mart (P < 0.001) over the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative emergency department visit rates in Michigan have declined significantly after ureteroscopy since the establishment of MUSIC ROCKS. This decline outpaced national rates, providing evidence that systematic quality initiatives can improve urological care.

Practice patterns and outcomes of urgent versus elective ureteroscopy in a statewide surgical collaborative.

PURPOSE: Urgent indications for nephrolithiasis treatment include obstruction with intractable pain or renal impairment without untreated infection. Patients and hospitals may benefit from urgent primary ureteroscopy. We aimed to examine variation in urgent ureteroscopy utilization and associated outcomes. METHODS: Using Reducing Operative Complications from Kidney Stones (ROCKS), we identified all ureteroscopy's between 2016 and 2019. Cases were classified by acuity (elective versus urgent). We assessed practice/urologist variation in urgent ureteroscopy performance. We characterized patients demographic, operative and outcomes data, making bivariate comparisons with elective ureteroscopy to understand implications of urgent surgery. We performed multilevel modeling to understand factors associated with unplanned healthcare encounters after urgent ureteroscopy. RESULTS: 12,859 cases were identified from 33 practices and 204 urologists, 10,854 (84.4%) elective and 2005 (15.6%) urgent. Urgent ureteroscopy was performed on younger patients (53 vs 57, p < 0.001), with higher rates of ureteral stones (72.8% vs 56.8%, p < 0.001). Urgent ureteroscopy rates varied widely by practice (2-70%) and urologist (0-98%). Urgent ureteroscopy had higher stenting rates (77.4% vs 72.5%, p < 0.001), stone free rates (66% vs 58.4%, p < 0.001), and postoperative ED visits (11% vs 7.2%, p < 0.001). There were no differences in intraoperative complications or unplanned hospitalizations. Factors predictive of ED visits in urgent ureteroscopy included concomitant ureteral/renal stone location (OR = 1.53, CI = 1.05-2.23, p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: In Michigan elective ureteroscopy is performed 5 times more frequently than urgent ureteroscopy with wide variation. Urgent ureteroscopy demonstrated low morbidity. Urgent ureteroscopy produced modestly higher stone free rates with a slightly increased frequency of unscheduled ED visits particularly for ureteral stones.

Ureteral Stent Placement following Ureteroscopy Increases Emergency Department Visits in a Statewide Surgical Collaborative.

PURPOSE: Ureteral stents are commonly placed after ureteroscopy. Although studies indicate that stents are associated with patient discomfort, their impact on downstream health services use is unclear. We examined patterns of stent utilization in Michigan and their association with unplanned health care encounters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative's Reducing Operative Complications from Kidney Stones (MUSIC ROCKS) clinical registry to identify ureteroscopy cases between 2016 and 2019. Factors associated with stent placement were examined using bivariate and multivariable statistics. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated whether stent placement was associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations within 30 days. RESULTS: We identified 9,662 ureteroscopies and a stent was placed in 7,025 (73%) of these. Frequency of stent use across the 137 urologists varied (11%-100%, p <0.001) and was not associated with total case volume. Factors associated with stent use included age and stone size. Pre-stented cases and renal stones had a decreased odds of stent placement. On multivariable analysis after adjusting for risk factors, stent placement was associated with a 1.25 higher odds of emergency department visit (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.54, p=0.043) but not hospitalization (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.94-1.76, p=0.12). In a single high volume practice, 0.5% of cases that omitted a stent required urgent stenting postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: There is substantial variation in the use of stents in Michigan, irrespective of case volume. Stent placement significantly increased the odds of an emergency department visit after surgery. Importantly, stent omission rarely required subsequent urgent stent placement.

Ureteroscopy in Patients Taking Anticoagulant or Antiplatelet Therapy: Practice Patterns and Outcomes in a Surgical Collaborative.

PURPOSE: AUA guidelines recommend ureteroscopy as first line therapy for patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and advocate using a ureteral access sheath. We examined practice patterns and unplanned health care use for these patients in Michigan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) clinical registry we identified ureteroscopy cases from 2016 to 2019. We assessed outcomes and adherence to guidelines based on therapy at time of ureteroscopy: 1) anticoagulant: continuous warfarin or novel oral agent therapy; 2) antiplatelet: continuous clopidogrel or aspirin therapy; 3) control: not on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. We fit multivariate models to assess anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy association with emergency department visits, hospitalization and ureteral access sheath use. RESULTS: In total, 9,982 ureteroscopies were performed across 31 practices with 3.1% and 7.8% on anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy, respectively. There were practice (0% to 21%) and surgeon (0% to 35%) variations in performing ureteroscopy on patients on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy regardless of volume. After adjusting for risk factors, anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy was not associated with emergency department visits. Hospitalization rates in anticoagulant, antiplatelet and control groups were 4.3%, 5.5% and 3.2%, respectively, and significantly increased with antiplatelet therapy (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.02-2.14). Practice-level ureteral access sheath use varied (23% to 100%) and was not associated with anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. Limitations include inability to risk stratify between type/dosage of anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: We found practice-level and surgeon-level variation in performing ureteroscopy while on anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy. Ureteroscopy on anticoagulant is safe. However, antiplatelet therapy increases the risk of hospitalization. Despite guideline recommendations, ureteral access sheath use is not associated with anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy.

Medication Nonadherence and Effectiveness of Preventive Pharmacological Therapy for Kidney Stones.

PURPOSE: Among patients with kidney stones rates of adherence to thiazide diuretics, alkali citrate therapy and allopurinol, collectively referred to as preventive pharmacological therapy, are low. This lack of adherence may reduce the effectiveness of secondary prevention efforts, leading to poorer clinical health outcomes in patients with kidney stones. To examine the impact that medication nonadherence has on the secondary prevention of kidney stones, we compared clinical health outcomes between patients who adhered to their regimen and those who did not. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using medical and pharmacy claims data we identified adult patients with a physician coded diagnosis for kidney stones. Among the subset with a prescription fill for a preventive pharmacological therapy agent, we then measured adherence to therapy within the first 6 months of initiating treatment using the proportion of days covered formula. We defined adherence as a proportion of days covered value of 80% or greater. Finally, we fitted multivariable logistic regression models to examine the association between medication adherence and the occurrence of a stone related clinical health outcome (an emergency department visit, hospitalization or surgery for stone disease). RESULTS: Of the 8,950 patients who met the study eligibility criteria slightly more than half (51.1%) were adherent to preventive pharmacological therapy. The frequency of emergency department visits, hospitalization and surgery for stone disease was significantly lower among adherent patients. After controlling for sociodemographic factors and the level of comorbid illness, patients who were adherent to therapy had 27% lower odds of an emergency department visit (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.64-0.84), 41% lower odds of hospital admission (OR 0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.71) and 23% lower odds of surgery for stone disease (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.69-0.85) than nonadherent patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight the consequences of nonadherence to preventive pharmacological therapy among patients with kidney stones. To improve adherence further research is needed to understand patient and provider level factors that contribute to lower rates of adherence.

How Much Information is Lost When You Only Collect One 24-Hour Urine Sample during the Initial Metabolic Evaluation?

PURPOSE: During the initial metabolic evaluation the need for 1 vs 2, 24-hour urine collections is debated. While data suggest that mean urine chemistry measures are similar on consecutive samples, it remains unclear how much, if any, information is lost when only 1 sample is collected. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using analytical files from Litholink Corporation® (1995 to 2013) we identified adults with kidney stones who underwent initial metabolic testing. Next we determined the subset of patients who collected 2, 24-hour urine samples with urine creatinine varying by 10% or less during a 7-day time window. We then examined the degree of variability in urine chemistry profiles. Specifically we calculated the mean absolute value of the difference between samples as well as the percent difference for individual urine parameters. RESULTS: We identified 70,192 patients meeting our eligibility criteria. While the overall means for individual urine parameters did not vary between samples, the percent difference between the samples varied widely. For example, nearly 1 in 3 patients had a 30% or greater difference in urine calcium and volume between 2 consecutive samples. We noted that inconsistencies between samples often involved multiple parameters. For instance, 29% and 25% of patients had a 20% difference in 2 and 3 or more parameters, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We observed substantial differences between consecutive 24-hour urine samples that could affect clinical decision making. In light of these findings clinicians must weigh the information lost from only 1 collection vs the burden to the patient of collecting 2.

Provider variation in the quality of metabolic stone management.

PURPOSE: Urinary stone disease is a chronic condition for which secondary prevention (dietary and medical therapy guided by 24-hour urine collection results) has an important role. Assessing the response to these interventions with followup testing is recommended and yet to our knowledge provider compliance with these guidelines is unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Litholink® files from 1995 to 2013 we identified adults with urinary stone disease who underwent metabolic evaluation and the providers who ordered the evaluation. By focusing on patients with an abnormality on the initial collection we determined the proportion who underwent a followup test within 6 months of the initial test. Multilevel modeling was done to quantify variation in followup testing among providers after accounting for various patient and provider factors. RESULTS: A total of 208,125 patients had an abnormality on the initial collection, of whom only 33,413 (16.1%) performed a repeat collection within 6 months. While most variation in followup testing was attributable to the patient, the provider contribution was nontrivial (18.0%). The specialty of the ordering provider was important. Patients who saw a urologist had 24% lower odds of repeat testing compared to those who saw a primary care physician (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67-0.86, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Followup testing is uncommon in patients with an abnormal initial 24-hour urine collection. Given the observed provider variation, efforts to educate providers on the value of followup testing are likely to have salutary effects on patients with metabolic stone disease.

Wire-reinforced ureteral stents to rescue from nephrostomy tube in extrinsic ureteral obstruction.

INTRODUCTION: Ureteral obstruction due to extrinsic compression is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management options for this condition include renal drainage with percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) or internal ureteral stent placement. A significant portion of patients will have disease progression leading to internal stent obstruction which is almost uniformly managed with PCN. We evaluated a novel, wire-reinforced internal ureteral stent as an alternative to PCN in those patients who fail initial internal ureteral stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients with extrinsic ureteral obstruction that failed conventional plastic internal ureteral stent placement and ultimately underwent placement of wire-reinforced internal ureteral stents (Scaffold) at the University of Michigan Health System between 2006-2011. Outcomes assessed included time to Scaffold stent failure and failure free time with Scaffold stent in place. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients were identified with extrinsic ureteral obstruction that failed initial conventional ureteral stenting and had a Scaffold stent placed. Scaffold stents ultimately failed in 3 out of 8 patients. Mean time to Scaffold stent failure was 197 days (range 20-536). In the remaining 5 patients, mean failure-free time with Scaffold stents in place was 277 days (range 18-774). CONCLUSION: Scaffold stent placement is a viable alternative to PCN in those patients with extrinsic ureteral obstruction who fail conventional internal ureteral stent placement.

Expulsive therapy versus early endoscopic stone removal in patients with acute renal colic: a comparison of indirect costs.

PURPOSE: While medical expulsive therapy is associated with lower health care expenditures compared to early endoscopic stone removal in patients with renal colic, little is known about the effect of medical expulsive therapy on indirect costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a previously validated claims based algorithm we identified a cohort of patients with acute renal colic. After determining the up-front treatment type (ie an initial course of medical expulsive therapy vs early endoscopic stone removal) we compared differences in rates of short-term disability filing. We used propensity score matching to account for differences between treatment groups such that patients treated with medical expulsive therapy vs early endoscopic stone removal were similar with regard to measured characteristics. RESULTS: In total, 257 (35.8%) and 461 (64.2%) patients were treated with medical expulsive therapy or early endoscopic stone removal, respectively. There were no differences between treatment groups after propensity score matching. In the matched cohort the patients treated with medical expulsive therapy had a 6% predicted probability of filing a claim for short-term disability compared to 16.5% in the early endoscopic stone removal cohort (p <0.0001). Among the patients who filed for short-term disability those prescribed medical expulsive therapy had on average 1 fewer day of disability than those treated surgically (0.9 vs 1.8 days, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: An initial trial of medical expulsive therapy is associated with significantly lower indirect costs to the patient compared to early endoscopic stone removal. These findings have implications for providers when counseling patients with acute renal colic.

Daily Ecological Momentary Assessments of Pain and Ability to Work After Ureteroscopy and Stenting.

Introduction: Ureteral stents can cause significant patient discomfort, yet the temporal dynamics and impact on activities remain poorly characterized. We employed an automated tool to collect daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) regarding pain and the ability to work following ureteroscopy with stenting. Our aims were to assess feasibility and better characterize the postoperative patient experience. Materials and Methods: As an exploratory endpoint within an ongoing clinical trial, patients undergoing ureteroscopy with stenting were asked to complete daily EMAs for 10 days postoperatively or until the stent was removed. Questionnaires were distributed through text messages and included a pain scale (0-10) and a single item from the validated Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities instrument, as well as days missed from work or school. Results: Among the first 65 trial participants, 59 completed at least 1 EMA (overall response rate 91%). Response rates were >85% for each time point through postoperative day (POD)10. Median respondent age was 58 years (interquartile range [IQR] 50-67), and 56% were female. Stones were 54% renal and 46% ureteral, with a median diameter of 9 mm (IQR 7-10). Median stent dwell time was 7 days (IQR 6-8). Pain scores were highest on POD1 (median score 4) and declined on each subsequent day, reaching a median score of 2 on POD5. Sixty-three percent of patients on POD1 reported that they had trouble performing their usual work at least sometimes, but by POD5, this was <50% of patients. Patients who work or attend school reported a median of 1 day missed (IQR 0-2). Conclusions: An automated daily EMA system for capturing patient-reported outcomes was demonstrated to be feasible with sustained excellent engagement. Patients with stents reported the worst pain and interference with work on POD1, with steady improvements thereafter, and by POD5, the majority of patients had minimal pain or trouble performing their usual work. This work is associated with a registered clinical trial [NCT05026710].

Development and Validation of a Model to Predict Ureteral Stent Placement Following Ureteroscopy: Results From a Statewide Collaborative.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a model to predict whether patients undergoing ureteroscopy (URS) will receive a stent. METHODS: Using registry data obtained from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative Reducing Operative Complications from Kidney Stones initiative, we identified patients undergoing URS from 2016 to 2020. We used patients' age, sex, body mass index, size and location of the largest stone, current stent in place, history of any kidney stone procedure, procedure type, and acuity to fit a multivariable logistic regression model to a derivation cohort consisting of a random two-thirds of episodes. Model discrimination and calibration were evaluated in the validation cohort. A sensitivity analysis examined urologist variation using generalized mixed-effect models. RESULTS: We identified 15,048 URS procedures, of which 11,471 (76%) had ureteral stents placed. Older age, male sex, larger stone size, the largest stone being in the ureteropelvic junction, no prior stone surgery, no stent in place, a planned procedure type of laser lithotripsy, and urgent procedure were associated with a higher risk of stent placement. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.69 (95% CI 0.67, 0.71). Incorporating urologist-level variation improved the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve to 0.83 (95% CI 0.82, 0.84). CONCLUSION: Using a large clinical registry, we developed a multivariable regression model to predict ureteral stent placement following URS. Though well-calibrated, the model had modest discrimination due to heterogeneity in practice patterns in stent placement across urologists.

Real-world Practice Stone-free Rates After Ureteroscopy: Variation and Outcomes in a Surgical Collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Studies assessing the stone-free rate (SFR) after ureteroscopy are limited to expert centers with varied definitions of stone free. Real-world data including community practices related to surgeon characteristics and outcomes are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the SFR for ureteroscopy and its predictors across diverse surgeons in Michigan. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We assessed the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) clinical registry for patients with renal or ureteral stones treated with ureteroscopy between 2016 and 2021 who had postoperative imaging. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Stone free was defined as no fragments on imaging reports within 60 d entered by independent data abstractors. Factors associated with being stone free were examined using logistic regression, including annual surgeon volume. We then assessed variation in surgeon-level SFRs adjusted for risk factors. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: We identified 6487 ureteroscopies from 164 surgeons who treated 2091 (32.2%) renal and 4396 (67.8%) ureteral stones. The overall SFRs were 49.6% (renal) and 72.7% (ureteral). Increasing stone size, lower pole, proximal ureteral location, and multiplicity were associated with not being stone free. Female gender, positive urine culture, use of ureteral access sheath, and postoperative stenting were associated with residual fragments when treating ureteral stones. Adjusted surgeon-level SFRs varied for renal (26.1-72.4%; p < 0.001) and ureteral stones (52.2-90.2%; p < 0.001). Surgeon volume was not a predictor of being stone free for renal stones. Limitations include the lack of imaging in all patients and use of different imaging modalities. CONCLUSIONS: The real-world complete SFR after ureteroscopy is suboptimal with substantial surgeon-level variation. Interventions focused on surgical technique refinement are needed to improve outcomes for patients undergoing ureteroscopy and stone intervention. PATIENT SUMMARY: Results from a diverse group of community practicing and academic center urologists show that for a large number of patients, it is not possible to be completely stone free after ureteroscopy. There is substantial variation in surgeon outcomes. Quality improvement efforts are needed to address this.

Stent Omission in Pre-stented Patients Undergoing Ureteroscopy Decreases Unplanned Health Care Utilization.

INTRODUCTION: Despite AUA guidelines providing criteria for ureteral stent omission after ureteroscopy for nephrolithiasis, stenting rates in practice remain high. Because pre-stenting may be associated with improved patient outcomes, we assessed the impact of stent omission vs placement in pre-stented and non-pre-stented patients undergoing ureteroscopy on postoperative health care utilization in Michigan. METHODS: Using the MUSIC (Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative) registry (2016-2019), we identified pre-stented and non-pre-stented patients with low comorbidity undergoing single-stage ureteroscopy for ≤1.5 cm stones with no intraoperative complications. We assessed variation in stent omission for practices/urologists with ≥5 cases. Using multivariable logistic regression, we evaluated whether stent placement in pre-stented patients was associated with emergency department visits and hospitalizations within 30 days of ureteroscopy. RESULTS: We identified 6,266 ureteroscopies from 33 practices and 209 urologists, of which 2,244 (35.8%) were pre-stented. Pre-stented cases had higher rates of stent omission vs non-pre-stented cases (47.3% vs 26.3%). Among the 17 urology practices with ≥5 cases, stent omission rates in pre-stented patients varied widely (0%-77.8%). Among the 156 urologists with ≥5 cases, stent omission rates in pre-stented patients varied substantially (0%-100%); 34/152 (22.4%) never performed stent omission. Adjusting for risk factors, stent placement in pre-stented patients was associated with increased emergency department visits (OR 2.24, 95% CI:1.42-3.55) and hospitalizations (OR 2.19, 95% CI:1.12-4.26). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-stented patients undergoing stent omission after ureteroscopy have lower unplanned health care utilization. Stent omission is underutilized in these patients, making them an ideal group for quality improvement efforts to avoid routine stent placement after ureteroscopy.

Development of a Surgical Decision Aid for Patients with Nephrolithiasis: Shockwave Lithotripsy vs Ureteroscopy.

Introduction and Objective: Shared decision making is recommended to guide medical/surgical treatment strategies. We aimed at developing a surgical decision aid (SDA) facilitating decision making between ureteroscopy (URS) or shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) in patients with symptomatic nephrolithiasis. Methods: The SDA scope was identified through discussions with patients and urologists in the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC). A steering committee of patient advocates, MUSIC coordinating center, content experts, biostatisticians, and urologists was formed. Content domains were assessed through best available evidence and content experts. For content validation we anonymously surveyed 35 MUSIC urologists. Content validity ratios (CVR), numeric value indicating degree of expert validity, were calculated. Face validation interviews were conducted with patient advocates. Results: The SDA prototype using descriptive plain language and pictorial information was designed for nephrolithiasis patients, candidates for SWL or URS. It first provides patients procedural education whereas the second section informs urologists of patient goals. Six content domains were chosen: anesthesia type, effectiveness, number of procedures, risk, pain, and recovery. Overall, 91.4% and 85.7% of MUSIC urologists indicated that each section accomplished their goals, respectively. Anesthesia received an unacceptable CVR. High levels of face validation overall were reported with unacceptable scoring for anesthesia and recovery. Conclusions: We developed an SDA facilitating treatment choice between SWL and URS with promising content and face validity. Agreement and contradiction between anesthesia type and recovery validation results indicate the importance of shared decision making and the need for a validated SDA. Future work should focus on the SDAs value and opportunities for refinement in practice.

Variation and Correlation in Postoperative Imaging After Shockwave Lithotripsy and Ureteroscopy by Treatment Modality: Results of a Statewide Clinical Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To understand how patient, practice/urologist-level factors impact imaging after ureteroscopy (URS) and shockwave lithotripsy (SWL). METHODS: Using the Reducing Operative Complications from Kidney Stones (ROCKS) clinical registry from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), we identified patients undergoing URS and SWL between 2016-2019. Frequency and modality of 60-day postoperative imaging was assessed. We made bivariate comparisons across demographic/clinical data and assessed provider/practice-level imaging rate variation. We assessed correlation between imaging use within practices by treatment modality. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for practice/urologist variation was used to adjust for group differences. RESULTS: 14,894 cases were identified (9621 URS, 5273 SWL) from 33 practices and 205 urologists. Overall postoperative imaging rate was 49.1% and was significantly different following URS and SWL (36.3% vs 72.4%, P<0.01). Substantial practice variation was seen in rates following URS (range 0-93.1%) and SWL (range 36-95.2%). Odds of postoperative imaging by practice varied significantly (range 0.02-1.96). Moderate postoperative imaging correlation for URS and SWL (0.7, P<0.001) was seen. No practice had significantly higher odds of post-URS imaging. There was increased odds of postoperative imaging for SWL modality, larger stones and renal stones. CONCLUSION: Imaging rates after URS are almost half the rate for SWL with wide variation, underscoring uncertainty with how postoperative imaging is approached. However, practices who have higher post-URS imaging rates also image highly after SWL. Increased patient complexity and renal stone location drive imaging following URS.

The 2023 Stone-Free CT Mandate: Addressing the Two Sides of the Debate.

To the editors of the Journal of Endourology, we write to express our reservations in the recent announcement that starting in 2023 all reporting of stone-free rates be based on CT.

Appropriateness Criteria for Ureteral Stent Omission following Ureteroscopy for Urinary Stone Disease.

Objective: To bridge the gap between evidence and clinical judgement, we defined scenarios appropriate for ureteral stent omission after uncomplicated ureteroscopy (URS) using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method (RAM). We retrospectively assessed rates of appropriate stent omission, with the goal to implement these criteria in clinical practice. Methods: A panel of 15 urologists from the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC) met to define uncomplicated URS and the variables that influence stent omission decision-making. Over two rounds, they scored clinical scenarios for Appropriateness Criteria (AC) for stent omission based on a combination of variables. AC were defined by median scores: 1 to 3 (inappropriate), 4 to 6 (uncertain), and 7 to 9 (appropriate). Multivariable analysis determined the association of each variable with AC scores. Uncomplicated URS cases in the MUSIC registry were assigned AC scores and stenting rates assessed. Results: Seven variables affecting stent decision-making were identified. Of the 144 scenarios, 26 (18%) were appropriate, 88 (61%) inappropriate, and 30 (21%) uncertain for stent omission. Most scenarios appropriate for omission were pre-stented (81%). Scenarios with ureteral access sheath or stones >10mm were only appropriate if pre-stented. Stenting rates of 5,181 URS cases correlated with AC scores. Stents were placed in 61% of cases appropriate for omission (practice range, 25% to 98%). Conclusion: We defined objective variables and AC for stent omission following uncomplicated URS. AC scores correlated with stenting rates but there was substantial practice variation. Our findings demonstrate that the appropriate use of stent omission is underutilized.

Developing and Implementing a Cloud-Based Software Solution for Tracking Ureteral Stents: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: As many as 12.5% of patients who undergo ureteral stent placement fail to have their stent removed in a timely manner. Because retained stents can be a source of substantial morbidity, there is a need for solutions to help urologists track their stented patients. Materials and Methods: We developed a cloud-based software that is agnostic to the device manufacturer and can be seamlessly integrated into the electronic health record (EHR). The software automatically registers patients who undergo ureteral stent placement and then follows them through their postoperative course to ensure timely follow-up for device removal. To validate our software's performance, we reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent stent placement for any indication at our institution between February 1, 2018, and February 28, 2018. Results: During our 1-month pilot study, a total of 51 ureteral stents were placed during 49 procedures that were performed on 46 patients. Our software effectively captured all of these procedures. It was able to properly distinguish 31 procedures where the patient who underwent stenting had follow-up scheduled before surgery. More importantly, it alerted our schedulers to 18 procedures for which no return visit had been scheduled. Furthermore, our software was able to register follow-up attendance, correctly identifying 10 procedures where patients failed to arrive. Conclusion: We describe a high-fidelity software solution for automated tracking of ureteral stents that is agnostic to the device manufacturer and can be seamlessly integrated into the EHR, causing minimal disruption to provider workflows.