Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agents, Reversal, and Risk of Postoperative Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Residual postoperative paralysis from nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) is a known problem. This paralysis has been associated with impaired respiratory function, but the clinical significance remains unclear. The aims of this analysis were two-fold: (1) to investigate if intermediate-acting NMBA use during surgery is associated with postoperative pneumonia and (2) to investigate if nonreversal of NMBAs is associated with postoperative pneumonia. METHODS: Surgical cases (n = 13,100) from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database who received general anesthesia were included. The authors compared 1,455 surgical cases who received an intermediate-acting nondepolarizing NMBA to 1,455 propensity score-matched cases who did not and 1,320 surgical cases who received an NMBA and reversal with neostigmine to 1,320 propensity score-matched cases who did not receive reversal. Postoperative pneumonia incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and bootstrapped 95% CIs were calculated. RESULTS: Patients receiving an NMBA had a higher absolute incidence rate of postoperative pneumonia (9.00 vs. 5.22 per 10,000 person-days at risk), and the IRR was statistically significant (1.79; 95% bootstrapped CI, 1.08 to 3.07). Among surgical cases who received an NMBA, cases who were not reversed were 2.26 times as likely to develop pneumonia after surgery compared to cases who received reversal with neostigmine (IRR, 2.26; 95% bootstrapped CI, 1.65 to 3.03). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative use of intermediate nondepolarizing NMBAs is associated with developing pneumonia after surgery. Among patients who receive these agents, nonreversal is associated with an increased risk of postoperative pneumonia.

Insurance status influences emergent designation in surgical transfers.

BACKGROUND: There is a perception among surgeons that hospitals disproportionately transfer unfavorably insured patients for emergency surgical care. Emergency medical condition (EMC) designation mandates referral center acceptance of patients for whom transfer is requested. We sought to understand whether unfavorably insured patients are more likely to be designated as EMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed on patient transfers from a large network of acute care facilities to emergency surgery services at a tertiary referral center from 2009-2013. Insurance was categorized as favorable (commercial or Medicare) or unfavorable (Medicaid or uninsured). The primary outcome, transfer designation as EMC or non-EMC, was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. A secondary analysis evaluated uninsured patients only. RESULTS: There were 1295 patient transfers in the study period. Twenty percent had unfavorable insurance. Favorably insured patients were older with fewer nonwhite, more comorbidities, greater illness severity, and more likely transferred for care continuity. More unfavorably insured patients were designated as EMCs (90% versus 84%, P < 0.01). In adjusted models, there was no association between unfavorable insurance and EMC transfer (odds ratio [OR], 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-2.69). Uninsured patients were more likely to be designated as EMCs (OR, 2.27; CI, 1.08-4.77). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that uninsured patients were more likely to be designated as EMCs suggests nonclinical variation that may be mitigated by clearer definitions and increased interfacility coordination to identify patients requiring transfer for EMCs.

The effect of regulatory advisories on maternal antidepressant prescribing, 1995-2007: an interrupted time series study of 228,876 pregnancies.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether antidepressant prescribing during pregnancy decreased following release of U.S. and Canadian public health advisory warnings about the risk of perinatal complications with antidepressants. We analyzed data from 228,876 singleton pregnancies among women (aged 15-44 years) continuously enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid with full pharmacy benefits (1995-2007). Antidepressant prescribing was determined through outpatient pharmacy dispensing files. Information on sociodemographic and clinical factors was obtained from enrollment files and linked birth certificates. An interrupted time series design with segmented regression analysis was used to quantify the impact of the advisory warnings (2002-2005). Antidepressant prescribing rates increased steadily from 1995 to 2001, followed by sharper increases from 2002 to late 2004. Overall antidepressant prescribing prevalence was 34.51 prescriptions [95 % confidence interval (CI) 33.37-35.65] per 1,000 women in January 2002, and increased at a rate of 0.46 (95 % CI 0.41-0.52) prescriptions per 1,000 women per month until the end of the pre-warning period (May 2004). During the post-warning period (October 2004-June 2005), antidepressant prescribing decreased by 1.48 (95 % CI 1.62-1.35) prescriptions per 1,000 women per month. These trends were observed for both selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and non-SSRI antidepressants, although SSRI prescribing decreased at a greater rate. We conclude that antidepressant prescribing to pregnant women in Tennessee Medicaid increased from 1995 to late 2004. U.S. and Canadian public health advisories about antidepressant-associated perinatal complications were associated with steady decreases in antidepressant prescribing from late 2004 until the end of the study period, suggesting that the advisory warnings were impactful on antidepressant prescribing in pregnancy.

Randomized trial of automated, electronic monitoring to facilitate early detection of sepsis in the intensive care unit*.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether automated identification with physician notification of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome in medical intensive care unit patients expedites early administration of new antibiotics or improvement of other patient outcomes in patients with sepsis. DESIGN: : A prospective randomized, controlled, single center study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit of an academic, tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: Four hundred forty-two consecutive patients admitted over a 4-month period who met modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria in a medical intensive care unit. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to monitoring by an electronic "Listening Application" to detect modified (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) criteria vs. usual care. The listening application notified physicians in real time when modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria were detected, but did not provide management recommendations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The median time to new antibiotics was similar between the intervention and usual care groups when comparing among all patients (6.0 hr vs. 6.1 hr, p = .95), patients with sepsis (5.3 hr vs. 5.1 hr; p = .90), patients on antibiotics at enrollment (5.2 hr vs. 7.0 hr, p = .27), or patients not on antibiotics at enrollment (5.2 hr vs. 5.1 hr, p = .85). The amount of fluid administered following detection of modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria was similar between groups whether comparing all patients or only patients who were hypotensive at enrollment. Other clinical outcomes including intensive care unit length of stay, hospital length of stay, and mortality were not shown to be different between patients in the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Realtime alerts of modified systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria to physicians in one tertiary care medical intensive care unit were feasible and safe but did not influence measured therapeutic interventions for sepsis or significantly alter clinical outcomes.

Maternal antidepressant use and adverse outcomes: a cohort study of 228,876 pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe antidepressant medication use patterns during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We evaluated a cohort of 228,876 singleton pregnancies that were covered by Tennessee Medicaid, 1995-2007. RESULTS: Of 23,280 pregnant women with antidepressant prescriptions before pregnancy, 75% of them filled none in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy, and 10.7% of them used antidepressants throughout pregnancy. Filling 1, 2, and ≥3 antidepressant prescriptions during the second trimester was associated with shortened gestational age by 1.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-2.3), 3.7 (95% CI, 2.8-4.6), and 4.9 (95% CI, 3.9-5.8) days, when controlled for measured confounders. Third-trimester selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use was associated with infant convulsions; adjusted odds ratios were 1.4 (95% CI, 0.7-2.8); 2.8 (95% CI, 1.9-5.5); and 4.9 (95% CI, 2.6-9.5) for filling 1, 2, and ≥3 prescriptions, respectively. CONCLUSION: Most women discontinue antidepressant medications before or during the first trimester of pregnancy. Second-trimester antidepressant use is associated with preterm birth, and third-trimester selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor use is associated with infant convulsions.

Increasing blood glucose variability heralds hypoglycemia in the critically ill.

BACKGROUND: Control of hyperglycemia improves outcomes, but increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Recent evidence suggests that blood glucose variability (BGV) is more closely associated with mortality than either isolated or mean BG. We hypothesized that differences in BGV over time are associated with hypoglycemia and can be utilized to estimate risk of hypoglycemia (<50 mg/dL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated with intravenous insulin in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit of a tertiary care center formed the retrospective cohort. Exclusion criteria included death within 24 h of admission. We describe BGV in patients over time and its temporal relationship to hypoglycemic events. The risk of hypoglycemia for each BG measurement was estimated in a multivariable regression model. Predictors were measures of BGV, infusions of dextrose and vasopressors, patient demographics, illness severity, and BG measurements. RESULTS: A total of 66,592 BG measurements were collected on 1392 patients. Hypoglycemia occurred in 154 patients (11.1%). Patient BGV fluctuated over time, and increased in the 24 h preceding a hypoglycemic event. In crude and adjusted analyses, higher BGV was positively associated with a hypoglycemia (OR 1.41, P < 0.001). Previous hypoglycemic events and time since previous BG measurement were also positively associated with hypoglycemic events. Severity of illness, vasopressor use, and diabetes were not independently associated with hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: BGV increases in the 24 h preceding hypoglycemia, and patients are at increased risk during periods of elevated BG variability. Prospective measurement of variability may identify periods of increased risk for hypoglycemia, and provide an opportunity to mitigate this risk.

Interhospital transfer for acute surgical care: does delay matter?

BACKGROUND: Delays to definitive care are associated with poor outcomes after trauma and medical emergencies. It is unknown whether inter-hospital transfer delays affect outcomes for nontraumatic acute surgical conditions. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patient transfers for acute surgical conditions within a regional transfer network from 2009 to 2013. Delay was defined as more than 24 hours from presentation to transfer request and categorized as 1 or 2+ days. The primary outcome was post-transfer death or hospice. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The cohort included 2,091 patient transfers. Delays of 2 or more days were associated with death or hospice in unadjusted analyses, but there was no difference after adjustment. Predictors of post-transfer death or hospice included older age, higher comorbidity scores, and greater severity of illness. CONCLUSIONS: Delays in transfer request were not associated with post-transfer mortality or discharge to hospice, suggesting effective triage of nontraumatic acute surgical patients.

Comparison of NHSN-defined central venous catheter day counts with a method that accounts for concurrent catheters.

Central venous catheter (CVC) day definitions do not consider concurrent CVCs. We examined traditional CVC day counts and resultant central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates with a CVC day definition that included concurrent CVCs. Accounting for concurrent CVCs increased device day counts by 8.5% but only mildly impacted CLABSI rates.

Relationship between time in the operating room and incident pressure ulcers: a matched case-control study.

The objective was to determine the relationship between time in the operating room (OR) and hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs), controlling for temporality. The research team identified 931 HAPUs among surgical patients and matched them to 4 controls by hospital length of stay at the time the pressure ulcer (PU) was documented. A regression model estimated the relationship between OR time and HAPU after controlling for matching, age, sex, admission and current Braden score, weight, year, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score. OR time in the 24 hours prior to PU documentation was associated with PUs. Only 5% of HAPUs occurred within 24 hours of extended (>4 hours) surgery and 58% occurred after hospital day 5. Extended surgery is confirmed as a risk factor for PU development. Most PUs do not appear in the immediate postoperative period, and prevention efforts should focus on postoperative patient care, when most HAPUs develop.

Hypocaloric enteral nutrition protects against hypoglycemia associated with intensive insulin therapy better than intravenous dextrose.

Intensive insulin therapy treats hyperglycemia but increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Typically, intravenous dextrose is given to prevent hypoglycemia; however, enteral nutrition is preferred. We hypothesized that the provision of hypocaloric enteral nutrition would protect against hypoglycemia. A retrospective analysis was performed evaluating patients treated with intensive insulin therapy comparing the use of enteral nutrition versus a dextrose-only intravenous solution. Nutrition in the 2 hours before each blood glucose test was assessed, and the association with hypoglycemia (50 mg/dL or less) evaluated. Risk of hypoglycemia as a function of nutrition type and rate was estimated by multivariable regression. A total of 26,140 blood glucose tests were collected on 1289 patients. Hypoglycemia occurred in 6.4 per cent of patients. In regression models, enteral nutrition was the strongest protective factor against hypoglycemia (P < 0.001) with the largest risk reduction (steepest portion of the curve) occurring at 60 per cent goal. Hypocaloric enteral nutrition showed a greater risk reduction than a peripheral dextrose-only intravenous solution alone. In the setting of intensive insulin therapy, the provision of enteral nutrition, even if hypocaloric, is sufficient to protect against hypoglycemia. Future prospective studies should evaluate the efficacy of enteral nutrition in reducing the risk of hypoglycemia and whether lower rates of hypoglycemia correspond to improved outcomes.

Provision of balanced nutrition protects against hypoglycemia in the critically ill surgical patient.

BACKGROUND: Intensive insulin therapy lowers blood glucose and improves outcomes but increases the risk of hypoglycemia. Typically, insulin protocols require a dextrose solution to prevent hypoglycemia. The authors hypothesized that the provision of balanced nutrition (enteral nutrition [EN] or parenteral nutrition [PN]) would be more protective against hypoglycemia (≤50 mg/dL) than carbohydrate alone. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients treated with intensive insulin therapy and surviving ≥24 hours. The computer-based insulin protocol requires infusion of D10W at 30 mL/h if EN or PN is not provided. Nutrition provision was assessed in 2-hour increments, comparing periods of blood glucose control with and without balanced nutrition. The risk of hypoglycemia for each blood glucose measurement was estimated by multivariable regression. RESULTS: In total, 66,592 glucose measurements were collected on 1392 patients. Hypoglycemic events occurred in 5.8/1000 glucose tests after 2 hours without balanced nutrition compared to 2.2/1000 tests when balanced nutrition was given in the preceding 2 hours. In multivariable regression models, balanced nutrition was the strongest protective factor against hypoglycemia. Patients who did not receive balanced nutrition in the preceding 2 hours had a 3 times increase in the odds of a hypoglycemic event at their next glucose check (odds ratio = 3.6, P < .001). Providing carbohydrate alone was not protective. CONCLUSIONS: Balanced nutrition is associated with reduced risk of hypoglycemia. These results suggest that balanced nutrition should be given when insulin therapy is initiated. Future studies should evaluate the efficacy of EN vs PN in preventing hypoglycemia.