Meaningful Patient-centered Outcomes 1 Year Following Cardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate meaningful, patient-centered outcomes including alive-at-home status and patient-reported quality of life 1 year after cardiac surgery. BACKGROUND: Long-term patient-reported quality of life after cardiac surgery is not well understood. Current operative risk models and quality metrics focus on short-term outcomes. METHODS: In this combined retrospective/prospective study, cardiac surgery patients at an academic institution (2014-2015) were followed to obtain vital status, living location, and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) at 1 year using the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). We assessed the impact of cardiac surgery, discharge location, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons perioperative predicted risk of morbidity or mortality on 1-year outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 782 patients were enrolled; 84.1% (658/782) were alive-at-home at 1 year. One-year PROMIS scores were global physical health (GPH) = 48.8 ±â€Š10.2, global mental health (GMH) = 51.2 ±â€Š9.6, and physical functioning (PF) = 45.5 ±â€Š10.2 (general population reference = 50 ±â€Š10). All 3 PROMIS domains at 1 year were significantly higher compared with preoperative scores (GPH: 41.7 ±â€Š8.5, GMH: 46.9 ±â€Š7.9, PF: 39.6 ±â€Š9.0; all P < 0.001). Eighty-two percent of patients discharged to a facility were alive-at-home at 1 year. These patients, however, had significantly lower 1-year scores (difference: GPH = -5.1, GMH = -5.1, PF = -7.9; all P < 0.001). Higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons perioperative predicted risk was associated with significantly lower PRO at 1 year (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac surgery results in improved PROMIS scores at 1 year, whereas discharge to a facility and increasing perioperative risk correlate with worse long-term PRO. One-year alive-at-home status and 1-year PRO are meaningful, patient-centered metrics that help define long-term quality and the benefit of cardiac surgery.

Liver transplant candidates have impaired quality of life across health domains as assessed by computerized testing.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Liver transplantation candidates are among the most comorbid patients awaiting lifesaving intervention. Health related quality of life (HRQOL) measured by instruments that incorporate dynamic computerized adaptive testing, could improve their assessment. We aimed to determine the feasibility of administration of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS-CAT) in liver transplant candidates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Liver transplantation candidates were prospectively enrolled following a review of their available medical history. Subjects were given a tablet computer (iPad) to access the pre-loaded PROMIS CAT. RESULTS: 109 candidates with mean age 55.6±8.6 years were enrolled in this pilot study. Mean MELD-Na score was 16.3±6.3; 92.6% had decompensated liver disease. Leading etiologies of cirrhosis included hepatitis C (34.8%), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (25.7%) and alcohol (21.1%). Subjects with MELD-Na score>20 had the most significant impairment in HRQOL (anxiety/fear+5.9±2.7, p=0.0289, depression+5.1±2.5, p=0.0428, fatigue+4.3±2.6, p=0.0973) and physical impairment (-7.8±2.5, p=0.0022). Stage of cirrhosis and decompensated liver disease were predictive of impaired HRQOL but Child-Pugh Turcotte score was not. Hepatic encephalopathy was the strongest independent predictor of impaired HRQOL, with significant impairment across all domains of health. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplant candidates have significantly impaired HRQOL across multiple domains of health as measured by PROMIS-CAT. HRQOL impairment parallels disease severity. Future study is needed to determine how best HRQOL could be systematically included in liver transplantation listing policy, especially in those candidates with hepatic encephalopathy.

Observations on the Medicare Value-Based Ranking of Hospitals During Fiscal Years 2015 and 2016.

Medicare's Value-Based Purchasing Program (VBPP) compensates hospitals based on value of care provided. VBPP's total performance score (TPS) components data were evaluated by hospital groups: physician-owned surgical hospitals (POSH), Kaiser Hospitals, University HealthSystem Consortium Hospitals, Pioneer Accountable Care Organization Hospitals, US News and World Report Honor Roll Hospitals, and other hospitals. Multilevel random coefficient models estimated mean and significance of TPS differences from fiscal year (FY) 2015 and FY 2016, by hospital type. Overall mean TPS for 2985 hospitals decreased from 41.65 to 40.25. POSH and Kaiser Hospitals had significantly higher TPS in FY 2015 and FY 2016. POSH Patient Experience Domain scores exceeded all other Patient Experience Domain scores. The Efficiency Domain scores of Kaiser greatly exceeded the scores of all groups. Results suggest that POSH and Kaiser Hospitals provide significantly greater value of care with consistency from year to year when compared with other groups studied.

Comorbidity Assessment in the National Cancer Database for Patients With Surgically Resected Breast, Colorectal, or Lung Cancer (AFT-01, -02, -03).

PURPOSE: Accurate comorbidity measurement is critical for cancer research. We evaluated comorbidity assessment in the National Cancer Database (NCDB), which uses a code-based Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (CCI), and compared its prognostic performance with a chart-based CCI and individual comorbidities in a national sample of patients with breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Through an NCDB Special Study, cancer registrars re-abstracted perioperative comorbidities for 11,243 patients with stage II to III breast cancer, 10,880 with stage I to III colorectal cancer, and 9,640 with stage I to III lung cancer treated with definitive surgical resection in 2006-2007. For each cancer type, we compared the prognostic performance of the NCDB code-based CCI (categorical: 0 or missing data, 1, 2+), Special Study chart-based CCI (continuous), and 18 individual comorbidities in three separate Cox proportional hazards models for postoperative 5-year overall survival. RESULTS: Comorbidity was highest among patients with lung cancer (13.2% NCDB CCI 2+) and lowest among patients with breast cancer (2.8% NCDB CCI 2+). Agreement between the NCDB and Special Study CCI was highest for breast cancer (rank correlation, 0.50) and lowest for lung cancer (rank correlation, 0.40). The NCDB CCI underestimated comorbidity for 19.1%, 29.3%, and 36.2% of patients with breast, colorectal, and lung cancer, respectively. Within each cancer type, the prognostic performance of the NCDB CCI, Special Study CCI, and individual comorbidities to predict postoperative 5-year overall survival was similar. CONCLUSION: The NCDB underestimated comorbidity in patients with surgically resected breast, colorectal, or lung cancer, partly because the NCDB codes missing data as CCI 0. However, despite underestimation of comorbidity, the NCDB CCI was similar to the more complete measures of comorbidity in the Special Study in predicting overall survival.

More Frequent Surveillance Following Lung Cancer Resection Is Not Associated With Improved Survival: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether an association exists between the intensity of surveillance following surgical resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and survival. BACKGROUND: Surveillance guidelines following surgical resection of NSCLC vary widely and are based on expert opinion and limited evidence. METHODS: A Special Study of the National Cancer Database randomly selected stage I to III NSCLC patients for data reabstraction. For patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2007 and followed for 5 years through 2012, registrars documented all postsurgical imaging with indication (routine surveillance, new symptoms), recurrence, new primary cancers, and survival, with 5-year follow-up. Patients were placed into surveillance groups according to existing guidelines (3-month, 6-month, annual). Overall survival and survival after recurrence were analyzed using Cox Proportional Hazards Models. RESULTS: A total of 4463 patients were surveilled with computed tomography scans; these patients were grouped based on time from surgery to first surveillance. Groups were similar with respect to age, sex, comorbidities, surgical procedure, and histology. Higher-stage patients received more surveillance. More frequent surveillance was not associated with longer risk-adjusted overall survival [hazard ratio for 6-month: 1.16 (0.99, 1.36) and annual: 1.06 (0.86-1.31) vs 3-month; P value 0.14]. More frequent imaging was also not associated with postrecurrence survival [hazard ratio: 1.02/month since imaging (0.99-1.04); P value 0.43]. CONCLUSIONS: These nationally representative data provide evidence that more frequent postsurgical surveillance is not associated with improved survival. As the number of lung cancer survivors increases over the next decade, surveillance is an increasingly important major health care concern and expenditure.

Creation, Implementation, and Assessment of a General Thoracic Surgery Simulation Course in Rwanda.

BACKGROUND: The primary objective was to provide proof of concept of conducting thoracic surgical simulation in a low-middle income country. Secondary objectives were to accelerate general thoracic surgery skills acquisition by general surgery residents and sustain simulation surgery teaching through a website, simulation models, and teaching of local faculty. METHODS: Five training models were created for use in a low-middle income country setting and implemented during on-site courses with Rwandan general surgery residents. A website was created as a supplement to the on-site teaching. All participants completed a course knowledge assessment before and after the simulation and feedback/confidence surveys. Descriptive and univariate analyses were performed on participants' responses. RESULTS: Twenty-three participants completed the simulation course. Eight (35%) had previous training with the course models. All training levels were represented. Participants reported higher rates of meaningful confidence, defined as moderate to complete on a Likert scale, for all simulated thoracic procedures (p < 0.05). The overall mean knowledge assessment score improved from 42.5% presimulation to 78.6% postsimulation, (p < 0.0001). When stratified by procedure, the mean scores for each simulated procedure showed statistically significant improvement, except for ruptured diaphragm repair (p = 0.45). CONCLUSIONS: General thoracic surgery simulation provides a practical, inexpensive, and expedited learning experience in settings lacking experienced faculty and fellowship training opportunities. Resident feedback showed enhanced confidence and knowledge of thoracic procedures suggesting simulation surgery could be an effective tool in expanding the resident knowledge base and preparedness for performing clinically needed thoracic procedures. Repeated skills exposure remains a challenge for achieving sustainable progress.

Disparities in the Use of Diabetes Screening in Appalachia.

PURPOSE: The Appalachian region presents disproportionately high rates of chronic disease compared to the rest of the United States. Early diagnosis of diabetes through screening is an important step in reducing diabetes complications. This study examines disparities in the use of diabetes screening in Appalachia. METHODS: We analyzed 2009 and 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data for 96,111 adults aged ≥45 years from 11 Appalachian states. Based on economic status, Appalachian counties were grouped into distressed (least affluent), at-risk, transitional, and competitive (most affluent). Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the statistical significance and effect size of factors associated with diabetes screening. RESULTS: Competitive counties had the highest rate of diabetes screening (65.4%). At-risk counties had the lowest rate (60.3%), about 7.8% lower compared to competitive counties (P < .001). After adjusting for socioeconomic factors, differences in screening rates between county economic levels in Appalachia were not statistically significant. Among respondents ≥65 years, at-risk counties had an 8.1% lower screening rate compared to competitive counties; this difference was not adequately explained by differences in socioeconomic factors. Screening rates in distressed and transitional counties were not significantly different from competitive counties in unadjusted or adjusted models. CONCLUSIONS: At-risk counties had significantly lower screening rates than competitive counties. They should receive more policy attention similar to that received by distressed counties. Social policies that improve socioeconomic status and educational attainment, and health policies that reduce barriers to access to care may reduce disparities in diabetes screening rates in the less affluent Appalachian counties.

Clinical Factors and Postoperative Impact of Bile Leak After Liver Resection.

BACKGROUND: Despite technical advances, bile leak remains a significant complication after hepatectomy. The current study uses a targeted multi-institutional dataset to characterize perioperative factors that are associated with bile leakage after hepatectomy to better understand the impact of bile leak on morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Adult patients in the 2014-2015 ACS NSQIP targeted hepatectomy dataset were linked to the ACS NSQIP PUF dataset. Bivariable and multivariable regression analyses were used to assess the associations between clinical factors and post-hepatectomy bile leak. RESULTS: Of 6859 patients, 530 (7.7%) had a postoperative bile leak. Proportion of bile leaks was significantly greater in patients after major compared to minor hepatectomy (12.6 vs. 5.1%, p < 0.001). The proportion of patients with bile leak was significantly greater in patients after major hepatectomy who had concomitant enterohepatic reconstruction (31.8 vs. 10.1%, p < 0.001). Postoperative mortality was significantly greater in patients with bile leaks (6.0 vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for significant covariates, bile leak was independently associated with increased risk of postoperative morbidity (OR = 4.55; 95% CI 3.72-5.56; p < 0.001). After adjusting for significant effects of postoperative complications, liver failure, and reoperation (all p<0.001), bile leak was not independently associated with increased risk of postoperative mortality (p = 0.262). CONCLUSION: Major hepatectomy and enterohepatic biliary reconstruction are associated with significantly greater rates of bile leak after liver resection. Bile leak is independently associated with significant postoperative morbidity. Mitigation of bile leak is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality after liver resection.

Geographic variation in liver transplantation persists despite implementation of Share35.

AIM: Geographic disparities persist in the USA despite locoregional organ sharing policies. The impact of national organ sharing policies on waiting-list mortality on a regional basis remains unknown. METHODS: Data on all adult liver transplants between 1 February 2002 and 31 March 2015 were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing/Organ and Transplantation Network. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were constructed in a time-to-event analysis to estimate waiting-list mortality for the pre- and post-Share35 eras. RESULTS: In the analyzed time period, 134 247 patients were listed for transplantation and 54 510 received organs (42.8%). Listing volume increased following the introduction of the Share35 organ sharing policy (15 976 candidates pre- vs. 18 375 post) without significant regional changes as did the number of transplants (7210 pre- vs. 8224 post). Waiting-list mortality improved from 12.2% to 8.1% (P < 0.001). Adjusted waiting-list mortality ratios remained geographically disparate. Region 10 and region 11 had lower hazard ratios (HR) but still had increased mortality (1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-1.60, P < 0.001; and HR 1.49, 95% CI 1.37-1.62, P < 0.001, respectively). Regions 3 and 6 had increased HR with persistently elevated waiting-list mortality (1.79, 95% CI 1.66-1.93, P < 0.001; and HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.45, P < 0.001, respectively). Model for End-state Liver Disease (MELD) exception continued to propagate a survival benefit (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.63-0.68, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although overall waiting-list mortality has decreased, geographic disparities persist, but appear reduced despite broader sharing policies enacted by Share35. The advantage afforded by MELD exception, while still present, was diminished by Share35 as organs are being shifted to MELD >35 candidates. The disparities highlighted by our findings imply a need to review current allocation policies to best balance local, regional, and national transplant environments.

The Association of Mammographic Density and Molecular Breast Cancer Subtype.

Background: Mammographic density (MD) is associated with increased breast cancer risk, yet limited data exist on an association between MD and breast cancer molecular subtypes.Methods: Women ages 18 years and older with breast cancer and available mammograms between 2003 and 2012 were enrolled in a larger study on MD. MD was classified by the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) classification and by volumetric breast percent density (Volpara Solutions). Subtype was assigned by hormone receptor status, tumor grade, and mitotic score (MS). Subtypes included: Luminal-A (ER/PR+ and grade = 1; ER/PR+ and grade = 2 and MS = 1; ER+/PR- and grade = 1; n = 233); Luminal-B (ER+ and grade = 3 or MS = 3; ER+/PR- and grade = 2; ER/PR+ and grade = 2 and MS = 2; n = 79); Her-2-neu+ (H2P; n = 59); triple-negative (ER/PR-, Her-2-; n = 86). Precancer factors including age, race, body mass index (kg/m2), family history of breast cancer, and history of lobular carcinoma in situ were analyzed.Results: A total of 604 patients had invasive cancer; 457 had sufficient information for analysis. Women with H2P tumors were younger (P = 0.011) and had the highest volumetric percent density (P = 0.002) among subgroups. Multinomial logistic regression (LA = reference) demonstrated that although quantitative MD does not significantly differentiate between all subtypes (P = 0.123), the association between MD and H2P tumors is significant (OR = 1.06; confidence interval, 1.01-1.12). This association was not seen using BI-RADS classification in bivariable analysis but was statistically significant (P = 0.047) when controlling for other precancer factors.Conclusions: Increased MD is more strongly associated with H2P tumors when compared with LA.Impact: Delineating risk factors specific to breast cancer subtype may promote development of individualized risk prediction models and screening strategies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(10); 1487-92. ©2017 AACR.

Volume-Outcome Relationships in Thoracic Surgery.

Most thoracic surgery studies indicate that hospital and surgeon procedure volume are inversely associated with mortality. However, controversy exists regarding the strength and validity of this volume-outcome association. Because thresholds of procedure volume are used to recommend the regionalization of care, investigation of the volume-outcome relationship is imperative. This article examines the methodology used in the volume-outcome relationship literature and highlights important areas of concern. Careful examination of the literature demonstrates that lung and esophageal cancer resection volume is not strongly associated with mortality and should not be used as a proxy measure for quality.

Seattle Heart Failure and Proportional Risk Models Predict Benefit From Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators.

BACKGROUND: Recent clinical trials highlight the need for better models to identify patients at higher risk of sudden death. OBJECTIVES: The authors hypothesized that the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM) for overall survival and the Seattle Proportional Risk Model (SPRM) for proportional risk of sudden death, including death from ventricular arrhythmias, would predict the survival benefit with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). METHODS: Patients with primary prevention ICDs from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) were compared with control patients with heart failure (HF) without ICDs with respect to 5-year survival using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Among 98,846 patients with HF (87,914 with ICDs and 10,932 without ICDs), the SHFM was strongly associated with all-cause mortality (p < 0.0001). The ICD-SPRM interaction was significant (p < 0.0001), such that SPRM quintile 5 patients had approximately twice the reduction in mortality with the ICD versus SPRM quintile 1 patients (adjusted hazard ratios [HR]: 0.602; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.537 to 0.675 vs. 0.793; 95% CI: 0.736 to 0.855, respectively). Among patients with SHFM-predicted annual mortality ≤5.7%, those with a SPRM-predicted risk of sudden death below the median had no reduction in mortality with the ICD (adjusted ICD HR: 0.921; 95% CI: 0.787 to 1.08; p = 0.31), whereas those with SPRM above the median derived the greatest benefit (adjusted HR: 0.599; 95% CI: 0.530 to 0.677; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The SHFM predicted all-cause mortality in a large cohort with and without ICDs, and the SPRM discriminated and calibrated the potential ICD benefit. Together, the models identified patients less likely to derive a survival benefit from primary prevention ICDs.

A pilot study of patient-centered outcome assessment using PROMIS for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

PURPOSE: Few studies have assessed patient-reported outcomes following colorectal surgery. The absence of this information makes it difficult to inform patients about the near-term effects of surgery, beyond outcomes assessed by traditional clinical measures. This study was designed to provide information about the effects of colorectal surgery on physical, mental, and social well-being outcomes. METHODS: The NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Assessment Center was used to collect patient responses prior to surgery and at their routine postoperative visit. Four domains were selected based on patient consultation and clinical experience: depression, pain interference, ability to participate in social roles and activities, and interest in sexual activity. Multilevel random coefficient models were used to assess the change in scores during the follow-up period and to assess the statistical significance of differences in trends over time associated with key clinical measures. RESULTS: In total, 142 patients were consented, with 107 patients completing pre- and postoperative assessments (75%). Preoperative assessments were typically completed 1 month prior to surgery (mean 29.5 days before, SD = 19.7) and postoperative assessments 1 month after surgery (mean 30.7 days after, SD = 9.2), with a mean of 60.3 days between assessment dates. Patients demonstrated no statistically significant changes in scores for pain interference (-0.18 points, p = 0.80) or the ability to participate in social roles and activities (0.44 points, p = 0.55), but had significant decreases in depression scores between pre- and postoperative assessments (-1.6 points, p = 0.03) and near significant increases in scores for interest in sex (1.5 points, p = 0.06). Pain interference scores for patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly increased (3.5 points, p = 0.03). Scores for the interest in sex domain decreased (worsened) for patients with oncologic etiology (-3.7 points, p = 0.03). No other differences in score trends by patient characteristics were large enough to be statistically significant at the p < 0.05 threshold. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the majority of patients quickly return to baseline physical, mental, and social function following colorectal surgery. This information can be used preoperatively to counsel patients about the typical impact of colorectal surgery on quality of life.

Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators With Versus Without Resynchronization Therapy in Patients With a QRS Duration >180 ms.

BACKGROUND: More than 20% of Medicare beneficiaries receiving cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators (CRT-D) have a very wide (≥180 ms) QRS complex duration (QRSD). Outcomes of CRT-D in these patients are not well-established because they have been underrepresented in clinical trials. OBJECTIVES: This study examined outcomes in patients with CRT-D in a very wide QRSD with left bundle branch block (LBBB) versus those without LBBB. METHODS: Medicare patients from the Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Registry (January 1, 2005, through April 30, 2006) with a CRT-D and confirmed Class I or IIa indications for CRT-D were matched to implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) patients without CRT despite having Class I or IIa indications for CRT. Mortality and heart failure hospitalizations longer than 4 years with CRT-D versus standard ICDs based on a QRSD and morphology were analyzed. RESULTS: We analyzed 24,960 patients. Among those with LBBB, patients with a QRSD ≥180 ms had a greater adjusted survival benefit with CRT-D versus standard ICD (hazard ration [HR] for death: 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59 to 0.72) compared with those having a QRSD 120 to 149 ms (HR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.92) and 150 to 179 ms (HR: 0.87; 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.93). CRT-D versus ICD was associated with an improvement in survival in those with LBBB and a QRSD ≥180 ms (adjusted HR for death: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.91), but not in those with LBBB and a QRSD 150 to 179 ms (adjusted HR for death: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.95 to 1.19). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in both survival and heart failure hospitalizations with CRT-D were greatest in patients with a QRSD ≥180 ms with or without LBBB, whereas patients with a QRSD 150 to 179 ms without LBBB had no improvement in survival with CRT-D, and those with a QRSD 150 to 179 ms and LBBB had only a modest improvement.

Early Palliative Care Reduces End-of-Life Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Use but Not ICU Course in Patients with Advanced Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Early palliative care for advanced cancer patients improves quality of life and survival, but less is known about its effect on intensive care unit (ICU) use at the end of life. This analysis assessed the effect of a comprehensive early palliative care program on ICU use and other outcomes among patients with advanced cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients with advanced cancer enrolled in an early palliative care program (n = 275) was compared with a concurrent control group of patients receiving standard care (n = 195) during the same time period by using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The multidisciplinary outpatient palliative care program used early end-of-life care planning, weekly interdisciplinary meetings to discuss patient status, and patient-reported outcomes assessment integrated within the electronic health record. RESULTS: Patients in the control group had statistically significantly higher likelihood of ICU admission at the end of life (odds ratios [ORs]: last 6 months, 3.07; last month, 3.59; terminal admission, 4.69), higher likelihood of death in the hospital (OR, 4.14) or ICU (OR, 5.57), and lower likelihood of hospice enrollment (OR, 0.13). Use of chemotherapy or radiation did not significantly differ between groups, nor did length of ICU stay, code status, ICU procedures (other than cardiopulmonary resuscitation), disposition location, and outcomes after ICU admission. CONCLUSION: Early palliative care significantly reduced ICU use at the end of life but did not change ICU events. This study supports early initiation of palliative care for advanced cancer patients before hospitalizations and intensive care. The Oncologist 2017;22:318-323 IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Palliative care has shown clear benefit in quality of life and survival in advanced cancer patients, but less is known about its effect on intensive care. This retrospective cohort study at a university hospital showed that in the last 6 months of life, palliative care significantly reduced intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital admissions, reduced deaths in the hospital, and increased hospice enrollment. It did not, however, change patients' experiences within the ICU, such as number of procedures, code status, length of stay, or disposition. The findings further support that palliative care exerts its benefit before, rather than during, the ICU setting.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Use in Surgical Care: A Scoping Study.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons recognize the importance of patient reported outcomes in the evaluation of health care. Documenting health related quality of life (HRQOL) can enhance surgical quality improvement efforts. Systematic documentation of HRQOL began in 1963. Currently, multiple varied and unstandardized instruments make it difficult to compare quality of life measures across studies. The NIH developed the Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) to provide a standardized assessment designed to complement traditional outcomes measures. STUDY DESIGN: We used systematic scoping methodology to investigate the characteristics of PROMIS use in studies assessing quality of life measures as surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A systematic search of PubMed revealed 21 publications describing the use of PROMIS to assess surgical outcomes. The 21 study publications reported observations on 2,561 patients. Twenty-nine percent of patients had injuries, 33% had neoplasms, and 38% included other patients having neither injuries nor neoplasms. General surgery/gynecology/plastic surgery had 8 publications, orthopaedic surgery had 9 publications, and neurosurgery had 4 publications. Most studies included additional measures. There were 25 instruments used in addition to PROMIS. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that PROMIS performed efficiently, accurately, and reliably in assessing patient-reported HRQOL in multidisciplinary surgical publications.

Impact of age and comorbidity on treatment of non-small cell lung cancer recurrence following complete resection: A nationally representative cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Older patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are less likely to receive guideline-recommended treatment at diagnosis, independent of comorbidity. However, national data on treatment of postoperative recurrence are limited. We evaluated the associations between age, comorbidity, and other patient factors and treatment of postoperative NSCLC recurrence in a national cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly selected 9001 patients with surgically resected stage I-III NSCLC in 2006-2007 from the National Cancer Data Base. Patients were followed for 5 years or until first NSCLC recurrence, new primary cancer, or death, whichever came first. Perioperative comorbidities, first recurrence, treatment of recurrence, and survival were abstracted from medical records and merged with existing registry data. Factors associated with active treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, and/or surgery) versus supportive care only were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Median age at initial diagnosis was 67; 69.7% had >1 comorbidity. At 5-year follow-up, 12.3% developed locoregional and 21.5% developed distant recurrence. Among patients with locoregional recurrence, 79.5% received active treatment. Older patients (OR 0.49 for age >75 compared with <55; 95% CI 0.27-0.88) and those with substance abuse (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23-0.81) were less likely to receive active treatment. Women (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.43-0.89) and patients with symptomatic recurrence (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.47-0.99) were also less likely to receive active treatment. Among those with distant recurrence, 77.3% received active treatment. Older patients (OR 0.42 for age >75 compared with <55; 95% CI 0.26-0.68) and those with any documented comorbidities (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.38-0.89) were less likely to receive active treatment. CONCLUSION: Older patients independent of comorbidity, patients with substance abuse, and women were less likely to receive active treatment for postoperative NSCLC recurrence. Studies to further characterize these disparities in treatment of NSCLC recurrence are needed to identify barriers to treatment.

Blood transfusion is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have indicated that blood transfusion is associated with increased risk of worse outcomes among patients selected for hepatectomy. However, the independent effect of transfusion has not been confirmed. We hypothesize that blood transfusion is an independent factor that affects outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients at tertiary care center who underwent hepatectomy between 2006 and 2013 were identified and linked with the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program PUF data set. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of blood transfusion on 30-d mortality and morbidity, adjusted for differences in extent of resection and estimated probabilities of morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Among 522 patients in the study, 48 (9.2%) patients required perioperative blood transfusion within 72 h of resection, and 172 (33%) underwent major hepatectomy. Indications for hepatectomy included metastatic neoplasm (n = 229, 44%), primary hepatic neoplasm (n = 108, 21%), primary extra-hepatic biliary neoplasm (n = 23, 4%), and nonmalignant indications (n = 162, 31%). Eighty-eight (17%) patients had a postoperative morbidity. Blood transfusion was significantly associated with postoperative morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 4.18, 95% CI = 2.18-8.02, P = 0.0001) and mortality (OR = 14.5, 95% CI = 3.08-67.8, P = 001), after adjustment for the concurrent effect of National Surgical Quality Improvement Program estimated probability of morbidity (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.11-12.2, P = 0.042). The extent of resection was not significantly associated with morbidity (OR = 1.30, 95% CI, 0.74-2.28, P = 0.366) or mortality (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.24-5.50, P = 0.870). CONCLUSIONS: Blood transfusion is a highly statistically significant independent predictor of morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy. Judicious use of perioperative transfusion is indicated in patients with benign and malignant indications for liver resection.

Physician-Owned Surgical Hospitals Outperform Other Hospitals in Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Program.

BACKGROUND: The Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program measures value of care provided by participating Medicare hospitals and creates financial incentives for quality improvement and fosters increased transparency. Limited information is available comparing hospital performance across health care business models. STUDY DESIGN: The 2015 Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program results were used to examine hospital performance by business model. General linear modeling assessed differences in mean total performance score, hospital case mix index, and differences after adjustment for differences in hospital case mix index. RESULTS: Of 3,089 hospitals with total performance scores, categories of representative health care business models included 104 physician-owned surgical hospitals, 111 University HealthSystem Consortium, 14 US News & World Report Honor Roll hospitals, 33 Kaiser Permanente, and 124 Pioneer accountable care organization affiliated hospitals. Estimated mean total performance scores for physician-owned surgical hospitals (64.4; 95% CI, 61.83-66.38) and Kaiser Permanente (60.79; 95% CI, 56.56-65.03) were significantly higher compared with all remaining hospitals, and University HealthSystem Consortium members (36.8; 95% CI, 34.51-39.17) performed below the mean (p < 0.0001). Significant differences in mean hospital case mix index included physician-owned surgical hospitals (mean 2.32; p < 0.0001), US News & World Report honorees (mean 2.24; p = 0.0140), and University HealthSystem Consortium members (mean 1.99; p < 0.0001), and Kaiser Permanente hospitals had lower case mix value (mean 1.54; p < 0.0001). Re-estimation of total performance scores did not change the original results after adjustment for differences in hospital case mix index. CONCLUSIONS: The Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program revealed superior hospital performance associated with business model. Closer inspection of high-value hospitals can guide value improvement and policy-making decisions for all Medicare Value-Based Purchasing Program Hospitals.