Quality of life among older patients after elective ventral hernia repair: A retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia repair is a common elective general surgery procedure among older patients, a population at greater risk of complications. Prior research has demonstrated improved quality of life in this population despite increased risk of complications. This study sought to assess the relationship between post-ventral hernia repair quality of life and patient frailty. We hypothesized that frail patients would report smaller gains in quality of life compared to the non-frail group. METHODS: The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative was used to identify a cohort of patients 65 years of age or older undergoing elective ventral hernia repair from 2018 to 2022. Patients were categorized based on their modified frailty index scores as not frail/prefrail, frail, and severely frail. Quality of life was assessed using a patient-reported 12-item scale preoperatively, 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 3,479 patients were included: 30.93% non-frail, 47.17% frail, and 21.90% severely frail. Severely frail patients had lower quality of life scores at baseline (P = .001) but reported higher quality of life at both 30 days (1.24 points higher, 95% confidence interval (-1.51, 2.52), P = .010) and 6 months (0.92 points higher, 95% confidence interval (-2.29, 4.13), P = .005). Severely frail patients had higher rates of surgical site complications (P < .001) but no difference in 30-day readmissions. CONCLUSION: Our results found that frail patients reported the greatest increase in quality of life 1 year from baseline, showing that they, when selected appropriately, can gain equal benefits and have similar surgical outcomes as their non-frail counterparts.

Outcomes and quality of life of frail patients following elective ventral hernia repair: Retrospective review of a national hernia collaborative.

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is one of the most common general surgery procedures among older adults but is often deferred due to a higher risk of complications. This study compares postoperative quality of life (QOL) and complications between frail and non-frail patients undergoing elective VHR. We hypothesized that frail patients would have higher complication rates and smaller gains in quality of life compared to non-frail patients. STUDY DESIGN: Patients 65 years of age and older, undergoing elective VHR between 2018 and 2022 were selected from the ACHQC (Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative) and grouped based on frailty scores obtained using the Modified Frailty Index (mFI-5). Logistic regression adjusting for hernia characteristics (size, recurrent, parastomal, incisional) were performed for 30-day outcomes including surgical site infections (SSI), surgical site occurrences (SSO), surgical site infections/occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI), and readmission. Multivariable analyses controlling for patient and procedure characteristics were performed comparing QOL scores (HerQLes scale, 0-100) at baseline, 30 days, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 4888 patients were included, 29.17% non-frail, 47.87% frail, and 22.95% severely frail. On adjusted analysis, severely frail patients had higher odds of SSO (most commonly seroma formation) but no evidence of a difference in SSI, SSOPI, readmission or mortality. Severely frail patients had lower median QOL scores at baseline (48.3/100, IQR 26.1-71.7, p â€‹= â€‹0.001) but reported higher QOL scores at both 30-days (68.3/100, IQR 41.7-88.3, p â€‹= â€‹0.01) and 6-months (86.7/100, IQR 65.0-93.3, p â€‹= â€‹0.005). CONCLUSION: Severely frail patients reported similar increases in QOL and similar complications to their not frail counterparts. Our results demonstrate that appropriately selected older patients, even those who are severely frail, may benefit from elective VHR in the appropriate clinical circumstance.

The effect of frailty and age on outcomes in elective paraesophageal hernia repair.

INTRODUCTION: Paraesophageal hernia repair (PEHR) is a safe and effective operation. Previous studies have described risk factors for poor peri-operative outcomes such as emergent operations or advanced patient age, and pre-operative frailty is a known risk factor in other major surgery. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine if markers of frailty were predictive of poor peri-operative outcomes in elective paraesophageal hernia repair. METHODS: Patients who underwent elective PEHR between 1/2011 and 6/2022 at a single university-based institution were identified. Patient demographics, modified frailty index (mFI), and post-operative outcomes were recorded. A composite peri-operative morbidity outcome indicating the incidence of any of the following: prolonged length of stay (≥ 3 days), increased discharge level of care, and 30-day complications or readmissions was utilized for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Of 547 patients who underwent elective PEHR, the mean age was 66.0 ± 12.3, and 77.1% (n = 422) were female. Median length of stay was 1 [IQR 1, 2]. ASA was 3-4 in 65.8% (n = 360) of patients. The composite outcome occurred in 32.4% (n = 177) of patients. On multivariate analysis, increasing age (OR 1.021, p = 0.02), high frailty (OR 2.02, p < 0.01), ASA 3-4 (OR 1.544, p = 0.05), and redo-PEHR (OR 1.72, p = 0.02) were each independently associated with the incidence of the composite outcome. On a regression of age for the composite outcome, a cutoff point of increased risk is identified at age 72 years old (OR 2.25, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High frailty and age over 72 years old each independently confer double the odds of a composite morbidity outcome that includes prolonged post-operative stay, peri-operative complications, the need for a higher level of care after elective paraesophageal hernia repair, and 30-day readmission. This provides additional information to counsel patients pre-operatively, as well as a potential opportunity for targeted pre-habilitation.

Robotic vs. Open Approach for Older Adults Undergoing Retromuscular Ventral Hernia Repair.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 30-day outcomes including post-operative complications, readmissions, and quality of life score changes for older adults undergoing elective ventral hernia repair with retromuscular mesh placement and to compare rates of these outcomes for individuals undergoing robotic versus open approaches. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Over one third of patients presenting for elective ventral hernia repair are over the age of 65 and many have complex surgical histories that warrant intricate hernia repairs. Robotic ventral hernia repairs have gained increasing popularity in the US and in some studies have demonstrated decreased rates of postoperative complications, and less pain resulting in shorter hospital stays. However, the robotic approach has several downsides including prolonged operative times as well as the use of pneumo-peritoneum which may be risky in older patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of prospectively collected data in a national hernia specific registry (the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative) and identified patients over the age of 65 undergoing either an open or robotic retromuscular ventral hernia repair. After propensity score matching adjusting for demographic, clinical, and hernia related factors, logistic regression was used to compare 30-day complications, readmission, and quality of life (QoL) scores as captured by the HerQLes scale for patients undergoing each approach. RESULTS: Of 2128 patients who met inclusion criteria, 1695 (79.7%) underwent open ventral hernia repair while 433 (20.3%) underwent robotic repair. After propensity score matching, there were 350 robotic cases and 759 open cases for analysis. Patients undergoing robotic repairs demonstrated significantly shorter length of stays (1 vs 4 days, P < 0.01) and had equivalent odds of both 30-day post-operative complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.15 95% confidence interval 0.92-1.44) and readmission (OR 1.09 95% confidence interval 0.74-1.6) compared to the open approach. QoL scores were similar between groups at 30 days but were slightly better for robotic patients at 1 year (92 vs 84 P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Robotic ventral hernia repair is an option for appropriately selected older patients undergoing retromuscular ventral hernia repair, demonstrating shorter hospital stays and equivalent rates of complications and readmissions in the post-operative period. However, more data is needed regarding QoL outcomes and long-term function, especially as it relates to recurrence rates, between the two approaches.

Frailty in emergency general surgery: Low-risk procedures pose similar risk as high-risk procedures for frail patients.

BACKGROUND: The association of frailty on postoperative outcomes after elective and emergency general surgery procedures has been widely studied. However, this association has not been examined in the geriatric population stratified by emergency general surgery procedural risk. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the 2012 to 2017 American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. We identified geriatric patients (age ≥65 years) undergoing an emergency general surgery procedure within 48 hours of admission stratified by the procedural risk. Frailty was accessed using Modified 5-item Frailty Index, and the patients were divided into 4 groups Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 0, 1, 2, and ≥3. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the impact of increasing Modified 5-item Frailty Index score on postoperative complications, failure-to-rescue, and readmissions. RESULTS: In the study, 16,911 low risk procedure emergency general surgery patients were grouped as (33.3%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 0, (45.1%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 1, (18.7%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2, and (2.9%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥3 respectively. After multivariable analyses, increasing Modified 5-item Frailty Index score (versus Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 0) was associated with complications (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 2.1 [1.3-3.5], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥ 3: 2.2 [1.2-4.2]), failure-to-rescue (Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 2.3 [1.3-4.0], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥ 3: 2.3 [1.2-4.6]), readmission (Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 1.4 [1.2-1.7], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥ 3: 1.5 [1.1-2.1]). In addition, 30,305 high-risk patients undergoing procedure emergency general surgery were grouped as (24.1%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 0, (44.9%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 1, (24.0%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2, and (7.0%) Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥3, respectively. After multivariable analyses, increasing Modified 5-item Frailty Index score (versus Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 0) was associated with complications (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]; Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 1.2 [1.2-1.3], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥3: 1.7 [1.5-2.0]), failure-to-rescue (Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 1.3 [1.2-1.5], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥3: 1.5 [1.3-1.7]), readmission (Modified 5-item Frailty Index = 2: 1.3 [1.2-1.4], Modified 5-item Frailty Index ≥3: 1.6 [1.4-1.9]). CONCLUSION: Increasing levels of frailty in geriatric emergency general surgery patients are associated with higher levels of postoperative complications, failure-to-rescue, and readmission. Clinicians should consider frailty in assessing the risk of even low-risk surgeries in this population.

Scaling and spreading the electronic capture of patient-reported outcomes using a national surgical quality improvement programme: a feasibility study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are important for research, patient care and quality assessment; however, large-scale collection among the US surgical patient population has been limited. A structured implementation and dissemination programme focused on electronic PRO collection could improve the use of PROs data to improve surgical care. This study aims to (1) evaluate the feasibility of PRO collection among a larger volume of surgical patients through the stepwise implementation of PRO collection processes in a sample of American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) hospitals; (2) identify best practices and barriers to PRO collection through qualitative study of participating hospitals and patients; and (3) evaluate the utility of PROs at detecting differences in the quality of care among surgical patients. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: ACS NSQIP-participating hospitals are being recruited, and patients at participating hospitals who undergo elective surgical procedures receive invitations via e-mail or short message service 'text'message to complete PROs after surgery. Validated PRO measures which evaluate physical and mental health-related quality of life, pain, fatigue, physical function and shared decision-making were selected. The scalability of PRO collection will be assessed by site enrolment, patient accrual and response rates. Qualitative interviews and focus groups will be performed with patients and hospital personnel to identify best practices and barriers to successful enrolment and PRO collection. Multivariable hierarchical regression models will be used to evaluate the distinctness of PROs from clinical outcomes captured in ACS NSQIP and the ability of PROs to detect differences in hospital performance. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was reviewed by the Advarra Institutional Review Board (IRB) and deemed to be exempt from IRB oversight. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports and presentations.

A Quiet Unstable Sitting Test to quantify core stability in clinical settings: Application to adults with ventral hernia.

BACKGROUND: The abdominal core is comprised of the diaphragm, abdominal wall, and pelvic floor, and serves several important functions for balance, movement, and strength. Injury to this area, such as hernia, can have substantial impact. The Quiet Unstable Sitting Test involves individuals seated on the rounded surface of a BOSU® balance trainer placed on top of a force plate and situated on a flat, elevated surface. METHODS: An ordinal Quiet Unstable Sitting Test core stability score was calculated from center of pressure measurements, with 0 representing "normal" and < 0 indicating worsening stability. Hernia-Related Quality of Life survey summary scores were assessed (higher scores indicating better quality). FINDINGS: A developmental cohort of 32 was used to establish reliability and normative values for the Quiet Unstable Sitting Test. A control group of 32 participants (43.7 ± 16.2 yrs., BMI 29.0 ± 4.9, 66% Female) was then compared to 21 patients with hernia (56.2 ± 12.5 yrs., BMI 29.2 ± 6.3, 24% Female). Hernia patients had median composite score of -2 and median quality of life score of 66, versus median Quiet Unstable Sitting Test of -0.5 and median quality of life of 93 for controls (p ≤ 0.01). Quality of life and Quiet Unstable Sitting Test scores were not correlated (p > 0.05). INTERPRETATION: Hernia patients demonstrated significantly worse core stability and quality of life. These assessments were independent of one another across the entire population, indicating each measure's unique constructs of patient function. Core stability can be reliably measured in a clinical setting and may help with patient activation and rehabilitation.

Elective ventral hernia repair provides significant abdominal wall quality of life improvements in older patients.

BACKGROUND: An increasing proportion of ventral hernia patients are over age 65. These patients are frequently offered watchful waiting rather than surgical intervention due to their frail state or perioperative risk. However, many in this age group suffer from significant quality of life impacts that are not well understood. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC), including adults undergoing elective ventral hernia repair from 2013 to 2019. Median differences in Hernia-Related Quality of Life Survey (HerQLes) summary scores at baseline, 30-days, 6-months, and 1 year post operatively were compared in four age categories (18-40, 40-64, 65-75, 76 +) using multivariable regression. Secondary outcomes included major post-operative complications and mortality. RESULTS: Of 6681 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 13.5% were 18-40, 55.8% were 41-64, 25.2% were 65-75, and 5% were 76 + . Patients in the 65-75 age group and those over 76 had higher mean baseline HerQLes scores (51.7 and 60.8) compared to those in the 18-40 and 41-64 groups (45 and 43.3, p < 0.01). Patients 65-75 had smaller increases in HerQLes scores at 30 days (6.7) compared to patients in the younger age groups (11.7 for 18-40; 8.3 for 41-64) and the oldest age group (8.3, p < 0.01). However, patients in the older age groups had higher overall median 1 year HerQles Scores (66.7 for 65-75; 78.3 for 76 +) compared to patients in the 18-40 and 41-64 age groups (65 and 58.3, p < 0.01). On multivariable analysis, HerQLes scores at 30 days post-surgery were decreased for patients in the 41-64 (-3.14, CE -5.89, -0.04, p = 0.03) and 65-75 (-4.53; CE -7.65, -1.41, p < 0.01) groups compared to the youngest age group, while those over 76 had no effect. CONCLUSION: Older adults undergoing ventral hernia repair demonstrate equal gains in hernia-related quality of life compared to younger patients and actually report higher quality of life scores at 30 days, 6 months and, 1 year post-surgery.

Greatest Quality of Life Improvement in Patients With Large Ventral Hernias: An Individual Assessment of Items in the HerQLes Survey.

BACKGROUND: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) has been shown to improve overall quality of life (QOL) by the validated 12-question Hernia-Related Quality-of-Life survey (HerQLes). However, which specific aspects of quality of life are most affected by VHR have not been formally investigated. METHODS: Through retrospective analysis of the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative national database, we measured the change in each individual component of the HerQLes questionnaire from a pre-operative baseline assessment to one-year postoperatively in VHR patients. RESULTS: In total, 1,875 VHR patients had completed both pre- and post-operative questionnaires from 2014-2018. They were predominately Caucasian (92.3%), 57.9 ± 12.4 Y old, and evenly gender split (50.5% male, 49.5% female, P = 0.31). Most operations were performed open (80.5%) with fewer laparoscopic (7.5%) or robotic cases (12.1%). For each of the 12 individual categories, improvement in QOL from baseline to 1-Y was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.0001). This held true with subgroup analysis of small (<2 cm), medium (2-6 cm), and large (>6 cm) hernias (P < 0.0001), though a larger improvement was seen in 8 of 12 components in hernias >6 cm (P < 0.001). Operative approach did not carry a significant effect except in medium hernias (2-6 cm), where an open approach saw a greater improvement in the "accomplish less at work" item (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: VHR is associated with improvement in each of the 12 components of QOL measured in the HerQLes questionnaire, regardless of the size of their hernia. The amount of improvement, however, may be dependent on hernia size and approach.

Increasing Frailty in Geriatric Emergency General Surgery: A Cause for Concern.

BACKGROUND: Emergency general surgery (EGS) presents a challenge for frail, geriatric individuals who often have extensive comorbidities affecting postoperative recovery. Previous studies have shown an association between increasing frailty and adverse outcomes following elective and EGS; no study has explored the same for the geriatric patient population using the modified 5-item frailty index (mFI-5) score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using the 2012-2017 American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify geriatric patients (≥65 years) undergoing EGS procedures within 48 h of admission. The previously validated mFI-5 score was used to assess preoperative frailty. The study cohort was divided into four groups: mFI-5 = 0, mFI-5 = 1, mFI-5 = 2, and mFI-5 ≥ 3; the impact of increasing mFI-5 score on failure-to-rescue (FTR), 30-day complications, readmissions, reoperations, and mortality was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 47,216 patients were included: 27.4% with mFI-5 = 0, 45% with mFI-5 = 1, 22.1% with mFI-5 = 2, and 5.5% with mFI-5 ≥ 3. Following multivariate analyses, increasing mFI-5 score was associated with higher odds of FTR (mFI-5 = 1: odds ratio (OR) 1.48, p=0.003; mFI-5 = 2: OR 2.66, p <0.001; mFI-5 ≥ 3: OR 3.97, p <0.001), 30-day complications (mFI-5 = 1: OR 1.46, p <0.001; mFI-5 = 2: OR 2.48, p <0.001; mFI-5≥3: OR 5.01, p <0.001), reoperation (mFI-5 = 1: OR 1.42, p = 0.020; mFI-5 = 2: OR 1.70, p = 0.021; mFI-5 ≥ 3: OR 2.18, p = 0.009) and all-cause mortality (mFI-5 = 1: OR 1.49, p=0.001; mFI-5 = 2: OR 2.67, p <0.001; mFI-5 ≥ 3: 3.96, p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Increasing frailty in geriatric EGS patients is associated with significantly higher rates of FTR, 30-day complications, reoperations, and all-cause mortality. The mFI-5 score can be used to assess frailty and better anticipate the postoperative course of vulnerable geriatric patients.

Importance of Radiologists in Optimizing Outcomes for Older Americans with Acute Abdomen.

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting with acute abdominal pain often undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan as part of their diagnostic workup. We investigated the relationship between availability, timeliness, and interpretation of CT imaging and outcomes for life-threatening intra-abdominal diseases or "acute abdomen," in older Americans. METHODS: Data from a 2015 national survey of 2811 hospitals regarding emergency general surgery structures and processes (60.1% overall response, n = 1690) were linked to 2015 Medicare inpatient claims data. We identified beneficiaries aged ≥65 admitted emergently with a confirmatory acute abdomen diagnosis code and operative intervention on the same calendar date. Multivariable regression models adjusted for significant covariates determined odds of complications and mortality based on CT resources. RESULTS: We identified 9125 patients with acute abdomen treated at 1253 hospitals, of which 78% had ≥64-slice CT scanners and 85% had 24/7 CT technicians. Overnight CT reads were provided by in-house radiologists at 14% of hospitals and by teleradiologists at 66%. Patients were predominantly 65-74 y old (43%), white (88%), females (60%), and with ≥3 comorbidities (67%) and 8.6% died. STAT radiology reads by a board-certified radiologist rarely/never available in 2 h was associated with increased odds of systemic complication and mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.6 [1.3-5.4] and 2.3 [1.1-4.8], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Delays obtaining results are associated with adverse outcomes in older patients with acute abdomen. This may be due to delays in surgical consultation and time to source control while waiting for imaging results. Processes to ensure timely interpretation of CT scans in patients with abdominal pain may improve outcomes in high-risk patients.

The association between self-declared acute care surgery services and critical care resources: Results from a national survey.

PURPOSE: We examined differences in critical care structures and processes between hospitals with Acute Care Surgery (ACS) versus general surgeon on call (GSOC) models for emergency general surgery (EGS) care. METHODS: 2811 EGS-capable hospitals were surveyed to examine structures and processes including critical care domains and ACS implementation. Differences between ACS and GSOC hospitals were compared using appropriate tests of association and logistic regression models. RESULTS: 272/1497 hospitals eligible for analysis (18.2%) reported they use an ACS model. EGS patients at ACS hospitals were more likely to be admitted to a combined trauma/surgical ICU or a dedicated surgical ICU. GSOC hospitals had lower adjusted odds of having 24-h ICU coverage, in-house intensivists or respiratory therapists, and 4/6 critical-care protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Critical care delivery is a key component of EGS care. While harnessing of critical care structures and processes varies across hospitals that have implemented ACS, overall ACS models of care appear to have more robust critical care practices.

Upper Gastrointestinal Perforations: A Possible Danger of Antibiotic Overuse.

BACKGROUND: The role of changes in gut microflora on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) perforations is not known. We conducted a retrospective case-control study to examine the relationship between antibiotic exposure-a proxy for microbiome modulation-and UGI perforations in a national sample. METHODS: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare (2009-2013) to identify patients ≥ 65 years old hospitalized with UGI (stomach or small intestine) perforations using International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes. Cases with UGI perforations were matched with 4 controls, each based on age and sex. Exposure to outpatient antibiotics (0-30, 31-60, 61-90 days) prior to case patients' index hospitalization admission data was determined with Part D claims. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of antibiotic exposure on UGI perforation. RESULTS: Overall, 504 cases and 2016 matched controls were identified. Compared to controls, more cases had antibiotic exposure 0-30 days (19% vs. 3%, p < 0.001) and 31-60 days (5% vs. 2%, p < 0.001) prior to admission. In adjusted analyses, antibiotic exposure 0-30 days prior to admission was associated with 6.8 increased odds of an UGI perforation (95% CI 4.8, 9.8); 31-60 days was associated with 1.9 increased odds (95% CI 1.1, 3.3); and 61-90 days was associated with 3.7 increased odds (95% CI 2.0, 6.9). CONCLUSIONS: Recent outpatient antibiotic use, in particular in the preceding 30 days, is associated with UGI perforation among Medicare beneficiaries. Exposure to antibiotics, one of the most modifiable determinants of the microbiome, should be minimized in the outpatient setting.

Post-hospitalization Treatment Regimen and Readmission for C. difficile Colitis in Medicare Beneficiaries.

BACKGROUND: C. difficile (CDI) has surpassed methicillin-resistant staph aureus as the most common nosocomial infection with recurrence reaching 30% and the elderly being disproportionately affected. We hypothesized that post-discharge antibiotic therapy for continued CDI treatment reduces readmissions. STUDY DESIGN: We queried a 5% random sample of Medicare claims (2009-2011 Part A and Part D; n = 864,604) for hospitalizations with primary or secondary diagnosis of CDI. We compared demographics, comorbidities, and post-discharge CDI treatment (no CDI treatment, oral metronidazole only, oral vancomycin only, or both) between patients readmitted with a primary diagnosis of CDI within 90 days and patients not readmitted for any reason using univariate tests of association and multivariable models. RESULTS: Of 7042 patients discharged alive, 945 were readmitted ≤90 days with CDI (13%), while 1953 were not readmitted for any reason (28%). Patients discharged on dual therapy had the highest rates of readmission (50%), followed by no post-discharge CDI treatment (43%), vancomycin only (28%), and metronidazole only (19%). Patients discharged on only metronidazole (OR 0.28) or only vancomycin (OR 0.42) had reduced odds of 90-day readmission compared to patients discharged on no CDI treatment. Patients discharged on dual therapy did not vary in odds of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: Thirteen percent of patients discharged with CDI are readmitted within 90 days. Patients discharged with single-drug therapy for CDI had lower readmission rates compared to patients discharged on no ongoing CDI treatment suggesting that short-term monotherapy may be beneficial in inducing eradication and preventing relapse. Half of patients requiring dual therapy required readmission, suggesting patients with symptoms severe enough to warrant discharge on dual therapy may benefit from longer hospitalization.

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

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

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

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

Innovation or rebranding, acute care surgery diffusion will continue.

BACKGROUND: Patterns of adoption of acute care surgery (ACS) as a strategy for emergency general surgery (EGS) care are unknown. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study comprising face-to-face interviews with senior surgeons responsible for ACS at 18 teaching hospitals chosen to ensure diversity of opinions and practice environment (three practice types [community, public or charity, and university] in each of six geographic regions [Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, New England, Northeast, South, and West]). Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using NVivo (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia). We applied the methods of investigator triangulation using an inductive approach to develop a final taxonomy of codes organized by themes related to respondents' views on the future of ACS as a strategy for EGS. We applied our findings to a conceptual model on diffusion of innovation. RESULTS: We found a paradox between ACS viewed as a health care delivery innovation versus a rebranding of comprehensive general surgery. Optimism for the future of ACS because of increased desirability for trauma and critical care careers as well as improved EGS outcomes was tempered by fear over lack of continuity, poor institutional resources, and uncertainty regarding financial viability. Our analysis suggests that the implementation of ACS, whether a true health care delivery innovation or an innovative rebranding, fits into the Rogers' diffusion of innovation theory. CONCLUSIONS: Despite concerns over resource allocation and the definition of the specialty, from the perspective of senior surgeons deeply entrenched in executing this care delivery model, ACS represents the new face of general surgery that will likely continue to diffuse from these early adopters.