Routine post-operative labs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Data from the National Health Expenditure Accounts have shown a steady increase in healthcare cost paralleled by availability of laboratory tests. Resource utilization is a top priority for reducing health care costs. We hypothesized that routine post-operative laboratory utilization unnecessarily increases costs and healthcare system burden in acute appendicitis (AA) management. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients with uncomplicated AA 2016-2020 were identified. Clinical variables, demographics, lab usage, interventions, and costs were collected. RESULTS: A total of 3711 patients with uncomplicated AA were identified. Total costs of labs ($289,505, 99.56%) and repletions ($1287.63, 0.44%) were $290,792.63. Increased LOS was associated with lab utilization in multivariable modeling, increasing costs by $837,602 or 472.12 per patient. CONCLUSIONS: In our patient population, post-operative labs resulted in increased costs without discernible impact on clinical course. Routine post-operative laboratory testing should be re-evaluated in patients with minimal comorbidities as this likely increases cost without adding value.

The extent to which geography explains one of trauma's troubling trends: Insurance-based differences in appropriate interfacility transfer.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of literature suggests the persistence of a counterproductive triage pattern wherein uninsured adults with major injuries presenting to nontrauma centers (NTCs) are more likely than insured adults to be transferred. Geographic differences are frequently blamed. The objective of this study was to explore geography's influence on variations in insurance transfer patterns, asking whether differences in distance and travel time by road from NTCs to the nearest level 1 or 2 trauma center alter the effect. As a secondary objective, differences in neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage were also assessed. METHODS: Adults (16-64 years) with major injuries (Injury Severity Score, >15) presenting to NTC emergency departments (EDs) were abstracted from 2007 to 2014 state inpatient/ED claims. Differences in the risk-adjusted odds of admission versus transfer were compared using mixed-effect hierarchical logistic regression and spatial analysis. RESULTS: A total of 48,283 adults presenting to 492 NTC EDs were included. Among them, risk-adjusted admission differences based on insurance status exist (e.g., private vs. uninsured odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.60 [1.45-1.76]). Spatial analysis revealed significant geographic variation ( p < 0.001). However, in contrast to expectations, the largest insurance-based discrepancies were seen in less disadvantaged NTCs located closer to larger trauma centers. Stratified analyses comparing the closest versus furthest distance, shortest versus longest travel time, and least versus most deprived populations agreed, as did sensitivity analyses restricting uninsured transfer patients to those who remained uninsured versus subsequently became insured. CONCLUSION: Adults with major injuries presenting to NTCs were less likely to be transferred if insured. The trend persisted after accounting for differences in access to care, revealing that, while significant geographic variation in the phenomenon exists, geography alone does not explain the issue. Taken together, the findings suggest that additional and potentially subjective elements to insurance-based triage disparities at NTCs are likely to exist. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/Epidemiological, Level III.

Assessing the Race, Ethnicity, and Gender Inequities in Blood Alcohol Testing After Trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol use remains a significant contributing factor in traumatic injuries in the United States, resulting in substantial patient morbidity and societal cost. Because of this, the American College of Surgeons Verification, Review, and Consultation Program requires the screening of 80% of trauma admissions. Multiple studies suggest that patients who use alcohol are subject to stigma by health care providers and may ultimately face legal and financial ramifications of a positive alcohol screening test. There is also evidence that sociodemographic factors may dictate drug and alcohol screening patterns among patients. Because this screening target is often not uniformly achieved among all patients presenting with injury, we sought to investigate whether there are any discrepancies in screening across sociodemographic groups. METHODS: We investigated the Trauma Quality Program Participant User File for all trauma cases admitted during 2017 and compared the rates of the serum alcohol screening test across different demographic factors, including race and ethnicity. We then performed an adjusted multivariable logistic regression to determine the odds ratio (OR) for receiving a test based on these demographic factors adjusted for hospital and clinical factors. RESULTS: There were 729,174 traumas included in the study. Of this group, 345,315 (47.4%) were screened with a serum alcohol test. Screening rates varied by injury mechanism and were highest among motorcycle crashes (66.0% of patients screened) and lowest among falls (32.8% of patients screened). Overall, Asian and Pacific Islander (52.5% screened), Black (57.7% screened), and other race (58.4% screened) had higher rates of alcohol screening than White patients (43.7% screened, P < 0.001). Similarly, Hispanic patients were screened at higher rates than non-Hispanic patients (56.4% screening versus 46.2% screening, P < 0.001). These differences persisted across nearly all injury categories. In multivariable logistic regression, Asian and Pacific Islanders were associated with the highest odds of being screened (OR 1.34, P < 0.001) followed by other race (OR 1.25, P < 0.001) in comparison to White patients. CONCLUSIONS: There are consistent and significant differences in alcohol screening rates across race and ethnicity, despite accounting for injury mechanism and comorbidities.

Choosing the Best Approach to Warfarin Reversal After Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Patients on warfarin with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage often have the warfarin effects pharmacologically reversed. We compared outcomes among patients who received 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), or no reversal to assess the real-world impact of PCC on elderly patients with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 150 patients on preinjury warfarin. Data were manually abstracted from the electronic medical record of an academic level 1 trauma center for patients admitted between January 2013 and December 2018. Outcomes were ICH progression on follow-up computed tomography scan, mortality, need for surgical intervention, and trends in the use of reversal agents. RESULTS: Of 150 patients eligible for analysis, 41 received FFP, 60 PCC, and 49 were not reversed. On multivariable analysis, patients not reversed [OR 0.25 95% CI (0.31-0.85)] and women [OR 0.38 95% CI (0.17-0.88)] were less likely to experience progression of their initial bleed on follow-up computed tomography while subdural hemorrhage increased the risk [OR 3.69 95% CI (1.27-10.73)]. There was no difference between groups in terms of mortality or need for surgery. Over time use of reversal with PCC increased while use of FFP and not reversing warfarin declined (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Male gender and using a reversal agent were associated with progression of ICH. Choice of reversal did not impact the need for surgery, hospital length of stay, or mortality. Some ICH patients may not require warfarin reversal and may bias studies, especially retrospective studies of warfarin reversal.

Insurance Status Biases Trauma-system Utilization and Appropriate Interfacility Transfer: National and Longitudinal Results of Adult, Pediatric, and Older Adult Patients.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the association between insurance status and the probability of emergency department admission versus transfer for patients with major injuries (Injury Severity Score >15) and other complex trauma likely to require higher-level trauma center (TC) care across the spectrum of TC care. BACKGROUND: Trauma systems were developed to facilitate direct transport and transfer of patients with major/complex traumatic injuries to designated TCs. Emerging literature suggests that uninsured patients are more likely to be transferred. METHODS: Nationally weighted Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (2010-2014) and longitudinal California State Inpatient Databases/State Emergency Department Databases (2009-2011) data identified adult (18-64 yr), pediatric (≤17 yr), and older adult (≥65 yr) trauma patients. Risk-adjusted multilevel (mixed-effects) logistic regression determined differences in the relative odds of direct admission versus transfer and outcome measures based on initial level of TC presentation. RESULTS: In all 3 age groups, insured patients were more likely to be admitted [eg, nontrauma center (NTC) private vs uninsured odds ratio (95% confidence interval): adult 1.54 (1.40-1.70), pediatric 1.95(1.45-2.61)]. The trend persisted within levels III and II TCs (eg, level II private vs uninsured adult 1.83 (1.30-2.57)] and among other forms of trauma likely to require transfer. At the state level, among transferred NTC patients, 28.5% (adult), 34.1% (pediatric), and 39.5% (older adult) of patients with major injuries were not transferred to level I/II TCs. An additional 44.3% (adult), 50.9% (pediatric), and 57.6% (older adult) of all NTC patients were never transferred. Directly admitted patients experienced higher morbidity [adult: 19.6% vs 8.2%, odds ratio (95% confidence interval):2.74 (2.17-3.46)] and mortality [3.3% vs 1.8%, 1.85 (1.13-3.04)]. CONCLUSIONS: Insured patients with significant injuries initially evaluated at NTCs and level III/II TCs were less likely to be transferred. Such a finding appears to result in less optimal trauma care for better-insured patients and questions the success of transfer-guideline implementation.

Needs assessment for a focused radiology curriculum in surgical residency: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Patient instability and limited radiology staffing may compel surgeons to make clinical decisions based on their independent interpretations of imaging studies. Despite potential implications for patients, no research to date has assessed the need for a diagnostic radiology curriculum in general surgery residency. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study of surgery faculty and residents at 13 teaching hospitals across the United States. Survey responses were summarized using frequency and percentage, and analyzed by chi-square, Mantel-Haenszel chi-square, and McNemar tests. RESULTS: Surveys were distributed to 465 faculty and 520 residents, with response rates of 26% and 30%, respectively. Most respondents reported making decisions based on their independent imaging interpretation at least sometimes, with higher frequency in acute scenarios. The majority voiced a need for a dedicated radiology curriculum, with teaching in chest x-rays, abdominal x-rays, abdominal computed tomography, chest computed tomography, and focused assessment with sonography in trauma examinations. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons and surgical residents enact treatment plans based on their independent interpretation of imaging studies, especially during acute patient scenarios. Further curricular development efforts are warranted to ensure trainee accuracy in radiologic interpretation.

The use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of suspected appendicitis in pregnancy: shortened length of stay without increase in hospital charges.

IMPORTANCE: Making an accurate diagnosis of appendicitis in pregnancy is critical for maternal and fetal outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis improves outcomes, minimizes length of stay (LOS), and lowers hospital charges. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective review at a university tertiary referral center of all pregnant patients seen with abdominal pain and suspected appendicitis who were followed up through delivery during an 11-year period. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Time to operation, LOS, complications, nontherapeutic exploration, fetal outcomes, and hospital charges. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included in this study, 34 of whom had pathology-confirmed appendicitis. Thirty-one patients underwent MR imaging. A trend toward fewer operations (odds ratio [OR], 0.45; 95% CI, 0.18-1.16; P = .07) was observed in the MR imaging group. Seven nontherapeutic explorations were performed in the non-MR imaging group and 1 nontherapeutic exploration in the MR imaging group (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.08-2.32; P = .13). Patients in the MR imaging group were more frequently discharged from the emergency department (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.13-0.94; P = .04) and had shorter LOS (33.7 vs 64.8 hours, P < .001). Gestational age, time to operation, and the presence of perforated appendicitis were similar between groups. No patient discharged without operation returned with appendicitis in either group. On multivariable analysis, the receipt of MR imaging (P < .001) and the absence of operative intervention (P = .001) were associated with shorter LOS. The mean hospital charges were similar in those with vs without appendicitis. One fetal loss occurred in the non-MR imaging group. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Magnetic resonance imaging in pregnant patients with suspected appendicitis does not affect clinical outcomes or hospital charges. It allows safe discharge from the emergency department and improves resource use.