Complex gastric surgery in Germany-is centralization beneficial? Observational study using national hospital discharge data.

PURPOSE: This observational study explored the association between hospital volume and short-term outcome following gastric resections for non-bariatric indication, aiming to contribute to the discussion on centralization of complex visceral surgery in Germany. METHODS: Based on complete national hospital discharge data from 2010 to 2015, the association between hospital volume and in-hospital mortality was evaluated according to volume quintiles and volume deciles. Case-mix differences regarding surgical indication, age, sex, and comorbidities were considered for risk adjustment. In addition, rates of major complications and failure to rescue were analyzed across hospital volume categories. RESULTS: Inpatient episodes (72,528) with gastric resection were analyzed. Risk-adjusted mortality in patients treated in very low volume hospitals (median volume of 5 surgeries per year) was higher (12.0% [95% CI 11.4 to 12.5]) compared to those treated in very high volume hospitals (50 surgeries per year; 10.6% [10.0 to 11.1]). Failure to rescue patients with complications was 28.1% [27.0 to 29.3] in very low volume hospitals and 22.7% [21.6 to 23.8] in very high volume hospitals. Differences were similar within the subgroup of patients operated for gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment in very high volume hospitals is associated with a lower in-hospital mortality compared to treatment in very low volume hospitals. This effect seems to be determined by the ability to rescue patients who experience complications. As the observed benefit is only related to very high volumes, the results do not clearly indicate that centralization may improve short-term results substantially, unless a very high degree of centralization would be achieved. Possibly, further research focusing on other outcome measures, such as clinical processes or long-term results, might lead to divergent conclusions.

In-hospital weekend outcomes in patients diagnosed with bleeding gastroduodenal angiodysplasia: a population-based study, 2000 to 2011.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: GI angiodysplastic (GIAD) lesions are an important cause of blood loss throughout the GI tract, particularly in elderly persons. The aim of this study was to determine whether mortality rates in patients with GIAD were higher for weekend compared with weekday hospital admissions. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2000 to 2011 including inpatients with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code for gastrointestinal GIAD (code 537.82 or 537.83). We assessed rates of delayed endoscopy (examinations performed >24 hours after admission), intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and in-hospital mortality rates. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for mortality. RESULTS: There were 85,971 discharges for GIAD between 2000 and 2011, of which 69,984 (81%) were weekday hospital admissions and 15,987 (19%) were weekend admissions. Patients with weekend versus weekday admissions were more likely to undergo delayed endoscopic examination (35% vs 26%, P ≤ .0001). Mortality rates were higher for patients with weekend admissions (2% vs 1%, P = .0002). The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) for inpatient mortality associated with weekend admissions was elevated (2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-3.9; P = .0005). Rates of delayed endoscopic examinations were lower in patients with higher socioeconomic status (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.88). ICU admission rates were higher for weekend compared with weekday admissions (8% vs 6%, P = .004). The presence of a delayed endoscopic examination was associated with an increased length of stay of 1.3 days (95% CI, 1.2-1.4 days). CONCLUSIONS: Weekend admissions for angiodysplasia were associated with higher odds of mortality, ICU admissions, higher rates of delayed endoscopic procedures, longer lengths of stay, and higher hospital charges.

Risk Factors Associated with Mortality and Increased Drug Costs in Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine risk factors associated with mortality and increased drug costs in patients with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed data from patients hospitalized with nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding between January 2001-December 2011. Demographic and clinical characteristics and drug costs were documented. Univariate analysis determined possible risk factors for mortality. Statistically significant variables were analyzed using a logistic regression model. Multiple linear regression analyzed factors influencing drug costs. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included data from 627 patients. Risk factors associated with increased mortality were age > 60, systolic blood pressure<100 mmHg, lack of endoscopic examination, comorbidities, blood transfusion, and rebleeding. Drug costs were higher in patients with rebleeding, blood transfusion, and prolonged hospital stay. CONCLUSION: In this patient cohort, re-bleeding rate is 11.20% and mortality is 5.74%. The mortality risk in patients with comorbidities was higher than in patients without comorbidities, and was higher in patients requiring blood transfusion than in patients not requiring transfusion. Rebleeding was associ-ated with mortality. Rebleeding, blood transfusion, and prolonged hospital stay were associated with increased drug costs, whereas bleeding from lesions in the esophagus and duodenum was associated with lower drug costs.