Limited English Proficiency and Perioperative Patient-Centered Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

This systematic review assesses whether limited-English proficiency (LEP) increases risk of having poor perioperative care and outcomes. This review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 99 articles were identified in Embase and PubMed and screened by 2 independent reviewers. Ten studies, which included 3 prospective cohort studies, 6 retrospective cohort studies, and 1 cross-sectional study, met inclusion and exclusion criteria. All studies were of high-quality rating according to the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Subsequently, the Levels of Evidence Rating Scale for Prognostic/Risk Studies and Grade Practice Recommendations from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons were used to assess the quality of evidence of each study and the strength of the body of evidence, respectively. There is strong evidence that professional medical interpreter (PMI) use or having a language-concordant provider for LEP patients improves understanding of the procedural consent. The evidence also highly suggests that LEP patients are at risk of poorer postoperative pain control and poorer understanding of discharge instructions compared with English-speaking patients. Further studies are needed to discern whether consistent PMI use can minimize the disparities in pain control and discharge planning between LEP and English-proficient (EP) patients. There is some evidence that LEP status is not associated with differences in having adequate access to and receiving surgical preoperative evaluation. However, the evidence is weak given the small number of studies available. There are currently no studies on whether LEP status impacts access to preoperative evaluation by an anesthesiology-led team to optimize the patient for surgery. There is some evidence to suggest that LEP patients, especially when PMI services are not used consistently, are at risk for increased length of stay, more complications, and worse clinical outcomes. The available outcomes research is limited by the relative infrequency of complications. Additionally, only 4 studies validated whether LEP patients utilized a PMI. Future studies should use larger sample sizes and ascertain whether LEP patients utilized a PMI, and the effect of PMI use on outcomes.

Language preference does not influence stroke patients' symptom recognition or emergency care time metrics.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine whether acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients' language preference is associated with differences in time from symptom discovery to hospital arrival, activation of emergency medical services, door-to-imaging time (DTI), and door-to-needle (DTN) time. METHODS: We identified consecutive AIS patients presenting to a single urban, tertiary, academic center between 01/2003-05/2014 for whom language preference was available. Data were abstracted from the institution's Research Patient Data Registry and Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Registry. Bivariate and regression models evaluated the relationship between language preference and: 1) time from symptom onset to hospital arrival, 2) use of EMS, 3) DTI, and 4) DTN time. RESULTS: Of 3190 AIS patients, 300 (9.4%) were non-English preferring (NEP). Comparing NEP to English preferring (EP) patients in unadjusted or adjusted analyses, time from symptom discovery to arrival and rate of EMS utilization were not significantly different (overall median time 157 min, IQR 55-420; EMS utilization: 65% vs. 61.3% p = 0.21). There was also no significant differences in DTI or in likelihood of guideline-recommended DTI ≤ 25 min (overall median 59 min, IQR 29-127; DTI ≤ 25 min 24.3% vs. 21.3% p = 0.29) or DTN time or in likelihood of guideline-recommended DTN ≤ 60 min (overall median 53 min, IQR 36-73; DTN ≤ 60 min 62.5% vs. 58.2% p = 0.60). CONCLUSION: Consistent with prior reports examining disparities in care, a systems-based approach to acute stroke prevents differences in hospital-based metrics. Reassuringly, NEP and EP patients also had similar speed of symptom recognition and EMS utilization.

Preoperative Intravenous Iron and Erythropoietin to Treat Severe Anemia in Patient With Stage 4 Kidney Disease Before Oncologic Surgery: A Case Report.

Preoperative treatment of anemia with intravenous iron is inconsistent despite known risks of anemia and allogeneic blood transfusions. Limited research exists on the effectiveness of preoperative intravenous iron for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We discuss a patient with severe anemia from advanced CKD, endometrial cancer, and menometrorrhagia. Her hemoglobin increased more than 2 g/dL after erythropoietin and two 750-mg ferric carboxymaltose infusions 5 weeks before a total abdominal hysterectomy and avoided blood transfusions perioperatively. By raising hemoglobin, preoperative intravenous iron and erythropoietin reduce blood transfusions and consequent risk of future allograft rejection and alloimmunization in potential transplant recipients.

Misinterpreting Paced Heart Rhythms: A Case Report.

We describe 2 cases in which failure to properly interpret paced heart rhythms in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) undergoing surgery resulted in adverse consequences including unnecessary invasive procedures, surgical delays, and patient dissatisfaction. Both cases occurred even though experienced clinicians were involved, and all perioperative recommendations were followed. Although it is sometimes argued that anesthesiologists are not directly responsible for CIED management, they are often held accountable when problems arise. These cases reinforce the need for anesthesiologists to not only adhere to all key practice recommendations but to also understand CIED functions and common pitfalls.

Challenges and opportunities caring for neurology outpatients across language differences.

BACKGROUND: With over 66 million Americans who speak over 350 languages other than English at home, we sought to examine attitudes and behaviors of neurology clinicians and staff when communicating across language differences. METHODS: We conducted an electronic-enabled cross-sectional survey of clinicians and patient services coordinators working at an academic neurology outpatient clinic. Questions focused on professional medical interpreter (PMI) services usage, satisfaction, and perceived barriers to utilization. RESULTS: A total of 82/235 (35%) neurology clinicians and 24/52 (46%) coordinators met the study eligibility criteria. Most clinicians (96%) reported seeing at least 1 non-English-speaking patient and using PMI services (85%) in the last month. Most commonly self-reported interpretation modalities were face-to-face PMI services (39%) and patients' family members or friends (28%). Perceived barriers to using PMI included time constraints (60%) and lack of available face-to-face PMI (51%). Among patient services coordinators, 33% reported consistently asking patients their preferred language and 50% if they needed a PMI for appointments. Most respondents (77% clinicians and 71% coordinators) were satisfied with PMI services. Recommendations included having more available face-to-face PMI, greater coordinated efforts to preschedule PMI, and more education on the effective use of PMI. CONCLUSIONS: More than 70% of outpatient neurology clinicians and patient services coordinators were satisfied with PMI. However, their perceived barriers and reported practices suggest a need for updated policies and education to improve the use of PMI services.

Cognitive impairment and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgical procedure in the elderly. Varying degrees of cognitive impairment (CI) are frequently seen in this patient population. To date, there has been no systematic review of the literature specifically examining the impact of CI on outcomes after elective THA. The aim of this systematic review was to identify studies that compare the postoperative outcomes of patients with and without CI after undergoing elective primary THA. DESIGN: We conducted a systematic review of prospective and retrospective studies. A systematic literature review was conducted by searching MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase from between January 1, 1997 and January 1, 2018. A total of 234 articles were reviewed and 22 studies were selected. SETTING: Operating room and short-term and long-term postoperative recovery up to 2 years. PATIENTS: Patients with CI who underwent an elective primary THA that required general anesthesia with a comparator group of patients who did not have dementia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients who underwent elective primary total hip arthroplasty. MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes included post-operative delirium (POD), mortality and other complications, discharge disposition, length of stay (LOS), mortality, short-term (30 days) and long-term (1 month-2 years) complications. MAIN RESULTS: 22 studies with 5,705,302 participants were included in the systematic review. Sample sizes varied greatly, ranging from 14 to 2,924,995 participants. There was an association between patients with CI and an increase in POD, in-hospital mortality, complications during hospitalization, non-routine disposition, LOS, mortality between 1 month to 2 years, and worse postoperative functional status. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that there are strong associations between patients with pre-existing CI undergoing THA and increased POD, hospital mortality, hospital complications, and hospital LOS. We report good quality evidence linking complications after THA to preexisting CI. Screening for CI can improve care and better predict the risk of developing postoperative complications such as delirium. Further investigations can address perioperative factors that can help reduce complications and show the utility of more widespread assessment of preoperative cognitive impairment.

Postoperative Outcomes in SAVR/TAVR Patients With Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.

To assess the predictive value of preoperative cognitive impairment on postoperative in-hospital, short-term, and mid-term outcomes among patients undergoing surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Articles were identified in EMBASE, Medline, and PubMed. Eligible articles compared the outcomes of patients with and without preoperative cognitive impairment who underwent aortic valve replacement and were published in English between January 1, 1997 and November 1, 2017. The quality of included observational studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The strength of the body of evidence was also assessed. A total of 6163 abstracts were screened by 2 independent reviewers and 31 full-text articles were reviewed. Eight studies met inclusion criteria. The studies included 1 case-control, 5 prospective cohort, and 2 retrospective cohort studies. Given the paucity and heterogeneity of studies, meta-analysis was not possible. Five studies were of good quality. Preoperative cognitive impairment is a risk factor for postoperative delirium in 2 studies, increased mid-term mortality in 2 studies, and increased length of stay, risk of discharge to a health-care facility or progressive disability in 1 study. However, given the paucity and methodological flaws of the included studies, the body of evidence on the predictive value of preoperative cognitive impairment on postoperative outcomes remains weak. This systematic review highlights the need for more good quality studies to provide evidence regarding the incidence of cognitive impairment and associations with poor outcomes after aortic valve replacement.

Postoperative Outcomes in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients With Preexisting Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the body of evidence on the predictive value of preoperative cognitive impairment on in-hospital, short-term, and midterm postoperative outcomes for elderly patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). SIGNIFICANCE: With an aging population, an increasing percentage of the U.S. patient population will be living with cognitive impairment. There is currently no systematic review that assesses postoperative outcomes of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or preexisting diagnosis of dementia while undergoing elective primary TKA. RESULTS: A database search between January 1, 1997, and November 1, 2017 in EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed was conducted to identify articles that compared postoperative outcomes after TKA between patients aged 60 years with and without cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment included preexisting diagnosis of dementia or MCI identified during preoperative assessment. Eligible articles were selected using dual reviewer and third-party arbitrator. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The strength of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. A total of 6163 abstracts were screened. Only 11 full text articles met inclusion criteria, including 1 case-control, 5 prospective cohort, and 5 retrospective cohort studies. Two studies were of poor quality. Overall, there is moderate strength of evidence for increased risk of postoperative delirium, increased length of stay, and discharge to health-care facility among patients with preoperative MCI or preexisting dementia. The body of evidence is weak for other outcomes of interest including mortality, functionality and complications while in-hospital and in the short- and midterm. CONCLUSION: This review highlights the need for additional good quality studies to provide more information about MCI and dementia as risk factors in primary TKA.

Professional Medical Interpreters Influence the Quality of Acute Ischemic Stroke Care for Patients Who Speak Languages Other than English.

BACKGROUND: The inability to communicate effectively in a common language can jeopardize clinicians' efforts to provide quality patient care. Professional medical interpreters (PMIs) can help provide linguistically appropriate health care, in particular for the >25 million Americans who identify speaking English less than very well. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between use of PMIs and quality of acute ischemic stroke care received by patients who preferred to have their medical care in languages other than English. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed data from 259 non-English-preferring acute ischemic stroke patients who participated in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines-Stroke program at our hospital from January 1, 2003, to April 30, 2014. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to examine associations between involvement of PMIs and patients' receipt of defect-free stroke care. A total of 147 of 259 (57%) non-English-preferring patients received PMI services during their hospital stays. Multivariable analyses adjusting for other socioeconomic factors showed that acute ischemic stroke patients who did not receive PMIs had lower odds of receiving defect-free stroke care (odds ratio: 0.52; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that PMIs may influence the quality of acute ischemic stroke care.