Clinical and endoscopist factors associated with post-colonoscopy colorectal cancer in a population-based sample.

AIM: Factors associated with verified post-colonoscopy colorectal cancers (PCCRC) have not been well defined and survival for these patients is not well described. We aimed to assess the association of patient, tumour and endoscopist characteristics with PCCRC. METHODS: Using population-based data, we identified individuals diagnosed with CRC from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2005 who underwent a colonoscopy within 3 years prior to diagnosis. Detected cancers were those diagnosed ≤6 months following colonoscopy; PCCRC were diagnosed >6 months to ≤3 years following colonoscopy. Post-colonoscopy and detected cancers were verified through chart review using a hospital-based simple random sampling frame. We used multivariable conditional logistic regression to determine the association of patient, tumour and endoscopist factors with PCCRC and compared overall survival using Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS: Using the random sampling frame, we identified 498 patients with PCCRC and 498 with detected CRC; we obtained records and confirmed 367 patients with PCCRC and 412 with detected cancers. In multivariable analysis, patient age (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.03) and tumour location (distal vs. proximal OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.25-0.53) were associated with PCCRC; endoscopist quality measures were not significantly associated with PCCRC. We did not find significant differences in overall survival between PCCRC and detected cancers (hazard ratio 1.12; 95% CI 0.92-1.32). CONCLUSION: Although endoscopic quality measures are important for CRC prevention, endoscopist factors were not associated with PCCRC. This study highlights the need for further research into the role of tumour biology in PCCRC development.

Development of an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline and Implementation Strategy Based on the Knowledge-to-action Cycle.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have been shown to increase recovery, decrease complications, and reduce length of stay. However, they are difficult to implement. OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement an ERAS clinical practice guideline (CPG) at multiple hospitals. METHODS: A tailored strategy based on the Knowledge-to-action (KTA) cycle was used to develop and implement an ERAS CPG at 15 academic hospitals in Canada. This included an initial audit to identify gaps and interviews to assess barriers and enablers to implementation. Implementation included development of an ERAS guideline by a multidisciplinary group, communities of practice led by multidiscipline champions (surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses) both provincially and locally, educational tools, and clinical pathways as well as audit and feedback. RESULTS: The initial audit revealed there was greater than 75% compliance in only 2 of 18 CPG recommendations. Main themes identified by stakeholders were that the CPG must be based on best evidence, there must be increased communication and collaboration among perioperative team members, and patient education is essential. ERAS and Pain Management CPGs were developed by a multidisciplinary team and have been adopted at all hospitals. Preliminary data from more than 1000 patients show that the uptake of recommended interventions varies but despite this, mean length of stay has decreased with low readmission rates and adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of short-term findings, our results suggest that a tailored implementation strategy based on the KTA cycle can be used to successfully implement an ERAS program at multiple sites.

Review article: the anesthesiologist's role in the prevention of surgical site infections.

PURPOSE: To highlight the role of anesthesiologists in the prophylaxis of surgical site infections (SSIs) and to recognize the central role they play in quality improvement initiatives for the prevention of SSIs. SOURCE: The medical literature was searched with a focus on three interventions affecting the risk of SSIs: preoperative antibiotic administration, perioperative normothermia, and perioperative hyperoxia. The literature was also searched for examples of initiatives in patient safety and quality improvement that highlight the role of anesthesiologists in preventing SSIs. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The timely administration of preoperative antibiotics and the maintenance of perioperative normothermia have been shown to reduce the risk of SSI significantly. Perioperative hyperoxia in the prevention of SSIs remains controversial but may improve outcomes in specific subsets of the surgical population. Initiatives in quality improvement show the challenges faced by many centres to improve upon these processes of care, but they also highlight the role of anesthesiologists as champions in the multidisciplinary efforts for the prevention of SSIs. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiologists are responsible for many of the processes of care shown to impact the risk for SSIs, and they play an important role in the prevention of SSIs. Their leadership in the multidisciplinary efforts to improve the quality of the surgical patient is of critical importance.

Quality of inguinal hernia operative reports: room for improvement.

BACKGROUND: Operative reports (ORs) serve as the official documentation of surgical procedures. They are essential for optimal patient care, physician accountability and billing, and direction for clinical research and auditing. Nonstandardized narrative reports are often of poor quality and lacking in detail. We sought to audit the completeness of narrative inguinal hernia ORs. METHODS: A standardized checklist for inguinal hernia repair (IHR) comprising 33 variables was developed by consensus of 4 surgeons. Five high-volume IHR surgeons categorized items as essential, preferable or nonessential. We audited ORs for open IHR at 6 academic hospitals. RESULTS: We audited 213 ORs, and we excluded 7 femoral hernia ORs. Tension-free repairs were the most common (82.5%), and the plug-and-patch technique was the most frequent (52.9%). Residents dictated 59% of ORs. Of 33 variables, 15 were considered essential and, on average, 10.8 ± 1.3 were included. Poorly reported elements included first occurrence versus recurrent repair (8.3%), small bowel viability in incarcerated hernias (10.7%) and occurrence of intraoperative complications (32.5%). Of 18 nonessential elements, deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, preoperative antibiotics and urgency were reported in 1.9%, 11.7% and 24.3% of ORs, respectively. Repair-specific details were reported in 0 to 97.1% of ORs, including patch sutured to tubercle (55.1%) and location of plug (67.0%). CONCLUSION: Completeness of IHR ORs varied with regards to essential and nonessential items but were generally incomplete, suggesting there is opportunity for improvement, including implementation of a standardized synoptic OR.

CONTEXTE: Les notes opératoires (NO) servent à documenter officiellement les interventions chirurgicales. Elles sont indispensables à des soins optimaux aux patients, à l'imputabilité des médecins, à la facturation de leurs actes, à l'orientation de la recherche clinique et aux vérifications. Les notes narratives non standardisées sont souvent de piètre qualité et incomplètes. Nous avons voulu vérifier l'exhaustivité des notes opératoires narratives concernant les réparations d'hernies inguinales (RHI). MÉTHODES: Une équipe de 4 chirurgiens a créé une liste de vérification standardisée consensuelle comprenant 33 variables applicables à la RHI. Cinq chirurgiens experts des RHI ont classé ces éléments selon qu'ils leurs semblaient essentiels, préférables ou non essentiels. Nous avons passé en revue les NO des RHI ouvertes effectuées dans 6 hôpitaux universitaires. RÉSULTATS: Nous avons passé en revue 213 NO et nous avons exclus les NO concernant 7 hernies fémorales. Les réparations sans tension se sont révélées les plus communes (82,5 %) et la technique plug-and-patch a été la plus fréquente (52,9 %). Les résidents ont dicté 59 % des NO. Sur les 33 variables, 15 étaient considérées essentielles et en moyenne, 10,8 ± 1,3 ont été incluses dans les NO. Parmi les éléments qui laissaient à désirer, mentionnons : première réparation c. réparation récurrente (8,3 %), viabilité du grêle dans les hernies incarcérées (10,7 %) et complications peropératoires (32,5 %). Parmi les 18 éléments jugés non essentiels, la prophylaxie contre la thrombose veineuse profonde, l'antibioprophylaxie et le degré d'urgence ont été mentionnés dans 1,9 %, 11,7 % et 24,3 % des NO, respectivement. Les détails spécifiques à la réparation ont été notés dans 0 à 97,1 % des NO, y compris la fixation de la prothèse au tubercule par des sutures (55,1 %) et la localisation du bouchon (67,0 %). CONCLUSION: L'exhaustivité des NO consignées dans les cas de RHI a varié en ce qui a trait aux éléments jugés essentiels et non essentiels et les NO se sont généralement révélées incomplètes. On en conclut qu'il y a place à amélioration, entre autre par l'adoption d'un modèle synoptique standardisé de NO.

Surgical site infection rates are higher among elective colorectal surgery patients receiving non-beta-lactam-based antimicrobial prophylaxis: A retrospective chart review.

We compared the odds of acquiring surgical site infection (SSI) for clean-contaminated colorectal surgeries between intravenous ß-lactam-based prophylaxis (BLP) versus alternative antimicrobial prophylaxis (AAP). We calculated the odds of acquiring an SSI using logistic regression; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Increased odds of SSI were detected with AAP versus BLP (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.33-3.50; P = .002).

Analysis of administrative data finds endoscopist quality measures associated with postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Most quality indicators for colonoscopy measure processes; little is known about their relationship to patient outcomes. We investigated whether characteristics of endoscopists, determined from administrative data, are associated with development of postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC). METHODS: We identified individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Ontario from 2000 to 2005 using the Ontario Cancer Registry. We determined performance of colonoscopy using Ontario Health Insurance Plan data. Patients who had complete colonoscopies 7 to 36 months before diagnosis were defined as having a PCCRC. Patients who had complete colonoscopies within 6 months of diagnosis had detected cancers. We determined if endoscopist factors (volume, polypectomy and completion rate, specialization, and setting) were associated with PCCRC using logistic regression, controlling for potential covariates. RESULTS: In the study, 14,064 patients had a colonoscopy examination within 36 months of diagnosis; 584 (6.8%) with distal and 676 (12.4%) with proximal tumors had PCCRC. The endoscopist's specialty (nongastroenterologist/nongeneral surgeon) and setting (non-hospital-based colonoscopy) were associated with PCCRC. Those who underwent colonoscopy by an endoscopist with a high completion rate were less likely to have a PCCRC (distal: odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.97; P = .03; proximal: OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.53-0.97; P = .002). Patients with proximal cancers undergoing colonoscopy by endoscopists who performed polypectomies at high rates had a lower risk of PCCRC (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.42-0.89; P < .0001). Endoscopist volume was not associated with PCCRC. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopist characteristics derived from administrative data are associated with development of PCCRC and have potential use as quality indicators.

Surgical site infection prevention: a survey to identify the gap between evidence and practice in University of Toronto teaching hospitals.

BACKGROUND: A gap exists between the best evidence and practice with regards to surgical site infection (SSI) prevention. Awareness of evidence is the first step in knowledge translation. METHODS: A web-based survey was distributed to 59 general surgeons and 68 residents at University of Toronto teaching hospitals. Five domains pertaining to SSI prevention with questions addressing knowledge of prevention strategies, efficacy of antibiotics, strategies for changing practice and barriers to implementation of SSI prevention strategies were investigated. RESULTS: Seventy-six individuals (60%) responded. More than 90% of respondents stated there was evidence for antibiotic prophylaxis and perioperative normothermia and reported use of these strategies. There was a discrepancy in the perceived evidence for and the self-reported use of perioperative hyperoxia, omission of hair removal and bowel preparation. Eighty-three percent of respondents felt that consulting published guidelines is important in making decisions regarding antibiotics. There was also a discrepancy between what respondents felt were important strategies to ensure timely administration of antibiotics and what strategies were in place. Checklists, standardized orders, protocols and formal surveillance programs were rated most highly by 75%-90% of respondents, but less than 50% stated that these strategies were in place at their institutions. CONCLUSION: Broad-reaching initiatives that increase surgeon and trainee awareness and implementation of multifaceted hospital strategies that engage residents and attending surgeons are needed to change practice.

Long-term survival in young adults with colorectal cancer: a population-based study.

PURPOSE: This study compares the long-term survival of young adults with colorectal cancer who lived a minimum of 5 years after diagnosis with a cancer-free control population. METHODS: A population-based study was conducted using cancer registry and administrative data. Persons aged 20 to 44 years in whom colorectal cancer was diagnosed between 1992 and 1999 and who lived at least 5 years after diagnosis were identified using the Ontario Cancer Registry. Patients with colorectal cancer were matched 1:5 to randomly selected controls (who were cancer free at the corresponding date of diagnosis) by use of the Registered Persons Database of Ontario based on age, sex, and geographic location. Time-to-death was compared between patients with colorectal cancer and controls by use of Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox proportional hazard regression. RESULTS: Nine hundred seventeen young adults with colorectal cancer who lived at least 5 years after diagnosis and 4585 controls were identified. The median follow-up after achieving 5-year survivor status was 6.2 years; 9.5% (87) of patients with colorectal cancer died compared with 1.2% (56) of controls (P < .0001). 62.1% of deaths In the colorectal cancer patient population were attributed to malignant disease. Colorectal cancer patients were significantly more likely to die over time than controls (hazard ratio, 8.2; 95% CI (5.8, 11.6)). Those patients with no evidence of disease recurrence within the first 5 years after diagnosis also remained at an increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 2.0, 95% CI (1.2, 3.6)). CONCLUSIONS: Young adult 5-year survivors of colorectal cancer remain at a higher risk of long-term death than age-matched controls.

Preoperative bowel preparation for patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery: a clinical practice guideline endorsed by the Canadian Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence that mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) does not reduce the rate of postoperative complications, many surgeons still use MBP before surgery. We sought to appraise and synthesize the available evidence regarding preoperative bowel preparation in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing patients who received a bowel preparation with those who did not. Two authors reviewed the abstracts to identify articles for critical appraisal. We used the methods of the United States Preventive Services Task Force to grade study quality and level of evidence, as well as formulate the final recommendations. Outcomes assessed included postoperative infectious complications, such as anastomotic dehiscence and superficial surgical site infections. RESULTS: Our review identified 14 RCTs and 8 meta-analyses. Based on the quality and content of these original manuscripts, we formulated 6 recommendations for various aspects of bowel preparation in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the lack of difference in postoperative infectious complication rates when MBP is omitted and the adverse effects of MBP, we believe that, based on the literature, MBP before surgery should be omitted.

Sepsis is a major predictor of failure after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the risk of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis failure and factors predictive of failure overall and in patients with septic complications. METHODS: Patients were identified through a prospectively maintained patient registry. All patients registered in the Mount Sinai Hospital Inflammatory Bowel Disease database who had an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for more than 12 months were included in the study. Pouch failure was defined as ileal pouch-anal anastomosis excision or permanent diversion. Cox proportional hazard models with death as a competing risk were created, modeling time to failure as the outcome of interest for all patients and for the subgroup of patients with septic complications. RESULTS: The study included 1,554 patients. One hundred six patients experienced an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis failure (6.8%), 49 (46.2%) of these failures were caused by septic complications. Independent predictors of failure included Crohn's disease (hazard ratio 7.5, 95% confidence interval [4.7, 12.0]) and postoperative sepsis (hazard ratio 6.6, 95% confidence interval [4.4, 9.8]). In the subgroup of patients with failure due to postoperative septic complications, independent predictors of failure were Crohn's disease (hazard ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval [1.3, 5.7]) and presence of a pouch fistula (hazard ratio 2.6, 95% confidence interval [1.3, 5.2]). CONCLUSION: Septic complications are the most common cause of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis failure. Careful patient selection and the prevention of septic complications may decrease the risk of this failure.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs for patients having colorectal surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery after surgery programs have been introduced with aims of improving patient care, reducing complication rates, and shortening hospital stay following colorectal surgery. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine whether enhanced recovery after surgery programs, when compared to traditional perioperative care, are associated with reduced primary hospital length of stay in adult patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and the reference lists were searched for relevant articles. Only randomized controlled trials comparing an enhanced recovery program with traditional postoperative care were included. RESULTS: Three of four included studies showed significantly shorter primary lengths of stay for patients enrolled in enhanced recovery programs. There was no significant difference in postoperative mortality when the two groups were compared [relative risk (RR) = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.12-2.38; test for heterogeneity, p = 0.40 and I (2) = 0], and patients in enhanced recovery programs were less likely to develop postoperative complications (RR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42-0.88; test for heterogeneity, p = 0.95 and I (2) = 0). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is some evidence to suggest that enhanced recovery after surgery programs are better than traditional perioperative care, but evidence from a larger, better quality randomized controlled trial is necessary.

Implementation of evidence-based practices for surgical site infection prophylaxis: results of a pre- and postintervention study.

BACKGROUND: Although evidence-based guidelines for best practices pertaining to surgical site infection (SSI) prophylaxis exist, the feasibility of implementing such practices remains to be demonstrated outside of a controlled clinical trial. This study was designed to assess the safety and feasibility of implementing evidence-based care practices to prevent SSIs. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, double-cohort (pre- and postintervention) trial in elective, general surgery patients was conducted. All patients undergoing elective, major colorectal or hepatobiliary operations were enrolled. Postintervention cohort patients were exposed to new strategies to improve antibiotic administration times, perioperative normothermia rates, and perioperative glucose control. They were compared with the preintervention cohort, which received standard practice at the time. Outcomes evaluated include timing of antibiotic administration, perioperative temperatures, and postoperative glucose levels. SSI rates between cohorts were also compared. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients were enrolled. The proportion of patients receiving their preoperative antibiotics within 60 minutes improved from 5.9% to 92.6% (p < 0.001); perioperative normothermia rates improved from 60.5% to 97.6% (p < 0.001) between cohorts. There was no improvement in rates of hyperglycemia. SSI rates improved but did not reach statistical significance (14.3% versus 8.7%; p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of evidence-based care practices to prevent SSI is both safe and practical outside the setting of a randomized, controlled trial. Sustained compliance remains to be demonstrated, although practice audits at our institution suggest ongoing success is possible.

Undergraduate surgical training: variations in program objectives and curriculum implementation across Canada.

BACKGROUND: Although nationally recognized learning objectives for undergraduate surgical education exist, the extent to which Canadian medical schools follow these guidelines has never been established. METHODS: We distributed a survey to all program directors and clinical-teaching-unit coordinators for undergraduate surgery at Canada's 16 medical schools, and subsequently assessed the perceived emphasis placed on learning objectives and student performance, and the impact of instructional tools and teaching locations. RESULTS: Program directors in 15 medical schools responded to the survey. We identified a wide variation in the emphasis placed on basic learning objectives as well as specialty specific learning objectives. The length of rotations, methods of instruction and tools used to grade student performance also varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest significant variation in the design and implementation of undergraduate surgical education in Canada. This study may serve as a basis for reassessing learning objectives in Canadian undergraduate surgical education.