Multidisciplinary Project to Prevent Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with increased lengths of stay, inpatient costs, and mortality. Review of institutional data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) NSQIP revealed opportunities to improve practices with respect to urinary catheter (Foley) insertion, catheter care, adherence to diagnosis and prevention protocols, and ACS NSQIP reporting. STUDY DESIGN: A multidisciplinary quality improvement team convened and implemented interventions based on a literature review and analysis of institutional drivers of postoperative UTI. The team educated the ACS NSQIP surgical clinical reviewers and clinical teams about UTI diagnostic criteria and prevention, trained staff in proper catheterization technique, and provided performance feedback. The team also developed kits with supplies and instructions for patients who were discharged home with catheters, along with an instructional video. The investigators evaluated project effectiveness by comparing pre- and postintervention process measures and rates of postoperative UTI. RESULTS: After interventions, compliance rates improved for hand hygiene (62% to 83%, p = 0.04), precleansing of the periurethral area (66% to 97%, p = 0.001), and catheter positioning (41% to 93%, p < 0.001), and the composite performance (10% to 73%, p < 0.001). Surgery residents' scores on a UTI knowledge assessment improved from 71% to 81% (p = 0.005). The majority of residents and staff strongly agreed that the training sessions would change their practice (57% and 69%, respectively). The unadjusted rate of postoperative UTIs at our institution decreased from 1.55% to 0.69% (p = 0.016), corresponding to an improvement in the ACS NSQIP odds ratio from 1.51 to 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: A series of interventions, including provider training, patient education, and audits of practice with performance feedback, are associated with improvements in both practice and the incidence of postoperative UTI.

Knowledge and Comfort With Pessary Use: A Survey of US Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine factors associated with perceived comfort with pessary management among obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) residents in the United States. METHODS: A 31-item anonymous electronic survey regarding experience with, attitudes toward, and comfort with pessary management was distributed to US OB/GYN residents in all postgraduate years (PGYs). Demographic and program-specific data on pessary education were collected. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Single-predictor logistic regression analysis, followed by analysis of a multivariable model that included significant single predictors, was performed to determine factors associated with residents' perception of comfort. Results were stratified for junior (PGYs 1, 2), senior (PGYs 3, 4), and chief (PGY4) residents. RESULTS: Four hundred seventy-eight completed surveys were returned and analyzed. Mean age of respondents was 29.5 (±2.56) years. Training levels were distributed evenly (PGY1, 25%; PGY2, 28%; PGY3, 25%; PGY4, 22%). Twenty-eight percent had a urogynecology fellowship in the department. Factors associated with comfort were similar for all training levels and included working with advanced practitioners, a formal urogynecology rotation, experience with pessary fitting, and receiving formal pessary-specific didactics (P < 0.001). PGY4s also benefitted from a formal urogynecology rotation. Factors that did not improve comfort were having a urogynecology fellowship and receiving general didactics on prolapse and incontinence. CONCLUSIONS: Gaining outpatient experience, especially with pessary fitting, along with formal didactics specific to pessary fitting and management may improve resident' confidence with pessary use.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Patient-Controlled Valve Catheter and Indwelling Foley Catheter for Short-term Bladder Drainage.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare catheter-related pain and quality-of-life scores between 2 catheters used after failed voiding trials following urogynecologic surgery. METHODS: Women failing an inpatient voiding trial requiring short-term catheterization after urogynecologic surgery were randomized to receive either a standard FC or a patient-controlled VC. Subjects completed a 6-item, visual analog scale-based postoperative questionnaire (POQ) and an outpatient voiding trial 3 to 7 days after surgery. Baseline demographic, surgical data, and results of the outpatient voiding trial were recorded. The primary outcome was the difference in mean score for catheter-related pain on the POQ, based on intent to treat. Secondary outcomes included between-group differences in means for individual POQ items and a calculated composite satisfaction score. The statistician was blinded to group assignment. RESULTS: Forty-nine subjects were randomized to FC (n = 24) and VC (n = 25). Two subjects, one in each group, were excluded from the primary analysis because of missing data. Mean age was 60.6 (SD, 12.5) years. Baseline characteristics were similar. Valve catheter users had a lower median catheter-related pain score (1.25 vs 2.3), but not significantly (P = 0.153). Valve catheter users had significantly lower median scores for frustration (1.2 vs 3.8; P = 0.018) and limitation on social activities (0 vs 7.6; P < 0.001). Mean composite satisfaction score was statistically significantly lower for the VC group (2.23 [SD, 1.83] vs 3.62 [SD, 1.95]; P < 0.01), suggesting greater satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Valve catheter and FC users report similar catheter-related pain. Valve catheter users scored better in overall satisfaction, frustration, and limitations on social activities.

Correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises in women reporting prior knowledge.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess correct performance of pelvic muscle exercises (PMEs) in women presenting for urogynecologic care who express prior PME knowledge and to identify optimal instruction. METHODS: New patients referred to urogynecology clinic reporting knowledge of PME or Kegels were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning knowledge, prior instruction, and current use of PME. During examination, the participants were asked to perform their PME or Kegel. Initial levator strength was documented by Oxford Scale. Randomized-order instructions were then given to educate women who contracted incorrectly. The participants completed a postexamination questionnaire. Analyses described percentage of women who were able to perform a correct contraction on initial attempt and factors associated with correct performance. Standard statistical methods were used to assess factors associated with correct PME performance and initial strength. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty eligible participants completed the questionnaires. Sixty (24%) participants were unable to correctly perform a PME initially. Of the 83 participants reporting current practice of PME, 23% performed them incorrectly. Prior instruction (odds ratio, 3.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.6-5.7; P < 0.01) and prior feedback (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-12.0; P < 0.05) were associated with correct PME performance. In women who performed PME incorrectly at the initial assessment, "Squeeze the vaginal muscles you use to hold your urine" resulted in correct PME performance most often. CONCLUSIONS: Women reporting prior knowledge of PME may still perform them incorrectly. Providing instruction and feedback is strongly associated with correct performance and can be easily incorporated into pelvic examination. This may improve PME use and effectiveness to control symptoms of pelvic floor disorders.

Urinary Retention After Hysterectomy and Postoperative Analgesic Use.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine risk factors, including postoperative analgesic use, for the development of postoperative urinary retention (PUR) after hysterectomy for routine gynecologic indications using a case-control study design. METHODS: Cases of PUR after hysterectomy were identified from billing data. Cases were those patients requiring recatheterization for inability to void. Controls were similarly identified and matched by age and date of surgery in a 3:1 control-to-case ratio. Chart review was performed to obtain demographic, medical, surgical, anesthetic, and medication data. Cumulative and interval doses of postoperative narcotic were recorded and converted into morphine equivalents. Crude odds ratios (ORs) were determined for potential risk factors for PUR using standard statistical analysis. Conditional logistic regression was used on multivariate models, including cumulative postoperative narcotic use, to determine adjusted ORs for risk factors. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases of PUR were matched with 78 controls. The cases had a higher body mass index (32 vs 28 kg/m2, P = 0.02), had a higher preoperative use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA; 19.2% vs 1.3%, P = 0.004), were more likely to present preoperative urinary retention associated with fibroids (19.2% vs 0%, P < 0.01), and received a higher cumulative narcotic dose in the postoperative period (109 vs 73.6 mg, P < 0.001). In a multivariate model, preoperative TCA use (OR, 30.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.99-456; P = 0.01) and cumulative narcotic dose (OR, 2.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-4.56; P < 0.01) were significantly associated with PUR. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative urinary retention after hysterectomy is associated with higher postoperative narcotic dose, preoperative TCA use, and preoperative urinary retention.

Cost-utility of routine endometrial evaluation before le fort colpocleisis.

INTRODUCTION: Routine preoperative evaluation of the endometrium before Le Fort colpocleisis is often recommended. There are no data, however, to support this practice. In select patients, it may not be a necessary addition to the preoperative evaluation of Le Fort colpocleisis. METHODS: A decision analysis model was created to compare uterine evaluation, by either endometrial (EM) biopsy or transvaginal ultrasound, to no evaluation for a hypothetical cohort of women undergoing Le Fort colpocleisis. We assumed the absence of risk factors for EM cancer. Probabilities and health outcome utilities were obtained from literature review. Medicare charges were used to estimate cost in 2012 US dollars. Cost-utility analysis was performed using US recommendations from a health plan perspective. RESULTS: At willingness-to-pay thresholds of $50,000 and $100,000, no evaluation is superior to both biopsy and ultrasound. At a 64% probability of cancer, biopsy is more cost-effective than no evaluation and ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to biopsy and ultrasound, in low-risk women, no EM evaluation before Le Fort colpocleisis demonstrates superior cost-utility.

Acute urinary retention after cesarean delivery: a case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to identify risk factors for postpartum urinary retention (PPUR) after cesarean delivery (CD). METHODS: A case-control study design was used. Cases of PPUR after CD were identified using billing codes for CD and "urinary retention" and confirmed by chart review. Matched controls were identified in a 2:1 ratio using an obstetrics database and billing data. Patient demographics, operative, and anesthetic data were collected. Fisher exact tests and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to determine differences in medical risk factors, postoperative analgesic use, and catheter management between cases and controls. A modified Poisson conditional multivariate regression with robust error variances was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for significant predictors. RESULTS: Thirty-four confirmed cases of PPUR were matched with 68 controls. The mean ages of cases and controls were 31 and 32 years, respectively. Cases and controls differed in gestational age (P = 0.01), diagnosis of diabetes (P = 0.05), and use of postoperative intravenous and oral narcotics (P < 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). In a multivariate model including these factors, increasing gestational age was associated with decreased risk of PPUR [OR, 0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.01-0.48; P < 0.01], whereas use of postoperative intravenous narcotics (OR, 4.51; 95% CI, 1.09-18.67; P = 0.038) and oral narcotics (OR, 4.99; 95% CI, 1.10-22.65; P = 0.037) were associated with increased risk. CONCLUSIONS: After matching for obstetric factors, use of postoperative narcotic analgesia was associated with increased risk of PPUR. Other operative and anesthetic factors had no association. Multicenter prospective studies are needed to investigate this association.