Readmission After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: Not All Complications Contribute Equally.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of hospital readmission for patients undergoing lobectomy for lung cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Hospital readmission after lobectomy is associated with increased mortality. Greater than 80% of the variability associated with readmission after surgery is at the patient level. This underscores the importance of using a data source that includes detailed clinical information. METHODS: Using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) General Thoracic Surgery Database (GTSD), we conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective lobectomy for lung cancer. Three separate multivariable logistic regression models were generated: the first included preoperative variables, the second added intraoperative variables, and the third added postoperative variables. The c statistic was calculated for each model. RESULTS: There were 39,734 patients from 277 centers. The 30-day readmission rate was 8.2% (n = 3237). In the final model, postoperative complications had the greatest effect on readmission. Pulmonary embolus {odds ratio [OR] 12.34 [95% confidence interval (CI),7.94-19.18]} and empyema, [OR 11.66 (95% CI, 7.31-18.63)] were associated with the greatest odds of readmission, followed by pleural effusion [OR 7.52 (95% CI, 6.01-9.41)], pneumothorax [OR 5.08 (95% CI, 4.16-6.20)], central neurologic event [OR 3.67 (95% CI, 2.23-6.04)], pneumonia [OR 3.13 (95% CI, 2.43-4.05)], and myocardial infarction [OR 3.16 (95% CI, 1.71-5.82)]. The c statistic for the final model was 0.736. CONCLUSIONS: Complications are the main driver of readmission after lobectomy for lung cancer. The highest risk was related to postoperative events requiring a procedure or medical therapy necessitating inpatient care.

Survival and Health Care Use After Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To compare long-term survival of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) to matched controls, and examine whether DBS was associated with differences in injurious falls, long-term care, and home care. METHODS: Using administrative health data (Ontario, Canada), we examined DBS outcomes within a cohort of individuals diagnosed with PD between 1997 and 2012. Patients receiving DBS were matched with non-DBS controls by age, sex, PD diagnosis date, time with PD, and a propensity score. Survival between groups was compared using the log-rank test and marginal Cox proportional hazards regression. Cumulative incidence function curves and marginal subdistribution hazard models were used to assess effects of DBS on falls, long-term care admission, and home care use, with death as a competing risk. RESULTS: There were 260 DBS recipients matched with 551 controls. Patients undergoing DBS did not experience a significant survival advantage compared to controls (log-rank test p = 0.50; HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.65-1.22). Among patients <65 years of age, DBS recipients had a significantly reduced risk of death (HR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.84). Patients receiving DBS were more likely than controls to receive care for falls (HR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.19-2.05) and home care (HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.32-1.90), while long-term care admission was similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving DBS may increase survival for younger PD patients who undergo DBS. Future studies should examine whether survival benefits may be attributed to effects on PD or the absence of comorbidities that influence mortality.

Association of postoperative complications and outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting.

BACKGROUND: The long-term effects of postoperative complications following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are unknown. METHODS: Medicare-linked records from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database were queried for isolated CABG records from 2007 through 2012. Unadjusted and adjusted associations between individual postoperative complications and both mortality and all-cause rehospitalization were evaluated to 7 years using Cox proportional-hazards models and cumulative incidence functions. Because of nonproportional hazards, associations are presented as early (0 to 90 days) and late (90 days to 7 years). RESULTS: Of the 294,533 isolated CABG patients who had records linked to Medicare for long-term follow-up (median age, 73 years; 30% female), 120,721 (41%) experienced at least 1 of the complications of interest, including new-onset atrial fibrillation (30.0%), prolonged ventilation (12.3%), renal failure (4.5%), reoperation (3.5%), stroke (1.9%), and sternal wound infection (0.4%). Each of the 6 postoperative complications was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality and rehospitalization to 7 years despite adjustment for baseline characteristics and the presence of multiple complications. Although the predominant effect of postoperative complications was observed in the first 90 days, the increased risk-adjusted hazard for death and rehospitalization continued through 7 years. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative complications are associated with an increased risk of both early and late mortality and all-cause rehospitalization, particularly during the "value" window within 90 days of CABG. These findings underscore the need to develop avoidance strategies as well as cost-adjustment methods for each of these complications.

Self-reported vision and hallucinations in older adults: results from two longitudinal US health surveys.

BACKGROUND: Vision loss may be a risk factor for hallucinations, but this has not been studied at the population level. METHODS: To determine the association between self-reported vision loss and hallucinations in a large community-based sample of older adults, we performed a cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis of two large, nationally representative US health surveys: the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Visual impairment and hallucinations were self- or proxy-reported. Multivariate single and mixed effects logistic regression models were built to examine whether visual impairment and history of cataract surgery were associated with hallucinations. RESULTS: In NHATS (n = 1520), hallucinations were more prevalent in those who reported difficulty reading newspaper print (OR 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32-2.39) or recognising someone across the street (OR 2.48, 95% CI: 1.86-3.31) after adjusting for confounders. In HRS (n = 3682), a similar association was observed for overall (OR 1.32, 95% CI: 1.08-1.60), distance (OR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.32-1.96) and near eyesight difficulties (OR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.25-1.85). In neither sample was there a significant association between cataract surgery and hallucinations after adjusting for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Visual dysfunction is associated with increased odds of hallucinations in the older US adult population. This suggests that the prevention and treatment of vision loss may potentially reduce the prevalence of hallucinations in older adults.

Adverse Drug Events as a Reason for Adult Hospitalization: A Nationwide Readmission Study.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are common; however, there are limited data on the impact of ADEs on post-discharge outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To identify ADEs responsible for readmission within 6 months of hospital discharge in the United States. Secondary objectives were to examine whether demographic, clinical, and hospital characteristics were associated with ADE readmission. METHODS: We identified all adults hospitalized between January and June using the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database. Nationally representative estimates of hospitalization outcomes and ADE-related readmissions, excluding ADEs from illicit drug use and intentional overdose, were computed using survey weighting methods. Associations between patient, clinical, and hospital characteristics, and ADE readmission were assessed using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 10 889 282 hospitalizations meeting inclusion criteria. The 6-month readmission rate was 17.8% (n = 1 943 111). A total of 6964 readmissions were attributed to an ADE, most frequently "poisoning by opiates and related narcotics" (18.3%), "poisoning by benzodiazepines" (11.9%), and "dermatitis due to drugs and medicines taken internally" (9.4%). Factors identified as being positively associated with ADE readmission included age <60 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.45-1.97), Medicare insurance (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI = 2.55-3.38), and discharge to home health care (AOR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.28-1.59). Conclusion and Relevance: Readmissions caused by ADEs are frequently attributed to opiate and benzodiazepine poisonings, and factors such as age, insurance status, and discharge disposition were found to be associated with ADE readmission. Future studies are needed to examine whether ADE readmissions are preventable.

A Study of Practice Behavior for Endotracheal Intubation Site for Children With Congenital Heart Disease Undergoing Surgery: Impact of Endotracheal Intubation Site on Perioperative Outcomes-An Analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Cardiac Anesthesia Society Database.

BACKGROUND: In adults undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, oral intubation is typically preferred over nasal intubation due to reduced risk of sinusitis and infection. In children, nasal intubation is more common and sometimes preferred due to perceived benefits of less postoperative sedation and a lower risk for accidental extubation. This study sought to describe the practice of nasal intubation in the pediatric population undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and assess the risks/benefits of a nasal route against an oral one. METHODS: Patients <18 years of age in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database between January 2010 and December 2015 were included. Patients with a preoperative endotracheal tube, tracheostomy, or known airway anomalies were excluded. Multivariable modeling was used to assess the association between route of tracheal intubation and a composite measure of infection risk (wound infection, mediastinitis, septicemia, pneumonia, and endocarditis). Covariates were included to adjust for important patient characteristics (eg, weight, age, comorbidities), case complexity, and center effects. Secondary outcomes included length of intubation, hospital length of stay, and airway complications including accidental extubations. We also performed a subanalysis in children <12 months of age in high-volume centers (>100 cases/y) examining how infection risk may change with age at the time of surgery. RESULTS: Nasal intubation was used in 41% of operations in neonates, 38% in infants, 15% in school-aged children, and 2% in adolescents. Nasal intubation appeared protective for accidental extubation only in neonates (P = .02). Multivariable analysis in infants and neonates showed that the nasal route of intubation was not associated with the infection composite (relative risk [RR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.59-1.18) or a shorter length of stay (RR, 0.992; 95% CI, 0.947-1.039), but was associated with a shorter intubation length (RR, 0.929; 95% CI, 0.869-0.992). Restricting to high-volume centers showed a significant interaction between age and intubation route with a risk change for infection occurring between approximately 6-12 months of age (P = .003). CONCLUSIONS: While older children undergoing nasal intubation trend similar to the adult population with an increased risk of infection, nasal intubation in neonates and infants does not appear to carry a similar risk. Nasal intubation in neonates and infants may also be associated with a shorter intubation length but not a shorter length of stay. Prospective studies are required to better understand these complex associations.

Association between medication-related adverse events and non-elective readmission in acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the effects of medication-related adverse events occurring during inpatient stays for stroke. The objectives of our study were to characterize reasons for acute readmission after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and determine if medication-related adverse events occuring during AIS hospitalization were associated with 30-day readmission. Secondary objectives examined whether demographic, clinical, and hospital characterisitcs were associated with post-AIS readmission. METHODS: We used the Nationwide Readmission Database to identify index AIS hospitalizations in the United States between January and November 2014. Inpatient records were screened for diagnostic and external causes of injury codes indicative of medication-related adverse events, including adverse effects of prescribed drugs, unintentional overdosing, and medication errors. Nationally representative estimates of AIS hospitalizations, medication-related adverse events, and acute non-elective readmissions were computed using survey weighting methods. Adjusted odds of readmission for medication-related adverse events and select characteristics were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: We identified 439,682 individuals who were hospitalized with AIS, 4.7% of whom experienced a medication-related adverse event. Overall, 10.7% of hospitalized individuals with AIS were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Reasons for readmission were consistent with those observed among older adults. Inpatients who experienced medication-related adverse events had significantly greater odds of being readmitted within 30 days (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14-1.30). Medication-related adverse events were associated with readmission for non-AIS conditions (AOR, 1.26; 95% CI: 1.17-1.35), but not with readmission for AIS (AOR, 0.91; 95% CI: 0.75-1.10). Several factors, including but not limited to being younger than 40 years (AOR, 1.12; 95% CI: 1.00-1.26), Medicare insurance coverage (AOR, 1.33; 95% CI: 1.26-1.40), length of stay greater than 1 week (AOR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.33-1.42), having 7 or more comorbidites (AOR, 2.20; 95% CI: 2.08-2.34), and receiving care at a for-profit hospital (AOR, 1.20; 95% CI: 1.12-1.29), were identified as being associated with all-cause 30-day readmission. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationally representative sample of AIS hospitalizations, medication-related adverse events were positively associated with 30-day readmission for non-AIS causes. Future studies are necessary to determine whether medication-related adverse events and readmissions in AIS are avoidable.

Readmissions After Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the United States: A Nationwide Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Mechanical thrombectomy after acute ischemic stroke has been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Data on short-term hospitalization outcomes after thrombectomy are needed. Our objective was to quantify 30- and 90-day readmissions after thrombectomy and identify factors associated with readmissions. METHODS: Retrospective observational analysis of adult patients hospitalized between January and November 2014, using data from the 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Readmission rates were calculated and examined according to patient, clinical, and hospital characteristics using descriptive statistics. Weighted unconditional logistic regression models estimated the odds of readmission and examine the associations between select characteristics and readmission. RESULTS: 4850 individuals who underwent mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in 2014 were eligible for 30-day readmissions analyses. The nonelective readmission rate was 12.5% at 30 days, 20.7% at 90 days. Sepsis and stroke were the most common reasons for readmission. Female sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.34, 1.02-1.77 at 30 days), discharge to inpatient postacute care facility (AOR 1.61, 1.07-2.41 at 30 days, AOR 1.99, 1.47-2.69 at 90 days), and longer initial length of stay (AOR 1.52, 1.04-2.23 at 30 days, AOR 1.67, 1.14-2.43 at 90 days) were associated with a higher likelihood of readmission. Thrombectomy complications were rare and not associated with readmission. CONCLUSIONS: 1 in 8 thrombectomy patients had a short-term readmission in 2014. Characteristics suggestive of a complicated hospital course or greater physical disability were the primary predictors of readmission. This study provides preliminary data for evaluations of the public health impact of mechanical thrombectomy in real world settings.

Hospital care for mental health and substance abuse conditions in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine mental health conditions among hospitalized individuals with Parkinson's disease in the United States. METHODS: This was a serial cross-sectional study of hospitalizations of individuals aged ≥60 identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample dataset from 2000 to 2010. We identified all hospitalizations with a diagnosis of PD, alcohol abuse, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, impulse control disorders, mania, psychosis, substance abuse, and attempted suicide/suicidal ideation. National estimates of each mental health condition were compared between hospitalized individuals with and without PD. Hierarchical logistic regression models determined which inpatient mental health diagnoses were associated with PD, adjusting for demographic, payer, geographic, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 3,918,703 mental health and substance abuse hospitalizations. Of these, 2.8% (n = 104, 437) involved a person also diagnosed with PD. The majority of mental health and substance abuse patients were white (86.9% of PD vs 83.3% of non-PD). Women were more common than men in both groups (male:female prevalence ratio, PD: 0.78, 0.78-0.79, non-PD: 0.58, 0.57-0.58). Depression (adjusted odds ratio 1.32, 1.31-1.34), psychosis (adjusted odds ratio 1.25, 1.15-1.33), bipolar disorder (adjusted odds ratio 2.74, 2.69-2.79), impulse control disorders (adjusted odds ratio 1.51, 1.31-1.75), and mania (adjusted odds ratio 1.43, 1.18-1.74) were more likely among PD patients, alcohol abuse was less likely (adjusted odds ratio 0.26, 0.25-0.27). We found no PD-associated difference in suicide-related care. CONCLUSIONS: PD patients have unique patterns of acute care for mental health and substance abuse. Research is needed to guide PD treatment in individuals with pre-existing psychiatric illnesses, determine cross provider reliability of psychiatric diagnoses in PD patients, and inform efforts to improve psychiatric outcomes. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Patient safety events in hospital care of individuals with epilepsy.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe patient adverse events (PAEs) experienced by hospitalized individuals with epilepsy and examine the association of an epilepsy diagnosis on risk of specific PAEs; (2) to examine the impact of a PAE on (a) length of stay (LOS), (b) inpatient death, and (c) use of institutional post-acute care. METHODS: We applied the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Patient Safety Indicator (PSI) software to the National Inpatient Sample database to identify potential medical and postoperative PAEs among >72 million hospitalizations of adults in the United States from 2000 to 2010. Logistic regression models compared the odds of experiencing each PAE between hospitalizations of persons with epilepsy (PWE) and the general inpatient population. We also examined the impact of experiencing a PAE on LOS, inpatient death, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Hospitalized PWEs were at increased risk for specific postoperative PAEs: fall with hip fracture (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AOR 1.90, 1.21-2.99), respiratory failure (AOR 2.64, 2.43-2.87), sepsis (AOR 1.41, 1.21-1.63), and preventable postoperative death (AOR 1.25, 1.15-1.36). The odds of perioperative pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis (AOR 1.65, 1.57-1.73), skin pressure ulcer (AOR 1.25, 1.22-1.29), and central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections (AOR 1.24, 1.17-1.32) were also greater among hospitalizations of PWEs. Experiencing a PAE was associated with a prolonged mean length of stay (15 days vs. 5 days, t-test p < 0.001), a 416% increase in the odds of inpatient death (AOR 4.16, 3.95-4.38), and a 282% increase in use of high-level post-acute care (AOR 2.82, 2.72-2.93). SIGNIFICANCE: Hospitalized adults with epilepsy are vulnerable to specific safety-related adverse events, and these potential patient safety failures substantially impact outcomes and resource use. Efforts to reduce long-term disability and improve the value of care delivered to PWEs may need to consider provider-level interventions to reduce adverse events.

Hospital care for mental health and substance abuse in children with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Reducing the burden of pediatric mental illness requires greater knowledge of mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) outcomes in children who are at an increased risk of primary psychiatric illness. National data on hospital care for psychiatric illness in children with epilepsy are limited. METHODS: We used the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID), the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality from 2003 to 2009 to examine MHSA hospitalization patterns in children with comorbid epilepsy. Nonparametric and regression analyses determined the association of comorbid epilepsy with specific MHSA diagnoses and examined the impact of epilepsy on length of stay (LOS) for such MHSA diagnoses while controlling for demographic, payer, and hospital characteristics. RESULTS: We observed 353,319 weighted MHSA hospitalizations of children ages 6-20; 3280 of these involved a child with epilepsy. Depression was the most common MHSA diagnosis in the general population (39.5%) whereas bipolar disorder was the most common MHSA diagnosis among children with epilepsy (36.2%). Multivariate logistic regression models revealed that children with comorbid epilepsy had greater adjusted odds of bipolar disorder (AOR: 1.17, 1.04-1.30), psychosis (AOR: 1.78, 1.51-2.09), sleep disorder (AOR: 5.90, 1.90-18.34), and suicide attempt/ideation (AOR: 3.20, 1.46-6.99) compared to the general MHSA inpatient population. Epilepsy was associated with a greater LOS and a higher adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) for prolonged LOS (IRR: 1.12, 1.09-1.17), particularly for suicide attempt/ideation (IRR: 3.74, 1.68-8.34). CONCLUSIONS: Children with epilepsy have distinct patterns of hospital care for mental illness and substance abuse and experience prolonged hospitalization for MHSA conditions. Strategies to reduce psychiatric hospitalizations in this population may require disease-specific approaches and should measure disease-relevant outcomes. Hospitals caring for large numbers of children with neurological disease (such as academic centers) may have inaccurate measurements of mental health-care quality unless the impact of key comorbid conditions such as epilepsy is considered.

Trends in inpatient antiparkinson drug use in the USA, 2001-2012.

PURPOSE: Although therapeutic options and clinical guidelines for Parkinson's disease (PD) have changed significantly in the past 15 years, prescribing trends in the USA remain unknown. The purpose of this population-based cohort study was to examine patterns of inpatient antiparkinson drug use between January 2001 and December 2012 in relation to clinical guideline publication, drug introduction/withdrawal, and emerging safety concerns. METHODS: A total of 16,785 inpatients receiving pharmacological treatment for PD were identified in the Cerner Health Facts database. Our primary outcome was standardized (age, sex, race, and census region) annual prevalence of antiparkinson drug use. We also examined antiparkinson medication trends and polypharmacy by age and sex. RESULTS: The most frequently prescribed antiparkinson drugs between 2001 and 2012 were levodopa (85%) and dopamine agonists (28%). Dopamine agonist use began declining in 2007, from 34 to 27% in 2012. The decline followed publication of the American Academy of Neurology's practice parameter refuting levodopa toxicity, pergolide withdrawal, and pramipexole label revisions. Despite safety concerns for cognitive impairment and falls, individuals ≥80 years of age demonstrated stable rates of dopamine agonist use from 2001 to 2012. Polypharmacy was most common in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Dopamine agonist use declined from 2007 to 2012, suggesting that increased awareness of safety issues and practice guidelines influenced prescribing. These events appear to have minimally influenced treatment provided to older PD patients. Antiparkinson prescribing trends indicate that safety and best practice information may be communicated effectively.

Anesthetic management for transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A national anesthesia clinical outcomes registry analysis.

Background: General anesthesia has traditionally been used in transcatheter aortic valve replacement; however, there has been increasing interest and momentum in alternative anesthetic techniques. Aims: To perform a descriptive study of anesthetic management options in transcatheter aortic valve replacements in the United States, comparing trends in use of monitored anesthesia care versus general anesthesia. Settings and Design: Data evaluated from the American Society of Anesthesiologists' (ASA) Anesthesia Quality Institute's National Anesthesia Clinical Outcomes Registry. Materials and Methods: Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors associated with use of monitored anesthesia care compared to general anesthesia. Results: The use of monitored anesthesia care has increased from 1.8% of cases in 2013 to 25.2% in 2017 (p = 0.0001). Patients were more likely ages 80+ (66% vs. 61%; p = 0.0001), male (54% vs. 52%; p = 0.0001), ASA physical status > III (86% vs. 80%; p = 0.0001), cared for in the Northeast (38% vs. 22%; p = 0.0001), and residents in zip codes with higher median income ($63,382 vs. $55,311; p = 0.0001). Multivariable analysis revealed each one-year increase in age, every 50 procedures performed annually at a practice, and being male were associated with 3% (p = 0.0001), 33% (p = 0.012), and 16% (p = 0.026) increased odds of monitored anesthesia care, respectively. Centers in the Northeast were more likely to use monitored anesthesia care (all p < 0.005). Patients who underwent approaches other than percutaneous femoral arterial were less likely to receive monitored anesthesia care (adjusted odds ratios all < 0.51; all p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Anesthetic type for transcatheter aortic valve replacements in the United States varies with age, sex, geography, volume of cases performed at a center, and procedural approach.

Comparing Consumer-Directed Hospital Rankings With STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Public interest in stratifying hospital performance has led to the proliferation of commercial, consumer-oriented hospital rankings. In cardiac surgery, little is known about how these rankings correlate with clinical registry quality ratings. METHODS: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database was queried for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting or coronary artery bypass grafting/valve patients at hospitals among the top 100 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR) Cardiology & Heart Surgery rankings from 2016 to 2020. Hospitals were grouped into deciles by risk-adjusted observed/expected (O/E) ratios for morbidity and mortality using the STS 2018 risk models. Agreement between STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database and USNWR ranked deciles was calculated by Bowker symmetry test. The association between each center's annual change in STS O/E ratio and change in USNWR ranking was modeled in repeated measures regression analysis. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 524 393 patients from 149 hospitals that ranked in USNWR top 100 at least once during the study period. There was no agreement between USNWR ranking and STS major morbidity and mortality O/E ratio (P > .50 for all years). Analysis of patients undergoing surgery at the 65 hospitals that were consistently ranked in the top 100 during the study period demonstrated no association between annual change in hospital ranking and change in O/E ratio (P all > .3). CONCLUSIONS: There was no agreement between annual USNWR hospital ranking and corresponding risk-adjusted STS morbidity or mortality. Furthermore, annual changes in USNWR rankings could not be accounted for using clinical outcomes. These findings suggest that factors unrelated to key surgical outcomes may be driving consumer-directed rankings.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2021 Adult Cardiac Surgery Risk Models for Multiple Valve Operations.

BACKGROUND: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Quality Measurement Task Force has developed risk models and composite performance measures for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR), isolated mitral valve replacement or repair (MVRR), AVR+CABG, and MVRR+CABG. To further enhance its portfolio of risk-adjusted performance metrics, STS has developed new risk models for multiple valve operations ± CABG procedures. METHODS: Using July 2011 to June 2019 STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database data, risk models for AVR+MVRR (n = 31,968) and AVR+MVRR+CABG (n = 12,650) were developed with the following endpoints: Operative Mortality, major morbidity (any 1 or more of the following: cardiac reoperation, deep sternal wound infection/mediastinitis, stroke, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure), and combined mortality and/or major morbidity. Data were divided into development (July 2011 to June 2017; n = 35,109) and validation (July 2017 to June 2019; n = 9509) samples. Predictors were selected by assessing model performance and clinical face validity of full and progressively more parsimonious models. Performance of the resulting models was evaluated by assessing discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: C-statistics for the overall population of multiple valve ± CABG procedures were 0.7086, 0.6734, and 0.6840 for mortality, morbidity, and combined mortality and/or morbidity in the development sample, and 0.6953, 0.6561, and 0.6634 for the same outcomes, respectively, in the validation sample. CONCLUSIONS: New STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database risk models have been developed for multiple valve ± CABG operations, and these models will be used in subsequent STS performance metrics.

Impact of ICD-9 to ICD-10 Coding Transition on Prevalence Trends in Neurology.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) coding transition on the point prevalence and longitudinal trends of 16 neurologic diagnoses. METHODS: We used 2014-2017 data from the National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalizations with one of 16 common neurologic diagnoses. We used published ICD-9-CM codes to identify hospitalizations from January 1, 2014, to September 30, 2015, and used the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's MapIt tool to convert them to equivalent ICD-10-CM codes for October 1, 2015-December 31, 2017. We compared the prevalence of each diagnosis before vs after the ICD coding transition using logistic regression and used interrupted time series regression to model the longitudinal change in disease prevalence across time. RESULTS: The average monthly prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage was stable before the coding transition (average monthly increase of 4.32 admissions, 99.7% confidence interval [CI]: -8.38 to 17.01) but increased after the coding transition (average monthly increase of 24.32 admissions, 99.7% CI: 15.71-32.93). Otherwise, there were no significant differences in the longitudinal rate of change in disease prevalence over time between ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM. Six of 16 neurologic diagnoses (37.5%) experienced significant changes in cross-sectional prevalence during the coding transition, most notably for status epilepticus (odds ratio 0.30, 99.7% CI: 0.26-0.34). CONCLUSIONS: The transition from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM coding affects prevalence estimates for status epilepticus and other neurologic disorders, a potential source of bias for future longitudinal neurologic studies. Studies should limit to 1 coding system or use interrupted time series models to adjust for changes in coding patterns until new neurology-specific ICD-9 to ICD-10 conversion maps can be developed.

Factors Associated With Successful Postoperative Day One Discharge After Anatomic Lung Resection.

BACKGROUND: There are no criteria to estimate the risk of early discharge after anatomic lung resection. We hypothesized that demographic, clinical, and surgical variables could be used to predict successful postoperative day 1 (POD1) discharge after anatomic lung resection. METHODS: Patients with POD1 discharge after anatomic lung resection were identified in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database from 2012 to 2018. Discharges were categorized as successful based on freedom from complications, readmission, or death. A multivariable model identified variables from univariate analysis and was further optimized using stepwise selection. This model was used to create a risk score of success. RESULTS: Among 62,785 patients who underwent anatomic lung resection, 2480 (3.9%) were discharged on POD1. Of the 2480 patients, 2129 (85.8%) had successful discharge and 351 (14.2%) had failed discharge due to postoperative complication (282; 11.3%), readmission (151; 6.1%), or death (9; 0.4%). In univariable analysis, successful POD1 discharge was associated with younger age, female sex, video-assisted thoracic surgery, higher forced expiratory volume in 1 second and diffusion capacity of lung for carbon monoxide, shorter operating room times, and lower rates of comorbidities. A risk model for successful discharge incorporated sex, age, body mass index, operative lobe, Zubrod score, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, video-assisted thoracic surgery approach, and operating room time. Using this model, a risk score created, and derived estimated proportion of successful POD1 discharge varied from 75.6% to 92.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables are associated with successful POD1 discharge. This analysis suggests that a combination of demographic factors is associated with failed early discharge, and this understanding can be used in conjunction with clinical judgment to facilitate decisions regarding appropriateness of POD1 discharge.

Inpatient gastrostomy in Huntington's disease: Nationwide analysis of utilization and outcomes compared to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Huntington's disease (HD) causes dysphagia and dementia, both of which are risk factors for malnutrition. Gastrostomy is used to sustain enteral intake in neurodegenerative diseases and specifically improves outcomes in ALS, but its indications and outcomes in HD are understudied. OBJECTIVE: To explore the indications and outcomes for gastrostomy for HD. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all HD admissions in the National Inpatient Sample. Logistic regression models compared the patient- and hospital-level characteristics associated with gastrostomy placement in HD and the prevalence of associated diagnoses in HD vs. ALS gastrostomy patients. We also examined in-hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), and discharge status. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2010, 5.12% (n = 1614) of HD admissions included gastrostomy tube placement. Gastrostomy patients were more likely to be Black (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.55, 95% CI: 1.09-2.21) and have Medicare coverage (AOR 1.43, 95% CI: 1.0-2.05). The most common comorbidities were aspiration pneumonia (34.1%), dementia (31.3%), malnutrition (30.3%), and dysphagia (29.5%). Dementia and delirium were associated with discharge type but not LOS. Aspiration pneumonia, sepsis, and Elixhauser comorbidity index were associated with LOS but not discharge type. Compared to 7908 ALS gastrostomy patients, those with HD more frequently had aspiration pneumonia (34.1% vs. 20.5%, p < 0.0001), sepsis (28.1% vs. 13.7%, p < 0.0001), prolonged LOS (OR 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28), and skilled nursing facility discharge (p < 0.0001, Wald chi square test). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrostomy is frequently performed in HD patients with dementia and aspiration pneumonia who are at increased risk for negative hospitalization outcomes.

Comorbid disease drives short-term hospitalization outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Readmission is used as a quality indicator and is the primary target outcome for disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, data on readmissions for patients with MS are limited. METHODS: Using the US Nationwide Readmissions Database, we performed a retrospective cohort study of adults hospitalized for MS in 2014. Primary study outcomes were within 30- and 90-day readmissions. Descriptive analyses compared patient, clinical, and hospital variables readmission status. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the associations between these variables and readmission. RESULTS: Of 16,629 individuals meeting the study criteria, most were women (73.7%), aged 35-54 years (48.0%), and Medicare program participants (36.8%). In total, 49.7% of inpatients with MS had 1-2 comorbid medical conditions and 23.7% had 3 or more. Having 3 or more comorbidity conditions associated with increased adjusted odds of the 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.92, 1.34-2.74). Anemia (AOR 1.62, 1.22-2.14), rheumatoid arthritis/collagen vascular diseases (AOR 2.20, 1.45-3.33), congestive heart failure (AOR 2.43, 1.39-4.24), chronic pulmonary disease (AOR 1.35, 1.02-1.78), diabetes with complications (AOR 2.27, 1.45-3.56), hypertension (AOR 1.25, 1.03-1.53), obesity (AOR 1.35, 1.05-1.73), and renal failure (AOR 1.68, 1.06-2.67) were associated with the 30-day readmission. Medicare insurance and nonroutine discharge were also associated with readmission, whereas patient characteristics (sex, age, and socioeconomic status) were not. The most frequent (26.7%) reason for readmission was multiple sclerosis. Ninety-day analyses produced similar findings. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbid diseases were associated with the readmission for persons with multiple sclerosis. Evaluations of the real-world effectiveness for DMTs in reducing hospitalizations in patients with MS may need to consider comorbid disease burden and management.

A contemporary analysis of goiters undergoing surgery in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: We identified disparities and at-risk populations among patients with goiters undergoing thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was queried for patients with goiter who underwent thyroidectomy between 2009 and 2013. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with goiters undergoing thyroidectomy. RESULTS: The study consisted of 103,678 patients with thyroidectomy and a goiter diagnosis, which included: simple goiter (n = 7,692, 7.42%), nodular goiter (n = 73,524, 70.92%), thyrotoxicosis (n = 14,043, 13.54%), thyroiditis (n = 1,248, 1.20%), and thyroid cancer (n = 7,169, 6.92%). Factors associated with operation for simple goiter included age >65 years (AOR 1.43 [1.15-1.79]), black race (AOR 1.35 [1.14-1.58]), and being uninsured (AOR 2.13 [1.52-2.98]). Patients with cancerous goiters undergoing thyroidectomy were less likely to be Black (AOR 0.38 [0.31-0.48]) or uninsured (AOR 0.25 [0.07-0.89]). DISCUSSION: Understanding disparities within populations undergoing thyroidectomy for goiter may allow for targeted efforts to more effectively treat goiters nationwide.