Patient-specific Predictors of Surgical Delay in a Large Tertiary-care Hospital Operating Room.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe patient-specific factors predictive of surgical delay in elective surgical cases. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Data were extracted retrospectively from the electronic health record of 32,818 patients who underwent surgery at a large academic hospital in Los Angeles between May 2012 and April 2017. Following bivariate analysis of patient-specific factors and surgical delay, statistically significant predictors were entered into a logistic regression model to determine the most significant predictors of surgical delay. FINDINGS: Predictors of delay included having monitored anesthesia care (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.20-1.36), American Society of Anesthesiologist class 3 or above (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.15-1.28), African American race (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12-1.39), renal failure (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.09-1.32), steroid medication (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.23) and Medicaid (OR,1.18; 95%CI, 1.09-1.30) or medicare insurance (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.07-1.21). Six surgical specialties also increased the odds of delay. Obesity and cardiovascular anesthesia decreased the odds of delay. CONCLUSIONS: Certain patient-specific factors including type of insurance, health status, and race were associated with surgical delay. Whereas monitored anesthesia care anesthesia was predictive of a delay, cardiovascular anesthesia reduced the odds of delay. Additionally, obese patients were less likely to experience a delay. While the electronic health record provided a large amount of detailed information, barriers existed to accessing meaningful data.

Examining the effects of chronic pain on work performance in the military.

BACKGROUND: Effectively managing pain is a unique challenge for the U.S. military. Chronic pain has a tremendous detrimental impact on mission readiness throughout the Armed Forces. Examining the effects of chronic pain on readiness is critical to understanding and addressing these challenges. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of chronic pain and sleep disruption in the context of work performance among active duty military service members. METHODOLOGICAL ORIENTATION: The study design was a cross-sectional observational study that examined associations between patients with chronic pain and sleep disruption, in the context of work performance. RESULTS: One hundred forty-five participants completed the study. Age, depression, sleep, and pain severity were consistently strong predictors of work performance. CONCLUSIONS: Patients performed better with age, whereas those with depression, sleep disruption, and increased pain severity performed poorly. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Research focused on the differences in work performance among age groups may provide a better understanding of coping strategies. Focused depression research can lead to a greater understanding of how mental health affects pain, sleep, and work. The findings of this study open the door to explore multiple approaches that could lead to treatments and preventions for military members living with chronic pain.

Preventing Surgical Delay and Cancellation with Patient-Centered Interventions.

Delay and cancellation can significantly impact cost and outcomes among surgical patients. While the causes of delay and cancellation are not fully enumerated, possible reasons include delivery-related causes such as facility, equipment, and provider availability as well as patient-related issues such as readiness and health status. Despite limited research explaining patient-related causes, there are many studies that evaluate patient-centered interventions to decrease delay and cancellation. This article highlights patient-centered interventions including preoperative clinics, preoperative screening, and focused education that have been shown to reduce delay and cancellation. This information provides perianesthesia nurses and advanced practice nurses ideas to maximize their roles in improving efficiency by prevention of delay and cancellation. This article should also stimulate additional research to help better understand the causes and the role of the nurse in the implementation of evidence-based practice projects that use patient-centered interventions.

Increased Central Nervous System Interleukin-8 in a Majority Postlaminectomy Syndrome Chronic Pain Population.

Background and Objectives: Multiple processes have been identified as potential contributors to chronic pain, with increasing evidence illustrating an association with aberrant levels of neuroimmune mediators. The primary objectives of the present study were to examine central nervous system cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors present in a chronic pain population and to explore patterns of the same mediator molecules over time. Secondary objectives explored the relationship of central and peripheral neuroimmune mediators while examining the levels of anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and perception of pain associated with the chronic pain patient experience. Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from a population of majority postlaminectomy syndrome patients (N = 8) was compared with control CSF samples (N = 30) to assess for significant differences in 10 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. The patient population was then followed over time, analyzing CSF, plasma, and psychobehavioral measures. Results: The present observational study is the first to demonstrate increased mean CSF levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8; P < 0.001) in a small population of majority postlaminectomy syndrome patients, as compared with a control population. Over time in pain patients, CSF levels of IL-8 increased significantly (P < 0.001). Conclusions: These data indicate that IL-8 should be further investigated and psychobehavioral components considered in the overall chronic pain paradigm. Future studies examining the interactions between these factors and IL-8 may identify novel targets for treatment of persistent pain states.

Improving Human Papillomavirus Vaccinations in Military Women.

The purpose of this evidence-based project was to provide patient education to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in military women. Despite the availability of a vaccine, HPV continues to be the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. The goal of this program was to increase patient knowledge and HPV vaccination rates by providing education and a verbal recommendation for vaccination during regularly scheduled well-woman exams. The project resulted in a 65% increase in vaccination rates, raising the preprogram vaccination rate of 55% to a postintervention vaccine percentage of 91%. The results demonstrate the importance of patient education and provider recommendation in vaccine acceptance.

Chronic Pain and Decreased Opioid Efficacy: An Inflammatory Link.

Chronic pain is a devastating amalgam of symptoms that affects millions of Americans at tremendous cost to our healthcare system and, more importantly, to patients' quality of life. Literature and research demonstrate that neuroimmune cells called glia are not only responsible for initiating and maintaining part of the chronic pain disease process, but also release inflammatory molecules responsible for decreasing the efficacy of one of the most prominent treatments for pain, opioid analgesia. This article describes chronic pain as a disease process that has ineffective treatment modalities, explores the mechanisms of glial cell activation and inflammatory responses that lead to chronic pain and decreased opioid treatment efficacy, and hypothesizes novel chronic pain treatment modalities based on the glial cell inactivation and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Fever evaluation cost and time to treatment in the general surgery patient can be reduced by using a fever practice guideline.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of surgical patients with fever and leukocytosis (FAL) for an infection source often results in unnecessary laboratory and radiographic tests. The average cost of an FAL work-up ranges from $2200 to $5600. Lack of a systematic approach drives costs higher than necessary. We evaluated differences in time to treatment and costs using usual methods of FAL work-ups versus FAL work-ups using an established fever practice guideline (FPG). METHODS: In phase I, a retrospective electronic chart review was conducted for 82 adult surgery patients who underwent FAL work-ups to determine time from initial temperature presentation to fever treatment and total cost per fever evaluation. In phase II, an established FPG was applied to 30 intensive care unit patients from the original group of 82 using phase I data points. Differences in cost and time to treatment were compared using a paired t-test. RESULTS: Mean time to fever treatment decreased from 51.57 hours pre-FPG use to 11.23 hours afterward (p < 0.001), a 78% reduction in time to definitive treatment. Mean cost of FAL work-up decreased from $1,009.73 without FPG use to $399.00 with a 60% reduction in costs. CONCLUSIONS: Using a standardized FPG, FAL work-up time to treatment and cost can be significantly reduced.

Examining selected patient outcomes and staff satisfaction in a primary care clinic at a military treatment facility after implementation of the patient-centered medical home.

BACKGROUND: The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model is a holistic multidisciplinary approach to providing care in the primary care setting. Provider-led teams engage the patient and family in their own health care plan. It is linked to improve continuity of care and enhance access. OBJECTIVE: This article describes comparison outcomes in access to care, emergency department (ED) utilization, and population health management 2 fiscal years before and after implementation of the PCMH. Staff satisfaction was measured after implementation. DESIGN: A mixed study design approach was elected. De-identified aggregate data were mined from the Command's Business Report portal, from the pay-for-performance-based "Get to Goal" report, and through an anonymous voluntary questionnaire survey providing both qualitative and quantitative data interpretation. RESULT: Access to care increased by 7%, ED utilization decreased by 75.3%, and population health/healthcare effectiveness data and information set (HEDIS) measures improved overall. Seventy-five percent of the staff who volunteered to be surveyed was satisfied with the PCMH. CONCLUSION: After 2 years of implementation, the PCMH was associated with improvement in access to care, reduction of ED visits, improvement in population health/HEDIS measures, and a high degree of staff satisfaction.

A preoperative stress inquiry and a vulnerable US military population.

The preoperative setting is fraught with many stressors, often increasing in magnitude as patients progress through the perioperative environment. Individuals exposed to traumatic or threatening environments, such as US military personnel involved in combat operations, may be at increased risk of developing altered mental and physical health conditions. Collectively, this may result in a hyperarousal state significantly amplifying psychological symptoms and magnifying physiological alterations. The purposes of this article are to (1) describe stress-related concepts and preoperative stress, (2) discuss potential risk factors for preoperative stress in the adult surgical population, (3) present various psychological and physiological measures of preoperative stress, (4) explore preoperative stress interventions, and (5) discuss potential implications for future preoperative stress research in high-stressed populations.

Risk factors for emergence delirium in U.S. military members.

Emergence delirium (ED) is a postanesthesia phenomenon occurring in both adults and children during recovery from general anesthesia. Although the pediatric population has been an ongoing focus of research and publications regarding ED, a renewed interest in ED has developed among military nurses and anesthesia providers because of its increasing incidence among the US military surgical population. The purpose of this article is to identify potential risk factors for emergence delirium in the US military population. Possible relationships between the physiological and psychological changes in US military veterans and the surgical experience are explored. A review of ED as it occurs among the pediatric, adult, and elderly populations is also provided to support potential etiologies for the occurrence of ED in the military population. Pain and physical and psychological trauma as a result of military duty are identified and linked to ED as potential risk factors. Identification of these risk factors may provide guidance for scientific inquiry into this phenomenon in the military population. Implications for future study are also explored.

Effect of morbidity and mortality peer review on nurse accountability and ventilator-associated pneumonia rates.

OBJECTIVE: This program was designed to evaluate the effect of morbidity and mortality peer review conferences (MMPRCs) for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) on nurse accountability and compliance with evidence-based VAP prevention practices. BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia is associated with longer average length of stay (ALOS), greater cost, and increased morbidity and mortality. Traditionally, passive or punitive methods have been used to reduce undesirable outcomes. The MMPRC is not a conventional nursing intervention. METHODS: Each MMPRC included case history, relevant hospital course, diagnostic comorbidities, and compliance with VAP prevention strategies. The preventability of each VAP was determined by RN peers. Ventilator days, VAP bundle compliance, VAP incidence, ICU ALOS, cost, and satisfaction data were collected. RESULTS: Nurse accountability improved significantly (chi(2)= 24.041, P < .001), and VAP incidence was reduced. Data demonstrated satisfaction with the MMPRC. Number of ventilator days and ALOS did not change significantly, although VAP bundle compliance improved from 90.1% to 95.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The nonpunitive MMPRC process was cost-effective and should be considered for other nurse-sensitive indicators to increase nurse accountability and improve outcomes.

Effect of timing of fluid bolus on reduction of spinal-induced hypotension in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery.

Spinal-induced hypotension remains the most common complication associated with spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Recent evidence indicates that a 20-mL/kg bolus via pressurized infusion system administered at the time of subarachnoid block (SAB) (coload) may provide better prophylaxis than the traditional administration of a 20-mL/kg crystalloid infusion (preload) approximately 20 minutes before SAB; however, this method raises some concerns. We hypothesized that administering half of the fluid bolus (10 mL/kg) before and half immediately following injection of the SAB would provide benefit. Variables included demographics, spinal anesthetic dermatome level obtained, additional intravenous (IV) fluid bolus and vasopressor requirements, and maternal vital signs. We enrolled 87 subjects in this prospective, randomized investigation, 43 preload (control) and 44 preload/coload (experimental). There were no demographic differences between groups. The increased supplemental vasopressors required to treat maternal hypotension in the preload group were not statistically significant. Total IV fluids and supplemental IV bolus requirements were significantly higher in the preload group. No differences in neonatal outcomes were noted between groups. Maternal vital signs were not significantly different between groups; hypotension was treated as it occurred. We recommend replacing standardized prophylactic crystalloid fluid administration with the preload/coload method described herein.

The efficacy of ketorolac as an adjunct to the Bier block for controlling postoperative pain following nontraumatic hand and wrist surgery.

Research indicates that using a combination of ketorolac and lidocaine in the administration of a Bier block results in significant postoperative analgesia and decreased inflammation; however, the optimal dose of ketorolac to coadminister with the local anesthetic has not been established. This study was performed to determine if a 20-mg dose of ketorolac is effective in providing prolonged postoperative analgesia without adverse effects. A total of 55 patients (29 lidocaine-ketorolac, 26 lidocaine-placebo) were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Pain was measured using a 0 to 10 visual analogue scale and analysis of postoperative analgesic requirements. Incidence of bruising and postoperative analgesic satisfaction scores were determined 48 hours following discharge. No difference in demographic variables, adverse effect profiles, or satisfaction scores was noted between groups. Visual analogue scale scores were increased in the placebo group in the hospital but not following discharge to home. There was also a prolonged time to postoperative analgesic requests in the ketorolac group compared with the placebo group following discharge to home, achieving statistical significance for the time to second analgesic request (P = .012). Based on the results of this study we recommend that 20 mg ketorolac be considered in intravenous regional anesthesia.

Prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting: a look at complementary techniques.

Complementary modalities, used alone or in combination with pharmacologic therapies, play an important role in the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and post discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV). This article will review the evidence for the effective use of complementary modalities: acupuncture and related techniques, aromatherapy, and music therapy that may be integrated in the perianesthesia nurse's plan of care to prevent or manage PONV.

Vocal cord dysfunction: a case report.

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is a respiratory condition characterized by the paradoxical closure of the vocal cords. This condition results in a myriad of symptoms that would be expected from an upper airway obstruction including anxiety, hyperventilation, wheezing, stridor, shortness of breath, dyspnea, and suprasternal and neck muscle retraction. with known VCD who underwent local anesthesia with intravenous sedation for perianal skin tag removal. Postoperatively, the patient experienced respiratory distress, prompting interventions and investigation. A review of the literature revealed limited information on VCD, and no anesthesia literature was found regarding this entity.

The effect of transdermal scopolamine on the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting in a group of high-risk patients given prophylactic intravenous ondansetron.

Specific risk factors place patients at greater risk for postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Routinely, these patients are treated prophylactically with intravenous (IV) ondansetron or transdermal (TD) scopolamine. No study has examined what effect using a combination of these prophylactic treatments would have on the incidence of PONV in a group of high-risk patients. A total of 56 patients at high risk for PONV were treated prophylactically with IV ondansetron and randomized to receive a TD scopolamine patch or placebo. Demographics, incidence, and severity of PONV and side effects and antiemetic requirements were measured. Nausea was measured using a 0 to 10 verbal numeric rating scale. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis. No difference in demographics or the incidence of side effects was noted between groups. Patients in the scopolamine group had a lower incidence of PONV (P = .043), longer time to first reported nausea (P = .044), longer time to first episode of emesis (P = .031), and decreased supplemental antiemetic requirements (P = .016) compared with the placebo group. Based on this study, we recommend using a combination of TD scopolamine and IV ondansetron to prevent PONV in patients identified as high risk for PONV.

Effect of needle size on success of transarterial axillary block.

The transarterial approach to brachial plexus block is a well-established method of producing anesthesia of the upper extremity. However, it is associated with a failure rate of 20% to 30%. Failure may be secondary to the common use of a relatively long needle, which can penetrate the posterior wall of the sheath and result in inadvertent injection of the local anesthetic into the surrounding tissue. The purpose of this investigation was to compare success rates following transarterial brachial plexus block with a standard 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in, B bevel needle or a 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle. We enrolled 98 subjects scheduled for elective surgery at or below the elbow and randomized them into 2 groups. The control group received a transarterial axillary block with a standard 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in, B bevel needle, and the experimental group received a transarterial axillary block with a 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle. Success was defined as no discomfort at the time of incision. Success rates were compared using a chi 2 test, and a P value of less than .05 was considered significant. The overall success rate was significantly higher with the 26-gauge, 1/2-in needle (42/48 [88%]) than with the 22-gauge, 1 1/2-in needle (39/49 [69%]; P = .035).