Removal of erythropoietin from anaemia trauma practice guideline does not increase red blood cell transfusions and decreases hospital utilization costs.

INTRODUCTION: We previously demonstrated that utilization of erythropoietin (r-EPO) did not significantly reduce blood utilization in trauma patients. We undertook this study to analyze blood utilization 1 year after r-EPO removal from our trauma service anaemia practice management guideline. METHODS: Electronic records of patients admitted to the trauma service were retrospectively reviewed for units of packed red blood cells (pRBCs) transfused and for units of r-EPO administered 12 months before the initiation of an anaemia practice guideline (PRE), 12 months during the use of an anaemia guideline (GUIDE), and 12 months following removal of r-EPO from the guideline (POST). Hospital acquisition cost was also reviewed for the respective time periods. Nominal data were analyzed using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests, and interval data were compared using ANOVA followed by Tukey's test where appropriate. Results were considered significant for P<0.05. RESULTS: Over the 3-year study period, 4881 patients were admitted to the trauma service and included in this study. The hospital length of stay, intensive care unit length of stay, and units of pRBC transfused were similar among all three groups. Group I (PRE) received a total of 228 doses of r-EPO at a cost of $102,600. Group II (GUIDE) received a total of 410 doses at a cost of $184,500. Group III (POST) received 28 doses of r-EPO at a cost of $12,600. CONCLUSION: Removal of erythropoietin from our trauma service anaemia practice management guideline did not result in increased blood utilization. However, it yielded a hospital acquisition cost savings of $171,900.

Factors affecting length of stay following colonic resection.

INTRODUCTION: In-hospital length of stay (LOS) has become a valuable measure of outcomes following any operation, which also directly impacts cost. The aim of this study was to identify the factors that affect LOS after colonic resection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of adult patients who underwent colonic resection over an 8-y period at a tertiary institution. Data collected included demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, preoperative comorbidities and medications, operative management, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and LOS. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression to identify variables predictive of prolonged LOS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 899 consecutive patients were identified. One hundred eighty-seven resections were performed urgently, and 712 were elective. Two-hundred forty-five cases were performed laparoscopically. Complications occurred in 205 cases (23%), and there were 32 deaths (4%). The median LOS was 7 d. Logistic analysis showed 15 variables to be predictive of prolonged LOS. These included advanced age, warfarin sodium use, ASA score >or=3, alcoholism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, illicit drug use, total colectomy (versus segmental), open resections (versus laparoscopic), and postoperative complications. In addition, the presence of at least one postoperative complication was predictive of prolonged LOS (P = 0.0002, OR 2.4 95% CI 1.5-3.8). CONCLUSIONS: ASA score and the incidence of postoperative complications are the only significant categories of variables that predict prolonged LOS after colectomy. Laparoscopic approach and the extent of the resection are predictive as well.

Timing of pulmonary emboli after trauma: implications for retrievable vena cava filters.

BACKGROUND: Four recent reports of the retrieval of optional vena cava filters (VCF) in trauma patients had average implant durations of 10, 19, and 19 days (one not specified). Two patients in these studies had pulmonary emboli after VCF removal. No evidence-based guidelines exist on the appropriate time to remove optional VCF. The purpose of this study was to examine the timing of pulmonary emboli (PE) and determine the optimal time to remove optional VCFs. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective chart review of trauma patients who had a postinjury PE between January 2001 and December 2004 was performed. We examined the demographics, prophylaxis at the time of PE (pharmacologic [unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin] or sequential compression devices [SCD]), diagnostic test used, timing of PE from the date of injury, and survival outcome. RESULTS: In all, 146 patients were identified, mean age 45.1 (+/- 21.1 SD); Injury Severity Score 18.0 (+/- 12.1 SD). Diagnosis was obtained by spiral computed tomography (N = 93), pulmonary arteriogram (N = 18), V/Q (N = 26), autopsy (N = 6), clinical (N = 6), and unknown (N = 3). Overall mortality was 17.8% (N = 26). Pulmonary embolism was felt to contribute to or was the cause of death in 85% (N = 22) of these patients. Two late PE deaths occurred (days 21 and 43). Sixty (37%) patients had pharmacologic prophylaxis at the time of PE and 83 (50.9%) had SCDs. Average time from injury to PE was 7.9 days (+/- 8.1 SD), the longest being 43 days postinjury. Eleven percent of PE occurred after 21 days, including fatal PE. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical criteria defining the time to remove optional VCFs without exposing patients to the risk of PE by removing a filter too soon should be determined.