Addressing an epidemic: Improving guideline-concordant opioid prescribing in surgical patients.

BACKGROUND: Excess postoperative opioid prescribing increases the risk of opioid abuse, diversion, and addiction. Clinicians receive variable training for opioid prescribing, and despite the availability of guidelines, wide variations in prescribing practices persist. This quality improvement initiative aimed to assess and improve institutional adherence to published guidelines. METHODS: This study represented a quality improvement initiative at an academic medical center implemented over a 6-month period with data captured 1 year before and after implementation. The quality improvement initiative focused on prescribing education and monthly feedback reports for clinicians. All opioid-naïve, adult patients undergoing a reviewed procedure were included. Demographics, surgical details, hospital course, and opioid prescriptions were reviewed. Opioids prescribed on discharge were evaluated for concordance with recommendations based on published guidelines. Pre- and postimplementation cohorts were compared. RESULTS: There were 4,905 patients included: 2,343 preimplementation and 2,562 postimplementation. There were similar distributions in patient demographics between the 2 cohorts. Guideline-concordant discharge prescriptions improved from 50.3% to 72.2% after the quality improvement initiative was implemented (P < .001). Adjusted analysis controlling for sex, age, discharge clinician, length of stay, outpatient surgery, and procedure demonstrated a 190% increase in odds of receiving a guideline-concordant opioid prescription on discharge in the postimplementation cohort (adjusted odds ratio 2.90; 95% confidence interval = 2.55-3.30). CONCLUSION: This study represented a successful quality improvement initiative improving guideline-concordant opioid discharges and decreasing overprescribing. This study suggested published guidelines are insufficient without close attention to elements of effective change management including the critical importance of locally targeting educational efforts and suggested that real-time, data-driven feedback amplifies impact on prescribing behavior.

A multicenter validation of the modified brain injury guidelines: Are they safe and effective?

BACKGROUND: The modified Brain Injury Guidelines (mBIG) are an algorithm for treating patients with traumatic brain injury and intracranial hemorrhage by which selected patients do not require a repeat head computed tomography, a neurosurgery consult, or even an admission. The mBIG refined the original Brain Injury Guidelines (BIG) to improve safety and reproducibility. The purpose of this study is to assess safety and resource utilization with mBIG implementation. METHODS: The mBIG were implemented at three Level I trauma centers in August 2017. A multicenter retrospective review of prospectively collected data was performed on adult mBIG 1 and 2 patients. The post-mBIG implementation period (August 2017 to February 2021) was compared with a previous BIG retrospective evaluation (January 2014 to December 2016). RESULTS: There were 764 patients in the two study periods. No differences were identified in demographics, Injury Severity Score, or admission Glasgow Coma Scale score. Fewer computed tomography scans (2 [1,2] vs. 2 [2,3], p < 0.0001) and neurosurgery consults (61.9% vs. 95.9%, p < 0.0001) were obtained post-mBIG implementation. Hospital (2 [1,4] vs. 2 [2,4], p = 0.013) and intensive care unit (0 [0,1] vs. 1 [1,2], p < 0.0001) length of stay were shorter after mBIG implementation. No difference was seen in the rate of clinical or radiographic progression, neurosurgery operations, or mortality between the two groups.After mBIG implementation, eight patients (1.6%) worsened clinically. Six patients that clinically progressed were discharged with Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 without needing neurosurgery intervention. One patient had clinical and radiographic decompensation and required craniotomy. Another patient worsened clinically and radiographically, but due to metastatic cancer, elected to pursue comfort measures and died. CONCLUSION: This prospective validation shows the mBIG are safe, pragmatic, and can dramatically improve resource utilization when implemented. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Utilization of Percentage of Predicted Forced Vital Capacity to Stratify Rib Fracture Patients: An Updated Clinical Practice Guideline.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are the most common injuries diagnosed after blunt thoracic trauma and are a source of significant morbidity and mortality. Early identification of at-risk patients and initiation of effective analgesia are keys to mitigating complications from these injuries. Multiple tools exist to predict pulmonary decompensation after rib fractures; however, none has found a widespread acceptance. A clinical practice guideline (CPG) utilizing Forced vital capacity (FVC) has been in place at a single institution. The goal of this study is to update the CPG to use percentage of predicted FVC (FVC%) instead of FVC to triage patients with rib fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 266 patients with rib fractures was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on FVC of <1000 mL, 1001-1500 mL, or >1500 mL for analysis. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance, and Youden's J Index was used to identify inflection points. RESULTS: Patients in the high-risk category were more likely to be women, older than 65 years, admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), transferred to the ICU, require intubation, and have overall longer hospital and ICU stays. The updated CPG triage cutoffs for admission to ICU, stepdown, and floor were redefined as FVC% values of <25%, 25-45%, and >45%, respectively. DISCUSSION: The updated CPG using FVC% may more accurately identify patients with compromised physiology and be a better tool to help predict patients who are at risk for decompensation following rib fractures. A validation study for the updated CPG is in progress.

A clinical practice guideline using percentage of predicted forced vital capacity improves resource allocation for rib fracture patients.

BACKGROUND: Predicting rib fracture patients that will require higher-level care is a challenge during patient triage. Percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (FVC%) incorporates patient-specific factors to customize the measurements to each patient. A single institution transitioned from a clinical practice guideline (CPG) using absolute forced vital capacity (FVC) to one using FVC% to improve triage of rib fracture patients. This study compares the outcomes of patients before and after the CPG change. METHODS: A review of rib fracture patients was performed over a 3-year retrospective period (RETRO) and 1-year prospective period (PRO). RETRO patients were triaged by absolute FVC. Percentage of predicted FVC was used to triage PRO patients. Demographics, mechanism, Injury Severity Score, chest Abbreviated Injury Scale score, number of rib fractures, tube thoracostomy, intubation, admission to intensive care unit (ICU), transfer to ICU, hospital length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, and mortality data were compared. A multivariable model was constructed to perform adjusted analysis for LOS. RESULTS: There were 588 patients eligible for the study, with 269 RETRO and 319 PRO patients. No significant differences in age, gender, or injury details were identified. Fewer tube thoracostomy were performed in PRO patients. Rates of intubation, admission to ICU, and mortality were similar. The PRO cohort had fewer ICU transfers and shorter LOS and ICU LOS. Multivariable logistic regression identified a 78% reduction in odds of ICU transfer among PRO patients. Adjusted analysis with multiple linear regression showed LOS was decreased 1.28 days by being a PRO patient in the study (B = -1.44; p < 0.001) with R2 = 0.198. CONCLUSION: Percentage of predicted FVC better stratified rib fracture patients leading to a decrease in transfers to the ICU, ICU LOS, and hospital LOS. By incorporating patient-specific factors into the triage decision, the new CPG optimized triage and decreased resource utilization over the study period. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/Care Management. Trauma, Rib, Triage, level IV.

Newer and Better? Comparing Direct Oral Anticoagulants to Warfarin in Patients With Traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have overtaken warfarin as the preferred anticoagulants for stroke prevention with atrial fibrillation and for treatment of venous thromboembolism. Despite the increased prevalence of DOACs, literature studying their impact on trauma patients with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) remains limited. Most DOAC reversal agents have only been recently available, and concerns for worse outcomes with DOACs among this population remain. This study aims to assess the outcomes of patients with traumatic ICH taking DOACs compared with those taking warfarin. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with traumatic ICH over a 5-year period was conducted. Demographics, injury severity, medication, and outcome data were collected for each patient. Patients taking warfarin and DOACs were compared. RESULTS: 736 patients had traumatic ICH over the study period, 75 of which were on either DOACs (25 patients) or warfarin (50 patients). The median age of the anticoagulated patients was 78 years; 52% were female, and 91% presented secondary to a fall. DOACs were reversed at close to half the rate of warfarin (40% vs 77%; P = .032). Despite this, the 2 groups had similar rates of worsening examination, need for operative intervention, and in-hospital mortality. In the follow-up, fewer patients taking DOACs had died at 6-months postinjury compared with those taking warfarin (8% vs 30%; P = .041). DISCUSSION: Despite DOACs being reversed at nearly half the rate of warfarin, patients presenting with traumatic ICH on warfarin had higher 6-month mortality suggesting a potential survival advantage for DOACs over warfarin in this population.

Preinjury Antiplatelet Use Does Not Increase the Risk of Progression of Small Intracranial Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: The modified brain injury guidelines (mBIG) provide an algorithm for surgeons to manage some mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) with intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) without neurosurgical consultation or repeat imaging. Currently, antiplatelet use among patients with any ICH classifies a patient at the highest level, mBIG 3. This study assesses the risk of clinical progression among patients taking antiplatelet medications with mild TBI with ICH. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with traumatic ICH over a 5-year period was conducted. Demographics, injury severity, and outcome data were collected for each patient. Patients taking antiplatelet agents were reclassified as if they were not taking these medications. Patients who would have met criteria for a lower classification (mBIG 1 or 2) without antiplatelet agents were designated mBIG 3 Antiplatelet and compared with all other mBIG 1 and 2 patients. RESULTS: 736 patients met the inclusion criteria. 158 patients were taking antiplatelet medications and 53 were reclassified as mBIG 3 Antiplatelet. When comparing mBIG 3 Antiplatelet to the 226 patients originally classified as mBIG 1 and 2, mBIG 3 Antiplatelet patients were more likely to undergo repeat head computed tomography (98.1% vs 76.6%; P < .001) and neurosurgical consultation (94.2% vs 76.5%; P < .001) but had no significant differences in outcomes. No mBIG 3 Antiplatelet patients had a worsening examination or needed operative intervention. DISCUSSION: This data suggests that antiplatelet medication use should not automatically classify a patient as mBIG 3. Adoption of this strategy would better utilize resources and avoid unnecessary costs without sacrificing care.

Factors associated with previously undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus infection in a population of men who have sex with men and male-to-female transgender women in Lima, Peru.

The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with undiagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) and male-to-female transgender women in Lima, Peru.We analyzed characteristics of 378 MSM and transgender women recruited from 2 sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics in Lima, Peru. Descriptive analyses compared: (A) HIV-uninfected, (B) previously undiagnosed HIV-infected, and (C) previously diagnosed HIV-infected participants. Multivariable logistic regression models identified: (1) correlates of previously undiagnosed HIV-infection among participants thought to be HIV-uninfected (B vs A); and (2) correlates of previously undiagnosed HIV-infection among HIV-infected participants (B vs C). Subanalysis identified correlates of frequent HIV testing among participants thought to be HIV-uninfected.Among participants, 31.0% were HIV-infected; of those, 35.0% were previously undiagnosed. Among participants thought to be HIV-uninfected (model 1), recent condomless receptive anal intercourse and last HIV test being over 1-year ago (compared to within the last 6-months) were associated with increased odds of being previously undiagnosed HIV-infected (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.43, 95% confidence interval [95%CI] = 1.10-5.36; aOR = 2.87, 95%CI = 1.10-7.53, respectively). Among HIV-infected participants (model 2), recent condomless receptive anal intercourse was again associated with previously undiagnosed HIV-infection (aOR = 2.54, 95%CI = 1.04-6.23). Achieving post-secondary education and prior syphilis infection were associated with lower odds of having previously undiagnosed HIV-infection (aOR = 0.35, 95%CI = 0.15-0.81; aOR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.14-0.75, respectively).Reporting semiannual testing was associated with higher educational attainment, identifying as a transgender woman, or reporting a history of syphilis (aOR = 1.94, 95%CI = 1.11-3.37; aOR = 2.40, 95%CI = 1.23-4.70; aOR = 2.76, 95%CI = 1.62-4.71, respectively). Lower odds of semiannual testing were associated with recent condomless insertive anal intercourse or reporting a moderate or high self-perceived risk of acquiring HIV (aOR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.33-0.96; aOR = 0.32, 95%CI = 0.18-0.59 and aOR = 0.43, 95%CI = 0.21-0.86, respectively).In our study, undiagnosed HIV-infection was associated with recent condomless receptive anal intercourse, infrequent HIV testing, lower education, and absence of prior syphilis diagnosis. Infrequent HIV testing was associated with lower education, not identifying as transgender, recent condomless insertive anal intercourse, absence of prior syphilis diagnosis, and higher self-perceived risk of HIV. Further efforts to decrease HIV transmission and increase HIV-serostatus awareness should be directed towards effectively promoting condom use and frequent HIV testing, integrated with STI management.