Reducing incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury in trauma and orthopaedics patients: a quality improvement project.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common postoperative complication which increases morbidity and mortality. This quality improvement project aimed to implement measures targeting known risk factors to decrease the incidence of postoperative AKI in trauma and orthopaedics (T&O) patients. METHODS: Data were collected across three six-month to 7-month cycles between 2017 and 2020, analysing all elective and emergency T&O operated patients within a single NHS Trust (n=714, 1008 and 928, respectively). Patients who developed a postoperative AKI were identified using biochemical criteria and data were collected on known AKI risk factors, including use of nephrotoxic medications, and patient outcomes. In the final cycle, the same variables were collected for patients without AKI. Between cycles, measures implemented included: preoperative and postoperative medication reconciliation aiming to stop nephrotoxic medications, orthogeriatrician review of high-risk patients and junior doctor teaching on fluid therapy. Statistical analysis was undertaken to determine the incidence of postoperative AKI across cycles, prevalence of risk factors and impact on length of hospital stay and postoperative mortality. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in postoperative AKI incidence from 4.27% (43 of 1008 patients) in cycle 2 to 2.05% (19 of 928) in cycle 3 (p=0.006), with a notable decrease in use of nephrotoxic medications. Significant predictors for the development of postoperative AKI included use of diuretics and receiving multiple nephrotoxic drug classes. Development of postoperative AKI significantly increased length of hospital stay by 7.11 days on average (95% CI: 4.84 to 9.38 days, p<0.001) and risk of 1-year postoperative mortality (OR 3.22, 95% CI: 1.03 to 10.55, p=0.046). CONCLUSION: This project demonstrates that a multifaceted approach targeting modifiable risk factors can reduce incidence of postoperative AKI in T&O patients, which may lead to reduced length of hospital stay and postoperative mortality.

Individual vs. Group Delivery of Acupuncture Therapy for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain in Urban Primary Care-a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has been shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic musculoskeletal back, neck, and osteoarthritis pain. However, access to acupuncture treatment has been limited in medically underserved and low-income populations. OBJECTIVE: Acupuncture therapy delivered in groups could reduce cost and expand access. We compared the effectiveness of group versus individual acupuncture for pain and function among ethnically diverse, low-income primary care patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. DESIGN: This was a randomized comparative effectiveness non-inferiority trial in 6 Bronx primary care community health centers. Participants with chronic (> 3 months) back, neck, or osteoarthritis pain were randomly assigned to individual or group acupuncture therapy for 12 weeks. PARTICIPANTS: Seven hundred seventy-nine participants were randomized. Mean age was 54.8 years. 35.3% of participants identified as black and 56.9% identified as Latino. Seventy-six percent were Medicaid insured, 60% reported poor/fair health, and 37% were unable to work due to disability. INTERVENTIONS: Participants received weekly acupuncture treatment in either group or individual setting for 12 weeks. MAIN MEASURES: Primary outcome was pain interference on the Brief Pain Inventory at 12 weeks; secondary outcomes were pain severity (BPI), physical and mental well-being (PROMIS-10), and opiate use. Outcome measures were collected at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks. KEY RESULTS: 37.5% of individual arm and 30.3% in group had > 30% improvement in pain interference (d = 7.2%, 95% CI - 0.6%, 15.1%). Non-inferiority of group acupuncture was not demonstrated for the primary outcome assuming a margin of 10%. In the responder analysis of physical well-being, 63.1% of individual participants and 59.5% of group had clinically important improvement at 12 weeks (d = 3.6%, 95% CI - 4.2%, 11.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Both individual and group acupuncture therapy delivered in primary care settings reduced chronic pain and improved physical function at 12 weeks; non-inferiority of group was not shown. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT02456727.

Acute hydrocephalus following cerebellar infarct.

A 59-year-old man was admitted with a diagnosis of acute cerebellar infarct. The next day his level of consciousness deteriorated (Glasgow Coma Score 5) and repeat computed tomography (CT) brain scan showed subtle signs of hydrocephalus. Following neurosurgical intervention, he recovered and is now walking with a frame and assistance. The CT changes of hydrocephalus were subtle and difficult to spot. Recognition of these signs of hydrocephalus and prompt neurosurgical intervention were lifesaving.