Should Prophylactic Endotracheal Intubation Be Performed in Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

No consensus exists on the standard of intraoperative airway management approach to prevent endoscopy complications in acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Eight years after our initial meta-analysis, we reassessed the effect of prophylactic endotracheal intubation in acute GI bleeding in hospitalized patients. Multiple databases were reviewed in 2024, identifying 10 studies that compared prophylactic endotracheal intubation (PEI) versus no intubation in acute upper GI bleeding in hospitalized patients. Outcomes of interest included pneumonia, length of hospital stay, aspiration, and mortality. The odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) using the random effects model was calculated for each outcome. In total, 11 studies (10 retrospective, one prospective) were included in the meta-analysis (n = 7,332). PEI demonstrated statistically significant higher odds of pneumonia (OR = 5.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.15-10.79; p < 0.01) and longer length of stays (MD = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.12-1.56; p = 0.02). However, mortality (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 0.78-3.64; p = 0.19) and aspiration (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 0.89-8.7; p = 0.08) were not statistically significant. PEI before esophagogastroduodenoscopy for hospitalized upper GI bleeding patients is associated with an increased incidence of pneumonia within 48 hours and prolonged hospitalization but no statistically significant increased risk of mortality or aspiration.

Reducing Hospital Length of Stay and Hepatic Artery Thrombosis Rates for Children Receiving a Liver Transplant: A Single-Center Experience From 2000 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric liver transplantation is a very resource-intensive therapy. This study aimed to identify the changes made between two epochs of management and analyze their influence on length of stay (LOS). METHODS: Data from a single center were obtained from the liver transplant and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) databases for 336 transplants (282 children) performed between 2000 and 2021. Transplants were analyzed in two epochs, before and after July 2012, representing a change in postoperative anticoagulation management. Differences in graft recipient demographics and perioperative management factors were compared between epochs. Multivariate regression was performed to identify the complications that correlated most strongly with hospital LOS. RESULTS: There was a difference in hospital LOS between Epoch 1 (Median = 31.7 days) and Epoch 2 (Median = 26.3 days) (p < 0.001), but not in PICU LOS (E1 Median = 7.3 days, E2 Median = 7.4 days; p = 0.792). Epoch 2 saw increased use of split grafts (60.6% of total), decreased pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) score at transplant (Average = 16.7; p < 0.001), decreased invasive ventilation time (Average = 4.48 days; p < 0.001), and decreased hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) rates (E1 = 14.4%, E2 = 4.3%; p < 0.001) without an associated increase in bleeding rates. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital LOS has reduced in Epoch 2 due to refinements in intraoperative and postoperative management. There is increased emphasis on early extubation and increased use of noninvasive ventilatory techniques in Epoch 2. Split grafts have effectively expanded our graft donor pool and reduced transplant waitlist times.

Continuous Monitoring by a Wearable Sensor Did Not Enhance Discharge Decision-Making in an Acute Admission Ward: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Adding continuous monitoring to usual care at an acute admission ward did not have an effect on the proportion of patients safely discharged. Implementation challenges of continuous monitoring may have contributed to the lack of effect observed.

Emergency Department Length of Stay Classification Based on Ensemble Methods and Rule Extraction.

This study employs machine learning techniques to identify factors that influence extended Emergency Department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and derives transparent decision rules to complement the results. Leveraging a comprehensive dataset, Gradient Boosting exhibited marginally superior predictive performance compared to Random Forest for LOS classification. Notably, variables like triage acuity and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index (ECI) emerged as robust predictors. The extracted rules optimize LOS stratification and resource allocation, demonstrating the critical role of data-driven methodologies in improving ED workflow efficiency and patient care delivery.

Impact of diabetic ketoacidosis on outcomes in hospitalized diabetic patients with Clostridioides difficile infection: a national inpatient analysis.

Introduction: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a critical diabetic emergency with life-threatening complications. The impact of DKA on hospital outcomes in diabetic patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains unclear. Methods: This retrospective analysis used data from the 2016 to 2020 National Inpatient Survey. Adults with diabetes and CDI were categorized into groups with and without DKA. Hospitalization characteristics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes were compared. Primary outcomes included mortality, length of stay, and total hospital charges. Secondary outcomes included CDI complications. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted, with P values ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 494,664 diabetic patients with CDI, 6130 had DKA. Patients with DKA had significantly higher total hospital charges ($194,824 vs $103,740, P < 0.001) and longer length of stay (10.14 vs 6.04 days, P < 0.001). After adjusting for confounders, DKA patients had increased odds of mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.07), sepsis (aOR 1.40), septic shock (aOR 1.76), cardiac arrest (aOR 3.24), vasopressor use (aOR 2.01), and mechanical ventilation (aOR 1.96) (all P < 0.001). Conclusion: The presence of DKA significantly elevates hospital burden and CDI complications in diabetic patients. These findings underscore the need for close monitoring and aggressive management of DKA in patients with concurrent CDI to improve outcomes.

Readmission rate and early complications in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can improve pain, quality of life, and functional outcomes. Although uncommon, postoperative complications are extremely consequential and thus must be carefully tracked and communicated to patients to assist their decision-making before surgery. Identification of the risk factors for complications and readmissions after TKA, taking into account common causes, temporal trends, and risk variables that can be changed or left unmodified, will benefit this process. AIM: To assess readmission rates, early complications and their causes after TKA at 30 days and 90 days post-surgery. METHODS: This was a prospective and retrospective study of 633 patients who underwent TKA at our hospital between January 1, 2017, and February 28, 2022. Of the 633 patients, 28 were not contactable, leaving 609 who met the inclusion criteria. Both inpatient and outpatient hospital records were retrieved, and observations were noted in the data collection forms. RESULTS: Following TKA, the 30-day and 90-day readmission rates were determined to be 1.1% (n = 7) and 1.8% (n = 11), respectively. The unplanned visit rate at 30 days following TKA was 2.6% (n = 16) and at 90 days was 4.6% (n = 28). At 90 days, the unplanned readmission rate was 1.4% (n = 9). Reasons for readmissions included medical (27.2%, n = 3) and surgical (72.7%, n = 8). Unplanned readmissions and visits within 90 days of follow-up did not substantially differ by age group (P = 0.922), body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.633), unilateral vs bilateral TKA (P = 0.696), or patient comorbidity status (30-day P = 0.171 and 90-day P = 0.813). Reoperation rates after TKA were 0.66% (n = 4) at 30 days and 1.15% (n = 8) at 90 days. The average length of stay was 6.53 days. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a low readmission rate following TKA. There was no significant correlation between readmission rate and patient factors such as age, BMI, and co-morbidity status.

Factors Associated with Prolonged Length of Stay in the Ambulatory Care Unit of a Tertiary Government Hospital.

Background: Length of stay is one of the metrics of crowding in the emergency department. Identification of the factors associated with prolonged length of stay is vital for staffing and policy making to prevent overcrowding at the ambulatory care unit. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association of sociodemographic, clinical, and temporal factors with length of stay among patients seen at the ambulatory care unit of a tertiary government training hospital. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted between January to December 2019 at the ambulatory care unit of a tertiary government hospital. Charts of patients who stayed for more than six (6) hours were classified as cases, while those who stayed for more than two (2) hours up to six (6) hours were classified as controls. Charts were reviewed to obtain the clinicodemographic profile of patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria. Results: The case group consisted of 86 patients, while the control group consisted of 172 patients. Eight factors had an effect on the probability of prolonged length of stay at the ambulatory care unit: age 40-59 years old (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.16-4.49), ESI 3 at triage level (OR = 3.35, 95% CI: 1.50-8.38), psychiatric complaint (OR = 6.97, 95% CI: 2.53-19.21), medications given and diagnostics done (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.16-3.99), medications given/diagnostics/referral to other services done (OR = 7.67, 95% CI: 2.70-21.80), psychiatric/substance-related case (OR = 6.97, 95% CI: 2.63-18.49), transferred to other services (OR = 3.25, 95% CI: 1.33-7.94), and endorsed to next shift (OR = 6.94, 95% CI = 3.90-12.35). Conclusion: The factors associated with prolonged length of stay were middle-aged adults, conditions with severe presentation, psychiatric/substance-use-related cases, need for more diagnostic test and treatment intervention, and decision to transfer care to other services.

Approach to radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer after the LACC trial and associated complications: a NSQIP study.

BACKGROUND: The Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) study results revolutionized our understanding of the best surgical management for this disease. Following its publication, guidelines state that the standard and recommended approach for radical hysterectomy is with an open abdominal approach. Nevertheless, the impact of the LACC trial on real-world changes in the surgical approach to radical hysterectomy remains elusive. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the trends and routes of radical hysterectomies and to evaluate post-operative complication rates before and after the LACC trial (2018). STUDY DESIGN: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry was used to examine radical hysterectomies performed for cervical cancer between 2012-2022. We excluded vaginal radical hysterectomies and simple hysterectomies. The primary outcome measures were the trends in route of surgery [minimally invasive surgery (MIS) vs. laparotomy] and surgical complications rate, stratified by periods before and after the publication of the LACC trial in 2018 (2012-2017 vs. 2019-2022). The secondary outcome measure was major complications associated specifically with the different routes of surgery. RESULTS: Of the 3,611 patients included, 2,080 (57.6%) underwent laparotomy and 1,531 (42.4%) underwent MIS radical hysterectomy. There was a significant increase in the MIS approach from 2012 to 2017 (45.6% MIS in 2012 to 75.3% MIS in 2017, p<.001), and a significant decrease in MIS from 2018 to 2022 (50.4% MIS in 2018 to 11.4% MIS in 2022, p<.001). The rate of minor complications was lower in the period before the LACC trial [317 (16.9%) vs. 288 (21.3%), p=.002]. Major complications rate was similar before and after the LACC trial [139 (7.4%) vs. 78 (5.8%), p=.26]. The rates of blood transfusions and superficial surgical site infections were lower in the period before the LACC trial [137 (7.3%) vs. 133 (9.8%), p=.012 and 20 (1.1%) vs. 53 (3.9%), p<.001, respectively]. In a comparison of MIS vs. laparotomy radical hysterectomy during the entire study period, patients in the MIS group had lower rates of minor complications [190 (12.4%) vs. 472 (22.7%), p<.001] and the rate of major complications was similar in both groups [100 (6.5%) in the MIS group vs. 139 (6.7%) in the laparotomy group, p=.89]. In a specific complications analysis, the rates of blood transfusion and superficial surgical site infections were lower in the MIS groups (2.4% vs. 12.7%, and 0.6% vs. 3.4%, p<.001 for both comparisons) and the rate of deep incisional surgical site infections was lower in the MIS group (0.2% vs. 0.7%, p=.048). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the route of radical hysterectomy was not independently associated with occurrence of major complications [aOR 95% CI 1.02 (0.63-1.65)]. CONCLUSION: While the proportion of MIS radical hysterectomy decreased abruptly following the LACC trial, there was no change in the rate of major post-operative complications. In addition, hysterectomy route was not associated with major post-operative complications.

Factors Affecting Length of Stays in the Emergency Department of a Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study From Najran, Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:  Reducing the frequency of emergency department (ED) patient visits for treatment, particularly in urgent instances, is a global healthcare objective. Additionally, a more extended stay in the ED can harm a patient's prognosis during later hospitalization. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the length of stay in the ED in a teaching hospital. METHODS: A retrospective chart review study was done between January 1, 2021, and February 31, 2021, involving 122 adult patients who had delayed ED visits to King Khalid Hospital in Najran, Saudi Arabia. Data on the patient's characteristics, visit time, and the causes for the delay based on the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS) were gathered and analyzed. Factors associated with more than six hours of delay were investigated in a univariate analysis. RESULT: The mean age was 52.3 ±13.5 years, and 42 (34.4%) were more than 65 years of age. More than half of the study population were female (n=66; 54.1%). Most delays occurred among CTAS 4 and 5 cases (47.5%), and 22 (18.0%) occurred during holidays. The mean delay time was 6.1 ±1.8 hours. The leading delay causes were multiple consultations with further investigations (37.7%) and conflict between the teams (36.1%). In univariate analysis, ED visiting at holiday time (OR: 0.14; 95% CI: 0.04-0.40, p <0.001) and CTAS 4 and 5 (OR: 2.22; 95% CI: 0.95-5.30, p = 0.003) significantly had more delay. Factors associated with delay in univariate analysis were multiple consultations with further investigations (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.32-6.26, p = 0.013), various assessments in different ED areas with a late arrival of the specialist (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.20-0.91, p = 0.042), and conflict between the teams (OR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.17-5.54, p = 0.031). CONCLUSION: In this study, multiple assessments in different ED areas and conflict between the teams were the main factors that caused delays in ED. Implementing a timeframe monitoring system for consultations while emphasizing accelerated decision-making and disposition for patients and understanding teamwork collaboration may reduce patients' length of stay in the ED. Implementing these strategies and evaluating their impact on the length of stay in the ED requires further investigation.

Development and validation of a predictive model for prolonged length of stay in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients combined with cerebral infarction.

Background: This study aimed to identify the predictive factors for prolonged length of stay (LOS) in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients suffering from cerebral infarction (CI) and construct a predictive model to effectively utilize hospital resources. Methods: Clinical data were retrospectively collected from T2DM patients suffering from CI aged ≥65 years who were admitted to five tertiary hospitals in Southwest China. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model and multivariable logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify the independent predictors of prolonged LOS. A nomogram was constructed to visualize the model. The discrimination, calibration, and clinical practicality of the model were evaluated according to the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC), calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve (CIC). Results: A total of 13,361 patients were included, comprising 6,023, 2,582, and 4,756 patients in the training, internal validation, and external validation sets, respectively. The results revealed that the ACCI score, OP, PI, analgesics use, antibiotics use, psychotropic drug use, insurance type, and ALB were independent predictors for prolonged LOS. The eight-predictor LASSO logistic regression displayed high prediction ability, with an AUROC of 0.725 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.710-0.739), a sensitivity of 0.662 (95% CI: 0.639-0.686), and a specificity of 0.675 (95% CI: 0.661-0.689). The calibration curve (bootstraps = 1,000) showed good calibration. In addition, the DCA and CIC also indicated good clinical practicality. An operation interface on a web page (https://xxmyyz.shinyapps.io/prolonged_los1/) was also established to facilitate clinical use. Conclusion: The developed model can predict the risk of prolonged LOS in elderly T2DM patients diagnosed with CI, enabling clinicians to optimize bed management.

Length of postpartum hospital stays during COVID-19: Findings from a convergent parallel mixed-methods study.

OBJECTIVE: We examined length of postpartum hospitalization for live births during the COVID-19 pandemic and explored how pandemic circumstances influenced postpartum hospital experiences. METHODS: We conducted a cross-provincial, convergent parallel mixed-methods study in Ontario (ON) and British Columbia (BC), Canada. We included birthing persons (BPs) with an in-hospital birth in ON from 1 January to 31 March 2019, 2021, and 2022 (quantitative), and BPs (≥18 years) in ON or BC from 1 May 2020 to 1 December 2021 (qualitative). We linked multiple health administrative datasets at ICES and developed multivariable linear regression models to examine length of hospital stay (quantitative). We conducted semi-structured interviews using qualitative descriptive to understand experiences of postpartum hospitalization (qualitative). Data integration occurred during design and interpretation. RESULTS: Relative to 2019, postpartum hospital stays decreased significantly by 3.29 hours (95% CI: -3.58 to -2.99; 9.2% reduction) in 2021 and 3.89 hours (95% CI: -4.17 to -3.60; 9.0% reduction) in 2022. After adjustment, factors associated with shortened stays included: giving birth during COVID-19, social deprivation (more ethnocultural diversity), midwifery care, multiparity, and lower newborn birth weight. Postpartum hospital experiences were impacted by risk perception of COVID-19 infection, clinical care and hospital services/amenities, visitor policies, and duration of stay. CONCLUSION: Length of postpartum hospital stays decreased during COVID-19, and qualitative findings described unmet needs for postpartum services. The integration of large administrative and interview data expanded our understanding of observed differences. Future research should investigate the impacts of shortened stays on health services outcomes and personal experiences. OBJECTIF: Nous avons examiné la durée d'hospitalisation post-partum pour les cas de naissance vivante pendant la pandémie de COVID-19 et exploré comment les circonstances de la pandémie ont influencé l'expérience post-partum à l'hôpital. MéTHODES: Nous avons mené une étude interprovinciale selon un modèle mixte parallèle et convergent en Ontario (Ont.) et en Colombie-Britannique (C.-B.), au Canada. Nous avons inclus les personnes ayant accouché à l'hôpital en Ont. entre le 1 janvier et le 31 mars 2019, 2021 et 2022 (quantitatif), et celles ayant accouché (≥ 18 ans) entre le 1 mai 2020 et le 1 décembre 2021 en Ont. ou en C.-B. (qualitatif). Nous avons relié plusieurs ensembles de données de santé administratives à l'ICES et développé des modèles de régression linéaire multivariable pour examiner la durée d'hospitalisation (quantitative). Nous avons mené des entretiens semi-structurés en utilisant une méthode qualitative descriptive pour comprendre les expériences d'hospitalisation post-partum (qualitative). L'intégration des données a eu lieu pendant la conception de l'étude et l'interprétation. RéSULTATS: Par rapport à 2019, la durée de l'hospitalisation post-partum a significativement diminué de 3,29 heures (IC à 95 % : -3,58 à -2,99; réduction de 9,2 %) en 2021 et de 3,89 heures (IC à 95 % : -4,17 à -3,60; réduction de 9,0 %) en 2022. Après ajustement, les facteurs associés à la réduction de la durée d'hospitalisation étaient les suivants : accouchement pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, manque de socialisation (plus grande diversité ethnoculturelle), prise en charge en pratique sage-femme, multiparité et poids plus faible du nouveau-né à la naissance. L'expérience d'hospitalisation post-partum était influencée par la perception du risque de contracter la COVID-19, les soins cliniques et les services et commodités à l'hôpital, les politiques relatives aux visiteurs et la durée de l'hospitalisation. CONCLUSION: La durée d'hospitalisation post-partum a diminué pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, et les résultats qualitatifs ont décrit des besoins non satisfaits en matière de services post-partum. L'intégration de grands ensembles de données administratives et d'entretiens a permis de mieux comprendre les différences observées. Les recherches futures devront se pencher sur l'impact de la réduction de la durée d'hospitalisation sur les résultats des services de santé et les expériences personnelles.

Early discharge of patients with mild acute pancreatitis - A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a common disease that is usually mild and self-limiting. Early discharge of patients with mild acute pancreatitis, with the use of supporting outpatient services including remote monitoring or smartphone applications, might be safe and could reduce the healthcare demand. The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of existing strategies aimed at facilitating early discharge of patients diagnosed with mild acute pancreatitis and to assess clinical outcomes, feasibility and costs associated with these strategies. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched, to identify studies that evaluated strategies to reduce the length of hospital stay in patients with mild acute pancreatitis. RESULTS: Five studies, including 84 to 419 patients each, were identified and described three different early discharge protocols. The early discharge strategies resulted in a median length of hospital stay of a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 23 h in these studies. Early discharge compared to usual care did not result in increased 30-day readmissions. Additionally, no occurrences of complications or mortality were observed in either group. A significant reduction in overall costs was reported ranging from 43.1 % to 85.4 %. CONCLUSIONS: Early discharge of patients with mild acute pancreatitis seems both feasible and safe. Further studies are warranted, since focus on safe early discharge could significantly reduce inpatient healthcare utilization and associated costs.

The impact of cannabis use disorder on urologic oncologic surgery morbidity, length of stay, and inpatient cost: analysis of the National Inpatient Sample from 2003 to 2014.

PURPOSE: This study examined the impact of cannabis use disorder (CUD) on inpatient morbidity, length of stay (LOS), and inpatient cost (IC) of patients undergoing urologic oncologic surgery. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2003 to 2014 was analyzed for patients undergoing prostatectomy, nephrectomy, or cystectomy (n = 1,612,743). CUD was identified using ICD-9 codes. Complex-survey procedures were used to compare patients with and without CUD. Inpatient major complications, high LOS (4th quartile), and high IC (4th quartile) were examined as endpoints. Univariable and multivariable analysis (MVA) were performed to compare groups. RESULTS: The incidence of CUD increased from 51 per 100,000 admissions in 2003 to 383 per 100,000 in 2014 (p < 0.001). Overall, 3,503 admissions had CUD. Patients with CUD were more frequently younger (50 vs. 61), male (86% vs. 78.4%), Black (21.7% vs. 9.2%), and had 1st quartile income (36.1% vs. 20.6%); all p < 0.001. CUD had no impact on any complication rates (all p > 0.05). However, CUD patients had higher LOS (3 vs. 2 days; p < 0.001) and IC ($15,609 vs. $12,415; p < 0.001). On MVA, CUD was not an independent predictor of major complications (p = 0.6). Conversely, CUD was associated with high LOS (odds ratio (OR) 1.31; 95% CI 1.08-1.59) and high IC (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.12-1.59), both p < 0.01. CONCLUSION: The incidence of CUD at the time of urologic oncologic surgery is increasing. Future research should look into the cause of our observed phenomena and how to decrease LOS and IC in CUD patients.

Decreasing Postsurgical Length of Stay in the Postanesthesia Care Unit for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obese Patients Using Exspiron Minute Ventilation Monitoring.

PURPOSE: In the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), it is imperative to monitor respiration and ventilation, especially in patients diagnosed with or at risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Research studies have been published to highlight the importance of minute ventilation monitoring (MVM) as an early warning system of impending respiratory compromise, warranting studies to assess timely safe discharge in this high-risk population at UC San Diego Health. DESIGN: This quantitative study was conducted using a two-group comparative design method. METHODS: Length of stay was measured in 100 patients identified as high risk in the surgical setting with diagnosed or suspected OSA or a documented body mass index ≥40 with and without the use of MVM to evaluate its impact on PACU length of stay. Fifty patients were monitored using the University of California San Diego (USCD) Health standard of care monitoring of respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, and capnography when indicated, then compared to 50 patients monitored with the UCSD Health standard of care with the addition of MVM using the Exspiron monitoring device. FINDINGS: PACU length of stay decreased for those who received MVM (M = 106.22, SD = 56.85) than those who did not (M = 140.96, SD = 81.55), a statistically significant difference of 34.74 (95% CI, 6.64 to 62.83), t(97) = 2.46, P = .016. Total time savings between the 2 groups was 1,843 minutes of PACU bed occupancy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of minute ventilation monitoring in addition to the standard of care in postsurgical patients can significantly reduce the length of high-risk patients with known or suspected OSA safely from the postoperative care unit.

Graft-versus-host disease in patients with bone marrow transplants: A retrospective study analyzing outcomes and healthcare burden in US hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a recognized complication among individuals undergoing bone marrow transplantation (BMT). There is a requirement for supplementary data regarding the in-patient outcomes of GVHD in individuals who have undergone BMT. Our analysis seeks to assess the healthcare burden and outcomes associated with GVHD in hospitalized patients who have undergone BMT. METHOD: In this retrospective study, we used data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database spanning from 2016 to 2019. Utilizing ICD-10 codes, we distinguished hospitalizations related to BMT and grouped them into two categories: those with GVHD and those without GVHD. Our areas of focus included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, charges, and associations related to GVHD. Unadjusted odds ratios/coefficients were computed through univariable analysis, followed by adjusted odds ratios (aORs)/coefficients from multivariable analysis that considered potential confounding factors. RESULTS: From 2016 to 2019, data were collected from 13,999 hospitalizations with bone marrow transplants. Among them, 836 had GVHD cases. Patient characteristics showed slight differences in mean age and demographics between the two groups, with GVHD patients having a mean age of 51.61 years and higher percentages of males and whites. Analyzing outcomes, patients with GVHD experienced significantly longer hospital stays (41.4 days vs. 21.3 days) and higher total hospital charges ($824,058 vs. $335,765). Adjusting for confounding factors, GVHD posed a substantial risk. The aOR for mortality in GVHD hospitalizations was 7.20 (95% CI: 5.54-9.36, p < .001). The coefficient for the length of stay was 19.36 days (95% CI: 17.29-21.42, p < .001), and the coefficient for total hospital charges was $453,733 (95% CI: $396,577 to $510,889, p < .001) in GVHD cases. Furthermore, GVHD in patients was associated with elevated risks of various medical conditions. The aORs for sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, intubation and mechanical ventilation, Clostridium difficile infection, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in GVHD patients were 2.79 (95% CI: 2.28-3.41, p < .001), 3.30 (95% CI: 2.57-4.24, p < .001), 5.10 (95% CI: 4.01-6.49, p < .001), 4.88 (95% CI: 3.75-6.34, p < .001), 1.45 (95% CI: 1.13-1.86, p = .003), and 3.57 (95% CI: 2.97-4.29, p < .001). CONCLUSION: GVHD in individuals undergoing BMT is linked to elevated mortality rates, prolonged hospitalization, and higher healthcare costs. Moreover, they face a significantly increased risk of developing complications, such as sepsis, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, C. difficile infection, and AKI. These results underscore the critical need for vigilant monitoring and effective GVHD management to improve patient outcomes and reduce the complications associated with BMT. Nevertheless, further prospective studies are essential to obtain a more profound understanding and a comprehensive assessment of outcomes in these hospitalized patients.

Factors Precipitating Overnight Admission After Sialolithectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine factors predicting overnight admission after sialolithectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Quality outcome database research. SETTING: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program American College of Surgeons Participant User Files. METHODS: Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42330, 42335, and 42340 between 2007, and 2020 resulted 916 cases. Correlations between perioperative factors and overnight admission (ie, length of stay >0 days) were tested. Cases were stratified into endoscopic (ES) and nonendoscopic (NES) procedures using concurrent CPT codes 42660, 42669, and 42650. RESULTS: After sialolithectomy, 13.7% (126 cases) were admitted at least overnight. Upon multivariate analysis, wound Class 4 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 4.40), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 3 classification (OR: 2.17, 1.06-4.46, P = .035), and the operative time (OR: 1.01 [1.01-1.01], P < .001) correlated with overnight stay; while Class 2 wounds had a lower risk of overnight admission (OR: 0.31 [0.12-1.63], P < .001). The ES cohort had longer operative times (56.1 vs 73.6 minutes). In the NES cohort's multivariate analysis, ASA III (OR: 2.459 [1.13, 5.34], P < .001) and operative time (OR: 1.01 [1.01, 1.02], P < .001) correlated with overnight stay while Class 2 wound classifications protected against overnight stay (OR: 0.28 [0.15, 0.52], P < .001). CONCLUSION: This study highlights the correlation between intraoperative complexity, as operative time, wound classification and ASA Class 3, and the need for admission after a typically ambulatory sialolithectomy. The significantly longer operative time with evidence of a shorter length of stay in ES cases suggests a valuable trade off, within the limits of indication.

Comparison Between Early and Late Tracheostomy in ICU Patients Including COVID-19 and Non-COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background Tracheostomy is a common intervention for intensive care unit (ICU) patients for various reasons. The superiority of early versus late tracheostomy is still unfounded for non-COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated the matter, as little literature was available on the ideal timing of tracheostomy for patients with COVID-19. Research question This study aimed to establish the superiority of early or late tracheostomy for COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases by comparing outcomes, including ICU mortality, ventilation days after tracheostomy, and ICU length of stay (LOS). Study design and methods A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted on ventilated ICU patients both with and without COVID-19 at a university hospital between January 2020 and December 2021. During the study period, 1,393 ventilated patients were scanned, and 156 were found to be tracheostomized. Tracheostomy was considered to be early when performed within 10 days of intubation, after which it was considered to be late. Results Tracheostomy was performed early for 84/156 (53.8%) of tracheostomized patients and late for 72/156 (46.2%) of patients. The overall mortality was 42.9% (36/84) versus 69.4% (50/72) (P=0.001, OR=3.03, 95% CI=1.563-5.874), 31.4% versus 65.5% in the non-COVID-19 group and 60.6% versus 72.1% (P=0.005, OR=2.640, 95% CI=1.345-5.181) in the COVID-19 group for the early and late tracheostomy groups, respectively. Ventilation days were higher for the late tracheostomy group than for the early tracheostomy group in the non-COVID-19 group (17.10 versus 9.18 days, P<0.001). However, it was almost the same for the early and late tracheostomy groups in the COVID-19 group (14.15 versus 13.86 days, P=0.821). The ICU LOS was greater for the late tracheostomy group for both the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that ICU mortality is significantly associated with age, ventilation days, and ICU LOS. Interpretation The results of this study indicate that early tracheostomy was associated with lower mortality, fewer ventilation days, and shorter LOS in both the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups.

Understanding the Correlation between Blood Profile and the Duration of Hospitalization in Pediatric Bronchopneumonia Patients: A Cross-Sectional Original Article.

Introduction: Pediatric bronchopneumonia is a prevalent life-threatening disease, particularly in developing countries. Affordable and accessible blood biomarkers are needed to predict disease severity which can be based on the Duration of Hospitalization (DOH). Aim of the Study: To assess the significance and correlation between differential blood profiles, especially the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), and the DOH in bronchopneumonia children. Material and Methods: A record-based study was conducted at a secondary care hospital in Indonesia. After due ethical permission, following inclusion and exclusion criteria, 284 children with confirmed diagnoses of bronchopneumonia were included in the study. Blood cell counts and ratios were assessed with the DOH as the main criterion of severity. Mann-Whitney test and correlation coefficient were used to draw an analysis. Results: Study samples were grouped into DOH of ≤ 4 days and > 4 days, focusing on NLR values, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and leukocytes. The NLR median was higher (3.98) in patients hospitalized over 4 days (P<0.0001). Lymphocyte medians were significantly higher in the opposite group (P<0.0001). Thrombocyte medians were similar in both groups (P=0.44481). The overall NLR and DOH were weakly positively correlated, with a moderate positive correlation in total neutrophils and DOH, and a moderate negative correlation in total lymphocytes and DOH. The correlation between the DOH ≤ 4 days group with each biomarker was stronger, except for leukocyte and thrombocyte. Analysis of the longer DOH group did not yield enough correlation across all blood counts. Conclusions: Admission levels of leukocyte count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and NLR significantly correlate with the DOH, with NLR predicting severity and positively correlated with the DOH.

Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria using calf and upper arm circumference as phenotypic criteria for assessing muscle mass demonstrate satisfactory validity for diagnosing malnutrition in hospitalized patients: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized individuals present high rates of malnutrition and loss of muscle mass (MM). Imaging techniques for assessing MM are expensive and scarcely available in hospital practice. The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) proposed a framework for malnutrition diagnosis that includes simple measurements to assess MM, such as calf circumference (CC) and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). This study aimed to analyze the validity of the GLIM criteria with CC and MUAC for malnutrition diagnosis, using Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) as the reference standard, in inpatients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 453 inpatient adults in a university hospital. The presence of malnutrition was assessed within 48 h of hospital admission using SGA and GLIM criteria using CC and MUAC as phenotypic criteria for malnutrition diagnosis. Accuracy, agreement tests, and logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders were performed to test the validity of the GLIM criteria for malnutrition diagnosis. RESULTS: The patients were aged 59 (46-68) years, 51.4% were male, and 67.8% had elective surgery. Compared with SGA, the GLIM criteria using the two MM assessment measures showed good accuracy (area under the curve > 0.80) and substantial agreement (κ > 0.60) for diagnosing malnutrition. The highest sensitivity was obtained with GLIMCC (89%), whereas GLIMMUAC showed high specificity (>90%). Also, malnutrition identified by GLIMCC and GLIMMUAC was significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization and in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: In the absence of imaging techniques to assess MM, the use of CC and MUAC measurements from the GLIM criteria demonstrated satisfactory validity for diagnosing malnutrition in hospitalized patients.

Factors Associated with Hospital Length of Stay among VTE Cases: Insights from the i-RegVed Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial condition and one of the leading causes of mortality and disability. The present study explores the factors associated with hospitalization duration among different types of venous thromboembolism diagnoses, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and other forms of thrombosis. METHODS: The data included participants with VTE admitted to 13 hospitals within pan-India from June 2022 to December 2023 to the i-RegVed registry, where socio-demographic data, clinical history, and various factors associated with hospital length of stay (LOS) were included for analyses. Multilinear regression was performed to explore the factors associated with hospital LOS among VTE conditions such as DVT, PE, forms of thrombosis other than PE and DVT, and all VTE diagnoses. RESULTS: A total of 633 participants were included in the study, with 55% being males, and 28.9% being homemakers. Longer hospital LOS was significantly associated with age (ß = -.09, P < .05), sex (ß = 3.21, P < .05), and non-communicable diseases (ß = 3.51, P < .05) among participants with DVT and among participants with at least one of the VTE diagnoses, age (ß = -.12, P < .001) and anticoagulant use (ß = -2.49, P < .05) was significantly associated. CONCLUSION: The findings provide insights into the factors influencing hospital outcomes among participants with different types of VTE, highlighting the importance of age and comorbidities in predicting the hospital LOS.