The usefulness and costs of routine contrast studies after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for detecting staple line leaks.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for severe obesity (body mass index ≥ 35), staple line leaks remain a major complication and account for a substantial portion of the procedure's morbidity and mortality. Many centres performing LSG routinely obtain contrast studies on postoperative day 1 for early detection of staple line leaks. We examined the usefulness of Gastrografin swallow as an early detection test for staple line leaks on postoperative day 1 after LSG as well as the associated costs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database that included 200 patients who underwent LSG for severe obesity between 2011 and 2014. Primary outcome measures were the incidence of staple line leaks and the results of Gastrografin swallow tests. We obtained imaging costs from appropriate hospital departments. RESULTS: Gastrografin swallow was obtained on postoperative day 1 for all 200 patients who underwent LSG. Three patients (1.5%) were found to have staple line leaks. Gastrograffin swallows yielded 1 true positive result and 2 false negatives. The false negatives were subsequently diagnosed on computed tomography (CT) scan. The sensitivity of Gastrografin swallow in this study was 33%. For 200 patients, the total direct cost of the Gastrografin swallows was $35 000. CONCLUSION: The use of routine upper gastrointestinal contrast studies for early detection of staple line leaks has low sensitivity and is costly. We recommend selective use of CT instead.

CONTEXTE: Même si la gastrectomie longitudinale par laparoscopie (GLL) s'est révélée sûre et efficace pour le traitement de l'obésité sévère (indice de masse corporelle ≥ 35), les fuites survenant à la ligne d'agrafes demeurent une complication majeure et sont responsables d'une bonne partie des complications et des décès associés à cette chirurgie. Plusieurs des centres effectuant des GLL procèdent au dépistage systématique des fuites à la ligne d'agrafes en réalisant des tests avec des agents de contraste le jour suivant la chirurgie. Nous avons évalué l'utilité du test à la gastrografine comme méthode de dépistage précoce des fuites à la ligne d'agrafes au jour 1, ainsi que les coûts qui y sont associés. MÉTHODES: Nous avons mené une étude rétrospective à partir d'une base de données créée de façon prospective qui portait sur 200 patients ayant subi une GLL entre 2011 et 2014 en raison d'une obésité sévère. Les principaux indicateurs de résultats étaient l'incidence de fuites à la ligne d'agrafes et les résultats obtenus aux tests à la gastrografine. Les renseignements sur le coût des tests d'imagerie nous ont été fournis par les départements appropriés des hôpitaux. RÉSULTATS: Selon les résultats des tests à la gastrografine au jour 1 obtenus pour les 200 patients ayant subi une GLL, 3 patients (1,5 %) présentaient des fuites à la ligne d'agrafes. Il s'agissait en réalité d'un vrai positif et 2 faux négatifs. Le diagnostic des faux négatifs a ensuite été effectué par tomographie par ordinateur. La sensibilité du test à la gastrografine était donc de 33 % au cours de cette étude. Le coût total de ce test, pour les 200 patients, était de 35 000 $. CONCLUSION: Le recours à des examens systématiques du tractus gastro-intestinal supérieur au moyen d'agents de contraste pour le dépistage précoce des fuites à la ligne d'agrafes a une faible sensibilité et est associé à des coûts élevés. Nous recommandons plutôt l'utilisation sélective de la tomographie par ordinateur.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Bariatric Surgery Cohort Study: Rational and Study Protocol.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, there has been a disproportionate increase in adults with Class II (BMI 35.0-39.9 kg/m2) or Class III obesity (BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2) affecting 9 % of Canadians with increases projected. Individuals affected by severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35) are at increased risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, impaired quality of life, and premature mortality. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), a relatively new type of bariatric surgery, is growing in popularity as a treatment. The global prevalence of LSG increased from 0 to 37.0 % between 2003 and 2013. In Canada and the US, between 2011 and 2013, the number of LSG surgeries increased by 244 % and LSG now comprises 43 % of all bariatric surgeries. Since 2011, Eastern Health, the largest regional health authority in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), Canada has performed approximately 100 LSG surgeries annually. METHODS: A population-based prospective cohort study with pre and post surgical assessments at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 months and annually thereafter of patients undergoing LSG. This study will report on short - to mid-term (2-4 years) outcomes. Patients (n = 200) followed by the Provincial Bariatric Surgery Program between 19 and 70 years of age, with a BMI between 35.0 and 39.9 kg/m2 and an obesity-related comorbidity or with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2 are enrolled. The study is assessing the following outcomes: 1) complications of surgery including impact on nutritional status 2) weight loss/regain 3) improvement/resolution of comorbid conditions and a reduction in prescribed medications 4) patient reported outcomes using validated quality of life tools, and 5) impact of surgery on health services use and costs. We hypothesize a low complication rate, a marked reduction in weight, improvement/resolution of comorbid conditions, a reduction in related medications, improvement in quality of life, and a decrease in direct healthcare use and costs and indirect costs compared to pre-surgery. DISCUSSION: Limited data on the impact of LSG as a stand-alone procedure on a number of outcomes exist. The findings from this study will help to inform evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, and the development of health policy.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy at a new bariatric surgery centre in Canada: 30-day complication rates using the Clavien-Dindo classification.

BACKGROUND: Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has the highest rate of obesity in Canada, prompting the establishment of a bariatric surgery program at the Health Sciences Centre in NL. This retrospective study examined 30-day complication rates in more than 200 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) between May 2011 and February 2014. METHODS: We performed a chart review and collected data on 30-day postoperative complications. Complications were graded and reported using the Clavien-Dindo classification. Grades I and II were defined as minor and grades III and higher were defined as major complications. RESULTS: We reviewed the charts of the first 209 patients to undergo LSG. The mean body mass index was 49.2, 81% were women and the average age was 43 years. Comorbidities included hypertension (55.0%), obstructive sleep apnea (46.4%), dyslipidemia (42.1%), diabetes (37.3%), osteoarthritis (36.4%) and cardiovascular disease with previous cardiac stents (5.3%). Furthermore, 38.3% of patients reported psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression and anxiety. The overall 30-day complication rate was 15.3%. The complication rate for minor complications was 13.4% and for major complications was 1.9% (2 leaks, 1 stricture and 1 fistula). CONCLUSION: Our results support the feasibility of safely performing LSG surgery at bariatric centres completing fewer than 125 procedures annually.

CONTEXTE: Comme la province de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (T.-N.-L.) a le taux d'obésité le plus élevé au Canada, un programme de chirurgie bariatrique a été mis en place au Centre des sciences de la santé de T.-N.-L. La présente étude rétrospective a étudié les taux de complications dans les 30 premiers jours chez plus de 200 patients consécutifs ayant subi une gastrectomie longitudinale laparoscopique (GLL) entre mai 2011 et février 2014. MÉTHODES: Après avoir effectué une analyse des dossiers et recueilli des données sur les complications postopératoires survenues dans les 30 jours, nous avons évalué et consigné les complications à l'aide de la classification de Clavien­Dindo. Les grades I et II étaient des complications mineures et les grades III et plus, des complications majeures. RÉSULTANTS: Nous avons analysé les dossiers des 209 premiers patients à avoir subi une GLL. L'indice de masse corporelle moyen était de 49,2, 81 % des patients étaient des femmes et l'âge moyen était de 43 ans. Les comorbidités comprenaient l'hypertension (55,0 %), l'apnée obstructive du sommeil (46,4 %), la dyslipidémie (42,1 %), le diabète (37,3 %), l'arthrose (36,4 %) et les maladies cardiovasculaires avec des antécédents d'endoprothèses cardiaques (5,3 %). De plus, 38,3 % des patients ont mentionné un diagnostic psychiatrique, comme la dépression ou l'anxiété. Le taux global de complications dans les 30 jours était de 15,3 %. Le taux de complications mineures était de 13,4 % et celui de complications majeures, de 1,9 % (2 fuites, 1 striction et 1 fistule). CONCLUSION: Nos résultats viennent confirmer qu'il est possible d'effectuer des GLL de façon sécuritaire dans les centres bariatriques qui pratiquent moins de 125 interventions par année.

'Fat girls' and 'big guys': gendered meanings of weight loss surgery.

Over 80% of weight loss surgery (WLS) patients are women, yet gender is overwhelmingly absent in WLS research. This article discusses the findings of 54 interviews with twenty-one women and six men waiting for WLS in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. We critically examine the ways that gender shapes the meaning of WLS in these narratives. We explore gendered meanings in participants' perspectives on their embodied experiences before surgery, social support as they decided to undergo the procedure, and their expectations for their lives after WLS. We draw on feminist theory to explain how these findings counter the dominant gender-neutral medical model of obesity.

Complications with Angio-Seal™ vascular closure devices compared with manual compression after diagnostic cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed and compared vascular complications in CATHs and PCIs using an Angio-Seal™ vascular closure device (VCD) versus manual compression (MC). METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a population-based multiyear cohort database was conducted to compare femoral access-related vascular outcomes in cardiac procedures using VCD and MC between May 1, 2006 and December 31, 2010. The primary outcome was any vascular complication. Propensity score adjusted analysis was conducted to reduce bias associated with covariate imbalance between the groups compared. RESULTS: Of the 11,897 procedures, 7,063 (59.4%) used a VCD. Vascular complications occurred in 174/8,796 (2.0%) of CATHs and 82/3,004 (2.7%) of PCIs. In the CATH sample, the odds of vascular complication were 57% lower if a VCD was used (OR = 0.43, 95% CI 0.31-0.60). For the PCI sample, the risk was 49% lower if a VCD was used (OR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.31-0.81). CONCLUSIONS: A low incidence of vascular complications was observed with the use of an Angio-Seal VCD relative to MC for both procedures.

Patients' perceptions of waiting for bariatric surgery: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In Canada waiting lists for bariatric surgery are common, with wait times on average > 5 years. The meaning of waiting for bariatric surgery from the patients' perspective must be understood if health care providers are to act as facilitators in promoting satisfaction with care and quality care outcomes. The aims of this study were to explore patients' perceptions of waiting for bariatric surgery, the meaning and experience of waiting, the psychosocial and behavioral impact of waiting for treatment and identify health care provider and health system supportive measures that could potentially improve the waiting experience. METHODS: Twenty-one women and six men engaged in in-depth interviews that were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis between June 2011 and April 2012. The data were subjected to re-analysis to identify perceived health care provider and health system barriers to accessing bariatric surgery. RESULTS: Thematic analysis identified inequity as a barrier to accessing bariatric surgery. Three areas of perceived inequity were identified from participants' accounts: socioeconomic inequity, regional inequity, and inequity related to waitlist prioritization. Although excited about their acceptance as candidates for surgery, the waiting period was described as stressful, anxiety provoking, and frustrating. Anger was expressed towards the health care system for the long waiting times. Participants identified the importance of health care provider and health system supports during the waiting period. Recommendations on how to improve the waiting experience included periodic updates from the surgeon's office about their position on the wait list; a counselor who specializes in helping people going through this surgery, dietitian support and further information on what to expect after surgery, among others. CONCLUSION: Patients' perceptions of accessing and waiting for bariatric surgery are shaped by perceived and experienced socioeconomic, regional, and waitlist prioritization inequities. A system addressing these inequities must be developed. Waiting for surgery is inherent in publicly funded health care systems; however, ensuring equitable access to treatment should be a health system priority. Supports and resources are required to ensure the waiting experience is as positive as possible.

Predictors of perceived health care quality for registered nurses during and after health care reform.

BACKGROUND: Limited research has focused on the predictive nature of organizational culture and trust on registered nurses' perceived health care quality in reformed health care systems. PURPOSES: The purpose of this article was to investigate nurses' perceptions of organizational culture factors, trust in employer, and perceived health care quality during and 5 years after major organizational reform in the acute care setting and to test a model linking culture to perceived health care quality. METHODOLOGY: Survey data collected from two samples of nurses (N = 222,343) during and 5 years after major organizational reform in the acute care setting of one Canadian province were analyzed, and an exploratory model linking aspects of culture, trust, and quality was tested. FINDINGS: For both periods, most variable scores were in the low range and depicted moderately positive intercorrelations with each other. Support for the proposed model was mixed. Select culture variables predicted health care quality at both periods, but trust emerged as a significant predictor in 2000 only. The findings support the negative impact of system transformation on nurses and the link between culture and health care quality. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The study findings suggest that managers and policy makers must develop and implement supportive and nurturing strategies that will enhance the organizational culture (emotional climate, collaborative relations), which should result in more positive perceptions of health care quality. However, further research is required to gain a better understanding of the relationships among trust, organizational culture, and perceptions of health care quality and what implications this may or may not have for nursing practice.

The breast cancer hormone receptor retesting controversy in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada: lessons for the health system.

The treatment of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with hormonal treatment is determined by the presence of estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status in breast cancer. In Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), 425 of 1088 (39.1%) patients who had original "negative" receptor tests conducted between 1997 and 2005, had positive results upon retesting in a specialized laboratory. This commentary addresses (1) the diagnostic utility of estrogen and progesterone testing for breast cancer in general, (2) specific testing problems that occurred in NL, (3) scientific problems associated with retesting, and (4) the impact on public trust and the resulting legal and political responses that occurred as a result of the adverse events associated with false-negative hormone receptor tests. Finally, the lessons learned will be discussed including known high false-negative rates associated with the tests and the bias associated with retesting, the need for quality assurance and national standards, public education, and appropriate communication with patients and the public.

Qualitative research in clinical epidemiology.

This chapter has been written to specifically address the usefulness of qualitative research for the practice of clinical epidemiology. The methods of grounded theory to facilitate understanding of human behavior and construction of monitoring scales for use in quantitative studies are discussed. In end-stage renal disease patients receiving long-term hemodialysis, a qualitative study used grounded theory to generate a multilayered classification system, which culminated in a substantive theory on living with end-stage renal disease and hemodialysis. The qualitative database was revisited for the purpose of scale development and led to the Patient Perception of Hemodialysis Scale (PPHS). The quantitative study confirmed that the PPHS was psychometrically valid and reliable and supported the major premises of the substantive theory.

Change in Patterns of Failure After Image-Guided Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: Analysis From the RetroEMBRACE Study.

PURPOSE: Image guided adaptive brachytherapy (IGABT) for cervical cancer improves pelvic control and survival across all stages. Improvement in pelvic control is larger in advanced stages, but improvement in survival is similar across stages. This paper analyzes the patterns of failure in the RetroEMBRACE cohort to investigate this discrepancy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: 731 patients from 12 institutions treated with chemoradiation therapy and magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography-based IGABT were evaluated. The pattern of failure at time of first relapse was analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred twenty-five failures (single and synchronous) occurred in 222 of 731 patients (30%). Among the 325 failures, 9% were local and 6% regional. Pelvic (local or regional) failures made up 13%, paraaortic node (PAN) 9%, systemic 21%, and distant (systemic + PAN) 24%. Of the 222 patients with treatment failure, 21% had pelvic failure alone, 57% had distant failure alone, and 23% had both pelvic and distant failure. Of all failures that occurred, 40% to 50% occurred in the first year, with a further 20% to 30% occurring in the second year. Although local, regional, and PAN failure tended to plateau after year 3, systemic failure continued to occur up to year 10. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of IGABT has changed the patterns of relapse after chemoradiation therapy for cervical cancer. The predominant failure after IGABT is systemic, whereas the predominant failure with conventional brachytherapy is pelvic. Effective treatments to eradicate micrometastases in PAN and distant organs are needed in addition to IGABT and chemoradiation therapy to maximize local, regional, PAN, and systemic control and improve survival.

Preoperative and Postoperative Assessments of Biochemical Parameters in Patients with Severe Obesity Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The study aim was to determine the prevalence of abnormal serum biochemistries associated with micronutrient deficiencies before and after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: Two hundred and one patients had LSG surgery between May 2011 and May 2014. Using a prospective cohort study design, data were collected on ferritin, hemoglobin (Hgb), mean cell volume (MCV), calcium, albumin, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), PTH, and vitamin B12 with follow-up of 75.6% (n = 152), 63.7% (n = 128), 52.7% (n = 106), and 40.3% (n = 81) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. RESULTS: Patients were female (81.6%) with mean ± SD, BMI (48.8 ± 6.8 kg/m2), weight (135.1 ± 23.6 kg), and age (44.0 ± 9.6 years). Mean values for all biochemical parameters pre- and post-LSG were within reference limits. After adjusting for age, weight, and supplement use, trend tests post-LSG were significant for mean differences in ferritin (p = 0.002), calcium (p = 0.017), and vitamin B12 (p = 0.034). Pre-LSG, the proportion of patients with values below reference limits included 25-OH-D (20.4%), ferritin (12.3%), and Hgb (10.0%), while the proportion above reference limits included PTH (29.1%) and ferritin (17.4%). After adjustment, hypoalbuminemia was more prevalent after 1 year; the proportion of patients with PTH levels in the upper reference limit was higher 6 months post-LSG (p < 0.05). Multivitamin use increased presurgery from 44 to 88% 2 years postsurgery. Vitamin B12 supplementation increased from 7% before surgery to 32% 2 years postsurgery. CONCLUSION: Abnormal serum biochemistries indicative of micronutrient deficiencies were prevalent before surgery; reduced abnormal values were observed after surgery, likely due to an increased use of multivitamins.

Pre-operative and post-operative changes in CRP and other biomarkers sensitive to inflammatory status in patients with severe obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: C-reactive protein (CRP) is often elevated in patients living with severe obesity (BMI≥35kg/m2). However, there is limited information on how CRP, and other inflammation responsive biomarkers, change in response to weight loss following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We studied how CRP, ferritin and albumin change following LSG surgery in relation to obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS) ATPIII risk components and diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Laboratory parameters (including CRP) were examined in 197 patients prior to LSG, and at 6, 12, 18 and 24months. Changes in laboratory parameters, and laboratory investigations, were also examined in a 125 patient subgroup at both pre-LSG and at the 12month follow-up visit. RESULTS: All patients had BMI≥35kg/m2. CRP levels positively correlated with BMI (r=0.171, p=0.016) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP; r=0.309; P<0.001), but negatively correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT; r=-0.260; P<0.001) and albumin (r=-0.358; P<0.001). LSG significantly reduced CRP and ferritin, which were maintained for at least 24months. At 12months post-LSG there was a significant decrease in weight (kgs) (p<0.001), CRP (p<0.001), ferritin (p=0.004), and various MetS risk components (p<0.001) but not albumin (p=0.057). Changes in CRP also correlated with changes in weight (r=0.233, p=0.018) and ALP (r=0.208, p=0.034) but not albumin (r=-0.186, p=0.058) or ferritin (r=0.160, p=0.113) after LSG. CONCLUSION: The negative correlation between CRP and albumin levels in obesity may indicate a low grade inflammatory process affecting both. LSG related weight loss decreased CRP and ferritin, likely explained by improvement in inflammatory status.

The Relationship between Body Mass Index and the Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Referred for Coronary Angiography.

Background and Aim. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and may be associated with more severe coronary artery disease (CAD); however, the relationship between body mass index [BMI (kg/m2)] and CAD severity is uncertain and debatable. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BMI and angiographic severity of CAD. Methods. Duke Jeopardy Score (DJS), a prognostic tool predictive of 1-year mortality in CAD, was assigned to angiographic data of patients ≥18 years of age (N = 8,079). Patients were grouped into 3 BMI categories: normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), and obese (≥30 kg/m2); and multivariable adjusted hazard ratios for 1-year all-cause and cardiac-specific mortality were calculated. Results. Cardiac risk factor prevalence (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) significantly increased with increasing BMI. Unadjusted all-cause and cardiac-specific 1-year mortality tended to rise with incremental increases in DJS, with the exception of DJS 6 (p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, no significant association of BMI and all-cause (HR 0.70, 95% CI .48-1.02) or cardiac-specific (HR 1.11, 95% CI .64-1.92) mortality was found. Conclusions. This study failed to detect an association of BMI with 1-year all-cause or cardiac-specific mortality after adjustment for potential confounding variables.

Morbidity and health-related quality of life of patients accessing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a single-centre cross-sectional study in one province of Canada.

BACKGROUND: In Canada, severe obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) affects 5% or 1.2 million adults. Bariatric surgery is the only effective treatment for severe obesity, but the demand for publicly funded procedures is high and capacity limited. Little is known in Canada about the types of patients undergoing these procedures, especially laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The study objective is to examine the socio-demographic profile, morbidity and HRQoL of patients accessing LSG in one Canadian province. METHODS: Health status and HRQoL were examined in patients (n = 195) undergoing LSG. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-3L, SF-12v2 and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-lite questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age and BMI were 44 and 49 kg/m2 and most were women (82%). Pre-surgery, comorbidities were sleep apnea (65%), dyslipidemia (48%), hypertension (47%) and osteoarthritis (44%). Patients reported impaired HRQoL with 44-67% reporting problems in mobility, usual activities, pain and anxiety/depression. Physical health was impaired more than mental health. There were few socio-demographic differences between women and men, but significant differences in comorbid conditions such as sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, hypertension and gout exist (p < .05). Women reported fewer problems with self-care (9.5% vs. 25.0%, p < .05), and better overall health (VAS 61.5 vs. 52.0, p < .05) and General Health (39.3 vs. 32.9, p < .05), but greater impairment in self-esteem (27.3 vs. 44.1, p < .01) and sexual life (49.2 vs. 63.6, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Before LSG, patients reported significant morbidity and impaired HRQoL. Although baseline characteristics were similar between men and women, gender specific differences were observed in comorbid profile and HRQoL.

Long-term health-related quality of life in bariatric surgery patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss in the majority of patients. Improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an equally important outcome; however, there are few studies reporting long-term (≥5 years) HRQoL outcomes. This study assesses the quality of evidence and effectiveness of surgery on HRQoL ≥ 5 years. METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Review, EmBase, CINANL, PsycInfo, obesity conference abstracts, and reference lists were searched. Keywords were bariatric surgery, obesity, and quality of life. Studies were included if (1) there was ≥5 years follow-up, (2) patients had class II or III obesity, (3) individuals completed a validated HRQoL survey, and (4) there was a nonsurgical comparison group with obesity. Two reviewers independently assessed each study. RESULTS: From 1376 articles, 9 studies were included in the systematic review (SR) and 6 in the meta-analysis (MA). Inconsistent results for long-term improvements in physical and mental health emerged from the SR. In contrast, the MA found significant improvements in these domains ≥5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings provide evidence for a substantial and significant improvement in physical and mental health favoring the surgical group compared with controls spanning 5 to 25 years after surgery.

Impact of Body Mass Index on Short-Term Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Background and Aim. Obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)) is associated with advanced cardiovascular disease requiring procedures such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Studies report better outcomes in obese patients having these procedures but results are conflicting or inconsistent. Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) has the highest rate of obesity in Canada. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between BMI and vascular and nonvascular complications in patients undergoing PCI in NL. Methods. We studied 6473 patients identified in the APPROACH-NL database who underwent PCI from May 2006 to December 2013. BMI categories included normal, 18.5 ≤ BMI < 25.0 (n = 1073); overweight, 25.0 ≤ BMI < 30 (n = 2608); and obese, BMI ≥ 30.0 (n = 2792). Results. Patients with obesity were younger and had a higher incidence of diabetes, hypertension, and family history of cardiac disease. Obese patients experienced less vascular complications (normal, overweight, and obese: 8.2%, 7.2%, and 5.3%, p = 0.001). No significant differences were observed for in-lab (4.0%, 3.3%, and 3.1%, p = 0.386) or postprocedural (1.0%, 0.8%, and 0.9%, p = 0.725) nonvascular complications. After adjusting for covariates, BMI was not a significant factor associated with adverse outcomes. Conclusion. Overweight and obesity were not independent correlates of short-term vascular and nonvascular complications among patients undergoing PCI.

Health care quality from the perspective of health care providers and patients during and shortly after acute care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor changes in providers' perceptions of health care quality and the importance of health reform, and in patients' satisfaction with services during and two years after restructuring, comparing the region of the province that was restructured (St John's) with those regions in which hospitals were not aggregated. METHODS: The Employee Attitude Survey questionnaire was sent to acute care providers (n = 5353) to assess personal characteristics and perceptions of the impact of reform on workplace conditions, work-related attitudes and turnover intentions. The response rate for 2000 and 2002 was 42% (n = 1222 and 1034, respectively). Only respondents in both surveys (n = 589) were used in the analysis because study results were the same for both the repeat sample and total samples. A Patient Satisfaction Survey questionnaire was administered to patients discharged from acute care facilities in 2000 (n = 1741) and 2002 (n = 704). Response rates were 82.5% and 90.2%, respectively. RESULTS: Most providers felt, at both time periods, that restructuring of the health care system was a positive step, but felt that health care quality was low. In the St John's region, perceptions of quality and standards of care improved over time. Patients were extremely satisfied with the admission process and hospital stay at both time periods in St John's. However, satisfaction declined in 2002 in regions outside St John's. CONCLUSIONS: Aggregation of acute care hospitals is possible without adverse effects on providers' perceptions of health care quality or on patient satisfaction.

Acute care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador: the history and impact on expenditure.

OBJECTIVES: To document the history of regionalization and its effects on the Newfoundland and Labrador acute care health system, and to describe changes in acute care expenditure in the St John's region where hospital redesign, closure and aggregation occurred in relation to other regions not exposed to aggregation. METHODS: Interviews were conducted with senior health officials. Transcripts and other reports were reviewed. Financial data were abstracted from audited general ledger statements received from the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Regionalization achieved its objectives of hospital aggregation in St John's. The average number of full-time equivalent employees increased slightly by 2% (5304-5416). In some regions, integration of services was delayed because of conflict and resistance to change. There was some disparity between the Provincial Government's objectives for cost control and the CEOs' perceptions of economies of scale. Between 1995/96 and 2002/03, total expenditures for the St John's region and the other five regional hospitals increased by 46% and 54%, respectively; total personal income of the population and government revenues increased by only 18% and 16%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Regionalization in Newfoundland and Labrador facilitated aggregation of hospitals, but did not control the number of front-line workers and, consequently, total acute care expenditure. Expenditure increased significantly between 1995 and 2002, at a rate which exceeded the increase in government revenues. The government's ability to pay for acute care will not be achieved unless employee costs are controlled or provincial income increases.

Attitudes and perceptions of registered nurses during and shortly after acute care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor changes in registered nurses' perceptions of the impact of seven years of health care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and to measure the attitudinal and behavioural reactions over four years comparing the St John's region, where hospital aggregation occurred, to other regions of the province. METHODS: Data were collected on acute care nurses' personal characteristics and perceptions of the importance of reform and its impact on workplace conditions and health care quality in 1995, 1999, 2000 and 2002. Nurses' attitudes and intentions were monitored across three time periods (i.e. 1999, 2000 and 2002). RESULTS: Perceived workplace conditions and health care quality, as well as attitudes and behaviours were generally negative. However, there was some improvement over time. The temporal sequence of scores suggests that restructuring had an adverse impact on nurses' attitudes. Few significant regional differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although health services restructuring had an adverse impact on nurses' attitudes, aggregation of hospitals in St John's region was achieved without further deterioration. Provincial wide initiatives are needed to promote more positive work environments and increase the organizational effectiveness.

Health care provider outcomes during and shortly after acute care restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor changes in human resource indicators during six years of restructuring in Newfoundland and Labrador, and to measure providers' perceptions of reform impact and attitudinal and behavioural reactions comparing changes in the St John's region, where hospital aggregation occurred, to other regions. METHODS: Data on human resource indicators from 1995/96 to 2001/02 were obtained and analysed. The Employee Attitude Survey was sent to acute care staff (n = 5353) to assess perceptions of reform impact on workplace conditions, work-related attitudes, turnover intentions and personal characteristics. The response rate for 2000 and 2002 was approximately 42% (n = 1222 and 1034, respectively). Only respondents to both surveys (n = 589) were used in the analysis. RESULTS: Increases in average employee and full-time equivalent numbers occurred in the St John's region, despite hospital closure and aggregation. Increases in staff dislocation and turnover were observed, but paid sick hours decreased. Sick leave and overtime costs increased. Although perceived workplace conditions, and attitudes and behaviours were generally negative, there was evidence of improvement over time, especially in St John's. Few significant regional or provider group differences were observed on most study variables. CONCLUSIONS: Aggregation of hospitals in St John's did not lead to a decrease in employee counts, or deterioration in human resource indicators or attitudes. However, province-wide initiatives are needed to promote more positive work environments and increase organizational effectiveness.