Association Between Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Levels, Postoperative Hyperglycemia, and Readmissions Following Gastrointestinal Surgery

Importance

Preoperative hyperglycemia is associated with adverse postoperative outcomes among patients who undergo surgery. Whether preoperative hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) or postoperative glucose levels are more useful in predicting adverse events following surgery is uncertain in the current literature.

Objective

To examine the use of preoperative HbA1c and early postoperative glucose levels for predicting postoperative complications and readmission.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this observational cohort study, inpatient gastrointestinal surgical procedures performed at 117 Veterans Affairs hospitals from 2007 to 2014 were identified, and cases of known infection within 3 days before surgery were excluded. Preoperative HbA1c levels were examined as a continuous and categorical variable (<5.7%, 5.7%-6.5%, and >6.5%). A logistic regression modeled postoperative complications and readmissions with the closest preoperative HbA1c within 90 days and the highest postoperative glucose levels within 48 hours of undergoing surgery.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Postoperative complications and 30-day unplanned readmission following discharge.

Results

Of 21 541 participants, 1193 (5.5%) were women, and the mean (SD) age was 63.7 (10.6) years. The cohort included 23 094 operations with measurements of preoperative HbA1c levels and postoperative glucose levels. The complication and 30-day readmission rates were 27.2% and 14.7%, respectively. In logistic regression models adjusting for HbA1c, postoperative glucose levels, postoperative insulin use, diabetes, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), and other patient and procedural factors, peak postoperative glucose levels of more than 250 mg/dL were associated with increased 30-day readmissions (odds ratio, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.99-1.41; P = .07). By contrast, a preoperative HbA1c of more than 6.5% was associated with decreased 30-day readmissions (odds ratio, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.96; P = .01). As preoperative HbA1c increased, the frequency of 48-hour postoperative glucose checks increased (4.92, 6.89, and 9.71 for an HbA1c <5.7%, 5.7%-6.4%, and >6.5%, respectively; P < .001). Patients with a preoperative HbA1c of more than 6.5% had lower thresholds for postoperative insulin use.

Conclusions and Relevance

Early postoperative hyperglycemia was associated with increased readmission, but elevated preoperative HbA1c was not. A higher preoperative HbA1c was associated with increased postoperative glucose level checks and insulin use, suggesting that heightened postoperative vigilance and a lower threshold to treat hyperglycemia may explain this finding.

Surgical Site Infection Research Opportunities

Much has been done to identify measures and modify risk factors to decrease the rate of surgical site infection (SSI). Development of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Core recommendations for the prevention of SSI revealed evidence gaps in six areas: Parenteral antimicrobial prophylaxis, glycemic control, normothermia, oxygenation, antiseptic prophylaxis, and non-parenteral antimicrobial prophylaxis. Using a modified Delphi process, seven SSI content experts identified nutritional status, smoking, obesity, surgical technique, and anemia as additional areas for SSI prevention research. Post-modified Delphi process Staphylococcus aureus colonization and SSI definition and surveillance were also deemed important topic areas for inclusion. For each topic, research questions were developed, and 10 were selected as the final SSI research questions.

Introduction to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common type of health-care-associated infection (HAI) and adds considerably to the individual, social, and economic costs of surgical treatment. This document serves to introduce the updated Guideline for the Prevention of SSI from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). The Core section of the guideline addresses issues relevant to multiple surgical specialties and procedures. The second procedure-specific section focuses on a high-volume, high-burden procedure: Prosthetic joint arthroplasty. While many elements of the 1999 guideline remain current, others warrant updating to incorporate new knowledge and changes in the patient population, operative techniques, emerging pathogens, and guideline development methodology.

Executive Summary of the American College of Surgeons/Surgical Infection Society Surgical Site Infection Guidelines-2016 Update

Guidelines regarding the prevention, detection, and management of surgical site infections (SSIs) have been published previously by a variety of organizations. The American College of Surgeons (ACS)/Surgical Infection Society (SIS) Surgical Site Infection (SSI) Guidelines 2016 Update is intended to update these guidelines based on the current literature and to provide a concise summary of relevant topics.

Histotripsy Treatment of S. Aureus Biofilms on Surgical Mesh Samples Under Varying Pulse Durations

Prior studies demonstrated that histotripsy generated by high-intensity tone bursts to excite a bubble cloud adjacent to a medical implant can destroy the bacteria biofilm responsible for the infection. The goal of this paper was to treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) biofilms on surgical mesh samples while varying the number of cycles in the tone burst to minimize collateral tissue damage while maximizing therapy effectiveness. S. aureus biofilms were grown on 1-cm square surgical mesh samples. The biofilms were then treated in vitro using a spherically focused transducer (1.1 MHz, 12.9-cm focal length, 12.7-cm diameter) using either a sham exposure or histotripsy pulses with tone burst durations of 3, 5, or 10 cycles (pulse repetition frequency of 333 Hz, peak compressional pressure of 150 MPa, peak rarefactional pressure of 17 MPa). After treatment, the number of colony forming units (CFUs) on the mesh and the surrounding gel was independently determined. The number of CFUs remaining on the mesh for the sham exposure (4.8 ± 0.9-log₁₀) (sample mean ± sample standard deviation-log10 from 15 observations) was statistically significantly different from the 3-cycle (1.9 ± 1.5-log₁₀), 5-cycle (2.2 ± 1.1-log₁₀), and 10-cycle exposures (1 ± 1.5-log₁₀) with an average reduction in the number of CFUs of 3.1-log₁₀. The numbers of CFUs released into the gel for both the sham and exposure groups were the same within a bound of 0.86-log₁₀, but this interval was too large to deduce the fate of the bacteria in the biofilm following the treatment.

Factors Associated With Long-term Outcomes of Umbilical Hernia Repair

Importance

Umbilical hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed general surgical procedures. However, there is little consensus about the factors that lead to umbilical hernia recurrence.

Objective

To better understand the factors associated with long-term umbilical hernia recurrence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective cohort of 332 military veteran patients who underwent umbilical hernia repair was studied between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2008, at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Recurrence and mortality outcomes were tracked from that period until June 1, 2014. Data were collected on patient characteristics, operative, and postoperative factors and univariate and multivariable analyses were used to assess which factors were significantly associated with umbilical hernia recurrence and mortality. All patients with primary umbilical hernia repair, with or without a concurrent unrelated procedure, were included in the study. Patients excluded were those who underwent umbilical hernia repair as a part of another major planned procedure with abdominal incisions. Data were collected from June 1, 2014, to November 1, 2015. Statistical analysis was performed from November 2, 2015, to April 1, 2016.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary study outcomes were umbilical hernia recurrence and death.

Results

Of the 332 patients in this study, 321 (96.7%) were male, mean age was 58.4 years, and mean (SD) time of follow-up was 8.5 (4.1) years. The hernia recurrence rate was 6.0% (n = 20) at a mean 3.1 years after index repair (median, 1.0-year; range, 0.33-13 years). The primary suture repair recurrence rate was 9.8% (16 of 163 patients), and the mesh repair recurrence rate was 2.4% (4 of 169 patients). On univariate analysis, ascites (P = .02), liver disease (P = .02), diabetes (P = .04), and primary suture (nonmesh) repairs (P = .04) were significantly associated with increased recurrence rates. Patients who had a history of hernias (125 [39%]) were less likely to have umbilical hernia recurrences (χ21 = 4.65, P = .03). On multivariable regression analysis, obesity and ascites were associated with significantly increased odds ratios of recurrence of 3.3 (95% CI, 1.0-10.1) and 8.0 (95% CI, 1.8-34.4), respectively. Mesh repair was seen to decrease recurrence with odds of 0.28 (95% CI, 0.08-0.95). There was no significant difference in complication rates between mesh repair and primary suture repair. The survival rate was 73% (n = 242) at the end of the study. Factors associated with mortality were older age, smoking, liver disease, ascites, emergency or semiurgent repair, and need for intraoperative bowel resection.

Conclusions and Relevance

Ascites, liver disease, diabetes, obesity, and primary suture repair without mesh are associated with increased umbilical hernia recurrence rates. Elective umbilical hernia repair with mesh should be considered in patients with multiple comorbidities given that the use of mesh offers protection from recurrence without major morbidity.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guideline for the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 2017

Importance

The human and financial costs of treating surgical site infections (SSIs) are increasing. The number of surgical procedures performed in the United States continues to rise, and surgical patients are initially seen with increasingly complex comorbidities. It is estimated that approximately half of SSIs are deemed preventable using evidence-based strategies.

Objective

To provide new and updated evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of SSI.

Evidence Review

A targeted systematic review of the literature was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library from 1998 through April 2014. A modified Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess the quality of evidence and the strength of the resulting recommendation and to provide explicit links between them. Of 5759 titles and abstracts screened, 896 underwent full-text review by 2 independent reviewers. After exclusions, 170 studies were extracted into evidence tables, appraised, and synthesized.

Findings

Before surgery, patients should shower or bathe (full body) with soap (antimicrobial or nonantimicrobial) or an antiseptic agent on at least the night before the operative day. Antimicrobial prophylaxis should be administered only when indicated based on published clinical practice guidelines and timed such that a bactericidal concentration of the agents is established in the serum and tissues when the incision is made. In cesarean section procedures, antimicrobial prophylaxis should be administered before skin incision. Skin preparation in the operating room should be performed using an alcohol-based agent unless contraindicated. For clean and clean-contaminated procedures, additional prophylactic antimicrobial agent doses should not be administered after the surgical incision is closed in the operating room, even in the presence of a drain. Topical antimicrobial agents should not be applied to the surgical incision. During surgery, glycemic control should be implemented using blood glucose target levels less than 200 mg/dL, and normothermia should be maintained in all patients. Increased fraction of inspired oxygen should be administered during surgery and after extubation in the immediate postoperative period for patients with normal pulmonary function undergoing general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation. Transfusion of blood products should not be withheld from surgical patients as a means to prevent SSI.

Conclusions and Relevance

This guideline is intended to provide new and updated evidence-based recommendations for the prevention of SSI and should be incorporated into comprehensive surgical quality improvement programs to improve patient safety.

Risk of surgical site infection, acute kidney injury, and Clostridium difficile infection following antibiotic prophylaxis with vancomycin plus a beta-lactam versus either drug alone: A national propensity-score-adjusted retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The optimal regimen for perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis is controversial. Use of combination prophylaxis with a beta-lactam plus vancomycin is increasing; however, the relative risks and benefits associated with this strategy are unknown. Thus, we sought to compare postoperative outcomes following administration of 2 antimicrobials versus a single agent for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs). Potential harms associated with combination regimens, including acute kidney injury (AKI) and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), were also considered.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Using a multicenter, national Veterans Affairs (VA) cohort, all patients who underwent cardiac, orthopedic joint replacement, vascular, colorectal, and hysterectomy procedures during the period from 1 October 2008 to 30 September 2013 and who received planned manual review of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis regimen and manual review for the 30-day incidence of SSI were included. Using a propensity-adjusted log-binomial regression model stratified by type of surgical procedure, the association between receipt of 2 antimicrobials (vancomycin plus a beta-lactam) versus either single agent alone (vancomycin or a beta-lactam) and SSI was evaluated. Measures of association were adjusted for age, diabetes, smoking, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, preoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) status, and receipt of mupirocin. The 7-day incidence of postoperative AKI and 90-day incidence of CDI were also measured. In all, 70,101 procedures (52,504 beta-lactam only, 5,089 vancomycin only, and 12,508 combination) with 2,466 (3.5%) SSIs from 109 medical centers were included. Among cardiac surgery patients, combination prophylaxis was associated with a lower incidence of SSI (66/6,953, 0.95%) than single-agent prophylaxis (190/12,834, 1.48%; crude risk ratio [RR] 0.64, 95% CI 0.49, 0.85; adjusted RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.46, 0.83). After adjusting for SSI risk, no association between receipt of combination prophylaxis and SSI was found for the other types of surgeries evaluated, including orthopedic joint replacement procedures. In MRSA-colonized patients undergoing cardiac surgery, SSI occurred in 8/346 (2.3%) patients who received combination prophylaxis versus 4/100 (4.0%) patients who received vancomycin alone (crude RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.18, 1.88). Among MRSA-negative and -unknown cardiac surgery patients, SSIs occurred in 58/6,607 (0.9%) patients receiving combination prophylaxis versus 146/10,215 (1.4%) patients who received a beta-lactam alone (crude RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.45, 0.83). Based on these associations, the number needed to treat to prevent 1 SSI in MRSA-colonized patients is estimated to be 53, compared to 176 in non-MRSA patients. CDI incidence was similar in both exposure groups. Across all types of surgical procedures, risk of AKI was increased in the combination antimicrobial prophylaxis group (2,971/12,508 [23.8%] receiving combination versus 1,058/5,089 [20.8%] receiving vancomycin alone versus 7,314/52,504 [13.9%] receiving beta-lactam alone). We found a significant association between absolute risk of AKI and receipt of combination regimens across all types of procedures. If the observed association is causal, the number needed to harm for severe AKI following cardiac surgery would be 167. The major limitation of our investigation is that it is an observational study in a predominantly male population, which may limit generalizability and lead to unmeasured confounding.

CONCLUSIONS

There are benefits but also unintended consequences of antimicrobial and infection prevention strategies aimed at "getting to zero" healthcare-associated infections. In our study, combination prophylaxis was associated with both benefits (reduction in SSIs following cardiac surgical procedures) and harms (increase in postoperative AKI). In cardiac surgery patients, the difference in risk-benefit profile by MRSA status suggests that MRSA-screening-directed prophylaxis may optimize benefits while minimizing harms in this selected population. More information about long-term outcomes and patient and societal preferences regarding risk of SSI versus risk of AKI is needed to improve clinical decision-making.

Surgeons' Disclosures of Clinical Adverse Events

Importance

Surgeons are frequently faced with clinical adverse events owing to the nature of their specialty, yet not all surgeons disclose these events to patients. To sustain open disclosure programs, it is essential to understand how surgeons are disclosing adverse events, factors that are associated with reporting such events, and the effect of disclosure on surgeons.

Objective

To quantitatively assess surgeons' reports of disclosure of adverse events and aspects of their experiences with the disclosure process.

Design, Setting, and Participants

An observational study was conducted from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2013, involving a 21-item baseline questionnaire administered to 67 of 75 surgeons (89%) representing 12 specialties at 3 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Sixty-two surveys of their communication about adverse events and experiences with disclosing such events were completed by 35 of these 67 surgeons (52%). Data were analyzed using mixed linear random-effects and logistic regression models.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Self-reports of disclosure assessed by 8 items from guidelines and pilot research, surgeons' perceptions of the adverse event, reported personal effects from disclosure, and baseline attitudes toward disclosure.

Results

Most of the surgeons completing the web-based surveys (41 responses from men and 21 responses from women) used 5 of the 8 recommended disclosure items: explained why the event happened (55 of 60 surveys [92%]), expressed regret for what happened (52 of 60 [87%]), expressed concern for the patient's welfare (57 of 60 [95%]), disclosed the adverse event within 24 hours (58 of 60 [97%]), and discussed steps taken to treat any subsequent problems (59 of 60 [98%]). Fewer surgeons apologized to patients (33 of 60 [55%]), discussed whether the event was preventable (33 of 60 [55%]), or how recurrences could be prevented (19 of 59 [32%]). Surgeons who were less likely to have discussed prevention (33 of 60 [55%]), those who stated the event was very or extremely serious (40 of 61 surveys [66%]), or reported very or somewhat difficult experiences discussing the event (16 of 61 [26%]) were more likely to have been negatively affected by the event. Surgeons with more negative attitudes about disclosure at baseline reported more anxiety about patients' surgical outcomes or events following disclosure (odds ratio, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.16-2.06).

Conclusions and Relevance

Surgeons who reported they were less likely to discuss preventability of the adverse event, or who reported difficult communication experiences, were more negatively affected by disclosure than others. Quality improvement efforts focused on recognizing the association between disclosure and surgeons' well-being may help sustain open disclosure policies.

Detection and potential consequences of intraoperative adverse events: A pilot study in the veterans health administration

Surgical quality improvement efforts have focused on tracking and reducing postoperative mortality and morbidity. However, the prevalence of intraoperative adverse events (IAEs) and their association with postoperative surgical outcomes has been poorly studied. In this study, we detected IAEs using both retrospective chart review and prospective provider reporting. We then examined the association of IAEs with postoperative outcomes. The overall IAE detection rate per case was 0.7 and 0.07 (P < 0.0001) based on chart review and provider reporting, respectively. Types of IAEs varied between detection methods. Provider-reported IAEs were more serious, i.e., had a stronger association with 30-day postoperative complications than chart-identified IAEs (risk-adjusted odds ratios were 1.52 vs 1.02, respectively, both p < 0.0001). Our findings suggest that IAEs can be detected using either retrospective chart review or prospective provider reporting. However, provider reporting appears more likely to detect serious (albeit infrequent) IAEs compared to chart review.

A study to reduce readmissions after surgery in the Veterans Health Administration: design and methodology

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmissions are associated with higher resource utilization and worse patient outcomes. Causes of unplanned readmission to the hospital are multiple with some being better targets for intervention than others. To understand risk factors for surgical readmission and their incremental contribution to current Veterans Health Administration (VA) surgical quality assessment, the study, Improving Surgical Quality: Readmission (ISQ-R), is being conducted to develop a readmission risk prediction tool, explore predisposing and enabling factors, and identify and rank reasons for readmission in terms of salience and mutability.

METHODS

Harnessing the rich VA enterprise data, predictive readmission models are being developed in data from patients who underwent surgical procedures within the VA 2007-2012. Prospective assessment of psychosocial determinants of readmission including patient self-efficacy, cognitive, affective and caregiver status are being obtained from a cohort having colorectal, thoracic or vascular procedures at four VA hospitals in 2015-2017. Using these two data sources, ISQ-R will develop readmission categories and validate the readmission risk prediction model. A modified Delphi process will convene surgeons, non-surgeon clinicians and quality improvement nurses to rank proposed readmission categories vis-à-vis potential preventability.

DISCUSSION

ISQ-R will identify promising avenues for interventions to facilitate improvements in surgical quality, informing specifications for surgical workflow managers seeking to improve care and reduce cost. ISQ-R will work with Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) to recommend potential new elements VASQIP might collect to monitor surgical complications and readmissions which might be preventable and ultimately improve surgical care.

Comparing definitions of outpatient surgery: Implications for quality measurement

BACKGROUND

Adverse event (AE) rates in outpatient surgery are inconsistently reported, partly because of the lack of a standard definition of outpatient surgery. We compared the types and rates of surgical procedures defined by two national healthcare agencies: Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) and the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and considered implications for quality measurement.

METHODS

We used HCCI and HCUP definitions to identify FY2012-14 VA outpatient surgeries.

RESULTS

There were six times as many HCCI surgeries as HCUP (6,575,830 versus 1,086,640). Ninety-nine percent of HCUP-defined surgeries were also identified by HCCI. More HCUP surgeries had higher average Medicare Relative Value Units then HCCI surgeries [5.3 (SD = 4.4) versus 1.6 (SD = 2.3) RVUs].

CONCLUSIONS

Rates and types of procedures vary widely between definitions. Quality measurement using HCCI versus HCUP may produce significantly lower AE rates because many of the surgeries included reflect low complexity and potentially low risk of AEs.

Repair of a bowel-containing, scrotal hernia with incarceration contributed by femorofemoral bypass graft

The rising use of endovascular techniques utilizing femoral artery access may increase the frequency with which surgeons face the challenge of hernia repair in reoperative groins—which may or may not include a vascular graft. We present a case where a vascular graft contributed to an acute presentation and complicated dissection, and review the literature. A 67-year-old man who had undergone prior endovascular aneurysm repair via open bilateral femoral artery access and concomitant prosthetic femorofemoral bypass, presented with an incarcerated, scrotal inguinal hernia. The graft with its associated fibrosis contributed to the incarceration by compressing the inguinal ring. Repair was undertaken via an open, anterior approach with tension-free, Lichtenstein herniorraphy after releasing graft-associated fibrosis. Repair of groin hernias in this complex setting requires careful surgical planning, preparation for potential vascular reconstruction and meticulous technique to avoid bowel injury in the face of a vascular conduit and mesh.

A randomized, blinded, multicenter trial of a gentamicin vancomycin gel (DFA-02) in patients undergoing abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

SI is a significant medical problem. DFA-02 is an investigational bioresorbable modified release gel consisting of both gentamicin (16.8 mg/mL) and vancomycin (18.8 mg/mL). A Phase 2a study, where the drug was applied during surgical incision closure, suggested safety and tolerability but was not designed to assess its efficacy.

STUDY DESIGN

In a Phase 2b randomized, blinded trial patients undergoing abdominal, primarily colorectal, surgery were randomized (4:1:1) to one of three study arms: DFA-02, matching placebo gel, or standard of care (SOC) involving irrigation of the wound with normal saline. The DFA-02 and placebo gel groups received up to 20 mL of study drug inserted above the fascia during wound closure, and were treated in a double-blind manner; the SOC group was treated in a single-blind manner. The primary endpoint was SSI (adjudicated centrally by a blinded committee) through postoperative day 30.

RESULTS

Overall, 445 subjects (intention-to-treat) were randomized at 35 centers with 425 subjects completing the study and being evaluable. There were 67 SSIs (15.8%): 64.2% superficial, 7.5% deep, and 28.4% organ space. The incidence of SSI was not statistically significantly different between the DFA-02 and the placebo gel/SOC arms combined, 42/287 = 14.6% vs 25/138 = 18.1% (p = 0.36), respectively. Rehospitalization within 30 days was also similar between study groups (DFA-02 28.6%, placebo gel 21.4%, SOC 27.3%).

CONCLUSION

In this multicenter, blinded, randomized trial with central adjudication, the gentamicin/vancomycin gel was not associated with a significant reduction in SSI.

SUMMARY

Patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomized to one of three study arms: DFA-02 gel consisting of both gentamicin and vancomycin, matching placebo gel, or standard of care (SOC). Of 425 patients completing the study at 35 sites the gentamicin/vancomycin gel was not associated with a significant reduction in SSI.

Defining Outpatient Surgery: Perspectives of Surgical Staff in the Veterans Health Administration

BACKGROUND

A standard definition of outpatient surgery that is aligned with the perspective of surgical providers is needed for consistent and focused surgical quality measurement. We sought to clarify the procedure characteristics that define outpatient surgery through a consensus process with multidisciplinary surgical staff from the Veterans Health Administration (VA).

METHODS

A convenience sample of 14 VA surgical staff participated in three rounds of a modified-Delphi process. They rated procedure characteristics (e.g., settings, providers, anesthesia, and incision type) to include in a definition of outpatient surgery for adverse event detection.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on 63% of the criteria. Participants agreed to exclude procedures performed by gastroenterologists; in contrast, they agreed to retain endoscopic procedures. There was inter and intra-variation between rounds but no pattern based on staff discipline.

CONCLUSIONS

Contradictory responses and the lack of consensus on several key questions revealed few procedure characteristics that surgical staff agreed could be used to define outpatient surgery. Our findings suggest that contextual factors associated with specific procedures may be important; future efforts to define outpatient surgery should consider both the characteristics of the procedure and the procedure itself.

The impact of surgical hand antisepsis technique on surgical site infection

BACKGROUND

Limited evidence exists regarding the effect on superficial and deep incisional surgical site infections (SDSSIs) of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABR) versus traditional aqueous surgical scrubs (TSS). User preferences and practice are unknown.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study examining SDSSIs using VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program cases before ABR implementation (2007-2009, TSS group) and after (2013-2014, ABR group). A descriptive survey.

RESULTS

SDSSI rates were 1.8% and 1.5% for TSS (n=4051) and ABR (n=2293), respectively (p=0.31). The adjusted odds of SDSSI using ABR was not significant (OR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.51-1.32). Greatest SDSSI risk was from preoperative radiotherapy (OR, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.14-6.78), general surgery (OR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.30-4.39) and preoperative smoking (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.02-2.44). Of 95 surveys included, 52% favored ABR. Although 95% self-reported correct product application, improper duration was revealed in both groups (TSS 18% and ABR 10%).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of an ABR for use in surgical hand antisepsis did not alter SDSSI rates. Improving product knowledge and compliance may improve SSI rates.

Effect of Hand Antisepsis Agent Selection and Population Characteristics on Surgical Site Infection Pathogens

BACKGROUND

Selection of a pre-operative hand antisepsis agent has not been studied in relation to surgical site infection (SSI) culture data. In our hospital, we introduced an alcohol-based hand rub (ABR) in 2012 as an alternative to traditional aqueous surgical scrubs (TSS). It was the goal of this study to review any effect of this implementation on SSI pathogen characteristics. In addition, we sought to compare our SSI culture data with available National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data. We hypothesized that SSI pathogens and resistant isolates are affected by surgical hand antisepsis technique.

METHODS

Data collected prospectively between 2007 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed for two time periods at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System (VABHS): Before ABR implementation (TSS group) and after (ABR group). Pathogen distribution and pathogenic isolate resistance profiles were compared for TSS and ABR, and similar comparisons, along with procedure-associated SSI comparisons, were made between VABHS and NHSN. All VABHS data were interpreted and categorized according to NHSN definitions.

RESULTS

Compared with TSS (n = 4,051), ABR (n = 2,293) had a greater rate of Staphylococcus aureus (42.6% vs. 38.0%), Escherichia coli (12.8% vs. 9.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (8.5% vs. 2.8%), and Enterobacter spp. (10.6% vs. 2.8%), and a lower rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae/K. oxytoca (4.3% vs. 8.5%) cultured from superficial and deep SSIs (p < 0.05). Of the S. aureus isolates, 35.0% and 44.4% were resistant to oxacillin/methicillin (MRSA) in ABR and TSS, respectively (p = 0.06). Looking at all SSIs, coagulase-negative staphylococci and K. pneumoniae/K. oxytoca at VABHS (4.0% and 10.4%, respectively) accounted for the biggest difference from NHSN (11.7% and 4.0%, respectively). Aside from MRSA, where there was no difference between VABHS and NHSN (42.9% vs. 43.7%, respectively; p = 0.87), statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences were observed among multi-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae/K. oxytoca (0% vs. 6.8%, respectively) and Escherichia coli (10.0% vs. 1.6%, respectively), as well as among extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant K. pneumoniae/K. oxytoca (4.8% vs. 13.2%, respectively) and Enterobacter (58.3% vs. 27.7%, respectively). VABHS had a greater proportion of SSIs in abdominal and vascular cases than did NHSN (48.6% vs. 22.5% and 13.2% vs. 1.5%, respectively). Overall, these differences were significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The TSS and ABR groups differed in the distribution of pathogens recovered. Those differences, along with SSI pathogen distribution, pathogenic isolate resistance profiles, and procedure-associated SSIs between VABHS and NHSN, warrant further investigation.

Transitional care interventions and hospital readmissions in surgical populations: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Despite hospital readmission being a targeted quality metric, few studies have focused on the surgical patient population. We performed a systematic review of transitional care interventions and their effect on hospital readmissions after surgery.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed was searched for studies evaluating transitional care interventions in surgical populations within the years 1995 to 2015. Of 3,527 abstracts identified, 3 randomized controlled trials and 7 observational cohort studies met inclusion criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Discharge planning programs reduced readmissions by 11.5% (P = .001), 12.5% (P = .04), and 23% (P = .26). Patient education interventions reduced readmissions by 14% (P = .28) and 23.5% (P < .05). Primary care follow-up reduced readmissions by 8.3% for patients after high-risk surgeries (P < .001). Home visits reduced readmissions by 7.69% (P = .023) and 4% (P = .161), respectively. Therefore, improving discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up communication may reduce readmissions.

Current Status and Challenges of Laparoscopy in Ventral Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias gained strong popularity in the late nineties with some of the early enthusiasm lost later in time. We review the current status and challenges of laparoscopy in ventral hernia repair and best practices in this area. We specifically looked at patient and hernia defect factors, technical considerations that have contributed to the successes, and some of the failures of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR). Patients best suited for a laparoscopic repair are those who are obese and diabetic with a total defect size not to exceed 10 cm in width or a "Swiss cheese" defect. Overlap of mesh to healthy fascia of at least 5 cm in every direction, with closure of the defect, is essential to prevent recurrence or bulging over time. Complications specifically related to surgical site occurrence favor the laparoscopic approach. Recurrence rates, satisfaction, and health-related quality of life results are similar to open repairs, but long-term data are lacking. There is still conflicting data regarding ways of fixating the mesh. The science of prosthetic material appropriate for intraperitoneal placement continues to evolve. The field continues to be plagued by single author, single institution, and small nonrandomized observational studies with short-term follow-up. The recent development of large prospective databases might allow for pragmatic and point-of-care studies with long-term follow-up. We conclude that LVHR has evolved since its inception, has overcome many challenges, but still needs better long-term studies to evaluate evolving practices.

Antimicrobial Formulation and Delivery in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infection

BACKGROUND

A number of adjunct antimicrobial measures have been studied in an attempt to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) rates. In addition to parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis, these measures include oral antibiotics in bowel preparation for colorectal surgery, antiseptic/antimicrobial irrigation, antimicrobial sutures, local antibiotics, skin incision antibacterial sealants, and antimicrobial dressings. It is the purpose of this review to study the evidence behind each of these measures and to evaluate relevant data for recommendations in each area.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature through PubMed was performed.

RESULTS

Need for adequate dosing and re-dosing of intravenous peri-operative antibiotics, duration of antibiotic usage past wound closure, and the use of antibiotic bowel preparation in colorectal surgery are well defined in the published literature. However, data on local antimicrobial measures remain controversial.

CONCLUSIONS

Proper dosing and re-dosing of prophylactic intravenous antibiotics should become standard practice. Continuation of intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis beyond wound closure is unnecessary in clean cases and remains controversial in clean-contaminated and complex cases. Oral antibiotic bowel preparation is an important adjunct to intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis in colorectal surgery. The use of topical antimicrobial and antiseptic agents such as antibacterial irrigations, local antimicrobial application, antimicrobial-coated sutures, antibacterial wound sealants, and antimicrobial impregnated dressings in the prevention of SSI is questionable.

The incremental risk of noncardiac surgery on adverse cardiac events following coronary stenting

BACKGROUND

Recent coronary stent placement and noncardiac surgery contribute to the risk of adverse cardiac events, but the relative contributions of these two factors have not been quantified.

OBJECTIVES

This research was designed to determine the incremental risk of noncardiac surgery on myocardial infarction (MI) and coronary revascularization following coronary stenting.

METHODS

A U.S. retrospective cohort study of patients receiving coronary stents at Veterans Affairs medical centers between 2000 and 2010 was used to match patients undergoing noncardiac surgery within 24 months of stent placement to two patients with stents not undergoing surgery. Patients were matched on stent type and cardiac risk factors present at the time of stent placement. A composite endpoint of MI and/or cardiac revascularization for the 30-day interval post-surgery was calculated. Adjusted risk differences (RD) were compared across time periods following stent implantation, using generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS

We matched 20,590 surgical patients to 41,180 nonsurgical patients. During the 30-day interval following noncardiac surgery, the surgical cohort had higher rates of the composite cardiac endpoint (3.1% vs. 1.9%; RD: 1.3%; 95% confidence interval: 1.0% to 1.5%). The incremental risk of noncardiac surgery adjusted for surgical characteristics ranged from 3.5% immediately following stent implantation to 1% at 6 months, after which it remained stable out to 24 months. Factors associated with a significant reduction in risk following surgery more than 6 months post-stent included elective inpatient procedures (ΔRD: 1.8%; p = 0.01), high-risk surgery (ΔRD: 3.7%; p = 0.01), and drug-eluting stent (DES) (ΔRD: 1.3%; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The incremental risk of noncardiac surgery on adverse cardiac events among post-stent patients is highest in the initial 6 months following stent implantation and stabilizes at 1.0% after 6 months. Elective, high-risk, inpatient surgery, and patients with DES may benefit most from delay from a 6-month delay after stent placement.

Preoperative Nasal Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Status, Surgical Prophylaxis, and Risk-Adjusted Postoperative Outcomes in Veterans

Objectives.

To determine whether preoperative nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage is a significant predictor of postoperative infections, after accounting for surgical infection risk and surgical prophylaxis.

Design.

Retrospective cohort study.

Patients.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Boston patients who had nasal MRSA polymerase chain reaction screening performed in the 31 days before clean or clean contaminated surgery in 2008–2009.

Methods.

Postoperative MRSA clinical cultures and infections, total surgical site infections (SSIs), and surgical prophylaxis data were abstracted from administrative databases. MRSA infections were confirmed via chart review. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for each outcome was conducted using Poisson regression. SSI risk index was calculated for a subset of 1,551 patients assessed by the VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program.

Results.

Among 4,238 eligible patients, 279 (6.6%) were positive for preoperative nasal MRSA. Postoperative MRSA clinical cultures and infections, including MRSA SSIs, were each significantly increased in patients with preoperative nasal MRSA. After adjustment for surgery type, vancomycin prophylaxis, chlorhexidine/alcohol surgical skin preparation, and SSI risk index, preoperative nasal MRSA remained significantly associated with postoperative MRSA cultures (relative risk [RR], 8.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.01–25.82) and infections (RR, 8.46; 95% CI, 1.70–42.04). Vancomycin prophylaxis was associated with an increased risk of total SSI in those negative for nasal MRSA (RR, 4.34; 95% CI, 2.19–8.57) but not in patients positive for nasal MRSA.

Conclusions.

In our population, preoperative nasal MRSA colonization was independently associated with MRSA clinical cultures and infections in the postoperative period. Vancomycin prophylaxis increased the risk of total SSI in nasal MRSA-negative patients.

Using clinical variables to guide surgical site infection detection: a novel surveillance strategy

BACKGROUND

Surgical site infections (SSIs) are a common and expensive health care-associated infection, and are used as a health care quality benchmark. As such, SSI detection is a major focus of infection prevention programs. In an effort to improve on conventional surveillance methods, a simple algorithm for SSI detection was developed using clinical variables not traditionally included in National Healthcare Safety Network definitions.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted among surgeries performed at the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System between January 2008 and December 2009. SSI cases were matched to controls without SSI. Clinical variables (administrative, microbiological, pharmacy, radiology) were compared between the groups to determine those that best identified SSI.

RESULTS

A total of 70 SSIs were matched to 70 controls. On multivariable analysis, variables significantly associated with SSI identification were wound culture order, computed tomography scan/magnetic resonance imaging order, antibiotic order within 30 days after surgery, and application of a relevant International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision code. Among patients with no SSI identifiers, 98% were correctly classified as having no SSI. Among patients with multiple SSI identifiers, 97.1% were correctly identified as having SSI. The area under the curve for this model was 0.87.

CONCLUSION

We have derived a novel surveillance algorithm for SSI detection with excellent operating characteristics. This algorithm could be automated to streamline infection control efforts.

Using estimated true safety event rates versus flagged safety event rates: does it change hospital profiling and payment?

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether use of the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicator (PSI) composite measure versus modified composite measures leads to changes in hospital profiles and payments.

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

Retrospective analysis of 2010 Veterans Health Administration discharge data.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the AHRQ PSI software (v4.2) to obtain PSI-flagged events and composite scores for all 151 hospitals in the database (n = 517,814 hospitalizations). We compared the AHRQ PSI composite to two modified composites that estimated "true safety events" from previous chart abstraction findings: one with modified numerators based on the positive predictive value (PPV) of each PSI, and one with similarly modified numerators but whose denominators were based on the expected fraction of PSI-eligible cases that remained after removing those PSIs that were present-on-admission (POA).

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Although a small percentage (5-6 percent) of hospitals changed outlier status based on modified PSI composites, some of these changes were substantial; 30 and 19 percent of hospitals changed ≥20 ranks after adjustment for PPVs and POA flags, respectively. We estimate that 33 percent of hospitals would see a change of at least 10 percent in performance payments.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in hospital profiles and payments would be substantial for some hospitals if the PSI composite score used weights reflecting the relative prevalence of true versus flagged events.

FDA guidance for ABSSSI trials: implications for conducting and interpreting clinical trials

Recent guidance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the conduct of clinical trials for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infection (ABSSSI) has changed the framework for clinical trial design and conduct. Notable changes included new disease state definitions, new primary endpoint definitions and the timing of assessments at these endpoints, and updated guidance on patient inclusion/exclusion criteria. Supportive evidence and statistical justification for the proposed noninferiority margins were described in detail. Although the updated guidelines are still considered drafts and have been adopted in some trials, they serve as the basis for study protocol discussions between pharmaceutical companies and the FDA in advancing the development of promising new agents. Not only will the new trial designs impact researchers and sponsors responsible for drug development programs, but they will also affect healthcare providers participating in clinical trials and the ways in which clinicians develop patient treatment plans based on the results of those trials. This review provides a summary of key changes that will impact future clinical trial design and outcomes.

Assessing the effects of the 2003 resident duty hours reform on internal medicine board scores

PURPOSE

To determine whether the 2003 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) duty hours reform affected medical knowledge as reflected by written board scores for internal medicine (IM) residents.

METHOD

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) Internal Medicine residents who started training before and after the 2003 duty hour reform using a merged data set of American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Board examination and the National Board of Medical Examiners (NMBE) United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge test scores. Specifically, using four regression models, the authors compared IM residents beginning PGY-1 training in 2000 and completing training unexposed to the 2003 duty hours reform (PGY-1 2000 cohort, n = 5,475) to PGY-1 cohorts starting in 2001 through 2005 (n = 28,008), all with some exposure to the reform.

RESULTS

The mean ABIM board score for the unexposed PGY-1 2000 cohort (n = 5,475) was 491, SD = 85. Adjusting for demographics, program, and USMLE Step 2 exam score, the mean differences (95% CI) in ABIM board scores between the PGY-1 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 cohorts minus the PGY-1 2000 cohort were -5.43 (-7.63, -3.23), -3.44 (-5.65, -1.24), 2.58 (0.36, 4.79), 11.10 (8.88, 13.33) and 11.28 (8.98, 13.58) points respectively. None of these differences exceeded one-fifth of an SD in ABIM board scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The duty hours reforms of 2003 did not meaningfully affect medical knowledge as measured by scores on the ABIM board examinations.

Detecting adverse events in surgery: comparing events detected by the Veterans Health Administration Surgical Quality Improvement Program and the Patient Safety Indicators

BACKGROUND

The Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) use administrative data to screen for select adverse events (AEs). In this study, VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) chart review data were used as the gold standard to measure the criterion validity of 5 surgical PSIs. Independent chart review was also used to determine reasons for PSI errors.

METHODS

The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of PSI software version 4.1a were calculated among Veterans Health Administration hospitalizations (2003-2007) reviewed by VASQIP (n = 268,771). Nurses re-reviewed a sample of hospitalizations for which PSI and VASQIP AE detection disagreed.

RESULTS

Sensitivities ranged from 31% to 68%, specificities from 99.1% to 99.8%, and positive predictive values from 31% to 72%. Reviewers found that coding errors accounted for some PSI-VASQIP disagreement; some disagreement was also the result of differences in AE definitions.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the PSIs have moderate criterion validity; however, some surgical PSIs detect different AEs than VASQIP. Future research should explore using both methods to evaluate surgical quality.

Risk of major adverse cardiac events following noncardiac surgery in patients with coronary stents

IMPORTANCE

Guidelines recommend delaying noncardiac surgery in patients after coronary stent procedures for 1 year after drug-eluting stents (DES) and for 6 weeks after bare metal stents (BMS). The evidence underlying these recommendations is limited and conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

To determine risk factors for adverse cardiac events in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery following coronary stent implantation.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A national, retrospective cohort study of 41,989 Veterans Affairs (VA) and non-VA operations occurring in the 24 months after a coronary stent implantation between 2000 and 2010. Nonlinear generalized additive models examined the association between timing of surgery and stent type with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) adjusting for patient, surgery, and cardiac risk factors. A nested case-control study assessed the association between perioperative antiplatelet cessation and MACE.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

A composite 30-day MACE rate of all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and cardiac revascularization.

RESULTS

Within 24 months of 124,844 coronary stent implantations (47.6% DES, 52.4% BMS), 28,029 patients (22.5%; 95% CI, 22.2%-22.7%) underwent noncardiac operations resulting in 1980 MACE (4.7%; 95% CI, 4.5%-4.9%). Time between stent and surgery was associated with MACE (<6 weeks, 11.6%; 6 weeks to <6 months, 6.4%; 6-12 months, 4.2%; >12-24 months, 3.5%; P < .001). MACE rate by stent type was 5.1% for BMS and 4.3% for DES (P < .001). After adjustment, the 3 factors most strongly associated with MACE were nonelective surgical admission (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.77; 95% CI, 4.07-5.59), history of myocardial infarction in the 6 months preceding surgery (AOR, 2.63; 95% CI, 2.32-2.98), and revised cardiac risk index greater than 2 (AOR, 2.13; 95% CI, 1.85-2.44). Of the 12 variables in the model, timing of surgery ranked fifth in explanatory importance measured by partial effects analysis. Stent type ranked last, and DES was not significantly associated with MACE (AOR, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.83-1.01). After both BMS and DES placement, the risk of MACE was stable at 6 months. A case-control analysis of 284 matched pairs found no association between antiplatelet cessation and MACE (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.57-1.29).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Among patients undergoing noncardiac surgery within 2 years of coronary stent placement, MACE were associated with emergency surgery and advanced cardiac disease but not stent type or timing of surgery beyond 6 months after stent implantation. Guideline emphasis on stent type and surgical timing for both DES and BMS should be reevaluated.

Timing of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis and the risk of surgical site infection

IMPORTANCE

Timing of prophylactic antibiotic administration for surgical procedures is a nationally mandated and publicly reported quality metric sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Surgical Care Improvement Project. Numerous studies have failed to demonstrate that adherence to the Surgical Care Improvement Project prophylactic antibiotic timely administration measure is associated with decreased surgical site infection (SSI). OBJECTIVE; To determine whether prophylactic antibiotic timing is associated with SSI occurrence.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using national Veterans Affairs patient-level data on prophylactic antibiotic timing for orthopedic, colorectal, vascular, and gynecologic procedures from 2005 through 2009.

SETTING

National Veterans Affairs Surgical Care Improvement Project data from 112 Veterans Affairs hospitals and matched Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program data.

PATIENTS

Patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty, colorectal surgical procedures, arterial vascular surgical procedures, and hysterectomy.

INTERVENTION

Timing of prophylactic antibiotic administration with respect to surgical incision time.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Data for prophylactic antibiotic agent, prophylactic antibiotic timing with respect to surgical incision, and patient and procedure risk variables were assessed for their relationship with the occurrence of a composite superficial or deep incisional SSI within 30 days after the procedure. Nonlinear generalized additive models were used to examine the association between antibiotic timing and SSI.

RESULTS

Of the 32,459 operations, prophylactic antibiotics were administered at a median of 28 minutes (interquartile range, 17-39 minutes) prior to surgical incision, and 1497 cases (4.6%) developed an SSI. Compared with procedures with antibiotic administration within 60 minutes prior to incision, higher SSI rates were observed for timing more than 60 minutes prior to incision (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08-1.66) but not after incision (unadjusted OR = 1.26; 95% CI, 0.92-1.72). In unadjusted generalized additive models, we observed a significant nonlinear relationship between prophylactic antibiotic timing and SSI when considering timing as a continuous variable (P = .01). In generalized additive models adjusted for patient, procedure, and antibiotic variables, no significant association between prophylactic antibiotic timing and SSI was observed. Vancomycin hydrochloride was associated with higher SSI occurrence for orthopedic procedures (adjusted OR = 1.75; 95% CI, 1.16-2.65). Cefazolin sodium and quinolone in combination with an anaerobic agent were associated with fewer SSI events (cefazolin: adjusted OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.34-0.71; quinolone: adjusted OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.35-0.87) for colorectal procedures.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The SSI risk varies by patient and procedure factors as well as antibiotic properties but is not significantly associated with prophylactic antibiotic timing. While adherence to the timely prophylactic antibiotic measure is not bad care, there is little evidence to suggest that it is better care.

Coronary stents and subsequent surgery: reported provider attitudes and practice patterns

Management of antiplatelet therapy in patients with cardiac stents who need subsequent surgery is complex. Current guidelines recommend delaying elective surgery or, if surgery is emergent, proceeding without aspirin cessation. This study assessed provider knowledge, attitudes, and practices for patients with cardiac stents needing subsequent surgery. A national survey was administered to Veterans Administration surgeons, anesthesiologists, and cardiologists. Questions examined guideline awareness and agreement, perceptions of bleeding risk and stent thrombosis, practice patterns for antiplatelet therapy management, and experience with perioperative stent thrombosis. Chi-square tests and generalized estimating equations were used to examine differences in reported practices. Among 295 respondents, guideline awareness (92%) and agreement (93%) were high but higher among cardiologists and anesthesiologists than surgeons. Guideline agreement and personal experience with stent thrombosis were also associated with reported practice patterns. In adjusted models for early surgeries, cardiologists and anesthesiologists were more likely to report continuation of dual therapy as compared with surgeons regardless of stent type (drug-eluting P = 0.03; bare metal P < 0.01). Despite successful guideline adoption, significant variations in practice patterns by provider type were found. Understanding reasons behind the variation and outcomes of various antiplatelet management strategies are important steps in optimizing care of patients with coronary stents undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Examining the relationship between processes of care and selected AHRQ patient safety indicators postoperative wound dehiscence and accidental puncture or laceration using the VA electronic medical record

This study examines whether Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) Postoperative Wound Dehiscence (PWD) and Accidental Puncture or Laceration (APL) events reflect problems with hospital processes of care (POC). The authors randomly selected 112 PSI-flagged PWD/APL discharges from 2002-2007 VA administrative data, identified true cases using chart review, and matched cases with controls. This yielded a total of 95 case-control pairs per PSI. Patient information and clinical processes on each case-control pair were abstracted from the electronic medical record (EMR). Although PWD cases and controls differed on incision and closure types, APL cases and controls were comparable in examined processes. Further exploration of the process differences between PWD cases and controls indicated that they were primarily caused by patients' underlying surgical problems rather than quality of care shortfalls. Documentation of POC was frequently missing in EMRs. Future studies should combine EMR review with alternative approaches, such as direct observation, to better assess POC.

A clinical history of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a poor predictor of preoperative colonization status and postoperative infections

OBJECTIVE

In the absence of established methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening programs, many centers use a history of a positive culture or a nasal screen as a surrogate for preoperative MRSA colonization status. We aimed to evaluate the test characteristics of these surrogates.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System surgical patients with a preoperative nasal MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screen.

METHODS

We assessed the performance of a history of a MRSA-positive culture or a positive nasal MRSA PCR screen during the year prior to surgery for predicting the preoperative nasal PCR screen result. The associations between MRSA history and postoperative outcomes, including MRSA cultures and infections, were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 4,238 patients, a positive MRSA culture history had a sensitivity of 19.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15.4%-24.8%) and positive predictive value of 57.3% for the preoperative nasal MRSA status. The specificity of MRSA culture history was 99% (95% CI, 98.5%-99.2%). Prior-year nasal MRSA screen results had similar test characteristics. A history of a MRSA-positive culture was associated with an increased risk of postoperative MRSA-positive cultures (risk ratio [RR], 3.54 [95% CI, 1.70-7.37], [Formula: see text]) but not of infections (RR, 1.71 [95% CI, 0.58-5.01]), after adjustment for preoperative nasal MRSA status, vancomycin surgical prophylaxis, surgical scrub, and age.

CONCLUSIONS

A history of a MRSA-positive culture and a positive nasal PCR screen are poor surrogate markers of preoperative colonization status, missing at least 70% of MRSA-colonized patients. Prior-year history is also not independently associated with MRSA-related postoperative infections. Strong consideration should be given to preoperative MRSA screening in patients at high risk for surgical complications.

Ventral hernia repair with synthetic, composite, and biologic mesh: characteristics, indications, and infection profile

BACKGROUND

A variety of mesh materials are available for ventral hernia repair (VHR), each with a unique set of characteristics. Surgeons are offered an ever-expanding selection of products, making a review of the available materials timely.

METHODS

Current surgical literature is reviewed to describe the different types of synthetic mesh, the indications for the use of each type, their relative risks of infection, and other benefits and shortcomings. We also review clinical studies demonstrating outcomes, efficacy, and use of the meshes in different surgical settings, including laparoscopic hernia repair and special situations such as infection or large abdominal wall defects.

RESULTS

Three main types of prosthetic mesh are available. Synthetic mesh, such as polypropylene (PP) or polyester, is characterized by high tensile strength and vigorous tissue ingrowth, but is unsuitable for intra-abdominal placement because of its tendency to induce bowel adhesions. Composite, or barrier-coated, mesh is a dual-sided prosthetic having a synthetic parietal side to promote a strong repair and a visceral surface that repels tissue ingrowth and decreases adhesion formation. Biologic mesh is a collagen-based human, porcine, or bovine scaffold that may be implanted in the extra- or intra-peritoneal position. Biologic mesh is used frequently in the setting of infected or contaminated surgical incisions.

CONCLUSIONS

Synthetic PP mesh is an appropriate, durable material for extra-peritoneal placement in uncomplicated, clean VHR. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene and composite meshes are suitable for intraperitoneal placement during laparoscopic VHR. Biologic meshes may be appropriate for contaminated fields or other special situations, but there is no consensus on when or how to use them.

Clinical efficacy of oral linezolid compared with intravenous vancomycin for the treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-complicated skin and soft tissue infections: a retrospective, propensity score-matched, case-control analysis

BACKGROUND

Linezolid is 100% bioavailable in oral and intravenous formulations. In a recent prospective, randomized, open-label, comparator-controlled, multicenter, phase 4 clinical trial in adults with complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTIs) caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), linezolid achieved clinical and microbiologic success comparable to appropriately dosed intravenous vancomycin. Although patients were randomly assigned to receive linezolid or vancomycin, the protocol allowed patients to start therapy using oral or intravenous linezolid on the basis of investigator discretion and patient ability to tolerate oral medication.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of linezolid when administered orally in adults with cSSTI caused by MRSA. In this retrospective analysis, we examined data collected from the aforementioned trial to compare outcomes in patients who received either oral linezolid or intravenous vancomycin therapy.

METHODS

This study analyzed outcomes in patients who received treatment for 7 to 14 days with either oral linezolid (600 mg q12h; n = 95) or intravenous vancomycin (15 mg/kg q12h, adjusted for creatinine clearance and trough concentration; n = 210). By design, these groups were not randomized. Propensity score matching on baseline variables was used to balance these groups by identifying a comparable group of patients who received vancomycin therapy and comparing them with patients who received oral linezolid therapy. Clinical and microbiologic success rates at the end of treatment and the end of the study (EOS) were then directly compared between the groups using matched-pair logistic regression. The tolerability of the 2 treatments (within this matched group) was also described.

RESULTS

Ninety-two patients with well-matched baseline characteristics were included in each treatment group. At EOS, the odds ratio for clinical success of oral linezolid therapy vs intravenous vancomycin therapy was 4.0 (95% CI, 1.3-12.0; P = 0.01), and the odds ratio for microbiologic success at EOS was 2.7 (95% CI, 1.2-5.7; P = 0.01). Overall rates of adverse events in each group were consistent with reported safety profiles for each drug.

CONCLUSION

A favorable clinical cure rate was achieved with oral linezolid therapy when compared with intravenous vancomycin therapy in propensity score-matched patients with cSSTI proved to be caused by MRSA. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00087490.

Anticipated consequences of the 2011 duty hours standards: views of internal medicine and surgery program directors

PURPOSE

To assess internal medicine (IM) and surgery program directors' views of the likely effects of the 2011 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hours regulations.

METHOD

In fall 2010, investigators surveyed IM and surgery program directors, assessing their views of the likely impact of the 2011 duty hours standards on learning environment, workload, education opportunities, program administration, and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Of 381 IM program directors, 287 (75.3%) responded; of 225 surgery program directors, 118 (52.4%) responded. Significantly more surgeons than internists indicated that the new regulations would likely negatively impact learning climate, including faculty morale and residents' relationships (P < .001). Most leaders in both specialties (80.8% IM, 80.2% surgery) felt that the regulations would likely increase faculty workload (P = .73). Both IM (82.2%) and surgery (96.6%) leaders most often rated, of all education opportunities, first-year resident clinical experience to be adversely affected (P < .001). Respondents from both specialties indicated that they will hire more nonphysician/midlevel providers (59.5% IM, 89.0% surgery, P < .001) and use more nonteaching services (66.8% IM, 70.1% surgery, P = .81). Respondents expect patient safety (45.1% IM, 76.9% surgery, P < .001) and continuity of care (83.6% IM across all training levels, 97.5% surgery regarding first-year residents) to decrease.

CONCLUSIONS

IM and surgery program directors agree that the 2011 duty hours regulations will likely negatively affect the quality of the learning environment, workload, education opportunities, program administration, and patient outcomes. Careful evaluation of actual impact is important.