Ileostomy pathway virtually eliminates readmissions for dehydration in new ostomates

Patient education interventions for colorectal cancer patients with stoma: A systematic review

OBJECTIVES

To describe the various types of patient education interventions for colorectal cancer patients with stoma and to examine their effects on quality of life, psychosocial skills and self-management skills.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed. Six electronic databases were searched. Inclusion criteria were: studies about patient education applying quantitative methods including digestive stoma adults with colorectal cancer. The primary outcome was quality of life. Secondary outcomes were psychosocial and self-management skills.

RESULTS

Thirteen studies were identified and included. Five studies examined quality of life and three reported improvements. Patient education improved some psychosocial and self-management skills. Contrasting findings were reported for specific-disease quality of life, emotional distress, length of hospital stay, stoma complications and readmission rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient education has a positive impact on some psychosocial and self-management skills, indicating that this area should be developed. Contrasting findings were reported for quality of life. Methodologies are heterogeneous making it difficult to produce evidence-based guidelines. This article proposes tools to carry out further studies on this subject and to improve understanding.

PRACTICE IMPLICATION

Further education intervention for stoma patients with colorectal cancer should be standardized in terms of intervention, duration and outcome measures to compare intervention and determine best practice.

Home visits as part of a new care pathway (iAID) to improve quality of care and quality of life in ostomy patients: a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial

AIM

Morbidity in patients with an ostomy is high. A new care pathway, including perioperative home visits by enterostomal therapists, was studied to assess whether more elaborate education and closer guidance could reduce stoma-related complications and improve quality of life (QoL), at acceptable cost.

METHOD

Patients requiring an ileostomy or colostomy, for any inflammatory or malignant bowel disease, were included in a 15-centre cluster-randomized 'stepped-wedge' study. Primary outcomes were stoma-related complications and QoL, measured using the Stoma-QOL, 3 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes included costs of care.

RESULTS

The standard pathway (SP) was followed by 113 patients and the new pathway (NP) by 105 patients. Although the overall number of stoma-related complications was similar in both groups (SP 156, NP 150), the proportion of patients experiencing one or more stoma-related complications was significantly higher in the NP (72% vs 84%, risk difference 12%; 95% CI: 0.3-23.3%). Although in the NP more patients had stoma-related complications, QoL scores were significantly better (P < 0.001). In the SP more patients required extra care at home for their ostomy than in the NP (60.6% vs 33.7%, respectively; risk difference 26.9%, 95% CI: 13.5-40.4%). Stoma revision was done more often in the SP (n = 11) than in the NP (n = 2). Total costs in the SP did not differ significantly from the NP.

CONCLUSION

The NP did not reduce the number of stoma-related complications but did lead to improved quality of care and life, against similar costs. Based on these results the NP, including perioperative home visits by an enterostomal therapist, can be recommended.

Morbidity Associated with Diverting Loop Ileostomies: Weighing Diversion in Rectosigmoid Resection

Anterior resection with primary anastomosis is the procedure of choice for patients with rectosigmoid cancers with good sphincter function. Surgeons may perform an associated diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) to minimize the likelihood and/or the severity of an anastomotic leak. To examine the morbidity of DLIs, we performed a review of a prospectively maintained database. Participants included all patients at the Massachusetts General Hospital who underwent anterior resection from January 2013 to July 2015 for rectosigmoid cancers and who subsequently underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. The primary outcome was time to start of adjuvant chemotherapy. Secondary outcomes included length of hospitalization, perioperative complications, and 60-day postoperative complications. Inclusion criteria were met in 57 patients and DLI was performed in 21 (37%). The DLI group had higher estimated blood loss (431.7 vs 192.1 mL, P = 0.03) and a longer operation time (3.7 vs 2.3 hours, P = 0.0007). The DLI group took over a week longer to start adjuvant chemotherapy than the non-DLI group (median time to chemo: 43 vs 34 days, P = 0.002). Postoperatively, DLI was associated with a longer hospitalization (6.7 vs 3.1 days, P = 0.0003), more perioperative complications (57.1% vs 13.9%, P = 0.0006), and more 60-day read-missions or emergency department visits (38.1% vs 5.6%, P = 0.002). Ostomies are associated with appreciable morbidity. In turn, they do not eliminate postoperative complications. Surgeons should closely consider ostomy morbidity in rectosigmoid resection and institute a proactive approach toward identification and prevention of complications.

Readmission After Ileostomy Creation: Retrospective Review of a Common and Significant Event

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate causes and predictors of readmission after new ileostomy creation.

BACKGROUND

New ileostomates have been reported to have higher readmission rates compared with other surgical patients, but data on predictors are limited.

METHODS

A total of 1114 records at 2 associated hospitals were reviewed to identify adults undergoing their first ileostomy. Primary outcome was readmission within 60 days of surgery. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors; area under the receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUC) were used to evaluate age-stratified models in secondary analysis.

RESULTS

In all, 407 patients underwent new ileostomy; 58% had cancer, 31% IBD; 49% underwent LAR, 27% colectomy, and 14% proctocolectomy. Median length of stay was 8 days. Among the patients, 39% returned to hospital, and 28% were readmitted (n = 113) at a median of 12 days postdischarge. The most common causes of readmission were dehydration (42%), intraperitoneal infections (33%), and extraperitoneal infections (29%). Dehydration was associated with later, longer, and repeated readmission. Independent significant predictors of readmission were Clavien-Dindo complication grade 3 to 4 [odds ratio (OR) 6.7], Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.4 per point), and loop stoma (OR 2.2); longer length of stay (OR 0.5) and age 65 years or older (OR 0.4) were protective. Cohort stratification above or below age 65 revealed that older patient readmissions were more predictable (AUC 0.84) with more preventable causes, whereas younger patient readmissions were difficult to predict or prevent (AUC 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

Readmissions are most commonly caused by dehydration, and are predicted by serious complications, comorbidity burden, loop stoma, shorter length of stay, and age. Readmissions in older patients are easier to predict, representing an important target for improvement.

Complications and Morbidity associated with Loop Ileostomies in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Background and Aims:

Loop ileostomies are frequently used as diversion of the fecal stream to protect a distal anastomosis. The aim of this study was to identify complications and morbidity related to loop ileostomies in patients with ulcerative colitis at a nonemergent setting.

Material and Methods:

Consecutive patients with ulcerative colitis who received a loop ileostomy at a tertiary referral center in Sweden from January 2006 until December 2012 were included and studied retrospectively.

Results:

In total, 71 patients were identified, and the median age was 39 years. A majority (94%) of the patients underwent proctectomy or proctocolectomy with primary construction of an ileal pouch–anal anastomosis. In total, 38 patients (54%) had one or more postoperative complications at index surgery. Stoma-related complications were seen in 49% where parastomal skin irritation was most common. In total, 18% of the patients were re-admitted due to morbidity related to the ileostomy, and the leading cause was high volume output. Complications related to closure were seen in 29% of the patients, and of these, 30% required surgical intervention. In total, five patients (7%) developed a symptomatic leakage in the ileo-ileal anastomosis. There was no mortality.

Conclusion:

Loop ileostomies in this young patient cohort resulted in considerable morbidity. Closure of the ileostomy was also associated with complications. Although the diverting loop ileostomy is constructed to decrease the clinical consequences of an anastomotic leakage, the inherent morbidity should be considered. Preventive measures for parastomal skin problems could improve results.

Is enhanced recovery enough for reducing 30-d readmissions after surgery?

BACKGROUND

Few enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) include processes related to the hospital to home transfer. Little has been reported regarding readmissions in enhanced recovery programs. This study evaluates readmissions and identifies areas to optimize ERPs to prevent readmissions.

METHODS

We conducted an observational, retrospective study at a single tertiary care center. Patients in an ERP for colorectal surgery were compared with a similar cohort who underwent surgery before protocol implementation. We evaluated 30-d readmission, compliance to enhanced recovery protocol, and diagnoses and patient care experiences related to transition of care.

RESULTS

Readmission rates (17.6% versus 19.4%; P = 0.55) were similar. There was significant reduction in index hospitalization length of stay (5.3 versus 7.0 d; P < 0.001) and postoperative surgical site infection (7.3% versus 16.6%; P = 0.01). Although enhanced recovery was associated with reduced readmissions for surgical site infections (31% versus 50.7%, P = 0.02), there was a trend toward increased readmissions for small bowel obstruction-ileus (31% versus 19.1%, P = 0.13). ERPs did not impact perceptions of care transitions; however, those who were readmitted rated their transition lower than those that were not.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ERPs did not reduce readmissions, the program was associated with reduced length of stay and surgical site infections. ERPs did not influence perceptions of the transition to home. Transition process measures aimed at reducing readmission and improving patient outcomes, including use of transition guides, remote vital sign and symptom monitoring, and early clinical follow-up have not traditionally been part of ERP protocols but should be considered.

Cost Effectiveness of a Novel Attempt to Reduce Readmission after Ileostomy Creation

Background and Objectives:

Dehydration is a common complication after ileostomy creation and is the most frequent reason for postoperative readmission to the hospital. We sought to determine the clinical and economic impact of an outpatient intervention to decrease readmissions for dehydration after ileostomy creation.

Methods:

All new ileostomates from 09/2011 through 10/2012 at the University of Florida were enrolled to receive an ileostomy education and management protocol and a daily telephone call for 3 weeks after discharge. Counseling and medication adjustments were provided, with a satisfaction survey at the end. Outcomes of these patients were compared to those in a historical control cohort. A cost analysis was conducted to calculate the savings to the hospital.

Results:

Thirty-eight patients were enrolled. All patients required telephone counseling, and the mean satisfaction score rating was 4.69, on a scale of 1 to 5. The readmission rate for dehydration within 30 days of discharge decreased significantly from 65% before intervention to 16% (5/32 patients) after intervention (P = .002). The length of readmission hospital stay decreased from a mean of 4.2 days before the introduction of the intervention to 3 days after. Cost analysis revealed that the actual total hospital cost of dehydration-specific readmission decreased from $88,858 to $25,037, a saving of $63,821.

Conclusion:

A standardized ileostomy pathway with comprehensive patient education and outpatient telephone follow-up is cost effective, has a positive influence on patient satisfaction, and reduces dehydration-related readmission rates.

Decreasing Hospital Readmission in Ileostomy Patients: Results of Novel Pilot Program

BACKGROUND

Nearly 30% of patients with newly formed ileostomies require hospital readmission from severe dehydration or associated complications. This contributes to significant morbidity and rising healthcare costs associated with this procedure. Our aim was to design and pilot a novel program to decrease readmissions in this patient population.

STUDY DESIGN

An agreement was established with Visiting Nurse Health System (VNHS) in March 2015 that incorporated regular home visits with clinical triggers to institute surgeon-supervised corrective measures aimed at preventing patient decompensation associated with hospital readmissions. Thirty-day readmission data for patients managed with and without VNHS support for 10.5 months before and after implementation of this new program were collected.

RESULTS

Of 833 patients with small bowel procedures, 162 were ileostomies with 47 in the VNHS and 115 in the non-VNHS group. Before program implementation, VNHS (n = 24) and non-VNHS patients (n = 54) had similar readmission rates (20.8% vs 16.7%). After implementation, VNHS patients (n = 23) had a 58% reduction in hospital readmission (8.7%) and non-VNHS patient hospital readmissions (n = 61) increased slightly (24.5%). Total cost of readmissions per patient in the cohort decreased by >80% in the pilot VNHS group.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a novel program reduced the 30-day readmission rate by 58% and cost of readmissions per patient by >80% in a high risk for readmission patient population with newly created ileostomies. Future efforts will expand this program to a greater number of patients, both institutionally and systemically, to reduce the readmission-rate and healthcare costs for this high-risk patient population.

Characterization of Readmission by Day of Rehospitalization After Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Factors associated with readmission stratified by the day of postdischarge rehospitalization after colorectal surgery have not been characterized previously.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify factors leading to readmission on a day-to-day basis after discharge from colorectal surgery.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective analysis of patients readmitted within 30-days after colorectal surgery. Reasons and factors associated with readmission each day after discharge were evaluated. Early readmitted patients (day 0-5 postdischarge) were compared with those readmitted later (day 6-29 postdischarge).

SETTINGS

The study was conducted at a tertiary center.

PATIENTS

Patients included those who had undergone primary colorectal resection from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2012-2013).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The study intended to identify factors associated with any early versus late hospital readmission and to evaluate diagnoses for unplanned readmissions on a day-to-day basis after discharge.

RESULTS

For 69,222 elective colorectal procedures, 7476 patients (10.8%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days. Early (median, 3 days) and late (median, 11 days) readmissions were 3278 (43.8%) and 4198 (56.2%). Except for sex, patient demographics were similar between groups. Neurologic comorbidity; wound disruption; sepsis or septic shock; unplanned reintubation and reoperation; anastomotic leak and ileus; and neurological, cardiovascular, and pulmonary complications were significantly higher in the early readmission, whereas disseminated malignancy, stoma creation, and renal/urological complications were significantly higher in the late readmission group. On multivariable analysis, early readmission was significantly associated with male patients, wound disruption, sepsis or septic shock, reoperation, reintubation, and postoperative neurological complications. Disseminated malignancy, ostomy creation, and postoperative renal dysfunction/urological infection were associated with delayed readmission.

LIMITATIONS

Thirty-day readmissions and reasons for unplanned rehospitalizations were evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS

Differing factors are associated with early versus late readmission after colorectal resection. These data suggest that early readmission is intricately related to patient and operative complexity and hence may be inevitable, whereas delayed hospital presentation is associated with identifiable perioperative predictors at the time of discharge and hence more likely to be targetable.

Reducing Readmissions While Shortening Length of Stay: The Positive Impact of an Enhanced Recovery Protocol in Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmission rates are an increasingly important quality metric since enactment of the 2012 Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. The proliferation of enhanced recovery protocols and earlier discharge raises concerns for increased readmission rates.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the effect of enhanced recovery on readmissions and identified risk factors for readmission.

DESIGN

This study involved implementation of a multidisciplinary enhanced recovery protocol.

SETTINGS

It was conducted at a large academic medical center PATIENTS:: All patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery between 2011 and 2015 at our center were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

This cohort study compared patients before and after enhanced recovery initiation, looking at 30-day readmission as the primary outcome. A multivariable logistic regression model identified predictors of 30-day readmission. Kaplan-Meier analysis identified differences in time to readmission.

RESULTS

A total of 707 patients underwent colorectal procedures between 2011 and 2015, including 383 patients before enhanced recovery protocol was implemented and 324 patients after enhanced protocol was implemented. Length of stay decreased from a median 5 days to a median 4 days before and after enhanced recovery implementation (p < 0.0001). Thirty-day readmission decreased from 19% (72/383) in the pre-enhanced recovery pathway to 12% (38/324) in the enhanced recovery pathway (p = 0.009). Twenty-one percent (21/99) of patients who underwent ileostomy were readmitted before enhanced recovery implementation compared with 19% (18/93) of patients who underwent ileostomy after enhanced recovery implementation (p = 0.16). Multivariable logistic regression identified ileostomy as increasing the risk of readmission (p = 0.04), whereas enhanced recovery protocol decreased the risk of readmission (p = 0.006).

LIMITATIONS

The study is limited because it was conducted at a single institution and used a before-and-after study design.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that use of a standardized enhanced recovery protocol significantly reduces length of stay and readmission rates in an elective colorectal surgery population. However, the presence of an ileostomy maintains a high association with readmission, serving as a significant burden to patients and providers alike. Ongoing efforts are needed to further improve the management of patients undergoing ileostomy in the outpatient setting after discharge to prevent readmissions.

Pre- and postoperative stoma education and guidance within an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme reduces length of hospital stay in colorectal surgery

INTRODUCTION

Stoma formation delays discharge after colorectal surgery. Stoma education is widely recommended, but little data are available regarding whether educational interventions are effective. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate whether an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme with dedicated ERAS and stoma nurse specialists focusing on counselling and stoma education can reduce the length of hospital stay, re-admission, and stoma-related complications and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to current stoma education in a traditional standard care pathway.

METHODS

In a single-center study 122 adult patients eligible for laparoscopic or open colorectal resection who received a planned stoma were treated in either the ERAS program with extended stoma education (n = 61) or standard care with current stoma education (n = 61). The primary endpoint was total postoperative hospital stay. Secondary endpoints were postoperative hospital stay, major or minor morbidity, early stoma-related complications, health-related quality of life, re-admission rate, and mortality. HRQoL was measured by the generic 15D instrument.

RESULTS

Total hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERAS group with education than the standard care group (median [range], 6 days [2-21 days] vs. 9 days [5-45 days]; p < 0.001). Regarding overall major and minor morbidity, re-admission rate, HRQoL, stoma-related complications and 30-day mortality, the two treatment groups exhibited similar outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving a planned stoma can be included in an ERAS program. Pre-operative and postoperative stoma education in an enhanced recovery programme is associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay without any difference in re-admission rate or early stoma-related complications.

Socioeconomic Factors Are Associated With Readmission After Lobectomy for Early Stage Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

Data regarding risk factors for readmissions after surgical resection for lung cancer are limited and largely focus on postoperative outcomes, including complications and hospital length of stay. The current study aims to identify preoperative risk factors for postoperative readmission in early stage lung cancer patients.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base was queried for all early stage lung cancer patients with clinical stage T2N0M0 or less who underwent lobectomy in 2010 and 2011. Patients with unplanned readmission within 30 days of hospital discharge were identified. Univariate analysis was utilized to identify preoperative differences between readmitted and not readmitted cohorts; multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors resulting in readmission.

RESULTS

In all, 840 of 19,711 patients (4.3%) were readmitted postoperatively. Male patients were more likely to be readmitted than female patients (4.9% versus 3.8%, p < 0.001), as were patients who received surgery at a nonacademic rather than an academic facility (4.6% versus 3.6%; p = 0.001) and had underlying medical comorbidities (Charlson/Deyo score 1+ versus 0; 4.8% versus 3.7%; p < 0.001). Readmitted patients had a longer median hospital length of stay (6 days versus 5; p < 0.001) and were more likely to have undergone a minimally invasive approach (5.1% video-assisted thoracic surgery versus 3.9% open; p < 0.001). In addition to those variables, multivariable logistic regression analysis identified that median household income level, insurance status (government versus private), and geographic residence (metropolitan versus urban versus rural) had significant influence on readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

The socioeconomic factors identified significantly influence hospital readmission and should be considered during preoperative and postoperative discharge planning for patients with early stage lung cancer.

Patient autonomy-centered self-care checklist reduces hospital readmissions after ileostomy creation

BACKGROUND

Patients who undergo a colorectal operation that includes a new ileostomy incur high rates of readmission. Ostomates face a steep learning curve to master the skills and knowledge needed for success at home. We designed and implemented a patient-centered checklist promoting independence and validating self-care knowledge and care skills and evaluated its effect on readmissions after ileostomy creation.

METHODS

On a single inpatient unit, new ileostomy patients were taught and evaluated using a novel postoperative self-care checklist, while perioperative care for ostomates remained unchanged elsewhere in the institution. In a retrospective cohort including all consecutive ileostomy patients from 2 years before (period 1) and 1 year after (period 2) the checklist implementation, we identified univariable predictors of readmission within 30 days of discharge and used a multivariable, difference-in-differences approach to compare trends in readmission between the intervention and control units.

RESULTS

Of the 430 patients in the study period, there were 116 with readmissions (26%). Readmitted patients had significantly greater all patient refined diagnosis related group weights (3.6 vs 3.3, P = .006) and longer initial duration of stay (13.3 vs 11.3 days, P = .006), and they were more likely to be emergency admissions (49% vs 38%, P = .04). The readmission rate on the intervention unit decreased from 28% in period 1 to 20% in period 2. The logistic regression-based difference-in-differences approach revealed that implementation of the checklist was an independent negative predictor of readmission (P = .04).

CONCLUSION

Implementation of a patient-centered, self-care-oriented postoperative education checklist was associated with significantly reduced odds of readmission after ileostomy creation.

Diverting ileostomy during primary debulking surgery for ovarian cancer: Associated factors and postoperative outcomes

OBJECTIVE

To examine the use, as well as postoperative and long-term oncologic outcomes of diverting loop ileostomy (DI) during primary debulking surgery (PDS) for ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Patients with stage II-IV ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma who underwent colon resection during PDS from 1/2005-1/2014 were identified. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 331 patients, 320 (97%) had stage III/IV disease and 278 (84%) had disease of high-grade serous histology. Forty-four (13%) underwent a DI. There were no significant differences in age, comorbidity index, smoking status, serum albumin, or attending surgeon between the DI and non-DI groups. Operative time (OR=1.21; 95% CI, 1.03-1.42; p=0.02) and length of rectosigmoid resection (OR=1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.08; p=0.02) were predictors of DI on multivariable analysis. The overall anastomotic leak rate was 6%. A comparison of groups (DI vs non-DI) showed no significant differences in major complications (30% vs 23%; p=0.41), anastomotic leak rate (5% vs 7%; p=0.60), hospital length of stay (10 vs 9days; p=0.25), readmission rate (23% vs 17%; p=0.33), or interval to postoperative chemotherapy (41 vs 40days; p=0.20), respectively. Ileostomy reversal was successful in 89% of patients. Median follow-up was 52.6months. There were no differences in median progression-free (17.9 vs 18.6months; p=0.88) and overall survival (48.7 vs 63.8months; p=0.25) between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients undergoing PDS, those with longer operative time and greater length of rectosigmoid resection more commonly underwent DI. DI does not appear to compromise postoperative outcomes or long-term survival.

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.

Readmissions After Colectomy: The Upstate New York Surgical Quality Initiative Experience

BACKGROUND

Hospital readmissions remain a major medical and financial concern to the healthcare system and have become an area of interest in health outcomes performance metrics. There is a pressing need to identify process measures that may help reduce readmissions.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to assess the patient characteristics and surgical factors associated with 30-day readmissions for colorectal surgery in Upstate New York.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

The study included colectomy cases abstracted for the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program in the Upstate New York Surgical Quality Initiative from June 2013 to June 2014.

PATIENTS

The study consists of 630 colectomies. Patients with a length of stay >30 days or who died during the index admission were excluded.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Readmission within 30 days of surgery was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

Of 630 colectomy patients, 76 patients (12%) were readmitted within 30 days of surgery. Major and minor complications were associated with 30-day postoperative readmission (OR = 2.99 (95% CI, 1.70-5.28) and OR = 2.19 (95% CI, 1.09-4.43)) but excluded from final analysis because they included both predischarge and postdischarge complications. Risk factors independently associated with 30-day postoperative readmission included diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.94 (95% CI, 1.02-3.67)), smoker within the past year (OR = 2.01 (95% CI, 1.12-3.60)), no scheduled follow-up (OR = 2.20 (95% CI, 1.25-3.86)), and ileostomy formation (OR = 1.97 (95% CI, 1.03-3.77)).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include the retrospective design and only 30 days of postoperative follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Consistent with national trends, 1 in 8 patients in the Upstate New York Surgical Quality Initiative program was readmitted within 30 days after colorectal surgery. This study identified several risk factors that may act as tangible targets for intervention, including preoperative smoking cessation programs, optimization of diabetic management, mandatory scheduled follow-up appointments on discharge, and ostomy care pathways.

Racial Disparities in Readmissions for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) After Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in minorities is increasing, and health outcome disparities are becoming more apparent. Our aim was to investigate the contribution of race to readmissions in IBD patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

DESIGN

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2013 was queried for all patients with IBD undergoing elective colorectal surgery. After stratifying by race, unadjusted univariate and bivariate comparisons were made. Primary outcome was all-cause 30-day readmission. Predictors of readmission were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Of the 2523 patients with IBD who underwent elective colon surgery, 15.0 % were readmitted within 30 days of index operation. Black patients constituted 7.7 % of the entire cohort. Black patients were significantly different in smoking status (27 vs. 22 %) and Crohn's diagnosis (84 vs. 73 %) (p < 0.05). Black patients had significantly higher readmission rates (20 vs. 15 %) and longer length-of-stays (8 vs. 6 days) after surgery (p < 0.05). On multivariable analysis, black race remained a significant predictor for 30-day readmissions in patients with IBD (odds ratio 1.6, 95 % confidence interval 1.1-2.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Black patients with IBD have an increased risk for readmission after colorectal surgery. Efforts to reduce readmissions need to target not only well-studied risk factors such as postoperative complications, but also investigate non-NSQIP-measured elements such as social and behavioral determinants of health.

Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis Is Associated with a High Rate of Readmissions at 30 Days

BACKGROUND

Currently, the predictors of readmission after colectomy specifically for ulcerative colitis (UC) are poorly investigated. We sought to determine the rates and predictors of 30-day readmissions after colectomy for UC.

METHODS

Patients undergoing total proctocolectomy and end ileostomy, abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy, proctocolectomy with ileoanal pouch anastomosis (IPAA) formation and diverting ileostomy, one stage IPAA, or abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis at a tertiary care center between January 2002 and January 2012 for UC were included. Patients were identified using ICD-9 code 556.x. Each record was manually reviewed. The electronic record system was reviewed for demographic information, medical histories, UC history, medications, and data regarding the admission and discharge. Charts were reviewed for readmissions within 30 days of surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Stata v.13.

RESULTS

Two hundred nine patients with UC underwent a colectomy. Forty-three percent had a proctocolectomy with IPAA and diverting ileostomy and 32% had abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy. Seventy-six percent of surgeries were due to failure of medical therapy and 68% of patients were electively admitted for surgery. Thirty-two percent (n = 67/209) of the cohort was unexpectedly readmitted within 30 days. In multivariate model, proctocolectomy with IPAA and diverting ileostomy (odds ratio [OR] = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.06-4.19; P = 0.033) was the only significant predictor of readmission. Hospital length of stay >7 days (OR = 1.82; 95% CI, 0.98-3.41; P = 0.060), presence of limited UC (OR = 2.10; 95% CI, 0.93-4.74; P = 0.074), and steroid before admission (OR = 1.69; 95% CI, 0.90-3.2; P = 0.100) trended toward significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgery for UC is associated with a high rate of readmission. Further prospective studies are necessary to determine the means to reduce these readmissions.

Total proctocolectomy for rectal cancer in Lynch syndrome: indications and considerations

SUMMARY 

Patients with Lynch syndrome and rectal cancer present a unique clinical challenge. Management of the primary rectal cancer and prophylactic removal of the colon should be considered. In patients requiring a mesorectal excision, a combined prophylactic colon removal can be considered. Although surveillance of the colon with frequent colonoscopies is an alternative, concerns of metachronous colon cancer development support prophylactic removal of the colon as an alternative. Since data are not available to confirm superiority of either approach, the final decision is greatly dependent upon a patient's wishes and preferences. Patients interested in pursuing simultaneous prophylactic colon removal can be offered total proctocolectomy with either ileal pouch anal-anastomosis as a sphincter-preserving alternative or a total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy.

Protocol for the detection and nutritional management of high-output stomas

Introduction

An issue of recent research interest is excessive stoma output and its relation to electrolyte abnormalities. Some studies have identified this as a precursor of dehydration and renal dysfunction. A prospective study was performed of the complications associated with high-output stomas, to identify their causes, consequences and management.

Materials and methods

This study was carried out by a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, gastroenterologists, nutritionists and hospital pharmacists. High-output stoma (HOS) was defined as output ≥1500 ml for two consecutive days. The subjects included in the study population, 43 patients with a new permanent or temporary stoma, were classified according to the time of HOS onset as early HOS (<3 weeks after initial surgery) or late HOS (≥3 weeks after surgery). Circumstances permitting, a specific protocol for response to HOS was applied. Each patient was followed up until the fourth month after surgery.

Results

Early HOS was observed in 7 (16 %) of the sample population of 43 hospital patients, and late HOS, in 6 of the 37 (16 %) non-early HOS population. By type of stoma, nearly all HOS cases affected ileostomy, rather than colostomy, patients. The patients with early HOS remained in hospital for 18 days post surgery, significantly longer than those with no HOS (12 days). The protocol was applied to the majority of EHOS patients and achieved 100 % effectiveness. 50 % of readmissions were due to altered electrolyte balance. Hypomagnesaemia was observed in 33 % of the late HOS patients.

Conclusion

The protocol developed at our hospital for the detection and management of HOS effectively addresses possible long-term complications arising from poor nutritional status and chronic electrolyte alteration.

Timing of discharge: a key to understanding the reason for readmission after colorectal surgery

PURPOSE

There is a growing interest in surgery regarding the balance between appropriate hospital length of stay (LOS) and prevention of unnecessary readmissions. This study examines the relationship between postoperative LOS and unplanned readmission after colorectal resection, exploring whether patients discharged earlier have different readmission risk profiles.

METHODS

Patients undergoing colorectal resection were selected by Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) code from the 2012 ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patients were stratified by LOS quartile. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to examine characteristics associated with 30-day unplanned readmission. Factors with a p < 0.1 were included in the Cox proportional hazards model. Subsequently, chi-square analysis compared LOS, patient, and perioperative factors with the primary reason for readmission. Factors with a p < 0.2 were included in a multivariable logistic regression for each readmission reason.

RESULTS

For 33,033 patients undergoing colorectal resection, the overall 30-day unplanned readmission rate was 11 %. After adjusting for patient and perioperative factors, a postoperative LOS ≥8 days was associated with a 55 % increase in the relative hazard of readmission. Patients with a ≤3-day LOS were more likely to be readmitted with ileus/obstruction (odds ratio (OR): 1.8, p = 0.001) and pain (OR: 2.2, p = 0.007). LOS was not significantly associated with readmission for intraabdominal infection or medical complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with longer LOS and complicated hospital courses continue to be high risk post-discharge, while straightforward early discharges have a different readmission risk profile. More targeted readmission prevention strategies are critical to focusing resource utilization for colorectal surgery patients.

Characterizing readmission in ulcerative colitis patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative readmissions increase costs and affect patient quality of life. Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients are at a high risk for hospital readmission following restorative proctocolectomy (RP).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to characterize UC patients undergoing RP and identify causes and risk factors for readmission.

DESIGN

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained institutional database was performed. Postoperative readmission rates and reasons for readmission were examined following RP. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate for risk factors associated with readmission.

RESULTS

Of 533 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 18.2 % (n = 97) were readmitted within 30 days while 22.7 % (n = 121) were readmitted within 90 days of stage I of RP. Younger patient age (OR 1.825, 95 % CI 1.139-2.957), laparoscopic approach (OR 1.943, 95 % CI 1.217-3.104), and increased length of initial stay (OR 1.155, 95 % CI 1.090-1.225) were all associated with 30-day readmission. The most common reason for readmission was dehydration/ileus/partial bowel obstruction, with 10 % of patients readmitted for this reason within 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing restorative proctocolectomy are at high risk for readmission, particularly following the first stage of the operation. Novel treatment pathways to prevent ileus and dehydration as an outpatient may decrease the rates of readmission following RP.

Acute health care resource utilization for ileostomy patients is higher than expected

BACKGROUND

Patients requiring an ileostomy following colorectal surgery are at risk for increased health-care utilization after discharge. Prior studies evaluating postoperative ileostomy care may underestimate health-care utilization by reporting only "same-institution" readmission rates.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the rates of health-care utilization of new ostomates within 30 days of discharge in a multicenter environment.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study.

SETTINGS

This study was conducted at acute-care, community hospitals in California, Florida, Nebraska, and New York.

PATIENTS

Adult patients who underwent colorectal surgery with primary anastomosis, colostomy, or ileostomy between July 2009 and September 2010 were identified.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measured was hospital-based acute care, defined as hospital readmission or emergency department visit, at any hospital within 30 days of surgery. Multivariate regression models were used to compare the outcomes across groups.

RESULTS

Overall, 75,136 patients underwent colectomy with most receiving a primary anastomosis (79.3%), whereas colostomies were created in 12.8% and ileostomies were created in 8.0%. Diagnoses of colorectal cancer (36.1%) or diverticular disease (22.0%) were most common. Patients with a colostomy (18.8%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.23 [95% CI, 1.17-1.30]) or ileostomy (36.1%; AOR, 2.28 [95% CI 2.15-2.42]) were significantly more likely than patients with a primary anastomosis (16.2%) to have a hospital-based acute-care encounter within 30 days of discharge. Among patients undergoing ileostomy, postoperative infection, renal failure, and dehydration were the most common diagnoses for hospital-based acute-care events. Overall, 20% of these encounters occurred at hospitals other than where the index surgery occurred.

LIMITATIONS

Coding accuracy, the inability to capture events occurring in physician offices, and the retrospective study design were limitations of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing colorectal surgery with an ileostomy return to the hospital after discharge twice as frequently as those with a primary anastomosis or colostomy, often to hospitals other than the primary institution. As postdischarge health-care utilization becomes a measured quality metric, it is increasingly important to help these patients to safely transition to home.

Improving outcomes and cost-effectiveness of colorectal surgery

In order to truly make an impact on improving the cost effectiveness, and most importantly, the outcomes of patients undergoing colorectal surgery, all aspects of care need to be scrutinized, re-evaluated, and refined. To accomplish this, everything from the way we train surgeons to the adoption of a minimally invasive approach for colorectal disease, along with the use of adjunct intraoperative measures to decrease morbidity and mortality, may all need to be incorporated within an ERAS program. Only then will this approach lead the provider to a patient-centric care plan which can successfully reduce metrics such as morbidity, mortality, and length of stay (even with the obligatory readmission rate) and provide it all at a lower cost of care.

A temporary loop ileostomy affects renal function

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate renal morbidity after a temporary loop ileostomy and to identify possible preoperative risk factors.

METHOD

Consecutive patients at four hospitals serving 1,520,000 inhabitants who received a temporary loop ileostomy and underwent subsequent closure were identified and retrospectively studied from 1 January 2007 until 28 February 2010. Serum creatinine levels were obtained 1 week before index surgery and 1 week before closure of the loop ileostomy. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the CKD-EPI formula.

RESULTS

Three hundred eight patients with median age of 64 were identified. The indication for the loop ileostomy was colorectal cancer (226), inflammatory bowel disease (41), diverticulosis (8), and other conditions (33). Median time until closure was 161 days (3-873). There was a decrease in eGFR at time of closure (89 vs. 83; p < 0.0001), and the number of patients with renal impairment (eGFR <60) increased (7.5 vs. 21 %, p < 0.0001). Preoperative risk factors for eGFR <60 at closure were age and hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that a loop ileostomy is associated with a reduced renal function for most patients, especially for older and hypertensive patients. This should be considered before constructing a loop ileostomy, and perhaps another stoma should be chosen if possible in patients at risk. Evaluation of medications before discharge and early and frequent postoperative follow-up could also reduce the risk of a reduced renal function.

Identification of process measures to reduce postoperative readmission

BACKGROUND

Readmission rates after intestinal surgery have been notably high, ranging from 10 % for elective surgery to 21 % for urgent/emergent surgery. Other than adherence to established strategies for decreasing individual postoperative complications, there is little guidance available for providers to work toward reducing their postoperative readmission rates.

STUDY DESIGN

Processes of care that may affect postoperative readmissions were identified through a systematic literature review, assessment of existing guidelines, and semi-structured interviews with individuals who have expertise in hospital readmissions and surgical quality improvement. Eleven experts ranked potential process measures for validity on the basis of the RAND/University of California, Los Angeles Appropriateness Methodology.

RESULTS

Of 49 proposed process measures, 34 (69 %) were rated as valid. Of the 34 valid measures, two measures addressed care in the preoperative period. These included evaluation of patient's comorbidities, providing written instruction detailing the anticipated perioperative course, and communication with the patient's referring or primary care doctor. A measure addressing perioperative care stated that institutions should have a standardized perioperative care protocol. Additional measures focused on discharge instructions and communication.

CONCLUSIONS

An expert panel identified several aspects of care that are considered essential to quality patient care and important to reducing postoperative readmissions.

Postoperative readmissions following ileostomy formation among patients with a gynecologic malignancy

OBJECTIVES

Ileostomy results in a relatively poorer water reabsorption and is associated with dehydration and renal injury. These problems may be exacerbated in the setting of gynecologic cancers owing to both patient and disease-related factors. We evaluated the rate and reasons for hospital readmission within 30 days of ileostomy creation in patients with a gynecologic malignancy.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of women with gynecologic malignancies who underwent ileostomy creation between 2002 and 2013.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients were eligible for analysis. The mean age was 63.3 years. Most patients had ovarian cancer (86.5%). Indications for ileostomy included small bowel obstruction (45.3%), as part of primary debulking (18.9%), or treatment of an anastomotic leak (15.1%). The 30-day readmission rate was 34%. Co-morbid diseases such as hypertension (p=0.008) and chronic kidney disease (p=0.010) were more common among women who were readmitted. The most common reasons for readmission were dehydration (38.9%) and acute renal failure (33.3%); women readmitted for these conditions had higher average serum creatinine levels at initial postoperative discharge (1.00 mg/dL versus 0.71 mg/dL, p=0.017) than women who did not require readmission. Readmitted women had a trend toward shorter overall survival (0.41 years versus 1.67 years, p=0.061).

CONCLUSIONS

Readmission rates for gynecologic oncology patients undergoing ileostomy were similar to, but higher than those previously reported in the colorectal literature. In our population, patients with preexisting cardiovascular or renal disease were at the highest risk of readmission and may benefit from preemptive strategies to decrease high ostomy output and dehydration.

Systematic review of educational interventions for ostomates

BACKGROUND

Stoma-related complications lead to increased hospital length of stay and readmissions. Although education of new ostomates is widely recommended, there is a lack of data regarding effective evidence-based educational interventions to prevent or decrease these complications.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature for educational interventions for new ostomates designed to decrease stoma-related complications.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed was searched for studies on educational interventions for new ostomates.

STUDY SELECTION

Studies were included if they were in English, targeted adult stoma patients, and evaluated an educational intervention at the time of stoma creation.

INTERVENTION

Educational interventions were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The outcomes of interest were length of stay, complications, and readmissions.

RESULTS

We found 1706 articles of which 7 met the inclusion criteria. Two were randomized controlled trials, and the rest were cohort studies. The overall quality of the studies was low. Each study used a unique intervention. However, all incorporated a specialized colorectal or ostomy nurse. Of the 5 studies that evaluated length of stay, 2 found a reduction in length of stay associated with the intervention, but 3 found no difference. Two studies found a reduction in complications, but 2 found no difference. Of the 3 studies that evaluated readmissions, none found a difference in the intervention group compared with the control group.

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the search of a single database and the inclusion of only English language studies.

CONCLUSION

Education is a key component of patient care; however, evidence to support an improvement in clinical outcomes is lacking. Further study is needed by the use of rigorous designs to craft a feasible educational intervention that will lead to improved patient care and outcomes.

Unplanned readmissions following surgery for colorectal cancer

SUMMARY Unplanned 30-day readmission rates following surgery for colorectal cancer range from 8.4 to 17.1% and have an obvious impact on patient outcomes and the overall cost of treating this population. Bowel obstruction, ileus, surgical infections, operative complications and dehydration are consistently the primary causes for readmission following colorectal surgery; however, finding a reliable set of predictors among many risk factors for readmissions has proven elusive. With a recent shift in focus towards reducing hospital readmissions, interventions to reduce them must be developed. These should be based on a nuanced understanding of the patient, operative and systematic factors driving readmissions and aim to decrease the patient’s unmet needs and challenges following discharge after surgery for colorectal cancer.

Readmission for dehydration or renal failure after ileostomy creation

BACKGROUND

Ileostomy creation is a commonly performed operation in colorectal surgery; however, many patients develop complications such as dehydration postoperatively. Dehydration is often severe enough to warrant hospital readmission and may result in renal failure. The true incidence of this complication has not been well described.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the rate of hospital readmission secondary to dehydration or renal failure within 30 days of ileostomy creation.

DESIGN

Retrospective review of all patients undergoing ileostomy creation from 2007 to 2011 in a single colorectal practice of 4 surgeons was performed. Charts were reviewed to identify patients readmitted for dehydration or renal failure within 30 days of operation. Data were then analyzed to identify predictors of readmission, dehydration, and renal failure. Subset analysis compared patients readmitted with simple dehydration versus patients with renal failure.

PATIENTS

Two hundred one patients undergoing colorectal operations that included ileostomy creation within a 4-year period at a single institution for a variety of indications were included.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measured was readmission for dehydration or renal failure.

RESULTS

We observed a 17% 30-day readmission rate for dehydration or renal failure following ileostomy creation. Age greater than 50 was identified as an independent predictor of readmission with renal failure, whereas IPAA was predictive of readmission for simple dehydration, but not renal failure. Patients admitted with renal failure had significantly longer hospital stays and median hospital charges after readmission in comparison with patients admitted with simple dehydration.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited by its retrospective nature and its limited sample size.

CONCLUSION

Hospital readmission due to dehydration or renal failure following ileostomy creation is common, with age >50 being the strongest predictor for renal failure. Appropriate strategies to decrease dehydration and renal failure following ileostomy creation need to be investigated.