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Levy N, Santer P, Zucco L, Nabel S, Korsunsky G, Ramachandran SK. Evaluation of early postoperative intravenous opioid rescue as a novel quality measure in patients who receive thoracic epidural analgesia: a retrospective cohort analysis and prospective performance improvement intervention. BMC Anesthesiol 2021; 21:120. [PMID: 33874890 PMCID: PMC8054410 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-021-01332-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this study, we explored the utility of intravenous opioid rescue analgesia in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU-OpResc) as a single marker of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) failure and evaluated the resource implications and quality improvement applications of this measure. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of all TEA placements over a three-year period at a single academic medical center in Boston, Massachusetts. The study exposure was PACU-OpResc. Primary outcome was PACU length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included reasons for delayed PACU discharge and intraoperative hypotension. The analyses were adjusted for confounding variables including patient comorbidities, surgical complexity, intraoperative intravenous opioids, chronic opioid use and local anesthetic bolus through TEA catheter. Post analysis chart review was conducted to determine the positive predictive value (PPV) of PACU-OpResc for inadequate TEA. As a first Plan-Do-Study-Act cycle, we then introduced a checkbox for documentation of a sensory level check after TEA placement. Post implementation data was collected for 7 months. RESULTS PACU-OpResc was required by 211 (22.1%) patients who received preoperative TEA, was associated with longer PACU LOS (incidence rate ratio 1.20, 95% CI:1.07-1.34, p = 0.001) and delayed discharge due to inadequate pain control (odds ratio 5.15, 95% CI 3.51-7.57, p < 0.001). PACU-OpResc had a PPV of 76.3 and 60.4% for re-evaluation and manipulation of the TEA catheter in PACU, respectively. Following implementation of a checkbox, average monthly compliance with documented sensory level check after TEA placement was noted to be 39.7%. During this time, a reduction of 8.2% in the rate of PACU-OpResc was observed. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that PACU-OpResc can be used as a quality assurance measure or surrogate for TEA efficacy, to track performance and monitor innovation efforts aimed at improving analgesia, such as our intervention to facilitate sensory level checks and reduced PACU-OpResc. TRIAL REGISTRATION not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav Levy
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA.
| | - Peter Santer
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Liana Zucco
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Sarah Nabel
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Galina Korsunsky
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Satya Krishna Ramachandran
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
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Polshin V, Petro J, Wachtendorf LJ, Hammer M, Simopoulos T, Eikermann M, Santer P. Effect of peripheral nerve blocks on postanesthesia care unit length of stay in patients undergoing ambulatory surgery: a retrospective cohort study. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2021; 46:233-239. [PMID: 33452202 DOI: 10.1136/rapm-2020-102231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peripheral regional anesthesia and analgesia may increase the efficiency of ambulatory surgical centers by reducing pain and preventing nausea and vomiting, which are important modifiable causes of prolonged postanesthesia care unit (PACU) length of stay. We hypothesized that the use of peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) was associated with shorter PACU length of stay in ambulatory surgery. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed data from adult ambulatory surgical cases, in which PNB was a viable anesthetic option (ie, was routinely performed for these procedures), at an academic medical center between 2008 and 2018. We assessed the association between the use of PNB and the primary endpoint of PACU length of stay. As key secondary endpoint, we compared intraoperative opioid doses. Analyses were adjusted for patient demographics, comorbidities and intraoperative factors. RESULTS A total of 57 040 cases were analyzed, of whom 13 648 (23.9%) received a PNB. The use of PNB was associated with shorter PACU length of stay (a decrease of 7.3 min, 95% CI 6.1 to 8.6, p<0.001). This association was most pronounced in surgeries of long duration (decrease of 11.2 min, 95% CI 9.0 to 13.4) and in patients undergoing leg and ankle procedures (decrease of 15.1 min, 95% CI 5.5 to 24.6). Intraoperative opioid doses were significantly lower in patients receiving a nerve block (decrease of 9.40 mg oral morphine equivalents, 95% CI 8.34 to 10.46, p<0.001). CONCLUSION The use of PNB significantly reduced PACU length of stay in ambulatory surgical patients, which may in part be attributed to lower intraoperative opioid requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Polshin
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julie Petro
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Veterans Administration Hospital of Boston, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Luca J Wachtendorf
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maximilian Hammer
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas Simopoulos
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias Eikermann
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA .,Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Santer
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Suksompong S, von Bormann S, von Bormann B. Regional Catheters for Postoperative Pain Control: Review and Observational Data. Anesth Pain Med 2020; 10:e99745. [PMID: 32337170 PMCID: PMC7158241 DOI: 10.5812/aapm.99745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Context Perioperative analgesia is an essential but frequently underrated component of medical care. The purpose of this work is to describe the actual situation of surgical patients focusing on effective pain control by discarding prejudice against ‘aggressive’ measures. Evidence Acquisition This is a narrative review about continuous regional pain therapy with catheters in the postoperative period. Included are the most-relevant literature as well as own experiences. Results As evidenced by an abundance of studies, continuous regional/neuraxial blocks are the most effective approach for relief of severe postoperative pain. Catheters have to be placed in adequate anatomical positions and meticulously maintained as long as they remain in situ. Peripheral catheters in interscalene, femoral, and sciatic positions are effective in patients with surgery of upper and lower limbs. Epidural catheters are effective in abdominal and thoracic surgery, birth pain, and artery occlusive disease, whereas paravertebral analgesia may be beneficial in patients with unilateral approach of the truncus. However, failure rates are high, especially for epidural catheter analgesia. Unfortunately, many reports lack a comprehensive description of catheter application, management, failure rates and complications and thus cannot be compared with each other. Conclusions Effective control of postoperative pain is possible by the application of regional/neuraxial catheters, measures requiring dedication, skill, effort, and funds. Standard operating procedures contribute to minimizing complications and adverse side effects. Nevertheless, these methods are still not widely accepted by therapists, although more than 50% of postoperative patients suffer from ‘moderate, severe or worst’ pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benno von Bormann
- Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, Korat, Thailand
- Corresponding Author: Institute of Medicine, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 Maha Witthayalai Rd, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Thailand. Tel: +66(0)918825723,
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Shah AC, Nair BG, Spiekerman CF, Bollag LA. Process Optimization and Digital Quality Improvement to Enhance Timely Initiation of Epidural Infusions and Postoperative Pain Control. Anesth Analg 2020; 128:953-961. [PMID: 30138173 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000003742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although intraoperative epidural analgesia improves postoperative pain control, a recent quality improvement project demonstrated that only 59% of epidural infusions are started in the operating room before patient arrival in the postanesthesia care unit. We evaluated the combined effect of process and digital quality improvement efforts on provider compliance with starting continuous epidural infusions during surgery. METHODS In October 2014, we instituted 2 process improvement initiatives: (1) an electronic order queue to assist the operating room pharmacy with infusate preparation; and (2) a designated workspace for the storage of equipment related to epidural catheter placement and drug infusion delivery. In addition, we implemented a digital quality improvement initiative, an Anesthesia Information Management System-mediated clinical decision support, to prompt anesthesia providers to start and document epidural infusions in pertinent patients. We assessed anesthesia provider compliance with epidural infusion initiation in the operating room and postoperative pain-related outcomes before (PRE: October 1, 2012 to September 31, 2014) and after (POST: January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2016) implementation of the quality improvement initiatives. RESULTS Compliance with starting intraoperative epidural infusions was 59% in the PRE group and 85% in the POST group. After adjustment for confounders and preintervention time trends, segmented regression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in compliance with the intervention in the POST phase (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.73-4.49; P < .001). In the PRE and POST groups, cumulative postoperative intravenous opioid use (geometric mean) was 62 and 34 mg oral morphine equivalents, respectively. A segmented regression analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference (P = .38) after adjustment for preintervention time trends. CONCLUSIONS Process workflow optimization along with Anesthesia Information Management System-mediated digital quality improvement efforts increased compliance to intraoperative epidural infusion initiation. Adjusted for preintervention time trends, these findings coincided with a statistically insignificant decrease in postoperative opioid use in the postanesthesia care unit during the POST phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalap C Shah
- From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Bala G Nair
- From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Charles F Spiekerman
- Institute for Translational Health Sciences (ITHS), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Laurent A Bollag
- From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
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