Evaluation of minimum volume standards for surgery in the Netherlands (2003–2017): A successful policy?

Does experience matter? Understanding the mechanism of the volume-outcome relationship: Learning-by-doing or economies of scale

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the underlying mechanism of the volume-outcome relationship, namely learning-by-doing and scale economies in patients with sepsis.

DESIGN AND STUDY SETTING

Retrospective cohort study of adult patients with sepsis between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2016 in 231 intensive care units (ICUs) in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

The patient was the primary unit of analysis. Patient and ICU characteristics were included for risk adjustment. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from the Intensive Care National Audit and Research Centre (ICNARC) Case Mix Programme database.

STUDY DESIGN

We used the lags of quarterly sepsis volume in the ICU as a measure of the learning-by-doing effect.

OUTCOME MEASURE

The outcome of hospital mortality after ICU admission for sepsis was assessed using a multilevel probit regression model of patients nested in ICUs over quarters.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

Critically ill patients with sepsis were identified by the Sepsis-3 consensus criteria.

RESULTS

Our study identified a cohort of 273001 patients with sepsis admitted to 231 ICUs in the UK. Our study finds that in comparison with contemporaneous volume, lagged volume had a stronger association with acute hospital mortality. This implies that the dynamic learning-by-doing effect is more important than the static economies of scale effect. This finding was consistent across alternate specifications of learning-by-doing.

CONCLUSIONS

The study provides evidence that the underlying mechanism for the volume-outcome relationship is learning-by-doing and not the static economies of scale. ICUs caring for patients with sepsis tend to improve by experience.

Contextual factors influencing the implementation of advanced practice nursing in Catalonia, Spain

BACKGROUND

Advanced practice nurse (APN) roles bring great added value to health systems. However, their integration into the health workforce and the sustainability of the role depend on contextual factors surrounding their implementation.

AIM

To explore the contextual factors that influence the organization, implementation, and performance of clinical practice among oncology APNs in Catalonia (Spain).

METHODS

This is a descriptive qualitative study. A framework of contextual factors was applied to explore the perspectives of 14 oncology APNs in public hospitals in Catalonia by means of semistructured interviews. Data were analyzed according to the thematic analysis approach. The COREQ checklist was used to report the study.

RESULTS

APNs in cancer care strongly depend on the hospital environment where they are introduced. Recognition by the multidisciplinary team, the existence of mentoring experiences, and networking between APNs are critical factors that can help or hinder the development and autonomy of the APNs. Likewise, support from nursing managers and directors is decisive in defining the professional profile, establishing accountability mechanisms, and securing financial resources, including economic recognition. Factors related to the external environment can also contribute, including a standardized national APN model and scientific societies.

CONCLUSIONS

Contextual factors around clinical practice, institutional structures, and professional networks are crucial determinants for adequately integrating APNs at the health system level.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY

Professional bodies and national nursing organizations should lay the groundwork for defining standards of practice and advocate for specific regulations. In addition, financial recognition and accountability mechanisms to assess the impact of their contribution should be a priority to ensure sustainability and APN satisfaction.

Quality in colonoscopy: time to ensure national standards are implemented?

Background

High-quality colonoscopy is crucial to ensure complete mucosal visualisation and to maximise detection of pathology. Previous audits showing variable quality have prompted national and international colonoscopy improvement programmes, including the development of quality assurance standards and key performance indicators (KPIs). The most widely used marker of mucosal visualisation is the adenoma detection rate (ADR), however, histological confirmation is required to calculate this. We explored the relationship between core colonoscopy KPIs.

Methods

Data were collected from colonoscopists in eight hospitals in North East England over a 6-month period, as part of a quality improvement study. Procedural information was collected including number of colonoscopies, caecal intubation rate (CIR), ADR and polyp detection rate (PDR). Associations between KPIs and colonoscopy performance were analysed.

Results

9265 colonoscopies performed by 118 endoscopists were included. Mean ADR and PDR per endoscopist were 16.6% (range 0-36.3, SD 7.4) and 27.2% (range 0-57.5, SD 9.3), respectively. Mean number of colonoscopies conducted in 6 months was 78.5 (range 4-334, SD 61). Mean CIR was 91.2% (range 55.5-100, SD 6.6). Total number of colonoscopies and ADR>15% were significantly associated (p=0.04). Undertaking fewer colonoscopies and using hyoscine butylbromide less frequently was significantly associated with ADR<15%. CIR, endoscopist grade, % male patients, mean patient age and CIR were not significantly related to ADR<15%. In adjusted analyses, factors which affected ADR were PDR and mean patient age.

Conclusion

Colonoscopists who perform fewer than the nationally stipulated minimum of 100 procedures per year had significantly lower ADRs. This study demonstrates that PDR can be used as a marker of ADR; providing age is also considered.

Volume creates value: The volume-outcome relationship in Scandinavian obesity surgery

This study establishes the relationship between surgical volume and cost and quality outcomes, using patient-level clinical data from a national quality registry for bariatric surgery in Sweden. Data include patient characteristics with comorbidities, surgical and follow-up data for patients that underwent gastric bypass or gastric sleeve operations between 2007 and 2016 (52,703 patients in 51 hospitals). The relationships between surgical volume (annual number of bariatric procedures) and several patient-level outcomes were assessed using multilevel, mixed-effect regression models, controlling for patient characteristics and comorbidities. We found that hospitals with higher volumes had lower risk of intraoperative complications as well as complications within 30 days post-surgery (odds ratios per 100 procedures are 0.78 and 0.87, respectively, p<0.01). In addition, higher-volume hospitals had substantially shorter procedure time (17 min per 100 procedures, p<0.01) and length of stay (0.88 incidence-rate ratio per 100 procedures p<0.01). Our results support the claim that increased surgical volume significantly improves quality. Further, the results strongly suggest that increased volume leads to lower cost per surgery, by reducing cost drivers such as procedure time and length of stay.

Defining minimum volume thresholds to increase quality of care: a new patient-oriented approach using mixed integer programming

A positive relationship between treatment volume and outcome quality has been demonstrated in the literature and is thus evident for a variety of procedures. Consequently, policy makers have tried to translate this so-called volume-outcome relationship into minimum volume regulation (MVR) to increase the quality of care-yet with limited success. Until today, the effect of strict MVR application remains unclear as outcome quality gains cannot be estimated adequately and restrictions to application such as patient travel time and utilization of remaining hospital capacity are not considered sufficiently. Accordingly, when defining MVR, its effectiveness cannot be assessed. Thus, we developed a mixed integer programming model to define minimum volume thresholds balancing utility in terms of outcome quality gain and feasibility in terms of restricted patient travel time and utilization of hospital capacity. We applied our model to the German hospital sector and to four surgical procedures. Results showed that effective MVR needs a minimum volume threshold of 125 treatments for cholecystectomy, of 45 and 25 treatments for colon and rectum resection, respectively, of 32 treatments for radical prostatectomy and of 60 treatments for total knee arthroplasty. Depending on procedure type and incidence as well as the procedure's complication rate, outcome quality gain ranged between 287 (radical prostatectomy) and 977 (colon resection) avoidable complications (11.7% and 11.9% of all complications). Ultimately, policy makers can use our model to leverage MVR's intended benefit: concentrating treatment delivery to improve the quality of care.

Impact of suspending minimum volume requirements for knee arthroplasty on hospitals in Germany: an uncontrolled before-after study

Background

In 2004, the Federal Joint Committee, supreme decision-making body in German healthcare, introduced minimum volume requirements (MVRQs) as a quality instrument. Since then, MVRQs were implemented for seven hospital procedures. This study evaluates the effect of a system-wide intermission of MVRQ for total knee arthroplasty (TKA), demanding 50 annual cases per hospital.

Methods

An uncontrolled before–after study based on federal-level data including the number of hospitals performing TKA, and TKA cases from the external hospital quality assurance programme in Germany (2004–2017). Bi- and multivariate analyses based on hospital-level secondary data of TKA cases and TKA quality indicators extracted from hospital quality reports in Germany (2006–2014).

Results

The number of TKAs performed in Germany decreased by 11% after suspending the TKA-MVRQ in 2011, and rose by 13% after its reintroduction in 2015. The number of hospitals with less than 50 cases rose from 10 to 25% and their case share from 2 to 5.5% during suspension. Change in hospital volume after the suspension of TKA-MVRQ was not associated with hospital size, ownership, or region. All four evaluable quality indicators increased significantly in the year after their first public reporting. Compared to hospitals meeting the TKA-MVRQ, three indicators show slight but statistically significant better quality in hospitals below the TKA-MVRQ.

Conclusions

In Germany, TKA-MVRQs seem to induce in-hospital caseload adjustments rather than foster regional inter-hospital case transfers as intended.

International Validation of Reduced Major Morbidity After Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy Compared With Open Pancreatectomy

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the nationwide impact of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) on major morbidity as compared with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP).

BACKGROUND

A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated significant reduction in time to functional recovery after MIDP compared with ODP, but was not powered to assess potential risk reductions in major morbidity.

METHODS

International cohort study using the American College of Surgeons' National Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) (88 centers; 2014-2016) to evaluate the association between surgical approach (MIDP vs ODP) and 30-day composite major morbidity (CMM; death or severe complications) with external model validation using Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group data (17 centers; 2005-2016). Multivariable logistic regression assessed the impact of nationwide MIDP rates between 0% and 100% on postoperative CMM at conversion rates between 0% and 25%, using estimated marginal effects. A sensitivity analysis tested the impact at various scenarios and patient populations.

RESULTS

Of 2921 ACS-NSQIP patients, 1562 (53%) underwent MIDP with 18% conversion, and 1359 (47%) underwent ODP. MIDP was independently associated with reduced CMM [odds ratio (OR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42-0.60, P < 0.001], confirmed by external model validation (n = 637, P < 0.003). The association between rising MIDP implementation rates and falling postoperative morbidity was linear between 0% (all ODP) and 100% (all MIDP). The absolute risk reduction for CMM was 11% (95% CI 7.3%-15%) at observed conversion rates and improved to 14% (95% CI 11%-18%) as conversion approached 0%. Similar effects were seen across subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This international study predicted a nationwide 11% risk reduction for CMM after MIDP versus ODP, which is likely to improve as conversion rates decrease. These findings confirm secondary outcomes of the recent LEOPARD RCT.

Decentralization and Regionalization of Surgical Care: A Review of Evidence for the Optimal Distribution of Surgical Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Background: While recommendations for the optimal distribution of surgical services in high-income countries (HICs) exist, it is unclear how these translate to resource-limited settings. Given the significant shortage and maldistribution of surgical workforce and infrastructure in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the optimal role of decentralization versus regionalization (centralization) of surgical care is unknown. The aim of this study is to review evidence around interventions aimed at redistributing surgical services in LMICs, to guide recommendations for the ideal organization of surgical services.

Methods: A narrative-based literature review was conducted to answer this question. Studies published in English between 1997 and 2017 in PubMed, describing interventions to decentralize or regionalize a surgical procedure in a LMIC, were included. Procedures were selected using the Disease Control Priorities’ (DCP3) Essential Surgery Package list. Intervention themes and outcomes were analyzed using a narrative, thematic synthesis approach. Primary outcomes included mortality, complications, and patient satisfaction. Secondary outcomes included input measures: workforce and infrastructure, and process measures: facility-based care, surgical volume, and referral rates.

Results: Thirty-five studies were included. Nine (33%) of the 27 studies describing decentralization showed an improvement in primary outcomes. The procedures associated with improved outcomes after decentralization included most obstetric, gynecological, and family planning services as well as some minor general surgery procedures. Out of 8 studies on regionalization (centralization), improved outcomes were shown for trauma care in one study and cataract extraction in one study.

Conclusion: Interventions aimed at decentralizing obstetric care to the district hospital and health center levels have resulted in mortality benefits in several countries. However, more evidence is needed to link service distribution to patient outcomes in order to provide recommendations for the optimal organization of other surgical procedures in LMICs. Considerations for the optimal distribution of surgical procedures should include the acuity of the condition for which the procedure is indicated, anticipated case volume, and required level of technical skills, resources, and infrastructure. These attributes should be considered within the context of each country.

Percutaneous cardiological intervention and cardiac surgery: patient-centered care. Position statement of the Spanish Society of Cardiology

The percutaneous treatment of coronary artery disease and some structural cardiovascular diseases has undergone spectacular changes. More and more patients with different types of heart disease are being treated by percutaneous or transcatheter interventions, with no such increase in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. This situation has led to different types of approach, requiring an objective analysis that includes all the factors possibly influencing these changes. This document assesses the 2 scenarios where this problem is most evident: coronary revascularization and the treatment of aortic stenosis. The document analyzes the situation of coronary revascularization in Spain, and the causes that may explain the differences between the number of patients who currently undergo percutaneous revascularization and those who undergo coronary surgery. In contrast, treatment of aortic stenosis through transcatheter aortic valve implantation will lead to a foreseeable reduction in the number of candidates for surgical replacement. Several international scientific societies have published the requirements on training and experience and the necessary operator and center volumes to implement a transcatheter aortic valve implantation program, conditions that the Spanish Society of Cardiology, adopting a patient-centered approach, considers absolutely essential. Given that the 2 forms of intervention (percutaneous and surgical) are complementary, multidisciplinary patient assessment (Heart Team) remains crucial to offer the best treatment option. In this scenario of diverse approaches, a key figure is the clinical cardiologist. Finally, the changes currently occurring in the treatment of structural heart disease will, in future, lead to the performance of procedures requiring the participation of professionals from both specialties. This approach will require a redesign of current training programs.

Volume-outcome relationship and minimum volume regulations in the German hospital sector - evidence from nationwide administrative hospital data for the years 2005-2007

BACKGROUND

This paper analyses the volume-outcome relationship and the effects of minimum volume regulations in the German hospital sector.

METHODS

We use a full sample of administrative data from the unselected, complete German hospital population for the years 2005 to 2007. We apply regression methods to analyze the association between volume and hospital quality. We measure hospital quality with a binary variable, which indicates whether the patient has died in hospital. Using simulation techniques we examine the impact of the minimum volume regulations on the accessibility of hospital services.

RESULTS

We find a highly significant negative relationship between case volume and mortality for complex interventions at the pancreas and oesophagus as well as for knee replacement. For liver, kidney and stem cell transplantation as well as for CABG we could not find a strong association between volume and quality. Access to hospital care is only moderately affected by minimum volume regulations.

CONCLUSION

The effectiveness of minimum volume regulations depends on the type of intervention. Depending on the type of intervention, quality gains can be expected at the cost of slightly decreased access to care.

International comparison of minimum volume standards for hospitals

INTRODUCTION

Minimum volume standards have been implemented in various countries for quality or safety policies. We present minimum volume standards in an international comparison, focusing on regulatory approaches, selected sets of procedures and thresholds as well as predetermined consequences of non-compliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We combined a comprehensive literature search in electronic databases in March 2016 with a hand-search of governmental and related organisations' webpages. We also contacted international experts to verify the information we found in the literature and to obtain additional data.

RESULTS

Minimum volume standards have been introduced in different countries predominantly for highly specialized surgical procedures. The same evidence has led to different definitions and ways of implementation of minimum volume standards in Germany, Canada (Ontario), the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Austria. The regulatory approaches to minimum volume standards and the predetermined consequences of non-compliance differ across the countries.

CONCLUSION

The sets of procedures for which minimum volume standards and corresponding thresholds have been introduced vary across countries, possibly due to different regulatory approaches. In addition, key attributes of the health care system might affect the development and implementation of minimum volume standards. Therefore, it is not feasible to formulate uniform recommendations that are applicable to all countries. Our results provide a comprehensive overview of international minimum volume standards and can be used to inform policy decisions.