Geographic Distance From Transplant Center Does Not Impact Pediatric Heart Transplant Outcomes

Travel distance and outcomes after surgical aortic valve among veterans

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between travel distance and postoperative length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition among veterans undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing SAVR, with or without coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at VA Boston Healthcare (January 1, 2005-December 31, 2015).

STUDY DESIGN

Postoperative LOS and discharge disposition were compared for SAVR patients based on travel distance to the facility: <100 miles or ≥100 miles. Multivariable regression was performed to ascertain factors associated with LOS and home discharge.

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS

Data were collected via chart review. All patients undergoing SAVR at our institution who primarily resided within the defined region were included.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Of 597 patients studied, 327 patients underwent isolated SAVR; 270 patients underwent SAVR/CABG. Overall median (IQR) distance between the patient's residence and the hospital was 49.95 miles (27.41-129.94 miles); 190 patients (32%) resided further than 100 miles away. There were no differences in the proportion of patients with diabetes, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular disease, atrial fibrillation, or prior myocardial infarction between groups. Overall LOS (IQR) was 9 (7-13) days and did not differ between groups (p = 0.18). The proportion of patients discharged home was higher among patients who resided more than 100 miles from the hospital (71% vs. 58%, p = 0.01). On multivariable analysis, residing further than 100 miles from the hospital was independently associated with home discharge (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.09-2.48). Travel distance was not associated with LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our institutional experience, potential concerns of longer hospital stay or discharge to other inpatient facilities for geographically distanced patients undergoing SAVR do not appear supported. Continued examination of the drivers underlying the marked shift of veterans to the private sector appears warranted.

Health Care Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults With Pediatric-Onset Liver Disease and Transplantation: A Position Paper by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition

Advances in medical therapies and liver transplantation have resulted in a greater number of pediatric patients reaching young adulthood. However, there is an increased risk for medical complications and morbidity surrounding transfer from pediatric to adult hepatology and transplant services. Health care transition (HCT) is the process of moving from a child/family-centered model of care to an adult or patient-centered model of health care. Successful HCT requires a partnership between pediatric and adult providers across all disciplines resulting in a transition process that does not end at the time of transfer but continues throughout early adulthood. Joint consensus guidelines in collaboration with the American Society of Transplantation are presented to facilitate the adoption of a structured, multidisciplinary approach to transition planning utilizing The Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition TM for use by both pediatric and adult specialists. This paper provides guidance and seeks support for the implementation of an HCT program which spans across both pediatric and adult hepatology and transplant centers.

Geographic barriers to children's surgical care: A systematic review of existing evidence

BACKGROUND

Ensuring that children have access to timely and appropriate surgical care is a vital component of comprehensive pediatric care. This study systematically reviews the existing evidence related to geographic barriers in children's surgery.

METHODS

Medline and Scopus databases were searched for any English language studies that examined associations between geographic burden (rural residence or distance to care) and a quantifiable outcome within pediatric surgical subspecialties. Two independent reviewers extracted data from each study.

RESULTS

From 6331 studies screened, 22 studies met inclusion criteria. Most studies were retrospective analyses and conducted in the U.S. or Canada (14 and three studies, respectively); five were conducted outside North America. In transplant surgery (seven studies), greater distance from a transplant center was associated with higher waitlist mortality prior to kidney and liver transplantation, although graft outcomes were generally similar. In congenital cardiac surgery (five studies), greater travel was associated with higher neonatal mortality and older age at surgery but not with post-operative outcomes. In general surgery (eight studies), rural residence was associated with increased rates of perforated appendicitis, higher frequency of negative appendectomy, and increased length of stay after appendectomy. In orthopedic surgery (one study), rurality was associated with decreased post-operative satisfaction. No evidence for disparate outcomes based upon distance or rurality was identified in neurosurgery (one study).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial evidence suggests that geographic barriers impact the receipt of surgical care among children, particularly with regard to transplantation, congenital cardiac surgery, and appendicitis.

Referral Patterns and Treatment Delays in Medulloblastoma: A Large Academic Proton Center Experience

Purpose

Patient travel time can cause treatment delays when providers and families decide to seek proton therapy. We examined whether travel distance or referral pattern (domestic versus international) affects time to radiation therapy and subsequent disease outcomes in patients with medulloblastoma at a large academic proton center.

Patients and Methods

Children with medulloblastoma treated at MD Anderson (MDA) with a protocol of proton beam therapy (PBT) between January 4, 2007, and June 25, 2014, were included in the analysis. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to study the association between time to start of radiation and distance. Classification- and regression-tree analyses were used to explore binary thresholds for continuous covariates (ie, distance). Failure-free survival was defined as the time interval between end of radiation and failure or death.

Results

96 patients were included in the analysis: 17 were international (18%); 19 (20%) were from Houston, Texas; 21 were from other cities inside Texas (21%); and 39 (41%) were from other US states. The median time from surgery to start of radiation was not significantly different for international patients (median = 1.45 months) compared with US patients (median = 1.15 months; P = .13). However, time from surgery to start of radiation was significantly longer for patients residing > 1716 km (> 1066 miles) from MDA (median = 1.31 months) than for patients residing ≤ 1716 km (≤ 1066 miles) from MDA (median = 1.05 months; P = .01). This 1- to 2-week delay (median = 7.8 days) did not affect failure-free survival (hazard ratio = 1.34; P = .43).

Conclusion

We found that short delays in proton access can exist for patients traveling long distances to proton centers. However, in this study, treatment delays did not affect outcomes. This highlights the appropriateness of PBT in the face of travel coordination. Investment by proton centers in a rigorous intake process is justified to offer timely access to curative PBT.

Ethical issues in access, listing and regulation of pediatric heart transplantation

Organ scarcity often drives ethical discussion in pediatric heart transplantation. There are questions about autonomy and equity in the referral patterns. There are questions about beneficence in how referral centers are established and operate. There are questions about fairness in how patients are listed and evaluated for listing exceptions. Finally, there are questions about beneficence, maleficence, and justice when it comes to the regulatory oversight of transplantation. This review will serve as a brief review of some of the more pressing ethical matters in pediatric heart transplantation and, where possible, offer potential solutions.