Determining the Association Between Insurance Type and Myofascial Release in Large Ventral Hernias

INTRODUCTION

Abdominal wall reconstruction (AWR) utilizes advanced myofascial releases to perform complex ventral hernia repair (VHR). The relationship between the performance of AWR and disparities in insurance type is unknown.

METHODS

The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative was queried for adults who had undergone an elective VHR between 2013 and 2020 with a hernia size ≥10 cm. Patients with missing insurance data were excluded. Comparison groups were divided by insurance type: favorable (private, Medicare, Veteran's Administration, Tricare) or unfavorable (Medicaid and self-pay). Propensity score matching compared the cumulative incidence of AWR between the favorable and unfavorable insurance comparison groups.

RESULTS

In total, 26,447 subjects met inclusion criteria. The majority (89%, n = 23,617) had favorable insurance, while (11%, n = 2830) had unfavorable insurance. After propensity score matching, 2821 patients with unfavorable insurance were matched to 7875 patients with favorable insurance. The rate of AWR with external oblique release or transversus abdominis release was significantly higher (23%, n = 655) among the unfavorable insurance group compared to those with favorable insurance (21%, n = 1651; P = 0.013).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that patients with unfavorable insurance may undergo AWR with external oblique or transversus abdominis release at a greater rate than similar patients with favorable insurance. Understanding the mechanisms contributing to this difference and evaluating the financial implications of these trends represent important directions for future research in elective VHR.

In-house intensivist presence does not affect mortality in select emergency general surgery patients

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the relationship between availability of round-the-clock (RTC) in-house intensivists and patient outcomes in people who underwent surgery for a life-threatening emergency general surgery (LT-EGS) disease such as necrotizing soft-tissue infection, ischemic enteritis, perforated viscus, and toxic colitis.

METHODS

Data on hospital-level critical care structures and processes from a 2015 survey of 2,811 US hospitals were linked to patient-level data from 17 State Inpatient Databases. Patients who were admitted with a primary diagnosis code for an LT-EGS disease of interest and underwent surgery on date of admission were included in analyses.

RESULTS

We identified 3,620 unique LT-EGS admissions at 368 hospitals. At 66% (n = 243) of hospitals, 83.5% (n = 3,021) of patients were treated at hospitals with RTC intensivist-led care. These facilities were more likely to have in-house respiratory therapists and protocols to ensure availability of blood products or adherence to Surviving Sepsis Guidelines. When accounting for other key factors including overnight surgeon availability, perioperative staffing, and annual emergency general surgery case volume, not having a protocol to ensure adherence to Surviving Sepsis Guidelines (adjusted odds ratio, 2.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-3.94) was associated with increased odds of mortality.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that focused treatment of sepsis along with surgical source control, rather than RTC intensivist presence, is key feature of optimizing EGS patient outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, level III.

Provision of supportive spiritual care for hepatopancreatic cancer patients: an unmet need?

BACKGROUND

Among patients with a serious cancer diagnosis, like hepatopancreatic (HP) cancer, spiritual distress needs to be addressed, as these psychosocial-spiritual symptoms are often more burdensome than some physical symptoms. The objective of the current study was to characterize supportive spiritual care utilization among patients with HP cancers.

METHODS

Patients with HP cancer were identified from the electronic medical record at a large comprehensive cancer center; data on patients with breast/prostate cancer (non-HP) were collected for comparison. Associations between patient characteristics and receipt of supportive spiritual care were evaluated within the overall sample and end-of-life subsample.

RESULTS

Among 8,961 individuals (n_HP=1,419, n_non-HP =7,542), 51.7% of HP patients utilized supportive spiritual care versus 19.8% of non-HP patients (p<0.001). Younger age and religious identity were associated with receiving spiritual care (p<0.001). HP patients had higher odds of receiving spiritual care versus non-HP patients (OR 2.41, 95%CI: 2.10, 2.78). Within the end-of-life subsample, HP patients more frequently received spiritual care to "accept their illness" (39.5% vs. 22.5%, p<0.001), while non-HP patients needed support to "define their purpose in life" (13.1% vs. 4.5%, p=0.001).

DISCUSSION

Supportive spiritual care was important to a large subset of HP patients and should be integrated into their care.

Inter-surgeon variability is associated with likelihood to undergo minimally invasive hepatectomy and postoperative mortality

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) has been increasingly adopted in clinical practice; yet, inter-surgeon variability in operative approach (MILS vs. open), as well as the impact of providers on the likelihood of undergoing MILS have not been well characterized.

METHODS

The Medicare 100% Standard Analytic Files were reviewed to identify Medicare beneficiaries who underwent hepatectomy between 2013 - 2017. The impact of patient- and procedure- related factors on the likelihood of MILS was investigated.

RESULTS

Overall 12,110 (91.6%) patients underwent open liver resection, while 1,112 (8.4%) patients had MILS. Based on total MILS volume, surgeons were categorized into average (1-3 cases), above average (4-7 cases) and high (>8 or more cases) MILS volume surgeons. While male patients (OR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.75-0.97) were less likely to undergo MILS, patients operated on more recently (year 2017; OR = 1.72, 95%CI 1.38-2.14) for a cancer indication (OR = 1.23, 95%CI 1.05-1.42) had a higher chance of MILS. After controlling for patient- and procedure-related characteristics, there was almost a two-fold variation in the odds that a patient underwent MILS versus open hepatectomy based on the individual surgeon provider (MOR = 1.75, 95%CI 1.48-1.99). Patients who had a MILS performed by a high-volume MILS surgeon had 36% lower odds of death within 90-days (OR = 0.64, 95%CI 0.51-0.79).

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of undergoing MILS, as well as post-operative mortality, was heavily influenced by the individual surgeon provider rather than patient- or procedure-related factors.

Comparing Surgeon Approaches to Patient-Centered Cancer Care Using Vignette Methodology

BACKGROUND

We sought to characterize surgeon perceptions of patient attachment-related behaviors relative to patient-centered approaches during treatment decision-making within the clinical encounter.

METHODS

An online survey including clinical vignettes was sent to board-certified surgeons to assess their approach to patient-centered treatment decision-making. Within these vignettes, patient behaviors associated with attachment styles (secure vs 3 insecure subtypes: avoidant, anxious, and fearful) were fixed and patient factors (age, race, occupation, and gender) were randomized. Analysis included repeated measures mixed-effects linear regression.

RESULTS

Among the 208 respondents, the majority were male (65.4%) and White/Caucasian (84.5%) with an average age of 51.6 years (SD = 9.9). Most surgeons had been in practice for more than 10 years (66.8%) and treated adult patients (77.4%). Surgical specializations included breast (27.2%), HPB (35.0%), and broad-based/general (21.8%). Patient race, age, and gender did not impact surgeons' patient-centered approach to treatment decision-making (all ps > 0.05). However, when the "patient" had a white collar occupation and were securely attached, surgeons reported a greater likeliness to spend equal time presenting all treatment options (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively) and believe the patient wanted an active role in decision-making (p = 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). Surgeons reported being least likely to agree with a patient's treatment decision (p < 0.001) and an increased likelihood of being directive (p = 0.002) when patients exhibited behaviors associated with avoidant attachment.

CONCLUSION

Attachment-related behaviors were associated with differences in surgeon approaches to patient-centered decision-making. Attachment styles may offer a framework for providers to understand patient behaviors and needs, thereby providing insight on how to tailor their approach and provide optimal patient-centered care.

Preoperative Medical Referral Prior to Hepatopancreatic Surgery-Is It Worth it?

INTRODUCTION

Many patients who present for complex surgery have underlying medical comorbidities. While surgeons often refer these patients to medical appointments for preoperative "optimization" or "clearance," the actual impact of these visits remains poorly examined. The objective of the current study was to define the potential benefit of preoperative medical appointments on outcomes and costs associated with hepatopancreatic (HP) surgery.

METHODS

Patients with modifiable comorbidities undergoing HP surgery were identified in the Medicare claims data. The association of preoperative non-surgical visit and postoperative outcomes and expenditures was assessed using inverse propensity treatment weighting analysis and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among the 5574 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent a hepatopancreatic surgery, one in seven patients (n = 830, 14.9%) was "optimized" preoperatively. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, age (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p = 0.006) and higher comorbidity burden (OR 1.03; 95% CI 1.01-1.05; p = 0.007) were associated with modest increased odds of being referred in the preoperative period for a non-surgical evaluation; the factor most associated with preoperative non-surgical visit was male patient sex (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.14-1.56; p < 0.001). After adjustment for competing risk factors and random site effect, patients with an "optimization" visit had 28% lower odds (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.59-0.86; p < 0.001) of experiencing an operative complication. Additionally, patients who had a non-surgical visit had 13% higher median total expenditures compared with individuals who did not undergo an "optimization" visit (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, roughly one in seven Medicare beneficiaries who underwent HP surgery may have been risk stratified by a non-surgical provider prior to surgery. Preoperative evaluation was associated with modestly lower odds of complications following HP surgery and higher Medicare expenditures. Further research is needed to determine its routine utility as a means to decrease the morbidity surrounding HP surgery.

Variation in Drain Management Among Patients Undergoing Major Hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Although previous studies have suggested that drain management is highly variable, data on drain placement and timing of drain removal among patients undergoing hepatic resection remain scarce. The objective of the current study was to define the utilization of drain placement among patients undergoing major hepatic resection.

METHODS

The ACS NSQIP-targeted hepatectomy database was used to identify patients who underwent major hepatectomy between 2014 and 2017. Association between day of drain removal, timing of discharge, and drain fluid bilirubin on postoperative day (POD) 3 (DFB-3) was assessed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare outcomes of patients with a drain removed before and after POD 3.

RESULTS

Among 5330 patients, most patients had an abdominal drain placed at the time of hepatic resection (n = 3075, 57.7%). Of 2495 patients with data on timing of drain removal, only 380 patients (15.2%) had their drain removed by POD 3. Almost 1 in 6 patients (n = 441, 17.7%) were discharged home with the drain in place. DFB-3 values correlated poorly with POD of drain removal (R² = 0.0049). After PSM, early drain removal (≤ POD 3) was associated with lower rates of grade B or C bile leakage (2.1% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.008) and prolonged length of hospital stay (6.0% vs. 12.7%, p = 0.009) compared with delayed drain removal (> POD 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Roughly 3 in 5 patients had a drain placed at the time of major hepatectomy and only 1 in 7 patients had the drain removed early. This study demonstrated the potential benefits of early drain removal in an effort to improve the quality of care following major hepatectomy.

Association of pre-existing mental illness with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality among Medicare beneficiaries with pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND

Among patients with pancreatic cancer, the association of pre-existing mental illness with long-term outcomes remains unknown.

METHODS

Individuals diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma were identified in the SEER-Medicare database. Patients were classified as having mental illness if an ICD9/10CM code for anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder was recorded.

RESULTS

Among the 54,234 Medicare beneficiaries with pancreatic cancer, roughly 1 in 12 (n = 4793, 8.83%) individuals had a diagnosis of a mental illness. The majority (n = 4029, 84.1%) had anxiety or depression, while 16% (n = 764) had bipolar/schizophrenic disorders. On multivariable analysis, among patients with early stage cancer, individuals with pre-existing anxiety/depression and bipolar/schizophrenic disorders had 22% (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.86) and 46% (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42-0.70) reduced odds, respectively, to undergo cancer-directed surgery. Furthermore, patients with a pre-existing history of bipolar/schizophrenic disorders had a 20% (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.21-1.40) higher risk of all-cause mortality and 27% (HR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17-1.37) higher risk of pancreatic cancer-specific mortality compared to individuals without a history of mental illness.

CONCLUSION

One in twelve patients with pancreatic cancer had a pre-existing mental illness. Individuals with mental illness were more likely to have worse overall and cancer-specific long-term outcomes.

Wide variation in inpatient opioid utilization following hepatopancreatic surgery

BACKGROUND

Inpatient opioid utilization following major surgery remains relatively unknown. We sought to characterize inpatient opioid consumption following hepatopancreatic surgery and determine factors associated with the variability in opioid utilization.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent hepatopancreatic surgery at a single institution were identified. Multimodal pain management strategies assessed included opioids (oral morphine equivalents, OME), acetaminophen, ibuprofen and ketorolac.

RESULTS

Among 2,054 patients, the median total OME utilized was 465 (129-815) during a patient's hospitalization following hepatopancreatic surgery. The interquartile range for total OMEs administered following hepatopancreatic surgery was as high as 940 OMEs (125 oxycodone-5mg pills) following a pancreaticoduodenectomy versus 520 OMEs (69 oxycodone-5mg pills) following a hemi-hepatectomy. Despite relatively high use of acetaminophen post-operatively (n = 1,588, 77.0%), multimodal pain control with acetaminophen and ibuprofen was infrequent (n = 175, 8.5%). Furthermore, individuals with high opioid utilization used on average 147 OMEs (20 oxycodone-5mg pills) the day before discharge versus 44 OME (6 oxycodone-5mg pills) among patients with expected opioid utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Marked variability in inpatient opioid consumption following hepatopancreatic surgery was noted. Future work is necessary to decrease the variability in inpatient opioid prescribing practices to promote the safe and effective management of pain.

Machine learning predicts unpredicted deaths with high accuracy following hepatopancreatic surgery

Background

Machine learning to predict morbidity and mortality-especially in a population traditionally considered low risk-has not been previously examined. We sought to characterize the incidence of death among patients with a low estimated morbidity and mortality risk based on the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) estimated probability (EP), as well as develop a machine learning model to identify individuals at risk for "unpredicted death" (UD) among patients undergoing hepatopancreatic (HP) procedures.

Methods

The NSQIP database was used to identify patients who underwent elective HP surgery between 2012-2017. The risk of morbidity and mortality was stratified into three tiers (low, intermediate, or high estimated) using a k-means clustering method with bin sorting. A machine learning classification tree and multivariable regression analyses were used to predict 30-day mortality with a 10-fold cross validation. C statistics were used to compare model performance.

Results

Among 63,507 patients who underwent an HP procedure, median patient age was 63 (IQR: 54-71) years. Patients underwent either pancreatectomy (n=38,209, 60.2%) or hepatic resection (n=25,298, 39.8%). Patients were stratified into three tiers of predicted morbidity and mortality risk based on the NSQIP EP: low (n=36,923, 58.1%), intermediate (n=23,609, 37.2%) and high risk (n=2,975, 4.7%). Among 36,923 patients with low estimated risk of morbidity and mortality, 237 patients (0.6%) experienced a UD. According to the classification tree analysis, age was the most important factor to predict UD (importance 16.9) followed by preoperative albumin level (importance: 10.8), disseminated cancer (importance: 6.5), preoperative platelet count (importance: 6.5), and sex (importance 5.9). Among patients deemed to be low risk, the c-statistic for the machine learning derived prediction model was 0.807 compared with an AUC of only 0.662 for the NSQIP EP.

Conclusions

A prognostic model derived using machine learning methodology performed better than the NSQIP EP in predicting 30-day UD among low risk patients undergoing HP surgery.

Importance of Radiologists in Optimizing Outcomes for Older Americans with Acute Abdomen

BACKGROUND

Patients presenting with acute abdominal pain often undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan as part of their diagnostic workup. We investigated the relationship between availability, timeliness, and interpretation of CT imaging and outcomes for life-threatening intra-abdominal diseases or "acute abdomen," in older Americans.

METHODS

Data from a 2015 national survey of 2811 hospitals regarding emergency general surgery structures and processes (60.1% overall response, n = 1690) were linked to 2015 Medicare inpatient claims data. We identified beneficiaries aged ≥65 admitted emergently with a confirmatory acute abdomen diagnosis code and operative intervention on the same calendar date. Multivariable regression models adjusted for significant covariates determined odds of complications and mortality based on CT resources.

RESULTS

We identified 9125 patients with acute abdomen treated at 1253 hospitals, of which 78% had ≥64-slice CT scanners and 85% had 24/7 CT technicians. Overnight CT reads were provided by in-house radiologists at 14% of hospitals and by teleradiologists at 66%. Patients were predominantly 65-74 y old (43%), white (88%), females (60%), and with ≥3 comorbidities (67%) and 8.6% died. STAT radiology reads by a board-certified radiologist rarely/never available in 2 h was associated with increased odds of systemic complication and mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.6 [1.3-5.4] and 2.3 [1.1-4.8], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Delays obtaining results are associated with adverse outcomes in older patients with acute abdomen. This may be due to delays in surgical consultation and time to source control while waiting for imaging results. Processes to ensure timely interpretation of CT scans in patients with abdominal pain may improve outcomes in high-risk patients.

Hepatopancreatic Surgery in the Rural United States: Variation in Outcomes at Critical Access Hospitals

BACKGROUND

Sixty million Americans live in rural America, with roughly 17.5% of the rural population being 65 y or older. Outcomes and costs of Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery at critical access hospitals (CAHs) are not known.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medicare files were used to identify patients who underwent hepatopancreatic resection. Outcomes were compared (CAHs versus non-CAHs).

RESULTS

Patients undergoing hepatopancreatic surgery at non-CAHs versus CAHs had a similar comorbidity score (4 versus 5, P = 0.53). After adjusting for patient-level factors and procedure-specific volume, there was no difference in complication rate (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.52-1.24). The median cost of hospitalization was roughly $4000 less at CAHs than that at non-CAHs (P < 0.001). However, compared with patients undergoing surgery at non-CAHs, beneficiaries operated at CAHs had more than two times the odds of dying within 30 (aOR 2.45, 95% CI 1.42-4.2) and 90 d (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.4-3.71).

CONCLUSIONS

Only a small subset of Medicare beneficiaries underwent hepatic or pancreatic resection at a CAH. Despite similar complication rate, Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgery at a CAH had more than two times the odds of dying within 30 and 90 d after surgery.

Quality of Care Among Medicare Patients Undergoing Pancreatic Surgery: Safety Grade, Magnet Recognition, and Leapfrog Minimum Volume Standards-Which Quality Benchmark Matters?

BACKGROUND

The association of national quality benchmarking metrics with postoperative outcomes following complex surgery remains unknown. We assessed the relationship between the "quality trifactor" of Leapfrog minimum volume standards, Hospital Safety Grade A, and Magnet Recognition with outcomes of Medicare patients undergoing pancreatectomy.

METHODS

The Standard Analytic Files (SAF) merged with Leapfrog Hospital Survey and Leapfrog Safety Scores Denominator Files were reviewed to identify Medicare patients who underwent pancreatic procedures between 2013 and 2015. Primary outcomes were overall and serious complications, as well as 30- and 90-day mortality. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate possible associations among hospitals meeting the quality trifactor and short-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 4853 Medicare patients, 909 (18.7%) underwent pancreatectomy at hospitals meeting the quality trifactor. Among 260 hospitals, 7.3% (n = 19) met the quality trifactor. Safety Grade A (48.8%, n = 127) was the most commonly met criterion followed by Magnet Recognition (36.2%, n = 94); the Leapfrog minimum volume standards were achieved by 25% (n = 65) of hospitals. Patients undergoing surgery at hospitals that were only Safety Grade A and Magnet designated, but did not meet Leapfrog criteria, had higher odds of serious complications (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.00-2.51). In contrast, patients undergoing treatment at hospitals having all three designations (i.e., the quality trifactor) had 40% and 39% lower odds of both serious complications (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.37-0.97) and 90-day mortality (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.42-0.89), respectively. In turn, patients undergoing pancreatectomy at quality trifactor hospitals had higher odds of experiencing the composite quality measure textbook outcome (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.03-1.59) versus patients undergoing pancreatectomy at non-trifactor hospitals.

CONCLUSION

While Safety Grade A and Magnet designation alone were not associated with higher odds of an optimal composite outcome following pancreatectomy, compliance with Leapfrog criteria to achieve the "quality trifactor" metric was associated with lower odds of serious complications and mortality.

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Hospice Utilization Among Medicare Beneficiaries Dying from Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

We sought to define the incidence and characterize the timing of hospice utilization among racial/ethnic minority patients following pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The Medicare Standard Analytic Files from 2013 to 2017 were used to identify patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent a pancreatectomy. Logistic regression was utilized to identify the association between race and patterns of hospice utilization among deceased individuals.

RESULTS

Among the 14,495 individuals (median age 73; 52.3% female; 6.8% racial/ethnic minority) who underwent a pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer, 47% (n = 6859) died by the end of the follow-period. Among deceased individuals, three-fourths of patients (n = 4978, 72.6%) used hospice leading up to the time of death. Racial/ethnic minority patients were less likely, however, to have used hospice services compared with white patients (racial/ethnic minorities n = 301, 67% vs. whites: n = 4677, 73%; p = 0.024). On multivariable analysis, after controlling for clinical factors, racial/ethnic minority patients remained 22% less likely than whites to initiate hospice services prior to death (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.63-0.96). Despite overall lower use of hospice, racial/ethnic minority patients had comparable odds of late hospice utilization (i.e., within 3 days of death) versus white patients (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.73-1.50).

DISCUSSION

While most patients undergoing pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer utilized hospice services prior to death, racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to use hospice services than whites.

A mixed-methods approach to comparing perceptions of cancer patients' and cancer care providers' religious and spiritual beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes

OBJECTIVES

To compare the perceptions of cancer patients' and cancer care providers' religious and spiritual (R&S) beliefs, behaviours, and attitudes.

METHODS

A concurrent, nested, quantitative dominant, mixed-methods design was utilised. Data were collected from patient and provider groups via online survey. Analyses include chi-square tests of independence and independent t-tests for quantitative data and content analysis for qualitative data.

RESULTS

The final analytic cohort for the study included 576 participants (n_patients  = 236, n_providers  = 340) with an average age of 47.4 years (SD = 15.0). Over half of participants were partnered (n = 386, 70.1%), female (n = 317, 57.3%) and had an advanced degree (n = 284, 51.2%). The most common diagnosis for patients was breast cancer (n = 103, 43.2%). The most common provider role was nurse (n = 220; 64.7%), while a smaller subset included physicians (n = 61; 17.9%) and "other" providers (n = 59; 17.4%). There was no difference between patients and providers in relation to R&S identity (p = 0.49) or behaviour (p = 0.28). Providers more frequently indicated that patients should receive R&S resources in the hospital (n = 281, 89.7% vs. n = 111, 49.6%, p < 0.001). For resource type, patients most frequently endorsed written resources (n = 93, 83.8%) while providers endorsed relational resources (n = 281, 97.9%).

CONCLUSION

Aligning patient and provider expectations of spiritual care will contribute to provision of optimal patient-centred cancer care.

Tumor Burden Dictates Prognosis Among Patients Undergoing Resection of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Tool to Guide Post-Resection Adjuvant Chemotherapy?

INTRODUCTION

While tumor burden (TB) has been associated with outcomes among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, the role of overall TB in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poorly defined.

METHODS

Patients undergoing curative-intent resection of ICC between 2000 and 2017 were identified from a multi-institutional database. The impact of TB on overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) was evaluated in the multi-institutional database and validated externally.

RESULTS

Among 1101 patients who underwent curative-intent resection of ICC, 624 (56.7%) had low TB, 346 (31.4%) medium TB, and 131 (11.9%) high TB. OS incrementally worsened with higher TB (5-year OS; low TB: 48.3% vs medium TB: 29.8% vs high TB: 17.3%, p < 0.001). Similarly, patients with low TB had better DFS compared with medium and high TB patients (5-year DFS: 38.3% vs 18.7% vs 6.9%, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, TB was independently associated with OS (medium TB: HR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.14-1.71; high TB: HR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.46-2.45) and DFS (medium TB, HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.33-1.96; high TB: HR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.56-2.64). Survival analysis revealed an excellent prognostic discrimination using the TB among the external validation cohort (3-year OS; low TB: 44.8%, medium TB: 29.3%; high TB: 23.3%, p = 0.03; 3-year DFS: low TB: 32.7%, medium TB: 10.7%; high TB: 0%, p < 0.001). While neoadjuvant chemotherapy was not associated with survival across the TB groups, receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with increased survival among patients with high TB (5-year OS: 24.4% vs 13.4%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Overall TB dictated prognosis among patients with resectable ICC. TB may be used as a tool to help guide post-resection treatment strategies.

The association of Hospital Medicare beneficiary payer-mix, national quality rankings and outcomes following hepatopancreatic surgery

INTRODUCTION

We sought to determine the impact of payer-mix on post-operative outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries following hepatopancreatic surgery.

METHODS

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent hepatopancreatic surgery were identified. Hospital quality markers were obtained from the Hospital General Information dataset. Hospitals were dichotomized (low/average vs. high) based on Medicare patient days versus all patient days irrespective of payer type.

RESULTS

High Medicare patient-mix hospitals were more likely to be ranked higher than the national average relative to safety of care (29.4% vs. 38.1%) and timeliness of care (15.4% vs. 26.3%) versus low burden Medicare hospitals (both p < 0.001). However, Medicare beneficiaries who had hepatopancreatic surgery at a high Medicare patient-mix hospital were at higher risk of a complication (OR = 1.13, 95%CI 1.04-1.22), and death within 30-days (OR = 1.37, 95%CI 1.23-1.53) following surgery.

CONCLUSION

While hospitals caring for higher numbers of Medicare beneficiaries generally performed better on CMS quality indicators, these rankings did not equate to improved post-operative outcomes.

Interaction of Surgeon Volume and Nurse-to-Patient Ratio on Post-operative Outcomes of Medicare Beneficiaries Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

We sought to assess the effect of nurse-to-patient ratio on outcomes with a focus on defining whether nurse-to-patient ratio altered outcomes relative to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) surgeon specific volume.

METHODS

Medicare SAFs from 2013-2015 were used to identify patients who underwent PD. Nurse-to-patient ratio, PD specific surgeon volume were stratified. Association of factors associated with short term outcomes was evaluated.

RESULTS

Overall, 6668 patients (median age 73, IQR 68-77; 52.8% male) were identified. The median annual PD volume of surgeons in the highest volume tier was 24 (IQR 21-29), whereas surgeons in the lowest tier performed 2 PDs annually (IQR 1-3) (p < 0.001). Compared with hospitals that had the highest nurse-to-patient ratio tier, patients at hospitals with the lowest nurse-to-patient ratio tier were 26% more likely to have a complication (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.55). Additionally, patients of surgeons in the lowest tier had 43% greater odds of suffering a complication compared to patients of surgeons in the highest tier (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.11-1.84). However, patients who underwent a PD by a surgeon within the lowest tier had similar odds of a complication irrespective of nurse-to-patient ratio (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.97-1.86).

CONCLUSION

Compared with patients who underwent an operation by a surgeon in highest PD volume tier, patients treated by surgeons in the lowest tier had higher odds of post-operative complications which was not mitigated by a higher nurse-to-patient ratio.

How Safe Are Safety-Net Hospitals? Opportunities to Improve Outcomes for Vulnerable Patients Undergoing Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Safety-net hospitals are critical to the US health system as they provide care to vulnerable patients. The effect of hospital safety-net burden on patient outcomes in hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery was examined.

METHODS

Discharge data between 2004 and 2014 from the National Inpatient Sample were utilized. Hospitals with a safety-net burden were divided into tertiles: low (LBH) (< 13.6%), medium (MBH) (13.6-33.3%), and high (HBH) (> 33.3%). The association of hospital safety-net burden with complications, in-hospital mortality, never events, and costs were defined.

RESULTS

Nearly 5% of the analytic cohort (n = 65,032) had surgery at a HBH. Patients treated at HBH were younger (median age, HBH 55 years vs LBH 62 years; p < 0.001), black or Hispanic (HBH 40.5% vs LBH 12.7%; p < 0.001), and of lowest income quartile (HBH 38.4% vs LBH 19.6%; p < 0.001). One-third of patients at HBH experienced a complication compared with only a quarter of patients at LBH (p < 0.001). HBH had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (HBH 6.5% vs. LBH 2.8%; p < 0.001), never events (HBH 5.4% vs. LBH 1.4%; p < 0.001), and a higher cost of surgery (HBH $30,716 vs. LBH $28,054; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative outcomes were worse at HBH, highlighting that efforts are needed to improve their delivery of care.

Impact of Preoperative Cholangitis on Short-term Outcomes Among Patients Undergoing Liver Resection

BACKGROUND

The impact of preoperative cholangitis (PC) on perioperative outcomes among patients undergoing liver resection remains poorly defined. We sought to characterize the prevalence of PC among patients undergoing hepatectomy and define the impact of PC on postoperative outcomes.

METHODS

Patients who underwent liver resection between 2013 and 2015 were identified using the Center for Medicare Services (CMS) 100% Limited Data Set (LDS) Standard Analytic Files (SAFs). Short-term outcomes after liver resection, stratified by the presence of PC, were examined. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between the timing of liver resection relative to PC.

RESULTS

Among 7392 patients undergoing liver resection, 251 patients (3.4%) experienced PC. Patients with PC were more likely to be male (59.0% vs. 50.6%) and to have a benign diagnosis (34.3% vs. 19.8%) compared with patients without PC (both p<0.05). On multivariable analysis, PC was associated with increased odds of experiencing a complication (OR 1.54, 95%CI 1.17-2.03), extended LOS (OR 2.60, 95%CI 1.99-3.39), 90-day mortality (OR 2.31, 95%CI 1.64-3.26), and higher Medicare expenditures (OR 3.32, 95%CI 2.55-4.32). Among patients with PC, requirement of both endoscopic and percutaneous biliary drainage (OR 5.16, 95%CI 1.36-9.61), as well as liver resection < 2 weeks after PC (OR 2.92, 95%CI 1.13-7.57) were associated with higher odds of 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1 in 30 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing liver resection had a history of PC. PC was associated with an increased risk of adverse short-term outcomes and higher healthcare expenditures among patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Routine Intensive Care Unit Admission Following Liver Resection: What Is the Value Proposition?

INTRODUCTION

The value of routine ICU admission after elective surgery has been debated due to the lack of robust evidence supporting its benefit, as well as the increased incurred costs. We sought to analyze outcomes of patients undergoing hepatectomy who were routinely admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) compared with surgical ward admission.

METHODS

Patients were identified in the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database from 2010 to 2016. Routine postoperative ICU admission was defined as ICU admission for ≤ 24 h on postoperative day 0. Potential association between routine ICU admission with extended length-of-stay (LOS), failure-to-rescue, and total inpatient costs was analyzed.

RESULTS

In total 7970 patients underwent hepatectomy; 37.7% (n = 3001) had routine ICU admission and 62.3% (n = 4969) surgical ward admission. Among the 3001 patients who had routine ICU admission, 1137 (37.9%) had a major and 1864 (62.1%) had a minor hepatectomy. Routine ICU admission was not associated with lower failure-to-rescue (routine ICU 4.9% vs. ward 1.8%; p < 0.001). Patients routinely admitted to the ICU had longer median LOS (routine ICU 7 days, IQR 5-15 days vs. ward 5 days, IQR 4-7 days; p < 0.001). Median payments were higher for routine ICU admission than for surgical ward admission ($50,501, IQR $34,270-$80,459 vs. $39,774, IQR $28,555-$58,270, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Routine ICU admission was associated with longer LOS and higher hospital payments, yet did not translate into lower failure-to-rescue among patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Mental illness is associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation among cancer surgical patients

BACKGROUND

Mental illness and depression can be associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation (SI). We sought to determine the association between mental illness and SI among cancer surgical patients.

METHODS

Medicare beneficiaries who underwent resection of lung, esophageal, pancreatic, colon, or rectal cancer were analyzed. Patients were categorized as no mental illness, anxiety and/or depression disorders or bipolar/schizophrenic disorders.

RESULTS

Among 211,092 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent surgery for cancer, the rate of suicidal ideation was 270/100,000 patients. Antecedent mental health diagnosis resulted in a marked increased SI. On multivariable analysis, patients with anxiety alone (OR 1.49, 95%CI 1.04-2.14), depression alone (OR 2.60, 95%CI 1.92-3.38), anxiety + depression (OR 4.50, 95%CI 3.48-5.86), and bipolar/schizophrenia (OR 7.30, 95%CI 5.27-10.30) had increased odds of SI.

CONCLUSIONS

Roughly 1 in 370 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who underwent a wide range of surgical procedures had SI. An antecedent mental health diagnosis was a strong risk factor for SI.

Identifying the fundamental structures and processes of care contributing to emergency general surgery quality using a mixed-methods Donabedian approach

BACKGROUND

Acute Care Surgery (ACS) was developed as a structured, team-based approach to providing round-the-clock emergency general surgery (EGS) care for adult patients needing treatment for diseases such as cholecystitis, gastrointestinal perforation, and necrotizing fasciitis. Lacking any prior evidence on optimizing outcomes for EGS patients, current implementation of ACS models has been idiosyncratic. We sought to use a Donabedian approach to elucidate potential EGS structures and processes that might be associated with improved outcomes as an initial step in designing the optimal model of ACS care for EGS patients.

METHODS

We developed and implemented a national survey of hospital-level EGS structures and processes by surveying surgeons or chief medical officers regarding hospital-level structures and processes that directly or indirectly impacted EGS care delivery in 2015. These responses were then anonymously linked to 2015 data from the American Hospital Association (AHA) annual survey, Medicare Provider Analysis and Review claims (MedPAR), 17 State Inpatient Databases (SIDs) using AHA unique identifiers (AHAID). This allowed us to combine hospital-level data, as reported in our survey or to the AHA, to patient-level data in an effort to further examine the role of EGS structures and processes on EGS outcomes. We describe the multi-step, iterative process utilizing the Donabedian framework for quality measurement that serves as a foundation for later work in this project.

RESULTS

Hospitals that responded to the survey were primarily non-governmental and located in urban settings. A plurality of respondent hospitals had fewer than 100 inpatient beds. A minority of the hospitals had medical school affiliations.

DISCUSSION

Our results will enable us to develop a measure of preparedness for delivering EGS care in the US, provide guidance for regionalized care models for EGS care, tiering of ACS programs based on the robustness of their EGS structures and processes and the quality of their outcomes, and formulate triage guidelines based on patient risk factors and severity of EGS disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Our work provides a template for team science applicable to research efforts combining primary data collection (i.e., that derived from our survey) with existing national data sources (i.e., SIDs and MedPAR).

Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery: the Role of Clinical Resources and Variation in Performance of Hospitals Located in "Distressed" Communities

INTRODUCTION

The USA has one of the largest known income-based health disparities, with low-income adults being up to five times more likely to report being in poor health. We evaluated the association of hospital zip-code-based distressed communities index (DCI) with post-surgical outcomes following hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery.

METHODS

Adults undergoing HPB surgery were identified in the National Inpatient Sample. The association between hospital socioeconomic distress and outcomes including complications, mortality, failure to rescue (FTR), and never events were compared between high-distress facilities (HDF) and low-distress facilities (LDF).

RESULTS

A total of 11,119 (37.8%) patients underwent an operation at an HDF. Patients treated at HDF were younger (18-39 years, HDF: n = 1261, 11.3% vs. LDF: n = 966, 9.0%; p < 0.001), Black/Hispanic (HDF: n = 2060, 18.5% vs. LDF: n = 1440, 11.4%; p < 0.001) and in the lowest income quartile (HDF: n = 2825, 25.4% vs. LDF: n = 1116, 10.8%; p < 0.001). While complications were comparable at HDF versus LDF (HDF: n = 2483, 22.3% vs. LDF: n = 2370, 22.0%; p = 0.28), patients treated at HDF had higher odds of in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.07-1.59), FTR (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.02-1.52), and a never event (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.29-2.39; all p < 0.001). Hospitals having advanced internal medicine services had reduced odds of mortality (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47-0.80) whereas high nurse-to-patient ratio was associated with reduced odds of a complication (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81-0.98).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 40% of patients were admitted to HDF. These patients were more likely to be Black/Hispanic and underinsured. Perioperative outcomes were worse at HDF following HPB surgery.

The impact of individual surgeon on the likelihood of minimal invasive surgery among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing pancreatic resection

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the individual surgeon on the use of minimally invasive pancreatic resection.

METHODS

The Medicare 100% Standard Analytic Files were reviewed to identify Medicare beneficiaries who underwent pancreatic resection between 2013 and 2017. The impact of patient- and procedure-related factors on the likelihood of minimally invasive pancreatic resection was investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 12,652 (85.4%) patients underwent open pancreatic resection, whereas minimally invasive pancreatic resection was performed in 2,155 (14.6%) patients. Unadjusted rates of minimally invasive pancreatic resection ranged from 0% in the bottom volume tertile to 35.3% in the top tertile. Although patients with emergency admission were less likely to undergo minimally invasive pancreatic resection (odds ratio = 0.43, 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.58), patients operated on more recently had a higher chance of minimally invasive pancreatic resection (year 2017; odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.28-1.79). On multivariable analysis, there was over a 3-fold variation in the odds that a patient underwent minimally invasive versus open pancreatic resection based on the individual surgeon (median odds ratio = 3.27, 95% confidence interval 2.98-3.56). Patients who underwent pancreatectomy by a low-volume, minimally invasive pancreatic resection surgeon had higher odds of 90-day mortality after surgery (odds ratio = 1.33, 95% confidence interval: 1.16-1.59), as well as higher observed/expected mortality compared with individuals treated by high-volume surgeons.

CONCLUSION

The likelihood of undergoing minimally invasive pancreatic resection among Medicare beneficiaries was markedly influenced by the individual treating surgeon rather than patient- or procedure-level factors.

Analyzing Outcomes Among Older Adults With Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections in the United States

BACKGROUND

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections (NSTIs) encompass a group of severe, life-threatening diseases with high morbidity and mortality. Evidence suggests advanced age is associated with worse outcomes. To date, no large data sets exist describing outcomes in older individuals, and risk factor identification is lacking.

METHODS

Retrospective data were obtained from the 2015 Medicare 100% sample. Included in the analysis were those aged ≥65 y with a primary diagnosis of an NSTI (gas gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, cutaneous gangrene, or Fournier's gangrene). Risk factors for in-hospital mortality and discharge disposition were examined. Continuous variables were assessed using central tendency, t-tests, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Categorical variables were assessed using the chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05.

RESULTS

1427 patient records were reviewed. 59% of patients were male, and the overall mean age was 75.4±8.6 y. 1385 (97.0%) patients required emergency surgery for their NSTI diagnosis. The overall mortality was 5.3%. Several underlying comorbidities were associated with higher rates of mortality including cancer (OR: 3.50, P = 0.0009), liver disease (OR: 2.97, P = 0.03), and kidney disease (OR: 2.15, P = 0.01). While associated with high in-hospital mortality, these diagnoses were not associated with a difference in the rate of discharge to home compared with skilled nursing or rehab. Overall, patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities or rehab had higher rates of underlying comorbidities than patients who were discharged home (3 or more comorbid illness 84.3% versus 68.6%, P < 0.0001); however, no individual comorbid illness was associated with discharge location.

CONCLUSIONS

In our Medicare data set, we identified several medical comorbidities that are associated with increased rates of in-hospital mortality. Patients with underlying cancers had the highest odds of increased mortality. The effect on outcomes of the potentially immunosuppressive cancer treatments in these patients is unknown. These data suggest that patients with underlying illnesses, especially cancer, kidney disease, or liver disease have higher mortalities and are more likely to be discharged to skilled nursing facilities or rehab. It is unclear why these illnesses were associated with these worse outcomes while others including diabetes and heart disease were not. These data suggest that these particular comorbid illnesses may have special prognostic implications, although further analysis is necessary to identify the causative factors.

Characterizing Pastoral Care Utilization by Cancer Patients

PURPOSE

To assess the rate of and characterize the utilization of pastoral care (PC) among patients on their cancer treatment trajectory.

METHODS

Patients included in the present study were diagnosed with cancer 01/2015-08/2019 at The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center-The James. To determine which patient demographic and clinical factors were independently associated with PC utilization, a multivariable logistic regression was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 14,322 patients were included in the study and 5,166 (36.1%) had at least one visit with PC. Cancers such as brain (n = 232, 4.5% vs. n = 159, 1.7%), liver/pancreas (n = 733, 14.2% vs. 686, 7.5%), and lung (n = 1,288 vs. 24.9% vs. n = 1,113, 12.2%) were more commonly noted among patients who utilized PC services (all p < 0.001). Furthermore, compared with patients diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer, patients with more advanced disease stages had higher odds of utilizing PC services (Stage III: OR 2.37, 95% CI 2.07-2.70; Stage IV OR 2.31, 95% CI: 2.04-2.61; both p < 0.05). Interestingly, patients who had a DNR order had a markedly higher odds (OR 4.18, 95%CI 3.76-4.65, p < 0.001) of utilizing PC services.

DISCUSSION

One in three patients with cancer utilized PC services. Patients with more severe prognoses and individuals with a DNR order were more likely to utilize PC. The data suggest that PC services are an important resource for many patients and should be integrated into the treatment approach for cancer.

A Novel Machine-Learning Approach to Predict Recurrence After Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of hepatic metastases remains the only potentially curative treatment option for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Widely adopted prognostic tools may oversimplify the impact of model parameters relative to long-term outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with CRLM who underwent a hepatectomy between 2001 and 2018 were identified in an international, multi-institutional database. Bootstrap resampling methodology used in tandem with multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression analysis was applied to construct a prediction model that was validated and compared with scores proposed by Fong and Vauthey.

RESULTS

Among 1406 patients who underwent hepatic resection of CRLM, 842 (59.9%) had recurrence. The full model (based on age, sex, primary tumor location, T stage, receipt of chemotherapy before hepatectomy, lymph node metastases, number of metastatic lesions in the liver, size of the largest hepatic metastases, carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA] level and KRAS status) had good discriminative ability to predict 1-year (area under the receiver operating curve [AUC], 0.693; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.684-0.704), 3-year (AUC, 0.669; 95% CI, 0.661-0.677), and 5-year (AUC, 0.669; 95% CI, 0.661-0.679) risk of recurrence. Studies analyzing validation cohorts demonstrated similar model performance, with excellent model accuracy. In contrast, the AUCs for the Fong and Vauthey scores to predict 1-year recurrence were only 0.527 (95% CI, 0.514-0.538) and 0.525 (95% CI, 0.514-0.533), respectively. Similar trends were noted for 3- and 5-year recurrence.

CONCLUSION

The proposed clinical score, derived via machine learning, which included clinical characteristics and morphologic data, as well as information on KRAS status, accurately predicted recurrence after CRLM resection with good discrimination and prognostic ability.

Development and validation of a real-time mortality risk calculator before, during and after hepatectomy: an analysis of the ACS NSQIP database

BACKGROUND

Although most conventional risk prediction models have been based on preoperative information, intra- and post-operative events may be more relevant to mortality after surgery. We sought to develop a mortality risk calculator based on real time characteristics associated with hepatectomy.

METHODS

Patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2014 and 2017 were identified in the ACS-NSQIP dataset. Three prediction models (pre-, intra-, post-operative) were developed and validated using perioperative data.

RESULTS

Among 14,720 patients, 197 (1.3%) experienced 30-day mortality. The predictive ability of the real-time mortality risk calculator was very good based on only preoperative factors (AUC; training cohort: 0.813, validation cohort: 0.731). Incorporating intra-operative variables into the model increased the AUC (training: 0.838, validation: 0.777), while the post-operative model achieved an AUC of 0.922 in the training and 0.885 in the validation cohorts, respectively. While patients with low preoperative risk had only very small fluctuations in the estimated 30-day mortality risk during the intraoperative (Δ0.4%) and postoperative (Δ0.6%) phases, patients who were already deemed high risk preoperatively had additional increased mortality risk based on factors that occurred in the intraoperative (Δ5.4%) and postoperative (Δ9.3%) periods.

CONCLUSION

A real-time mortality risk calculator may better help clinicians identify patients at risk of death at the different stages of the surgical episode.

Use of Machine Learning for Prediction of Patient Risk of Postoperative Complications After Liver, Pancreatic, and Colorectal Surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment for patients with colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Although these procedures are performed with low mortality, rates of complications remain relatively high following hepatopancreatic and colorectal surgery.

METHODS

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was utilized to identify patients undergoing liver, pancreatic and colorectal surgery from 2014 to 2016. Decision tree models were utilized to predict the occurrence of any complication, as well as specific complications. To assess the variability of the performance of the classification trees, bootstrapping was performed on 50% of the sample.

RESULTS

Algorithms were derived from a total of 15,657 patients who met inclusion criteria. The algorithm had a good predictive ability for the occurrence of any complication, with a C-statistic of 0.74, outperforming the ASA (C-statistic 0.58) and ACS-Surgical Risk Calculator (C-statistic 0.71). The algorithm was able to predict with high accuracy thirteen out of the seventeen complications analyzed. The best performance was in the prediction of stroke (C-statistic 0.98), followed by wound dehiscence, cardiac arrest, and progressive renal failure (all C-statistic 0.96). The algorithm had a good predictive ability for superficial SSI (C-statistic 0.76), organ space SSI (C-statistic 0.76), sepsis (C-statistic 0.79), and bleeding requiring transfusion (C-statistic 0.79).

CONCLUSION

Machine learning was used to develop an algorithm that accurately predicted patient risk of developing complications following liver, pancreatic, or colorectal surgery. The algorithm had very good predictive ability to predict specific complications and demonstrated superiority over other established methods.

Association of Neighborhood Characteristics with Utilization of High-Volume Hospitals Among Patients Undergoing High-Risk Cancer Surgery

INTRODUCTION

As high-risk cancer surgery continues to become more centralized, it is important to understand the association of neighborhood characteristics relative to access to surgical care. We sought to determine the neighborhood level characteristics that may be associated with travel patterns and utilization of high-volume hospitals.

METHODS

The California Office of Statewide Health Planning database was used to identify patients who underwent pancreatectomy (PD), esophagectomy (ES), proctectomy (PR), or pneumonectomy (PN) for cancer between 2014 and 2016. Total minutes (m) traveled as well as whether a patient bypassed the nearest hospital that performed the operation to get to a higher-volume center was assessed. Data were merged with the Centers for Disease control social vulnerability index (SVI).

RESULTS

Overall, 26,937 individuals (ES: 4.7%; PN: 53.5% PD: 13.9% PR: 27.9%) underwent a complex oncologic operation. Median travel time was 16 m (interquartile range [IQR] 8.3-30.24) [ES: 21.8 m (IQR 10.6-46.9); PN: 14 m (IQR 7.8-27.0); PD: 21.2 m (IQR 10.6-42.6); PR: 15 m (IQR 8.1-28.4)]. Nearly three-quarter of patients (ES: 34%; PN: 73%; PD: 72%; LR: 81%) underwent an operation at a high-volume hospital. For all four operations, patients who resided in a county with a high overall SVI were less likely to have surgery at a high-volume hospital (ES: odds ratio [OR] 0.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.24-0.65; PN: OR: 0.67, 95% CI 0.51-0.88; PD: OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.44-0.84; PR: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58-0.98).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients residing in communities of high social vulnerability were less likely to undergo high-risk cancer surgery at a high-volume hospital. The identification of society-based contextual disparities in access to complex surgical care should serve to inform targeted strategies to direct additional resources toward these vulnerable communities.

Prognostic factors differ according to KRAS mutational status: A classification and regression tree model to define prognostic groups after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis

BACKGROUND

Although KRAS mutation status is known to affect the prognosis of patients with colorectal liver metastasis, the hierarchical association between other prognostic factors and KRAS status is not fully understood.

METHODS

Patients who underwent a hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis were identified in a multi-institutional international database. A classification and regression tree model was constructed to investigate the hierarchical association between prognostic factors and overall survival relative to KRAS status.

RESULTS

Among 1,123 patients, 29.9% (n = 336) had a KRAS mutation. Among wtKRAS patients, the classification and regression tree model identified presence of metastatic lymph nodes as the most important prognostic factor, whereas among mtKRAS patients, carcinoembryonic antigen level was identified as the most important prognostic factor. Among patients with wtKRAS, the highest 5-year overall survival (68.5%) was noted among patients with node negative primary colorectal cancer, solitary colorectal liver metastases, size <4.3 cm. In contrast, among patients with mtKRAS colorectal liver metastases, the highest 5-year overall survival (57.5%) was observed among patients with carcinoembryonic antigen <6 mg/mL. The classification and regression tree model had higher prognostic accuracy than the Fong score (wtKRAS [Akaike's Information Criterion]: classification and regression tree model 3334 vs Fong score 3341; mtKRAS [Akaike's Information Criterion]: classification and regression tree model 1356 vs Fong score 1396).

CONCLUSION

Machine learning methodology outperformed the traditional Fong clinical risk score and identified different factors, based on KRAS mutational status, as predictors of long-term prognosis.

Novel Machine Learning Approach to Identify Preoperative Risk Factors Associated With Super-Utilization of Medicare Expenditure Following Surgery

Importance

Typically defined as the top 5% of health care users, super-utilizers are responsible for an estimated 40% to 55% of all health care costs. Little is known about which factors may be associated with increased risk of long-term postoperative super-utilization.

Objective

To identify clusters of patients with distinct constellations of clinical and comorbid patterns who may be associated with an elevated risk of super-utilization in the year following elective surgery.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A retrospective longitudinal cohort study of 1 049 160 patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary artery bypass graft, colectomy, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, or lung resection were identified from the 100% Medicare inpatient and outpatient Standard Analytic Files at all inpatient facilities performing 1 or more of the evaluated surgical procedures from 2013 to 2015. Data from 2012 to 2016 were used to evaluate expenditures in the year preceding and following surgery. Using a machine learning approach known as Logic Forest, comorbidities and interactions of comorbidities that put patients at an increased chance of becoming a super-utilizer were identified. All comorbidities, as defined by the Charlson (range, 0-24) and Elixhauser (range, 0-29) comorbidity indices, were used in the analysis. Higher scores indicated higher comorbidity burden. Data analysis was completed on November 16, 2018.

Main Outcome and Measures

Super-utilization of health care in the year following surgery.

Results

In total, 1 049 160 patients met inclusion criteria and were included in the analytic cohort. Their median (interquartile range) age was 73 (69-78) years, and approximately 40% were male. Super-utilizers comprised 4.8% of the overall cohort (n = 79 746) yet incurred 31.7% of the expenditures. Although the difference in overall expenditures per person between super-utilizers ($4049) and low users ($2148) was relatively modest prior to surgery, the difference in expenditures between super-utilizers ($79 698) vs low users ($2977) was marked in the year following surgery. Risk factors associated with super-utilization of health care included hemiplegia/paraplegia (odds ratio, 5.2; 95% CI, 4.4-6.2), weight loss (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 2.9-4.2), and congestive heart failure with chronic kidney disease stages I to IV (odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 3.0-3.9).

Conclusions and Relevance

Super-utilizers comprised only a small fraction of the surgical population yet were responsible for a disproportionate amount of Medicare expenditure. Certain subpopulations were associated with super-utilization of health care following surgical intervention despite having lower overall use in the preoperative period.

The association between self-declared acute care surgery services and critical care resources: Results from a national survey

PURPOSE

We examined differences in critical care structures and processes between hospitals with Acute Care Surgery (ACS) versus general surgeon on call (GSOC) models for emergency general surgery (EGS) care.

METHODS

2811 EGS-capable hospitals were surveyed to examine structures and processes including critical care domains and ACS implementation. Differences between ACS and GSOC hospitals were compared using appropriate tests of association and logistic regression models.

RESULTS

272/1497 hospitals eligible for analysis (18.2%) reported they use an ACS model. EGS patients at ACS hospitals were more likely to be admitted to a combined trauma/surgical ICU or a dedicated surgical ICU. GSOC hospitals had lower adjusted odds of having 24-h ICU coverage, in-house intensivists or respiratory therapists, and 4/6 critical-care protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

Critical care delivery is a key component of EGS care. While harnessing of critical care structures and processes varies across hospitals that have implemented ACS, overall ACS models of care appear to have more robust critical care practices.

Impact of Surgeon Volume on Outcomes and Expenditure Among Medicare Beneficiaries Undergoing Liver Resection: the Effect of Minimally Invasive Surgery

BACKGROUND

Although the role of annual surgeon volume on perioperative outcomes after liver resection (LR) has been investigated, there is a paucity of data regarding the impact of surgeon volume on outcomes of minimally invasive LR (MILR) versus open LR (OLR).

METHODS

Patients undergoing LR between 2013 and 2015 were identified in the Medicare inpatient Standard Analytic Files. Patients were classified into three groups based on surgeons' annual caseload: low (≤ 2 cases), medium (3-5 cases), or high (≥ 6 cases). Short-term outcomes and expenditures of LR, stratified by surgeon volume and minimally invasive surgery (MIS), were examined.

RESULTS

Among 3403 surgeons performing LR on 7169 patients, approximately 90% of surgeons performed less than 5 liver resections per year for Medicare patients. Only 7.1% of patients underwent MILR (n = 506). After adjustment, the likelihood of experiencing a complication and death within 90 days decreased with increasing surgeon volume. Outcomes of open and MILR among low- or high-volume surgeon groups, including rates of complications, 30- and 90-day readmission and mortality were similar. However, the difference of average total episode payment between open and MIS was higher in the high-volume surgeon group (low volume: $2929 vs. medium volume: $2333 vs. high volume: $7055).

CONCLUSION

Annual surgeon volume was an important predictor of outcomes following LR. MILR had comparable results to open LR among both the low- and high-volume surgeons.

A Novel Classification of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Phenotypes Using Machine Learning Techniques: An International Multi-Institutional Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) generally have a poor prognosis, yet there can be heterogeneity in the patterns of presentation and associated outcomes. We sought to identify clusters of ICC patients based on preoperative characteristics that may have distinct outcomes based on differing patterns of presentation.

METHODS

Patients undergoing curative-intent resection of ICC between 2000 and 2017 were identified using a multi-institutional database. A cluster analysis was performed based on preoperative variables to identify distinct patterns of presentation. A classification tree was built to prospectively assign patients into cluster assignments.

RESULTS

Among 826 patients with ICC, three distinct presentation patterns were noted. Specifically, Cluster 1 (common ICC, 58.9%) consisted of individuals who had a small-size ICC (median 4.6 cm) and median carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels of 40.3 UI/mL and 2.6, respectively; Cluster 2 (proliferative ICC, 34.9%) consisted of patients who had larger-size tumors (median 9.0 cm), higher CA19-9 levels (median 72.0 UI/mL), and similar NLR (median 2.7); Cluster 3 (inflammatory ICC, 6.2%) comprised of patients with a medium-size ICC (median 6.2 cm), the lowest range of CA19-9 (median 26.2 UI/mL), yet the highest NLR (median 13.5) (all p < 0.05). Median OS worsened incrementally among the three different clusters {Cluster 1 vs. 2 vs. 3; 60.4 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 43.0-77.8) vs. 27.2 months (95% CI 19.9-34.4) vs. 13.3 months (95% CI 7.2-19.3); p < 0.001}. The classification tree used to assign patients into different clusters had an excellent agreement with actual cluster assignment (κ = 0.93, 95% CI 0.90-0.96).

CONCLUSION

Machine learning analysis identified three distinct prognostic clusters based solely on preoperative characteristics among patients with ICC. Characterizing preoperative patient heterogeneity with machine learning tools can help physicians with preoperative selection and risk stratification of patients with ICC.