A quality improvement intervention on surgical prophylaxis impact in antibiotic consumption and cost in selected surgical procedures

BACKGROUND

Improper compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis (AP) in surgery is associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection (SSI), and impacts the efficiency of healthcare.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate the impact of an intervention in compliance with AP in selected surgical procedures and its effect on antibiotic consumption and cost.

METHODS

A prospective interventional study was performed in a community hospital from January to December 2022. The baseline period was considered January-April 2022 and the intervention period May-December 2022. All patients who underwent cesarean section, appendectomies, hernia surgery, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), abdominoplasty, and cholecystectomy during the study period were selected. The intervention includes staff education, pharmacy interventions, monitoring the quality of prescriptions and feedback, and improved role of anesthesia staff, and department champions.

RESULTS

The study involved 192 and 617 surgical procedures in the baseline and intervention periods respectively. The compliance with timing, selection, dose, and discontinuation achieved 100%, 99.2%, and 97.6% from baseline figures of 92.7%, 95.8%, and 81.3%, respectively. The antibiotic consumption was reduced by 55.1% during the intervention with a higher contribution of other antibiotics (94.1% reduction) in comparison with antibiotics as per policy (31.2% reduction). The cost was reduced by 47.2% (antibiotic as per policy 31.9%, other antibiotics 94.2%).

CONCLUSION

The implemented strategy was effective in improving the quality of antibiotic prophylaxis with a significant impact in reducing antibiotic consumption and cost.

Exploratory study on gastrostomy in patients with neurological diseases: usefulness and impact

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a useful intervention for patients with impaired swallowing and a functional gastrointestinal system. Neurological diseases that cause neuromotor dysphagia, brain tumors, and cerebrovascular disease are the most frequent indications; complications are rare, and morbidity and mortality rates are low.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the usefulness of PEG in patients with neurological diseases, and its impact on care, survival, and costs and benefits.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective observational study, reviewing clinical files of patients hospitalised at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery (years 2015-2017) who underwent PEG placement.

RESULTS

The sample included 51 patients: 62.7% were women and the mean (SD) age was 54.4 (18.6) years (range, 18-86). Diagnosis was tumor in 37.3% of cases and cerebrovascular disease in 33.3%. Sixteen patients (33.3%) died and 11 presented minor complications. The PEG tube remained in place for a mean of 9.14 months; in 52.9% of patients it was removed due to lack of improvement and/or tolerated oral intake, with removal occurring after a mean of 5.1 (4.4) months. Among patients' family members, 78.4% reported a great benefit, 43.1% reported difficulty caring for the PEG, and 45.1% reported complicated care in general. The monthly cost of maintaining the PEG was €175.78 on average (range, 38.38-293.45).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This preliminary study reveals that PEG was well indicated in patients with neurological diseases, with survival rates similar to those reported in other studies with long follow-up periods. In patients with cerebrovascular disease, the PEG tube remained in place a mean of 9.14 months, during recovery of swallowing function; however, the cost is high for our population.

Direct cost of medical care in patients with gonarthrosis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the cost of medical care in patients with gonarthrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cost study in patients over 40 years of age with gonarthrosis, diagnosed according to the radiological classification of Kellgren and Lawrence. The average annual cost (euros) was estimated taking the unit cost plus average use of services such as family medicine, imaging, laboratory, electrodiagnosis, orthopedics, hospitalization, physical therapy, surgery, nutrition, preoperative assessment and medication. Projections based on assumptions were made for three scenarios.

RESULTS

Grade 2 gonarthrosis predominated at 39.7% (95% confidence interval, 33.8 - 45.6). The annual cost of care for a patient with gonarthrosis was €108.87 in the intermediate scenario, €86.73 in the lower cost scenario and €132.60 in the higher cost scenario. For a population of 119,530,753 inhabitants, with 10,937,064 gonarthrosis patients, the annual cost in the intermediate scenario was €1,190,685,273 and represented 4.48% of the health expenditure.

CONCLUSION

The average annual cost of gonarthrosis is relatively low, but when related to prevalence and prevalence trends, it can become a serious problem for health services.