Lean methodology in quality improvement

Measurement of quality and improvement in medicine has existed since Florence Nightingale's time. In modern times, medicine has sought to learn from other high-reliability industries such as aviation and nuclear power, where errors can result in catastrophic outcomes. Lean is a unique quality improvement strategy that seeks to improve both quality and safety by driving out waste and, where possible, standardizing work practices. It is a visual system with work aids and signals built into the workspace. An important tenet is that ideas come from the workers and that there is an iterative improvement. The improvement efforts are always viewed from the perspective of the customer, our patients, families, and coworkers. This paper describes the evolution of Lean in healthcare and highlights core principles of Lean. Examples are used to describe how various Lean tools can be applied by pediatric anesthesiologists to solve clinical problems.

Outcomes from wake up safe, the pediatric anesthesia quality improvement initiative

BACKGROUND

Wake Up Safe, a Patient Safety Organization founded by the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia, collects data on serious adverse events along with demographic data from all pediatric patients receiving anesthesia care at participating institutions. This report reviews all events occurring between 2010 and 2015 and focuses on common adverse events that are anesthesia-related.

AIMS

Determine which adverse events were most common from 2010 to 2015 among participating Wake Up Safe institutions. Determine how many anesthesia-related events were deemed to be preventable.

METHODS

This is a descriptive report. The Wake Up Safe registry data were queried on September 29, 2017. Institutions were included if they had complete demographic data and at least 5 adverse events per year reported. At that time, 19 out of 29 institutions had complete demographic data for events from 2010 to 2015. This study describes demographic data and adverse events from these nineteen institutions. Descriptive data were extracted, and event rate was calculated for each adverse event category. In events that were assessed as primarily related to anesthesia, further detailed analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Of all reported adverse events (2544 events), the most common were cardiac arrests (646, 31.6%), respiratory complications (598, 29.2%), and medication events (345, 16.9%). Of all anesthesia-related events (612 events), medication events were the most common (239, 31.9%), followed by respiratory complications (181, 24.1%), and cardiac arrests (139, 18.5%). Overall, 85% of anesthesia-related serious adverse events were deemed somewhat or almost certainly preventable.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of anesthesia-related serious adverse events reported to the Wake Up Safe database are preventable. Medication events are the most common anesthesia-related adverse events. Innovations aimed at decreasing medication events may be the most impactful.

A rare report on 18-month survival of a dog born with multiple anomalies including atresia ani

Long term survival of animals with major congenital anomalies is very rare. This report documents the 18-month survival of a dog with multiple anomalies including atresia ani. An 18-month-old black Cocker Spaniel bitch was presented for evaluation of prolapsed glands of the third eyelid involving both the eyes. Clinical examination revealed a single perineal opening, fecal matter in the vestibule, distended abdomen, hypoplastic vulva, and the absence of a tail without any neurological deficits. Abdominal contrast radiography revealed a distended colon with fecal stasis, rectovestibular fistula, termination of the rectum as a blind pouch, lumbar scoliosis due to block vertebrae, and the presence of only two hypoplastic coccygeal vertebrae. The case was diagnosed as atresia ani type II with rectovestibular fistula, hypoplastic vulva, lumbar scoliosis, and anury, in the global context of a caudal regression syndrome. The wide aperture fistula, connected to the vestibule, undamaged spinal cord and sacrum without any neurological deficits were the favorable prognostic factors that maintained continence and allowed the dog to survive to adult life with these anomalies. Thus, an appropriate bowel management program and specialty care can improve the quality of life and longevity of this animal.

Case series of 331 cases of sugammadex compared to neostigmine in patients under 2 years of age

BACKGROUND

Sugammadex is a novel neuromuscular blockade reversal agent approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2015, but little literature exists for patients less than 2 years of age.

AIMS

The aims of this study were to: describe a cohort of patients 2 years old and younger who received sugammadex; describe any adverse effects of sugammadex in this age group; compare time from end of surgery to out of operating room for sugammadex versus neostigmine; compare time between last dose of neuromuscular blocking drug and reversal; and use train-of-four data to assess reversal.

METHODS

Chart review of the medical record and the anesthesia information system captured all patients in this age cohort who received sugammadex or neostigmine over a two-year period. Adverse medication events were pulled from a mandatory quality improvement field in the electronic anesthesia record. T-tests were used for analyses.

RESULTS

No adverse effects were reported with 331 doses of sugammadex. The average time in minutes between end of surgery and out of operating room was similar for neostigmine (19.6) versus sugammadex (19.4) (mean difference 0.2, 95% CI -1.5-1.8, P = 0.85). The average time in minutes between last dose of neuromuscular blocking drug and reversal agent was longer for neostigmine (103) than for sugammadex (84) (mean difference 19, 95% CI 13-26, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Sugammadex administration in this young population did not result in any adverse effects. It appears to be equally effective as neostigmine in patients under 2 years of age.

Predictors of mortality in the elderly patient with a fracture of the odontoid process

Aims

Fracture of the odontoid process (OP) in the elderly is associated with mortality rates similar to those of hip fracture. The aim of this study was to identify variables that predict mortality in patients with a fracture of the OP, and to assess whether established hip fracture scoring systems such as the Nottingham Hip Fracture Score (NHFS) or Sernbo Score might also be used as predictors of mortality in these patients.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective review of patients aged 65 and over with an acute fracture of the OP from two hospitals. Data collected included demographics, medical history, residence, mobility status, admission blood tests, abbreviated mental test score, presence of other injuries, and head injury. All patients were treated in a semi-rigid cervical orthosis. Univariate and multivariate analysis were undertaken to identify predictors of mortality at 30 days and one year. A total of 82 patients were identified. There were 32 men and 50 women with a mean age of 83.7 years (67 to 100).

Results

Overall mortality was 14.6% at 30 days and 34.1% at one year. Univariate analysis revealed head injury and the NHFS to be significant predictors of mortality at 30 days and one year. Multivariate analysis showed that head injury is an independent predictor of mortality at 30 days and at one year. The NHFS was an independent predictor of mortality at one year. The presence of other spinal injuries was an independent predictor at 30 days. Following survival analysis, an NHFS score greater than 5 stratified patients into a significantly higher risk group at both 30 days and one year.

Conclusion

The NHFS may be used to identify high-risk patients with a fracture of the OP. Head injury increases the risk of mortality in patients with a fracture of the OP. This may help to guide multidisciplinary management and to inform patients. This paper provides evidence to suggest that frailty rather than age alone may be important as a predictor of mortality in elderly patients with a fracture of the odontoid process. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:253–259.

Metabolic Characteristics in Obese Patients Complicated by Mild Thyroid Hormone Deficiency

The prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is increasing, especially in obese people. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in metabolic profiles between obese patients with mild increased thyrotropin (TSH) or with normal TSH. A total of 219 obese patients were recruited in this cross-sectional study. They were divided into 2 groups: obese patients with normal TSH (0.35-2.5 mU/l) and age-, and body mass index (BMI)-matched obese patients with higher-normal TSH (2.5-5.5 mU/l). We have named it compensatory hypothyroidism or mild thyroid hormone deficiency. Anthropometric data, glucose-lipid metabolism, markers of inflammation, body composition, and thyroid function parameters were measured. Results showed that: 1) The levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in obese patients complicated by mild increased TSH than in obese patients with normal TSH (p<0.05). The fasting insulin (FINS) and C reactive protein (CRP) levels were significantly higher in obese patients complicated by mild increased TSH when compared to the obese patients with normal TSH (p<0.01). Jostel's TSH index (TSHI) and standard TSH index (sTSHI) were significantly higher in obesity with mild increased TSH when compared to obesity with normal TSH (both p<0.001). Thyroid's secretory capacity (GT) was significantly lower in obesity with mild increased TSH when compared to obesity with normal TSH (p<0.001). 2) In the obese patients complicated by mild increased TSH group, serum TSH was significantly positively correlated with ALT, AST and CP (p<0.05). In the obese patients with normal TSH group, serum TSH was significantly positively correlated with UA (p<0.05). In all subjects, serum TSH was significantly positively correlated with ALT, AST, FINS, CP, CRP, and UA (p<0.05), but negatively with DBP, FPG, and HDL-C (p<0.05). 3) There was significant difference of the prevalence of hyperinsulinemia and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) between the 2 groups (p<0.05). In Conclusion, obesity complicated by mild increased TSH manifested higher fasting insulin levels, more severe chronic low-grade inflammation, and lower HDL-C levels than obesity with normal TSH.

Wake Up Safe and root cause analysis: quality improvement in pediatric anesthesia

In 2006, the Quality and Safety Committee of the Society for Pediatric Anesthesia initiated a quality improvement project for the specialty of pediatric anesthesiology that ultimately resulted in the development of Wake Up Safe (WUS), a patient safety organization that maintains a registry of de-identified, serious adverse events. The ultimate goal of WUS is to implement change in processes of care that improve the quality and safety of anesthetic care provided to pediatric patients nationwide. Member institutions of WUS submit data regarding the types and numbers of anesthetics performed and information pertaining to serious adverse events. Before a member institution submits data for any serious adverse event, 3 anesthesiologists who were not involved in the event must analyze the event with a root cause analysis (RCA) to identify the causal factor(s). Because institutions across the country use many different RCA methods, WUS educated its members on RCA methods in an effort to standardize the analysis and evaluate each serious adverse event that is submitted. In this review, we summarize the background and development of this patient safety initiative, describe the standardized RCA method used by its members, demonstrate the use of this RCA method to analyze a serious event that was reported, and discuss the ways WUS plans to use the data to promote safer anesthetic practices for children.

Two-agent analgesia versus acetaminophen in children having bilateral myringotomies and tubes surgery

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine whether the incidence of emergence agitation (EA) can be reduced by adding an additional, faster onset, non-IV analgesic, intranasal fentanyl or intramuscular (im) ketorolac to rectal acetaminophen.

AIM

To compare the incidence of EA after analgesia with two agents vs acetaminophen alone in pediatric patients after bilateral myringotomy procedures (BM&T).

BACKGROUND

Anesthesia for BM&T is usually performed with volatile anesthetics as a single agent without securing intravenous access. The anesthetic agent most commonly used is sevoflurane; however, EA has been reported in up to 67% of patients. Emergence agitation is distressing for parents, can impair the ability of nursing staff to adequately monitor the child, and can result in a child injuring him/herself if it is severe.

METHODS/MATERIALS

A standardized anesthetic was used with oral midazolam premedication and sevoflurane for induction, and maintenance of anesthesia. All patients received 40 mg·kg(-1) rectal acetaminophen, group 1 received acetaminophen alone, group 2 received acetaminophen and 1 mcg·kg(-1) of intranasal fentanyl, and group 3 received acetaminophen and 1 mg·kg(-1) of intramuscular ketorolac. Incidence of EA was compared using chi-square test between the acetaminophen group alone vs the two-agent analgesia groups combined.

RESULTS

  There were no differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the three groups for the incidence of EA at any time point during recovery from anesthesia nor were there any significant differences in pain scores or side effects. No significant side effects because of the administration of a second analgesic agent were reported.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that two-agent analgesia is not superior to acetaminophen alone for decreasing the incidence of EA after inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane for BM&T surgery. Our overall incidence of EA was low compared to previous studies, which could potentially have decreased our ability to detect differences between groups.

Risk factors for adverse events in children with colds emerging from anesthesia: a logistic regression

BACKGROUND

Recent upper respiratory infection (URI) in children increases respiratory adverse events following anesthesia for elective surgery. The increased risk continues weeks after resolution of acute URI symptoms. Few systematic analyses have explored specific risk factors. This logistic regression explores the relationship between preoperative URI symptoms and adverse events during emergence from anesthesia.

METHODS

Data were combined from control groups of several prospective observational and interventional studies in elective pediatric anesthesia in a tertiary care pediatric hospital. In each study, a blinded observer, distinct from the anesthesia care team, prospectively recorded the presence of stridor, oxygen desaturations (and their duration), coughing and laryngospasm. Parents were subsequently asked about the presence of 10 cold symptoms during the 6 weeks prior to operation.

RESULTS

Our model, based on a dataset of 335 patients, did not demonstrate an association between any particular symptoms and the rate of respiratory adverse events during emergence from anesthesia, with the exception of low-grade fever which appeared to be mildly protective. Respiratory adverse events were affected by the airway management technique (device used and timing of extubation), and adverse events were increased if peak URI symptoms had occurred within the preceding 4 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific preoperative symptoms were not useful in predicting respiratory adverse events during emergence from anesthesia.