scholarly journals 1454 The Challenges of Consent and COVID-19: Analysis of Documentation of Risk of Hospital Acquired COVID-19 Infection in a District General Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Davis ◽  
S Mishra ◽  
J Cooke
Keyword(s):  
District General Hospital ◽  
Medical Intervention ◽  
Lifestyle Advice ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Multiple Points ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Surgical Department ◽  
Substantial Risk ◽  
New Material ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for society and raised further challenges for medical practice. It poses a new material risk to any hospital admission or procedure, and consenting practice must modify to accommodate this. Aim To assess the documentation of the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated morbidity in consenting practice, using the existing consent form as benchmark, for patient’s undergoing general surgical procedures under general anaesthesia. Method Retrospective case-note analysis of 41 general surgical inpatient consent forms and operation notes during April 2020. Data were gathered on multiple points mentioned in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) guidance. This includes documentation of risk of COVID-19 infection, the patient’s diagnosis, other risk documentation, peri-operative lifestyle advice and likelihood of success. Results Of 41 cases, 16 (39%) had risk of chest infection documented. Of these 16, 10 (63%) specified COVID-19 in the risk documentation. Further, morbidity related to COVID-19 was documented in 4 out of 41 (10%) cases identified. Conclusions A material risk is classified as anything that poses substantial risk to a patient, and it is vital that they are made aware of this prior to undertaking any form of medical intervention. This study demonstrates deviation from RCS guidance, and the results have been discussed and distributed within the general surgical department. Advice has been communicated regarding improvements required in consenting practice from the clinical lead. We aim to re-audit practice in the coming months.

scholarly journals EP.WE.628The Challenges of Consent and COVID-19: Analysis of Documentation of Risk of Hospital Acquired COVID-19 Infection in a District General Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashwat Mishra ◽  
Heather Davis ◽  
Wei Jian Tan ◽  
Joanne Cooke
Keyword(s):  
General Hospital ◽  
Surgical Procedures ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Case Note ◽  
Teaching Session ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
New Material ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Aims The COVID-19 pandemic poses a new material risk to hospital admissions and we must modify consenting practice accordingly. This study assessed documentation of the risk of COVID-19 infection and associated morbidity in consenting practice for patients undergoing general surgical procedures under general anaesthesia at a district general hospital. Methods This is was a two-cycle study design. An initial retrospective case-note analysis of 41 inpatient consent forms and operation notes during April 2020 was performed. Data were gathered on points from the Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) guidance, including documentation of risk of COVID-19 infection. Recommendations were then offered including a teaching session from the departmental lead into the importance of documenting risk of COVID-19 infection. A prospective case-note analysis of 45 inpatient consent forms and operation notes during November to December 2020 was then performed. Results In cycle one, of 41 cases, 39% (16) had risk of chest infection documented. Of these, 16 (63%) specified COVID-19 in risk documentation. Morbidity related to COVID-19 was documented in 4 (25%) of these 16 cases. Following interventions, of 45 cases, 93% had risk of COVID-19 infection and associated morbidity documented (χ2 = 89.3646, p < 0.00001 significant at p < 0.05). Conclusion We initially identified a deviation from RCS consent guidance. The second cycle results show a significant improvement in consenting practice for the risk of contracting COVID-19 for inpatient surgical procedures. We aim to further refine our recommendations to ensure that this material risk is communicated to patients during the initial consent process.

scholarly journals Hip Fractures in Centenarians: Has Care Improved in the National Hip Fracture Database Era?

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair G. Dick ◽  
Dominic Davenport ◽  
Mohit Bansal ◽  
Therese S. Burch ◽  
Max R. Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Hip Fracture ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Hip Fractures ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Hospital Length ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Time To Surgery ◽  
Surgery Mortality ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Introduction: The number of centenarians in the United Kingdom is increasing. An associated increase in the incidence of hip fractures in the extreme elderly population is expected. The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) initiative was introduced in 2007 aiming to improve hip fracture care. There is a paucity of literature on the outcomes of centenarians with hip fractures since its introduction. The aim of this study is to report our experience of hip fractures in centenarians in the era since the introduction of the NHFD to assess outcomes in terms of mortality, time to surgery, length of stay, and complications. Methods: A retrospective case note study of all centenarians managed for a hip fracture over a 7-year period at a London district general hospital. Results: We report on 22 centenarians sustaining 23 hip fractures between 2008 and 2015. Twenty-one fractures were managed operatively. For patients managed operatively, in-hospital, 30-day, 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year cumulative mortalities were 30%, 30%, 39%, 50%, 77%, 86%, 95%, and 100%, respectively. In-hospital mortality was 100% for those managed nonoperatively. Mean time to surgery was 1.6 days (range: 0.7-6.3 days). Mean length of stay on the acute orthopedic ward was 23 days (range: 2-51 days). Seventy-one percent had a postoperative complication most commonly a hospital-acquired pneumonia or urinary tract infection. Conclusion: Compared to a series of centenarians with hip fractures prior to the introduction of the NHFD, we report a reduced time to surgery. Mortality and hospital length of stay were similar.

scholarly journals Association between ward-transfers and hospital-acquired infection: a study using routine data

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Boncea ◽  
P Expert ◽  
C Costelloe
Keyword(s):  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Routine Data ◽  
Pathogen Transmission ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Trust ◽  
London Hospital ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Abstract Ward-transfers have become more common as hospital staff balance patient needs with bed availability on specific wards. However, increased movement through the hospital may leave patients more vulnerable to potential infectious pathogen transmission routes via increased exposure to contaminated surfaces and more contacts with individuals. This may increase their risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), an adverse event associated with greater antibiotic resistance, patient costs, morbidity, and mortality. This study aimed to quantify the association between the number of ward-transfers undergone during a hospital spell and the outcome of HAI. As elderly patients comprise a large proportion of hospital users and are a high-risk population for HAIs, analysis was focused on people over 65-years old. A retrospective case-control study was undertaken using data extracted from electronic health records and microbiology cultures of non-elective medical admissions to a London hospital trust between January 2016 and December 2018 (n = 24,439). Logistic regression was used to obtain the odds ratio for developing a HAI as a function of the number of ward-transfers until onset of HAI for cases, or hospital discharge for controls, while controlling for covariates including length of stay, procedures and comorbidities. Each additional ward-transfer increased the odds of developing a HAI by 8% (OR 1.08; 95%CI:1.04-1.12). The hospital is a complex environment, and interventions should be viewed in light of their impact on the system as a whole. These findings indicate that non-essential ward-transfers of elderly patients should be minimised. This may lower the incidence of infections in this population, potentially reduce the number of pathogen transmission routes in hospitals and alleviate staff burden incurred by ward-transfer associated procedures. Key messages We analysed 3 years of patient movement and microbiology data of elderly patients in a London hospital trust. Each ward-transfer increased the risk of developing a hospital-acquired infection by 8%. Reducing the number of non-essential ward-transfers patients undergo may lower the incidence of hospital-acquired infections; the decision to move a patient should therefore be carefully considered.

scholarly journals 1185. Association Between Blood Product Transfusion and Development of Hospital Acquired Infections or Mortality in Patients Admitted to the Hospital Wards. A Retrospective Case-Control Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S617-S617
Author(s):  
Arunmozhi S Aravagiri ◽  
Ayutyanont Napatkamon ◽  
Sabhyata Sharma ◽  
Timothy Collins ◽  
Chimezie Ubbaonu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Control Study ◽  
Case Control ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Blood Products ◽  
Multivariable Model ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
Hospital Wards ◽  
Control Study

Abstract Background Transfusion of blood products has been shown to be associated with increased mortality and risk of infections in critically ill patients and following cardiac surgery [1-2]. However, there is scarce data evaluating this association in patients admitted to hospital wards. Here we seek to see if transfusion of blood products carries the same risk of infection and mortality in more stable patients. Methods This was a retrospective case-control study of patients admitted to the internal medicine wards who received packed red blood cells (PRBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or platelet transfusions, using data from the HCA Healthcare administrative database from 2016 to 2019. Patients admitted with an infection, on steroids or other immunosuppressant medications were excluded. ICD-10 codes at discharge were used to determine hospital acquired infections (HAI). The presence of HAI was the dependent variable. A multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the effects of the independent variables on development of HAI after adjusting for age and Carlson’s Comorbidity Index. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Primary outcome of study was presence of HAI, while secondary outcome was mortality in transfused vs. non-transfused patients. Results A total of 1952 subjects were included in the study analysis. Of these, 653 or 33.4% had a HAI during their admission. Adjusted multivariable model showed transfusion of PRBC (OR 1.14, 95%CI 0.85-1.52), platelets (OR 1.41, 95% CI 0.93-2.10) or FFP (OR 1.27 95%CI 0.90-1.75) was not associated with increased odds of having a HAI. The multivariable model however, did show an increase in odds of mortality in patients who were transfused with PRBC (OR 2.51, 95%CI 1.78-3.54), platelets (OR 3.17, 95%CI 2.01-5.0) or FFP (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.89-4.08) compared to non-transfused. Conclusion Our data failed to show association between transfusion of blood products and HAI. However, it showed there was significant increase in mortality in patients that had received blood products during their admission. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Open Appendicectomy under Spinal Anesthesia—A Valuable Alternative during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. e69-e72
Author(s):  
Dinh Van Chi Mai ◽  
Alex Sagar ◽  
Oliver Claydon ◽  
Ji Young Park ◽  
Niteen Tapuria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Spinal Anesthesia ◽  
Stated Preference ◽  
Case Series ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Complication Rates ◽  
Open Appendicectomy ◽  
Surgical Department ◽  
The United Kingdom

Abstract Introduction Concerns relating to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and general anesthesia (GA) prompted our department to consider that open appendicectomy under spinal anesthesia (SA) avoids aerosolization from intubation and laparoscopy. While common in developing nations, it is unusual in the United Kingdom. We present the first United Kingdom case series and discuss its potential role during and after this pandemic. Methods We prospectively studied patients with appendicitis at a British district general hospital who were unsuitable for conservative management and consequently underwent open appendicectomy under SA. We also reviewed patient satisfaction after 30 days. This ran for 5 weeks from March 25th, 2020 until the surgical department reverted to the laparoscopic appendicectomy as the standard of care. Main outcomes were 30-day complication rates and patient satisfaction. Results None of the included seven patients were COVID positive. The majority (four-sevenths) had complicated appendicitis. There were no major adverse (Clavien-Dindo grade III to V) postoperative events. Two patients suffered minor postoperative complications. Two experienced intraoperative pain. Mean operative time was 44 minutes. Median length of stay and return to activity was 1 and 14 days, respectively. Although four stated preference in hindsight for GA, the majority (five-sevenths) were satisfied with the operative experience under SA. Discussion Although contraindications, risk of pain, and specific complications may be limiting, our series demonstrates open appendicectomy under SA to be safe and feasible in the United Kingdom. The technique could be a valuable contingency for COVID-suspected cases and patients with high-risk respiratory disease.

scholarly journals 1229 Standardising Consent for General Surgical Patients

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Mamun ◽  
E Charles
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Hernia Repair ◽  
General Surgery ◽  
Case Note ◽  
Surgical Patients ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Incision And Drainage ◽  
Consent Forms ◽  
Surgical Practice

Abstract Aim Informed consent requires all material risks to be discussed, as per Montgomery vs Lanarkshire 2015. This audit was based on the latest RCS England guidelines on consenting patients. We aimed to assess our adherence and to introduce standardised procedure-specific consent stickers to ensure the highest standards of care, which were reproducible. Method We undertook two retrospective case note reviews of patients undergoing emergency and elective general surgery procedures from 01/01-15/06 and 01/10-30/11 in 2020. RCS Good Surgical Practice 3.5.1 “Consent” details the standards for this audit. We included patients undergoing appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, incision and drainage and hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, and incisional). We did not audit laparotomy due to variability in procedural risks precluding a specific sticker and we excluded patients unable to give consent. Results Our initial audit of 82 patients highlighted the variability between practitioners in the material risk discussion. Different patients undergoing the same procedures were being consented differently with significant omissions. We designed procedure specific-consent stickers to be used when consenting to address this imbalance and made these stickers available on surgical wards. A re-audit of 50 patients showed increase from 41% to 88% in documentation of material risks. While only 34% of the audited consent forms featured the stickers, those forms that did have the stickers on had 100% material risk documentation. Conclusions We saw an improvement in material risk discussion by implementing procedure-specific consent stickers. This supports the growing need for standardising consent across General Surgery to reduce variability. We will next aim to design laparotomy stickers.

scholarly journals Antibiotic usage rates in bacterial versus nonbacterial diseases: a new way to monitor hospital-acquired infections in children: a retrospective case analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 2176
Author(s):  
Jayendra R. Gohil ◽  
Chintu C. Chaudary ◽  
Sheena D. Sivanandan
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Usage ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Group A ◽  
Added Benefit ◽  
Reduction Of Mortality ◽  
Group B ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
Selection Of

Background: While treating children, the selection of antibiotics, when indicated, should be from the point of its effectiveness, safety, suitability, and cost. However, this flow of action does not take place in all cases. Aim of the study was to assess the antibiotic usage in admitted children and mortality.Methods: The case records between January to July 2012 in children wards was evaluated for the use of antibiotics. Patients were grouped into; group A- ‘must use' antibiotic in all, and group B- where antibiotics are not indicated.Results: There were 1852 admissions, including 719 Thalassemia cases. Antibiotic usage was 63% in 1133 cases after excluding thalassemia. Out of 1133 cases, 423 were in group A and 710 cases were in group B. In group B the antibiotic usage was 41%. The mortality was 6.6% and 4.8% in group A and B. Inside group B, mortality was 5.9% versus 4.0% in those administered versus not administered, antibiotics.Conclusions: There was no increase in mortality in patients in whom antibiotics were not prescribed, and no added benefit of prescribing antibiotics was observed in nonbacterial group B disease patients. The mortality was similar in both the groups. In nonbacterial group B, the antibiotics did not offer any advantage in the reduction of mortality, but increased the cost of the treatment, and possibly the chance of development of drug resistance and adverse events. When analysing the hospital antibiotic usage, only the nonbacterial diseases should be considered to get a true picture of the inappropriate prescription of antibiotics.

SP6.1.10 Can gallbladder polyp surveillance be justified? Experience of a large DGH

2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Bradley ◽  
Michael Wilson ◽  
Christopher Shearer ◽  
Timothy Heron ◽  
Katie Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incidental Finding ◽  
Case Series ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Gallbladder Polyps ◽  
Abnormal Pathology ◽  
Gallbladder Malignancy

Abstract Aims Gallbladder polyps are typically an incidental finding on sonographic or pathological examination with an estimated prevalence of 0.3 – 9.5%. Their role as a precursor to gallbladder malignancy is disputed. The 2017 European Joint Society Guidelines (ESGAR/EAES/EFISDS/ESGE) aim to standardise management of gallbladder polyps detected prior to cholecystectomy. We aim to describe our experience in the management of gallbladder polyps in a district general hospital. Methods This single centre retrospective case series included consecutive cholecystectomies over an 8-year period, identified through pathology records. Medical records were interrogated to identify the presence of gallbladder polyps identified pre-operatively and at subsequent histopathological analysis. Results 3835 cases were included. Four cases (0.1%) had an adenocarcinoma identified; none of these had pre-operatively identified polyps. Two cases (0.05%) were found to have lesions with high-grade dysplasia, 1 of which had a 17mm polyp preoperatively. One case (0.03%) had cellular atypia, without a pre-operative polyp. Forty six cases (1.2%) were found to have low-grade dysplasia; 1 (2.2%) of these had adenomyomatosis pre-operatively but none had pre-operative polyps. Overall, 53 patients (1.4%) had abnormal pathology with only 1 (1.9%) of these having a pre-operative polyp identified. Conclusions Our results suggest that in the real-world setting, intensive surveillance of gallbladder polyps has limited utility in identifying cases of gallbladder malignancy. The burden on services produced by adherence to strict surveillance guidelines is difficult to justify and a less arduous approach is unlikely to significantly influence the management or outcome in patients with gallbladder malignancy.

scholarly journals ECG in suspected pulmonary embolism

2019 ◽  
Vol 95 (1119) ◽  
pp. 12-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Duncan Thomson ◽  
Georgios Kourounis ◽  
Rebecca Trenear ◽  
Claudia-Martina Messow ◽  
Petr Hrobar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Suspected Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Ecg Changes ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Strain Pattern ◽  
Pulmonary Angiogram ◽  
Large Clot

ObjectiveTo establish the diagnostic value of prespecified ECG changes in suspected pulmonary embolism (PE).MethodsRetrospective case–control study in a district general hospital setting. We identified 189 consecutive patients with suspected PE whose CT pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) was positive for a first PE and for whom an ECG taken at the time of presentation was available. We matched these for age±3 years with 189 controls with suspected PE whose CTPA was negative. We considered those with large (n=76) and small (n=113) clot load separately. We scored each ECG for the presence or absence of eight features that have been reported to occur more commonly in PE.Results20%–25% of patients with PE, including those with large clot load, had normal ECGs. The most common ECG abnormality in patients with PE was sinus tachycardia (28%). S1Q3T3 (3.7%), P pulmonale (0.5%) and right axis deviation (4.2%) were infrequent findings. Right bundle branch block (9.0%), atrial dysrhythmias (10.1%) and clockwise rotation (20.1%) occurred more frequently but were also common in controls. Right ventricular (RV) strain pattern was significantly more commonly in patients than controls, 11.1% vs 2.6% (sensitivity 11.1%, specificity 97.4%; OR 4.58, 95% CI 1.63 to 15.91; p=0.002), particularly in those with large clot load, 17.1% vs 2.6% (sensitivity 17.1%, specificity 97.4%; OR 7.55, 95% CI 1.62 to 71.58; p=0.005).ConclusionAn ECG showing RV strain in a breathless patient is highly suggestive of PE. Many of the other ECG changes that have been described in PE occur too infrequently to be of predictive value.

scholarly journals Using Clinical and Biochemical Parameters for Safer Discharges in COVID-19: A Comparative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-45
Author(s):  
Lashmar V ◽  
Siddavaram S ◽  
D’Cruz LG ◽  
Khan AB ◽  
Husain SA
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Parameters ◽  
Roc Analysis ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
District General Hospital ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
Combined Test ◽  
Prognostic Outcome ◽  
Auc Value ◽  
Control Study

The objective of this retrospective case control study was to determine clinical and biochemical parameters associated with a poorer prognostic outcome in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonias and use these to create safe discharge guidelines. This study in a single respiratory ward of a district general hospital compared admission and discharge C- reactive protein (CRP) levels, eosinophil and lymphocyte counts, respiratory rate, oxygen saturations and NEWS2 score from two groups of patients admitted with either confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia (46 patients) or pneumonia of other aetiology (45 patients). Outcome was defined as either ‘good’ or ‘poor’. Combined values of prognostic markers analysed by binary logistic regression followed by ROC analysis showed a final combined AUC value of 0.955 thus yielding a test that had a better prognostic capability in predicting the outcome of patients with COVID-19. This combined test could be used to guide safe discharge of patients with COVID-19.

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