Mobility scores as a predictor of length of stay in general surgery: a prospective cohort study

2018 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 860-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia M. Carroll ◽  
Jacob Hampton ◽  
Rosemary Carroll ◽  
Stephen R. Smith
2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chutchawan Ungthammakhun ◽  
Vasin Vasikasin ◽  
Dhitiwat Changpradub

Abstract Background: Extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) is an important cause of nosocomial pneumonia with limited therapeutic options. Colistin based regimen is recommended treatment. Which drugs should be combined with colistin remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical outcomes of patients with XDRAB pneumonia who were treated with colistin, combined with either 6-g sulbactam or carbapenems, in the setting of high MIC to sulbactam. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, hospitalized patients diagnosed with XDRAB pneumonia in Phramongkutklao Hospital were enrolled. The primary outcome was the 28-day mortality. Secondary outcomes were 7 and 14-day mortality, length of stay, ventilator days and factors associated with mortality. Results: From 1 July 2016 to 30 September 2017, 192 patients were included; 92 received colistin plus sulbactam and 90 received colistin plus carbapenems. Most of the patients were male diagnosed with ventilator associated pneumonia in medical intensive care unit. Overall mortality rates at 7, 14, 28 days were 24.2%, 37.4%, 53.3%, respectively. Mortality rates did not differ between sulbactam group and carbapenems groups at 7 days (19.6% vs. 28.9%, p-value 0.424, adjusted HR 1.277; 95% CI = 0.702-2.322), 14 days (34.8% vs. 40%, p = 0.658, adjusted HR 1.109; 95% CI = 0.703-1.749) and 28 days (51.1% vs. 55.6%, p = 0.857, adjusted HR 1.038; 95% CI = 0.690-1.562). Length of stay, ICU days and ventilator days did not differ. Complications of treatment including acute kidney injury were not statistically different. Conclusions: In XDRAB pneumonia with high MIC to sulbactam, mortality rates were not statistically significant between colistin plus 6-g sulbactam and colistin plus carbapenems. Keywords: XDR A. baumannii pneumonia, mortality rate, colistin based, sulbactam, carbapenems


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johane P. Allard ◽  
Heather Keller ◽  
Khursheed N. Jeejeebhoy ◽  
Manon Laporte ◽  
Don R. Duerksen ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd J. Einsiedel ◽  
Eileen van Iersel ◽  
Robert Macnamara ◽  
Tim Spelman ◽  
Malcolm Heffernan ◽  
...  

Objective. To determine rates and risk factors for self-discharge by Aboriginal medical inpatients at Alice Springs Hospital. Methods. Prospective cohort study. Interviews were conducted in primary language by Aboriginal Liaison Officers, from July 2006 to August 2007. Topics included understanding of diagnosis, satisfaction with services and perceptions of staff and environment. Risk factors for self-discharge were then determined prospectively. Results. During the study period 202 (14.7%) of 1380 patients admitted to general medical units at Alice Springs Hospital, were interviewed. Self-discharge rates for all admissions were significantly lower during the study period than they had been previously (pre-study, mean 22.9 ± standard error 0.3%; study, 17.0 ± 0.2%) (P < 0.001). Most interviewees (73.4%) did not know their reason for admission (73.4%) or estimated length of stay (82.3%). Forty interviewees (19.8%) self-discharged. Mean monthly self-discharge rates differed between the three medical units (Unit A, 13.9 ± 0.3%; Unit B, 17.3 ± 1.37%; Unit C, 20.0 ± 0.4%) (P = 0.005). Multivariable predictors of self-discharge included male sex (hazard ratio (HR) 2.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1, 5.2), a past history of self-discharge (HR 3.2; 95%CI 1.5, 6), planned transfer to a tertiary referral centre (HR 3.8; 95%CI 1.3–7.4) and a desire to drink alcohol (HR 4.5; 95%CI 1.8–10.2). Conclusions. Physician, institutional and patient factors all contribute to self-discharge. Improving cultural safety may be the key to lowering self-discharge rates. What is known about the topic? Rates of self-discharge by Aboriginal adults in Central Australia are the highest reported worldwide. Previous studies have been retrospective and focussed on patient demographics without addressing the environmental and cultural contexts in which self-discharge occurs. What does this paper add? In this acute care setting, we found a pervasive failure to communicate effectively with Aboriginal patients. Consequently, most patients were unaware of their diagnosis or length of stay. Self-discharge was a common practice; nearly half of all previously admitted patients had self-discharged in the past. We demonstrate that physician, hospital and patient factors all contribute to this practice. Prospectively determined risk factors included the treating medical team, the need for transfer outside Central Australia, and patient factors such as male gender and alcohol dependence. Self-discharge rates fell significantly with Aboriginal Liaison involvement. What are the implications for practitioners? Cross-cultural communication skills must be markedly improved among medical staff caring for this marginalised population. Critical to reducing rates of self-discharge are improvements in institutional cultural safety by involving Aboriginal Liaison Officers and family members. However, persistently high self-discharge rates suggest a need to redirect medical services to a more culturally appropriate community-based model of care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Webster ◽  
Karen New ◽  
Mary Fenn ◽  
Mary Batch ◽  
Alyson Eastgate ◽  
...  

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the incidence of and patient outcomes associated with frequent patient moves. Methods In a prospective cohort study, any bed move and the reason for the move were documented. Patients were assessed on admission for anxiety, social support and delirium. Adverse events, length of stay and satisfaction were recorded. Patients moved three or more times were compared with those moved less than three times. Results In all, 566 patients admitted to a tertiary referral hospital were included in the study. Of these, 156 patients (27.6%) were moved once, 46 (8.1%) were moved twice and 28 (4.9%) were moved at least three times. Those moved three or more times were almost threefold more likely to have an adverse event recorded compared with those moved fewer times (relative risk (RR) 2.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18, 6.42; P = 0.02) and to have a hospital stay twice as long (RR 7.10; 95% CI 2.60, 11.60; P = 0.002). Levels of satisfaction and anxiety were not affected by frequent moves and there was no effect on delirium. Conclusion Frequent bed moves affect patient safety and prolong length of stay. What is known about the topic? Retrospective and qualitative studies suggest that patient safety and costs may be affected by frequent patient moves. What does this paper add? The present study is the first prospective study to assess the negative effects of frequent patient moves on specific patient outcomes, such as adverse events, length of stay and satisfaction with care. What are the implications for practitioners? Within- and between-ward moves may affect patient safety. Patients should be moved only when there is a clear and unavoidable reason for doing so.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e024506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Tørnes ◽  
David McLernon ◽  
Max Bachmann ◽  
Stanley Musgrave ◽  
Elizabeth A Warburton ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo determine whether stroke patients’ acute hospital length of stay (AHLOS) varies between hospitals, over and above case mix differences and to investigate the hospital-level explanatory factors.DesignA multicentre prospective cohort study.SettingEight National Health Service acute hospital trusts within the Anglia Stroke & Heart Clinical Network in the East of England, UK.ParticipantsThe study sample was systematically selected to include all consecutive patients admitted within a month to any of the eight hospitals, diagnosed with stroke by an accredited stroke physician every third month between October 2009 and September 2011.Primary and secondary outcome measuresAHLOS was defined as the number of days between date of hospital admission and discharge or death, whichever came first. We used a multiple linear regression model to investigate the association between hospital (as a fixed-effect) and AHLOS, adjusting for several important patient covariates, such as age, sex, stroke type, modified Rankin Scale score (mRS), comorbidities and inpatient complications. Exploratory data analysis was used to examine the hospital-level characteristics which may contribute to variance between hospitals. These included hospital type, stroke monthly case volume, service provisions (ie, onsite rehabilitation) and staffing levels.ResultsA total of 2233 stroke admissions (52% female, median age (IQR) 79 (70 to 86) years, 83% ischaemic stroke) were included. The overall median AHLOS (IQR) was 9 (4 to 21) days. After adjusting for patient covariates, AHLOS still differed significantly between hospitals (p<0.001). Furthermore, hospitals with the longest adjusted AHLOS’s had predominantly smaller stroke volumes.ConclusionsWe have clearly demonstrated that AHLOS varies between different hospitals, and that the most important patient-level explanatory variables are discharge mRS, dementia and inpatient complications. We highlight the potential importance of stroke volume in influencing these differences but cannot discount the potential effect of unmeasured confounders.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document