Postoperative mortality in New Zealand following general anaesthetic: demographic patterns and temporal trends

ObjectivesIn this manuscript, we describe broad trends in postoperative mortality in New Zealand (a country with universal healthcare) for acute and elective/waiting list procedures conducted between 2005 and 2017.Design, participants and settingWe use high-quality national-level hospitalisation data to compare the risk of postoperative mortality between demographic subgroups after adjusting for key patient-level confounders and mediators. We also present temporal trends and consider how rates in postoperative death following acute and elective/waiting list procedures have changed over this time period.Results and conclusionA total of 1 836 683 unique patients accounted for 3 117 374 admissions in which a procedure was performed under general anaesthetic over the study period. We observed an overall 30-day mortality rate of 0.5 per 100 procedures and a 90-day mortality rate of 0.9 per 100. For acute procedures, we observed a 30-day mortality rate of 1.6 per 100, compared with 0.2 per 100 for elective/waiting list procedures. In terms of procedure specialty, respiratory and cardiovascular procedures had the highest rate of 30-day mortality (age-standardised rate, acute procedures: 3–6 per 100; elective/waiting list: 0.7-1 per 100). As in other contexts, we observed that the likelihood of postoperative death was not proportionally distributed within our population: older patients, Māori patients, those living in areas with higher deprivation and those with comorbidity were at increased risk of postoperative death, even after adjusting for all available factors that might explain differences between these groups. Increasing procedure risk (measured using the Johns Hopkins Surgical Risk Classification System) was also associated with an increased risk of postoperative death. Encouragingly, it appears that risk of postoperative mortality has declined over the past decade, possibly reflecting improvements in perioperative quality of care; however, this decline did not occur equally across procedure specialties.

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Temporal Trends and Outcome of Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Prior Myocardial Infarction

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10235580 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (23) ◽

pp. 5580

Author(s):

Katia Orvin ◽

Alon Shechter ◽

Doron Zahger ◽

Vitaly Shklovski ◽

Tal Ovdat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Acute Coronary Syndrome ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Medical Therapy ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Early Period ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Late Period ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk

Patients who have previously had a myocardial infarction (MI) are considered a high-risk group with increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. During the last decade, the outcome of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients has improved due to advances in medical therapy and interventional techniques. We aimed to examine temporal trends and outcomes of patients with prior MI admitted due to ACS from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Israeli Survey (ACSIS). Included were 16,934 ACS patients, of whom 31.4% had prior MI. For temporal trend analysis, the cohort was divided into an early period (2000–2008) and late period (2010–2018). For patients with prior MI, patients in the late period had a higher rate of CV risk factors and were treated more frequently with revascularization and guidelines-directed medical therapy. Recurrent MI (6.7% vs. 12%, p < 0.001), MACE (10.6% vs. 21%, p < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (10.7% vs. 14.6%, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the late period. However, the mortality rate for patients with prior MI remained higher compared with patients without prior MI (10.7% vs. 6.8% p < 0.001) with an overall higher mortality rate in the STEMI group. Thus, despite significant improvement in outcome measures in the contemporary era, ACS patients with prior MI are still at increased risk for recurrent ischemic CV events and mortality.

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Temporal trends in home-grown forage eaten on New Zealand dairy farms

NZGA: Research and Practice Series ◽

10.33584/rps.17.2021.3463 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Author(s):

Ryan Mills ◽

Mark Neal

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Low Cost ◽

National Level ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

International Markets ◽

Positive Trend ◽

Performance Metric ◽

Prior Literature ◽

On Farm

Pasture is the main source of feed on New Zealand dairy farms, having the benefit of a low cost of production, giving New Zealand’s dairy industry a competitive cost advantage in international markets. Previous literature indicates a plateau in forage grown and consumed on farm (referred to as pasture and crop eaten) over the last 20 years. Farm-level performance data over 14 years from DairyBase across Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and Otago were used to analyse the medium-term trends of pasture and crop eaten at the middle (median) and top (frontier) portions of the distributions of pasture and crop eaten. A performance metric was designed to compare the time trends between top-, average- and bottom-performing farms at the national level. The results were consistent with prior literature with no substantial evidence of an increasing trend in pasture and crop eaten across any region. Furthermore, the results showed that at a national level, top-performing farms were not improving on their pasture and crop eaten, while the average- and bottom-performing farms are improving slightly. The lack of a consistent positive trend is concerning for the dairy sector’s international competitiveness, making further research into new pastoral technologies and techniques paramount for maintaining New Zealand’s competitive position.

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Anaesthetic choice for hip or knee arthroplasty in New Zealand: Risk of postoperative death and variations in use

Anaesthesia and Intensive Care ◽

10.1177/0310057x211050934 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 0310057X2110509

Author(s):

Jason K Gurney ◽

Melissa A McLeod ◽

Douglas Campbell ◽

Elizabeth Dennett ◽

Sarah Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Hip Replacement ◽

Regional Anaesthesia ◽

Postoperative Mortality ◽

National Study ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Large Joint ◽

The Impact ◽

Partial Hip Replacement ◽

Over Time

Anaesthetic choice for large joint surgery can impact postoperative outcomes, including mortality. The extent to which the impact of anaesthetic choice on postoperative mortality varies within patient populations and the extent to which anaesthetic choice is changing over time remain under-explored both internationally and in the diverse New Zealand context. In a national study of 199,211 hip and knee replacement procedures conducted between 2005 and 2017, we compared postoperative mortality among those receiving general, regional or general plus regional anaesthesia. Focusing on unilateral ( n=86,467) and partial ( n=13,889) hip replacements, we assessed whether some groups within the population are more likely to receive general, regional or general plus regional anaesthesia than others, and whether mortality risk varies depending on anaesthetic choice. We also examined temporal changes in anaesthetic choice over time. Those receiving regional alone or general plus regional for unilateral hip replacement appeared at increased risk of 30-day mortality compared to general anaesthesia alone, even after adjusting for differences in terms of age, ethnicity, deprivation, rurality, comorbidity, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status score and admission type (e.g. general plus regional: adjusted hazard ratio (adj. HR)=1.94, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.32 to 2.84). By contrast, we observed lower 30-day mortality among those receiving regional anaesthesia alone compared to general alone for partial hip replacement (adj. HR=0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.97). The latter observation contrasts with declining temporal trends in the use of regional anaesthesia alone for partial hip replacement procedures. However, we recognise that postoperative mortality is one perioperative factor that drives anaesthetic choice.

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Pylorus-Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Evaluation of 50 Cases

Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh ◽

10.3329/jafmc.v13i1.41022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 42-45

Author(s):

SM Shakhwat Hossain ◽

Ferdous Rahman

Keyword(s):

Gastric Emptying ◽

Mortality Rate ◽

Wound Infection ◽

Postoperative Mortality ◽

Operation Time ◽

Armed Forces ◽

Military Hospital ◽

Morbidity Rate ◽

Proper Patient Selection ◽

Periampullary Neoplasms

Introduction: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice for periampullary neoplasms. It is considered as a major surgical procedure. It is associated with relatively higher postoperative mortality and morbidity rate, however, with development of technology, proper patient selection, meticulous operative technique, appropriate postoperative care, morbidity and mortality rate has decreased subsequently. Up to the 1970s, the operative mortality rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy approached 20% but it has been reduced to less than 5% in recent reports. This study is designed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure in our set up. Objective: To evaluate the outcome of the pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy procedure with the intention to measure operation time and per-operative bleeding, observing postoperative anastomotic leakage and gastric emptying time. To find out postoperative wound infection and complications to detect the dumping syndrome. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka from July 2013 to January 2017. Fifty patients who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticodudenectomy procedure were included in this study. Results: Out of 50 postoperative patients, 12(24%) patients developed complications. Of these patients, 3(6%) developed wound infection, 2(4%) developed bile leakage and 2(4%) developed postoperative haemorrhage. Pancreatic fistula, vomiting, delayed gastric emptying and abdominal collection all were 1(2%) each. Postoperative mortality was 3(6%). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the development of postoperative complications after pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is as similar as published in different studies. Better outcome can be achieved with meticulous pre-operative evaluation of risk factors and per-operative skill maneuvering. Journal of Armed Forces Medical College Bangladesh Vol.13(1) 2017: 42-45

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Applicability of management guidelines for surfing resources in California

Shore & Beach ◽

10.34237/1008835 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 53-64

Author(s):

Edward Atkin ◽

Dan Reineman ◽

Jesse Reiblich ◽

David Revell

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

National Level ◽

State Level ◽

The United States ◽

Management Guidelines ◽

For Profit ◽

Aotearoa New Zealand ◽

Coastal Marine ◽

Management Measures ◽

Legal Frameworks

Surf breaks are finite, valuable, and vulnerable natural resources, that not only influence community and cultural identities, but are a source of revenue and provide a range of health benefits. Despite these values, surf breaks largely lack recognition as coastal resources and therefore the associated management measures required to maintain them. Some countries, especially those endowed with high-quality surf breaks and where the sport of surfing is accepted as mainstream, have recognized the value of surfing resources and have specific policies for their conservation. In Aotearoa New Zealand surf breaks are included within national environmental policy. Aotearoa New Zealand has recently produced Management Guidelines for Surfing Resources (MGSR), which were developed in conjunction with universities, regional authorities, not-for-profit entities, and government agencies. The MGSR provide recommendations for both consenting authorities and those wishing to undertake activities in the coastal marine area, as well as tools and techniques to aid in the management of surfing resources. While the MGSR are firmly aligned with Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural and legal frameworks, much of their content is applicable to surf breaks worldwide. In the United States, there are several national-level and state-level statutes that are generally relevant to various aspects of surfing resources, but there is no law or policy that directly addresses them. This paper describes the MGSR, considers California’s existing governance frameworks, and examines the potential benefits of adapting and expanding the MGSR in this state.

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Methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms: findings from a New Zealand longitudinal birth cohort

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291721002415 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Joseph M. Boden ◽

James A. Foulds ◽

Giles Newton-Howes ◽

Rebecca McKetin

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

General Population ◽

Birth Cohort ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Confounding Factors ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Methamphetamine Use ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Psychosis Risk

Abstract Background This study examined the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in a New Zealand general population birth cohort (n = 1265 at birth). Methods At age 18, 21, 25, 30, and 35, participants reported on their methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms in the period since the previous interview. Generalized estimating equations modelled the association between methamphetamine use and psychotic symptoms (percentage reporting any symptom, and number of symptoms per participant). Confounding factors included childhood individual characteristics, family socioeconomic circumstances and family functioning. Long term effects of methamphetamine use on psychotic symptoms were assessed by comparing the incidence of psychotic symptoms at age 30–35 for those with and without a history of methamphetamine use prior to age 30. Results After adjusting for confounding factors and time-varying covariate factors including concurrent cannabis use, methamphetamine use was associated with a modest increase in psychosis risk over five waves of data (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.72 for the percentage measure; and IRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.02–1.50 for the symptom count measure). The increased risk of psychotic symptoms was concentrated among participants who had used at least weekly at any point (adjusted OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.21–6.69). Use of methamphetamine less than weekly was not associated with increased psychosis risk. We found no evidence for a persistent vulnerability to psychosis in the absence of continuing methamphetamine use. Conclusion Methamphetamine use is associated with increased risk of psychotic symptoms in the general population. Increased risk is chiefly confined to people who ever used regularly (at least weekly), and recently.

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Safer primary healthcare facilities are needed to protect healthcare workers and maintain essential services: lessons learned from a multicountry COVID-19 emergency response initiative

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2021-005833 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (6) ◽

pp. e005833

Author(s):

Leena N Patel ◽

Samantha Kozikott ◽

Rodrigue Ilboudo ◽

Moreen Kamateeka ◽

Mohammed Lamorde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Facility ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

National Level ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Health Facilities ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Health Facility Level ◽

Ensure Patient Safety ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Facility Level

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 and other disease pathogens, which take a disproportionate toll on HCWs, with substantial cost to health systems. Improved infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes can protect HCWs, especially in resource-limited settings where the health workforce is scarcest, and ensure patient safety and continuity of essential health services. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with ministries of health and development partners to implement an emergency initiative for HCWs at the primary health facility level in 22 African countries. Between April 2020 and January 2021, the initiative trained 42 058 front-line HCWs from 8444 health facilities, supported longitudinal supervision and monitoring visits guided by a standardised monitoring tool, and provided resources including personal protective equipment (PPE). We documented significant short-term improvements in IPC performance, but gaps remain. Suspected HCW infections peaked at 41.5% among HCWs screened at monitored facilities in July 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic in Africa. Disease-specific emergency responses are not the optimal approach. Comprehensive, sustainable IPC programmes are needed. IPC needs to be incorporated into all HCW training programmes and combined with supportive supervision and mentorship. Strengthened data systems on IPC are needed to guide improvements at the health facility level and to inform policy development at the national level, along with investments in infrastructure and sustainable supplies of PPE. Multimodal strategies to improve IPC are critical to make health facilities safer and to protect HCWs and the communities they serve.

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Temporal trends in outcome and patient characteristics in dilated cardiomyopathy, data from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry 2003–2015

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12872-021-02124-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Helen Sjöland ◽

Jonas Silverdal ◽

Entela Bollano ◽

Aldina Pivodic ◽

Ulf Dahlström ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Dilated Cardiomyopathy ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Left Ventricular Ejection ◽

Continuous Change ◽

Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background Temporal trends in clinical composition and outcome in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) are largely unknown, despite considerable advances in heart failure management. We set out to study clinical characteristics and prognosis over time in DCM in Sweden during 2003–2015. Methods DCM patients (n = 7873) from the Swedish Heart Failure Registry were divided into three calendar periods of inclusion, 2003–2007 (Period 1, n = 2029), 2008–2011 (Period 2, n = 3363), 2012–2015 (Period 3, n = 2481). The primary outcome was the composite of all-cause death, transplantation and hospitalization during 1 year after inclusion into the registry. Results Over the three calendar periods patients were older (p = 0.022), the proportion of females increased (mean 22.5%, 26.4%, 27.6%, p = 0.0001), left ventricular ejection fraction was higher (p = 0.0014), and symptoms by New York Heart Association less severe (p < 0.0001). Device (implantable cardioverter defibrillator and/or cardiac resynchronization) therapy increased by 30% over time (mean 11.6%, 12.3%, 15.1%, p < 0.0001). The event rates for mortality, and hospitalization were consistently decreasing over calendar periods (p < 0.0001 for all), whereas transplantation rate was stable. More advanced physical symptoms correlated with an increased risk of a composite outcome over time (p = 0.0043). Conclusions From 2003 until 2015, we observed declining mortality and hospitalizations in DCM, paralleled by a continuous change in both demographic profile and therapy in the DCM population in Sweden, towards a less affected phenotype.

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304. Predictors of mortality in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales bacteremia

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.347 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S150-S150

Author(s):

Michael R Hovan ◽

Vanessa Cedarbaum ◽

Thomas Kirn ◽

Thomas Kirn

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Healthcare Facility ◽

Antibiotic Use ◽

The United States ◽

Empiric Therapy ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Threat Level ◽

Infection Source ◽

Microbiological Data

Abstract Background Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriales (CRE) bacteremia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. CRE were assigned a threat level of “urgent” in the 2019 CDC report on antibiotic resistance in the United States. We attempted to identify predictors of 30-day mortality in patients with CRE bacteremia. Methods We performed a chart review of 146 patients with CRE bacteremia from January 2010 - July 2019. CRE was defined using the current CDC definition. Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain clinical characteristics and outcomes including prior antibiotic use, comorbidities, prior location, treatment, hospital course, microbiological data and outcomes including in-hospital mortality. Results Of 146 patients included for analysis, the overall 30-day mortality rate was 36.3%. Patients admitted from a healthcare facility including outside hospitals, rehab, nursing homes, and LTACs had a 49.1% (29/59) 30-day mortality rate compared to 27.5% (24/87) for those admitted from home (RR=1.78, 95% CI 1.16–2.73, p=.0082). Patients with a Pitt bacteremia score ≥ 4 had a greater 30-day mortality rate (42.6%, 26/61) compared to those with a Pitt bacteremia score < 4 (17.6%, 15/85) (RR=2.92, 95% CI 1.40–4.16, p=.0015). Patients that received inactive empiric therapy had a 30-day mortality rate of 36% (36/100) compared to 36.9% (17/46) in those that received active empiric therapy (RR=.9741, 95% CI .6155-1.59, p=.9109). Patients with isolates determined to have a meropenem MIC ≥ 4 had a 30-day mortality rate of 40.2% (37/92) while those with an MIC < 4 had a 30-day mortality rate of 30.2% (16/53) (RR=1.33, 95% CI .8250–2.1513, p=.2408). A pulmonary source of bacteremia was associated with an increased risk of 30-day mortality (64.3%, 9/14) compared to all other sources of bacteremia (34.8%, 31/89) (RR=1.85, 95% CI 1.39–2.99, p=.0129). No other infection source was associated with an increased 30-day mortality rate. Conclusion Admission from a healthcare facility, Pitt bacteremia score ≥ 4, and pulmonary source of bacteremia were associated with increased risk of 30-day mortality. Interestingly, administration of active empiric therapy was not associated with a decreased mortality risk. Meropenem MIC was not predictive of 30-day mortality. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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NCOG-65. MR-GUIDED LASER INTERSTITIAL THERMAL THERAPY FOR BRAIN TUMORS IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS

Neuro-Oncology ◽

10.1093/neuonc/noaa215.603 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. ii144-ii144

Author(s):

Elizabeth Ginalis ◽

Shabbar Danish

Keyword(s):

Mortality Rate ◽

Neurological Symptom ◽

Geriatric Patients ◽

Age Groups ◽

Postoperative Mortality ◽

Thermal Therapy ◽

Partial Recovery ◽

Intracranial Tumors ◽

Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract INTRODUCTION There is a paucity of studies assessing the use of magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in the elderly population. METHODS Geriatric patients (≥65 years) treated with LITT for intracranial tumors at a single institution from January 2011 to November 2019 were retrospectively identified. We grouped patients into two cohorts: 65-74 years (group 1) and 75 years or older (group 2). Baseline characteristics, operative parameters, postoperative course, and morbidity were recorded. RESULTS There were 55 patients who underwent 64 distinct LITT procedures. The majority of tumors (62.5%) treated were recurrent brain metastasis/radiation necrosis. The median hospital length of stay was 1 day, with no significant difference between age groups. Hospital stay was significantly longer in patients who presented with a neurological symptom and in those who experienced a postoperative complication. The majority of patients (68.3%) were discharged to their preoperative accommodation. Rate of discharge to home was not significantly different between age groups. Those discharged to rehabilitation facilities were more likely to have presented with a neurological symptom. Nine patients (14.1%) were found to have acute neurological complications, with nearly all patients showing complete or partial recovery at follow-up. The 30-day postoperative mortality rate was 1.6% (n = 1). The complication and 30-day postoperative mortality rate were not significantly different between age groups. CONCLUSIONS LITT can be considered as a minimally invasive and safe neurosurgical procedure for treatment of intracranial tumors in geriatric patients. Careful preoperative preparation and postoperative care is essential as LITT is not without risk. Appropriate patient selection for cranial surgery is essential as neurosurgeons treat an increasing number of elderly patients, but advanced age alone should not exclude patients from LITT.

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