scholarly journals Implementation of a Spine-Centered Care Pathway at a Regional Academic Spine Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 36S-40S
Author(s):  
George M. Ghobrial ◽  
Jefferson Wilson ◽  
Daniel Franco ◽  
Kristen Vogl ◽  
Alexander R. Vaccaro ◽  
...  

Study Design: Retrospective case series. Objective: To describe the early implementation of an inpatient spinal surgery unit and measure the impact on cost and length of stay (LOS). Methods: A retrospective case review was performed for frequent spine-related diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) cared for by a dedicated multidisciplinary team: combined anterior/posterior (AP) spinal fusion with major complicating or comorbid condition (MCC), combined (AP) spinal fusion with CC, combined (AP) spinal fusion without complicating or comorbid (CC)/MCC, cervical spinal fusion with MCC, cervical spinal fusion with CC, and cervical spinal fusion without CC/MCC. Four time periods were compared: historical control, initial pathway implementation, full pathway implementation, and spine unit opening. Mean hospital LOS, mean and median total costs (USD), and ratio of costs-to-charges were analyzed. Results: The number of spine cases per interim ranged from 219 to 258. The mean overall hospital LOS and mean cost varied from 3.8 to 4.3 days for all DRGs across the time periods and was not significant. Cost also did not vary significantly throughout. Median variable cost per anterior/posterior spinal fusion procedure with a CC or MCC declined by 16 311, first with the institution of a spine pathway protocol by USD8738 and then USD7423 with the establishment of a spine care unit but did not reach significance. Conclusions: The use of a standardized, inpatient spine care pathway implemented by a multidisciplinary team may reduce the hospital length of stay and decrease overall costs.

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S13-S14
Author(s):  
Sarah Zavala ◽  
Kate Pape ◽  
Todd A Walroth ◽  
Melissa A Reger ◽  
Katelyn Garner ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction In burn patients, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased incidence of sepsis. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of vitamin D deficiency in adult burn patients on hospital length of stay (LOS). Methods This was a multi-center retrospective study of adult patients at 7 burn centers admitted between January 1, 2016 and July 25, 2019 who had a 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration drawn within the first 7 days of injury. Patients were excluded if admitted for a non-burn injury, total body surface area (TBSA) burn less than 5%, pregnant, incarcerated, or made comfort care or expired within 48 hours of admission. The primary endpoint was to compare hospital LOS between burn patients with vitamin D deficiency (defined as 25OHD < 20 ng/mL) and sufficiency (25OHD ≥ 20 ng/mL). Secondary endpoints include in-hospital mortality, ventilator-free days of the first 28, renal replacement therapy (RRT), length of ICU stay, and days requiring vasopressors. Additional data collected included demographics, Charlson Comorbidity Index, injury characteristics, form of vitamin D received (ergocalciferol or cholecalciferol) and dosing during admission, timing of vitamin D initiation, and form of nutrition provided. Dichotomous variables were compared via Chi-square test. Continuous data were compared via student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Univariable linear regression was utilized to identify variables associated with LOS (p < 0.05) to analyze further. Cox Proportional Hazard Model was utilized to analyze association with LOS, while censoring for death, and controlling for TBSA, age, presence of inhalation injury, and potential for a center effect. Results Of 1,147 patients screened, 412 were included. Fifty-seven percent were vitamin D deficient. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had longer LOS (18.0 vs 12.0 days, p < 0.001), acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring RRT (7.3 vs 1.7%, p = 0.009), more days requiring vasopressors (mean 1.24 vs 0.58 days, p = 0.008), and fewer ventilator free days of the first 28 days (mean 22.9 vs 25.1, p < 0.001). Univariable analysis identified burn center, AKI, TBSA, inhalation injury, admission concentration, days until concentration drawn, days until initiating supplementation, and dose as significantly associated with LOS. After controlling for center, TBSA, age, and inhalation injury, the best fit model included only deficiency and days until vitamin D initiation. Conclusions Patients with thermal injuries and vitamin D deficiency on admission have increased length of stay and worsened clinical outcomes as compared to patients with sufficient vitamin D concentrations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110114
Author(s):  
Andrew Nyce ◽  
Snehal Gandhi ◽  
Brian Freeze ◽  
Joshua Bosire ◽  
Terry Ricca ◽  
...  

Prolonged waiting times are associated with worse patient experience in patients discharged from the emergency department (ED). However, it is unclear which component of the waiting times is most impactful to the patient experience and the impact on hospitalized patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of ED patients between July 2018 and March 30, 2020. In all, 3278 patients were included: 1477 patients were discharged from the ED, and 1680 were admitted. Discharged patients had a longer door-to-first provider and door-to-doctor time, but a shorter doctor-to-disposition, disposition-to-departure, and total ED time when compared to admitted patients. Some, but not all, components of waiting times were significantly higher in patients with suboptimal experience (<100th percentile). Prolonged door-to-doctor time was significantly associated with worse patient experience in discharged patients and in patients with hospital length of stay ≤4 days. Prolonged ED waiting times were significantly associated with worse patient experience in patients who were discharged from the ED and in inpatients with short length of stay. Door-to-doctor time seems to have the highest impact on the patient’s experience of these 2 groups.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Nicole M. Cresalia ◽  
Sonal T. Owens ◽  
Terri L. Stillwell ◽  
Mark D. Norris ◽  
Sunkyung Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Fungal endocarditis classically involves dense heterogenous vegetations. However, several patients with fungal infections were noted to have myocardial changes ranging from focal brightening to nodular thickening of chordae or papillary muscles. This study evaluates whether these findings are associated with fungal infections. Methods: In a retrospective case–control study, paediatric inpatients with fungal infections (positive blood, urine, or catheter tip culture) in a 5-year period were matched 1:1 to inpatients without positive fungal cultures. Echocardiograms were scored on a 5-point scale by two independent readers for presence of myocardial brightenings, nodular thickenings, and vegetations. Clinical data were compared. Results: Of 67 fungal cases, positive culture sites included blood (n = 44), vascular catheter tip (n = 7), and urine (n = 29); several had multiple positive sites. “Positive” echo findings (score ≥ 2+) were more frequent in the Fungal Group (33 versus 18%, p = 0.04). Fungal Group patients with “positive” versus “negative” echo findings had similar proportion of bacterial infections. Among fungal cases, those with “positive” echo findings had longer hospital length of stay than cases with “negative” echos (median 58 versus 40 days, p = 0.03) but no difference in intensive care unit admission, extracorporeal membranous oxygenation support, or mortality. Conclusions: Myocardial and papillary muscle brightening with nodular thickening on echocardiogram appear to be associated with fungal infections. There may be prognostic implications of these findings as patients with “positive” echo have longer length of stay. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanism and temporal progression of these changes and determine the prognostic value of this scoring system.


2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alastair G. Dick ◽  
Dominic Davenport ◽  
Mohit Bansal ◽  
Therese S. Burch ◽  
Max R. Edwards

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dana Lustbader ◽  
Renee Pekmezaris ◽  
Michael Frankenthaler ◽  
Rajni Walia ◽  
Frederick Smith ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a palliative medicine consultation on medical intensive care unit (MICU) and hospital length of stay, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) designation, and location of death for MICU patients who died during hospitalization.Method:A comparison of two retrospective cohorts in a 17-bed MICU in a tertiary care university-affiliated hospital was conducted. Patients admitted to the MICU between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2004 (N = 515) were compared to MICU patients who had had a palliative medicine consultation between January 1, 2005 and June 1, 2009 (N = 693). To control for disease severity, only patients in both cohorts who died during their hospitalization were considered for this study.Results:Palliative medicine consultation reduced time until death during the entire hospitalization (log-rank test,p < 0.01). Time from MICU admission until death was also reduced (log-rank test,p < 0.01), further demonstrating the impact of the palliative care consultation on the duration of dying for hospitalized patients. The intervention group contained a significantly higher percentage of patients with a DNR designation at death than did the control group (86% vs. 68%, χ2test,p < 0.0001).Significance of results:Palliative medicine consultation is associated with an increased rate of DNR designation and reduced time until death. Patients in the intervention group were also more likely to die outside the MICU as compared to controls in the usual care group.


2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Berend Van Der Wilk ◽  
Eliza R C Hagens ◽  
Ben M Eyck ◽  
Suzanne S Gisbertz ◽  
Richard Hillegersberg ◽  
...  

Abstract   To compare complications following totally minimally invasive (TMIE), laparoscopically assisted (hybrid) and open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer. Three randomized trials have reported benefits for minimally invasive esophagectomy. Two studies compared TMIE versus open esophagectomy and another compared hybrid versus open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Only small retrospective studies compared TMIE with hybrid Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Methods Data were used from the International Esodata Study Group assessing patients undergoing TMIE, hybrid or open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy. Primary outcome was pneumonia, secondary outcomes included incidence and severity of anastomotic leakage, (major) complications, length of stay, escalation of care and 90-day mortality. Data were analyzed using multivariate multilevel models. Results In total, 4733 patients were included in this study (TMIE:1472, hybrid:1364 and open:1897). Patients undergoing TMIE had lower incidence of pneumonia compared to hybrid (10.9% vs 16.3%, Odds Ratio (OR):0.56, 95%CI: 0.40–0.80) and open esophagectomy (10.9% vs 17.4%, OR:0.60, 95%CI: 0.42–0.84) and had shorter length of stay (median 10 days (IQR 8–16)) compared to hybrid (14 (11–19), p = 0.041) and open esophagectomy (11 (9–16), p = 0.027). Patients undergoing TMIE had higher rate of anastomotic leakage compared to hybrid (15.1% vs 10.7%, OR:1.47, 95%CI: 1.01–2.13) and open esophagectomy (7.3%, OR:1.73, 95%CI: 1.26–2.38). No differences were reported between hybrid and open esophagectomy. Conclusion Compared to hybrid and open Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, TMIE resulted in a lower pneumonia rate, a shorter hospital length of stay but a higher anastomotic leakage rate. The impact of these individual complications on survival and long-term quality of life should be further investigated.


Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Jen-Fu Huang ◽  
Chih-Po Hsu ◽  
Chun-Hsiang Ouyang ◽  
Chi-Tung Cheng ◽  
Chia-Cheng Wang ◽  
...  

This study aimed to assess current evidence regarding the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on the prognosis in patients sustaining trauma. MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched with the following terms: “trace element”, “selenium”, “copper”, “zinc”, “injury”, and “trauma”. Seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that Se supplementation was associated with a lower mortality rate (OR 0.733, 95% CI: 0.586, 0.918, p = 0.007; heterogeneity, I2 = 0%). Regarding the incidence of infectious complications, there was no statistically significant benefit after analyzing the four studies (OR 0.942, 95% CI: 0.695, 1.277, p = 0.702; heterogeneity, I2 = 14.343%). The patients with Se supplementation had a reduced ICU length of stay (standard difference in means (SMD): −0.324, 95% CI: −0.382, −0.265, p < 0.001; heterogeneity, I2 = 0%) and lesser hospital length of stay (SMD: −0.243, 95% CI: −0.474, −0.012, p < 0.001; heterogeneity, I2 = 45.496%). Se supplementation after trauma confers positive effects in decreasing the mortality and length of ICU and hospital stay.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 492-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul L Aronson ◽  
Andrea T Cruz ◽  
Stephen B Freedman ◽  
Fran Balamuth ◽  
Kendra L Grether-Jones ◽  
...  

Although neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes significant morbidity, utilization of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HSV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test remains variable. Our objective was to examine the association of CSF HSV PCR testing with length of stay (LOS) in a 20-center retrospective cohort of hospitalized infants aged ≤60 days undergoing evaluation for meningitis after adjustment for patient-level factors and clustering by center. Of 20,496 eligible infants, 7,399 (36.1%) had a CSF HSV PCR test performed, and 46 (0.6% of those tested) had a positive test. Infants who had a CSF HSV PCR test performed had a 23% longer hospital LOS (incident rate ratio 1.23; 95% CI: 1.14-1.33). Targeted CSF HSV PCR testing may mitigate the impact on LOS for low-risk infants.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Uzark ◽  
Paula Eldridge ◽  
William Border ◽  
Mary Pat Alfaro ◽  
Megan Donley ◽  
...  

Infants with complex congenital heart disease are at increased risk for malnutrition and poor weight gain. At our institution, infants who undergo Stage I Norwood operation are discharged with a home surveillance (HomeSurv) program which includes weight monitoring. To evaluate the impact of home surveillance on interstage growth, a current cohort of patients enrolled in Home Surv (n=18) was compared to a cohort discharged immediately prior to the implementation of the Home Surv program (n=20). The cohorts were compared using parametric and non-parametric methods as appropriate. Results: Infants underwent Stage I at a median age of 3.5 days (range 1–26), and at a mean weight 3.0 ± 0.4 kg., 26 with a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and 12 with a right ventricular-to-pulmonary artery shunt. There were 26 males and 12 females. There were no significant differences between the groups with and without HomeSurv with respect to Stage I age, sex, Stage I weight, or shunt type. Stage I discharge weights were similar between the two cohorts (p=0.23) and there was no significant difference in Stage I hospital length of stay (p=0.10). Mean age at Stage II was 5.1 mos in the HomeSurv group and 4.9 mos in the pre-HomeSurv group, (p = 0.63). Mean weight at Stage II was higher in the HomeSurv group, but not statistically significant (5.9 kg vs 5.5 kg, p=0.30). However, weight gain >15 gms/day post Stage I discharge (our minimum weight gain threshold) was achieved by 89% of infants with Home Surv in comparison to 60% of the pre-HomeSurv group, p<.05. Weight gain was not significantly correlated with weight at Stage I, Stage I hospital length of stay, or age at Stage II, and was not significantly different related to shunt type. Conclusion: Home surveillance including weight monitoring following Stage I Norwood positively impacts interstage weight gain. In particular, it appears to confer protection for at-risk infants who fall below the threshold weight gain of 15gms/day. Future studies should explore whether this improved weight gain is an important factor in interstage morbidity and mortality.


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