Failure to Rescue As a Source of Variation in Hospital Mortality for Ovarian Cancer

Purpose Although the association between high surgical volume and improved outcomes from procedures is well described, the mechanisms that underlie this association are uncertain. There is growing recognition that high-volume hospitals may not necessarily have lower complication rates but rather may be better at rescuing patients with complications. We examined the role of complications, failure to rescue from complications, and mortality based on hospital volume for ovarian cancer. Patients and Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify women who underwent surgery for ovarian cancer from 1988 to 2009. Hospitals were ranked on the basis of their procedure volume. We determined the risk-adjusted mortality, major complication rate, and “failure to rescue” rate (mortality in patients with a major complication) for each tertile. Univariate and multivariate associations were then compared. Results We identified 36,624 patients. The mortality rate for the cohort was 1.6%. The major complication rate was 20.4% at low-volume, 23.4% at intermediate-volume, and 24.6% at high-volume hospitals (P < .001). However, the rate of failure to rescue (death after a complication) was markedly higher at low-volume (8.0%) compared with high-volume hospitals (4.9%; P < .001). After accounting for patient and hospital characteristics, women treated at low-volume hospitals who experienced a complication were 48% more likely (odds ratio [OR], 1.48; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.99) to die than patients with a complication at a high-volume hospital. Conclusion Mortality is lower for patients with ovarian cancer treated at high-volume hospitals. The reduction in mortality does not appear to be the result of lower complications rates but rather a result of the ability of high-volume hospitals to rescue patients with complications.

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Failure to Rescue and Mortality Following Resection of Intracranial Neoplasms

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyx354 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 83 (2) ◽

pp. 263-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hani Malone ◽

Michael Cloney ◽

Jingyan Yang ◽

Dawn L Hershman ◽

Jason D Wright ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Perioperative Complications ◽

Major Complication ◽

High Volume ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Surgical Volume ◽

Failure To Rescue ◽

Intracranial Neoplasms ◽

Perioperative Complication ◽

Overall Risk

Abstract BACKGROUND There is growing recognition that perioperative complication rates are similar between hospitals, but mortality rates are lower at high-volume centers. This may be due to differences in the ability to rescue patients from major complications. OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between hospital caseload and failure to rescue from complications following resection of intracranial neoplasms. METHODS We identified adults in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample diagnosed with glioma, meningioma, brain metastasis, or acoustic neuroma, who underwent surgical resection between 1998 and 2010. We stratified hospitals by low, intermediate, and high surgical volume tertiles and calculated failure to rescue rates (mortality in patients after a major complication). RESULTS A total of 550 054 patients were analyzed. Overall risk-adjusted complication rates were comparable between low- and medium-volume centers, and slightly lower at high-volume centers (15.3% [15.2, 15.5] vs 15.7% [15.5, 15.9] vs 14.3% [14.1, 14.6]). Risk-adjusted mortality decreased with increasing hospital surgical volume (10.3% [10.2, 10.5] vs 9.0% [8.9, 9.1] vs 7.1% [7.0, 7.2]). The overall risk-adjusted failure to rescue rate also decreased with increasing surgical volume (26.9% [26.3, 27.4] vs 24.8% [24.3, 25.3] vs 20.9% [20.5, 21.5]). CONCLUSION While complication rates were similar between high-volume and low-volume hospitals following craniotomy for tumor, mortality rates were substantially lower at high-volume centers. This appears to be due to the ability of high-volume hospitals to rescue patients from major perioperative complications.

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Fixation of Ankle Fractures

Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics ◽

10.1177/2473011418s00088 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 2473011418S0008

Author(s):

Andrew Molloy ◽

Samantha Whitehouse ◽

Lyndon Mason

Keyword(s):

Complication Rate ◽

Major Complication ◽

Ankle Fractures ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Junior Staff ◽

System Changes ◽

Major Complication Rate ◽

Group 3 ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Ankle fractures are one of the most common fractures. Historically these have been frequently treated by non-specialists and junior staff. In 2011 we presented high malunion rates, which have been mirrored in other departments work. We present the results of system changes to improve the results of ankle fracture fixation Methods: Image intensifier films were reviewed on PACS and scored based on the criteria published by Pettrone et al. At least two blinded assessors assigned scores independently. Patients clinical data was collected from medical records. In 2011 we presented the results of fixation in 94 consecutive patients (Group 1) from 2009. Following this there was period of education in the department to allow change. 68 patients (Group 2) were then reviewed from a 7 month period in 2014 Multiple system changes were introduced in the department including; new treatment algorithms, dedicated foot and ankle trauma lists and clinics, and next day review of all intra-operative radiographs by independent attending. Prospective data was collected on 205 consecutive cases (Group 3) from 01/01/15 – 09/30/16 Results: Patients in group 1 had a malreduction rate of 33%. The major complication rate in this group was 8.5% (8 patients); with only one of these occurred in a correctly reduced fracture. These complications included 4 revision fixations, 2 deep infections and 1 amputation. Following the period of re-education, in Group 2, the mal-reduction rate deteriorated to 43.8%. In this group the major complication rate was 10.9%; including 6 revision fixations and 1 ankle fusion. In Group 3, following overall system changes, the malreduction rate was 2.4%. This result is statistically significant. The major complication rate fell to 0.98%; 1deep infection and 1 amputation (in a polytrauma patient with vascular injury). This result is again statistically significant. Conclusion: Our initial results show that very poor results are a consequence when sufficient attention is not given to what are frequently considered to be ‘simple’ fractures. In group 2 we demonstrated that soft educational changes (eg presentations, emails) are ineffective in improving results. We have demonstrated that hard (institutional system) changes in our department provided statistically significant improvements. These changes allowed the correct surgeon for the fracture in both determining the treatment plan and operating. With these changes, malreduction rates fell from 43.8% to 2.4% and major complication rates from 10.9% to 0.98%

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Bilateral Sequential Total Knee Replacement versus Unilateral Total Knee Replacement in a High Volume Hospital

Journal of Orthopaedics Trauma and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1016/j.jotr.2016.12.001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 9-11

Author(s):

Chan Calvin Pui-kan ◽

Lee Quun-jid ◽

Wong Yiu-chung ◽

Wai Yuk-leung

Keyword(s):

Total Knee Replacement ◽

Knee Replacement ◽

Total Joint Replacement ◽

Major Complication ◽

High Volume ◽

Transfusion Rate ◽

Complication Rates ◽

High Volume Hospital ◽

Total Knee ◽

Acute Retention

Background/Purpose Bilateral simultaneous or sequential total knee replacement (TKR) is performed on a portion of patients but the benefits and risks remain controversial. Methods A total of 89 sequential bilateral TKR (BTKR) patients were compared with 89 unilateral TKR (UTKR) patients in our total joint replacement centre from October 2011 to October 2014. The baseline parameters were matched and postoperative results were compared. Results The BTKR group had a shorter length of stay per knee (4.8 days vs. 6.5 days) but with a higher total drain output, higher haemoglobin drop, higher transfusion rate, and more postoperative acute retention of urine. Both groups had similar major complication rates and no 90 days mortality. Conclusion BTKR is a safe surgery in selected patients performed in a high volume hospital with fast-track programme.

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Outcomes of Cryoballoon Ablation in High- and Low-Volume Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Centres: A Russian Pilot Survey

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/591603 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Evgeny N. Mikhaylov ◽

Dmitry S. Lebedev ◽

Evgeny A. Pokushalov ◽

Karapet V. Davtyan ◽

Eduard A. Ivanitskii ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Major Complication ◽

High Volume ◽

Cryoballoon Ablation ◽

Af Ablation ◽

Major Complication Rate ◽

Low Volume ◽

Total Event ◽

Event Rates ◽

Real Practice

Purpose. The results of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedure have been mainly derived from studies conducted in experienced atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres. Here, we report on CBA efficacy and complications resulting from real practice of this procedure at both high- and low-volume centres.Methods. Among 62 Russian centres performing AF ablation, 15 (24%) used CBA technology for pulmonary vein isolation. The centres were asked to provide a detailed description of all CBA procedures performed and complications, if encountered.Results. Thirteen sites completed interviews on all CBAs in their centres (>95% of CBAs in Russia). Six sites were high-volume AF ablation (>100 AF cases/year) centres, and 7 were low-volume AF ablation. There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia-free rates between high- and low-volume centres (64.6 versus 60.8% at 6 months). Major complications developed in 1.5% of patients and were equally distributed between high- and low-volume centres. Minor procedure-related events were encountered in 8% of patients and were more prevalent in high-volume centres. Total event and vascular access site event rates were higher in women than in men.Conclusions. CBA has an acceptable efficacy profile in real practice. In less experienced AF ablation centres, the major complication rate is equal to that in high-volume centres.

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Center-Level Procedure Volume Does Not Predict Failure-to-Rescue After Severe Complications of Oncologic Colon and Rectal Surgery

World Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00268-021-06296-w ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Miriam Lillo-Felipe ◽

Rebecka Ahl Hulme ◽

Maximilian Peter Forssten ◽

Gary A. Bass ◽

Yang Cao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Cancer ◽

Postoperative Complications ◽

High Volume ◽

Cancer Surgery ◽

Colon And Rectal Surgery ◽

Surgical Volume ◽

Failure To Rescue ◽

Colorectal Cancer Surgery ◽

Procedure Volume ◽

Low Volume

Abstract Background The relationship between hospital surgical volume and outcome after colorectal cancer surgery has thoroughly been studied. However, few studies have assessed hospital surgical volume and failure-to-rescue (FTR) after colon and rectal cancer surgery. The aim of the current study is to evaluate FTR following colorectal cancer surgery between clinics based on procedure volume. Methods Patients undergoing colorectal cancer surgery in Sweden from January 2015 to January 2020 were recruited through the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry. The primary endpoint was FTR, defined as the proportion of patients with 30-day mortality after severe postoperative complications in colorectal cancer surgery. Severe postoperative complications were defined as Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3. FTR incidence rate ratios (IRR) were calculated comparing center volume stratified in low-volume (≤ 200 cases/year) and high-volume centers (> 200 cases/year), as well as with an alternative stratification comparing low-volume (< 50 cases/year), medium-volume (50–150 cases/year) and high-volume centers (> 150 cases/year). Results A total of 23,351 patients were included in this study, of whom 2964 suffered severe postoperative complication(s). Adjusted IRR showed no significant differences between high- and low-volume centers with an IRR of 0.97 (0.75–1.26, p = 0.844) in high-volume centers in the first stratification and an IRR of 2.06 (0.80–5.31, p = 0.134) for high-volume centers and 2.15 (0.83–5.56, p = 0.116) for medium-volume centers in the second stratification. Conclusion This nationwide retrospectively analyzed cohort study fails to demonstrate a significant association between hospital surgical volume and FTR after colorectal cancer surgery. Future studies should explore alternative characteristics and their correlation with FTR to identify possible interventions for the improvement of quality of care after colorectal cancer surgery.

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125 Staged Endovascular Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms: Acute Coiling Followed By Delayed Flow Diversion

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyx417.125 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽

pp. 228-228

Author(s):

Erick Michael Westbroek ◽

Matthew Bender ◽

Narlin B Beaty ◽

Bowen Jiang ◽

Risheng Xu AB ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endovascular Treatment ◽

Complication Rate ◽

Coil Embolization ◽

Intracranial Aneurysms ◽

Major Complication ◽

Flow Diversion ◽

Neurological Deficits ◽

Major Complication Rate ◽

Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysms

Abstract INTRODUCTION ISAT demonstrated that coiling is effective for aneurysm treatment in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); however, complete occlusion of wide-necked aneurysms frequently requires adjuvants relatively contraindicated in SAH. As such, a limited “dome occlusive” strategy is often pursued in the setting of SAH. We report a single institution series of coiling of acutely ruptured aneurysms followed by delayed flow diversion for definitive, curative occlusion. METHODS A prospectively collected IRB-approved database was screened for patients with aneurysmal SAH who were initially treated by coil embolization followed by planned flow diversion at a single academic medical institution. Peri-procedural outcomes, complications, and angiographic follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS >50 patients underwent both acute coiling followed by delayed, planned flow diversion. Average aneurysm size on initial presentation was 9.5 mm. Common aneurysm locations included Pcomm (36%), Acomm (30%), MCA (10%), ACA (10%), and vertebral (5%). Dome occlusion was achieved in all cases following initial coiling. Second-stage implantation of a flow diverting stent was achieved in 49/50 cases (98%). Follow-up angiography was available for 33/50 patients (66%), with mean follow-up of 11 months. 27 patients (82%) had complete angiographic occlusion at last follow up. All patients with residual filling at follow-up still had dome occlusion. There were no mortalities (0%). Major complication rate for stage I coiling was 2% (1 patient with intra-procedural aneurysm re-rupture causing increase in a previous ICH). Major complication rate for stage 2 flow diversion was 2% (1 patient with ischemic stroke following noncompliance with dual antiplatelet regimen). Minor complications occurred in 2 additional patients (4%) with transient neurological deficits. CONCLUSION Staged endovascular treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with acute dome-occlusive coil embolization followed by delayed flow diversion is a safe and effective treatment strategy.

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Diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of image-guided percutaneous transthoracic needle lung biopsy for subsolid pulmonary nodules: a systematic review and meta-analysis

British Journal of Radiology ◽

10.1259/bjr.20210065 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Junghoon Kim ◽

Choong Guen Chee ◽

Jungheum Cho ◽

Youngjune Kim ◽

Min A Yoon

Keyword(s):

Diagnostic Accuracy ◽

Complication Rate ◽

Needle Biopsy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Pulmonary Nodules ◽

Major Complication ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

Fine Needle ◽

Major Complication Rate ◽

Higher Sensitivity

Objectives: To determine the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy (PTNB) for subsolid pulmonary nodules and sources of heterogeneity among reported results. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane libraries (until November 7, 2020) for studies measuring the diagnostic accuracy of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules. Pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB were calculated using a bivariate random-effects model. Bivariate meta-regression analyses were performed to identify sources of heterogeneity. Pooled overall and major complication rates were calculated. Results: We included 744 biopsies from 685 patients (12 studies). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of PTNB for subsolid nodules were 90% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 85–94%) and 99% (95% CI: 92–100%), respectively. Mean age above 65 years was the only covariate significantly associated with higher sensitivity (93% vs 85%, p = 0.04). Core needle biopsy showed marginally higher sensitivity than fine-needle aspiration (93% vs 83%, p = 0.07). Pooled overall and major complication rate of PTNB were 43% (95% CI: 25–62%) and 0.1% (95% CI: 0–0.4%), respectively. Major complication rate was not different between fine-needle aspiration and core needle biopsy groups (p = 0.25). Conclusion: PTNB had acceptable performance and a low major complication rate in diagnosing subsolid pulmonary nodules. The only significant source of heterogeneity in reported sensitivities was a mean age above 65 years. Advances in knowledge: This is the first meta-analysis attempting to systemically determine the cause of heterogeneity in the diagnostic accuracy and complication rate of PTNB for subsolid pulmonary nodules.

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Learning curve for robot-assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy

Diseases of the Esophagus ◽

10.1093/dote/doab026 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yu Han ◽

Yajie Zhang ◽

Wentian Zhang ◽

Jie Xiang ◽

Kai Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Learning Curve ◽

Complication Rate ◽

Major Complication ◽

Robot Assisted ◽

Ivor Lewis ◽

Initial Learning ◽

Cusum Analysis ◽

Technical Proficiency ◽

Major Complication Rate ◽

Two Phases

Summary This study aimed to demonstrate the learning curve of robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). A retrospective analysis of the first 124 consecutive patients who underwent RAMIE with intrathoracic anastomosis (Ivor Lewis) by a single surgeon between May 2015 and August 2020 was performed. An risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) analysis was applied to generate a learning curve of RAMIE considering the major complication rate, which reflected the technical proficiency. The overall 30-day morbidity rate was 38.7%, while the major complication rate was 25.8%. The learning curve was divided into two phases based on the RA-CUSUM analysis: phase I, the initial learning phase (cases 1–51) and phase II, the proficiency phase (cases 52–124). As we compared the proficiency phase with the initial learning phase, significantly decreased trends were observed in relation to the major complication rate (37.3% vs. 18.7%, P = 0.017), total operation time (330.9 ± 55.6 vs. 267.3 ± 39.1 minutes, P < 0.001), and length of hospitalization (10 [IQR, 9–14] days vs. 9 [IQR, 8–11] days, P = 0.034). In conclusion, the learning curve of RAMIE consisted of two phases, and at least 51 cases were required to gain technical proficiency.

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340 Trends and Disparities in Cervical Spine Fusion Procedure Utilization in the New York State

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1093/neuros/nyx417.340 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 64 (CN_suppl_1) ◽

pp. 276-276

Author(s):

Rui Feng ◽

Mark Finkelstein ◽

Eric Karl Oermann ◽

Michael Palese ◽

John M Caridi

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

African American ◽

Cervical Spine ◽

New York State ◽

High Volume ◽

Spine Fusion ◽

York State ◽

High Volume Hospital ◽

Low Volume ◽

Cervical Spine Fusion

Abstract INTRODUCTION There has been a steady increase in spinal fusion procedures performed each year in the US, especially cervical and lumbar fusion. Our study aims to analyze the rate of increase at low-, medium-, and high-volume hospitals, and socioeconomic characteristics of the patient populations at these three volume categories. METHODS We searched the New York State, Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database from 2005 to 2014 for the ICD-9-CM Procedure Codes 81.01 (Fusion, atlas-axis), 81.02 (Fusion, anterior column, other cervical, anterior technique), and 81.03 (Fusion, posterior column, other cervical, posterior technique). Patients' primary diagnosis (ICD-9-CM), age, race/ethnicity, primary payment method, severity of illness, length of stay, hospital of operation were included. We categorized all 122 hospitals high-, medium-, and low-volume. We then described the trends in annual number of cervical spine fusion surgeries in each of the three hospital volume groups using descriptive statistics. RESULTS >African American patients were significantly greater portion of patients receiving care at low-volume hospitals, 15.1% versus 11.6% at high-volume hospital. Medicaid and self-pay patients were also overrepresented at low-volume centers, 6.7% and 3.9% versus 2.6% and 1.7% respectively at high-volume centers. In addition, Compared with Caucasian patients, African American patients had higher rates of post-operative infection (P = 0.0020) and post-operative bleeding (P = 0.0044). Compared with privately insured patients, Medicaid patients had a higher rate of post-operative bleeding (P = 0.0266) and in-hospital mortality (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION Our results showed significant differences in racial distribution and primary payments methods between the low- and high-volume categories, and suggests that accessibility to care at high-volume centers remains problematic for these disadvantaged populations.

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