Preoperative chest computed tomography in emergency surgery during COVID-19 pandemic

Background The COVID-19 pandemic challenges the recommendations for patients’ preoperative assessment for preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 transmission and COVID-19-associated postoperative complications and morbidities. Purpose To evaluate the contribution of chest computed tomography for preoperatively assessing patients who are not suspected of being infected with COVID-19 at the time of referral. Methods Candidates for emergency surgery screened via chest computed tomography from 8 to 27 April 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Computed tomography images were analysed for the presence of COVID-19-associated intrapulmonary changes. When applicable, laboratory and recorded clinical symptoms were extracted. Results Eighty-eight patients underwent preoperative chest computed tomography; 24% were rated as moderately suspicious and 11% as highly suspicious on computed tomography. Subsequent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed for seven patients, all of whom tested negative for COVID-19. Seven patients showed COVID-19-associated clinical symptoms, and most were classified as being mildly to moderately severe as per the clinical classification grading system. Only one case was severe. Four cases underwent RT-PCR with negative results. Conclusion In a cohort without clinical suspicion of COVID-19 infection upon referral, preoperative computed tomography during the COVID-19 pandemic can yield a high suspicion of infection, even if the patient lacks clinical symptoms and is RT-PCR-negative. No recommendations can be made based on our results but contribute to the debate.

Estimation of the Overuse of Preoperative Chest X-rays According to “Choosing Wisely”, “No Hacer”, and “Essencial” Initiatives: Are They Equally Applicable and Comparable?

Background: Overuse reduces the efficiency of healthcare systems and compromises patient safety. Different institutions have issued recommendations on the indication of preoperative chest X-rays, but the degree of compliance with these recommendations is unknown. This study investigates the frequency and characteristics of the inappropriateness of this practice. Methods: This is a descriptive observational study with analytical components, performed in a tertiary hospital in the Community of Madrid (Spain) between July 2018 and June 2019. The inappropriateness of preoperative chest X-ray tests was analyzed according to “Choosing Wisely”, “No Hacer” and “Essencial” initiatives and the cost associated with this practice was estimated in Relative Value and Monetary Units. Results: A total of 3449 preoperative chest X-ray tests were performed during the period of study. In total, 5.4% of them were unjustified according to the “No Hacer” recommendation and 73.3% according to “Choosing Wisely” and “Essencial” criteria, which would be equivalent to 5.6% and 11.8% of the interventions in which this test was unnecessary, respectively. One or more preoperative chest X-ray(s) were indicated in more than 20% of the interventions in which another chest X-ray had already been performed in the previous 3 months. A higher inappropriateness score was also recorded for interventions with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade ≥ III (16.5%). The Anesthesiology service obtained a lower inappropriateness score than other Petitioning Surgical Services (57.5% according to “Choosing Wisely” and “Essencial”; 4.1% according to “No Hacer”). Inappropriate indication of chest X-rays represents an annual cost of EUR 52,122.69 (170.1 Relative Value Units) according to “No Hacer” and EUR 3895.29 (2276.1 Relative Value Units) according to “Choosing Wisely” or “Essencial” criteria. Conclusions: There was wide variability between the recommendations that directly affected the degree of inappropriateness found, with the main reasons for inappropriateness being duplication of preoperative chest X-rays and the lack of consideration of the particularities of thoracic interventions. This inappropriateness implies a significant expense according to the applicable recommendations and therefore a high opportunity cost.

Factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for elective endoscopic procedures among medical personnel

Background Chest radiography is not routinely recommended before elective endoscopies. A high incidence of perioperative chest radiography requests was observed at our institution. This study aims to investigate factors influencing preoperative chest radiography request for patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies. Methods This cross-sectional clinical study recruited 264 participants from different medical specialties who were responsible for preoperative endoscopic chest x-ray (CXR) ordering including anesthesiologists, surgeons and gastroenterologists. They completed questionnaires exploring their general knowledge and attitudes about preoperative chest radiography. Demographic characteristic of the participants affecting the knowledge on preoperative chest radiography was determined. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was constructed from validated conceptual framework to find causal relationships between hypothesized factors and intention for preoperative endoscopic chest radiography request. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software version 18.0 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 18.0. Results The questionnaire response rate was 53.79%. Baseline general knowledge on preoperative chest radiography of the participants was comparable. The SEM results showed unsupported relationship between hypothesized factors and the intention for preprocedural GI endoscopic CXR request (p < 0.1). Conclusions General knowledge of medical personnel on tuberculosis needs improvement. To rectify the unnecessary chest radiography request before elective GI endoscopic procedures, awareness of the patients’ health conditions, adherence to the hospital’s policy and realizing of possible patient-related mishaps are not the determinants for preprocedural endoscopic chest radiography request. Future works are required to explore other alternative factors involved for reducing chest radiography requests which are not indicated.