Predictive factors for prolonged hospital stay after retropubic radical prostatectomy in a high-volume teaching center

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the length hospital stay and predictors of prolonged hospitalization after RRP performed in a high-surgical volume teaching institution, and analyze the rate of unplanned visits to the office, emergency care, hospital readmissions and perioperative complications rates. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a standardized database for patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing RRP in our institution between January/2010 - January/2012. A logistic regression model including preoperative variables was initially built in order to determine the factors that predict prolonged hospital stay before the surgical procedure; subsequently, a second model including both pre and intraoperative variables was analyzed. Results: 1011 patients underwent RRP at our institution were evaluated. The median hospital stay was 2 days, and 217 (21.5%) patients had prolonged hospitalization. Predictors of prolonged hospital stay among the preoperative variables were ICC (OR. 1.40 p=0.003), age (OR 1.050 p<0.001), ASA score of 3 (OR. 3.260 p<0.001), prostate volume on USG-TR (OR, 1.005 p=0.038) and African-American race (OR 2.235 p=0.004); among intra and postoperative factors, operative time (OR 1.007 p=0.022) and the presence of any complications (OR 2.013 p=0.009) or major complications (OR 2.357 p=0.01) were also correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay. The complication rate was 14.5%. Conclusions: The independent predictors of prolonged hospitalization among preoperative variables were CCI, age, ASA score of 3, prostate volume on USG-TR and African-American race; amongst intra and postoperative factors, operative time, presence of any complications and major complications were correlated independently with prolonged hospital stay.

Effects of Physician Volume on Readmission and Mortality in Elderly Patients with Heart Failure: Nationwide Cohort Study

PURPOSE: Readmission and mortality rates of patients with heart failure are good indicators of care quality. To determine whether hospital resources are associated with care quality for cardiac patients, we analyzed the effect of number of physicians and the combined effects of number of physicians and beds on 30-day readmission and 1-year mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used national cohort sample data of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims in 2002–2013. Subjects comprised 2345 inpatients (age: >65 years) admitted to acute-care hospitals for heart failure. A multivariate Cox regression was used. RESULTS: Of the 2345 patients hospitalized with heart failure, 812 inpatients (34.6%) were readmitted within 30 days and 190 (8.1%) had died within a year. Heart-failure patients treated at hospitals with low physician volumes had higher readmission and mortality rates than high physician volumes [30-day readmission: hazard ratio (HR)=1.291, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.020–1.633; 1-year mortality: HR=2.168, 95% CI=1.415–3.321]. Patients admitted to hospitals with low or middle bed and physician volume had higher 30-day readmission and 1-year mortality rates than those admitted to hospitals with high volume (30-day readmission: HR=2.812, 95% CI=1.561–5.066 for middle-volume beds & low-volume physicians, 1-year mortality: HR=8.638, 95% CI=2.072–36.02 for middle-volume beds & low-volume physicians). CONCLUSION: Physician volume is related to lower readmission and mortality for heart failure. Of interest, 30-day readmission and 1-year mortality were significantly associated with the combined effects of physician and institution bed volume.

Perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes atendidos pelo serviço de cirurgia plástica do hospital João XXIII em Belo Horizonte/MG no período de março à agosto de 2013 / Epidemiological profile of patients treated by the plastic surgery service of the João XXIII hospital in Belo Horizonte/MG from March to August 2013

Introdução: O Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica Programada do Hospital João XXIII exerce o suporte às demais especialidades através de inter-consultas e, realiza atendimento aos pacientes com entrada no Hospital pela cirurgia plástica. O escopo deste estudo foi analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes atendidos durante o período de Março à Agosto de 2013. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional prospectivo com coleta de dados realizada através de anamnese e exame físico. Resultados: Dentre os pacientes avaliados 75,23% eram do sexo masculino e 21,34% do sexo feminino. A faixa etária predominante foi a economicamente ativa com 62,86% dos pacientes entre 16 e 45 anos. Foi observado que os acidentes de trânsito figuraram como os principais determinantes de atendimentos (44,85%). As escaras constituíram os diagnósticos mais frequentes e dentre as outras lesões avaliadas, observou-se que se concentraram nos membros. A Clínica Médica e a Ortopedia solicitaram o maior número de inter-consultas. Evidenciou-se que o tratamento através de abordagem cirúrgica (52,9%) e o acompanhamento com cuidados locais (47,1%) apresentaram frequências aproximadas. Conclusão: Na busca por propor medidas para prevenir e tratar as lesões próprias de abrangência da cirurgia plástica reparadora destacaram-se dois pontos: os acidentes de trânsito e as escaras de decúbito. Ambos com fatores determinantes bem elucidados, porém mantendo alta prevalência. Torna-se evidente a necessidade de atuação nas esferas públicas para uma melhor educação no trânsito e redução da ocorrência de acidentes. No âmbito hospitalar é primordial que se adotem medidas eficazes que impeçam o surgimento das temíveis escaras de decúbito.

Introduction: The Plastic Surgery Service of the João XXIII Hospital provides support to other specialties through interdepartmental consultation and follows patients admitted to the hospital for plastic surgery. This study analyzed the epidemiological profile of patients treated from March to August 2013. Methods: This was a prospective observational study with data collection performed by medical history and physical examination. Results: Of the patients evaluated, 75.23% were male and 21.34% female. The predominant age group was economically active, with 62.86% of the patients between 16 and 45 years. Traffic accidents were the main reason for care (44.85%). Pressure ulcers were the most frequent diagnoses, and other lesions evaluated were predominantly of the extremities. Internal Medicine and Orthopedics requested most consultations. Surgical treatment (52.9%) and follow-up with local care (47.1%) showed similar frequencies. Conclusion: In order to propose measures for prevention and treatment of injuries within the scope of reconstructive plastic surgery, two issues were highlighted: traffic accidents and pressure ulcers. Both have well-defined causes, but remain at high prevalence. The need for public action that promotes better traffic education and reduction of accidents is clear. In the hospital environment, it is essential to take effective measures to prevent the emergence of dreaded pressure ulcers.