Assessing Risk of Critical Care Complications and Mortality in the Elective Bariatric Surgery Population Using a Modified Frailty Index.

BACKGROUND: The rate of surgical complications from bariatric procedures remains low despite an increase in volume. When serious complications occur, they are associated with an increased risk of mortality. The aim of this study is to determine if frail bariatric patients have an increased rate of Clavien level 4 and 5 complications. This study was conducted in participating hospitals in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). METHODS: The NSQIP participant use files were used to identify 104,952 patients undergoing elective bariatric procedures from 2005 to 2012. A previously described modified frailty index (mFI) was calculated based on available NSQIP variables, with a higher index suggesting more frail patients. Postoperative adverse events were stratified to Clavien levels 4 and 5 utilizing a pre-existing mapping scheme. RESULTS: Overall, 1 % of patients undergoing elective bariatric surgery experienced Clavien level 4 complications, and 0.2 % experienced a Clavien level 5 complication (mortality). Univariate analysis demonstrated that frailty was significant for both Clavien level 4 and 5 complications (p < 0.001). The mean mFI for those with Clavien level 4 complications, 0.15, was significantly higher than those without Clavien 4 complications, 0.09 (p < 0.001). Those experiencing mortality had a mean mFI of 0.17 compared to a mean mFI of 0.09 in those without mortality (p < 0.001). Frailty retained the highest odds ratio for both Clavien 4 and 5 complications in multivariate analysis compared to American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) class, age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and procedure type. CONCLUSIONS: Frailty may be used during patient selection to stratify bariatric surgery patients at high risk for critical care level complications.

Are the frail destined to fail? Frailty index as predictor of surgical morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

BACKGROUND: America's aging population has led to an increase in the number of elderly patients necessitating emergency general surgery. Previous studies have demonstrated that increased frailty is a predictor of outcomes in medicine and surgical patients. We hypothesized that use of a modification of the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index would be a predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients older than 60 years undergoing emergency general surgery. METHODS: Data were obtained from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Participant Use Files database in compliance with the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Data Use Agreement. We selected all emergency cases in patients older than 60 years performed by general surgeons from 2005 to 2009. The effect of increasing frailty on multiple outcomes including wound infection, wound occurrence, any infection, any occurrence, and mortality was then evaluated. RESULTS: Total sample size was 35,334 patients. As the modified frailty index increased, associated increases occurred in wound infection, wound occurrence, any infection, any occurrence, and mortality. Logistic regression of multiple variables demonstrated that the frailty index was associated with increased mortality with an odds ratio of 11.70 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Frailty index is an important predictive variable in emergency general surgery patients older than 60 years. The modified frailty index can be used to evaluate risk of both morbidity and mortality in these patients. Frailty index will be a valuable preoperative risk assessment tool for the acute care surgeon. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic study, level II.

Predictors of critical care-related complications in colectomy patients using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program: exploring frailty and aggressive laparoscopic approaches.

BACKGROUND: Colectomy patients experience a broad set of adverse outcomes. Complications requiring critical care support are common in this group. We hypothesized that as frailty increases, the risk of Clavien class IV and V complications will increase in colectomy patients. METHODS: Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) participant use files for 2005-2009, we identified patients who underwent laparoscopic and open colectomies by Current Procedural Terminology code. Using the Clavien classification for postoperative complications, we identified NSQIP data points most consistent with Clavien class IV requiring intensive care unit (ICU) care or class V complications (death). We used a modified frailty index with 11 variables based on mapping the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index and existing NSQIP variables. Logistic regression was performed to acuity adjust the findings. RESULTS: A total of 58,448 colectomies were identified. As frailty index increased from 0 to 0.55, the proportion of those experiencing Clavien class IV or V complications increased from 3.2% at baseline to 56.3%. Variables found to be significant by logistic regression (odds ratio) were frailty index (14.4; p = 0.001), open procedure (2.35; p < 0.001), and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 4 (3.2; p = 0.038) or 5 (7.1; p = 0.001) while emergency operation and wound classification 3 or 4 were not. CONCLUSIONS: Complications requiring ICU care represent a significant morbidity in the colectomy patient population. Frailty index seems to be an important predictor of ICU-level complications and death, and laparoscopy seems to be protective.

Getting back to zero with nucleated red blood cells: following trends is not necessarily a bad thing.

BACKGROUND: The presence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) has been identified as a poor prognostic indicator. We investigated the relationship of NRBC trends in patients with and without trauma. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed surgical intensive care unit admissions over 4 years, categorizing trauma and nontrauma patients and subdividing them into 3 groups: group A, all-zero NRBC; group B, positive NRBC value returning to zero; and group C, positive NRBC value that did not return to zero. We analyzed all groups for outcomes of length of stay and mortality. RESULTS: Group A was the largest and had the shortest length of stay and least mortality. Group C had the highest mortality rate. No statistical difference was observed with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Any positive NRBC was associated with poor outcome, and increasing NRBC was associated with increasing mortality. Trends in NRBC values showed that returning to zero was protective.

Resuscitation bundle compliance in severe sepsis and septic shock: improves survival, is better late than never.

UNLABELLED: While clinicians' management of severe sepsis and septic shock has been positively influenced by a number of clinical research studies in the last decade, challenges remain regarding early hemodynamic optimization as envisioned in the Surviving Sepsis Campaign's (SSC) resuscitation bundle (RB). We examined the impact of a hospital-wide continuous quality improvement (CQI) initiative on patients presenting with severe sepsis and septic shock, and the impact of the sepsis RB on patient outcomes when completed beyond the 6-hour recommendation period. The study was an 18-month, prospective cohort study enrolling patients who met the definition of severe sepsis or septic shock. Compliance with the hemodynamic components of the sepsis RB was defined as achieving goal mean arterial pressure (MAP) ≥ 65 mm Hg, central venous pressure (CVP) ≥ 8 mm Hg, and central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) ≥ 70%. Compliance was assessed at 6 hours and 18 hours after diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock. In all, 498 patients with severe sepsis and/or septic shock were evaluated to determine the upper limit of the range of hours that compliance with the RB would still improve outcomes. Using 18 hours as a marker, Compliers at 18 hrs and Non-Compliers at 18 hrs were compared. There were 202 patients who had the RB completed in less than or equal to 18 hours. There were 296 patients who did not complete the RB at 18 hours. The Compliers at 18 hrs had a significant 10.2% lower hospital mortality 37.1% (22% relative reduction) compared to the Non-Compliers at 18 hrs hospital mortality of 47.3% (P < .03). When the two groups were adjusted for differences in baseline illness severity, the Compliers at 18 hrs had a greater reduction in predicted mortality of 26.8% versus 9.4%, P < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Initiating the sepsis RB for patients with severe sepsis and/or septic shock decreased mortality. A CQI initiative that monitored the implementation in real-time allowed for improvement in compliance and efficacy of the bundle on outcomes. Multiple studies have shown that compliance to the RB within 6 hours lowers hospital mortality. This study uniquely shows that when bundle completion is extended to 18 hours, the mortality reduction remains significant.

A tight glycemic control initiative in a surgical intensive care unit and hospitalwide.

BACKGROUND: In 2002, tight glycemic control (TGC) was mandated at Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs). THE FIVE STEPS FOR IMPROVEMENT: The TGC initiative was developed in terms of the five primary steps of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) framework for leadership for improvement to drive practice change and maintain continuous improvement. In terms of Steps 1-3 (set direction, establish the foundation, and build will), in April 2002 the chief executive officer of the Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) announced a hospitalwide initiative to reduce SSIs. For steps 4 and 5 (generate ideas and execute change), the 40-bed surgical intensive care unit (SICU) was designated the practice-change setting. TGC protocols were implemented in cardiothoracic patients, followed by all SICU patients, with target glucose ranges moving from the initial < 150 mg/dL to 80-110 mg/dL. Results showed decreases in SSIs and mortality. The project's success led initiation of hospitalwide TGC in the next two years. RESPONDING TO A CHANGING EVIDENCE BASE: In 2009, as studies began to show that the recommended glucose target of 80-110 mg/dL was not associated with clinical improvement in ICU patients and perhaps may cause harm (increased mortality), the target ranges were modified. LESSONS LEARNED: Barriers to adoption of new practice change must be integrated into the planning process. Leadership champions are required across multiple levels of the organization to drive change to the bedside for effective and lasting improvement. CONCLUSIONS: A universal TGC protocol continues to be used throughout the hospital, with modifications and next-generation improvements occurring as evidence arises.

Neurologic sequelae of penetrating cervical trauma.

STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, retrospective chart analysis was performed using data housed in the trauma registries of 2 independent American College of Surgeons verified, Level I Trauma centers. The trauma registries were queried for all cases of penetrating cervical trauma. Abstracted data included age, sex, race, mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) level on arrival, neurologic findings on arrival, zone of injury, associated injuries, imaging studies and results, operations performed, neurologic sequelae, disposition from the hospital and the presence or absence of neurologic injury, cervical spine fracture, and cervical spine immobilization. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cervical spine immobilization and neurologic sequelae in penetrating cervical trauma. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Current recommendations for cervical spine immobilization in penetrating cervical trauma developed by empiric extension of blunt trauma protocols without evidentiary support. No evidence exists to support cervical spine immobilization as a means of preventing neurologic injury progression in cases of penetrating cervical injury. METHODS: Abstracted data were organized, entered into a database, and compared statistically. Significance was accepted for P<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 196 patient charts formed the study cohort. Neurologic injuries either improved or remained static. No patient could be determined to have benefited from cervical spine immobilization in this study as the only 2 patients presenting with unstable cervical spine fractures were completely neurologically devastated at the time of injury. Prehospital cervical spine immobilization may have negatively affected patients with vascular and airway injuries. Decreased cervical spine immobilization rates at one institution did not affect neurologic outcome. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine immobilization does not appear to prevent progression of neurologic injury in cases of penetrating cervical trauma. Comorbid penetrating injuries may be negatively impacted by prehospital cervical spine immobilization.

Transfusion insurgency: practice change through education and evidence-based recommendations.

BACKGROUND: In 2000, we implemented an evidence-based guideline in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) using a transfusion threshold of hemoglobin <8 g/dL. We hypothesized that continual education on the transfusion protocol would decrease transfusions. METHODS: We analyzed 2-month samples of admissions in even-numbered years from 1998 to 2006. Any infusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) was included. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 2,138 patients resulting in 5,130 transfusions. Thirty-six patients received >20 U of blood. The only difference between groups occurred in 2006 when renal failure increased. Transfusions decreased from 3.2 +/- 0.34 (SE) to 1.7 +/- 0.2. The number of patients who received blood also decreased. Mortality and length of stay (LOS) were not different among the groups. Every unit of blood transfused increased the mortality risk by 14%. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an evidence-based transfusion guideline reduced the number of infused units and patients transfused without an increase in mortality.

No respect: research in quality, safety, and process improvement.

The need for good quality and safety research has never been more imperative, but even as we encourage and promote such work, we seem to suppress it through institutional bias and inertia. Indeed the culture of health care seems to have a love-hate relationship with quality-improvement work as a whole. In this commentary we explore some of the implications of the application of pure science standards at the sharp end of clinical practice, where the down-and-dirty street-level improvement work happens.

Acute renal failure in cardiothoracic surgery patients: what is the best definition of this common and potent predictor of increased morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Universal agreement on criteria for acute renal failure (ARF) is lacking. The purpose of the current study was to determine which of 6 definitions for ARF best predicted clinical outcomes in postoperative cardiothoracic surgery (CTS) patients. METHODS: Criteria for ARF were retrospectively applied to 1,085 CTS patients. General linear models analyzed length of stay (LOS) and ventilator days with logistic regression for mortality. RESULTS: Thirty-seven percent of patients met at least 1 of 6 definitions of ARF. For each 1-mg/dL increase from the initial creatinine, LOS increased by 6.96 days, ventilator days increased by 3.58 days, and mortality increased by 2.23 times (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: One definition that best predicted ARF was not found. ARF was a significant independent predictor of increased mortality, LOS, and ventilator days. Even small increases in creatinine correlate with clinically significant worsening of expected outcomes.

Hyperbilirubinemia: a risk factor for infection in the surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Hyperbilirubinemia in intensive care unit (ICU) patients is common. We hypothesized that hyperbilirubinemia in the surgical ICU predisposes patients to infection. METHODS: Patients with bilirubin < or = 3 mg/dL were compared to patients with bilirubin > 3 mg/dL. We then compared the low bilirubin patients to high bilirubin patients who developed infection after their hyperbilirubinemia. RESULTS: There were 1,620 infections in 5,712 patients with low bilirubin (28%), compared with 284 in 409 patients in the high bilirubin group (69%, P < .001). After removing the patients in whom hyperbilirubinemia developed after infection, we found infection in 156 of 281 remaining patients (56%, P < .001). This group had a 3-fold increased risk of infection compared with low bilirubin (odds ratio [OR] 3.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.48-4.03, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased susceptibility to infection among jaundiced surgical ICU (SICU) patients that persists even when sepsis-related hyperbilirubinemia patients are excluded.

The impact of mild renal dysfunction on postoperative mortality in the surgical intensive care unit.

The negative impact of mild to moderate renal dysfunction on patient outcome is often under-estimated. Any amount of renal dysfunction is deleterious in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). We evaluated all surgery patients admitted to our SICU. We identified two groups of patients: no renal failure and acute renal failure. A total of 5152 patients were included in this study. There were 1259 patients in the acute renal failure group. The average number of ventilator days increased by 2.2 for every increase of creatinine by 1.0. Patients who required dialysis stayed an average of 11 days longer than patients who did not have any renal failure. For every increase of creatinine by 1.0, average cost increased by $23,048. Only 7 per cent of the patients with acute renal failure required dialysis (n = 85). The odds ratio for mortality compared with those patients without renal failure was 7.06 (confidence interval, 3.91-12.76) regardless of the definition of renal failure. This study demonstrates that even mild to moderate renal failure increases mortality. Moreover, we demonstrated that even a mild decline in renal function increases length of stay, ventilator days, and cost in patients in the SICU. Aggressive vigilance in the prevention of any loss of renal function is warranted in the SICU.

Renal dysfunction in trauma: even a little costs a lot.

BACKGROUND: Acute renal failure (ARF) is a devastating complication in critically ill patients. There is a paucity of data that describes the impact of ARF on the outcome of trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit. METHODS: We studied trauma patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit to determine the effect of increases in serum creatinine on the number of ventilator days, length of stay, mortality, and cost. We used the administrative database of the hospital and the trauma registry. Renal failure (RF) was defined as one or more of the following: creatinine >1.5 mg/dL, increase in creatinine of >50%, or increase of creatinine by 0.5 mg/dL. RESULTS: We obtained data on 1,033 patients. Two hundred and forty-six (23.8%) patients met at least one criterion for RF. Only 25 of these patients had one or more episodes of renal replacement therapy. The RF group had mortality of 24.4% compared with 2.3% in the no renal failure group (p < 0.0001). For each 1 mg/dL increase from the initial creatinine, length of stay increased by 2.21 days, ventilator days increased by 1.09 days, and the mortality risk increased by 1.83 times (CI, 1.47-2.29; p < 0.0001). For any diagnosis of renal dysfunction, the average cost increase was $3,088.00 and increased mortality risk was 7.19 times (CI, 4.11-12.58). CONCLUSION: Vigilance in preventing creatinine increases and ameliorating or removing potential causes should occur as soon as creatinine begins to rise to avoid worsening renal function, to reduce cost, and to improve patient outcome.

Central venous-arterial carbon dioxide difference as an indicator of cardiac index.

OBJECTIVE: The mixed venous-arterial (v-a) pCO(2) difference has been shown to be inversely correlated with the cardiac index (CI). A central venous pCO(2), which is easier to obtain, may provide similar information. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between the central venous-arterial pCO(2) difference and CI. DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study. SETTING: Intensive care unit of an urban tertiary care hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-three consecutive intensive care unit patients. MEASUREMENTS: Simultaneous blood gases from the arterial, pulmonary artery (PA), and central venous (CV) catheters were obtained. At the same time point, cardiac indices were measured by the thermodilution technique (an average of three measurements). The cardiac indices obtained by the venous-arterial differences were compared with those determined by thermodilution. RESULTS: The correlation (R(2)) between the mixed venous-arterial pCO(2) difference and cardiac index was 0.903 (p <0.0001), and the correlation between the central venous-arterial pCO(2) difference and cardiac index was 0.892 (p <0.0001). The regression equations for these relationships were natural log (CI)=1.837-0.159 (v-a) CO(2) for the PA and natural log (CI)=1.787-0.151 (v-a) CO(2) for the CV (p <0.0001 for both). The root-mean-squared error for the PA and CV regression equations were 0.095 and 0.101, respectively. CONCLUSION: Venous-arterial pCO(2) differences obtained from both the PA and CV circulations inversely correlate with the cardiac index. Substitution of a central for a mixed venous-arterial pCO(2) difference provides an accurate alternative method for calculation of cardiac output.

An insulin infusion protocol in critically ill cardiothoracic surgery patients.

BACKGROUND: Critically ill cardiothoracic patients are prone to hyperglycemia and an increased risk of surgical site infections postoperatively. Aggressive insulin treatment is required to achieve tight glycemic control (TGC) and improve outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To examine and report on the performance of an insulin infusion protocol to maintain TGC, defined as a blood glucose level of 80-150 mg/dL, in critically ill cardiothoracic surgical patients. METHODS: A nurse-driven insulin infusion protocol was developed and initiated in postoperative cardiothoracic surgical intensive care patients with or without diabetes. In this before-after cohort study, 2 periods of measurement were performed: a 6-month baseline period prior to the initiation of the insulin infusion protocol (control group, n = 174) followed by a 6-month intervention period in which the protocol was used (TGC group, n = 168). RESULTS: Findings showed percent and time of blood glucose measurements within the TGC range (control 47% vs TGC 61%; p = 0.001), AUC of glucose exposure >150 mg/dL versus time for the first 24 hours of the insulin infusion (control 28.4 vs TGC 14.8; p < 0.001), median time to blood glucose <150 mg/dL (control 9.4 h vs TGC 2.1 h; p < 0.001), and percent blood glucose <65 mg/dL as a marker for hypoglycemia (control 9.8% vs TGC 16.7%; NS). CONCLUSIONS: An insulin infusion protocol designed to achieve a goal blood glucose range of 80-150 mg/dL efficiently and significantly improved TGC in critically ill postoperative cardiothoracic surgery patients without significantly increasing the incidence of hypoglycemia.

Guidelines for the inter- and intrahospital transport of critically ill patients.

OBJECTIVE: The development of practice guidelines for the conduct of intra- and interhospital transport of the critically ill patient. DATA SOURCE: Expert opinion and a search of Index Medicus from January 1986 through October 2001 provided the basis for these guidelines. A task force of experts in the field of patient transport provided personal experience and expert opinion. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Several prospective and clinical outcome studies were found. However, much of the published data comes from retrospective reviews and anecdotal reports. Experience and consensus opinion form the basis of much of these guidelines. RESULTS OF DATA SYNTHESIS: Each hospital should have a formalized plan for intra- and interhospital transport that addresses a) pretransport coordination and communication; b) transport personnel; c) transport equipment; d) monitoring during transport; and e) documentation. The transport plan should be developed by a multidisciplinary team and should be evaluated and refined regularly using a standard quality improvement process. CONCLUSION: The transport of critically ill patients carries inherent risks. These guidelines promote measures to ensure safe patient transport. Although both intra- and interhospital transport must comply with regulations, we believe that patient safety is enhanced during transport by establishing an organized, efficient process supported by appropriate equipment and personnel.

Guidelines for critical care medicine training and continuing medical education.

OBJECTIVE: Critical care medicine trainees and faculty must acquire and maintain the skills necessary to provide state-of-the art clinical care to critically ill patients, to improve patient outcomes, optimize intensive care unit utilization, and continue to advance the theory and practice of critical care medicine. This should be accomplished in an environment dedicated to compassionate and ethical care. PARTICIPANTS: A multidisciplinary panel of professionals with expertise in critical care education and the practice of critical care medicine under the direction of the American College of Critical Care Medicine. SCOPE: Physician education in critical care medicine in the United States should encompass all disciplines that provide care in the intensive care unit and all levels of training: from medical students through all levels of postgraduate training and continuing medical education for all providers of clinical critical care. The scope of this guideline includes physician education in the United States from residency through ongoing practice after subspecialization. DATA SOURCES AND SYNTHESIS: Relevant literature was accessed via a systematic Medline search as well as by requesting references from all panel members. Subsequently, the bibliographies of obtained literature were reviewed for additional references. In addition, a search of organization-based published material was conducted via the Internet. This included but was not limited to material published by the American College of Critical Care Medicine, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, and other primary and specialty organizations. Collaboratively and iteratively, the task force met, by conference call and in person, to construct the tenets and ultimately the substance of this guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Guidelines for the continuum of education in critical care medicine from residency through specialty training and ongoing throughout practice will facilitate standardization of physician education in critical care medicine.

Indicators for tracheostomy in patients with traumatic brain injury.

Our objective was to develop criteria to identify patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) who require a tracheostomy (TR). From January 1994 to May 2000 all TBI patients requiring intubation on presentation and who survived >7 days were identified from our trauma registry. Demographics, Glasgow Coma Score (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), and ventilator days, ICU days, hospital days, need for TR, and development of pneumonia were statistically analyzed. Of 246 patients with TBI 211 without TR and 35 with TR were identified (mean time to TR 13.3+/-7.0 days). Logistic regression analysis identified presenting GCS < or =8, ISS > or =25, and ventilator days >7 as significant predictors for TR. Applying these three predictors to our population identified 48 patients (21 with TR, 18 without TR, and nine who died on the ventilator without TR) with a sensitivity of 60 per cent, a specificity of 87 per cent, a positive predictive value of 44 per cent, and a negative predictive value of 93 per cent. Patients with TR had lower presenting GCS and higher ventilator, ICU, and hospital days (P < 0.05). Pneumonia rates were similar. Time to neurologic recovery (GCS > or =9) was longer for the TR patients as compared with the patients without TR. We conclude that patients with TBI presenting with a GCS < or =8, an ISS > or =25, and ventilator days >7 are more likely to require TR. Performing TR late did not reduce pneumonia rates or ventilator, ICU, or hospital days. By identifying the at-risk population early TR could be performed in an attempt to decrease morbidity and length of stay.