Identifying Patterns and Predictors of Prescription Opioid Use After Total Joint Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty account for over 1 million procedures annually. Opioids are the mainstay of postoperative pain management for these patients. In this context, the objective of this study was to determine patterns of use and factors associated with early discontinuation of opioids after total joint arthroplasty (TJA). METHODS: TRICARE claims data (2006-2014) were queried for adult (18-64 years) patients who underwent total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty. Prescription opioid use was identified from 6 months before and 6 months after surgical intervention. Prior opioid use was categorized as naïve, exposed (with non-sustained use), and sustained (6 month continuous use before surgery). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to identify factors associated with opioid discontinuation following TJA. RESULTS: Among the 29,767 patients included in the study, 15,271 (51.3%) had prior opioid exposure and 3,740 (12.5%) were sustained opioid users. At 6 months after the surgical intervention, 3,171 (10.6%) continued opioid use, 3.3% were among opioid naïve, 10.2% among exposed, and 33.3% among sustained users. In risk-adjusted models, prior opioid exposure (hazards ratio: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.62-0.67) and sustained prior use (hazards ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.31-0.35) were the strongest predictors of lower likelihood of opioid discontinuation. Lower socio-economic status, depression, and anxiety were also strong predictors. CONCLUSION: Prior opioid exposure was strongly associated with continued opioid dependence after TJA. Although one-third of prior sustained users continued use after surgery, approximately 10% of previously exposed patients became sustained users, making them the prime candidates for targeted interventions to reduce the likelihood of sustained opioid use after TJA.

Emergency Department Utilization in the U.S. Military Health System.

INTRODUCTION: Emergency department (ED) utilization represents an expensive and growing means of accessing care for a variety of conditions. Prior studies have characterized ED utilization in the general population. We aim to identify the clinical conditions that drive ED utilization in a universally insured population and the impacts of care setting on ED use and admissions in the U.S. Military Health System. METHODS: We queried TRICARE claims data from October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2015, to identify all ED visits for adult patients (age 18-64). The primary presenting diagnoses of all ED visits and those leading to admission are presented with descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was used to identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with admission from the ED. RESULTS: A total of 4,687,205 ED visits were identified, of which 46% took place in the DoD healthcare facilities (direct care). The most common diagnoses across all ED visits were abdominal pain, chest pain, headache, nausea and vomiting, and urinary tract infection. A total of 270,127 (5.8%) ED visits led to inpatient admission. The most common diagnoses leading to admission were chest pain, abdominal pain, depression, conditions relating to acute psychological stress, and pneumonia. For patients presenting with 1 of the 10 most common ED diagnoses, those who were seen at a civilian ED were significantly less likely to be admitted (3.4%) compared to direct care facilities (4.1%) in an adjusted logistic regression model (Adjusted Odds Ratio 0.40 [95% CI: 0.40-0.41], P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Ultimately, we show that abdominal pain and chest pain are the most common reasons for presentation to the ED in the Military Health System and the most common presenting diagnoses for admission from the ED. Among patients presenting with the most common ED conditions, direct care EDs were significantly more likely to admit patients than civilian facilities.

Super-Utilization of the Emergency Department in a Universally Insured Population.

INTRODUCTION: Super-utilizers (patients with 4 or more emergency department [ED] visits a year) account for 10% to 26% of all ED visits and are responsible for a growing proportion of healthcare expenditures. Patients recognize the ED as a reliable provider of acute care, as well as a timely resource for diagnosis and treatment. The value of ED care is indisputable in critical and emergent conditions, but in the case of non-urgent conditions, ED utilization may represent an inefficiency in the healthcare system. We sought to identify patient and clinical characteristics associated with ED super-utilization in a universally insured population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using TRICARE claims data from the Military Health System Data Repository (2011-2015). We reviewed the claims data of all adult patients (aged 18-64 years) who had at least one encounter at the ED for any cause. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine independent factors associated with ED super-utilization. RESULTS: Factors associated with increased odds of ED super-utilization included Charlson Score ≥2 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.98, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.90-2.06), being eligible for Medicare (aOR 1.95, 95% CI: 1.90-2.01), and female sex (aOR 1.35, 95% CI: 1.33-1.37). Active duty service members (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.68-0.72) and beneficiaries with higher sponsor-rank (Officers: aOR 0.50, 95% CI: 0.55-0.57; Senior enlisted: aOR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.81-0.83) had lower odds of ED super-utilization. The most common primary diagnoses for ED visits among super-utilizers were abdominal pain, headache and migraine, chest pain, urinary tract infection, nausea and vomiting, and low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: Risk of ED super-utilization appears to increase with age and diminished health status. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics of ED super-utilization identified in this study can be used to formulate healthcare policies addressing gaps in primary care in diagnoses associated with ED super-utilization and develop interventions to address modifiable risk factors of ED utilization.

Defining a Research Agenda for Layperson Prehospital Hemorrhage Control: A Consensus Statement.

Importance: Trauma is the leading cause of death for US individuals younger than 45 years, and uncontrolled hemorrhage is a major cause of trauma mortality. The US military's medical advancements in the field of prehospital hemorrhage control have reduced battlefield mortality by 44%. However, despite support from many national health care organizations, no integrated approach to research has been made regarding implementation, epidemiology, education, and logistics of prehospital hemorrhage control by layperson immediate responders in the civilian sector. Objective: To create a national research agenda to help guide future work for prehospital hemorrhage control by laypersons. Evidence Review: The 2-day, in-person, National Stop the Bleed (STB) Research Consensus Conference was conducted on February 27 to 28, 2019, to identify and achieve consensus on research gaps. Participants included (1) subject matter experts, (2) professional society-designated leaders, (3) representatives from the federal government, and (4) representatives from private foundations. Before the conference, participants were provided a scoping review on layperson prehospital hemorrhage control. A 3-round modified Delphi consensus process was conducted to determine high-priority research questions. The top items, with median rating of 8 or more on a Likert scale of 1 to 9 points, were identified and became part of the national STB research agenda. Findings: Forty-five participants attended the conference. In round 1, participants submitted 487 research questions. After deduplication and sorting, 162 questions remained across 5 a priori-defined themes. Two subsequent rounds of rating generated consensus on 113 high-priority, 27 uncertain-priority, and 22 low-priority questions. The final prioritized research agenda included the top 24 questions, including 8 for epidemiology and effectiveness, 4 for materials, 9 for education, 2 for global health, and 1 for health policy. Conclusions and Relevance: The National STB Research Consensus Conference identified and prioritized a national research agenda to support laypersons in reducing preventable deaths due to life-threatening hemorrhage. Investigators and funding agencies can use this agenda to guide their future work and funding priorities.

Patterns and predictors of opioid prescribing and use after rib fractures.

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are painful injuries that are treated with aggressive analgesia, which can include opioids. We sought to evaluate the patterns and predictors of opioid prescription and sustained use for rib fracture patients to identify opportunities for opiate reduction. METHODS: We used TRICARE claims data (2006-2014) to identify adult (18-64 years) patients presenting to the emergency department with rib fracture(s) and isolated chest trauma. We used logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards model to identify factors associated with opioid prescription and duration of use. RESULTS: We identified 29,943 patients meeting inclusion criteria, and 2,542 (9%) patients were prescribed opioids. When prescribed, the median duration opioid use was 16 days (interquartile range 6-31) for opioid naïve patients, compared with 36 days (interquartile range 15-134) for those with prior opioid exposure. Increased number of ribs fractured (6+ fractures) (odds ratio 2.96 [95% confidence interval 2.23-3.94], P < .001) and prior opioid exposure (odds ratio 32.95 [29.36-36.99], P < .001) were significant predictors of initial opioid prescription. Patients with prior opioid exposure (hazard ratio 0.47 [0.43-0.52], P < .001) had lower likelihood of opioid discontinuation. Injury characteristics did not significantly predict discontinuation. CONCLUSION: Prior opioid exposure was the strongest predictor of sustained opioid use after rib fractures, while the severity of injury did not predict the duration of use.

The Impact of Income on Emergency General Surgery Outcomes in Urban and Rural Areas.

BACKGROUND: Emergency general surgery (EGS) accounts for more than 2 million U.S. hospital admissions annually. Low-income EGS patients have higher rates of postoperative adverse events (AEs) than high-income patients. This may be related to health care segregation (a disparity in access to high-quality centers). The emergent nature of EGS conditions and the limited number of EGS providers in rural areas may result in less health care segregation and thereby less variability in EGS outcomes in rural areas. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of income on AEs for both rural and urban EGS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample (2007-2014) was queried for patients receiving one of 10 common EGS procedures. Multivariate regression models stratified by income quartiles in urban and rural cohorts adjusting for sociodemographic, clinical, and other hospital-based factors were used to determine the rates of surgical AEs (mortality, complications, and failure to rescue [FTR]). RESULTS: 1,687,088 EGS patients were identified; 16.60% (n = 280,034) of them were rural. In the urban cohort, lower income quartiles were associated with higher odds of AEs (mortality OR, 1.21 [95% CI, 1.15-1.27], complications, 1.07 [1.06-1.09]; FTR, 1.17 [1.10-1.24] P < 0.001). In the rural context, income quartiles were not associated with the higher odds of AE (mortality OR, 1.14 [0.83-1.55], P = 0.42; complications, 1.06 [0.97-1,16], P = 1.17; FTR, 1.12 [0.79-1.59], P = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS: Lower income is associated with higher postoperative AEs in the urban setting but not in a rural environment. This socioeconomic disparity in EGS outcomes in urban settings may reflect health care segregation, a differential access to high-quality health care for low-income patients.

Emergency General Surgery Volume and Its Impact on Outcomes in Military Treatment Facilities.

BACKGROUND: Low hospital volume for emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures is associated with worse patient outcomes within the civilian health care system. The military maintains treatment facilities (MTFs) in remote locations to provide access to service members and their families. We sought to determine if patients treated at low-volume MTFs for EGS conditions experience worse outcomes compared with high-volume centers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed TRICARE data from 2006 to 2014. Patients were identified using an established coding algorithm for EGS admission. MTFs were divided into quartiles based on annual EGS volume. Outcomes included 30-d mortality, complications, and readmissions. Logistic regression models adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic differences in case-mix including EGS condition, surgical intervention, and comorbidities were used to determine the influence of hospital volume on outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 106,915 patients treated for an EGS condition at 79 MTFs. The overall mortality rate was 0.21%, with complications occurring in 8.55% and readmissions in 4.45%. After risk adjustment, lowest-volume MTFs did not demonstrate significantly higher odds of mortality (OR: 2.02, CI: 0.45-9.06) or readmissions (OR: 0.77, CI: 0.54-1.11) compared with the highest-volume centers. Lowest-volume facilities exhibited a lower likelihood of complications (OR: 0.76, CI: 0.59-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: EGS patients treated at low-volume MTFs did not experience worse clinical outcomes when compared with high-volume centers. Remote MTFs appear to provide care for EGS conditions comparable with that of high-volume facilities. Our findings speak against the need to reduce services at small, critical access facilities within the military health care system.

No Racial Disparities In Surgical Care Quality Observed After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting In TRICARE Patients.

In the US, racial disparities in outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are well documented. TRICARE insurance data represent a large population with universal insurance that allows for the robust assessment of the impact of such insurance on disparities in health care. This study examined racial differences in specific aspects of surgical care quality following CABG, using metrics endorsed by the National Quality Forum that included the prescription of beta-blockers and statins at discharge and thirty-day readmissions. There were no risk-adjusted differences in outcomes between African American and white patients insured through TRICARE. Our study provides a window into the potential impacts of universal insurance and an equal-access health care system on racial disparities in surgical care quality following CABG.

Effectiveness of the American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control Basic Training Among Laypeople Applying Different Tourniquet Types: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: More than 500 000 laypeople in the United States have been trained in hemorrhage control, including tourniquet application, under the Stop the Bleed campaign. However, it is unclear whether after hemorrhage control training participants become proficient in a specific type of tourniquet or can also use other tourniquets effectively. Objective: To assess whether participants completing the American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control Basic (B-Con) training with Combat Application Tourniquets (CATs) can effectively apply bleeding control principles using other tourniquet types (commercial and improvised). Design, Setting, and Participants: This nonblinded, crossover, sequential randomized clinical trial with internal control assessed a volunteer sample of laypeople who attended a B-Con course at Gillette Stadium and the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts, for correct application of each of 5 different tourniquet types immediately after B-Con training from April 4, 2018, to October 9, 2018. The order of application varied for each participant using randomly generated permutated blocks. Interventions: Full B-Con course, including cognitive and skill sessions, that taught bleeding care, wound pressure and packing, and CAT application. Main Outcomes and Measures: Correct tourniquet application (applied pressure of ≥250 mm Hg with a 2-minute time cap) in a simulated scenario for 3 commercial tourniquets (Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet, Stretch-Wrap-and-Tuck Tourniquet, and Rapid Application Tourniquet System) and improvised tourniquet compared with correct CAT application as an internal control using 4 pairwise Bonferroni-corrected comparisons with the McNemar test. Results: A total of 102 participants (50 [49.0%] male; median [interquartile range] age, 37.5 [27.0-53.0] years) were included in the study. Participants correctly applied the CAT at a significantly higher rate (92.2%) than all other commercial tourniquet types (Special Operation Forces Tactical Tourniquet, 68.6%; Stretch-Wrap-and-Tuck Tourniquet, 11.8%; Rapid Application Tourniquet System, 11.8%) and the improvised tourniquet (32.4%) (P < .001 for each pairwise comparison). When comparing tourniquets applied correctly, all tourniquet types had higher estimated blood loss, had longer application time, and applied less pressure than the CAT. Conclusions and Relevance: The B-Con principles for correct CAT application are not fully translatable to other commercial or improvised tourniquet types. This study demonstrates a disconnect between the B-Con course and tourniquet designs available for bystander first aid, potentially stemming from the lack of consensus guidelines. These results suggest that current B-Con trainees may not be prepared to care for bleeding patients as tourniquet design evolves. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03538379.

Development and Validation of a Bedside Risk Assessment for Sustained Prescription Opioid Use After Surgery.

Importance: The increased use of prescription opioid medications has contributed to an epidemic of sustained opioid use, misuse, and addiction. Adults of working age are thought to be at greatest risk for prescription opioid dependence. Objective: To develop a risk score (the Stopping Opioids After Surgery score) for sustained prescription opioid use after surgery in a working-age population using readily available clinical information. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this case-control study, claims from TRICARE (the insurance program of the US Department of Defense) for working-age adult (age 18-64 years) patients undergoing 1 of 10 common surgical procedures from October 1, 2005, to September 30, 2014, were queried. A logistic regression model was used to identify variables associated with sustained prescription opioid use. The point estimate for each variable in the risk score was determined by its ß coefficient in the model. The risk score for each patient represented the summed point totals, ranging from 0 to 100, with a lower score indicating lower risk of sustained prescription opioid use. Data were analyzed from September 25, 2018, to February 5, 2019. Exposures: Exposures were age; race; sex; marital status; socioeconomic status; discharge disposition; procedure intensity; length of stay; intensive care unit admission; comorbid diabetes, liver disease, renal disease, malignancy, depression, or anxiety; and prior opioid use status. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was sustained prescription opioid use, defined as uninterrupted use for 6 months following surgery. A risk score for each patient was calculated and then used as a predictor of sustained opioid use after surgical intervention. The area under the curve and the Brier score were used to determine the accuracy of the scoring system and the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate model calibration. Results: Of 86 356 patients in the analysis (48 827 [56.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 46.5 [14.5] years), 6365 (7.4%) met criteria for sustained prescription opioid use. The sample used for model generation consisted of 64 767 patients, while the validation sample had 21 589 patients. Prior opioid exposure was the factor most strongly associated with sustained opioid use (odds ratio, 13.00; 95% CI, 11.87-14.23). The group with the lowest scores (<31) had a mean (SD) 4.1% (2.5%) risk of sustained opioid use; those with intermediate scores (31-50) had a mean (SD) risk of 14.9% (6.3%); and those with the highest scores (>50) had a mean (SD) risk of 35.8% (3.6%). Conclusions and Relevance: This study developed an intuitive and accessible opioid risk assessment applicable to the care of working-age patients following surgery. This tool is scalable to clinical practice and can potentially be incorporated into electronic medical record platforms to enable automated calculation and clinical alerts that are generated in real time.

Validating the Stopping Opioids after Surgery (SOS) score for sustained postoperative prescription opioid use in spine surgical patients.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The opioid epidemic has increased scrutiny of health-care practices and care episodes, such as surgery, that increase the risk of opioid dependence. The Stopping Opioids after Surgery (SOS) score to predict sustained prescription opioid use was previously developed within a population of patients receiving general surgery, orthopedic, and urologic procedures. Notably, the performance for this score has not been assessed in a spine surgical cohort. PURPOSE: We sought to validate the SOS score in a series of patients undergoing cervical and lumbar spine surgery, including inpatient and outpatient cohorts. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Retrospective review at two academic medical centers and three community hospitals. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sustained prescription opioid use was defined as opioid prescription without interruption for 90 days or longer following surgery. METHODS: The performance of the SOS score was assessed in the study population by calculating the c-statistic, receiver-operating curve, and observed rates of sustained prescription opioid use. RESULTS: Among 7,027 patients included in this study, 2,374 (33.8%) underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and 4,653 (66.2%) underwent surgery for lumbar disc herniation. The median age was 46 (interquartile range=38.0-53.5). Overall, 604 patients (8.6%) had prolonged opioid prescription. The c-statistic of the risk score was 0.764. The sensitivity of the score at the low risk cutoff of 30 was 0.72. At the high-risk cutoff of 60, the specificity was 0.99. The observed risk (95% confidence interval) of prolonged opioid prescription was 3.6% (3.1-4.2) in the low-risk group (scores <30), 17.2% (15.6-18.7) in the intermediate-risk group (scores 30-60), and 46.0% (36.2-55.9) in the high-risk group (scores >60). CONCLUSIONS: We have validated the use of a clinically relevant bedside risk score for sustained prescription opioid use after spine surgery. The score's ease of use, combined with its exceptional performance, renders it a valuable tool for spine care providers in counseling patients and determining appropriate postdischarge management to prevent sustained opioid use.

Prolonged ICU stay and its association with 1-year trauma mortality: An analysis of 19,000 American patients.

INTRODUCTION: Prior research on patients with traumatic injury suggests high in-hospital survivability. However, little is known about their long-term outcomes, especially in the context of a prolonged ICU length-of-stay (LOS). We sought to determine the association between prolonged ICU-LOS and 1-year survival in trauma patients. METHODS: TRICARE claims data (2011-2015) were queried for trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score > 9. Risk-adjusted Cox models were used to determine the influence of prolonged ICU LOS on 1-year mortality. RESULTS: Of 19,155 patients included, 40% were admitted to the ICU. The overall 1-year mortality was 3.9% and 4.7% in patients with ICU LOS >9 days. In the multivariable model older age (55-64 vs. 18-24 years) (HR: 47.8, CI:20.8-109.9), prior comorbidities (>1 vs. 0) (HR: 2.6, CI: 2.1-3.2), discharge disposition (transfer vs discharge) (HR: 2.3 CI: 1.7-3.1) and ICU-LOS (>7 vs. 1 days) (HR:2.6, CI:1.7-4.0) were associated with 1-year mortality. CONCLUSION: Prolonged ICU-LOS is a risk factor for 1-year mortality in trauma patients. But an overall high survival (>96%) reinforces the justification for such use of the ICU in trauma patients when clinically necessary.

Prior Prescription Opioid Use and Its Influence on Opioid Requirements After Orthopedic Trauma.

BACKGROUND: Prior opioid use has been shown to be associated with adverse outcomes in surgical and trauma patients. We sought to evaluate the influence of prior opioid use on prescription opioid requirements after orthopedic trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective review of TRICARE claims (2006-2014). We evaluated the records of 11,752 patients treated for orthopedic injuries. Surveillance for prior opioid exposure extended to 6 mo before the traumatic event, with similar postinjury surveillance. Preinjury opioid use was categorized as unexposed, exposed without sustained use (nonsustained users), and sustained use (6 mo or longer of continuous opioid prescriptions without interruption). Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to adjust for confounding and determine factors independently associated with the discontinuation of prescription opioid use after traumatic injury. RESULTS: Prior opioid exposure among nonsustained users (hazard ratio 0.78; 95% CI 0.74, 0.83) and sustained use at the time of injury (hazard ratio 0.40; 95% CI: 0.35, 0.47) were associated with lower likelihoods of opioid discontinuation. Additional factors associated with lower likelihoods of opioid discontinuation included our proxy for lower socioeconomic status, history of depression or anxiety, injury severity, and intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSIONS: Prior opioid use is one of the strongest predictors of continued use following treatment, along with socioeconomic status, behavioral health disorders, and severity of injury. Appropriate discharge planning and early engagement of ancillary services in individuals with one or more of the risk factors identified here may reduce the likelihood of sustained opioid use after injury.

Building community resilience: A scalable model for hemorrhage-control training at a mass gathering site, using the RE-AIM framework.

BACKGROUND: In a decade, the US military reduced deaths from uncontrolled bleeding on the battlefield by 67%. This success, coupled with an increased incidence of mass shootings in the US, has led to multiple initiatives intent on translating hemorrhage-control readiness to the civilian sector. However, the best method to achieve widespread population-level hemorrhage-control readiness for civilians has not yet been elucidated. This study evaluates the implementation of American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control training at a National Football League stadium as a prospective model for general mass gathering site implementation. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons' Bleeding Control Basic layperson hemorrhage-control training was implemented at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. The five domains are as follows: reach (demographics of study participants), effectiveness (correct tourniquet application after intervention), adoption (investigator, leadership, and participant efforts for sustainability of intervention), implementation (course details), and maintenance (correct tourniquet application at retention testing at 3 to 9 months). RESULTS: A total of 562 employees were included in the study. Of those included employees, 58.7% reported having taken first-aid training and 17.3% reported having taken hemorrhage-control training. There was an increased mean likelihood to help (4.39 vs 4.09, P < .01) and comfort level to control hemorrhage (4.26 vs 3.60, P < .01) after training compared with before training, on a Likert scale (1-5). The stadium operations team located hemorrhage control kits with automatic external defibrillators, integrated layperson immediate-response awareness into its Web site, and developed a public safety announcement. The training, performed by physicians, nurses, and emergency medical technicians, consisted of a 30-minute lecture and a 30-minute hands-on skills-training course, with a class size of 24. The total number of sessions was 24. CONCLUSION: Achieving initial hemorrhage-control readiness and maintenance at a mass gathering site through American College of Surgeons Bleeding Control training is feasible but requires significant commitment from training staff, site leadership, and financial resources.

Hemorrhage Control Training Promotes Resilience-Associated Traits in Medical Students.

OBJECTIVE: Given rising rates of physician burnout, the potential for clinical skills training programs to develop and reinforce resilience-associated traits in medical students warrants investigation. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of a hemorrhage control training program on resilience-associated traits (role-clarity, self-efficacy, and empowerment) in medical students. A secondary objective was to examine the differential impact of additional hands-on skills training. DESIGN: This was a prospective study of medical students participating in an established hemorrhage control training program, utilizing pre-, mid-, and post-training questionnaires. The program included both an in-person lecture and hands-on skills training. Primary endpoints were self-reported increases in role clarity (when the hemorrhage control skills would and would not be applicable), self-efficacy (confidence in ability to use the skill), and empowerment (to act in a situation where the skill was needed). SETTING: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty-six Harvard Medical School students participated. RESULTS: There was a significant increase at each stage of training in self-reported role clarity about when to apply hemorrhage control skills (p < 0.01) and when not to apply them (p < 0.01); confidence in application of the skill (p < 0.01); as well as empowerment to apply the skill when appropriate (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Hemorrhage control training, a first response-related clinical skills program, is a promising domain for development and reinforcement of resilience-associated traits in medical students, particularly when the program includes hands-on skills training. Providing experiential learning opportunities that are designed not only for skills-specific outcomes, but also to reinforce such resilience-associated traits as role-clarity, self-efficacy, and empowerment provides an essential integrated perspective.

The Transition to Data-Driven Quality Metrics: Determining the Optimal Surveillance Period for Complications After Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thirty-day complications frequently serve in the surgical literature as a quality indicator. This metric is not meant to capture the full array of complication resulting from surgical intervention. However, this period is largely based on convention, with little evidence to support it. This study sought to determine the optimal surveillance period for postsurgical complications, defined as the shortest period that also encompassed the highest proportion of postsurgical adverse events. METHODS: TRICARE data (2006-2014) were queried for adult (18-64 y) patients who underwent one of 11 surgical procedures. Patients were assessed for complications up to 90 d after surgery. Kaplan-Meier curves, linear spline regression models at each incremental postsurgical day, and adjusted R-squared values were used to identify critical time point cutoffs for the surveillance of complications. Optimal length of surveillance was defined as the postsurgical day on which the model demonstrated the highest R-squared value. A supplemental analysis considered these measures for orthopedic and general surgical procedures. RESULTS: One lakh ninety-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. A total of 21.8% patients experienced at least one complication during the follow-up period, with 59% occurring within the first 15 d. Kaplan-Meier curves for complications showed a demonstrable inflection before 20 d and 14-15 d possessed the highest R-squared values. CONCLUSIONS: In this analysis, the optimal surveillance period for postsurgical complications was 15 d. While the conventional 30-d period may still be appropriate for a variety of reasons, the shorter interval identified here may represent a superior quality measure specific to surgical practice.

Sustained Preoperative Opioid Use Is a Predictor of Continued Use Following Spine Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative opioid use is known to increase the likelihood of complications and inferior outcomes following spine surgery. We evaluated the association of preoperative opioid use and other risk factors with postoperative opioid use. METHODS: We queried 2006-2014 TRICARE insurance claims to identify adults who underwent lumbar interbody arthrodesis, lumbar discectomy, lumbar decompression, or lumbar posterolateral arthrodesis. The duration of preoperative opioid use was categorized as acute exposure, exposed without sustained use, intermediate sustained use, and chronic sustained use. Cox proportional-hazard models that adjusted for demographic factors, preoperative diagnoses, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and the type of procedure performed were used to identify factors associated with a reduced likelihood of opioid discontinuation following the surgical procedure. RESULTS: There were 27,031 patients included in this analysis. Following the surgical procedure, 67.1% of patients had discontinued opioid use by 30 days, and 86.4% had ceased use by 90 days. Overall, 2,379 patients (8.8%) continued to use opioid medications at 6 months. Duration of preoperative opioid use, among other demographic and clinical factors, was the most important predictor of continued use following a surgical procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients who were using prescription opioids prior to the surgical procedure discontinued these medications postoperatively. Duration of preoperative use appears to be the most important predictor of sustained use following a surgical procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our results indicate that the majority of patients who are using prescription opioids prior to spine surgery discontinue these medications following surgical intervention. Among those who continue opioid use ≥90 days after the surgical procedure, the duration of preoperative use appears to be the most important predictor.

Does Orthopaedic Outpatient Care Reduce Emergency Department Utilization After Total Joint Arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND: Emergency department (ED) visits after elective surgical procedures are a potential target for interventions to reduce healthcare costs. More than 1 million total joint arthroplasties (TJAs) are performed each year with postsurgical ED utilization estimated in the range of 10%. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked whether (1) outpatient orthopaedic care was associated with reduced ED utilization and (2) whether there were identifiable factors associated with ED utilization within the first 30 and 90 days after TJA. METHODS: An analysis of adult TRICARE beneficiaries who underwent TJA (2006-2014) was performed. TRICARE is the insurance program of the Department of Defense, covering > 9 million beneficiaries. ED use within 90 days of surgery was the primary outcome and postoperative outpatient orthopaedic care the primary explanatory variable. Patient demographics (age, sex, race, beneficiary category), clinical characteristics (length of hospital stay, prior comorbidities, complications), and environment of care were used as covariates. Logistic regression adjusted for all covariates was performed to determine factors associated with ED use. RESULTS: We found that orthopaedic outpatient care (odds ratio [OR], 0.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.68-0.77) was associated with lower odds of ED use within 90 days. We also found that index hospital length of stay (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.10), medical comorbidities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08-1.24), and complications (OR, 2.47; 95% CI, 2.24-2.72) were associated with higher odds of ED use. CONCLUSIONS: When considering that at 90 days, only 3928 patients sustained a complication, a substantial number of ED visits (11,486 of 15,414 [75%]) after TJA may be avoidable. Enhancing access to appropriate outpatient care with improved discharge planning may reduce ED use after TJA. Further research should be directed toward unpacking the situations, outside of complications, that drive patients to access the ED and devise interventions that could mitigate such behavior. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Universal insurance and an equal access healthcare system eliminate disparities for Black patients after traumatic injury.

BACKGROUND: Although inequities in trauma care are reported widely, some groups have theorized that universal health insurance would decrease disparities in care for disadvantaged minorities after a traumatic injury. We sought to examine the presence of racial disparities in outcomes and healthcare utilization at 30- and 90-days after discharge in this universally insured, racially diverse, American population treated for traumatic injuries. METHODS: This work studied adult beneficiaries of TRICARE treated at both military and civilian trauma centers 2006-2014. We included patients with an inpatient trauma encounter based on International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision (ICD-9) code. The mechanism and severity of injury, medical comorbidities, region and environment of care, and demographic factors were used as covariates. Race was considered the main predictor variable with Black patients compared to Whites. Logistic regression models were employed to assess for risk-adjusted differences in 30- and 90-day outcomes between Blacks and Whites. RESULTS: A total of 87,112 patients met the inclusion criteria. Traditionally encountered disparities for Black patients after trauma, including increased rates of mortality, were absent. We found a statistically significant decrease in the odds of 90-day complications for Blacks (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.84-0.98; P = 0.01). Blacks also had lesser odds of readmission at 30-days (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.79-0.94; P = 0.002) and 90-days (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.79-0.93; P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the idea that in a universally insured, equal access system, historic disparities for racial and ethnic minorities, including increased postinjury morbidity, hospital readmission, and postdischarge healthcare utilization, are decreased or even eliminated.

Outpatient Spine Clinic Utilization is Associated With Reduced Emergency Department Visits Following Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of TRICARE claims (2006-2014) data to assess Emergency Department (ED) utilization following spine surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine utilization rates and predictors of ED utilization following spine surgical interventions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Visits to the ED following surgical intervention represent an additional stress to the healthcare system. While factors associated with readmission following spine surgery have been studied, drivers of postsurgical ED visits, including appropriate and inappropriate use, remain underinvestigated. METHODS: TRICARE claims were queried to identify patients who had undergone one of three common spine procedures (lumbar arthrodesis, discectomy, decompression). ED utilization at 30- and 90 days was assessed as the primary outcome. Outpatient spine surgical clinic utilization was considered the primary predictor variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used to adjust for confounders. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2014, 48,868 patients met inclusion criteria. Fifteen percent (n = 7183) presented to the ED within 30 days postdischarge. By 90 days, 29% of patients (n = 14,388) presented to an ED. The 30- and 90-day complication rates were 6% (n = 2802) and 8% (n = 4034), respectively, and readmission rates were 5% (n = 2344) and 8% (n = 3842), respectively. Use of outpatient spine clinic services significantly reduced the likelihood of ED utilization at 30 [odds ratio (OR) 0.48; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.46-0.53] and 90 days (OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.52-0.57). CONCLUSION: Within 90 days following spine surgery, 29% of patients sought care in the ED. However, only one-third of these patients had a complication recorded, and even fewer were readmitted. This suggests a high rate of unnecessary ED utilization. Outpatient utilization of spine clinics was the only factor independently associated with a reduced likelihood of ED utilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.