Automating Anesthesiology Resident Case Logs Reduces Reporting Variability.

Background: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) case log system for anesthesiology resident training relies on subjective categorization of surgical procedures and lacks clear guidelines for assigning credit roles. Therefore, resident reporting practices likely vary within and between institutions. Our primary aim was to develop a systematic process for generating automated case logs using data elements extracted from the electronic health care record. We hypothesized that automated case log reporting would improve accuracy and reduce reporting variability. Methods: We developed a systematic approach for automating anesthesiology resident case logs from the electronic health care record using a discrete classification system for assigning credit roles and Anesthesia Current Procedure Terminology codes to categorize cases. The median number of cases performed was compared between the automated case log and resident-reported ACGME case log. Results: Case log elements were identified in the electronic health care record and automatically extracted. A total of 42 individual case logs were generated from the extracted data and visualized in an external dashboard. Automated reporting captured a median of 1226.5 (interquartile range: 1097-1366) total anesthetic cases in contrast to 1134.5 (interquartile range: 899-1208) reported to ACGME by residents (P = .0014). Automation also decreased the case count interquartile range and the distribution approached normality, suggesting that automation reduces reporting variability. Conclusions: Automated case log reporting uniformly captures the resident training experience and reduces reporting variability. We hope this work provides a foundation for aggregating graduate medical education data from the electronic health care record and advances adoption of case log automation.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: 2021 Update on Echocardiography.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) is the world's premier clinical outcomes registry for adult cardiac surgery and a driving force for quality improvement in cardiac surgery. Echocardiographic data provide a wealth of hemodynamic, structural, and functional data and have been part of STS ACSD data collection since its inception. An increasing body of evidence suggests that the use of echocardiography in patients undergoing cardiac surgery has a positive impact on postoperative outcomes. In this report, we describe and summarize the type and rate of reporting of echocardiography-related variables in the STS ACSD, including the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Module, from July 2017 to December 2019 for the most frequently performed cardiac surgical procedures. With this review, we aim to increase awareness of the importance of collecting accurate and consistent echocardiography data in the STS ACSD and to highlight opportunities for growth and improvement.

Using Lean Six Sigma to Decrease Delivery Time of Blood Products to the Operating Room.

Lean Six Sigma (LSS) is a process improvement strategy used in many industries. Its goal is to improve performance and quality by eliminating waste, optimizing flow, and reducing variability. This article describes LSS methods and their application in health care. We detail a successful quality improvement (QI) initiative in which we tested LSS tools to evaluate and enhance our institution's blood product delivery to the operating room (OR). Incorporating LSS-driven changes resulted in a revised workflow, which decreased personnel workload and significantly reduced delivery time. We hope this article will encourage other health care institutions to integrate LSS strategies into their workflows.

Perioperative Individualized Goal Directed Therapy for Cardiac Surgery: A Historical-Prospective, Comparative Effectiveness Study.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac surgery patients are at increased risk for post-operative complications and prolonged length of stay. Perioperative goal directed therapy (GDT) has demonstrated utility for non-cardiac surgery, however, GDT is not common for cardiac surgery. We initiated a quality improvement (QI) project focusing on the implementation of a GDT protocol, which was applied from the immediate post-bypass period into the intensive care unit (ICU). Our hypothesis was that this novel GDT protocol would decrease ICU length of stay and possibly improve postoperative outcomes. METHODS: This was a historical prospective, QI study for patients undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Integral to the QI project was education towards all associated providers on the concepts related to GDT. The protocol involved identifying patient specific targets for cardiac index and mean arterial pressure. These targets were maintained from the post-CPB period to the first 12 h in the ICU. Statistical comparisons were performed between the year after GDT therapy was launched to the last two years prior to protocol implementation. The primary outcome was ICU length of stay. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in ICU length of stay when comparing the year after the protocol initiation to years prior, from a median of 6.19 days to 4 days (2017 vs. 2019, p < 0.0001), and a median of 5.88 days to 4 days (2018 vs. 2019, p < 0.0001). Secondary outcomes demonstrated a significant reduction in total administered volumes of inotropic medication(milrinone). All other vasopressors demonstrated no differences across years. Hospital length of stay comparisons did not demonstrate a significant reduction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that an individualized goal directed therapy for cardiac surgery patients can reduce ICU length of stay and decrease amount of inotropic therapy.

The Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section of STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: 2020 Update on Quality and Outcomes.

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, in partnership with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, has developed the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section of the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. The goal of this landmark collaboration is to advance clinical care, quality, and knowledge, and to demonstrate the value of cardiac anesthesiology in the perioperative care of cardiac surgical patients. Participation in the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section has been optional since its inception in 2014 but has progressively increased. Opportunities for further growth and improvement remain. In this first update report on quality and outcomes of the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section, we present an overview of the clinically significant anesthesia and surgical variables submitted between 2015 and 2018. Our review provides a summary of quality measures and outcomes related to the current practice of cardiothoracic anesthesiology. We also emphasize the potential for addressing high-impact research questions as data accumulate, with the overall goal of elucidating the influence of cardiac anesthesiology contributions to patient outcomes within the framework of the cardiac surgical team.

The Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section of STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database: 2020 Update on Quality and Outcomes.

The Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, in partnership with The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, has developed the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section of the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. The goal of this landmark collaboration is to advance clinical care, quality, and knowledge, and to demonstrate the value of cardiac anesthesiology in the perioperative care of cardiac surgical patients. Participation in the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section has been optional since its inception in 2014 but has progressively increased. Opportunities for further growth and improvement remain. In this first update report on quality and outcomes of the Adult Cardiac Anesthesiology Section, we present an overview of the clinically significant anesthesia and surgical variables submitted between 2015 and 2018. Our review provides a summary of quality measures and outcomes related to the current practice of cardiothoracic anesthesiology. We also emphasize the potential for addressing high-impact research questions as data accumulate, with the overall goal of elucidating the influence of cardiac anesthesiology contributions to patient outcomes within the framework of the cardiac surgical team.

Improved diagnostic accuracy of pathology with the implementation of a perioperative point-of-care ultrasound service: quality improvement initiative.

INTRODUCTION: The utility of perioperative point-of-care ultrasound (P-POCUS) is rapidly growing. The successful implementation of a comprehensive P-POCUS curriculum, Focused PeriOperative Risk Evaluation Sonography Involving Gastro-abdominal, Hemodynamic, and Trans-thoracic Ultrasound (FORESIGHT), has been demonstrated. This project sought to further evaluate the utility of P-POCUS with the following aims: (1) to assess the ability to train the FORESIGHT curriculum via a free, open-access, online platform; (2) to launch a P-POCUS clinical service as a quality improvement (QI) initiative; (3) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the P-POCUS examinations to formal diagnostic studies; and (4) to compare the P-POCUS diagnostic accuracy with the diagnostic accuracy of traditional assessment (TA). METHODS: This study was launched as a QI project for the implementation of a P-POCUS service. A group of attending and resident anesthesiologists completed P-POCUS training supported by an online curriculum. After training, a P-POCUS service was launched. The P-POCUS service was available for any perioperative event, and specific triggers were also identified. All examinations were documented on a validated datasheet. The diagnostic accuracy of the two index tests, P-POCUS and TA, were compared with formal diagnostic testing. TA was defined as a combination of the anesthesiologist's bedside assessment and physical examination. The primary outcome marker was a comparison in the accuracy of new diagnosis detected by P-POCUS service versus the TA performed by the primary anesthesiologist. RESULTS: A total of 686 P-POCUS examinations were performed with 466 examinations having formal diagnostic studies for comparison. Of these, 92 examinations were detected as having new diagnoses. Performance for detection of a new diagnosis demonstrated a statistically higher sensitivity for the P-POCUS examinations (p<0.0001). Performance comparison of all P-POCUS examinations that were matched to formal diagnostic studies (n=466) also demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity. These findings were consistent across cardiovascular, pulmonary and abdominal P-POCUS categories (p<0.01). Additionally, multiple pathologies demonstrated complete agreement between the P-POCUS examination and the formal study. CONCLUSION: A P-POCUS service can be developed after training facilitated by an online curriculum. P-POCUS examinations can be performed by anesthesiologists with a high degree of accuracy to formal studies, which is superior to TA.

Association of plasma dilution with cardiopulmonary bypass-associated bleeding and morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of cardiopulmonary bypass-associated plasma dilution with blood product transfusion and postoperative morbidity. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Single academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred forty adults undergoing cardiac surgery between January 4, 2005 and September 19, 2007. INTERVENTIONS: Records were analyzed for demographics, blood volumes (BVs), and fluid balance. Plasma protein concentrations (% of baseline) at the end of bypass were calculated. The lowest and highest quartiles of plasma protein concentration were correlated with blood product administration and postoperative complications. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At the end of bypass, calculated plasma protein concentrations ranged from a low of 10% to a high of 111% of baseline. Concentrations below 45% of baseline were associated with increased blood product administration, longer ventilator support, and longer intensive care unit stay. CONCLUSIONS: Patient morbidity and likelihood of transfusion were associated with calculated plasma protein concentrations below 45% of baseline. Bleeding and administered fluids decrease both hematocrit and plasma proteins. Infusion of washed, salvaged blood or red blood cells raises hematocrit, but further dilutes clotting factors. If this dilution is excessive, coagulopathy may ensue. Patients with the smallest BVs are at greatest risk, but dilution can negatively impact patients with large BVs as well if the fluid used for cardiopulmonary bypass prime and anesthesia management represents a significant fraction of total BV.

New echocardiographic techniques for evaluating left ventricular myocardial function.

Ultrasound imaging of the heart continues to play an important role in diagnosis and management of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Recent advances in ultrasound technology and introduction of newer imaging modalities have enabled improved assessment of left ventricular myocardial function. Tissue Doppler imaging and 2-dimensional speckle tracking allow more objective quantification of myocardial function in the form of tissue velocities, displacement, strain, and strain rate. Similarly, contrast-enhanced echocardiography and 3-dimensional echocardiography have provided a unique insight into left ventricular form and function that was not possible by unenhanced 2-dimensional echocardiography. In this review, the authors discuss the clinical application of these new imaging techniques in the assessment of left ventricular myocardial function.