Readmissions after radical nephrectomy in a national cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the factors and costs associated with 30-day readmissions for patients undergoing radical nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the 2014 Nationwide Readmission Database to identify adults who underwent radical nephrectomy for renal cancer, stratified by surgical approach. We determined patient factors associated with readmission rates, diagnoses, and costs using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 19,523 individuals, the 30-day readmission rate was 7.7% (n = 1,506). On multivariate regression, odds of readmission were significantly increased with age ≥75 in those who underwent open nephrectomy (OR: 1.35; 95%CI: 1.03-1.78). Subjects with a Charlson comorbidity score ≥3 had significantly higher rates of readmission regardless of surgical approach (Open RN - OR: 1.85; 95%CI: 1.33-2.56; Lap RN - OR: 1.99; 95%CI 1.10-3.59; Robotic RN - OR: 2.18; 95%CI: 1.23-3.86). Common reasons for readmission were gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, urinary tract infections, and wound complications across all surgical approaches. The mean cost per readmission was as high as 126% ($20,357) of the mean index admission cost. CONCLUSION: One in 13 adults undergoing radical nephrectomy is readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Associated readmission cost is up to 1.26 times the cost of index admission. Our findings may inform efforts aiming to reduce hospital readmissions and curtail healthcare costs.

Improving Shared Decision Making in Latino Men With Prostate Cancer: A Thematic Analysis.

Background. Multiple studies have shown that digitally mediated decision aids help prepare patients for medical decision making with their providers. However, few studies have investigated whether decision-support preferences differ between non-English-speaking and English-speaking Latino men with limited literacy. Objective. To identify and compare health information seeking patterns, preferences for information presentation, and interest in digital decision aids in a sample of Southern Californian underserved Latino men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer at a county hospital. Methods. We conducted semistructured, in-depth telephone interviews with 12 Spanish-speaking and 8 English-speaking Latino men using a purposive sampling technique. Following transcription of taped interviews, Spanish interviews were translated. Using a coding protocol developed by the team, two bilingual members jointly analyzed the transcripts for emerging themes. Coder agreement exceeded 80%. Differences were resolved through discussion. Results. Thematic differences between groups with different preferred languages emerged. Most respondents engaged in online health information seeking using cellphones, perceived a paternalistic patient-provider relationship, and expressed willingness to use hypothetical digital decision aids if recommended by their provider. English speakers reported higher digital technology proficiency for health-related searches. They also more frequently indicated family involvement in digital search related to their condition and preferred self-guided, web-based decision aids. In comparison, Spanish speakers reported lower digital technology proficiency and preferred family-involved, coach-guided, paper and visual decision aids. English speakers reported substantially higher levels of formal education. Conclusion. Preferences regarding the use of digital technology to inform prostate cancer treatment decision making among underserved Latino men varied depending on preferred primary language. Effective preparation of underserved Latino men for shared decision making requires consideration of alternative approaches depending on level of education attainment and preferred primary language.

Analysis of guideline recommended use of renal mass biopsy and association with treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Renal mass biopsy (RMB) may not be indicated when the results are unlikely to impact management, such as in young and/or healthy patients and in elderly and/or frail patients. We analyzed the utility of RMB in three patient cohorts stratified by age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index score (ACCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified patients with cT1a renal tumors in the National Cancer Database from 2004-2014. We combined age and Charlson-Deyo scores to identify young and/or healthy patients ('healthy-ACCI'), elderly and/or frail patients ('frail-ACCI'), and a reference cohort. We performed multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of RMB and treatment. We evaluated the impact of RMB on management by analyzing the proportion of high-grade disease on final pathology as a surrogate for risk stratification. RESULTS: We identified 36,720 healthy-ACCI, 2,516 frail-ACCI, and 18,989 reference-ACCI patients. Healthy-ACCI patients were less likely to undergo RMB (7.5% versus 10.8%; p < 0.001) while frail-ACCI patients underwent RMB at similar rates (11.8% versus 10.8%; p = 0.14) compared with reference-ACCI patients. On multivariable logistic regression, in both healthy-ACCI and frail-ACCI patients, RMB was associated with decreased odds of surgical treatment, and increased odds of ablation and surveillance (all p < 0.01). In the frail-ACCI patients, higher grade disease at surgery was identified in the RMB cohort (32.9% versus 23.5%, p = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: RMB is performed less frequently in healthy-ACCI patients compared with the reference cohort. RMB is associated with decreased odds of surgical treatment and increased odds of surveillance and ablation in all cohorts. In frail-ACCI patients who underwent surgery, RMB may provide additional risk stratification as these patients had lower rates of low-grade disease.

Predictors of adequate lymph node dissection in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and effect on survival.

INTRODUCTION: Radical cystectomy (RC) is the standard of care for refractory high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We aim to identify predictors of adequate lymph node dissection (LND) in a cohort of NMIBC patients undergoing RC, as well as its impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for patients who underwent RC for urothelial cell carcinoma for clinical stage Tis/a/1 N0M0 disease between 2004 and 2013. Patients were stratified by LND: none, inadequate (<10) or adequate (≥10 nodes). Factors associated with LND were analyzed. Inverse-probability weighted propensity score matching was used to assess the impact of adequate LND on overall survival. RESULTS: The final cohort of 3,226 patients had a median follow-up of 39.0 months, had a mean age of 65.3 years, was 70% male, and was 81% Caucasian. Overall, 16.6% received no LND, 28.5% inadequate LND, and 55.0% adequate LND. Treatment at an academic facility, Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity score of 1, and later year of treatment were significantly associated with adequate LND. Overall survival was significantly higher with adequate LND compared to a matched-cohort of inadequate LND patients (68.7% vs. 60.6% at 5 years, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half of NMIBC patients undergoing RC do not receive an adequate LND, despite an association with increased overall survival. Treatment at an academic facility was associated with increased likelihood of adequate LND. Initiatives to improve adequate LND in this population may be warranted.

Predicting Short-term Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy Based on Frailty.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of frailty on adverse perioperative outcomes in patients treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We identified 9459 adults (age ≥18) in the Nationwide Readmission Database who underwent radical cystectomy in 2014 for bladder cancer. We defined patients' frailty status using Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups frailty-defining diagnosis indicator and compared in-hospital mortality, ICU-level complications, 30-day readmissions, nonhome discharge, length of hospitalization, and hospital-related costs between frail and nonfrail patients using χ2 tests. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of the primary outcomes of interest. RESULTS: Of 9459 patients undergoing radical cystectomy, 7.1% (n = 673) met criteria. Frail patients were more likely than nonfrail patients to have comorbid conditions (68.2% vs 59.7%; P= .005), in-hospital mortality (4.2% vs 1.5%; P= .04), ICU-level complications (52.9% vs 18.6%; P<.001), nonhome discharge (33.9% vs 11.6%; P <.001), longer length of stay (median 15 vs 7 days; P<.001), and higher median cost of the index admission ($39,665 vs $27,307). Frailty was the strongest independent predictor of ICU-level complications, nonhome discharge, increased length of stay, and hospital-related costs of any covariate. CONCLUSION: Frail patients receiving radical cystectomy were more likely than nonfrail patients to have adverse perioperative outcomes and higher odds of in-hospital mortality, ICU-level complications, nonhome discharge, increased length of stay, and hospital-related costs. Preoperative consideration of frailty may be useful in clinical guidance and shared decision-making.

Thirty-day hospital readmissions after augmentation cystoplasty: A Nationwide readmissions database analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Reducing hospital readmissions is a growing priority for hospitals and clinicians in their efforts to improve quality of care and curtail costs. Augmentation cystoplasty is among the most complex and high-morbidity operations in pediatric urology, with up to 25% of patients experiencing a postoperative complication. However, there is a paucity of literature addressing the incidence and characteristics of hospital readmissions after these procedures. This information may be useful in tailoring perioperative interventions to reduce rehospitalization in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the rate, causes, risk factors, and costs associated with 30-day readmissions for children undergoing augmentation cystoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for children (≤18 years of age) who underwent augmentation cystoplasty for any indication between 2010 and 2014. Rates, causes, and costs of 30-day readmissions were determined. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for readmission. RESULTS: Among 1873 identified cases, the 30-day readmission rate was 19.6%, with an average cost per readmission of $11,667. The most common reasons for readmission were gastrointestinal complications (19.6%), urinary tract infections (14.1%), and wound complications (11.2%). The median time to readmission was 13 days (interquartile range 6-19 days). Non-infectious genitourinary complications (e.g. hydronephrosis) ($25,286) and gastrointestinal complications ($12,924) led to the costliest readmissions, while dehydration/vomiting ($3739) and fever ($4803) were the least costly. On multivariate regression, the only significant risk factor for readmission was an indication of neurogenic bladder (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.03-14.20, p = 0.04). DISCUSSION: We present the first study to capture readmissions with 30 days of discharge to the same or outside hospitals after augmentation cystoplasty. Limitations include inability to separate planned and unplanned readmissions and 30-day follow-up period, which prevented analysis of readmissions caused by late complications. CONCLUSION: Approximately one in five children undergoing augmentation cystoplasty are readmitted within 30 days. An indication of neurogenic bladder is an independent risk factor, while gastrointestinal complications and urinary tract infections are the most common reasons for readmission.