Sustained success of a Caprini postoperative venous thromboembolism prevention protocol over one decade.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to review the long-term efficacy of a post-operative venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention program at our institution. METHODS: We performed a review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) data at our hospital from January 2008-December 2022. The primary outcome was risk-adjusted VTE events. RESULTS: In 2009, a postoperative general surgery patient was three times more likely to have a postoperative VTE event than predicted (O/E ratio 3.02, 95% CI 1.99-4.40). After implementing a mandatory VTE risk assessment model and a risk-commensurate prophylaxis protocol in the electronic medical record in 2011, the odds ratio of a patient developing a postoperative VTE declined to 0.70 by 2014 (95% CI 0.40-1.23). This success persisted through 2022. CONCLUSIONS: Since the implementation of a standardized postoperative VTE prevention program in 2011, our institution has sustained a desirably low likelihood of VTE events in general surgery patients.

Defining a High-Quality and Effective Morbidity and Mortality Conference: A Systematic Review.

Importance: Morbidity and mortality conferences (MMCs) are thought to advance trainee education, quality improvement (QI), and faculty development. However, there is considerable variability with regard to their completion. Objective: To compile and analyze the literature describing the format, design, and other attributes of MMCs that appear to best advance their stated objectives related to QI and practitioner education. Evidence Review: For this systematic review, a literature search with terms combining conference and QI or morbidity and mortality was performed in January 2022, using the PubMed, Embase, and ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) databases with no date restrictions. Included studies were published in English and described surgical or nonsurgical MMCs with explicit reference to quality or system improvement, education, professional development, or patient outcomes; these studies were classified by design as survey based, intervention based, or other methodologies. For survey-based studies, positively and negatively regarded attributes of conference design, format, and completion were extracted. For intervention-based studies, details of the intervention and their impact on stated MMC objectives were abstracted. Principal study findings were summarized for the other group. Study quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). Abstract screening, full-text review, and data extraction and analysis were completed between January 2022 and December 2022. Findings: A total of 59 studies met appropriateness for study inclusion. The mean MERSQI score for the included studies was 6.7 (range, 5.0-9.5) of a maximum possible 18, which implied that the studies were of average quality. The evidence suggested that preparation and postconference follow-up regarding QI initiatives are equally as important as both (1) succinctly presenting case details, opportunities for improvement, and educational topics and (2) creating a constructive space for accountability, engagement, and multistakeholder discussion. Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that the published literature on MMCs provides substantial insight into the optimal format, design, and related attributes of an effective MMC. This systematic review provides a road map for surgical departments to improve MMCs in order to align their format and design with their principal objectives related to practitioner and trainee education, error prevention, and QI.

A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: Impact of Combined Volume of Complex Cancer Operations on Surgical Outcomes in a Low-Volume Setting.

BACKGROUND: Centralization for complex cancer surgery may not always be feasible owing to socioeconomic disparities, geographic constraints, or patient preference. The present study investigates how the combined volume of complex cancer operations impacts postoperative outcomes at hospitals that are low-volume for a specific high-risk cancer operation. STUDY DESIGN: Patients who underwent pneumonectomy, esophagectomy, gastrectomy, hepatectomy, pancreatectomy, or proctectomy were identified from the National Cancer Database (2004-2017). For every operation, 3 separate cohorts were created: low-volume hospitals (LVH) for both the individual cancer operation and the total number of those complex operations, mixed-volume hospital (MVH) with low volume for the individual cancer operation but high volume for total number of complex operations, and high-volume hospitals (HVH) for each specific operation. RESULTS: LVH was significantly (all p ≤ 0.01) predictive for 30-day mortality compared with HVH across all operations: pneumonectomy (9.5% vs 7.9%), esophagectomy (5.6% vs 3.2%), gastrectomy (6.8% vs 3.6%), hepatectomy (5.9% vs 3.2%), pancreatectomy (4.7% vs 2.3%), and proctectomy (2.4% vs 1.3%). Patients who underwent surgery at MVH and HVH demonstrated similar 30-day mortality: esophagectomy (3.2 vs 3.2%; p = 0.993), gastrectomy (3.2% vs 3.6%; p = 0.637), hepatectomy (3.8% vs 3.2%; p = 0.233), pancreatectomy (2.8% vs 2.3%; p = 0.293), and proctectomy (1.2% vs 1.3%; p = 0.843). Patients who underwent pneumonectomy at MVH demonstrated lower 30-day mortality compared with HVH (5.4% vs 7.9%; p = 0.045). CONCLUSION: Patients who underwent complex operations at MVH had similar postoperative outcomes to those at HVH. MVH provide a model for the centralization of complex cancer surgery for patients who do not receive their care at HVH.

Multidisciplinary Project to Prevent Postoperative Urinary Tract Infection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with increased lengths of stay, inpatient costs, and mortality. Review of institutional data from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) NSQIP revealed opportunities to improve practices with respect to urinary catheter (Foley) insertion, catheter care, adherence to diagnosis and prevention protocols, and ACS NSQIP reporting. STUDY DESIGN: A multidisciplinary quality improvement team convened and implemented interventions based on a literature review and analysis of institutional drivers of postoperative UTI. The team educated the ACS NSQIP surgical clinical reviewers and clinical teams about UTI diagnostic criteria and prevention, trained staff in proper catheterization technique, and provided performance feedback. The team also developed kits with supplies and instructions for patients who were discharged home with catheters, along with an instructional video. The investigators evaluated project effectiveness by comparing pre- and postintervention process measures and rates of postoperative UTI. RESULTS: After interventions, compliance rates improved for hand hygiene (62% to 83%, p = 0.04), precleansing of the periurethral area (66% to 97%, p = 0.001), and catheter positioning (41% to 93%, p < 0.001), and the composite performance (10% to 73%, p < 0.001). Surgery residents' scores on a UTI knowledge assessment improved from 71% to 81% (p = 0.005). The majority of residents and staff strongly agreed that the training sessions would change their practice (57% and 69%, respectively). The unadjusted rate of postoperative UTIs at our institution decreased from 1.55% to 0.69% (p = 0.016), corresponding to an improvement in the ACS NSQIP odds ratio from 1.51 to 0.86. CONCLUSIONS: A series of interventions, including provider training, patient education, and audits of practice with performance feedback, are associated with improvements in both practice and the incidence of postoperative UTI.

Citizenship and Social Responsibility in Surgery: A Review.

Importance: Social determinants of health have been shown to be key drivers of disparities in access to surgical care and surgical outcomes. Though the concept of social responsibility has received growing attention in the medical field, little has been published contextualizing social responsibility in surgery. In this narrative review, we define social responsibility as it relates to surgery, explore the duty of surgeons to society, and provide examples of social factors associated with adverse surgical outcomes and how they can be mitigated. Observations: The concept of social responsibility in surgery has deep roots in medical codes of ethics and evolved alongside changing views on human rights and the role of social factors in disease. The ethical duty of surgeons to society is based on the ethical principles of benevolence and justice and is grounded within the framework of the social contract. Surgeons have a responsibility to understand how factors such as patient demographics, the social environment, clinician awareness, and the health care system are associated with inequitable patient outcomes. Through education, we can empower surgeons to advocate for their patients, address the causes and consequences of surgical disparities, and incorporate social responsibility into their daily practice. Conclusions and Relevance: One of the greatest challenges in the field of surgery is ensuring that surgical care is provided in an equitable and sustainable way. Surgeons have a duty to understand the factors that lead to health care disparities and use their knowledge, skills, and privileged position to address these issues at the individual and societal level.

Challenges and solutions to providing surgery in Sierra Leone hospitals: a qualitative analysis of surgical provider perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to use qualitative interviews with surgical providers to explore challenges and solutions to providing surgical and anaesthesia care in Sierra Leone's hospitals. DESIGN: Data were collected through anonymous, semistructured interviews. We used a qualitative framework approach to analyse interview data and determine themes relating to challenges that were reported. SETTING: A purposive sample of 12 hospitals was selected throughout Sierra Leone to include district and referral hospitals of varying ownership (private, non-governmental organisation and government). PARTICIPANTS: The most senior surgical provider available during each hospital site visit participated in a semistructured interview. A total of 12 interviews were conducted. RESULTS: Providers described both challenges and solutions relating to the following categories: equipment and supplies, access to services, human resources, infrastructure, management and patient factors. These challenges were found to affect surgical care in hospitals by delaying surgical care, decreasing operative capacity and decreasing quality of care. Providers identified not only the root causes of these challenges, but also the varied workarounds and solutions they employ to overcome them. CONCLUSION: Surgical providers can offer important insights into challenges affecting surgical services in hospitals. Despite working in challenging environments with limited resources, providers have developed innovative solutions to improve surgical and anaesthesia care in hospitals in Sierra Leone. Qualitative research has an important role to play in improving understanding of the challenges facing surgeons in low-income countries.

Implementation of a Frailty Assessment and Targeted Care Interventions and Its Association with Reduced Postoperative Complications in Elderly Surgical Patients.

BACKGROUND: Older patients with frailty syndrome have a greater risk of poor postoperative outcomes. In this study, we used a RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework to implement an assessment tool to identify frail patients and targeted interventions to improve their outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: We implemented a 5-question frailty assessment tool for patients 65 years and older admitted to the general and vascular surgery services from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Identified frail patients received evidence-based clinical orders and nursing care plan interventions tailored to optimize recovery. A RE-AIM framework was used to assess implementation effectiveness through provider and nurse surveys, floor audits, and chart review. RESULTS: Of 1,158 patients included in this study, 696 (60.1%) were assessed for frailty. Among these, 611 patients (87.8%) scored as frail or intermediately frail. After implementation, there were significant increases in the completion rates of frailty-specific care orders for frail patients, including delirium precautions (52.1% vs 30.7%; p < 0.001), aspiration precautions (50.0% vs 26.9%; p < 0.001), and avoidance of overnight vitals (32.5% vs 0%). Floor audits, however, showed high variability in completion of care plan components by nursing staff. Multivariate analysis showed significant decreases in 30-day complication rates (odds ratio 0.532; p < 0.001) after implementation. CONCLUSIONS: A frailty assessment was able to identify elderly patients for provision of targeted, evidence-based frailty care. Despite limited uptake of the assessment by providers and completion of care plan components by nursing staff, implementation of the assessment and care interventions was associated with substantial decreases in complications among elderly surgical patients.

Opportunities and Challenges of Adolescent and Adult Vaccination Administration Within Pharmacies in the United States.

Pharmacies have been endorsed as alternative vaccine delivery sites to improve vaccination rates through increased access to services. Our objective was to identify challenges and facilitators to adolescent and adult vaccination provision in pharmacy settings in the United States. We recruited 40 licensed pharmacists in states with different pharmacy vaccination laws. Eligible pharmacists previously administered or were currently administering human papillomavirus (HPV); tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (TDAP); or meningitis (meningococcal conjugate vaccine [MCV4]) vaccines to adolescents aged 9 to 17 years. Pharmacists participated in a semistructured survey on in-pharmacy vaccine provision. Pharmacists commonly administered vaccinations to age-eligible adolescents and adults: influenza (100%, 100%), pneumococcal (35%, 98%), TDAP (80%, 98%), MCV4 (60%, 78%), and HPV (45%, 53%). Common challenges included reimbursement/insurance coverage (28%, 78%), education of patients/parents (30%, 40%), and pharmacists' time constraints (28%, 35%). Three-quarters of pharmacists reported that vaccination rates could be increased. National efforts should expand insurance coverage for vaccine administration reimbursement and improve data information systems to optimize provision within pharmacies.

A low-residue diet improved patient satisfaction with split-dose oral sulfate solution without impairing colonic preparation.

BACKGROUND: Preprocedural dietary restrictions have been identified as a common reason potential candidates for colorectal cancer screening do not undergo colonoscopy as recommended. OBJECTIVE: To study whether a low-residue diet impacts bowel preparation with oral sulfate solution. DESIGN: Endoscopist blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community-based outpatient ambulatory surgical center. PATIENTS: Patients scheduled for outpatient colonoscopy. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized to ingest either a low-residue diet of specified foods for breakfast, lunch, and snack or a clear liquid diet the day before the colonoscopy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The quality of the bowel preparation was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale. Subject satisfaction with bowel preparation, diet, and severity of side effects was measured by a visual analog scale. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty subjects were recruited (114 clear liquid and 116 low residue). Mean preparation scores were not statistically different in either their segmental scores or total score. Subjects in the low-residue arm reported significantly higher satisfaction with bowel preparation medication, diet, and entire preparation process. Observed rates of side effects were low, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups. The rate of procedural cancellation was significantly higher in the clear liquid group compared with the low-residue group (20% vs 9%, P = .03). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study. CONCLUSIONS: A low-residue diet did not impair the quality of bowel preparation achieved with split-dose oral sulfate solution but did improve patient satisfaction.