Marginal Hospital Cost of Surgery-related Hospital-acquired Pressure Ulcers

Decreasing Intraoperative Skin Damage in Prone-Position Surgeries

OBJECTIVE

To determine if subepidermal moisture (SEM) measures help detect and prevent intraoperative acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs) for prone-position surgery.

METHODS

In this clinical trial of patients (n = 39 preintervention, n = 48 intervention, 100 historical control) undergoing prone-position surgery, researchers examined the use of multidimensionally flexible silicone foam (MFSF) dressings applied preoperatively to patients' face, chest, and iliac crests. Visual skin assessments and SEM measures were obtained preoperatively, postoperatively, and daily for up to 5 days or until discharge. Electronic health record review included demographic, medical, and surgery data.

RESULTS

Of the 187 total participants, 76 (41%) were women. Participants' mean age was 61.0 ± 15.0 years, and 9.6% were Hispanic (n = 18), 9.6% were Asian (n = 18), 6.9% were Black or African American (n = 13), and 73.8% were White (n = 138). Participants had a mean Scott-Triggers IAPI risk score of 1.5 ± 1.1. Among those with no erythema preoperatively, fewer intervention participants exhibited postoperative erythema on their face and chest than did preintervention participants. Further, fewer intervention participants had SEM-defined IAPIs at all locations in comparison with preintervention participants. The MFSF dressings overcame IAPI risk factors of surgery length, skin tone, and body mass index with fewer IAPIs in intervention participants.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing prone-position surgeries developed fewer IAPIs, and SEM measures indicated no damage when MFSF dressings were applied to sites preoperatively. The SEM measures detected more damage than visual assessment.

Combined treatment of umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma for a surgical patient with hospital-acquired pressure ulcer: a case report and literature review

Hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) are still an important worldwide issue related to the safety and quality of patient care, which are among the top five adverse events reported. Patients who develop HAPUs have longer stays in the hospital than necessary, are at a greater risk of infections, and are more likely to die. Surgical patients are prone to developing PUs because they often remain immobile for extended periods of time, and their surgical procedures may limit the flow of blood oxygen and nutrition and lead to a decrease in muscle tone. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent an attractive stem cell source for tissue regeneration in clinical applications, which have been demonstrated to improve wound healing through re-epithelialization, increased angiogenesis, and granulation tissue formation. Here, we present the case of an emergency surgical patient who developed an ulcer on the right heel during hospitalization. The human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs) re-suspended in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were injected into ulcer margins. Four days after the WJ-MSC application, the patient showed progressive healing of the PU. From days 4 to 33, granulation tissue formation and re-epithelialization were clearly observed. The ulcer was almost healed completely on day 47, and the pain in the patient's wound area also decreased. Thus, intradermal transplantation of WJ-MSCs and PRP was safe and effective for treatment in patients with pressure ulcers. WJ-MSCs, together with PRP, may offer a promising treatment option for wound healing.

Impact of shear stress on sacral pressure injury from table rotation during laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed in the lithotomy position

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of shear stress on surgery-related sacral pressure injury (PI) after laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed in the lithotomy position. We included 37 patients who underwent this procedure between November 2021 and October 2022. The primary outcome was average horizontal shear stress caused by the rotation of the operating table during the operation, and the secondary outcome was interface pressure over time. Sensors were used to measure shear stress and interface pressure in the sacral region. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of PI. PI had an incidence of 32.4%, and the primary outcome, average horizontal shear stress, was significantly higher in the PI group than in the no-PI group. The interface pressure increased over time in both groups. At 120 min, the interface pressure was two times higher in the PI group than in the no-PI group (PI group, 221.5 mmHg; no-PI group, 86.0 mmHg; p < 0.01). This study suggested that shear stress resulting from rotation of the operating table in the sacral region by laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed in the lithotomy position is the cause of PI. These results should contribute to the prevention of PI.

A nomogram to predict the risk of surgery-related pressure ulcers in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to establish a new nomogram score to predict the occurrence of surgery-related pressure ulcers (SRPU) in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study among patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery between February 2016 and November 2020.

RESULTS

We established a prediction model based on a logistic regression model and tested the calibration and discrimination. We included 1163 patients who had undergone cardiovascular surgery. We formulated the logistic regression model, with Logit(P) = -11.745 + 0.024 preoperative hemoglobin value + 0.118 serum sodium value - 0.014 prealbumin value - 0.213 intraoperative mean temperature - 0.058 minimum mean arterial pressure + 0.646 preoperative blood potassium value + 0.264 smoking frequency + 0.760 hypertension history + 0.536 age ≥70 years. In this model ,"+" indicates that the factor is positively related to the occurrence risk of SRPU and "-" indicates that the factor is negatively associated with SRPU risk. The predictive model and nomogram had good accuracy in estimating the risk of SRPU, with a C-index of 0.755 (95% confidence interval: 0.719-0.792).

CONCLUSIONS

The present model can be used to effectively screen patients with a high risk of SRPU to devise targeted nursing intervention strategies and ultimately reduce the incidence rate of SRPU.

Comparison of four risk assessment scales in predicting the risk of intraoperative acquired pressure injury in adult surgical patients: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To develop and compare four predictive models for intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) in surgical patients.

METHODS

One hundred patients undergoing various surgeries (hepatobiliary, pancreas, spleen, gastrointestinal, and cardiac surgeries) at Ruijin Hospital from November 2021 to September 2022 were included in this prospective cohort study. Four pressure injury risk assessment scales were used to measure the pressure injury risk: the Braden scale, Munro Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Scale, Scott Triggers tool, and CORN Intraoperative Acquired Pressure Injury Risk Assessment Scale. The patients were divided into the IAPI group and non-IAPI group.

RESULTS

In total, 37% of patients (37/100) developed class I/stage pressure injury (erythema) after surgery, which resolved within 2 hours after surgery in 86.49% of cases and further progressed to class II/stage or higher pressure injury within 6 days in 15.63% of cases. The application effects of the four commonly used risk assessment tools were compared with the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. The Munro Scale showed the best sensitivity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve among the four tools for postoperative assessment, but its specificity was only 20.63.

CONCLUSIONS

More appropriate assessment tools are required for IAPI risk evaluation.

Risk Factors Associated With Pressure Injuries in Surgical Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify predictive risk factors for pressure injury (PI) occurring during surgery.

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

Data on records of 6070 patients hospitalized for surgery at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital located in Seoul Korea. Data were collected between May 2013 and December 2014.

METHODS

Anonymized data from patients were accessed via electronic health records, nursing records, direct patient assessment, surgical, clinical laboratory, and anesthesia records, preanesthesia status evaluations, and PI incident reports, and transfusion and extracorporeal circulation reports. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Three hundred eighty-one of the 6070 patients (6.3%) developed within 24 hours a PI that was associated with surgery. The most common locations for the PIs were the coccyx (15.1%; n = 75) and trunk (chest or abdomen; 15.1%; n = 75). All PIs were classified as stage 1 (66.6%; n = 331) or 2 (33.4%; n = 166). Based on logistic regression results, we found that the risk factors that were independently predictive of surgery-related PIs were patient position during surgery, admission to an intensive care unit after surgery, required blood transfusion during surgery, and duration of surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

This retrospective study identified several risk factors associated with a higher incidence of perioperative PIs in surgical patients. A PI prevention program accounting for these factors could potentially help prevent PIs and their costly complications.

Using Continuous Intraoperative Pressure Mapping to Describe Patterns of Tissue Interface Pressure

The purpose of this study was to describe patterns of intraoperative tissue interface pressure, identify the amount of time during which the pressure at four anatomical locations exceeded 32 mm Hg, and examine associations between patient- and surgery-related variables and peak tissue interface pressure. We used a pressure mapping system to measure the intraoperative tissue interface pressure of 150 patients. We implemented linear mixed-effects models to assess trends in the mean and peak tissue interface pressure. The percentage of time during which the interface pressure exceeded 32 mm Hg at the scapulae, interscapular area, and sacral area was 70%, 70%, and 90%, respectively. Body mass index, length of surgery, and intraoperative position were major predictors of increased pressure. Understanding patterns of tissue interface pressure of patients during surgery may help perioperative nurses develop strategies to attenuate pressure and protect skin integrity.

Direct Medical Costs of Parkinson's Disease in Southern China: A Cross-Sectional Study Based on Health Insurance Claims Data in Guangzhou City

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. This study aims to evaluate the direct medical costs of patients with PD using a large sample from an entire city and to identity the potential factors correlating with their inpatient costs in Guangzhou City, Southern China. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study uses data obtained from the Urban Employee-based Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and the Urban Resident-based Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) administrative claims databases in Guangzhou City from 2008 to 2012. The total sample was comprised of 2660 patients with PD. Costs were evaluated for the total sample and by types of insurance. The composition of costs was compared between the UEBMI and URBMI subgroups. The extended estimating-equations model was applied to identify the potential impact factors influencing the inpatient costs. Results: The direct medical costs per patient with PD were CNY 14,514.9 (USD 2299.4) in 2012, consisting of inpatient costs of CNY 13,551.4 and outpatient costs of CNY 963.5. The medication costs accounted for the largest part (50.3%). The inpatient costs of PD patients under the UEBMI scheme (CNY 13,651.0) were significantly higher than those of patients in the URBMI subgroup (CNY 12,402.2) (p < 0.05). The proportion of out-of-pocket spending out of inpatient and outpatient costs for UEBMI beneficiaries (24.3% and 56.1%) was much lower than that for patients under the URBMI scheme (47.9% and 76.2%). The regression analysis suggested that types of insurance, age, hospital levels, length of stay (LOS) and comorbidities were significantly correlated with the inpatient costs of patients with PD. Conclusions: The direct medical costs of patients with PD in China were high compared to the GDP per capita in Guangzhou City and different between the two evaluated types of insurance. Patients with the UEBMI scheme, of older age, with comorbidities, staying in tertiary hospitals and with longer LOS had significantly higher inpatient costs. Thus, policymakers need to reduce the gaps between the two urban insurance schemes in benefit levels, provide support for the development of a comprehensive long-term care insurance system and promote the use of telemedicine in China.

Identification of Risk Factors for Intraoperative Acquired Pressure Injury in Patients Undergoing Neurosurgery: A Retrospective Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND Risk factors for intraoperative acquired pressure injury (IAPI) in patients undergoing various surgical procedures have been described in previous studies. However, whether risk factors for IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery differ remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to explore independent risk factors for IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 465 patients who underwent neurosurgery between October 2017and December 2018 and who were at high risk of IAPIs were retrospectively analyzed. Independent risk factors for IAPI were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. RESULTS Sixty-nine IAPIs (14.8%) in 465 patients undergoing neurosurgery were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that being overweight (odds ratio [OR] 2.685; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.206-5.975; P=0.016), prone position (OR 7.502, 95% CI 2.470-22.787. P<0.001), lateral position (OR 15.301, 95% CI 4.903-47.753, P<0.001), use of a head frame (OR 3.716, 95% CI 1.431-9.653, P=0.007), surgical times of 4 to 8 h (OR 7.276, 95% CI 2.249-23.542, P<0.001), and surgical times ≥8 h (OR 173.248, 95% CI 32.629-919.896, P<0.001) all were associated with an increased risk of IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery. The factors associated with reduced risk of IAPI were high serum albumin levels (OR 0.099, 95% CI 0.016-0.608, P=0.013) and use of memory sponge pads (OR 0.064, 95% CI 0.020-0.202, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS The present study indicates that being overweight, prone and lateral positioning, use of a head frame, and longer surgical times are associated with an increased risk of IAPI in patients undergoing neurosurgery. Prospective studies should be conducted to verify these findings and consideration should be given to use of these factors in clinical practice to identify high-risk patients.

Construction of a Risk Prediction Model for Intraoperative Pressure Injuries: A Prospective, Observational Study

PURPOSE

To explore the incidence and risk factors of intraoperatively acquired pressure injuries (IAPIs) in patients transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU) after surgery and establish a risk factor prediction model for IAPIs for guiding clinical intervention.

DESIGN

A prospective, observational study was conducted.

METHODS

This study was conducted in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. A total of 648 patients who were transferred to the ICU after surgery were recruited from May 1, 2019, to October 30, 2020. Data were collected preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively (3 days after transfer to the ICU). The enrolled patients underwent well-developed preventive measures to prevent IAPIs in the operating room and ICU. A sociodemographic and clinical characteristic questionnaire, the Braden pressure injuries risk assessment scale, the activity of daily living scale, and the Nutrition Risk Screening-2002 were used. Descriptive, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

FINDINGS

The incidence rate of IAPIs within 3 days was 18.67%. The Braden pressure injuries score, preoperative fasting blood glucose level, emergency surgery, and types of vasoactive drugs in the ICU were significant factors for increased risk. The risk factor prediction model was established using the perioperative Braden pressure injuries score (P = 0.027, odds ratio [OR] = 0.901), preoperative fasting blood glucose level (P = 0.027, OR = 1.111), emergency surgery (P < 0.01, OR = 5.054), types of vasoactive drugs in the ICU (P = 0.038, OR = 1.668), and surgery time (P = 0.021, OR = 2.434). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.74; 95% confidence interval was 0.671 to 0.810; sensitivity was 0.635; specificity was 0.860; and the Youden index was 0.495.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients transferred to the ICU after surgery, high fasting blood glucose level before surgery, emergency surgery, types of vasoactive drugs, and surgery time should be treated as predisposing factors in the prevention and control of IAPIs. However, the predictive effect of the perioperative Braden pressure injuries risk assessment scale on the risk of IAPIs needs to be further verified.

Association of congestive heart failure with hospital outcomes among renal cancer patients in the United States: analysis of nationwide inpatient sample

Background: Patients with renal cancer are at increased risk of comorbid congestive heart failure (CHF) due to several shared risk factors and the cardiotoxicity of some medications used for renal cancer treatment. We aimed to examine the relationship between CHF and hospital outcomes among renal cancer patients in the U.S.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we identified hospitalizations of renal cancer patients using the 2015-2017 National Inpatient Sample. We assessed the relationship between CHF and hospital outcomes in this patient population, including in-hospital mortality, length-of-stay (LoS), and hospital costs.Results: Among the 20,321 hospitalizations of renal cancer patients identified, 6.1% involved patients with comorbid CHF (n = 1,231). The odds of in-hospital mortality did not differ based on CHF presence (odds ratio = 1.21; p = 0.354). Hospitalizations of renal cancer patients with CHF were associated with a greater LoS (incidence rate ratio = 1.44; p < 0.001) and higher hospital costs (cost ratio = 1.27; p < 0.001) than those without CHF.Conclusions: CHF in renal cancer patients is associated with increased LoS and higher hospital costs. These findings suggest that optimal management of comorbid CHF may improve hospital outcomes in patients with renal cancer and provides evidence to support the emerging field of cardio-oncology.

Role of microRNAs in Pressure Ulcer Immune Response, Pathogenesis, and Treatment

Pressure ulcers are preventable, yet highly prevalent, chronic wounds that have significant patient morbidity and high healthcare costs. Like other chronic wounds, they are characterized by impaired wound healing due to dysregulated immune processes. This review will highlight key biochemical pathways in the pathogenesis of pressure injury and how this signaling leads to impaired wound healing. This review is the first to comprehensively describe the current literature on microRNA (miRNA, miR) regulation of pressure ulcer pathophysiology.

Barriers to improving health care value in emergency general surgery: A nationwide analysis

INTRODUCTION

There is a growing need to improve the quality of care while decreasing health care costs in emergency general surgery (EGS). Health care value includes costs and quality and is a targeted metric by improvement programs. The aim of our study was to evaluate the trend of health care value in EGS over time and to identify barriers to high-value surgical care.

METHODS

The (2012-2015) National Readmission Database was queried for patients 18 years or older who underwent an EGS procedure (according to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma definition). Health care value (V = quality metrics/cost) was calculated from the rates of freedom from readmission, major complications, reoperation, and failure to rescue (FTR) indexed over inflation-adjusted hospital costs. Outcomes were the trends in the quality metrics: 6-month readmission, major complications, reoperation, FTR, hospital costs, and health care value over the study period. Multivariable linear regression was performed to determine the predictors of lower health care value.

RESULTS

We identified 887,013 patients who underwent EGS. Mean ± SD age was 51 ± 20 years, and 53% were male. The rates of 6-month readmission, major complications, reoperation, and FTR increased significantly over the study period. The median hospital costs also increased over the study period (2012, US $9,600 to 2015, US $13,000; p < 0.01). However, the health care value has decreased over the study period (2012, 0.35; 2013, 0.30; 2014, 0.28; 2015, 0.25; p < 0.01). Predictors of decreased health care value in EGS are age 65 years or older (β = -0.568 [-0.689 to -0.418], more than three comorbidities (β = -0.292 [-0.359 to -0.21]), readmission to a different hospital (β = -0.755 [-0.914 to -0.558]), admission to low volume centers (β = -0.927 [-1.126 to -0.682]), lack of rehabilitation (β = -0.004 [-0.005 to -0.003]), and admission on a weekend (β = -0.318 [-0.366 to -0.254]).

CONCLUSION

Health care value in EGS appears to be declining over time. Some of the factors leading to decreased health care value in EGS are potentially modifiable. Health care value could potentially be improved by reducing fragmentation of care and promoting regionalization.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Economic, level IV.

A Change in Focus: Shifting From Treatment to Prevention of Perioperative Pressure Injuries

Hospital-acquired pressure injuries are a patient safety concern and can be costly for health care organizations. A multidisciplinary team of senior leaders, managers, nurses, and educators from departments that care for perioperative patients created an evidence-based perioperative pressure injury prevention bundle that includes skin and risk assessments, visual and electronic health record cues, prophylactic protection of at-risk skin, communication among providers and leaders regarding patient risk and injury throughout hospitalization, staff member education, compliance audits, root cause analyses, and wound care team follow-up. The prevention bundle resulted in a 50% reduction in perioperative pressure injuries the first calendar year after implementation and a zero-incidence rate for perioperative pressure injuries for at least a two-year period. This article discusses hospital-acquired pressure injuries related to the perioperative setting and outlines the full perioperative pressure injury prevention bundle.

Protecting prone positioned patients from facial pressure ulcers using prophylactic dressings: A timely biomechanical analysis in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

Prone positioning is used for surgical access and recently in exponentially growing numbers of coronavirus disease 2019 patients who are ventilated prone. To reduce their facial pressure ulcer risk, prophylactic dressings can be used; however, the biomechanical efficacy of this intervention has not been studied yet. We, therefore, evaluated facial soft tissue exposures to sustained mechanical loads in a prone position, with versus without multi‐layered silicone foam dressings applied as tissue protectors at the forehead and chin. We used an anatomically realistic validated finite element model of an adult male head to determine the contribution of the dressings to the alleviation of the sustained tissue loads. The application of the dressings considerably relieved the tissue exposures to loading. Specifically, with respect to the forehead, the application of a dressing resulted in 52% and 71% reductions in soft tissue exposures to effective stresses and strain energy densities, respectively. Likewise, a chin dressing lowered the soft tissue exposures to stresses and strain energy densities by 78% and 92%, respectively. While the surgical context is clear and there is a solid, relevant need for biomechanical information regarding prophylaxis for the prone positions, the projected consequences of the coronavirus pandemic make the present work more relevant than ever before.

A Comparison of Estimated Cost Savings from Potential Reductions in Hospital-Acquired Conditions to Levied Penalties Under the CMS Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program

BACKGROUND

The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with high rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by 1% each year. It is not known how the savings accruing to CMS from such penalties compare to savings resulting from a reduction in HACs driven by this program. This study compares the reported savings to CMS from financial penalties levied under the HACRP with savings resulting from potential reductions in HACs.

METHODS

Using a random sample of 20% of Medicare claims data (January 1, 2009-September 30, 2014), the research team evaluated the association between HACs and 90-day episode spending (adjusted to 2015 dollars), then estimated potential annual savings to CMS if there was a relative decrease in incidence of all HACs by 1%-20%. These savings were then compared to the actual collected HACRP penalties reported by CMS in 2015.

RESULTS

All HACs were associated with significant increases in total 90-day episode spending, ranging from $3,183 for iatrogenic pneumothorax to $21,654 for postoperative hip fracture. The total estimated savings to Medicare from potential reduction in all HACs ranged from $2.2 million to $44 million per year, an amount much lower than the $361 million in penalties levied on hospitals per year for HACs.

CONCLUSION

The penalties levied under the HACRP far exceed the potential cost savings accruing from a 1%-20% reduction in HACs that might result from hospitals' efforts in response to the program.

Association Between Medicare Expenditures and Adverse Events for Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction, Heart Failure, or Pneumonia in the United States

IMPORTANCE

Studies have shown that adverse events are associated with increasing inpatient care expenditures, but contemporary data on the association between expenditures and adverse events beyond inpatient care are limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate whether hospital-specific adverse event rates are associated with hospital-specific risk-standardized 30-day episode-of-care Medicare expenditures for fee-for-service patients discharged with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), or pneumonia.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cross-sectional study used the 2011 to 2016 hospital-specific risk-standardized 30-day episode-of-care expenditure data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and medical record-abstracted in-hospital adverse event data from the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System. The setting was acute care hospitals treating at least 25 Medicare fee-for-service patients for AMI, HF, or pneumonia in the United States. Participants were Medicare fee-for-service patients 65 years or older hospitalized for AMI, HF, or pneumonia included in the Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System in 2011 to 2016. The dates of analysis were July 16, 2017, to May 21, 2018.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Hospitals' risk-standardized 30-day episode-of-care expenditures and the rate of occurrence of adverse events for which patients were at risk.

RESULTS

The final study sample from 2194 unique hospitals included 44 807 patients (26.1% AMI, 35.6% HF, and 38.3% pneumonia) with a mean (SD) age of 79.4 (8.6) years, and 52.0% were women. The patients represented 84 766 exposures for AMI, 96 917 exposures for HF, and 109 641 exposures for pneumonia. Patient characteristics varied by condition but not by expenditure category. The mean (SD) risk-standardized expenditures were $22 985 ($1579) for AMI, $16 020 ($1416) for HF, and $16 355 ($1995) for pneumonia per hospitalization. The mean risk-standardized rates of occurrence of adverse events for which patients were at risk were 3.5% (95% CI, 3.4%-3.6%) for AMI, 2.5% (95% CI, 2.5%-2.5%) for HF, and 3.0% (95% CI, 2.9%-3.0%) for pneumonia. An increase by 1 percentage point in the rate of occurrence of adverse events was associated with an increase in risk-standardized expenditures of $103 (95% CI, $57-$150) for AMI, $100 (95% CI, $29-$172) for HF, and $152 (95% CI, $73-$232) for pneumonia per discharge.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Hospitals with high adverse event rates were more likely to have high 30-day episode-of-care Medicare expenditures for patients discharged with AMI, HF, or pneumonia.

The pressure injury predictive model: A framework for hospital-acquired pressure injuries

BACKGROUND

Despite decades of research, pressure injuries continue to be a source of significant pain and delayed recovery for patients and substantial quality and cost issues for hospitals. Consideration of the current thinking around pressure injury risk must be evaluated to improve risk assessments and subsequent nursing interventions aimed at reducing hospital-acquired pressure injuries.

DESIGN

This is a discursive paper using Walker and Avant's (2005) theory synthesis framework to examine the relevance of existing pressure injury models as they align with the current literature.

METHODS

PubMed and CINAHL indexes were searched, first for conceptual models and then for pressure injury research conducted on hospitalised patients for the years 2006-2016. A synthesis of the searches culminated into a new pressure injury risk model.

CONCLUSIONS

Gaps in previous models include lack of attention to the environment, contributing episode-of-care factors and the dynamic nature of injury risk for patients. Through theory synthesis, the need for a new model representing the full risk for pressure injury was identified. The Pressure Injury Predictive Model is a representation of the complex and dynamic nature of pressure injury risk that builds on previous models and addresses new patient, contextual and episode-of-care process influences. The Pressure Injury Predictive Model (PIPM) provides a more accurate picture of the complexity of contextual and process factors associated with pressure injury development.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Using the PIPM to determine risk can result in improved risk identification. This information can be used to implement targeted, evidence-based pressure injury prevention interventions specific to the patient risk profile, thus limiting unwarranted and unnecessary care.

Revalidation of a Perioperative Risk Assessment Measure for Skin

BACKGROUND

Validated perioperative pressure injury (PI) risk assessment measures are few and often cumbersome to complete, leading to missed opportunities to identify and target prevention interventions to those patients at increased risk for developing a postsurgical PI.

OBJECTIVES

Previous validation of a six-item perioperative risk assessment measure for skin (PRAMS) was conducted in our community hospital with positive findings. The purpose of this study was to increase generalizability by revalidating the PRAMS in a larger sample.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of all surgical patients aged ≥18 years positioned in the supine or lateral position in a Midwest quaternary care, multispecialty, 1,500-bed hospital during a 6-month period (n = 1,526). The intent of the study was to revalidate the PRAMS. The main outcome of interest was the development of PI after surgery. Risk indicators of interest included diabetes, age, surgical time, Braden score, previous surgery, and preexisting PI. The diagnostic ability of any of the risk indicators on the development of a postsurgical PI was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.

RESULTS

Postsurgical PIs occurred in 121 patients. Comparing current to previous study results, the PRAMS was effective in identifying surgical patients at risk for PI (sensitivity = .98). Those patients with a postsurgical PI had a lower mean Braden score, were more likely to have a preexisting PI, and were more likely to have a previous surgery during the same admission (p < .001 for all risk indicators), comparing favorably to the original study. Patients without risk indicators were unlikely to develop a postsurgical PI (negative predictive value = .98).

DISCUSSION

Results of this validation study demonstrate that the PRAMS is effective in identifying patients who developed a postsurgical PI using information readily available to the perioperative staff.

Alternating Pressure Overlay for Prevention of Intraoperative Pressure Injury

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-profile alternating pressure (AP) overlay system on hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs).

DESIGN

Prospective case series with historical controls.

SUBJECTS AND SETTING

The study setting was the operating room and critical care unit of an urban quaternary care hospital in the Midwestern United States. One hundred neurosurgery patients undergoing surgery for 2 hours or longer in supine position were included in the study (AP group). The outcomes for the AP group were compared to a historical control group of 292 patients.

METHODS

A group of 100 patients were prospectively placed on the AP overlay during surgery. Participants were enrolled preoperatively and tracked by the research team during their hospital stay. Demographic data, details of the operation, and pressure injury risk factors were recorded. Following surgery, AP group patients were evaluated daily and continued on standard protocol for pressure injury prevention. The primary study outcome was HAPI rate during the perioperative period (up to 5 days postsurgery) for the AP group (plus standard of care) compared to the standard of care alone (historical control). Control group data were extracted from electronic health records for the prior 2 years. A written questionnaire was given to the care team that used the AP technology; items queried the degree of acceptance of the overlay by surgeons and the operating room and intensive care unit (ICU) staff.

RESULTS

None of the patients in the AP group developed perioperative pressure injuries. Review of historical control group revealed a 6% perioperative pressure injury incidence (18 pressure injuries in a group of 292 patients). Responses on the written questionnaire indicated that the AP technology was well accepted by surgeons and the operating room and ICU staff. There were no adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Study findings suggest that AP overlay system can safely and reliably be used during neurological surgeries. Findings further suggest that using the AP product may improve outcomes with respect to perioperative HAPIs, including patients deemed at high risk for pressure injury development. Further studies are underway to evaluate the use of this AP overlay system beyond the operating room for more comprehensive care.

Success In Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcer Prevention: A Tale In Two Data Sets

Chart-based surveillance reviews indicate that the incidence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (HAPUs) declined 23 percent during 2010-14, equating to an estimated savings of $1 billion during that period. Yet it remains unclear whether the administrative data used to implement three Medicare value-based purchasing programs that target HAPUs indicate similar improvements, and how success varied by HAPU severity. These programs measure and penalize only for more severe ulcers (stage 3 or 4 or unstageable), which are much more costly than less severe cases (stage 1 or 2). We assessed HAPU incidence, severity, and trends using administrative data for 2009-14 from three states. The HAPU incidence we found was approximately one-twentieth of that found in chart-based surveillance review data. HAPU incidence in administrative data declined, but 96 percent of the change was due to a decline in the incidence of less severe HAPUs. Transitioning from administrative data to chart-based surveillance review to measure HAPUs (mirroring changes that have already been made in reporting hospital-acquired infections) and accounting for HAPU severity could improve the validity of HAPU measures for assessing the clinical and financial impact of value-based purchasing interventions.

Estimating the hospital costs of inpatient harms

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the additional hospital costs associated with inpatient medical harms occurring during an index inpatient admission and costs from subsequent readmissions within 90 days.

DATA SOURCE

2009 to 2011 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's State Inpatient Databases from 12 states.

STUDY DESIGN

We compare hospital costs incurred by patients experiencing a specific harm during their hospital stay to the costs incurred by similar patients who did not experience that harm.

DATA EXTRACTION

We extracted records for adult patients admitted for a reason other than rehabilitation or mental health, were at risk of a harm, and were admitted for less than a year.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The costliest inpatient harms, such as surgical site infections and severe pressure ulcers, are associated with approximately $30 000 in additional index stay costs per harm. Less costly harms, such as catheter- or hospital-associated urinary tract infections and venous thromboembolism, can add $6000 to $13 000. Birth and obstetric traumas add as little as $100.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis represents rigorous estimates of the hospital costs of a variety of inpatient harms; these should be of interest to health care administrators and policy makers to identify areas for cost savings to the health care system.

Attitudes of surgical nurses towards pressure ulcer prevention

STUDY AIM

Nurses play the key role in prevention of pressure ulcers, and negative attitudes of them may affect preventive care strategies. This research aimed to identify surgical nurses' attitudes towards pressure ulcer prevention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A descriptive and cross-sectional study design was used to collect data between March 31-May 16, 2016 on 101 voluntary nurses (66.01% of all nurses) working in surgical units of a university hospital in Turkey. "Attitude towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention Instrument" and "Nurse Information Form" were used to investigate nurses' attitude toward preventing pressure ulcer. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, independent samples t-test, Pearson's chi-squared, and correlation tests were used to analyse the data.

RESULTS

The mean age of nurses' was 32.0 ± 6.3 years and, the average duration of clinical experience was 72.3 ± 61 months. A total of 54.5% were working in surgical wards and, 40.6% gained additional education about pressure ulcer care. The mean total attitude score was found to be 80.5% (41.8 ± 4.8). Previous education significantly affected the total attitude score of nurses (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The total scale score showed that surgical nurses had a positive attitude towards pressure ulcer prevention and nurses who had previous education about pressure ulcer care has higher attitude score than who had not. It is recommended that effective in-service education programs be developed at hospitals or that nurses be required to attend courses to help them to improve their pressure ulcer care.

The Marginal Costs of Adverse Drug Events Associated With Exposures to Anticoagulants and Hypoglycemic Agents During Hospitalization

BACKGROUND

Anticoagulants and hypoglycemic agents are 2 of the most challenging drug classes for medical management in the hospital resulting in many adverse drug events (ADEs).

OBJECTIVE

Estimating the marginal cost (MC) of ADEs associated with anticoagulants and hypoglycemic agents for adults in 5 patient groups during their hospital stay and the total annual ADE costs for all patients exposed to these drugs during their stay.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND SUBJECT

Data are from 2010 to 2013 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient Databases and Medicare Patient Safety Monitoring System (MPSMS). Deidentified patients were linked using probabilistic matching in the same hospital and year for 5 patient groups. ADE information was obtained from the MPSMS using retrospective structured record review. Costs were derived using HCUP cost-to-charge ratios. MC estimates were made using Extended Estimating Equations controlling for patient characteristics, comorbidities, hospital procedures, and hospital characteristics. MC estimates were applied to the 2013 HCUP National Inpatient Sample to estimate annual ADE costs.

RESULTS

Adjusted MC estimates were smaller than unadjusted measures with most groups showing estimates that were at least 50% less. Adjusted anticoagulant ADE costs added >45% and Hypoglycemic ADE costs added >20% to inpatient costs. The 2013 hospital cost estimates for ADEs associated with anticoagulants and hypoglycemic agents were >$2.5 billion for each drug class.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the importance of accounting for confounders in the estimation of ADEs, and the importance of separate estimates of ADE costs by drug class.

Economic analysis and budget impact of clostridial collagenase ointment compared with medicinal honey for treatment of pressure ulcers in the US

Objectives

Pressure ulcer (PU) treatment poses significant clinical and economic challenges to health-care systems. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness and budget impact of enzymatic debridement with clostridial collagenase ointment (CCO) compared with autolytic debridement with medicinal honey (MH) for PU treatment from a US payer/Medicare perspective in the hospital outpatient department setting.

Methods

A cost-effectiveness analysis using a Markov model was developed using a 1-week cycle length across a 1-year time horizon. The three health states were inflammation/senescence, granulation/proliferation (ie, patients achieving 100% granulation), and epithelialization. Data sources included the US Wound Registry, Medicare fee schedules, and other published clinical and cost studies about PU treatment.

Results

In the base case analysis over a 1-year time horizon, CCO was the economically dominant strategy (ie, simultaneously conferring greater benefit at less cost). Patients treated with CCO experienced 22.7 quality-adjusted life weeks (QALWs) at a cost of $6,161 over 1 year, whereas MH patients experienced 21.9 QALWs at a cost of $7,149. Patients treated with CCO achieved 11.5 granulation weeks and 6.0 epithelization weeks compared with 10.6 and 4.4 weeks for MH, respectively. The number of clinic visits was 40.1 for CCO vs 43.4 for MH, and the number of debridements was 12.3 for CCO compared with 17.6 for MH. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses determined CCO dominant in 72% of 10,000 iterations and cost-effective in 91%, assuming a benchmark willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/quality-adjusted life year ($962/QALW). The budget impact analysis showed that for every 1% of patients shifted from MH to CCO, a cost savings of $9,883 over 1 year for a cohort of 1,000 patients was observed by the payer.

Conclusion

The results of these economic analyses suggest that CCO is a cost-effective, economically dominant alternative to MH in the treatment of patients with PUs in the hospital outpatient department setting.