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Mull HJ, Kabdiyeva A, Ndugga N, Gordon SH, Garrido MM, Pizer SD. What is the role of selection bias in quality comparisons between the Veterans Health Administration and community care? Example of elective hernia surgery. Health Serv Res 2023; 58:654-662. [PMID: 36477645 PMCID: PMC10154155 DOI: 10.1111/1475-6773.14113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between community care (CC) treatment and a postoperative surgical complication in elective hernia surgery among Veterans using multiple approaches to control for potential selection bias. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data sources included Corporate Data Warehouse (VHA encounters and patient data), the Program Integrity Tool and Fee tables (CC encounters), the Planning Systems Support Group (geographic information), and the Paid file (VHA primary care providers). STUDY DESIGN Prior works suggest patient outcomes are better in VHA than in CC settings; however, these studies may not have appropriately accounted for the selection of higher-risk cases into CC. We estimated (1) a naïve logistic regression model to calculate the effect of CC setting on the probability of a complication, controlling for facility fixed effects and patient and procedure characteristics, and (2) a 2-stage model using the hernia patient's primary care provider's 1-year prior CC referral rate as the instrument. DATA COLLECTION We identified patients residing ≤40 miles from a VHA surgical facility with elective VHA or CC hernia surgery from 2018 to 2019. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of 7991 hernia surgeries, 772 (9.7%) were in CC. The overall complication rate was 4.2%; 286/7219 (4.0%) among VHA surgeries versus 51/5772 (6.6%, p < 0.05) in CC. We observed a 2.8 percentage point increase in the probability of postoperative complication given CC surgery (95% confidence interval: 0.7, 4.8) in the naïve model. After accounting for the VHA provider's historical rate of CC referral, we no longer observed a relationship between surgery setting and risk of postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS After accounting for the selection of higher-risk patients to CC settings, we found no difference in hernia surgery postoperative complications between CC and VHA. Future VHA and non-VHA comparisons should account for unobserved as well as observed differences in patients seen in each setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hillary J. Mull
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR)VA Boston Healthcare SystemBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of SurgeryBoston University School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Aigerim Kabdiyeva
- Partnered Evidence‐based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC)Department of Veterans AffairsBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Nambi Ndugga
- Partnered Evidence‐based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC)Department of Veterans AffairsBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah H. Gordon
- Department of Health LawPolicy and Management, Boston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Melissa M. Garrido
- Partnered Evidence‐based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC)Department of Veterans AffairsBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Health LawPolicy and Management, Boston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Steven D. Pizer
- Partnered Evidence‐based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC)Department of Veterans AffairsBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of Health LawPolicy and Management, Boston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Leveraging electronic data to expand infection detection beyond traditional settings and definitions (Part II/III). ANTIMICROBIAL STEWARDSHIP & HEALTHCARE EPIDEMIOLOGY : ASHE 2023; 3:e27. [PMID: 36865709 PMCID: PMC9972537 DOI: 10.1017/ash.2022.342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
The rich and complex electronic health record presents promise for expanding infection detection beyond currently covered settings of care. Here, we review the "how to" of leveraging electronic data sources to expand surveillance to settings of care and infections that have not been the traditional purview of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), including a discussion of creation of objective and reproducible infection surveillance definitions. In pursuit of a 'fully automated' system, we also examine the promises and pitfalls of leveraging unstructured, free-text data to support infection prevention activities and emerging technological advances that will likely affect the practice of automated infection surveillance. Finally, barriers to achieving a completely 'automated' infection detection system and challenges with intra- and interfacility reliability and missing data are discussed.
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Emergency Department Use After Outpatient Surgery Among Dually Enrolled VA and Medicare Patients. Qual Manag Health Care 2020; 28:191-199. [PMID: 31567842 DOI: 10.1097/qmh.0000000000000225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency department (ED) use following outpatient surgery may be associated with a surgery-related patient safety problem. We characterized ED use within 7 days of general, urology, orthopedic, ear/nose/throat, and podiatry surgical procedures and assessed factors associated with these visits by specialty. METHODS We calculated the 2011-2013 postoperative ED visit rate for Veterans older than 65 years dually enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) and Medicare, examined diagnoses, and used logistic regression to model patient, procedure, and facility factors associated with ED care. RESULTS Among 63 279 outpatient surgical procedures, 2778 (4.4%) resulted in an ED visit within 7 days; 23% of these were to non-VA facilities. Rates varied from more than 5% for urology and ear/nose/throat, to less than 3% for orthopedic and podiatry specialties. Genitourinary symptoms and surgical complications were common diagnoses across specialties. No patient, procedure, or facility factors were associated with ED use for every specialty. CONCLUSIONS A small proportion of VA outpatient surgical procedures result in ED use. Notably, nearly one-fourth of the postoperative ED visits may be missed by the VA because they occur in non-VA facilities. ED visits for urinary issues or surgical complications may be preventable; however, factors associated with ED use vary by specialty, suggesting different approaches may be needed to improve outcomes.
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Surgical site infections in outpatient surgeries: Less invasive procedures contribute substantially to the overall burden. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2019; 40:1191-1193. [PMID: 31426875 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2019.233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
More than 50% of outpatient surgeries predicted to have an increased likelihood of an adverse event were excluded from surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance based on Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP) eligibility criteria, defined by clinician determination of invasiveness. Burden of SSI for eligible versus ineligible surgeries was similar; thus, surveillance activities in the outpatient setting need to be re-evaluated.
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Dasinger EA, Branch-Elliman W, Pizer SD, Abdulkerim H, Rosen AK, Charns MP, Hawn MT, Itani KMF, Mull HJ. Association between postoperative opioid use and outpatient surgical adverse events. Am J Surg 2019; 217:605-612. [PMID: 30639132 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.12.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/26/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid-related adverse drug events are common following inpatient surgical procedures. Little is known about opioid prescribing after outpatient surgical procedures and if opioid use is associated with short term risks of outpatient surgical adverse events (AEs). METHODS VA Corporate Data Warehouse was used to identify opioid use within 48 h for FY2012-14 chart-reviewed cases from a larger VA study of AEs in outpatient surgeries. We estimated a multilevel logistic regression model to determine the effect of opioid exposure on risk of AEs between 2 and 30 days postoperatively. RESULTS Of the 1730 outpatient surgical cases, 628 (36%) had postoperative opioid use and 12% had an AE. Opioid use following outpatient surgery was not significantly associated with higher surgical AE rates after controlling for relevant covariates (OR = 1.1 95% CI 0.79-1.54). Only procedure RVUs were associated with higher odds of postoperative AEs. CONCLUSIONS Postoperative opioid use following outpatient surgery is not a significant driver of postoperative AEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise A Dasinger
- VA Quality Scholars Program, Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, United States.
| | - Westyn Branch-Elliman
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Medicine, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Steven D Pizer
- Partnered Evidence-based Policy Resource Center (PEPReC), Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hassen Abdulkerim
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy K Rosen
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Martin P Charns
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mary T Hawn
- Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, United States; Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Kamal M F Itani
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hillary J Mull
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR), VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
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