Improved outcomes following implementation of an acute gastrointestinal bleeding multidisciplinary protocol

Racial Disparities in Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage Treatment

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

To identify demographic predictors, with a focus on race and socioeconomic status, for advanced treatment modality, mortality, and increased length of stay (LOS) in upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage treatment.

METHODS

Hospitalizations with acute upper GI hemorrhage from 2016 to 2021 were identified in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample. Cases were divided into interventional radiology (IR) and non-IR (endoscopic) treatments. Statistical analyses calculated significant odds ratios via 95% confidence intervals. The primary outcome of interest was mortality rate. The secondary outcome of interest was the mean LOS. Confounding factors affecting mortality were also examined.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in likelihood of an IR procedure or mortality between White patients and both Non-Hispanic (NH) Black and Hispanic patients. NH Black patients had significantly longer LOS in days compared to White patients (12.61 vs 9.57) that persisted when matching for age and sex (13.78 vs 9.92), socioeconomic status (12.94 vs 10.07), chronic comorbidities (11.33 vs 8.88), blood transfusions (14.46 vs 10.21), and vasopressor use (14.43 vs 10.29) (p < 0.001). These LOS differences were not seen under matching conditions post-COVID-19.

CONCLUSION

This study presents racial disparities in LOS following acute upper GI hemorrhage, but no differences in advanced treatment utilization or mortality. Confounders were responsible for LOS differences in non-IR treatment, but NH Black patients had persistently longer LOS than White patients after IR treatment.

Long-Term Outcomes following Acute Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding Remain Poor: A Single-Center Comparison over Two Distinct Time Periods within the Last 15 Years in Finland

Introduction

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) is a common and life-threatening condition. This study aimed to compare the causes and long-term outcomes of AUGIB over two distinct periods in the last 15 years.

Methods

This population-based study included consecutive patients who underwent emergency upper endoscopy for visible bleeding in 2006 and 2016. Our primary focus was on long-term mortality up to 5 years after the endoscopy, although short-term mortality was also reported.

Results

A total of 832 patients (median age 67 [12-96] years, 37% female) were included, with peptic ulcer disease (48%), esophagitis (20%), and variceal bleeding (15%) being the most common diagnoses. The incidence of AUGIB increased with age, reaching 8.31 cases per 1,000 person-years among those aged 80 years or older. Mortality rates at 30 days, 90 days, 1 year, and 5 years were 13%, 16%, 27%, and 47%, respectively. The standardized mortality ratio was high in all age groups, with particularly elevated rates observed among younger patients compared to the standard population. Variceal bleeding, liver cirrhosis, and chronic alcohol abuse were associated with the highest mortality. Only two short-term deaths were attributed to failed hemostasis. The primary causes of death were malignancies, liver failure, and cardiac failure. No improvement in outcomes was observed between the two time periods.

Conclusion

Although the treatment of AUGIB may be relatively straightforward, the outcomes following treatment remain poor. High mortality can be attributed to the presence of coexisting conditions and patients' lifestyle.

Interprofessional Learning in Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams Is Associated With Reduced Patient Mortality: A Quantitative Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to identify quantitative evidence for the efficacy of interprofessional learning (IPL) to improve patient outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of quantitative patient outcomes after IPL in multidisciplinary healthcare teams reported in the Medline, Scopus, PsycInfo, Embase, and CINAHL databases.

RESULTS

In 2022, we screened 15,248 reports to include 20 and extracted rates of mortality and primary outcomes in conventional care groups and intervention groups (involving initiatives to promote IPL in multidisciplinary teams). The meta-analysis of the 13 studies reporting mortality outcomes demonstrated that the 7166 patients in the intervention group had a significant 28% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40%-14%; P < 0.0003) reduced risk of dying compared with the 6809 patients in the conventional care group. The meta-analysis of the 14 studies reporting other treatment-related adverse outcomes demonstrated that the 4789 patients in the intervention group had a significant 23% (95% CI, 33%-12%; P < 0.0001) reduced risk of experiencing an adverse outcome during care compared with the 4129 patients in the conventional care group. Sensitivity analysis, involving the exclusion of the 20% of individual studies with the widest 95% CIs, confirmed the precision and reliability of our findings.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that our results are the first to demonstrate significant quantitative evidence for the efficacy of IPL to translate into changes in clinical practice and improved patient outcomes. Our results reinforce earlier qualitative work of the value of IPL, but further prospective quantitative and mixed-methods research is needed to better define such benefits.

Upper GI bleeding in rural Australia: general surgery still alive and well!

BACKGROUND

The complex and critically unwell upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) patient is a common emergency presentation in Australia. Managed medically and endoscopically by rural general surgeons in rural and remote Australian hospitals which lack a gastroenterology service, this can be ameliorated by clear evidence-based guidelines.

METHODS

A single-centre retrospective review of adult patients who underwent emergency gastroscopy for UGIB at the Mackay Base Hospital, January 2019 to January 2022. Detailed patient data from the assessment, resuscitation, time to endoscopy, endoscopic intervention, and outcomes were compared against key international gastroenterology society safety and quality standards for UGIB.

RESULTS

Two hundred patients had a comprehensive initial assessment and resuscitation with PRBC (39%), anticoagulation reversal (18%), pantoprazole infusion (81%), tranexamic acid (10.50%) and octreotide (16.50%). Risk scores were calculated retrospectively as none were documented. Time-to-endoscopy targets were achieved in over 70% of variceal or non-variceal UGIB patients. Bleeding was found in 59.50% of patients but 63% of patients did not require a manoeuvre to stop the bleeding. Post-operative complications were scarce.

CONCLUSION

This study reflects on the need for a local multidisciplinary protocol to help expedite the current high-quality healthcare delivered by rural general surgeons in managing patients with UGIB. Implementing risk assessment scores would shorten the time to endoscopy in the initial assessment Guidelines would optimize resuscitation ensuring appropriate replacement, medication administration, anticoagulation reversal, and preventing unnecessary therapy. Despite these nuisances, the time to endoscopy, endoscopic intervention, and patient outcomes were largely in line with international quality assurance and safety targets.

Management of Patients With Acute Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: An Updated ACG Guideline

Acute lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common reason for hospitalization in the United States and is associated with significant utilization of hospital resources, as well as considerable morbidity and mortality. These revised guidelines implement the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology to propose recommendations for the use of risk stratification tools, thresholds for red blood cell transfusion, reversal agents for patients on anticoagulants, diagnostic testing including colonoscopy and computed tomography angiography (CTA), endoscopic therapeutic options, and management of antithrombotic medications after hospital discharge. Important changes since the previous iteration of this guideline include recommendations for the use of risk stratification tools to identify patients with LGIB at low risk of a hospital-based intervention, the role for reversal agents in patients with life-threatening LGIB on vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants, the increasing role for CTA in patients with severe LGIB, and the management of patients who have a positive CTA. We recommend that most patients requiring inpatient colonoscopy undergo a nonurgent colonoscopy because performing an urgent colonoscopy within 24 hours of presentation has not been shown to improve important clinical outcomes such as rebleeding. Finally, we provide updated recommendations regarding resumption of antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications after cessation of LGIB.

Adjunctive endoscopic clip marking enhances non-operative management of massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUNDS

Massive lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGB) is common especially in elderly patients. Controversy in the approach to management stems from location of bleeding and morbidity of surgery. Colonic diverticula disease (CD) is the leading cause of painless haematochezia and haemodynamic instability.

METHODS

The use of a novel technique of endoscopic pre-marking (EPM) with radiopaque metal clips to localize is described. EPM guided superselective active transarterial embolization (A-TAE) when active vascular blush was seen. When no active contrast extravasation was seen, EPM also guided prophylactic superselective transarterial embolization (P-TAE).

RESULTS

From May 2004 to December 2021, there were 36 patients with massive LGB from diverticular disease encompassing 44 separate bleeding episodes. Spontaneous haemostasis was observed in 18.2% (8/44). The overall success rate in non-operative management was 83.3% (30/36) patients. Three patients proceeded for emergency surgery. Of the 36 patients, six patients had documented EPM followed by TAE due to recurrent bleed in the same episode. A-TAE was performed in two patients. P-TAE was performed in the four patients without active contrast extravasation. Initial haemostasis was successful in five out of six patients. One patient failed embolization and proceeded to emergency surgery. Three months later, one patient encountered late rebleeding and was scheduled for elective colectomy. None of the six developed intestinal infarction from embolization. The 30-day mortality was 0%.

CONCLUSION

A consistent approach to LGB and defined protocol of endoscopic haemostasis, with routine EPM and embolization, has the potential to mitigate the morbidity and mortality in this group of vulnerable patients.

Building a gender-affirming surgery service: The fundamentals

BACKGROUND

As the healthcare needs of transgender patients become increasingly recognized and supported, gender-affirming surgery services are in increasing demand. However, establishing a gender-affirming surgery service is unlike many other surgical specialties and requires unique expertise and administrative support. The aim of this article is to outline the considerations for starting a gender-affirming surgery service and identify pearls for success.

METHODS

In this article, we describe the critical components of building and maintaining a successful gender-affirming surgery service. We intersperse findings from our own experiences developing a gender-affirming surgery service.

RESULTS

A successful gender-affirming surgery service starts by developing a clear vision of the patient population within your hospital system's area, as well as the design of your center. Establishing a center relies on early engagement of hospital administration and its continued support. A multidisciplinary team with intensive interpersonal and operative training offers the best patient experience and surgical outcomes. By following these steps, our service has been able to provide gender-affirming surgery to more than 200 patients since its inception. Future goals entail partnerships with other institutions and continued outcomes evaluation to ensure sustained success of all gender-affirming surgery services.

CONCLUSION

Although there are unique challenges and considerations for establishing a gender-affirming surgery service, careful planning and stakeholder engagement allow providers to deliver high-quality care. We hope that our experience can serve as a model for future much needed gender-affirming surgery services.

The "Hub and Spoke" model has no effect on mortality in acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A prospective multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

the lack of standardized pathways for patients with gastrointestinal bleeding may have led to differences in their management and inequity to medical care access. The "Hub & Spoke" model was adopted to fill this gap in many disciplines, but, to our knowledge, no data exist on its efficacy on mortality in GI bleeding. We aimed to evaluate if the "Hub & Spoke" organizational model has an impact on mortality risk from UGIB.

METHODS

from January 2014 to December 2015, 3324 consecutive patients admitted for UGIB in 50 Italian hospitals were enrolled (1977 patients in hospitals within the "Hub & Spoke" network for digestive hemorrhagic emergency and 1347 in hospitals outside the "Hub & Spoke" network). Clinical, endoscopic and organizational data were recorded.

RESULTS

we observed no differences in mortality between patients admitted to hospitals included or not included in the "Hub & Spoke" network (5.2% vs 6.1%, p = 0.3). On multivariate analysis, admission in gastroenterology wards (OR 0.61, p = 0.001) or an academic hospital (OR 0.65, p < 0.056) were independent protective factors while being in "Hub & Spoke" organization system did not affect mortality (OR 1.09, p = 0.57).

CONCLUSION

the "Hub & Spoke" model per sé does not impact on mortality while being treated in academic hospital or gastroenterology wards improved survival.

Structure and function of a trauma intensive care unit: A report from the Trauma Intensive Care Unit Prevalence Project

BACKGROUND

Specialized trauma intensive care unit (TICU) care impacts patient outcomes. Few studies describe where and how TICU care is delivered. We performed an assessment of TICU structure and function at a sample of US trauma center TICUs.

METHODS

This was a multicenter study in which participants supplied information about their trauma centers, staff, clinical protocols, processes of care, and study TICU (the ICU admitting the majority of trauma patients).

RESULTS

Forty-five Level I trauma centers trauma centers enrolled through the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma multi-institutional trials platform; 71.1% had less than 750 beds and 55.5% treated 1,000 to 2,999 trauma activations/year. The median number of hospital ICU beds was 109 [66-185]. 46.7% were "closed" ICUs, 20% were "open," and 82.2% had mandatory intensivist consultation. 42.2% ICUs were classified as trauma (≥80% of patients were trauma), 46.7% surgical/trauma, and 11.1% medical-surgical. Trauma ICUs had a median 10 [7-12] intensivists. Intensivists were present 24 hours/day in 80% of TICUs. Centers reported a median of 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 6-10) full-time trauma surgeons, whose ICU duties comprised 25% (IQR, 20%-40%) of their clinical time and 20% (IQR, 20-33) of total work time. A median 16 (IQR, 12-23) ICU beds in use were staffed by 10 (IQR, 7-14) nurses. There was considerable variation in the number and type of protocols used and in diagnostic methods for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Daily patient care checklists were used by 80% of ICUs. While inclusion of families on rounds was performed in 91.1% of ICUs, patient- and family-centered support programs were less common.

CONCLUSION

A study of structure and function of TICUs at a sample of Level I trauma centers revealed that presence of nontrauma patients was common, critical care is a significant component of trauma surgeons' professional practice, and significant variation exists in care delivery models and protocol use. Opportunities may exist to improve care through sharing of best practices.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care management, level IV.

Quality Improvement in Gastroenterology: A Systematic Review of Practical Interventions for Clinicians

BACKGROUND

Quality improvement (QI) identifies practical methods to improve patient care; however, it is not always widely known which QI methods are successful. We sought to create a primer of QI in gastroenterology for the practicing clinician.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of QI literature in gastroenterology. We included search terms for inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pancreatitis, liver disease, colorectal cancer screening, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal bleeding. We used general search terms for QI as well as specific terms to capture established quality metrics for each GI disease area.

RESULTS

We found 33 studies that met our definitions for QI. There were 17 studies of endoscopy including screening colonoscopy, six on liver disease, four on IBD, two on GERD, three on GI bleeding, and one on celiac disease. Education was the most common intervention, although most successful studies combined education with another intervention. Other effective interventions included retraining sessions to reach ADR goals in colonoscopy, nursing protocols to increase HCC screening, and EMR decision support tools to prompt reassessment of PPI therapy. Many studies showed improved compliance to metrics, but few were able to show differences in length of stay, readmissions, or mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review of quality improvement literature in gastroenterology revealed common themes of successful programs: Education was frequently used but often insufficient, the EMR may be underutilized in guiding decision making, and patient-reported outcomes were infrequently assessed. Further research may be needed to compare QI strategies directly.

Review of an emergency general surgery process improvement program at a verified military trauma center

INTRODUCTION

Decreasing combat-based admissions to our military facility have made it difficult to maintain a robust trauma process improvement (PI) program. Since emergency general surgery (EGS) and trauma patients share similarities, we merged the care of our EGS and trauma patients into one acute care surgery (ACS) team. An EGS PI program was developed based on trauma PI principles to facilitate continued identification of opportunities for improvement despite our decline in trauma admissions. Analysis of the first 18 months of combined ACS PI data is presented.

METHODS

EGS registry inclusion criteria was based on published Association for the Surgery of Trauma's recommendations. Program components and PI categories were based on our existing trauma PI program. Dedicated coordinators actively reviewed and cataloged patient care and outcomes. Deviations from standard practice patterns, unplanned interventions, and other complications were abstracted, categorized, and evaluated through levels of review similar to accepted trauma PI principles. Data for the first six quarters were collated and trends were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over 18 months, 696 EGS patients met registry inclusion criteria, with 468 patients (67%) undergoing operative intervention. Over the same time, 353 trauma patients were admitted with 158 undergoing operative intervention (56.4%). Of the 696 EGS patients and 353 trauma patients, 226 (32%) and 243 (69%) PI events were identified, respectively. Common events included unplanned therapies, re-admissions, and unplanned ICU admissions. Based on analysis of all events, four new areas for improvement initiatives were identified. Results of these initiatives included implementation of a multi-disciplinary EGS PI committee, consensus protocols, and departmental and hospital-wide actions.

CONCLUSION

In an 18-month period, integration of our EGS patients into a novel, combined ACS PI program facilitated recognition of an additional 226 PI events and provided a substrate for continued improvements in patient care.