Re-admissions after ileostomy formation: a retrospective analysis from a New Zealand tertiary centre

Characterising nationwide reasons for unplanned hospital readmission after colorectal cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Readmissions after colorectal cancer surgery are common, despite advancements in surgical care, and have a significant impact on both individual patients and overall healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to determine the 30-and 90 days readmission rate after colorectal cancer surgery, and to investigate the risk factors and clinical reasons for unplanned readmissions.

METHOD

A multicenter, population-based study including all patients discharged after index colorectal cancer resection from 2010 to 2020 in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ) was completed. The Ministry of Health National Minimum Dataset was used. Rates of readmission at 30 days and 90 days were calculated. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were built to investigate factors associated with unplanned readmission. Reasons for readmission were described.

RESULTS

Data were obtained on 16,885 patients. Unplanned 30-day and 90-day hospital readmission rates were 15.1% and 23.7% respectively. The main readmission risk factors were comorbidities, advanced disease, and postoperative complications. Hospital level variation was not present. Despite risk adjustment, R² value of models was low (30 days: 4.3%, 90 days: 5.2%). The most common reasons for readmission were gastrointestinal causes (32.1%) and wound complications (14.4%). Rates of readmission did not improve over the 11 years study period (p = 0.876).

CONCLUSION

Readmissions following colorectal resections in AoNZ are higher than other comparable healthcare systems and rates have remained constant over time. While patient comorbidities and postoperative complications are associated with readmission, the explanatory value of these variables is poor. To reduce unplanned readmissions, efforts should be focused on prevention and early detection of post-discharge complications.

Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation Through a Perioperative Quality Improvement Program

BACKGROUND

Readmission after ileostomy creation in patients undergoing colorectal surgery creates a significant burden on health care cost and patient quality of care, with a 30-day readmission rate of 40%.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of our perioperative quality improvement program, Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation.

DESIGN

Perioperative interventions were administered to patients who underwent ileostomy creation.

SETTINGS

A single tertiary care academic center.

PATIENTS

Eighty patients participated in this program from February 2020 to January 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes measured were 30-day readmission rates and causes of readmission, which were compared to a historical national database. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the effectiveness of this quality improvement program.

RESULTS

Eighty patients were enrolled in this prospective quality improvement program. The mean age was 52 (±15.06) years. The most common indication for patients undergoing creation of an ileostomy was colorectal cancer (40%; n = 32). The overall 30-day readmission rate was 8.75% (n = 7) throughout the study period, which was significantly lower than historical cohort data (20.10%; p = 0.01). Among the 7 readmitted patients, 3 (3.75%) were readmitted due to dehydration. The most significant associated risk factor for all-cause readmission was urgent/emergent operative status, which was associated with an increased risk of readmission ( p = 0.01). The 3 readmitted patients with dehydration had a mean Dehydration Readmission After Ileostomy Prediction risk score of 11.71 points, compared to 9.59 points in nondehydrated patients, who did not require readmission ( p = 0.38).

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by its small sample size (N = 80).

CONCLUSIONS

The Decreasing Readmissions After Ileostomy Creation program has been successful in reducing both the all-cause readmission rate and readmission due to dehydration both within an academic tertiary care referral center and in comparison with historical readmission rates. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B894 .

DISMINUCIN DE LA READMISIN DESPUS DE LA CREACIN DE UNA ILEOSTOMA MEDIANTE UN PROGRAMA DE MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD PERIOPERATORIA

ANTECEDENTES:La readmisión después de la creación de una ileostomía en pacientes de cirugía colorrectal crea una carga significativa sobre el costo de la atención médica y la calidad de la atención del paciente, con una tasa de readmisión a los 30 días que llega al 40%.OBJETIVO:Este estudio tiene como objetivo evaluar la implementación de nuestro programa de mejora de la calidad perioperatoria que disminuyen los reingresos después de la creación de ileostomía.DISEÑO:Se administraron intervenciones perioperatorias a pacientes que se sometieron a la creación de una ileostomía.AJUSTE:Se trataba de un único centro académico de atención terciaria.PACIENTES:Participaron 80 pacientes en este programa desde febrero de 2020 hasta enero de 2021.PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO:Los principales resultados medidos fueron las tasas de reingreso a los 30 días y las causas de reingreso, que se compararon con una base de datos histórica nacional. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas para evaluar la eficacia de este programa de mejora de la calidad.RESULTADOS:Ochenta pacientes se inscribieron en este programa prospectivo de mejora de la calidad. La edad media fue de 52 (± 15,06) años. La indicación más común para los pacientes que se sometieron a la creación de una ileostomía fue el cáncer colorrectal (40%, n = 32). La tasa general de reingreso a los 30 días fue del 8,75% (n = 7) durante todo el período de estudio, lo que fue significativamente más bajo que los datos históricos de la cohorte (20,10%, p = 0,01). Entre los 7 pacientes readmitidos, tres (3,75%) fueron readmitidos por deshidratación. El factor de riesgo asociado más significativo para la readmisión por todas las causas fue el estado operatorio urgente / emergencia, que se asoció con un mayor riesgo de readmisión (p = 0,01). Los tres pacientes readmitidos con deshidratación tuvieron una puntuación de riesgo promedio de readmisión por deshidratación después de la predicción de ileostomía de 11,71 puntos, en comparación con los pacientes no deshidratados, que no requirieron readmisión (media, 9,59 puntos, p = 0,38).LIMITACIONES:Este estudio está limitado por su pequeño tamaño de muestra (n = 80).CONCLUSIONES:El programa de disminución de las readmisiones después de la creación de una ileostomía ha logrado reducir tanto la tasa de readmisión por todas las causas como la readmisión por deshidratación, tanto dentro de un centro académico de referencia de atención terciaria como en comparación con las tasas históricas de readmisión. Consulte Video Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/B894 . (Traducción-Dr Yolanda Colorado ).

Overall readmissions and readmissions related to dehydration after creation of an ileostomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Hospital readmissions after creation of an ileostomy are common and come with a high clinical and financial burden. The aim of this review with pooled analysis was to determine the incidence of dehydration-related and all-cause readmissions after formation of an ileostomy, and the associated costs.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted for studies reporting on dehydration-related and overall readmission rates after formation of a loop or end ileostomy between January 1990 and April 2021. Analyses were performed using R Statistical Software Version 3.6.1.

Results

The search yielded 71 studies (n = 82,451 patients). The pooled incidence of readmissions due to dehydration was 6% (95% CI 0.04–0.09) within 30 days, with an all-cause readmission rate of 20% (CI 95% 0.18–0.23). Duration of readmissions for dehydration ranged from 2.5 to 9 days. Average costs of dehydration-related readmission were between $2750 and $5924 per patient. Other indications for readmission within 30 days were specified in 15 studies, with a pooled incidence of 5% (95% CI 0.02–0.14) for dehydration, 4% (95% CI 0.02–0.08) for stoma outlet problems, and 4% (95% CI 0.02–0.09) for infections.

Conclusions

One in five patients are readmitted with a stoma-related complication within 30 days of creation of an ileostomy. Dehydration is the leading cause for these readmissions, occurring in 6% of all patients within 30 days. This comes with high health care cost for a potentially avoidable cause. Better monitoring, patient awareness and preventive measures are required.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10151-022-02580-6.

Hydration by colonic enteroclysis: An alternative to parenteral hydration in patients with high-output double enterostomy

BACKGROUND

High-output double enterostomies (DESs) result in sodium and fluid loss responsible for frequent episodes of dehydration and hospitalizations. Hydration by enteroclysis (HE) is an alternative to parenteral hydration when the small bowel, or the downstream colon, is accessible and functional.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on all consecutive patients admitted in our institution with high-output (≥1200 ml per 24 h) DES and access to downstream intestine (including colon), who were treated by enteroclysis between 2015 and 2019. A sodium chloride and bicarbonate solution was instilled through a tube inserted in the colon. The objectives were diuresis >1 L, natriuresis >40 mmol/24 h, and urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio >1.

RESULTS

HE was conducted in 52 patients (24 female, 28 male). Initially, 30 patients received intravenous support. Fifteen patients (50%) were weaned from all parenteral support, of whom 11 of 12 (92%) received fluid and electrolyte support and 4 of 18 (22%) received parenteral nutrition (PN). When intravenous fluids were still required, daily volumes decreased from 2714 ± 1424 to 1578 ± 1000 ml per 24 h (P = .001), as did the energetic intake (NS), from 1439 ± 556 to 1230 ± 362 kcal per 24 h (P = .096).

CONCLUSION

HE through the efferent intestine limits the requirement for parenteral hydration in patients with high-output DES. For patients with intestinal failure dependent on PN, it reduces daily infused volumes.

Readmission after rectal resection in the ERAS-era: is a loop ileostomy the Achilles heel?

BACKGROUND

Rectal resection surgery is often followed by a loop ileostomy creation. Despite improvements in surgical technique and development of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, the readmission-rate after rectal resection is still estimated to be around 30%. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for readmission after rectal resection surgery. This study also investigated whether elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) dispose of a distinct patient profile and associated risk factors for readmission.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data from patients who consecutively underwent rectal resection for cancer within an ERAS protocol between 2011 and 2016. The primary study endpoint was 90-day readmission. Patients with and without readmission within 90 days were compared. Additional subgroup analysis was performed in patients ≥ 65 years old.

RESULTS

A total of 344 patients were included, and 25% (n = 85) were readmitted. Main reasons for readmission were acute renal insufficiency (24%), small bowel obstruction (20%), anastomotic leakage (15%) and high output stoma (11%). In multivariate logistic regression, elevated initial creatinine level (cut-off values: 0.67-1.17 mg/dl) (OR 1.95, p = 0.041) and neoadjuvant radiotherapy (OR 2.63, p = 0.031) were significantly associated with readmission. For ileostomy related problems, elevated initial creatinine level (OR 2.76, p = 0.021) was identified to be significant.

CONCLUSION

Recovery after rectal resection within an ERAS protocol is hampered by the presence of a loop ileostomy. ERAS protocols should include stoma education and high output stoma prevention.