Total joint Perioperative Surgical Home: an observational financial review

More Than a Perioperative Surgical Home: An Opportunity for Anesthesiologists to Advance Public Health

Public health and the medical specialty of anesthesiology have been closely intertwined throughout history, dating back to the 1800s when Dr. John Snow used contact tracing methods to identify the Broad Street Pump as the source of a cholera outbreak in London. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders in anesthesiology and anesthesia patient safety came forward to develop swift recommendations in the face of rapidly changing evidence to help protect patients and healthcare workers. While these high-profile examples may seem like uncommon events, there are many common modern-day public health issues that regularly intersect with anesthesiology and surgery. These include, but are not limited to, smoking; chronic opioid use and opioid use disorder; and obstructive sleep apnea. As an evolving medical specialty that encompasses pre- and postoperative care and acute and chronic pain management, anesthesiologists are uniquely positioned to improve patient care and outcomes and promote long-lasting behavioral changes to improve overall health. In this article, we make the case for advancing the role of the anesthesiologist beyond the original perioperative surgical home model into promoting public health initiatives within the perioperative period.

Costs of Nonoperative Procedures for Knee Osteoarthritis in the Year Prior to Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

The convergence of national priorities to reduce health-care costs and deliver high-value care warrants the need to examine health-care utilization. The objective of this study was to describe the costs associated with nonoperative procedures in the 1-year period leading up to primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

METHODS

An observational cohort study was conducted using the IBM Watson Health MarketScan databases. Patients with late-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) who underwent unilateral, isolated primary TKA from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, were included. The main outcome was the cost of knee OA-related payments for identified nonoperative procedures in the 1-year period before surgery. Nonoperative procedures examined were (1) physical therapy (PT); (2) bracing; (3) intra-articular injections: professional fee, hyaluronic acid (IA-HA), and corticosteroids (IA-CS); (4) medication: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, and acetaminophen; and (5) knee-specific imaging.

RESULTS

The study population included 24,492 TKA patients with a mean age of 60.4 ± 8.0 years. The average total cost of nonoperative procedures per patient was $1,355 ± $2,087. The most common nonoperative treatment prescribed was IA-CS (54.3%). The nonoperative procedure with the highest cost per patient was IA-HA ($1,019 ± $913 per patient). The total cost of nonoperative procedures was higher among female compared with male patients ($1,440 ± $2,159 versus $1,254 ± $1,992 per patient; p < 0.01). The highest costs were found for patients in the Northeast ($1,740 ± $2,437 per patient). A total of 14,346 (58.6%) and 7,831 (32.0%) of the patients had >1 and ≥3 nonoperative treatments, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

There is substantial variation in the type and the cost of nonoperative treatment for patients with late-stage OA. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of nonoperative treatments at different stages of the disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III . See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Feasibility of Outpatient Shoulder Arthroplasty: Risk Stratification and Predictive Probability Modeling

Whether shoulder arthroplasty can be performed on an outpatient basis depends on appropriate patient selection. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for adverse events (AEs) following shoulder arthroplasty and to generate predictive models to improve patient selection. This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data using a single institution shoulder arthroplasty registry as well as the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database, including subjects undergoing hemiarthroplasty, total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA), and reverse TSA. Predicted probability of suitability for same-day discharge was calculated from multivariable logistic models for different patient subgroups based on age, comorbidities, and Charlson/Deyo Index scores. A total of 2314 shoulders (2079 subjects) in the institutional registry met inclusion criteria for this study. Younger age, higher body mass index (BMI), male sex, and prior steroid injection were all significantly associated with suitability for discharge, whereas preoperative narcotic use, comorbidities (heart disease and anemia/other blood disease), and Charlson/Deyo Index score of 2 were associated with AEs that might prevent same-day discharge. Compared with TSA, reverse TSA was associated with less suitability for discharge (P=.01). On querying the ACS-NSQIP database, 15,254 patients were identified. Female sex, BMI less than 35 kg/m², American Society of Anesthesiologists class III/IV, preoperative anemia, functional dependence, low pre-operative albumin, and hemiarthroplasty were associated with unsuitability for discharge. Males 55 to 59 years old with no comorbidities nor history of narcotic use formed the lowest risk subgroup. Transfusion is the primary driver of AEs. Strategies to avoid this complication should be explored. Risk stratification will improve the ability to identify patients who can safely undergo outpatient shoulder arthroplasty. [Orthopedics. 2021;44(2):e215-e222.].

Perioperative population management for primary hip arthroplasty reduces hospital and postacute care utilization while maintaining or improving care quality

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Physician-led multidisciplinary care coordination decreases hospital-associated care needs. We aimed to determine whether such care coordination can show benefits through the posthospital discharge period for elective hip surgery.

DESIGN

Time Series of prospectively recorded and historical data.

SETTING

Academic tertiary care medical center and health system.

PATIENTS

449 patients undergoing elective primary hip surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

For the intervention group we redesigned care with a comprehensive 14-16 week multidisciplinary standardized clinical pathway, the Ochsner hip arthroplasty perioperative surgical home (PSH). Essential pathway components were preoperative medical risk assessment, frailty scoring, home assessment, education and expectation setting. Collaborative team-based care, rigorous application of perioperative milestones, and proactive postoperative care coordination were key elements.

MEASUREMENTS

The intervention group was compared to historical controls with regard to demographics, risk factors, quality metrics, resource utilization and discharge disposition, the primary outcomes were hospital length of stay and postacute facility utilization.

MAIN RESULTS

Compared to historical controls, the intervention group had similar risk factors and the same or better quality outcomes. It had less combined skilled nursing facility (SNF) and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) utilization compared to controls (16.5% vs. 27.5%). More intervention patients were discharged with home self-care compared to historical controls (10.7% vs 5.3%). During the intervention period combined SNF/IRF utilization decreased substantially from 19.8% early on, to 13.2% during a later phase. Intervention patients had fewer hospital days compared to historical controls (1.86 vs 3.34 days, respectively; P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

A perioperative population management oriented care model redesign was effective in decreasing hospital days and postacute facility-based care utilization, while quality metrics were maintained or improved.

Clinical pathway improves medical practice in total knee arthroplasty

Purpose

Clinical pathways in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) consist of general guidelines, including several topics as early rehabilitation and antibiotic systematization, which are used to improve patient’s management, decrease complication rates and enhance clinical outcomes. The primary purpose of this study was to assess whether the use of a clinical pathway for TKA can contribute to reduce LOS and healthcare costs in a private hospital, without an increase in the hospital readmission rate. We also aimed to assess whether care providers adhered to the recommendations mainly antibiotic use and physical therapy.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study of 485 patients who underwent TKA at private hospital. Patients were analyzed in two groups: Group I (GI), composed by 220 TKA patients, prior to the clinical pathway implementation, and Group 2 (GII), with 265 TKA patients post-clinical pathway. Several outcomes were analyzed: length of hospital stay, time from use of prophylactic antibiotic therapy, readmission within 30 days, physical therapy and costs associated to procedures and hospitalization rates.

Results

The implementation of the clinical pathway was related with the reduction of the length of hospital stay from 6.3 days to 4.9 days (p = 0.021) without increase in readmissions. The physical therapy on the first postoperative day was most frequent in GII than GI (96.2% vs 78.1%, p < 0.001). Prophylactic ATB 60 minutes prior the surgery was significantly more used in GII than GI (99.2% vs 87.4%, p < 0.001). In addition, ATB suspension within 48 hours was significantly more frequent in GII than GI (84.7% vs. 51.6%, p < 0.001). The cost procedure of TKA showed a reduction of US$1,252.00 in GII when compared with GI (p<0,001).

Conclusion

The implementation of a clinical pathway, with focus on early rehabilitation, for patients underwent TKA, contributed to a reduction of LOS and costs during hospital stay, with no increase in the readmission rate. We also concluded that there was adherence to the clinical pathway by care providers in our institution.

Safety in Acute Pain Medicine-Pharmacologic Considerations and the Impact of Systems-Based Gaps

Objective

In the setting of an expanding prevalence of acute pain medicine services and the aggressive use of multimodal analgesia, an overview of systems-based safety gaps and safety concerns in the setting of aggressive multimodal analgesia is provided below.

Setting

Expert commentary.

Methods

Recent evidence focused on systems-based gaps in acute pain medicine is discussed. A focused literature review was conducted to assess safety concerns related to commonly used multimodal pharmacologic agents (opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, gabapentanoids, ketamine, acetaminophen) in the setting of inpatient acute pain management.

Conclusions

Optimization of systems-based gaps will increase the probability of accurate pain assessment, improve the application of uniform evidence-based multimodal analgesia, and ensure a continuum of pain care. While acute pain medicine strategies should be aggressively applied, multimodal regimens must be strategically utilized to minimize risk to patients and in a comorbidity-specific fashion.

Are the Cumulated Ambulation Score and Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool useful for predicting discharge destination and length of stay following total knee arthroplasty?

BACKGROUND

Postoperative management of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is continually changing. Costs related to TKA are driven by implant cost, operating room cost, hospital length of stay (LOS), and rehabilitation approach. Discharges to rehabilitation centers have declined significantly in recent years.

AIM

We evaluated the usefulness of the Cumulated Ambulation Score (CAS) and Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT) to predict discharge destination and estimate hospital LOS of patients undergoing TKA.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

University hospital inpatients.

POPULATION

Patients undergoing elective primary TKA.

METHODS

Consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated. Outcome measures were discharge destination and LOS dichotomized at the median (LOS<8 versus LOS≥8). Patients completed five outcome questionnaires and knee range of motion was measured preoperatively. RAPT was considered continuous, and also dichotomized (RAPT≤9 versus RAPT>9; RAPT9). CAS was dichotomized (CAS<11 versus CAS≥11; CAS11). Surgical technique and aftercare were similar for all patients.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients (37 females), mean age 69.3±10.2 years were evaluated. CAS11 and discharge destination were strongly associated: 75.9% of patients with CAS≥11 were discharged home; 85.7% of patients with CAS<11 were discharged to a rehabilitation center (P<0.001). 80.7% of patients with RAPT≤9 were discharged to a rehabilitation center, versus 36.4% of patients with RAPT>9 (P=0.002). Odds ratios for discharge home were 18.9 (CAS11) and 7.3 (RAPT). CAS11 and RAPT were not related to LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAS and RAPT can assist clinicians in estimating the discharge destination and developing patient care plans following TKA. However, predicting LOS with such tools alone was inaccurate.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

Use of the CAS and RAPT can inform discharge destination and patient care plans following TKA and has the potential to optimise resources and costs. However, due to social and organizational constraints on discharge, predicting LOS with such tools alone revealed to be inaccurate.

Perioperative Surgical Home Models

The rising prominence of value-based health care and population health management supports evolving perioperative surgical home (PSH) models that rely on continuously evolving evidence-based best practice and telemedicine and telehealth, including mobile technologies and connectivity. To successfully deliver greater perioperative valued-based care and to effectively contribute to sustained and meaningful perioperative population health management, the scope of existing perioperative management and its associated services and care provider skills must be expanded. This article focuses on the PSH model as continued opportunity and mechanism for delivering greater value-based, comprehensive perioperative assessment and global optimization of surgical patients.

Outpatient total shoulder arthroplasty: A cost-identification analysis

Background

As demand for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) rises, containing costs will become increasingly important. We hypothesize that performing ambulatory TSA procedures results in significant cost savings.

Methods

A model was created to evaluate cost savings. Hospital stay length and cost, pain control method and cost, and number of annual outpatient TSA procedures were estimated based on literature.

Results

Estimated cost savings per patient were $747 to $15,507 (base case $5594), total annual savings of $4.1M to $349M (base case $82M), and ten-year savings of $51M to $5.4B (base case $1.1B).

Conclusion

Ambulatory TSA procedures result in significant cost savings.

Perioperative Surgical Home Reduces Rapid Response Calls to a Postoperative Surgical Ward: How Anesthesiologists Are Improving the Inpatient Safety Net

BACKGROUND

The Perioperative Surgical Home (PSH) is an anesthesiologist-led, coordinated care model that may improve patient experience and safety. We hypothesized that PSH will decrease activation of the rapid response system for surgical inpatients.

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed at an academic Veterans Affairs hospital with a PSH. Data from both medical and surgical cohorts admitted to a single ward were analyzed for the Pre-PSH (July 2006 to October 2010) and Post-PSH (November 2011 to May 2015) epochs. The primary outcome was incidence of rapid response team (RRT) activations per 1000 bed-days.

RESULTS

Surgical patients had 5.8 RRT activations per 1000 bed-days Pre-PSH versus 3.7/1000 bed-days Post-PSH ( P = .006). There was no difference in RRT activations per 1000 bed-days for medical patients before and after PSH implementation. Pre-PSH was an independent predictor of mortality in the multivariable model (odds ratio = 1.7; P = .010).

CONCLUSION

PSH is associated with decreased RRT activations among surgical inpatients only.

Total knee arthroplasty: improving outcomes with a multidisciplinary approach

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the most commonly performed inpatient surgical procedure within the USA and is estimated to reach 3.48 million procedures annually by 2030. As value-based care initiatives continue to focus on hospital readmission rates and patient satisfaction, it has become essential for health care providers to develop and implement a multidisciplinary approach to enhance TKA outcomes while minimizing unnecessary expenditures. Through this necessity, clinical care pathways have been developed to standardize, organize, and improve the quality and efficiency of patient care while simultaneously encouraging the collaboration among various medical care providers. Here, we review several systems based programs and specialty care practices that can be adopted into the standard orthopedic practice.

The Implementation of a Preoperative Transthoracic Echocardiography Consult Service by Anesthesiologists

We describe a preoperative transthoracic echocardiography consult service led by anesthesiologists. The implementation process and the patient cohort are described. Preoperative transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were mostly performed in patients undergoing intermediate- or high-risk noncardiac surgery and in patients with a higher calculated mortality risk. All transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were interpreted by anesthesiologists.

Implementation of a perioperative surgical home protocol for pediatric patients presenting for adenoidectomy

INTRODUCTION

The perioperative surgical home (PSH) is a patient-centered model designed to improve health, streamline the delivery of health care, and reduce the cost of care. Following the national introduction of PSH in 2014 by the ASA, adult hospitals have reported success with this model, with studies validating the benefits of PSH including reducing length of stay, lowering costs, and improving patient satisfaction.

METHODS

Eligible patients, ranging in age from 16-35 months of age, were identified by the pre-admission testing (PAT) registered nurses (RNs) and faculty anesthesiologists upon review of the patient history. Participation in Pediatric PSH (PPSH) was introduced to the families by the pediatric otolaryngologists. Either the patient's family or physician team could elect to decline participation in the PPSH model. On the day of surgery, the PPSH protocol included a paper checklist to ensure that all patients met eligibility standards. A standardized order-set was implemented in the electronic medical record (EMR) for pre-operative and post-operative nursing instructions and eligible medications. Patients received at least 3 hours of postoperative monitoring prior to discharge home to address postoperative issues. Prior to discharge, caregivers watched a standard teaching video, available on YouTube, which was developed in conjunction with the hospital educational and technical support staff. An attending anesthesiologist made a postoperative followup phone call on the evening of surgery to ensure no untoward events were experienced by the patient as well as elicit caregiver feedback concerning the discharge process. The protocol was discontinued if at any time family members, physicians, or nurses were uncomfortable with completing the protocol or felt that the patient did not meet discharge criteria.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-six patients were evaluated for PPSH inclusion. Forty patients were excluded (23 did not meet inclusion criteria, 5 had viral upper respiratory infections, and 10 for other non specified reasons such as tonsillectomy added, sibling with surgery, and incorrect documentation). Therefore, a total of 126 were eligible for PPSH (male/female = 69/57; age 22 ± 4 months). The comparison group included 1,029 children (male/female = 645/384; age 22 ± 7 months of age) undergoing adenoidectomy who were not evaluated for PPSH inclusion. Of the 126 PPSH participants included in the analysis, 27 were excluded at some point during the pathway. Nine cases experienced oxygen desaturation, laryngospasm, or required supplemental oxygen. Noncompliance with the protocol was noted in 5 cases, parental concerns were noted in 17 cases, and there were concerns from the pediatric anesthesiologist or otolaryngologist in 5 cases. In the comparison group, hospital length of stay was significantly longer than in the PSH group (p<0.001), with 524 (51%) patients discharged on the day of service compared to 99 (79%) in the PSH group. No major morbidity or mortality occurred. There was no difference between the two groups in return to the emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days (PSH: 7/126, 6%; control: 59/1,029, 6%; p=0.935). Within 14 days of the procedure, 4 PPSH patients visited urgent care or a primary care physician; 4 visited the ED; and 1 was readmitted to the hospital. Twenty families contacted the otorhinolaryngology triage phone line primarily related to pain and fever.

CONCLUSION

We present our experience and success in developing a PPSH for patients, ranging in age from 16 to 35 months of age, undergoing adenoidectomy either alone or with tympanostomy tube insertion by protocolizing care, collaborating among care providers, and educating families. With this process in place, a significant percentage of these patients who were previously admitted were discharged home the same day of surgery.

The Perioperative Surgical Home: Improving the Value and Quality of Care in Total Joint Replacement

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The perioperative surgical home (PSH) is a patient-centered, physician-led, multidisciplinary care pathway developed to deliver value-based care based on shared decision-making. Physician and hospital reimbursement will be tied to providing quality care at lower cost, and the PSH model has been used in providing care to patients undergoing lower extremity arthroplasty. The purpose of this review is to discuss the rationale, definition, development, current state, and future direction of the PSH.

RECENT FINDINGS

The PSH model guides the patient throughout the pre and perioperative process and into the postoperative phase. It has been shown in multiple studies to decrease length of stay, improve functional outcomes, allow more home discharges, and lower costs. There is no increase in complications or readmission rates. The PSH pathway is a safe and effective method of providing value-based care to patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty.

Myocardial Infarction Risk in Arthroplasty vs Arthroscopy: How Much Does Procedure Type Matter?

BACKGROUND

This study aimed at assessing short-term risk of serious cardiac events after elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) as compared to a less-invasive procedure, knee arthroscopy (KA).

METHODS

Patients who underwent elective primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or KA from 2011 to 2014 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. A 1:1 propensity matching was used to generate 2 control cohorts of KA patients with similar characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were assessed using perioperative variables.

RESULTS

A total of 24,203 THA, 21,740 TKA, and 45,943 KA patients were included. Bivariate analysis revealed significantly higher rates of serious 30-day cardiac events (myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest) among THA (0.15% vs 0.05%, P < .001) and TKA patients (0.14% vs 0.05%, P < .03) vs KA controls. In multivariate analysis controlling for patient characteristics and comorbidities, THA and TKA were associated with a 2.61 and 1.98 times odds of serious 30-day cardiac events as compared to controls (P ≤ .03 for both). Additional independent predictors of serious 30-day cardiac events included age, smoking, cardiac disease, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4. In the THA and TKA cohorts, serious cardiac events occurred within the first 3 days postoperation compared to 4 days in controls.

CONCLUSION

After controlling for patient characteristics and comorbidities, TJA increased the short-term risk of serious cardiac event compared to a less-invasive procedure. This information better quantifies the risk differential for patients considering surgery as they engage in shared decision making with their providers. In addition, our data may have an impact on perioperative management of antithrombotic medications used in patients with cardiac disease. The median time in days to serious cardiac event was 2 in THA and 3 in TKA vs 4 in KA, which may have implications in postoperative monitoring of patients after surgery.

A case management report: a collaborative perioperative surgical home paradigm and the reduction of total joint arthroplasty readmissions

Background

Efforts to mitigate costs while improving surgical care quality have received much scrutiny. This includes the challenging issue of readmission subsequent to hospital discharge. Initiatives attempting to preclude readmission after surgery require planned and unified efforts extending throughout the perioperative continuum. Patient optimization prior to discharge, enhanced disease monitoring, and seamless coordination of care between hospitals and community providers is integral to this process. The perioperative surgical home (PSH) has been proposed as a model to improve the delivery of perioperative healthcare via patient-centered risk stratification strategies that emphasize value and evidence-based processes.

Results

This case report seeks to specifically describe implementation of readmission reduction strategies via a PSH paradigm during total joint arthroplasty (TJA) procedures at the University of California Irvine (UCI) Health. An orthopedic surgeon open to collaborate within a PSH paradigm for TJA procedures was recruited to UCI Health in October of 2012. Institution specific data was then prospectively collected for 2 years post implementation of the novel program. A total of 328 unilateral, elective primary TJA (120 hip, 208 knee) procedures were collectively performed. Demographic analysis reveals the following: mean age of 64 ± 12; BMI of 28.5 ± 6.2; ASA Score distribution of 0.3 % class 1, 23 % class 2, 72 % class 3, and 4.3 % class 4; and 62.5 % female patients. In all, a 30-day unplanned readmission rate of 2.1 % (95 % CI 0.4–3.8) was observed during the study period. As a limitation of this case report, this reported rate does not reflect readmissions that may have occurred at facilities outside UCI Health.

Conclusions

As healthcare evolves to emphasize value over volume, it is integral to invest efforts in longitudinal patient outcomes including patient disposition subsequent to hospital discharge. As outlined by this case management report, the PSH provides an institution-led means to implement a series of care initiatives that optimize the important metric of readmission following TJA, potentially adding further value to patients, surgical colleagues, and health systems.

Outcomes, complications, utilization trends, and risk factors for primary and revision total elbow replacement

BACKGROUND

Using a validated database, 30-day complications of primary and revision total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) were analyzed to identify risk factors of adverse events.

METHODS

Primary and revision TEAs from 2007 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for 30-day adverse events were assessed using preoperative and intraoperative variables.

RESULTS

The study reviewed 189 primary and 53 revision TEA patients. Fracture (34%), osteoarthritis (24%), and rheumatoid arthritis (23%) were the most common indications for TEA. Adverse event rate was similar in primary and revision TEA (12% vs. 15%; P = .49), and infectious complications occurred in 3.2% of primary TEAs and 7.5% of revision TEAs (P = .23). Bivariate analysis of risk factors for 30-day adverse events identified dependent functional status in primary TEA (P = .03) and age in revision TEA (P = .02). Multivariate analysis of primary TEA revealed that adverse events were significantly less likely with rheumatoid arthritis compared with osteoarthritis etiology (odds ratio, 0.15; P = .02), and smoking was associated with an increased chance of infection (odds ratio, 6.96; P = .03). Revision TEA was not associated with an increased 30-day adverse event or infection rate compared with primary TEA in multivariate analysis. Among primary and revision TEA patients, dependent functional status (P = .02) and hypertension (P = .04) were independent predictors for adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Modifiable risk factors should be addressed before TEA to limit postoperative complications as well as cost. The risk of short-term complications after revision TEA is comparable to that of primary TEA.

Discharge Destination After Total Joint Arthroplasty: An Analysis of Postdischarge Outcomes, Placement Risk Factors, and Recent Trends

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare risk of postdischarge adverse events in elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) patients by discharge destination, identify risk factors for inpatient discharge placement and postdischarge adverse events, and stratify TJA patients based on these risk factors to identify the most appropriate discharge destination.

METHODS

Patients who underwent elective primary total hip or knee arthroplasty from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were assessed using perioperative variables.

RESULTS

A total of 106,360 TJA patients were analyzed. The most common discharge destinations included home (70%), skilled nursing facility (SNF) (19%), and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF; 11%). Bivariate analysis revealed that rates of postdischarge adverse events were higher in SNF and IRF patients (all P ≤ .001). In multivariate analysis controlling for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of complication predischarge, SNF and IRF patients were more likely to have postdischarge severe adverse events (SNF: odds ratio [OR]: 1.46, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.59, P ≤ .001) and unplanned readmission (SNF: OR: 1.42, P ≤ .001; IRF: OR: 1.38, P ≤ .001). After stratifying patients by strongest independent risk factors (OR: ≥1.15, P ≤ .05) for adverse outcomes after discharge, we found that home discharge is the optimal strategy for minimizing rate of severe 30-day adverse events after discharge (P ≤ .05 for 5 out of 6 risk levels) and unplanned 30-day readmissions (P ≤ .05 for 6 out of 7 risk levels). Multivariate analysis revealed incidence of severe adverse events predischarge, female gender, functional status, body mass index >40, smoking, diabetes, pulmonary disease, hypertension, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3/4 as independent predictors of nonhome discharge (all P ≤ .001).

CONCLUSION

SNF or IRF discharge increases the risk of postdischarge adverse events compared to home. Modifiable risk factors for nonhome discharge and postdischarge adverse events should be addressed preoperatively to improve patient outcomes across discharge settings.

Risk Factors Predict Increased Length of Stay and Readmission Rates in Revision Joint Arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to identify risk factors for 30-day readmission and extended length of stay (LOS) in revision total knee (RKA) and hip (RHA) arthroplasty patients.

METHODS

Patients who underwent RKA or RHA from 2011 to 2013 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for 30-day readmission and extended LOS (>75th percentile) were assessed using preoperative and intraoperative variables.

RESULTS

A total of 4977 RKA and 5135 RHA patients were reviewed. The most common causes for revision were mechanical (52% RKA, 52% RHA), infection (13% RKA, 8% RHA), dislocation (6% RKA, 13% RHA), and fracture (1% RKA, 4% RHA). Rate of readmission for RKA patients (6.4%; 318 patients) was lower than for RHA patients (8.0%; 409 patients) (P = .002). Multivariate analysis identified severe adverse event before discharge, male sex, pulmonary disease, stroke, cardiac disease, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 as significant predictors of readmission (all P ≤ .03). Surgical complications were the more common cause of readmission for both groups. Multivariate analysis of extended LOS identified infection or fracture etiology relative to mechanical loosening etiology, functional status, body mass index greater than 40 kg/m2, history of smoking, diabetes, cardiac disease, stroke, bleeding-causing disorders, wound class 3 or 4, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or 4 (all P ≤ .05) as independent predictors.

CONCLUSION

Modifiable risk factors should be addressed prior to revision total joint arthroplasty to reduce 30-day readmissions and LOS. Future P4P revision arthroplasty models should incorporate procedural diagnosis as rates of readmission and extended LOS significantly differ across procedural etiologies.

Short-Term Complications of Distal Humerus Fractures in Elderly Patients: Open Reduction Internal Fixation Versus Total Elbow Arthroplasty

Background:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate 30-day postoperative complications of open reduction and internal fixation [ORIF] and total elbow arthroplasty [TEA] for the treatment of distal humerus fractures in elderly patients using a validated national database.

Methods:

Review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database identified all elderly patients (>65 years) who underwent TEA or ORIF for the treatment of closed intra-articular distal humerus fractures from 2007 to 2013. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of risk factors for 30-day adverse events as defined by NSQIP between ORIF and TEA groups were assessed using preoperative and intraoperative variables.

Results:

Among the 176 patients with distal humerus fractures, there were 33 TEA and 143 ORIF. There was no difference in age, medical comorbidities, or functional status. Total elbow arthroplasty was associated with an increased odds of severe adverse event compared to ORIF (odds ratio = 1.57, P = .16), although it did not achieve statistical significance. Infection rate was 0.7% in ORIF and 0.0% in TEA (P = .99). Insulin-dependent diabetes and functional status were significant independent predictors of postoperative adverse events. Operative time (165 minutes vs 140 minutes, P = .06) and postoperative length of stay (3.6 days vs 2.3 days, P = 0.03) were longer for TEA compared to ORIF.

Conclusion:

Open reduction and internal fixation and TEA have similar 30-day postoperative complications for the treatment of distal humerus fractures among elderly patients. Despite favorable trends for TEA in recent studies, additional clinical results are needed to understand complications and limitation of TEA.

Level of evidence:

Level III, prognostic study.

The perioperative surgical home: An innovative, patient-centred and cost-effective perioperative care model

Contrary to the intraoperative period, the current perioperative environment is known to be fragmented and expensive. One of the potential solutions to this problem is the newly proposed perioperative surgical home (PSH) model of care. The PSH is a patient-centred micro healthcare system, which begins at the time the decision for surgery is made, is continuous through the perioperative period and concludes 30 days after discharge from the hospital. The model is based on multidisciplinary involvement: coordination of care, consistent application of best evidence/best practice protocols, full transparency with continuous monitoring and reporting of safety, quality, and cost data to optimize and decrease variation in care practices. To reduce said variation in care, the entire continuum of the perioperative process must evolve into a unique care environment handled by one perioperative team and coordinated by a leader. Anaesthesiologists are ideally positioned to lead this new model and thus significantly contribute to the highest standards in transitional medicine. The unique characteristics that place Anaesthesiologists in this framework include their systematic role in hospitals (as coordinators between patients/medical staff and institutions), the culture of safety and health care metrics innate to the specialty, and a significant role in the preoperative evaluation and counselling process, making them ideal leaders in perioperative medicine.

Does a Preoperative Educational Class Increase Patient Compliance

Past studies have shown successful outcomes regarding the use of various interventional education methods in improving patient compliance. At our institution, different educational resources are offered and encouraged, including a 2-hour–long educational class, to prepare patients who are undergoing total joint arthroplasty procedures. Given the significant impact that patient compliance with preoperative instruction can have on overall outcomes of these procedures, this study was intended to assess the effects that the educational classes can have on patient compliance with this institution’s 6-point preoperative total joint arthroplasty protocol. The study analyzed 2 groups, those who did and did not attend the preoperative classes, and compliance rates were compared between the 2. It was hypothesized that patients who did attend the classes would be more compliant to the protocol compared to those who did not. Although results from the study showed that there were no significant differences in adherence between the 2 groups, future quality assessment studies can build off this in order to move toward achieving optimal patient compliance with preoperative instructions.