Return to system within 30 days of discharge following pediatric shunt surgery

The association between surgical start time and spine surgery outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Neurosurgical operations, including spine surgeries, often occur outside "normal business hours" due to the urgent or emergent nature of cases. This study investigates the association of surgical start time (SST) with spine surgery outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using electronic health record data from a multi-hospital academic health system from 2017 to 2024. Eligible patients included adults who underwent spine surgery with a recorded SST. Patients were separated into a regular hours group (7:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.) and an afterhours group (SST outside this time window). The association between SST and extended length of stay (greater than 3 days), readmission, and discharge disposition was examined.

RESULTS

The sample included 12,658 patients with 10,737 (84.8 %) patients in the regular hours group and 1921 (15.2 %) patients in the afterhours group. Afterhours SST had significantly increased rates of extended length of stay, non-home discharge disposition, and readmission compared to regular hours SST. Adjusting for age, comorbidities, case classification, the time from admission to SST, and surgery type, afterhours SST was significantly associated with non-home discharge disposition (OR 1.27, 95 % CI 1.12 - 1.45, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This is the largest study to examine the association of SST with outcomes of spine surgery. Controlling for potential confounders, afterhours SST was significantly associated with non-home discharge disposition.

Systematic follow-ups were not associated with reduced acute ventriculoperitoneal shunt dysfunction in infancy

AIM

Hydrocephalus surgery with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is a life-saving treatment, but it has been associated with a high risk of dysfunction and complications. We investigated whether infants who received a ventriculoperitoneal shunt below 12 months of age had a reduced risk of acute shunt dysfunction if they were included in a structured follow-up programme.

METHODS

A population-based, retrospective chart review was performed at Uppsala University Children's Hospital, Sweden. Patients were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes and surgical codes from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2019. Those who received the structured follow-up programme from April 2012 were compared with historical controls.

RESULTS

We identified 95 patients (66% male): 47 in the follow-up group and 48 controls. Their mean age was 2.6 (range 0-12) months. There was a high 44% acute shunt dysfunction rate during the first year after primary surgery: 38% in the follow-up group and 50% in the control group (p = 0.25). The difference was not significant.

CONCLUSION

The structured follow-up programme was not associated with a significant reduction in acute shunt dysfunction. Predictive models could help to identify patients at risk for shunt dysfunction and complications and improve surveillance and follow-up programmes.

Do Postsurgical Follow-Up Calls Reduce Unplanned 30-Day Readmissions in Neurosurgery Patients? A Quality Improvement Project in a University Hospital

BACKGROUND

Unplanned 30-day readmissions after surgery are a source of patient dissatisfaction, monitored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, have financial penalties for hospitals, and are publicly reported. Neurosurgical operations have a higher 30-day unplanned readmission rate after the index discharge than other specialties. After a simple initiative for a 48-72-hour postdischarge telephone call, there was an observed significant decrease in readmission rates from 17% to 8% in 7 months at Thomas Jefferson University. To better understand the role of postoperative telephone calls in this reduction, a retrospective evaluation over a longer period was performed.

METHODS

A quality improvement initiative was assessed using patient records between August 2018 and May 2023. The primary observed subject is the 30-day unplanned readmission rate and secondarily a change in Physician Communication Score. Thirty-day unplanned readmission rate and Physician Communication Scores before and after the telephone call initiative were compared, checking for difference, variance, and correlation.

RESULTS

874 readmissions (average, 28/month; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.3-29.3), 12.9% (95% CI, 11.9-13.9) were reported before the telephone call; of 673 readmissions (average, 26/month; 95% CI, 23-28.8), 12.9% (95% CI, 11.6-14.1) were reported after the telephone call. No significant difference, variance of scores or rates, or correlation of rate with communication score were noted before and after the initiative.

CONCLUSIONS

Telephone calls and peridischarge efficient communication are needed after neurologic surgery. This approach decreased unplanned readmissions in certain instances without having a significant impact on neurosurgical patients.

Developing Predictive Models to Anticipate Shunt Complications in 33,248 Pediatric Patients with Shunted Hydrocephalus Utilizing Machine Learning

INTRODUCTION

Hydrocephalus is a common pediatric neurosurgical pathology, typically treated with a ventricular shunt, yet approximately 30% of patients experience shunt failure within the first year after surgery. As a result, the objective of the present study was to validate a predictive model of pediatric shunt complications with data retrieved from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Readmissions Database (NRD).

METHODS

The HCUP NRD was queried from 2016 to 2017 for pediatric patients undergoing shunt placement using ICD-10 codes. Comorbidities present upon initial admission resulting in shunt placement, Johns Hopkins Adjusted Clinical Groups (JHACG) frailty-defining criteria, and Major Diagnostic Category (MDC) at admission classifications were obtained. The database was divided into training (n = 19,948), validation (n = 6,650), and testing (n = 6,650) datasets. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify significant predictors of shunt complications which were used to develop logistic regression models. Post hoc receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created.

RESULTS

A total of 33,248 pediatric patients aged 6.9 ± 5.7 years were included. Number of diagnoses during primary admission (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07) and initial neurological admission diagnoses (OR: 3.83, 95% CI: 3.33-4.42) positively correlated with shunt complications. Female sex (OR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.76-0.99) and elective admissions (OR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53-0.72) negatively correlated with shunt complications. ROC curve for the regression model utilizing all significant predictors of readmission demonstrated area under the curve of 0.733, suggesting these factors are possible predictors of shunt complications in pediatric hydrocephalus.

CONCLUSION

Efficacious and safe treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus is of paramount importance. Our machine learning algorithm delineated possible variables predictive of shunt complications with good predictive value.

Assessment of neuromonitoring use and postoperative readmission rates in pediatric Chiari I malformation with syrinx

INTRODUCTION

While operative intervention for Chiari malformation type I (CMI) with syringomyelia is well established, there is limited data on outcomes of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). This study sought to explore differences in procedural characteristics and their effects on postoperative readmission rates.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmission Database was queried from 2010 to 2014 for patients ≤ 18 years of age with CMI and syringomyelia who underwent cranial decompression or spinal decompression. Demographics, hospital characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over the 5-year period, 2789 patients were identified that underwent operative treatment for CMI with syringomyelia. Mean age was 10 ± 4 years with 55% female. During their index hospitalization 14% of the patients had IONM. Patients receiving IONM had no significant difference in Charleston Comorbidity Index ≥ 1 (16% vs. 15% without, p = 0.774). IONM was more often used in those with private insurance (63% vs. 58% without, p = 0.0004) and less likely in those with Medicaid (29% vs. 37% without, p = 0.004). Patients receiving IONM were more likely to have a postoperative complication (23% vs 17%, p = 0.004) and were more likely to have hospital lengths of stay > 7 days (9% vs. 5% without, p = 0.005). Readmission rates for CMI were 9% within 30 days and 15% within the year. The majority (89%) of readmissions were unplanned. 25% of readmissions were for infection and 27% of readmissions underwent a CMI reoperation. The 30-day readmission rate was higher for those with IONM (12% vs. 8% without, p = 0.010). Median cost for hospitalization was significantly higher for patients with IONM ($26,663 ($16,933-34,397)) vs. those without ($14,577 ($11,538-18,392)), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

The use of intraoperative neuromonitoring for operative repair of CMI is associated with higher postoperative complications and readmissions. In addition, there are disparities in its use and increased cost to the healthcare system. Further studies are needed to elucidate the factors underlying this association.

The Impact of Surgical Scheduling on Outcomes in Lumbar Laminectomy

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether surgical scheduling affected patient outcomes following lumbar laminectomy. Physician fatigue caused by prolonged work hours has been shown to worsen outcomes. Previous research has also established a relationship between surgical scheduling and outcomes. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of single-level lumbar laminectomy patients at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center between 1992 and 2019. Patients who underwent a one-level laminectomy between 1992 and 2019 were included in the study. Patients with procedures defined as complex (>1 level, tumor or abscess removal, discectomy, implant removal) were excluded. The surgical complication rate [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, 30-day redo, 30-day ED visit, weakness, sensation loss, infection, urinary retention] was compared across surgical start times, day of the week, proximity to a holiday, and procedure length. Results Procedures that started between 9:01-11:00 were more likely to have a complication than those between 7:01-9:00 (p=0.04). For every 60-min increase in surgery length, odds of having a complication increased by 2.01 times (p=0.0041). Surgeries that started between 11:01-13:00 had a significantly longer median surgery length than those between 7:01-9:00. Conclusion The time of the day when the procedure was started was predictive of worse outcomes following laminectomy. This may be attributed to several factors, including fatigue and staff turnover. Additionally, increased surgical length was predictive of more complications. It remains unclear whether increased surgical time results from correction of noticed errors or a fatigue-related decline in speed and performance. These findings on one-level laminectomy warrant further investigations since they have implications for reducing systemic failures that impact patient outcomes.

Patient Risk Factors Associated With 30- and 90-Day Readmission After Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Placement for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in Elderly Patients: A Nationwide Readmission Study

OBJECTIVE

For idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), risk stratifying patients and identifying those who are likely to fare well after ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) surgery may help improve quality of care and reduce unplanned readmissions. The aim of this study was to investigate the drivers of 30- and 90-day readmissions after VP shunt surgery for iNPH in elderly patients.

METHODS

The Nationwide Readmission Database, years 2013 to 2015, was queried. Elderly patients (≥65 years old) undergoing VP shunt surgery were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification coding system. Unique patient linkage numbers were used to follow patients and identify 30- and 31- to 90-day readmission rates. Patients were grouped by no readmission (Non-R), readmission within 30 days (30-R), and readmission within 31 to 90 days (90-R).

RESULTS

We identified 7199 elderly patients undergoing VP shunt surgery for iNPH. A total of 1413 (19.6%) patients were readmitted (30-R: n = 812 [11.3%] vs. 90-R: n = 601 [8.3%] vs. Non-R: n = 5786). The most prevalent 30- and 90-day complications seen among the readmitted cohort were mechanical complication of nervous system device implant (30-R: 16.1%, 90-R: 12.4%), extracranial postoperative infection (30-R: 10.4%, 90-R: 7.0%), and subdural hemorrhage (30-R: 6.0%, 90-R: 16.4%). On multivariate regression analysis, age, diabetes, and renal failure were independently associated with 30-day readmission; female sex, and 26th to 50th household income percentile were independently associated with reduced likelihood of 90-day readmission. Having any complication during the index admission independently associated with both 30- and 90-day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we identify the most common drivers for readmission for elderly patients with iNPH undergoing VP shunt surgery.

Unexpected Decrease in Shunt Surgeries Performed during the Shelter-in-Place Period of the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

It is expected that the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt malfunctions would remain unchanged during the shelter-in-place period related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the number of shunt surgeries performed in a single institution during this time interval in comparison to equivalent periods in past years.

METHODS

The numbers of elective and emergent/urgent shunt surgeries performed at a single institution were queried for a 28-d period starting on the third Monday of March, between years 2015 and 2020. These were further stratified by how they presented as well as the type of surgery performed.

RESULTS

During the 28-d period of interest, in the years between 2015 and 2020, there was a steady increase in the number of shunt surgeries performed, with a maximum of 64 shunt surgeries performed in 2019. Of these, approximately 50% presented in urgent fashion in any given year. In the 4-wk period starting March 16, 2020, a total of 32 shunt surgeries were performed, with 15 of those cases presenting from the outpatient setting in emergent/urgent fashion. For the surgeries performed, there was a statistically significant decrease in the number of revision shunt surgeries performed.

CONCLUSION

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, there was an unexpected decrease in the number of shunt surgeries performed, and particularly in the number of revision surgeries performed. This suggests that an environmental factor related to the pandemic is altering the presentation rate of shunt malfunctions.

Readmission and reoperation for hydrocephalus: a population-based analysis across the spectrum of age

OBJECTIVE

Hydrocephalus is a common, chronic illness that generally requires lifelong, longitudinal, neurosurgical care. Except at select research centers, surgical outcomes in the United States have not been well documented. Comparative outcomes across the spectrum of age have not been studied.

METHODS

Data were derived for the year 2015 from the Nationwide Readmissions Database, a product of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. In this data set patients are assigned state-specific codes that link repeated discharges through the calendar year. Discharges with diagnostic codes for hydrocephalus were extracted, and for each patient the first discharge defined the index admission. The study event was readmission. Observations were censored at the end of the year. In a similar fashion the first definitive surgical procedure for hydrocephalus was defined as the index operation, and the study event was reoperation for hydrocephalus or complications. Survival without readmission and survival without reoperation were analyzed using life tables and Kaplan-Meier plots.

RESULTS

Readmission rates at 30 days ranged between 15.6% and 16.8% by age group without significant differences. After the index admission the first readmission alone generated estimated hospital charges of $2.25 billion nationwide. Reoperation rates at 30 days were 34.9% for infants, 39.2% for children, 47.4% for adults, and 32.4% for elders. These differences were highly significant. More than 3 times as many index operations were captured for adults and elders as for infants and children. Estimated 1-year reoperation rates were 74.2% for shunt insertion, 63.9% for shunt revision, but only 34.5% for endoscopic third ventriculostomy. Univariate associations with survival without readmission and survival without reoperation are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

In the United States hydrocephalus is predominantly a disease of adults. Surgical outcomes in this population-based study were substantially worse than outcomes reported from research centers. High reoperation rates after CSF shunt surgery accounted for this discrepancy.

Causes and Predictors of Unplanned Readmission in Cranial Neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE

A better understanding of the risks and reasons for unplanned readmission is an essential component in reducing costs in the health care system and in optimizing patient safety and satisfaction. The reasons for unplanned readmission vary between different disciplines and procedures. The aim of this study was to identify reasons for readmission in view of different diagnoses in cranial neurosurgery.

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, adult patients after neurosurgical treatment were analyzed and grouped according to the indication based on International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, German Modification diagnosis codes. The main outcome measure was unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge. Further logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with unplanned rehospitalization.

RESULTS

Of the 2474 patients analyzed, 183 underwent unplanned rehospitalization. Readmission rates differed between the diagnosis groups, with 9.19% in neoplasm, 8.26% in hydrocephalus, 5.76% in vascular, 6.13% after trauma, and 8.05% in the functional group. Several causes were considered to be preventable, such as wound healing disorders, seizures, or social reasons. Younger age, length of first stay, surgical treatment, and side diagnoses were predictors for unplanned readmission. Diagnoses with an increased risk of readmission were glioblastoma, traumatic subdural hematoma, or chronic subdural hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Reasons and predictors for an unplanned readmission differ considerably among the index diagnosis groups. In addition to well-known reasons for readmission, we identified social indication, meaning a lack of home care, which is particularly prevalent in oncologic and elderly patients. A transitional care program could benefit these vulnerable patients.

Early unplanned readmission of neurosurgical patients after treatment of intracranial lesions: a comparison between surgical and non-surgical intervention group

Background

Recent health care policy making has highlighted the necessity for understanding factors that influence readmission. To elucidate the rate, reason, and predictors of readmissions in neurosurgical patients, we analyzed unscheduled readmissions to our neurosurgical department after treatment for cranial or cerebral lesions.

Methods

From 2015 to 2017, all adult patients who had been discharged from our Department of Neurosurgery and were readmitted within 30 days were included into the study cohort. The patients were divided into a surgical and a non-surgical group. The main outcome measure was unplanned inpatient admission within 30 days of discharge.

Results

During the observation period, 183 (7.4%) of 2486 patients had to be readmitted unexpectedly within 30 days after discharge. The main readmission causes were surgical site infection (34.4 %) and seizure (16.4%) in the surgical group, compared to natural progression of the original diagnosis (38.2%) in the non-surgical group. Most important predictors for an unplanned readmission were younger age, presence of malignoma (OR: 2.44), and presence of cardiovascular side diagnoses in the surgical group. In the non-surgical group, predictors were length of stay (OR: 1.07) and the need for intensive care (OR: 5.79).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that reasons for readmission vary between operated and non-operated patients and are preventable in large numbers. In addition, we identified treatment-related partly modifiable factors as predictors of unplanned readmission in the non-surgical group, while unmodifiable patient-related factors predominated in the surgical group. Further patient-related risk adjustment models are needed to establish an individualized preventive strategy in order to reduce unplanned readmissions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1007/s00701-020-04521-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A 5-year retrospective cohort study of unplanned readmissions in an Australian tertiary paediatric hospital

Objective The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics and prevalence of all-cause unplanned hospital readmissions at a tertiary paediatric hospital in Western Australia from 2010 to 2014. Methods A retrospective cohort descriptive study was conducted. Unplanned hospital readmission was identified using both 28- and 30-day measurements from discharge date of an index hospital admission to the subsequent related unplanned admission date. This allowed international comparison. Results In all, 73132 patients with 134314 discharges were identified. During the 5-year period, 4070 discharges (3.03%) and 3330 patients (4.55%) were identified as 30-day unplanned hospital readmissions. There were minimal differences in the rate of readmissions on Days 28, 29 and 30 (0.2%). More than 50% of readmissions were identified as a 5-day readmission. Nearly all readmissions for croup and epiglottitis occurred by Day 5; those for acute bronchiolitis and obstructive sleep apnoea requiring tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy occurred by Day 15 and those for acute appendicitis and abdominal and pelvic pain occurred by Day 30. Conclusion This study highlights the variability in the distribution of time intervals from discharge to readmission among diagnoses, suggesting the commonly used 28- or 30-day readmission measurement requires review. It is crucial to establish an appropriate measurement for specific paediatric conditions related to readmissions for the accurate determination of the prevalence and actual costs associated with readmissions. What is known about this topic? Unplanned hospital readmissions result in inefficient use of health resources. Australia has used 28 days to measure unplanned readmissions. However, the 30-day measurement is commonly used in the literature. Only five Australian studies were identified with a focus on readmissions associated with specific paediatric health conditions. What does this paper add? This is the first known study examining paediatric all-cause unplanned same-hospital readmissions in Western Australia. The study used both 28- and 30-day measures from discharge to unplanned readmission to allow international comparison. More than half the unplanned hospital readmissions occurred between Day 0 and Day 5 following discharge from the index admission. Time intervals from discharge date to readmission date varied for diagnosis-specific readmissions of paediatric patients. What are the implications for practitioners? Targeting the top principal index admission diagnoses identified for paediatric readmissions is critical for improvement in the continuity of discharge care delivery, health resource utilisation and associated costs. Because 52% of unplanned readmissions occurred in the first 5 days, urgent investigation and implementation of prevention strategies are required, especially when the readmission occurs on the date of discharge.

Shunt Failure-The First 30 Days

BACKGROUND

Incontrovertible predictors of shunt malfunction remain elusive.

OBJECTIVE

To determine predictors of shunt failure within 30 d of index surgery.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective cohort study from January 2010 through November 2016. Using a ventricular shunt surgery research database, clinical and procedural variables were procured. An "index surgery" was defined as implantation of a new shunt or revision or augmentation of an existing shunt system. The primary outcome was shunt failure of any kind within the first 30 days of index surgery. Bivariate models were created, followed by a final multivariable logistic regression model using a backward-forward selection procedure.

RESULTS

Our dataset contained 655 unique patients with a total of 1206 operations. The median age for the cohort at the time of first shunt surgery was 4.6 yr (range, 0-28; first and third quartile, .37 and 11.8, respectively). The 30-day failure rates were 12.4% when analyzing the first-index operation only (81/655), and 15.7% when analyzing all-index operations (189/1206). Small or slit ventricles at the time of index surgery and prior ventricular shunt operations were found to be significant covariates in both the "first-index" (P < .01 and P = .05, respectively) and "all-index" (P = .02 and P < .01, respectively) multivariable models. Intraventricular hemorrhage at the time of index surgery was an additional predictor in the all-index model (P = .01).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that only 3 variables are predictive of 30-day shunt failure when following established variable selection procedures, 2 of which are potentially under direct control of the surgeon.

Thirty-day readmission rate as a surrogate marker for quality of care in neurosurgical patients: a single-center Canadian experience

OBJECTIVE

Readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge is used as a surrogate marker for quality and value of care in the United States (US) healthcare system. Concern exists regarding the value of 30-day readmission as a quality of care metric in neurosurgical patients. Few studies have assessed 30-day readmission rates in neurosurgical patients outside the US. The authors performed a retrospective review of all adult neurosurgical patients admitted to a single Canadian neurosurgical academic center and who were discharged to home to assess for the all-cause 30-day readmission rate, unplanned 30-day readmission rate, and avoidable 30-day readmission rate.

METHODS

A retrospective review was performed assessing 30-day readmission rates after discharge to home in all neurosurgical patients admitted to a single academic neurosurgical center from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011. The primary outcomes included rates of all-cause, unplanned, and avoidable readmissions within 30 days of discharge. Secondary outcomes included factors associated with unplanned and avoidable 30-day readmissions.

RESULTS

A total of 184 of 950 patients (19.4%) were readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. One-hundred three patients (10.8%) were readmitted for an unplanned reason and 81 (8.5%) were readmitted for a planned or rescheduled operation. Only 19 readmissions (10%) were for a potentially avoidable reason. Univariate analysis identified factors associated with readmission for a complication or persistent/worsening symptom, including age (p = 0.009), length of stay (p = 0.007), general neurosurgery diagnosis (p < 0.001), cranial pathology (p < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (p < 0.001), number of initial admission operations (p = 0.01), and shunt procedures (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified predictive factors of readmission, including diagnosis (p = 0.002, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4-5.3), cranial pathology (p = 0.002, OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4-5.3), ICU admission (p = 0.004, OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.2), and number of first admission operations (p = 0.01, OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.3-0.87). Univariate analysis performed to identify factors associated with potentially avoidable readmissions included length of stay (p = 0.03), diagnosis (p < 0.001), cranial pathology (p = 0.02), and shunt procedures (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified only shunt procedures as a predictive factor for avoidable readmission (p = 0.02, OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.4-22.8).

CONCLUSIONS

Almost one-fifth of neurosurgical patients were readmitted within 30 days of discharge. However, only about half of these patients were admitted for an unplanned reason, and only 10% of all readmissions were potentially avoidable. This study demonstrates unique challenges encountered in a publicly funded healthcare setting and supports the growing literature suggesting 30-day readmission rates may serve as an inappropriate quality of care metric in neurosurgical patients. Potentially avoidable readmissions can be predicted, and further research assessing predictors of avoidable readmissions is warranted.

Risk factors associated with paediatric unplanned hospital readmissions: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To synthesise evidence on risk factors associated with paediatric unplanned hospital readmissions (UHRs).

DESIGN

Systematic review.

DATA SOURCE

CINAHL, EMBASE (Ovid) and MEDLINE from 2000 to 2017.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Studies published in English with full-text access and focused on paediatric All-cause, Surgical procedure and General medical condition related UHRs were included.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Characteristics of the included studies, examined variables and the statistically significant risk factors were extracted. Two reviewers independently assessed study quality based on six domains of potential bias. Pooling of extracted risk factors was not permitted due to heterogeneity of the included studies. Data were synthesised using content analysis and presented in narrative form.

RESULTS

Thirty-six significant risk factors were extracted from the 44 included studies and presented under three health condition groupings. For All-cause UHRs, ethnicity, comorbidity and type of health insurance were the most frequently cited factors. For Surgical procedure related UHRs, specific surgical procedures, comorbidity, length of stay (LOS), age, the American Society of Anaesthesiologists class, postoperative complications, duration of procedure, type of health insurance and illness severity were cited more frequently. The four most cited risk factors associated with General medical condition related UHRs were comorbidity, age, health service usage prior to the index admission and LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review acknowledges the complexity of readmission risk prediction in paediatric populations. This review identified four risk factors across all three health condition groupings, namely comorbidity; public health insurance; longer LOS and patients<12 months or between 13-18 years. The identification of risk factors, however, depended on the variables examined by each of the included studies. Consideration should be taken into account when generalising reported risk factors to other institutions. This review highlights the need to develop a standardised set of measures to capture key hospital discharge variables that predict unplanned readmission among paediatric patients.

Reoperation and readmission after clipping of an unruptured intracranial aneurysm: a National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis

OBJECTIVE

Although reoperation and readmission have been used as quality metrics, there are limited data evaluating the rate of, reasons for, and predictors of reoperation and readmission after microsurgical clipping of unruptured aneurysms.

METHODS

Adult patients who underwent craniotomy for clipping of an unruptured aneurysm electively were extracted from the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program registry (2011–2014). Multivariable logistic regression and recursive partitioning analysis evaluated the independent predictors of nonroutine hospital discharge, unplanned 30-day reoperation, and readmission. Predictors screened included patient age, sex, comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, functional status, aneurysm location, preoperative laboratory values, operative time, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

Among the 460 patients evaluated, 4.2% underwent any reoperation at a median of 7 days (interquartile range [IQR] 2–17 days) postoperatively, and 1.1% required a cranial reoperation. The most common reoperation was ventricular shunt placement (23.5%); other reoperations were tracheostomy, craniotomy for hematoma evacuation, and decompressive hemicraniectomy. Independent predictors of any unplanned reoperation were age greater than 51 years and longer operative time (p ≤ 0.04). Readmission occurred in 6.3% of patients at a median of 6 days (IQR 5–13 days) after discharge from the surgical hospitalization; 59.1% of patients were readmitted within 1 week and 86.4% within 2 weeks of discharge. The most common reason for readmission was seizure (26.7%); other causes of readmission included hydrocephalus, cerebrovascular accidents, and headache. Unplanned readmission was independently associated with age greater than 65 years, Class II or III obesity (body mass index > 35 kg/m2), preoperative hyponatremia, and preoperative anemia (p ≤ 0.04). Readmission was not associated with operative time, complications during the surgical hospitalization, length of stay, or discharge disposition. Recursive partitioning analysis identified the same 4 variables, as well as ASA classification, as associated with unplanned readmission. The most potent predictors of nonroutine hospital discharge (16.7%) were postoperative neurological and cardiopulmonary complications; other predictors were age greater than 51 years, preoperative hyponatremia, African American and Asian race, and a complex vertebrobasilar circulation aneurysm.

CONCLUSIONS

In this national analysis, patient age greater than 65 years, Class II or III obesity, preoperative hyponatremia, and anemia were associated with adverse events, highlighting patients who may be at risk for complications after clipping of unruptured cerebral aneurysms. The preponderance of early readmissions highlights the importance of early surveillance and follow-up after discharge; the frequency of readmission for seizure emphasizes the need for additional data evaluating the utility and duration of postcraniotomy seizure prophylaxis. Moreover, readmission was primarily associated with preoperative characteristics rather than metrics of perioperative care, suggesting that readmission may be a suboptimal indicator of the quality of care received during the surgical hospitalization in this patient population.

Unplanned readmission within 90 days after pediatric neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE Readmission and return to operating room after surgery are increasingly being used as a proxy for quality of care. Nearly 60% of these readmissions are unplanned, which translates into billions of dollars in health care costs. The authors set out to analyze the incidence of readmission at their center, to define causes of unplanned readmission, and to determine the preoperative and surgical variables associated with readmissions following pediatric neurosurgery. METHODS A total of 536 children who underwent operations for neurosurgical diagnoses between 2012 and 2015 and who were later readmitted were included in the final analysis. Unplanned readmissions were defined to have occurred as a result of complications within 90 days after index surgery. Patient records were retrospectively reviewed to determine the primary diagnosis, surgery indication, and cause of readmission and return to operating room. The cost for index hospitalization, readmission episode, and total cost were derived based on the charges obtained from administrative data. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted. RESULTS Of 536 patients readmitted in total, 17.9% (n = 96) were readmitted within 90 days. Of the overall readmissions, 11.9% (n = 64) were readmitted within 30 days, and 5.97% (n = 32) were readmitted between 31 and 90 days. The median duration between discharge and readmission was 20 days (first quartile [Q1]: 9 days, third quartile [Q3]: 36 days). The most common reason for readmission was shunt related (8.2%, n = 44), followed by wound infection (4.7%, n = 25). In the risk-adjusted multivariable logistic regression model for total 90-day readmission, patients with the following characteristics: younger age (p = 0.001, OR 0.886, 95% CI 0.824-0.952); "other" (nonwhite, nonblack) race (p = 0.024, OR 5.49, 95% CI 1.246-24.2); and those born preterm (p = 0.032, OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.12) had higher odds of being readmitted within 90 days after discharge. The total median cost for patients undergoing surgery in this study cohort was $11,520 (Q1: $7103, Q3: $19,264). For the patients who were readmitted, the median cost for a readmission episode was $8981 (Q1: $5051, Q3: $18,713). CONCLUSIONS Unplanned 90-day readmissions in pediatric neurosurgery are primarily due to CSF-related complications. Patients with the following characteristics: young age at presentation; "other" race; and children born preterm have a higher likelihood of being readmitted within 90 days after surgery. The median cost was > $8000, which suggests that the readmission episode can be as expensive as the index hospitalization. Clearly, readmission reduction has the potential for significant cost savings in pediatric neurosurgery. Future efforts, such as targeted education related to complication signs, should be considered in the attempt to reduce unplanned events. Given the single-center, retrospective study design, the results of this study are primarily applicable to this population and cannot necessarily be generalized to other institutions without further study.

A systematic review of 30-day readmission after cranial neurosurgery

OBJECTIVE

The 30-day readmission rate has emerged as an important marker of the quality of in-hospital care in several fields of medicine. This review aims to summarize available research reporting readmission rates after cranial procedures and to establish an association with demographic, clinical, and system-related factors and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

The authors conducted a systematic review of several databases; a manual search of the Journal of Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica, Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences; and the cited references of the selected articles. Quality review was performed using the STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) criteria. Findings are reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 1344 articles published between 1947 and 2015 were identified; 25 were considered potentially eligible, of which 12 met inclusion criteria. The 30-day readmission rates varied from 6.9% to 23.89%. Complications arising during or after neurosurgical procedures were a prime reason for readmission. Race, comorbidities, and longer hospital stay put patients at risk for readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Although readmission may be an important indicator for good care for the subset of acutely declining patients, neurosurgery should aim to reduce 30-day readmission rates with improved quality of care through systemic changes in the care of neurosurgical patients that promote preventive measures.

Comparison of 30-day emergency department bouncebacks after pediatric versus adult urologic surgery

INTRODUCTION

More pediatric patients seem to present to the emergency department (ED) for non-urgent matters after urologic procedures than adult patients. Under new and expanding healthcare reform, pediatric urologists may be penalized for these visits. We compare our 30-day postoperative bounceback rates to the ED and the acuity of the concerns in these populations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All urology consults at our institution are maintained on a prospectively tracked database. We identified all patients who presented to our adult or pediatric ED between July 2013 and June 2015 within 30 days of a urologic procedure. We investigated the patient demographics including age, race, insurance, distance from the home zip code to the ED, procedures performed, chief complaint in the ED, diagnosis, and treatment required.

RESULTS

In our pediatric group, there were 67 visits for 56 patients (19 female, 37 male, mean age 6.8 years), which represents an overall bounceback incidence of 2.7%. Of those, 19% required admission (0.60% overall readmission rate), 10% underwent a procedure (0.32% reoperative rate, 18% required catheter manipulation/placement, 13% were given a prescription (most commonly for constipation), 6% required local wound care, and 33% were reassured only). Most pediatric patients had private insurance (62.5%) and those with private insurance or who were uninsured tended to require only reassurance compared to those with Medicare/Medicaid (p = 0.053). In the adult population, there were 369 visits in 310 patients (111 female, 199 male, mean age 55.4 years) for an incidence of 4.4%. Of those, 42% were admitted (2.2% overall readmission rate), 14% underwent a procedure (0.74% reoperative rate), 11% required catheter manipulation/placement, 14% were given medication (most commonly antibiotics and narcotics), 4% were given local wound care, and 12% were reassured. Most adult patients had Medicare/Medicaid (48.7%), but insurance type was not related to treatment required (p = 0.382). On multivariable analysis, pediatric patients, closer proximity to the hospital, and earlier postoperative day at presentation to the ED were predictive of requiring only reassurance.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to adults, pediatric patients are less likely to return to the ED postoperatively (p < 0.001), but they are significantly more likely to require only reassurance (p < 0.001) while adults are significantly more likely to require hospital admission (p < 0.001). In both groups, nearly one-third of patients required only catheter care or medication. This difference could have significant implications for new healthcare policy.

Risk of failure in pediatric ventriculoperitoneal shunts placed after abdominal surgery

OBJECTIVE Experience has led us to suspect an association between shunt malfunction and recent abdominal surgery, yet information about this potential relationship has not been explored in the literature. The authors compared shunt survival in patients who underwent abdominal surgery to shunt survival in our general pediatric shunt population to determine whether such a relationship exists. METHODS The authors performed a retrospective review of all cases in which pediatric patients underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt operations at their institution during a 7-year period. Survival time in shunt operations that followed abdominal surgery was compared with survival time of shunt operations in patients with no history of abdominal surgery. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors associated with failure. RESULTS A total of 141 patients who underwent 468 shunt operations during the period of study were included; 107 of these 141 patients had no history of abdominal surgery and 34 had undergone a shunt operation after abdominal surgery. Shunt surgery performed more than 2 weeks after abdominal surgery was not associated with time to shunt failure (p = 0.86). Shunt surgery performed within 2 weeks after abdominal surgery was associated with time to failure (adjusted HR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-9.6). CONCLUSIONS Undergoing shunt surgery shortly after abdominal surgery appears to be associated with shorter shunt survival. When possible, some patients may benefit from shunt placement utilizing alternative termini.

Thirty-Day Readmission Rates Following Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has emerged as a safe and efficacious surgical intervention for several movement disorders; however, the 30-day all-cause readmission rate associated with this procedure has not previously been documented.

OBJECT: To perform a retrospective cohort study to estimate the 30-day all-cause readmission rate associated with DBS.

METHODS: We reviewed medical records of patients over the age of 18 who underwent DBS surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania between 2009 and 2014. We identified patients who were readmitted to an inpatient medical facility within 30 days from their initial discharge.

RESULTS: Over the study period, 23 (6.6%) of 347 DBS procedures resulted in a readmission to the hospital within 30 days. Causes of readmission were broadly categorized into surgery-related (3.7%): intracranial lead infection (0.6%), battery-site infection (0.6%), intracranial hematoma along the electrode tract (0.6%), battery-site hematoma (0.9%), and seizures (1.2%); and nonsurgery-related (2.9%): altered mental status (1.8%), nonsurgical-site infections (0.6%), malnutrition and poor wound healing (0.3%), and a pulse generator malfunction requiring reprogramming (0.3%). Readmissions could be predicted by the presence of medical comorbidities (P &lt; .001), but not by age, gender, or length of stay (Ps &gt; .15).

CONCLUSION: All-cause 30-day readmission for DBS is 6.6%. This compares favorably to previously studied neurosurgical procedures. Readmissions frequently resulted from surgery-related complications, particularly infection, seizures, and hematomas, and were significantly associated with the presence of medical comorbidities (P &lt; .001).

Hospitalization Cost Model of Pediatric Surgical Treatment of Chiari Type 1 Malformation

OBJECTIVES

To develop a cost model for hospitalization costs of surgery among children with Chiari malformation type 1 (CM-1) and to examine risk factors for increased costs.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were extracted from the US National Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project 2009 Kids' Inpatient Database. The study cohort was comprised of patients aged 0-20 years who underwent CM-1 surgery. Patient charges were converted to costs by cost-to-charge ratios. Simple and multivariable generalized linear models were used to construct cost models and to determine factors associated with increased hospital costs of CM-1 surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 1075 patients were included. Median age was 11 years (IQR 5-16 years). Payers included public (32.9%) and private (61.5%) insurers. Median wage-adjusted cost and length-of-stay for CM-1 surgery were US $13 598 (IQR $10 475-$18 266) and 3 days (IQR 3-4 days). Higher costs were found at freestanding children's hospitals: average incremental-increased cost (AIIC) was US $5155 (95% CI $2067-$8749). Factors most associated with increased hospitalization costs were patients with device-dependent complex chronic conditions (AIIC $20 617, 95% CI $13 721-$29 026) and medical complications (AIIC $13 632, 95% CI $7163-$21 845). Neurologic and neuromuscular, metabolic, gastrointestinal, and other congenital genetic defect complex chronic conditions were also associated with higher hospital costs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study examined cost drivers for surgery for CM-1; the results may serve as a starting point in informing the development of financial risk models, such as bundled payments or prospective payment systems for these procedures. Beyond financial implications, the study identified specific risk factors associated with increased costs.

Risk factors for unplanned readmission within 30 days after pediatric neurosurgery: a nationwide analysis of 9799 procedures from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program

OBJECTIVE Hospital readmission rate is increasingly used as a quality outcome measure after surgery. The purpose of this study was to establish, using a national database, the baseline readmission rates and risk factors for patient readmission after pediatric neurosurgical procedures. METHODS The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database was queried for pediatric patients treated by a neurosurgeon between 2012 and 2013. Procedures were categorized by current procedural terminology (CPT) code. Patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative laboratory values, operative variables, and postoperative complications were analyzed via univariate and multivariate techniques to find associations with unplanned readmissions within 30 days of the primary procedure. RESULTS A total of 9799 cases met the inclusion criteria, 1098 (11.2%) of which had an unplanned readmission within 30 days. Readmission occurred 14.0 ± 7.7 days postoperatively (mean ± standard deviation). The 4 procedures with the highest unplanned readmission rates were CSF shunt revision (17.3%; CPT codes 62225 and 62230), repair of myelomeningocele > 5 cm in diameter (15.4%), CSF shunt creation (14.1%), and craniectomy for infratentorial tumor excision (13.9%). The lowest unplanned readmission rates were for spine (6.5%), craniotomy for craniosynostosis (2.1%), and skin lesion (1.0%) procedures. On multivariate regression analysis, the odds of readmission were greatest in patients experiencing postoperative surgical site infection (SSI; deep, organ/space, superficial SSI, and wound disruption: OR > 12 and p < 0.001 for each). Postoperative pneumonia (OR 4.294, p < 0.001), urinary tract infection (OR 4.262, p < 0.001), and sepsis (OR 2.616, p = 0.006) also independently increased the readmission risk. Independent patient risk factors for unplanned readmission included Native American race (OR 2.363, p = 0.019), steroid use > 10 days (OR 1.411, p = 0.010), oxygen supplementation (OR 1.645, p = 0.010), nutritional support (OR 1.403, p = 0.009), seizure disorder (OR 1.250, p = 0.021), and longer operative time (per hour increase, OR 1.059, p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS This study may aid in identifying patients at risk for unplanned readmission following pediatric neurosurgery, potentially helping to focus efforts at lowering readmission rates, minimizing patient risk, and lowering costs for health care systems.

Potentially Preventable 30-Day Hospital Readmissions at a Children's Hospital

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hospital readmission rates are increasingly used to assess quality. Little is known, however, about potential preventability of readmissions among children. Our objective was to evaluate potential preventability of 30-day readmissions using medical record review and interviews.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study in 305 children (<18 years old) readmitted within 30 days to a freestanding children's hospital between December 2012 and February 2013. Interviews (N = 1459) were conducted with parents/guardians, patients (if ≥13 years old), inpatient clinicians, and primary care providers. Reviewers evaluated medical records, interview summaries, and transcripts, and then rated potential preventability. Multivariate regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with potentially preventable readmission. Adjusted event curves were generated to model days to readmission.

RESULTS

Of readmissions, 29.5% were potentially preventable. Potentially preventable readmissions occurred sooner after discharge than non-potentially preventable readmissions (5 vs 9 median days; P < .001). The odds of a readmission being potentially preventable were greatest when the index admission and readmission were causally related (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-6.8) and when hospital (AOR: 16.3; 95% CI: 5.9-44.8) or patient (AOR: 7.1; 95% CI: 2.5-20.5) factors were identified. Interviews provided new information about the readmission in 31.2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 30% of 30-day readmissions to a children's hospital may be potentially preventable. Hospital and patient factors are associated with potential preventability and may provide targets for quality improvement efforts. Interviews contribute important information and should be considered when evaluating readmissions.

The Preventable Shunt Revision Rate: a potential quality metric for pediatric shunt surgery

OBJECTIVE Shunt surgery consumes a large amount of pediatric neurosurgical health care resources. Although many studies have sought to identify risk factors for shunt failure, there is no consensus within the literature on variables that are predictive or protective. In this era of "quality outcome measures," some authors have proposed various metrics to assess quality outcomes for shunt surgery. In this paper, the Preventable Shunt Revision Rate (PSRR) is proposed as a novel quality metric. METHODS An institutional shunt database was queried to identify all shunt surgeries performed from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014, at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Patients' records were reviewed for 90 days following each "index" shunt surgery to identify those patients who required a return to the operating room. Clinical, demographic, and radiological factors were reviewed for each index operation, and each failure was analyzed for potentially preventable causes. RESULTS During the study period, there were 927 de novo or revision shunt operations in 525 patients. A return to the operating room occurred 202 times within 90 days of shunt surgery in 927 index surgeries (21.8%). In 67 cases (33% of failures), the revision surgery was due to potentially preventable causes, defined as inaccurate proximal or distal catheter placement, infection, or inadequately secured or assembled shunt apparatus. Comparing cases in which failure was due to preventable causes and those in which it was due to nonpreventable causes showed that in cases in which failure was due to preventable causes, the patients were significantly younger (median 3.1 vs 6.7 years, p = 0.01) and the failure was more likely to occur within 30 days of the index surgery (80.6% vs 64.4% of cases, p = 0.02). The most common causes of preventable shunt failure were inaccurate proximal catheter placement (33 [49.3%] of 67 cases) and infection (28 [41.8%] of 67 cases). No variables were found to be predictive of preventable shunt failure with multivariate logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS With economic and governmental pressures to identify and implement "quality measures" for shunt surgery, pediatric neurosurgeons and hospital administrators must be careful to avoid linking all shunt revisions with "poor" or less-than-optimal quality care. To date, many of the purported risk factors for shunt failure and causes of shunt revision surgery are beyond the influence and control of the surgeon. We propose the PSRR as a specific, meaningful, measurable, and-hopefully-modifiable quality metric for shunt surgery in children.

Mild traumatic brain injury in children is associated with a low risk for posttraumatic seizures

OBJECT Of the 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the US, a third occur in patients under 14 years of age. The rate of posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) may be as high as 19% after severe pediatric TBI, but the risk for seizures after mild TBI is unknown. Although the rate of seizures after mild TBI may be low, current practice is often driven by high clinical concern for posttraumatic seizures. In this study, the authors evaluated electroencephalography (EEG) results and antiepileptic drug (AED) use in a large cohort of children with mild TBI to estimate the incidence of posttraumatic seizures in this population. METHODS Patients presenting to Children's Hospital of Atlanta for mild TBI from 2010 to 2013 were evaluated. Five thousand one hundred forty-eight patients with mild TBI were studied and divided into 3 groups: 4168 who were discharged from the emergency department, 868 who were admitted without neurosurgical intervention, and 112 who underwent neurosurgical procedures (craniotomy for hematoma evacuation or elevation of depressed skull fractures) but were discharged without an extended stay. Demographic information, CT characteristics, EEG reports, and prescriptions for AEDs were analyzed. Long-term follow-up was sought for all patients who underwent EEG. Correlation between EEG result and AED use was also evaluated. RESULTS All patients underwent head CT, and admitted patients were more likely to have an abnormal study (p < 0.0001). EEG evaluations were performed for less than 1.0% of patients in all 3 categories, without significant differences between groups (p = 0.97). Clinicians prescribed AEDs in less than 2.0% of patients for all groups, without significant differences between groups (p = 0.094). Even fewer children continue to see a neurologist for long-term seizure management. The EEG result had good negative predictive value, but only an abnormal EEG reading that was diagnostic of seizures correlated significantly with AED prescription (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS EEG utilization and AED prescription was low in all 3 groups, indicating that seizures following mild TBI are likely rare events. EEG has good negative predictive value for patients who did not receive AEDs, but has poorer positive predictive value for AED use.

Causes of 30-day readmission after neurosurgery of the spine

OBJECT

Thirty-day readmission has been cited as an important indicator of the quality of care in several fields of medicine. The aim of this systematic review was to examine rate of readmission and factors relevant to readmission after neurosurgery of the spine.

METHODS

The authors carried out a systematic review using several databases, searches of cited reference lists, and a manual search of the JNS Publishing Group journals (Journal of Neurosurgery; Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine; Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics; and Neurosurgical Focus), Neurosurgery, Acta Neurochirurgica, and Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences. A quality review was performed using STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) criteria and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS

A systematic review of 1136 records published between 1947 and 2014 revealed 31 potentially eligible studies, and 5 studies met inclusion criteria for content and quality. Readmission rates varied from 2.54% to 14.7%. Sequelae that could be traced back to complications that arose during neurosurgery of the spine were a prime reason for readmission after discharge. Increasing age, poor physical status, and comorbid illnesses were also important risk factors for 30-day readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Readmission rates have predictable factors that can be addressed. Strategies to reduce readmission that relate to patient-centered factors, complication avoidance during neurosurgery, standardization with system-wide protocols, and moving toward a culture of nonpunitive system-wide error and “near miss” investigations and quality improvement are discussed.

Return to system within 30 days of discharge following pediatric non-shunt surgery

OBJECT

Hospital readmission after discharge is a commonly used quality measure. In a previous study, the authors had documented the rate of readmission and reoperation after pediatric CSF shunt surgery. This study documents the rate of readmission and reoperation after pediatric neurosurgical procedures excluding those related to CSF shunts.

METHODS

Between May 1, 2009, and April 30, 2013, 3098 non-shunt surgeries during 2924 index admissions were performed at a single institution. Demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical characteristics were prospectively collected in the administrative, business, and clinical databases. Clinical events within the 30 days following discharge were reviewed and analyzed. The following events of interest were analyzed for risk factor associations using multivariate logistic regression: return to the emergency department (ED), all-cause readmission, readmission to the neurosurgical service, and reoperation.

RESULTS

The number of all-cause readmissions within 30 days of discharge was 304 (10.4%, 304/2924). Admission sources consisted of the ED (n = 173), hospital transfers (n = 47), and others (n = 84). One hundred eighty of the 304 readmissions were associated with an operation, but only 153 were performed by the neurosurgical service (reoperation rate = 5.2%). These procedures included wound revisions (n = 30) and first-time shunt insertions (n = 35). The remaining 124 readmissions were nonsurgical, and only 54 were admitted to the neurosurgical service for issues related to the index non-shunt surgery. Thus, the rate of related readmission was 7.1% ([153 + 54]/2924). A longer length of stay and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit during the index admission were associated with an increased likelihood of return to the ED and readmission. Certain procedures, such as baclofen pump insertion and intracranial pressure monitor placement, were also found to be associated with adverse clinical events in the 30-day period. Lastly, patients were more likely to a undergo reoperation if the index procedure had started after 3 p.m.

CONCLUSIONS

The all-cause readmission rate within 30 days of discharge after a pediatric neurosurgical procedure was 10.4%, and the rate of related readmission was 7.1%. Whether these readmissions are preventable and to what extent they are preventable requires further study.

Cerebrospinal fluid shunt placement in the pediatric population: a model of hospitalization cost

Object

There have been no large-scale analyses on cost drivers in CSF shunt surgery for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus. The objective of this study was to develop a cost model for hospitalization costs in pediatric CSF shunt surgery and to examine risk factors for increased costs.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) of the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Children with initial CSF shunt placement in the 2009 KID were examined. Patient charge was converted to cost using a cost-to-charge ratio. The factors associated with costs of CSF shunt hospitalizations were examined, including patient demographics, hospital characteristics, and clinical data. The natural log transformation of cost per inpatient day (CoPID) was analyzed. Three multivariate linear regression models were used to characterize the cost. Variance inflation factor was used to identify multicollinearity for each model.

Results

A total of 2519 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in study. Average cost and length of stay (LOS) for initial shunt placement were $49,317 ± $74,483 (US) and 18.2 ± 28.5 days, respectively. Cost per inpatient day was $4249 ± $2837 (median $3397, range $80–$22,263). The average number of registered nurse (RN) full-time equivalents (FTEs) per 1000 adjusted inpatient days was 5.8 (range 1.6–10.8). The final model had the highest adjusted coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.32) and was determined to be the best among 3 models. The final model showed that child age, hydrocephalus etiology, weekend admission, number of chronic diseases, hospital type, number of RN FTEs per 1000 adjusted inpatient days, number of procedures, race, insurance type, income level, and hospital regions were associated with CoPID.

Conclusions

A patient's socioeconomic status, such as race, income level, and insurance, in addition to hospitalrelated factors such as number of hospital RN FTEs, hospital type, and US region, could affect the costs of initial CSF shunt placement, in addition to clinical factors such as hydrocephalus origin and LOS. To create a cost model of initial CSF shunt placement in the pediatric population, consideration of such nonclinical factors may be warranted.