Search

Background: Although modern Australian healthcare systems provide patient‐centred care, the ability to predict and prevent suboptimal post‐procedural outcomes based on patient demographics at admission may improve health equity. This study aimed to identify patient demographic characteristics that might predict disparities in mortality, readmission, and discharge outcomes after either an operative or non‐operative procedural hospital admission. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all surgical and non‐surgical procedural admissions at three of the four major metropolitan public hospitals in South Australia in 2022. Multivariable logistic regression, with backwards selection, evaluated association between patient demographic characteristics and outcomes up to 90 days post‐procedurally. Results: 40 882 admissions were included. Increased likelihood of all‐cause, post‐procedure mortality in‐hospital, at 30 days, and 90 days, were significantly associated with increased age (P < 0.001), increased comorbidity burden (P < 0.001), an emergency admission (P < 0.001), and male sex (P = 0.046, P = 0.03, P < 0.001, respectively). Identification as ATSI (P < 0.001) and being born in Australia (P = 0.03, P = 0.001, respectively) were associated with an increased likelihood of 30‐day hospital readmission and decreased likelihood of discharge directly home, as was increased comorbidity burden (P < 0.001) and emergency admission (P < 0.001). Being married (P < 0.001) and male sex (P = 0.003) were predictive of an increased likelihood of discharging directly home; in contrast to increased age (P < 0.001) which was predictive of decreased likelihood of this occurring. Conclusions: This study characterized several associations between patient demographic factors present on admission and outcomes after surgical and non‐surgical procedures, that can be integrated within patient flow pathways through the Australian healthcare system to improve healthcare equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The frequency of oxycodone adverse reactions, subsequent opioid prescription, effect on pain and patient care in general surgery patients are not well known. This study aimed to determine prevalence of documented oxycodone allergy and intolerances (independent variables) in a general surgical cohort, and association with prescribing other analgesics (particularly opioids), subjective pain scores, and length of hospital stay (dependent variables). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included general surgery patients from two South Australian hospitals between April 2020 and March 2022. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated associations between previous oxycodone allergies and intolerances, prescription records, subjective pain scores, and length of hospital stay. Results: Of 12 846 patients, 216 (1.7%) had oxycodone allergies, and 84 (0.7%) oxycodone intolerances. The 216 oxycodone allergy patients had lower odds of receiving oxycodone (OR 0.17, P < 0.001), higher odds of tramadol (OR 3.01, P < 0.001) and tapentadol (OR 2.87, P = 0.001), but 91 (42.3%) still received oxycodone and 19 (8.8%) morphine. The 84 with oxycodone intolerance patients had lower odds of receiving oxycodone (OR 0.23, P < 0.001), higher odds of fentanyl (OR 3.6, P < 0.001) and tramadol (OR 3.35, P < 0.001), but 42 (50%) still received oxycodone. Patients with oxycodone allergies and intolerances had higher odds of elevated subjective pain (OR 1.60, P = 0.013; OR 2.36, P = 0.002, respectively) and longer length of stay (OR 1.36, P = 0.038; OR 2.24, P = 0.002, respectively) than patients without these. Conclusions: General surgery patients with oxycodone allergies and intolerances are at greater risk of worse postoperative pain and longer length of stay, compared to patients without. Many still receive oxycodone, and other opioids that could cause cross‐reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The applicability of the vital signs prompting medical emergency response (MER) activation has not previously been examined specifically in a large general surgical cohort. This study aimed to characterize the distribution, and predictive performance, of four vital signs selected based on Australian guidelines (oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure and heart rate); with those of the MER activation criteria. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including patients admitted under general surgical services of two hospitals in South Australia over 2 years. Likelihood ratios for patients meeting MER activation criteria, or a vital sign in the most extreme 1% for general surgery inpatients (<0.5th percentile or > 99.5th percentile), were calculated to predict in‐hospital mortality. Results: 15 969 inpatient admissions were included comprising 2 254 617 total vital sign observations. The 0.5th and 99.5th centile for heart rate was 48 and 133, systolic blood pressure 85 and 184, respiratory rate 10 and 31, and oxygen saturations 89% and 100%, respectively. MER activation criteria with the highest positive likelihood ratio for in‐hospital mortality were heart rate ≤ 39 (37.65, 95% CI 27.71–49.51), respiratory rate ≥ 31 (15.79, 95% CI 12.82–19.07), and respiratory rate ≤ 7 (10.53, 95% CI 6.79–14.84). These MER activation criteria likelihood ratios were similar to those derived when applying a threshold of the most extreme 1% of vital signs. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that vital signs within Australian guidelines, and escalation to MER activation, appropriately predict in‐hospital mortality in a large cohort of patients admitted to general surgical services in South Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective High caseload is considered one of the most important factors for good outcomes after high-risk surgeries such as oesophagectomy. However, many Australian centres perform low volumes of oesophagectomies due to demographics. The aim of the present study was to audit outcome after oesophagectomy in an Australian low-volume centre over a period of 13 years and to discuss potential contributors to outcome other than just case volume. Methods Perioperative and long-term outcomes of all oesophagectomies over a 13-year period in a low-volume Australian tertiary care centre were analysed retrospectively. Data were compared in subgroups of patients in two separate time periods: 2000-05 (n=23) and 2006-12 (n=24). Results There were two perioperative deaths over the entire 13-year period with no postoperative mortality in the last decade. The complication and long-term survival rates for each of the two separate time periods were similar to those from high-volume centres, more so in the second half of the study period. Conclusions The data suggest that under specific conditions, oesophagectomies can be safely performed even in smaller- or low-volume centres in Australia. The policy of centralisation for these procedures in Australia needs to be carefully tailored to the needs of the population, clinical outcomes, cost-effectiveness and optimal utilisation of existing facilities rather than on caseload alone. What is known about the topic? High caseload is considered one of the most important factors for good outcomes after oesophagectomy and a driving force behind centralisation of this procedure. However, other factors may also affect outcome - such as availability of experienced surgeons, specialist nurses, interventional radiology, gastroenterology, etc. What does this paper add? With the availability of appropriate levels of expertise, infrastructure and specialist nursing staff as is the case in most Australian tertiary centres, good perioperative outcomes can be obtained despite low volumes. Case load only should not be used as a surrogate marker of quality. What are the implications for practitioners? The policy of centralisation for oesophagectomy in Australia needs to be carefully thought out on the basis of population demographics, outcomes and cost-effectiveness, with the appropriate use of existing facilities, rather than on a caseload basis alone.