Aveena Kochar, MD

Background: SDDs are as safe as non-SDDs (NSDDs) in patients after elective PCI, yet there has been only a modest increase in SDD.

Study design: Observational cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: 493 hospitals in the United States.

Synopsis: With use of the national Premier Healthcare Database, 672,470 elective PCIs from January 2006 to December 2015 with 1-year follow-up showed a wide variation in SDD from 0% to 83% among hospitals with the overall corrected rate of 3.5%. Low-volume PCI hospitals did not increase the rate. Additionally, the cost of SDD patients was $5,128 less than NSDD patients. There was cost saving even with higher-risk transfemoral approaches and patients needing periprocedural hemodynamic or ventilatory support. Complications (death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, or acute MI at 30, 90, and 365 days) were not higher for SDD than for NSDD patients.

Limitations include that 2015 data may not reflect current practices. ICD 9 codes used for obtaining complications data can be misclassified. Cost savings are variable. Patients with periprocedural complications were not candidates for SDD but were included in the data. The study does not account for variation in technique, PCI characteristics, or SDD criteria of hospitals.

Bottom line: Prevalence of SDDs for elective PCI patients varies by institution and is an underutilized opportunity to significantly reduce hospital costs and increase patient satisfaction while maintaining the safety of patients.

Citation: Amin AP et al. Association of same-day discharge after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States with costs and outcomes. JAMA Cardiol. Published online 2018 Sep 26. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2018.3029.

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Background: SDDs are as safe as non-SDDs (NSDDs) in patients after elective PCI, yet there has been only a modest increase in SDD.

Study design: Observational cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: 493 hospitals in the United States.

Synopsis: With use of the national Premier Healthcare Database, 672,470 elective PCIs from January 2006 to December 2015 with 1-year follow-up showed a wide variation in SDD from 0% to 83% among hospitals with the overall corrected rate of 3.5%. Low-volume PCI hospitals did not increase the rate. Additionally, the cost of SDD patients was $5,128 less than NSDD patients. There was cost saving even with higher-risk transfemoral approaches and patients needing periprocedural hemodynamic or ventilatory support. Complications (death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, or acute MI at 30, 90, and 365 days) were not higher for SDD than for NSDD patients.

Limitations include that 2015 data may not reflect current practices. ICD 9 codes used for obtaining complications data can be misclassified. Cost savings are variable. Patients with periprocedural complications were not candidates for SDD but were included in the data. The study does not account for variation in technique, PCI characteristics, or SDD criteria of hospitals.

Bottom line: Prevalence of SDDs for elective PCI patients varies by institution and is an underutilized opportunity to significantly reduce hospital costs and increase patient satisfaction while maintaining the safety of patients.

Citation: Amin AP et al. Association of same-day discharge after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States with costs and outcomes. JAMA Cardiol. Published online 2018 Sep 26. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2018.3029.

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Background: SDDs are as safe as non-SDDs (NSDDs) in patients after elective PCI, yet there has been only a modest increase in SDD.

Study design: Observational cross-sectional cohort study.

Setting: 493 hospitals in the United States.

Synopsis: With use of the national Premier Healthcare Database, 672,470 elective PCIs from January 2006 to December 2015 with 1-year follow-up showed a wide variation in SDD from 0% to 83% among hospitals with the overall corrected rate of 3.5%. Low-volume PCI hospitals did not increase the rate. Additionally, the cost of SDD patients was $5,128 less than NSDD patients. There was cost saving even with higher-risk transfemoral approaches and patients needing periprocedural hemodynamic or ventilatory support. Complications (death, bleeding, acute kidney injury, or acute MI at 30, 90, and 365 days) were not higher for SDD than for NSDD patients.

Limitations include that 2015 data may not reflect current practices. ICD 9 codes used for obtaining complications data can be misclassified. Cost savings are variable. Patients with periprocedural complications were not candidates for SDD but were included in the data. The study does not account for variation in technique, PCI characteristics, or SDD criteria of hospitals.

Bottom line: Prevalence of SDDs for elective PCI patients varies by institution and is an underutilized opportunity to significantly reduce hospital costs and increase patient satisfaction while maintaining the safety of patients.

Citation: Amin AP et al. Association of same-day discharge after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States with costs and outcomes. JAMA Cardiol. Published online 2018 Sep 26. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2018.3029.

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Background: In patients with primary degenerative MR, MVR is curative, with the transcatheter approach being safer than surgical repair. However, it is unknown whether patients with secondary MR from left ventricular dilatation would confer the same benefit of MVR.

Study design: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label trial.

Setting: 78 sites in the United States and Canada.

Synopsis: From December 2012 to June 2017, 614 patients from 78 centers in the United States and Canada with symptomatic MR were enrolled with 302 patients assigned to the device group (transcatheter MVR and medical treatment) and 312 to the control group (medical therapy). Over 2 years, the device group’s annual rate for heart failure hospitalizations was significantly lower (35.8%/patient-year versus 67.9%/patient-year in the control group), as was all-cause mortality (29.1% for the device group versus 46.1%). The rate of freedom from device-related complications was 96.6%, better than the goal of 88%. There was improvement in quality of life, functional capacity, severity of MR, and left ventricular remodeling.

Limitations include that investigators were not blinded because the device was visible on imaging. Longer follow-up in the device group may have contributed to the observed decreased mortality. It is unknown whether less-symptomatic patients would attain the same benefit.

Bottom line: In patients with symptomatic, moderate to severe, and severe secondary MR, MVR lowers rates of hospitalization, decreases mortality, and improves quality of life.

Citation: Stone GW et al. Trans­catheter mitral-valve repair in patients with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2018 Sep 23. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1806640.
 

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Background: In patients with primary degenerative MR, MVR is curative, with the transcatheter approach being safer than surgical repair. However, it is unknown whether patients with secondary MR from left ventricular dilatation would confer the same benefit of MVR.

Study design: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label trial.

Setting: 78 sites in the United States and Canada.

Synopsis: From December 2012 to June 2017, 614 patients from 78 centers in the United States and Canada with symptomatic MR were enrolled with 302 patients assigned to the device group (transcatheter MVR and medical treatment) and 312 to the control group (medical therapy). Over 2 years, the device group’s annual rate for heart failure hospitalizations was significantly lower (35.8%/patient-year versus 67.9%/patient-year in the control group), as was all-cause mortality (29.1% for the device group versus 46.1%). The rate of freedom from device-related complications was 96.6%, better than the goal of 88%. There was improvement in quality of life, functional capacity, severity of MR, and left ventricular remodeling.

Limitations include that investigators were not blinded because the device was visible on imaging. Longer follow-up in the device group may have contributed to the observed decreased mortality. It is unknown whether less-symptomatic patients would attain the same benefit.

Bottom line: In patients with symptomatic, moderate to severe, and severe secondary MR, MVR lowers rates of hospitalization, decreases mortality, and improves quality of life.

Citation: Stone GW et al. Trans­catheter mitral-valve repair in patients with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2018 Sep 23. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1806640.
 

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Background: In patients with primary degenerative MR, MVR is curative, with the transcatheter approach being safer than surgical repair. However, it is unknown whether patients with secondary MR from left ventricular dilatation would confer the same benefit of MVR.

Study design: Multicenter, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, open-label trial.

Setting: 78 sites in the United States and Canada.

Synopsis: From December 2012 to June 2017, 614 patients from 78 centers in the United States and Canada with symptomatic MR were enrolled with 302 patients assigned to the device group (transcatheter MVR and medical treatment) and 312 to the control group (medical therapy). Over 2 years, the device group’s annual rate for heart failure hospitalizations was significantly lower (35.8%/patient-year versus 67.9%/patient-year in the control group), as was all-cause mortality (29.1% for the device group versus 46.1%). The rate of freedom from device-related complications was 96.6%, better than the goal of 88%. There was improvement in quality of life, functional capacity, severity of MR, and left ventricular remodeling.

Limitations include that investigators were not blinded because the device was visible on imaging. Longer follow-up in the device group may have contributed to the observed decreased mortality. It is unknown whether less-symptomatic patients would attain the same benefit.

Bottom line: In patients with symptomatic, moderate to severe, and severe secondary MR, MVR lowers rates of hospitalization, decreases mortality, and improves quality of life.

Citation: Stone GW et al. Trans­catheter mitral-valve repair in patients with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2018 Sep 23. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1806640.
 

Dr. Kochar is an assistant professor of medicine in the division of hospital medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York.

Clinical question: What is the best management for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA)?

Background: There are limited data in the evaluation of risks of flare with stopping DMARDs versus the risks of infection with continuing them perioperatively for elective TKA or THA, which are procedures frequently required by this patient population.

Study design: Multistep systematic literature review.

Setting: Collaboration between American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Synopsis: Through literature review and a requirement of 80% agreement by the panel, seven recommendations were created. Continue methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. Biologic agents should be held with surgery scheduled at the end of dosing cycle and restarted when the wound is healed, sutures/staples are removed, and there are no signs of infection (~14 days). Tofacitinib should be held for all conditions except SLE for 1 week. For severe SLE, continue mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus but hold for 1 week for nonsevere SLE. If current dose of glucocorticoids is less than 20 mg/day, the current dose should be administered rather than administering stress-dose steroids.

Limitations include a limited number of studies conducted in the perioperative period, the existing data are based on lower dosages, and it is unknown whether results can be extrapolated to surgical procedures beyond TKA and THA. Additionally there is a need for further studies on glucocorticoid management and biologic agents.

Bottom line: Perioperative management of DMARDs is complex and understudied, but the review provides an evidence-based guide for patients undergoing TKA and THA.

Citation: Goodman SM, Springer B, Gordon G, et. al. 2017 American College of Rheumatology/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Guideline for the Perioperative Management of Antirheumatic Medication in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases Undergoing Elective Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty. Arthritis Care Res. 2017 Aug;69(8):1111-24.

 

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Clinical question: What is the best management for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA)?

Background: There are limited data in the evaluation of risks of flare with stopping DMARDs versus the risks of infection with continuing them perioperatively for elective TKA or THA, which are procedures frequently required by this patient population.

Study design: Multistep systematic literature review.

Setting: Collaboration between American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Synopsis: Through literature review and a requirement of 80% agreement by the panel, seven recommendations were created. Continue methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. Biologic agents should be held with surgery scheduled at the end of dosing cycle and restarted when the wound is healed, sutures/staples are removed, and there are no signs of infection (~14 days). Tofacitinib should be held for all conditions except SLE for 1 week. For severe SLE, continue mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus but hold for 1 week for nonsevere SLE. If current dose of glucocorticoids is less than 20 mg/day, the current dose should be administered rather than administering stress-dose steroids.

Limitations include a limited number of studies conducted in the perioperative period, the existing data are based on lower dosages, and it is unknown whether results can be extrapolated to surgical procedures beyond TKA and THA. Additionally there is a need for further studies on glucocorticoid management and biologic agents.

Bottom line: Perioperative management of DMARDs is complex and understudied, but the review provides an evidence-based guide for patients undergoing TKA and THA.

Citation: Goodman SM, Springer B, Gordon G, et. al. 2017 American College of Rheumatology/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Guideline for the Perioperative Management of Antirheumatic Medication in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases Undergoing Elective Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty. Arthritis Care Res. 2017 Aug;69(8):1111-24.

 

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Clinical question: What is the best management for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with RA, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or total hip arthroplasty (THA)?

Background: There are limited data in the evaluation of risks of flare with stopping DMARDs versus the risks of infection with continuing them perioperatively for elective TKA or THA, which are procedures frequently required by this patient population.

Study design: Multistep systematic literature review.

Setting: Collaboration between American College of Rheumatology and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.

Synopsis: Through literature review and a requirement of 80% agreement by the panel, seven recommendations were created. Continue methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, and sulfasalazine. Biologic agents should be held with surgery scheduled at the end of dosing cycle and restarted when the wound is healed, sutures/staples are removed, and there are no signs of infection (~14 days). Tofacitinib should be held for all conditions except SLE for 1 week. For severe SLE, continue mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, cyclosporine, or tacrolimus but hold for 1 week for nonsevere SLE. If current dose of glucocorticoids is less than 20 mg/day, the current dose should be administered rather than administering stress-dose steroids.

Limitations include a limited number of studies conducted in the perioperative period, the existing data are based on lower dosages, and it is unknown whether results can be extrapolated to surgical procedures beyond TKA and THA. Additionally there is a need for further studies on glucocorticoid management and biologic agents.

Bottom line: Perioperative management of DMARDs is complex and understudied, but the review provides an evidence-based guide for patients undergoing TKA and THA.

Citation: Goodman SM, Springer B, Gordon G, et. al. 2017 American College of Rheumatology/American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons Guideline for the Perioperative Management of Antirheumatic Medication in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases Undergoing Elective Total Hip or Total Knee Arthroplasty. Arthritis Care Res. 2017 Aug;69(8):1111-24.

 

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

 

Clinical question: How do elderly patients feel about discontinuing cancer screening, and how should their doctors communicate this topic to them?

Background: Subjecting patients with limited life expectancy to cancer screening can cause harm, but patient preference on the subject and the manner physicians communicate this recommendation is unknown.

Study design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Four programs associated with an urban academic center.

Synopsis: Through interviews, questionnaires, and medical records of 40 community-dwelling adults, over the age of 65, the study found that participants support discontinuing cancer screening based on individual health status. Participants preferred that physicians use health and functional status rather than risks and benefits of test or life expectancy. They do not understand the predictors of life expectancy, are doubtful of physicians’ ability to predict it, and feel discussing it is depressing. While participants were divided on whether the term “life expectancy” should be used, they preferred “this test will not extend your life” to “you may not live long enough to benefit from this test.”

The study is limited to one center with participants with high levels of trust in their established physician which may not reflect other patients. The study required self-reporting and thus is susceptible to recall bias. Decisions of hypothetical examples could be discordant with actual decisions a participant might make.

Bottom line: Elderly patients are amenable to stopping cancer screening when communicated by their established physician and prefer to not discuss life expectancy.

Citation: Schoenborn NL, Lee K, Pollack CE, et.al. Older adults’ views and communication preferences about cancer screening and cessation. JAMA Intern Med. 2017; 2017 Jun 12. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1778.

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

 

Clinical question: How do elderly patients feel about discontinuing cancer screening, and how should their doctors communicate this topic to them?

Background: Subjecting patients with limited life expectancy to cancer screening can cause harm, but patient preference on the subject and the manner physicians communicate this recommendation is unknown.

Study design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Four programs associated with an urban academic center.

Synopsis: Through interviews, questionnaires, and medical records of 40 community-dwelling adults, over the age of 65, the study found that participants support discontinuing cancer screening based on individual health status. Participants preferred that physicians use health and functional status rather than risks and benefits of test or life expectancy. They do not understand the predictors of life expectancy, are doubtful of physicians’ ability to predict it, and feel discussing it is depressing. While participants were divided on whether the term “life expectancy” should be used, they preferred “this test will not extend your life” to “you may not live long enough to benefit from this test.”

The study is limited to one center with participants with high levels of trust in their established physician which may not reflect other patients. The study required self-reporting and thus is susceptible to recall bias. Decisions of hypothetical examples could be discordant with actual decisions a participant might make.

Bottom line: Elderly patients are amenable to stopping cancer screening when communicated by their established physician and prefer to not discuss life expectancy.

Citation: Schoenborn NL, Lee K, Pollack CE, et.al. Older adults’ views and communication preferences about cancer screening and cessation. JAMA Intern Med. 2017; 2017 Jun 12. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1778.

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

 

Clinical question: How do elderly patients feel about discontinuing cancer screening, and how should their doctors communicate this topic to them?

Background: Subjecting patients with limited life expectancy to cancer screening can cause harm, but patient preference on the subject and the manner physicians communicate this recommendation is unknown.

Study design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Four programs associated with an urban academic center.

Synopsis: Through interviews, questionnaires, and medical records of 40 community-dwelling adults, over the age of 65, the study found that participants support discontinuing cancer screening based on individual health status. Participants preferred that physicians use health and functional status rather than risks and benefits of test or life expectancy. They do not understand the predictors of life expectancy, are doubtful of physicians’ ability to predict it, and feel discussing it is depressing. While participants were divided on whether the term “life expectancy” should be used, they preferred “this test will not extend your life” to “you may not live long enough to benefit from this test.”

The study is limited to one center with participants with high levels of trust in their established physician which may not reflect other patients. The study required self-reporting and thus is susceptible to recall bias. Decisions of hypothetical examples could be discordant with actual decisions a participant might make.

Bottom line: Elderly patients are amenable to stopping cancer screening when communicated by their established physician and prefer to not discuss life expectancy.

Citation: Schoenborn NL, Lee K, Pollack CE, et.al. Older adults’ views and communication preferences about cancer screening and cessation. JAMA Intern Med. 2017; 2017 Jun 12. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1778.

Dr. Kochar is hospitalist and assistant professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Clinical question: What are the factors that increase risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in postoperative patients?

Background: CDI has become an important infectious etiology for morbidity, lengthy and costly hospital admissions, and mortality. This study focused on the risks for postoperative patients to be infected with C. diff. Awareness of the risk factors for CDI allows for processes to be implemented that can decrease the rate of infection.

Study design: Retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Multiple Veterans Health Administration surgery programs.

Synopsis: The study investigated 468,386 surgical procedures in 134 surgical programs in 12 subspecialties over a four-year period. Overall, the postoperative CDI rate was 0.4% per year. Rates were higher in emergency or complex procedures, older patients, patients with longer preoperative hospital stays, and those who received three or more classes of antibiotics. CDI in postoperative patients was associated with five times higher risk of mortality, a 12 times higher risk of morbidity, and longer hospital stays (17.9 versus 3.6 days) compared with those without CDI. Further studies with a larger population size will confirm the findings of this study.

The study was conducted on middle-aged to elderly male veterans, and it can only be assumed that these results will translate to other populations. Nevertheless, CDI can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and the study reinforces the importance of infection control and prevention to reduce CDI incidence and disease severity.

Bottom line: Postoperative CDI is significantly associated with the number of postoperative antibiotics, surgical procedure complexity, preoperative length of stay, and patient comorbidities.

Citation: Li X, Wilson M, Nylander W, Smith T, Lynn M, Gunnar W. Analysis of morbidity and mortality outcomes in postoperative Clostridium difficile infection in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMA Surg. 2015;25:1-9.

Clinical question: What are the factors that increase risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in postoperative patients?

Background: CDI has become an important infectious etiology for morbidity, lengthy and costly hospital admissions, and mortality. This study focused on the risks for postoperative patients to be infected with C. diff. Awareness of the risk factors for CDI allows for processes to be implemented that can decrease the rate of infection.

Study design: Retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Multiple Veterans Health Administration surgery programs.

Synopsis: The study investigated 468,386 surgical procedures in 134 surgical programs in 12 subspecialties over a four-year period. Overall, the postoperative CDI rate was 0.4% per year. Rates were higher in emergency or complex procedures, older patients, patients with longer preoperative hospital stays, and those who received three or more classes of antibiotics. CDI in postoperative patients was associated with five times higher risk of mortality, a 12 times higher risk of morbidity, and longer hospital stays (17.9 versus 3.6 days) compared with those without CDI. Further studies with a larger population size will confirm the findings of this study.

The study was conducted on middle-aged to elderly male veterans, and it can only be assumed that these results will translate to other populations. Nevertheless, CDI can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and the study reinforces the importance of infection control and prevention to reduce CDI incidence and disease severity.

Bottom line: Postoperative CDI is significantly associated with the number of postoperative antibiotics, surgical procedure complexity, preoperative length of stay, and patient comorbidities.

Citation: Li X, Wilson M, Nylander W, Smith T, Lynn M, Gunnar W. Analysis of morbidity and mortality outcomes in postoperative Clostridium difficile infection in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMA Surg. 2015;25:1-9.

Clinical question: What are the factors that increase risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in postoperative patients?

Background: CDI has become an important infectious etiology for morbidity, lengthy and costly hospital admissions, and mortality. This study focused on the risks for postoperative patients to be infected with C. diff. Awareness of the risk factors for CDI allows for processes to be implemented that can decrease the rate of infection.

Study design: Retrospective, observational study.

Setting: Multiple Veterans Health Administration surgery programs.

Synopsis: The study investigated 468,386 surgical procedures in 134 surgical programs in 12 subspecialties over a four-year period. Overall, the postoperative CDI rate was 0.4% per year. Rates were higher in emergency or complex procedures, older patients, patients with longer preoperative hospital stays, and those who received three or more classes of antibiotics. CDI in postoperative patients was associated with five times higher risk of mortality, a 12 times higher risk of morbidity, and longer hospital stays (17.9 versus 3.6 days) compared with those without CDI. Further studies with a larger population size will confirm the findings of this study.

The study was conducted on middle-aged to elderly male veterans, and it can only be assumed that these results will translate to other populations. Nevertheless, CDI can lead to significant morbidity and mortality, and the study reinforces the importance of infection control and prevention to reduce CDI incidence and disease severity.

Bottom line: Postoperative CDI is significantly associated with the number of postoperative antibiotics, surgical procedure complexity, preoperative length of stay, and patient comorbidities.

Citation: Li X, Wilson M, Nylander W, Smith T, Lynn M, Gunnar W. Analysis of morbidity and mortality outcomes in postoperative Clostridium difficile infection in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMA Surg. 2015;25:1-9.

Clinical question: What is the etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients?

Background: As the focus of healthcare changes to a quality-focused model, readmissions impact physicians, reimbursements, and patients. Understanding the cause of readmissions becomes essential to preventing them. The etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients has not specifically been studied.

Study design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Academic tertiary-care center.

Synopsis: Using administrative claims data, an analysis of 22,559 patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between 2009 and 2013 was performed. A total of 56 surgeons within eight surgical subspecialties were analyzed, showing that variation in 30-day readmissions was largely due to patient-specific factors (82.8%) while only a minority were attributable to surgical subspecialty (14.5%) and individual surgeon levels (2.8%). Factors associated with readmission included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and extended length of stay.

Further studies within this area will need to be conducted focusing on one specific subspecialty and one surgeon to exclude confounding factors. Additional meta-analysis can then compare these individual studies. A larger population and multiple care centers will also further validate the findings. Understanding the cause of the readmissions in postoperative patients can prevent further readmissions, improve quality of care, and decrease healthcare costs. If patient factors are identified as a major cause for readmissions in postoperative patients, changes in preoperative management may need to be made.

Bottom line: Postoperative readmissions are more dependent on patient factors than surgeon- or surgical subspecialty-specific factors.

Citation: Gani F, Lucas DJ, Kim Y, Schneider EB, Pawlik TM. Understanding variation in 30-day surgical readmission in the era of accountable care: effect of the patient, surgeon, and surgical subspecialties. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(11):1042-1049.

Clinical question: What is the etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients?

Background: As the focus of healthcare changes to a quality-focused model, readmissions impact physicians, reimbursements, and patients. Understanding the cause of readmissions becomes essential to preventing them. The etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients has not specifically been studied.

Study design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Academic tertiary-care center.

Synopsis: Using administrative claims data, an analysis of 22,559 patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between 2009 and 2013 was performed. A total of 56 surgeons within eight surgical subspecialties were analyzed, showing that variation in 30-day readmissions was largely due to patient-specific factors (82.8%) while only a minority were attributable to surgical subspecialty (14.5%) and individual surgeon levels (2.8%). Factors associated with readmission included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and extended length of stay.

Further studies within this area will need to be conducted focusing on one specific subspecialty and one surgeon to exclude confounding factors. Additional meta-analysis can then compare these individual studies. A larger population and multiple care centers will also further validate the findings. Understanding the cause of the readmissions in postoperative patients can prevent further readmissions, improve quality of care, and decrease healthcare costs. If patient factors are identified as a major cause for readmissions in postoperative patients, changes in preoperative management may need to be made.

Bottom line: Postoperative readmissions are more dependent on patient factors than surgeon- or surgical subspecialty-specific factors.

Citation: Gani F, Lucas DJ, Kim Y, Schneider EB, Pawlik TM. Understanding variation in 30-day surgical readmission in the era of accountable care: effect of the patient, surgeon, and surgical subspecialties. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(11):1042-1049.

Clinical question: What is the etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients?

Background: As the focus of healthcare changes to a quality-focused model, readmissions impact physicians, reimbursements, and patients. Understanding the cause of readmissions becomes essential to preventing them. The etiology of 30-day readmissions in postoperative patients has not specifically been studied.

Study design: Retrospective analysis.

Setting: Academic tertiary-care center.

Synopsis: Using administrative claims data, an analysis of 22,559 patients who underwent a major surgical procedure between 2009 and 2013 was performed. A total of 56 surgeons within eight surgical subspecialties were analyzed, showing that variation in 30-day readmissions was largely due to patient-specific factors (82.8%) while only a minority were attributable to surgical subspecialty (14.5%) and individual surgeon levels (2.8%). Factors associated with readmission included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, postoperative complications, and extended length of stay.

Further studies within this area will need to be conducted focusing on one specific subspecialty and one surgeon to exclude confounding factors. Additional meta-analysis can then compare these individual studies. A larger population and multiple care centers will also further validate the findings. Understanding the cause of the readmissions in postoperative patients can prevent further readmissions, improve quality of care, and decrease healthcare costs. If patient factors are identified as a major cause for readmissions in postoperative patients, changes in preoperative management may need to be made.

Bottom line: Postoperative readmissions are more dependent on patient factors than surgeon- or surgical subspecialty-specific factors.

Citation: Gani F, Lucas DJ, Kim Y, Schneider EB, Pawlik TM. Understanding variation in 30-day surgical readmission in the era of accountable care: effect of the patient, surgeon, and surgical subspecialties. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(11):1042-1049.

Clinical question: What is the incidence and outcome of patients with ischemic hepatitis?

Background: Ischemic hepatitis, or shock liver, is often diagnosed in patients with massive increase in aminotransferase levels most often exceeding 1000 IU/L in the setting of hepatic hypoperfusion. The data on overall incidence and mortality of these patients are limited.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Variable.

Synopsis: Using a combination of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, the study included 24 papers on incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis published between 1965 and 2015 with a combined total of 1,782 cases. The incidence of ischemic hepatitis varied based on patient location with incidence of 2/1000 in all inpatient admissions and 2.5/100 in ICU admissions. The majority of patients suffered from cardiac comorbidities and decompensation during their admission. Inpatient mortality with ischemic hepatitis was 49%.

Interestingly, only 52.9% of patients had an episode of documented hypotension.

Hospitalists taking care of patients with massive rise in aminotransferases should consider ischemic hepatitis higher in their differential, even in the absence of documented hypotension.

There was significant variability in study design, sample size, and inclusion criteria among the studies, which reduces generalizability of this systematic review.

Bottom line: Ischemic hepatitis is associated with very high mortality and should be suspected in patients with high levels of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase even in the absence of documented hypotension.

Citation: Tapper EB, Sengupta N, Bonder A. The incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2015;128(12):1314-1321.

Short Take

Music Can Help Ease Pain and Anxiety after Surgery

A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that music reduces pain and anxiety and decreases the need for pain medication in postoperative patients regardless of type of music or at what interval of the operative period the music was initiated.

Citation: Hole J, Hirsch M, Ball E, Meads C. Music as an aid for postoperative recovery in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2015;386(10004):1659-1671

Clinical question: What is the incidence and outcome of patients with ischemic hepatitis?

Background: Ischemic hepatitis, or shock liver, is often diagnosed in patients with massive increase in aminotransferase levels most often exceeding 1000 IU/L in the setting of hepatic hypoperfusion. The data on overall incidence and mortality of these patients are limited.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Variable.

Synopsis: Using a combination of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, the study included 24 papers on incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis published between 1965 and 2015 with a combined total of 1,782 cases. The incidence of ischemic hepatitis varied based on patient location with incidence of 2/1000 in all inpatient admissions and 2.5/100 in ICU admissions. The majority of patients suffered from cardiac comorbidities and decompensation during their admission. Inpatient mortality with ischemic hepatitis was 49%.

Interestingly, only 52.9% of patients had an episode of documented hypotension.

Hospitalists taking care of patients with massive rise in aminotransferases should consider ischemic hepatitis higher in their differential, even in the absence of documented hypotension.

There was significant variability in study design, sample size, and inclusion criteria among the studies, which reduces generalizability of this systematic review.

Bottom line: Ischemic hepatitis is associated with very high mortality and should be suspected in patients with high levels of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase even in the absence of documented hypotension.

Citation: Tapper EB, Sengupta N, Bonder A. The incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2015;128(12):1314-1321.

Short Take

Music Can Help Ease Pain and Anxiety after Surgery

A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that music reduces pain and anxiety and decreases the need for pain medication in postoperative patients regardless of type of music or at what interval of the operative period the music was initiated.

Citation: Hole J, Hirsch M, Ball E, Meads C. Music as an aid for postoperative recovery in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2015;386(10004):1659-1671

Clinical question: What is the incidence and outcome of patients with ischemic hepatitis?

Background: Ischemic hepatitis, or shock liver, is often diagnosed in patients with massive increase in aminotransferase levels most often exceeding 1000 IU/L in the setting of hepatic hypoperfusion. The data on overall incidence and mortality of these patients are limited.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting: Variable.

Synopsis: Using a combination of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, the study included 24 papers on incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis published between 1965 and 2015 with a combined total of 1,782 cases. The incidence of ischemic hepatitis varied based on patient location with incidence of 2/1000 in all inpatient admissions and 2.5/100 in ICU admissions. The majority of patients suffered from cardiac comorbidities and decompensation during their admission. Inpatient mortality with ischemic hepatitis was 49%.

Interestingly, only 52.9% of patients had an episode of documented hypotension.

Hospitalists taking care of patients with massive rise in aminotransferases should consider ischemic hepatitis higher in their differential, even in the absence of documented hypotension.

There was significant variability in study design, sample size, and inclusion criteria among the studies, which reduces generalizability of this systematic review.

Bottom line: Ischemic hepatitis is associated with very high mortality and should be suspected in patients with high levels of alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase even in the absence of documented hypotension.

Citation: Tapper EB, Sengupta N, Bonder A. The incidence and outcomes of ischemic hepatitis: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2015;128(12):1314-1321.

Short Take

Music Can Help Ease Pain and Anxiety after Surgery

A systematic review and meta-analysis showed that music reduces pain and anxiety and decreases the need for pain medication in postoperative patients regardless of type of music or at what interval of the operative period the music was initiated.

Citation: Hole J, Hirsch M, Ball E, Meads C. Music as an aid for postoperative recovery in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2015;386(10004):1659-1671

Clinical question: Does AIMS65 risk stratification score predict inpatient mortality in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB)?

Background: Acute UGIB is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which makes it crucial to identify high-risk patients early. Several prognostic algorithms such as Glasgow-Blatchford (GBS) and pre-endoscopy (pre-RS) and post-endoscopy (post-RS) Rockall scores are available to triage such patients. The goal of this study was to validate AIMS65 score as a predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB compared to these other prognostic scores.

Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care center in Australia, January 2010 to June 2013.

Synopsis: Using ICD-10 diagnosis codes, investigators identified 424 patients with UGIB requiring endoscopy. All patients were risk-stratified using AIMS65, GBS, pre-RS, and post-RS. The AIMS65 score was found to be superior in predicting inpatient mortality compared to GBS and pre-RS scores and statistically superior to all other scores in predicting need for ICU admission.

In addition to being a single-center, retrospective study, other limitations include the use of ICD-10 codes to identify patients. Further prospective studies are needed to further validate the AIMS65 in acute UGIB.

Bottom line: AIMS65 is a simple and useful tool in predicting inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB. However, its applicability in making clinical decisions remains unclear.

Citation: Robertson M, Majumdar A, Boyapati R, et al. Risk stratification in acute upper GI bleeding: comparison of the AIMS65 score with the Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scoring systems [published online ahead of print October 16, 2015]. Gastrointest Endosc. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2015.10.021.

Clinical question: Does AIMS65 risk stratification score predict inpatient mortality in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB)?

Background: Acute UGIB is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which makes it crucial to identify high-risk patients early. Several prognostic algorithms such as Glasgow-Blatchford (GBS) and pre-endoscopy (pre-RS) and post-endoscopy (post-RS) Rockall scores are available to triage such patients. The goal of this study was to validate AIMS65 score as a predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB compared to these other prognostic scores.

Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care center in Australia, January 2010 to June 2013.

Synopsis: Using ICD-10 diagnosis codes, investigators identified 424 patients with UGIB requiring endoscopy. All patients were risk-stratified using AIMS65, GBS, pre-RS, and post-RS. The AIMS65 score was found to be superior in predicting inpatient mortality compared to GBS and pre-RS scores and statistically superior to all other scores in predicting need for ICU admission.

In addition to being a single-center, retrospective study, other limitations include the use of ICD-10 codes to identify patients. Further prospective studies are needed to further validate the AIMS65 in acute UGIB.

Bottom line: AIMS65 is a simple and useful tool in predicting inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB. However, its applicability in making clinical decisions remains unclear.

Citation: Robertson M, Majumdar A, Boyapati R, et al. Risk stratification in acute upper GI bleeding: comparison of the AIMS65 score with the Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scoring systems [published online ahead of print October 16, 2015]. Gastrointest Endosc. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2015.10.021.

Clinical question: Does AIMS65 risk stratification score predict inpatient mortality in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleed (UGIB)?

Background: Acute UGIB is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which makes it crucial to identify high-risk patients early. Several prognostic algorithms such as Glasgow-Blatchford (GBS) and pre-endoscopy (pre-RS) and post-endoscopy (post-RS) Rockall scores are available to triage such patients. The goal of this study was to validate AIMS65 score as a predictor of inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB compared to these other prognostic scores.

Study Design: Retrospective, cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-care center in Australia, January 2010 to June 2013.

Synopsis: Using ICD-10 diagnosis codes, investigators identified 424 patients with UGIB requiring endoscopy. All patients were risk-stratified using AIMS65, GBS, pre-RS, and post-RS. The AIMS65 score was found to be superior in predicting inpatient mortality compared to GBS and pre-RS scores and statistically superior to all other scores in predicting need for ICU admission.

In addition to being a single-center, retrospective study, other limitations include the use of ICD-10 codes to identify patients. Further prospective studies are needed to further validate the AIMS65 in acute UGIB.

Bottom line: AIMS65 is a simple and useful tool in predicting inpatient mortality in patients with acute UGIB. However, its applicability in making clinical decisions remains unclear.

Citation: Robertson M, Majumdar A, Boyapati R, et al. Risk stratification in acute upper GI bleeding: comparison of the AIMS65 score with the Glasgow-Blatchford and Rockall scoring systems [published online ahead of print October 16, 2015]. Gastrointest Endosc. doi:10.1016/j.gie.2015.10.021.

Clinical question: Can cardiac catheterization prolong survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease?

Background: Previous results from the COURAGE trial found no benefit of percutaneous intervention (PCI) as compared to medical therapy on a composite endpoint of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or in total mortality at 4.6 years follow-up. The authors now report 15-year follow-up of the same patients.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: The majority of the patients were from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, although non-VA hospitals in the U.S. also were included.

Synopsis: Originally, 2,287 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and either an abnormal stress test or evidence of ischemia on ECG, as well at least 70% stenosis on angiography, were randomized to medical therapy or medical therapy plus PCI. Now, investigators have obtained extended follow-up information for 1,211 of the original patients (53%). They concluded that after 15 years of follow-up, there was no survival difference for the patients who initially received PCI in addition to medical management.

One limitation of the study was that it did not reflect important advances in both medical and interventional management of ischemic heart disease that have taken place since the study was conducted, which may affect patient mortality. It is also noteworthy that the investigators were unable to determine how many patients in the medical management group subsequently underwent revascularization after the study concluded and therefore may have crossed over between groups. Nevertheless, for now it appears that the major utility of PCI in stable ischemic heart disease is in symptomatic management.

Bottom Line: After 15 years of follow-up, there was still no mortality benefit to PCI as compared to optimal medical therapy for stable ischemic heart disease.

Citation: Sedlis SP, Hartigan PM, Teo KK, et al. Effect of PCI on long-term survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(20):1937-1946

Short Take

Cauti Infections Are Rarely Clinically Relevant and Associated with Low Complication Rate

A single-center retrospective study in the ICU setting shows that the definition of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is nonspecific and they’re mostly diagnosed when urine cultures are sent for workup of fever. Most of the time, there are alternative explanations for the fever.

Citation: Tedja R, Wentink J, O’Horo J, Thompson R, Sampathkumar P et al. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in intensive care unit patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015;36(11):1330-1334.

Clinical question: Can cardiac catheterization prolong survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease?

Background: Previous results from the COURAGE trial found no benefit of percutaneous intervention (PCI) as compared to medical therapy on a composite endpoint of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or in total mortality at 4.6 years follow-up. The authors now report 15-year follow-up of the same patients.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: The majority of the patients were from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, although non-VA hospitals in the U.S. also were included.

Synopsis: Originally, 2,287 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and either an abnormal stress test or evidence of ischemia on ECG, as well at least 70% stenosis on angiography, were randomized to medical therapy or medical therapy plus PCI. Now, investigators have obtained extended follow-up information for 1,211 of the original patients (53%). They concluded that after 15 years of follow-up, there was no survival difference for the patients who initially received PCI in addition to medical management.

One limitation of the study was that it did not reflect important advances in both medical and interventional management of ischemic heart disease that have taken place since the study was conducted, which may affect patient mortality. It is also noteworthy that the investigators were unable to determine how many patients in the medical management group subsequently underwent revascularization after the study concluded and therefore may have crossed over between groups. Nevertheless, for now it appears that the major utility of PCI in stable ischemic heart disease is in symptomatic management.

Bottom Line: After 15 years of follow-up, there was still no mortality benefit to PCI as compared to optimal medical therapy for stable ischemic heart disease.

Citation: Sedlis SP, Hartigan PM, Teo KK, et al. Effect of PCI on long-term survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(20):1937-1946

Short Take

Cauti Infections Are Rarely Clinically Relevant and Associated with Low Complication Rate

A single-center retrospective study in the ICU setting shows that the definition of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is nonspecific and they’re mostly diagnosed when urine cultures are sent for workup of fever. Most of the time, there are alternative explanations for the fever.

Citation: Tedja R, Wentink J, O’Horo J, Thompson R, Sampathkumar P et al. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in intensive care unit patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015;36(11):1330-1334.

Clinical question: Can cardiac catheterization prolong survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease?

Background: Previous results from the COURAGE trial found no benefit of percutaneous intervention (PCI) as compared to medical therapy on a composite endpoint of death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or in total mortality at 4.6 years follow-up. The authors now report 15-year follow-up of the same patients.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: The majority of the patients were from Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers, although non-VA hospitals in the U.S. also were included.

Synopsis: Originally, 2,287 patients with stable ischemic heart disease and either an abnormal stress test or evidence of ischemia on ECG, as well at least 70% stenosis on angiography, were randomized to medical therapy or medical therapy plus PCI. Now, investigators have obtained extended follow-up information for 1,211 of the original patients (53%). They concluded that after 15 years of follow-up, there was no survival difference for the patients who initially received PCI in addition to medical management.

One limitation of the study was that it did not reflect important advances in both medical and interventional management of ischemic heart disease that have taken place since the study was conducted, which may affect patient mortality. It is also noteworthy that the investigators were unable to determine how many patients in the medical management group subsequently underwent revascularization after the study concluded and therefore may have crossed over between groups. Nevertheless, for now it appears that the major utility of PCI in stable ischemic heart disease is in symptomatic management.

Bottom Line: After 15 years of follow-up, there was still no mortality benefit to PCI as compared to optimal medical therapy for stable ischemic heart disease.

Citation: Sedlis SP, Hartigan PM, Teo KK, et al. Effect of PCI on long-term survival in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(20):1937-1946

Short Take

Cauti Infections Are Rarely Clinically Relevant and Associated with Low Complication Rate

A single-center retrospective study in the ICU setting shows that the definition of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) is nonspecific and they’re mostly diagnosed when urine cultures are sent for workup of fever. Most of the time, there are alternative explanations for the fever.

Citation: Tedja R, Wentink J, O’Horo J, Thompson R, Sampathkumar P et al. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections in intensive care unit patients. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2015;36(11):1330-1334.

Clinical question: Have healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) guidelines improved treatment accuracy?

Background: Guidelines released in 2005 call for the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for patients presenting with pneumonia who have had recent healthcare exposure. However, there is scant evidence to support the risk factors they identify, and the guidelines are likely to increase use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Study design: Observational, retrospective.

Setting: VA medical centers, 2006–2010.

Synopsis: In this study, VA medical center physicians evaluated 95,511 hospitalizations for pneumonia at 128 hospitals between 2006 and 2010, the years following the 2005 guidelines. Annual analyses were performed to assess antibiotics selection as well as evidence of resistant bacteria from blood and respiratory cultures. Researchers found that while the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics increased drastically during the study period (vancomycin from 16% to 31% and piperacillin-tazobactam from 16% to 27%, P<0.001 for both), the incidence of resistant organisms either decreased or remained stable.  

Additionally, physicians were no better at matching broad-spectrum antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms at the end of the study period than they were at the start. They conclude that more research is urgently needed to identify patients at risk for resistant organisms in order to more appropriately prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics.

This study did not evaluate patients’ clinical outcomes, so it is unclear whether they may have benefitted clinically from the implementation of the guidelines. For now, the optimal approach to empiric therapy for HCAP remains undefined.

Bottom line: Despite a marked increase in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for HCAP in the years following a change in treatment guidelines, doctors showed no improvement at matching these antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms.

Citation: Jones BE, Jones MM, Huttner B, et al. Trends in antibiotic use and nosocomial pathogens in hospitalized veterans with pneumonia at 128 medical centers, 2006-2010. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(9):1403-1410.

Clinical question: Have healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) guidelines improved treatment accuracy?

Background: Guidelines released in 2005 call for the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for patients presenting with pneumonia who have had recent healthcare exposure. However, there is scant evidence to support the risk factors they identify, and the guidelines are likely to increase use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Study design: Observational, retrospective.

Setting: VA medical centers, 2006–2010.

Synopsis: In this study, VA medical center physicians evaluated 95,511 hospitalizations for pneumonia at 128 hospitals between 2006 and 2010, the years following the 2005 guidelines. Annual analyses were performed to assess antibiotics selection as well as evidence of resistant bacteria from blood and respiratory cultures. Researchers found that while the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics increased drastically during the study period (vancomycin from 16% to 31% and piperacillin-tazobactam from 16% to 27%, P<0.001 for both), the incidence of resistant organisms either decreased or remained stable.  

Additionally, physicians were no better at matching broad-spectrum antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms at the end of the study period than they were at the start. They conclude that more research is urgently needed to identify patients at risk for resistant organisms in order to more appropriately prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics.

This study did not evaluate patients’ clinical outcomes, so it is unclear whether they may have benefitted clinically from the implementation of the guidelines. For now, the optimal approach to empiric therapy for HCAP remains undefined.

Bottom line: Despite a marked increase in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for HCAP in the years following a change in treatment guidelines, doctors showed no improvement at matching these antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms.

Citation: Jones BE, Jones MM, Huttner B, et al. Trends in antibiotic use and nosocomial pathogens in hospitalized veterans with pneumonia at 128 medical centers, 2006-2010. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(9):1403-1410.

Clinical question: Have healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) guidelines improved treatment accuracy?

Background: Guidelines released in 2005 call for the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for patients presenting with pneumonia who have had recent healthcare exposure. However, there is scant evidence to support the risk factors they identify, and the guidelines are likely to increase use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Study design: Observational, retrospective.

Setting: VA medical centers, 2006–2010.

Synopsis: In this study, VA medical center physicians evaluated 95,511 hospitalizations for pneumonia at 128 hospitals between 2006 and 2010, the years following the 2005 guidelines. Annual analyses were performed to assess antibiotics selection as well as evidence of resistant bacteria from blood and respiratory cultures. Researchers found that while the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics increased drastically during the study period (vancomycin from 16% to 31% and piperacillin-tazobactam from 16% to 27%, P<0.001 for both), the incidence of resistant organisms either decreased or remained stable.  

Additionally, physicians were no better at matching broad-spectrum antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms at the end of the study period than they were at the start. They conclude that more research is urgently needed to identify patients at risk for resistant organisms in order to more appropriately prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics.

This study did not evaluate patients’ clinical outcomes, so it is unclear whether they may have benefitted clinically from the implementation of the guidelines. For now, the optimal approach to empiric therapy for HCAP remains undefined.

Bottom line: Despite a marked increase in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for HCAP in the years following a change in treatment guidelines, doctors showed no improvement at matching these antibiotics to patients infected with resistant organisms.

Citation: Jones BE, Jones MM, Huttner B, et al. Trends in antibiotic use and nosocomial pathogens in hospitalized veterans with pneumonia at 128 medical centers, 2006-2010. Clin Infect Dis. 2015;61(9):1403-1410.