Biniam Kidane1,2, Binu Jacob3, Vaibhav Gupta2, John Peel2, Refik Saskin4, Thomas K Waddell2,5, Gail E Darling2,5. 1. Section of Thoracic Surgery, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada. 2. Division of Thoracic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 3. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Division of Thoracic Surgery, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Oesophagectomy is a complex operation with the potential for prolonged recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate healthcare resource utilization, specifically emergency department (ED) visits within 1 year of oesophagectomy, and to identify risk factors for ED visits and frequent ED use (FEDU). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive oesophagectomies for cancer in all Ontario hospitals was conducted using linked health data (2000-2012) including the ability to identify ED visits at non-index hospitals. Ontario has a single-payer healthcare system with a population of 13.8-million people. Multivariable regression was used to identify independent factors associated with ED visits and FEDU (≥3 ED visits) within 1 year after oesophagectomy. RESULTS: There were 3344 oesophagectomies with in-hospital mortality of 5.8% (n = 193). Of those discharged, 16.4% (n = 549), 36.0% (n = 1203) and 55.8% (n = 1866) had ED visits within 30 days, 90 days and 1 year, respectively. Higher comorbidity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.11, P < 0.0001], rurality (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.10-1.78, P = 0.006) and receipt of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (aOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 2.12-3.08, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for ED visits within 1 year of oesophagectomy. Thoracoscopic-assisted surgery was independently associated with decreased ED visits (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45-0.99, P = 0.049). Eight hundred and thirteen (24.3%) patients had FEDU. Higher comorbidity (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.08-1.14, P < 0.0001), rurality (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.31-2.10, P < 0.0001) and receipt of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (aOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.93-2.93, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for FEDU. One health region had more ED visits (P = 0.04) and more FEDU (P = 0.001) when compared with the other regions. There were higher ED visits and FEDU in the later years of the study period (both P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ED visits are common after oesophagectomy with almost 25% of patients having ≥3 visits and >50% having ≥1 visit within 1 year of oesophagectomy. We have identified demographic, surgical and regional risk factors for the potential targeted quality improvement.
OBJECTIVES: Oesophagectomy is a complex operation with the potential for prolonged recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate healthcare resource utilization, specifically emergency department (ED) visits within 1 year of oesophagectomy, and to identify risk factors for ED visits and frequent ED use (FEDU). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive oesophagectomies for cancer in all Ontario hospitals was conducted using linked health data (2000-2012) including the ability to identify ED visits at non-index hospitals. Ontario has a single-payer healthcare system with a population of 13.8-million people. Multivariable regression was used to identify independent factors associated with ED visits and FEDU (≥3 ED visits) within 1 year after oesophagectomy. RESULTS: There were 3344 oesophagectomies with in-hospital mortality of 5.8% (n = 193). Of those discharged, 16.4% (n = 549), 36.0% (n = 1203) and 55.8% (n = 1866) had ED visits within 30 days, 90 days and 1 year, respectively. Higher comorbidity [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.11, P < 0.0001], rurality (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.10-1.78, P = 0.006) and receipt of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (aOR = 2.55, 95% CI: 2.12-3.08, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for ED visits within 1 year of oesophagectomy. Thoracoscopic-assisted surgery was independently associated with decreased ED visits (aOR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45-0.99, P = 0.049). Eight hundred and thirteen (24.3%) patients had FEDU. Higher comorbidity (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.08-1.14, P < 0.0001), rurality (aOR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.31-2.10, P < 0.0001) and receipt of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy (aOR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.93-2.93, P < 0.0001) were independent risk factors for FEDU. One health region had more ED visits (P = 0.04) and more FEDU (P = 0.001) when compared with the other regions. There were higher ED visits and FEDU in the later years of the study period (both P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: ED visits are common after oesophagectomy with almost 25% of patients having ≥3 visits and >50% having ≥1 visit within 1 year of oesophagectomy. We have identified demographic, surgical and regional risk factors for the potential targeted quality improvement.