BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks on emergency department (ED) utilization after hand and upper extremity surgery. METHODS: We reviewed all outpatient upper extremity surgeries performed in a single Midwestern state between January 2009 and June 2019 using the Indiana Network for Patient Care. These encounters were used to develop a database of patient demographics, comorbidities, concurrent procedures, and postoperative ED visit utilization data. We performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among 108 451 outpatient surgical patients, 9079 (8.4%) received blocks. Within 1 week of surgery, a greater proportion of patients who received peripheral nerve blocks (1.4%) presented to the ED than patients who did not (0.9%) (P < .001). The greatest risk was in the first 2 postoperative days (relative risk, 1.78; P < .001). Pain was the principal reason for ED utilization in the block cohort (53.6%) compared with those who did not undergo a block (35.1%) (P < .001). When controlling for comorbidities and demographics, only peripheral nerve blocks (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.71; P = 0.007) and preprocedural opioid use (adjusted OR, 1.43; P = .020) conferred an independently increased risk of ED utilization within the first 2 postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral nerve blocks used for upper extremity surgery are associated with a higher risk of unplanned ED utilization, most likely related to rebound pain. Through proper patient education and pain management, we can minimize this unnecessary resource utilization.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks on emergency department (ED) utilization after hand and upper extremity surgery. METHODS: We reviewed all outpatient upper extremity surgeries performed in a single Midwestern state between January 2009 and June 2019 using the Indiana Network for Patient Care. These encounters were used to develop a database of patient demographics, comorbidities, concurrent procedures, and postoperative ED visit utilization data. We performed univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Among 108 451 outpatient surgical patients, 9079 (8.4%) received blocks. Within 1 week of surgery, a greater proportion of patients who received peripheral nerve blocks (1.4%) presented to the ED than patients who did not (0.9%) (P < .001). The greatest risk was in the first 2 postoperative days (relative risk, 1.78; P < .001). Pain was the principal reason for ED utilization in the block cohort (53.6%) compared with those who did not undergo a block (35.1%) (P < .001). When controlling for comorbidities and demographics, only peripheral nerve blocks (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.71; P = 0.007) and preprocedural opioid use (adjusted OR, 1.43; P = .020) conferred an independently increased risk of ED utilization within the first 2 postoperative days. CONCLUSIONS: Peripheral nerve blocks used for upper extremity surgery are associated with a higher risk of unplanned ED utilization, most likely related to rebound pain. Through proper patient education and pain management, we can minimize this unnecessary resource utilization.
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Keywords:
anesthesia; diagnosis; disability; epidemiology; health policy; nerve; nerve injury; outcomes; pain; pain management; research and health outcomes; specialty; surgery; treatment
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