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Biomedical subjects

Johan Kjaergaard

Publications and source records attributed to Johan Kjaergaard.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Risk factors for tissue and wound complications in gastrointestinal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections and disruption of sutured tissue are frequent complications following surgery. We aimed to assess risk factors predictive of tissue and wound complications in open gastrointestinal surgery. METHODS: Data from 4855 unselected patients undergoing open gastrointestinal surgery from 1995 through 1998 were recorded in a clinical database and validated. The database embraced variables related to patient history, preoperative clinical condition, operative findings and severity, and the surgeon's training. Variables predictive of surgical site infection and dehiscence of sutured tissue within 30 days after surgery were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Following elective operation, the incidence of tissue and wound complications was 6% compared with 16% in emergency surgery (P < 0.001). These complications resulted in prolonged hospitalization in 50% of the patients and a 3-fold higher risk of reoperation but not increased mortality. Factors associated with complications following elective operations were smoking, comorbidity, and perioperative blood loss. Following emergency operations, male gender, peritonitis, and multiple operations were predictors of complications. Irrespective of elective or emergency surgery, the type of operation was a predictor of complications. CONCLUSION: Factors known to affect the process of tissue and wound healing are independently associated with tissue and wound complications following gastrointestinal surgery.

Adult↗

[Clinical indicators and quality databases--a review].

This review states the work which has been done in Denmark on clinical indicators and large databases containing clinical data with nationwide coverage. The aim of the work was to obtain valid and reliable information on clinical quality to be used by clinicians, leaders, and the public. Nationally we have: 1) The needed experience related to identification and development of clinical indicators and construction of databases. 2) The necessary partners (scientific societies, hospital owners, primary care sector, and health authorities) are motivated and involved in a collaborative organisation. Nationally we lack: 1) Experience with implementation and use of clinical indicators. 2) An overview of the needed investments to ensure coverage of all important diseases, continuity in patient care, and improvement of the existing databases. 3) Fully integrated information systems.

Continuity of Patient Care↗

[IT systems for clinical databases--status and perspectives].

Generally, the use of clinical databases for quality development in the hospital sector has not been satisfactory. A substantial problem attaches to the IT systems used hitherto. This article describes a number of requirements which the National Indicator Project has specified for a forthcoming second generation of clinical database system. Besides, the second generation system Clinical Performance Measurements which is used in the Copenhagen Hospital Corporation for several disease areas and for The Danish Vascular Registry is described. This experience emphasizes the need for central management of development initiatives within clinical quality databases. The management must allow for coordination, rational management and experience-based further development of IT systems for the clinical databases and integration with present and forthcoming systems including electronic patient record systems. The management should also allow for the decisive interaction between clinical quality development and medical informatics.

Data Collection↗

Smoking is a risk factor for recurrence of groin hernia.

Studies of connective tissue from patients with inguinal hernia have shown that smoking may be associated with hernia formation due to a defective connective tissue metabolism. Whether smoking is a risk factor for recurrence, too, was examined in this study. From December 1990 through December 1995, 649 patients underwent hernia repair as open sutured repair (Cooper ligament or abdominal ring repair) or as open mesh repair. Five hundred forty-four eligible patients were evaluated for recurrence 2 years postoperatively. Association between recurrence and 17 patient-, disease-, and intraoperative variables were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. The results showed that smoking was significantly and independently associated with recurrence compared to nonsmoking [odds ratio (OR = 2.22; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.19-4.15)]. Open sutured repair compared to open mesh repair was the most significant predictor for recurrence (OR = 7.23; 95% CI = 3.01-17.37). Surprisingly, local anesthesia was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared to general anesthesia (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.19-5.09). Potential confounders and other risk factors for hernia recurrence such as age, alcohol consumption, previous surgery, and anatomical characteristics of the hernia were adjusted for in the analysis. In conclusion, smoking is an important risk factor for recurrence of groin hernia, presumably due to an abnormal connective tissue metabolism in smokers.

Adolescent↗