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Research: Treatment Facility Case Volume and Disparities in Outcomes of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Cases

Updated on 4 min read

J Pediatr Surg

. 2024 Feb 4:S0022-3468(24)00074-5.

 doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2024.01.042. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38413264/

Treatment Facility Case Volume and Disparities in Outcomes of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Cases

Sarah E Peiffer 1, Steven C Mehl 1, Paulina Powell 2, Timothy C Lee 1, Sundeep G Keswani 1, Alice King 3

Affiliations expand

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a life-threatening, prenatally diagnosed congenital anomaly. We aim to characterize care and outcomes of infants with CDH in Texas and the impact of treating facilities volume of care.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study using a state-wide Hospital Inpatient Discharge Public Use Data File was conducted (2013-2021). Neonates and infants <1 year of age were included using CDH ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. Neonates transferred to an outside hospital were excluded to avoid double-counting. Descriptive statistics, chi-square and logistic regression analysis were performed.

Results: Of 1314 CDH patient encounters identified, 728 (55%) occurred at 5 higher volume centers (HVC, >75 cases), 326 (25%) at 9 mid-volume centers (MVC, 20-75 cases) and 268 (20%) at 79 low volume centers (LVC, <20 cases). HVC had lower mortality rates (18%, MVC 22% vs LVC 27%; p = 0.011) despite treating sicker patients (extreme illness severity: HVC 71%, MVC 62% vs LVC 50%; p < 0.001) with longer length-of-stay (p < 0.001). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was used in 136 (10%) and provided primarily at HVC. LVC treated proportionately more non-white Hispanic patients (p < 0.001) and patients from counties along the Mexican border (p < 0.001). The predicted probability of mortality in CDH patients decreases with higher treatment facility CDH case volume, with a 0.5% decrease in the odds of mortality for every additional CDH case treated (p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Patients treated in HVC have significantly lower mortality despite increased severity. Our data suggest minority populations may be disproportionately treated at LVC associated with worse outcomes.

Type of study: Retrospective Prognosis Study.

Level of evidence: Level II.

Keywords: CDH; Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Fetal surgery; Hospital volume; Infants; Public health region.

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