Hospital and operator variations in drug-eluting stent use: a multi-level analysis of 5967 consecutive patients in Scotland

Austin, D. et al. (2008) Hospital and operator variations in drug-eluting stent use: a multi-level analysis of 5967 consecutive patients in Scotland. Journal of Public Health, 30(2), pp. 186-193. (doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdn016)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdn016

Abstract

Objective To determine whether drug-eluting stent (DES) use varies among Scottish hospitals, and the extent to which any variations are explained by differences between operators, patients and lesions. Methods Multi-level analysis of consecutive patients treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between April 2005 and March 2006 in Scotland, using the Scottish Coronary Revascularization Registry. Results A total of 38 operators performed 5967 PCI procedures on 8489 lesions. Crude level of DES use was 47.6%, and the results varied among hospitals (range 30.6-61.8%, chi(2) = 341.6, P < 0.0001). There was significant between-operator variation in the null model. This was attenuated by the addition of hospital as a fixed effect. Nonetheless, the final model demonstrated significant between-operator variability [sigma(2) = 0.486 (0.249-0.971)] and between-hospital variation, after case-mix adjustment. Conclusions Within Scotland, marked variation existed among hospitals in the use of DES. Operator was the most important factor at patient level, and hospital of treatment, rather than case-mix, was the most important modifier of between-operator variation. Patient selection for DES is complex and may contribute to much of the variations demonstrated. Consensus criteria would provide more detail than is included in current guidance, may aid decision-making for individual patients, reduce opportunity costs and ensure equity of access.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Austin, Dr David and Eteiba, Professor Hany and McConnachie, Professor Alex and Oldroyd, Dr Keith and Pell, Professor Jill
Authors: Austin, D., Oldroyd, K. G., McConnachie, A., Slack, R., Eteiba, H., Flapan, A. D., Jennings, K. P., Northcote, R. J., Pell, A. C. H., Starkey, I. R., and Pell, J. P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
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Journal Name:Journal of Public Health
ISSN:1741-3842

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