Identifying Factors Associated With Code Status Changes After Emergency General Surgery

Surgical emergencies are time sensitive. Identifying patients who may benefit from preoperative goals of care discussions is critical to ensuring that operative intervention aligns with the patient's values. We sought to identify patient factors associated with acute changes in a patient's goals using code status change (CSC) as proxy.

A retrospective analysis of single-institution data for patients undergoing urgent laparotomy was performed. Patients were stratified based on whether a postoperative CSC occurred. Parametric, nonparametric, and regression analyses were used to identify variables associated with CSC.

Of 484 patients, 13.8% (n = 67) had a postoperative CSC. Patients with postoperative CSC were older (65 versus 60 years, P < 0.001). Odds of CSC were significantly higher in patients who were transferred between facilities (odds ratio [OR] 2.1), had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (3-4: OR 3.9, 5+: OR 6.8), and had a higher quick sequential organ failure assessment score (2: OR 5.0; 3: OR 38.7). Patients with anemia (OR 1.9) and active cancer (OR 3.0) had higher odds of CSC.

Timely intervention in emergency general surgery may result in high-risk interventions and subsequent complications that do not align with a patient's goals and values. Our analysis identified a subset of patients who undergo surgery and have a postoperative CSC leading to transition to comfort-focused care. In these patients, a pause in clinical momentum may help ensure operative intervention remains goal concordant.