Table 4:
Comparing Characteristics and Outcomes between Two VESPA Score Groups (N=462**)
| Characteristics & Outcomes | VESPA Score§ | P-Valueⱡ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low (n=262) | High (n=200) | ||
| Age, Mean | 78.5 | 78.1 | .46 |
| Positive Depression Screen*, N (%) | 25 (9.7) | 26 (13.3) | .23 |
| Failing Mini-Cog Test*, N (%) | 12 (5.3) | 13 (7.4) | .37 |
| Any Gait and Mobility Impairment*, N (%) | 97 (39.8) | 74 (40.0) | .95 |
| Surgery Type | <.001 | ||
| Dermatologic£ | 96 (36.6) | 39 (19.5) | |
| Gastrointestinal | 12 (4.6) | 74 (37.0) | |
| Urologic | 34 (13.0) | 56 (28.0) | |
| Breast | 64 (24.4) | 10 (5.0) | |
| Head and neck | 46 (17.6) | 17 (8.5) | |
| Other¥ | 8 (3.1) | 1 (0.5) | |
| Thoracic | 2 (0.8) | 3 (1.5) | |
| Length of Stay, Mean | 2.0 | 6.6 | <.001 |
| Any of the Following 4 Geriatric Complications, N (%) | 15 (5.7) | 79 (39.5) | <.001 |
| Delirium, N (%) | 4 (1.5) | 27 (13.5) | <.001 |
| Pressure Ulcer, N (%) | 1 (0.4) | 4 (2.0) | .17 |
| Fall, N (%) | 1 (0.4) | 6 (3.0) | <.05 |
| Malnutrition, N (%) | 14 (5.3) | 64 (32.0) | <.001 |
| Any of the Following 3 Surgical Complications, N (%) | 31 (11.8) | 59 (29.5) | <.001 |
| NSQIP Postoperative Occurrence, N (%) | 25 (9.5) | 54 (27.0) | <.001 |
| Death within 30 Days of Surgery, N (%) | 3 (1.1) | 4 (2.0) | .47 |
| Unplanned Readmission within 30 Days of Surgery, N (%) | 11 (4.2) | 16 (8.0) | .08 |
| Any of the Following 5 Geriatric Post-discharge Needs, N (%) | 83 (31.7) | 152 (76.0) | <.001 |
| Any new functional dependence before discharge, N (%) | 24 (9.2) | 102 (51.0) | <.001 |
| Unskilled needs at discharge, N (%) | 1 (0.4) | 5 (2.5) | .09 |
| Unpaid caregiving plan at discharge, N (%) | 19 (7.3) | 51 (25.5) | <.001 |
| Skilled needs at discharge (e.g., rehabilitation, nursing), N (%) | 70 (26.7) | 133 (66.5) | <.001 |
| Discharged to non-home location (ALF, PAR, or LTAC, or dead) or alternative living situation (e.g., moving in with a family member), N (%) | 18 (6.9) | 44 (22.0) | <.001 |
ALF = assisted living facility; PAR = Post-Acute Rehabilitation; LTAC = Long Term Acute Care; VESPA = Vulnerable Elders Surgical Pathways and outcomes Assessment; NSQIP = National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
These rows have missing observations, so the denominator has been adjusted accordingly for: VESPA depression (7 missing), fail Mini-Cog test (59 missing), any gait and mobility screen positive (32 missing).
Due to 18 missing observations in “patient reported inability to manage self-care alone after discharge”, which is a scoring question for the VESPA score, 462 patients had a VESPA score (instead of 480).
Low VESPA score group are those who had score <9, and high VESPA score group are those who had score ≥9.
P value of t-test for continuous variable and χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test (for cells with small size) for dichotomous variable.
Dermatologic procedures included skin cancer removal, subsequent skin graft for wound closure, or lymph node biopsy.
Other procedures include: Ophthalmologic procedures and removal of sarcoma