Perioperative medicine & outcomes
Perioperative Continuation of Code-status Limitations and Early Postoperative Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors' conclusion
Among adults presenting for a procedure with code-status limitations, continuation of a nonfull code status was associated with higher early postoperative mortality.
Study context
- Population
- Adults ≥18 years presenting for a procedure under anesthesia with a code status other than full codenone excluded
- Participants
- 2,833 adults
- Exposure
- Not full code vs reversal to full code perioperatively
- Not full coden = 510
- Full coden = 2,323reference
- Outcome
- All-cause mortality
- Follow-up
- Within 3 days of the procedure
Methodological details5 hospitals within a single academic health system, multivariable logistic regression
- 5 hospitals within a single academic health system
- Multivariable logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Not full code vs Full codeAdjusted odds ratio (95% CI)
Adjusted for age, sex, ASA physical status, operative stress score, race
2.18(1.14–4.16)
Not full code vs Full codeAdjusted absolute risk difference (95% CI)
Not full code
1.43%(0.06%–2.95%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
| Outcome | Adjusted absolute risk difference (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Invasive hemodynamic monitoringMore common in not full code | 3.74% (0.91%–6.93%) | |
| −50510Difference (linear scale) |
Deaths within 3 days among those remaining hospitalized: after transition to comfort-focused care
- Died after transition to comfort-focused care
- 34 of 42 (81%)
Overall 3-day mortality
- Died within 3 days
- 44 (1.6%)
Original publication
Perioperative Continuation of Code-status Limitations and Early Postoperative Mortality: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Surg. Published 11 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →