Complication rates had a significant direct path from
comorbidity (b = 0.27, P 0.001); patients who had
an additional comorbidity were likely to have slightly more complications (0.27 times). Hospital direct costs
varied significantly by surgeon (P 0.05).
Some nursing interventions were affected by patient
characteristics and context. Age and gender had significant
paths to a Blood Transfusion (b = 0.14, P = 0.039;
b = 0.17, P = 0.005); older persons and females were
more likely to need blood transfusions. Comorbidity
also had significant direct paths to four nursing
interventions: Blood Draw, Intramuscular (IM)/Subcutaneous
(SC) Administration, Core Unit Care and
Incentive Spirometry. Patients who had more comorbid
conditions were more likely to receive these nursing
interventions, and the dose of Incentive Spirometry and
Orthotics Management varied among surgeons.