Developing machine learning models to personalize care levels among emergency room patients for hospital admission

ObjectiveTo develop prediction models for intensive care unit (ICU) vs non-ICU level-of-care need within 24 hours of inpatient admission for emergency department (ED) patients using electronic health record data.Materials and MethodsUsing records of 41 654 ED visits to a tertiary academic center from 2015 to 2019, we tested 4 algorithms—feed-forward neural networks, regularized regression, random forests, and gradient-boosted trees—to predict ICU vs non-ICU level-of-care within 24 hours and at the 24th hour following admission. Simple-feature models included patient demographics, Emergency Severity Index (ESI), and vital sign summary. Complex-feature models added all vital signs, lab results, and counts of diagnosis, imaging, procedures, medications, and lab orders.ResultsThe best-performing model, a gradient-boosted tree using a full feature set, achieved an AUROC of 0.88 (95%CI: 0.87–0.89) and AUPRC of 0.65 (95%CI: 0.63–0.68) for predicting ICU care need within 24 hours of admission. The logistic regression model using ESI achieved an AUROC of 0.67 (95%CI: 0.65–0.70) and AUPRC of 0.37 (95%CI: 0.35–0.40). Using a discrimination threshold, such as 0.6, the positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity were 85%, 89%, 30%, and 99%, respectively. Vital signs were the most important predictors.Discussion and ConclusionsUndertriaging admitted ED patients who subsequently require ICU care is common and associated with poorer outcomes. Machine learning models using readily available electronic health record data predict subsequent need for ICU admission with good discrimination, substantially better than the benchmarking ESI system. The results could be used in a multitiered clinical decision-support system to improve ED triage.     

Assessing the quality of clinical and administrative data extracted from hospitals: the General Medicine Inpatient Initiative (GEMINI) experience

ObjectiveLarge clinical databases are increasingly used for research and quality improvement. We describe an approach to data quality assessment from the General Medicine Inpatient Initiative (GEMINI), which collects and standardizes administrative and clinical data from hospitals.MethodsThe GEMINI database contained 245 559 patient admissions at 7 hospitals in Ontario, Canada from 2010 to 2017. We performed 7 computational data quality checks and iteratively re-extracted data from hospitals to correct problems. Thereafter, GEMINI data were compared to data that were manually abstracted from the hospital’s electronic medical record for 23 419 selected data points on a sample of 7488 patients.ResultsComputational checks flagged 103 potential data quality issues, which were either corrected or documented to inform future analysis. For example, we identified the inclusion of canceled radiology tests, a time shift of transfusion data, and mistakenly processing the chemical symbol for sodium (“Na”) as a missing value. Manual validation identified 1 important data quality issue that was not detected by computational checks: transfusion dates and times at 1 site were unreliable. Apart from that single issue, across all data tables, GEMINI data had high overall accuracy (ranging from 98%–100%), sensitivity (95%–100%), specificity (99%–100%), positive predictive value (93%–100%), and negative predictive value (99%–100%) compared to the gold standard.Discussion and ConclusionComputational data quality checks with iterative re-extraction facilitated reliable data collection from hospitals but missed 1 critical quality issue. Combining computational and manual approaches may be optimal for assessing the quality of large multisite clinical databases.     

Economic burden of routine hematologic tests and intensive care unit observation for elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

BackgroundAnterior cervical discectomy and fusion is one of the most common surgical interventions performed by spine surgeons. As efforts are made to control healthcare spending because of the limited or capped resources offered by the National Health Insurance, surgeons are faced with the challenge of offering high-level patient care while minimizing associated healthcare expenditures. Routine ordering of postoperative hematologic tests and observational intensive care unit (ICU) stay might be areas of potential cost containment. This study was designed to determine the necessity of routine postoperative hematologic tests and ICU stay for patients undergoing elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and to investigate whether the elimination of unnecessary postoperative laboratory blood studies and ICU stay inhibits patient care.MethodsThe necessity for postoperative blood tests was determined if there were needs for a postoperative blood transfusion and hospital readmission within 1 month after surgery. The necessity for postoperative ICU observation was decided if immediate surgical intervention was required when any kind of complications occurred during the ICU stay.ResultsThere were 168 patients collected in the study. Among them, all had routine preoperative and postoperative blood tests and were transferred to ICU for observation. No need for blood transfusion was observed, and no patient required immediate surgical intervention when the complications occurred during the ICU stay.ConclusionCost savings per admission amounted to approximately 10% of the hospitalization cost by the elimination of unnecessary postoperative routine laboratory blood studies and observational ICU stay without waiving patient care in the current volatile, cost-conscious healthcare environment in Taiwan.     

Incidence of healthcare associated infection in the surgical ICU of a tertiary care hospital

Background

Healthcare associated infections (HAI) have taken on a new dimension with outbreaks of increasingly resistant organisms becoming common. Protocol-based infection control practices in the intensive care unit (ICU) are extremely important. Moreover, baseline information of the incidence of HAI helps in planning-specific interventions at infection control.

Methods

This hospital-based observational study was carried out from Dec 2009 to May 2010 in the 10-bedded surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary care hospital. CDC HAI definitions were used to diagnose HAI.

Results

A total of 293 patients were admitted in the ICU. 204 of these were included in the study. 36 of these patients developed HAI with a frequency of 17.6%. The incidence rate (IR) of catheter-related blood stream infections (CRBSI) was 16/1000 Central Venous Catheter (CVC) days [95% C.I. 9–26]. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) 9/1000 urinary catheter days [95% C.I. 4–18] and ventilator-associated pneumonias (VAP) 32/1000 ventilator days [95% confidence interval 22–45].

Conclusion

The HAI rates in our ICU are less than other hospitals in developing countries. The incidence of VAP is comparable to other studies. Institution of an independent formal infection control monitoring and surveillance team to monitor & undertake infection control practices is an inescapable need in service hospitals.     

Self-awareness of HbA1c and its association with glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes: A multicenter study

Objectives:To measure the self-awareness of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) prevalence among type 2 diabetic Saudi patients and its association with glycemic control, thereby identifying those factors that might affect their glycemic control.Methods:This multicenter study was carried out in outpatients’ diabetes clinics in tertiary hospitals in Riyadh, Qassim, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The data was collected using questionnaires. The subject’s self-awareness on the HbA1c test was assessed based on the combined score of 4 questions. The latest HbA1c result before the time of data collection was obtained from medical records. Data was analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical methods.Results:The prevalence of HbA1c self-awareness was approximately 44.5%. A total of 4 participants characteristics (glycemic control, education level, monthly income and number of follow-up visits) were associated with awareness of HbA1c. Whereas for better glycemic control; type of treatment, duration of diabetes, and self-awareness of HbA1c were independently statistically significantly associated.Conclusion:There is a positive association between HbA1c self-awareness and glycemic control. Glycemic control was good among those who were educated on the meaning of the test, their levels, and their target goal. Awareness among health care providers regarding the role of the patient’s education regarding their condition might help in providing the patient with optimal care. Further studies with different experimental designs are needed to study this association, which will contribute to the development of a structured educational program.     

Quality metrics and outcomes among critically ill patients in China: results of the national clinical quality control indicators for critical care medicine survey 2015–2019

Background:It is crucial to improve the quality of care provided to ICU patient, therefore a national survey of the medical quality of intensive care units (ICUs) was conducted to analyze adherence to quality metrics and outcomes among critically ill patients in China from 2015 to 2019.Methods:This was an ICU-level study based on a 15-indicator online survey conducted in China. Considering that ICU care quality may vary between secondary and tertiary hospitals, direct standardization was adopted to compare the rates of ICU quality indicators among provinces/regions. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify potential factors for in-hospital mortality and factors related to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs), and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).Results:From the survey, the proportions of structural indicators were 1.83% for the number of ICU inpatients relative to the total number of inpatients, 1.44% for ICU bed occupancy relative to the total inpatient bed occupancy, and 51.08% for inpatients with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores ≥15. The proportions of procedural indicators were 74.37% and 76.60% for 3-hour and 6-hour surviving sepsis campaign bundle compliance, respectively, 62.93% for microbiology detection, 58.24% for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis, 1.49% for unplanned endotracheal extubations, 1.99% for extubated inpatients reintubated within 48 hours, 6.38% for unplanned transfer to the ICU, and 1.20% for 48-hour ICU readmission. The proportions of outcome indicators were 1.28‰ for VAP, 3.06‰ for CRBSI, 3.65‰ for CAUTI, and 10.19% for in-hospital mortality. Although the indicators varied greatly across provinces and regions, the treatment level of ICUs in China has been stable and improved based on various quality control indicators in the past 5 years. The overall mortality rate has dropped from 10.19% to approximately 8%.Conclusions:The quality indicators of medical care in China''s ICUs are heterogeneous, which is reflected in geographic disparities and grades of hospitals. This study is of great significance for improving the homogeneity of ICUs in China.     

Haploidentical transplantation has a superior graft-versus-leukemia effect than HLA-matched sibling transplantation for Ph– high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background:Compared with human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched sibling donor (MSD) transplantation, it remains unclear whether haploidentical donor (HID) transplantation has a superior graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect for Philadelphia-negative (Ph–) high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). This study aimed to compare the GVL effect between HID and MSD transplantation for Ph– high-risk B-ALL.Methods:This study population came from two prospective multicenter trials ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01883180","term_id":"NCT01883180"}}NCT01883180, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02673008","term_id":"NCT02673008"}}NCT02673008). Immunosuppressant withdrawal and prophylactic or pre-emptive donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) were administered in patients without active graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) to prevent relapse. All patients with measurable residual disease (MRD) positivity posttransplantation (post-MRD+) or non-remission (NR) pre-transplantation received prophylactic/pre-emptive interventions. The primary endpoint was the incidence of post-MRD+.Results:A total of 335 patients with Ph– high-risk B-ALL were enrolled, including 145 and 190, respectively, in the HID and MSD groups. The 3-year cumulative incidence of post-MRD+ was 27.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 20.2%–34.7%) and 42.6% (35.5%–49.6%) in the HID and MSD groups (P = 0.003), respectively. A total of 156 patients received DLI, including 60 (41.4%) and 96 (50.5%), respectively, in the HID and MSD groups (P = 0.096). The 3-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 18.6% (95% CI: 12.7%–25.4%) and 25.9% (19.9%–32.3%; P = 0.116) in the two groups, respectively. The 3-year overall survival (OS) was 67.4% (95% CI: 59.1%–74.4%) and 61.6% (54.2%–68.1%; P = 0.382), leukemia-free survival (LFS) was 63.4% (95% CI: 55.0%–70.7%) and 58.2% (50.8%–64.9%; P = 0.429), and GVHD-free/relapse-free survival (GRFS) was 51.7% (95% CI: 43.3%–59.5%) and 37.8% (30.9%–44.6%; P = 0.041), respectively, in the HID and MSD groups.Conclusion:HID transplantation has a lower incidence of post-MRD+ than MSD transplantation, suggesting that HID transplantation might have a superior GVL effect than MSD transplantation for Ph– high-risk B-ALL patients.Trial registration:ClinicalTrials.gov: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01883180","term_id":"NCT01883180"}}NCT01883180, {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02673008","term_id":"NCT02673008"}}NCT02673008.     

Stroke risk prediction using machine learning: a prospective cohort study of 0.5 million Chinese adults

ObjectiveTo compare Cox models, machine learning (ML), and ensemble models combining both approaches, for prediction of stroke risk in a prospective study of Chinese adults.Materials and MethodsWe evaluated models for stroke risk at varying intervals of follow-up (<9 years, 0–3 years, 3–6 years, 6–9 years) in 503 842 adults without prior history of stroke recruited from 10 areas in China in 2004–2008. Inputs included sociodemographic factors, diet, medical history, physical activity, and physical measurements. We compared discrimination and calibration of Cox regression, logistic regression, support vector machines, random survival forests, gradient boosted trees (GBT), and multilayer perceptrons, benchmarking performance against the 2017 Framingham Stroke Risk Profile. We then developed an ensemble approach to identify individuals at high risk of stroke (>10% predicted 9-yr stroke risk) by selectively applying either a GBT or Cox model based on individual-level characteristics.ResultsFor 9-yr stroke risk prediction, GBT provided the best discrimination (AUROC: 0.833 in men, 0.836 in women) and calibration, with consistent results in each interval of follow-up. The ensemble approach yielded incrementally higher accuracy (men: 76%, women: 80%), specificity (men: 76%, women: 81%), and positive predictive value (men: 26%, women: 24%) compared to any of the single-model approaches.Discussion and ConclusionAmong several approaches, an ensemble model combining both GBT and Cox models achieved the best performance for identifying individuals at high risk of stroke in a contemporary study of Chinese adults. The results highlight the potential value of expanding the use of ML in clinical practice.     

Corticosteroid phobia: a questionnaire study using TOPICOP score

INTRODUCTIONTopical corticosteroids (TCS) are commonly used in dermatology for their anti-inflammatory action. The recent development of the TOPICOP© (Topical Corticosteroid Phobia) scale to assess steroid phobia has made the quantification and comparison of steroid phobia easier. The objective of this study was to assess the degree of steroid phobia at our institute and identify sources from which patients obtain information regarding TCS.METHODSA cross-sectional survey was performed of dermatology patients regardless of steroid use. TOPICOP scale was used for the survey. Sources from which patients obtained information were identified and their level of trust in these sources assessed.RESULTS186 surveys were analysed. The median domain TOPICOP subscores were 38.9% (interquartile range [IQR] 27.8%–50.0%, standard deviation [SD] 24.4%) for knowledge and beliefs, 44.4% (IQR 33.3%–66.7%, SD 24.4%) for fears and 55.6% (IQR 33.3%–66.7%, SD 27.2%) for behaviour. The median global TOPICOP score was 44.4% (IQR 33.3%–55.6%, SD 17.6%). Female gender was associated with higher behaviour, fear and global TOPICOP scores. There was no difference in the scores based on disease condition, steroid use, age or education. Dermatologists were the most common source of information on topical steroids and trust was highest in dermatologists.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of steroid phobia in our dermatology outpatient setting was moderately high, with gender differences. Dermatologists were the most common source of information on TCS, and it was heartening to note that trust was also highest in dermatologists. Strategies to target steroid phobia should take into account these factors.     

Incidence of high altitude pulmonary edema in low-landers during re-exposure to high altitude after a sojourn in the plains

Background

There is uncertainty whether acclimatized low-landers who return to high altitude after a sojourn at low altitude have a higher incidence of pulmonary edema than during the first exposure to high altitude.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study consisting of men ascending to 3400 m by road (N = 1003) or by air (N = 4178). The study compared the incidence of high altitude pulmonary edema during first exposure vs the incidence during re-exposure in each of these cohorts.

Results

Pulmonary edema occurred in 13 of the 4178 entries by air (Incidence: 0.31%, 95% CI: 0.18%–0.53%). The incidence during first exposure was 0.18% (0.05%–0.66%) and 0.36% (0.2%–0.64%) during re-exposure (Fisher Exact Test for differences in the incidence (two-tailed) p = 0.534). The relative risk for the re-exposure cohort was 1.95 (95% CI, 0.43%–8.80%). Pulmonary edema occurred in 3 of the 1003 road entrants (Incidence: 0.30%, 95% CI: 0.08%–0.95%). All three cases occurred in the re-exposure cohort.

Conclusion

The large overlap of confidence intervals between incidence during first exposure and re-exposure; the nature of the confidence interval of the relative risk; and the result of the Fisher exact test, all suggest that this difference in incidence could have occurred purely by chance. We did not find evidence for a significantly higher incidence of HAPE during re-entry to HA after a sojourn in the plains.     

探析1200例健康体检人群血糖、血脂及血压与肥胖、超重的关系

目的 对1200例健康体检人群中血脂及血糖、血压及超重、肥胖之间的联系进行分析探究。方法 选取在笔者单位接受健康体检的1200例作为本次研究对象,根据其体重指数分为正常人组、超重组以及肥胖组3组,分别检测其机体中血脂及血糖、血压水平情况,并对比分析。结果 肥胖组餐后2h血糖11.76±1.02mmol/L以及空腹血糖8.43±1.22mmol/L、糖化血红蛋白8.32%±1.45%与明显高于正常组餐后2h血糖6.39±1.02mmol/L以及空腹血糖4.21±0.36mmol/L、糖化血红蛋白3.45%±0.35%,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。肥胖组体检者的总胆固醇、甘油三酯及收缩压、舒张压等水平明显高于正常组研究对象,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 超重与肥胖体检者中其血脂及血糖、血压水平显著升高,且明显高于正常人,控制血压、血脂与血糖水平,能够降低肥胖与超重的发病人数,具有重要临床意义。     

Computerized Extraction of Information on the Quality of Diabetes Care from Free Text in Electronic Patient Records of General Practitioners

Objective

This study evaluated a computerized method for extracting numeric clinical measurements related to diabetes care from free text in electronic patient records (EPR) of general practitioners.

Design and Measurements

Accuracy of this number-oriented approach was compared to manual chart abstraction. Audits measured performance in clinical practice for two commonly used electronic record systems.

Results

Numeric measurements embedded within free text of the EPRs constituted 80% of relevant measurements. For 11 of 13 clinical measurements, the study extraction method was 94%–100% sensitive with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85%–100%. Post-processing increased sensitivity several points and improved PPV to 100%. Application in clinical practice involved processing times averaging 7.8 minutes per 100 patients to extract all relevant data.

Conclusion

The study method converted numeric clinical information to structured data with high accuracy, and enabled research and quality of care assessments for practices lacking structured data entry.     

Perioperative glycaemic control in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia: a survey of practices of Singapore ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative glycaemic control is an important aspect of clinical management in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. While poor long-term glycaemic control has significant implications for surgery, perioperative hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia may also compromise patient safety and surgical outcomes. We aimed to survey ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists on their approach and to identify the prevalent practice patterns in Singapore.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted in four public hospitals in Singapore with established ophthalmology and anaesthesia units. Respondents were approached individually, and the self-administered questionnaires comprised questions related to practice patterns, clinical scenarios and awareness of pre-existing guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 129 doctors responded to the questionnaire survey. 76 (58.9%) were from ophthalmology departments and 53 (41.1%) were from anaesthesia departments. The majority chose to withhold oral hypoglycaemic agents (82.9%) and/or insulin (69.8%), and keep the patient fasted preoperatively. A blood glucose level ≥ 17 mmol/L prompted 86.0%–93.8% of respondents to adopt a treat-and-defer strategy, while a level ≥ 23 mmol/L prompted 86.0%–96.9% of respondents to cancel the cataract surgery. The respondents were consistently more concerned about perioperative hyperglycaemia (n = 99, 76.7%) than intraoperative hypoglycaemia (n = 83, 64.3%).

CONCLUSION

The current study presented the prevalent practice patterns of ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists in the perioperative management of diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery in four public hospitals in Singapore. Further research in this field is required, and may be useful for the future formulation of formal guidelines and protocols.     

循证护理在ICU应激性高血糖患者血糖管理中的应用

目的探讨循证护理在ICU应激性高血糖患者血糖管理中的应用及效果。方法对73例入住ICU并出现应激性高血糖的患者采用循证护理的方法,确定血糖控制目标,合理应用胰岛素,并准确监测血糖。结果所有患者的血糖均控制在目标范围内,仅2例出现低血糖反应。结论循证护理的方法既能提高护理人员的自身素质和技能,又能有效控制ICU应激性高血糖患者的血糖水平,改善患者预后。     

Glucose control and mortality in critically ill patients

Context  Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill patients, even in those without diabetes mellitus. Aggressive glycemic control may reduce mortality in this population. However, the relationship between mortality, the control of hyperglycemia, and the administration of exogenous insulin is unclear. Objective  To determine whether blood glucose level or quantity of insulin administered is associated with reduced mortality in critically ill patients. Design, Setting, and Patients  Single-center, prospective, observational study of 531 patients (median age, 64 years) newly admitted over the first 6 months of 2002 to an adult intensive care unit (ICU) in a UK national referral center for cardiorespiratory surgery and medicine. Main Outcome Measures  The primary end point was intensive care unit (ICU) mortality. Secondary end points were hospital mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay, and predicted threshold glucose level associated with risk of death. Results  Of 531 patients admitted to the ICU, 523 underwent analysis of their glycemic control. Twenty-four–hour control of blood glucose levels was variable. Rates of ICU and hospital mortality were 5.2% and 5.7%, respectively; median lengths of stay were 1.8 (interquartile range, 0.9-3.7) days and 6 (interquartile range, 4.5-8.3) days, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that increased administration of insulin was positively and significantly associated with ICU mortality (odds ratio, 1.02 [95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.04] at a prevailing glucose level of 111-144 mg/dL [6.1-8.0 mmol/L] for a 1-IU/d increase), suggesting that mortality benefits are attributable to glycemic control rather than increased administration of insulin. Also, the regression models suggest that a mortality benefit accrues below a predicted threshold glucose level of 144 to 200 mg/dL (8.0-11.1 mmol/L), with a speculative upper limit of 145 mg/dL (8.0 mmol/L) for the target blood glucose level. Conclusions  Increased insulin administration is positively associated with death in the ICU regardless of the prevailing blood glucose level. Thus, control of glucose levels rather than of absolute levels of exogenous insulin appear to account for the mortality benefit associated with intensive insulin therapy demonstrated by others.      

Morbidity,mortality, and emerging drug resistance in Device-associated infections (DAIs) in intensive care patients at a 1000-bedded tertiary care teaching hospital

BackgroundDevice-associated infections (DAIs) such as ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line–associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), and catheter-related urinary tract infection (CAUTI) are principal contributors to health hazard and a major preventable threat to patient safety. Robust surveillance of DAI delineates infections, pathogens, resistograms, and facilitates antimicrobial therapy, infection-control, antimicrobial stewardship, and improvement in quality of care.MethodsThis prospective outcome surveillance study was conducted amongst 2067 ICU patients in a 1000-bedded teaching hospital. Clinical, laboratory, and environmental surveillance, as well as screening of health care professionals (HCPs) were conducted using the modified US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–National Healthcare Safety Network definitions and methods. Morbidity, mortality, and health-care indices were analyzed and two-tier infection prevention and control was promulgated.ResultsMean occupancy was 95.34% for 2061 patients of 7381 patients/bed/ICU days. One hundred seventeen episodes of DAI occurred in 1258 patients of 12,882 device-days with mean device utilization ratio of 1.79. Mean rate of DAI was 7.40 per 1000 device days. Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most commonly followed by Acinetobacter. Mean all-cause mortality in ICU was 24.85%, whereas all-cause mortality after DAI was 9.79%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence was 38.46% amongst health-care professionals.ConclusionMean rates of VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI were 20.69, 2.53, and 2.23 per 1000 device days comparable with Indian and global ICUs. Resolute conviction and sustained momentum in infection prevention and control is an essential step toward patient safety.     

Can we understand population healthcare needs using electronic medical records?

INTRODUCTIONThe identification of population-level healthcare needs using hospital electronic medical records (EMRs) is a promising approach for the evaluation and development of tailored healthcare services. Population segmentation based on healthcare needs may be possible using information on health and social service needs from EMRs. However, it is currently unknown if EMRs from restructured hospitals in Singapore provide information of sufficient quality for this purpose. We compared the inter-rater reliability between a population segment that was assigned prospectively and one that was assigned retrospectively based on EMR review.METHODS200 non-critical patients aged ≥ 55 years were prospectively evaluated by clinicians for their healthcare needs in the emergency department at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. Trained clinician raters with no prior knowledge of these patients subsequently accessed the EMR up to the prospective rating date. A similar healthcare needs evaluation was conducted using the EMR. The inter-rater reliability between the two rating sets was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa and the incidence of missing information was tabulated.RESULTSThe inter-rater reliability for the medical ‘global impression’ rating was 0.37 for doctors and 0.35 for nurses. The inter-rater reliability for the same variable, retrospectively rated by two doctors, was 0.75. Variables with a higher incidence of missing EMR information such as ‘social support in case of need’ and ‘patient activation’ had poorer inter-rater reliability.CONCLUSIONPre-existing EMR systems may not capture sufficient information for reliable determination of healthcare needs. Thus, we should consider integrating policy-relevant healthcare need variables into EMRs.     

Cardiovascular and renal burdens of metabolic associated fatty liver disease from serial US national surveys, 1999–2016

Background:Non-communicable chronic diseases have become the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. The trends and burden of “metabolic associated fatty liver disease” (MAFLD) are unknown. We aimed to investigate the cardiovascular and renal burdens in adults with MAFLD and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:Nationally representative data were analyzed including data from 19,617 non-pregnant adults aged ≥20 years from the cross-sectional US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey periods, 1999 to 2002, 2003 to 2006, 2007 to 2010, and 2011 to 2016. MAFLD was defined by the presence of hepatic steatosis plus general overweight/obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or evidence of metabolic dysregulation.Results:The prevalence of MAFLD increased from 28.4% (95% confidence interval 26.3–30.6) in 1999 to 2002 to 35.8% (33.8–37.9) in 2011 to 2016. In 2011 to 2016, among adults with MAFLD, 49.0% (45.8–52.2) had hypertension, 57.8% (55.2–60.4) had dyslipidemia, 26.4% (23.9–28.9) had diabetes mellitus, 88.7% (87.0–80.1) had central obesity, and 18.5% (16.3–20.8) were current smokers. The 10-year cardiovascular risk ranged from 10.5% to 13.1%; 19.7% (17.6–21.9) had chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Through the four periods, adults with MAFLD showed an increase in obesity; increase in treatment to lower blood pressure (BP), lipids, and hemoglobin A1c; and increase in goal achievements for BP and lipids but not in goal achievement for glycemic control in diabetes mellitus. Patients showed a decreasing 10-year cardiovascular risk over time but no change in the prevalence of CKDs, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Generally, although participants with NAFLD and those with MAFLD had a comparable prevalence of cardiovascular disease and CKD, the prevalence of MAFLD was significantly higher than that of NAFLD.Conclusions:From 1999 to 2016, cardiovascular and renal risks and diseases have become highly prevalent in adults with MAFLD. The absolute cardiorenal burden may be greater for MAFLD than for NAFLD. These data call for early identification and risk stratification of MAFLD and close collaboration between endocrinologists and hepatologists.     

CKD3~5期患者外周血T淋巴细胞CD154表达能力的变化

目的 探讨了CKD 3~5期患者外周血T淋巴细胞CD154表达能力的变化。 方法 以健康人外周血为对照组,以未接受血透析治疗的慢性肾脏病(CKD)3~5期(未透析组)及CKD 5期维持性血液净化治疗的患者(透析组)外周血为实验组,检测各组受试者外周血T淋巴细胞表达频率、CD3⁺CD8^-T细胞CD154的表达比例。 结果 与对照组相比,CKD 3~5期未透析患者外周血淋巴细胞中T细胞所占频率下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);CKD5期透析组与对照组比较差异无统计学意义(对照组为72.05%±2.65%;未透析组为63.06%±3.37%;透析组为68.92%±3.22%)。离子霉素联合佛波酯刺激全血后,各组表达CD154的CD3⁺CD8^- T细胞占CD3⁺CD8^- T细胞比例:未血液净化组(73.61%±1.91%)较对照组(79.78%±2.00%)及血液净化组(78.94%±2.47%)明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);提取PBMC后用离子霉素联合佛波酯刺激,各组间CD154表达差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。 结论 CKD 3~5患者存在CD3⁺CD8^- T细胞CD154表达能力下降,可能影响患者的免疫功能。     

Integrity of clinical information in radiology reports documenting pulmonary nodules

ObjectiveQuantify the integrity, measured as completeness and concordance with a thoracic radiologist, of documenting pulmonary nodule characteristics in CT reports and assess impact on making follow-up recommendations.Materials and MethodsThis Institutional Review Board-approved, retrospective cohort study was performed at an academic medical center. Natural language processing was performed on radiology reports of CT scans of chest, abdomen, or spine completed in 2016 to assess presence of pulmonary nodules, excluding patients with lung cancer, of which 300 reports were randomly sampled to form the study cohort. Documentation of nodule characteristics were manually extracted from reports by 2 authors with 20% overlap. CT images corresponding to 60 randomly selected reports were further reviewed by a thoracic radiologist to record nodule characteristics. Documentation completeness for all characteristics were reported in percentage and compared using χ² analysis. Concordance with a thoracic radiologist was reported as percentage agreement; impact on making follow-up recommendations was assessed using kappa.ResultsDocumentation completeness for pulmonary nodule characteristics differed across variables (range = 2%–90%, P < .001). Concordance with a thoracic radiologist was 75% for documenting nodule laterality and 29% for size. Follow-up recommendations were in agreement in 67% and 49% of reports when there was lack of completeness and concordance in documenting nodule size, respectively.DiscussionEssential pulmonary nodule characteristics were under-reported, potentially impacting recommendations for pulmonary nodule follow-up.ConclusionLack of documentation of pulmonary nodule characteristics in radiology reports is common, with potential for compromising patient care and clinical decision support tools.