Nursing Home Resident Admission Characteristics and Potentially Preventable Emergency Department Transfers

ObjectivesTo determine which nursing home (NH) resident-level admission characteristics are associated with potentially preventable emergency department (PPED) transfers.DesignWe conducted a population-level retrospective cohort study on NH resident data collected using the Resident Assessment Instrument-Minimum Data Set Version 2.0 and linked to the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System for ED transfers.SettingWe used all NH resident admission assessments from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2018, in Ontario.ParticipantsThe cohort included the admission assessment of 56,433 NH residents.MethodsPPED transfers were defined based on the International Classification of Disease, Version 10 (Canadian) We used logistic regression with 10-fold cross-validation and computed average marginal effects to identify the association between resident characteristics at NH admission and PPED transfers within 92 days after admission.ResultsOverall, 6.2% of residents had at least 1 PPED transfer within 92 days of NH admission. After adjustment, variables that had a prevalence of 10% or more that were associated with a 1% or more absolute increase in the risk of a PPED transfer included polypharmacy [of cohort (OC) 84.4%, risk difference (RD) 2.0%], congestive heart failure (OC 29.0%, RD 3.0%), and renal failure (OC 11.6%, RD 1.2%). Female sex (OC 63.2%, RD -1.3%), a do not hospitalize directive (OC 24.4%, RD -2.6%), change in mood (OC 66.9%, RD -1.2%), and Alzheimer's or dementia (OC 62.1%, RD -1.2%) were more than 10% prevalent and associated with a 1% or more absolute decrease in the risk of a PPED.Conclusions and ImplicationsThough many routinely collected resident characteristics were associated with a PPED transfer, the absence of sufficiently discriminating characteristics suggests that emergency department visits by NH residents are multifactorial and difficult to predict. Future studies should assess the clinical utility of risk factor identification to prevent transfers.     

The 2006 California Heat Wave: Impacts on Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits

Background

Climate models project that heat waves will increase in frequency and severity. Despite many studies of mortality from heat waves, few studies have examined morbidity.

Objectives

In this study we investigated whether any age or race/ethnicity groups experienced increased hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits overall or for selected illnesses during the 2006 California heat wave.

Methods

We aggregated county-level hospitalizations and ED visits for all causes and for 10 cause groups into six geographic regions of California. We calculated excess morbidity and rate ratios (RRs) during the heat wave (15 July to 1 August 2006) and compared these data with those of a reference period (8–14 July and 12–22 August 2006).

Results

During the heat wave, 16,166 excess ED visits and 1,182 excess hospitalizations occurred statewide. ED visits for heat-related causes increased across the state [RR = 6.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 5.67–7.01], especially in the Central Coast region, which includes San Francisco. Children (0–4 years of age) and the elderly (≥ 65 years of age) were at greatest risk. ED visits also showed significant increases for acute renal failure, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, electrolyte imbalance, and nephritis. We observed significantly elevated RRs for hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses (RR = 10.15; 95% CI, 7.79–13.43), acute renal failure, electrolyte imbalance, and nephritis.

Conclusions

The 2006 California heat wave had a substantial effect on morbidity, including regions with relatively modest temperatures. This suggests that population acclimatization and adaptive capacity influenced risk. By better understanding these impacts and population vulnerabilities, local communities can improve heat wave preparedness to cope with a globally warming future.     

The Association between Long-Term Care Setting and Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations among Older Dual Eligibles

ObjectiveTo compare the probability of experiencing a potentially preventable hospitalization (PPH) between older dual eligible Medicaid home and community-based service (HCBS) users and nursing home residents.ConclusionsHCBS users’ increased probability for potentially and non-PPHs suggests a need for more proactive integration of medical and long-term care.     

Hospital Proximity and Emergency Department Use among Assisted Living Residents

ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between AL communities' distance to the nearest hospital and residents’ rates of emergency department (ED) use. We hypothesize that when access to an ED is more convenient, as measured by a shorter distance, assisted living (AL)-to-ED transfers are more common, particularly for nonemergent conditions.DesignRetrospective cohort study, where the main exposure of interest was the distance between each AL and the nearest hospital.Setting and Participants2018-2019 Medicare claims were used to identify fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥55 years residing in AL communities.MethodsThe primary outcome of interest was ED visit rates, classified into those that resulted in an inpatient hospital admission and those that did not (ie, ED treat-and-release visits). ED treat-and-release visits were further classified, based on the NYU ED Algorithm, as (1) nonemergent; (2) emergent, primary care treatable; (3) emergent, not primary care treatable; and (4) injury-related. Linear regression models adjusting for resident characteristics and hospital referral region fixed effects were used to estimate the relationship between distance to the nearest hospital and AL resident ED use rates.ResultsAmong 540,944 resident-years from 16,514 AL communities, the median distance to the nearest hospital was 2.5 miles. After adjustment, a doubling of distance to the nearest hospital was associated with 43.5 fewer ED treat-and-release visits per 1000 resident years (95% CI −53.1, −33.7) and no significant difference in the rate of ED visits resulting in an inpatient admission. Among ED treat-and-release visits, a doubling of distance was associated with a 3.0% (95% CI −4.1, −1.9) decline in visits classified as nonemergent, and a 1.6% (95% CI −2.4%, −0.8%) decline in visits classified as emergent, not primary care treatable.Conclusions and ImplicationsDistance to the nearest hospital is an important predictor of ED use rates among AL residents, particularly for visits that are potentially avoidable. AL facilities may rely on nearby EDs to provide nonemergent primary care to residents, potentially placing residents at risk of iatrogenic events and generating wasteful Medicare spending.     

Factors Associated With Emergency Department Use Among the Rural Elderly

Context: Emergency Department (ED) use among the rural elderly may present a different pattern from the urban elderly, thus requiring different policy initiatives. However, ED use among the rural elderly has seldom been studied and is little understood. Purpose: To characterize factors associated with having any versus no ED use among the rural elderly. Methods: A cross‐sectional and observational study of 1,736 Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older who live in nonmetropolitan areas. The data are from the 2002 to 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). A logistic regression model was estimated that included measures of predisposing characteristics, enabling factors, need variables, and health behavior as suggested by Anderson's behavioral model of health service utilization. Findings: During a 1‐year period, 20.8% of the sample had at least 1 ED visit. Being widowed, more educated, enrolled in Medicaid, with fair/poor self‐perceived physical health, respiratory diseases, and heart disease were associated with a higher likelihood of having any ED visits. However, residing in the western and southern United States and being enrolled in Medicaid managed care were associated with lower probability of having any ED visits. While Medicaid enrollees who reported excellent, very good, good, or fair physical health were more likely to have at least 1 ED visit than those not on Medicaid, Medicaid enrollees reporting poor physical health may be less likely to have any ED visits. Conclusion: Policy makers and hospital administrators should consider these factors when managing the need for emergency care, including developing interventions to provide needed care through alternate means.     

Copayments and Emergency Department Use Among Adult Medicaid Enrollees

A number of state Medicaid programs have recently proposed or implemented new or increased copayments for nonemergent emergency department (ED) visits. Evidence suggests that copayments generally reduce the level of healthcare utilization, although there is little specific evidence regarding the effectiveness of copayments in reducing nonurgent ED use among Medicaid enrollees or other low‐income populations. Encouraging efficient and appropriate use of healthcare services will be of particular importance for Medicaid programs as they expand under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This analysis uses national data from 2001 to 2009 to examine the effect of copayments on nonurgent ED utilization among nonelderly adult enrollees. We find that visits among Medicaid enrollees in state‐years where a copayment is in place are significantly less likely to be for nonurgent reasons. Our findings suggest that copayments may be an effective tool for reducing use of the ED for nonurgent care. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

应用临床路径对急诊外科住院病人进行健康教育的实践

目的:提高急诊外科住院病人健康教育质量,保证病人得到及时、有效的健康教育.方法:借鉴国外应用临床路径对病人实施整体护理的做法,应用临床路径对急诊外科病人进行健康教育.将2003年7月-9月200例急诊外科住院病人随机分成2组,实验组采用健康教育路径进行健康教育,对照组采用传统方法进行健康教育.结果:实验组接受健康教育的效果、对护理工作的满意度、健康教育达标率明显优于对照组(P《0.01).结论:应用临床护理路径对急诊住院病人实施健康教育是一种行之有效的健康教育管理模式.     

Decomposing Differences in Risk-Adjusted Rates of Emergency Department Visits Between Micropolitan and Urban Nursing Homes

ObjectivesNursing homes (NHs) in micropolitan areas are reported to have different facility and market factors than urban NHs, but how these factors contribute to differences in emergency department (ED) visits remains unknown. This study examined and quantified sources of micropolitan-urban differences in NH risk-adjusted rates of any ED visit, ED without hospitalization or observation stay (outpatient ED), and potentially avoidable ED (PAED) visits of long-stay residents.DesignThe 2011-2013 national Medicare claims and NH Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 were analyzed. We implemented generalized estimating equation models to examine micropolitan-urban differences in ED rates and Blinder-Oaxaca decompositions to quantify the contributions of NH and market factors.Setting and ParticipantsThe study cohort included 12,883 unique privately owned, freestanding NHs from urban and micropolitan areas.MeasuresQuarterly risk-adjusted rates of any ED visits, outpatient ED visits, and PAED visits were calculated from Medicare claims and MDS. NH and market characteristics were extracted from the Certification And Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting and Area Health Resources File.ResultsOver the study period, risk-adjusted rates averaged 10.2%, 3.4%, and 3.3% for any ED, outpatient ED, and PAED visits, respectively. Compared with urban NHs, micropolitan NHs reported similar rates of any ED, but significantly higher rates of outpatient ED and PAED (β = 0.20% and 0.27%; both P < .05). Observable differences in NH characteristics (eg, number of beds, percentage Medicare or Medicaid residents, and employment of nurse practitioners and physician assistants) explained more than 20% of the micropolitan-urban differences in rates of outpatient ED and PAED visits; market factors (mainly Medicare Advantage penetration) explained about 46% of the differences in rates of outpatient ED visits.Conclusions and ImplicationsCompared with urban NHs, micropolitan NHs tend to utilize more avoidable emergency care that can be partially explained by facility size, payer mix, use of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, and market structure.     

Diagnostic Testing in Long-Term Care and Resident Emergency Department Visits: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between rapid access to radiographs, blood tests, urine cultures, and intravenous (IV) therapy in a long-term care (LTC) home with resident transfers to the emergency department (ED).DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting and Participants21,811 residents living in 162 LTC homes in Ontario, Canada.MethodsWe administered a survey to LTC homes to collect wait times for radiographs, basic blood tests, urine culture, and IV therapy. Rapid availability was defined as typically receiving test results within 1 or 2 days, or same-day IV therapy. We linked the survey results to administrative data and defined a cohort of residents living in survey-respondent homes between January and May 2017. We followed residents in the linked administrative databases for 6 months, until discharge, or death. Two physicians identified diagnostic codes for ED visits that were potentially preventable with rapid availability of each of the 4 resources. Multilevel logistic regression models estimated associations between potentially preventable ED visits and rapid diagnostic tests and intravenous access while controlling for demographic characteristics, illness severity, LTC home size, chain status, and physician availability.ResultsRapid blood tests, radiographs, urine culture, and IV therapy were available in 55%, 47%, 34%, and 45% of LTC homes, respectively. LTC homes that were part of multihome chains were less likely to have rapid access to the 4 resources. Of the 4736 residents (27%) who visited an ED during follow-up, individuals from homes with rapid access to radiographs (odds ratio 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.66-0.97), urine culture (0.88, 0.72-1.08), blood tests (0.83, 0.69-1.00), and IV therapy (0.93, 0.70-1.23) tended to have fewer potentially preventable ED visits.Conclusions and ImplicationsRapid access to diagnostic testing and IV therapy in LTC reduced ED visits. Improving access to these resources may prevent ED visits and allow residents to stay home.     

The Nursing Home Effect: A Case Study of Residents With Potential Dementia and Emergency Department Visits

Objectives

The burden of potential dementia cases without formal diagnosis on the health care system is almost unknown. This study examined the impact of potential dementia without formal diagnosis on the rate of visits to hospital emergency department (ED) of nursing home (NH) residents.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

NHs (175) located in France.

Participants

A total of 5684 subjects who were living in the NH for at least 1 year.

Measurements

Information on NHs' characteristics and on NH residents' health was recorded by NH staff. Participants were divided in 3 groups according to their dementia status: diagnosed dementia, potential dementia without formal diagnosis, and nondementia. The outcome measure was a binary variable: ED visits in the last 12 months (yes vs no). A mixed-effects logistic regression was performed on ED visits accounting for the random effects of living in a particular NH.

Results

From the 5684 participants, 1036 had been seen in the ED. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) showed that having a potential dementia without formal diagnosis, compared with a diagnosed dementia, was associated with an increased probability of ED visits (AOR = 1.25, 95% confidence interval: 0.99–1.59, P = .061); however, when a random NH effect was entered into the model, the association between potential dementia without formal diagnosis and ED visits disappeared (AOR = 1.22, 95% confidence interval: 0.95–1.57, P = .11).

Conclusion

The association of potential dementia without formal diagnosis with ED visits varies across NHs. This intra-NH aspect (eg, organization and care habits) should be taken into account when examining the rates of hospitalization and possibly the use of health care services in general among NH residents.     

The Relationship Between Linkages to Behavioral Health Services in Pediatric Primary Care and Reductions in Non-urgent Emergency Department Visits Among Vulnerable Children

The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research - The integration of behavioral health (BH) services within pediatric primary care has been utilized as a way to address young...