Use of a Telemedicine Risk Assessment Tool to Predict the Risk of Hospitalization of 496 Outpatients With COVID-19: Retrospective Analysis

BackgroundRisk assessment of patients with acute COVID-19 in a telemedicine context is not well described. In settings of large numbers of patients, a risk assessment tool may guide resource allocation not only for patient care but also for maximum health care and public health benefit.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to determine whether a COVID-19 telemedicine risk assessment tool accurately predicts hospitalizations.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of a COVID-19 telemedicine home monitoring program serving health care workers and the community in Atlanta, Georgia, with enrollment from March 24 to May 26, 2020; the final call range was from March 27 to June 19, 2020. All patients were assessed by medical providers using an institutional COVID-19 risk assessment tool designating patients as Tier 1 (low risk for hospitalization), Tier 2 (intermediate risk for hospitalization), or Tier 3 (high risk for hospitalization). Patients were followed with regular telephone calls to an endpoint of improvement or hospitalization. Using survival analysis by Cox regression with days to hospitalization as the metric, we analyzed the performance of the risk tiers and explored individual patient factors associated with risk of hospitalization.ResultsProviders using the risk assessment rubric assigned 496 outpatients to tiers: Tier 1, 237 out of 496 (47.8%); Tier 2, 185 out of 496 (37.3%); and Tier 3, 74 out of 496 (14.9%). Subsequent hospitalizations numbered 3 out of 237 (1.3%) for Tier 1, 15 out of 185 (8.1%) for Tier 2, and 17 out of 74 (23%) for Tier 3. From a Cox regression model with age of 60 years or older, gender, and reported obesity as covariates, the adjusted hazard ratios for hospitalization using Tier 1 as reference were 3.74 (95% CI 1.06-13.27; P=.04) for Tier 2 and 10.87 (95% CI 3.09-38.27; P<.001) for Tier 3.ConclusionsA telemedicine risk assessment tool prospectively applied to an outpatient population with COVID-19 identified populations with low, intermediate, and high risk of hospitalization.     

Patient-Reported Outcomes as Independent Prognostic Factors for Survival in Oncology: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesAssessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in oncology is of critical importance because it provides unique information that may also predict clinical outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of prognostic factor studies to examine the prognostic value of PROs for survival in cancer. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed for studies published between 2013 and 2018. We considered any study, regardless of the research design, that included at least 1 PRO domain in the final multivariable prognostic model. The protocol (EPIPHANY) was published and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42018099160).ResultsEligibility criteria selected 138 studies including 158 127 patients, of which 43 studies were randomized, controlled trials. Overall, 120 (87%) studies reported at least 1 PRO to be statistically significantly prognostic for overall survival. Lung (n = 41, 29.7%) and genitourinary (n = 27, 19.6%) cancers were most commonly investigated. The prognostic value of PROs was investigated in secondary data analyses in 101 (73.2%) studies. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was the most frequently used measure, and its physical functioning scale (range 0-100) the most frequent independent prognostic PRO, with a pooled hazard ratio estimate of 0.88 per 10-point increase (95% CI 0.84-0.92).ConclusionsThere is convincing evidence that PROs provide independent prognostic information for overall survival across cancer populations and disease stages. Further research is needed to translate current evidence-based data into prognostic tools to aid in clinical decision making.     

Concurrent and Predictive Validity of FRAIL-NH in Hospitalized Older Persons: An Exploratory Study

ObjectivesThe FRAIL-NH was originally developed for frailty assessment of nursing home (NH) residents. We aimed to compare concurrent, predictive, and known-groups validity between FRAIL-NH and FRAIL, using the Frailty Index (FI) as gold standard reference. We also examined for ceiling effect of both measures in the detection of severe frailty.DesignA secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study.Setting & ParticipantsOlder adults (mean age 89.4 years) hospitalized for an acute medical illness in a 1300-bed tertiary hospital.MeasurementsBaseline data on demographics, comorbidities, severity of illness, functional status, and cognitive status were gathered. We also captured outcomes of mortality, length of stay (LOS), institutionalization, and functional decline. For concurrent validity, we compared areas under the operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for both measures against the FI. For predictive validity, univariate analyses and multiple logistic regression were used to compare both measures against the adverse outcomes of interest. For known-groups validity, we compared both measures against comorbidities and functional status via 1-way analysis of variance, and dementia diagnosis via independent t test. Box plots were also derived to investigate for possible ceiling effect.ResultsBoth measures had good concurrent validity (both AUC > 0.8 and P < .001), with FRAIL-NH detecting more frailty cases (79.5% vs 50.0%). Although FRAIL-frail was superior for in-hospital mortality [6.7% vs 1.0%, P = .031, odds ratio (OR) 9.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09-79.20, P < .042] and LOS (10 vs 8 days, P = .043), FRAIL-NH-frail better predicted mortality (OR 6.62, 95% CI 1.91-22.94, P = .003) and institutionalization (OR 6.03, 95% CI 2.01-18.09, P = .001) up to 12 months postenrollment. Known-groups validity was good for both measures with FRAIL-NH yielding greater F values for functional status and dementia. Lastly, box plots revealed a ceiling effect for FRAIL in the severely frail group.Conclusions and ImplicationsThis exploratory study highlights the potential for expanding the role of FRAIL-NH beyond NH to acute care settings. Contrasted to FRAIL, FRAIL-NH had better overall validity with less ceiling effect in discrimination of severe frailty.     

Systems of care among children and youth with special health care needs with and without adverse childhood events: National Survey of Children's Health 2016–2017

BackgroundKnowledge of adverse childhood events (ACEs), the associated access to healthcare and unmet needs among children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) is limited.ObjectivesOur objectives were to compare the likelihood of CYSHCN versus non-CYSHCN experiencing one or more ACEs and document differences in receipt of recommended and needed health care among CYSHCN with and without ACEs.MethodsWe combined two years of data from the 2016 and 2017 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 71,181), providing a sample of 16,304 CYSHCN. Our primary outcome measures included eight adverse childhood events, compared to singular and aggregated ACEs among non-CYSHCN. We calculated associations between ACEs and secondary outcome measures for six components of well-functioning systems of care and unmet need for different types of health care using bivariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsCYSHCN were more likely to have each of the ACEs measured and were likelier to experience aggregated levels of ACEs compared to non-CYSHCN. The likelihood of CYSHCN having a medical home with family-centered and coordinated care decreased with increased ACEs, while one or more ACES increased the likelihood of having unmet needs for mental health care.ConclusionThe findings of the current study extend our understanding of the additional adverse event burden associated with special health care needs status, the accompanying limitations in access to family-centered and coordinated care in a medical home and unmet need for mental health care, indicating that much work remains in establishing appropriate care systems for this very vulnerable population.     

Complications following hysterectomy in women with intellectual and developmental disabilities

BackgroundLimited data exist on complications following hysterectomy among women with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).ObjectiveThe objective was to assess the frequencies of postoperative complications in women with IDD following hysterectomy.MethodsThe National Inpatient Sample from 2014 to 2017 was queried using codes from the International Classification of Disease 9th and 10th revisions to identify women over 15 years of age with a diagnosis of an IDD undergoing hysterectomy. Comparisons were made to women without IDD undergoing the same procedure. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine between group differences in the frequency of clinical post-surgical complications while adjusting for potential confounding variables.ResultsOf eligible women undergoing hysterectomy, 1,370 were identified as having IDD and 624,700 did not. Compared to controls, women with IDD were significantly younger (45 vs. 50 years, p < 0.001). Women with IDD were also more likely to have had governmental health insurance (83% vs. 34%, p < 0.001), an open hysterectomy approach (78% vs. 69%, p = 0.002), and longer hospital stays (4 vs. 3 days, p < 0.001). After adjusting for potential confounders, women with IDD had greater odds of postoperative urinary complications (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.18–11.83) and complications related to decubitus ulcer formation (OR 8.97, 95% CI 2.10–38.36).ConclusionsWomen with IDD have increased odds having urinary and decubitus ulcer complications following hysterectomy, compared to women without IDD. These results inform surgical decision-making and anticipatory guidance for these women and their caregivers.     

妊娠梅毒36例临床分析

目的回顾性分析妊娠梅毒36例,研究妊娠梅毒临床及辅助检查特点,寻求早期有效处置措施,改善妊娠结局,将梅毒对妊娠的危害降至最低。方法回顾性分析2016年6月至2020年10月于东台市中医院皮肤科性病中心门诊就诊的36例妊娠梅毒患者的资料,依次接受快速血浆反应素环状卡片试验(RPR)和梅毒螺旋体抗体明胶颗粒凝集试验(TPPA),并根据检查结果为患者实施有效治疗。结果36例妊娠梅毒患者RPR检查结果显示,滴度1∶2~1∶8之间18例,1∶16~1∶32之间12例,1∶32以上6例;TPPA检查显示患者均呈阳性。36例患者中1例临近分娩未接受治疗,1例青霉素过敏给予红霉素治疗,其余予以芐星青霉素治疗,患者中死胎1例,人工流产2例,自然流产2例。产后新生儿7例RPR阳性,TPPA检查显示均呈阳性;跟踪随访得知多数患者在1年内RPR结果转为阴性,仅有3例1年后转阴。结论妊娠梅毒患者早期运用RPR、TPPA检查方法进行诊断,并及时采取有效治疗方案进行处理,可有效预防不良妊娠结局,并改善新生儿预后情况。     

妊娠晚期羊水粪染与胎儿促红细胞生成素的关系

目的研究羊水粪染的脐带动脉血的促红细胞生成素(EPO)是否发生改变,以及这种变化是否受血气分析指标和孕周等因素影响.方法妊娠晚期孕妇82例,于胎儿娩出检测胎儿脐带动脉血的pH、pco2、po2、、so、HCO3、Too、ABE和EPO.EPO采用ELISA方法.分娩后记录孕妇年龄、分娩孕周、新生儿出生体重、Apgar评分、羊水粪染.根据是否羊水粪染分成两组,比较两组之间的差别.采用应用Logistic逐步回归(Backward和Forward模式)分析各因素独立对羊水粪染的影响.羊水粪染为因变量,孕周、孕妇年龄、新生儿出生体重、EPO、pH、pco2、po2、HCO3-、Tco2、ABE、so为自变量.结果羊水粪染组24例,无羊水粪染组58例.羊水粪染组的EPO浓度是无羊水粪染对照组的2倍[(52.84±10.40)mIU/ml,n=24;(25.04±4.04)mIU/ml,n=58;P＜0.05].两组之间的HCO3-、Too、ABE存在统计学差别(P＜0.05),但pH、pco、po2等其他指标无明显差别.Logistic逐步回归分析结果显示EPO、HCO3-、Tco2为与羊水粪染有关的自变量.结论EPO浓度的升高是导致羊水粪染的危险因素,羊水粪染是胎儿长期、慢性缺氧的结果.EPO浓度的升高对预测围生儿远期预后有一定的临床意义.     

Outcomes and factors associated with early mortality in pediatric postcardiotomy veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Mortality and morbidity of children received veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) support after cardiac surgery remain high despite remarkable advances in medical management and devices. The purpose of this study was to describe outcomes and risk factors of applying VA‐ECMO in the surgical pediatric population. We retrospectively analyzed 85 consecutive pediatric patients (aged <18 years) who received postcardiotomy VA‐ECMO from January 2010 to December 2018. Median (IQR) age at ECMO implantation in this cohort was 12.7 (6.4, 43.2) months, median weight was 8.5 (6.0, 12.8) kg, mean ECMO duration was 143.2 ± 81.6 hours and mean hospital length of stay was 48.4 ± 32.4 days. Seventy‐five patients (88.2%) were indicated for postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock. The successful ECMO weaning rate was 70.6% and in‐hospital mortality was 52.9%. The most common diagnosis was transposition of great arteries (n = 18, 21.2%), while acute kidney injury occurred most often (n = 64, 75.3%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, and nosocomial infection were positively correlated with in‐hospital mortality. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis presented that thrombocytopenia significantly increased the 180‐day mortality in patients with successful weaning. Therefore, multiple factors had adverse effects on prognosis. Patient selection and procedures from ECMO implantation to weaning need to be closely monitored and performed in a timely manner to improve outcome.     

A novel approach to delivery of extracorporeal support using a modified continuous flow ventricular assist device in a mid‐volume congenital heart program

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is an essential component of a modern congenital cardiac surgery program. The circuit components and bedside management team may, however, vary among institutions. Here, we evaluate our initial experience with a modified ventricular assist device—based ECLS circuit primarily managed by the bedside nurse. We hypothesize that our outcomes are comparable to Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) registry data. All patients who received ECLS from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2019 at a single institution were included. Primary outcomes were survival to ECLS decannulation and discharge or transfer. Secondary outcomes included complications from ECLS. Data were compared to available ELSO registry data. Thirty‐seven patients underwent 44 ECLS runs during the study period. Forty percent of patients had single ventricle physiology. Nearly 46% of patients received ECLS as part of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR). Survival to ECLS decannulation (68.2%) and survival to discharge or transfer (61.4%) did not differ from overall ELSO outcomes (69.7%, P = .870 and 50.7%, P = .136), as well as survival to discharge or transfer in a comparable cohort of ELSO centers (53.1%, P = .081). Patients with complications had a lower rate of survival to discharge or transfer but this did not reach statistical significance (47.7% vs. 75.0%, P = .455). Neurologic (50.0%), hemorrhagic (45.5%), and renal complications (31.8%) were most common in this cohort. A modified ventricular assist device‐based ECLS circuit with primary management by the bedside nurse can provide comparable support in a neonatal and pediatric cardiac surgery population. Cost analyses and further delineation of the complication profile are necessary for a complete characterization of this system.