Functional Status Is Associated With 30-Day Potentially Preventable Hospital Readmissions After Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Aged Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries

ObjectivesTo determine the association between patients' functional status at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and 30-day potentially preventable hospital readmissions. A secondary objective was to examine the conditions resulting in these potentially preventable readmissions.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingInpatient rehabilitation facilities submitting claims to Medicare.ParticipantsNational cohort (N=371,846) of inpatient rehabilitation discharges among aged Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in 2013 to 2014. The average age was 79.1±7.6 years. Most were women (59.7%) and white (84.5%).InterventionsNot applicable.Main Outcome Measures(1) Observed rates and adjusted odds of 30-day potentially preventable hospital readmissions after inpatient rehabilitation and (2) primary diagnoses for readmissions.ResultsThe overall rate of any 30-day hospital readmission after inpatient rehabilitation was 12.4% (n=46,265), and the overall rate of potentially preventable readmissions was 5.0% (n=18,477). Functional independence was associated with lower observed rates and adjusted odds ratios for potentially preventable readmissions. Observed rates for the highest versus lowest quartiles within each functional domain were as follows: self-care: 3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.3–3.5) versus 6.9% (95% CI, 6.7–7.1), mobility: 3.3% (95% CI, 3.2–3.4) versus 7.2% (95% CI, 7.0–7.4), and cognition: 3.5% (95% CI, 3.4–3.6) versus 6.2% (95% CI, 6.0–6.4), respectively. Similarly, adjusted odds ratios were as follows: self-care: .70 (95% CI, .67–.74), mobility: .64 (95% CI, .61–.68), and cognition: .84 (95% CI, .80–.89). Infection-related conditions (44.1%) were the most common readmission diagnoses followed by inadequate management of chronic conditions (31.2%) and inadequate management of other unplanned events (24.7%).ConclusionsFunctional status at discharge from inpatient rehabilitation was associated with 30-day potentially preventable readmissions in our sample of aged Medicare beneficiaries. This information may help identify at-risk patients. Future research is needed to determine whether follow-up programs focused on improving functional independence will reduce readmission rates.     

Lipoprotein(a): Pathophysiology,measurement, indication and treatment in cardiovascular disease. A consensus statement from the Nouvelle Société Francophone d’Athérosclérose (NSFA)

Central Illustration. Pathophysiological pathways providing a causal link between high plasma concentrations of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and atherosclerotic vascular disease and aortic valve stenosis (AVS). Clinical outcomes are related to accelerated atherosclerosis complicated by atherothrombosis (myocardial infarction, stroke), peripheral artery disease (PAD) or aortic valve replacement (AVR) caused by valve calcification and aortic stenosis. Apo(a): apolipoprotein(a); LDL: low-density lipoprotein; OxPL: oxidized phospholipids; NSFA: Nouvelle Société Francophone d’Athérosclérose; SP: serine-protease domain; V: plasminogen kringle V (reproduced with permission).

     

Is there shared decision making when the provider makes a recommendation?

Objective

To compare the amount of shared decision making in breast cancer surgery interactions when providers do and do not make a treatment recommendation.

Methods

We surveyed breast cancer survivors who were eligible for mastectomy and lumpectomy. Patients reported whether the provider made a recommendation and the recommendation given. They completed items about their interaction including discussion of options, pros, cons, and treatment preference. A total involvement score was calculated with higher scores indicating more shared decision making.

Results

Most patients (85%) reported that their provider made a recommendation. Patients who did not receive a recommendation had higher involvement scores compared to those who did (52% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.004). Type of recommendation was associated with involvement. Patients given different recommendations had the highest total involvement scores followed by those who received mastectomy and lumpectomy recommendations (65.5% vs. 42.5% vs. 33.2%, respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Providers were less likely to present a balanced view of the options when they gave a recommendation for surgery. Patients who received a recommendation for lumpectomy had the lowest involvement score.

Practice implications

Providers need to discuss both mastectomy and lumpectomy and elicit patients’ goals and treatment preferences regardless of whether or not a recommendation is given.     

各国生物类似药参照药管理比对研究及完善我国生物类似药参照药管理的建议

参照药是生物类似药研发的标杆,对参照药进行规范管理,有利于保证生物类似药的研发质量。通过对美欧日韩等国家以及WHO对于生物类似药参照药的相关要求进行对比研究,提炼管理要素;结合我国参照药的现状、设计问卷、开展调研和专家研讨;综合对比研究、调研和研讨,提出完善我国生物类似药参照药管理的建议及建议的考量。     

Association of provider recommendation and offer and influenza vaccination among adults aged ≥18 years – United States

BackgroundInfluenza vaccination has been recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months since 2010.MethodsData from the 2016 National Internet Flu Survey were analyzed to assess provider vaccination recommendations and early influenza vaccination during the 2016–17 season among adults aged ≥18 years. Predictive marginals from a multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify factors independently associated with early vaccine uptake by provider vaccination recommendation status.ResultsOverall, 24.0% visited a provider who both recommended and offered influenza vaccination, 9.0% visited a provider who only recommended but did not offer, 25.1% visited a provider who neither recommended nor offered, and 41.9% did not visit a doctor from July 1 through date of interview. Adults who reported that a provider both recommended and offered vaccine had significantly higher vaccination coverage (66.6%) compared with those who reported that a provider only recommended but did not offer (48.4%), those who neither received recommendation nor offer (32.0%), and those who did not visit a doctor during the vaccination period (28.8%). Results of multivariable logistic regression indicated that having received a provider recommendation, with or without an offer for vaccination, was significantly associated with higher vaccination coverage after controlling for demographic and access-to-care factors.ConclusionsProvider recommendation was significantly associated with influenza vaccination. However, overall, 67.0% of adults did not visit a doctor during the vaccination period or did visit a doctor but did not receive a provider recommendation. Evidence-based strategies such as client reminder/recall, standing orders, provider reminders, or health systems interventions in combination should be undertaken to improve provider recommendation and influenza vaccination coverage. Other factors significantly associated with a higher level of influenza vaccination included age ≥50 years, being Hispanic, having a college or higher education, having a usual place for medical care, and having public health insurance.     

Parent Readiness to Change Differs for Overweight Child Dietary and Physical Activity Behaviors

Parent involvement is important to help overweight children lose weight. However, parent readiness to make changes around child eating and physical activity (PA) behaviors can differ across domains. Using a cross-sectional design, our aim was to examine which factors were associated with parents being in the Action/Maintenance stage of change in each domain. From November 2008 to August 2009, parents of overweight/obese children (n=202) attending a tertiary care obesity clinic in Providence, RI, answered questions assessing their stage of change, beliefs about child health and weight, and provider behaviors. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were created to determine which factors were associated with parent readiness to make changes for child dietary and PA behaviors. Almost 62% of parents were in the Action stage of change for child dietary behaviors, but only 41% were in the Action stage of change for PA behaviors. Parents who believed their own weight was a health problem were less likely to be ready to make changes to their child's dietary behaviors. Physician discussion of strategies was related to readiness to make changes for child dietary behaviors, but not PA behaviors. In the PA domain, parents of younger children were more likely to be ready to make changes. Training health care providers to address PA readiness and be aware of factors influencing dietary and PA readiness may result in more effective conversations with parents and improve behavior change efforts for pediatric weight loss.     

Improving Patients' Experiences Communicating With Nurses and Providers in the Emergency Department

IntroductionAs health care becomes increasingly patient centered, organizations strive to improve patients’ ratings of satisfaction with care. Communication with nurses and providers drives overall satisfaction, yet little evidence exists to guide them in ensuring effective communication in the emergency department.MethodsA semistructured interview guide based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers survey was used to elicit qualitative data from 30 patients seen in the emergency department and fast track regarding communication with nurses and providers. Data were analyzed using content analysis methodology.ResultsTwo types of overarching themes emerged. Foundational themes include behaviors that convey courtesy and respect and are required for participants to view their interactions with nurses and providers as positive. Interactive themes describe humanistic ways in which nurses and providers conveyed courtesy and respect, reassurance through careful listening, attentiveness, and explaining things in an understandable way.DiscussionThe findings underscore existing evidence regarding patients’ perceptions of being treated with courtesy and respect via nurses’ and providers’ use of positive verbal phrasing and nonverbal body language. They reveal new insights into the importance of specific communication behaviors used by nurses and providers during interactions. Treating patients as individuals amidst a fast-paced care environment, proactively recognizing and responding to patients’ fears and concerns, and explaining information clearly to ensure understanding were critical.     

Health Care Provider in Triage to Improve Outcomes

ProblemEmergency departments throughout the nation are experiencing crowding related to increased patient volumes and decreased hospital inpatient bed capacity. As a result of lengthy wait times, patients are leaving without having medical treatment, and satisfaction is poor. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative was placing a provider in triage to complement the existing split-flow process aimed to decrease wait times to see a provider, length of stay (LOS), left without being seen (LWBS) rates, and improve patient satisfaction.MethodsA multiprofessional team was established. Nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians collaborated on a project to place a provider in triage to assist in seeing patients as soon as possible and begin care or treatment.ResultsThe outcomes of the initiative were positive for ED LOS metrics and patient satisfaction. Door-to-provider time decreased from a high of 56 minutes to a low of 13 minutes. The percentage of patients LWBS decreased from a high of 12% to a low of 1.62%.DiscussionThe project showed that the evidence-based practice of a combined split-flow and provider-in-triage model resulted in improvements in throughput for patients who were treated and released from the emergency department.