Colon Age: A Metric for Whether and How to Screen Male Veterans for Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

We aimed to develop a metric for estimating risk for early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) to help decide whether and how to screen persons < age 50. We used risk prediction models derived and validated on male veterans to calculate the RRs for six scenarios: one low-risk scenario (no risk factors present), four intermediate risk scenarios (some risk factors present), and one high-risk scenario (all risk factors present) for three age groups (35-39, 40-44, and 45-49 years). For each scenario, we estimated absolute colorectal cancer risk using Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results colorectal cancer incidence rates and each scenario's RR. We identified the current Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results 5-year age group to which the revised estimate was closest and refer to the midpoint of this group as the "colon age." When the revised estimate equals or exceeds that for 50- to 54-year-olds and for 70- to 74-year-olds, respective recommendations were made for (any) colorectal cancer screening and screening with colonoscopy. Among the scenarios, there was inconsistency between the two models for the 35 to 39 and 40 to 44 age groups, with only the 15-variable model recommending screening for the higher-risk 35- to 39-year-olds. Both models recommended screening for some intermediate risk and high-risk 40- to 44-year-olds. The models were well aligned on whether and how to screen most 45- to 49-year-olds. Using risk factors for EOCRC with colorectal cancer incidence rates, "colon age" may be useful for shared decision-making about whether and how to screen male veterans <50 years. For 45- to 49-year-olds, the 7-variable model may be preferred by patients, providers, and health systems. Prevention Relevance: A new metric known as "colon age" expresses risk of EOCRC based on biological risk and may be useful for providers to explain and for patients to understand colorectal cancer risk when considering whether and how to be screened for colorectal cancer prior to age 45 or 50.

Patterns of Opioid Prescriptions in the Veterans Health Administration for Patients With Chronic Low-Back Pain After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic led to severe disruptions in health care and a relaxation of rules surrounding opioid prescribing-changes which led to concerns about increased reliance on opioids for chronic pain and a resurgence of opioid-related harms. Although some studies found that opioid prescriptions increased in the first 6 months of the pandemic, we know little about the longer-term effects of the pandemic on opioid prescriptions. Further, despite the prevalence of pain in veterans, we know little about patterns of opioid prescriptions in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) associated with the pandemic. Using a retrospective cohort of VA patients with chronic low-back pain, we examined the proportion of patients with an opioid prescription and mean morphine milligram equivalents over a 3-year period-1 year prior to and 2 years after the pandemic's onset. Analyses revealed that both measures fell during the entire observation period. The largest decrease in the odds of filling an opioid prescription occurred in the first quarter of the pandemic, but this downward trend continued throughout the observation period, albeit at a slower pace. Clinically meaningful differences in opioid prescriptions and dose over time did not emerge based on patient race or rurality; however, differences emerged between female and male veterans, with decreases in opioid prescriptions slowing more markedly for women after the pandemic onset. These findings suggest that the pandemic was not associated with short- or long-term increases in opioid prescriptions or doses in the VA. PERSPECTIVE: This article examines opioid prescribing over a 3-year period-1 year prior to and 2 years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic-for VA patients with chronic low-back pain. Results indicate that, despite disruptions to health care, opioid prescriptions and doses decreased over the entire observation period.

Patient acceptance of teleneurology across neurologic conditions

INTRODUCTION

Patient acceptability with outpatient teleneurology has been reported within specific conditions, but less is known about acceptability across neurologic conditions. The study objective was to compare the acceptability of teleneurology between patients with various neurological conditions and determine what other factors influence acceptability.

METHODS

This was a prospective study of Veterans who completed new outpatient teleneurology visits with the Department of Veterans Affairs National Teleneurology Program. Visits were conducted via video to home or video to the outpatient clinic. Patient acceptability was assessed via telephone interview two weeks post-visit. Acceptability was a summed score (3-21) of three 7-point Likert questions (higher = more acceptable). Clinical diagnosis categories were based on the neurologists' ICD10 diagnosis code. Acceptability score was modeled using a censored Tobit model controlling for demographics, type of tele-visit, medical comorbidity, and ICD10 category.

RESULTS

In FY 2021, 277 of 637 (43.5%) patients completed an interview with analyzable acceptability data. Of these 277, 70 (25.3%) had codes indicating headache, 46 (16.6%) movement disorder, 45 (16.2%) general symptoms, and 116 (41.9%) for all other categories. Mean patient acceptability was 18.3 (SD 3.2). There was no significant difference in scores between these groups. The only factor independently related to acceptability was medical comorbidity, with higher comorbidity associated with higher acceptability scores.

DISCUSSION

Patients find their outpatient teleneurology experience highly acceptable independent of neurologic condition. Those with more comorbidity report higher acceptability. Use of teleneurology may be useful and acceptable across many outpatient neurologic conditions including for more medically complex patients.

Expanding Access to Comprehensive Geriatric Evaluation via Telehealth: Development of Hybrid-Virtual Home Visits

BACKGROUND

In response to the aging population, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) seeks to expand access to evidence-based practices which support community-dwelling older persons such as the Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (GRACE) program. GRACE is a multidisciplinary care model which provides home-based geriatric evaluation and management for older Veterans residing within a 20-mile drive radius from the hospital. We sought to expand the geographic reach of VA-GRACE by developing a hybrid-virtual home visit (TeleGRACE).

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to: (1) describe challenges encountered and solutions implemented during the iterative, pre-implementation program development process; and (2) illustrate potential successes of the program with two case examples.

DESIGN

Quality improvement project with longitudinal qualitative data collection.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The hybrid-virtual home visit involved a telehealth technician travelling to patients' homes and connecting virtually to VA-GRACE team members who participated remotely.

APPROACH & PARTICIPANTS

We collected multiple data streams throughout program development: TeleGRACE staff periodic reflections, fieldnotes, and team meeting notes; and VA-GRACE team member interviews.

KEY RESULTS

The five program domains that required attention and problem-solving were: telehealth connectivity and equipment, virtual physical examination, protocols and procedures, staff training, and team integration. For each domain, we describe several challenges and solutions. An example from the virtual physical examination domain: several iterations were required to identify the combination of telehealth stethoscope with dedicated headphones that allowed remote nurse practitioners to hear heart and lung sounds. The two cases illustrate how this hybrid-virtual home visit model provided care for patients who would not otherwise have received timely healthcare services.

CONCLUSIONS

These results provide a blueprint to translate an in-person home-based geriatrics program into a hybrid-virtual model and support the feasibility of using hybrid-virtual home visits to expand access to comprehensive geriatric evaluation and ongoing care for high-risk, community-dwelling older persons who reside geographically distant from the primary VA facility.

Communication and activation in pain to enhance relationships and treat pain with equity (COOPERATE): a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT

Racialized disparities in chronic pain care are well-documented and persist despite national priorities focused on health equity. Similar disparities have been observed in patient activation (ie, having the knowledge, confidence, and skills to manage one's health). As such, interventions targeting patient activation represent a novel approach to addressing and reducing disparities in pain care. Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity is a randomized controlled trial of a 6-session telephone-delivered intervention to increase patient activation for Black patients with chronic pain. Two hundred fifty Black patients from a Midwestern Veterans Affairs medical center were randomized to the intervention or attention control. The primary outcome was patient activation; secondary outcomes included communication self-efficacy, pain, and psychological functioning. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and at 3 (primary endpoint), 6, and 9 months (sustained effects). Analyses used an intent-to-treat approach. Compared with baseline, patient activation increased 4.6 points at 3 months (versus +0.13 in control group, 95% CI: 0.48, 7.34; P = 0.03). These improvements in the intervention group were sustained, with +7 from baseline at 6 months and +5.77 at 9 months, and remained statistically significant from the control group. Communication self-efficacy increased significantly relative to the control group from baseline to 3 months. Pain intensity and interference improved at 3 months, but differences were not significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Most other secondary outcomes improved, but group differences were not statistically significant after controlling for multiple comparisons. Results suggest that increasing patient activation is a potentially fruitful path toward improving pain management and achieving health equity.

Coming back for more: factors linked to higher participation among Veterans with chronic pain in an innovative VA-YMCA wellness clinic

In 2019, the Indianapolis VA developed a Wellness Clinic in partnership with the Young Men's Christian Associations (YMCA) to comprehensively address Veterans' chronic pain. Our specific aims were twofold: (1) to evaluate the implementation of the Veterans Health Indiana (VHI) Wellness Clinic on patient utilisation and (2) to evaluate patient functioning.We conducted a mixed-methods evaluation, which included the extraction of VA administrative data to identify a patient cohort; the conduct of chart review to extract clinic utilisation, clinical outcomes collected during pain-related healthcare services and comorbidities; and semistructured interviews with Veteran patients who used the VHI Wellness Clinic in different patterns to identify challenges and facilitators to clinic utilisation. We applied configurational analysis to a Veteran sample who had their first visit to the VHI Wellness Clinic in March/April 2019 to pinpoint difference-making factors linked to Veterans' successful participation.The cohort included 312 Veterans (83% male), mean age of 55.4 years. The configurational model included six factors: participation in physical therapy, pain psychology or pain education sessions (22%); presence of any 'no-shows' (57% had 0); history of depression (39%) and clinic referral source (51% self-referred from primary care). The model consisted of four different pathways to successful participation, explaining 60% of cases in the higher-participation group with 86% consistency. Patient outcomes after clinic utilisation demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported pain and pain catastrophising across time. Moreover, patients reported distance to clinic as both a facilitator and challenge.This mixed-methods analysis identified specific biopsychosocial factors and clinical services directly linked to higher Veteran participation in a new VA-YMCA Wellness Clinic. The VHI Wellness Clinic embedded within a YMCA facility is a feasible and efficacious healthcare delivery model for primary care patients experiencing chronic pain. Additional marketing to clinical providers for referrals and to patients to extend its reach is needed.

Real-world analysis of two ischaemic stroke and TIA systolic blood pressure goals on 12-month mortality and recurrent vascular events

INTRODUCTION

Whether obtaining the more intensive goal systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <130 mm Hg, rather than a less intensive SBP goal of <140 mm Hg poststroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is associated with incremental mortality and recurrent vascular event benefit is largely unexplored using real-world data. Lowering SBP excessively may result in poorer outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective cohort study of 26 368 Veterans presenting to a Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) with a stroke/TIA between October 2015 and July 2018. Patients were excluded from the study if they had missing or extreme BP values, receiving dialysis or palliative care, left against medical advice had a cancer diagnosis, were cared for in a VAMC enrolled in a stroke/TIA quality improvement initiative, died or had a cerebrovascular or cardiovascular event within 90 days after their index stroke/TIA. The analytical sample included 12 337 patients. Average SBP during 90 days after discharge was assessed in categories (≤105 mm Hg, 106-115 mm Hg, 116-130 mm Hg, 131-140 mm Hg and >140 mm Hg). Separate multivariable Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to examine the relationship between average SBP groups and time to: (1) mortality and (2) any recurrent vascular event, from 90 days to up to 365 days after discharge from the index emergency department visit or inpatient admission.

RESULTS

Compared with those with SBP>140 mm Hg, patients with SBP between 116 and 130 mm Hg had a significantly lower risk of recurrent stroke/TIA (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.60 to 0.99) but not cardiovascular events. Patients with SBP lower than 105 mm Hg, compared with those with >140 mm Hg demonstrated a statistically significant higher risk of death (HR 2.07, 95% CI 1.43 to 3.00), but no statistical differences were found in other SBP groups.

DISCUSSION

Data support a more intensive SBP goal to prevent recurrent cerebrovascular events among stroke/TIA patients by 90 days poststroke/TIA compared with less intensive goal. Very low SBPs were associated with increased mortality risk.

Development and validation of a model predicting mild stroke severity on admission using electronic health record data

OBJECTIVE

Initial stroke severity is a potent modifier of stroke outcomes but this information is difficult to obtain from electronic health record (EHR) data. This limits the ability to risk-adjust for evaluations of stroke care and outcomes at a population level. The purpose of this analysis was to develop and validate a predictive model of initial stroke severity using EHR data elements.

METHODS

This observational cohort included individuals admitted to a US Department of Veterans Affairs hospital with an ischemic stroke. We extracted 65 independent predictors from the EHR. The primary analysis modeled mild (NIHSS score 0-3) versus moderate/severe stroke (NIHSS score ≥4) using multiple logistic regression. Model validation included: (1) splitting the cohort into derivation (65%) and validation (35%) samples and (2) evaluating how the predicted stroke severity performed in regard to 30-day mortality risk stratification.

RESULTS

The sample comprised 15,346 individuals with ischemic stroke (n = 10,000 derivation; n = 5,346 validation). The final model included 15 variables and correctly classified 70.4% derivation sample patients and 69.4% validation sample patients. The areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.76 (derivation) and 0.76 (validation). In the validation sample, the model performed similarly to the observed NIHSS in terms of the association with 30-day mortality (AUC: 0.72 observed NIHSS, 0.70 predicted NIHSS).

CONCLUSIONS

EHR data can be used to construct a surrogate measure of initial stroke severity. Further research is needed to better differentiate moderate and severe strokes, enhance stroke severity classification, and how to incorporate these measures in evaluations of stroke care and outcomes.

Risk Factors for Early-onset Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Male Veterans

Identifying risk factors for early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) could help reverse its rising incidence through risk factor reduction and/or early screening. We sought to identify EOCRC risk factors that could be used for decisions about early screening. Using electronic databases and medical record review, we compared male veterans ages 35 to 49 years diagnosed with sporadic EOCRC (2008-2015) matched 1:4 to clinic and colonoscopy controls without colorectal cancer, excluding those with established inflammatory bowel disease, high-risk polyposis, and nonpolyposis syndromes, prior bowel resection, and high-risk family history. We ascertained sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, family and personal medical history, physical measures, vital signs, medications, and laboratory values 6 to 18 months prior to case diagnosis. In the derivation cohort (75% of the total sample), univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to derive a full model and a more parsimonious model. Both models were tested using a validation cohort. Among 600 cases of sporadic EOCRC [mean (SD) age 45.2 (3.5) years; 66% White], 1,200 primary care clinic controls [43.4 (4.2) years; 68% White], and 1,200 colonoscopy controls [44.7 (3.8) years; 63% White], independent risk factors included age, cohabitation and employment status, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, colorectal cancer, or other visceral cancer in a first- or second-degree relative (FDR or SDR), alcohol use, exercise, hyperlipidemia, use of statins, NSAIDs, and multivitamins. Validation c-statistics were 0.75-0.76 for the full model and 0.74-0.75 for the parsimonious model, respectively. These independent risk factors for EOCRC may identify veterans for whom colorectal cancer screening prior to age 45 or 50 years should be considered.

PREVENTION RELEVANCE

Screening 45- to 49-year-olds for colorectal cancer is relatively new with uncertain uptake thus far. Furthermore, half of EOCRC occurs in persons < 45 years old. Using risk factors may help 45- to 49-year-olds accept screening and may identify younger persons for whom earlier screening should be considered. See related Spotlight, p. 479.

The VA National TeleNeurology Program implementation: a mixed-methods evaluation guided by RE-AIM framework

Introduction

The Veteran Affairs (VA) Office of Rural Health (ORH) funded the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National TeleNeurology Program (NTNP) as an Enterprise-Wide Initiative (EWI). NTNP is an innovative healthcare delivery model designed to fill the patient access gap for outpatient neurological care especially for Veterans residing in rural communities. The specific aim was to apply the RE-AIM framework in a pragmatic evaluation of NTNP services.

Materials and methods

We conducted a prospective implementation evaluation. Guided by the pragmatic application of the RE-AIM framework, we conceptualized a mixed-methods evaluation for key metrics: (1) reach into the Veteran patient population assessed as total NTNP new patient consult volume and total NTNP clinical encounters (new and return); (2) effectiveness through configurational analysis of conditions leading to high Veteran satisfaction and referring providers perceived effectiveness; (3) adoption and implementation by VA sites through site staff and NTNP interviews; (4) implementation success through perceived management, implementation barriers, facilitators, and adaptations and through rapid qualitative analysis of multiple stakeholders' assessments; and (5) maintenance of NTNP through monitoring quarterly TeleNeurology consultation volume.

Results

NTNP was successfully implemented in 13 VA Medical Centers over 2 years. The total NTNP new patient consult volume in fiscal year 2021 (FY21) was 836 (58% rurally residing); this increased to 1,706 in fiscal year 2022 (FY22) (55% rurally residing). Total (new and follow-up) NTNP clinical encounters were 1,306 in FY21 and 3,730 in FY22. Overall, the sites reported positive experiences with program implementation and perceived that the program was serving Veterans with little access to neurological care. Veterans also reported high satisfaction with the NTNP program. We identified the patient level of perceived excellent teleneurologist-patient communications, reduced need to drive to get care, and that NTNP provided care that the Veteran otherwise could not access as key factors related to high Veteran satisfaction.

Conclusions

The VA NTNP demonstrated substantial reach, adoption, effectiveness, implementation success, and maintenance over the first 2 years of the program. The NTNP was highly acceptable to both the clinical providers making the referrals and the Veterans receiving the referred video care. The pragmatic application of the RE-AIM framework to guide implementation evaluations is appropriate, comprehensive, and recommended for future applications.

A developmental formative evaluation of a pilot participatory music program for veterans with housing insecurity

BACKGROUND

Interventions are needed to improve well-being and promote community reintegration among Veterans with housing insecurity. The objective was to conduct a developmental formative evaluation of a participatory music program.

METHODS

This single-site, pilot study implemented a participatory music program at a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Homeless Domiciliary that included one-hour sessions (group music instruction and ensemble playing), 3 times per week for 3 months. Intervention development was guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO). Evaluation was guided by the MOHO and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Evaluation (CFIR). Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured interviews from participants and non-participants, and were analyzed using an interdisciplinary, constant comparison qualitative analysis technique.

RESULTS

Sixteen program participants and 8 non-participants were enrolled, age range 26-59 (mean 41; standard deviation, 11) years; 75% were White. The sample for this study (N = 12) included five participants and seven non-participants. Semi-structured interview responses produced three salient themes illuminating Veterans' perspectives: (1) key characteristics of the intervention (the relative advantage of the participatory program over other problem-focused programs; the importance of a supportive, encouraging teaching; the group setting; the role of music); (2) the therapeutic power of the program (based on it being enjoyable; and serving as an escape from preoccupations); and (3) the context and culture (which included Veterans supporting each other and the Domiciliary setting).

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans described the benefits of a participatory music intervention compared to problem-based groups, which included enjoyment, skill acquisition facilitating pride, escape, reconnecting with their identity prior to current problems, and experiencing positive aspects of Veteran culture such as mutual support and discipline. These data support ongoing research about participatory music programs to support Veterans with housing insecurity.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on blood pressure control after a stroke or transient ischemic attack among patients at VA medical centers

OBJECTIVE

To study factors associated with systolic blood pressure(SBP) control for patients post-discharge from an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack(TIA) during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods within the Veterans Health Administration(VHA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We analyzed retrospective data from patients discharged from Emergency Departments or inpatient admissions after an ischemic stroke or TIA. Cohorts consisted of 2,816 patients during March-September 2020 and 11,900 during the same months in 2017-2019. Outcomes included primary care or neurology clinic visits, recorded blood pressure readings and average blood pressure control in the 90-days post-discharge. Random effect logit models were used to compare clinical characteristics of the cohorts and relationships between patient characteristics and outcomes.

RESULTS

The majority (73%) of patients with recorded readings during the COVID-19 period had a mean post-discharge SBP within goal (<140 mmHg); this was slightly lower than the pre-COVID-19 period (78%; p=0.001). Only 38% of the COVID-19 cohort had a recorded SBP in the 90-days post-discharge compared with 83% of patients during the pre-pandemic period (p=0.001). During the pandemic period, 29% did not have follow-up primary care or neurologist visits, and 33% had a phone or video visit without a recorded SBP reading.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with an acute cerebrovascular event during the initial COVID-19 period were less likely to have outpatient visits or blood pressure measurements than during the pre-pandemic period; patients with uncontrolled SBP should be targeted for follow-up hypertension management.

Mortality After Postcolonoscopy Colorectal Cancer in the Veterans Affairs Health Care System

Importance

Postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer (PCCRC) refers to colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed after a colonoscopy in which no cancer was found and is reflective of colonoscopy quality at the individual and system levels. Colonoscopy is widely performed in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, but the prevalence of PCCRC and its associated mortality are unknown.

Objective

To examine PCCRC prevalence and its all-cause mortality (ACM) and CRC-specific mortality (CSM) within the VA health care system.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used VA-Medicare administrative data to identify 29 877 veterans aged 50 to 85 years with newly diagnosed CRC between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2013. Patients whose colonoscopy occurred less than 6 months before CRC diagnosis with no other colonoscopy within the previous 36 months were categorized as having detected CRC (DCRC). Those who had a colonoscopy that did not detect CRC between 6 and 36 months before CRC diagnosis were categorized as having postcolonoscopy CRC (PCCRC-3y). A third group included patients with CRC and no colonoscopy within the prior 36 months. The final analysis of the data was performed in September 2022.

Exposures

Prior receipt of colonoscopy.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cox proportional hazards regression (with censoring, last follow-up December 31, 2018) analyses were conducted to compare PCCRC-3y and DCRC for 5-year ACM and CSM after CRC diagnosis.

Results

Of 29 877 patients with CRC (median [IQR] age, 67 [60-75] years; 29 353 [98%] male; 5284 [18%] Black, 23 971 [80%] White, and 622 [2%] other), 1785 (6%) were classified as having PCCRC-3y and 21 811 (73%) as having DCRC. The 5-year ACM rates were 46% vs 42% for patients with PCCRC-3y vs patients with DCRC. The 5-year CSM rates were 26% vs 25% for patients with PCCRC-3y vs patients with DCRC. In multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, there was no significant difference in ACM and CSM between patients with PCCRC-3y (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.04; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11; P = .18) and patients with DCRC (aHR, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.95-1.13; P = .42). However, compared with patients with DCRC, patients with no prior colonoscopy had significantly higher ACM (aHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.70-1.82; P < .001) and CSM (aHR, 2.22; 95% CI, 2.12-2.32; P < .001). Compared with patients with DCRC, patients with PCCRC-3y had significantly lower odds of having undergone colonoscopy performed by a gastroenterologist (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.43-0.53; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that PCCRC-3y constituted 6% of CRCs in the VA system, which is similar to other settings. Compared with patients with CRC detected by colonoscopy, those with PCCRC-3y have comparable ACM and CSM.

Impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on Veterans Health Administration Sleep Services

Objectives

To understand the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic on sleep services within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs using separate surveys from "pre-COVID" and pandemic periods.

Methods

Data from a pre-pandemic survey (September to November 2019) were combined with data from a pandemic-period survey (August to November 2020) to Veterans Affairs sleep medicine providers about their local sleep services within 140 Veterans Affairs facilities).

Results

A total of 67 (47.9%) facilities responded to the pandemic online survey. In-lab diagnostic and titration sleep studies were stopped at 91.1% of facilities during the pandemic; 76.5% of facilities resumed diagnostic studies and 60.8% resumed titration studies by the time of the second survey. Half of the facilities suspended home sleep testing; all facilities resumed these services. In-person positive airway pressure clinics were stopped at 76.3% of facilities; 46.7% resumed these clinics. Video telehealth was either available or in development at 86.6% of facilities and was considered a lasting addition to sleep services. Coronavirus disease-2019 transmission precautions occurred at high rates. Sleep personnel experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, fear, and burnout because of the pandemic and in response to unexpected changes in sleep medicine care delivery.

Conclusions

Sleep medicine services within the Veterans Affairs evolved during the pandemic with many key services being interrupted, including in-lab studies and in-person positive airway pressure clinics. Expansion and initiation of telehealth sleep services occurred commonly. The pandemic adversely affected sleep medicine personnel as they sought to maintain access to care.

Recovery-oriented inpatient mental health care and readmission

OBJECTIVE

This article examines the relationship between inpatient mental health units' adherence to recovery-oriented care and 30-day patient readmission.

METHOD

The sample included patients admitted to one of 34 Veterans Health Administration inpatient mental health units. Recovery-oriented care was assessed using interviews and site visits. Patient characteristics and readmission data were derived from administrative data.

FINDINGS

Overall recovery orientation was not associated with readmission. Exploratory analyses found higher scores on a subsample of items pertaining to inpatient therapeutic programming were associated with lower patient readmissions. Additionally, patients with more prior service use and substance abuse or personality disorders were more likely to be readmitted.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

A growing body of literature supports the association between psychotherapeutic services in inpatient units and better patient outcomes. However, further research is needed to examine this association. More work is needed to develop appropriate psychotherapy services for the inpatient setting and support their implementation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Effectiveness of the VA-Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (VA-GRACE) program: An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

As the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system seeks to expand access to comprehensive geriatric assessments, evidence-based models of care are needed to support community-dwelling older persons. We evaluated the VA Geriatric Resources for Assessment and Care of Elders (VA-GRACE) program's effect on mortality and readmissions, as well as patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort included patients admitted to the Richard L. Roudebush VA hospital (2010-2019) who received VA-GRACE services post-discharge and usual care controls who were potentially eligible for VA-GRACE but did not receive services. The VA-GRACE program provided home-based comprehensive, multi-disciplinary geriatrics assessment, and ongoing care. Primary outcomes included 90-day and 1-year all-cause readmissions and mortality, and patient, caregiver, and staff satisfaction. We used propensity score modeling with overlapping weighting to adjust for differences in characteristics between groups.

RESULTS

VA-GRACE patients (N = 683) were older than controls (N = 4313) (mean age 78.3 ± 8.2 standard deviation vs. 72.2 ± 6.9 years; p < 0.001) and had greater comorbidity (median Charlson Comorbidity Index 3 vs. 0; p < 0.001). VA-GRACE patients had higher 90-day readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.55 [95%CI 1.01-2.38]) and higher 1-year readmissions (aOR 1.74 [95%CI 1.22-2.48]). However, VA-GRACE patients had lower 90-day mortality (aOR 0.31 [95%CI 0.11-0.92]), but no statistically significant difference in 1-year mortality was observed (aOR 0.88 [95%CI 0.55-1.41]). Patients and caregivers reported that VA-GRACE home visits reduced travel burden and the program linked Veterans and caregivers to needed resources. Primary care providers reported that the VA-GRACE team helped to reduce their workload, improved medication management for their patients, and provided a view into patients' daily living situation.

CONCLUSIONS

The VA-GRACE program provides comprehensive geriatric assessments and care to high-risk, community-dwelling older persons with high rates of satisfaction from patients, caregivers, and providers. Widespread deployment of programs like VA-GRACE will be required to support Veterans aging in place.

Identification of colorectal cancer using structured and free text clinical data

Colorectal cancer incidence has continually fallen among those 50 years old and over. However, the incidence has increased in those under 50. Even with the recent screening guidelines recommending that screening begins at age 45, nearly half of all early-onset colorectal cancer will be missed. Methods are needed to identify high-risk individuals in this age group for targeted screening. Colorectal cancer studies, as with other clinical studies, have required labor intensive chart review for the identification of those affected and risk factors. Natural language processing and machine learning can be used to automate the process and enable the screening of large numbers of patients. This study developed and compared four machine learning and statistical models: logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, and deep neural network, in their performance in classifying colorectal cancer patients. Excellent classification performance is achieved with AUCs over 97%.

Identifying transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients at high-risk of adverse outcomes: development and validation of an approach using electronic health record data

Background

Risk-stratification tools that have been developed to identify transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients at risk of recurrent vascular events typically include factors which are not readily available in electronic health record systems. Our objective was to evaluate two TIA risk stratification approaches using electronic health record data.

Methods

Patients with TIA who were cared for in Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals (October 2015—September 2018) were included. The six outcomes were mortality, recurrent ischemic stroke, and the combined endpoint of stroke or death at 90-days and 1-year post-index TIA event. The cohort was split into development and validation samples. We examined the risk stratification of two scores constructed using electronic health record data. The Clinical Assessment Needs (CAN) score is a validated measure of risk of hospitalization or death. The PREVENT score was developed specifically for TIA risk stratification.

Results

A total of N = 5250 TIA patients were included in the derivation sample and N = 4248 in the validation sample. The PREVENT score had higher c-statistics than the CAN score across all outcomes in both samples. Within the validation sample the c-statistics for the PREVENT score were: 0.847 for 90-day mortality, 0.814 for 1-year mortality, 0.665 for 90-day stroke, and 0.653 for 1-year stroke, 0.699 for 90-day stroke or death, and 0.744 for 1-year stroke or death. The PREVENT score classified patients into categories with extreme nadir and zenith outcome rates. The observed 1-year mortality rate among validation patients was 7.1%; the PREVENT score lowest decile of patients had 0% mortality and the highest decile group had 30.4% mortality.

Conclusions

The PREVENT score had strong c-statistics for the mortality outcomes and classified patients into distinct risk categories. Learning healthcare systems could implement TIA risk stratification tools within electronic health records to support ongoing quality improvement.

Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02769338.

The Perils of a "My Work Here is Done" perspective: a mixed methods evaluation of sustainment of an evidence-based intervention for transient ischemic attack

BACKGROUND

To evaluate quality improvement sustainment for Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) and identify factors influencing sustainment, which is a challenge for Learning Healthcare Systems.

METHODS

Mixed methods were used to assess changes in care quality across periods (baseline, implementation, sustainment) and identify factors promoting or hindering sustainment of care quality. PREVENT was a stepped-wedge trial at six US Department of Veterans Affairs implementation sites and 36 control sites (August 2015-September 2019). Quality of care was measured by the without-fail rate: proportion of TIA patients who received all of the care for which they were eligible among brain imaging, carotid artery imaging, neurology consultation, hypertension control, anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation, antithrombotics, and high/moderate potency statins. Key informant interviews were used to identify factors associated with sustainment.

RESULTS

The without-fail rate at PREVENT sites improved from 36.7% (baseline, 58/158) to 54.0% (implementation, 95/176) and settled at 48.3% (sustainment, 56/116). At control sites, the without-fail rate improved from 38.6% (baseline, 345/893) to 41.8% (implementation, 363/869) and remained at 43.0% (sustainment, 293/681). After adjustment, no statistically significant difference in sustainment quality between intervention and control sites was identified. Among PREVENT facilities, the without-fail rate improved ≥2% at 3 sites, declined ≥2% at two sites, and remained unchanged at one site during sustainment. Factors promoting sustainment were planning, motivation to sustain, integration of processes into routine practice, leadership engagement, and establishing systems for reflecting and evaluating on performance data. The only factor that was sufficient for improving quality of care during sustainment was the presence of a champion with plans for sustainment. Challenges during sustainment included competing demands, low volume, and potential problems with medical coding impairing use of performance data. Four factors were sufficient for declining quality of care during sustainment: low motivation, champion inactivity, no reflecting and evaluating on performance data, and absence of leadership engagement.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the intervention improved care quality during implementation; performance during sustainment was heterogeneous across intervention sites and not different from control sites. Learning Healthcare Systems seeking to sustain evidence-based practices should embed processes within routine care and establish systems for reviewing and reflecting upon performance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov ( NCT02769338 ).

Communication and Activation in Pain to Enhance Relationships and Treat Pain with Equity (COOPERATE): Rationale, study design, methods, and sample characteristics

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is associated with profound negative effects, and racial disparities are well-documented in chronic pain treatment. In addition, Black patients report poorer communication with providers and exhibit lower levels of patient activation (self-management self-efficacy) than White patients. Although the causes of healthcare disparities are complex and require intervention at multiple levels, empowering patients is one critical path to achieving health equity. The current study is a coaching intervention focused on increasing patient activation and building communication skills for Black patients with chronic pain.

METHODS

In this randomized controlled trial, 250 Black patients with chronic pain were randomized to either the coaching intervention or an attention control arm. Intervention patients attended 6 telephone-delivered individual coaching sessions over 12 weeks. Coaching focused on clarifying and prioritizing goals and on communication skills, such as agenda setting. The primary outcome is patient activation. Secondary outcomes include communication self-efficacy, pain intensity and interference, and psychological functioning.

DISCUSSION

Having the knowledge and confidence to participate in one's pain care, coupled with the skills needed to effectively communicate with providers, is essential to optimize chronic pain care. This is particularly important for Black patients who often experience lower quality pain care. Interventions such as COOPERATE hold promise for helping patients to acquire the requisite tools to take greater control of their chronic pain care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov, # NCT03562793.

Blood Pressure Trajectories and Outcomes for Veterans Presenting at VA Medical Centers with a Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure control has been shown to reduce risk of vascular events and mortality after an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Yet, questions remain about effectiveness, timing, and targeted blood pressure reduction.

METHODS

We analyzed data from a retrospective cohort of 18,837 veterans cared for 12 months prior and up to 12 months after an emergency department visit or inpatient admission for stroke or TIA. Latent class growth analysis was used to classify patients into systolic blood pressure trajectories. With Cox proportional hazard models, we examined relationships between blood pressure trajectories, intensification of antihypertensive medication, and stroke (fatal or non-fatal) and all-cause mortality in 12 months following the index event.

RESULTS

The cohort was classified into 4 systolic blood pressure trajectories: 19% with a low systolic blood pressure trajectory (mean systolic blood pressure = 116 mm Hg); 65% with a medium systolic blood pressure trajectory (mean systolic blood pressure = 136 mm Hg); 15% with a high systolic blood pressure trajectory (mean systolic blood pressure = 158 mm Hg), and 1% with a very high trajectory (mean systolic blood pressure = 183 mm Hg). After the stroke or TIA, individuals in the high and very high systolic blood pressure trajectories experienced a substantial decrease in systolic blood pressure that coincided with intensification of antihypertensive medication. Patients with very low and very high systolic blood pressure trajectories had a significantly greater (P < .05) hazard of mortality, while medication intensification was related significantly (P < .05) to lower hazard of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings point to the importance of monitoring blood pressure over multiple time points and of instituting enhanced hypertension management after stroke or TIA, particularly for individuals with high or very high blood pressure trajectories.

Pairing regression and configurational analysis in health services research: modelling outcomes in an observational cohort using a split-sample design

BACKGROUND

Configurational methods are increasingly being used in health services research.

OBJECTIVES

To use configurational analysis and logistic regression within a single data set to compare results from the two methods.

DESIGN

Secondary analysis of an observational cohort; a split-sample design involved randomly dividing patients into training and validation samples.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Patients who had a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in US Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals.

MEASURES

The patient outcome was the combined endpoint of all-cause mortality or recurrent ischaemic stroke within 1 year post-TIA. The quality-of-care outcome was the without-fail rate (proportion of patients who received all processes for which they were eligible, among seven processes).

RESULTS

For the recurrent stroke or death outcome, configurational analysis yielded a three-pathway model identifying a set of (validation sample) patients where the prevalence was 15.0% (83/552), substantially higher than the overall sample prevalence of 11.0% (relative difference, 36%). The configurational model had a sensitivity (coverage) of 84.7% and specificity of 40.6%. The logistic regression model identified six factors associated with the combined endpoint (c-statistic, 0.632; sensitivity, 63.3%; specificity, 63.1%). None of these factors were elements of the configurational model. For the quality outcome, configurational analysis yielded a single-pathway model identifying a set of (validation sample) patients where the without-fail rate was 64.3% (231/359), nearly twice the overall sample prevalence (33.7%). The configurational model had a sensitivity (coverage) of 77.3% and specificity of 78.2%. The logistic regression model identified seven factors associated with the without-fail rate (c-statistic, 0.822; sensitivity, 80.3%; specificity, 84.2%). Two of these factors were also identified in the configurational analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Configurational analysis and logistic regression represent different methods that can enhance our understanding of a data set when paired together. Configurational models optimise sensitivity with relatively few conditions. Logistic regression models discriminate cases from controls and provided inferential relationships between outcomes and independent variables.

Tailoring Surveillance Colonoscopy in Patients With Advanced Adenomas

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with advanced colorectal adenomas (AAs) are directed to undergo intensive surveillance. However, the benefit derived from surveillance may be outweighed by the risk of death from non-colorectal cancer (CRC) causes, leading to uncertainty on how best to individualize follow-up. The aim of this study was to derive a risk prediction model and risk index that estimate and stratify the risk for non-CRC cancer mortality (NCM) subsequent to diagnosis and removal of AA.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of veterans ≥40 years old who had colonoscopy for diagnostic or screening indications at 13 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2002 and 2009 and had 1 or more AAs. The primary outcome was NCM using a fixed follow-up time period of 5 years. Logistic regression using the lasso technique was used to identify factors independently associated with NCM, and an index based on points from regression coefficients was constructed to estimate risk of 5-year NCM.

RESULTS

We identified 2943 veterans with AA (mean age [standard deviation] 63 [8.6] years, 98% male, 74% white), with an overall 5-year mortality of 16.7%, which was nearly all due to NCM (16.6%). Age, comorbidity burden, specific comorbid conditions, and hospitalization within the preceding year were independently associated with NCM. The risk prediction model had a goodness of fit (calibration) P value of .41 and c-statistic (discrimination) of 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.76). On the basis of comparable 5-year risks of NCM, the scores comprised 3 risk categories: low (score of 0-1), intermediate (score of 2-4), and high (score of ≥5), in which NCM occurred in 6.5%, 14.1%, and 33.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We derived a risk prediction model that identifies veterans with advanced adenomas who are at high risk of NCM within 5 years, and who are thus unlikely to benefit from further surveillance.

Recovery-oriented acute inpatient mental health care: Operationalization and measurement

OBJECTIVE

The current article describes efforts to develop and test a measure of recovery-oriented inpatient care.

METHOD

The Recovery-oriented Acute INpatient (RAIN) scale was based on prior literature and current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy and resources and further revised based on data collection from 34 VHA acute inpatient units.

RESULTS

A final scale of 23, behaviorally anchored items demonstrated a four-factor structure including the following factors: inpatient treatment planning, outpatient treatment planning, group programming, and milieu. While several items require additional revision to address psychometric concerns, the scale demonstrated adequate model fit and was consistent with prior literature on recovery-oriented inpatient care. Conclusions and Implementations for Practice: The RAIN scale represents an important tool for future implementation and empirical study of recovery-oriented inpatient care. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).