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Gurwitz JH, Bonner A. Nursing Homes, the Pandemic, and Caring Enough. J Gen Intern Med 2020; 35:2752-2754. [PMID: 32666484 PMCID: PMC7359917 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-020-06022-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Tisminetzky M, Gurwitz JH, Miozzo R, Nunes A, Gore JM, Lessard D, Yarzebski J, Granillo E, Goldberg RJ. Age Differences in the Chief Complaint Associated With a First Acute Myocardial Infarction and Patient's Care-Seeking Behavior. Am J Med 2020; 133:e501-e507. [PMID: 32199808 PMCID: PMC7483814 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study set out to describe age differences in patient's chief complaint related to a first myocardial infarction and how the "typicality" of patient's acute symptoms relates to extent of prehospital delay. METHODS The medical records of 2586 residents of central Massachusetts hospitalized at 11 greater Worcester medical centers with a first myocardial infarction on a biennial basis between 2001 and 2011 were reviewed. RESULTS The average age of the study population was 66.4 years, 39.6% were women, 40.2% were diagnosed with a ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and 72.0 % presented with typical symptoms of myocardial infarction, namely acute chest pain or pressure. Patients were categorized into 5 age strata: >55 years (23%), 55-64 years (20%), 65-74 years (19%), 75-84 years (22%), and ≥85 years (16%). The lowest proportion (11%) of atypical symptoms of myocardial infarction was observed in patients <55 years, increasing to 17%, 28%, 40%, and 51% across the respective age groups. The most prevalent chief complaint reported at the time of hospitalization was chest pain, but the proportion of patients reporting this symptom decreased from the youngest (83%) to the oldest patient groups (45%). There was a slightly increased risk of prehospital delay across the different age groups (higher in the oldest old) in those who presented with atypical, rather than typical, symptoms of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS The present results provide insights to the presenting chief complaint of patients hospitalized with a first myocardial infarction according to age and the relation of symptom presentation to patient's care-seeking behavior.
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Kapoor A, Field T, Handler S, Fisher K, Saphirak C, Crawford S, Fouayzi H, Johnson F, Spenard A, Zhang N, Gurwitz JH. Characteristics of Long‐Term Care Residents That Predict Adverse Events after Hospitalization. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2551-2557. [DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Ambrosy AP, Gurwitz JH, Tabada GH, Artz A, Schrier S, Rao SV, Barnhart HX, Reynolds K, Smith DH, Peterson PN, Sung SH, Cohen HJ, Go AS. Incident anaemia in older adults with heart failure: rate, aetiology, and association with outcomes. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. QUALITY OF CARE & CLINICAL OUTCOMES 2020; 5:361-369. [PMID: 30847487 DOI: 10.1093/ehjqcco/qcz010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Limited data exist on the epidemiology, evaluation, and prognosis of otherwise unexplained anaemia of the elderly in heart failure (HF). Thus, we aimed to determine the incidence of anaemia, to characterize diagnostic testing patterns for potentially reversible causes of anaemia, and to evaluate the independent association between incident anaemia and long-term morbidity and mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS Within the Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN), we identified adults age ≥65 years with diagnosed HF between 2005 and 2012 and no anaemia at entry. Incident anaemia was defined using World Health Organization (WHO) haemoglobin thresholds (<13.0 g/dL in men; <12.0 g/dL in women). All-cause death and hospitalizations for HF and any cause were identified from electronic health records. Among 38 826 older HF patients, 22 163 (57.1%) developed incident anaemia over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 2.9 (1.2-5.6) years. The crude rate [95% confidence interval (CI)] per 100 person-years of incident anaemia was 26.4 (95% CI 26.0-26.7) and was higher for preserved ejection fraction (EF) [29.2 (95% CI 28.6-29.8)] compared with borderline EF [26.5 (95% CI 25.4-27.7)] or reduced EF [26.6 (95% CI 25.8-27.4)]. Iron indices, vitamin B12 level, and thyroid testing were performed in 20.9%, 14.9%, and 40.2% of patients, respectively. Reduced iron stores, vitamin B12 deficiency, and/or hypothyroidism were present in 29.7%, 3.2%, and 18.6% of tested patients, respectively. In multivariable analyses, incident anaemia was associated with excess mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 2.14, 95% CI 2.07-2.22] as well as hospitalization for HF (HR 1.80, 95% CI 1.72-1.88) and any cause (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.72-1.83). CONCLUSION Among older adults with HF, incident anaemia is common and independently associated with substantially increased risks of morbidity and mortality. Additional research is necessary to clarify the value of routine evaluation and treatment of potentially reversible causes of anaemia.
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Anzuoni K, Field TS, Mazor KM, Zhou Y, Garber LD, Kapoor A, Gurwitz JH. Recruitment Challenges for Low-Risk Health System Intervention Trials in Older Adults: A Case Study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:2558-2564. [PMID: 32710671 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess factors associated with trial participation in the context of a low-risk intervention intended to reduce adverse drug events in recently hospitalized older adults. DESIGN Mixed methods: analysis of data collected during enrollment efforts and focus groups. SETTING A large, multispecialty group practice. PARTICIPANTS Individuals 50 years and older, recently discharged from the hospital and prescribed at least one high-risk medication, were eligible for the trial. Enrollees, decliners, and their caregivers were eligible to participate in focus groups. MEASUREMENTS Reasons for declining to participate during the initial invitation as well as reasons for not providing consent were recorded. Focus groups were conducted with eligible individuals to explore reasons for enrolling or declining. We conducted multivariable logistic regression to compare characteristics (including sex, age, healthcare proxy, number and type of medications, visiting nurse services, reason for admission, and length of hospital stay) of those who enrolled with those who did not enroll. RESULTS Of 3,606 individuals determined eligible, 3,147 (87%) declined, 98 (3%) verbally consented to participate but did not complete written consent, and 361 (10%) provided written consent and were considered enrolled. Individuals 80 year and older (odds ratio (OR) = 0.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.30-0.65) and those with visiting nurse services (OR = 0.64; 95% CI = 0.48-0.85) were least likely to enroll. Among those who provided a reason for declining (2,473), the most common was the belief they did not need additional medication assistance (18%). Another 332 (11%) declined because they were receiving visiting nurse services. CONCLUSION Recruiting older adults recently discharged from the hospital to participate in trials of low-risk, system-level interventions is challenging and may underenroll the oldest individuals and those potentially at the highest risk for adverse events, limiting generalizability of study findings. Alternative study designs may be more effective than individually randomized trials in assessing low-risk, system-level interventions.
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Bhasin S, Gill TM, Reuben DB, Latham NK, Ganz DA, Greene EJ, Dziura J, Basaria S, Gurwitz JH, Dykes PC, McMahon S, Storer TW, Gazarian P, Miller ME, Travison TG, Esserman D, Carnie MB, Goehring L, Fagan M, Greenspan SL, Alexander N, Wiggins J, Ko F, Siu AL, Volpi E, Wu AW, Rich J, Waring SC, Wallace RB, Casteel C, Resnick NM, Magaziner J, Charpentier P, Lu C, Araujo K, Rajeevan H, Meng C, Allore H, Brawley BF, Eder R, McGloin JM, Skokos EA, Duncan PW, Baker D, Boult C, Correa-de-Araujo R, Peduzzi P. A Randomized Trial of a Multifactorial Strategy to Prevent Serious Fall Injuries. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:129-140. [PMID: 32640131 PMCID: PMC7421468 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2002183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Injuries from falls are major contributors to complications and death in older adults. Despite evidence from efficacy trials that many falls can be prevented, rates of falls resulting in injury have not declined. METHODS We conducted a pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention that included risk assessment and individualized plans, administered by specially trained nurses, to prevent fall injuries. A total of 86 primary care practices across 10 health care systems were randomly assigned to the intervention or to enhanced usual care (the control) (43 practices each). The participants were community-dwelling adults, 70 years of age or older, who were at increased risk for fall injuries. The primary outcome, assessed in a time-to-event analysis, was the first serious fall injury, adjudicated with the use of participant report, electronic health records, and claims data. We hypothesized that the event rate would be lower by 20% in the intervention group than in the control group. RESULTS The demographic and baseline characteristics of the participants were similar in the intervention group (2802 participants) and the control group (2649 participants); the mean age was 80 years, and 62.0% of the participants were women. The rate of a first adjudicated serious fall injury did not differ significantly between the groups, as assessed in a time-to-first-event analysis (events per 100 person-years of follow-up, 4.9 in the intervention group and 5.3 in the control group; hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.06; P = 0.25). The rate of a first participant-reported fall injury was 25.6 events per 100 person-years of follow-up in the intervention group and 28.6 events per 100 person-years of follow-up in the control group (hazard ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.83 to 0.99; P = 0.004). The rates of hospitalization or death were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS A multifactorial intervention, administered by nurses, did not result in a significantly lower rate of a first adjudicated serious fall injury than enhanced usual care. (Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and others; STRIDE ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02475850.).
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Gurwitz JH, Maurer MS. Initial Monthly Cost of Tafamidis—the Real Price for Patients—Reply. JAMA Cardiol 2020; 5:848. [DOI: 10.1001/jamacardio.2020.0866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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Tuzzio L, Hanson LR, Reuben DB, Baier RR, Gurwitz JH, Bayliss EA, Williamson J, Fraser JR, Sherman SJ, Larson EB. Transforming Dementia Care Through Pragmatic Clinical Trials Embedded in Learning Healthcare Systems. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68 Suppl 2:S43-S48. [PMID: 32589283 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The current evidence base for testing nonpharmacological interventions for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers is limited, especially within care settings such as ambulatory care, assisted living communities, nursing homes, hospitals, and hospices. There has been even less attention to translation of effective interventions for PLWD into delivery of care. Thus, there is an urgent need for researchers to partner with these care settings, especially those that follow a learning healthcare systems (LHSs) model, and vice versa to conduct embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs). These trials are conducted within sites that offer routine care and are designed to answer important, relevant clinical questions and leverage existing electronic health and administrative data. ePCTs set in LHSs create a unique opportunity for researchers, healthcare providers, and PLWD and their families to work and learn together as potentially effective interventions are studied and stress tested in real-world situations. Healthcare settings that embrace research or quality improvement as part of a culture of continuous learning are ideal settings for ePCTs. In this article, we summarize what we have learned from the National Institutes of Health's Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory-funded ePCTs, discuss challenges of ePCTs within settings that serve PLWD, and describe the work of the Health Care Systems Core within the National Institute on Aging's IMbedded Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Clinical Trials Collaboratory that will occur over the next 5 years. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:S43-S48, 2020.
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Ambrosy AP, Fitzpatrick JK, Tabada GH, Gurwitz JH, Artz A, Schrier SL, Rao SV, Reynolds K, Smith DH, Peterson PN, Fortmann SP, Sung SH, Cohen HJ, Go AS. A reduced transferrin saturation is independently associated with excess morbidity and mortality in older adults with heart failure and incident anemia. Int J Cardiol 2020; 309:95-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Rochon PA, Mason R, Gurwitz JH. Increasing the visibility of older women in clinical research. Lancet 2020; 395:1530-1532. [PMID: 32416775 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30849-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Gurwitz JH. COVID-19, Post-acute Care Preparedness and Nursing Homes: Flawed Policy in the Fog of War. J Am Geriatr Soc 2020; 68:1124-1125. [PMID: 32315075 PMCID: PMC7264796 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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Epstein MM, Saphirak C, Zhou Y, LeBlanc C, Rosmarin AG, Ash A, Singh S, Fisher K, Birmann BM, Gurwitz JH. Identifying monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in electronic health data. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2020; 29:69-76. [PMID: 31736189 PMCID: PMC7365702 DOI: 10.1002/pds.4912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a prevalent yet largely asymptomatic precursor to multiple myeloma. Patients with MGUS must undergo regular surveillance and testing, with few known predictors of progression. We developed an algorithm to identify MGUS patients in electronic health data to facilitate large-scale, population-based studies of this premalignant condition. METHODS We developed a four-step algorithm using electronic health record and health claims data from men and women aged 50 years or older receiving care from a large, multispecialty medical group between 2007 and 2015. The case definition required patients to have at least two MGUS ICD-9 diagnosis codes within 12 months, at least one serum and/or urine protein electrophoresis and one immunofixation test, and at least one in-office hematology/oncology visit. Medical charts for selected cases were abstracted then adjudicated independently by two physicians. We assessed algorithm validity by positive predictive value (PPV). RESULTS We identified 833 people with at least two MGUS diagnosis codes; 429 (52%) met all four algorithm criteria. We randomly selected 252 charts for review, including 206 from patients meeting all four algorithm criteria. The PPV for the 206 algorithm-identified charts was 76% (95% CI, 70%-82%). Among the 49 cases deemed to be false positives (24%), 33 were judged to have multiple myeloma or another lymphoproliferative condition, such as lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS We developed a simple algorithm that identified MGUS cases in electronic health data with reasonable accuracy. Inclusion of additional steps to eliminate cases with malignant disease may improve algorithm performance.
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Kapoor A, Field T, Handler S, Fisher K, Saphirak C, Crawford S, Fouayzi H, Johnson F, Spenard A, Zhang N, Gurwitz JH. Adverse Events in Long-term Care Residents Transitioning From Hospital Back to Nursing Home. JAMA Intern Med 2019; 179:1254-1261. [PMID: 31329223 PMCID: PMC6646976 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Transition from hospital to nursing home is a high-risk period for adverse events in long-term care (LTC) residents. Adverse events include harms from medical care, including failure to provide appropriate care. OBJECTIVE To report the incidence, type, severity, and preventability of adverse events in LTC residents transitioning from hospital back to the same LTC facility. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Prospective cohort study of LTC residents discharged from hospital back to LTC from March 1, 2016, to December 31, 2017, and followed up for 45 days. In a random sample of 32 nursing homes located in 6 New England states, 555 LTC residents were selected, contributing 762 transitions from hospital back to the same LTC facility. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The main outcome was an adverse event within the 45-day period after transition from hospital back to nursing home. Trained nurse abstractors reviewed nursing home records for the period, and then 2 physicians independently reviewed each potential adverse event to determine whether harm occurred and to characterize the type, severity, and preventability of each event. When reviewers disagreed, they met to reach consensus. RESULTS Of the 555 individual residents, 365 (65.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) age at the time of discharge was 82.2 (11.5) years. Five hundred twenty (93.7%) were non-Hispanic white, 21 (3.8%) were non-Hispanic black, 9 (1.6%) were Hispanic, and 5 (0.9%) were of other non-Hispanic race/ethnicity. In the cohort, there were 379 adverse events among 762 discharges. One hundred ninety-seven events (52.0%) related to resident care, with pressure ulcers, skin tears, and falls with injury representing the most common types of events in this category. Health care-acquired infections (108 [28.5%]) and adverse drug events (64 [16.9%]) were the next most common. One hundred ninety-eight (52.2%) adverse events were characterized as less serious. However, 145 (38.3%) events were deemed serious, 28 (7.4%) life-threatening, and 8 (2.1%) fatal. In terms of preventability, 267 (70.4%) adverse events were found to be preventable or ameliorable, with less serious events more often considered preventable or ameliorable (146 [73.7%]) compared with more severe events (121 [66.9%]). In addition, resident care-related adverse events such as fall with injury, skin tear, and pressure ulcer were more commonly deemed preventable (173 of 197 [87.8%]) compared with adverse drug events (39 of 64 [60.9%]) or health care-acquired infections (49 of 108 [45.4%]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Adverse events developed in nearly 4 of 10 of discharges from hospital back to LTC. Most were preventable or ameliorable. Standardized reporting of events and better coordination and information transfer across settings are potential ways to prevent adverse events in LTC residents.
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Tisminetzky M, Gurwitz JH, Miozzo R, Gore JM, Lessard D, Yarzebski J, Goldberg RJ. Impact of cardiac- and noncardiac-related conditions on adverse outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction. JOURNAL OF COMORBIDITY 2019; 9:2235042X19852499. [PMID: 31192141 PMCID: PMC6542121 DOI: 10.1177/2235042x19852499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Background To examine the impact of cardiac- and noncardiac-related conditions on the risk of hospital complications and 7- and 30-day rehospitalizations in older adult patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results The study population consisted of 3863 adults aged 65 years and older hospitalized with AMI in Worcester, Massachusetts, during six annual periods between 2001 and 2011. Individuals were categorized into four groups based on the presence of 11 previously diagnosed cardiac and noncardiac conditions. The median age of the study population was 79 years and 49% were men. Twenty-eight percent of patients had two or less cardiac- and no noncardiac-related conditions, 21% had two or less cardiac and one or more noncardiac conditions, 20% had three or more cardiac and no noncardiac conditions, and 31% had three or more cardiac and one or more noncardiac conditions. Individuals who presented with one or more noncardiac-related conditions were less likely to have been prescribed evidence-based medications and/or to have undergone coronary revascularization procedures than patients without any noncardiac condition. After multivariable adjustment, individuals with three or more cardiac and one or more noncardiac conditions were at greatest risk for all adverse outcomes. Conclusions Older patients hospitalized with AMI carry a significant burden of cardiac- and noncardiac-related conditions. Older adults who presented with multiple cardiac and noncardiac conditions experienced the worse short-term outcomes and treatment strategies should be developed to improve their in-hospital and post-discharge care and outcomes.
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Ganz DA, Siu AL, Magaziner J, Latham NK, Travison TG, Lorenze NP, Lu C, Wang R, Greene EJ, Stowe CL, Harvin LN, Araujo KLB, Gurwitz JH, Agrawal Y, Correa-De-Araujo R, Peduzzi P, Gill TM. Protocol for serious fall injury adjudication in the Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE) study. Inj Epidemiol 2019; 6:14. [PMID: 31245263 PMCID: PMC6582694 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-019-0190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This paper describes a protocol for determining the incidence of serious fall injuries for Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE), a large, multicenter pragmatic clinical trial with limited resources for event adjudication. We describe how administrative data (from participating health systems and Medicare claims) can be used to confirm participant-reported events, with more time- and resource-intensive full-text medical record data used only on an “as-needed” basis. Methods STRIDE is a pragmatic cluster-randomized controlled trial involving 5451 participants age ≥ 70 and at increased risk for falls, served by 86 primary care practices in 10 US health systems. The STRIDE intervention involves a nurse falls care manager who assesses a participant’s underlying risks for falls, suggests interventions using motivational interviewing, and then creates, implements and longitudinally follows up on an individualized care plan with the participant (and caregiver when appropriate), in partnership with the participant’s primary care provider. STRIDE’s primary outcome is serious fall injuries, defined as a fall resulting in: (1) medical attention billable according to Medicare guidelines with a) fracture (excluding isolated thoracic vertebral and/or lumbar vertebral fracture), b) joint dislocation, or c) cut requiring closure; OR (2) overnight hospitalization with a) head injury, b) sprain or strain, c) bruising or swelling, or d) other injury determined to be “serious” (i.e., burn, rhabdomyolysis, or internal injury). Two sources of data are required to confirm a serious fall injury. The primary data source is the participant’s self-report of a fall leading to medical attention, identified during telephone interview every 4 months, with the confirmatory source being (1) administrative data capturing encounters at the participating health systems or Medicare claims and/or (2) the full text of medical records requested only as needed. Discussion Adjudication is ongoing, with over 1000 potentially qualifying events adjudicated to date. Administrative data can be successfully used for adjudication, as part of a hybrid approach that retrieves full-text medical records only when needed. With the continued refinement and availability of administrative data sources, future studies may be able to use administrative data completely in lieu of medical record review to maximize the quality of adjudication with finite resources. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02475850). Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40621-019-0190-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Hajduk AM, Gurwitz JH, Tabada G, Masoudi FA, Magid DJ, Greenlee RT, Sung SH, Cassidy-Bushrow AE, Liu TI, Reynolds K, Smith DH, Fiocchi F, Goldberg R, Gill TM, Gupta N, Peterson PN, Schuger C, Vidaillet H, Hammill SC, Allore H, Go AS. Influence of Multimorbidity on Burden and Appropriateness of Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Therapies. J Am Geriatr Soc 2019; 67:1370-1378. [PMID: 30892695 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether burden of multiple chronic conditions (MCCs) influences the risk of receiving inappropriate vs appropriate device therapies. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Seven US healthcare delivery systems. PARTICIPANTS Adults with left ventricular systolic dysfunction receiving an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) for primary prevention. MEASUREMENTS Data on 24 comorbid conditions were captured from electronic health records and categorized into quartiles of comorbidity burden (0-3, 4-5, 6-7 and 8-16). Incidence of ICD therapies (shock and antitachycardia pacing [ATP] therapies), including appropriateness, was collected for 3 years after implantation. Outcomes included time to first ICD therapy, total ICD therapy burden, and risk of inappropriate vs appropriate ICD therapy. RESULTS Among 2235 patients (mean age = 69 ± 11 years, 75% men), the median number of comorbidities was 6 (interquartile range = 4-8), with 98% having at least two comorbidities. During a mean 2.2 years of follow-up, 18.3% of patients experienced at least one appropriate therapy and 9.9% experienced at least one inappropriate therapy. Higher comorbidity burden was associated with an increased risk of first inappropriate therapy (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.94 [95% confidence interval {CI} = 1.14-3.31] for 4-5 comorbidities; HR = 2.25 [95% CI = 1.25-4.05] for 6-7 comorbidities; and HR = 2.91 [95% CI = 1.54-5.50] for 8-16 comorbidities). Participants with 8-16 comorbidities had a higher total burden of ICD therapy (adjusted relative risk [RR] = 2.12 [95% CI = 1.43-3.16]), a higher burden of inappropriate therapy (RR = 3.39 [95% CI = 1.67-6.86]), and a higher risk of receiving inappropriate vs appropriate therapy (RR = 1.74 [95% CI = 1.07-2.82]). Comorbidity burden was not significantly associated with receipt of appropriate ICD therapies. Patterns were similar when separately examining shock or ATP therapies. CONCLUSIONS In primary prevention ICD recipients, MCC burden was independently associated with an increased risk of inappropriate but not appropriate device therapies. Comorbidity burden should be considered when engaging patients in shared decision making about ICD implantation.
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Amroze A, Field TS, Fouayzi H, Sundaresan D, Burns L, Garber L, Sadasivam RS, Mazor KM, Gurwitz JH, Cutrona SL. Use of Electronic Health Record Access and Audit Logs to Identify Physician Actions Following Noninterruptive Alert Opening: Descriptive Study. JMIR Med Inform 2019; 7:e12650. [PMID: 30730293 PMCID: PMC6383113 DOI: 10.2196/12650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Electronic health record (EHR) access and audit logs record behaviors of providers as they navigate the EHR. These data can be used to better understand provider responses to EHR–based clinical decision support (CDS), shedding light on whether and why CDS is effective. Objective This study aimed to determine the feasibility of using EHR access and audit logs to track primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) opening of and response to noninterruptive alerts delivered to EHR InBaskets. Methods We conducted a descriptive study to assess the use of EHR log data to track provider behavior. We analyzed data recorded following opening of 799 noninterruptive alerts sent to 75 PCPs’ InBaskets through a prior randomized controlled trial. Three types of alerts highlighted new medication concerns for older patients’ posthospital discharge: information only (n=593), medication recommendations (n=37), and test recommendations (n=169). We sought log data to identify the person opening the alert and the timing and type of PCPs’ follow-up EHR actions (immediate vs by the end of the following day). We performed multivariate analyses examining associations between alert type, patient characteristics, provider characteristics, and contextual factors and likelihood of immediate or subsequent PCP action (general, medication-specific, or laboratory-specific actions). We describe challenges and strategies for log data use. Results We successfully identified the required data in EHR access and audit logs. More than three-quarters of alerts (78.5%, 627/799) were opened by the PCP to whom they were directed, allowing us to assess immediate PCP action; of these, 208 alerts were followed by immediate action. Expanding on our analyses to include alerts opened by staff or covering physicians, we found that an additional 330 of the 799 alerts demonstrated PCP action by the end of the following day. The remaining 261 alerts showed no PCP action. Compared to information-only alerts, the odds ratio (OR) of immediate action was 4.03 (95% CI 1.67-9.72) for medication-recommendation and 2.14 (95% CI 1.38-3.32) for test-recommendation alerts. Compared to information-only alerts, ORs of medication-specific action by end of the following day were significantly greater for medication recommendations (5.59; 95% CI 2.42-12.94) and test recommendations (1.71; 95% CI 1.09-2.68). We found a similar pattern for OR of laboratory-specific action. We encountered 2 main challenges: (1) Capturing a historical snapshot of EHR status (number of InBasket messages at time of alert delivery) required incorporation of data generated many months prior with longitudinal follow-up. (2) Accurately interpreting data elements required iterative work by a physician/data manager team taking action within the EHR and then examining audit logs to identify corresponding documentation. Conclusions EHR log data could inform future efforts and provide valuable information during development and refinement of CDS interventions. To address challenges, use of these data should be planned before implementing an EHR–based study.
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Vaughan CP, Dale W, Allore HG, Binder EF, Boyd CM, Bynum JPW, Gurwitz JH, Lundebjerg NE, Trucil DE, Supiano MA, Colón-Emeric C. AGS Report on Engagement Related to the NIH Inclusion Across the Lifespan Policy. J Am Geriatr Soc 2019; 67:211-217. [PMID: 30693956 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
After passage of the 21st Century Cures Act, the National Institutes of Health held a workshop in 2017 to consider expanding its inclusion policy to encompass individuals of all ages. American Geriatrics Society (AGS) leaders and members participated in the workshop and formal feedback period. AGS advocacy clearly impacted the resulting workshop report and Inclusion Across the Lifespan policy that eliminates upper-age limits for research participation unless risk justified and changes the language used to describe older adults and other vulnerable groups. AGS recommendations that were not specifically stated in the updated policy were to encourage active recruitment of older adults, add standard measures of function and/or frailty, and change review criteria to ensure the health status of a study population mirrors typical clinical populations. The updated inclusion policy ultimately offers academic geriatrics programs the opportunities to expand knowledge about health in aging and to continue to provide leadership for research and advocacy efforts on behalf of older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:211-217, 2019.
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Singh S, Go AS, Wenger NK, Zoungas S, Gurwitz JH. Reply to: Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 2019; 67:857-858. [PMID: 30688359 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Zhang N, Field T, Mazor KM, Zhou Y, Lapane KL, Gurwitz JH. The Increasing Prevalence of Obesity in Residents of U.S. Nursing Homes: 2005–2015. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2019; 74:1929-1936. [DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Obesity prevalence has been increasing over decades among the U.S. population. This study analyzed trends in obesity prevalence among long-stay nursing home residents from 2005 to 2015.
Methods
Data came from the Minimum Data Sets (2005–2015). The study population was limited to long-stay residents (ie, those residing in a nursing home ≥100 days in a year). Residents were stratified into body mass index (BMI)-based groups: underweight (BMI < 18.5), normal weight (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and obese (BMI ≥ 30); residents with obesity were further categorized as having Class I (30 ≤ BMI < 35), Class II (35 ≤ BMI < 40), or Class III (BMI ≥ 40) obesity. Minimum Data Sets assessments for 2015 were used to compare clinical and functional characteristics across these groups.
Results
Obesity prevalence increased from 22.4% in 2005 to 28.0% in 2015. The prevalence of Class III obesity increased from 4.0% to 6.2%. The prevalence of underweight, normal weight, and overweight decreased from 8.5% to 7.2%, from 40.3% to 37.1%, and from 28.9% to 27.8%, respectively. In 2015, compared with residents with normal weight, residents with obesity were younger, were less likely to be cognitively impaired, had high levels of mobility impairment, and were more likely to have important medical morbidities.
Conclusions and Relevance
There was a steady upward trend in obesity prevalence among nursing home residents for 2005–2015. Medical and functional characteristics of these residents may affect the type and level of care required, putting financial and staffing pressure on nursing homes.
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Brath H, Mehta N, Savage RD, Gill SS, Wu W, Bronskill SE, Zhu L, Gurwitz JH, Rochon PA. What Is Known About Preventing, Detecting, and Reversing Prescribing Cascades: A Scoping Review. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 66:2079-2085. [PMID: 30335185 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically describe the resources available on preventing, detecting, and reversing prescribing cascades using a scoping review methodology. MEASUREMENTS We searched Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Sociological Abstracts from inception until July 2017. Other searches (Google Scholar, hand searches) and expert consultations were performed for resources examining how to prevent, detect, or reverse prescribing cascades. We used these three categories along the prescribing continuum as an organizing framework to categorize and synthesize resources. RESULTS Of 369 resources identified, 58 met inclusion criteria; 29 of these were categorized as preventing, 20 as detecting, and 9 as reversing prescribing cascades. Resources originated from 14 countries and mostly focused on older adults. The goal of preventing resources was to educate and increase general awareness of the concept of prescribing cascades as a way to prevent inappropriate prescribing and to illustrate application of the concept to specific drugs (e.g., anticholinergics) and conditions (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease). Detecting resources included original investigations or case reports that identified prescribing cascades using health administrative data, patient cohorts, and novel sources such as social media. Reversing prescribing cascade resources focused on the medication review process and deprescribing initiatives. CONCLUSION Prescribing cascades are a recognized problem internationally. By learning from the range of resources to prevent, detect, and reverse prescribing cascades, this review contributes to improving drug prescribing, especially in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2079-2085, 2018.
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Gill TM, McGloin JM, Latham NK, Charpentier PA, Araujo KL, Skokos EA, Lu C, Shelton A, Bhasin S, Bianco LM, Carnie MB, Covinsky KE, Dykes P, Esserman DA, Ganz DA, Gurwitz JH, Hanson C, Nyquist LV, Reuben DB, Wallace RB, Greene EJ. Screening, Recruitment, and Baseline Characteristics for the Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE) Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2018; 73:1495-1501. [PMID: 30020415 PMCID: PMC6175032 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/gly076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We describe the recruitment of participants for Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE), a large pragmatic cluster randomized trial that is testing the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention to prevent serious fall injuries. Eligible persons were 70 years or older, community-living, and at increased risk for serious fall injuries. The modified goal was to recruit 5,322 participants over 20 months from 86 primary care practices within 10 diverse health care systems across the United States. Methods The at-risk population was identified using two distinct but complementary screening strategies that included three questions administered centrally via the mail (nine sites) or in the clinic (one site), while recruitment was completed centrally by staff at Yale. Results For central screening, 226,603 letters mailed to 135,118 patients yielded 28,719 positive screens (12.7% of those mailed and 46.5% of the 61,729 returned). In the clinic, 22,537 screens were completed, leading to 5,732 positive screens (25.4%). Of the 34,451 patients who screened positive for high risk of serious fall injuries, 31,872 were sent a recruitment packet and, of these, 5,451 (17.1%) were enrolled over 20 months (mean age: 80 years; 62% female). The participation rate was 34.0% among eligible patients. The enrollment yields were 3.6% (vs 5% projected) for each patient screened centrally, despite multiple screens, and 10.5% (vs 33.9% projected) for each positive clinic screen. Conclusions Despite lower-than-expected yields, the STRIDE Study exceeded its modified recruitment goal. If the STRIDE intervention is found to be effective, the two distinct strategies for identifying a high-risk population of older persons could be implemented by most health care systems.
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Gurwitz JH. Pharmaceutical Marketing at the 2018 American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting: The Case of Noctiva and the Need for Increased Vigilance. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 66:2045-2047. [PMID: 30289957 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Singh S, Zieman S, Go AS, Fortmann SP, Wenger NK, Fleg JL, Radziszewska B, Stone NJ, Zoungas S, Gurwitz JH. Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults-Moving Toward Evidence-Based Decision-Making. J Am Geriatr Soc 2018; 66:2188-2196. [PMID: 30277567 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.15449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 04/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy and safety of statins for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events in older adults, especially those aged 80 and older and with multimorbidity. METHODS The National Institute on Aging and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute convened A multidisciplinary expert panel from July 31 to August 1, 2017, to review existing evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and consider whether statin safety and efficacy data in persons aged 75 and older without ASCVD are sufficient; whether existing data can inform the feasibility, design, and implementation of future statin trials in older adults; and clinical trial options and designs to address knowledge gaps. This article summarizes the presentations and discussions at that workshop. RESULTS There is insufficient evidence regarding the benefits and harms of statins in older adults, especially those with concomitant frailty, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and cognitive impairment; a lack of tools to assess ASCVD risk in those aged 80 and older; and a paucity of evidence of the effect of statins on outcomes of importance to older adults, such as statin-associated muscle symptoms, cognitive function, and incident diabetes mellitus. Prospective, traditional, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and pragmatic RCTs seem to be suitable options to address these critical knowledge gaps. Future trials have to consider greater representation of very old adults, women, underrepresented minorities, and individuals of differing health, cognitive, socioeconomic, and educational backgrounds. Feasibility analyses from existing large healthcare networks confirm appropriate power for death and cardiovascular outcomes for future RCTs in this area. CONCLUSION Existing data cannot address uncertainties about the benefits and harms of statins for primary ASCVD prevention in adults aged 75 and older, especially those with comorbidities, frailty, and cognitive impairment. Evidence from 1 or more RCTs could address these important knowledge gaps to inform person-centered decision-making. J Am Geriatr Soc 66:2188-2196, 2018.
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