Association between temporary discharge from the inpatient palliative care unit and achievement of good death in end-of-life cancer patients: A nationwide survey of bereaved family members

AIM

To explore the unclear association between temporary discharge home from the palliative care unit and achievement of good death, in the background of increases in discharge from the palliative care unit. Association between experiences and circumstances of patient and family and duration of temporary discharge was also examined.

METHODS

This study was a secondary analysis of data from a nationwide post-bereavement survey.

RESULTS

Among 571 patients, 16% experienced temporary discharge home from the palliative care unit. The total good death inventory score (p < .05) and sum of 10 core attributes (p < .05) were significantly higher in the temporarily discharged and stayed home ≥2 weeks group. Among all attributes, "Independent in daily activities" (p < .001) was significantly better in the temporarily discharged and stayed home ≥2 weeks group. Regarding the experience and circumstance of patient and family, improvement of patient's appetite (p < .05), and sleep (p < .05) and peacefulness (p < .05) of family caregivers, compared to the patient being hospitalized, were associated with longer stay at home after discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient's achievement of good death was better in the temporarily discharged and stayed home longer group, but this seemed to be affected by high levels of independence of the patient. Temporary discharge from the palliative care unit and staying home longer was associated with improvement of appetite of patients and better sleep and mental health status of family caregivers. Discharging home from palliative care unit is worth being considered even if it is temporary.

Measurement tools that assess the quality of transitional care from patients' perspective: A literature review

AIM

Transitional care is important for improving the quality of life of patients discharged from hospitals. Patient-reported experience measures help improve transitional care quality. Thus, this literature review aimed to identify and appraise measurement tools that assess transitional care quality from the patient's perspective and identify its components.

METHODS

Development and validation studies were systematically searched in the PubMed and CINAHL databases. The review team appraised the methodological quality and statistical results of measurement properties using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology.

RESULTS

A total of 30 studies and seven instruments were identified. The target population was patients discharged from hospital to a home or nursing home (mean age = 52-84 years). The measurement time was before or after the discharge. The number of items in the original versions of the measures ranged from eight to 41, with short versions ranging from three to 12. The overall methodological quality of structural validity, internal consistency, and hypotheses testing was mostly "very good or adequate," according to COSMIN criteria. However, content validity and development were mostly "inadequate or doubtful" or not reported. The main components of included measures comprised "self-care after discharge," "providing information to the patient," "patient engagement in the care plan," and "dealing with patient's concerns."

CONCLUSION

The quality appraisal results and identified components are useful for choosing measurement tools in clinical practice and research. The Care Transitions Measure is the most widely validated measurement tool.

A prognostic model to identify short survival expectancy of medical oncology patients at the time of hospital discharge

Background

Hospitalization of cancer patients is associated with poor overall survival, but prognostic misclassification may lead to suboptimal therapeutic decisions and transitions of care. No model is currently available for stratifying the heterogeneous population of oncological patients after a hospital admission to a general Medical Oncology ward. We developed a multivariable prognostic model based on readily available and objective clinical data to estimate survival in oncological patients after hospital discharge.

Methods

A multivariable model and nomogram for overall survival after hospital discharge was developed in a retrospective training cohort and prospectively validated in an independent set of adult patients with solid tumors and a first admission to a unit of medical oncology. Performance of the model was assessed by C-index and Kaplan–Meier survival curves stratified by risk categories.

Results

From a population of 1089 patients with a first hospitalization, 757 patients were included in the training group [median survival, 43 weeks; 95% confidence interval (CI), 37-51 weeks] and 200 patients in the validation cohort (median survival, 44 weeks; 95% CI, 34 weeks-not reached). An accelerated failure time log-normal model was built, including five variables (primary tumor, stage, cause of admission, active treatment, and age). The C-index was 0.71 (95% CI, 0.69-0.73), with a good calibration, and adequate validation in the prospective cohort (C-index: 0.69; 95% CI, 0.65-0.74). Median survival in three predefined model-based risk groups was 10.7 weeks (high), 27.0 weeks (intermediate), and 3 years (low) in the training cohort, with comparable values in the validation cohort.

Conclusions

In oncological patients, individualized predictions of survival after hospitalization were provided by a simple and validated model. Further evaluation of the model might determine whether its use improves shared decision making at discharge.

•

Hospitalization of poor prognosis oncology patients is a frequently missed opportunity for transition to palliative care.

•

We developed and validated a prognostic index for cancer patients at hospital discharge based on five objective variables.

•

Adequate prognostic stratification at discharge may facilitate transitions of care and shared decision making.

Hospital organizational structure factors related to discharge planning activities for alcoholics by nurses in Japan

AIM

Nurses play a significant role in providing discharge support for alcoholics. We aimed to explore the organizational structures of hospitals that are related to effective discharge planning activities provided by nurses.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Japanese hospitals with psychiatric wards that accept alcoholics. The survey questionnaire was administered to one nurse per hospital from August to September 2019. The Discharge Planning Scale for Ward Nurses (DPWN) was used to assess the actual status of the hospital nurse teams' discharge planning activities. The DPWN consists of four subscales: subscale I, "collect information from patients and their families"; subscale II, "supports for decision-making for the patients and families"; subscale III, "utilization of social resources"; and subscale IV, "discharge guidance by cooperating with community support teams and multidisciplinary teams."

RESULTS

From the valid responses of 116 hospitals, scores on subscale IV were significantly lower than scores on subscales I, II, and III, indicating that medical care guidance through multidisciplinary collaboration between hospitals and the community was inadequate. In addition, multiple regression analysis showed that "hospital management and administrators understanding about nurses' discharge support activities," and "planning discharge schedules, such as using clinical paths" were significantly and independently related to the total DPWN and each of subscale scores, regardless of the hospital's establishment body and size. "Multidisciplinary discharge support" was significantly related to subscale II.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings have implications for the management of discharge planning activities provided by nurses for alcoholics through multidisciplinary collaboration.

Improving paediatric flow in an UK Paediatric Assessment Unit

The 2010 Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) guidelines for acute paediatric services set standards for time to senior review for paediatric medical admissions in the UK as tier two doctor (registrar) review within 4 hours and consultant review within 14 hours. Our aim was to implement these standards in our unit through increasing proportions of reviews within these timeframes and measuring the impact on patient flow. Four quality improvement cycles were completed between March 2018 and March 2020 capturing data from 288 patient data sets. Recommendations included the extension of consultant on-site availability out of routine working hours (after cycle 1), highlighting patients awaiting consultant review during team handover (after cycle 2), and improving tier two doctor rostering (after cycle 3). After highlighting patients for consultant priority review, the proportion of patients seen within 14 hours improved from 53.3% (cycle 2) to 95% (cycle 3, p=0.005). Improved tier two doctor cover increased the proportion meeting registrar review within 4 hours from 82.9% (cycle 3) to 96.2% (cycle 4, p=0.028). A large proportion of paediatric patients were managed and discharged at tier two doctor level (65.6% over cycles 1–4). An inverse correlation was seen (R=−0.587) between time to discharge and the number of tier two doctors on shift (cycle 4). The interventions conducted demonstrated significant improvement in proportions of paediatric patients seen within the RCPCH timeframes. Adequate tier two doctor staffing is a priority for prompt review and discharge of acute paediatric patients. Future work aims to consider factors such as nursing rostering, bed management and the impact of COVID-19 on paediatric flow.

Burden of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Children and Adolescents in Europe: Hospital Discharges, Deaths and Years of Life Lost

Children and adolescents are at high risk of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). To identify those most at risk across Europe, a comprehensive epidemiological study on the burden of TBI is needed. Our aim was to estimate the burden of TBI in the pediatric and adolescent population of Europe by calculating rates of hospital-based incidence, death and years of life lost (YLL) due to TBI in 33 countries of Europe in 2014 (most recent available data). We conducted a cross-sectional observational, population-based study. All cases with TBI in the age range 0 to 19, registered in the causes of death databases or hospital discharge databases of 33 European countries were included. Crude and age-standardized rates of hospital discharges, deaths and YLLs due to TBI; and pooled estimates for all countries combined were calculated. TBI caused 2303 deaths (71% in boys), 154,282 YLLs (68% in boys) and 441,368 hospital discharges (61% in boys) in the population of 0–19 year-olds. We estimated pooled age-standardized rates of death (2.8, 95% CI: 2.4–3.3), YLLs (184.4, 95% CI: 151.6–217.2) and hospital discharges (344.6, 95% CI: 250.3–438.9) for the analyzed countries in 2014. The population of 15–19 year-olds had the highest rates of deaths and YLLs, and the population of 0–4 year-olds had the highest rate of hospital discharges. Detailed estimates of hospital discharge, death and YLL rates based on high-quality, standardized data may be used to develop health policies, aid decision-making and plan prevention.

Effect of malnutrition on outcomes in patients with heart failure: A large retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is highly prevalent, whereas malnutrition is generally associated with poorer hospital outcomes, and it is not uncommon in patients with HF. Prior studies of the effect of malnutrition on HF outcomes are limited in size and quality. This study aims to elucidate the association between malnutrition and hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality, and discharge destination in patients with HF.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of medical records for inpatients admitted with a primary diagnosis of HF in 2018. Patients with HF and severe protein-calorie malnutrition were compared with those without malnutrition. A two-sided t-test was conducted between patients who have HF with and without malnutrition on hospital outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression was developed to identify potential predictors of malnutrition. A propensity score was calculated for each patient and matched cases (malnutrition with nonmalnutrition) to balance covariates and reduce bias.

RESULTS

For N = 7079, the median age was 75 years, with 15.79% having severe malnutrition. Overall mortality was 5.57% (394 deceased) . There were significant associations between malnutrition and both mortality (relative risk, 2.22; P < 0.001) and LOS (10 vs 5 days, P < 0.001) in patients with HF. Significantly fewer patients with malnutrition were discharged home (odds ratio, 0.41; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with HF and malnutrition have higher risk for mortality, increased LOS in the hospital, and decreased chance of being discharged home. Continued study of this population is required to better predict which patients with malnutrition will respond to nutrition interventions.

Why did you come back to the hospital? A qualitative analysis of 72-hour readmissions

OBJECTIVES

Readmissions occurring within a few days of discharge are more likely due to a problem from the patient's original admission and may be preventable by interventions in the hospital setting. As part of a quality improvement project intended to reduce readmissions within 72 hours of discharge our objective was to explore patient and physician perspectives of reasons for readmissions and to identify potential indicators of readmission during the index admission.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of all readmissions within 72 hours between 2/1/2019 and 6/7/2019 in our healthcare system comprised of an academic medical center and 2 smaller community hospitals. As part of a hospital protocol, patients readmitted within 30 days were interviewed by a social worker regarding reasons for readmission and their perspective on what might have prevented it. These answers, physician notes relevant to the reason for readmission and the clinical course of the index admission were abstracted from patient charts. For the subset of patients identified by themselves or their physicians as potentially benefitting from a longer hospitalization, their index admission was reviewed for indicators of readmission. Reasons for readmission, potential preventive measures, and indicators of readmission were independently reviewed by two authors then grouped into common themes by consensus.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-one patients readmitted within 72 hours were identified. Most patients were readmitted for infection related, cardiac or pulmonary reasons. Extending the initial admission was the most common factor suggested by both patients and physicians to prevent readmission. Focusing on 70 patients who may have benefited from a longer admission, indicators included patients not returning to their baseline health status, inadequate management of a known issue, or new symptoms developing during the index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients should be evaluated for indicators of readmission, which may help guide decisions to discharge patients and decrease rates of 72-hour readmissions.

Factors influencing place of death and disenrollment among patients receiving specialist palliative care

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE WORK

Place of death and disenrollment from specialized palliative care services (SPCSs) are two aspects that determine service utilization. These aspects should be determined by patient needs and preferences, but they are often associated to patient sociodemographic or contextual characteristics. The aim of this study was to describe which factors are associated with utilizing SPCSs in terms of place of death and disenrollment.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study. Patients (>18 years) who died or were disenrolled during SPCSs utilization. Two hierarchical regression models were performed, and variables were categorized in predisposing, enabling, and need factors according to the Andersen behavioral model of health services use.

RESULTS

We included 35,869 patients (52,5% male, mean age 74,6 ± 12,3 SD), where 17,225 patients died in hospice and 16,953 at home, while 1,691 patients were disenrolled. Dying at home was associated with older age, oncological diagnosis, painful symptoms and longer survival time. Instead, service disenrollment was associated with less education, longer wait time and longer length of stay.

CONCLUSIONS

SPCS utilization was not influenced only by patient need, but also by other factors, such as social and contextual factors. These factors need to be considered by health care providers and efforts are needed for 1) identifying barriers and implementing effective interventions to support patients and caregivers in their preferred place of care and death and 2) for avoiding SPCS disenrollment with an increased probability of aggressive treatments and worse quality of life for patients.

Medication Supports at Transitions Between Hospital and Other Care Settings: A Rapid Scoping Review

PURPOSE

Transitions in care (TiC) often involves managing medication changes and can be vulnerable moments for patients. Medication support, where medication changes are reviewed with patients and caregivers to increase knowledge and confidence about taking medications, is key to successful transitions. Little is known about the optimal tools and processes for providing medication support. This study aimed to identify describe patient or caregiver-centered medication support processes or tools that have been studied within 3 months following TiC between hospitals and other care settings.

METHODS

Rapid scoping review; English-language publications from OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, Cochrane Library and EBSCO CINAHL (2004-July 2019) that assessed medication support interventions delivered within 3 months following discharge were included. A subset of titles and abstracts were assessed by two reviewers to evaluate agreement and once reasonable agreement was achieved, the remainder were assessed by one reviewer. Eligibility assessment for full-text articles and data charting were completed by an experienced reviewer.

RESULTS

A total of 7671 unique citations were assessed; 60 studies were included. Half of the studies (n = 30/60) were randomized controlled trials. Most studies (n = 45/60) did not discuss intervention development, particularly whether end users were involved in intervention design. Many studies (n = 37/60) assessed multi-component interventions with written/print and verbal education components. Few studies (n = 5/60) included an electronic component. Very few studies (n = 4/60) included study populations at high risk of adverse events at TiC (eg, people with physical or intellectual disabilities, low literacy or language barriers).

CONCLUSION

The majority of studies were randomized controlled trials involving verbal counselling and/or physical document delivered to the patient before discharge. Few studies involved electronic components or considered patients at high-risk of adverse events. Future studies would benefit from improved reporting on development, consideration for electronic interventions, and improved reporting on patients with higher medication-related needs.

Impact of early mobilization on discharge disposition and functional status in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage: A retrospective cohort study

ABSTRACT

Whereas early rehabilitation improves the patients' physical function in patients with cerebral infarction and hemorrhage, complications in the early stage are the main barriers in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Therefore, the clinical impact of early rehabilitation in patients with SAH is not well documented. We sought to investigate whether early mobilization is associated with favorable discharge disposition and functional status in patients with SAH.Hospitalization data of 35 patients (65.7 ± 13.7 years, 37.1% men) were retrospectively reviewed. The early and delayed mobilization groups were defined as those who had and had not participated in walking rehabilitation on day 14, respectively. We investigated whether patients were discharged or transferred to another hospital and assessed their functional status using the Functional Ambulation Categories, Ambulation Index, Glasgow Outcome Scale, and modified Rankin Scale scores.Nine patients (69.2%) in the early mobilization group and one patient (4.5%) in the delayed mobilization group were discharged home directly (P < .001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, early mobilization was independently associated with home discharge after adjustment using the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies grade (adjusted odds ratio = 30.20, 95% CI = 2.77-329.00, P < .01). Early mobilization was associated with favorable functional status at discharge through multivariate linear regression analysis (standardized beta = 0.64 with P < .001 for the Functional Ambulation Category and beta = -0.62 with P < .001 for the modified Rankin Scale, respectively).Early mobilization was associated with home discharge and favorable functional status at discharge. Larger prospective studies are warranted.

Effect of early nutritional initiation on post-cerebral infarction discharge destination: A propensity-matched analysis using machine learning

AIM

Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in cerebral infarction patients, with research indicating that early nutritional initiation may improve the short-term prognosis of patients. However, evidence supported by big data is lacking. Here, to determine the effect of nutritional initiation during the first 3 days after hospital admission on home discharge rates, propensity score matching was conducted in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study, using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination anonymised database in Japan, included 41 477 ischaemic cerebral infarction patients hospitalised between 2016 and 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received oral or enteral nutrition during the first 3 days of hospital admission (early nutrition group, n = 37 318) and those who did not (control group, n = 4159). One-to-one pair-matching was performed using propensity scores calculated via extreme gradient boosting to limit the confounding variables of the two groups.

RESULTS

After propensity score matching, 3541 pairs of patients were selected. The dependence of home discharge rates on early nutrition was significant (p < 0.05), and the effectiveness of early nutrition for home discharge showed an odds ratio of 1.79 (95% confidence interval of 1.59-2.03 in Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that early nutritional initiation during the first 3 days of admission resulted in higher home discharge rates.

Variability in discharge opioid prescribing practices for children: a historical cohort study

PURPOSE

Legitimate opioid prescriptions can increase the risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose of opioids in children and adolescents. This study aimed to describe the prescribing patterns of discharge opioid analgesics following inpatient visits and to determine patient and prescriber characteristics that are associated with prolonged opioid prescription.

METHODS

In a historical cohort study, we identified patients discharged from hospital with an opioid analgesic prescription in a tertiary pediatric hospital from 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2017. The primary outcome was the duration of opioid prescription in number of days. We assessed the association between patient and prescriber characteristics and an opioid prescription duration > five days using a generalized estimating equation to account for clustering due to repeated admissions of the same patient.

RESULTS

During the 18-month study period, 15.4% of all admitted patients (3,787/24,571) were given a total of 3,870 opioid prescriptions at discharge. The median [interquartile range] prescribed duration of outpatient opioid therapy was 3.75 [3.00-5.00] days. Seventy-seven percent of the opioid prescriptions were for five days or less. Generalized estimating equation analysis revealed that hospital stay > four days, oxycodone prescription, and prescription by clinical fellows and the orthopedics service were all independently associated with a discharge opioid prescription of > five days.

CONCLUSIONS

Most discharge opioids for children were prescribed for less than five days, consistent with current guidelines for adults. Nevertheless, the dosage and duration of opioids prescribed at discharge varied widely.

Persistence of Symptoms After Discharge of Patients Hospitalized Due to COVID-19

Many patients who had coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had at least one symptom that persisted after recovery from the acute phase. Our purpose was to review the empirical evidence on symptom prevalence, complications, and management of patients with long COVID. We systematically reviewed the literature on the clinical manifestations of long COVID-19, defined by the persistence of symptoms beyond the acute phase of infection. Bibliographic searches in PubMed and Google Scholar were conducted to retrieve relevant studies on confirmed patients with long COVID that were published prior to August 30, 2021. The most common persistent symptoms were fatigue, cough, dyspnea, chest pains, chest tightness, joint pain, muscle pain, loss of taste or smell, hair loss, sleep difficulties, anxiety, and depression. Some of the less common persistent symptoms were skin rash, decreased appetite, sweating, inability to concentrate, and memory lapses. In addition to these general symptoms, some patients experienced dysfunctions of specific organs, mainly the lungs, heart, kidneys, and nervous system. A comprehensive understanding of the persistent clinical manifestations of COVID-19 can improve and facilitate patient management and referrals. Prompt rehabilitative care and targeted interventions of these patients may improve their recovery from physical, immune, and mental health symptoms.

Early Occupational Therapy Intervention in the Hospital Discharge after Stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of acquired disability in adults which is a cerebrovascular disease of great impact in health and social terms, not only due to its prevalence and incidence but also because of its significant consequences in terms of patient dependence and its consequent impact on the patient and family lives. The general objective of this study is to determine whether an early occupational therapy intervention at hospital discharge after suffering a stroke has a positive effect on the functional independence of the patient three months after discharge—the patient’s level of independence being the main focus of this research. Data will be collected on readmissions to hospitals, mortality, returns to work and returns to driving, as well as an economic health analysis. This is a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. The sample size will be made up of 60 patients who suffered a stroke and were discharged from the neurology unit of a second-level hospital in west Malaga (Spain), who were then referred to the rehabilitation service by the joint decision of the neurology and rehabilitation department. The patients and caregivers assigned to the experimental group were included in an early occupational therapy intervention program and compared with a control group that receives usual care.

Transitional care programs to improve outcomes in patients with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Effective nursing interventions for caring for patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury are still challenging during a transition from hospital to home. Since traumatic brain injury has deep-rooted sequelae, patients and their caregivers require better arrangement and information on the condition to achieve improved outcomes after discharge.

Objective

This study aimed to assess transitional care programs to improve outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed on studies retrieved from ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from January 2010 to July 2021. RevMan 5.4.1 software was used for meta-analysis.

Results

Nine studies were systematically selected from 1,137 studies. The standard approaches of interventions used in patients with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers were education, mentored problem-solving, home-and community-based rehabilitation, counseling, skill-building, and psychological support. We observed that there was significant evidence indicating beneficial effects of intervention in increasing the physical functioning of patients with traumatic brain injury (SMD = -0.44, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.28, p <0.001), reducing the psychological symptoms among caregivers (SMD = -0.42, 95% CI -0.59 to -0.24, p <0.001), and increasing the satisfaction (SMD = -0.35, 95% CI -0.60 to -0.11, p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Education, skill-building, and psychological support should be the main components in transitional care nursing programs for patients with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers.

Risk, Clinical Course, and Outcome of Ischemic Stroke in Patients Hospitalized With COVID-19: A Multicenter Cohort Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The frequency of ischemic stroke in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) varies in the current literature, and risk factors are unknown. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of acute ischemic stroke in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

We included patients with a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2) infection admitted in 16 Dutch hospitals participating in the international CAPACITY-COVID registry between March 1 and August 1, 2020. Patients were screened for the occurrence of acute ischemic stroke. We calculated the cumulative incidence of ischemic stroke and compared risk factors, cardiovascular complications, and in-hospital mortality in patients with and without ischemic stroke.

RESULTS

We included 2147 patients with COVID-19, of whom 586 (27.3%) needed treatment at an intensive care unit. Thirty-eight patients (1.8%) had an ischemic stroke. Patients with stroke were older but did not differ in sex or cardiovascular risk factors. Median time between the onset of COVID-19 symptoms and diagnosis of stroke was 2 weeks. The incidence of ischemic stroke was higher among patients who were treated at an intensive care unit (16/586; 2.7% versus nonintensive care unit, 22/1561; 1.4%; P=0.039). Pulmonary embolism was more common in patients with (8/38; 21.1%) than in those without stroke (160/2109; 7.6%; adjusted risk ratio, 2.08 [95% CI, 1.52-2.84]). Twenty-seven patients with ischemic stroke (71.1%) died during admission or were functionally dependent at discharge. Patients with ischemic stroke were at a higher risk of in-hospital mortality (adjusted risk ratio, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.13-2.15]) than patients without stroke.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter cohort study, the cumulative incidence of acute ischemic stroke in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 was ≈2%, with a higher risk in patients treated at an intensive care unit. The majority of stroke patients had a poor outcome. The association between ischemic stroke and pulmonary embolism warrants further investigation.

Many inpatients may not be physically prepared for community ambulation on discharge from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre: a cross-sectional cohort study

PURPOSE

We assessed the ability of patients discharging home from inpatient rehabilitation to meet criteria for community ambulation.

METHODS

Cross-sectional observational study design. Participants were assessed, within 48-hours of discharge on their ability to: ascend/descend three steps, walk at a speed of 0.44 m/s, ascend/descend a slope, ascend/descend a kerb, and walk 315 m continuously. Demographic data were collected from medical records. Multiple logistic regression determined factors predictive of meeting criteria.

RESULTS

Of 200 participants (mean 73 years, 66% women, mixed diagnosis), 64 (32%) met all criteria. The least commonly met criteria were walking 315 m continuously (37%) and ascending/descending steps (70%). Participants who were female (OR: 0.27, 95%CI: 0.12-0.61), with a high comorbidity index (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.56-0.91) or a traumatic orthopaedic diagnosis (OR: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.05-0.96) were less likely to meet all criteria. Participants with a higher admission functional independence walk item score (OR: 1.37, 95%CI: 1.05-1.78) or higher ambulatory self-confidence (OR: 1.02, 95%CI: 1.01-1.04) were more likely to meet all criteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately, one-third of inpatients discharged home from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre met the community ambulation criteria, suggesting many may not be physically prepared to participate in their community.Implications for RehabilitationOnly about one in three inpatients discharging home from a publicly funded rehabilitation centre met physical criteria for community ambulation.Patients discharging home from inpatient rehabilitation have most difficulty walking long distances (≥315 m) compared to other criteria required for community ambulation (i.e., walking at a speed of 0.44 m/s, stepping up/down a kerb, ascending/descending a slope and ascending/descending three steps) and rehabilitation during this phase may require an increased focus on improving walking endurance/physical activity.Women with a high co-morbidity index, traumatic orthopaedic diagnosis, low self-confidence with ambulation on discharge and who require more assistance with walking on admission are least likely to meet the physical criteria for community ambulation at discharge, and therefore may require additional rehabilitation or supports.

Content Analysis of Patient Safety Incident Reports for Older Adult Patient Transfers, Handovers, and Discharges: Do They Serve Organizations, Staff, or Patients?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to analyze content of incident reports during patient transitions in the context of care of older people, cardiology, orthopedics, and stroke.

METHODS

A structured search strategy identified incident reports involving patient transitions (March 2014-August 2014, January 2015-June 2015) within 2 National Health Service Trusts (in upper and lower quartiles of incident reports/100 admissions) in care of older people, cardiology, orthopedics, and stroke. Content analysis identified the following: incident classifications; active failures; latent conditions; patient/relative involvement; and evidence of individual or organizational learning. Reported harm was interpreted with reference to National Reporting and Learning System criteria.

RESULTS

A total 278 incident reports were analyzed. Fourteen incident classifications were identified, with pressure ulcers the modal category (n = 101,36%), followed by falls (n = 32, 12%), medication (n = 31, 11%), and documentation (n = 29, 10%). Half (n = 139, 50%) of incident reports related to interunit/department/team transfers. Latent conditions were explicit in 33 (12%) reports; most frequently, these related to inadequate resources/staff and concomitant time pressures (n = 13). Patient/family involvement was explicit in 61 (22%) reports. Patient well-being was explicit in 24 (9%) reports. Individual and organizational learning was evident in 3% and 7% of reports, respectively. Reported harm was significantly lower than coder-interpreted harm (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Incident report quality was suboptimal for individual and organizational learning. Underreporting level of harm suggests reporter bias, which requires reducing as much as practicable. System-level interventions are warranted to encourage use of staff reflective skills, emphasizing joint ownership of incidents. Co-producing incident reports with other clinicians involved in the transition and patients/relatives could optimize organizational learning.

Learning from Lean: a quality improvement project using a Lean-based improvement approach to improve discharge for patients with frailty in an acute care hospital

A Lean-based improvement approach was used to complete a quality improvement project (QIP) focused on improving speed and quality of discharge of frail patients on two wards at a large teaching hospital in the UK. This was part of a national initiative to embed continuous improvement within the trust. The aim of the QIP was to improve the proportion of prenoon discharges to 33% of total patients discharged from the ward each day. An 'improvement practice process' followed, which included seven discrete workshops that took the QIP through four distinct phases-understand, design, deliver and sustain. Several improvement methods and tools were used, including value stream mapping and plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles. Ten PDSA cycles were implemented across the clinical areas, including improved planning and data collection of discharge, improved communication between nursing and medical staff, and earlier referrals to community hospitals for discharge. Improved performance was identified through the outcome metric prenoon discharges on both wards, with the average increasing from 8% to 24% on ward X and from 9% to 19% on ward Y, with no other significant change seen in other measures. Pettigrew et al's context-content-process change model was used to structure the learning from the QIP, which included the impact of varying ward contexts, the format of conducting improvement with staff, the importance of organisational support, the need for qualitative measures, agreeing to an apposite aim and the power of involving service users. The original aim of 33% prenoon discharges was not achieved, yet there was clear learning from completing the QIP which could contribute to ongoing improvement work. This identified that the Lean-based improvement approach used was effective to some degree for improving discharge processes. Further focus is required on collecting qualitative data to identify the impact on staff, especially related to behaviour and culture change.

ERAS reduces postoperative hospital stay and complications after bariatric surgery: A retrospective cohort study

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a multimodal, multidisciplinary approach for caring surgical patients. The present study aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic bariatric surgery between patients with ERAS and those with conventional care.The clinical data of all patients undergoing primary laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January 2014 and June 2017 were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Patients were managed with conventional care during 2014 to 2015 (conventional care group) and with ERAS protocols during 2016 to 2017 (ERAS group). The 2 groups were compared in terms of postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) and postoperative day 1 discharge rate.A total of 435 consecutive patients were included with 198 patients in the conventional care group and 237 patients in the ERAS group. The ERAS group had significantly shorter LOS (2.2 ± 0.9 vs 4.0 ± 2.6 days, P < .01) and significantly higher day 1 discharge rate (15.2% vs 1%, P < .01) compared with the conventional care group. During postoperative 30 days, the ERAS group had significantly less complications (2.1% vs 8.6%, P < .01) and readmissions (1.3% vs 4.5%, P = .02) compared with the conventional care group.Compared with conventional care, ERAS significantly reduces postoperative LOS, complications, and readmissions in patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Transitional Care Management from Emergency Services to Communities: An Action Research Study

In recent years, nurses have developed projects in the area of hospital to community transition. The objective of the present study was to analyze the transitional care offered to elderly people after they used emergency services and were discharged to return to the community. The action research method was chosen. The participants were nurses, elderly people 70 years old or older, and their caregivers. The study was carried out from October 2018 to August 2019. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with the nurses, analysis of medical records, participatory observation, phone calls to the elderly people and caregivers, and team meetings. The qualitative data were submitted to Bardin’s content analysis. Statistical treatment was carried out by applying SPSS version 23.0. The institution’s research ethics committee approved the research. Only 31.4% of the sample experienced care continuity after discharge, and the rate of readmission to emergency services during the first 30 days after discharge was 33.4%. The referral letters lacked data on information provided to patients or caregivers, and nurses mentioned difficulties in communication between care levels, as well as obstacles to teamwork; they also mentioned that the lack of health policies and clinical rules to formalize transitional care between the hospital and the community perpetuated non-coordination of care between the two contexts. The low level of literacy of patients and their relatives are mentioned as a cause for not understanding the information regarding seeking primary health care services and handing the discharge letter. It was concluded that there is an urgent need to mobilize health teams toward action in the patients’ process of returning home, and this factor must be taken into account in care planning.

Prevalence of discharge against medical advice and its associated demographic predictors among pediatric patients: A cross-sectional study of Saudi Arabia

Background:

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) occurs when the patient or their caretaker leaves the hospital against the recommendation of their treating physician. DAMA may expose the children to a high risk of inadequate treatment, which may result in readmission, prolonged morbidity, and mortality. The study aimed to identify the predictors of DAMA in the emergency department (ED) within the pediatric age group.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study. The study used the medical records of pediatric patients (n = 5609) that were admitted to the ED of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAAUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during 2017 and 2018. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, or Fisher's exact test were used. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios with their 95% CI were reported by performing logistic regression modeling.

Results:

A significant interaction between age and gender was observed in the multivariate analysis after adjusting for the other covariates. The odds of DAMA for a 5-year-old female child were 4.43 times higher than those of a 5-year-old male child (P < 0.1).

Conclusions:

The public should be educated about the consequences of DAMA. Continued health education and the promotion of child survival strategies at the community level, combined with an improvement in the socioeconomic conditions of the population, may further reduce DAMA and improve the chances of survival for children. Future studies should assess the socioeconomic status of the patients and estimate the cost that is incurred by the patients.

Hospital Discharge: An Opportune Time for Antimicrobial Stewardship

BACKGROUND

Approximately 30% of antimicrobials prescribed in the outpatient setting are unnecessary and up to 50% are inappropriate. Despite this, antimicrobial stewardship (AS) efforts mostly focus on the inpatient setting, and limited data describe AS interventions at hospital discharge. Acknowledging the potential value of discharge AS, we used our existing resources to review discharge oral antimicrobial prescriptions.

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this retrospective, single-center study was to evaluate the impact of an AS program on discharge oral antimicrobial prescriptions.

METHODS

Discharge oral antimicrobial prescriptions sent to our hospital-operated outpatient pharmacy, reviewed by an infectious diseases (ID) pharmacist, and recorded into our data collection tool from September 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, were evaluated retrospectively. The primary outcome was to identify the frequency a drug-related problem (DRP) was identified by an ID pharmacist. Secondary outcomes included DRP characterization, percentage of prescriptions with interventions, intervention acceptance rate, and reduction in antimicrobial days dispensed at discharge when interventions to limit treatment duration were accepted.

RESULTS

Of the 803 discharge oral antimicrobial prescriptions reviewed, at least 1 DRP was identified in 43.1% (346/803). The most frequently identified DRPs pertained to treatment duration, drug selection, and dose selection. At least 1 intervention was recommended in 42.8% (344/803) of prescriptions. In total, 438 interventions were made and the acceptance rate was 75.6% (331/438). The most common types of interventions included recommendations for a different duration, a different dose or frequency, and antimicrobial discontinuation. When interventions to reduce treatment duration were accepted, the median (interquartile range) number of antimicrobial days decreased from 8 (5-10) days to 4 (0-5.5) days (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE

An ID pharmacist's review of discharge oral antimicrobial prescriptions sent to our hospital-operated outpatient pharmacy resulted in identification of DRPs and subsequent interventions in a substantial number of prescriptions.

Nursing's Role in Successful Stroke Care Transitions Across the Continuum: From Acute Care Into the Community

Facilitating successful care transitions across settings is a key nursing competency. Although we have achieved improvements in acute stroke care, similar advances in stroke care transitions in the postacute and return to community phases have lagged far behind. In the current delivery system, care transitions are often ineffective and inefficient resulting in unmet needs and high rates of unnecessary complications and avoidable hospital readmissions. Nurses must use evidence-based approaches to prepare stroke survivors and their family caregivers for postdischarge self-management, rehabilitation, and recovery. The purpose of this article is to provide evidence on the important nursing roles in stroke care and transition management across the care continuum, discuss cross-setting issues in stroke care, and provide recommendations to leverage nursing's impact in optimizing outcomes for stroke survivors and their family unit across the continuum. To optimize nursing's influence in facilitating safe, effective, and efficient care transitions for stroke survivors and their family caregivers across the continuum we have the following recommendations (1) establish a system of coordinated and seamless comprehensive stroke care across the continuum and into the community; (2) implement a stroke nurse liaison role that provides consultant case management for the episode of care across all settings/services for improved consistency, communication and follow-up care; (3) implement a validated caregiver assessment tool to systematically assess gaps in caregiver preparedness and develop a tailored caregiver/family care plan that can be implemented to improve caregiver preparedness; (4) use evidence-based teaching and communication methods to optimize stroke survivor/caregiver learning; and (5) use technology to advance stroke nursing care. Nurses must leverage their substantial influence over the health care delivery system to achieve these improvements in stroke care delivery to improve the health and lives of stroke survivors and their families.