Trends in length of stay and short-term outcomes among Medicare patients hospitalized for heart failure, 1993-2006

Effect of Tolvaptan in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Stage G5, and Impact of Concomitant Use of Thiazide Diuretics: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

The diuretic effect of tolvaptan, a vasopressin V2 receptor antagonist, in patients with severe renal dysfunction remains poorly characterized. Thiazide diuretics reduce urinary volume (UV) in patients with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, which lacks V2 receptor function.

OBJECTIVE

This retrospective study investigated the acute urinary effects of tolvaptan in patients with stage G5 chronic kidney disease and congestive heart failure (CHF), and the impact of thiazide diuretics on the urinary effects of tolvaptan.

METHODS

UVs 24 h before and after tolvaptan administration and 30-day dialysis initiation rate were compared between patients with and without thiazide diuretic administration.

RESULTS

Thiazide diuretics were used in 26 of the 106 recruited patients (age 73.4 ± 13.0 years; estimated glomerular filtration rate 8.07 ± 3.13 mL/min/1.73 m²). The pre- and post-tolvaptan 24-h UVs were significantly higher in patients not administered thiazide diuretics (1043.4 ± 645.6 vs. 1422.2 ± 774.0 mL/day; p < 0.001) than in those administered thiazide diuretics (1177.3 ± 686.5 vs. 1173.1 ± 629.1 mL/day; p = 0.93). In a multivariate regression model, thiazide diuretic use was significantly associated with decreased 24-h UV (β coefficient - 486.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 674.5 to - 298.8); increased urine osmolality (β coefficient 37.7, 95% CI 17.1-58.4); increased body weight (β coefficient 0.62, 95% CI 0.31-0.92); and increased 30-day dialysis initiation rate (odds ratio 3.40, 95% CI 1.18-9.82) after tolvaptan administration.

CONCLUSIONS

Tolvaptan exhibited significant diuretic effects in patients with CHF, including those with severe renal dysfunction, which were diminished with concomitant thiazide diuretic use.

Post-operative management after total ankle arthroplasty: A systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Currently, there is no consensus on the most appropriate post-operative management for patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty. The aim of this study is therefore to offer a systematic review of the pertaining literature to identify current post-operative protocols and describe possible differences.

METHODS

A systematic review to identify recent studies concerning the post-operative management after total ankle arthroplasty was conducted. Five topics were analyzed: length of hospital stay, type and duration of immobilization, weight-bearing management, post-operative pharmacological therapies, adopted rehabilitation scheme.

RESULTS

Eighty-four studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review process. Most of the papers appear to have conflicting opinions with no consensus and homogeneous protocols.

CONCLUSION

Due to various methodological limitations, it is not possible to provide sufficiently supported evidence-based recommendations, and it is therefore difficult to determine the superiority of one post-operative protocol over the others after total ankle arthroplasty.

The Clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization, and related costs (COHERENT) model. Application in heart failure patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Composite endpoints are widely used but have several limitations. The Clinical outcomes, healthcare resource utilization and related costs (COHERENT) model is a new approach for visually displaying and comparing composite endpoints including all their components (incidence, timing, duration) and related costs. We aimed to assess the validity of the COHERENT model in a patient cohort.

METHODS

A color graphic system displaying the percentage of patients in each clinical situation (vital status and location: at home, emergency department [ED] or hospital) and related costs at each time point during follow-up was created based on a list of mutually exclusive clinical situations coded in a hierarchical fashion. The system was tested in a cohort of 1126 patients with acute heart failure from 25 hospitals. The system calculated and displayed the time spent in each clinical situation and health care resource utilization-related costs over 30 days.

RESULTS

The model illustrated the times spent over 30 days (2.12% in ED, 23.6% in index hospitalization, 2.7% in readmissions, 65.5% alive at home, and 6.02% dead), showing significant differences between patient groups, hospitals, and health care systems. The tool calculated and displayed the daily and cumulative health care-related costs over time (total, €4 895 070; mean, €144.91 per patient/d).

CONCLUSIONS

The COHERENT model is a new, easy-to-interpret, visual display of composite endpoints, enabling comparisons between patient groups and cohorts, including related costs. The model may constitute a useful new approach for clinical trials or observational studies, and a tool for benchmarking, and value-based health care implementation.

Which anthropometric measurement is better for predicting survival of patients with cancer cachexia?

No relevant studies have yet been conducted to explore which measurement can best predict the survival time of patients with cancer cachexia. This study aimed to identify an anthropometric measurement that could predict the 1-year survival of patients with cancer cachexia. We conducted a nested case-control study using data from a multicentre clinical investigation of cancer from 2013 to 2020. Cachexia was defined using the Fearon criteria. A total of 262 patients who survived less than 1 year and 262 patients who survived more than 1 year were included in this study. Six candidate variables were selected based on clinical experience and previous studies. Five variables, BMI, mid-arm circumference, mid-arm muscle circumference, calf circumference and triceps skin fold (TSF), were selected for inclusion in the multivariable model. In the conditional logistic regression analysis, TSF (P = 0·014) was identified as a significant independent protective factor. A similar result was observed in all patients with cancer cachexia (n 3084). In addition, a significantly stronger positive association between TSF and the 1-year survival of patients with cancer cachexia was observed in participants aged > 65 years (OR: 0·94; 95 % CI 0·89, 0·99) than in those aged ≤ 65 years (OR: 0·96; 95 % CI 0·93, 0·99; P_interaction = 0·013) and in participants with no chronic disease (OR: 0·92; 95 % CI 0·87, 0·97) than in those with chronic disease (OR: 0·97; 95 % CI 0·94, 1·00; P_interaction = 0·049). According to this study, TSF might be a good anthropometric measurement for predicting 1-year survival in patients with cancer cachexia.

Prehospital Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Acute Heart Failure

Introduction 

Early diagnosis and optimization of heart failure therapies in patients with acute heart failure (AHF), including in the prehospital setting, is crucial to improving outcomes. However, making the diagnosis of AHF in the prehospital setting is difficult. The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of prehospital diagnosis (AHF versus not heart failure [HF]) in patients with acute dyspnea when compared to final hospital diagnosis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of adult patients transported by emergency medical services (EMS) with a primary or secondary complaint of shortness of breath. Patients were identified through an EMS electronic database (ESO) and matched to their hospital encounter. ESO was reviewed for prehospital diagnosis and management. Hospital electronic medical records were reviewed to determine final hospital diagnosis, management in the emergency department and hospital, disposition, and length of stay. The primary outcome compared prehospital diagnosis to final hospital diagnosis, which served as our criterion standard.

Results

Of 199 included patients, 50 (25%) had a final diagnosis of AHF. Prehospital paramedic sensitivity and accuracy for AHF were 14% (7/50; confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.26) and 77% (CI 0.70-0.82), respectively. In the 50 patients with AHF, 14 (28%) received nitroglycerin in the prehospital setting, while 27 (54.0%) patients were inappropriately treated with albuterol.

Conclusion

Prehospital paramedics had poor sensitivity and moderate accuracy for the diagnosis of AHF. A small percentage of patients ultimately diagnosed with AHF had HF therapy initiated in the prehospital setting. This data highlights the fact that AHF is difficult to diagnose in the prehospital setting and is commonly missed.

A multidisciplinary approach to heart failure care in the hospital: improving the patient journey

Despite advancements in care for patients with heart failure (HF), morbidity and mortality remain high. Hospitalizations and readmissions for HF have been the focus of significant attention among health care providers and payers, with an eye towards reducing health care costs. However, considerable variability exists with regard to inpatient workflows and management for patients with HF, which represents a significant opportunity to improve care. Here we provide a summary of optimal inpatient management strategies for HF, focusing on the multidisciplinary team of emergency medicine providers, admitting hospitalists, cardiovascular consultants, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers. The patient journey serves as the template for this review article, from the initial presentation in the emergency department, to decongestion and stabilization, optimization of guideline-directed medical therapy, and discharge and appropriate disposition. Lastly, this review aims not to be proscriptive but rather to provide best practices that are clinically relevant and actionable, with the goal of improving care for patients during the sentinel hospitalization for HF.

Bacterial etiology and mortality rate in community-acquired pneumonia, healthcare-associated pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia in Thai university hospital

Pneumonia is caused by infection at the pulmonary parenchyma which constitutes a crucial risk factor for morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine the mortality rate and its risk factors as well as etiology among inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). A hospital-based retrospective cohort study was conducted in a university hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand. A total of 250 inpatients with pneumonia was included in the present study. The inhospital mortality rate was 1.25 (95% CI 0.99-1.56) per 100 person-days. The present study reported that overall pneumonia caused by gram-negative pathogens accounted for 60.5%. P. aeruginosa was a frequent gram-negative pathogen among these participants, especially among patients with HCAP and HAP. Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) of inhospital mortality among patients with HAP was 1.75 (95% CI 1.01-3.03) times that of those among patients with CAP, while AHR for 28-day mortality among patients with HAP compared with those with CAP was 2.81 (95% CI 1.38-5.75). Individual risks factors including cardiomyopathy, active-smoker and insulin use were potential risk factors for mortality. Initial qSOFA and acid-based disturbance should be assessed to improve proper management and outcomes.

Longer length of stay, days between discharge/first readmission, and pulmonary involvement ≥50% increase prevalence of admissions in ICU in unplanned readmissions after COVID-19 hospitalizations

Hospital readmissions due to COVID‐19 are one of the main concerns for the health system due to risks to the patient's life and increased use of health resources. Studies focusing on this issue are important to understand the risk factors and create strategies to avoid readmissions. We evaluated the readmission of patients with confirmed COVID‐19 in a private hospital in southern Brazil, between March 2020 and 2021. Also, the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and nonadmitted were compared. Poisson regression models with prevalence ratio (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were applied to confirm the association between variables and ICU admission. Of the 2084 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19, 1806 were discharged alive. Among them, 106 were readmitted for unplanned reasons during one year. Early hospital readmission (≤30 days) occurred in 52.8% of the cases. The main reasons were respiratory, gastroenterological, kidney, and cardiac disease. The median age was 73.0 years old and women correspond to 52.8%. The presence of at least one comorbidity was detected in 87.7% of patients. Hypertension, diabetes, cardiac, and lung disease were more frequent. The ICU admitted patients (n = 43; 40.5%) mostly had 4–5 comorbidities, pulmonary involvement ≥50%, length of stay (LOS), and days between discharge and first readmission. Longer LOS (PR: 3.46; 95% CI: 1.24–5.67), days between discharge/first readmission (PR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.15–5.88), and pulmonary involvement (≥50%; PR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.11–3.54) were independently associated with ICU admission. Longer LOS, longer days between discharge/first readmission, and pulmonary involvement (≥50%) were associated with ICU admission in readmitted patients. Readmissions evaluation is pivotal and may help in ensuring safe care transition and postdischarge follow‐up.

Rates and risk factors associated with 30- and 90-day readmissions and reoperations after spinal fusions for adult lumbar degenerative pathology and spinal deformity

PURPOSE

Analyze state databases to determine variables associated with of short-term readmissions and reoperations following thoracolumbar spine fusions for degenerative pathology and spinal deformity.

METHODS

Retrospective study of State Inpatient Database (2005-13, CA, NE, NY, FL, NC, UT).

INCLUSION CRITERIA

age > 45 years, diagnosis of degenerative spinal deformity, ≥ 3 level posterolateral lumbar spine fusion.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA

revision surgery, cervical fusions, trauma, and cancer. Univariate and step-wise multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent variables associated with of 30- and 90-day readmissions and reoperations.

RESULTS

12,641 patients were included. All-cause 30- and 90-day readmission rates were 14.6% and 21.1%, respectively. 90-day readmissions were associated with: age > 80 (OR: 1.42), 8 + level fusions (OR: 1.19), hospital length of stay (LOS) > 7 days (OR: 1.43), obesity (OR: 1.29), morbid obesity (OR: 1.66), academic hospital (OR: 1.13), cancer history (OR:1.21), drug abuse (OR: 1.31), increased Charlson Comorbidity index (OR: 1.12), and depression (OR: 1.20). Private insurance (OR: 0.64) and lumbar-only fusions (OR: 0.87) were not associated with 90-day readmissions. All-cause 30- and 90-day reoperation rates were 1.8% and 4.2%, respectively. Variables associated with 90-day reoperations were 8 + level fusions (OR: 1.28), LOS > 7 days (OR: 1.43), drug abuse (OR: 1.68), osteoporosis (OR: 1.26), and depression (OR: 1.23). Circumferential fusion (OR: 0.58) and lumbar-only fusions (OR: 0.68) were not associated with 90-day reoperations.

CONCLUSIONS

30- and 90-day readmission and reoperation rates in thoracolumbar fusions for adult degenerative pathology and spinal deformity may have been underreported in previously published smaller studies. Identification of modifiable risk factors is important for improving quality of care through preoperative optimization.

National trend in heart failure hospitalization and outcome under public health insurance system in Thailand 2008-2013

Background

There are limited data on the burden, characteristics, and outcomes of hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients in Thailand. The aim of this study was to investigate national trend in HF hospitalization rate, in-hospital and 1-year mortality rate, and rehospitalization rate in Thailand.

Methods

We analyzed the claims data of hospitalized patients obtained from the three major Thailand public health reimbursement systems between 2008 and 2013. Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a principal diagnosis of HF by the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Thai modification were included. Comorbidities were identified by secondary diagnosis codes. The annual rate of HF hospitalization was calculated per 100,000 beneficiaries. Records of subsequent hospitalization of discharged patients were retrieved. For 1-year mortality rate, vital status of each patient was obtained from Thai Civil Registration of Death database. All outcomes were tested for linear trends across calendar years.

Results

Between 2008 and 2013, 434,933 HF hospitalizations were identified. The mean age was 65.3 years (SD 14.6), and 58.1% were female. The HF hospitalization rate increased from 138 in 2008 to 168 per 100,000 beneficiaries in 2013 (P for trend < 0.001). Nearly half (47.4%) had had a prior HF admission within 1 year. A small proportion of patients (7.4%) received echocardiography during hospitalization. The median length of hospital stay was 3 days. In-hospital mortality declined from 4.4 to 3.8% (P for trend < 0.001). The overall 30-day and 1-year rehospitalization rates were 34 and 73%, respectively, without significant trends over the study period. Most common cause of 30-day rehospitalization was HF (42%). One-year mortality decreased from 31.8% in 2008 to 28.5% in 2012 (P for trend < 0.001).

Conclusion

Between 2008 and 2013, HF hospitalization rate in Thailand increased. The in-hospital and 1-year mortality rates decreased slightly. However, the rehospitalization rate remained high mainly due to recurrent HF hospitalization.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-022-02629-2.

Burden of Mental Illness among Primary HIV Discharges: A Retrospective Analysis of Inpatient Data

Background: Empirical evidence demonstrates the substantial burden of mental illness among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). Current literature also notes the co-morbidity of these two illnesses and its impact on quality of life and mortality. However, little evidence exists on patient outcomes, such as hospital length of stay or post-discharge status. Methods: A retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data was conducted. The study population was defined as discharges having a primary diagnosis of HIV based on International Classification of Disease, 10th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes in primary diagnosis field. Clinical Classification Software (CCS) codes are used to identify comorbid mental illness. Length of stay was defined as number of days between hospital admission and discharge. Disposition (or post-discharge status) was defined as routine versus not routine. Patient and hospital characteristics were used as control variables. All regression analyses were survey-weighted and adjusted for control variables. Results: The weighted population size (N) for this study was 26,055 (n = 5211). Among primary HIV discharges, presence of any mental illness as a secondary discharge was associated with 12% higher LOS, when compared to a lack of such comorbidity (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05, 1.22, p < 0.01). Likewise, among primary HIV discharges, those with mental illness had a 21% lower routine disposition, when compared to those without any mental illness (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.68, 0.91, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results highlight the need for improved mental health screening and coordinated care to reduce the burden of mental illness among HIV discharges.

Eliciting the educational priorities of home care workers caring for adults with heart failure

BACKGROUND

Although home care workers (HCWs) are increasingly caring for adults with heart failure (HF), many feel unprepared and lack HF training. To serve as the foundation for a future educational intervention, we aimed to elicit HCWs' HF educational needs.

METHODS

We partnered with the largest healthcare union in the US to recruit 41 HCWs employed by 17 home care agencies. Using the nominal group technique, we asked HCWs to respond to three questions: When caring for an HF patient: (1) What information do you want? (2) What symptoms worry you? (3) What situations do you struggle with? Participants ranked their responses by priority. Data were consolidated by question.

RESULTS

For question 1, participants ranked HF signs and symptoms most highly, followed by HF treatment and medications. For question 2, chest pain was most worrisome, followed by neurologic changes and shortness of breath. For question 3, participants struggled with encouraging patients to follow a heart-specific diet.

CONCLUSIONS

HCWs expressed a need to learn more about signs and symptoms of HF and ways to assist patients with HF self-care. These findings can inform the development of an HF training program for HCWs that specifically addresses their expressed needs.

Efficacy and Safety of Acute Phase Intensive Electrical Muscle Stimulation in Frail Older Patients with Acute Heart Failure: Results from the ACTIVE-EMS Trial

As frailty in older patients with acute heart failure (AHF) has an adverse effect on clinical outcomes, the addition of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) to exercise-based early rehabilitation may improve the effects of treatment. Post hoc analysis was performed on a randomized controlled study for clinical outcomes and prespecified subgroups (ACTIVE-EMS: UMIN000019551). In this trial, 31 AHF patients aged ≥ 75 years with frailty (Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB] score 4–9) were randomized 1:1 to receive treatment with an early rehabilitation program only (n = 16) or early rehabilitation with add-on EMS therapy (n = 15) for 2 weeks. Changes in physical function and cognitive function between baseline and after two weeks of treatment were assessed. There were no adverse events during the EMS period. The EMS group showed significantly greater changes in quadriceps’ isometric strength and SPPB compared to the control group, and EMS therapy showed uniform effects in the prespecified subgroups. There were no significant differences in the changes in other indexes of physical function and cognitive function between groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of heart failure hospitalization at 90 days between groups. In conclusion, older AHF patients with frailty showed greater improvement in lower extremity function with the addition of EMS therapy to early rehabilitation without adverse events.

Patient characteristics predicting prolonged length of hospital stay following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

Objective:

The objective of this study is to determine the preoperative patient characteristics predicting prolonged length of hospital stay (pLOS) following robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).

Methods:

The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was used to select patients who underwent RARP without other concomitant surgeries between 2008 and 2016. Patients’ demographics, comorbidities, and laboratory markers were collected to evaluate their role in predicting pLOS. The pLOS was defined as length of stay (LOS) >2 days. A multinomial logistic regression was constructed adjusting for postoperative surgical complications to assess for the predictors of pLOS.

Results:

We obtained data for 31,253 patients of which 20,774 (66.5%) patients stayed ⩽1 day, 6993 (22.4%) patients stayed for 2 days, and 3486 (11.2%) patients stayed for >2 days. Demographic variables – including body mass index (BMI) <18.5: odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [1.7–4.8]; smoking: OR = 1.2, 95% CI = [1.1–1.4]; and dependent functional status: OR = 3.1, 95% CI = [1.6–6.0] – were predictors of pLOS. Comorbidities – such as heart failure: OR = 4.6, 95% CI = [2.0–10.8]; being dialysis dependent: OR = 2.7, 95% CI = [1.4–5.0]; and predisposition to bleeding: OR = 2.0, 95% CI =  [1.5–2.7] – were the strongest predictors of extended hospitalization. In addition, pLOS was more likely to be associated with postoperative bleeding, renal, or pulmonary complications.

Conclusion:

Preoperative patient characteristics and comorbidities can predict pLOS. These findings can be used preoperatively for risk assessment and patient counseling.

Physician perspectives on the implications of the diagnosis-related groups for medical practice in Turkey: A qualitative study

Hospital reimbursement models might have unintended consequences for medical practice. In Turkey, a mixed reimbursement scheme, based on the diagnosis‐related group (DRG) model and global budget, was gradually introduced as part of the country's 2003 healthcare reforms. This article examines the impacts of the DRG model on medical practice in Turkey, as perceived by physicians working in public and private hospitals. This study draws on an analysis of 14 interviews with physicians. The findings reveal that the implementation of the DRG has transformed medical practice into a process of cost‐benefit optimisation which involves balancing the income and expenses of hospitals against patients' medical needs. To mitigate the negative effects of the DRG, the current model may need to be reformed, particularly to grant exemptions from the standard reimbursement structure for patients who are experiencing complications and/or multiple health conditions.

The diagnosis‐related group has transformed medical practice in Turkey into a process of optimisation.

Physicians are responsible for balancing hospital budgets against patients' medical needs under the current reimbursement model.

Limited reimbursements for most of healthcare services hinder effective medical practice.

Physicians agree upon the need to increase hospital reimbursement levels by the Social Security Institution.

Length of Stay Analysis of COVID-19 Hospitalizations Using a Count Regression Model and Quantile Regression: A Study in Bologna, Italy

This study aimed to identify and explore the hospital admission risk factors associated with the length of stay (LoS) by applying a relatively novel statistical method for count data using predictors among COVID-19 patients in Bologna, Italy. The second goal of this study was to model the LoS of COVID patients to understand which covariates significantly influenced it and identify the potential risk factors associated with LoS in Bolognese hospitals from 1 February 2020 to 10 May 2021. The clinical settings we focused on were the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ordinary hospitalization, including low-intensity stays. We used Poisson, negative binomial (NB), Hurdle–Poisson, and Hurdle–NB regression models to model the LoS. The fitted models were compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), Vuong’s test criteria, and Rootograms. We also used quantile regression to model the effects of covariates on the quantile values of the response variable (LoS) using a Poisson distribution, and to explore a range of conditional quantile functions, thereby exposing various forms of conditional heterogeneity and controlling for unobserved individual characteristics. Based on the chosen performance criteria, Hurdle–NB provided the best fit. As an output from the model, we found significant changes in average LoS for each predictor. Compared with ordinary hospitalization and low-intensity stays, the ICU setting increased the average LoS by 1.84-fold. Being hospitalized in long-term hospitals was another contributing factor for LoS, increasing the average LoS by 1.58 compared with regular hospitals. When compared with the age group [50, 60) chosen as the reference, the average LoS decreased in the age groups [0, 10), [30, 40), and [40, 50), and increased in the oldest age group [80, 102). Compared with the second wave, which was chosen as the reference, the third wave did not significantly affect the average LoS, whereas it increased by 1.11-fold during the first wave and decreased by 0.77-fold during out-wave periods. The results of the quantile regression showed that covariates related to the ICU setting, hospitals with longer hospitalization, the first wave, and the out-waves were statistically significant for all the modeled quantiles. The results obtained from our study can help us to focus on the risk factors that lead to an increased LoS among COVID-19 patients and benchmark different models that can be adopted for these analyses.

Safety of Abdominoplasty with Concomitant Abdominal or Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy: An ACS NSQIP Study

BACKGROUND

To compare 30-day postoperative complications following abdominoplasty with and without concomitant hysterectomy. Our secondary objective was to compare outcomes following abdominoplasty by route of hysterectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database from 2014 to 2018. We included women who underwent abdominoplasty alone (ABP) and abdominoplasty with concomitant hysterectomy (ABP+Hyst). The ABP+Hyst group included both abdominal hysterectomy (ABP+AH) and minimally invasive hysterectomy (ABP+MIH).

RESULTS

Analysis included 9064 women of whom 2.4% had ABP+Hyst (216 ABP+AH and 53 ABP+MIH). Both ABP and ABP+Hyst had similar 30-day postoperative complication rates (11.5% vs. 14.1%, p=.22). Patients with ABP+Hyst had a longer length of hospital stay when compared to ABP alone [2 days (IQR 1-2) vs. 1 day (IQR 0-2), p<.001). Operating time was longer in ABP+Hyst by 76 minutes (p<.001). In a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for age, race, BMI, ASA class, smoking status, hysterectomy, operative time, and major medical comorbidity, concomitant hysterectomy was not associated with increased odds of 30-day postoperative complications. Both ABP+AH and ABP+MIH had low 30-day complication rates (15.3% vs. 9.4%, p=.273). However, ABP+MIH had a 38 minute longer median operating time (p=.008) but with a shorter length of stay by 1 day (p<.001).

CONCLUSION

Concomitant hysterectomy at the time of abdominoplasty was not associated with an increase in complications during the first 30-days after surgery regardless of route of hysterectomy. These data suggest that selected patients can safely be offered combined surgery.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Fast Neuro: A Care Model to Expedite Access to Neurology Clinic

Objective:

We set out to improve outpatient neurology access while reducing patient volume in the emergency department (ED) for nonemergent neurologic complaints.

Methods:

We created a rapid-access model, UCLA Fast Neuro, for patients referred from affiliated emergency departments to outpatient neurology, enabling appointments within 1 week of referral. Rapid-access appointments were also available to established neurology patients with urgent concerns. Fast Neuro was built to reduce nonemergent neurologic care in the ED, improve outpatient neurology access, and avoid use of inpatient neurology services for nonemergent consults. The volume of referrals and neurology consults from the ED and wait time from referral to appointment were measured. Surveys were conducted at 3 and 6 months to assess satisfaction with the model by all stakeholders.

Results:

From January 2019 through January 2021, 201 patients were referred to outpatient neurology through UCLA Fast Neuro. Wait time for an outpatient neurology appointment was reduced from the prior period by 82.5% (7.0±5.5 days vs 40±4.1 days). The number of nonemergent consults from the ED was reduced by 60% (4.1±1.9/month vs 10.3±1.7/month). Surveys showed wide acceptance of the new model with 92% of attending physicians and advanced practice providers and 89% of residents endorsing that UCLA Fast Neuro patients did not detract from their clinic experience.

Conclusions:

UCLA Fast Neuro improved emergency room throughput, reduced inpatient neurology consults from the ED, and decreased wait times for outpatient neurology appointments without using the inpatient neurology service for nonurgent consults. UCLA Fast Neuro was successful. Exploration of how to scale and implement the model of access more broadly is warranted.

Cardiorenal disease in the United States: future health care burden and potential impact of novel therapies

BACKGROUND: Currently, concerted efforts to identify, prevent, and treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart failure (HF), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) comorbidities are lacking at the institutional level, with emphasis placed on individual specialties. An integrated approach to tackle T2DM, HF, and CKD within the context of cardiorenal disease has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce costs at the system level. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize published evidence describing the burden of those diagnosed with T2DM, HF, and CKD in the United States as individual discrete chronic conditions, in order to evaluate the potential economic impact of novel therapies in this population. METHODS: We developed a compartmental Markov model with an annual time cycle to model an evolving prevalent US patient population with T2DM, HF, or CKD over the period 2021-2030 (either in isolation or combined). The model was used to explore the potential impact of novel therapies such as sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on future disease burden, by extrapolating the results of relevant clinical trials to representative patient populations. RESULTS: The model estimates that total prevalence across all disease states will have increased by 28% in 2030. Cumulatively, the direct health care cost of cardiorenal disease between 2021 and 2030 is estimated at $4.8 trillion. However, treatment with dapagliflozin has the potential to reduce disease prevalence by 8.0% and estimated cumulative service delivery costs by 3.6% by 2030. CONCLUSIONS: Considering a holistic approach when managing patients with cardiorenal disease offers an opportunity to reduce the disease burden over the next 10 years in the US population. DISCLOSURES: This work was funded by AstraZeneca, which provided support for data analysis. McEwan, Morgan, and Boyce are employees of Health Economics and Outcomes Research Ltd., Cardiff, UK, which received fees from AstraZeneca in relation to this study. Song and Huang are employees of AstraZeneca. Bergenheim is an employee of AstraZeneca and holds AstraZeneca stocks/stock options. Green has no conflicts of interest to declare.

Comparison of Pharmacological Treatment Effects on Long-Time Outcomes in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Beneficial effects of therapeutic drugs are controversial for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare the interactive effects of different therapeutic drugs and placebo in patients with HFpEF. A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central Register to identify related articles published before March 2021. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were cardiovascular mortality, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, and worsening HF events. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials, comprising 19,573 patients (intervention group, n = 9,954; control group, n = 9,619) were included in this network meta-analysis. All-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, and worsening HF events among therapeutic drugs and placebo with follow-up of 0.5–4 years were not found to be significantly correlated. The angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) significantly reduced the HF hospitalizations compared with placebo (hazard ratio [HR] 0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.60–0.87 and HR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43–0.96, respectively), without heterogeneity among studies. The ARNI was superior to angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in reducing HF hospitalizations (HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.71–0.91), and vericiguat 10 mg ranked worse than beta-blockers for reducing all-cause mortality in patients with HFpEF (HR 3.76, 95% CI 1.06–13.32). No therapeutic drugs can significantly reduce mortality, but the ARNI or ACEI is associated with the low risk of HF hospitalizations for patients with HFpEF.

Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021247034

Creatinine and NT-ProBNP levels could predict the length of hospital stay of patients with decompensated heart failure

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that causes high morbidity and mortality with a high number of admissions and sometimes prolonged admissions. This study aimed at assessing whether parameters detected during the first 24 h of admission may predict a prolonged hospital stay in patients admitted to hospital for decompensated HF.

METHODS

From January 2016 to December 2019, 2359 admissions of decompensated HF were recorded. In-hospital transfers, de novo HF, deaths and scheduled admissions were discarded to homogenise the sample. Finally, 1196 patients were included. The sample was divided into two groups: (a) non-prolonged admission (n = 643, admission ≤7 days) or (b) prolonged admission (n = 553, admission >7 days). Clinical, analytical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables obtained during the first 24 h of admission were analysed.

RESULTS

Univariate differences were found at admission in NT-ProBNP, creatinine, history of cardiac surgery, smoking and alcoholism, left and right ventricular ejection fraction, systolic blood pressure and heart rate. The ROC analysis showed significant areas under the curve for the NT-ProBNP (AUC: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.60-0.67; p < 0.001) and creatinine (AUC: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.66-0.72; p < 0.0001). The variables associated with prolonged hospital admission were NT-ProBNP (OR: 1, 95% CI: 1-1; p < 0.001), creatinine (OR: 2.2, 95% CI: 1.8-2.7; p < 0.0001) and previous smoking (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.4-1; p < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Variables such as creatinine and NT-ProBNP at hospital admission may define a subgroup of patients who will probably have a long hospital stay. Therefore, the planning of hospital care and transition to discharge may be enhanced.

Unmanaged Pharmacogenomic and Drug Interaction Risk Associations with Hospital Length of Stay among Medicare Advantage Members with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Unmanaged pharmacogenomic and drug interaction risk can lengthen hospitalization and may have influenced the severe health outcomes seen in some COVID-19 patients. To determine if unmanaged pharmacogenomic and drug interaction risks were associated with longer lengths of stay (LOS) among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, we retrospectively reviewed medical and pharmacy claims from 6025 Medicare Advantage members hospitalized with COVID-19. Patients with a moderate or high pharmacogenetic interaction probability (PIP), which indicates the likelihood that testing would identify one or more clinically actionable gene–drug or gene–drug–drug interactions, were hospitalized for 9% (CI: 4–15%; p < 0.001) and 16% longer (CI: 8–24%; p < 0.001), respectively, compared to those with low PIP. Risk adjustment factor (RAF) score, a commonly used measure of disease burden, was not associated with LOS. High PIP was significantly associated with 12–22% longer LOS compared to low PIP in patients with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A greater drug–drug interaction risk was associated with 10% longer LOS among patients with two or three chronic conditions. Thus, unmanaged pharmacogenomic risk was associated with longer LOS in these patients and managing this risk has the potential to reduce LOS in severely ill patients, especially those with chronic conditions.

Association of Socio-Demographic and Climatic Factors with the Duration of Hospital Stay of Under-Five Children with Severe Pneumonia in Urban Bangladesh: An Observational Study

Severe pneumonia is one of the leading contributors to morbidity and deaths among hospitalized under-five children. We aimed to assess the association of the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients and the climatic factors with the length of hospital stay (LoS) of under-five children with severe pneumonia managed at urban hospitals in Bangladesh. We extracted relevant data from a clinical trial, as well as collecting data on daily temperature, humidity, and rainfall from the Meteorological Department of Bangladesh for the entire study period (February 2016 to February 2019). We analyzed the data of 944 children with a generalized linear model using gamma distribution. The average duration of the hospitalization of the children was 5.4 ± 2.4 days. In the multivariate analysis using adjusted estimation of duration (beta; β), extended LoS showed remarkably positive associations regarding three variables: the number of household family members (β: 1.020, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.005–1.036, p = 0.010), humidity variation (β: 1.040, 95% Cl: 1.029–1.052, p < 0.001), and rainfall variation (β: 1.014, 95% Cl: 1.008–1.019), p < 0.001). There was also a significant negative association with LoS for children’s age (β: 0.996, 95% Cl: 0.994–0.999, p = 0.006), well-nourishment (β: 0.936, 95% Cl: 0.881–0.994, p = 0.031), and average rainfall (β: 0.980, 95% Cl: 0.973–0.987, p < 0.001). The results suggest that the LoS of children admitted to the urban hospitals of Bangladesh with severe pneumonia is associated with certain socio-demographic characteristics of patients, and the average rainfall with variation in humidity and rainfall.

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INTRODUCTION

Congestiveheart failure (CHF) is associated with prolonged and recurrent hospitalizations, the prognosis remains poor. The aim of this study was to collect epidemiologic data at admission and at six month follow-up in a cohort of patients with CHF admitted to a single center between 2017 and 2019 (Saint Joseph Hospital, HSJ) and to compare these data with regional data (Ile-de-France, IdF).

METHODS

Local and regional data were provided by National Health Service, Regional Department of Ile de France(DRSM) using national data base. CHF in-hospital stay was defined by appropriate CIM 10 code reported on the final medical form.

RESULTS

From 2017 to 2019, 1967 CHF in-hospital stays were collected, mean age of the population was 81.4 (=mean) ± 11.7 yearsIC_95% [80.8; 81.9], mean length of stay was 8.6 ± 6.8 days IC_95% [8.3; 8.9], in-hospital mortality was 5.3 %, 9.6% at 2^nd month and 15.9% at 6^th month. Readmission rate was 23.7%, time to readmission was 59.5 ± 47.5 days IC_95% [57.4; 61.6]. IdF data collected 60973 CHF in-hospital stays at the same period. Compared to the IdF population, our population was older (81.4 ± 11.6 versus 80.4 ± 12.6 years, p = 0.001). Length of stay was shorter (8.6 ± 6.8 versus 11.3 ± 10.1 days p<0.001), in-hospital mortality was lower (5.3% versus 7.8% p < 0.001), 2nd month and 6^th month mortality was lower (respectively 9.6% versus 14.2% and 15.9% versus 21.3%, p <0.001), home discharge rate was higher (66.9% versus 60.8%, p < 0.001) in the HSJ population. The proportion of patients included in PRADO-IC program (Programme d'aide au retour à domicile-Insuffisance Cardiaque, Returning home support program) was higher in SJ population (22.6% versus 8.8% p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CHF admission involved elderly patients, the in-hospital and 6^th month mortality is high, with early and frequent readmissions. Differences between HSJ and IdF populations may be explained by the heterogeneity of health care facilities, management facilities and organization of transition of care.

Clinical utility of antigen carbohydrate 125 for planning the optimal length of stay in acute heart failure

BACKGROUND

The optimal length of stay (LOS) in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF) remains controversial. Plasma antigen carbohydrate 125 (CA125) has emerged as a reliable proxy of congestion. We aimed to evaluate whether there is a differential impact of LOS on the risk of 6-month AHF readmission across CA125 levels.

METHODS

This is a retrospective study that included 1,387 patients discharged for AHF in two third-level centers. CA125 was measured 48±24 h after admission. The association between CA125 and LOS with the risk of subsequent AHF readmission at 6 months was analyzed by Cox regression analysis accounting for death as a competing event.

RESULTS

The median (IQR) age of the sample was 78 (69-83) years, 625 (41.1%) patients were women, and 832 (60%) exhibited preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. The median LOS and CA125 were 6 (4-9) days and 36 (17-83) U/mL, respectively. A total of 707 (51%) patients displayed high CA125 levels (≥35 U/mL). At 6 months, 87 deaths (6,3%) and 304 AHF readmissions (21,9%) were registered, respectively. A multivariate analysis revealed a differential effect of LOS on 6-month AHF readmission across CA125 levels (p-value for interaction=0.010). In those with CA125<35 U/mL, LOS≥7 days did not modify the risk (HR:1.31; 95% CI: 0.92-1.87, p=0.131). Conversely, in those with CA125≥35 U/mL, LOS≥7 days was associated with a lower risk of AHF readmission (HR:0.70; 95% CI: 0.51-0.98, p=0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with AHF, high CA125 levels may identify those patients that benefit from a more prolonged hospitalization in terms of reducing the risk of mid-term AHF readmissions.

The Significance of Depression for Short-term Readmission and Mortality After a Pneumonia Admission

BACKGROUND

Depression is highly prevalent among hospitalized patients with pneumonia. At discharge, these patients transfer to a less care-intensive home-based setting. Nevertheless, little is known on the prognosis in the postdischarge period.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of depression on 30-day mortality and readmission in persons discharged after a pneumonia admission.

DESIGN

This was a population-based cohort study using the Danish registries.

SUBJECTS

All persons aged 50+ years with a pneumonia admission in 2000-2016 in Denmark.

MEASURES

Mortality rate ratios for 30-day mortality and incidence rate ratios for 30-day readmission in pneumonia patients with versus without depression.

RESULTS

We identified 379,265 pneumonia admissions, hereof 83,257 (22.0%) with depression. The overall adjusted mortality rate ratio was 1.29 (95% confidence interval: 1.25-1.33), and the overall adjusted incidence rate ratio was 1.07 (95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.08). The mortality risk was higher for all ages and throughout the 30-day period in persons with versus without depression. This risk was modified by sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics (excluding sex and education), admission-related factors, comorbidities, and use of benzodiazepines, opioids, or antipsychotics. The readmission risk was higher until age 90 and tended to be higher throughout the 30-day period. This risk was modified by age, cohabitation, residency, admission-related factors, comorbidities, and use of opioids or antipsychotics. For both outcomes, the relative effect of depression was highest among the youngest, among those with a short hospital stay and among those with few comorbidities.

CONCLUSION

Depression is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality and readmission in persons who transfer from hospital care to home-based care.

Trading quality for quantity? Evidence from patient level data in China

In China, overcrowding at hospitals increases the workload of medical staff, which may negatively impact the quality of medical services. This study empirically examined the impact of hospital admissions on the quality of healthcare services in Chinese hospitals. Specifically, we estimated the impact of the number of hospital admissions per day on a patient's length of stay (LOS) and hospital mortality rate using both ordinary least squares (OLS) and instrumental variable (IV) methods. To deal with potential endogeneity problems and accurately identify the impact of medical staff configuration on medical quality, the daily air quality index was selected as the IV. Furthermore, we examined the differential effects of hospital admissions on the quality of care across different hospital tiers. We used the data from a random sample of 10% of inpatients from a city in China, covering the period from January 2014 to June 2019. Our final regression analysis included a sample of 167 disease types (as per the ICD-10 classification list) and 862,722 patient cases from 517 hospitals. According to our results, the LOS decreased and hospital mortality rate increased with an increasing number of admissions. Using the IV method, for every additional hospital admission, there was a 6.22% (p < 0.01) decrease in LOS and a 1.86% (p < 0.01) increase in hospital mortality. The impact of healthcare staffing levels on the quality of care varied between different hospital tiers. The quality of care in secondary hospitals was most affected by the number of admissions, with the average decrease of 18.60% (p < 0.05) in LOS and the increase of 6.05% (p < 0.01) in hospital mortality for every additional hospital admission in our sample. The findings suggested that the supply of medical services in China should be increased and a hierarchical diagnosis and treatment system should be actively promoted.

One-Year Mortality in Patients with Cancer Cachexia: Association with Albumin and Total Protein

Purpose

Serum albumin can indicate the onset of cancer cachexia, provide information about a patient’s nutritional status, and serve as a biomarker for the prognosis of patients with cancer cachexia. However, the relationship between serum albumin levels and mortality in patients with cancer cachexia remains unclear. We aimed to examine the association of albumin and total protein with 1-year mortality in patients with cancer cachexia.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a nested case–control study using data from a multicenter cancer clinical survey from 2013 to 2018. In total, 266 patients with cancer cachexia who survived for <1 year and 266 patients who survived for ≥1 year were included in this study. The participants were matched by age, sex, tumor type, tumor stage, and hospital site. The crude and adjusted risks of 1-year survival were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) using logistic regression, with or without adjustment for covariates.

Results

Logistic regression analysis revealed a significantly negative linear association between albumin level and 1-year mortality in patients with cancer cachexia (p < 0.001). An L-shaped relationship existed between total protein and 1-year mortality, with a turning point at 70.4 g/L. When albumin was divided into quartiles, Q3 (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.24, 0.68; p < 0.001) and Q4 (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.55; p < 0.001) were associated with higher 1-year survival than Q1 among patients with cancer cachexia. When total protein was divided into quartiles, Q2 (OR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.64; p < 0.001), Q3 (OR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.33, 0.96; p = 0.035), and Q4 (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.72; p = 0.002) were associated with higher 1-year survival than Q1 among patients with cancer cachexia.

Conclusion

Serum albumin and total protein may predict 1-year survival. Future clinical studies should lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of serum protein levels in patients with cancer cachexia.

Development of Acute Myocardial Infarction Mortality and Readmission Models for Public Reporting on Hospital Performance in Canada

Background

Given changes in the care and outcomes of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients over the past several decades, we sought to develop prediction models that could be used to generate accurate risk-adjusted mortality and readmission outcomes for hospitals in current practice across Canada.

Methods

A Canadian national expert panel was convened to define appropriate AMI patients for reporting and develop prediction models. Preliminary candidate variable evaluation was conducted using Ontario patients hospitalized with a most responsible diagnosis of AMI from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2018. National data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information was used to develop AMI prediction models. The main outcomes were 30-day all-cause in-hospital mortality and 30-day urgent all-cause readmission. Discrimination of these models (measured by c-statistics) was compared with that of existing Canadian Institute for Health Information models in the same study cohort.

Results

The AMI mortality model was assessed in 54,240 Ontario AMI patients and 153,523 AMI patients across Canada. We observed a 30-day in-hospital mortality rate of 6.3%, and a 30-day all-cause urgent readmission rate of 10.7% in Canada. The final Canadian AMI mortality model included 12 variables and had a c-statistic of 0.834. For readmission, the model had 13 variables and a c-statistic of 0.679. Discrimination of the new AMI models had higher c-statistics compared with existing models (c-statistic 0.814 for mortality; 0.673 for readmission).

Conclusions

In this national collaboration, we developed mortality and readmission models that are suitable for profiling performance of hospitals treating AMI patients in Canada.

Efficacy and Renal Tolerability of Ultrafiltration in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of 19 Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) is a life-threatening and costly disease. Controversy remains regarding the efficacy and renal tolerability of ultrafiltration for treating ADHF. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to evaluate this clinical issue.Methods: A search of PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database of controlled trials was performed from inception to March 2021 for relevant randomized controlled trials. The quality of the included trials and outcomes was evaluated with the use of the risk of bias assessment tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, respectively. The risk ratio and the standardized mean difference (SMD) or weighted mean difference (WMD) were computed and pooled with fixed-effects or random-effects models.Results: This meta-analysis included 19 studies involving 1281 patients. Ultrafiltration was superior to the control treatments for weight loss (WMD 1.24 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.38‐2.09 kg, P=0.004) and fluid removal (WMD 1.55 L, 95% CI 0.51‐2.59 l, P=0.003) and was associated with a significant increase in serum creatinine level compared with the control treatments (SMD 0.15 mg/dL, 95% CI 0.00‐0.30 mg/dL, P=0.04). However, no significant effects were found for serum N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide level, length of hospital stay, all-cause mortality, or all-cause rehospitalization in the ultrafiltration group.Conclusions: The use of ultrafiltration in patients with ADHF is superior to the use of the control treatments for weight loss and fluid removal, but has adverse renal effects and lacks significant effects on long-term prognosis, indicating that this approach to decongestion in ADHF patients is efficient for fluid management but less safe renally.

Interventions to Reduce Hospital Length of Stay in High-risk Populations: A Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Many strategies to reduce hospital length of stay (LOS) have been implemented, but few studies have evaluated hospital-led interventions focused on high-risk populations. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Learning Health System panel commissioned this study to further evaluate system-level interventions for LOS reduction.

OBJECTIVE

To identify and synthesize evidence regarding potential systems-level strategies to reduce LOS for patients at high risk for prolonged LOS.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

Multiple databases, including MEDLINE and Embase, were searched for English-language systematic reviews from January 1, 2010, through September 30, 2020, with updated searches through January 19, 2021. The scope of the protocol was determined with input from AHRQ Key Informants. Systematic reviews were included if they reported on hospital-led interventions intended to decrease LOS for high-risk populations, defined as those with high-risk medical conditions or socioeconomically vulnerable populations (eg, patients with high levels of socioeconomic risk, who are medically uninsured or underinsured, with limited English proficiency, or who are hospitalized at a safety-net, tertiary, or quaternary care institution). Exclusion criteria included interventions that were conducted outside of the hospital setting, including community health programs. Data extraction was conducted independently, with extraction of strength of evidence (SOE) ratings provided by systematic reviews; if unavailable, SOE was assessed using the AHRQ Evidence-Based Practice Center methods guide.

FINDINGS

Our searches yielded 4432 potential studies. We included 19 systematic reviews reported in 20 articles. The reviews described 8 strategies for reducing LOS in high-risk populations: discharge planning, geriatric assessment, medication management, clinical pathways, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary care, case management, hospitalist services, and telehealth. Interventions were most frequently designed for older patients, often those who were frail (9 studies), or patients with heart failure. There were notable evidence gaps, as there were no systematic reviews studying interventions for patients with socioeconomic risk. For patients with medically complex conditions, discharge planning, medication management, and interdisciplinary care teams were associated with inconsistent outcomes (LOS, readmissions, mortality) across populations. For patients with heart failure, clinical pathways and case management were associated with reduced length of stay (clinical pathways: mean difference reduction, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.33 to 2.44] days; case management: mean difference reduction, 1.28 [95% CI, 0.52 to 2.04] days).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This systematic review found inconsistent results across all high-risk populations on the effectiveness associated with interventions, such as discharge planning, that are often widely used by health systems. This systematic review highlights important evidence gaps, such as the lack of existing systematic reviews focused on patients with socioeconomic risk factors, and the need for further research.

Prediction Model Using Machine Learning for Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure

Heart Failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. With aging of the US population, the public health burden of HF is enormous. We aimed to develop an ensemble prediction model for 30-day mortality after discharge using machine learning. Using an electronic medical records (EMR) database, all patients with a non-elective HF admission over 10 years (January 2001 - December 2010) within the Montefiore Medical Center (MMC) health system, in the Bronx, New York, were included. We developed an ensemble model for 30-day mortality after discharge and employed discrimination, range of prediction, Brier index and explained variance as metrics in assessing model performance. A total of 7,516 patients were included. The discrimination achieved by the ensemble model was higher 0.83 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.87) compared to the benchmark model 0.79 (95% CI: 0.75 to 0.84). The ensemble model also exhibited a better range of prediction as well as a favorable profile with respect to the other metrics employed. In conclusion, an ensemble machine learning approach exhibited an improvement in performance compared to the benchmark logistic model in predicting all-cause mortality among HF patients within 30-days of discharge. Machine learning is a promising alternative approach for risk profiling of HF patients, and it enhances individualized patient management.

Cardiac rehabilitation and all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure: a retrospective cohort study

AIMS 

Despite the benefits of exercise training in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, there are conflicting findings for the impact of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) on mortality for patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the association of exercise-based CR with all-cause mortality, hospitalisation, stroke, and atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted which utilized a global federated health research network, primarily in the USA. Patients with a diagnosis of HF were compared between those with and without an electronic medical record of CR and/or exercise programmes within 6 months of an HF diagnosis. Patients with HF undergoing exercise-based CR were propensity score matched to HF patients without exercise-based CR by age, sex, race, comorbidities, medications, and procedures (controls). We ascertained 2-year incidence of all-cause mortality, hospitalization, stroke, and atrial fibrillation. Following propensity score matching, a total of 40 364 patients with HF were identified. Exercise-based CR was associated with 42% lower odds of all-cause mortality [odds ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54-0.62], 26% lower odds of hospitalization (0.74, 95% CI 0.71-0.77), 37% lower odds of incident stroke (0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.79), and 53% lower odds of incident atrial fibrillation (0.47, 95% CI 0.4-0.55) compared to controls, after propensity score matching. The beneficial association of CR and exercise on all-cause mortality was consistent across all subgroups, including patients with HFrEF (0.52, 95% CI 0.48-0.56) and HFpEF (0.65, 95% CI 0.60-0.71).

CONCLUSION 

Exercise-based CR was associated with lower odds of all-cause mortality, hospitalizations, incident stroke, and incident atrial fibrillation at 2-year follow-up for patients with HF (including patients with HFrEF and HFpEF).

Synthesising evidence regarding hospital to home transitions supported by volunteers of third sector organisations: a scoping review protocol

INTRODUCTION

Given the risks inherent in care transitions, it is imperative that patients discharged from hospital to home receive the integrated care services necessary to ensure a successful transition. Despite efforts by the healthcare sector to develop health system solutions to improve transitions, problems persist. Research on transitional support has predominantly focused on services delivered by healthcare professionals; the evidence for services provided by lay navigators or volunteers in this context has not been synthesised. This scoping review will map the available literature on the engagement of volunteers within third sector organisations supporting adults in the transition from hospital to home.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using the well-established scoping review methodology outlined by the Joanna Briggs Institute, a five-stage review is outlined: (1) determining the research question, (2) search strategy, (3) inclusion criteria, (4) data extraction and (5) analysis and presentation of the results. The search strategy will be applied to 10 databases reflecting empirical and grey literature. A two-stage screening process will be used to determine eligibility of articles. To be included in the review, articles must describe a community-based programme delivered by a third sector organisation that engages volunteers in the provisions of services that support adults transitioning from hospital to home. All articles will be independently assessed for eligibility, and data from eligible articles will be extracted and charted using a standardised form. Extracted data will be analysed using narrative and descriptive analyses.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. Members of an international special interest group focused on the voluntary sector will be consulted to provide insight and feedback on study findings, help with dissemination of the results and engage in the development of future research proposals. Dissemination activities will include peer-reviewed publications and academic presentations.

Control of blood pressure in older patients with heart failure and the risk of mortality: a population-based prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

treatment goals for blood pressure (BP) lowering in older patients with heart failure (HF) are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

to assess whether BP control < 140/90 mmHg is associated with a decreased risk of mortality in older HF patients.

DESIGN

population-based prospective cohort study.

SETTING/SUBJECTS

participants of the Berlin Initiative Study, a prospective cohort of community-dwelling older adults launched in 2009. Clinical information was obtained in face-to-face interviews and linked to administrative healthcare data.

METHODS

Cox proportional hazards models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cardiovascular death and all-cause mortality associated with normalised BP (systolic BP < 140 mmHg and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg) compared with non-normalised BP (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) in HF patients. The primary analysis considered only baseline BP ('time-fixed'); an additional analysis updated BP during follow-up ('time-dependent').

RESULTS

at baseline, 544 patients were diagnosed with HF and treated with antihypertensive drugs (mean age 82.8 years; 45.4% female). During a median follow-up of 7.5 years and compared with non-normalised BP, normalised BP was associated with similar risks of cardiovascular death (HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.84-1.85) and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.89-1.51) in the time-fixed analysis but with increased risks of cardiovascular death (HR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.23-2.61) and all-cause mortality (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.15-1.90) in the time-dependent analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

BP control < 140/90 mmHg was not associated with a decreased risk of mortality in older HF patients. The increased risk in the time-dependent analysis requires further corroboration.

A Virtual Cardiovascular Care Program for Prevention of Heart Failure Readmissions in a Skilled Nursing Facility Population: Retrospective Analysis

Background

Patients with heart failure (HF) in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have 30-day hospital readmission rates as high as 43%. A virtual cardiovascular care program, consisting of patient selection, initial televisit, postconsultation care planning, and follow-up televisits, was developed and delivered by Heartbeat Health, Inc., a cardiovascular digital health company, to 11 SNFs (3510 beds) in New York. The impact of this program on the expected SNF 30-day HF readmission rate is unknown, particularly in the COVID-19 era.

Objective

The aim of the study was to assess whether a virtual cardiovascular care program could reduce the 30-day hospital readmission rate for patients with HF discharged to SNF relative to the expected rate for this population.

Methods

We performed a retrospective case review of SNF patients who received a virtual cardiology consultation between August 2020 and February 2021. Virtual cardiologists conducted 1 or more telemedicine visit via smartphone, tablet, or laptop for cardiac patients identified by a SNF care team. Postconsult care plans were communicated to SNF clinical staff. Patients included in this analysis had a preceding index admission for HF.

Results

We observed lower hospital readmission among patients who received 1 or more virtual consultations compared with the expected readmission rate for both cardiac (3% vs 10%, respectively) and all-cause etiologies (18% vs 27%, respectively) in a population of 3510 patients admitted to SNF. A total of 185/3510 patients (5.27%) received virtual cardiovascular care via the Heartbeat Health program, and 40 patients met study inclusion criteria and were analyzed, with 26 (65%) requiring 1 televisit and 14 (35%) requiring more than 1. Cost savings associated with this reduction in readmissions are estimated to be as high as US $860 per patient.

Conclusions

The investigation provides initial evidence for the potential effectiveness and efficiency of virtual and digitally enabled virtual cardiovascular care on 30-day hospital readmissions. Further research is warranted to optimize the use of novel virtual care programs to transform delivery of cardiovascular care to high-risk populations.

Morning Discharges and Patient Length of Stay in Inpatient General Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND

Many initiatives seek to increase the number of morning hospital discharges to improve patient flow, but little evidence supports this practice.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between the number of morning discharges and emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and hospital LOS in general internal medicine (GIM).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Multicenter retrospective cohort study involving all GIM patients discharged between April 1, 2010, and October 31, 2017, at seven hospitals in Ontario, Canada.

MAIN MEASURES

The primary outcomes were ED LOS and hospital LOS, and secondary outcomes were 30-day readmission and in-hospital mortality. The number of morning GIM discharges (defined as the number of patients discharged alive between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM) on the day of each hospital admission was the primary exposure. Multivariable regression models were fit to control for patient characteristics and situational factors, including GIM census.

RESULTS

The sample included 189,781 patient admissions. In total, 36,043 (19.0%) discharges occurred between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM. The average daily number of morning discharges and total discharges per hospital was 1.7 (SD, 1.4) and 8.4 (SD, 4.6), respectively. The median ED LOS was 14.5 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 10.0- 23.1), and the median hospital LOS was 4.6 days (IQR, 2.4-9.0). After multivariable adjustment, there was not a significant association between morning discharge and hospital LOS (adjusted rate ratio [aRR], 1.000; 95% CI, 0.996-1.000; P = .997), ED LOS (aRR, 0.999; 95% CI, 0.997-1.000; P = .307), 30-day readmission (aRR, 1.010; 95% CI, 0.991-1.020; P = .471), or in-hospital mortality (aRR, 0.967; 95% CI, 0.920-1.020; P = .183). The lack of association between morning discharge and LOS was generally consistent across all seven hospitals. At one hospital, morning discharge was associated with a 1.9% shorter ED LOS after multivariable adjustment (aRR, 0.981; 95% CI, 0.966-0.996; P = .013).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of morning discharges was not significantly associated with shorter ED LOS or hospital LOS in GIM. Our findings suggest that increasing the number of morning discharges alone is unlikely to substantially improve patient throughput in GIM, but further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of specific interventions.

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic variations in hospital length of stay: A state-based analysis

Disparities by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES) exist in rehospitalization rates and inpatient mortality rates. Few studies have examined how length of stay (LOS, a measure of hospital efficiency/quality) differs by race/ethnicity and SES.This study's objective was to determine whether differences in risk-adjusted LOS exist by race/ethnicity and SESUsing a retrospective cohort of 1,432,683 medical and surgical discharges, we compared risk-adjusted LOS, in days, by race/ ethnicity and SES (median household income by patient ZIP code in quartiles), using generalized linear models controlling for demographic and clinical factors, and differences between hospitals and between diagnoses.White patients were on average older than both Black and Hispanic patients, had more chronic conditions, and had a higher inpatient mortality risk. In adjusted analyses, Black patients had a significantly longer LOS than White patients (0.25-day difference when discharged to home and 0.23-day difference when discharged to non-home destinations, both P<.001); there was no difference between Hispanic and White patients. Wealthier patients had a shorter LOS than poorer patients (0.16-day difference when discharged to home and 0.06-day difference when discharged to nonhome destinations, both P<.001). These differences by race/ethnicity reversed for Medicaid patients.Disparities in LOS exist based on a patient's race/ethnicity and SES. Black and poorer patients, but not Hispanic patients, have longer LOS compared to White and wealthier patients. In aggregate, these differences may be related to trust and implicit bias and have implications for use of LOS as a quality metric. Future research should examine the drivers of these disparities.

Factors Associated With Readmission in the United States Following Hospitalization With Coronavirus Disease 2019

BACKGROUND

Patients hospitalized for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may experience complications following hospitalization and require readmission. In this analysis, we estimated the rate and risk factors associated with COVID-19-related readmission and inpatient mortality.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used deidentified chargemaster data from 297 hospitals across 40 US states on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from 15 February 2020 through 9 June 2020. Demographics, comorbidities, acute conditions, and clinical characteristics of first hospitalization are summarized. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure risk factor associations with 30-day readmission and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Among 29 659 patients, 1070 (3.6%) were readmitted. Readmitted patients were more likely to have diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), or chronic kidney disease (CKD) vs those not readmitted (P < .0001) and to present on first admission with acute kidney injury (15.6% vs 9.2%), congestive heart failure (6.4% vs 2.4%), or cardiomyopathy (2.1% vs 0.8%) (P < .0001). Higher odds of readmission were observed in patients aged >60 vs 18-40 years (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-2.50) and those admitted in the Northeast vs West (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.14-1.79) or South (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.11-1.49). Comorbidities including diabetes (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.12-1.60), CVD (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.23-1.72), CKD stage 1-5 (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.25-1.81), and CKD stage 5 (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.81-2.86) were associated with higher odds of readmission; 12.3% of readmitted patients died during second hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONS

Among this large US population of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, readmission was associated with certain comorbidities and acute conditions during first hospitalization. These findings may inform strategies to mitigate risks of readmission due to COVID-19 complications.

A new scoring system for predicting short-term outcomes in Chinese patients with critically-ill acute decompensated heart failure

Background

Acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) contributes millions of emergency department (ED) visits and it is associated with high in-hospital mortality. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a multiparametric score for critically-ill ADHF patients.

Methods

In this single-center, retrospective study, a total of 1268 ADHF patients in China were enrolled and divided into derivation (n = 1014) and validation (n = 254) cohorts. The primary endpoint was any in-hospital death, cardiac arrest or utilization of mechanical support devices. Logistic regression model was preformed to identify risk factors and build the new scoring system. The assigning point of each parameter was determined according to its β coefficient. The discrimination was validated internally using C statistic and calibration was evaluated by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test.

Results

We constructed a predictive score based on six significant risk factors [systolic blood pressure (SBP), white blood cell (WBC) count, hematocrit (HCT), total bilirubin (TBIL), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and NT-proBNP]. This new model was computed as (1 × SBP < 90 mmHg) + (2 × WBC > 9.2 × 10⁹/L) + (1 × HCT ≤ 0.407) + (2 × TBIL > 34.2 μmol/L) + (2 × eGFR < 15 ml/min/1.73 m²) + (1 × NTproBNP ≥ 10728.9 ng/ml). The C statistic for the new score was 0.758 (95% CI 0.667–0.838) higher than APACHE II, AHEAD and ADHERE score. It also demonstrated good calibration for detecting high-risk patients in the validation cohort (χ² = 6.681, p = 0.463).

Conclusions

The new score including SBP, WBC, HCT, TBIL, eGFR and NT-proBNP might be used to predict short-term prognosis of Chinese critically-ill ADHF patients.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-021-02041-2.

Trends in Length of Stay and Readmissions in Children's Hospitals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Patient complexity at US children's hospitals is increasing. Hospitals experience concurrent pressure to reduce length of stay (LOS) and readmissions, yet little is known about how these common measures of resource use and quality have changed over time. Our aim was to examine temporal trends in medical complexity, hospital LOS, and readmissions across a sample of US children's hospitals.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients from 42 children's hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System from 2013 to 2017. After excluding deaths, healthy newborns, obstetric care, and low volume service lines, we analyzed trends in medical complexity, LOS, and 14-day all-cause readmissions using generalized linear mixed effects models, adjusting for changes in patient factors and case-mix.

RESULTS

Between 2013 and 2017, a total of 3 355 815 discharges were included. Over time, the mean case-mix index and the proportion of hospitalized patients with complex chronic conditions or receiving intensive care increased (P < .001 for all). In adjusted analyses, mean LOS declined 3% (61.1 hours versus 59.3 hours from 2013 to 2017, P < .001), whereas 14-day readmissions were unchanged (7.0% vs 6.9%; P = .03). Reductions in adjusted LOS were noted in both medical and surgical service lines (3.6% and 2.0% decline, respectively; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Across US children's hospitals, adjusted LOS declined whereas readmissions remained stable, suggesting that children's hospitals are providing more efficient care for an increasingly complex patient population.

Shenfu injection alleviates the clinical symptoms of heart failure patients combined with conventional treatment: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Shenfu Injection (SFI) is a promising alternative treatment for heart failure (HF) in China. Many complete clinical trials have examined the efficacy of SFI combined use with conventional treatment (CT) vs CT alone. This study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials to evaluate the benefits and risks of using SFI in addition to CT for the treatment of HF.

METHOD

All the trials will be searched through 4 English databases (MEDLINE via PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science) and 4 Chinese databases (the China Science and Technology Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, Wan-fang Database, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure.) from October 2005 to June 2019. Conference articles or articles with incomplete data will be removed. The primary outcome was the New York Heart Association, 6-minute walk test, hospitalization or rehospitalization. Left ventricular ejection fraction percentage, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, Cardiac index, heart rate, N-terminal pronatriuretic peptide and other indicators were also assessed. RevMan V.5.3 Software and Stata 13.0 Statistics Software were used to calculate the data synthesis and conduct meta-analysis according to the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols 2015.

RESULTS

Mortality, New York Heart Association function classification, heart rate, 6-minute walk test, hospitalization or rehospitalization, Heart rate, systolic blood pressure, DBP, Cardiac minute volume, left ventricular ejection fractions percentage, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (mm), N-terminal pronatriuretic peptide, etc. and adverse effects will be comprehensively assessed to evaluate the adjunctive effect of SFI through different aspects. We will perform a meta-analysis of each outcome with subgroup analysis based on the type of HF, treatment methods, and course of disease. Sensitivity analysis will be conducted with clinical factors, treatment methods, methodological characteristics, and statistical heterogeneity (if applicable).

CONCLUSION

This study will assess the adjunctive effect of SFI and its safety on HF with clinical evidence.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42020151856.

Differences in length of stay by teaching team status in an academic medical center in the Midwestern United States

Background: Given the high cost of inpatient stays, hospital systems are investigating ways to decrease lengths of stay while ensuring high-quality care. The goal of this study was to determine if patients in teaching teams (hospitalist teams with residents and interns) had a higher length of stay after adjusting for relevant confounders compared to hospitalist-only teams (staffed only by attending physicians).Methods: Using a retrospective design, we investigated differences in length of stay for 17,577 inpatient encounters over a 2-year period. Length of stay was calculated based on the time between hospital admission and hospital discharge with no removal of outliers. Encounters were assigned to teams based on the discharge provider. Teams were grouped based on whether they were teaching teams or nonteaching teams. Since the length of stay was not normally distributed, it was modeled first using generalized linear models with gamma distribution and log link, and secondly by quantile regression. Models were adjusted for age, gender, race, medicine vs. non-medicine unit, MS-DRGs, and comorbidities.Results: Using gamma models to account for the skewed nature of the data, the length of stay for encounters assigned to teaching teams was 0.56 days longer (β = 0.10 95% CI 0.06 0.14) than for nonteaching teams after adjustment. Using quantile regression, teaching teams had encounters on average 0.63 days longer (95% CI 0.44 0.81) than nonteaching teams at the 75^th percentile and 1.19 days longer (95% CI 0.77 1.61) compared to nonteaching teams at the 90^th percentile after adjustment.Conclusions: After adjusting for demographics and clinical factors, teaching teams on average had lengths of stay that were over half day longer than nonteaching teams. In addition, for the longest encounters, differences between teaching and nonteaching teams were over 1-day difference. Given these results, process improvement opportunities exist within teaching teams regarding length of stay, particularly for longer encounters.

The impact of COVID-19 testing on length of hospital stay and patient flow in hospitals

The CDC regularly updates guidance on COVID-19 testing for inpatients and hospital discharges to nursing homes and long-term care facilities. However, most long-term care facilities require a negative COVID-19 test result before accepting patients discharged from the hospital which directly contravenes the CDC guidelines. Due to delays in COVID-19 testing and obtaining test results, patients end up staying additional 2–3 days in the hospital before they can be discharged to nursing care facilities. Furthermore, hospitals have reported facing resistance from health insurance plans to paying for patients’ additional days in the hospital while awaiting COVID-19 test results. Hospitals across the country continue to experience an increase in hospitalizations for COVID-19 infection. Complying with the CDC guidance on testing and disposition of patients may prevent delays in transferring patients to long-term lower acuity level nursing facilities, reduce the length of hospital stay, improve patient flow and ultimately free up hospital beds for incoming COVID-19 patients.

Contemporary economic burden in a real-world heart failure population with Commercial and Medicare supplemental plans

BACKGROUND

Limited real-world data exist on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs of patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and preserved EF (HFpEF), including urgent HF visits, which are assumed to be less burdensome than HF hospitalizations (hHFs) HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to quantify the economic burden of HFrEF and HFpEF, via a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study, using IBM® linked claims/electronic health records (Commercial and Medicare Supplemental data only).

METHODS

Adult patients, indexed on HF diagnosis (ICD-10-CM: I50.x) from July 2012 through June 2018, with 6-month minimum baseline period and varying follow-up, were classified as HFrEF (I50.2x) or HFpEF (I50.3x) according to last-observed EF-specific diagnosis. HCRU/costs were assessed during follow-up.

RESULTS

About 109 721 HF patients (22% HFrEF, 31% HFpEF, 47% unclassified EF; median 18 months' follow-up) were identified. There were 3.2 all-cause outpatient visits per patient-month (HFrEF, 3.3; HFpEF, 3.6); 69% of patients required inpatient stays (HFrEF, 80%; HFpEF, 78%). Overall, 11% of patients experienced hHFs (HFrEF, 23%; HFpEF, 16%), 9% experienced urgent HF visits (HFrEF, 15%; HFpEF, 12%); 26% were hospitalized less than 30 days after first urgent HF visit versus 11% after first hHF. Mean monthly total direct healthcare cost per patient was $9290 (HFrEF, $11 053; HFpEF, $7482).

CONCLUSIONS

HF-related HCRU is substantial among contemporary real-world HF patients in US Commercial or Medicare supplemental health plans. Patients managed in urgent HF settings were over twice as likely to be hospitalized within 30 days versus those initially hospitalized, suggesting urgent HF visits are important clinical events and quality improvement targets.