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Conombo B, Guertin JR, Hoch JS, Grimshaw J, Bérubé M, Malo C, Berthelot S, Lauzier F, Stelfox HT, Turgeon AF, Archambault P, Belcaid A, Moore L. Implementation of an audit and feedback module targeting low-value clinical practices in a provincial trauma quality assurance program: a cost-effectiveness study. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:479. [PMID: 38632593 PMCID: PMC11025277 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10969-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Audit and Feedback (A&F) interventions based on quality indicators have been shown to lead to significant improvements in compliance with evidence-based care including de-adoption of low-value practices (LVPs). Our primary aim was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding a hypothetical A&F module targeting LVPs for trauma admissions to an existing quality assurance intervention targeting high-value care and risk-adjusted outcomes. A secondary aim was to assess how certain A&F characteristics might influence its cost-effectiveness. METHODS We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis using a probabilistic static decision analytic model in the Québec trauma care continuum. We considered the Québec Ministry of Health perspective. Our economic evaluation compared a hypothetical scenario in which the A&F module targeting LVPs is implemented in a Canadian provincial trauma quality assurance program to a status quo scenario in which the A&F module is not implemented. In scenarios analyses we assessed the impact of A&F characteristics on its cost-effectiveness. Results are presented in terms of incremental costs per LVP avoided. RESULTS Results suggest that the implementation of A&F module (Cost = $1,480,850; Number of LVPs = 6,005) is associated with higher costs and higher effectiveness compared to status quo (Cost = $1,124,661; Number of LVPs = 8,228). The A&F module would cost $160 per LVP avoided compared to status quo. The A&F module becomes more cost-effective with the addition of facilitation visits; more frequent evaluation; and when only high-volume trauma centers are considered. CONCLUSION A&F module targeting LVPs is associated with higher costs and higher effectiveness than status quo and has the potential to be cost-effective if the decision-makers' willingness-to-pay is at least $160 per LVP avoided. This likely represents an underestimate of true ICER due to underestimated costs or missed opportunity costs. Results suggest that virtual facilitation visits, frequent evaluation, and implementing the module in high-volume centers can improve cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanchard Conombo
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jason R Guertin
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S Hoch
- Division of Health Policy and Management, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jeremy Grimshaw
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mélanie Bérubé
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Malo
- Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Simon Berthelot
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche Intégrée Pour Un Système Apprenant en Santé Et Services Sociaux, Centre Intégré de Santé Et de Services Sociaux de Chaudière-Appalaches, Lévis, Québec, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Henry T Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alexis F Turgeon
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- VITAM-Centre de Recherche en Santé Durable, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Amina Belcaid
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada
| | - Lynne Moore
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada.
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma - Emergency - Critical Care Medicine, Quebec University Hospital, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, 18E Rue, Local H-012a, Québec City, Québec, 1401G1J 1Z4, Canada.
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Moore L, Ben Abdeljelil A, Tardif PA, Zemek R, Reed N, Yeates KO, Emery CA, Gagnon IJ, Yanchar N, Bérubé M, Dawson J, Berthelot S, Stang A, Beno S, Beaulieu E, Turgeon AF, Labrosse M, Lauzier F, Pike I, Macpherson A, Freire GC. Clinical Practice Guideline Recommendations in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review. Ann Emerg Med 2024; 83:327-339. [PMID: 38142375 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2023.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE Our primary objectives were to identify clinical practice guideline recommendations for children with acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) presenting to an emergency department (ED), appraise their overall quality, and synthesize the quality of evidence and the strength of included recommendations. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and medical association websites from January 2012 to May 2023 for clinical practice guidelines with at least 1 recommendation targeting pediatric mTBI populations presenting to the ED within 48 hours of injury for any diagnostic or therapeutic intervention in the acute phase of care (ED and inhospital). Pairs of reviewers independently assessed overall clinical practice guideline quality using the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II tool. The quality of evidence on recommendations was synthesized using a matrix based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence-to-Decision framework. RESULTS We included 11 clinical practice guidelines, of which 6 (55%) were rated high quality. These included 101 recommendations, of which 34 (34%) were based on moderate- to high-quality evidence, covering initial assessment, initial diagnostic imaging, monitoring/observation, therapeutic interventions, discharge advice, follow-up, and patient and family support. We did not identify any evidence-based recommendations in high-quality clinical practice guidelines for repeat imaging, neurosurgical consultation, or hospital admission. Lack of strategies and tools to aid implementation and editorial independence were the most common methodological weaknesses. CONCLUSIONS We identified 34 recommendations based on moderate- to high-quality evidence that may be considered for implementation in clinical settings. Our review highlights important areas for future research. This review also underlines the importance of providing strategies to facilitate the implementation of clinical practice guideline recommendations for pediatric mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Moore
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.
| | - Anis Ben Abdeljelil
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada; Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Pier-Alexandre Tardif
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Roger Zemek
- Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nick Reed
- Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Carolyn A Emery
- Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberts, Canada
| | - Isabelle J Gagnon
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montréal Children's Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Natalie Yanchar
- Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mélanie Bérubé
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada; Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jennifer Dawson
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon Berthelot
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Antonia Stang
- Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Suzanne Beno
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emilie Beaulieu
- Département de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexis F Turgeon
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Melanie Labrosse
- Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval (Hôpital de l'Enfant-Jésus), Québec City, Québec, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Ian Pike
- Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alison Macpherson
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gabrielle C Freire
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Child Health Evaluative Sciences Program, Peter Gilgan Institute for Research and Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Conombo B, Guertin JR, Hoch JS, Lauzier F, Turgeon AF, Stelfox HT, Moore L. Potential Avoidable Costs of Low-Value Clinical Practices in Acute Injury Care in an Integrated Canadian Provincial Trauma System. JAMA Surg 2023; 158:977-979. [PMID: 37436756 PMCID: PMC10339214 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2023.2510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
This economic evaluation estimated the direct health care costs associated with 11 low-value clinical practices in acute trauma care in the integrated health care system of Quebec, Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blanchard Conombo
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jason R. Guertin
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Jeffrey S. Hoch
- Division of Health Policy and Management, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California at Davis, Davis
| | - François Lauzier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexis F. Turgeon
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Henry T. Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Lynne Moore
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma-Emergency-Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec–Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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Moore L, Bérubé M, Belcaid A, Turgeon AF, Taljaard M, Fowler R, Yanchar N, Mercier É, Paquet J, Stelfox HT, Archambault P, Berthelot S, Guertin JR, Haas B, Ivers N, Grimshaw J, Lapierre A, Ouyang Y, Sykes M, Witteman H, Lessard-Bonaventure P, Gabbe B, Lauzier F. Evaluating the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention to reduce low-value care in adults hospitalized following trauma: a protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial. Implement Sci 2023; 18:27. [PMID: 37420284 DOI: 10.1186/s13012-023-01279-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While simple Audit & Feedback (A&F) has shown modest effectiveness in reducing low-value care, there is a knowledge gap on the effectiveness of multifaceted interventions to support de-implementation efforts. Given the need to make rapid decisions in a context of multiple diagnostic and therapeutic options, trauma is a high-risk setting for low-value care. Furthermore, trauma systems are a favorable setting for de-implementation interventions as they have quality improvement teams with medical leadership, routinely collected clinical data, and performance-linked to accreditation. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifaceted intervention for reducing low-value clinical practices in acute adult trauma care. METHODS We will conduct a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) embedded in a Canadian provincial quality assurance program. Level I-III trauma centers (n = 30) will be randomized (1:1) to receive simple A&F (control) or a multifaceted intervention (intervention). The intervention, developed using extensive background work and UK Medical Research Council guidelines, includes an A&F report, educational meetings, and facilitation visits. The primary outcome will be the use of low-value initial diagnostic imaging, assessed at the patient level using routinely collected trauma registry data. Secondary outcomes will be low-value specialist consultation, low-value repeat imaging after a patient transfer, unintended consequences, determinants for successful implementation, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. DISCUSSION On completion of the cRCT, if the intervention is effective and cost-effective, the multifaceted intervention will be integrated into trauma systems across Canada. Medium and long-term benefits may include a reduction in adverse events for patients and an increase in resource availability. The proposed intervention targets a problem identified by stakeholders, is based on extensive background work, was developed using a partnership approach, is low-cost, and is linked to accreditation. There will be no attrition, identification, or recruitment bias as the intervention is mandatory in line with trauma center designation requirements, and all outcomes will be assessed with routinely collected data. However, investigators cannot be blinded to group allocation and there is a possibility of contamination bias that will be minimized by conducting intervention refinement only with participants in the intervention arm. TRIAL REGISTRATION This protocol has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (February 24, 2023, # NCT05744154 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Moore
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Mélanie Bérubé
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Amina Belcaid
- Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux, Bd Laurier, Québec, Qc, 2535, Canada
| | - Alexis F Turgeon
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Monica Taljaard
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, On, Canada
| | - Robert Fowler
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, On, Canada
| | - Natalie Yanchar
- Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Ab, Canada
| | - Éric Mercier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Jérôme Paquet
- Department of Surgery, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Henry Thomas Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Medicine and Community Health Sciences, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, Al, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Simon Berthelot
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Jason R Guertin
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Barbara Haas
- Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, 149 College St, Toronto, On, Canada
| | - Noah Ivers
- Department of Family and Community Medicine and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, 155 College St 4Th Floor, Toronto, On, Canada
| | - Jeremy Grimshaw
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, On, Canada
| | - Alexandra Lapierre
- Faculty of Nursing, Université de Montréal, Chem. de La Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, Qc, 2375, Canada
| | - Yongdong Ouyang
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, On, Canada
| | - Michael Sykes
- Department of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health, Northumbria University, Ellison PI, Newcastle, UK
| | - Holly Witteman
- Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
| | - Paule Lessard-Bonaventure
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Canada
| | - Belinda Gabbe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 553 St. Kilda Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - François Lauzier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec (Hôpital de L'Enfant-Jésus), Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, 1050 Av. de La Médecine, Québec, Qc, Canada
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Sharma D, Agarwal P, Agrawal V, Bajaj J, Yadav SK. Low Value Surgical Care: Are We Choosing Wisely? Indian J Surg 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-023-03739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
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Moore L, Bérubé M, Tardif PA, Lauzier F, Turgeon A, Cameron P, Champion H, Yanchar N, Lecky F, Kortbeek J, Evans D, Mercier É, Archambault P, Lamontagne F, Gabbe B, Paquet J, Razek T, Belcaid A, Berthelot S, Malo C, Lang E, Stelfox HT. Validation of Quality Indicators Targeting Low-Value Trauma Care. JAMA Surg 2022; 157:2796291. [PMID: 36103195 PMCID: PMC9475433 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2022.3912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Importance Reducing low-value care has the potential to improve patient experiences and outcomes and free up health care resources. Sixteen quality indicators were recently developed targeting reductions in low-value trauma care based on a synthesis of the best available evidence, expert consensus, and patient preferences. Objective To assess the validity of quality indicators on low-value trauma care using trauma registry data. Design, Setting, and Participants Data from an inclusive Canadian provincial trauma system were used in this analysis. Included were all admissions for injury to any of the 57 provincial adult trauma centers between April 1, 2013, and March 31, 2020. Metrics for quality indicators were developed iteratively with clinical experts. Main Outcomes and Measures Validity was assessed using a priori criteria based on 5 parameters: frequency (incidence and case volume), discrimination (interhospital variation), construct validity (correlation with quality indicators on high-value care), predictive validity (correlation with quality indicators on risk-adjusted outcomes), and forecasting (correlation over time). Results The study sample included 136 783 patient admissions (mean [SD] age, 63 [22] years; 68 428 men [50%]). Metrics were developed for 12 of the 16 quality indicators. Six quality indicators showed moderate or high validity on all measurable parameters: initial head, cervical spine, or whole-body computed tomography for low-risk patients; posttransfer repeated computed tomography; neurosurgical consultation for mild complicated traumatic brain injury; and spine service consultation for isolated thoracolumbar process fractures. Red blood cell transfusion in low-risk patients had low frequency but had moderate or high validity on all other parameters. Five quality indicators had low validity on at least 2 parameters: repeated head CT and intensive care unit admission for mild complicated traumatic brain injury, hospital admission for minor blunt abdominal trauma, orthosis for thoracolumbar burst fractures, and surgical exploration in penetrating neck injury without hard signs. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study shows the feasibility of assessing low-value trauma care using routinely collected data. It provided data on quality indicators properties that can be used to decide which quality indicators are most appropriate in a given system. Results suggest that 6 quality indicators have moderate to high validity. Their implementation now needs to be tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynne Moore
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Mélanie Bérubé
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Faculty of Nursing, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Pier-Alexandre Tardif
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - François Lauzier
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Alexis Turgeon
- Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Critical Care Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Peter Cameron
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Howard Champion
- Department of Surgery, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Natalie Yanchar
- Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Fiona Lecky
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
- Trauma Audit and Research Network, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - John Kortbeek
- Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - David Evans
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Éric Mercier
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Patrick Archambault
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Transfert des Connaissances et Évaluation des Technologies et Modes d’Intervention en Santé, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital St François d’Assise, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - François Lamontagne
- Department of Medicine, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - Belinda Gabbe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jérôme Paquet
- Department of Surgery, Division of Neurosurgery, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Tarek Razek
- Department of Trauma Surgery, Montreal General Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Amina Belcaid
- Institut National d’Excellence en Santé et Services Sociaux, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Simon Berthelot
- Population Health and Optimal Health Practices Research Unit, Trauma–Emergency–Critical Care Medicine, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Hôpital de l’Enfant-Jésus, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Christian Malo
- Département de Médicine Familiale et de Médicine d’urgence, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Eddy Lang
- University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Henry Thomas Stelfox
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, O’Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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