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Brahmania M, Kuo A, Tapper EB, Volk ML, Vittorio JM, Ghabril M, Morgan TR, Kanwal F, Parikh ND, Martin P, Mehta S, Winder GS, Im GY, Goldberg D, Lai JC, Duarte-Rojo A, Paredes AH, Patel AA, Sahota A, McElroy LM, Thomas C, Wall AE, Malinis M, Aslam S, Simonetto DA, Ufere NN, Ramakrishnan S, Flynn MM, Ibrahim Y, Asrani SK, Serper M. Quality measures in pre-liver transplant care by the Practice Metrics Committee of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology 2024; 80:742-753. [PMID: 38536021 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The liver transplantation (LT) evaluation and waitlisting process is subject to variations in care that can impede quality. The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) Practice Metrics Committee (PMC) developed quality measures and patient-reported experience measures along the continuum of pre-LT care to reduce care variation and guide patient-centered care. Following a systematic literature review, candidate pre-LT measures were grouped into 4 phases of care: referral, evaluation and waitlisting, waitlist management, and organ acceptance. A modified Delphi panel with content expertise in hepatology, transplant surgery, psychiatry, transplant infectious disease, palliative care, and social work selected the final set. Candidate patient-reported experience measures spanned domains of cognitive health, emotional health, social well-being, and understanding the LT process. Of the 71 candidate measures, 41 were selected: 9 for referral; 20 for evaluation and waitlisting; 7 for waitlist management; and 5 for organ acceptance. A total of 14 were related to structure, 17 were process measures, and 10 were outcome measures that focused on elements not typically measured in routine care. Among the patient-reported experience measures, candidates of LT rated items from understanding the LT process domain as the most important. The proposed pre-LT measures provide a framework for quality improvement and care standardization among candidates of LT. Select measures apply to various stakeholders such as referring practitioners in the community and LT centers. Clinically meaningful measures that are distinct from those used for regulatory transplant reporting may facilitate local quality improvement initiatives to improve access and quality of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Brahmania
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Alexander Kuo
- Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Elliot B Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Michael L Volk
- Department of Medicine, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, Texas, USA
| | - Jennifer M Vittorio
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, New York University (NYU) Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Marwan Ghabril
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Timothy R Morgan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- Medical Service, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Neehar D Parikh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Paul Martin
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Shivang Mehta
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - Gene Y Im
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Goldberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andres Duarte-Rojo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Angelo H Paredes
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Arpan A Patel
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Medicine, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Amandeep Sahota
- Department of Transplant Hepatology, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lisa M McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Charlie Thomas
- Banner University Medical Center Phoenix Transplant Program, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Anji E Wall
- Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Maricar Malinis
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Saima Aslam
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Douglas A Simonetto
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nneka N Ufere
- Department of Medicine, Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Mary Margaret Flynn
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sumeet K Asrani
- Department of Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Marina Serper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Brahmania M, Rogal S, Serper M, Patel A, Goldberg D, Mathur A, Wilder J, Vittorio J, Yeoman A, Rich NE, Lazo M, Kardashian A, Asrani S, Spann A, Ufere N, Verma M, Verna E, Simpson D, Schold JD, Rosenblatt R, McElroy L, Wadwhani SI, Lee TH, Strauss AT, Chung RT, Aiza I, Carr R, Yang JM, Brady C, Fortune BE. Pragmatic strategies to address health disparities along the continuum of care in chronic liver disease. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0413. [PMID: 38696374 PMCID: PMC11068141 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities exist in the prevalence and natural history of chronic liver disease, access to care, and clinical outcomes. Solutions to improve health equity range widely, from digital health tools to policy changes. The current review outlines the disparities along the chronic liver disease health care continuum from screening and diagnosis to the management of cirrhosis and considerations of pre-liver and post-liver transplantation. Using a health equity research and implementation science framework, we offer pragmatic strategies to address barriers to implementing high-quality equitable care for patients with chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayur Brahmania
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Transplant Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shari Rogal
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Marina Serper
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arpan Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David Goldberg
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Amit Mathur
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplant Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Julius Wilder
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jennifer Vittorio
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York, USA
| | - Andrew Yeoman
- Department of Medicine, Gwent Liver Unit, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport, Wales, UK
| | - Nicole E. Rich
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Mariana Lazo
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ani Kardashian
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sumeet Asrani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley Spann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Nneka Ufere
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Manisha Verma
- Department of Medicine, Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elizabeth Verna
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dinee Simpson
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jesse D. Schold
- Department of Surgery and Epidemiology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Russell Rosenblatt
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Lisa McElroy
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Sharad I. Wadwhani
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tzu-Hao Lee
- Department of Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Alexandra T. Strauss
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond T. Chung
- Department of Medicine, Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ignacio Aiza
- Department of Medicine, Liver Unit, Hospital Ángeles Lomas, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Rotonya Carr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jin Mo Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Carla Brady
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Brett E. Fortune
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hepatology, Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA
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Nadeem M, Tafader A, Park D, Fagan A, Wade JB, Bajaj JS. A specialized HE testing clinic improves rational decision-making for therapy in cirrhosis. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0301. [PMID: 38016049 PMCID: PMC10578715 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive complaints in cirrhosis are often attributed to HE with reflexive therapy if specialized tests are not performed. The aim was to determine the utility of a specialized HE clinic for management decisions. METHODS Cirrhosis patients with cognitive complaints were referred through a dedicated consult pathway to a specialized clinic and followed for 6 months. This clinic included detailed history, medication review, standardized tests [Mini-Mental Status Exam (MMSE), Psychometric HE Score, and others], and obstructive sleep apnea screening. Results were communicated with patients and referring providers. A subset was offered repeat testing. RESULTS A total of 286 patients were tested between 2012 and 2022. Of the 286 patients, 4 patients who showed a Mini-Mental State Exam <25 were referred to neurology. Thirty-nine percent had normal Psychometric HE Score (higher in younger patients, without prior HE, depression, and lower Model for End-Stage Liver Disease-Sodium), while 172 (61%) patients had cognitive impairment. Of the 172 patients, 51 did not want management change, 84 were started on HE therapy, and 37 were considered impaired due to other causes. In 51 without management change, 32 refused lactulose, while the remaining were counseled regarding lactulose titration. Of the 84 patients with HE-therapy initiation, lactulose was initiated in 56 and rifaximin in 28; most therapies continued over 6 months. The ones who were retested improved their Psychometric HE Score. The 37 with other causes (obstructive sleep apnea, mood disorders, substance use, and mild cognitive impairment) led to specialized referrals. No overt HE was found over 6 months in those without HE-related impairment. The clinic was billed for. CONCLUSIONS A specialized HE clinic for patients with cirrhosis and cognitive complaints established through a dedicated consult pathway showed that 39% of referred patients had normal cognitive performance, while the results guided management changes, including for HE and other causes in the remaining patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahum Nadeem
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Asiya Tafader
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Dan Park
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Andrew Fagan
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - James B. Wade
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Jasmohan S. Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond VA Medical Center, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Wang R, Rouleau G, Booth GL, Brazeau AS, El-Dassouki N, Taylor M, Cafazzo JA, Greenberg M, Nakhla M, Shulman R, Desveaux L. Understanding Whether and How a Digital Health Intervention Improves Transition Care for Emerging Adults Living With Type 1 Diabetes: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Realist Evaluation. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e46115. [PMID: 37703070 PMCID: PMC10534286 DOI: 10.2196/46115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emerging adults living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face a series of challenges with self-management and decreased health system engagement, leading to an increased risk of acute complications and hospital admissions. Effective and scalable strategies are needed to support this population to transfer seamlessly from pediatric to adult care with sufficient self-management capability. While digital health interventions for T1D self-management are a promising strategy, it remains unclear which elements work, how, and for which groups of individuals. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the design and implementation of a multicomponent SMS text message-based digital health intervention to support emerging adults living with T1D in real-world settings. The objectives are to identify the intervention components and associated mechanisms that support user engagement and T1D health care transition experiences and determine the individual characteristics that influence the implementation process. METHODS We used a realist evaluation embedded alongside a randomized controlled trial, which uses a sequential mixed methods design to analyze data from multiple sources, including intervention usage data, patient-reported outcomes, and realist interviews. In step 1, we conducted a document analysis to develop a program theory that outlines the hypothesized relationships among "individual-level contextual factors, intervention components and features, mechanisms, and outcomes," with special attention paid to user engagement. Among them, intervention components and features depict 10 core characteristics such as transition support information, problem-solving information, and real-time interactivity. The proximal outcomes of interest include user engagement, self-efficacy, and negative emotions, whereas the distal outcomes of interest include transition readiness, self-blood glucose monitoring behaviors, and blood glucose. In step 2, we plan to conduct semistructured realist interviews with the randomized controlled trial's intervention-arm participants to test the hypothesized "context-intervention-mechanism-outcome" configurations. In step 3, we plan to triangulate all sources of data using a coincidence analysis to identify the necessary combinations of factors that determine whether and how the desired outcomes are achieved and use these insights to consolidate the program theory. RESULTS For step 1 analysis, we have developed the initial program theory and the corresponding data collection plan. For step 2 analysis, participant enrollment for the randomized controlled trial started in January 2023. Participant enrollment for this realist evaluation was anticipated to start in July 2023 and continue until we reached thematic saturation or achieved informational power. CONCLUSIONS Beyond contributing to knowledge on the multiple pathways that lead to successful engagement with a digital health intervention as well as target outcomes in T1D care transitions, embedding the realist evaluation alongside the trial may inform real-time intervention refinement to improve user engagement and transition experiences. The knowledge gained from this study may inform the design, implementation, and evaluation of future digital health interventions that aim to improve transition experiences. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/46115.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoxi Wang
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Geneviève Rouleau
- Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Département des Sciences Infirmières, Université du Québec en Outaouais, St-Jérôme, QC, Canada
- Faculté des sciences infirmières, l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gillian Lynn Booth
- MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Noor El-Dassouki
- Centre for Digital Therapeutics, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Madison Taylor
- Centre for Digital Therapeutics, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joseph A Cafazzo
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Digital Therapeutics, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marley Greenberg
- Department of Philosophy, Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Diabetes Action Canada, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Meranda Nakhla
- Division of Endocrinology, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rayzel Shulman
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Endocrinology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Laura Desveaux
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Jones PD, Lai JC, Bajaj JS, Kanwal F. Actionable Solutions to Achieve Health Equity in Chronic Liver Disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 21:1992-2000. [PMID: 37061105 PMCID: PMC10330625 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
There are well-described racial and ethnic disparities in the burden of chronic liver diseases. Hispanic persons are at highest risk for developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the fastest growing cause of liver disease. Hepatitis B disproportionately affects persons of Asian or African descent. The highest rates of hepatitis C occur in American Indian and Alaskan Native populations. In addition to disparities in disease burden, there are also marked racial and ethnic disparities in access to treatments, including liver transplantation. Disparities also exist by gender and geography, especially in alcohol-related liver disease. To achieve health equity, we must address the root causes that drive these inequities. Understanding the role that social determinants of health play in the disparate health outcomes that are currently observed is critically important. We must forge and/or strengthen collaborations between patients, community members, other key stakeholders, health care providers, health care institutions, professional societies, and legislative bodies. Herein, we provide a high-level review of current disparities in chronic liver disease and describe actionable strategies that have potential to bridge gaps, improve quality, and promote equity in liver care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D Jones
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
| | - Jennifer C Lai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Virginia Commonwealth University and Central Virginia Veterans Health Care System, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Fasiha Kanwal
- Section of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas; VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety (IQuESt), Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas
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Adejumo AC, Yakovchenko V, Morgan TR, Spoutz P, Chia L, Bajaj JS, Chang MF, Dominitz JA, Rogal SS. The road to pandemic recovery: Tracking COVID-19's impact on cirrhosis care and outcomes among 111,558 Veterans. Hepatology 2023; 77:2016-2029. [PMID: 36705024 DOI: 10.1097/hep.0000000000000306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS This study aimed to evaluate quarterly trends in process and health outcomes among Veterans with cirrhosis and assess the factors associated with cirrhosis outcomes before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. APPROACH RESULTS US Veterans with cirrhosis were identified using the Veterans Health Administration Corporate Data Warehouse. Quarterly measures were evaluated from September 30, 2018, through March 31, 2022, including twice yearly screening for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC-6), new HCC, surveillance for or treatment of esophageal varices, variceal bleeding, all-cause hospitalization, and mortality. Joinpoint analyses were used to assess the changes in trends over time. Logistic regression models were used to identify the demographic and medical factors associated with each outcome over time. Among 111,558 Veterans with cirrhosis with a mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease-Sodium of 11±5, rates of HCC-6 sharply declined from a prepandemic peak of 41%, to a nadir of 28%, and rebounded to 36% by March 2022. All-cause mortality did not significantly change over the pandemic, but new HCC diagnosis, EVST, variceal bleeding, and all-cause hospitalization significantly declined over follow-up. Quarterly HCC diagnosis declined from 0.49% to 0.38%, EVST from 50% to 41%, variceal bleeding from 0.15% to 0.11%, and hospitalization from 9% to 5%. Rurality became newly, significantly associated with nonscreening over the pandemic (aOR for HCC-6=0.80, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.86; aOR for EVST=0.95, 95% CI 0.90 to 0.997). CONCLUSIONS The pandemic continues to impact cirrhosis care. Identifying populations at the highest risk of care disruptions may help to address ongoing areas of need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeyinka C Adejumo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Vera Yakovchenko
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy R Morgan
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, California, USA
| | - Patrick Spoutz
- Pharmacy Benefits Management, Veterans Integrated Service Network 20, Vancouver, Washington, USA
| | - Linda Chia
- Pharmacy Benefits Management, Veterans Integrated Service Network 8, Bay Pines, Florida, USA
| | - Jasmohan S Bajaj
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
- VA Richmond Health Care System, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Michael F Chang
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, VA Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jason A Dominitz
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Shari S Rogal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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7
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Yakovchenko V, Chinman MJ, Lamorte C, Powell BJ, Waltz TJ, Merante M, Gibson S, Neely B, Morgan TR, Rogal SS. Refining Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) strategy surveys using cognitive interviews with frontline providers. Implement Sci Commun 2023; 4:42. [PMID: 37085937 PMCID: PMC10122282 DOI: 10.1186/s43058-023-00409-3] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation includes 73 defined implementation strategies clustered into nine content areas. This taxonomy has been used to track implementation strategies over time using surveys. This study aimed to improve the ERIC survey using cognitive interviews with non-implementation scientist clinicians. METHODS Starting in 2015, we developed and fielded annual ERIC surveys to evaluate liver care in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). We invited providers who had completed at least three surveys to participate in cognitive interviews (October 2020 to October 2021). Before the interviews, participants reviewed the complete 73-item ERIC survey and marked which strategies were unclear due to wording, conceptual confusion, or overlap with other strategies. They then engaged in semi-structured cognitive interviews to describe the experience of completing the survey and elaborate on which strategies required further clarification. RESULTS Twelve VA providers completed surveys followed by cognitive interviews. The "Engage Consumer" and "Support Clinicians" clusters were rated most highly in terms of conceptual and wording clarity. In contrast, the "Financial" cluster had the most wording and conceptual confusion. The "Adapt and Tailor to Context" cluster strategies were considered to have the most redundancy. Providers outlined ways in which the strategies could be clearer in terms of wording (32%), conceptual clarity (51%), and clarifying the distinction between strategies (51%). CONCLUSIONS Cognitive interviews with ERIC survey participants allowed us to identify and address issues with strategy wording, combine conceptually indistinct strategies, and disaggregate multi-barreled strategies. Improvements made to the ERIC survey based on these findings will ultimately assist VA and other institutions in designing, evaluating, and replicating quality improvement efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Yakovchenko
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
| | - Matthew J. Chinman
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
- RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Carolyn Lamorte
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
| | - Byron J. Powell
- Center for Mental Health Services Research, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
- Center for Dissemination & Implementation, Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, John T. Milliken Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO USA
| | - Thomas J. Waltz
- Department of Psychology, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI USA
| | - Monica Merante
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
| | - Sandra Gibson
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Brittney Neely
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
| | - Timothy R. Morgan
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Shari S. Rogal
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Building 30, Room 2A113, University Drive C (151C), Pittsburgh, PA 15240-1001 USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
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Serper M, Tapper EB, Kaplan DE, Taddei TH, Mahmud N. Patterns of Care Utilization and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Surveillance: Tracking Care Across the Pandemic. Am J Gastroenterol 2023; 118:294-303. [PMID: 36114778 PMCID: PMC9898115 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We studied longitudinal trends in mortality, outpatient, and inpatient care for cirrhosis in a national cohort in the first 2 years of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. We evaluated trends in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance and factors associated with completion. METHODS Within the national cirrhosis cohort in the Veterans Administration from 2020 to 2021, we captured mortality, outpatient primary care provider, gastroenterology/hepatology (GI/HEP) visits, and hospitalizations. HCC surveillance was computed as percentage of time up to date with surveillance every 6 months (PTUDS). Multivariable models for PTUDS were adjusted for patient demographics, clinical factors, and facility-level variables. RESULTS The total cohort was 68,073; 28,678 were eligible for HCC surveillance. Outpatient primary care provider and GI/HEP appointment rates initially dropped from 30% to 7% with a rebound 1 year into the pandemic and steady subsequent use. Telemedicine monthly visit rates rose from less than 10% to a peak of 20% with a steady gradual decline. Nearly 70% of Veterans were up to date with HCC surveillance before the pandemic with an early pandemic nadir of approximately 50% and 60% PTUDS 2 years into the pandemic. In adjusted models, use of a population-based cirrhosis dashboard (β 8.5, 95% CI 6.9-10.2) and GI/HEP visits both in-person (β 3.2, 95% CI 2.9-3.6) and telemedicine (β 2.1, 95% CI 1.9-2.4) were associated with a higher PTUDS. DISCUSSION Outpatient utilization and HCC surveillance rates have rebounded but remain below at baseline. Population-based approaches and specialty care for cirrhosis were associated with a higher completion of HCC surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Serper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Medicine, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Elliot B. Tapper
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
- Gastroenterology Section, Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, VA, USA
| | - David E Kaplan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Medicine, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tamar H. Taddei
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT
| | - Nadim Mahmud
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Medicine, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology & Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Yakovchenko V, Rogal SS, Goodrich DE, Lamorte C, Neely B, Merante M, Gibson S, Scott D, McCurdy H, Nobbe A, Morgan TR, Chinman MJ. Getting to implementation: Adaptation of an implementation playbook. Front Public Health 2023; 10:980958. [PMID: 36684876 PMCID: PMC9853037 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.980958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Implementation strategies supporting the translation of evidence into practice need to be tailored and adapted for maximum effectiveness, yet the field of adapting implementation strategies remains nascent. We aimed to adapt "Getting To Outcomes"® (GTO), a 10-step implementation playbook designed to help community-based organizations plan and evaluate behavioral health programs, into "Getting To Implementation" (GTI) to support the selection, tailoring, and use of implementation strategies in health care settings. Methods Our embedded evaluation team partnered with operations, external facilitators, and site implementers to employ participatory methods to co-design and adapt GTO for Veterans Health Administration (VA) outpatient cirrhosis care improvement. The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications to Evidenced-based Implementation Strategies (FRAME-IS) guided documentation and analysis of changes made pre- and post-implementation of GTI at 12 VA medical centers. Data from multiple sources (interviews, observation, content analysis, and fidelity tracking) were triangulated and analyzed using rapid techniques over a 3-year period. Results Adaptations during pre-implementation were planned, proactive, and focused on context and content to improve acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of the GTI playbook. Modifications during and after implementation were unplanned and reactive, concentrating on adoption, fidelity, and sustainability. All changes were collaboratively developed, fidelity consistent at the level of the facilitator and/or implementer. Conclusion GTO was initially adapted to GTI to support health care teams' selection and use of implementation strategies for improving guideline-concordant medical care. GTI required ongoing modification, particularly in steps regarding team building, context assessment, strategy selection, and sustainability due to difficulties with step clarity and progression. This work also highlights the challenges in pragmatic approaches to collecting and synthesizing implementation, fidelity, and adaptation data. Trial registration This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04178096).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Yakovchenko
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Shari S. Rogal
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - David E. Goodrich
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Carolyn Lamorte
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brittney Neely
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Monica Merante
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sandra Gibson
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Dawn Scott
- Department of Medicine, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Heather McCurdy
- VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Anna Nobbe
- Digestive Disease Section, Cincinnati VA Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Timothy R. Morgan
- Gastroenterology Section, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Matthew J. Chinman
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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Volk ML. Implementation science: Accelerating translation of clinical evidence into practice. Hepatology 2022; 76:298-299. [PMID: 35184317 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Volk
- Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
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