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Wu RR, Adjei-Poku MN, Kelz RR, Peck GL, Hwang U, Cappola AR, Friedman AB. Trends in visits, imaging, and diagnosis for emergency department abdominal pain presentations in the United States, 2007-2019. Acad Emerg Med 2024. [PMID: 39313946 DOI: 10.1111/acem.15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 08/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Abdominal pain is the most common reason for visit (RFV) to the emergency department (ED) for adults, yet no standardized diagnostic pathway exists for abdominal pain. Optimal management is age-specific; symptoms, diagnoses, and prognoses differ between young and old adults. Availability and knowledge of the effectiveness of various imaging modalities have also changed over time. We compared diagnostic imaging rates for younger versus older adults to identify practice patterns of abdominal imaging across age groups over time. METHODS We analyzed weighted, nationally representative data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2007-2019 for adult ED visits with a primary RFV of abdominal pain. We included 23,364 sampled visits, representing 123 million visits. RESULTS From 2007 to 2019, total visits increased for ages 18-45 (p < 0.001), 46-64 (p < 0.001), and 65+ (p = 0.032). The percentage of visits with primary RFV of abdominal pain increased from 9.4% to 11.6% for ages 18-45, 7.8%-9.0% for ages 46-64, and 6.0%-6.5% for 65+. Computed tomography (CT) scan rates increased over time from 26.2% of all patients receiving a CT scan to 42.6%. Relative percentage change in abdominal CT scans was greatest for older adults, with a 30.3% increase, compared to 24.0% for middle-aged adults and 15.0% for young adults. Test positivity, defined as receiving an emergency general surgical diagnosis after CT or ultrasound, increased from 17.2% in 2007 to 22.9% in 2019 (p < 0.01). Of the older adults with abdominal pain in 2019, 13% received an X-ray only, which is neither sensitive nor specific for acute pathology in older adults. CONCLUSIONS Despite more abdominal pain ED visits and increased imaging rates per visit, test positivity continues to rise. Our findings do not support claims that CT and ultrasound are being used less appropriately over time, but demonstrate widespread use of X-rays, which are potentially ineffective for abdominal pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel R Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael N Adjei-Poku
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rachel R Kelz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gregory L Peck
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ula Hwang
- Departments of EM and Population Health, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center for James J Peters VAMC, New York, Bronx, USA
| | - Anne R Cappola
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ari B Friedman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Lastunen KS, Leppäniemi AK, Mentula PJ. Pre-hospital management and patient-related factors affecting access to the surgical care of appendicitis - a survey study. Scand J Prim Health Care 2024; 42:399-407. [PMID: 38497923 PMCID: PMC11332302 DOI: 10.1080/02813432.2024.2329214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Long pre-hospital delay substantially increases the likelihood of perforated appendicitis. This study aimed to find patient-related factors affecting this delay. METHODS A survey was conducted for patients with acute appendicitis after appendectomy. The participants were asked about their path to the surgical center and socioeconomic status. Variables affecting delays and the rate of complicated appendicitis were analyzed. RESULTS The study included 510 patients; 157 (31%) had complicated appendicitis with a median prehospital delay of 42 h. In patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, the delay was 21 h, p < .001. Forty-six (29%) patients with complicated appendicitis were not referred to the hospital after the first doctor's visit. The multivariate analysis discovered factors associated with long pre-hospital delay: age 40-64 years (OR 1.63 (95% CI 1.06-2.52); compared to age 18-39), age more than 64 years (OR 2.84 (95% CI 1.18-6.80); compared to age 18-39), loss of appetite (OR 2.86 (95% CI 1.64-4.98)), fever (OR 1.66 (95% CI 1.08-2.57)), non-referral by helpline nurse (OR 2.02 (95% CI 1.15-3.53)) and non-referral at first doctors visit (OR 2.16 (95% CI 1.32-3.53)). Age 40-64 years (OR 2.41 (95% CI 1.50-3.88)), age more than 64 years (OR 8.79 (95% CI 2.19-35.36)), fever (OR 1.83 (95% CI 1.15-2.89)) and non-referral at first doctors visit (OR 1.90 (95% CI 1.14-3.14)) were also risk factors for complicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS Advanced age, fever and failure to suspect acute appendicitis in primary care are associated with prolonged pre-hospital delay and complicated appendicitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsi Serenella Lastunen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ari Kalevi Leppäniemi
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Panu Juhani Mentula
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and the University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Haleem A, Rosenthal Z, Lee DJ. Access to Sudden Hearing Loss Care at Urgent Care Centers. Laryngoscope 2024. [PMID: 38953603 DOI: 10.1002/lary.31596] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare patient access to urgent care centers (UCCs) with a diagnosis of sudden hearing loss based on insurance. METHODS One hundred twenty-five random UCCs in states with Medicaid expansion and 125 random UCCs in states without Medicaid expansion were contacted by a research assistant posing as a family member seeking care on behalf of a patient with a one-week history of sudden, unilateral hearing loss. Each clinic was called once as a Medicaid patient and once as a private insurance (PI) patient for 500 total calls. Each phone encounter was evaluated for insurance acceptance and self-pay price. Secondary outcomes included other measures of timely/accessible care. Chi-square/McNemar's tests and independent/paired sample t-tests were performed to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between expansion status and insurance type. Calls ended before answering questions were not included in the analysis. RESULTS Medicaid acceptance rate was significantly lower than PI (68.1% vs. 98.4%, p < 0.001). UCCs in Medicaid expansion states were significantly more likely to accept Medicaid (76.8% vs. 59.2%, p = 0.003). The mean wage-adjusted self-pay price was significantly greater in states with Medicaid expansion at $169.84 than in states without at $145.34 when called as a Medicaid patient (mean difference: $24.50, 95% Confidence Interval: $0.45-$48.54, p = 0.046). The rates of referral to an emergency department and self-pay price nondisclosure rates were greater for Medicaid calls than for private insurance calls (8.2% vs. 0.4% and 17.4% vs. 5.8%; p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION Medicaid patients with otologic emergencies face reduced access to care at UCCs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afash Haleem
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A
| | - Zachary Rosenthal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
| | - Daniel J Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A
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Ingram MC, Hu A, Lewit R, Arshad SA, Witte A, Keane OA, Dantes G, Mehl SC, Evans PT, Santore MT, Huang EY, Lopez ME, Tsao K, Van Arendonk K, Blakely ML, Raval MV. Improving Accuracy of Administrative Data for Perforated Appendicitis Classification. J Surg Res 2024; 299:120-128. [PMID: 38749315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2024.03.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Reliance on International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) diagnosis codes may misclassify perforated appendicitis with resultant research, fiscal, and public health implications. We aimed to improve the accuracy of administrative data for perforated appendicitis classification relying on ICD-10-CM codes from 2015 to 2018. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of randomly sampled patients aged ≤18 years diagnosed with acute appendicitis from eight children's hospitals. Patients were identified using the Pediatric Health Information System, and true perforation status was determined by medical record review. We developed two algorithms by leveraging Pediatric Health Information System data elements and data mining (DM) approaches. The two developed algorithm performance was compared against algorithms that exclusively relied on ICD-10-CM codes using area under the curve and other measures. RESULTS Of 1051 clinically validated encounters that were included, 383 (36.4%) patients were identified to have perforated appendicitis. The two algorithms developed using DM approaches primarily leveraged ICD-10-CM codes and length of stay. DM-developed algorithms had a significantly higher accuracy than algorithms relying exclusively on ICD-10-CM (P value < 0.01): sensitivity and specificity for DM-developed algorithms were 0.86-0.88 and 0.95-0.97, respectively, which were overall higher than algorithms that relied on only ICD-10-CM. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an algorithm that can improve the accuracy of perforated appendicitis classification using commonly available elements in administrative data. We recommend that this algorithm is used in future appendicitis classification to ensure valid reporting, hospital-level benchmarking, and fiscal or public health assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha-Conley Ingram
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Andrew Hu
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
| | - Ruth Lewit
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Seyed Arshia Arshad
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, Texas
| | - Amanda Witte
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Olivia A Keane
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Goeto Dantes
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Steven C Mehl
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Parker T Evans
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Matthew T Santore
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Eunice Y Huang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Monica E Lopez
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kuojen Tsao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), Houston, Texas
| | - Kyle Van Arendonk
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Martin L Blakely
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Mehul V Raval
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Scott JW, Neiman PU, Scott KW, Ibrahim AM, Fan Z, Fendrick AM, Dimick JB. High Deductibles are Associated With Severe Disease, Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Payments for Emergency Surgical Conditions. Ann Surg 2023; 278:e667-e674. [PMID: 36762565 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket spending has risen for individuals with private health insurance, yet little is known about the unintended consequences that high levels of cost-sharing may have on delayed clinical presentation and financial outcomes for common emergency surgical conditions. METHODS In this retrospective analysis of claims data from a large commercial insurer (2016-2019), we identified adult inpatient admissions following emergency department presentation for common emergency surgical conditions (eg, appendicitis, cholecystitis, diverticulitis, and intestinal obstruction). Primary exposure of interest was enrollment in a high-deductible health insurance plan (HDHP). Our primary outcome was disease severity at presentation-determined using ICD-10-CM diagnoses codes and based on validated measures of anatomic severity (eg, perforation, abscess, diffuse peritonitis). Our secondary outcome was catastrophic out-of-pocket spending, defined by the World Health Organization as out-of-pocket spending >10% of annual income. RESULTS Among 43,516 patients [mean age 48.4 (SD: 11.9) years; 51% female], 41% were enrolled HDHPs. Despite being younger, healthier, wealthier, and more educated, HDHP enrollees were more likely to present with more severe disease (28.5% vs 21.3%, P <0.001; odds ratio (OR): 1.34, 95% CI: 1.28-1.42]); even after adjusting for relevant demographics (adjusted OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.18-1.31). HDHP enrollees were also more likely to incur 30-day out-of-pocket spending that exceeded 10% of annual income (20.8% vs 6.4%, adjusted OR: 3.93, 95% CI: 3.65-4.24). Lower-income patients, Black patients, and Hispanic patients were at highest risk of financial strain. CONCLUSIONS For privately insured patients presenting with common surgical emergencies, high-deductible health plans are associated with increased disease severity at admission and a greater financial burden after discharge-especially for vulnerable populations. Strategies are needed to improve financial risk protection for common surgical emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Scott
- Department of Surgery, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Pooja U Neiman
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Kirstin W Scott
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Andrew M Ibrahim
- Department of Surgery, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Zhaohui Fan
- Department of Surgery, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - A Mark Fendrick
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Division of General Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Justin B Dimick
- Department of Surgery, Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Postdischarge Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Pediatric Appendicitis: A Mediation Analysis. J Surg Res 2023; 282:174-182. [PMID: 36308900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Significant racial and ethnic disparities exist for children presenting with acute appendicitis; however, it is unknown if disparities persist after initial management and hospital discharge. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of children (aged < 18 y) who underwent treatment for acute appendicitis in 47 U.S. Children's Hospitals between 2017 and 2019. Primary outcomes were 30-d emergency department (ED) visits and 30-d inpatient readmission. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression models were developed to determine the association of race and ethnicity on the primary outcomes. Inverse odds-weighted mediation analyses were used to estimate the degree to which complicated disease, insurance status, urbanicity, and residential socioeconomic status- mediated disparate outcomes. RESULTS A total of 67,303 patients were included. Compared with Non-Hispanic White children, Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) (odds ratio [OR] 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-1.59) and Hispanic/Latinx (HL) children (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.44-1.67) had higher odds of ED visits. Only NHB children had higher odds of readmission (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.30-1.57). On a multivariable analysis, NHB (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.36) and HL (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.31) children had higher odds of ED visits. Insurance, disease severity, socioeconomic status, and urbanicity mediated 61.6% (95% CI 29.7-100%) and 66.3% (95% CI 46.9-89.3%) of disparities for NHB and HL children, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Children of racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to visit the ED after treatment for acute appendicitis, but HL patients did not have a corresponding increase in readmission. These differences were mediated mainly by insurance status and urban residence. A lack of appropriate postdischarge education and follow-up may drive disparities in healthcare utilization after pediatric appendicitis.
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Keneally RJ, Mazzeffi MA, Estroff JM, Yi JN, Maman SR, Heinz ER, Chow JH. Factors Associated With a Discharge Against Medical Advice From an Emergency Department in Adult Patients With Appendicitis. J Emerg Med 2023; 64:40-46. [PMID: 36642675 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.10.006] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delays in care can lead to worsened outcomes with acute appendicitis. To get timely treatment, patients must consent. OBJECTIVE To determine if there are racial and socioeconomic differences in discharge against medical advice (DAMA) rates from an emergency department after the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS Patients were identified retrospectively from the 2019 National Emergency Department Sample. The inclusion criteria were patients 18 years of age or older with acute appendicitis. Rates were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Odds ratios were determined using multiple logistic regression. A p value of 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance. RESULTS The overall rate of DAMA was low (0.37%). Black patients had the highest rate, and White patients had the lowest (0.72% and 0.28%, respectively, p < 0.001). When controlling for covariates, Black patients also had a higher odds ratio (OR) for DAMA (OR 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-2.97). Male patients had a higher unadjusted rate (0.47% vs. 0.26% in females, p < 0.001) and were at increased risk (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.32-2.41). Patients between 30 and 65 years old had an increased risk (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.10-2.0). Patients with government insurance or no insurance had higher rates than private insurance (0.57% and 0.56% vs. 0.23% respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Race, insurance status, age, and male sex were all associated with increase in DAMA. Risk stratifying patients can help to determine how to best employ mitigations strategies. Reducing DAMA may be the next area for improving reducing disparities in appendicitis care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Keneally
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Michael A Mazzeffi
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Jordan M Estroff
- Department of Trauma, Critical Care and Acute Care Surgery, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - John N Yi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Stephan R Maman
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Eric R Heinz
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Johnathan H Chow
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
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The Relationship Between Insurance Status and the Affordable Care Act on Asthma Outcomes Among Low-Income US Adults. Chest 2022; 161:1465-1474. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Lin Y, Monnette A, Shi L. Effects of medicaid expansion on poverty disparities in health insurance coverage. Int J Equity Health 2021; 20:171. [PMID: 34311757 PMCID: PMC8314606 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01486-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 30 states have either expanded Medicaid or are actively considering expansion. The coverage gains from this policy are well documented, however, the impacts of its increasing coverage on poverty disparity are unclear at the national level. METHOD American Community Survey (2012-2018) was used to examine the effects of Medicaid expansion on poverty disparity in insurance coverage for nonelderly adults in the United States. Differences-in-differences-in-differences design was used to analyze trends in uninsured rates by poverty levels: (1) < 138 %, (2) 138-400 % and (3) > 400 % federal poverty level (FPL). RESULTS Compared with uninsured rates in 2012, uninsured rates in 2018 decreased by 10.75 %, 6.42 %, and 1.11 % for < 138 %, 138-400 %, and > 400 % FPL, respectively. From 2012 to 2018, > 400 % FPL group continuously had the lowest uninsured rate and < 138 % FPL group had the highest uninsured rate. Compared with ≥ 138 % FPL groups, there was a 2.54 % reduction in uninsured risk after Medicaid expansion among < 138 % FPL group in Medicaid expansion states versus control states. After eliminating the impact of the ACA market exchange premium subsidy, 3.18 % decrease was estimated. CONCLUSION Poverty disparity in uninsured rates improved with Medicaid expansion. However, < 138 % FPL population are still at a higher risk for being uninsured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilu Lin
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 1900, Louisiana, 70112, New Orleans, USA
| | - Alisha Monnette
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 1900, Louisiana, 70112, New Orleans, USA
| | - Lizheng Shi
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 1900, Louisiana, 70112, New Orleans, USA.
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Neufeld MY, Bauerle W, Eriksson E, Azar FK, Evans HL, Johnson M, Lawless RA, Lottenberg L, Sanchez SE, Simianu VV, Thomas CS, Drake FT. Where did the patients go? Changes in acute appendicitis presentation and severity of illness during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study. Surgery 2020; 169:808-815. [PMID: 33288212 PMCID: PMC7717883 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic restricted movement of individuals and altered provision of health care, abruptly transforming health care-use behaviors. It serves as a natural experiment to explore changes in presentations for surgical diseases including acute appendicitis. The objective was to determine if the pandemic was associated with changes in incidence of acute appendicitis compared to a historical control and to determine if there were associated changes in disease severity. METHODS The study is a retrospective, multicenter cohort study of adults (N = 956) presenting with appendicitis in nonpandemic versus pandemic time periods (December 1, 2019-March 10, 2020 versus March 11, 2020-May 16, 2020). Corresponding time periods in 2018 and 2019 composed the historical control. Primary outcome was mean biweekly counts of all appendicitis presentations, then stratified by complicated (n = 209) and uncomplicated (n = 747) disease. Trends in presentations were compared using difference-in-differences methodology. Changes in odds of presenting with complicated disease were assessed via clustered multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS There was a 29% decrease in mean biweekly appendicitis presentations from 5.4 to 3.8 (rate ratio = 0.71 [0.51, 0.98]) after the pandemic declaration, with a significant difference in differences compared with historical control (P = .003). Stratified by severity, the decrease was significant for uncomplicated appendicitis (rate ratio = 0.65 [95% confidence interval 0.47-0.91]) when compared with historical control (P = .03) but not for complicated appendicitis (rate ratio = 0.89 [95% confidence interval 0.52-1.52]); (P = .49). The odds of presenting with complicated disease did not change (adjusted odds ratio 1.36 [95% confidence interval 0.83-2.25]). CONCLUSION The pandemic was associated with decreased incidence of uncomplicated appendicitis without an accompanying increase in complicated disease. Changes in individual health care-use behaviors may underlie these differences, suggesting that some cases of uncomplicated appendicitis may resolve without progression to complicated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Y Neufeld
- Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, MA.
| | - Wayne Bauerle
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Evert Eriksson
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Faris K Azar
- Department of Surgery, St Mary's Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL; Department of Surgery, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Heather L Evans
- Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Meredith Johnson
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Lawrence Lottenberg
- Department of Surgery, St Mary's Medical Center, West Palm Beach, FL; Department of Surgery, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
| | - Sabrina E Sanchez
- Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Vlad V Simianu
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - F Thurston Drake
- Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center/Boston University School of Medicine, MA
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11
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Valdovinos EM, Niedzwiecki MJ, Guo J, Hsia RY. The association of Medicaid expansion and racial/ethnic inequities in access, treatment, and outcomes for patients with acute myocardial infarction. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0241785. [PMID: 33175899 PMCID: PMC7657521 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction After having an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), racial and ethnic minorities have less access to care, decreased rates of invasive treatments such as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and worse outcomes compared with white patients. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of Medicaid eligibility was associated with changes in racial disparities in access, treatments, and outcomes after AMI. Methods Quasi-experimental, difference-in-differences-in-differences analysis of non-Hispanic white and minority patients with acute myocardial infarction in California and Florida from 2010–2015, using linear regression models to estimate the difference-in-differences. This population-based sample included all Medicaid and uninsured patients ages 18–64 hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction in California, which expanded Medicaid through the Affordable Care Act beginning as early as July 2011 in certain counties, and Florida, which did not expand Medicaid. The main outcomes included rates of admission to hospitals capable of performing PCI, rates of transfer for patients who first presented to hospitals that did not perform PCI, rates of PCI during hospitalization and rates of early (within 48 hours of admission) PCI, rates of readmission to the hospital within 30 days, and rates of in-hospital mortality. Results A total of 55,991 hospital admissions met inclusion criteria, 32,540 of which were in California and 23,451 were in Florida. Among patients with AMI who initially presented to a non-PCI hospital, the likelihood of being transferred increased by 12 percentage points (95% CI 2 to 21) for minority patients relative to white patients after the Medicaid expansion. The likelihood of undergoing PCI increased by 3 percentage points (95% CI 0 to 5) for minority patients relative to white patients after the Medicaid expansion. We did not find an association between the Medicaid expansion and racial disparities in overall likelihood of admission to a PCI hospital, hospital readmissions, or in-hospital mortality. Conclusions The Medicaid expansion was associated with a decrease in racial disparities in transfers and rates of PCI after AMI. We did not find an association between the Medicaid expansion and admission to a PCI hospital, readmissions, and in-hospital mortality. Additional factors outside of insurance coverage likely continue to contribute to disparities in outcomes after AMI. These findings are crucial for policy makers seeking to reduce racial disparities in access, treatment and outcomes in AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica M Valdovinos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, Ukiah, California, United States of America
| | - Matthew J Niedzwiecki
- Mathematica Policy Research.,Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America.,Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Joanna Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Renee Y Hsia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America.,Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, California, United States of America
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12
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Oh J, Fernando A, Sibbett S, Carrougher GJ, Stewart BT, Mandell SP, Pham TN, Gibran NS. Impact of the affordable care act's medicaid expansion on burn outcomes and disposition. Burns 2020; 47:35-41. [PMID: 33246670 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2020.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to analyze the impact of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid Expansion on clinical outcomes and patient disposition after burn injury. We hypothesized that increased insurance coverage results in improved outcomes and higher rates of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation. METHODS We reviewed the University of Washington Regional Burn Center registry data for patients admitted from 2011 to 2018. Patients were grouped into two categories: before (2011-2013) and after (2015-2018) Medicaid expansion; we excluded 2014 data to serve as a washout period. Outcomes assessed included length of hospital stay, patient disposition, and mortality. Multivariable logistic and linear regression models with covariates for sex, age, burn size, ethnicity ethnicity, distance from burn center, etiology of burn, and presence of inhalation injury were used to determine the impact of Medicaid expansion on outcomes. RESULTS Rates of uninsured patients decreased while Medicaid coverage increased. Despite increased median burn size after Medicaid expansion, inpatient mortality rates did not change, but average acute care length of stay increased. More patients were discharged to rehabilitation centers. CONCLUSIONS Our study corroborates prior findings of increased insurance coverage since Medicaid expansion. Increased insurance coverage is associated with higher rates of discharge to inpatient rehabilitation programs after burn injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Oh
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | - Amali Fernando
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, United States
| | - Stephen Sibbett
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | | | | | | | - Tam N Pham
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
| | - Nicole S Gibran
- University of Washington Department of Surgery, United States
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13
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Scott JW, Loehrer AP. The Utility of Perforated Appendix Rate as a Proxy for Timely Access to Care. JAMA Surg 2020; 155:1081-1082. [PMID: 32756908 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.2504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John W Scott
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Andrew P Loehrer
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire.,The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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14
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Drake FT, Golz RA, Sanchez SE. The Utility of Perforated Appendix Rate as a Proxy for Timely Access to Care-Reply. JAMA Surg 2020; 155:1082-1083. [PMID: 32777013 DOI: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.2517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Thurston Drake
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Reece A Golz
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Geography, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, California
| | - Sabrina E Sanchez
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts.,Department of Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
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15
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Liu C, Rahman AS, Chao TE. Catastrophic expenditures in California trauma patients after the Affordable Care Act: reduced financial risk and racial disparities. Am J Surg 2020; 220:511-517. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Hauser BM, Gupta S, Xu E, Wu K, Bernstock JD, Chua M, Khawaja AM, Smith TR, Dunn IF, Bergmark RW, Bi WL. Impact of insurance on hospital course and readmission after resection of benign meningioma. J Neurooncol 2020; 149:131-140. [PMID: 32654076 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-020-03581-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Surgical outcomes and healthcare utilization have been shown to vary based on patient insurance status. We analyzed whether patients' insurance affects case urgency for and readmission after craniotomy for meningioma resection, using benign meningioma as a model system to minimize confounding from the disease-related characteristics of other neurosurgical pathologies. METHODS We analyzed 90-day readmission for patients who underwent resection of a benign meningioma in the Nationwide Readmission Database from 2014-2015. RESULTS A total of 9783 meningioma patients with private insurance (46%), Medicare (39%), Medicaid (10%), self-pay (2%), or another scheme (3%) were analyzed. 72% of all cases were elective; with 78% of cases in privately insured patients being elective compared to 71% of Medicare (p > 0.05), 59% of Medicaid patients (OR 2.3, p < 0.001), and 49% of self-pay patients (OR 3.4, p < 0.001). Medicare (OR 1.5, p = 0.002) and Medicaid (OR 1.4, p = 0.035) were both associated with higher likelihood of 90-day readmission compared to private insurance. In comparison, 30-day analyses did not unveil this discrepancy between Medicaid and privately insured, highlighting the merit for longer-term outcomes analyses in value-based care. Patients readmitted within 30 days versus those with later readmissions possessed different characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Compared to patients with private insurance coverage, Medicaid and self-pay patients were significantly more likely to undergo non-elective resection of benign meningioma. Medicaid and Medicare insurance were associated with a higher likelihood of 90-day readmission; only Medicare was significant at 30 days. Both 30 and 90-day outcomes merit consideration given differences in readmitted populations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saksham Gupta
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Computational Neurosurgical Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Edward Xu
- Computational Neurosurgical Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Kyle Wu
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Joshua D Bernstock
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Melissa Chua
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ayaz M Khawaja
- Computational Neurosurgical Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Timothy R Smith
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Computational Neurosurgical Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ian F Dunn
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA
| | - Regan W Bergmark
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for Surgery and Public Health, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wenya Linda Bi
- Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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17
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Song Y, Shannon AB, Roses RE, Fraker DL, Kelz RR, Karakousis GC. National trends in ventral hernia repairs for patients with intra-abdominal metastases. Surgery 2020; 168:509-517. [PMID: 32439207 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ventral hernias in patients with intra-abdominal metastases may not be addressed owing to other oncologic priorities, but they can affect quality of life and lead to sequelae necessitating an emergency operation. We compared the national trends and perioperative outcomes for elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs for patients with intra-abdominal metastases. METHODS Patients were identified from the National Inpatient Sample (2003-2015). Temporal trends were described using average annual percent change. Perioperative outcomes between elective and nonelective ventral hernia repairs were compared using multivariable regressions. RESULTS An estimated 947,112 ventral hernia repairs were performed nationally, including 5,602 (0.6%) in patients with intra-abdominal metastases. Among patients with intra-abdominal metastases, 40.1% had a nonelective ventral hernia repair, mean (standard deviation) age was 64 (12) years, and 65.1% were women. Between 2003 and 2015, the total number of ventral hernia repairs performed nationally did not change (average annual percent change 0.062, P = .84). For patients with intra-abdominal metastases, although there was no change in the number of elective ventral hernia repairs (average annual percent change 0.65, P = .59), the number of nonelective ventral hernia repairs increased significantly (average annual percent change 2.7, P = .025). By multivariable analyses, patients with intra-abdominal metastases who underwent a nonelective repair were more likely to experience complications (odds ratio 1.76, P = .001), nonroutine discharge (odds ratio 1.93, P < .001), and mortality (odds ratio 2.27, P = .035). Nonelective ventral hernia repairs was also associated with a 38.5% (P < .001) longer hospital stay and 24.4% (P < .001) higher charges. CONCLUSION The number of nonelective ventral hernia repairs, which is associated with substantial perioperative morbidity, has increased significantly among patients with intra-abdominal metastases. Surgeons should consider a nonemergency operation for select patients to mitigate the burden of nonelective ventral hernia repairs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Song
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA.
| | - Adrienne B Shannon
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
| | - Robert E Roses
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
| | - Douglas L Fraker
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
| | - Rachel R Kelz
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
| | - Giorgos C Karakousis
- Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
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19
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Metcalfe D, Zogg CK, Haut ER, Pawlik TM, Haider AH, Perry DC. Data resource profile: State Inpatient Databases. Int J Epidemiol 2019; 48:1742-1742h. [PMID: 31280297 PMCID: PMC6929527 DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyz117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Metcalfe
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Elliott R Haut
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Timothy M Pawlik
- Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Adil H Haider
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniel C Perry
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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The Impact of Medicaid Expansion on Utilization of Vascular Procedures and Rates of Amputation. J Surg Res 2019; 243:531-538. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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