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Uppal A, Kothari AN, Scally CP, Roland CL, Bednarski BK, Katz MHG, Vauthey JN, Chang GJ. Adoption of Telemedicine for Postoperative Follow-Up After Inpatient Cancer-Related Surgery. JCO Oncol Pract 2022; 18:e1091-e1099. [PMID: 35263166 DOI: 10.1200/op.21.00819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant changes in health care delivery, including the rapid adoption of telemedicine across multiple specialties and practice environments. This includes postoperative visits (POV), despite limited data on outcomes following these telemedicine POV. We sought to determine whether these types of visits successfully identify and address postoperative complications when compared with in-person POV. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective inpatient cancer-related surgery from March 2020 through December 2020. The exposure variable was type of POV (telemedicine v in-person). The primary outcome was unplanned hospital readmission within 90 days, and secondary outcomes included 30-day readmission, length of stay of first readmission, and mortality. RESULTS Five-hundred thirty-five patients underwent elective inpatient operations and met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 98 (18.5%) had an initial telemedicine POV. There was no difference in 90-day readmission on the basis of POV type (16.3% telemedicine v 16.5% in-person, P = .99). Reasons for readmission did not differ between patients who underwent a telemedicine POV compared with in-person POV (all P > .05). After adjustment for patients' demographic and clinical factors, telemedicine POV was not associated with 90-day readmission (odds ratio, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.70; P = .77). CONCLUSION Telemedicine POV use adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic did not increase risk of readmission when compared with in-person visits following inpatient oncologic surgery. These data can help inform policy on the continued use and application of telemedicine after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhineet Uppal
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - Anai N Kothari
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX.,Medical College of Wisconsin, Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Madison, WI
| | - Christopher P Scally
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - Christina L Roland
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - Brian K Bednarski
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - Matthew H G Katz
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - Jean-Nicholas Vauthey
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
| | - George J Chang
- University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Division of Surgery, Houston, TX
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- Data-Driven Determinants for COVID-19 Oncology Discovery Effort (D3CODE) Team, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
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Kuehner G, Wu W, Choe G, Douaiher J, Reed M. Telemedicine Implementation Trends in Surgical Specialties Before and After COVID-19 Shelter in Place: Adjusting to a Changing Landscape. Surgery 2022; 172:1471-1477. [PMID: 35999062 PMCID: PMC9189120 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2022.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused a shift from in-person care to telemedicine, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate trends and efficiency of telemedicine usage within surgical subspecialties in a large, integrated health care system before and after shelter in place mandates. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all of the Kaiser Permanente Northern California members referred to surgical services from January 1, 2019 to June 13, 2020 and receiving a surgical procedure. We compared the patient referrals (categorized as benign, urgent, or cancer) before and after shelter in place mandates, and we examined rates of telemedicine (video or telephone) usage for preoperative consultations, postoperative visits, time from referral to first surgical encounter, and to surgery or procedure. In multivariate analyses, we assessed the patient and provider characteristics associated with telemedicine usage. Results There was a total of 34,875 surgical referrals resulting in a procedure, with a significant decline in referral after shelter in place mandates. Preoperative encounter types shifted from 89.8% in-person before shelter in place mandates to 70.2% telemedicine after shelter in place mandates (P < .0001). The median time from referral to first encounter decreased after shelter in place mandates, as did median time to procedure. After shelter in place mandates, postoperative encounters were mainly telemedicine (65.8%) compared with before shelter in place mandates (41.7%) (P < .0001). Overall, there was a comparable uptake of telemedicine usage in almost all evaluated categories of patient characteristics after shelter in place mandates. Conclusion Within a health care system with prior telemedicine capability, surgical specialties were able to shift to telemedicine rapidly, equitably, and efficiently in the preoperative and postoperative encounters of benign, urgent, and cancer diagnosis during mandated COVID-19 restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weilu Wu
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA
| | - Giye Choe
- The Permanente Medical Group, Oakland, CA
| | | | - Mary Reed
- Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research, Oakland, CA
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Dippre AT, Quinn KM, Walto M, Mukherjee R, Baliga PK, Abbott AM. The Perioperative Patient Experience During COVID-19. Am Surg 2021; 88:498-506. [PMID: 34965161 PMCID: PMC8859479 DOI: 10.1177/00031348211061100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Access to elective surgical procedures has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We sought to understand the patient experience by developing and distributing an anonymous online survey to those who underwent non-emergency surgery at a large academic tertiary medical center between March and October 2020. Results The survey was completed by 184 patients; the majority were white (84%), female (74.6%), and ranged from 18 to 88 years old. Patients were likely unaware of case delay as only 23.6% reported a delay, 82% of which agreed with that decision. Conversely, 44% felt that the delay negatively impacted their quality of life. Overall, 82.7% of patients indicated high satisfaction with their care. African American patients more often indicated a “neutral” vs “satisfactory” hospital experience (P < .05) and considered postponing their surgery (P < .01). Interestingly, younger patients (<60) were more likely than older (≥60) patients to note anxiety associated with having surgery during the pandemic (P < .01), feeling unprepared for discharge (P < .02), not being allowed visitors (P < .02), and learning about the spread of COVID-19 from health care providers (P < .02). Discussion These results suggest that patients are resilient and accepting of changes to health care delivery during the current pandemic; however, certain patient populations may have higher levels of anxiety which could be addressed by their care provider. These findings can help inform and guide ongoing and future health care delivery adaptations in response to care disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Dippre
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kristen M Quinn
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Melinda Walto
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Rupak Mukherjee
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Prabhakar K Baliga
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Andrea M Abbott
- Department of Surgery, 2345Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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Azizad O, Joshi GP. Telemedicine for preanesthesia evaluation: review of current literature and recommendations for future implementation. Curr Opin Anaesthesiol 2021; 34:672-677. [PMID: 34608053 DOI: 10.1097/aco.0000000000001064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The in-person preanesthesia visit serves multiple purposes including identification and optimization of comorbid conditions as well as patient education. However, it imposes a significant burden on patients and healthcare providers. In this review, we define the scope of telemedicine and present the most up-to-date literature supporting its role for the preanesthesia evaluation. The opportunities and challenges are discussed and approaches to implementation of telemedicine in preanesthesia care are offered. Finally, the future of telemedicine as it pertains to preanesthesia care is examined. RECENT FINDINGS Although telemedicine for preanesthesia practice was proposed almost two decades ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its implementation. The potential benefits of telemedicine include improved patient satisfaction as well as the ability to provide cost-effective specialty services while reducing the burden on healthcare providers. Limitations to telemedicine include lack of technology, training, regulatory barriers, and an inability to perform a physical exam. SUMMARY Telemedicine will continue to expand and its application to the preanesthesia evaluation is a clear example of how technology will revolutionize anesthesia practice. In order for telemedicine to continue to expand in the postpandemic period, steps must be taken to ensure that healthcare facilities and providers keep up with the times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omaira Azizad
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Pilosof NP, Barrett M, Oborn E, Barkai G, Pessach IM, Zimlichman E. Inpatient Telemedicine and New Models of Care during COVID-19: Hospital Design Strategies to Enhance Patient and Staff Safety. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18168391. [PMID: 34444140 PMCID: PMC8391330 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have led to the development of new hospital design strategies and models of care. To enhance staff safety while preserving patient safety and quality of care, hospitals have created a new model of remote inpatient care using telemedicine technologies. The design of the COVID-19 units divided the space into contaminated and clean zones and integrated a control room with audio-visual technologies to remotely supervise, communicate, and support the care being provided in the contaminated zone. The research is based on semi-structured interviews and observations of care processes that implemented a new model of inpatient telemedicine at Sheba Medical Center in Israel in different COVID-19 units, including an intensive care unit (ICU) and internal medicine unit (IMU). The study examines the impact of the diverse design layouts of the different units associated with the implementation of digital technologies for remote care on patient and staff safety. The results demonstrate the challenges and opportunities of integrating inpatient telemedicine for critical and intermediate care to enhance patient and staff safety. We contribute insights into the design of hospital units to support new models of remote care and suggest implications for Evidence-based Design (EBD), which will guide much needed future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirit Putievsky Pilosof
- Cambridge Digital Innovation—CJBS & Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB1 2EW, UK
- Centre for Digital Built Britain, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +97-2525424248
| | - Michael Barrett
- Centre for Digital Built Britain, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0FA, UK;
- Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS), University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1AG, UK
| | - Eivor Oborn
- Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK;
| | - Galia Barkai
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (G.B.); (I.M.P.); (E.Z.)
- Sheba BEYOND, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Itai M. Pessach
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (G.B.); (I.M.P.); (E.Z.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sheba’s Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Eyal Zimlichman
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel; (G.B.); (I.M.P.); (E.Z.)
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv 6997801, Israel
- Sheba’s Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
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Gazivoda V, Greenbaum A, Roshal J, Lee J, Reddy L, Rehman S, Kangas-Dick A, Gregory S, Kowzun M, Stephenson R, Laird A, Alexander HR, Berger AC. Assessing the immediate impact of COVID-19 on surgical oncology practice: Experience from an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Northeastern United States. J Surg Oncol 2021; 124:7-15. [PMID: 33765341 PMCID: PMC8250700 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic on surgical oncology practice are not yet quantified. The aim of this study was to measure the immediate impact of COVID‐19 on surgical oncology practice volume. Methods A retrospective study of patients treated at an NCI‐Comprehensive Cancer Center was performed. “Pre‐COVID” era was defined as January–February 2020 and “COVID” as March–April 2020. Primary outcomes were clinic visits and operative volume by surgical oncology subspecialty. Results Abouyt 907 new patient visits, 3897 follow‐up visits, and 644 operations occurred during the study period. All subspecialties experienced significant decreases in new patient visits during COVID, though soft tissue oncology (Mel/Sarc), gynecologic oncology (Gyn/Onc), and endocrine were disproportionately affected. Telehealth visits increased to 11.4% of all visits by April. Mel/Sarc, Gyn/Onc, and Breast experienced significant operative volume decreases during COVID (25.8%, p = 0.012, 43.6% p < 0.001, and 41.9%, p < 0.001, respectively), while endocrine had no change and gastrointestinal oncology had a slight increase (p = 0.823) in the number of cases performed. Conclusions The effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic are wide‐ranging within surgical oncology subspecialties. The addition of telehealth is a viable avenue for cancer patient care and should be considered in surgical oncology practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Gazivoda
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Alissa Greenbaum
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Joshua Roshal
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jenna Lee
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lekha Reddy
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Shahyan Rehman
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aaron Kangas-Dick
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Stephanie Gregory
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Maria Kowzun
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ruth Stephenson
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amanda Laird
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - H R Alexander
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
| | - Adam C Berger
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA
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Gallo G, Grossi U, Sturiale A, Di Tanna GL, Picciariello A, Pillon S, Mascagni D, Altomare DF, Naldini G, Perinotti R. E-consensus on telemedicine in proctology: A RAND/UCLA-modified study. Surgery 2021; 170:405-411. [PMID: 33766426 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2021.01.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 is revolutionizing healthcare delivery. The aim of this study was to reach a consensus among experts as to the possible applications of telemedicine in the proctologic field. METHODS A group of 55 clinical practice recommendations was developed by a clinical guidance group based on coalescence of evidence and expert opinion. The Telemedicine in Proctology Italian Working Group included 47 Italian Society of Colorectal Surgery nominated experts evaluating the appropriateness of each clinical practice recommendations based on published RAND/UCLA methodology in 2 rounds. RESULTS Stakeholder median age was 53 years (interquartile range limits 40-60), and 38 (81%) were men. Nine (19%) panelists reported no experience with telemedicine before the pandemic. Agreement was obtained on a minimum of 3 to 5 years of practice in the proctologic field before starting teleconsultations, which should be regularly paid, with advice and prescriptions incorporated into a formal report sent to the patient by e-mail along with a receipt. Of the panelists, 35 of 47 (74%) agreed that teleconsultation carries the risk of misdiagnosis of cancer, thus recommending an in-person assessment before scheduling any surgery. Fifteen additional clinical practice recommendations were re-elaborated in the second round and assessed by 44 of 47 (93.6%) panelists. The application of telemedicine for the diagnosis of common proctologic conditions (eg, hemorrhoidal disease, anal abscess and fistula, anal condylomas, and anal fissure) and functional pelvic floor disorders was generally considered inappropriate. Teleconsultation was instead deemed appropriate for the diagnosis and management of pilonidal disease. CONCLUSION This e-consensus revealed the boundaries of telemedicine in Italy. Standardization of infrastructures, logistics, and legality remain to be better elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Gallo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Ugo Grossi
- IV Surgery Unit, Treviso Regional Hospital, DISCOG, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sturiale
- Proctology and Pelvic Floor Clinical Centre, Cisanello University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gian Luca Di Tanna
- The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
| | - Arcangelo Picciariello
- Surgical Unit 'M. Rubino', Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Bari, Italy; Apulian Breath Analysis Centre (CeRBA), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Mascagni
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Roma, Roma, Italy
| | - Donato Francesco Altomare
- Surgical Unit 'M. Rubino', Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Bari, Italy; Apulian Breath Analysis Centre (CeRBA), Istituto Di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Naldini
- Proctology and Pelvic Floor Clinical Centre, Cisanello University Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Roberto Perinotti
- Colorectal Surgical Unit, Department of Surgery, Infermi Hospital, Biella, Italy
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