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Carney PW, Brown H, Lewis AK, Taylor NF, Harding KE. Two thirds of patients may not need routine 12-month specialist review in an epilepsy clinic: A cross-sectional study of clinic appointments. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 159:110022. [PMID: 39216467 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.110022] [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: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Timely access to specialist outpatient clinics can be difficult to achieve as outpatient services are often oversubscribed leading to unacceptable wait times. New patients, or those with emergent issues may wait for appointments whilst existing patients are booked in for routine reviews "just in case" there is a problem, using considerable clinic resources. We investigated routine 12-month review appointments to assess whether these appointments changed patient management. METHODS The medical records of 100 randomly selected adult patients attending annual review appointments over 12 months at a publicly-funded specialist outpatient epilepsy clinic in Melbourne, Australia were audited. Demographic and clinical data as well as information about the content of each appointment were analysed to determine whether the appointment resulted in changes to epilepsy management (eg medication change), administrative actions (eg drivers license approval) or the provision of information or education. Logistic regression was performed to assess what clinical factors were associated with changes in patient care arising from the 12-month review appointment. RESULTS Almost half (47%) of appointments resulted in no change to patient care and 37% had only administrative outcomes, such as the completion of a regulatory driving report. Only 16% of appointments resulted in a change in medical management. The only factor that independently predicted a change in medical management was the occurrence of a seizure in the previous year. The only factor independently associated with not having any change in medical management or administrative action was having an unknown seizure type. CONCLUSIONS/ SIGNIFICANCE Only a small number of patients experience a change in medical management when attending a 12-month epilepsy clinic appointment, with a need for management change associated with the presence of ongoing seizure. Outpatient services should limit the use of routine annual follow up to those patients most likely to need intervention or support, creating "just in time" capacity for timely access to review as issues arise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Carney
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC, 3128; Department of Neurosciences, Eastern Health, 5 Arnold St, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia; The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
| | | | - Annie K Lewis
- Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Eastern Health, 5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia; La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Nicholas F Taylor
- Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Eastern Health, 5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia; La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
| | - Katherine E Harding
- Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Eastern Health, 5 Arnold Street, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia; La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia
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2
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Takahashi YK, Baba S, Kawashima T, Tachimori H, Iijima K, Kimura Y, Saito T, Nakagawa E, Komaki H, Iwasaki M. Treatment odyssey to epilepsy surgery in children with focal cortical dysplasia: Risk factors for delayed surgical intervention. Seizure 2024; 120:5-11. [PMID: 38880019 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.06.007] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the patient's journey to epilepsy surgery and identify the risk factors contributing to surgical delay in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) due to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of 93 pediatric patients who underwent curative epilepsy surgery for FCD between January 2012 and March 2023 at a tertiary epilepsy center. The Odyssey plot demonstrated the treatment process before epilepsy surgery, including key milestones of epilepsy onset, first hospital visit, epilepsy diagnosis, MRI diagnosis, DRE diagnosis, and surgery. The primary outcome was surgical delay; the duration from DRE to surgery. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between surgical delay and clinical, investigative, and treatment characteristics. RESULTS The median age at seizure onset was 1.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.14-3.1), and at the time of surgery, it was 6 years (range 1-11). Notably, 46% experienced surgical delays exceeding two years. The Odyssey plot visually highlighted that surgical delay comprised a significant portion of the patient journey. Although most patients underwent MRI before referral, MRI abnormalities were identified before referral only in 39% of the prolonged group, compared to 70% of the non-prolonged group. Multivariate analyses showed that delayed notification of MRI abnormalities, longer duration from epilepsy onset to DRE, older age at onset, number of antiseizure medications tried, and moderate to severe intellectual disability were significantly associated with prolonged surgical delay. CONCLUSION Pediatric DRE patients with FCD experienced a long journey until surgery. Early and accurate identification of MRI abnormalities is important to minimize surgical delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Kobayashi Takahashi
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Shimpei Baba
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kawashima
- Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Neuroscience, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Hisateru Tachimori
- Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Neuroscience, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Keiya Iijima
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yuiko Kimura
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Eiji Nakagawa
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Komaki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Masaki Iwasaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
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Li Y, Ren T, Burgess M, Chen Z, Carney PW, O’Brien TJ, Kwan P, Foster E. Early Access to First-Seizure Clinics, Subsequent Outcomes, and Factors Associated With Attendance. JAMA Neurol 2024; 81:732-740. [PMID: 38778793 PMCID: PMC11117147 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Importance First-seizure clinics (FSCs) aim to deliver prompt specialist care to patients with new-onset undifferentiated seizure events. Objective To determine whether FSC attendance and time to FSC are associated with subsequent health care utilization and mortality and to investigate factors associated with FSC nonattendance. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a record-linkage, retrospective, cohort study of patients who booked appointments at 2 FSCs between 2007 and 2018. Patients' records were linked to state-wide administrative databases between 2000 and 2021. The setting comprised the FSCs of 2 major metropolitan public hospitals in Melbourne, Australia, providing national inpatient and outpatient adult epilepsy services. Of patients who booked appointments at the FSCs, those who were successfully linked for analysis were included in the study. Patients who recorded only canceled appointments were excluded from analysis of outcomes. Study data were analyzed from January 2000 to December 2021. Exposure FSC attendance. Main Outcomes and Measures Subsequent all-cause and seizure-related emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions. Results Of 10 162 patients with appointments at FSCs, 9392 were linked for analysis, with mean (SD) follow-up time 6.9 (2.8) years after FSC referral. A total of 703 patients were excluded. Among 9392 linked patients, 5398 were male (57.5%; mean [SD] age, 59.7 [11.2] years). FSC attendance was associated with reduced subsequent all-cause emergency presentations (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.79) and all-cause hospitalization (aIRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88). Those who attended at the first-scheduled appointment, compared with those who attended only a rescheduled, delayed appointment, had reduced subsequent all-cause emergency presentations (aIRR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91), all-cause hospitalization (aIRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.65-0.79), seizure-related presentations (aIRR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.33-0.49), and mortality (hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.69-0.98). Male sex was associated with nonattendance (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22), as were injury at emergency presentation (aRR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01-1.24), psychiatric comorbidity (aRR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.55-1.81), previous seizure-related presentations (aRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.22-1.49), and delays (>14 days) between FSC referral and appointment (aRR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.18-1.54). Hospitalization at referral was associated with reduced nonattendance (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.90), as were non-English language preference (aRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94), distance greater than 6 mi from home to clinic (aRR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.76-0.95), and physical comorbidity (aRR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cohort study suggest that FSC attendance, particularly early attendance, was associated with reduced rates of subsequent hospital utilization. This knowledge may support adequately resourcing FSCs to improve equitable, timely access. Future study directions include assessing interventions that may support FSC attendance for at-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingtong Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tianrui Ren
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Burgess
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick W. Carney
- Department of Neurology, Eastern Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Florey, Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Terence J. O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Murphy J, Hall GC, Barion F, Danielson V, Dibué M, Wallace J, Alexander M, Beecroft S, Sen A. Variation in access to specialist services for neurosurgical procedures in adults with epilepsy in England, a cohort study. Seizure 2024; 116:140-146. [PMID: 36646536 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.12.006] [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: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand if primary consultation at tertiary epilepsy centres (TEC) in England impacts access to neurosurgical procedures (resective surgery, vagus nerve stimulator [VNS], deep brain stimulator [DBS]). METHODS Adults with epilepsy, and with a first neurology outpatient visit (index) between 01/01/2013 and 31/12/2015, were followed using English Hospital Episode Statistics from index date to 31/12/2019. Analyses were stratified by geographic location, learning disability record, and whether the index or follow-up visits were at a TEC. RESULTS 84,093 people were included, with mean 5.5 years of follow-up. 12.4% of the cohort had learning disability (range 10.1%-17.4% across regions). TEC consultations varied by National Health Service regions and Clinical Commissioning Groups. 37.5% of people (11.2%-75.0% across regions) had their index visit at a TEC; and, of those not initially seen at a TEC, 10.6% (6.5%-17.7%) subsequently attended a tertiary centre. During follow-up, 11.1% people (9.5%-13.2%) visited a neurosurgery department, and 2.3% of those (0.9%-5.0%) then underwent a neurosurgical procedure, mainly VNS implantation. Median time from index date to first visit at a neurosurgery centre was 7 months (range 6-8 months across regions) and 40 months to procedure (36.5-49 months, 37.0 months in people with index visit at a TEC and 49.0 months otherwise). People with learning disability were less likely to have resective surgery (<0.5% versus 1.0% in those without) and more likely to undergo VNS implantation (5.8% versus 0.8%). CONCLUSION Although clinically recommended for suitable individuals, neurosurgical procedures in epilepsy remain uncommon even after consultation at a TEC. Geographical variation in access to TECs was present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Murphy
- Global Pricing, Health Economics, Market Access and Reimbursement (PHEMAR), LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Francesca Barion
- Global Pricing, Health Economics, Market Access and Reimbursement (PHEMAR), LivaNova PLC, Sorin Group S.r.l., Milan, Italy.
| | - Vanessa Danielson
- Global Pricing, Health Economics, Market Access and Reimbursement (PHEMAR), LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Maxine Dibué
- Medical Affairs International Neuromodulation, LivaNova PLC, London, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | - Sue Beecroft
- Real-World Evidence, OPEN Health, United Kingdom
| | - Arjune Sen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Van Winssen C, Andrade AV, Andrade DM, Burneo JG, de Ribaupierre S, Donner E, Hassan A, Ibrahim G, Jones KC, Lomax LB, Muir K, Nouri MN, Porter N, Ramachandrannair R, Raymond P, Rutka J, Shapiro MJ, Steven DA, Swain D, Valiante T, Whiting S, Whitney R, Yau I, Fantaneanu TA. Evaluating the Current State of Epilepsy Care in the Province of Ontario. Can J Neurol Sci 2024:1-3. [PMID: 38425209 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2024.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
There are numerous challenges pertaining to epilepsy care across Ontario, including Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) bed pressures, surgical access and community supports. We sampled the current clinical, community and operational state of Ontario epilepsy centres and community epilepsy agencies post COVID-19 pandemic. A 44-item survey was distributed to all 11 district and regional adult and paediatric Ontario epilepsy centres. Qualitative responses were collected from community epilepsy agencies. Results revealed ongoing gaps in epilepsy care across Ontario, with EMU bed pressures and labour shortages being limiting factors. A clinical network advising the Ontario Ministry of Health will improve access to epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Van Winssen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa & The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea V Andrade
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle M Andrade
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jorge G Burneo
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Sandrine de Ribaupierre
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Donner
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ayman Hassan
- Division of Neurology, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Thunder Bay, ON, Canada
| | - George Ibrahim
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin C Jones
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Lysa Boissé Lomax
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University & Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Muir
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Maryam N Nouri
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rajesh Ramachandrannair
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | - James Rutka
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle J Shapiro
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - David A Steven
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Darryl Swain
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Taufik Valiante
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sharon Whiting
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Robyn Whitney
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Ivanna Yau
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children & University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tadeu A Fantaneanu
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa & The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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6
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Lado FA, Ahrens SM, Riker E, Muh CR, Richardson RM, Gray J, Small B, Lewis SZ, Schofield TJ, Clarke DF, Hopp JL, Lee RR, Salpekar JA, Arnold ST. Guidelines for Specialized Epilepsy Centers: Executive Summary of the Report of the National Association of Epilepsy Centers Guideline Panel. Neurology 2024; 102:e208087. [PMID: 38306606 PMCID: PMC10962912 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000208087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The National Association of Epilepsy Centers first published the guidelines for epilepsy centers in 1990, which were last updated in 2010. Since that update, epilepsy care and the science of guideline development have advanced significantly, including the importance of incorporating a diversity of stakeholder perspectives such as those of patients and their caregivers. Currently, despite extensive published data examining the efficacy of treatments and diagnostic testing for epilepsy, there remain significant gaps in data identifying the essential services needed for a comprehensive epilepsy center and the optimal manner for their delivery. The trustworthy consensus-based statements (TCBS) process produces unbiased, scientifically valid guidelines through a transparent process that incorporates available evidence and expert opinion. A systematic literature search returned 5937 relevant studies from which 197 articles were retained for data extraction. A panel of 41 stakeholders with diverse expertise evaluated this evidence and drafted recommendations following the TCBS process. The panel reached consensus on 52 recommendations covering services provided by specialized epilepsy centers in both the inpatient and outpatient settings in major topic areas including epilepsy monitoring unit care, surgery, neuroimaging, neuropsychology, genetics, and outpatient care. Recommendations were informed by the evidence review and reflect the consensus of a broad panel of expert opinions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fred A Lado
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Stephanie M Ahrens
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Ellen Riker
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Carrie R Muh
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - R Mark Richardson
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Johanna Gray
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Barbara Small
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Sandra Z Lewis
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Thomas J Schofield
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Dave F Clarke
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Jennifer L Hopp
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Roland R Lee
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Jay A Salpekar
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
| | - Susan T Arnold
- Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell (F.A.L.), Hempstead, NY; The Ohio State University College of Medicine (S.M.A.), Columbus; National Association of Epilepsy Centers (E.R., J.G., B.S.), Washington, DC; New York Medical College (C.R.M.), Valhalla, NY; Harvard Medical School (R.M.R.), Boston, MA; EBQ Consulting (S.Z.L., T.J.S.), Santa Monica, CA; University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School (D.F.C.); University of Maryland School of Medicine (J.L.H.), Baltimore; University of California San Diego School of Medicine (R.R.L.); Johns Hopkins University Medical School (J.A.S.), Baltimore, MD; Yale School of Medicine (S.T.A.), New Haven, CT
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Lewis AK, Taylor NF, Carney PW, Bryson A, Sethi M, Ooi S, Tse GT, Harding KE. Sustainability of an intervention to reduce waiting for access to an epilepsy outpatient clinic. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23346. [PMID: 38169770 PMCID: PMC10758808 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23346] [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] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Delays in outpatient specialist neurologist care for people with epilepsy are common despite recommendations for prompt access. There is evidence to suggest that there are interventions that can minimise waitlists and waiting time. However, little is known about whether such interventions can result in sustained improvements in waiting. The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which an intervention to reduce waiting in an epilepsy specialist outpatient clinic demonstrated sustained outcomes two years after the intervention was implemented. Methods This observational study analysed routinely collected epilepsy clinic data over three study periods: pre-intervention, post-intervention and at two-year follow-up. The intervention, Specific Timely Assessment and Triage (STAT), combined a short-term backlog reduction strategy and creation of protected appointments for new referrals based on analysis of demand. After the initial intervention, there was no further active intervention in the following two years. The primary outcome was waiting measured by 1.) waiting time for access to a clinic appointment, defined as the number of days between referral and first appointment for all patients referred to the epilepsy clinic during the three study periods; and 2.) a snapshot of the number of patients on the waitlist at two time points for each of the three study periods. Results Two years after implementing the STAT model in an epilepsy clinic, median waiting time from post-intervention to two-year follow-up was stable (52-51 days) and the interquartile range of days waited reduced from 37 to 77 days post-intervention to 45-57 days at two-year follow-up, with a reduction in the most lengthy wait times observed. After a dramatic reduction of the total number of patients on the waitlist immediately following the intervention, a small rise was seen at two years (n = 69) which remained well below the pre-intervention level (n = 582). Conclusion The STAT model is a promising intervention for reducing waiting in an epilepsy clinic. While there was a small increase in the waitlist after two years, the median waiting time was sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie K. Lewis
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas F. Taylor
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Patrick W. Carney
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Alexander Bryson
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Moksh Sethi
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Northern Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Suyi Ooi
- Eastern Health, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
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Grens K, Church KM, Diehl E, Hunter SE, Tatton-Brown K, Kiernan J, Delagrammatikas CG. Epilepsy and overgrowth-intellectual disability syndromes: a patient organization perspective on collaborating to accelerate pathways to treatment. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RARE DISEASE 2024; 5:26330040241254123. [PMID: 38827639 PMCID: PMC11143874 DOI: 10.1177/26330040241254123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Overgrowth-intellectual disability (OGID) syndromes are a collection of rare genetic disorders with overlapping clinical profiles. In addition to the cardinal features of general overgrowth (height and/or head circumference at least two standard deviations above the mean) and some degree of intellectual disability, the OGID syndromes are often associated with neurological anomalies including seizures. In an effort to advance research in directions that will generate meaningful treatments for people with OGID syndromes, a new collaborative partnership called the Overgrowth Syndromes Alliance (OSA) formed in 2023. By taking a phenotype-first approach, OSA aims to unite research and patient communities traditionally siloed by genetic disorder. OSA has galvanized OGID patient organizations around shared interests and developed a research roadmap to identify and address our community's greatest unmet needs. Here, we describe the literature regarding seizures among those with overgrowth syndromes and present the OSA Research Roadmap. This patient-driven guide outlines the milestones essential to reaching the outcome of effective treatments for OGID syndromes and offers resources for reaching those milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Grens
- Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community, Stanfordville, NY, USA
| | - Kit M. Church
- Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community, Stanfordville, NY, USA
| | - Eric Diehl
- Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community, Stanfordville, NY, USA
| | - Senyene E. Hunter
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Katrina Tatton-Brown
- St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- St George’s University of London, London, UK
| | - Jill Kiernan
- Tatton Brown Rahman Syndrome Community, Stanfordville, NY, USA
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9
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Harding KE, Lewis AK, Taylor NF. 'I just need a plan': Consumer perceptions of waiting for healthcare. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29:976-983. [PMID: 36861145 DOI: 10.1111/jep.13821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Wait lists are common in the provision of publicly funded services in outpatient and community settings. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore the experiences of consumers on wait lists across a broad range of services and to understand the impact of delays in access to services on people's lives. METHODS Consumers with experience of being on a wait list for an outpatient or community-based health service participated in one of three focus groups. Data were transcribed and analysed inductively using a thematic approach. RESULTS Waiting for healthcare has detrimental impacts on health and well-being. Consumers on wait lists want their health needs addressed, but they also want the ability to plan, clear communication and to feel like someone cares. Instead, they feel forgotten by impersonal and inflexible systems with very little communication, with emergency departments and general practitioners often left to fill in the gaps. CONCLUSIONS More consumer-centred approaches are needed for access systems for outpatient and community services, featuring honesty about what services can realistically be provided, early access to initial assessment and information and clear lines of communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Harding
- Eastern Health, Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Annie K Lewis
- Eastern Health, Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicholas F Taylor
- Eastern Health, Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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10
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Lewis AK, Taylor NF, Carney PW, Li X, Harding KE. An innovative model of access and triage to reduce waiting in an outpatient epilepsy clinic: an intervention study. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:933. [PMID: 37653409 PMCID: PMC10470140 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09845-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delayed access to outpatient care may negatively impact on health outcomes. We aimed to evaluate implementation of the Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) model of access in an epilepsy clinic to reduce a long waitlist and waiting time. METHODS This study is an intervention study using pre-post comparison and an interrupted time series analysis to measure the effect of implementation of the STAT model to an epilepsy clinic. Data were collected over 28 months to observe the number of patients on the waitlist and the waiting time over three time periods: 12 months prior to implementation of STAT, ten months during implementation and six months post-intervention. STAT combines one-off backlog reduction with responsive scheduling that protects time for new appointments based on historical data. The primary outcomes were the number of patients on the waitlist and the waiting time across the three time periods. Secondary outcomes evaluated pre- and post-intervention changes in number of appointments offered weekly, non-arrival and discharge rates. RESULTS A total of 938 patients were offered a first appointment over the study period. The long waitlist was almost eliminated, reducing from 616 during the pre-intervention period to 11 post-intervention (p = 0.002), but the hypothesis that waiting time would decrease was not supported. The interrupted time series analysis indicated a temporary increase in waiting time during the implementation period but no significant change in slope or level in the post- compared to the pre-intervention period. Direct comparison of the cohort of patients seen in the pre- and post-intervention periods suggested an increase in median waiting time following the intervention (34 [IQR 25-86] to 46 [IQR 36-61] days (p = 0.001)), but the interquartile range reduced indicating less variability in days waited and more timely access for the longest waiters. CONCLUSIONS The STAT model was implemented in a specialist epilepsy outpatient clinic and reduced a large waitlist. Reductions in the waitlist were achieved with little or no increase in waiting time. The STAT model provides a framework for an alternative way to operate outpatient clinics that can help to ensure that all people referred are offered an appointment in a timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie K Lewis
- Eastern Health; Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Level 2, 5 Arnold St, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia.
- La Trobe University; School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia.
| | - Nicholas F Taylor
- Eastern Health; Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Level 2, 5 Arnold St, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia
- La Trobe University; School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Patrick W Carney
- Eastern Health; Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Level 2, 5 Arnold St, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia
- Monash University, 21 Chancellors Walk, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, Burgundy Street, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia
| | - Xia Li
- Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
| | - Katherine E Harding
- Eastern Health; Allied Health Clinical Research Office, Level 2, 5 Arnold St, Box Hill, Victoria, 3128, Australia
- La Trobe University; School of Allied Health, Health Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia
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11
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Ekanayake SKDM, Ward AE, Heart D, Valery P, Soar J. Improving primary care referral to specialist services: a protocol for a 10-year global systematic review in the Australian context. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e068927. [PMID: 37643858 PMCID: PMC10465904 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-068927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Barriers to accessing specialist services impart a significant burden on patient outcomes and experience as well as a cost and administrative burden on health systems due to healthcare wastage and inefficiencies. This paper outlines the planned protocol for a systematic review relating to how health systems perform with regard to patient access to specialist care, and the efficacy of interventions aimed at improving this. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Systematic review of the literature will be carried out on publications retrieved by searching the following electronic literature databases: EBSCOhost Megafile Ultimate (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Academic Search Ultimate, APA Psychological Abstracts (PsycINFO), HealthSource), PubMed (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE)), Elsevier Bibliographic Database (Scopus), Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Web of Science and The Cochrane Library. Articles published over a 10-year period (2012-2022) will be analysed to determine; current accessibility and availability problems faced by primary care services when referring patients to specialist care, and the effectiveness of interventions to improve primary care access to specialist services. Grey literature publications (ie, government reports, policy statements and issues papers, conference proceedings) will not be analysed in this review. Articles not published in English, Spanish or Portuguese will not be included. Two independent reviewers will conduct the initial screening, disagreements will be resolved by a third independent reviewer, following which data extraction and selection of eligible sources will be carried out. Selected articles will be categorised on study design, setting and participants. Methodological quality and heterogeneity will subsequently be assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A descriptive approach will be used to review and synthesise the findings. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study does not require ethics committee review as it solely focuses on analysing published literature. Findings will be published and disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42022354890.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyaguna Kosgamage Dilum Manthinda Ekanayake
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Darling Heights, Queensland, Australia
- Population Health, Cancer and Chronic Disease Group QIMR-Berghofer Medical Research Institute, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Aletha E Ward
- Faculty of Health, Sciences and Engineering, University of Southern Queensland - Ipswich Campus, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Diane Heart
- Faculty of Health, Sciences and Engineering, University of Southern Queensland - Ipswich Campus, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
| | - Patricia Valery
- Population Health, Cancer and Chronic Disease Group QIMR-Berghofer Medical Research Institute, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Soar
- School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Darling Heights, Queensland, Australia
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12
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Goenka A, Fonseca LD, Kumar G. Demographic and geographic variations in the access time of pediatric patients presenting with staring spells. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 145:109299. [PMID: 37336135 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the demographic and geographic variations in access time - defined as years between the date of symptom onset and initial date of neurological care - in pediatric patients presenting with staring spells. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted a secondary analysis of a retrospective chart review study from 2011 to 2021. A total of 1,353 staring spell patients, aged 0 to 17.9 years, were analyzed for age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, county, average county annual per capita personal income, and access time. RESULTS Patients aged 0-2.9 years had the shortest median access time of 0.3 years, compared to 1.2 years in patients aged 3-12.9 years and 1.0 year in patients aged 13-17.9 years. Statistically significant differences were seen based on race/ethnicity and insurance with White patients having shorter access time of 0.5 years compared to Black patients with 1.0 year and self-pay patients having the shortest access time of 0.4 years compared to patients with private insurance (0.7 years). Warren County had the largest annual per capita personal income of $65,855 and access time of 0.5 years compared to Preble county with the least annual per capita personal income of $45,016 and access time of 1.1 years. CONCLUSION Demographic parameters of age, race/ethnicity, insurance, and annual county per capita personal income appeared to be associated with access time to initial neurological care in patients with staring spells. These associations need to be investigated further to ensure timely access to neurological care and to ensure equity in health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajay Goenka
- Department of Neurology, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA.
| | - Laura D Fonseca
- Department of Neurology, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, OH, USA.
| | - Gogi Kumar
- Department of Neurology, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton, OH, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA.
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13
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Jehi L, Jette N, Kwon CS, Josephson CB, Burneo JG, Cendes F, Sperling MR, Baxendale S, Busch RM, Triki CC, Cross JH, Ekstein D, Englot DJ, Luan G, Palmini A, Rios L, Wang X, Roessler K, Rydenhag B, Ramantani G, Schuele S, Wilmshurst JM, Wilson S, Wiebe S. Timing of referral to evaluate for epilepsy surgery: Expert Consensus Recommendations from the Surgical Therapies Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia 2022; 63:2491-2506. [PMID: 35842919 PMCID: PMC9562030 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy surgery is the treatment of choice for patients with drug-resistant seizures. A timely evaluation for surgical candidacy can be life-saving for patients who are identified as appropriate surgical candidates, and may also enhance the care of nonsurgical candidates through improvement in diagnosis, optimization of therapy, and treatment of comorbidities. Yet, referral for surgical evaluations is often delayed while palliative options are pursued, with significant adverse consequences due to increased morbidity and mortality associated with intractable epilepsy. The Surgical Therapies Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) sought to address these clinical gaps and clarify when to initiate a surgical evaluation. We conducted a Delphi consensus process with 61 epileptologists, epilepsy neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuropsychiatrists, and neuropsychologists with a median of 22 years in practice, from 28 countries in all six ILAE world regions. After three rounds of Delphi surveys, evaluating 51 unique scenarios, we reached the following Expert Consensus Recommendations: (1) Referral for a surgical evaluation should be offered to every patient with drug-resistant epilepsy (up to 70 years of age), as soon as drug resistance is ascertained, regardless of epilepsy duration, sex, socioeconomic status, seizure type, epilepsy type (including epileptic encephalopathies), localization, and comorbidities (including severe psychiatric comorbidity like psychogenic nonepileptic seizures [PNES] or substance abuse) if patients are cooperative with management; (2) A surgical referral should be considered for older patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who have no surgical contraindication, and for patients (adults and children) who are seizure-free on 1-2 antiseizure medications (ASMs) but have a brain lesion in noneloquent cortex; and (3) referral for surgery should not be offered to patients with active substance abuse who are noncooperative with management. We present the Delphi consensus results leading up to these Expert Consensus Recommendations and discuss the data supporting our conclusions. High level evidence will be required to permit creation of clinical practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Jehi
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Department of Neurology and Department of Population Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Churl-Su Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Epidemiology, Neurosurgery and the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Colin B Josephson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jorge G. Burneo
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences and NeuroEpidemiology Unit, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Fernando Cendes
- Department of Neurology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - Sallie Baxendale
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Robyn M. Busch
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Chahnez Charfi Triki
- Department of Child Neurology, Hedi Chaker Hospital, LR19ES15 Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Dana Ekstein
- Department of Neurology, Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dario J Englot
- Department of Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Guoming Luan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy; Epilepsy Institution, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Andre Palmini
- Neurosciences and Surgical Departments, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Loreto Rios
- Clínica Integral de Epilepsia, Campus Clínico Facultad de Medicina Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
| | - Xiongfei Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University; Beijing Key Laboratory of Epilepsy; Epilepsy Institution, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Karl Roessler
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Bertil Rydenhag
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Georgia Ramantani
- Department of Neuropediatrics, and University Children’s Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Schuele
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa; Institute of Neurosciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Sarah Wilson
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Samuel Wiebe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Taylor C, Tudur-Smith C, Dixon P, Linehan C, Gunko A, Christensen J, Pearson M, Tomson T, Marson A. Care in Europe after presenting to the emergency department with a seizure; Position paper and insights from the European Audit of Seizure Management in Hospitals (EuroNASH). Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:1873-1884. [PMID: 35340074 PMCID: PMC9324798 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This position paper makes recommendations following an audit of care provided to people presenting with a seizure to Emergency Departments (ED) in Europe. METHODS Participating countries were asked to include 5 hospitals agreeing to identify 50 consecutive seizure patients presenting to their ED between 1 August 2016 and 31 August 2017. Anonymous data were collected to web database. Where quoted, percentages are mean site values and ranges are 10th to 90th centile. RESULTS Data were collected on 2204 ED visits (47 sites, up to 6 per country, across 15 countries): 1270 (58%) known epilepsy, 299 (14%) previous blackouts but no epilepsy diagnosis, 634 (29%) with a first seizure. Wide variability was identified for most variables. Of those with known epilepsy, 41.2% (range 26.2% to 59.6%) attended ED in the previous 12 months, but only 64.7% (range 37.2% to 79.8%) had seen an epilepsy specialist in the previous 12 months. 67.7% (range 34.0% to 100%) were admitted; 53.1% to a neurology ward (range 0.0% to 88.9%). Only 37.5% first seizure patients (range 0.0% to 71.4%) were given advice about driving. CONCLUSIONS and recommendations We recommend that in Europe we: Agree guidance on the management and onward referral of those presenting to the ED with a seizure. Create a referral process that can be easily implemented. Ensure that the seizure services receive referrals and see the patients within a short time period. Develop and implement a simple system to allow continuous monitoring of key indices of epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Aleksei Gunko
- UCD Centre for Disability Studies, University College Dublin
| | - Jakob Christensen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | | | - Anthony Marson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
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