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Sakai M, Mitsutake N, Iwao T, Kato G, Nishimura S, Nakayama T. Regional Variation in End-of-Life Care just before Death among the oldest old in Japan : A descriptive study. J Epidemiol 2024:JE20230364. [PMID: 38797673 DOI: 10.2188/jea.je20230364] [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: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The use of life-sustaining treatment (LST) in the final stage of life is a major policy concern due to increased costs, while its intensity does not correlate with quality. Previous reports have shown declining trends in LST use in Japan. However, regional practice variations remain unclear. This study aims to describe regional variations in LST use before death among the oldest old in Japan. METHODS A descriptive study was conducted among patients aged 85 or older who passed away between April 2013 and March 2014. The study utilized health insurance claims from Japan's National Database (NDB) to examine the use of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), mechanical ventilation (MV), and admission to the acute care ward (ACW) in the last 7 days of life. RESULTS Among 224,391 patients, the proportion of patients receiving LST varied by region. CPR ranged from 8.6% (Chubu) to 12.9% (Shikoku), MV ranged from 7.1% (Chubu) to 12.3% (Shikoku), and admission to ACW ranged from 4.5% (Chubu) to 10.1% (Kyushu-Okinawa). The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for regional variation compared with Kanto were as follows: CPR (in Shikoku, 1.85 [95% CI 1.73 - 1.98]), MV (in Shikoku, 1.75 [1.63 - 1.87]), and ACW admission (in Kyushu-Okinawa, 1.69 [1.52 - 1.88]). CONCLUSION The study presents descriptive information regarding regional differences in the utilization of LST for the oldest old. Further research is necessary to identify the factors that contribute to these variations and to address the challenge of improving the quality of end-of-life care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michi Sakai
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Medicine and Public Health
- Comprehensive Unit for Health Economic Evidence Review and Decision Support (CHEERS), Research Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University
| | - Naohiro Mitsutake
- Department of Research, Institute for Health Economics and Policy (IHEP)
| | - Tomohide Iwao
- Institute for Advancement of Clinical and Translational Science (iACT), Kyoto University Hospital
| | - Genta Kato
- Solution Center for Health Insurance Claims, Kyoto University Hospital
| | | | - Takeo Nakayama
- Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Medicine and Public Health
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Kocot E, Ferrero A, Shrestha S, Dubas-Jakóbczyk K. End-of-life expenditure on health care for the older population: a scoping review. HEALTH ECONOMICS REVIEW 2024; 14:17. [PMID: 38427081 PMCID: PMC10905877 DOI: 10.1186/s13561-024-00493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The existing evidence shows that the pattern of health expenditure differs considerably between people at the end-of-life and people in other periods of their lives. The awareness of these differences, combined with a detailed analysis of future mortality rates is one of the key pieces of information needed for health spending prognoses. The general objective of this review was to identify and map the existing empirical evidence on end-of-life expenditure related to health care for the older population. METHODS To achieve the objective of the study a systematic scoping review was performed. There were 61 studies included in the analysis. The project has been registered through the Open Science Framework. RESULTS The included studies cover different kinds of expenditure in terms of payers, providers and types of services, although most of them include analyses of hospital spending and nearly 60% of analyses were conducted for insurance expenditure. The studies provide very different results, which are difficult to compare. However, all of the studies analyzing expenditure by survivorship status indicate that expenditure on decedents is higher than on survivors. Many studies indicate a strong relationship between health expenditure and proximity to death and indicate that proximity to death is a more important determinant of health expenditure than age per se. Drawing conclusions on the relationship between end-of-life expenditure and socio-economic status would be possible only by placing the analysis in a broader context, including the rules of a health system's organization and financing. This review showed that a lot of studies are focused on limited types of care, settings, and payers, showing only a partial picture of health and social care systems in the context of end-of-life expenditure for the older population. CONCLUSION The results of studies on end-of-life expenditure for the older population conducted so far are largely inconsistent. The review showed a great variety of problems appearing in the area of end-of-life expenditure analysis, related to methodology, data availability, and the comparability of results. Further research is needed to improve the methods of analyses, as well as to develop some analysis standards to enhance research quality and comparability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Kocot
- Health Economics and Social Security Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Azzurra Ferrero
- Ospedale Michele e Pietro Ferrero, Verduno-Azienda Sanitaria Locale CN2, Alba-Bra, Italy
| | | | - Katarzyna Dubas-Jakóbczyk
- Health Economics and Social Security Department, Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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Shirakura Y, Shobugawa Y, Saito R. Geographic variation in inpatient medical expenditure among older adults aged 75 years and above in Japan: a three-level multilevel analysis of nationwide data. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1306013. [PMID: 38481853 PMCID: PMC10933056 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1306013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction In Japan, a country at the forefront of population ageing, significant geographic variation has been observed in inpatient medical expenditures for older adults aged 75 and above (IMEP75), both at the small- and large-area levels. However, our understanding of how different levels of administrative (geographic) units contribute to the overall geographic disparities remains incomplete. Thus, this study aimed to assess the degree to which geographic variation in IMEP75 can be attributed to municipality-, secondary medical area (SMA)-, and prefecture-level characteristics, and identify key factors associated with IMEP75. Methods Using nationwide aggregate health insurance claims data of municipalities for the period of April 2018 to March 2019, we conducted a multilevel linear regression analysis with three levels: municipalities, SMA, and prefectures. The contribution of municipality-, SMA-, and prefecture-level correlates to the overall geographic variation in IMEP75 was evaluated using the proportional change in variance across six constructed models. The effects of individual factors on IMEP75 in the multilevel models were assessed by estimating beta coefficients with their 95% confidence intervals. Results We analysed data of 1,888 municipalities, 344 SMAs, and 47 prefectures. The availability of healthcare resources at the SMA-level and broader regions to which prefectures belonged together explained 57.3% of the overall geographic variance in IMEP75, whereas the effects of factors influencing healthcare demands at the municipality-level were relatively minor, contributing an additional explanatory power of 2.5%. Factors related to long-term and end-of-life care needs and provision such as the proportion of older adults certified as needing long-term care, long-term care benefit expenditure per recipient, and the availability of hospital beds for psychiatric and chronic care and end-of-life care support at home were associated with IMEP75. Conclusion To ameliorate the geographic variation in IMEP75 in Japan, the reallocation of healthcare resources across SMAs should be considered, and drivers of broader regional disparities need to be further explored. Moreover, healthcare systems for older adults must integrate an infrastructure of efficient long-term care and end-of-life care delivery outside hospitals to alleviate the burden on inpatient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Shirakura
- Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Active Ageing, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yugo Shobugawa
- Department of Active Ageing, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Reiko Saito
- Division of International Health (Public Health), Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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Maessen M, Fliedner MC, Gahl B, Maier M, Aebersold DM, Zwahlen S, Eychmüller S. An economic evaluation of an early palliative care intervention among patients with advanced cancer. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3591. [PMID: 38579309 DOI: 10.57187/s.3591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early integration of palliative care into oncology care has shown positive effects on patient symptoms and quality of life. It may also reduce health care costs. However given the heterogeneity of settings and interventions and the lack of information on the minimally effective dose for influencing care utilisation and costs, it remains uncertain whether early palliative care reduces costs. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine whether an early palliative care intervention integrated in usual oncology care in a Swiss hospital setting reduced utilisation and costs of health care in the last month of life when compared with usual oncology care alone. METHODS We performed a cost-consequences analysis alongside a multicentre trial. We extracted costs from administrative health insurance data and health care utilisation from family caregiver surveys to compare two study arms: usual oncology care and usual oncology care plus the palliative care intervention. The intervention consisted of a single-structured, multiprofessional conversation with the patient about symptoms, end-of-life decisions, network building and support for carers (SENS). The early palliative care intervention was performed within 16 weeks of the diagnosis of a tumour stage not amenable or responsive to curative treatment. RESULTS We included 58 participants with advanced cancer in our economic evaluation study. Median overall health care costs in the last month of life were 7892 Swiss Francs (CHF) (interquartile range: CHF 5637-13,489) in the intervention arm and CHF 8492 [CHF 5411-12,012] in the control arm. The average total intervention treatment cost CHF 380 per patient. Integrating an early palliative care intervention into usual oncology care showed no significant difference in health care utilisation or overall health care costs between intervention and control arms (p = 0.98). CONCLUSION Although early palliative care is often presented as a cost-reducing care service, we could not show a significant effect of the SENS intervention on health care utilisation and costs in the last month of life. However, it may be that the intervention was not intensive enough, the timeframe too short or the study population too small for measurable effects. Patients appreciated the intervention. Single-structured early palliative care interventions are easy to implement in clinical practice and present low treatment costs. Further research about the economic impact of early palliative care should focus on extracting large, detailed cost databases showing potential shifts in cost and cost-effectiveness. CLINICAL TRIALS gov Identifier: NCT01983956.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Maessen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- University Centre for Palliative Care, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Monica C Fliedner
- University Centre for Palliative Care, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Marina Maier
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Daniel M Aebersold
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Zwahlen
- Unit for Specialised Palliative Care, Lindenhof Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Steffen Eychmüller
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Switzerland
- University Centre for Palliative Care, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Switzerland
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Kenny P, Liu D, Fiebig D, Hall J, Millican J, Aranda S, van Gool K, Haywood P. Specialist Palliative Care and Health Care Costs at the End of Life. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2024; 8:31-47. [PMID: 37910343 PMCID: PMC10781921 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-023-00446-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The use and costs of health care rise substantially in the months prior to death, and although the use of palliative care services may be expected to lead to less costly care, the evidence is mixed. We analysed the costs of care over the last year of life and the extent to which these are associated with the use and duration of specialist palliative care (SPC) for decedents who died from cancer or another life-limiting illness. METHODS The decedents were participants in a cohort study of older residents of the state of New South Wales, Australia. Using linked survey and administrative health data from 2007 to 2016, two cohorts were identified: n = 10,535 where the cause of death was cancer; and n = 11,179 where the cause of death was another life-limiting illness. Costs of various types were analysed with separate risk-adjusted linear regression models for the last 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months before death and for both cohorts. SPC was categorised according to time to death from first contact with the service as 1-7 days, 7-30 days, 30-180 days and more than 180 days. RESULTS SPC use was higher among the cancer cohort (30.0%) relative to the non-cancer cohort (4.8%). The mean costs over the final year of life were AU$55,037 (SD 45,059) for the cancer cohort and AU$35,318 (SD 41,948) for the non-cancer cohort. Earlier use of SPC was associated with higher costs over the last year of life but lower costs in the last 1 and 3 months for both cohorts. Initiating SPC use more than 180 days before death was associated with a mean difference relative to the no SPC group of AU$15,590 (95% CI 10,617 to 20,562) and AU$13,739 (95% CI 733 to 26,746) over the last year of life for those dying from cancer and another illness, respectively. The same differences over the last month of life were - AU$2810 (95% CI - 3945 to - 1676) and - AU$4345 (95% CI - 6625 to - 2066). Admitted hospital care was the major driver of costs, with longer SPC associated with lower rates of death in hospital for both cohorts. CONCLUSION Early initiation of SPC was associated with higher costs over the last year of life and lower costs over the last months of life. This was the case for both the cancer and non-cancer cohorts, and appeared to be largely attributed to reduced hospitalisation. Although further investigation is required, our results suggest that expanding the availability of SPC services to provide more equitable access could enable patients to spend more time at their usual place of residence, reduce pressure on inpatient services and facilitate death at home when that is preferred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Kenny
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Dan Liu
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Denzil Fiebig
- School of Economics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jane Hall
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jared Millican
- Concord Centre for Palliative Care, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sanchia Aranda
- Department of Nursing, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kees van Gool
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Pricing and analytics, Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Philip Haywood
- Centre for Health Economics Research & Evaluation, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Health Division, OECD, Paris, France
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Wirth K, Boes S, Näpflin M, Huber C, Blozik E. Initial prescriptions and medication switches of biological products: an analysis of prescription pathways and determinants in the Swiss healthcare setting. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e077454. [PMID: 37989386 PMCID: PMC10668177 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-077454] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Biological products have contributed to extraordinary advances in disease treatments over the last decade. However, the cost-saving potential of imitator products, so-called biosimilars, is still under-researched in Switzerland. This study aims to assess biosimilars' prescriptions at treatment initiation and their determinants, as well as biological therapy switches. DESIGN The study included all patients who had at least one biosimilar available on the market at the time when they were prescribed a biological product. We analysed longitudinal data for biosimilar prescriptions in Switzerland using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to quantify the associations with individual, pharmaceutical and provider-related variables. SETTING The analysis is based on de-identified claims data of patients with mandatory health insurance at Helsana, one of the Swiss health insurance companies with a substantial enrollee base in mandatory health insurance. PARTICIPANTS Overall, 18 953 patients receiving at least one biological product between 2016 and 2021 were identified. OUTCOME MEASURES We differentiated between initial prescriptions and follow-up prescriptions. Our regression focused on initial prescriptions due to evidence indicating that patients tend to follow the medication prescribed at therapy initiation. RESULTS Although biosimilars' market share was low (28.6%), the number of prescriptions has increased (from 1016 in 2016 to 6976 in 2021). Few patients with medication switches (n=1492, 8.5%) were detected. Increased relative price difference (difference in the price of available biosimilars relative to price of corresponding reference product) was associated with decreased probability of biosimilar prescriptions, whereas male sex, an increase of available imitator drugs on the market, larger packaging sizes, and prescriptions from specialists or physicians in outpatient settings were associated with increased biosimilar use. CONCLUSION The low number of biosimilar prescriptions, despite the proliferating biosimilar market, indicates a high potential for biosimilar diffusion. The findings indicate that patients typically adhere to the therapy options initially chosen and are less inclined to make changes following the initiation of treatment. Our research highlights the need for awareness initiatives to improve understanding among patients and physicians, enabling informed, shared decision-making about biosimilar prescriptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Wirth
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Luzern, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Boes
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Luzern, Switzerland
| | - Markus Näpflin
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carola Huber
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Blozik
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Wirth K, Bähler C, Boes S, Näpflin M, Huber CA, Blozik E. Opioid prescriptions after knee replacement: a retrospective study of pathways and prognostic factors in the Swiss healthcare setting. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e067542. [PMID: 36889828 PMCID: PMC10008278 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067542] [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] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The optimal use of opioids after knee replacement (KR) remains to be determined, given the growing evidence that opioids are no more effective than other analgesics and that their adverse effects can impair quality of life. Therefore, the objective is to examine opioid prescriptions after KR. DESIGN In this retrospective study, we used descriptive statistics and estimated the association of prognostic factors using generalised negative binomial models. SETTING The study is based on anonymised claims data of patients with mandatory health insurance at Helsana, a leading Swiss health insurance. PARTICIPANTS Overall, 9122 patients undergoing KR between 2015 and 2018 were identified. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Based on reimbursed bills, we calculated the dosage (morphine equivalent dose, MED) and the episode length (acute: <90 days; subacute: ≥90 to <120 days or <10 claims; chronic: ≥90 days and ≥10 claims or ≥120 days). The incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for postoperative opioids were calculated. RESULTS Of all patients, 3445 (37.8%) received opioids in the postoperative year. A large majority had acute episodes (3067, 89.0%), 2211 (65.0%) had peak MED levels above 100 mg/day and most patients received opioids in the first 10 postoperative weeks (2881, 31.6%). Increasing age (66-75 and >75 vs 18-65) was associated with decreased IRR (0.776 (95% CI 0.7 to 0.859); 0.723 (95% CI 0.649 to 0.805)), whereas preoperative non-opioid analgesics and opioids were associated with higher IRR (1.271 (95% CI 1.155 to 1.399); 3.977 (95% CI 4.409 to 3.591)). CONCLUSION The high opioid demand is unexpected given that current recommendations advise using opioids only when other pain therapies are ineffective. To ensure medication safety, it is important to consider alternative treatment options and ensure that benefits outweigh potential risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Wirth
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bähler
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Boes
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Markus Näpflin
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carola A Huber
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Blozik
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Bolek H, Ozisik L, Caliskan Z, Tanriover MD. Clinical outcomes and economic burden of seasonal influenza and other respiratory virus infections in hospitalized adults. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28153. [PMID: 36110064 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28153] [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: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The cost of influenza and other respiratory virus infections should be determined to analyze the real burden of these diseases. We aimed to investigate the clinical outcomes and cost of illness due to respiratory virus infections in hospitalized adult patients. Hospitalized patients who had nasal swab sampling for a suspected viral infection between August 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019 were included. Outcome variables were oxygen requirement, mechanical ventilation need, intensive care unit admission, and cost. At least one viral pathogen was detected in 125 (47.7%) of 262 patients who were included in the study. Fifty-five (20.9%) of the patients were infected with influenza. Influenza-positive patients had higher rates for respiratory support, intensive care unit admission, and mortality compared to all other patients. The average cost of hospitalization per person was 2879.76 USD in the influenza-negative group, while the same cost was 3274.03 USD in the influenza-positive group. Although all of the vaccinated influenza-positive patients needed oxygen support, neither of them required invasive mechanical ventilation or intensive care unit admission. The average hospitalization cost per person was 779.70 USD in the vaccinated group compared to 3762.01 USD in the unvaccinated group. Disease-related direct cost of influenza in the community was estimated as 22 776 075.61 USD in the 18-65 years of age group and 15 756 120.02 USD in the 65 years of age and over group per year. Influenza, compared to other respiratory virus infections, can lead to untoward clinical outcomes and mortality as well as higher direct medical costs in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hatice Bolek
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Lale Ozisik
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zafer Caliskan
- Department of Economics, Hacettepe University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mine Durusu Tanriover
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
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Sheng H, Dong W, He Y, Sui M, Li H, Liu Z, Wang H, Chen Z, Xue L. Regional variation of medical expenditures attributable to hypertension in China's middle-aged and elderly population. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e32395. [PMID: 36595849 PMCID: PMC9794296 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertension is a prevalent and costly health condition in China. Little is known about variation of the inpatient and outpatient expenditures attributable to hypertension between prefecture-level administrative regions (PARs) and the drivers of such variation among China's middle-aged and elderly population. METHODS We obtain data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey between 2011 and 2015, panel tobit models were used in our study to estimate differences across 122 PARs. Expenditure variation was explained by the characteristics of individuals and regions, including measures of healthcare supply. RESULTS The cost of treatment for patients with hypertension varies greatly geographically, with the highest outpatient and inpatient costs being 77 and 102 times the lowest, respectively. After adjustment for the individual and PAR character, there are associations between expenditure and region bed density. CONCLUSION There were significant regional differences in the outpatient and inpatient costs of middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension in China, the difference between individuals may be an important reason, which has little to do with regional economic development differences, but is related to regional bed density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huilin Sheng
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Putuo Maternity and Infant Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihua Dong
- Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Jiangxi, China
| | - YunZhen He
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengyun Sui
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hongzheng Li
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziyan Liu
- School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiying Wang
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Jiangxi Provincial People’s Hospital The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Jiangxi, China
| | - Long Xue
- Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * Correspondence: Long Xue, Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China (e-mail: )
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Sepúlveda-Peñaloza A, Cumsille F, Garrido M, Matus P, Vera-Concha G, Urquidi C. Geographical disparities in obesity prevalence: small-area analysis of the Chilean National Health Surveys. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1443. [PMID: 35906592 PMCID: PMC9335969 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13841-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous representative health surveys conducted in Chile evidenced a high obesity prevalence rate among adults, especially in female and urban areas. Nevertheless, these have limited utility for targeted interventions and local source allocation for prevention. This study analyzes the increments in obesity prevalence rates in populations ≥15 years of age and the geographic variation at the regional level. We also assessed whether the obesity rates have different patterns on a smaller geographic level than national and regional ones. METHODS This ecological study analyzed data from two representative national samples of adolescents and adults ≥15 years old, who participated in the last Chilean health surveys, 2009 (n = 5412) and 2016 (n = 6233). Obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) rates were calculated on the national, regional, and Health service (HS) levels, being HS the smallest unit of analysis available. Obesity rates and relative increase to early identify target populations and geographic areas, with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), were calculated using the sampling design of the national surveys, at the national and regional level, and by gender, age groups, and socioeconomic status. The Fay-Herriot (FH) models, using auxiliary data, were fitted for obesity rate estimates at the HS level. RESULTS The relative increase in obesity rate was 37.1% (95%CI 23.3-52.9) at the national level, with a heterogeneous geographic distribution at the regional one. Southern regions had the highest obesity rates in both surveys (Aysén: 35.2, 95%CI 26.9-43.5 in 2009, 44.3 95%CI 37-51.7 in 2016), but higher increases were predominantly in the northern and central areas of the country (relative increase 91.1 95%CI 39.6-110.1 in Valparaiso and 81.6 95%CI 14.4-196.2 in Tarapacá). Obesity rates were higher in females, older age, and lower socioeconomic groups; nevertheless, relative increases were higher in the opposite ones. The FH estimates showed an obesity rates variation at the HS level, where higher rates tend to converge to specific HS areas of each region. CONCLUSION Obesity rates and relative increase are diverse across subnational levels and substantially differ from the national estimates, highlighting a pattern that converges to areas with low-middle income households. Our results emphasize geographical disparities in obesity prevalence among adults and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Sepúlveda-Peñaloza
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies, Universidad de Los Andes, San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, 7620001, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Marcela Garrido
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies, Universidad de Los Andes, San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, 7620001, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricia Matus
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies, Universidad de Los Andes, San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, 7620001, Santiago, Chile
| | - Germán Vera-Concha
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies, Universidad de Los Andes, San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, 7620001, Santiago, Chile
| | - Cinthya Urquidi
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Studies, Universidad de Los Andes, San Carlos de Apoquindo 2200, Las Condes, 7620001, Santiago, Chile.
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11
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Bachmann N, Zumbrunn A, Bayer-Oglesby L. Social and Regional Factors Predict the Likelihood of Admission to a Nursing Home After Acute Hospital Stay in Older People With Chronic Health Conditions: A Multilevel Analysis Using Routinely Collected Hospital and Census Data in Switzerland. Front Public Health 2022; 10:871778. [PMID: 35615032 PMCID: PMC9126315 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.871778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
If hospitalization becomes inevitable in the course of a chronic disease, discharge from acute hospital care in older persons is often associated with temporary or persistent frailty, functional limitations and the need for help with daily activities. Thus, acute hospitalization represents a particularly vulnerable phase of transient dependency on social support and health care. This study examines how social and regional inequality affect the decision for an institutionalization after acute hospital discharge in Switzerland. The current analysis uses routinely collected inpatient data from all Swiss acute hospitals that was linked on the individual level with Swiss census data. The study sample included 60,209 patients 75 years old and older living still at a private home and being hospitalized due to a chronic health condition in 199 hospitals between 2010 and 2016. Random intercept multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the impact of social and regional factors on the odds of a nursing home admission after hospital discharge. Results show that 7.8% of all patients were admitted directly to a nursing home after hospital discharge. We found significant effects of education level (compulsory vs. tertiary education OR = 1.16 (95% CI: 1.03-1.30), insurance class (compulsory vs. private insurance OR = 1.24 (95% CI: 1.09-1.41), living alone vs. living with others (OR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.53-1.76) and language regions (French vs. German speaking part: OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.37-0.80) on the odds of nursing home admission in a model adjusted for age, gender, nationality, health status, year of hospitalization and hospital-level variance. The language regions moderated the effect of education and insurance class but not of living alone. This study shows that acute hospital discharge in older age is a critical moment of transient dependency especially for socially disadvantaged patients. Social and health care should work coordinated together to avoid unnecessary institutionalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Bachmann
- Institute for Social Work and Health, School of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland, Olten, Switzerland
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12
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Fuino M, Trein P, Wagner J. How does regulating doctors' admissions affect health expenditures? Evidence from Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:495. [PMID: 35418090 PMCID: PMC9008894 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07735-7] [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: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cost containment is a major issue for health policy, in many countries. Policymakers have used various measures to deal with this problem. In Switzerland, the national parliament and subnational (cantonal) governments have used moratoriums to limit the admission of specialist doctors and general practitioners. Methods We analyze the impact of these regulations on the number of doctors billing in free practice and on the health costs created by medical practice based on records from the data pool of Swiss health insurers (SASIS) from 2007 to 2018 using interrupted time series and difference-in-differences models. Results We demonstrate that the removal of the national moratorium in 2012 increased the number of doctors, but did not augment significantly the direct health costs produced by independent doctors. Furthermore, the reintroduction of regulations at the cantonal level in 2013 and 2014 decreased the number of doctors billing in free practice but, again, did not affect direct health costs. Conclusions Our findings suggest that regulating healthcare supply through a moratorium on doctors’ admissions does not directly contribute to limiting the increase in health expenditures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1186/s12913-022-07735-7).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel Fuino
- Department of Actuarial Science, University of Lausanne, Chamberonne - Extranef, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Trein
- Department of Political Studies, University of Lausanne, Géopolis, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.
| | - Joël Wagner
- Department of Actuarial Science, University of Lausanne, Chamberonne - Extranef, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland.,Swiss Finance Institute, University of Lausanne, Chamberonne - Extranef, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
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13
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Moser A, von Wyl V, Höglinger M. Health and social behaviour through pandemic phases in Switzerland: Regional time-trends of the COVID-19 Social Monitor panel study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256253. [PMID: 34432842 PMCID: PMC8386858 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Switzerland has a liberal implementation of Coronavirus mitigation measures compared to other European countries. Since March 2020, measures have been evolving and include a mixture of central and federalistic mitigation strategies across three culturally diverse language regions. The present study investigates a hypothesised heterogeneity in health, social behavior and adherence to mitigation measures across the language regions by studying pre-specified interaction effects. Our findings aim to support the communication of regionally targeted mitigation strategies and to provide evidence to address longterm population-health consequences of the pandemic by accounting for different pandemic contexts and cultural aspects. Methods We use data from from the COVID-19 Social Monitor, a longitudinal population-based online survey. We define five mitigation periods between March 2020 and May 2021. We use unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to investigate a hypothesized interaction effect between mitigation periods and language regions on selected study outcomes covering the domains of general health and quality of life, mental health, loneliness/isolation, physical activity, health care use and adherence to mitigation measures. Results We analyze 2,163 (64%) participants from the German/Romansh-speaking part of Switzerland, 713 (21%) from the French-speaking part and 505 (15%) from the Italian-speaking part. We found evidence for an interaction effect between mitigation periods and language regions for adherence to mitigation measures, but not for other study outcomes (social behavior, health). The presence of poor quality of life, lack of energy, no physical activity, health care use, and the adherence to mitigation measures changed similarly over mitigation periods in all language regions. Discussion As the pandemic unfolded in Switzerland, also health and social behavior changed between March 2020 to May 2021. Changes in adherence to mitigation measures differ between language regions and reflect the COVID-19 incidence patterns in the investigated mitigation periods, with higher adherence in regions with previously higher incidence. Targeted communcation of mitigation measures and policy making should include cultural, geographical and socioeconomic aspects to address yet unknown long-term population health consequences caused by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Moser
- CTU Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viktor von Wyl
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Höglinger
- Winterthur Institute of Health Economics, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
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14
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Evidence on the economic value of end-of-life and palliative care interventions: a narrative review of reviews. BMC Palliat Care 2021; 20:89. [PMID: 34162377 PMCID: PMC8223342 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-021-00782-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the demand for palliative care increases, more information is needed on how efficient different types of palliative care models are for providing care to dying patients and their caregivers. Evidence on the economic value of treatments and interventions is key to informing resource allocation and ultimately improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. We assessed the available evidence on the economic value of palliative and end-of-life care interventions across various settings. METHODS Reviews published between 2000 and 2019 were included. We included reviews that focused on cost-effectiveness, intervention costs and/or healthcare resource use. Two reviewers extracted data independently and in duplicate from the included studies. Data on the key characteristics of the studies were extracted, including the aim of the study, design, population, type of intervention and comparator, (cost-) effectiveness resource use, main findings and conclusions. RESULTS A total of 43 reviews were included in the analysis. Overall, most evidence on cost-effectiveness relates to home-based interventions and suggests that they offer substantial savings to the health system, including a decrease in total healthcare costs, resource use and improvement in patient and caregivers' outcomes. The evidence of interventions delivered across other settings was generally inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS Some palliative care models may contribute to dual improvement in quality of care via lower rates of aggressive medicalization in the last phase of life accompanied by a reduction in costs. Hospital-based palliative care interventions may improve patient outcomes, healthcare utilization and costs. There is a need for greater consistency in reporting outcome measures, the informal costs of caring, and costs associated with hospice.
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15
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Martani A, Geneviève LD, Egli SM, Erard F, Wangmo T, Elger BS. Evolution or Revolution? Recommendations to Improve the Swiss Health Data Framework. Front Public Health 2021; 9:668386. [PMID: 34136456 PMCID: PMC8200489 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.668386] [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: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Facilitating access to health data for public health and research purposes is an important element in the health policy agenda of many countries. Improvements in this sense can only be achieved with the development of an appropriate data infrastructure and the implementations of policies that also respect societal preferences. Switzerland is a revealing example of a country that has been struggling to achieve this aim. The objective of the study is to reflect on stakeholders' recommendations on how to improve the health data framework of this country. Methods: We analysed the recommendations collected as part of a qualitative study including 48 expert stakeholders from Switzerland that have been working principally with health databases. Recommendations were divided in themes and subthemes according to applied thematic analysis. Results: Stakeholders recommended several potential improvements of the health data framework in Switzerland. At the general level of mind-set and attitude, they suggested to foster the development of an explicit health data strategy, better communication and the respect of societal preferences. In terms of infrastructure, there were calls for the creation of a national data center, the improvement of IT solutions and the use of a Unique Identifier for patient data. Lastly, they recommended harmonising procedures for data access and to clarify data protection and consent rules. Conclusion: Recommendations show several potential improvements of the health data framework, but they have to be reconciled with existing policies, infrastructures and ethico-legal limitations. Achieving a gradual implementation of the recommended solutions is the preferable way forward for Switzerland and a lesson for other countries that are also seeking to improve health data access for public health and research purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Martani
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Sophia Mira Egli
- Master Student, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Frédéric Erard
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tenzin Wangmo
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Bernice Simone Elger
- Institute for Biomedical Ethics, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,University Center of Legal Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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16
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Migliazza K, Bähler C, Liedtke D, Signorell A, Boes S, Blozik E. Potentially inappropriate medications and medication combinations before, during and after hospitalizations: an analysis of pathways and determinants in the Swiss healthcare setting. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:522. [PMID: 34049550 PMCID: PMC8164287 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06550-w] [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: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A hospitalization phase represents a challenge to medication safety especially for multimorbid patients as acute medical needs might interact with pre-existing medications or evoke adverse drug effects. This project aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and medication combinations (PIMCs) in the context of hospitalizations. Methods Analyses are based on claims data of patients (≥65 years) with basic mandatory health insurance at the Helsana Group, and on data from the Hirslanden Swiss Hospital Group. We assessed PIMs and PIMCs of patients who were hospitalized in 2013 at three different time points (quarter prior, during, after hospitalization). PIMs were identified using the PRISCUS list, whereas PIMCs were derived from compendium.ch. Zero-inflated Poisson regression models were applied to determine risk factors of PIMs and PIMCs. Results Throughout the observation period, more than 80% of patients had at least one PIM, ranging from 49.7% in the pre-hospitalization, 53.6% in the hospitalization to 48.2% in the post-hospitalization period. PIMCs were found in 46.6% of patients prior to hospitalization, in 21.3% during hospitalization, and in 25.0% of patients after discharge. Additional medication prescriptions compared to the preceding period and increasing age were the main risk factors, whereas managed care was associated with a decrease in PIMs and PIMCs. Conclusion We conclude that a patient’s hospitalization offers the possibility to increase medication safety. Nevertheless, the prevalence of PIMs and PIMCs is relatively high in the study population. Therefore, our results indicate a need for interventions to increase medication safety in the Swiss healthcare setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Migliazza
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Bähler
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andri Signorell
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Boes
- Department of Health Sciences and Medicine, University of Lucerne, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Eva Blozik
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Group, Zürich, Switzerland. .,Institute of Primary Care, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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17
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Degree of regional variation and effects of health insurance-related factors on the utilization of 24 diverse healthcare services - a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:1091. [PMID: 33246452 PMCID: PMC7694910 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05930-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regional variation in healthcare utilization could reflect unequal access to care, which may lead to detrimental consequences to quality of care and costs. The aims of this study were to a) describe the degree of regional variation in utilization of 24 diverse healthcare services in eligible populations in Switzerland, and b) identify potential drivers, especially health insurance-related factors, and explore the consistency of their effects across the services. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using health insurance claims data for the year of 2014. The studied 24 healthcare services were predominantly outpatient services, ranging from screening to secondary prevention. For each service, a target population was identified based on applicable clinical recommendations, and outcome variable was the use of the service. Possible influencing factors included patients’ socio-demographics, health insurance-related and clinical characteristics. For each service, we performed a comprehensive methodological approach including small area variation analysis, spatial autocorrelation analysis, and multilevel multivariable modelling using 106 mobilité spaciale regions as the higher level. We further calculated the median odds ratio in model residuals to assess the unexplained regional variation. Results Unadjusted utilization rates varied considerably across the 24 healthcare services, ranging from 3.5% (osteoporosis screening) to 76.1% (recommended thyroid disease screening sequence). The effects of health insurance-related characteristics were mostly consistent. A higher annual deductible level was mostly associated with lower utilization. Supplementary insurance, supplementary hospital insurance and having chosen a managed care model were associated with higher utilization of most services. Managed care models showed a tendency towards more recommended care. After adjusting for multiple influencing factors, the unexplained regional variation was generally small across the 24 services, with all MORs below 1.5. Conclusions The observed utilization rates seemed suboptimal for many of the selected services. For all of them, the unexplained regional variation was relatively small. Our findings confirmed the importance and consistency of effects of health insurance-related factors, indicating that healthcare utilization might be further optimized through adjustment of insurance scheme designs. Our comprehensive approach aids in the identification of regional variation and influencing factors of healthcare services use in Switzerland as well as comparable settings worldwide. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-020-05930-y.
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18
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Wertli MM, Schlapbach JM, Haynes AG, Scheuter C, Jegerlehner SN, Panczak R, Chiolero A, Rodondi N, Aujesky D. Regional variation in hip and knee arthroplasty rates in Switzerland: A population-based small area analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238287. [PMID: 32956363 PMCID: PMC7505431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compared to other OECD countries, Switzerland has the highest rates of hip (HA) and knee arthroplasty (KA). Objective We assessed the regional variation in HA/KA rates and potential determinants of variation in Switzerland. Methods We conducted a population-based analysis using discharge data from all Swiss hospitals during 2013–2016. We derived hospital service areas (HSAs) by analyzing patient flows. We calculated age-/sex-standardized procedure rates and measures of variation (the extremal quotient [EQ, highest divided by lowest rate] and the systemic component of variation [SCV]). We estimated the reduction in variance of HA/KA rates across HSAs in multilevel regression models, with incremental adjustment for procedure year, age, sex, language, urbanization, socioeconomic factors, burden of disease, and the number of orthopedic surgeons. Results Overall, 69,578 HA and 69,899 KA from 55 HSAs were analyzed. The mean age-/sex-standardized HA rate was 265 (range 179–342) and KA rate was 256 (range 186–378) per 100,000 persons and increased over time. The EQ was 1.9 for HA and 2.5 for KA. The SCV was 2.0 for HA and 2.2 for KA, indicating a low variation across HSAs. When adjusted for procedure year and demographic, cultural, and sociodemographic factors, the models explained 75% of the variance in HA and 63% in KA across Swiss HSAs. Conclusion Switzerland has high HA/KA rates with a modest regional variation, suggesting that the threshold to perform HA/KA may be uniformly low across regions. One third of the variation remained unexplained and may, at least in part, represent differing physician beliefs and attitudes towards joint arthroplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria M. Wertli
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Judith M. Schlapbach
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alan G. Haynes
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- CTU Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Scheuter
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina N. Jegerlehner
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Radoslaw Panczak
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Queensland Centre for Population Research, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Arnaud Chiolero
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Population Health Laboratory (#PopHealthLab), University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Rodondi
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Drahomir Aujesky
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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19
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Regional differences in healthcare costs at the end of life: an observational study using Swiss insurance claims data. Int J Public Health 2020; 65:969-979. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01428-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
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20
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de Man Y, Groenewoud S, Oosterveld-Vlug MG, Brom L, Onwuteaka-Philipsen BD, Westert GP, Atsma F. Regional variation in hospital care at the end-of-life of Dutch patients with lung cancer exists and is not correlated with primary and long-term care. Int J Qual Health Care 2020; 32:190-195. [PMID: 32186705 PMCID: PMC7238674 DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzaa004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the regional variation in hospital care utilization in the last 6 months of life of Dutch patients with lung cancer and to test whether higher degrees of hospital utilization coincide with less general practitioner (GP) and long-term care use. DESIGN Cross-sectional claims data study. SETTING The Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS Patients deceased in 2013-2015 with lung cancer (N = 25 553). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES We calculated regional medical practice variation scores, adjusted for age, gender and socioeconomic status, for radiotherapy, chemotherapy, CT-scans, emergency room contacts and hospital admission days during the last 6 months of life; Spearman Rank correlation coefficients measured the association between the adjusted regional medical practice variation scores for hospital admissions and ER contacts and GP and long-term care utilization. RESULTS The utilization of hospital services in high-using regions is 2.3-3.6 times higher than in low-using regions. The variation was highest in 2015 and lowest in 2013. For all 3 years, hospital care was not significantly correlated with out-of-hospital care at a regional level. CONCLUSIONS Hospital care utilization during the last 6 months of life of patients with lung cancer shows regional medical practice variation over the course of multiple years and seems to increase. Higher healthcare utilization in hospitals does not seem to be associated with less intensive GP and long-term care. In-depth research is needed to explore the causes of the variation and its relation to quality of care provided at the level of daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne de Man
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Stef Groenewoud
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mariska G Oosterveld-Vlug
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081, BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and
| | - Linda Brom
- IKNL, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organization, Godebaldkwartier 419, 3511 DT Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Bregje D Onwuteaka-Philipsen
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Expertise Center for Palliative Care, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Van der Boechorststraat 7, 1081, BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and
| | - Gert P Westert
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Atsma
- Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, IQ Healthcare, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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21
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Yu CW, Alavinia SM, Alter DA. Impact of socioeconomic status on end-of-life costs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Palliat Care 2020; 19:35. [PMID: 32293403 PMCID: PMC7087362 DOI: 10.1186/s12904-020-0538-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic inequalities in access to, and utilization of medical care have been shown in many jurisdictions. However, the extent to which they exist at end-of-life (EOL) remains unclear. METHODS Studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Web of Science, Web of Knowledge, and OpenGrey databases were searched through December 2019 with hand-searching of in-text citations. No publication date or language limitations were set. Studies assessing SES (e.g. income) in adults, correlated to EOL costs in last year(s) or month(s) of life were selected. Two independent reviewers performed data abstraction and quality assessment, with inconsistencies resolved by consensus. RESULTS A total of twenty articles met eligibility criteria. Two meta-analyses were performed on studies that examined total costs in last year of life - the first examined costs without adjustments for confounders (n = 4), the second examined costs that adjusted for confounders, including comorbidities (n = 2). Among studies which did not adjust for comorbidities, SES was positively correlated with EOL costs (standardized mean difference, 0.13 [95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.24]). However, among studies adjusting for comorbidities, SES was inversely correlated with EOL expenditures (regression coefficient, -$150.94 [95% confidence interval, -$177.69 to -$124.19], 2015 United States Dollars (USD)). Higher ambulatory care and drug expenditure were consistently found among higher SES patients irrespective of whether or not comorbidity adjustment was employed. CONCLUSION Overall, an inequality leading to higher end-of-life expenditure for higher SES patients existed to varying extents, even within countries providing universal health care, with greatest differences seen for outpatient and prescription drug costs. The magnitude and directionality of the relationship in part depended on whether comorbidity risk-adjustment methodology was employed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caberry W. Yu
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, 15 Arch St, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6 Canada
| | - S. Mohammad Alavinia
- Neural Engineering & Therapeutics Team, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, 550 University Ave, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 27 King’s College Cir, Toronto, Canada
| | - David A. Alter
- Department of Medicine, University Health Network, 27 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1 Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, 4th Floor, 155 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 3M6 Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8 Canada
- Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, University of Toronto, 550 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2 Canada
- IC/ES (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences), 2075 Bayview Avenue, G1-06, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5 Canada
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Wei W, Gruebner O, von Wyl V, Dressel H, Ulyte A, Brüngger B, Blozik E, Bähler C, Braun J, Schwenkglenks M. Exploring geographic variation of and influencing factors for utilization of four diabetes management measures in Swiss population using claims data. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2020; 8:8/1/e001059. [PMID: 32094222 PMCID: PMC7039601 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-001059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Four strongly recommended diabetes management measures are biannual glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing, annual eye examination, kidney function examination, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) testing in patients below 75 years. We aimed to describe regional variation in the utilization of the four measures across small regions in Switzerland and to explore potential influencing factors. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult patients with drug-treated diabetes in 2014 using claims data. Four binary outcomes represented adherence to the recommendations. Possible influencing factors included sociodemographics, health insurance preferences, and clinical characteristics. We performed multilevel modeling with Medstat regions as the higher level. We calculated the median odds ratio (MOR) and checked spatial autocorrelation in region level residuals using Moran's I statistic. When significant, we further conducted spatial multilevel modeling. RESULTS Of 49 198 patients with diabetes (33 957 below 75 years), 69.6% had biannual HbA1c testing, 44.3% each had annual eye examination and kidney function examination, and 55.5% of the patients below 75 years had annual LDL testing. The effects of health insurance preferences were substantial and consistent. Having any supplementary insurance (ORs across measures were between 1.08 and 1.28), having supplementary hospital care insurance (1.08-1.30), having chosen a lower deductible level (eg, SFr2500 compared with SFr300: 0.57-0.69), and having chosen a managed care model (1.04-1.17) were positively associated with recommendations adherence. The MORs (1.27-1.33) showed only moderate unexplained variation, and we observed inconsistent spatial patterns of unexplained variation across the four measures. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the uptake of strongly recommended measures in diabetes management could possibly be optimized by providing further incentives to patients and care providers through insurance scheme design. The absence of marked regional variation implies limited potential for improvement by targeted regional intervention, while provider-specific promotion may be more impactful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjia Wei
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Gruebner
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Geography, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Viktor von Wyl
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Holger Dressel
- Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Agne Ulyte
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Brüngger
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Versicherungen AG, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Eva Blozik
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Versicherungen AG, Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Division of General Practice, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
| | - Caroline Bähler
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Versicherungen AG, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Julia Braun
- Departments of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schwenkglenks
- Department of Epidemiology, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Luta X, Bagnoud C, Lambiris M, Decollogny A, Eggli Y, Le Pogam MA, Marques-Vidal P, Marti J. Patterns of benzodiazepine prescription among older adults in Switzerland: a cross-sectional analysis of claims data. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e031156. [PMID: 31911512 PMCID: PMC6955498 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the prevalence and determinants of benzodiazepine prescription among older adults in Switzerland, and analyse association with hospitalisation and costs. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of claims data. SETTING The study was conducted in nine cantons in Switzerland. PARTICIPANTS Older adults aged 65 years and older enrolled with a large Swiss health insurance company participated in the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was prevalence of benzodiazepine prescription. The secondary outcomes were (1) determinants of any benzodiazepine prescription; (2) the association between any prescription and the probability of hospitalisation for trauma and (3) the association between any prescription and total healthcare expenditures. RESULTS Overall, 69 005 individuals were included in the study. Approximately 20% of participants had at least one benzodiazepine prescription in 2017. Prescription prevalence increased with age (65-69: 15.9%; 70-74: 18.4%; 75-80: 22.5%; >80: 25.8%) and was higher in women (25.1%) compared with men (14.6%). Enrollees with the highest deductible of Swiss Francs (CHF) 2500 were 70% less likely to receive a prescription than enrollees with the lowest deductible of CHF 300 (adjusted OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.35).Individuals with at least one prescription had a higher probability of hospitalisation for trauma (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1. 20 to 1.1.44), and 70% higher health care expenditures (β=0.72, 95% CI 0. 67 to 0.77). Enrollees in canton Valais were three times more likely to receive a prescription compared to enrollees from canton Aargau (OR=2.84, 95% 2.51 to 3.21). CONCLUSIONS The proportion of older adults with at least one benzodiazepine prescription is high, as found in the data of one large Swiss health insurance company. These enrollees are more likely to be hospitalised for trauma and have higher healthcare expenditures. Important differences in prescription prevalence across cantons were observed, suggesting potential overuse. Further research is needed to understand the drivers of variation, prescription patterns across providers, and trends over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xhyljeta Luta
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Mark Lambiris
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Anne Decollogny
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Yves Eggli
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marie-Annick Le Pogam
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Pedro Marques-Vidal
- Department of Internal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Marti
- Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté), University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
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24
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Enns B, Min JE, Panagiotoglou D, Montaner JSG, Nosyk B. Geographic variation in the costs of medical care for people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:626. [PMID: 31481056 PMCID: PMC6724338 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4391-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regional variation in medical care costs can indicate heterogeneity in clinical practice, inequities in access, or inefficiencies in service delivery. We aimed to estimate regional variation in medical costs for people living with HIV (PLHIV), adjusting for demographics and case-mix. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using linked health administrative databases of PLHIV, from 2010 to 2014, in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Quarterly health care costs (2018 CAD) were derived from inpatient, outpatient, prescription drugs, antiretroviral therapy (ART), and HIV diagnostics. We used a two-part model with a logit link for the probability of incurring costs, and a log link and gamma distribution for observations with positive costs. We also estimated quarterly utilization rates for hospitalization-, physician billing- and prescription drug-days. Primary variables were indicators of individuals’ Health Service Delivery Area (HSDA). We adjusted cost and utilization estimates for demographic characteristics, HIV-disease progression, and comorbidities. Results Our cohort included 9577 PLHIV (median age 45.5 years, 80% male). Adjusted total quarterly costs for all 16 HSDAs were within 20% of the provincial mean, 8/16 for hospitalization costs, 16/16 for physician billing costs and 10/16 for prescription drug costs. Northern Interior and Northeast HSDAs had 38 and 44% lower quarterly non-ART prescription drug costs, and 2 and 5% higher quarterly inpatient costs, respectively. Conclusions We observed limited variation in medical care costs and utilization among PLHIV in BC. However, lower levels of outpatient care and higher levels of inpatient care indicate possible barriers to accessing care among PLHIV in the most rural regions of the province. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4391-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Enns
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Jeong Eun Min
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Dimitra Panagiotoglou
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, 1020 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, QC, H3A 1A2, Canada
| | - Julio S G Montaner
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada.,Division of AIDS, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 667-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada
| | - Bohdan Nosyk
- BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, St. Paul's Hospital, 613-1081 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada. .,Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Blusson Hall, Room 11300, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada.
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25
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Assareh H, Stubbs JM, Trinh LTT, Muruganantham P, Jalaludin B, Achat HM. Variation in Hospital Use at the End of Life Among New South Wales Residents Who Died in Hospital or Soon After Discharge. J Aging Health 2019; 32:708-723. [PMID: 31130055 DOI: 10.1177/0898264319848582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Hospital use increases in the last 3 months of life. We aimed to examine its association with where people live and its variation across a large health jurisdiction. Methods: We studied a number of emergency department presentations and days spent in hospital, and in-hospital deaths among decedents who were hospitalized within 30 days of death across 153 areas in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, during 2010-2015. Results: Decedents' demographics and health status were associated with hospital use. Primary care and aged care supply had no or minimal influence, as opposed to the varying effects of areal factors-socioeconomic status, remoteness, and distance to hospital last admitted. Overall, there was an approximate 20% difference in hospital use by decedents across areas. In all, 18% to 57% of areas had hospital use that differed from the average. Discussion: The observed disparity can inform targeted local efforts to strengthen the use of community care services and reduce the burden of end-of-life care on hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Assareh
- Agency for Clinical Innovation, Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joanne M Stubbs
- Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lieu T T Trinh
- Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Bin Jalaludin
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Helen M Achat
- Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia
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Cullati S, Bochatay N, Maître F, Laroche T, Muller-Juge V, Blondon KS, Junod Perron N, Bajwa NM, Viet Vu N, Kim S, Savoldelli GL, Hudelson P, Chopard P, Nendaz MR. When Team Conflicts Threaten Quality of Care: A Study of Health Care Professionals' Experiences and Perceptions. Mayo Clin Proc Innov Qual Outcomes 2019; 3:43-51. [PMID: 30899908 PMCID: PMC6408685 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocpiqo.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore professionals' experiences and perceptions of whether, how, and what types of conflicts affected the quality of patient care. PATIENTS AND METHODS We conducted 82 semistructured interviews with randomly selected health care professionals in a Swiss teaching hospital (October 2014 and March 2016). Participants related stories of team conflicts (intra-/interprofessional, among protagonists at the same or different hierarchical levels) and the perceived consequences for patient care. We analyzed quality of care using the dimensions of care proposed by the Institute of Medicine Committee on Quality of Health Care in America (safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity). RESULTS Seventy-seven of 130 conflicts had no perceived consequences for patient care. Of the 53 conflicts (41%) with potential perceived consequences, the most common were care not provided in a timely manner to patients (delays, longer hospitalization), care not being patient-centered, and less efficient care. Intraprofessional conflicts were linked with less patient-centered care, whereas interprofessional conflicts were linked with less timely care. Conflicts among protagonists at the same hierarchical level were linked with less timely care and less patient-centered care. In some situations, perceived unsatisfactory quality of care generated team conflicts. CONCLUSION Based on participants' assessments, 4 of 10 conflict stories had potential consequences for the quality of patient care. The most common consequences were failure to provide timely, patient-centered, and efficient care. Management of hospitals should consider team conflicts as a potential threat to quality of care and support conflict management programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Cullati
- Quality of Care Service, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Sociological Research, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Naike Bochatay
- Institute of Sociological Research, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Fabienne Maître
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Thierry Laroche
- Division of Anaesthesiology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Virginie Muller-Juge
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Katherine S. Blondon
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
- Interprofessional Simulation Centre, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Noëlle Junod Perron
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nadia M. Bajwa
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of General Paediatrics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nu Viet Vu
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sara Kim
- Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle
| | - Georges L. Savoldelli
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of Anaesthesiology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Patricia Hudelson
- Department of Community Medicine, Primary and Emergency Care, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pierre Chopard
- Quality of Care Service, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of General Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University of Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Mathieu R. Nendaz
- Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva, Switzerland
- Division of General Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
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Unwarranted regional variation in vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty in Switzerland: A population-based small area variation analysis. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208578. [PMID: 30532141 PMCID: PMC6287855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Percutaneous vertebroplasty (VP) and balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for treating painful osteoporotic vertebral fractures are controversial. Objective We assessed the regional variation in the use of VP/BKP in Switzerland. Methods We conducted a population-based small area variation analysis using patient discharge data for VP/BKP from all Swiss hospitals and Swiss census data for calendar years 2012/13. We derived hospital service areas (HSAs) by analyzing patient flows, assigning regions from which most residents were discharged to the same VP/BKP specific HSA. We calculated age-/sex-standardized mean VP/BKP-rates and measures of regional variation (extremal quotient [EQ], systematic component of variation [SCV]). We estimated the reduction in variation of VP/BKP rates using negative binomial regression, with adjustment for patient demographic and regional socioeconomic factors (socioeconomic status, urbanization, and language region). We considered the residual, unexplained variation most likely to be unwarranted. Results Overall, 4955 VP/BKPs were performed in Switzerland in 2012/13. The age-/sex-standardized mean VP/BKP rate was 4.6/10,000 persons and ranged from 1.0 to 10.1 across 26 HSAs. The EQ was 10.2 and the SCV 57.6, indicating a large variation across VP/BKP specific HSAs. After adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors, the total reduction in variance was 32.2% only, with the larger part of the variation remaining unexplained. Conclusions We found a 10-fold variation in VP/BKP rates across Swiss VP/BKP specific HSAs. As only one third of the variation was explained by differences in patient demographics and regional socioeconomic factors, VP/BKP in the highest-use areas may, at least partially, represent overtreatment.
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Bähler C, Signorell A, Blozik E, Reich O. Intensity of treatment in Swiss cancer patients at the end-of-life. Cancer Manag Res 2018; 10:481-491. [PMID: 29588617 PMCID: PMC5858839 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s156566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Current evidence on the care-delivering process and the intensity of treatment at the end-of-life of cancer patients is limited and remains unclear. Our objective was to examine the care-delivering processes in health care during the last months of life with real-life data of Swiss cancer patients. Patients and methods The study population consisted of adult decedents in 2014 who were insured at Helsana Group. Data on the final cause of death were provided additionally by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Of the 10,275 decedents, 2,710 (26.4%) died of cancer. Intensity of treatment and health care utilization (including transitions) at their end-of-life were examined. Intensity measures included the following: last dose of chemotherapy within 14 days of death, a new chemotherapy regimen starting <30 days before death, more than one hospital admission or spending >14 days in hospital in the last month, death in an acute care hospital, more than one emergency visit and ≥1 intensive care unit admission in the last month of life. Results In the last 6 months of life, 89.5% of cancer patients had ≥1 transition, with 87.2% being hospitalized. Within 30 days before death, 64.2% of the decedents had ≥1 intensive treatment, whereby 8.9% started a new chemotherapy. In the multinomial logistic regression model, older age, higher density of nursing home beds and home care nurses were associated with a decrease, while living in the Italian- or French-speaking part of Switzerland was associated with an increase in intensive care. Conclusion Swiss cancer patients insured by Helsana Group experience a considerable number of transitions and intensive treatments at the end-of-life, whereby treatment intensity declines with increasing age. Among others, increased home care nursing might be helpful to reduce unwarranted treatments and transitions, therefore leading to better care at the end-of-life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bähler
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Insurance Group, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andri Signorell
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Insurance Group, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Eva Blozik
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Insurance Group, Zürich, Switzerland.,Department of Medicine, University Medical Centre Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Oliver Reich
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Insurance Group, Zürich, Switzerland
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Panczak R, von Wyl V, Reich O, Luta X, Maessen M, Stuck AE, Berlin C, Schmidlin K, Goodman DC, Egger M, Clough-Gorr K, Zwahlen M. Death at no cost? Persons with no health insurance claims in the last year of life in Switzerland. BMC Health Serv Res 2018. [PMID: 29540161 PMCID: PMC5853076 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-2984-2] [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: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Lack of health insurance claims (HIC) in the last year of life might indicate suboptimal end-of-life care, but reasons for no HIC are not fully understood because information on causes of death is often missing. We investigated association of no HIC with characteristics of individuals and their place of residence. Methods We analysed HIC of persons who died between 2008 and 2010, which were obtained from six providers of mandatory Swiss health insurance. We probabilistically linked these persons to death certificates to get cause of death information and analysed data using sex-stratified, multivariable logistic regression. Supplementary analyses looked at selected subgroups of persons according to the primary cause of death. Results The study population included 113,277 persons (46% males). Among these persons, 1199 (proportion 0.022, 95% CI: 0.021–0.024) males and 803 (0.013, 95% CI: 0.012–0.014) females had no HIC during the last year of life. We found sociodemographic and health differentials in the lack of HIC at the last year of life among these 2002 persons. The likelihood of having no HIC decreased steeply with older age. Those who died of cancer were more likely to have HIC (adjusted odds ratio for males 0.17, 95% CI: 0.13–0.22; females 0.19, 95% CI: 0.12–0.28) whereas those dying of mental and behavioural disorders (AOR males 1.83, 95% CI:1.42–2.37; females 1.65, 95% CI: 1.27–2.14), and males dying of suicide (AOR 2.15, 95% CI: 1.72–2.69) and accidents (AOR 2.41, 95% CI: 1.96–2.97) were more likely to have none. Single, widowed, and divorced persons also were more likely to have no HIC (AORs in range of 1.29–1.80). There was little or no association between the lack of HIC and characteristics of region of residence. Patterns of no HIC differed across main causes of death. Associations with age and civil status differed in particular for persons who died of cancer, suicide, accidents and assaults, and mental and behavioural disorders. Conclusions Particular groups might be more likely to not seek care or not report health insurance costs to insurers. Researchers should be aware of this aspect of health insurance data and account for persons who lack HIC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-2984-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslaw Panczak
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Viktor von Wyl
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Prevention Institute, University of Zürich, Hirschengraben 84, 8001, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Reich
- Department of Health Sciences, Helsana Insurance Group, Palmstrasse 26b, 8401, Winterthur, Switzerland.,SWICA Gesunheitsorganisation, sante24, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Xhyljeta Luta
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Maud Maessen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,University Center for Palliative Care, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse 28, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andreas E Stuck
- Department of Geriatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, and University of Bern, Freiburgstrasse, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Berlin
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kurt Schmidlin
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - David C Goodman
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,The Dartmouth Institute of Health Policy & Clinical Practice, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kerri Clough-Gorr
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Section of Geriatrics, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcel Zwahlen
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
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Regional Variation of Cost of Care in the Last 12 Months of Life in Switzerland: Small-area Analysis Using Insurance Claims Data: Erratum. Med Care 2017. [DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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