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Gu H, Li B, Han Y, Yang S, Wang X. Risk factors for suspected pulmonary embolism in children: Complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Eur J Radiol 2024; 176:111474. [PMID: 38696918 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2024.111474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pulmonary embolism (PE) is not a rare complication of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) in children. We sought to determine the incidence of PE in children with MPP who underwent clinically indicated CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and to evaluate the risk factors for PE. METHODS All 106 children with MPP who were clinically suspected of having PE and who underwent CTPA were retrospectively enrolled from June 2018 to December 2021. The clinical features, laboratory data, and radiological parameters were recorded (e.g., lung consolidation involved and the Qanadli score). A Cox proportional hazards model and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the risk factors and prognostic discriminatory capacity for PE. RESULTS PE was detected in 26 of 106 (24.5 %) children (mean age, 6.2 years ± 3.3 years; 53 boys). Sixteen of the 26 (61.5 %) children with PE were boys. The mean age of the children with PE was 8.1 ± 2.9 years, and the mean Qanadli score was 15.3 ± 10.2. Children with PE had higher D-dimer levels (9.3 ± 7.1 mg/Lvs. 3.6 ± 3.8 mg/L) and a greater frequency of lung lobe consolidation (25 (96.2 %) vs. 64 (80.0 %)) (all P < 0.05). For children with MPP, age (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.96 (95 % CI1.04, 3.71; P = 0.037), D-dimer level (HR = 1.52, 95 % CI: 1.03, 2.24; P = 0.029), and bilateral lung consolidation (HR = 2.41, 95 % CI: 1.03, 5.58; P = 0.043) were found to be independent predictors of PE. CONCLUSION Clinical and CT radiological predictors could be used to predict PE in children with MPP. The use of risk factor assessment as a tool has the potential to guide more appropriate use of CTPA in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Gu
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, #324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, #324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Yicheng Han
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, #324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Shifeng Yang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, #324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
| | - Ximing Wang
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, #324, Jingwu Road, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China.
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Sindet-Pedersen C, El-Chouli M, Nouhravesh N, Lamberts M, Christensen DM, Kümler T, Lock M, Grove EL, Holt A, Schou M, Gislason G, Butt JH, Strange JE. High risk of rehospitalization within 1 year following a pulmonary embolism-insights from the Danish nationwide registries from 2000-2020. EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL. QUALITY OF CARE & CLINICAL OUTCOMES 2024; 10:256-264. [PMID: 37541959 DOI: 10.1093/ehjqcco/qcad046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM To identify the absolute risk, causes, and factors associated with rehospitalization within 1 year of discharge with a pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS AND RESULTS Using the Danish nationwide registries, all patients admitted with a first-time PE between 2000 and 2020 and discharged alive were included. Subsequent hospitalizations were categorized and crude cumulative incidences were used to estimate the absolute risk (AR) of any rehospitalization and specific causes of rehospitalizations. Risk factors for rehospitalization were investigated using cause specific Cox regression models.A total of 55 201 patients were identified. The median age of the study population was 70 years (inter quartile range: 59;79), and the most prevalent comorbidities were cancer (29.3%) and ischemic heart disease (12.7%). The 1-year AR of any rehospitalization after discharge with a PE was 48.6% (95% confidence interval (CI); 48.2%-48.8%). The most common cause for being rehospitalized was due to respiratory disease [1-year AR: 9.5% (95% CI: 9.3%-9.8%)], followed by cardiovascular disease [1-year AR: 6.3% (95% CI: 5.9%-6.5%)], cancer [1-year AR: 6.0% (95% CI: 5.8%-6.4%)], venous thromboembolism [1-year AR: 5.2% (95% CI: 5.0%-5.2%)], and symptom diagnoses [1-year AR: 5.2% (95% CI: 5.0%-5.4%)]. Factors that were associated with an increased risk of rehospitalization were cancer, liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, and immobilization. CONCLUSION Patients with PE have a high risk of rehospitalization, with almost half of patients being rehospitalized within 1 year. Identification of high-risk patients may help target interventions aiming at reducing the risk of rehospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Sindet-Pedersen
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Mohamad El-Chouli
- The Danish Heart Foundation, 1120 Copenhagen K, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Nina Nouhravesh
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Morten Lamberts
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas Kümler
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Morten Lock
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Erik Lerkevang Grove
- Department of Cardiology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, Aarhus University, 8200 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Holt
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Morten Schou
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
| | - Gunnar Gislason
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- The Danish Heart Foundation, 1120 Copenhagen K, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
| | - Jawad Haider Butt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jarl Emanuel Strange
- Department of Cardiology, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
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Alsubaie FH, Abujamea AH. Knowledge and Perception of Radiation Risk From Computed Tomography Scans Among Patients Attending an Emergency Department. Cureus 2024; 16:e52687. [PMID: 38384636 PMCID: PMC10879657 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.52687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the level of knowledge about radiation dose and possible risks related to computed tomography (CT) scans among patients visiting emergency departments (EDs), a survey was conducted over a two-month period. A total of 357 adult patients (44% men and 56% women) presenting for diagnostic imaging in the ED answered a survey consisting of 15 questions. The survey included questions about the participants' demographics and knowledge of radiation. Most of the respondents (58.5%) reported that the physician did not explain the potential risk of radiation before the procedure. In addition, more than half of the respondents (58.1%) expressed feeling anxious about the potential risk of radiation. Most respondents (84.9%) stated that the potential radiation risk did not affect their decision to proceed with the procedure. Overall, the findings highlight a lack of information about radiation and its potential risks provided to patients prior to the diagnostic procedure. Increasing awareness and understanding of the risks associated with these imaging modalities should be considered essential in modern communities. Efforts should be made to ensure that patients undergoing diagnostic imaging are aware of the radiation risks they may encounter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal H Alsubaie
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University/College of Medicine, Riyadh, SAU
| | - Abdullah H Abujamea
- Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, King Saud University/College of Medicine, Riyadh, SAU
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Greineder CF, Barnes GD, Kabrhel C. Diagnostic Algorithms for Pulmonary Embolism: Time to Eliminate Pretest Probability as a Gateway to D-dimer Testing? Ann Emerg Med 2023; 81:566-567. [PMID: 36669925 DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Colin F Greineder
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
| | - Geoffrey D Barnes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Chris Kabrhel
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Mercurio L, Corwin D, Kaplan R, Ellison AM, Casper TC, Kuppermann N, Kline JA. Bedside exclusion of pulmonary embolism in children without radiation (BEEPER): a national study of the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network-Study protocol. Res Pract Thromb Haemost 2023; 7:100046. [PMID: 36865906 PMCID: PMC9971278 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpth.2023.100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Pulmonary Embolism Rule Out Criteria (PERC) Peds rule, derived from the PERC rule, was derived to estimate a low pretest probability for pulmonary embolism (PE) in children but has not been prospectively validated. Objective The objective of this study was to present a protocol for an ongoing multicenter prospective observational study that evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of the PERC-Peds rule. Methods This protocol is identified by the acronym, BEdside Exclusion of Pulmonary Embolism without Radiation in children. The study aims were designed to prospectively validate, or if necessary, refine, the accuracy of PERC-Peds and D-dimer in excluding PE among children with clinical suspicion or testing for PE. Multiple ancillary studies will examine clinical characteristics and epidemiology of the participants. Children aged 4 through 17 years were being enrolled at 21 sites through the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). Patients taking anticoagulant therapy are excluded. PERC-Peds criteria data, clinical gestalt, and demographic information are collected in real time. The criterion standard outcome is image-confirmed venous thromboembolism within 45 days, determined from independent expert adjudication. We assessed interrater reliability of the PERC-Peds, frequency of PERC-Peds use in routine clinical care, and descriptive characteristics of missed eligible and missed patients with PE. Results Enrollment is currently 60% complete with an anticipated data lock in 2025. Conclusions This prospective multicenter observational study will not only test whether a set of simple criteria can safely exclude PE without need for imaging but also provide a resource to fill a critical knowledge gap about clinical characteristics of children with suspected and diagnosed PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Mercurio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Daniel Corwin
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ron Kaplan
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Angela M. Ellison
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Theron Charles Casper
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Nathan Kuppermann
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, UC Davis School of Medicine and UC Davis Health, Sacramento, California
| | - Jeffrey A. Kline
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan
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Bannelier H, Gorlicki J, Penaloza A, Douillet D, Roy PM, Freund Y, Roussel M. Evaluation of the "hemoptysis" item in clinical decision rules for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the emergency department. Acad Emerg Med 2022; 29:1205-1212. [PMID: 35975482 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemoptysis is not common in pulmonary embolism (PE) and lacks specificity for its diagnosis. However, this item is present in different validated scores that estimate the clinical probability of PE. The relevance of this item in clinical decision rules (CDRs) is not clearly established. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of removing the "hemoptysis" item from the PERC, YEARS, and PEGeD CDR in patients with low clinical probability of PE. DESIGN This was a post hoc analysis of two European prospective cohorts, which included 2968 patients presenting to the ED with a low clinical probability of PE (PROPER and PERCEPIC) and a 3-month follow-up. The primary endpoint was the false-negative rate of a CDR score without the hemoptysis item. Secondary endpoints included the potential reduction of chest imaging if the item hemoptysis was to be removed and risk stratification of the Geneva and Wells scores without the hemoptysis item. RESULTS Of 2968 patients included (mean ± SD age 46 ± 18 years, 53% female), 87 patients (3%) had a PE diagnosed at 3 months. A total of 2908 were followed-up at 3 months and analyzed. Using the PERC rule with and without the hemoptysis item, there were 13 and 14 missed cases of PE, respectively (failure rate 0.45% [95% CI 0.25%-0.78%] and 0.48% [95% CI 0.27%-0.82%]). Using the YEARS strategy, there were 11 missed PE cases with or without the hemoptysis item (false-negative rate 0.57% [95% CI 0.30%-1.05%]). With the PERC and YEARS rule, removing the hemoptysis item would have led to a 1% reduction in chest imaging. The PEGeD strategy was not modified by the removal of the hemoptysis item. CONCLUSIONS The hemoptysis item could be safely removed from the PERC, YEARS, and PEGeD CDRs. However, there was no subsequent clinically relevant reduction of chest imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héloïse Bannelier
- Emergency Department, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Judith Gorlicki
- Emergency Department, Hôpital Avicenne, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM U942-MASCOT, Bobigny, France
| | - Andrea Penaloza
- Emergency Department, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Delphine Douillet
- Emergency Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.,FCRIN, INNOVTE, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Pierre-Marie Roy
- Emergency Department, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France.,FCRIN, INNOVTE, Saint Etienne, France
| | - Yonathan Freund
- Emergency Department, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Improving Emergency Care FHU, Paris, France
| | - Melanie Roussel
- Emergency Department, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Improving Emergency Care FHU, Paris, France
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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trends in Cardiothoracic Imaging. Radiol Res Pract 2022; 2022:7923228. [PMID: 35756751 PMCID: PMC9225849 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7923228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Here, we evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization of cardiothoracic imaging studies. Methods We queried our radiology record system to retrospectively identify numbers of specific key cardiothoracic imaging studies for five years prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate changes in the number of exams in 2020 and 2021 compared to 2019. Results Five-year retrospective analysis demonstrated progressive increases in nearly all cross-sectional studies. In 2020, daily chest radiograph utilization decreased with an overall number of daily radiographs of 406 (SD = 73.1) compared to 480 per day in 2019 (SD = 82.6) (p < 0.0001). Portable radiograph utilization was increased in 2020 averaging 320 (SD = 68.2) films daily in 2020 compared to 266 (SD = 29.1) in 2019 (p < 0.0001). Utilization of thoracic CT was decreased during the pandemic, with 21.8 (SD = 12.9) studies daily compared to 52.0 (SD = 21.4) (p < 0.0001) studies daily in 2019. Cardiac imaging utilization was also substantially decreased in 2020 compared to 2019, averaging a total of 3.8 (SD = 3.2) versus 10.8 (SD = 6.6) studies daily and 0.88 (SD = 1.7) versus 2.5 (SD = 2.3) studies daily for CT and MRI, respectively. Evaluation of cardiothoracic imaging for the subsequent 18 months after New York's entry to phase I recovery in June 2020 demonstrated that by one year after the emergence of COVID-19 imaging utilization had recovered to prepandemic levels. Cardiac imaging continued to increase throughout the chronic phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching almost twice the prepandemic levels by the end of 2021. Conclusion COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects on medicine and public health. Here, we demonstrate decreases in all cross-sectional cardiothoracic imaging studies, closely mirroring findings in other fields during the height of the pandemic, which have since rebounded.
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Saikali M, Tanios A, Saab A. Evaluation of a Broad-Spectrum Partially Automated Adverse Event Surveillance System: A Potential Tool for Patient Safety Improvement in Hospitals With Limited Resources. J Patient Saf 2021; 17:e653-e664. [PMID: 29166298 DOI: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to evaluate the sensitivity and resource efficiency of a partially automated adverse event (AE) surveillance system for routine patient safety efforts in hospitals with limited resources. METHODS Twenty-eight automated triggers from the hospital information system's clinical and administrative databases identified cases that were then filtered by exclusion criteria per trigger and then reviewed by an interdisciplinary team. The system, developed and implemented using in-house resources, was applied for 45 days of surveillance, for all hospital inpatient admissions (N = 1107). Each trigger was evaluated for its positive predictive value (PPV). Furthermore, the sensitivity of the surveillance system (overall and by AE category) was estimated relative to incidence ranges in the literature. RESULTS The surveillance system identified a total of 123 AEs among 283 reviewed medical records, yielding an overall PPV of 52%. The tool showed variable levels of sensitivity across and within AE categories when compared with the literature, with a relatively low overall sensitivity estimated between 21% and 44%. Adverse events were detected in 23 of the 36 AE categories defined by an established harm classification system. Furthermore, none of the detected AEs were voluntarily reported. CONCLUSIONS The surveillance system showed variable sensitivity levels across a broad range of AE categories with an acceptable PPV, overcoming certain limitations associated with other harm detection methods. The number of cases captured was substantial, and none had been previously detected or voluntarily reported. For hospitals with limited resources, this methodology provides valuable safety information from which interventions for quality improvement can be formulated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alain Tanios
- Emergency Department, Lebanese Hospital Geitaoui-University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Layman RR, Hardy AJ, Kim HJ, Chou EN, Bostani M, Cagnon C, Cody D, McNitt‐Gray M. A comparison of breast and lung doses from chest CT scans using organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM) vs. Automatic tube current modulation (ATCM). J Appl Clin Med Phys 2021; 22:97-109. [PMID: 33939253 PMCID: PMC8130227 DOI: 10.1002/acm2.13198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this work was to estimate and compare breast and lung doses of chest CT scans using organ-based tube current modulation (OBTCM) to those from conventional, attenuation-based automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) across a range of patient sizes. METHODS Thirty-four patients (17 females, 17 males) who underwent clinically indicated CT chest/abdomen/pelvis (CAP) examinations employing OBTCM were collected from two multi-detector row CT scanners. Patient size metric was assessed as water equivalent diameter (Dw ) taken at the center of the scan volume. Breast and lung tissues were segmented from patient image data to create voxelized models for use in a Monte Carlo transport code. The OBTCM schemes for the chest portion were extracted from the raw projection data. ATCM schemes were estimated using a recently developed method. Breast and lung doses for each TCM scenario were estimated for each patient model. CTDIvol -normalized breast (nDbreast ) and lung (nDlung ) doses were subsequently calculated. The differences between OBTCM and ATCM normalized organ dose estimates were tested using linear regression models that included CT scanner and Dw as covariates. RESULTS Mean dose reduction from OBTCM in nDbreast was significant after adjusting for the scanner models and patient size (P = 0.047). When pooled with females and male patient, mean dose reduction from OBTCM in nDlung was observed to be trending after adjusting for the scanner model and patient size (P = 0.085). CONCLUSIONS One specific manufacturer's OBTCM was analyzed. OBTCM was observed to significantly decrease normalized breast relative to a modeled version of that same manufacturer's ATCM scheme. However, significant dose savings were not observed in lung dose over all. Results from this study support the use of OBTCM chest protocols for females only.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick R. Layman
- Department of Imaging PhysicsThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Anthony J. Hardy
- Materials Engineering Division/Non‐destructive Evaluation GroupLivermore National LaboratoryLivermoreCA94550USA
| | - Hyun J. Kim
- Department of Radiological SciencesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Ei Ne Chou
- Fielding School of Public HealthUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
| | - Maryam Bostani
- Department of Radiological SciencesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
- Physics and Biology in Medicine Graduate ProgramDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90024USA
| | - Chris Cagnon
- Department of Radiological SciencesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
- Physics and Biology in Medicine Graduate ProgramDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90024USA
| | - Dianna Cody
- Department of Imaging PhysicsThe University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHoustonTXUSA
| | - Michael McNitt‐Gray
- Department of Radiological SciencesDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California, Los AngelesLos AngelesCAUSA
- Physics and Biology in Medicine Graduate ProgramDavid Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCA90024USA
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Pang HYM, Chalmers K, Landon B, Elshaug AG, Matelski J, Ling V, Krzyzanowska MK, Kulkarni G, Erickson BA, Cram P. Utilization Rates of Pancreatectomy, Radical Prostatectomy, and Nephrectomy in New York, Ontario, and New South Wales, 2011 to 2018. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e215477. [PMID: 33871618 PMCID: PMC8056282 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.5477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Importance Few studies have compared surgical utilization between countries or how rates may differ according to patients' socioeconomic status. Objective To compare population-level utilization of 3 common nonemergent surgical procedures in New York State (US), Ontario (Canada), and New South Wales (Australia) and how utilization differs for residents of lower- and higher-income neighborhoods. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study included all adults aged 18 years and older who were hospitalized for pancreatectomy, radical prostatectomy, or nephrectomy between 2011 and 2016 in New York, between 2011 and 2018 in Ontario, and between 2013 and 2018 in New South Wales. Each patient's address of residence was linked to 2016 census data to ascertain neighborhood income. Data were analyzed from August 2019 to November 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Primary outcomes were (1) each jurisdiction's per capita age- and sex-standardized utilization rates (procedures per 100 000 residents per year) for each surgery and (2) utilization rates among residents of lower- and higher-income neighborhoods. Results This study included 115 428 surgical patients (25 780 [22.3%] women); 5717, 21 752, and 24 617 patients in New York were hospitalized for pancreatectomy, radical prostatectomy, and nephrectomy, respectively; 4929, 19 125, and 16 916 patients in Ontario, respectively; and 2069, 13 499, and 6804 patients in New South Wales, respectively. Patients in New South Wales were older for all procedures (eg, radical prostatectomy, mean [SD] age in New South Wales, 64.8 [7.3] years; in New York, 62.7 [8.4] years; in Ontario, 62.8 [6.7] years; P < .001); patients in New York were more likely than those in other locations to be women for pancreatectomy (New York: 2926 [51.2%]; Ontario: 2372 [48.1%]; New South Wales, 1003 [48.5%]; P = .004) and nephrectomy (New York: 10 645 [43.2%]; Ontario: 6529 [38.6%]; 2605 [38.3%]; P < .001). With the exception of nephrectomy in Ontario, there was a higher annual utilization rate for all procedures in all jurisdictions among patients residing in affluent neighborhoods (quintile 5) compared with poorer neighborhoods (quintile 1). This difference was largest in New South Wales for pancreatectomy (4.65 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 0.28]; P < .001) and radical prostatectomy (73.46 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 1.20]; P < .001); largest in New York for nephrectomy (8.43 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 0.85]; P < .001) and smallest in New York for radical prostatectomy (19.70 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 2.63]; P < .001); and smallest in Ontario for pancreatectomy (1.15 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 0.28]; P < .001) and nephrectomy (-1.10 additional procedures per 100 000 residents [SE, 0.52]; P < .001). New York had the highest utilization of nephrectomy (28.93 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.18]) and New South Wales for had the highest utilization of pancreatectomy and radical prostatectomy (6.94 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.15] and 94.37 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.81], respectively; all P < .001). Utilization was lowest in Ontario for all procedures (pancreatectomy, 6.18 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.09]; radical prostatectomy, 49.24 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.36]; nephrectomy, 21.40 procedures per 100 000 residents per year [SE, 0.16]; all P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, New York and New South Wales had higher per capita surgical utilization and larger neighborhood income-utilization gradients than Ontario. These findings suggest that income-based disparities are larger in the United States and Australia and smaller in Canada and highlight trade-offs inherent in the health care systems of different countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary Y. M. Pang
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kelsey Chalmers
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Lown Institute, Brookline, Massachusetts
| | - Bruce Landon
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Adam G. Elshaug
- Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health and the Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- USC–Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy, The Brookings Institution, Washington, DC
| | - John Matelski
- Biostatistics Research Unit, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Monika K. Krzyzanowska
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medical Oncology and Haematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Girish Kulkarni
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Peter Cram
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- ICES Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of General Internal Medicine, University Health Network and Sinai Health Systems, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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11
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Salehi L, Phalpher P, Yu H, Jaskolka J, Ossip M, Meaney C, Valani R, Mercuri M. Utilization of serum D-dimer assays prior to computed tomography pulmonary angiography scans in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism among emergency department physicians: a retrospective observational study. BMC Emerg Med 2021; 21:10. [PMID: 33468044 PMCID: PMC7814629 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-021-00401-x] [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: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A variety of evidence-based algorithms and decision rules using D-Dimer testing have been proposed as instruments to allow physicians to safely rule out a pulmonary embolism (PE) in low-risk patients. Objective To describe the prevalence of D-Dimer utilization among emergency department (ED) physicians and its impact on positive yields and utilization rates of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA). Methods Data was collected on all CTPA studies ordered by ED physicians at three sites during a 2-year period. Using a chi-square test, we compared the diagnostic yield for those patients who had a D-Dimer prior to their CTPA and those who did not. Secondary analysis was done to examine the impact of D-Dimer testing prior to CTPA on individual physician diagnostic yield or utilization rate. Results A total of 2811 CTPAs were included in the analysis. Of these, 964 CTPAs (34.3%) were ordered without a D-Dimer, and 343 (18.7%) underwent a CTPA despite a negative D-Dimer. Those CTPAs preceded by a D-Dimer showed no significant difference in positive yields when compared to those ordered without a D-Dimer (9.9% versus 11.3%, p = 0.26). At the individual physician level, no statistically significant relationship was found between D-Dimer utilization and CTPA utilization rate or diagnostic yield. Conclusion This study provides evidence of suboptimal adherence to guidelines in terms of D-Dimer screening prior to CTPA, and forgoing CTPAs in patients with negative D-Dimers. However, the lack of a positive impact of D-Dimer testing on either CTPA diagnostic yield or utilization rate is indicative of issues relating to the high false-positive rates associated with D-Dimer screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Salehi
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. .,Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Prashant Phalpher
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hubert Yu
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Jaskolka
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, William Osler Health System, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marc Ossip
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, William Osler Health System, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher Meaney
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, 100 Main Street West, 6th floor, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rahim Valani
- Department of Emergency Medicine, William Osler Health System, Suite S.1.184, 2100 Bovaird Avenue East, Brampton, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster Clinic, 2nd floor, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mathew Mercuri
- Division of Emergency Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster Clinic, 2nd floor, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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12
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Barrera CA, Otero HJ, Fenlon EP, Francavilla ML, Ellison AM, Kaplan SL. CTA utilization for evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism in a tertiary pediatric emergency department. Clin Imaging 2021; 75:105-110. [PMID: 33524937 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2020.12.024] [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: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate changes in the utilization of computed tomography angiography (CTA) for evaluating suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and the positive rate of ancillary for those studies negative for PE in the last 13 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective review of patient ≤ 20 years of age who underwent a chest CT angiography to rule out PE was performed in a 13-year-period. CT angiographies were grouped into three categories: Positive for PE, negative for PE and positive for ancillary findings, and negative for any pathology. From the exams with ancillary findings, we examined how many of these had a chest radiograph perform within 24 h prior to the CTA and how many of them had an impression stating the same conclusion as the CTA. RESULTS 307 chest CT angiographies for suspected PE were included. 50 (16%) were reported as positive for PE and 91 (30%) were negative for PE but positive for ancillary findings. The most frequent ancillary findings were pneumonia (n = 26) and pleural effusion (n = 11). Out of 91, 73 patients had a previous chest radiograph and 28 of them reported a similar diagnosis than the CTA. The number of CT angiographies indicated for PE increased by 3.2 studies per year. The rate of CT angiographies positive for ancillary findings (slope = 1.5) and positive for PE (slope = 0.3) remained similar throughout the same period. CONCLUSIONS CTA orders for PE have been increasing without any increased detection of PE or ancillary findings in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian A Barrera
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America.
| | - Hansel J Otero
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America
| | - Edward P Fenlon
- Department of Radiology, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W 168th St, MC 28, New York, NY 10032, United States of America
| | - Michael L Francavilla
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America
| | - Angela M Ellison
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America
| | - Summer L Kaplan
- Department of Radiology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States of America
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13
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Nagpal P, Priya S, Eskandari A, Mullan A, Aggarwal T, Narayanasamy S, Parashar K, Bhat AP, Sieren JC. Factors Affecting Radiation Dose in Computed Tomography Angiograms for Pulmonary Embolism: A Retrospective Cohort Study. J Clin Imaging Sci 2020; 10:74. [PMID: 33274118 PMCID: PMC7708960 DOI: 10.25259/jcis_168_2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA) is one of the most commonly ordered and frequently overused tests. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mean radiation dose to patients getting CTPA and to identify factors that are associated with higher dose. Material and Methods This institutionally approved retrospective study included all patients who had a CTPA to rule out acute pulmonary embolism between 2016 and 2018 in a tertiary care center. Patient data (age, sex, body mass index [BMI], and patient location), CT scanner type, image reconstruction methodology, and radiation dose parameters (dose-length product [DLP]) were recorded. Effective dose estimates were obtained by multiplying DLP by conversion coefficient (0.014 mSv•mGy-1•cm-1). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors affecting the radiation dose. Results There were 2342 patients (1099 men and 1243 women) with a mean age of 58.1 years (range 0.2-104.4 years) and BMI of 31.3 kg/m2 (range 12-91.5 kg/m2). The mean effective radiation dose was 5.512 mSv (median - 4.27 mSv; range 0.1-43.0 mSv). Patient factors, including BMI >25 kg/m2, male sex, age >18 years, and intensive care unit (ICU) location, were associated with significantly higher dose (P < 0.05). CT scanning using third generation dual-source scanner with model-based iterative reconstruction (IR) had significantly lower dose (mean: 4.90 mSv) versus single-source (64-slice) scanner with filtered back projection (mean: 9.29 mSv, P < 0.001). Conclusion Patients with high BMI and ICU referrals are associated with high CT radiation dose. They are most likely to benefit by scanning on newer generation scanner using advance model-based IR techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant Nagpal
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State
| | - Sarv Priya
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State
| | - Ali Eskandari
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State
| | - Aidan Mullan
- Department of Statistics, University of California, Berkeley, California, United State
| | - Tanya Aggarwal
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State
| | - Sabarish Narayanasamy
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State
| | - Kamesh Parashar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, United State
| | - Ambarish P Bhat
- Department of Radiology, Interventional Radiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, United State
| | - Jessica C Sieren
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, United State.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Iowa and Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, United State
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14
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Wang RC, Miglioretti DL, Marlow EC, Kwan ML, Theis MK, Bowles EJA, Greenlee RT, Rahm AK, Stout NK, Weinmann S, Smith-Bindman R. Trends in Imaging for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism Across US Health Care Systems, 2004 to 2016. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e2026930. [PMID: 33216141 PMCID: PMC7679949 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.26930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE In response to calls to reduce unnecessary diagnostic testing with computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), there have been growing efforts to create and implement decision rules for PE testing. It is unclear if the use of advanced imaging tests for PE has diminished over time. OBJECTIVE To assess the use of advanced imaging tests, including chest computed tomography (CT) (ie, all chest CT except for CTPA), CTPA, and ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan, for PE from 2004 to 2016. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cohort study of adults by age group (18-64 years and ≥65 years) enrolled in 7 US integrated and mixed-model health care systems. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify years with statistically significant changes in imaging rates and to calculate average annual percentage change (growth) from 2004 to 2007, 2008 to 2011, and 2012 to 2016. Analyses were conducted between June 11, 2019, and March 18, 2020. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Rates of chest CT, CTPA, and V/Q scan by year and age, as well as annual change in rates over time. RESULTS Overall, 3.6 to 4.8 million enrollees were included each year of the study, for a total of 52 343 517 person-years of follow-up data. Adults aged 18 to 64 years accounted for 42 223 712 person-years (80.7%) and those 65 years or older accounted for 10 119 805 person-years (19.3%). Female enrollees accounted for 27 712 571 person-years (52.9%). From 2004 and 2016, chest CT use increased by 66.3% (average annual growth, 4.4% per year), CTPA use increased by 450.0% (average annual growth, 16.3% per year), and V/Q scan use decreased by 47.1% (decreasing by 4.9% per year). The use of CTPA increased most rapidly from 2004 to 2006 (44.6% in those aged 18-64 years and 43.9% in those ≥65 years), with ongoing rapid growth from 2006 to 2010 (annual growth, 19.8% in those aged 18-64 years and 18.3% in those ≥65 years) and persistent but slower growth in the most recent years (annual growth, 4.3% in those aged 18-64 years and 3.0% in those ≥65 years from 2010 to 2016). The use of V/Q scanning decreased steadily since 2004. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE From 2004 to 2016, rates of chest CT and CTPA for suspected PE continued to increase among adults but at a slower pace in more contemporary years. Efforts to combat overuse have not been completely successful as reflected by ongoing growth, rather than decline, of chest CT use. Whether the observed imaging use was appropriate or was associated with improved patient outcomes is unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph C. Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
| | - Diana L. Miglioretti
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Davis
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle
| | - Emily C. Marlow
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of California, Davis
| | - Marilyn L. Kwan
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland
| | - May K. Theis
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle
| | - Erin J. A. Bowles
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Kaiser Permanente Washington, Seattle
| | - Robert T. Greenlee
- Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield, Wisconsin
| | - Alanna K. Rahm
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
| | - Natasha K. Stout
- Massachusetts Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston
| | - Sheila Weinmann
- now with Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon
- Center for Integrated Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Honolulu
| | - Rebecca Smith-Bindman
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco
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15
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Changing Trends in Hospital Admissions for Pulmonary Embolism in Spain from 2001 to 2018. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9103221. [PMID: 33036474 PMCID: PMC7599502 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9103221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The aims of this study were to examine trends in the incidence, clinical characteristics, and in-hospital outcomes of patients hospitalized with pulmonary embolism in Spain and to identify factors associated with in-hospital mortality (IHM). (2) Methods: We included all patients who were hospitalized for pulmonary embolism between 2001 and 2018. Data were collected from the Spanish National Hospital Discharge Database. (3) Results: We identified 241,821 hospitalizations for pulmonary embolism during the study period. The incidence of pulmonary embolism increased from 20.49 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in the period 2001–2002 to 35.9 cases in the period 2017–2018 (p < 0.001). After controlling for possible confounders, there was a significant increase in the incidence over the study period (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.53, 95% Confidence Interval I 1.51–1.56). The median length of hospital stay was 11 days in the period 2001–2002, decreasing to seven days in the period 2017–2018 (p < 0.001). For the total time period, the crude IHM rate was 9.51%. After multivariable adjustment, IHM decreased significantly over time. The IHM was significantly higher in women, in patients suffering from more comorbidities, and in those with a massive pulmonary embolism. (4) Conclusions: Our results revealed an increase in the incidence of pulmonary embolism hospitalizations from 2001 to 2018 in Spain, with older patients being the most affected.
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16
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Kline J. Response by Kline to Letter Regarding Article, "Over-Testing for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in American Emergency Departments: The Continuing Epidemic". Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020; 13:e006588. [PMID: 32233653 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.120.006588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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17
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Predictors of Overtesting in Pulmonary Embolism Diagnosis. Acad Radiol 2020; 27:404-408. [PMID: 31155486 DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2019.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The benefits of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis must be weighed against its risks, radiation-induced malignancy, and contrast-induced nephropathy. Appropriate use of CTPA can be assessed by monitoring yield, the percentage of tests positive for PE. We identify factors that are associated low CTPA yield, which may predict overtesting. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of six emergency departments between June 2014 and February 2017. The electronic health record was queried for CTPAs ordered for adult patients in the emergency department. We assessed the following patient factors: age, gender, body mass index, number of comorbidities, race, and ethnicity, provider factors: type (resident, fellow, attending, physician assistant) and environment factors: test time of day, season of visit, and crowdedness of the department. RESULTS A total of 14,782 CTPAs were reviewed, of which 1366 were found to be positive for PE, resulting in an overall CTPA yield of 9.24%. Provider type was not associated with a difference in yield. Testing was less likely to be positive in younger patients, females, those with lower body mass indexes and those identifying as Asian or Hispanic. Testing was also less likely to be positive when ordered during the overnight shift and during the winter and spring seasons. CONCLUSION Our study identified several patient and environmental factors associated with low CTPA yield suggesting potential targets for overtesting. Targeting education and clinical decision support to assist providers in these circumstances may meaningfully improve yields.
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18
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Schaefer B. Post-PE impairment: Living with uncertainty following pediatric pulmonary embolism. PROGRESS IN PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2020.101195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kline JA, Garrett JS, Sarmiento EJ, Strachan CC, Courtney DM. Over-Testing for Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in American Emergency Departments: The Continuing Epidemic. Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020; 13:e005753. [PMID: 31957477 DOI: 10.1161/circoutcomes.119.005753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND No recent data have investigated rates of diagnostic testing for pulmonary embolism (PE) in US emergency departments (EDs), and no data have examined computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) rates in subgroups at high risk for adverse imaging outcomes, including young women and children. We hypothesized that over-testing for PE remains a problem. METHODS AND RESULTS We used electronic health record and billing data for 16 EDs in Indiana and 11 hospitals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area from 2016 to 2019 to locate ED patients who had any of the following: D-dimer, CTPA, scintillation ventilation perfusion lung scanning or formal pulmonary angiography. The primary outcomes were ED encounter volume-adjusted CTPA rate, PE yield rate with subgroup reporting for children (<18 years) and women under 45 years. We also examined the most frequent diagnoses. From a total visit volume of 1 828 010 patient encounters, 97 125 (5.3% of the total volume) had a diagnostic test for PE, including 25 870 patients who had CTPA order without D-dimer (59% of all tests for PE). The yield rate for PE from CTPA scans was 1.3% (1.1%-1.5%) in Indiana and 4.8% (4.2%-5.1%) in Dallas-Fort Worth (pooled rate 3.1%). Linear regression showed that increased D-dimer ordering correlated with increased PE yield rate (Pearson's R2=0.43; P<0.001). From the pooled sample, 59% of CTPAs done were in women, with 21% of all CTPAs performed on women under 45 years of age, and 1.4% (1.3%-1.5%) on children. The most frequent diagnoses were symptom-based descriptions of chest pain (34%) and shortness of breath (6.5%) and the condition-based diagnosis of pneumonia (4.1%). CONCLUSIONS Over-testing for PE in American EDs remains a major public health problem. Centers with higher D-dimer ordering had higher yield of PE on CTPA. These data suggest the potential for implementation of D-dimer based protocols to reduce low-yield CTPA ordering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A Kline
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (J.A.K., E.J.S., C.C.S.)
| | - John S Garrett
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX (J.S.G.)
| | - Elisa J Sarmiento
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (J.A.K., E.J.S., C.C.S.)
| | - Christian C Strachan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (J.A.K., E.J.S., C.C.S.)
| | - D Mark Courtney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX (D.M.C.)
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Aggarwal T, Eskandari A, Priya S, Mullan A, Garg I, Siembida J, Mullan B, Nagpal P. Pulmonary embolism rule out: positivity and factors affecting the yield of CT angiography. Postgrad Med J 2020; 96:594-599. [PMID: 31907225 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is one of the most commonly ordered CT imaging tests. It is often believed to be overutilised with few recent studies showing a yield of less than 2%. This study aimed to determine the overall positivity rate of CTPA examinations and understand the factors that affect the yield of the CTPA examination. METHODS We retrospectively analysed 2713 patients who received the CTPA exam between 2016 and 2018. Type of study ordered (CTPA chest or CTPA chest with abdomen and pelvis CT), patient location (emergency department (ED), outpatient, inpatient, intensive care unit (ICU)) and patient characteristics-age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine what factors affect the positivity rate of CT scans for pulmonary embolism (PE). RESULTS With 296 positive test results, the overall CTPA positivity was 10.9%. Male sex was associated with higher CTPA positivity, gender difference was maximum in 18-year to 35-year age group. Overweight and obese patients had significantly higher positivity as compared with BMI<25 (p<0.05). Higher positivity rate was seen in the BMI 25-40 group (11.9%) as compared with BMI>40 (10.1%) (p<0.05). Significant difference (p<0.001) was also found in CTPA examination yield from ICU (15.3%) versus inpatients (other than ICU) (12.4%) versus ED (9.6%), and outpatients (8.5%). The difference in CTPA yield based on the type of CT order (CTPA chest vs CTPA chest with CT abdomen and pelvis), patient's age and sex was not significant. CONCLUSION CTPA yield of 10.9% in this study is comparable to acceptable positivity rate for the USA and is higher than recent studies showing positivity of <2%. Patient characteristics like obesity and ICU or inpatient location are associated with higher rate of CT positivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Aggarwal
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Ali Eskandari
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Sarv Priya
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Aidan Mullan
- Statistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Ishan Garg
- Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jakub Siembida
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Brian Mullan
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Prashant Nagpal
- Department of Radiology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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21
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Bajc M, Lindqvist A. Ventilation/Perfusion SPECT Imaging Diagnosing PE and Other Cardiopulmonary Diseases. Clin Nucl Med 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-39457-8_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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22
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Higher Imaging Yield When Clinical Decision Support Is Used. J Am Coll Radiol 2019; 17:496-503. [PMID: 31899178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increased utilization of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism has been associated with decreasing diagnostic yields and rising concerns about the harms of unnecessary testing. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinical decision support (CDS) use would be associated with increased imaging yields after controlling for selection bias. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study in the emergency departments of two tertiary care hospitals of all CTPAs performed between August 2015 and September 2018. Providers ordering a CTPA are routed to an optional CDS tool, which allows them to use Wells' Criteria for pulmonary embolism. After propensity score matching, CTPA yield was calculated for the CDS-use and CDS-dismissal groups and stratified by provider type. RESULTS A total of 7,367 CTPAs were ordered during the study period. Of those, providers used the CDS tool in 2,568 (35%) cases and did not use the tool in 4,799 (65%) of cases. After propensity score matching, CTPA yield was 11.99% in the CDS-use group and 8.70% in the CDS-dismissal group (P < .001). Attending physicians, residents, and physician assistant CDS users demonstrated a 56.5% (P = .006), 38.7% (P = .01), and 16.7% (P = .03) increased yield compared with those who dismissed the tool, respectively. DISCUSSION Diagnostic yield was 38% higher for CTPAs when the provider used the CDS tool, after controlling for selection bias. Yields were higher for every provider type. Further research is needed to discover successful strategies to increase provider use of these important tools.
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Bajc M, Schümichen C, Grüning T, Lindqvist A, Le Roux PY, Alatri A, Bauer RW, Dilic M, Neilly B, Verberne HJ, Delgado Bolton RC, Jonson B. EANM guideline for ventilation/perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism and beyond. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2019; 46:2429-2451. [PMID: 31410539 PMCID: PMC6813289 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-019-04450-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
These guidelines update the previous EANM 2009 guidelines on the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE). Relevant new aspects are related to (a) quantification of PE and other ventilation/perfusion defects; (b) follow-up of patients with PE; (c) chronic PE; and (d) description of additional pulmonary physiological changes leading to diagnoses of left ventricular heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pneumonia. The diagnosis of PE should be reported when a mismatch of one segment or two subsegments is found. For ventilation, Technegas or krypton gas is preferred over diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) in patients with COPD. Tomographic imaging with V/PSPECT has higher sensitivity and specificity for PE compared with planar imaging. Absence of contraindications makes V/PSPECT an essential method for the diagnosis of PE. When V/PSPECT is combined with a low-dose CT, the specificity of the test can be further improved, especially in patients with other lung diseases. Pitfalls in V/PSPECT interpretation are discussed. In conclusion, V/PSPECT is strongly recommended as it accurately establishes the diagnosis of PE even in the presence of diseases like COPD, HF and pneumonia and has no contraindications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Bajc
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Carl Schümichen
- University of Rostock, Formerly Clinic for Nuclear Medicine, Rostock, Germany
| | - Thomas Grüning
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Ari Lindqvist
- Research Unit of Pulmonary Diseases, Clinical Research Institute, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Adriano Alatri
- Division of Angiology, Heart and Vessel Department, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ralf W Bauer
- RNS Gemeinschaftspraxis, Wiesbaden, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt (Main), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mirza Dilic
- Clinic of Heart and Blood Vessel Disease, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Brian Neilly
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, UK
| | - Hein J Verberne
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roberto C Delgado Bolton
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Radiology) and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital San Pedro and Centre for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Bjorn Jonson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
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Age-Stratified National Trends in Pulmonary Embolism Admissions. Chest 2019; 156:733-742. [PMID: 31233745 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism (PE) is one of the leading causes of death in hospitalized patients. Treatment patterns and patient demographics for PE are changing; therefore, we sought to evaluate national trends in admission rate, discharge disposition, and length of stay (LOS) in patients hospitalized with PE. METHODS The National Inpatient Sample database was used to collect data for hospitalizations of patients ≥ 20 years old with primary diagnosis of PE between January 2000 and September 2015. Patient demographics and hospital characteristics, stratified by patient age, were reported. Trends in rates of hospitalizations for PE, LOS, discharge disposition, and hospital charges were assessed across age groups. RESULTS There were an estimated 2,159,568 hospitalizations with primary diagnosis of PE. The rate of PE per 100,000 persons increased by > 100%, and was highest among elderly patients. Increased age and comorbidity burden were independently associated with poor outcomes. Inpatient mortality and LOS decreased across all age groups, but was highest in the elderly. Home health utilization increased in patients ≥ 55 years old. Average hospital charges increased across all age groups, despite shorter length of stay, with patients ≥ 85 experiencing $13,000 average increase. CONCLUSIONS Between 2000 and 2015, the rate of hospitalization for PE increased across all age groups. Despite improvements in average LOS and inpatient mortality, hospitalizations became more expensive, and patients required more resources (ie, home health) on discharge. This increased resource utilization was most apparent in elderly patients. This suggests that targeted clinical trials designed to improve outcomes in all age brackets are needed.
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Increasing rate of pulmonary embolism diagnosed in hospitalized children in the United States from 2001 to 2014. Blood Adv 2019; 2:1403-1408. [PMID: 29907635 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2017013292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although rare in children, pulmonary embolism (PE) can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Overall rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are increasing in hospitalized children. By using the Pediatric Health Information System database, we evaluated incidence, treatment, and outcome of PE in children younger than age 18 years from 2001 to 2014. Demographic characteristics for those admitted with VTE alone and those admitted with PE were compared. Rates of PE by year were compared with the number of hospital and VTE admissions. Trends in medication use were analyzed. Over the period of the study, patients with PE made up 15.8% of VTE discharges. The overall rate of PE increased 200% (P < .001). Compared with all other age groups, adolescents (age 13-18 years) had the highest prevalence (55%; P < .001), the rate of which increased from 9.8 to 24.7 per 10 000 hospital discharges (152%; P < .001), and from 17.5 to 34.1 per 100 VTE discharges (95%; P < .001). Individuals with PE had a higher mortality (8.3% vs 6%; P < .001) and were less likely to have a complex chronic condition (58% vs 65%; P < .001) than those with VTE alone. However, PE mortality rates decreased over the time period studied. African American and Hispanic patients were more likely to experience recurrent PE than white patients (12% and 10.7% vs 8%; P = .002). During the study period, the use of unfractionated heparin decreased (P < .001), and the use of low molecular weight heparin increased (P < .001). Further research is required to determine what factors contribute to the higher rate of PE in adolescents and influence recurrence in African American and Hispanic patients.
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Schmid E, Leeson K, Xu KT, Richman P, Nwosu C, Carrasco L. CT imaging history for patients presenting to the ED with renal colic--evidence from a multi-hospital database. BMC Emerg Med 2019; 19:24. [PMID: 30823896 PMCID: PMC6397471 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-019-0232-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with renal colic have a 7% chance of annual recurrence. Previous studies evaluating cumulative Abbreviations: computed tomography (CT) exposure for renal colic patients were typically from single centers. Methods This was an observational cohort study. Inner-city ED patients with a final diagnosis of renal colic were prospectively identified (1/10/16–10/16/16). Authors conducted structured electronic record reviews from a 6-hospital system encompassing over 192,000 annual ED visits. Categorical data analyzed by chi-square; continuous data by t-tests. Primary outcome measure was the proportion of study group patients with prior history CT abdomen/pelvis CT. Results Two hundred thirteen patients in the study group; 59% male, age 38+/− 10 years, 67% Hispanic, 62% prior stone history, flank pain (78%), dysuria (22%), UA (+) blood (75%). 60% (95% CI = 53–66%) of patients received an EDCV CT; hydronephrosis seen in 55% (95% CI = 46–63%), stone in 90%(95% CI = 83–94%). No significant differences observed in the proportion of EDCV patients who received CT with respect to: female vs. male (62% vs. 56%; p = 0.4), mean age (37+/− 9 years vs. 39+/− 11 years; p = 0.2), and Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic white (63% vs.63%; p = 0.96). Patients with a prior stone history were more likely than those with no history to receive an EDCV CT (88% vs. 16%; p < 0.001). 118 (55%; 95% CI = 49–62%) of patients had at least one prior CT, 46 (22%; 95% CI = 16–28%) had ≥3 prior CTs; 29 (14%; 95% CI = 10–19%), ≥ 10 prior CTs. Patients who did not receive an EDCV CT had a significantly higher mean prior number of CTs than those who had EDCV CT (5.1+/− 7.7 vs 2.2+/− 4.9; p < 0.001). Patients with prior stone were more likely to receive only U/S during EDCV (33% vs. 15%; p = 0.003). Conclusions Within our EDCV cohort of renal colic patients, 55% had at least one prior CT. The mean number of prior CTs was lower for patients receiving CT on EDCV, and Ultrasound (US) alone was used more often in patients with prior stone history vs. those with no prior history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Schmid
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Health/Texas A&M School of Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Kimberly Leeson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Health/Texas A&M School of Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - K Tom Xu
- Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Bullock, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - Peter Richman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Health/Texas A&M School of Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX, USA. .,CHRISTUS HEALTH/Texas A&M Residency in Emergency Medicine, 600 Elizabeth Street, Corpus Christi, TX, 78404, USA.
| | - Crystal Nwosu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Health/Texas A&M School of Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Lynn Carrasco
- Department of Emergency Medicine, CHRISTUS Health/Texas A&M School of Medicine, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
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Khan S, Richardson S, Liu A, Mechery V, McCullagh L, Schachter A, Pardo S, McGinn T. Improving Provider Adoption With Adaptive Clinical Decision Support Surveillance: An Observational Study. JMIR Hum Factors 2019; 6:e10245. [PMID: 30785410 PMCID: PMC6401673 DOI: 10.2196/10245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Successful clinical decision support (CDS) tools can help use evidence-based medicine to effectively improve patient outcomes. However, the impact of these tools has been limited by low provider adoption due to overtriggering, leading to alert fatigue. We developed a tracking mechanism for monitoring trigger (percent of total visits for which the tool triggers) and adoption (percent of completed tools) rates of a complex CDS tool based on the Wells criteria for pulmonary embolism (PE). Objective We aimed to monitor and evaluate the adoption and trigger rates of the tool and assess whether ongoing tool modifications would improve adoption rates. Methods As part of a larger clinical trial, a CDS tool was developed using the Wells criteria to calculate pretest probability for PE at 2 tertiary centers’ emergency departments (EDs). The tool had multiple triggers: any order for D-dimer, computed tomography (CT) of the chest with intravenous contrast, CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA), ventilation-perfusion scan, or lower extremity Doppler ultrasound. A tracking dashboard was developed using Tableau to monitor real-time trigger and adoption rates. Based on initial low provider adoption rates of the tool, we conducted small focus groups with key ED providers to elicit barriers to tool use. We identified overtriggering of the tool for non-PE-related evaluations and inability to order CT testing for intermediate-risk patients. Thus, the tool was modified to allow CT testing for the intermediate-risk group and not to trigger for CT chest with intravenous contrast orders. A dialogue box, “Are you considering PE for this patient?” was added before the tool triggered to account for CTPAs ordered for aortic dissection evaluation. Results In the ED of tertiary center 1, 95,295 patients visited during the academic year. The tool triggered for an average of 509 patients per month (average trigger rate 2036/30,234, 6.73%) before the modifications, reducing to 423 patients per month (average trigger rate 1629/31,361, 5.22%). In the ED of tertiary center 2, 88,956 patients visited during the academic year, with the tool triggering for about 473 patients per month (average trigger rate 1892/29,706, 6.37%) before the modifications and for about 400 per month (average trigger rate 1534/30,006, 5.12%) afterward. The modifications resulted in a significant 4.5- and 3-fold increase in provider adoption rates in tertiary centers 1 and 2, respectively. The modifications increased the average monthly adoption rate from 23.20/360 (6.5%) tools to 81.60/280.20 (29.3%) tools and 46.60/318.80 (14.7%) tools to 111.20/263.40 (42.6%) tools in centers 1 and 2, respectively. Conclusions Close postimplementation monitoring of CDS tools may help improve provider adoption. Adaptive modifications based on user feedback may increase targeted CDS with lower trigger rates, reducing alert fatigue and increasing provider adoption. Iterative improvements and a postimplementation monitoring dashboard can significantly improve adoption rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sundas Khan
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Safiya Richardson
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Andrew Liu
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States
| | - Vinodh Mechery
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Lauren McCullagh
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Andy Schachter
- Office of Chief Informatics Officer, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Salvatore Pardo
- Emergency Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
| | - Thomas McGinn
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Manhasset, NY, United States
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Fahimi J, Kanzaria HK, Mongan J, Kahn KL, Wang RC. Potential Effect of the Protecting Access to Medicare Act on Use of Advanced Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: An Analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey. Radiology 2019; 291:188-193. [PMID: 30694161 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2019181650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Background Clinical decision support is increasingly used to enhance clinicians' exposure to established evidence and patient information during an episode of patient care. Pending legislation specifies clinical decision support before performing advanced imaging at emergency department (ED) visits. Purpose To estimate the volume of advanced imaging tests (CT and MRI) that would require use of clinical decision support to achieve Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) compliance in the ED. Materials and Methods A retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of ED visits was conducted by using data from the 2012-2015 National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey. PAMA-related visits were identified by selecting the patient reasons for visit (RFVs) related to the eight clinical conditions. Results Among the adult ED visits, 26.7% (20 506 of 77 299, representing 113 000 000 visits across 4 years, or 28 000 000 visits annually) patients presented with a RFV consistent with a PAMA priority clinical area (PCA). Among visits in which a patient described an RFV code consistent with a PAMA PCA, up to 22.9% (4681 of 20 506; 95% confidence interval: 21.8%, 24.1%) patients underwent advanced imaging, translating to approximately 6 000 000 visits annually. Conclusion Protecting Access to Medicare Act legislation targets eight priority clinical areas, estimated to be prevalent among one in four adult emergency department visits. CT and/or MRI studies are performed during up to 23% of these visits. Depending on the particular clinical decision support systems selected within a health system, and how they are implemented, the potential volume of studies in which clinicians must interact with clinical decision support system may either exceed or fall short of these estimates. © RSNA, 2019 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Forman in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahan Fahimi
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine (J.F., H.K.K., R.C.W.), Center for Healthcare Value (J.F.), Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (H.K.K.), and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (J.M.), University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L126, San Francisco, CA 94143-0209; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (K.L.K.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (K.L.K.)
| | - Hemal K Kanzaria
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine (J.F., H.K.K., R.C.W.), Center for Healthcare Value (J.F.), Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (H.K.K.), and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (J.M.), University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L126, San Francisco, CA 94143-0209; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (K.L.K.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (K.L.K.)
| | - John Mongan
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine (J.F., H.K.K., R.C.W.), Center for Healthcare Value (J.F.), Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (H.K.K.), and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (J.M.), University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L126, San Francisco, CA 94143-0209; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (K.L.K.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (K.L.K.)
| | - Katherine L Kahn
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine (J.F., H.K.K., R.C.W.), Center for Healthcare Value (J.F.), Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (H.K.K.), and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (J.M.), University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L126, San Francisco, CA 94143-0209; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (K.L.K.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (K.L.K.)
| | - Ralph Charles Wang
- From the Department of Emergency Medicine (J.F., H.K.K., R.C.W.), Center for Healthcare Value (J.F.), Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies (H.K.K.), and Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging (J.M.), University of California, San Francisco, 505 Parnassus Ave, L126, San Francisco, CA 94143-0209; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Calif (K.L.K.); and RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif (K.L.K.)
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Grosse SD, Do TQN, Vu M, Feng LB, Berry JG, Sawicki GS. Healthcare expenditures for privately insured US patients with cystic fibrosis, 2010-2016. Pediatr Pulmonol 2018; 53:1611-1618. [PMID: 30381911 PMCID: PMC6688469 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.24178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Published cost estimates for cystic fibrosis (CF) are based on older data and do not reflect increased use of specialty drugs in recent years. We assessed recent trends in healthcare expenditures for CF patients in the United States (US) with employer-sponsored health insurance. METHODS The study is a retrospective analysis of claims data for privately insured individuals aged 0-64 years who were continuously enrolled in non-capitated plans for at least 1 calendar year during 2010-2016. Mean annual expenditures during a calendar year were calculated for individuals who met a claims-based CF case definition. Average annual growth rates were calculated through linear regression of the natural logarithm of annual expenditures. RESULTS The annual CF prevalence was 1.1-1.4 per 10 000 adults and 2.9-3.0 per 10 000 children. Average spending adjusted for inflation nearly doubled from roughly $67 000 per patient in 2010 and 2011 to approximately $131 000 per patient in 2016. Inflation-adjusted spending on outpatient and inpatient care increased by 0.5% and 2.5% per year, respectively, whereas pharmaceutical spending increased by 20.2% per year. Virtually all of the growth in pharmaceutical spending was accounted for by spending on specialty drugs; inflation-adjusted spending on other medications increased by 1.3% per year. The annual growth rate in pharmaceutical spending rose by 33.1% during 2014-2016, the years during which lumacaftor/ivacaftor was introduced. CONCLUSIONS Per-patient expenditures for privately-insured patients with CF almost doubled during 2010-2016; specialty drugs were largely responsible for this increase, with a major contribution from new, genotype-targeted CFTR modulator medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott D. Grosse
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Thuy Quynh N. Do
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Michelle Vu
- Mercer University College of Pharmacy and College of Health Professions, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Jay G. Berry
- Complex Care Service, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gregory S. Sawicki
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Respiratory Diseases, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
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Kabrhel C, Van Hylckama Vlieg A, Muzikanski A, Singer A, Fermann GJ, Francis S, Limkakeng A, Chang AM, Giordano N, Parry B. Multicenter Evaluation of the YEARS Criteria in Emergency Department Patients Evaluated for Pulmonary Embolism. Acad Emerg Med 2018; 25:987-994. [PMID: 29603819 DOI: 10.1111/acem.13417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It may be possible to safely rule out pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with low pretest probability (PTP) using a higher than standard D-dimer threshold. The YEARS criteria, which include three questions from the Wells PE score to identify low-PTP patients and a variable D-dimer threshold, was recently shown to decrease the need for imaging to rule out PE by 14% in a multicenter study in the Netherlands. However, the YEARS approach has not been studied in the United States. METHODS This study was a prospective, observational study of consecutive adult patients evaluated for PE in 17 U.S. emergency departments. Prior to diagnostic testing, we collected the YEARS criteria: "Does the patient have clinical signs or symptoms of DVT?" "Does the patient have hemoptysis?" "Are alternative diagnoses less likely than PE?" with YEARS (+) being any "yes" response. A negative D-dimer was <1000 mg/dL for YEARS (-) patients and <500 mg/dL for YEARS (+) patients. We calculated test characteristics and used Fisher's exact test to compare proportions of patients who would have been referred for imaging and patients who would have had PE "missed." RESULTS Of 1,789 patients, 84 (4%) had PE, 1,134 (63%) were female, 1,038 (58%) were white, and mean (±SD) age was 48 (±16) years. Using the standard D-dimer threshold, 940 (53%) would not have had imaging, with two (0.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.02%-0.60%) missed PE. Using YEARS adjustment, 1,204 (67%, 95% CI = 65%-69%) would not have been referred for imaging, with six (0.5%, 95% CI = 0.18%-1.1%) missed PE, and using "alternative diagnoses less likely than PE" adjustment, 1,237 (69%, 95% CI = 67%-71%) would not have had imaging with six (0.49%, 95% CI = 0.18%-1.05%) missed PE. Sensitivity was 97.6% (95% CI = 91.7%-99.7%) for the standard threshold and 92.9% (95% CI = 85%-97%) for both adjusted thresholds. Negative predictive value (NPV) was nearly 100% for all approaches. CONCLUSIONS D-dimer adjustment based on PTP may result in a reduced need for imaging to evaluate possible PE, with some additional missed PE but no decrease in NPV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Kabrhel
- Center for Vascular Emergencies Department of Emergency Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA
| | | | - Alona Muzikanski
- Department of Biostatistics Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA
| | - Adam Singer
- Department of Emergency Medicine State University of New York at Stony Brook Stony Brook NY
| | | | - Samuel Francis
- Division of Emergency Medicine Duke University Durham NC
| | - Alex Limkakeng
- Division of Emergency Medicine Duke University Durham NC
| | - Ann Marie Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia PA
| | - Nicholas Giordano
- Center for Vascular Emergencies Department of Emergency Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA
| | - Blair Parry
- Center for Vascular Emergencies Department of Emergency Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA
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The Impact of Risk Standardization on Variation in CT Use and Emergency Physician Profiling. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2018; 211:392-399. [PMID: 29975119 DOI: 10.2214/ajr.17.19188] [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: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to use detailed electronic health record data to profile the use of condition-specific, risk-standardized imaging by emergency physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS CT utilization in four emergency departments in a single health care system was retrospectively analyzed. The primary outcome for analysis was indication-specific, risk-standardized CT utilization. We constructed seven clinical cohorts on the basis of the presence or absence of a traumatic indication for the most frequently performed CT studies. Risk standardization was performed using machine learning algorithms and hierarchic logistic regression models. Variation in CT utilization for each cohort was analyzed using coefficients of variation and box plots, the effect of risk standardization on physician profiling was determined using slope diagrams and kappa values, and within-physician correlation was assessed using correlation coefficients and matrices. RESULTS For the seven cohorts, the number of physicians ordering more than 25 CT studies for a particular indication ranged from 70 to 88, and the number of ED visits ranged from 17,458 to 117,489. The unadjusted variation was large for each indication (coefficient of variation, 30.2-57.9). Risk standardization resulted in reduced but persistent variation for all indications (coefficient of variation, 12.3-22.3). Among indication-specific models, risk standardization resulted in reclassification by two or more deciles for 14.0-39.1% of physicians. The R value for within-physician correlation varied from 0.02 to 0.80 and was highest between chest and abdominal imaging for trauma. CONCLUSION In this multisite study of CT utilization, risk standardization had a substantial impact on variation in CT utilization and emergency physician profiling. Administrators and payers should include risk standardization in future measures of physician imaging to ensure valid assessment of performance and achieve improvements in emergency care value.
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Lin MP, Probst MA, Puskarich MA, Dehon E, Kuehl DR, Wang RC, Hess EP, Butler K, Runyon MS, Wang H, Courtney DM, Muckley B, Hobgood CD, Hall CL, Kline JA. Improving perceptions of empathy in patients undergoing low-yield computerized tomographic imaging in the emergency department. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2018; 101:717-722. [PMID: 29173841 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2017.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We assessed emergency department (ED) patient perceptions of how physicians can improve their language to determine patient preferences for 11 phrases to enhance physician empathy toward the goal of reducing low-value advanced imaging. METHODS Multi-center survey study of low-risk ED patients undergoing computerized tomography (CT) scanning. RESULTS We enroled 305 participants across nine sites. The statement "I have carefully considered what you told me about what brought you here today" was most frequently rated as important (88%). The statement "I have thought about the cost of your medical care to you today" was least frequently rated as important (59%). Participants preferred statements indicating physicians had considered their "vital signs and physical examination" (86%), "past medical history" (84%), and "what prior research tells me about your condition" (79%). Participants also valued statements conveying risks of testing, including potential kidney injury (78%) and radiation (77%). CONCLUSION The majority of phrases were identified as important. Participants preferred statements conveying cognitive reassurance, medical knowledge and risks of testing. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Our findings suggest specific phrases have the potential to enhance ED patient perceptions of physician empathy. Further research is needed to determine whether statements to convey empathy affect diagnostic testing rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle P Lin
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Marc A Probst
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Emergency Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Michael A Puskarich
- University of Mississippi, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Erin Dehon
- University of Mississippi, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Damon R Kuehl
- Virginia Tech-Carilion, Department of Emergency Medicine, Roanoke, VA, United States
| | - Ralph C Wang
- University of California San Francisco Department of Emergency Medicine, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Erik P Hess
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Emergency Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Katie Butler
- Carolinas Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Michael S Runyon
- Carolinas Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Charlotte, NC, United States
| | - Hao Wang
- John Peter Smith Hospital, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ft. Worth, TX, United States
| | - D Mark Courtney
- Northwestern University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Brandon Muckley
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Cherri D Hobgood
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Cassandra L Hall
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Kline
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States.
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Trends and Variation in the Utilization and Diagnostic Yield of Chest Imaging for Medicare Patients With Suspected Pulmonary Embolism in the Emergency Department. AJR Am J Roentgenol 2018; 210:572-577. [DOI: 10.2214/ajr.17.18586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Agrawal A, Moscote-Salazar L. Whats New in Emergencies, Trauma and Shock? Computed Tomography Profile and its Utilization in Traumatic Brain Injury. J Emerg Trauma Shock 2018; 11:1. [PMID: 29628660 PMCID: PMC5852908 DOI: 10.4103/jets.jets_125_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
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Abstract
Importance Overuse of medical care is a well-recognized problem. Objective To identify and highlight original research articles published in 2016 that are most relevant to understanding medical overuse or strategies to reduce it. Evidence Review A structured review of English-language articles on PubMed published in 2016 coupled with examination of tables of contents of high-impact journals to identify articles related to medical overuse in adults. These articles were appraised for their importance to medicine. Findings This study considered 2252 articles, 1224 of which addressed medical overuse. Of these, 122 were deemed most relevant based on originality, methodologic quality, and number of patients potentially affected. The 10 most influential articles were selected by author consensus. Select findings from the studies include the lack of benefit of transesophageal echocardiography in the workup of cryptogenic stroke, increasing use of computed tomography in the emergency department from 2.2% to 9.4% from 2001 to 2010, and carotid ultrasonography and revascularization being performed for uncertain or inappropriate indications with 95% frequency. Likewise, services for which harms are likely to outweigh benefits include treatment for early-stage prostate cancer, which provides no mortality benefit but increases absolute risk of erectile dysfunction by 10% to 30%, oxygen for patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, surgery for meniscal tear with mechanical symptoms, and nutritional interventions for inpatients with malnutrition. This review highlights 2 methods for reducing overuse: clinician audit and feedback with peer comparison for antibiotic use (reduction in inappropriate antibiotic use from 20% to 4%) and a practical and sensible shared decision-making tool for low-risk chest pain (reduction in emergency department workup from 52% to 37%). Conclusions and Relevance The body of empirical work continues to expand related to medical services that are provided for inappropriate or uncertain indications. Engaging patients in conversations aimed at shared decision making and giving practitioners feedback about their performance relative to peers appear to be useful in reducing overuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Morgan
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore
- Department of Hospital Epidemiology, Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore
| | - Sanket S Dhruva
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
- Department of Veterans Affairs, West Haven, Connecticut
| | - Eric R Coon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Scott M Wright
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Deborah Korenstein
- Department of Medicine and Center for Health Policy and Outcomes, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
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Klil-Drori AJ, Coulombe J, Suissa S, Hirsch A, Tagalakis V. Temporal trends in outpatient management of incident pulmonary embolism and associated mortality. Thromb Res 2017; 161:111-116. [PMID: 29132688 DOI: 10.1016/j.thromres.2017.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In clinical trial settings, outpatient management of pulmonary embolism (PE) is feasible and safe, but less is known on its use in routine care. We determined trends in outpatient management of PE and associated mortality in a large non-select patient population. METHODS All residents of Quebec, Canada with a first-ever work-up for suspected PE in the emergency department (ED) over 10years were included. Patients could transition to outpatient management and from unconfirmed to confirmed PE in a time-varying fashion. Comparing the years 2005-9 with 2000-4, we assessed the odds ratio (OR) for outpatient management, and relative risk (RR) for all-cause mortality, readmissions for PE, and major bleeding in 30days. We adjusted the RR for a mortality risk score. RESULTS Of 15,217 patients included, 7583 were outpatients (7.5% confirmed PE) and 7634 were inpatients (60.6% confirmed PE). In all, 10.9% of patients with confirmed PE were outpatients, but outpatient management of confirmed PE was more likely in the latter study period (OR 1.73, 95%CI 1.44-2.09). Among outpatients with confirmed PE, mortality (RR 0.84, 95%CI 0.15-4.61) and readmission (RR 1.25, 95%CI 0.45-3.48) rates were stable, and only 3 major bleeding events were noted. Inpatients with confirmed PE had stable mortality rates (RR 0.95, 95%CI 0.72-1.24). CONCLUSION Outpatient PE management increased over 10years while remaining fairly uncommon. Nevertheless, stable mortality and readmission rates indicate this practice is safe in routine care, and add to the growing evidence in support of outpatient PE management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adi J Klil-Drori
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Oncology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Janie Coulombe
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Samy Suissa
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Epidemiology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrew Hirsch
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Vicky Tagalakis
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Kline JA, Neumann D, Raad S, Schriger DL, Hall CL, Capito J, Kammer D. Impact of Patient Affect on Physician Estimate of Probability of Serious Illness and Test Ordering. ACADEMIC MEDICINE : JOURNAL OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES 2017; 92:1607-1616. [PMID: 28403005 PMCID: PMC5662157 DOI: 10.1097/acm.0000000000001674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The authors hypothesize patient facial affect may influence clinician pretest probability (PTP) estimate of cardiopulmonary emergency (CPE) and desire to order a computerized tomographic pulmonary angiogram (CTPA). METHOD This prospective study was conducted at three Indiana University-affiliated hospitals in two parts: collecting videos of patients undergoing CTPA for suspected acute pulmonary embolism watching a humorous video (August 2014-April 2015) and presenting the medical histories and videos to clinicians to determine the impact of patient facial affect on physicians' PTP estimate of CPE and desire to order a CTPA (June-November 2015). Patient outcomes were adjudicated as CPE+ or CPE- by three independent reviewers. Physicians completed a standardized test of facial affect recognition, read standardized medical histories, then viewed videos of the patients' faces. Clinicians marked their PTP estimate of CPE and desire for a CTPA before and after seeing the video on a visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS Fifty physicians completed all 73 videos. Seeing the patient's face produced a > 10% absolute change in PTP estimate of CPE in 1,204/3,650 (33%) cases and desire for a CTPA in 1,095/3,650 (30%) cases. The mean area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for CPE estimate was 0.55 ± 0.15, and the change in CPE VAS was negatively correlated with physicians' standardized test scores (r = -0.23). CONCLUSIONS Clinicians may use patients' faces to make clinically important inferences about presence of serious illness and need for diagnostic testing. However, these inferences may fail to align with actual patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey A. Kline
- J.A. Kline is professor and vice chair of research, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Dawn Neumann
- D. Neumann is assistant professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Samih Raad
- S. Raad is resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - David L. Schriger
- D.L. Schriger is professor and vice chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Cassandra L. Hall
- C.L. Hall is research manager, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Jake Capito
- J. Capito is resident, Department of Emergency Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - David Kammer
- D. Kammer is clinical associate professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Yun BJ, Chou SC, Nagurney JM, White BA, Wittmann CW, Raja AS. ED utilization of medical clearance testing for psychiatric admission: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey analysis. Am J Emerg Med 2017; 36:745-748. [PMID: 28988848 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Routine medical clearance testing of emergency department (ED) patients with acute psychiatric illnesses in the absence of a medical indication has minimal proven utility. Little is known about the variations in clinical practice of ordering medical clearance tests. METHODS This study was an analysis of data from the annual United States National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2010 to 2014. The study population was defined as ED visits by patients ≥18years old admitted to a psychiatric facility. We sought to determine the percentage of these ED visits in which at least one medical clearance test was ordered. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, we also evaluated whether patient visit factors or regional variation was associated with use of medical clearance tests. RESULT A medical clearance test was ordered in 80.4% of ED visits ending with a psychiatric admission. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated a statistically significant increased odds ratio (OR) of medical clearance testing based on age (OR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01, 1.03), among visits involving an injury or poisoning (OR 2.38, 95%CI 1.54, 3.68), and in the Midwest region as compared to the Northeast region (OR 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 4.46), after adjusting for other predictors. DISCUSSION Our study demonstrated that, on a national level, 4 out of 5 ED visits resulting in a psychiatric facility admission had a medical clearance test ordered. Future research is needed to investigate the reasons underlying the discrepancies in ordering patterns across the U.S., including the effect of local psychiatric admission policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Yun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Research in Emergency Department Operations (CREDO), Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Shih-Chuan Chou
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Health Policy Research and Translation, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Justine M Nagurney
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew Senior Life, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin A White
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Research in Emergency Department Operations (CREDO), Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Curtis W Wittmann
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ali S Raja
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Research in Emergency Department Operations (CREDO), Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Chen EL, Ross JA, Grant C, Wilbur A, Mehta N, Hart E, Mar WA. Improved Image Quality of Low-Dose CT Pulmonary Angiograms. J Am Coll Radiol 2017; 14:648-653. [PMID: 28082157 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacr.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The use of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to evaluate for pulmonary embolism has been increasing, and carries a significant radiation dose. We evaluate image quality of lower-dose images, taking into account patient size as well as the effects of image postprocessing. METHODS A total of 250 CTPAs were retrospectively reviewed. The following parameters were obtained: kVp, mA, dose length product, Hounsfield units (HU) with standard deviation in the main pulmonary artery, transverse scout measurement, and subjective image quality. RESULTS Radiation dose decreased 55% by reducing kVp from 120 to 100, and 60% from 100 to 80 kVp. Radiation dose decreased 82% from 120 to 80 kVp. Noise increased 38% from 120 kVp to 100 kVp, and increased 23% from 100 kVp to 80 kVp. Adding an overlapped reconstructed image decreased noise by 16% to 21%. Despite the increase in image noise, diagnostic quality was significantly improved at 80 and 100 kVp, compared with 120 kVp, with an average subjective quality rating of 3.8, 4.0, and 3.2, respectively, and an average pulmonary artery density of 536, 423, and 278 HU. Even in larger patients, qualitative image quality was better at 100 kVp compared with 120 kVp, with an average quality rating of 3.6 versus 2.9, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Radiation dose exposure can be easily reduced on CTPA by lowering kVp, which at the same time improves image quality. Studies using a lower kVp were of significantly higher diagnostic quality. This held true even in larger patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Chen
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jeremy A Ross
- College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Andrew Wilbur
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Eric Hart
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Winnie A Mar
- Department of Radiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.
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Journy NM, McHugh K, Harbron RW, Pearce MS, Berrington De Gonzalez A. Medical conditions associated with the use of CT in children and young adults, Great Britain, 1995-2008. Br J Radiol 2016; 89:20160532. [PMID: 27767331 PMCID: PMC5604919 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20160532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the medical conditions associated with the use of CT in children or young adults with no previous cancer diagnosis. METHODS Radiologist reports for scans performed in 1995-2008 in non-cancer patients less than 22 years of age were collected from the radiology information system in 44 hospitals of Great Britain. By semantic search, an automated procedure identified 185 medical conditions within the radiologist reports. Manual validation of a subsample by a paediatric radiologist showed a satisfactory performance of the automatic coding procedure. RESULTS Medical information was extracted for 37,807 scans; 19.5% scans were performed in children less than 5 years old; 52.0% scans were performed in 2000 or after. Trauma, diseases of the nervous (mainly hydrocephalus) or the circulatory system were each mentioned in 25-30% of scans. Hydrocephalus was mentioned in 19% of all scans, 59% of scans repeated ≥5 times in a year, and was the most frequent condition in children less than 5 years of age. Congenital diseases/malformations, disorders of the musculoskeletal system/connective tissues and infectious or respiratory diseases were each mentioned in 5-10% of scans. Suspicionor diagnosis of benign or malignant tumour was identified in 5% of scans. CONCLUSION This study describes the medical conditions that likely underlie the use of CT in children in Great Britain. It shows that patients with hydrocephalus may receive high cumulative radiation exposures from CT in early life, i.e. at ages when they are most sensitive to radiation. Advances in knowledge: The majority of scans were unrelated to cancer suspicion. Repeated scans over time were mainly associated with the management of hydrocephalus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neige M Journy
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kieran McHugh
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Richard W Harbron
- Institute of Health and Society, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Mark S Pearce
- Institute of Health and Society, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Chemical and Radiation Threats and Hazards, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Amy Berrington De Gonzalez
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, USA
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Tannous P, Mukadam Z, Kammari C, Banavasi H, Soubani AO. Yield of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram in the emergency department in cancer patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism. Hematol Oncol Stem Cell Ther 2016; 9:131-136. [PMID: 27614231 DOI: 10.1016/j.hemonc.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 07/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND The use of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the emergency department (ED) for patients suspected to have pulmonary embolism (PE) has been steadily rising in the last 2decades. However, there are limited studies that specifically address the use of CTPA in the ED for cancer patients suspected to have PE. The objective of this study is to assess the rate of positive PE by CTPA in the ED in cancer patients and the variables that are associated with positive results. METHODS A retrospective review of electronic medical records for 208 consecutive patients with cancer who presented to the ED and received a CTPA for suspected PE over a 12-month period. The review included demographics, type and status of cancer, presenting symptoms, CTPA results, calculation of Wells Score, management based on CT findings, and outcome of patients. RESULTS Among the 208 patients who met the inclusion criteria during our study period (mean age 57±13.37years, 73% women, 59% African American, and 32% Caucasians), 5.7% were diagnosed with PE. One hundred and eighty-two (83.7%) had a Wells Score ⩽4, of which 2.2% were found to have to have PE, 22 (16.3%) patients had a Wells Score >4, of which 36.4% were found to have PE (p<.0001). Sensitivity and specificity of Wells >4 was 66.7% and 92.9%, respectively, with an odds ratio of 27 (95% CI 6.6-113.6). Receiver operator characteristics area under the curve for Wells Score was 0.868. Age, race, sex, malignancy type, stage, status, clinical presentation, D-dimer, and a previous history of venous thromboembolism were not found to have statistically significant predictive values. CONCLUSION The yield of CTPA to rule out PE in patients with cancer presenting in the ED is low. Following a validated decision-making protocol such as Wells Criteria may significantly decrease the number of CTPA used in the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Tannous
- Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zubin Mukadam
- Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Chetan Kammari
- Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Harsha Banavasi
- Department of Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Ayman O Soubani
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Hicks LK, Rajasekhar A, Bering H, Carson KR, Kleinerman J, Kukreti V, Ma A, Mueller BU, O'Brien SH, Panepinto JA, Pasquini MC, Sarode R, Wood WA. Identifying existing Choosing Wisely recommendations of high relevance and importance to hematology. Am J Hematol 2016; 91:787-92. [PMID: 27152483 DOI: 10.1002/ajh.24412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Choosing Wisely (CW) is a medical stewardship initiative led by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation in collaboration with professional medical societies in the United States. In an effort to learn from and leverage the work of others, the American Society of Hematology CW Task Force developed a method to identify and prioritize CW recommendations from other medical societies of high relevance and importance to patients with blood disorders and their physicians. All 380 CW recommendations were reviewed and assessed for relevance and importance. Relevance was assessed using the MORE(TM) relevance scale. Importance was assessed with regard to six guiding principles: harm avoidance, evidence, aggregate cost, relevance, frequency and impact. Harm avoidance was considered the most important principle. Ten highly relevant and important recommendations were identified from a variety of professional societies. Recommendations focused on decreasing unnecessary imaging, blood work, treatments and transfusions, as well as on increasing collaboration across disciplines and considering value when recommending treatments. Many CW recommendations have relevance beyond the society of origin. The methods developed by the ASH CW Task Force could be easily adapted by other Societies to identify additional CW recommendations of relevance and importance to their fields. Am. J. Hematol. 91:787-792, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa K. Hicks
- St. Michael's Hospital; University of Toronto; Toronto Ontario Canada
| | | | - Harriet Bering
- Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates; Beverly Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Vishal Kukreti
- University of Toronto, University Health Network; Toronto Ontario
| | - Alice Ma
- University of North Carolina; Chapel Hill North Carolina
| | | | | | - Julie A. Panepinto
- Medical College of Wisconsin/Children's Hospital of Wisconsin; Milwaukee Wisconsin
| | | | - Ravi Sarode
- UT Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas Texas
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Prabhakar AM, Misono AS, Hemingway J, Hughes DR, Duszak R. Medicare Utilization of CT Angiography from 2001 through 2014: Continued Growth by Radiologists. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2016; 27:1554-60. [PMID: 27461587 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvir.2016.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2015] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine changes in utilization of computed tomography (CT) angiography nationally and changing relative specialty roles in examination interpretation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Service-specific claims data for region-specific CT angiography examinations were identified using Medicare Physician Supplier Procedure Summary Master Files from 2001 through 2014. Longitudinal national utilization rates were calculated using annual Medicare enrollment data for 2001-2013. Procedure volumes by specialty group and site of service were analyzed. RESULTS Total annual claims for CT angiography for Medicare fee for service beneficiaries increased from 64,846 to 1,709,088 (compound annual growth rate [CAGR] 29%) between 2001 and 2014. Per 1,000 beneficiaries, overall CT angiography utilization increased annually from 2.1 in 2001 to 47.6 in 2013. Overall interpretation market share increased 4% (91%-95%) for radiology. Cardiology increased from 1% in 2001 to 6% in 2007 but decreased annually to 2% in 2014. Vascular surgery market share remained < 1% throughout the study period. Growth of CT angiography in the emergency department (ED) outpaced all other sites of service, increasing from 11% to 28% (CAGR 38%). The chest was the dominant body region imaged with CT angiography, increasing from 36,984 to 914,086 (CAGR 28%). CONCLUSIONS Utilization of CT angiography in the Medicare population increased markedly for 2001-2014, particularly in the ED, with radiologists remaining dominant providers. The chest is the most common body region imaged with CT angiography.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anand M Prabhakar
- Division of Cardiovascular Imaging, 55 Fruit Street, Gray 2, Boston, MA 02114.
| | - Alexander S Misono
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Reston, Virginia
| | | | - Danny R Hughes
- Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, Reston, Virginia; Department of Health Administration and Policy, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia
| | - Richard Duszak
- Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute, Reston, Virginia; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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The Impact of Clinical Decision Rules on Computed Tomography Use and Yield for Pulmonary Embolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ann Emerg Med 2016; 67:693-701.e3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2015.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Kumamaru KK, Kumamaru H, Bateman BT, Gronsbell J, Cai T, Liu J, Higgins LD, Aoki S, Ohtomo K, Rybicki FJ, Patorno E. Limited Hospital Variation in the Use and Yield of CT for Pulmonary Embolism in Patients Undergoing Total Hip or Total Knee Replacement Surgery. Radiology 2016; 281:826-834. [PMID: 27228331 DOI: 10.1148/radiol.2016152765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the variation among U.S. hospitals in overall use and yield of in-hospital computed tomographic (CT) pulmonary angiography (PA) in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgery. Materials and Methods Patients in the Premier Research Database who underwent elective TKR or THR between 2007 and 2011 were enrolled in this HIPAA-compliant, institutional review board-approved retrospective observational study. The informed consent requirement was waived. Hospitals were categorized into low, medium, and high tertiles of CT PA use to compare baseline patient- and hospital-level characteristics and pulmonary embolism (PE) positivity rates. To further investigate between-hospital variation in CT PA use, a hierarchical logistic regression model that included hospital-specific random effects and fixed patient- and hospital-level effects was used. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to measure the amount of variability in CT PA use attributable to between-hospital variation. Results The cohort included 205 198 patients discharged from 178 hospitals (median of 734.5 patients discharged per hospital; interquartile range, 316-1461 patients) with 3647 CT PA studies (1.8%). The crude frequency of CT PA scans among the hospitals ranged from 0% to 6.2% (median, 1.6%); more than 90% of the hospitals performed CT PA in less than 3% of their patients. The mean hospital-level PE positivity rate was 12.3% (median, 9.1%); there was no significant difference in PE positivity rate across low through high CT PA use tertiles (11.3%, 11.9%, 12.9%, P = .37). After adjustment for hospital- and patient-level factors, the remaining amount of interhospital variation was relatively low (ICC, 9.0%). Conclusion Limited interhospital variation in use and yield of in-hospital CT PA was observed among patients undergoing TKR or THR in the United States. © RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako K Kumamaru
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Hiraku Kumamaru
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Brian T Bateman
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Jessica Gronsbell
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Tianxi Cai
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Jun Liu
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Laurence D Higgins
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Shigeki Aoki
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Kuni Ohtomo
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Frank J Rybicki
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
| | - Elisabetta Patorno
- From the Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology (K.K.K., F.J.R.), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine (H.K., B.T.B., J.L., E.P.), and Department of Orthopedics (L.D.H.), Brigham and Women's Hospital & Harvard Medical School, 1620 Tremont St, Suite 3030, Boston, MA 02120; Department of Radiology, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan (K.K.K., S.A.); Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass (B.T.B.); Department of Biostatistics, Harvard University, Boston, Mass (J.G., T.C.); and Department of Radiology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (K.O.)
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46
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Abstract
Undifferentiated patients in respiratory distress require immediate attention in the emergency department. Using a thorough history and clinical examination, clinicians can determine the most likely causes of dyspnea. Understanding the pathophysiology of the most common diseases contributing to dyspnea guides rational testing and informed, expedited treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth DeVos
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA
| | - Lisa Jacobson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine - Jacksonville, 655 West 8th Street, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.
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47
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Smith SB, Geske JB, Kathuria P, Cuttica M, Schimmel DR, Courtney DM, Waterer GW, Wunderink RG. Analysis of National Trends in Admissions for Pulmonary Embolism. Chest 2016; 150:35-45. [PMID: 26905364 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.02.638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a significant cause of hospital admission and health-care costs. Estimates of PE incidence came from the 1990s, and data are limited to describe trends in hospital admissions for PE over the past decade. METHODS We analyzed Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 1993 to 2012 to identify patients admitted with PE. We included admissions with International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, codes listing PE as the principal diagnosis as well as admissions with PE listed secondary to principal diagnoses of respiratory failure or DVT. Massive PE was defined by mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, or nonseptic shock. Outcomes included hospital lengths of stay, adjusted charges, and all-cause hospital mortality. Linear regression was used to analyze changes over time. RESULTS Admissions for PE increased from 23 per 100,000 in 1993 to 65 per 100,000 in 2012 (P < .001). The percent of admissions meeting criteria for massive PE decreased (5.3% to 4.4%, P = .002), but the absolute number of admissions for massive PE increased (from 1.5 to 2.8 per 100,000, P < .001). Median length of stay decreased from 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 6-11) to 4 (IQR, 3-6) days (P < .001). Adjusted hospital charges increased from $16,475 (IQR, $10,748-$26,211) in 1993 to $25,728 (IQR, $15,505-$44,493) in 2012 (P < .001). All-cause hospital mortality decreased from 7.1% to 3.2% (P < .001), but population-adjusted deaths during admission for PE increased from 1.6 to 2.1 per 100,000 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Total admissions and hospital charges for PE have increased over the past two decades. However, the population-adjusted admission rate has increased disproportionately to the incidence of patients with severe PE. We hypothesize that these findings reflect a concerning national movement toward more admissions of less severe PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean B Smith
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
| | - Jeffrey B Geske
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Parul Kathuria
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael Cuttica
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Daniel R Schimmel
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - D Mark Courtney
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Grant W Waterer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Richard G Wunderink
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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48
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Berdahl C, Schuur JD, Fisher NL, Burstin H, Pines JM. Policy Measures and Reimbursement for Emergency Medical Imaging in the Era of Payment Reform: Proceedings From a Panel Discussion of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference. Acad Emerg Med 2015; 22:1393-9. [PMID: 26568025 PMCID: PMC4715479 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 is expanding the use of quality measurement and promulgating new payment models that place downward pressure on health care utilization and costs. As emergency department (ED) computed tomography utilization has tripled in the past decade, stakeholders have identified advanced imaging as an area where quality and efficiency measures should expand. On May 12, 2015, Academic Emergency Medicine convened a consensus conference titled "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." As part of the conference, a panel of health care policy leaders and emergency physicians discussed the effect of the ACA and other quality programs on ED diagnostic imaging, specifically the way that quality metrics may affect ED care and how ED diagnostic imaging fits in the broader strategy of the U.S. government. This article discusses the content of the panel's presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Berdahl
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Jeremiah D Schuur
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Nancy L Fisher
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Region 10, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Jesse M Pines
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Health Policy and Management, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
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49
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Kuehl DR, Berdahl CT, Jackson TD, Venkatesh AK, Mistry RD, Bhargavan-Chatfield M, Raukar NP, Carr BG, Schuur JD, Kocher KE. Advancing the Use of Administrative Data for Emergency Department Diagnostic Imaging Research. Acad Emerg Med 2015; 22:1417-26. [PMID: 26575944 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Administrative data are critical to describing patterns of use, cost, and appropriateness of imaging in emergency care. These data encompass a range of source materials that have been collected primarily for a nonresearch use: documenting clinical care (e.g., medical records), administering care (e.g., picture archiving and communication systems), or financial transactions (e.g., insurance claims). These data have served as the foundation for large, descriptive studies that have documented the rise and expanded role of diagnostic imaging in the emergency department (ED). This article summarizes the discussions of the breakout session on the use of administrative data for emergency imaging research at the May 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." The authors describe the areas where administrative data have been applied to research evaluating the use of diagnostic imaging in the ED, the common sources for these data, and the strengths and limitations of administrative data. Next, the future role of administrative data is examined for answering key research questions in an evolving health system increasingly focused on measuring appropriateness, ensuring quality, and improving value for health spending. This article specifically focuses on four thematic areas: data quality, appropriateness and value, special populations, and policy interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon R. Kuehl
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine; Roanoke VA
| | - Carl T. Berdahl
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center; Los Angeles CA
| | - Tiffany D. Jackson
- Department of Emergency Medicine; University of Alabama Birmingham; Birmingham AL
| | | | - Rakesh D. Mistry
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Section of Emergency Medicine; Children's Hospital Colorado; Aurora CO
| | | | - Neha P. Raukar
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Providence RI
| | - Brendan G. Carr
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Sidney Kimmel Medical College; Thomas Jefferson University; Philadelphia PA
| | - Jeremiah D. Schuur
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Brigham and Women's Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Keith E. Kocher
- Department of Emergency Medicine; University of Michigan School of Medicine; Ann Arbor MI
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50
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Carpenter CR, Raja AS, Brown MD. Overtesting and the Downstream Consequences of Overtreatment: Implications of "Preventing Overdiagnosis" for Emergency Medicine. Acad Emerg Med 2015; 22:1484-92. [PMID: 26568269 DOI: 10.1111/acem.12820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Overtesting, the downstream consequences of overdiagnosis, and overtreatment of some patients are topics of growing debate within emergency medicine (EM). The "Preventing Overdiagnosis" conference, hosted by The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, with sponsorship from consumer organizations, medical journals, and academic institutions, is evidence of an expanding interest in this topic. However, EM represents a compellingly unique environment, with increased decision density tied to high stakes for patients and providers with missed or delayed diagnoses in a professional atmosphere that does not tolerate mistakes. This article reviews the relevance of this reductionist paradigm to EM, provides a first-hand synopsis of the first "Preventing Overdiagnosis" conference, and assesses barriers to moving the concept of less test ordering to reality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R. Carpenter
- Division of Emergency Medicine; Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine; St. Louis MO
| | - Ali S. Raja
- Department of Emergency Medicine; Brigham & Women's Hospital; Boston MA
| | - Michael D. Brown
- Emergency Medicine; Michigan State University College of Medicine; Grand Rapids MI
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