1
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Lynch RJ, Doby BL, Goldberg DS, Lee KJ, Cimeno A, Karp SJ. Procurement characteristics of high- and low-performing OPOs as seen in OPTN/SRTR data. Am J Transplant 2022; 22:455-463. [PMID: 34510735 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
To meet new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) metrics, organ procurement organizations (OPOs) will benefit from understanding performance across decedent and hospital types. We sought to determine the utility of existing data-reporting structures for this purpose by reviewing Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient (SRTR) OPO-Specific Reports (OSRs) from 2013 to 2019. OSRs contain both the Standardized donation rate ratio (SDRR) metric and OPO-reported numbers of "eligible deaths" and donors by hospital. Donor hospitals were characterized using information from Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data, Dartmouth Atlas Hospital Service Area data, and the US Census Bureau. Hospital data reported by OPOs showed 51% higher eligible death donors and 140% higher noneligible death donors per 100 inpatient beds in CMS ranked top versus bottom-quartile OPOs. Top-quartile OPOs by the CMS metric recovered 78% more donors than those in the bottom quartile, but were indistinguishable by SDRR rankings. These differences persisted across hospital sizes, trauma case mix, and area demographics. OPOs with divergent performance were indistinguishable over time by SDRR, but showed changes to hospital-level recovery patterns in SRTR data. Contemporaneous recognition of underperformance across hospitals may provide important and actionable data for regulators and OPOs for focused quality improvement projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond J Lynch
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - David S Goldberg
- Division of Digestive Health and Liver Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Kevin J Lee
- Mid-America Transplant Services, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Arielle Cimeno
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Seth J Karp
- Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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2
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Shepherd S, Formica RN. Improving Transplant Program Performance Monitoring. CURRENT TRANSPLANTATION REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40472-021-00344-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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3
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Butler AE, Chapman GB. Don't Throw Your Heart Away: Increased Transparency of Donor Utilization Practices in Transplant Center Report Cards Alters How Center Performance Is Evaluated. Med Decis Making 2021; 42:341-351. [PMID: 34605713 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x211038941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Publicly available report cards for transplant centers emphasize posttransplant survival and obscure the fact that some centers reject many of the donor organs they are offered (reflecting a conservative donor acceptance strategy), while others accept a broader range of donor offers (reflecting an open donor acceptance strategy). OBJECTIVE We assessed how the provision of salient information about donor acceptance practices and waitlist survival rates affected evaluation judgments of hospital report cards given by laypeople and medical trainees. METHODS We tested 5 different report card formats across 4 online randomized experiments (n1 = 1,003, n2 = 105, n3 = 123, n4 = 807) in the same hypothetical decision. The primary outcome variable was a binary choice between transplant hospitals (one with an open donor acceptance strategy and the other with a conservative donor acceptance strategy). RESULTS Report cards featuring salient information about donor organ utilization rates (transplant outcomes categorized by quality of donor offers accepted) or overall survival rates (outcomes from both waitlist and transplanted patients) led lay participants (studies 1, 3, and 4) and medical trainees (study 2) to evaluate transplant centers with open donor acceptance strategies more favorably than centers with conservative strategies. LIMITATIONS Due to the nature of the decision, a hypothetical scenario was necessary for both ethical and practical reasons. Results may not generalize to transplant clinicians or patients faced with the decision of where to join the transplant waitlist. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that performance evaluations for transplant centers may vary significantly based not only on what outcome information is presented in report cards but also how the information is displayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E Butler
- Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gretchen B Chapman
- Department of Social and Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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4
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Afzal AM, Meyer DM. The Dark Side of Chasing the Perfect Donor. Is it Time for Us to Change Cardiac Transplant Program Performance Metrics? Transplantation 2021; 105:1919-1920. [PMID: 33148974 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000003515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aasim M Afzal
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX
- Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, Plano, TX
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, TX
| | - Dan M Meyer
- Annette C. and Harold C. Simmons Transplant Institute, Baylor Scott & White Research Institute, Dallas, TX
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, TX
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5
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Design of a patient-centered decision support tool when selecting an organ transplant center. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0251102. [PMID: 33999964 PMCID: PMC8128227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients in the US in need of a life-saving organ transplant must complete a long process of medical decisions, and a first step is to identify a transplant center to complete an evaluation. This study describes a patient-centered process of testing and refinement of a new website (www.transplantcentersearch.org) that was developed to provide data to patients who are seeking a transplant center. Mixed methods, including online surveys and structured usability testing, were conducted to inform changes in an iterative process. Survey data from 684 participants indicated the effects of different icon styles on user decisions. Qualitative feedback from 38 usability testing participants informed improvements to the website interface. The mixed methods approach was feasible and well suited to the need to address multiple development steps of a patient-facing tool. The combined methods allowed for large survey sample sizes and also allowed interaction with a functioning website and in-depth qualitative discussions. The approach is applicable for a broad range of target user groups who are faced with challenging decisions and a need for information tailored to individual users. The survey and usability testing concluded with a functioning website that is positively received by users and meets the objective to support patient decisions when seeking an organ transplant.
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6
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Paul S, Melanson T, Mohan S, Ross-Driscoll K, McPherson L, Lynch R, Lo D, Pastan SO, Patzer RE. Kidney transplant program waitlisting rate as a metric to assess transplant access. Am J Transplant 2021; 21:314-321. [PMID: 32808730 PMCID: PMC7980228 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.16277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Kidney transplant program performance in the United States is commonly measured by posttransplant outcomes. Inclusion of pretransplant measures could provide a more comprehensive assessment of transplant program performance and necessary information for patient decision-making. In this study, we propose a new metric, the waitlisting rate, defined as the ratio of patients who are waitlisted in a center relative to the person-years referred for evaluation to a program. Furthermore, we standardize the waitlisting rate relative to the state average in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The new metric was used as a proof-of-concept to assess transplant-program access compared to the existing transplant rate metric. The study cohorts were defined by linking 2017 United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data with transplant-program referral data from the Southeastern United States between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016. Waitlisting rate varied across the 9 Southeastern transplant programs, ranging from 10 to 22 events per 100 patient-years, whereas the program-specific waitlisting rate ratio ranged between 0.76 and 1.33. Program-specific waitlisting rate ratio was uncorrelated with the transplant rate ratio (r = -.15, 95% CI, -0.83 to 0.57). Findings warrant collection of national data on early transplant steps, such as referral, for a more comprehensive assessment of transplant program performance and pretransplant access.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Paul
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Taylor Melanson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Sumit Mohan
- Department of Medicine, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katherine Ross-Driscoll
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Laura McPherson
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Raymond Lynch
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Denise Lo
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Stephen O. Pastan
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Rachel E. Patzer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Transplantation, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
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7
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McKinney WT, Schaffhausen CR, Schladt D, Bruin MJ, Chu S, Snyder JJ, Martin C, Alexy T, Kasiske B, Israni AK. Designing a patient-specific search of transplant program performance and outcomes: Feedback from heart transplant candidates and recipients. Clin Transplant 2020; 35:e14183. [PMID: 33617066 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.14183] [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: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients provides transplant program-specific information, but it is unclear what patients and stakeholders need to know. Acceptance criteria for the candidate waitlist and donor organs vary by program and region, but there is no means to search for programs by the clinical profiles of recipients and donors. METHODS We examined variability in program-specific characteristics that could influence access to transplantation. We also conducted three interviews and three focus groups with heart transplant candidates and recipients. Participants evaluated prototypes of a patient-specific search tool and its capacity to identify programs tailored to specific patient needs. Patient experiences and feedback influenced the development of tools. RESULTS The distribution of recipient and donor characteristics influenced access to transplantation, as age and body mass index varied across programs (all with p < .01). Several themes emerged related to decision-making and the perceived usability of the patient-specific search. Perceptions of the prototypes varied, but were positive overall and support making the patient-specific search publicly available. Participants revealed barriers to evaluating transplant programs and suggest that patient-specific search results may optimize the process. CONCLUSIONS The patient-specific tool (http://transplantcentersearch.org/) is valued by heart transplant patients and is important to maximizing access to transplant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - David Schladt
- Chronic Disease Research Group, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Marylin J Bruin
- College of Design, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sauman Chu
- College of Design, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Jon J Snyder
- Scientifc Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Cindy Martin
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Tamas Alexy
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Bertram Kasiske
- Nephrology Division, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ajay K Israni
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Scientifc Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), Minneapolis, MN, USA.,Nephrology Division, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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8
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Kwong AJ, Flores A, Saracino G, Boutté J, McKenna G, Testa G, Bahirwani R, Wall A, Kim WR, Klintmalm G, Trotter JF, Asrani SK. Center Variation in Intention-to-Treat Survival Among Patients Listed for Liver Transplant. Liver Transpl 2020; 26:1582-1593. [PMID: 32725923 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In the United States, centers performing liver transplant (LT) are primarily evaluated by patient survival within 1 year after LT, but tight clustering of outcomes allows only a narrow window for evaluation of center variation for quality improvement. Alternate measures more relevant to patients and the transplant community are needed. We examined adults listed for LT in the United States, using data submitted to the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients. Intention-to-treat (ITT) survival was defined as survival within 1 year from listing, regardless of transplant. Mixed effects/frailty models were used to assess center variation in ITT survival. Between January 2010 and December 2016, there were 66,428 new listings at 113 centers. Overall, median 1-year ITT survival was 79.8% (interquartile range [IQR], 76.1%-83.4%), whereas 1-year waiting-list (WL) survival was 75.8% (IQR, 71.2%-79.4%), and 1-year post-LT survival was 90.0% (IQR, 87.9%-91.8%). Higher rates of ITT mortality were correlated with increased WL mortality (correlation, r = 0.76), increased post-LT mortality (r = 0.31), lower volume centers (r = -0.34), and lower transplant rate ratio (r = -0.25). Similar patterns were observed in the subgroup of WL candidates listed with Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) ≥25: median 1-year ITT survival was 65.2% (IQR, 60.2%-72.6%), whereas 1-year post-LT survival was 87.5% (IQR, 84.0%-90.9%), and 1-year WL survival was 36.6% (IQR, 27.9%-47.0%). In mixed effects modeling, the transplant center was an independent predictor of ITT survival even after adjustment for age, sex, MELD, and sociodemographic variables. Center variation for ITT survival was larger compared with post-LT survival. The measurement of ITT outcome offers a complementary method to assess center performance. This is a first step toward understanding differences in program quality beyond patient and graft survival after LT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison J Kwong
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
| | - Avegail Flores
- Department of Medicine, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Jodi Boutté
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | | | | | | | - Anji Wall
- Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX
| | - W Ray Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
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9
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Diaz Milian R. Barriers to High Quality End of Life Care in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2020; 38:1064-1070. [PMID: 33118372 DOI: 10.1177/1049909120969970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
End of life discussions frequently take place in surgical intensive care units, as a significant number of patients die while admitted to the hospital, and surgery is common during the last month of life. Multiple barriers exist to the initiation of these conversations, including: miscommunication between clinicians and surrogates, a paternalistic approach to surgical patients, and perhaps, conflicts of interest as an unwanted consequence of surgical quality reporting. Goal discordant care refers to the care that is provided to a patient that is incapacitated and that is not concordant to his/her wishes. This is a largely unrecognized medical error with devastating consequences, including inappropriate prolongation of life and non-beneficial therapy utilization. Importantly, hospice and palliative care needs to be recognized as quality care in order to deter the incentives that might persuade clinicians from offering these services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Diaz Milian
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, 160343Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
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10
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Wey A, Hart A, Salkowski N, Skeans M, Kasiske BL, Israni AK, Snyder JJ. Posttransplant outcome assessments at listing: Long-term outcomes are more important than short-term outcomes. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:2813-2821. [PMID: 32282985 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Posttransplant outcome assessments are publicly reported for patient and regulatory use. However, the currently reported 1-year posttransplant graft survival assessments are commonly criticized for not identifying clinically meaningful differences between programs, and not providing information about longer-term posttransplant outcomes. We investigated the association of different posttransplant outcome assessments available to patients at the time of listing with subsequent posttransplant graft survival. The posttransplant assessments were from period prevalent, rather than incident, cohorts with more timely 1-, 3-, and 5-year follow-up and 6-, 12-, 18-, 24-, and 30-month cohort windows. The association of these assessments at listing with subsequent posttransplant graft survival included candidates listed between July 12, 2011, and December 15, 2015, who subsequently underwent transplant before December 31, 2018. The assessments with 1-year follow-up had uniformly weaker associations than the assessments with 3- and 5-year follow-up. The assessments with 5-year follow-up had the strongest association in kidney and liver transplantation. For kidney, liver, and lung transplantation, assessment windows of at least 18 months typically had the strongest associations with subsequent graft survival. Posttransplant assessments with 5-year follow-up and 18-30-month cohort windows are better than the current posttransplant assessment with 1-year follow-up, particularly at the time of listing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Wey
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Allyson Hart
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nicholas Salkowski
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Melissa Skeans
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Bertram L Kasiske
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Ajay K Israni
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Jon J Snyder
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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11
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Comparing Pretransplant and Posttransplant Outcomes When Choosing a Transplant Center: Focus Groups and a Randomized Survey. Transplantation 2020; 104:201-210. [PMID: 31283676 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In response to calls for an increased focus on pretransplant outcomes and other patient-centered metrics in public reports of center outcomes, a mixed methods study evaluated how the content and presentation style of new information influences decision-making. The mixed methods design utilized qualitative and quantitative phases where the strengths of one method help address limitations of the other, and multiple methods facilitate comparing results. METHODS First, a series of organ-specific focus groups of kidney, liver, heart, and lung patients helped to develop and refine potential displays of center outcomes and understand patient perceptions. A subsequent randomized survey included adult internet users who viewed a single, randomly-selected variation of 6 potential online information displays. Multinomial regression evaluated the effects of graphical presentations of information on decision-making. RESULTS One hundred twenty-seven candidates and recipients joined 23 focus groups. Survey responses were analyzed from 975 adults. Qualitative feedback identified patient perceptions of uncertainty in outcome metrics, in particular pretransplant metrics, and suggested a need for clear guidance to interpret the most important metric for organ-specific patient mortality. In the randomized survey, only respondents who viewed a note indicating that transplant rate had the largest impact on survival chose the hospital with the best transplant rate over the hospital with the best posttransplant outcomes (marginal relative risk and 95% confidence interval, 1.161.501.95). CONCLUSIONS The presentation of public reports influenced decision-making behavior. The combination of qualitative and quantitative research helped to guide and enhance understanding of the impacts of proposed changes in reported metrics.
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12
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Ali B, Salim A, Alam A, Zuberi BF, Ali Z, Azam Z, Kamani L, Farooqi JI, Salih M, Nawaz AA, Chaudhry AA, Hashmi ZY, Siddique M. HEP-Net opinion on the management of ascites and its complications in the setting of decompensated cirrhosis in the resource constrained environment of Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci 2020; 36:1117-1132. [PMID: 32704299 PMCID: PMC7372671 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.36.5.2407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one half of patients develop ascites within 10 years of diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis. It is a poor prognostic indicator, with only 50% surviving beyond two years. Mortality worsens significantly to 20% to 50% at one year if the ascites becomes refractory to medical therapy. Pakistan has one of the highest prevalence of viral hepatitis in the world and patients with ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis make a major percentage of both inpatient and outpatient burden. Studies indicate that over 80% of patients admitted with ascites have liver cirrhosis as the cause. This expert opinion suggests proper assessment of patients with ascites in the presence of underlying cirrhosis. This expert opinion includes appropriate diagnosis and management of uncomplicated ascites, refractory ascites and complicated ascites (including spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) ascites, hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) and hyponatremia. The purpose behind this expert opinion is to help consultants, postgraduate trainees, medical officers and primary care physicians optimally manage their patients with cirrhosis and ascites in a resource constrained setting as is often encountered in a developing country like Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bushra Ali
- Bushra Ali, Fatima Memorial Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Adnan Salim
- Adnan Salim, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Altaf Alam
- Altaf Alam, Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Bader Faiyaz Zuberi
- Bader Faiyaz Zuberi, Dow Medical College, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zeeshan Ali
- Zeeshan Ali, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Zahid Azam
- Zahid Azam, NILGID, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Lubna Kamani
- Lubna Kamani, Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | | | - Muhammed Salih
- Muhammed Salih, Quaid e Azam International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Arif Amir Nawaz
- Arif Amir Nawaz, Fatima Memorial Medical and Dental College, Lahore, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Masood Siddique
- Masood Siddique, Jinnah Memorial Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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13
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Schaffhausen CR, Bruin MJ, Chu S, Fu H, McKinney WT, Schladt D, Snyder JJ, Kim WR, Lake JR, Kasiske BL, Israni AK. Tool to Aid Patients in Selecting a Liver Transplant Center. Liver Transpl 2020; 26:337-348. [PMID: 31923342 PMCID: PMC8193801 DOI: 10.1002/lt.25715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Variations in candidate and donor acceptance criteria may influence access and mortality for liver transplantation. We sought to understand how recipient and donor characteristics vary across centers and how patients interpret this information, and we used these data to develop a tool to provide tailored information to candidates seeking a center (www.transplantcentersearch.org). We analyzed liver recipient data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients to determine how recipient and donor characteristics (eg, age, Medicaid use, and human immunodeficiency virus status) varied across programs. Data included recipients and donors at each US program between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2017. The variation in characteristics was plotted with centers stratified by total transplant volume and by volume of each characteristic. A subset of characteristics was plotted to show variation over 3 years. We created mockups of potential reports displaying recipient characteristics alongside pretransplant and posttransplant outcomes and solicited feedback at patient and family interviews and focus groups, which included 39 individuals: 10 pilot interviews with candidates seeking liver transplant at the University of Minnesota-Fairview (UMNF) and 5 focus groups with 13 UMNF candidates, 6 UMNF family members, and 10 national recipients. Transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis. Several themes emerged: (1) Candidates experience gaps in existing education about center options; (2) patients requested information about how selection criteria might impact access to transplant; and (3) information tailored to a candidate's medical characteristics can inform decisions. Characteristics shown on mockups varied across centers (P < 0.01). Variation was widespread for small and large centers. In conclusion, variation exists in recipient and donor characteristics across centers. Liver transplant patients provide positive feedback upon viewing patient-specific search tools.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sauman Chu
- College of Design, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Helen Fu
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN
| | | | - David Schladt
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jon J. Snyder
- Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN,Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - W. Ray Kim
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Jack R. Lake
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Bertram L. Kasiske
- Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Ajay K. Israni
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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14
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Wey A, Salkowski N, Kremers W, Ahn YS, Snyder J. Piecewise exponential models with time‐varying effects: Estimating mortality after listing for solid organ transplant. Stat (Int Stat Inst) 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/sta4.264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Wey
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute Minneapolis MN USA
| | - Nicholas Salkowski
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute Minneapolis MN USA
| | - Walter Kremers
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics Mayo Clinic Rochester MN USA
| | - Yoon Son Ahn
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute Minneapolis MN USA
| | - Jon Snyder
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute Minneapolis MN USA
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15
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Schaffhausen CR, Bruin MJ, McKinney WT, Snyder JJ, Matas AJ, Kasiske BL, Israni AK. How patients choose kidney transplant centers: A qualitative study of patient experiences. Clin Transplant 2019; 33:e13523. [PMID: 30861199 DOI: 10.1111/ctr.13523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Little is known about how patients make the critical decision of choosing a transplant center. In the United States, acceptance criteria, waiting times, and mortality vary significantly by geography and center. We sought to understand patients' experiences and perspectives when selecting transplant centers. We included 82 kidney transplant patients in 20 semi-structured interviews, nine focus groups with local candidates, and three focus groups with national recipients. Sites included two local transplant centers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and national recipients from across the United States. Transcripts were analyzed by two researchers using a thematic analysis. Several themes emerged related to priorities and barriers when choosing a center. Patients were often unfamiliar with options, even with multiple local centers. Patients described being referred to a specific center by a trusted provider. Patients prioritized perceived reputation, comfort, and convenience. Insurance coverage was both a source of information and a barrier to options. Patients underestimated differences across centers and the effects on being waitlisted and receiving a transplant. Barriers in decision making included an overwhelming scope of information and difficulty locating information relevant to patients with unique medical needs. Informed decisions could be improved by the dissemination of understandable information better tailored to individual patient needs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marilyn J Bruin
- College of Design, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | | | - Jon J Snyder
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Arthur J Matas
- Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Bertram L Kasiske
- Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota (UMN), Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ajay K Israni
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, University of Minnesota (UMN), Minneapolis, Minnesota
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