Facility and State Variation in Hip Fracture in U.S. Nursing Home Residents

Changes in Nursing Staff Levels and Injury-Related Emergency Department Visits among Assisted Living Residents with Alzheimers Disease and Related Dementias

OBJECTIVES

To examine the relationship between changes in nursing staff-hours per resident-day and injury-related emergency department (ED) visits among assisted living (AL) residents with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We leveraged a data set of AL community characteristics in Ohio linked to Medicare claims data from 2007 to 2015.

METHODS

We estimated Poisson models examining the relationships of personal care aide, registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and total nursing hours with injury-related ED visits. Models were adjusted for resident characteristics (ie, age, race, sex, dual eligibility, presence and number of chronic conditions), AL community characteristics (percentage of residents on Medicaid, average resident acuity), year fixed effects, and assisted living fixed effects. We examined all injury-related ED visits and injury-related ED visits resulting in hospital admission as separate outcomes.

RESULTS

The sample included 122,700 person-months, representing 12,144 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD within 455 different AL communities in Ohio between 2007 and 2015. Median total nursing hours increased from 1.34 in 2007 to 1.69 in 2015. In the fully adjusted model, an increase in 1 RN-hour per resident-day was associated with a decrease in the risk of any injury-related ED visit (incidence rate ratio 0.59, 95% CI 0.36-0.96), representing a 53% decrease. Changes in RN-hours were not associated with injury-related inpatient hospitalizations. Changes in total nursing, LPN, and personal care aide hours were not associated with changes in the risk of injury-related ED visits or inpatient hospitalizations.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Increases in RN staffing hours were associated with reduced injury-related ED use among AL residents with ADRD. RNs provide surveillance and care oversight that may help mitigate injury risk, and they are able to physically assess residents at the time of a fall and/or injury, which can preempt unnecessary ED transfers.

Nursing Home PRevention of Injury in DEmentia (NH PRIDE): A pilot study of a remote injury prevention service for NH residents

BACKGROUND

Medication optimization, including prescription of osteoporosis medications and deprescribing medications associated with falls, may reduce injurious falls. Our objective was to describe a remote, injury prevention service (NH PRIDE) designed to optimize medication use in nursing homes (NHs), and to describe its implementation outcomes in a pilot study.

METHODS

This was a non-randomized trial (pilot study) including NH staff and residents from five facilities. Long-stay residents at high-risk for injurious falls were identified using a validated risk calculator and staff referral. A remote team reviewed the electronic health record (EHR) and provided recommendations as Injury Prevention Plans (IPP). A research nurse served as a care coordinator focused on resident engagement and shared decision-making. Outcomes included implementation measures, as identified in the EHR, and surveys and interviews with staff.

RESULTS

Across five facilities, 274 residents were screened for eligibility, and 46 residents (16.8%) were enrolled. Most residents were female (73.9%) and had dementia (63.0%). An IPP was completed for 45 residents (97.8%). The nurse made a total of 93 deprescribing recommendations in 36 residents (80% of residents had one or more deprescribing recommendation; mean 2.2 recommendations/resident). Twenty of 45 residents (44.4%) had a recommendation for osteoporosis treatment. Among residents with recommendations, 21/36 (58.3%) had one or more deprescribing orders written and 6/20 (30.0%) had an osteoporosis medication prescribed. At 4 months, most medication changes persisted. Adverse side effects were rare. Staff members identified several areas for program refinement, including aligning recommendations with provider workflow and engaging consultant psychiatrists.

CONCLUSIONS

A remote injury prevention service is safe and feasible to enhance deprescribing and osteoporosis treatment in long-stay NH residents at risk for injury. Additional investigation is needed to determine if this model could reduce injurious falls when deployed across NH chains.

Development and validation of the fall-related injury risk in nursing homes (INJURE-NH) prediction tool

BACKGROUND

Existing models to predict fall-related injuries (FRI) in nursing homes (NH) focus on hip fractures, yet hip fractures comprise less than half of all FRIs. We developed and validated a series of models to predict the absolute risk of FRIs in NH residents.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study of long-stay US NH residents (≥100 days in the same facility) between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 (n = 733,427) using Medicare claims and Minimum Data Set v3.0 clinical assessments. Predictors of FRIs were selected through LASSO logistic regression in a 2/3 random derivation sample and tested in a 1/3 validation sample. Sub-distribution hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated for 6-month and 2-year follow-up. Discrimination was evaluated via C-statistic, and calibration compared the predicted rate of FRI to the observed rate. To develop a parsimonious clinical tool, we calculated a score using the five strongest predictors in the Fine-Gray model. Model performance was repeated in the validation sample.

RESULTS

Mean (Q1, Q3) age was 85.0 (77.5, 90.6) years and 69.6% were women. Within 2 years of follow-up, 43,976 (6.0%) residents experienced ≥1 FRI. Seventy predictors were included in the model. The discrimination of the 2-year prediction model was good (C-index = 0.70), and the calibration was excellent. Calibration and discrimination of the 6-month model were similar (C-index = 0.71). In the clinical tool to predict 2-year risk, the five characteristics included independence in activities of daily living (ADLs) (HR 2.27; 95% CI 2.14-2.41) and a history of non-hip fracture (HR 2.02; 95% CI 1.94-2.12). Performance results were similar in the validation sample.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated a series of risk prediction models that can identify NH residents at greatest risk for FRI. In NH, these models should help target preventive strategies.

Influence of Comorbidities on Healthcare Expenditures and Perceived Physical and Mental Health Status Among Adults with Multiple Sclerosis: A Propensity Score-Matched US National-Level Study

Objective

To evaluate the effect of comorbidities on healthcare expenditures and perceived physical and mental health status among adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls.

Methods

A retrospective, cross-sectional, matched cohort study was conducted using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2005–2015) data. The base study sample consisted of adults (age ≥18 years) who were alive and had positive total healthcare expenditures during the survey calendar year. Adults with MS were propensity-matched (1:1) to non-MS controls based on age, gender, and race/ethnicity using greedy matching algorithm. Healthcare expenditures consisted of total and subtypes of expenditures. Health status consisted of perceived physical and mental health status. Comorbidities were identified using ICD-9-CM and Clinical Classification System codes. Ordinary least squares regression and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze the healthcare expenditures and health status variables, respectively.

Results

Final study sample consisted of 541 adults in each MS and non-MS control groups after propensity score matching. After adjusting for potential confounders, individuals with MS had greater total and subtypes of expenditures compared to non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, depression, hypertension) were significantly associated with increased healthcare expenditures. Yearly average total expenditures (expressed in 2018 US$) were significantly (p<0.001) higher for adults with MS ($29,396) than propensity score-matched non-MS adults ($7875). Moreover, after adjusting for all individual-level factors, adults with MS experienced 363% (p<0.001) higher total expenditures compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls. Individuals with MS were more likely to report poorer physical and good mental health status compared to propensity score-matched non-MS controls, and several comorbidities (eg, anxiety, depression) were significant independent predictors of poorer health status. For example, adults with MS were four times more likely (OR: 4.10, 95% CI: 2.42–6.96) to report fair/poor physical health status compared to excellent/very good physical health status compared with non-MS controls. Adults with MS were 42% (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.01–1.99) more likely than propensity score-matched non-MS controls to report good rather than very good or excellent mental health status. However, there was no difference between adults with MS and propensity score-matched non-MS controls in terms of reporting fair or poor than very good or excellent mental health status.

Conclusion

Findings from this study indicate substantial economic and health status burdens among adults with MS at the US national-level that are significantly influenced by comorbidities.

Comparative effectiveness of denosumab, teriparatide, and zoledronic acid among frail older adults: a retrospective cohort study

The comparative effects of zoledronic acid, denosumab, and teriparatide for preventing hip fractures in frail older adults, especially those in nursing homes, were unknown. We found that denosumab and zoledronic acid may be as effective as teriparatide for hip fracture prevention in nursing home residents.

INTRODUCTION

Several non-oral drugs exist for osteoporosis treatment, including zoledronic acid (ZA), denosumab, and teriparatide. Little data exist on the comparative effectiveness of these drugs for hip fracture prevention in frail older adults. We examined their comparative effectiveness in one of the frailest segments of the US population-nursing home (NH) residents.

METHODS

We conducted a national retrospective cohort study of NH residents aged ≥ 65 years using 2012 to 2016 national US Minimum Data Set clinical assessment data and linked Medicare claims. New parenteral ZA, denosumab, and teriparatide use was assessed via Medicare Parts B and D; hip fracture outcomes via Part A; and 125 covariates for confounding adjustment via several datasets. We used inverse probability weighted (IPW) competing risk regression models to compare hip fracture risk between groups with teriparatide as the reference.

RESULTS

The study cohort (N = 2019) included 1046 denosumab, 578 teriparatide, and 395 ZA initiators. Mean age was 85 years, 90% were female, and 68% had at least moderate functional impairment. Seventy-two residents (3.6%) had a hip fracture and 1100 (54.5%) died over a mean follow-up of 1.5 years. Compared to teriparatide use, denosumab use was associated with a 46% lower risk of hip fracture (HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.29-1.00) and no difference was observed for ZA (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.26-1.85).

CONCLUSIONS

Denosumab and ZA may be as effective as teriparatide for hip fracture prevention in frail older adults. Given their lower cost and easier administration, denosumab and ZA are likely preferable non-oral treatments for most frail, older adults.

Predictors of Hip Fracture Despite Treatment with Bisphosphonates among Frail Older Adults

OBJECTIVES

Bisphosphonates are effective at preventing hip fractures among older adults, yet many patients still fracture while on treatment and may benefit from additional preventive interventions. Little data are specifically available to target such efforts among bisphosphonate users. We aimed to identify predictors of hip fracture unique to frail older adults initiating pharmacologic treatment for osteoporosis.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort using 2008-2013 linked national Minimum Data Set assessments, Medicare claims, and nursing home (NH) facility data.

SETTING

NHs in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Long-stay NH residents 65 years or older who initiated treatment with a bisphosphonate (N = 17 753). Estimates for bisphosphonate initiators were contrasted with those for calcitonin initiators (control group; N = 5348).

MEASUREMENTS

Hospitalized hip fracture outcomes were measured using Part A claims. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for 36 a priori selected potential predictors.

RESULTS

The mean (SD) age of the study population was 84 (8) years, 85% were women, and 51% had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Predictors associated with a higher risk of hip fracture despite bisphosphonate use included age 75 years or older to 85 years (vs ≥65 to <75 y; HR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.02-1.55), female sex (HR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.06-1.67), white race (vs black race (HR = 1.87; 95% CI = 1.36-2.58), and body mass index = 18.5-24.9 (vs ≥30; HR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.53-2.42). Independent ability to transfer (vs total dependence; HR = 3.11; 95% CI = 1.83-5.30) and occasional urinary incontinence (vs frequent; HR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.18-1.78) were also important predictors. Dementia, diabetes, psychoactive drug use, and other characteristics were not associated with post-prescribing hip fracture. Predictors did not differ between bisphosphonate and calcitonin users.

CONCLUSION

Predictors of hip fracture among frail older adults did not differ between those who were new users of bisphosphonates vs calcitonin. Given the absence of risk factors unique to bisphosphonate users, targeting of fracture prevention efforts should extend beyond pharmacologic therapy to include existing nonpharmacologic therapies, particularly fall prevention strategies. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:256-260, 2020.

Patient-Important Adverse Events of β-blockers in Frail Older Adults after Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the burden of adverse events caused by β-blocker use after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in frail, older nursing home (NH) residents.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used national Medicare claims linked to Minimum Data Set assessments. The study population was individuals aged ≥65 years who resided in a U.S. NH for ≥30 days, had a hospitalized AMI between May 2007 and March 2010, and returned to the NH. Exposure was new use of β-blockers versus nonuse post-AMI. Orthostasis, general hypotension, falls, dizziness, syncope, and breathlessness outcomes were measured over 90 days of follow-up. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for outcomes were estimated using multinomial logistic regression models after 1:1 propensity score-matching of β-blocker users to nonusers.

RESULTS

Among the 10,992 NH propensity score-matched residents with an AMI, the mean age was 84 years and 70.9% were female. β-blocker users were more likely than nonusers to be hospitalized for hypotension (OR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.39) or experience breathlessness (OR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.20) after AMI. With the exception of falls, other outcome estimates, though imprecise, were compatible with a potential elevated risk of orthostasis (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 0.96-1.35), syncope, (OR = 1.24, 95% CI 0.55-2.77), and dizziness (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 0.82-1.99) among β-blocker users.

CONCLUSIONS

Considered alongside prior evidence that β-blockers may worsen functional outcomes in NH residents with poor baseline functional and cognitive status, our results suggest that providers should exercise caution when prescribing for these vulnerable groups, balancing the mortality benefit against the potential for causing adverse events.

Incidence of hip fracture in Native American residents of U.S. nursing homes

OBJECTIVES

To compare the standardized incidence rates (IRs) of hip fracture for Native Americans versus other racial groups in U.S. nursing homes (NHs).

METHODS

We studied Medicare fee-for-service NH residents aged ≥65 years who became long-stay (index date) between 1/1/2008 and 12/31/2009 (n = 1,136,544). Residents were followed from the index date until occurrence of hip fracture, death, Medicare disenrollment, or study end (12/31/2013). We calculated hip fracture IRs by race and used inverse probability weighting to standardize the rates for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics collected from the Minimum Data Set and Medicare claims data. We compared characteristics of NHs used by residents of different races using Online Survey, Certification and Reporting (OSCAR) data.

RESULTS

Among long-stay U.S. NH residents, the standardized IR of hip fracture per 100 person-years was highest in Native Americans [2.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.91-2.44] and white residents (2.05; 2.03-2.06), and lowest in black residents (0.82; 0.79-0.85). NHs caring for Native American residents were more likely to be rurally located as compared to other racial group.

CONCLUSIONS

In U.S. NHs, Native Americans and whites have the highest standardized IR of hip fracture and should receive particular attention in fracture prevention efforts.

Long-term Care Facility Variation in the Incidence of Pneumonia and Influenza

Background

Pneumonia and influenza (P&I) increase morbidity and mortality among older adults, especially those residing in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Facility-level characteristics may affect the risk of P&I beyond resident-level risk factors. However, the relationship between facility characteristics and P&I is poorly understood. To address this, we identified potentially modifiable facility-level characteristics that influence the incidence of P&I across LTCFs.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using 2013-2015 Medicare claims linked to Minimum Data Set and LTCF-level data. Short-stay (<100 days) and long-stay (100+ days) LTCF residents were followed for the first occurrence of hospitalization, LTCF discharge, Medicare disenrollment, or death. We calculated LTCF risk-standardized incidence rates (RSIRs) per 100 person-years for P&I hospitalizations by adjusting for over 30 resident-level demographic and clinical covariates using hierarchical logistic regression.

Results

We included 1 767 241 short-stay (13 683 LTCFs) and 922 863 long-stay residents (14 495 LTCFs). LTCFs with lower RSIRs had more licensed independent practitioners (nurse practitioners or physician assistants) among short-stay (44.9% vs 41.6%, P < .001) and long-stay residents (47.4% vs 37.9%, P < .001), higher registered nurse hours/resident/day among short-stay and long-stay residents (mean [SD], 0.5 [0.7] vs 0.4 [0.4], P < .001), and fewer residents for whom antipsychotics were prescribed among short-stay (21.4% [11.6%] vs 23.6% [13.2%], P < .001) and long-stay residents (22.2% [14.3%] vs 25.5% [15.0%], P < .001).

Conclusions

LTCF characteristics may play an important role in preventing P&I hospitalizations. Hiring more registered nurses and licensed independent practitioners, increasing staffing hours, and higher-quality care practices may be modifiable means of reducing P&I in LTCFs.

Effect of Bisphosphonates on Fracture Outcomes Among Frail Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Bisphosphonates are seldom used in frail, older adults, in part due to lack of direct evidence of efficacy in this population and increasing concerns about safety.

OBJECTIVE

We estimated the effects of bisphosphonates on hip fractures, nonvertebral fractures, and severe esophagitis among frail, older adults.

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort using 2008 to 2013 linked national Minimum Data Set assessments; Online Survey Certification and Reporting System records; and Medicare claims.

SETTING

US nursing homes (NHs).

PARTICIPANTS

Long-stay NH residents 65 years and older without recent osteoporosis medication use (N = 24,571). Bisphosphonate initiators were 1:1 propensity score matched to calcitonin initiators (active comparator).

MEASUREMENTS

Hospitalized hip fracture, nonvertebral fracture, and esophagitis outcomes were measured using part A claims. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated, controlling for over 100 baseline characteristics.

RESULTS

The matched cohort included 5209 new bisphosphonate users and an equal number of calcitonin users (mean age [SD] = 85 [8] years; 87% female; 52% moderate-severe cognitive impairment). Over a mean follow-up of 2.5 (SD = 1.7) years, 568 residents (5.5%) had a hip fracture, 874 (8.4%) had a nonvertebral fracture, and 199 (1.9%) had a hospitalized esophagitis event. Users of bisphosphonates were less likely than calcitonin users to experience hip fracture (HR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.71-0.98), with an average gain in time without fracture of 28.4 days (95% CI = 6.0-50.8 days). Bisphosphonate and calcitonin users had similar rates of nonvertebral fracture (HR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.80-1.03) and esophagitis events (HR = 1.11; 95% CI = 0.84-1.47). The effects of bisphosphonates on fractures and esophagitis were generally homogeneous across subgroups, including those defined by age, sex, history of prior fracture, and baseline fracture risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of bisphosphonates is associated with a meaningful reduction in hip fracture among frail, older adults, but little difference in nonvertebral fracture or severe esophagitis. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:768-776, 2019.

Commonly Initiated Opioids and Risk of Fracture Hospitalizations in United States Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to estimate the comparative safety of initiating commonly used opioids among older, long-stay United States nursing home residents with fracture hospitalizations.

METHODS

We conducted a new-user retrospective cohort study of nursing home residents initiating short-acting oxycodone, hydrocodone, or tramadol by merging the 2011-2013 Minimum Data Set 3.0 to Medicare hospitalization and pharmacy claims. Residents (≥ 65 years, no cancer or hospice use) contributed treatment episodes (> 120 days with no prior opioid claims) and were followed for 180 days until incident fracture hospitalization (hip, femur, humerus, pelvis, radius/ulna), death (competing risk), treatment changes (e.g., discontinuation), or administrative censoring. Competing risks models with inverse probability of treatment weighting were used to estimate subdistribution hazard ratios (HR_SD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Overall, 110,862 residents contributed 134,432 treatment episodes: 14,373 oxycodone; 69,182 hydrocodone; and 50,877 tramadol initiators. The incidences of fracture hospitalizations per 100 person-years were 9.4 (95% CI 7.5-11.7) for oxycodone, 7.9 (95% CI 7.1-8.8) for hydrocodone, and 5.0 (95% CI 4.3-5.7) for tramadol initiators. In weighted models, oxycodone initiators had a similar rate of fractures to hydrocodone initiators (HR_SD 1.08, 95% CI 0.79-1.48). Tramadol initiators had lower fracture rates than hydrocodone initiators (HR_SD 0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.80).

CONCLUSIONS

The lower rate of fractures that we documented among tramadol initiators compared with hydrocodone initiators is consistent, albeit attenuated compared with prior studies among community-dwelling older adults. However, overall fracture rates were lower than in community settings, potentially due to the limited risk of falling in this population with limited mobility.