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Wittmer R, Theriault G, Lafortune FD, Boudreault S, Turgeon MA, Breault P, Bois G, Hannane L, Try A. Ten recommendations to foster healthcare resource stewardship in knowledge translation. BMJ Evid Based Med 2024:bmjebm-2024-112914. [PMID: 38862201 DOI: 10.1136/bmjebm-2024-112914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rene Wittmer
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guylene Theriault
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Pascale Breault
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Genevieve Bois
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Amanda Try
- Choisir avec soin Québec, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
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Gupta R, Xie BE, Zhu M, Segal JB. Randomized Experiments to Reduce Overuse of Health Care: A Scoping Review. Med Care 2024; 62:263-269. [PMID: 38315879 PMCID: PMC10939761 DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Health care overuse is pervasive in countries with advanced health care delivery systems. We hypothesize that effective interventions to reduce low-value care that targets patients or clinicians are mediated by psychological and cognitive processes that change behaviors and that interventions targeting these processes are varied. Thus, we performed a scoping review of experimental studies of interventions, including the interventions' objectives and characteristics, to reduce low-value care that targeted psychological and cognitive processes. METHODS We systematically searched databases for experimental studies of interventions to change cognitive orientations and affective states in the setting of health care overuse. Outcomes included observed overuse or a stated intention to use services. We used existing frameworks for behavior change and mechanisms of change to categorize the interventions and the mediating processes. RESULTS Twenty-seven articles met the inclusion criteria. Sixteen studied the provision of information to patients or clinicians, with most providing cost information. Six studies used educational interventions, including the provision of feedback about individual practice. Studies rarely used counseling, behavioral nudges, persuasion, and rewards. Mechanisms for behavior change included gain in knowledge or confidence and motivation by social norms. CONCLUSIONS In this scoping review, we found few experiments testing interventions that directly target the psychological and cognitive processes of patients or clinicians to reduce low-value care. Most studies provided information to patients or clinicians without measuring or considering mediating factors toward behavior change. These findings highlight the need for process-driven experimental designs, including trials of behavioral nudges and persuasive language involving a trusting patient-clinician relationship, to identify effective interventions to reduce low-value care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Gupta
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Meng Zhu
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD
- Pamplin College of Business, Virgina Tech, Blacksburg, VA
| | - Jodi B. Segal
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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House SA, Marin JR, Coon ER, Ralston SL, Hall M, Gruhler De Souza H, Ho T, Reyes M, Schroeder AR. Trends in Low-Value Care Among Children's Hospitals. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023062492. [PMID: 38130171 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Longitudinal pediatric low-value care (LVC) trends are not well established. We used the Pediatric Health Information System LVC Calculator, which measures utilization of 30 nonevidenced-based services, to report 7-year LVC trends. METHODS This retrospective cohort study applied the LVC Calculator to emergency department (ED) and hospital encounters from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022. We used generalized estimating equation models accounting for hospital clustering to assess temporal changes in LVC. RESULTS There were 5 265 153 eligible ED encounters and 1 301 613 eligible hospitalizations. In 2022, of 21 LVC measures applicable to the ED cohort, the percentage of encounters with LVC had increased for 11 measures, decreased for 1, and remained unchanged for 9 as compared with 2016. Computed tomography for minor head injury had the largest increase (17%-23%; P < .001); bronchodilators for bronchiolitis decreased (22%-17%; P = .001). Of 26 hospitalization measures, LVC increased for 6 measures, decreased for 9, and was unchanged for 11. Inflammatory marker testing for pneumonia had the largest increase (23%-38%; P = .003); broad-spectrum antibiotic use for pneumonia had the largest decrease (60%-48%; P < .001). LVC remained unchanged or decreased for most medication and procedure measures, but remained unchanged or increased for most laboratory and imaging measures. CONCLUSIONS LVC improved for a minority of services between 2016 and 2022. Trends were more favorable for therapeutic (medications and procedures) than diagnostic measures (imaging and laboratory studies). These data may inform prioritization of deimplementation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha A House
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, and New Hampshire Dartmouth Health Children's, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Jennifer R Marin
- UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Eric R Coon
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Shawn L Ralston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | | | | | - Timmy Ho
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mario Reyes
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida
| | - Alan R Schroeder
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Li Y, Liu X, Kang L, Li J. Validation and Comparison of Four Mortality Prediction Models in a Geriatric Ward in China. Clin Interv Aging 2023; 18:2009-2019. [PMID: 38053653 PMCID: PMC10695131 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s429769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The efficacy of mortality risk prediction models among older patients in China remains uncertain. We aimed to validate and compare the performances of the Walter Index, Geriatric Prognostic Index (GPI), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and FRAIL Scale in predicting 1-year all-cause mortality post-discharge in geriatric inpatients in China. Patients and Methods This study was conducted at a geriatric ward of a tertiary Hospital in Beijing, including patients aged 70 years or older with a documented comprehensive geriatric assessment, discharged between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. Patients with a hospital stay ≤24 h or >60 days were excluded. All-cause mortality data within one year of discharge were collected from medical files and telephone interviews between August 2022 and February 2023. Multiple imputation, Logistic regression analysis, Brier scores, C-statistics, Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit-test, and calibration plots were employed for statistical analysis. Results We included 832 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 77 (74-82) years. One-hundred patients (12.0%) died within one year. After adjusting for covariates-marital status, social support, cigarette use, length of stay, number of medications, hemoglobin levels, handgrip strength, and Short Physical Performance Battery-CCI scores of 3-4 and >4, and increased Walter Index, GPI, and FRAIL Scale scores were significantly associated with 1-year mortality risk. The Brier scores varied from 0.07 (Walter Index) to 0.10 (FRAIL Scale). The C-statistic ranged from 0.74 (95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.78) for FRAIL Scale to 0.88 (95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.91) for the Walter Index. Calibration curves showed that the Walter Index, GPI, and FRAIL Scale were well calibrated, while the CCI was poor. Conclusion Combining the Brier score, discrimination and calibration, the Walter Index was confirmed for the first time to be the best model to predict the 1-year mortality risk of geriatric inpatients in China among the four models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lin Kang
- Department of Geriatrics, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiaojiao Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Akhtar H, Chaudhry SH, Bortolussi-Courval É, Hanula R, Akhtar A, Nauche B, McDonald EG. Diagnostic yield of CT head in delirium and altered mental status-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:946-958. [PMID: 36434820 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18134] [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: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CT head is commonly performed in the setting of delirium and altered mental status (AMS), with variable yield. We aimed to evaluate the yield of CT head in hospitalized patients with delirium and/or AMS across a variety of clinical settings and identify factors associated with abnormal imaging. METHODS We included studies in adult hospitalized patients, admitted to the emergency department (ED) and inpatient medical unit (grouped together) or the intensive care unit (ICU). Patients had a diagnosis of delirium/AMS and underwent a CT head that was classified as abnormal or not. We searched Medline, Embase and other databases (informed by PRISMA guidelines) from inception until November 11, 2021. Studies that were exclusively performed in patients with trauma or a fall were excluded. A meta-analysis of proportions was performed; the pooled proportion of abnormal CTs was estimated using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was determined via the I2 statistic. Factors associated with an abnormal CT head were summarized qualitatively. RESULTS Forty-six studies were included for analysis. The overall yield of CT head in the inpatient/ED was 13% (95% CI: 10.2%-15.9%) and in ICU was 17.4% (95% CI: 10%-26.3%), with considerable heterogeneity (I2 96% and 98% respectively). Heterogeneity was partly explained after accounting for study region, publication year, and representativeness of the target population. Yield of CT head diminished after year 2000 (19.8% vs. 11.1%) and varied widely depending on geographical region (8.4%-25.9%). The presence of focal neurological deficits was a consistent factor that increased yield. CONCLUSION Use of CT head to diagnose the etiology of delirium and AMS varied widely and yield has declined. Guidelines and clinical decision support tools could increase the appropriate use of CT head in the diagnostic etiology of delirium/AMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haris Akhtar
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shazia H Chaudhry
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Émilie Bortolussi-Courval
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Ryan Hanula
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Anas Akhtar
- Department of General Surgery, Letterkenny University Hospital, Letterkenny, Ireland
| | - Bénédicte Nauche
- McGill University Health Centre Medical Libraries, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily G McDonald
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
- Clinical Practice Assessment Unit, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
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Morgan R, Callander E, Cullen L, Walker K, Bumpstead S, Hawkins T, Kuhn L, Egerton‐Warburton D. From little things, big things grow: An exploratory analysis of the national cost of peripheral intravenous catheter insertion in Australian adult emergency care. Emerg Med Australas 2022; 34:877-883. [PMID: 35567373 PMCID: PMC9790706 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate the total economic impact of peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) or cannula insertion and use in adult Australian EDs, including those cannulas that remain unused for therapeutic purposes. METHODS Searches on Australian government websites were conducted to find rates of insertion, complications and cost of cannula; following this, gaps in national data sets were filled with MEDLINE and PubMed searches to estimate the total cost of cannula use in Australian EDs. Once the data were collected, totals were combined to establish an estimated cost for the listed categories. RESULTS The estimated cost of cannulation in Australia may be up to A$594 million per year, including the cost of insertion (equipment and staff), cost of complications such as Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and phlebitis, and patient-centred costs (lost patient productivity, infiltration, occlusion and dislodgement). Approximately A$305.9 million is attributed to unused cannulas and approximately 11 790 days of clinician time is spent annually inserting cannula that remains idle. CONCLUSION The figures developed in the present study represent an important educational opportunity to encourage thoughtful consideration of all interventions, no matter how small. ED cannula insertion represents a large economic and health cost to Australia's health system, many of which remain unused. There are no national data sets that record complications associated with PIVCs and we highlight the urgent need for improved data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Morgan
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Emily Callander
- School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Louise Cullen
- Department of Emergency MedicineRoyal Brisbane and Women's HospitalBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia,School of Public HealthQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia,School of MedicineThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Katie Walker
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Emergency MedicineMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Suzanne Bumpstead
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Emergency MedicineMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Monash Emergency Research CollaborativeMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Tracey Hawkins
- Department of Emergency MedicineRoyal Brisbane and Women's HospitalBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Lisa Kuhn
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Monash Emergency Research CollaborativeMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Nursing and MidwiferyMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Diana Egerton‐Warburton
- School of Clinical Sciences at Monash HealthMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,School of Public Health and Preventive MedicineMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Emergency MedicineMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Monash Emergency Research CollaborativeMonash HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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Gangathimmaiah V, Evans R, Moodley N, Sen Gupta T, Drever N, Cardona M, Carlisle K. Identification of barriers, enablers and interventions to inform deimplementation of low-value care in emergency medicine practice: A protocol for a mixed methods scoping review informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e062755. [PMID: 36368755 PMCID: PMC9660707 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Low-value care can lead to patient harm, misdirected clinician time and wastage of finite healthcare resources. Despite worldwide endeavours, deimplementing low-value care has proved challenging. Multifaceted, context and barrier-specific interventions are essential for successful deimplementation. The aim of this literature review is to summarise the evidence about barriers to, enablers of and interventions for deimplementation of low-value care in emergency medicine practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A mixed methods scoping review using the Arksey and O'Malley framework will be conducted. MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCare, Scopus and grey literature will be searched from inception. Primary studies will be included. Barriers, enablers and interventions will be mapped to the domains of the Theoretical Domains Framework. Study selection, data collection and quality assessment will be performed by two independent reviewers. NVivo software will be used for qualitative data analysis. Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool will be used for quality assessment. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews framework will be used to present results. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Ethics approval is not required for this scoping review. This review will generate an evidence summary regarding barriers to, enablers of and interventions for deimplementation of low-value care in emergency medicine practice. This review will facilitate discussions about deimplementation with relevant stakeholders including healthcare providers, consumers and managers. These discussions are expected to inform the design and conduct of planned future projects to identify context-specific barriers and enablers then codesign, implement and evaluate barrier-specific interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Gangathimmaiah
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Townsville University Hospital, Douglas, Queensland, Australia
| | - Rebecca Evans
- College of Medicine and Dentistry and Anton Breinl Research Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nishila Moodley
- Townsville Public Health Unit, Townsville Hospital and Health Service, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tarun Sen Gupta
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie Drever
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Magnolia Cardona
- Institute for Evidence Based Healthcare, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
- EBP Professorial Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Karen Carlisle
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
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Do LA, Koethe BC, Daly AT, Chambers JD, Ollendorf DA, Wong JB, Fendrick AM, Neumann PJ, Kim DD. State-Level Variation In Low-Value Care For Commercially Insured And Medicare Advantage Populations. Health Aff (Millwood) 2022; 41:1281-1290. [PMID: 36067429 DOI: 10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Low-value care is a major source of health care inefficiency in the US. Our analysis of 2009-19 administrative claims data from OptumLabs Data Warehouse found that low-value care and associated spending remain prevalent among commercially insured and Medicare Advantage enrollees. The aggregated prevalence of twenty-three low-value services was 1,920 per 100,000 eligible enrollees, which amounted to $3.7 billion in wasteful expenditures during the study period. State-level variation in spending was greater than variation in utilization, and much of the variation in spending was driven by differences in average procedure prices. If the average price for twenty-three low-value services among the top ten states in spending were set to the national average, their spending would decrease by 19.8 percent (from $735,000 to $590,000 per 100,000 eligible enrollees). State-level actions to improve the routine measurement and reporting of low-value care could identify sources of variation and help design state-specific policies that lead to better patient-centered outcomes, enhanced equity, and more efficient spending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Do
- Lauren A. Do, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - James D Chambers
- James D. Chambers, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - John B Wong
- John B. Wong, Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University
| | - A Mark Fendrick
- A. Mark Fendrick, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - David D Kim
- David D. Kim , Tufts Medical Center and Tufts University
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Abbasi K. A system reset for the campaign against too much medicine. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/bmj.o1466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Fraiman J, Brownlee S, Stoto MA, Lin KW, Huffstetler AN. An Estimate of the US Rate of Overuse of Screening Colonoscopy: a Systematic Review. J Gen Intern Med 2022; 37:1754-1762. [PMID: 35212879 PMCID: PMC8877747 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-021-07263-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to assess the rate at which screening colonoscopy is performed on patients younger or older than the age range specified in national guidelines, or at shorter intervals than recommended. Such non-indicated use of the procedure is considered low-value care, or overuse. This study is the first systematic review of the rate of non-indicated completed screening colonoscopy in the USA. METHODS PubMed and Embase were queried for relevant studies on overuse of screening colonoscopy published from January 1, 2002, until January 23, 2019. English-language studies that were conducted for screening colonoscopy after 2001 for average-risk patients were included. Studies must have followed national guidelines for detecting rates of overuse. We followed methods outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and the reporting recommendations of the Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology group (MOOSE). RESULTS A total of 772 papers were reviewed for inclusion; 42 were reviewed in full text. Of those reviewed, six studies met eligibility criteria, including a total of 459,503 colonoscopies of which 242,756 were screening colonoscopies. The rate of overuse ranged credibly from 17 to 25.7%. DISCUSSION This study demonstrates that screening colonoscopy is regularly performed in the USA more often, and in populations older or younger, than recommended by national guidelines. Such overuse wastes resources and places patients at unnecessary risk of harm. Efforts to reduce non-indicated screening colonoscopy are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Fraiman
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Thibodaux Regional Medical Center, Thibodaux, LA, USA. .,, New Orleans, USA.
| | | | - Michael A Stoto
- Department of Health Systems Administration, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kenneth W Lin
- Department of Family Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Segal JB, Sen AP, Glanzberg-Krainin E, Hutfless S. Factors Associated With Overuse of Health Care Within US Health Systems. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2022; 3:e214543. [PMID: 35977230 PMCID: PMC8903118 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.4543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Question What features of health care systems in the US are associated with overuse of health care? Findings In this cross-sectional study of 676 US health care systems, those that were overusing health care had more beds, had fewer primary care physicians, had more physician practice groups, were more likely to be investor owned, and were less likely to include a major teaching hospital. Meaning In-depth exploration of the drivers of health care overuse is needed at the level of health systems as their incentives may not be aligned with high-value care. Importance Overuse of health care is a pervasive threat to patients that requires measurement to inform the development of interventions. Objective To measure low-value health care use within health systems in the US and explore features of the health systems associated with low-value care delivery. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional analysis, we identified occurrences of 17 low-value services in 3745 hospitals and affiliated outpatient sites. Hospitals were linked to 676 health systems in the US using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Compendium of Health Systems. The participants were 100% of Medicare beneficiaries with claims from 2016 to 2018. Exposures We identified occurrences of 17 low-value services in 3839 hospitals and affiliated outpatient sites. Main Outcomes and Measures Hospitals were linked to health systems using AHRQ’s Compendium of Health Systems. Between March and August 2021, we modeled overuse occurrences with a negative binomial regression model including the year-quarter, procedure indicator, and a health system indicator. The model included random effects for hospital and beneficiary age, sex, and comorbidity count specific to each indicator, hospital, and quarter. The beta coefficients associated with the health system term, normalized, reflect the tendency of that system to use low-value services relative to all other systems. With ordinary least squares regression, we explored health system characteristics associated with the Overuse Index (OI), expressed as a standard deviation where the mean across all health systems is 0. Results There were 676 unique health systems assessed in our study that included from 1 to 163 hospitals (median of 2). The mean age of eligible beneficiaries was 75.5 years and 76% were women. Relative to the lowest tertile, health systems in the upper tertile of medical groups count and bed count had an OI that was higher by 0.38 standard deviations (SD) and 0.44 SD, respectively. Health systems that were primarily investor owned had an OI that was 0.56 SD higher than those that were not investor owned. Relative to the lowest tertile, health systems in the upper tertile of primary care physicians, upper tertile of teaching intensity, and upper quartile of uncompensated care had an OI that was lower by 0.59 SD, 0.45 SD, and 0.47 SD, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional study of US health systems, higher amounts of overuse among health systems were associated with investor ownership and fewer primary care physicians. The OI is a valuable tool for identifying potentially modifiable drivers of overuse and is adaptable to other levels of investigation, such as the state or region, which might be affected by local policies affecting payment or system consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi B. Segal
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Aditi P. Sen
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eliana Glanzberg-Krainin
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Susan Hutfless
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Doctors as Resource Stewards? Translating High-Value, Cost-Conscious Care to the Consulting Room. HEALTH CARE ANALYSIS 2022; 30:215-239. [PMID: 35562635 PMCID: PMC9741564 DOI: 10.1007/s10728-022-00446-4] [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: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
After many policy attempts to tackle the persistent rise in the costs of health care, physicians are increasingly seen as potentially effective resource stewards. Frameworks including the quadruple aim, value-based health care and choosing wisely underline the importance of positive engagement of the health care workforce in reinventing the system-paving the way to real affordability by defining the right care. Current programmes focus on educating future doctors to provide 'high-value, cost-conscious care' (HVCCC), which proponents believe is the future of sustainable medical practice. Such programmes, which aim to extend population-level allocation concerns to interactions between an individual doctor and patient, have generated lively debates about the ethics of expanding doctors' professional accountability. To empirically ground this discussion, we conducted a qualitative interview study to examine what happens when resource stewardship responsibilities are extended to the consulting room. Attempts to deliver HVCCC were found to involve inevitable trade-offs between benefits to the individual patient and (social) costs, medical uncertainty and efficiency, and between resource stewardship and trust. Physicians reconcile this by justifying good-value care in terms of what is in the best interest of individual patients-redefining the currency of value from monetary costs to a patient's quality of life, and cost-conscious care as reflective medical practice. Micro-level resource stewardship thus becomes a matter of working reflexively and reducing wasteful forms of care, rather than of making difficult choices about resource allocation.
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Ries NM, Johnston B, Jansen J. Views of healthcare consumer representatives on defensive practice: 'We are your biggest advocate and supporter… not the enemy'. Health Expect 2021; 25:374-383. [PMID: 34859547 PMCID: PMC8849368 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The patient–clinician interaction is a site at which defensive practice could occur, when clinicians provide tests, procedures and treatments mainly to reduce perceived legal risks, rather than to advance patient care. Defensive practice is a driver of low‐value care and exposes patients to the risks of unnecessary interventions. To date, patient perspectives on defensive practice and its impacts on them are largely missing from the literature. This exploratory study conducted in Australia aimed to examine the views and experiences of healthcare consumer representatives in this under‐examined area. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with healthcare consumer representatives involved in healthcare consumer advocacy organisations in Australia. Data were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results Nine healthcare consumer representatives participated. Most had over 20 years of involvement and advocacy in healthcare, including personal experiences as a patient or carer and/or formal service roles on committees or complaint bodies for healthcare organisations. Participants uniformly viewed defensive practice as having a negative impact on the clinician–patient relationship. Themes identified the importance of fostering patient–clinician partnership, effective communication and informed decision‐making. The themes support a shift from the concept of defensive practice to preventive practice in partnership, which focuses on the shared interests of patients and clinicians in achieving safe and high‐value care. Conclusion This Australian study offers healthcare consumers' perspectives on the impacts of defensive practice on patients. The findings highlight the features of clinician–patient partnership that will help to improve communication and decision‐making, and prevent the defensive provision of low‐value care. Patient or Public Contribution Healthcare consumer representatives were involved as participants in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nola M Ries
- Faculty of Law, Law Health Justice Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Briony Johnston
- Faculty of Law, Law Health Justice Research Centre, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jesse Jansen
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Godlee F. Investing in public health is our best route to sustainable healthcare. Assoc Med J 2021. [DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n2812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Chalmers K, Gopinath V, Brownlee S, Saini V, Elshaug AG. Adverse Events and Hospital-Acquired Conditions Associated With Potential Low-Value Care in Medicare Beneficiaries. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2021; 2:e211719. [PMID: 35977201 PMCID: PMC8796970 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.1719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Question What is the prevalence and cost of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and patient safety events (PSIs) associated with procedures that may be low value? Findings In this retrospective claims analysis of a cohort of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, there were 231 HACs and 1764 PSIs in 197 755 claims for 7 inpatient procedures from 2016 to 2018. Meaning Patients with flagged, potential low-value procedures were harmed while in hospital, resulting in an extended length of stay and additional costs. Importance There has been insufficient research on the patient harms and costs associated with potential low-value procedures in the US Medicare population. Objective To report the prevalence of adverse events associated with potential low-value procedures and the additional hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs. Design, Setting, and Participants This is a retrospective cohort study using Medicare fee-for-service claims between January 2016 to December 2018. Participants were aged 65 years or older. Procedures were selected if they had previously published indicators of low-value care, including knee arthroscopy, spinal fusion, vertebroplasty, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), carotid endarterectomy, renal stenting, and hysterectomy for benign conditions. Analysis was conducted from July to December, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures For inpatient procedures, the number and rate of admissions with a hospital-acquired condition (HAC) or patient safety indicator event (PSIs), as well as the unadjusted and adjusted difference in mean LOS and Medicare costs between admissions with and without a HAC/PSI. For outpatient procedures, we report the number of claims where the beneficiary had an unplanned hospital admission within seven days and the number of these admissions with a HAC/PSI. Results There were 573 351 patients included in the study, with 617 264 procedures; the mean (SD) age was 74.2 (6.7) years, with 320 637 women (55.9%), and mostly White patients (520 735; 90.8%). Among the 197 755 claims for the inpatient procedures, 231 had an HAC and 1764 had a PSI. Spinal fusion was associated with the most HACs (123 admissions) and PSIs (1015 admissions). Overall, HACs during a PCI admission were associated with the highest adjusted additional mean LOS (17.5 days; 95% CI, 10.3-23.6), with also the highest adjusted additional mean cost ($22 000; 95% CI, $9100-$32 600). There were 419 509 included outpatient procedures, and 7514 (1.8%) had an unplanned admission within 7 days. A total of 17 HACs and PSIs occurred in these admissions. Conclusions and Relevance In this cross-sectional cohort study of Medicare fee-for-service claims, patients receiving potential low-value care were exposed to risk of unnecessary harm associated with higher cost and LOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Chalmers
- Lown Institute, Needham, Massachusetts
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia, NSW
| | | | | | | | - Adam G. Elshaug
- Menzies Centre for Health Policy, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia, NSW
- Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Australia, VIC
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Maskell G. The curse of the priors when interpreting scans. BMJ 2021; 373:n1438. [PMID: 34108256 DOI: 10.1136/bmj.n1438] [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: 11/04/2022]
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Zito JM, Zhu Y, Safer DJ. Psychotropic Polypharmacy in the US Pediatric Population: A Methodologic Critique and Commentary. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:644741. [PMID: 34194346 PMCID: PMC8236612 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.644741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Psychotropic concomitant medication use for the treatment of youth with emotional and behavioral disorders has grown significantly in the U.S. over the past 25 years. The use of pharmacy claims to analyze these trends requires the following: age of the selected population, overlapping days of use, and precision of the outcome itself. This review will also address the gaps in reporting of pediatric psychotropic polypharmacy. Methods: An electronic literature search was undertaken for the period 2000 through 2020 using keywords such as "pediatric," "concomitant," "polypharmacy," "multiple medications," and "concurrent psychotropic"; Relevant references in textbooks were also used. Only English language and U.S. studies were included, resulting in 35 inter-class studies. Results: Studies were organized into seven groups according to data sources and clinical topics: (1) population surveys; (2a) multi-state publicly insured populations; (2b) single/two state studies; (3) privately insured populations; (4) diagnosed populations; (5) foster care populations; (6) special settings. Across 20 years it is apparent that pediatric psychotropic polypharmacy affects substantially more children and adolescents today than had been the case. As many as 300,000 youth now receive 3 or more classes concomitantly. The duration of concomitant use is relatively long, e.g., 69-89% of annual medicated days. Finally, more adverse event reports were associated with 3-class compared with 2-class drug regimens. Discussion: Factors that contribute to the growth of pediatric psychotropic polypharmacy include: (1) predominance of the biological model in psychiatric practice; (2) invalid assumptions on efficacy of combinations, (3) limited professional awareness of metabolic and neurological adverse drug events, and (4) infrequent use of appropriate deprescribing. Conclusion: A review of publications documenting U.S. pediatric psychotropic polypharmacy written over the last 20 years supports the need to standardize the methodologies used. The design of population-based studies should maximize information on the number of youth receiving regimens of 3-, 4-, and 5 or more concomitant classes and the duration of such use. Next, far more post-marketing research is needed to address the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of complex drug regimens prescribed for youngsters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Zito
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yue Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Health Services Research, School of Pharmacy, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Daniel J Safer
- Department of Psychiatry, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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