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Osman S, Paudyal V, Jalal Z, Hirsch C. Perspectives of pharmacy staff on provision of self-care and minor ailment education in primary schools: a qualitative study. Int J Clin Pharm 2024:10.1007/s11096-024-01753-7. [PMID: 38861044 DOI: 10.1007/s11096-024-01753-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacy professionals, given their health expertise, can play a role in enhancing health education within their communities and among patients. The potential of the pharmacy workforce to enhance health education among primary school children is underexplored. AIM This study aimed to investigate the perspectives of pharmacy staff on the provision of education regarding self-care and treatment of minor ailments to primary school-aged children and to identify roles that pharmacists could play in this regard. METHOD Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted online with frontline pharmacy staff in the UK who had patient facing roles with primary school-aged children and parents. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic data analysis was applied to the transcripts. RESULTS A total of 17 participants were recruited. Participants included 12 pharmacists, two pharmacy technicians and three pharmacy dispensers. All participants worked within community, hospital or primary care facilities. Five themes emerged from the data analysis: sources of health knowledge accessed by children and parents; a perceived lack of knowledge regarding self-care and treatments for minor ailments among children and parents; a perceived positive impact of education on self-care; barriers to health education; and the potential role of pharmacy staff in self-care education in schools. CONCLUSION Pharmacy staff recognise the value of integrating health education into primary school curricula. A collaborative approach with educational institutions could bridge the gap in knowledge regarding self-care and treatment of minor ailments, and could empower children and reduce unnecessary use of healthcare resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Osman
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
| | - Vibhu Paudyal
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Zahraa Jalal
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Christine Hirsch
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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Sillero-Rejon C, Kirbyshire M, Thorpe R, Myring G, Evans C, Lloyd-Rees J, Bezer A, McLeod H. Supporting High-impAct useRs in Emergency Departments (SHarED) quality improvement: a mixed-method evaluation. BMJ Open Qual 2023; 12:e002496. [PMID: 38114246 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The need to better manage frequent attenders or high-impact users (HIUs) in hospital emergency departments (EDs) is widely recognised. These patients often have complex medical needs and are also frequent users of other health and care services. The West of England Academic Health Science Network launched its Supporting High impAct useRs in Emergency Departments (SHarED) quality improvement programme to spread a local HIU intervention across six other EDs in five Trusts. AIM SHarED aimed to reduce ED attendance and hospital admissions by 20% for enrolled HIUs. To evaluate the implementation of SHarED, we sought to learn about the experience of staff with HIU roles and their ED colleagues and assess the impact on HIU attendance and admissions. METHODS We analysed a range of data including semistructured interviews with 10 HIU staff; the number of ED staff trained in HIU management; an ED staff experience survey; and ED attendances and hospital admissions for 148 HIUs enrolled in SHarED. RESULTS Staff with HIU roles were unanimously positive about the benefits of SHarED for both staff and patients. SHarED contributed to supporting ED staff with patient-centred recommendations and provided the basis for more integrated case management across the health and care system. 55% of ED staff received training. There were improvements in staff views relating to confidence, support, training and HIUs receiving more appropriate care. The mean monthly ED attendance per HIU reduced over time. Follow-up data for 86% (127/148) of cases showed a mean monthly ED attendances per HIU reduced by 33%, from 2.1 to 1.4, between the 6 months pre-enrolment and post-enrolment (p<0.001). CONCLUSION SHarED illustrates the considerable potential for a quality improvement programme to promote more integrated case management by specialist teams across the health and care system for particularly vulnerable individuals and improve working arrangements for hard-pressed staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sillero-Rejon
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Rebecca Thorpe
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Gareth Myring
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Evans
- Health Innovation West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Johanna Lloyd-Rees
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Angela Bezer
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Hugh McLeod
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
- The National Institute for Health and Care Research Applied Research Collaboration West (NIHR ARC West) at University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, UK, Bristol, UK
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Umgelter A, Faust M, Wenske S, Umgelter K, Schmid RM, Walter G. Do patients referred to emergency departments after being assessed in primary care differ from other ED patients? Retrospective analysis of a random sample from two German metropolitan EDs. Int J Emerg Med 2023; 16:64. [PMID: 37752441 PMCID: PMC10523768 DOI: 10.1186/s12245-023-00542-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To assess differences between patients referred to emergency departments by a primary care physician (PCP) and those presenting directly and the impact of referral on the likelihood of admission. DESIGN OF STUDY Retrospective cohort study. SETTING EDs of two nonacademic general hospitals in a German metropolitan region. PARTICIPANTS Random sample of 1500 patients out of 80,845 presentations during the year 2019. RESULTS Age was 55.8 ± 22.9 years, and 51.4% was female. A total of 34.7% presented by emergency medical services (EMS), and 47.7% were walk-ins. One-hundred seventy-four (11.9%) patients were referred by PCPs. Referrals were older (62.4 ± 20.1 vs 55.0 ± 23.1 years, p < .001) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) (3 (1-5) vs 2 (0-4); p < .001). Referrals received more ultrasound examinations independently from their admission status (27.6% vs 15.7%; p < .001) and more CT and laboratory investigations. There were no differences in sex, Manchester Triage System (MTS) category, or pain-scale values. Referrals presented by EMS less often (9.2% vs 38.5%; p < .001). Admission rates were 62.6% in referrals and 37.1% in non-referrals (p < .001). Referral (OR 3.976 95% CI: 2.595-6.091), parenteral medication in ED (OR 2.674 (1.976-3.619)), higher MTS category (1.725 (1.421-2.093)), transport by EMS (1.623 (1.212-2.172)), abnormal vital parameters (1.367 (0.953-1.960)), higher CCI (1.268 (1.196-1.344)), and trauma (1.268 (1.196-1.344)) were positively associated with admission in multivariable analysis, whereas ultrasound in ED (0.450 (0.308-0.658)) and being a nursing home resident (0.444 (0.270-0.728)) were negatively associated. CONCLUSION Referred patients were more often admitted. They received more laboratory investigations, ultrasound examinations, and computed tomographies. Difficult decisions regarding the necessity of admission requiring typical resources of EDs may be a reason for PCP referrals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Umgelter
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany.
- Zentrale Notfallversorgung, Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum, 13509, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Markus Faust
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Zentrale Notfallversorgung, Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum, 13509, Berlin, Germany
| | - Slatomir Wenske
- Zentrale Notfallversorgung, Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum, 13509, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katrin Umgelter
- Klinik Für Interdisziplinäre Intensivmedizin, Vivantes Humboldt Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
| | - Roland M Schmid
- II. Medizinische Klinik, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar der Technischen Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Georg Walter
- Zentrale Notfallversorgung, Vivantes Klinikum Spandau, Berlin, Germany
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Jackson SE, Brown J, Shahab L, McNeill A, Munafò MR, Brose L. Trends in Psychological Distress Among Adults in England, 2020-2022. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e2321959. [PMID: 37410462 PMCID: PMC10326642 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.21959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance In the last 3 years, people in England have lived through a pandemic and cost-of-living and health care crises, all of which may have contributed to worsening mental health in the population. Objective To estimate trends in psychological distress among adults over this period and to examine differences by key potential moderators. Design, Setting, and Participants A monthly cross-sectional, nationally representative household survey of adults aged 18 years or older was conducted in England between April 2020 and December 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures Past-month distress was assessed with the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Time trends in any distress (moderate to severe, scores ≥5) and severe distress (scores ≥13) were modeled, and interactions with age, gender, occupational social grade, children in the household, smoking status, and drinking risk status were tested. Results Data were collected from 51 861 adults (weighted mean [SD] age, 48.6 [18.5] years; 26 609 women [51.3%]). There was little overall change in the proportion of respondents reporting any distress (from 34.5% to 32.0%; prevalence ratio [PR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87-0.99), but the proportion reporting severe distress increased by 46%, from 5.7% to 8.3% (PR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.21-1.76). Although trends differed by sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, and drinking, the increase in severe distress was observed across all subgroups (with PR estimates ranging from 1.17 to 2.16), with the exception of those aged 65 years and older (PR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.43-1.38); the increase was particularly pronounced since late 2021 among those younger than 25 years (increasing from 13.6% in December 2021 to 20.2% in December 2022). Conclusions and Relevance In this survey study of adults in England, the proportion reporting any psychological distress was similar in December 2022 to that in April 2020 (an extremely difficult and uncertain moment of the COVID-19 pandemic), but the proportion reporting severe distress was 46% higher. These findings provide evidence of a growing mental health crisis in England and underscore an urgent need to address its cause and to adequately fund mental health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Jackson
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Brown
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
| | - Lion Shahab
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
| | - Ann McNeill
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marcus R. Munafò
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, School of Psychological Science, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Leonie Brose
- SPECTRUM Consortium, United Kingdom
- Addictions Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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Scott J, Pakpahan E, Marlow B, Daxner N. Defining a threshold above which an adult can be considered to frequently use ambulance services: a retrospective cross-sectional study of emergency calls to an ambulance service in England. Br Paramed J 2023; 7:35-45. [PMID: 36875826 PMCID: PMC9983062 DOI: 10.29045/14784726.2023.3.7.4.35] [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: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective There is no empirical definition of adult frequent use of ambulance services. This study aimed to define a threshold, and utilise this to explore characteristics of people frequently using services. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study in a single ambulance service in England. Routinely collected, pseudo-anonymised call- and patient-level data were collected for two months (January and June 2019). Incidents, defined as independent episodes of care, were analysed using a zero-truncated Poisson regression model to determine a suitable frequent-use threshold, with comparisons subsequently made between frequent and non-frequent users. Results A total of 101,356 incidents involving 83,994 patients were included in the analysis. Two potentially appropriate thresholds were identified: five incidents per month (A); and six incidents per month (B). Threshold A produced 3137 incidents from 205 patients, with five patients likely false-positive identifications. Threshold B produced 2217 incidents from 95 patients, with no false-positive identifications but 100 false-negatives compared to threshold A. Regardless of threshold, frequent users compared to non-frequent users had relatively reduced service use between 08:00 and 15:00, were younger and were more likely to receive lower-priority responses (all p < 0.001). We identified several chief complaints indicative of increased frequent use, including chest pain, psychiatric/suicide attempt and abdominal pains/problems. Conclusions We suggest a threshold of five incidents per month, with recognition that a small number of patients may be incorrectly identified as using ambulance services frequently. The rationale for this choice is discussed. This threshold may be applicable in wider UK settings and could be used for the routine automated identification of people using ambulance services frequently. The identified characteristics can help inform interventions. Future research should examine applicability of this threshold in other UK ambulance services and countries where patterns and determinants of frequent ambulance use may differ.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nathan Daxner
- South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
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Elston J, Gradinger FP, Streeter AJ, Macey S, Martin S. Effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case management service on activity in an Emergency Department in the UK: a pragmatic difference-in-differences evaluation. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1038. [PMID: 35965330 PMCID: PMC9376120 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08415-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluates the effectiveness of a targeted telephone-based case management service that aimed to reduce ED attendance amongst frequent attenders, known to disproportionately contribute to demand. Evidence on the effectiveness of these services varies. METHODS A 24-month controlled before-and-after study, following 808 patients (128 cases and 680 controls (41 were non-compliant)) who were offered the service in the first four months of operation within a UK ED department. Patients stratified as high-risk of reattending ED within 6 months by a predictive model were manually screened. Those positively reviewed were offered a non-clinical, nurse-led, telephone-based health coaching, consisting of care planning, coordination and goal setting for up to 9 months. Service effectiveness was estimated using a difference-in-differences (DiD) analysis. Incident rate of ED and Minor Injury Unit (MIU) attendances and average length of stay in intervention recipients and controls over 12 months after receiving their service offer following ED attendance were compared, adjusting for the prior 12-month period, sex and age, to give an incidence rate ratio (IRR). RESULTS Intervention recipients were more likely to be female (63.3% versus 55.4%), younger (mean of 69 years versus 76 years), and have higher levels of ED activity (except for MIU) than controls. Mean rates fell between periods for all outcomes (except for MIU attendance). The Intention-to-Treat analysis indicated non-statistically significant effect of the intervention in reducing all outcomes, except for MIU attendances, with IRRs: ED attendances, 0.856 (95% CI: 0.631, 1.160); ED admissions, 0.871 (95% CI: 0.628, 1.208); length of stay for emergency and elective admissions: 0.844 (95% CI: 0.619, 1.151) and 0.781 (95% CI: 0.420, 1.454). MIU attendance increased with an IRR: 2.638 (95% CI: 1.041, 6.680). CONCLUSIONS Telephone-based health coaching appears to be effective in reducing ED attendances and admissions, with shorter lengths of stay, in intervention recipients over controls. Future studies need to capture outcomes beyond acute activity, and better understand how services like this provide added value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Elston
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torbay, UK. .,Community and Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.
| | - Felix P Gradinger
- Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torbay, UK.,Community and Primary Care Research Group, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
| | - Adam J Streeter
- Medical Statistics, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK.,Institute for Epidemiology and Social Medicine, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Stephen Macey
- Planning and Performance, Torbay and South Devon, NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torquay, UK
| | - Susan Martin
- Quality Improvement, Torbay and South Devon, NHS Foundation Trust (TSDFT), Torquay, UK
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7
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Kuan WS, Chua MT. Frequent attenders to multiple emergency departments in Singapore. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2022; 51:460-461. [PMID: 36047520 DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.2022216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Win Sen Kuan
- Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, Singapore
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8
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Nath S, Zylbersztejn A, Viner RM, Cortina-Borja M, Lewis KM, Wijlaars LPMM, Hardelid P. Determinants of accident and emergency attendances and emergency admissions in infants: birth cohort study. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:936. [PMID: 35864495 PMCID: PMC9302562 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08319-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited understanding of the drivers of increasing infant accident and emergency (A&E) attendances and emergency hospital admissions across England. We examine variations in use of emergency hospital services among infants by local areas in England and investigate the extent to which infant and socio-economic factors explain these variations. METHODS Birth cohort study using linked administrative Hospital Episode Statistics data in England. Singleton live births between 1-April-2012 and 31-March-2019 were followed up for 1 year; from 1-April-2013 (from the discharge date of their birth admission) until their first birthday, death or 31-March-2019. Mixed effects negative binomial models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios for A&E attendances and emergency admissions and mixed effects logistic regression models estimated odds ratio of conversion (the proportion of infants subsequently admitted after attending A&E). Models were adjusted for individual-level factors and included a random effect for local authority (LA). RESULTS The cohort comprised 3,665,414 births in 150 English LAs. Rates of A&E attendances and emergency admissions were highest amongst: infants born < 32 weeks gestation; with presence of congenital anomaly; and to mothers < 20-years-old. Area-level deprivation was positively associated with A&E attendance rates, but not associated with conversion probability. A&E attendance rates were highest in the North East (916 per 1000 child-years, 95%CI: 911 to 921) and London (876 per 1000, 95%CI: 874 to 879), yet London had the lowest emergency admission rates (232 per 1000, 95%CI: 231 to 234) and conversion probability (25% vs 39% in South West). Adjusting for individual-level factors did not significantly affect variability in A&E attendance and emergency admission rates by local authority. CONCLUSIONS Drivers of A&E attendances and emergency admissions include individual-level factors such being born premature, with congenital anomaly and from socio-economically disadvantaged young parent families. Support for such vulnerable infants and families should be provided alongside preventative health care in primary and community care settings. The impact of these services requires further investigation. Substantial geographical variations in rates were not explained by individual-level factors. This suggests more detailed understanding of local and underlying service-level factors would provide targets for further research on mechanisms and policy priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Nath
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.
| | - Ania Zylbersztejn
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Russell M Viner
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Mario Cortina-Borja
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Kate Marie Lewis
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Linda P M M Wijlaars
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Pia Hardelid
- Population, Policy and Practice Research & Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK
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Amissah M, Lahiri S. Modelling Granular Process Flow Information to Reduce Bottlenecks in the Emergency Department. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10050942. [PMID: 35628079 PMCID: PMC9140672 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10050942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing demand and changing case-mix have resulted in bottlenecks and longer waiting times in emergency departments (ED). However, many process improvement efforts addressing the bottlenecks have limitations, as they lack accurate models of the real system as input accounting for operational complexities. To understand the limitation, this research modelled granular procedural information, to analyse processes in a Level-1 ED of a 1200-bed teaching hospital in the UK. Semi-structured interviews with 21 clinicians and direct observations provided the necessary information. Results identified Majors as the most crowded area, hence, a systems modelling technique, role activity diagram, was used to derive highly granular process maps illustrating care in Majors which were further validated by 6 additional clinicians. Bottlenecks observed in Majors included awaiting specialist input, tests outside the ED, awaiting transportation, bed search, and inpatient handover. Process mapping revealed opportunities for using precedence information to reduce repeat tests; informed alerting; and provisioning for operational complexity into ED processes as steps to potentially alleviate bottlenecks. Another result is that this is the first study to map care processes in Majors, the area within the ED that treats complex patients whose care journeys are susceptible to variations. Findings have implications on the development of improvement approaches for managing bottlenecks.
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10
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Impact of covid-19 on primary care contacts with children and young people aged 0-24 years in England; longitudinal trends study 2015-2020. Br J Gen Pract 2022; 72:e464-e471. [PMID: 35667683 PMCID: PMC9183461 DOI: 10.3399/bjgp.2021.0643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The NHS response to covid-19 altered provision and access to primary care. Aim: To examine the impact of covid-19 on general practitioner (GP) contacts with children and young people in England. Design and Setting: Longitudinal trends analysis using electronic health records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum database. Methods: We included all children and young people younger than 25 years registered with a GP. We compared the number of total, remote and face-to-face contacts during the first UK lockdown (March to June 2020) with the mean contacts for comparable weeks from 2015 to 2019. Results: We examined 47 607 765 GP contacts with 4 307 120 million children and young people. GP contacts fell 41% during the first lockdown compared with previous years. Children aged 1-14 had greater falls in total contacts (>50%) compared with infants and 15-24s. Face-to-face contacts fell by 88% with the greatest falls occurring among children aged 1-14 (> 90%). Remote contacts more than doubled, increasing most in infants (over 2.5 fold). Total contacts for respiratory illnesses fell by 74% whereas contacts for common non-transmissible conditions shifted largely to remote, mitigating the total fall (31%). Conclusion: During the covid-19 pandemic, children and young people’s contact with GPs fell, particularly for face-to-face assessment. This may be explained by a lower prevalence of respiratory illnesses due to fewer social contacts and changing health care seeking behaviour. The large shift to remote contacts mitigated total falls in contacts for some age groups and for common non-transmissible conditions.
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Greenfield G, Okoli O, Quezada-Yamamoto H, Blair M, Saxena S, Majeed A, Hayhoe B. Characteristics of frequently attending children in hospital emergency departments: a systematic review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051409. [PMID: 34663662 PMCID: PMC8523960 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarise the literature on frequent attendances to hospital emergency departments (EDs) and describe sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children who attend EDs frequently. SETTING Hospital EDs. PARTICIPANTS Children <21 years, attending hospital EDs frequently. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES Outcomes measures were defined separately in each study, and were predominantly the number of ED attendances per year. RESULTS We included 21 studies representing 6 513 627 children. Between 0.3% and 75% of all paediatric ED users were frequent users. Most studies defined four or more visits per year as a 'frequent ED' usage. Children who were frequent ED users were more likely to be less than 5 years old. In the USA, patients with public insurance were more likely to be frequent attenders. Frequent ED users more likely to be frequent users of primary care and have long-term conditions; the most common diagnoses were infections and gastroenteritis. CONCLUSIONS The review included a wide range of information across various health systems, however, children who were frequent ED users have some universal characteristics in common. Policies to reduce frequent attendance might usefully focus on preschool children and supporting primary care in responding to primary care oriented conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Greenfield
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Olivia Okoli
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Harumi Quezada-Yamamoto
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mitch Blair
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Saxena
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Benedict Hayhoe
- Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Daniels NF, Ridwan R, Barnard EBG, Amanullah TM, Hayhurst C. A comparison of emergency department presentations for medically unexplained symptoms in frequent attenders during COVID-19. Clin Med (Lond) 2021; 21:e399-e402. [PMID: 34016583 DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2020-1093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS) are those with no identified organic aetiology. Our emergency department (ED) perceived an increase in MUS frequency during COVID-19. The primary aim was to compare MUS incidence in frequent attenders (FAs) during COVID-19 and a control period.A retrospective list of FA-MUS presenting to our ED from March to June 2019 (control) and March to June 2020 (during COVID-19) was compared. Fisher's exact test was used to compare binomial proportions; this presented as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).During COVID-19, ED attendances reduced by 32.7%, with a significant increase in the incidence of FA-MUS and FA-MUS ED visits compared to control; RR 1.5 (95%CI 1.1-1.8) p=0.0006, and RR 1.8 (95%CI 1.6-2.0), p<0.0001, respectively.Despite reduced ED attendances during COVID-19, there was a significant increase in the incidence of FA-MUS patients and corresponding ED visits by this cohort. This presents a challenge to ED clinicians who may feel underprepared to manage these patients effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raiiq Ridwan
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ed B G Barnard
- Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (Research & Clinical Innovation), Birmingham, UK and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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Greenfield G, Blair M, Aylin PP, Saxena S, Majeed A, Bottle A. Characteristics of frequent paediatric users of emergency departments in England: an observational study using routine national data. Emerg Med J 2020; 38:146-150. [PMID: 33199272 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2019-209122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Frequent attendances of the same users in emergency departments (ED) can intensify workload pressures and are common among children, yet little is known about the characteristics of paediatric frequent users in EDs. AIM To describe the volume of frequent paediatric attendance in England and the demographics of frequent paediatric ED users in English hospitals. METHOD We analysed the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset for April 2014-March 2017. The study included 2 308 816 children under 16 years old who attended an ED at least once. Children who attended four times or more in 2015/2016 were classified as frequent users. The preceding and subsequent years were used to capture attendances bordering with the current year. We used a mixed effects logistic regression with a random intercept to predict the odds of being a frequent user in children from different sociodemographic groups. RESULTS One in 11 children (9.1%) who attended an ED attended four times or more in a year. Infants had a greater likelihood of being a frequent attender (OR 3.24, 95% CI 3.19 to 3.30 vs 5 to 9 years old). Children from more deprived areas had a greater likelihood of being a frequent attender (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.54 to 1.59 vs least deprived). Boys had a slightly greater likelihood than girls (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.06). Children of Asian and mixed ethnic groups were more likely to be frequent users than those from white ethnic groups, while children from black and 'other' had a lower likelihood (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.05; OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.06; OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.86 to 0.90; OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.92, respectively). CONCLUSION One in 11 children was a frequent attender. Interventions for reducing paediatric frequent attendance need to target infants and families living in deprived areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geva Greenfield
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Mitch Blair
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul P Aylin
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia Saxena
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Azeem Majeed
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Alex Bottle
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Weber EJ. Are we preaching to the choir? Where should studies on frequent users of EDs be published? Arch Emerg Med 2020; 37:595-596. [DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Daniels NF, Ridwan R, Barnard EBG, Amanullah TM, Hayhurst C. A comparison of Emergency Department presentations for Medically Unexplained Symptoms in Frequent Attenders during COVID-19.. [DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.25.20181511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundMedically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) refer to symptoms with no identified organic aetiology, and are amongst the most challenging for patients and Emergency Department (ED) staff. Providers working in our ED perceived an increase in severity and frequency of these types of presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA retrospective list of frequent attenders (FA) presenting five or more times to the ED between two 122-day periods were examined: 01 Mar to 30 Jun 2019 (Control) and 2020 (COVID-19). The FA group were then examined to identify patients presenting with MUS (FA-MUS). Data were analysed in Prism; presented as n(%), % (95% confidence interval (95%CI) – Wilson/Brown method). Proportions were compared with a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test. A Baptista-Pike odds ratio was used to estimate magnitude and precision.ResultsThe total number of ED attendances during the control period was n=42,785 which reduced to n=28,806 in the COVID-19 period, a decrease of 32.7%. The control FA cohort had n=44 FA-MUS patients with 149 ED visits. This increased to n=65 FA-MUS patients with 267 visits during COVID-19, p=0.44. There was a significant increase in the proportion of all ED visits that were FA-MUS: 0.3% (control) compared to 0.9% (COVID-19); OR 2.7, p<0.001. There was a significant increase in shortness of breath amongst MUS during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the control period (p<0.01), with no significant difference in any other MUS category.ConclusionWhilst the total number of ED attendances reduced by almost one third during COVID-19, the actual number of all visits by frequent attenders with MUS increased and the proportion of attendances by these tripled during the same period. This presents an increasing challenge to ED clinicians who may feel underprepared to manage these patients effectively.What is already knownMedically Unexplained Symptoms (MUS) are those that have no identified organic aetiology - they are amongst the most challenging presentations for patients and Emergency Department (ED) staff.During times of stress and uncertainty, frequent attenders (FA) appear to be disproportionately affected by MUS. However, there are few data examining the impact of COVID-19 on the FA population.What this paper addsThere was a significant increase in the proportion of all ED visits by FAs during the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic.There was a significant increase in the proportion of all ED visits by FAs with MUS during the first four months of the COVID-19 pandemic.The proportion of MUS presentations that were ‘shortness of breath’ was significantly higher in the COVID-19 period compared to the control period. There were no other proportional differences observed in MUS categories.
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