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Hargovan S, Groch T, Brooks J, Sivalingam S, Bond T, Carter A. Indigenous Australians critically ill with sepsis: Characteristics, outcomes, and areas for improvement. Aust Crit Care 2024; 37:548-557. [PMID: 38216417 DOI: 10.1016/j.aucc.2023.11.007] [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: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have amongst the highest incidence of sepsis globally. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics, short- and long-term outcomes of non-Indigenous, Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander Australians admitted with sepsis to an intensive care unit (ICU) to inform healthcare outcome improvement. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 500 consecutive sepsis admissions to the Cairns Hospital ICU compared clinical characteristics, short-term (before ICU discharge) and long-term (2000 days posthospital discharge) outcomes. Cohort stratification was done by voluntary disclosure of Indigenous status. RESULTS Of the 442 individual admissions, 145 (33%) identified as Indigenous Australian. Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians had similar admission Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-3 scores (median [interquartile range]: 70 [52-87] vs. 69 [53-87], P = 0.87), but Indigenous patients were younger (53 [43-60] vs. 62 [52-73] years, P < 0.001) and were more likely to have chronic comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (58% vs. 23%, P < 0.001), cardiovascular disease (40% vs 28%, P = 0.01), and renal disease (39% vs. 10%, P < 0.001). They also had more hazardous healthcare behaviours such as smoking (61% vs. 45%, P = 0.002) and excess alcohol consumption (40% vs. 18%, P < 0.001). Despite this, the case-fatality rate of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians before ICU discharge (13% vs. 12%, P = 0.75) and 2000 days post hospital discharge (25 % vs. 28 %, P = 0.40) was similar. Crucially, however, Indigenous Australians died younger both in the ICU (median [interquartile range] 54 (50-60) vs. 70 [61-76], P < 0.0001) and 2000 days post hospital discharge (58 [53-63] vs. 70 [63-77] years, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Although Indigenous Australians critically ill with sepsis have similar short and long-term mortality rates, they present to hospital, die in-hospital, and die post-discharge significantly younger. Unique cohort characteristics may explain these outcomes, and assist clinicians, researchers and policy-makers in targeting interventions to these characteristics to best reduce the burden of sepsis in this cohort and improve their healthcare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyen Hargovan
- Department of Medicine, Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Taissa Groch
- Department of Anaesthetics, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - James Brooks
- Department of Anaesthetics, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, United Kingdom
| | - Sayonne Sivalingam
- Department of Anaesthetics, Cairns Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tatum Bond
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cairns Hospital and Hinterland Health Service, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Angus Carter
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Bendigo Hospital, Victoria, Australia
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Barbaro A, Paredes SR, Tran S, Kaur H, Arayne AA, Senaratne J. Cholecystectomy in the red centre: a review of the surgical outcomes in Central Australia in a five-year period. ANZ J Surg 2024; 94:1122-1126. [PMID: 38682428 DOI: 10.1111/ans.19017] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the high rates of cholecystectomy in Australia, there is minimal literature regarding the outcomes of cholecystectomy in rural Central Australia within the Northern Territory. This study aims to better characterize the outcomes for patients undergoing cholecystectomy in Central Australia and review clinical and patient characteristics, which may affect outcomes. METHOD A retrospective case-control study was performed using data obtained from medical records for all patients undergoing cholecystectomy at Alice Springs Hospital in the Northern Territory from January 2018 until December 2022. Patient characteristics were gathered, and key outcomes examined included: inpatient mortality and 30-day mortality, bile duct injury, bile leak, return to theatre, conversion to open, duration of procedure, length of stay, and up-transfer to a tertiary referral centre. RESULTS A total of 466 patients were included in this study. Majority of the patients were female and there was a large portion of Indigenous Australians (56%). There were no inpatient mortalities, or 30-day mortalities recorded. There were two bile leaks and/or bile duct injuries (0.4%) and two unplanned returned to theatres (0.4%). Indigenous Australians were more likely to require an emergency operation and had a longer median length of stay (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Cholecystectomy can be performed safely and to a high standard in Central Australia. Surgeons in Central Australia must appreciate the nuances in the management of patients who come from a significantly different socioeconomic background, with complex medical conditions when compared to metropolitan centres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Barbaro
- Department of Surgery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
- Department of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Steven Ronald Paredes
- Department of Surgery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
- School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Steven Tran
- Department of Surgery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Harleen Kaur
- Department of Surgery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Lyell McEwin Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Jayantha Senaratne
- Department of Surgery, Alice Springs Hospital, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
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Pang RK, Srikanth V, Snowdon DA, Weller CD, Berry B, Braun G, Edwards I, McGee F, Azzopardi R, Andrew NE. Targeted care navigation to reduce hospital readmissions in 'at-risk' patients. Intern Med J 2023; 53:1196-1203. [PMID: 34841635 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15634] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Care navigation is commonly used to reduce preventable hospitalisation. The use of Electronic Health Record-derived algorithms may enable better targeting of this intervention for greater impact. AIMS To evaluate if community-based Targeted Care Navigation, supported by an Electronic Health Record-derived readmission risk algorithm, is associated with reduced rehospitalisation. METHODS A propensity score matching cohort (5 comparison to 1 intervention cohort ratio) study was conducted in an 850-bed Victorian public metropolitan health service, Australia, from May to November 2017. Admitted acute care patients with a non-surgical condition, identified as at-risk of hospital readmission using an Electronic Health Record-derived readmission risk algorithm provide by the state health department, were eligible. Targeted Care Navigation involved telephone follow-up support provided for 30 days post-discharge by a registered nurse. The hazard ratio for hospital readmission was calculated at 30, 60 and 90 days post-discharge using multivariable Cox Proportional Hazards regression. RESULTS Sixty-five recipients received care navigation and were matched to 262 people who did not receive care navigation. Excellent matching was achieved with standardised differences between groups being <0.1 for all 11 variables included in the propensity score, including the readmission risk score. The Targeted Care Navigation group had a significantly reduced hazard of readmission at 30 days (hazard ratio 0.34; 95% confidence interval: 0.12, 0.94) compared with the comparison group. The effect size was reduced at 60 and 90 days post-discharge. CONCLUSION We provide preliminary evidence that Targeted Care Navigation supported by an Electronic Health Record-derived readmission risk algorithm may reduce 30-day hospital readmissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca K Pang
- Peninsula Clinical School, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Community Care, Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Velandai Srikanth
- Peninsula Clinical School, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Professorial Academic Unit, Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David A Snowdon
- Peninsula Clinical School, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Professorial Academic Unit, Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carolina D Weller
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Berry
- Community Care, Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Gary Braun
- Department of Medicine, Frankston hospital, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iain Edwards
- Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fergus McGee
- Community Care, Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Community Health, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ruth Azzopardi
- Rehabilitation, Ageing, Pain and Palliative Care services, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nadine E Andrew
- Peninsula Clinical School, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Professorial Academic Unit, Frankston Hospital, Peninsula Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Bülow C, Clausen SS, Lundh A, Christensen M. Medication review in hospitalised patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 1:CD008986. [PMID: 36688482 PMCID: PMC9869657 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008986.pub4] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A medication review can be defined as a structured evaluation of a patient's medication conducted by healthcare professionals with the aim of optimising medication use and improving health outcomes. Optimising medication therapy though medication reviews may benefit hospitalised patients. OBJECTIVES We examined the effects of medication review interventions in hospitalised adult patients compared to standard care or to other types of medication reviews on all-cause mortality, hospital readmissions, emergency department contacts and health-related quality of life. SEARCH METHODS In this Cochrane Review update, we searched for new published and unpublished trials using the following electronic databases from 1 January 2014 to 17 January 2022 without language restrictions: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). To identify additional trials, we searched the reference lists of included trials and other publications by lead trial authors, and contacted experts. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised trials of medication reviews delivered by healthcare professionals for hospitalised adult patients. We excluded trials including outpatients and paediatric patients. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently selected trials, extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We contacted trial authors for data clarification and relevant unpublished data. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MDs) or standardised mean differences (SMDs) for continuous data (with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)). We used the GRADE (Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS In this updated review, we included a total of 25 trials (15,076 participants), of which 15 were new trials (11,501 participants). Follow-up ranged from 1 to 20 months. We found that medication reviews in hospitalised adults may have little to no effect on mortality (RR 0.96, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.05; 18 trials, 10,108 participants; low-certainty evidence); likely reduce hospital readmissions (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.98; 17 trials, 9561 participants; moderate-certainty evidence); may reduce emergency department contacts (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.03; 8 trials, 3527 participants; low-certainty evidence) and have very uncertain effects on health-related quality of life (SMD 0.10, 95% CI -0.10 to 0.30; 4 trials, 392 participants; very low-certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Medication reviews in hospitalised adult patients likely reduce hospital readmissions and may reduce emergency department contacts. The evidence suggests that mediation reviews may have little to no effect on mortality, while the effect on health-related quality of life is very uncertain. Almost all trials included elderly polypharmacy patients, which limits the generalisability of the results beyond this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cille Bülow
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Stine Søndersted Clausen
- The Research Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas Lundh
- Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO) and Cochrane Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel Christensen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Center for Translational Research (CCTR), Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Discharge planning is a routine feature of health systems in many countries that aims to reduce delayed discharge from hospital, and improve the co-ordination of services following discharge from hospital and reduce the risk of hospital readmission. This is the fifth update of the original review. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of planning the discharge of individual patients moving from hospital. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase and two trials registers on 20 April 2021. We searched two other databases up to 31 March 2020. We also conducted reference checking, citation searching and contact with study authors to identify additional studies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised trials that compared an individualised discharge plan with routine discharge that was not tailored to individual participants. Participants were hospital inpatients. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently undertook data analysis and quality assessment using a pre-designed data extraction sheet. We grouped studies by older people with a medical condition, people recovering from surgery, and studies that recruited participants with a mix of conditions. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data using fixed-effect meta-analysis. When combining outcome data it was not possible because of differences in the reporting of outcomes, we summarised the reported results for each trial in the text. MAIN RESULTS We included 33 trials (12,242 participants), four new trials included in this update. The majority of trials (N = 30) recruited participants with a medical diagnosis, average age range 60 to 84 years; four of these trials also recruited participants who were in hospital for a surgical procedure. Participants allocated to discharge planning and who were in hospital for a medical condition had a small reduction in the initial hospital length of stay (MD - 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.33 to - 0.12; 11 trials, 2113 participants; moderate-certainty evidence), and a relative reduction in readmission to hospital over an average of three months follow-up (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.97; 17 trials, 5126 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There was little or no difference in participant's health status (mortality at three- to nine-month follow-up: RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.29; 8 trials, 2721 participants; moderate certainty) functional status and psychological health measured by a range of measures, 12 studies, 2927 participants; low certainty evidence). There was some evidence that satisfaction might be increased for patients (7 trials), caregivers (1 trial) or healthcare professionals (2 trials) (very low certainty evidence). The cost of a structured discharge plan compared with routine discharge is uncertain (7 trials recruiting 7873 participants with a medical condition; very low certainty evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS A structured discharge plan that is tailored to the individual patient probably brings about a small reduction in the initial hospital length of stay and readmissions to hospital for older people with a medical condition, may slightly increase patient satisfaction with healthcare received. The impact on patient health status and healthcare resource use or cost to the health service is uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela C Gonçalves-Bradley
- Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS), Porto, Portugal
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Natasha A Lannin
- Brain Recovery and Rehabilitation Group, Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Lindy Clemson
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney School of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian D Cameron
- John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation Research, Sydney Medical School, Northern Clinical School, The University of Sydney, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Sasha Shepperd
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Bernardino E, Sousa SMD, Nascimento JDD, Lacerda MR, Torres DG, Gonçalves LS. Cuidados de transição: análise do conceito na gestão da alta hospitalar. ESCOLA ANNA NERY 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/2177-9465-ean-2020-0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
RESUMO Objetivo analisar o conceito Cuidados de Transição no contexto da gestão da alta hospitalar. Método reflexão analítica utilizando-se a análise conceitual de Walker e Avant: seleção do conceito; definição do objetivo, identificação do uso do conceito (busca na literatura e dicionários entre setembro-dezembro/2019 nas bases de dados: PubMed, Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde e SCOPUS. Consideraram-se 77 artigos que contemplaram conceito e outros termos que corroboraram o estudo; para fins metodológicos, 12 estudos possibilitaram a análise); definição dos atributos; descrição de caso modelo; descrição de casos adicionais; definição de antecedentes e consequentes; definição de indicadores empíricos. Resultados os antecedentes cuidados fragmentados e reinternação são comuns ao conceito. Identificaram-se atributos cuidado integrado, colaboração profissional, coordenação, planejamento da alta, comunicação, integração profissional e gerenciamento de casos. Conclusão e implicações para a prática foi oportuno analisar o conceito em conjunto com termos relacionados ao contexto da alta hospitalar. Cuidados de Transição são práticas coordenadas e eficazes para a Continuidade dos Cuidados na transferência do usuário na alta hospitalar; nesse contexto, as Enfermeiras de Ligação são potenciais protagonistas para estar à frente nesse processo de Integração. As especificidades do conceito poderão favorecer a sua compreensão e a construção de conhecimentos que repercutam no cuidado coordenado e contínuo.
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Wicik K, Bahrami B, Halliday M, Henderson T, Roulston T, Ullrich K. Rates of diabetic retinopathy screening in pregnant patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes in a predominantly Indigenous Central Australian population. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 2021; 62:364-369. [PMID: 34882788 DOI: 10.1111/ajo.13467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy is a risk factor for the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in women with pre-gestational diabetes. Australian screening guidelines recommend DR screening in the first trimester of pregnancy. The rates of DR screening in pregnant patients with pre-gestational diabetes are unknown in Australia. AIM To determine the rates of DR screening in pregnant women with pre-gestational diabetes at Alice Springs Hospital Diabetes Antenatal Care and Education (DANCE) clinic. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective review of women with pre-gestational diabetes who attended the DANCE clinic between July 2016 and June 2020. RESULTS There were 146 pregnancies in 144 individual women included in this review. There were 93% (n = 134) who identified as Aboriginal but not Torres Strait Islander. DR screening was performed in 23 (16%) pregnancies, in which DR was present in six (26%) and no retinal abnormality was found in 17 (74%). Of seven (5%) women who had a history of DR, only three had a screen during the pregnancy period. The location of the DR screen included Alice Springs Hospital (17%, n = 4), Alice Springs general practice clinics (35%, n = 8) and remote NT community clinics outside of Alice Springs (39%, n = 9). The trimesters in which women received their DR screens were: trimester 1, 45%, n = 10; trimester 2, 39%, n = 9; trimester 3, 17%, n = 4. CONCLUSION The minority of pregnant women who attend the DANCE clinic at Alice Springs Hospital received DR screening in adherence with national guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Wicik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Bobak Bahrami
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Megan Halliday
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Tim Henderson
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Tania Roulston
- Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Katja Ullrich
- Department of Ophthalmology, Alice Springs Hospital, The Gap, Northern Territory, Australia
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Blignault I, Norsa L, Blackburn R, Bloomfield G, Beetson K, Jalaludin B, Jones N. "You Can't Work with My People If You Don't Know How to": Enhancing Transfer of Care from Hospital to Primary Care for Aboriginal Australians with Chronic Disease. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:7233. [PMID: 34299688 PMCID: PMC8306914 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Indigenous Australians experience significantly poorer health compared to other Australians, with chronic disease contributing to two-thirds of the health gap. We report on an evaluation of an innovative model that leverages mainstream and Aboriginal health resources to enable safe, supported transfer of care for Aboriginal adults with chronic conditions leaving hospital. The multisite evaluation was Aboriginal-led and underpinned by the principles of self-determination and equity and Indigenous research protocols. The qualitative study documented processes and captured service user and provider experiences. We found benefits for patients and their families, the hospital and the health system. The new model enhanced the patient journey and trust in the health service and was a source of staff satisfaction. Challenges included staff availability, patient identification and complexity and the broader issue of cultural safety. Critical success factors included strong governance with joint cultural and clinical leadership and enduring relationships and partnerships at the service delivery, organisation and system levels. A holistic model of care, bringing together cultural and clinical expertise and partnering with Indigenous community organisations, can enhance care coordination and safety across the hospital-community interface. It is important to consider context as well as specific program elements in design, implementation and evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Blignault
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia;
| | - Liz Norsa
- Translational Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia;
| | - Raylene Blackburn
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia; (R.B.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.J.); (N.J.)
| | - George Bloomfield
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia; (R.B.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.J.); (N.J.)
| | - Karen Beetson
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia; (R.B.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.J.); (N.J.)
| | - Bin Jalaludin
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia; (R.B.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.J.); (N.J.)
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, UNSW Sydney, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Nathan Jones
- South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia; (R.B.); (G.B.); (K.B.); (B.J.); (N.J.)
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Tong B, Osborne C, Horwood CM, Hakendorf PH, Woodman RJ, Li JY. The prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of frequently readmitted patients to an internal medicine service. Intern Med J 2021; 52:1561-1568. [PMID: 34031965 DOI: 10.1111/imj.15395] [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: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To determine the prevalence, characteristics and risk factors associated with frequent readmissions to an internal medicine service at a tertiary public hospital. METHOD A retrospective observational study was conducted at an internal medicine service in a tertiary teaching hospital between 1st January 2010 and the 30th June 2016. Frequent readmission was defined as four or more readmissions within 12 months of discharge from the index admission. Demographic and clinical characteristics, and potential risk factors were evaluated. RESULTS 50 515 patients were included, 1657 (3.3%) had frequent readmissions and were associated with nearly 2.5 times higher in 12-month mortality rates. They were older, had higher rates of Indigenous Australians (3.2%), more disadvantaged status (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage decile of 5.3), and more comorbidities (mean Charlson comorbidity index 1.4) in comparison, to infrequent readmission group. The mean length of hospital stay during the index admission was 6 days for frequent readmission group (21.4% staying more than 7 days) with higher incidence of discharge against medical advice (2.0% higher). Intensive care unit admission rate was 6.6% for frequent readmission group compared to 3.9% for infrequent readmission group. Multivariate analysis showed mental disease and disorders, neoplastic, and alcohol/drug use and alcohol/drug induced organic mental disorders are associated with frequent readmission. CONCLUSION The risk factors associated with frequent readmission were older age, indigenous status, being socially disadvantaged, having higher comorbidities, and discharging against medical advice. Conditions that lead to frequent readmissions were mental disorders, alcohol/drug use and alcohol/drug induced organic mental disorders, and neoplastic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bcy Tong
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - Cdi Osborne
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - C M Horwood
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - P H Hakendorf
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - R J Woodman
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.,Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
| | - J Y Li
- College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia.,Department of Renal Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
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Shibuya N. Is Your Patient's First Post-Op Visit to Your Local ER? J Foot Ankle Surg 2021; 60:431. [PMID: 33958039 DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Naohiro Shibuya
- Professor (Affiliated), Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, Temple, TX.
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11
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Shibuya N, Graney C, Patel H, Jupiter DC. Predictors for Surgery-Related Emergency Department Visits within 30 Days of Foot and Ankle Surgeries. J Foot Ankle Surg 2019; 57:1101-1104. [PMID: 30197254 DOI: 10.1053/j.jfas.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Presentation to an emergency department (ED) after foot and ankle surgeries not only causes inconvenience to patients but also increases healthcare costs. To minimize this, many major institutions have tracked these data as a part of quality improvement measures. Our previous study showed that factors associated with any (surgery-related and unrelated) postoperative ED visits were not easily modifiable by surgeons. Therefore, in the current study, we focused on factors associated specifically with surgery-related postoperative ED visits, because this may provide some insights for surgeons rather than just administrators. We examined 513 foot and ankle surgeries, of which 114 resulted in 30-day postoperative ED visits for surgery-related reasons. Demographic, medical, and surgical factors were evaluated, and risk factors were identified after adjusting for potential clinically relevant covariates. Both inpatient and outpatient surgical settings and outpatient surgical settings alone were analyzed separately. Regardless of the setting, we found that shorter surgery was protective against postoperative ED visits, as was having a previous ED visit within 6 months before surgery. In the outpatient setting, younger age and having no insurance were also proxies for a postoperative ED visit, in addition to the above factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiro Shibuya
- Professor, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, Temple, TX; Chief, Section of Podiatry, Surgical Services, Central Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Temple, TX; Staff, Baylor Scott and White Healthcare System, Temple, TX.
| | - Colin Graney
- Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Resident, Scott and White Healthcare System, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX
| | - Himani Patel
- Podiatric Medicine and Surgery Resident, Scott and White Healthcare System, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, TX
| | - Daniel C Jupiter
- Associate Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX
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Differential Impact of Malnutrition on Health Outcomes Among Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Adults Admitted to Hospital in Regional Australia-A Prospective Cohort Study. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10050644. [PMID: 29783749 PMCID: PMC5986523 DOI: 10.3390/nu10050644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The burden of malnutrition in Indigenous people is a major health priority and this study's aims are to understand health outcomes among Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients. This cohort study includes 608 medical inpatients in three regional hospitals. Participants were screened for malnutrition using the Subjective Global Assessment tool. Hospital length of stay, discharge destination, 30-day and six-month hospital readmission and survival were measured. Although no significant difference was observed between Indigenous participants who were malnourished or nourished (p = 0.120), malnourished Indigenous participants were more likely to be readmitted back into hospital within 30 days (Relative Risk (RR) 1.53, 95% CI 1.19⁻1.97, p = 0.002) and six months (RR 1.40, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.05⁻1.88, p = 0.018), and less likely to be alive at six months (RR 1.63, 95% CI 1.20⁻2.21, p = 0.015) than non-Indigenous participants. Malnutrition was associated with higher mortality (Hazards Ratio (HR) 3.32, 95% CI 1.87⁻5.89, p < 0.001) for all participants, and independent predictors for six-month mortality included being malnourished (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.16⁻3.79, p = 0.014), advanced age (HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02⁻1.06, p = 0.001), increased acute disease severity (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation score, HR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01⁻1.05, p = 0.002) and higher chronic disease index (Charlson Comorbidity Index, HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.16⁻3.79, p = 0.014). Malnutrition in regional Australia is associated with increased healthcare utilization and decreased survival. New approaches to malnutrition-risk screening, increased dietetic resourcing and nutrition programs to proactively identify and address malnutrition in this context are urgently required.
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Shibuya N, Patel H, Graney C, Jupiter DC. Factors associated with emergency room visits within 30 days of outpatient foot and ankle surgeries. Proc AMIA Symp 2018; 31:157-160. [PMID: 29706806 DOI: 10.1080/08998280.2018.1441251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days after elective surgery has been utilized as a quality measure by many institutions. The significance of the measure as a postoperative complication in foot and ankle surgery, and risk factors for it, are unknown. We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 386 patients to determine risk factors associated with ED visits after outpatient foot and ankle surgeries. After adjusting for clinically relevant covariates, we found that previous ED visits within 6 months of surgery, and nonelective surgeries were associated with the postoperative ED visit. Having private insurance was protective against postoperative ED visits. Though these risk factors may not be easily modifiable by surgeons, understanding them may improve patient education and transitional care to prevent overcrowding of the ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naohiro Shibuya
- Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University College of Medicine, Section of Podiatry, Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, and Baylor Scott and White Health Care System, Temple, Texas
| | - Himani Patel
- Department of Surgery and Podiatric Medicine, Scott and White Health Care System, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas
| | - Colin Graney
- Department of Surgery and Podiatric Medicine, Scott and White Health Care System, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Temple, Texas
| | - Daniel C Jupiter
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
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Suarez R, Agbonifo N, Hittle B, Davis K, Freeman A. Frequency and Risk of Occupational Health and Safety Hazards for Home Healthcare Workers. HOME HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/1084822317703936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Given the increased prevalence of chronic disease and health care costs, more individuals are treated in the home, which has augmented the demand for more Home Healthcare Workers (HHCWs) in the field. HHCWs face multiple hazards with injury rates being more than double the national average; however, current studies on HHCWs have provided limited understanding of their occupational safety & health experiences and exposures. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and risk of exposures through perceptions of HHCWs. The results of this study provide an initial picture of the different risks that HHCWs face daily. These findings show that studies involving HHCWs occupational safety need to be job-specific, and the proposed interventions will also likely need to be tailored by HHCWs type.
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