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Kadu M, Heckman GA, Stolee P, Perlman C. Risk of Hospitalization in Long-Term Care Residents Living with Heart Failure: a Retrospective Cohort Study. Can Geriatr J 2019; 22:171-181. [PMID: 31885757 PMCID: PMC6887138 DOI: 10.5770/cgj.22.366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults living with heart failure (HF) in long-term care (LTC) experience frequent hospitalization. Using routinely available clinical information, we examined resident-level factors that precipitate hospitalization within 90 days of admission to LTC. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of older adults diagnosed with HF, who were admitted to LTC in Ontario, Canada, between 2011 and 2013. Multivariate logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations were developed to determine predictors of hospitalization in residents with HF. RESULTS Entry to LTC from a hospital was the strongest predictor of future hospitalization (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 7.1-9.3), followed by a score of three or greater on the Changes in Health, End-stage Signs and Symptoms scale, a measure of moderate to severe medical instability (O.R 4.2, 95% CI: 3.1-5.9). Other variables that increased the likelihood of hospitalization included being flagged as a high risk for falls, two or more physician visits, and increased monitoring for acute medical illness within 14 days of admission. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight that health instability and transitions from acute to LTC will increase the likelihood of transitioning back into the hospital setting. The identified predisposing factors suggest the need for targeted prevention strategies for those in high-risk groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mudathira Kadu
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - George A. Heckman
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute on Aging, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Paul Stolee
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher Perlman
- School of Public Health and Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Daddato A, Wald HL, Horney C, Fairclough DL, Leister EC, Coors M, Capell WH, Boxer RS. A randomized trial of heart failure disease management in skilled nursing facilities (SNF Connect): Lessons learned. Clin Trials 2017; 14:308-313. [PMID: 28135830 DOI: 10.1177/1740774517690529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Conducting clinical trials in skilled nursing facilities is particularly challenging. This manuscript describes facility and patient recruitment challenges and solutions for clinical research in skilled nursing facilities. METHODS Lessons learned from the SNF Connect Trial, a randomized trial of a heart failure disease management versus usual care for patients with heart failure receiving post-acute care in skilled nursing facilities, are discussed. Description of the trial design and barriers to facility and patient recruitment along with regulatory issues are presented. RESULTS The recruitment of Denver-metro skilled nursing facilities was facilitated by key stakeholders of the skilled nursing facilities community. However, there were still a number of barriers to facility recruitment including leadership turnover, varying policies regarding research, fear of litigation and of an increased workload. Engagement of facilities was facilitated by their strong interest in reducing hospital readmissions, marketing potential to hospitals, and heart failure management education for their staff. Recruitment of patients proved difficult and there were few facilitators. Identified patient recruitment challenges included patients being unaware of their heart failure diagnosis, patients overwhelmed with their illness and care, and frequently there was no available proxy for cognitively impaired patients. Flexibility in changing the recruitment approach and targeting skilled nursing facilities with higher rates of admissions helped to overcome some barriers. CONCLUSION Recruitment of skilled nursing facilities and patients in skilled nursing facilities for clinical trials is challenging. Strategies to attract both facilities and patients are warranted. These include aligning study goals with facility incentives and flexible recruitment protocols to work with patients in "transition crisis."
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Daddato
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Heidi L Wald
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Carolyn Horney
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Diane L Fairclough
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Erin C Leister
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Marilyn Coors
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Warren H Capell
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rebecca S Boxer
- GRECC Denver VA Eastern Colorado Health System and Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Heckman GA, Boscart VM, McKelvie RS. Management considerations in the care of elderly heart failure patients in long-term care facilities. Future Cardiol 2014; 10:563-77. [DOI: 10.2217/fca.14.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: Heart failure, a condition that affects up to 20% of older persons residing in long-term care facilities, is an important cause of morbidity, health service utilization and death. Effective and interprofessional heart failure care processes could potentially improve care, outcomes and quality of life and delay decline or hospital admission. This article reviews the clinical aspects of heart failure, and the challenges to the diagnosis and management of this condition in long-term care residents who are frail and are affected by multiple comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- George A Heckman
- Research Institute on Aging, University of Waterloo, BMH 3734, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Veronique M Boscart
- Conestoga College, School for Health & Life Sciences & Community Services, 299 Doon Valley Drive, Kitchener, ON, N2G 4M4, Canada
| | - Robert S McKelvie
- McMaster University & Hamilton Health Sciences, David Braley Cardiac, Vascular & Stroke Research Institute, 237 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X2, Canada
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