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Justice AC, Landefeld CS, Asch SM, Gifford AL, Whalen CC, Covinsky KE. Justification for a new cohort study of people aging with and without HIV infection. J Clin Epidemiol 2001; 54 Suppl 1:S3-8. [PMID: 11750202 PMCID: PMC6563331 DOI: 10.1016/s0895-4356(01)00440-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This supplement contains a series of papers supporting the justification, design, and implementation of a longitudinal cohort study of an aging HIV-positive and HIV-negative veteran population called the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS). Although the papers cover a wide range of topics and several papers address methodologic issues not unique to a study of aging veterans, all are motivated by a unifying set of assumptions. Specifically: (a) HIV/AIDS is a chronic disease in an aging population; (b) conditions among HIV-positive and -negative patients in care have overlapping etiologies; (c) individuals with pre-existing organ injury are at increased risk for iatrogenic injury; (d) cohort studies are uniquely suited to the study of chronic disease complicated by aging, comorbid conditions, drug toxicities, and substance use/abuse; (e) VACS is well positioned to study HIV as a chronic disease in an aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Justice
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University Drive C 11E-124 (130-U), Pittsburgh, PA 15240, USA.
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Walter LC, Brand RJ, Counsell SR, Palmer RM, Landefeld CS, Fortinsky RH, Covinsky KE. Development and validation of a prognostic index for 1-year mortality in older adults after hospitalization. JAMA 2001; 285:2987-94. [PMID: 11410097 DOI: 10.1001/jama.285.23.2987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 449] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT For many elderly patients, an acute medical illness requiring hospitalization is followed by a progressive decline, resulting in high rates of mortality in this population during the year following discharge. However, few prognostic indices have focused on predicting posthospital mortality in older adults. OBJECTIVE To develop and validate a prognostic index for 1 year mortality of older adults after hospital discharge using information readily available at discharge. DESIGN Data analyses derived from 2 prospective studies with 1-year of follow-up, conducted in 1993 through 1997. SETTING AND PATIENTS We developed the prognostic index in 1495 patients aged at least 70 years who were discharged from a general medical service at a tertiary care hospital (mean age, 81 years; 67% female) and validated it in 1427 patients discharged from a separate community teaching hospital (mean age, 79 years; 61% female). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Prediction of 1-year mortality using risk factors such as demographic characteristics, activities of daily living (ADL) dependency, comorbid conditions, length of hospital stay, and laboratory measurements. RESULTS In the derivation cohort, 6 independent risk factors for mortality were identified and weighted using logistic regression: male sex (1 point); number of dependent ADLs at discharge (1-4 ADLs, 2 points; all 5 ADLs, 5 points); congestive heart failure (2 points); cancer (solitary, 3 points; metastatic, 8 points); creatinine level higher than 3.0 mg/dL (265 micromol/L) (2 points); and low albumin level (3.0-3.4 g/dL, 1 point; <3.0 g/dL, 2 points). Several variables associated with 1-year mortality in bivariable analyses, such as age and dementia, were not independently associated with mortality after adjustment for functional status. We calculated risk scores for patients by adding the points of each independent risk factor present. In the derivation cohort, 1-year mortality was 13% in the lowest-risk group (0-1 point), 20% in the group with 2 or 3 points, 37% in the group with 4 to 6 points, and 68% in the highest-risk group (>6 points). In the validation cohort, 1-year mortality was 4% in the lowest-risk group, 19% in the group with 2 or 3 points, 34% in the group with 4 to 6 points, and 64% in the highest-risk group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the point system was 0.75 in the derivation cohort and 0.79 in the validation cohort. CONCLUSIONS Our prognostic index, which used 6 risk factors known at discharge and a simple additive point system to stratify medical patients 70 years or older according to 1-year mortality after hospitalization, had good discrimination and calibration and generalized well in an independent sample of patients at a different site. These characteristics suggest that our index may be useful for clinical care and risk adjustment.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Walter
- Division of Geriatrics, VA Medical Center 111G, 4150 Clement St, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA.
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Pioro MH, Landefeld CS, Brennan PF, Daly B, Fortinsky RH, Kim U, Rosenthal GE. Outcomes-based trial of an inpatient nurse practitioner service for general medical patients. J Eval Clin Pract 2001; 7:21-33. [PMID: 11240837 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2753.2001.00276.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although teaching hospitals are increasingly using nurse practitioners (NPs) to provide inpatient care, few studies have compared care delivered by NPs and housestaff or the ability of NPs to admit and manage unselected general medical patients. In a Midwest academic teaching hospital 381 patients were randomized to general medical wards staffed either by NPs and a medical director or medical housestaff. Data were obtained from medical records, interviews and hospital databases. Outcomes were compared on both an intention to treat (i.e. wards to which patients were randomized) and actual treatment (i.e. wards to which patients were admitted) basis. At admission, patients assigned randomly to NP-based care (n = 193) and housestaff care (n= 188) were similar with respect to demographics, comorbidity, severity of illness and functional parameters. Outcomes at discharge and at 6 weeks after discharge were similar (P>0.10) in the two groups, including: length of stay; charges; costs; consultations; complications; transfers to intensive care; 30-day mortality; patient assessments of care; and changes in activities of daily living, SF-36 scores and symptom severity. However, after randomization, 90 of 193 patients (47%) assigned to the NP ward were actually admitted to housestaff wards, largely because of attending physicians and NP requests. None the less, outcomes of patients admitted to NP and housestaff wards were similar (P>0.1). NP-based care can be implemented successfully in teaching hospitals and, compared to housestaff care, may be associated with similar costs and clinical and functional outcomes. However, there may be important obstacles to increasing the number of patients cared for by NPs, including physician concerns about NPs' capabilities and NPs' limited flexibility in managing varying numbers of patients and accepting off-hours admissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Pioro
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Institute for Health Care Research, VA Medical Center, Cleveland, USA
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Counsell SR, Holder CM, Liebenauer LL, Palmer RM, Fortinsky RH, Kresevic DM, Quinn LM, Allen KR, Covinsky KE, Landefeld CS. Effects of a multicomponent intervention on functional outcomes and process of care in hospitalized older patients: a randomized controlled trial of Acute Care for Elders (ACE) in a community hospital. J Am Geriatr Soc 2000; 48:1572-81. [PMID: 11129745 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2000.tb03866.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 281] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older persons frequently experience a decline in function following an acute medical illness and hospitalization. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that a multicomponent intervention, called Acute Care for Elders (ACE), will improve functional outcomes and the process of care in hospitalized older patients. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING Community teaching hospital. PATIENTS A total of 1,531 community-dwelling patients, aged 70 or older, admitted for an acute medical illness between November 1994 and May 1997. INTERVENTION ACE includes a specially designed environment (with, for example, carpeting and uncluttered hallways); patient-centered care, including nursing care plans for prevention of disability and rehabilitation; planning for patient discharge to home; and review of medical care to prevent iatrogenic illness. MEASUREMENTS The main outcome was change in the number of independent activities of daily living (ADL) from 2 weeks before admission (baseline) to discharge. Secondary outcomes included resource use, implementation of orders to promote function, and patient and provider satisfaction. RESULTS Self-reported measures of function did not differ at discharge between the intervention and usual care groups by intention-to-treat analysis. The composite outcome of ADL decline from baseline or nursing home placement was less frequent in the intervention group at discharge (34% vs 40%; P = .027) and during the year following hospitalization (P = .022). There were no significant group differences in hospital length of stay and costs, home healthcare visits, or readmissions. Nursing care plans to promote independent function were more often implemented in the intervention group (79% vs 50%; P = .001), physical therapy consults were obtained more frequently (42% vs 36%; P = .027), and restraints were applied to fewer patients (2% vs 6%; P = .001). Satisfaction with care was higher for the intervention group than the usual care group among patients, caregivers, physicians, and nurses (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS ACE in a community hospital improved the process of care and patient and provider satisfaction without increasing hospital length of stay or costs. A lower frequency of the composite outcome ADL decline or nursing home placement may indicate potentially beneficial effects on patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- S R Counsell
- ACE Clinical Research Office, Summa Health System, Akron, Ohio, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Warfarin is effective in the treatment and prevention of many venous thromboembolic disorders, but it often leads to bleeding. OBJECTIVE To develop a multicomponent program of management of warfarin therapy and to determine its effect on the frequency of warfarin-related major bleeding in older patients. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING University hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. PATIENTS 325 patients 65 years of age or older who started warfarin therapy during hospitalization. INTERVENTIONS Patients were stratified according to baseline risk for major bleeding and were randomly assigned to receive the intervention (n = 163) or usual care (n = 162) by their primary physicians for 6 months. The intervention consisted of patient education about warfarin, training to increase patient participation, self-monitoring of prothrombin time, and guideline-based management of warfarin dosing. MEASUREMENTS Major bleeding, death, recurrent venous thromboembolism, and therapeutic control of anticoagulant therapy at 6 months. RESULTS In an intention-to-treat analysis, major bleeding was more common at 6 months in the usual care group than in the intervention group (cumulative incidence, 12% vs. 5.6%; P = 0.0498, log-rank test). The most frequent site of major bleeding in both groups was the gastrointestinal tract. Death and recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred with similar frequency in both groups at 6 months. Throughout 6 months, the proportion of total treatment time during which the international normalized ratio was within the therapeutic range was higher in the intervention group than in the usual care group (56% vs. 32%; P < 0.001). After 6 months, major bleeding occurred with similar frequencies in the intervention and usual care groups. CONCLUSIONS A multicomponent comprehensive program of warfarin management reduced the frequency of major bleeding in older patients. Although the generalizability and cost-effectiveness of this program remain to be demonstrated, these findings support the premise that efforts to reduce the likelihood of major bleeding will lead to safe and effective use of warfarin therapy in older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Beyth
- Baylor College of Medicine, Section of Health Services Research, Houston Center for Quality of Care and Utilization Studies, Veterans Affairs Medical Center (152), Building 110T, 2002 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Older black patients are at risk for underutilization of preventive services. Our objectives were to assess the delivery of five preventive services in Title 330-funded health centers in low income neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio, and to determine the association of health system factors and health status with the delivery of these services. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Four neighborhood health centers in low income neighborhoods of Cleveland, Ohio. PARTICIPANTS A total of 683 black men and women, aged 70 and older, who regarded the health center as their primary source of outpatient care. MEASUREMENTS Demographic characteristics, independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living, comorbidity scores, and perceived access were determined by telephone interview. We reviewed charts to determine whether each of five preventive service goals were obtained: influenza vaccination within 1 year; pneumococcal vaccination at any time; mammography within 2 years; Papanicolau screening within 1 year or twice at any time in the past with documentation of normal results; and fecal occult blood testing within 2 years. RESULTS The defined goals for influenza vaccination, pneumococcal vaccination, mammography, Papanicolau screening, and fecal occult blood testing were achieved for 59%, 64%, 59%, 51%, and 17% of patients, respectively. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines were obtained more often in persons with greater comorbidity. Mammography and Papanicolau smear were obtained more often in patients without of ADL or IADL impairments. The four clinical sites varied substantially in the delivery of each preventive service. More frequent office visits were associated with greater delivery of all five preventive services. This relationship persisted in multivariable analyses controlling for health status and clinical site. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that Title 330 federally supported neighborhood health center sites providing primary care to older blacks in Cleveland achieved high rates of performance in four of the five recommended preventive services. In addition, preventive services practices were associated with prognostically relevant health status information. The frequency of office visits was related strongly and consistently to the performance of the various preventive services, indicating that more, not fewer, office visits may be necessary to achieve Healthy People 2000 targets. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:124-130, 2000. Key words: preventive services; blacks; access to care; geriatrics; primary care
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Fortinsky RH, Covinsky KE, Palmer RM, Landefeld CS. Effects of functional status changes before and during hospitalization on nursing home admission of older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 1999; 54:M521-6. [PMID: 10568535 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/54.10.m521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional status changes before and during hospitalization may have important effects on outcomes in older adults, but these effects are not well understood. We determined the influence of functional status changes on the risk of nursing home (NH) admission after hospitalization. METHODS Subjects were 551 general medical patients > or = 70 years old (66% female; mean age = 80 years) admitted from home to a large Midwestern teaching hospital. Functional status change measures were based on patients' need for assistance in five personal activities of daily living (ADL) 2 weeks prior to hospital admission, the day of admission, and the day of discharge. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were included in multivariate models predicting NH admission. RESULTS Functional status change categories were: stable in function before and during hospitalization (45% of study patients); decline in function before and improvement during hospitalization (26%); stable before and decline during hospitalization (15%); decline before and no improvement during hospitalization (13%). In multivariate analyses, patients in the decline-no improvement group (odds ratio [OR] = 3.19; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.46-6.96) and patients in the stable-decline group (OR = 2.77; 95% CI = 1.29-5.96) were at greater risk for NH admission than patients in the stable-stable group. In a multivariate model that controlled for ADL function at hospital discharge, functional status change was no longer statistically significantly associated with NH admission. CONCLUSIONS Discharge function is a key risk factor for NH admission among hospitalized older adults. Because functional status changes before and during hospitalization are key determinants of discharge function, they provide important clues about the potential to modify that risk. Functional recovery during a hospital stay after prior functional decline, and prevention of in-hospital functional decline after prior functional stability, are important targets for clinical intervention to minimize the risk of NH admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Fortinsky
- Division of Geriatrics and Center on Aging, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington 06030-5215, USA.
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Covinsky KE, Martin GE, Beyth RJ, Justice AC, Sehgal AR, Landefeld CS. The relationship between clinical assessments of nutritional status and adverse outcomes in older hospitalized medical patients. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999; 47:532-8. [PMID: 10323645 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1999.tb02566.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Malnutrition is common in hospitalized older people and may predict adverse outcomes. Previous studies of the relationship between nutritional status and hospital outcomes are limited by inadequate accounting for other potential predictors of adverse outcomes, the failure to consider functional outcomes, and the omission of clinical assessments of nutritional status. OBJECTIVE To measure the relationship between a clinical assessment of nutritional status on hospital admission and subsequent mortality, functional dependence, and nursing home use. DESIGN Prospective cohort study SETTING A tertiary care hospital PATIENTS A total of 369 patients at least 70 years old (mean age 80.3, 62% women) admitted to a general medical service MEASUREMENTS Nutritional status was measured with the Subjective Global Assessment, a validated measure of nutritional status based on historical and physical exam findings. Patients were classified as severely malnourished (generally at least a 10% weight loss over the previous 6 months and marked physical signs of malnutrition), moderately malnourished (generally a 5 to 10% weight loss and moderate physical signs), or well nourished. Vital status, independence in activities of daily living, and nursing home use were determined through patient or surrogate interview at admission and 90 days and 1 year after discharge. Indices of comorbidity and illness severity were determined from chart review. RESULTS 219 patients (59.3%) were well nourished, 90 (24.4%) were moderately malnourished, and 60 (16.3%) were severely malnourished. Severely malnourished patients were more likely than moderately malnourished or well nourished patients to die by 90 days (31.7%, 23.3%, and 12.3%, respectively, P < .001) and 1 year (55.0%, 35.6%, and 27.9%, P < .001) after discharge. In logistic regression models controlling for acute illness severity, comorbidity, and functional status on admission, severely malnourished patients were more likely than well nourished patients to die within 1 year of discharge (OR = 2.83, 95% CI, 1.47-5.45), to be dependent in activities of daily living 3 months after discharge (OR = 2.81, 1.06-7.46), and to spend time in a nursing home during the year after discharge (OR = 3.22, 1.05-9.87). CONCLUSION Malnutrition was common in hospitalized patients with medical illness and was associated with greater mortality, delayed functional recovery, and higher rates of nursing home use. These adverse outcomes were not explained by greater acute illness severity, comorbidity, or functional dependence in malnourished patients on hospital admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland VA Medical Center, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Depressive symptoms are common in hospitalized older persons. However, their relation to long-term mortality is unclear because few studies have rigorously considered potential confounders of the relation between depression and mortality, such as comorbid illness, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE To measure the association between depressive symptoms and long-term mortality in hospitalized older persons. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING General medical service of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS 573 patients 70 years of age or older. MEASUREMENTS Depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale score), severity of acute illness (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score), burden of comorbid illness (Charlson comorbidity index score), physical function (a nurse assessed dependence in six activities of daily living), and cognitive function (modified Mini-Mental State Examination) were measured at hospital admission. Mortality over the 3 years after admission was determined from the National Death Index. Mortality rates among patients with six or more depressive symptoms were compared with those among patients with five or fewer symptoms. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 80 years; 68% of patients were women. Patients with six or more depressive symptoms had greater comorbid illness, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment at admission than patients with fewer depressive symptoms. Three-year mortality was higher in patients with six or more depressive symptoms (56% compared with 40%; hazard ratio, 1.56 [95% CI, 1.22 to 2.00]; P < 0.001). After adjustment for age, acute illness severity, comorbid illness, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment at the time of admission, patients with six or more depressive symptoms continued to have a higher mortality rate during the 3 years after admission (hazard ratio, 1.34 [CI, 1.03 to 1.73]). Although depressive symptoms contributed less to the mortality rate than did the total burden of comorbid medical illnesses, the excess mortality rate associated with depressive symptoms was greater than that conferred by one additional comorbid medical condition. CONCLUSIONS Depressive symptoms are associated with long-term mortality in older patients hospitalized with medical illnesses. This association is not fully explained by greater levels of comorbid illness, functional impairment, and cognitive impairment in patients with more depressive symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, 94121, USA.
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Covinsky KE, Wu AW, Landefeld CS, Connors AF, Phillips RS, Tsevat J, Dawson NV, Lynn J, Fortinsky RH. Health status versus quality of life in older patients: does the distinction matter? Am J Med 1999; 106:435-40. [PMID: 10225247 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9343(99)00052-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although health-related quality of life in older people is generally assessed by measuring specific domains of health status, such as activities of daily living or pain, the association between health-status measures and patients' perceptions of their quality of life is not clear. Indeed, it is controversial whether these health-status measures should be considered measures of quality of life at all. Our objective was to determine the association between health-status measures and older patients' perceptions of their global quality of life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 493 cognitively intact patients 80 years of age and older, interviewed 2 months after a hospitalization. We measured patients' self-assessed global quality of life and four domains of health status: physical capacity, limitations in performing activities of daily living, psychological distress, and pain. RESULTS Each of the four scales was significantly correlated with patients' global perceptions of their quality of life (P <0.001). The ability of the health-status scales to discriminate between patients with differing global quality of life was generally good, especially for the physical capacity (c statistic = 0.72) and psychological distress scales (c statistic = 0.70). However, for a substantial minority of patients, scores on the health-status scales did not accurately reflect their global quality of life. For example, global quality of life was described as fair or poor by 15% of patients with the highest (best tertile) physical capacity scores, 25% of patients who were independent in all activities of daily living, 21% of patients with the least psychological distress (best tertile), and by 30% with no pain symptoms. Similarly, global quality of life was described as good or better by 43% of patients with the worst physical capacity (worst tertile), 49% of patients who were dependent in at least two activities of daily living, 47% of patients with the most psychological distress (worst tertile), and 51% of patients with severe pain. CONCLUSION On average, health status is a reasonable indicator of global quality of life for groups of older patients with recent illness. However, disagreement between patients' reported health status and their perceptions of their global quality of life was common. Therefore, assumptions about the overall quality of life of individual patients should not be based on measures of their health status alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and San Francisco VA Medical Center, 94121, USA
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Sobecks NW, Justice AC, Hinze S, Chirayath HT, Lasek RJ, Chren MM, Aucott J, Juknialis B, Fortinsky R, Youngner S, Landefeld CS. When doctors marry doctors: a survey exploring the professional and family lives of young physicians. Ann Intern Med 1999; 130:312-9. [PMID: 10068390 DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-130-4-199902160-00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Soon, half of all physicians may be married to other physicians (that is, in dual-doctor families). Little is known about how marriage to another physician affects physicians themselves. OBJECTIVE To learn how physicians in dual-doctor families differ from other physicians in their professional and family lives and in their perceptions of career and family. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. SETTING Two medical schools in Ohio. PARTICIPANTS A random sample of physicians from the classes of 1980 to 1990. MEASUREMENTS Responses to a questionnaire on hours worked, income, number of children, child-rearing arrangements, and perceptions about work and family. RESULTS Of 2000 eligible physicians, 1208 responded (752 men and 456 women). Twenty-two percent of male physicians and 44% of female physicians were married to physicians (P < 0.001). Men and women in dual-doctor families differed (P < 0.001) from other married physicians in key aspects of their professional and family lives: They earned less money, less often felt that their career took precedence over their spouse's career, and more often played a major role in child-rearing. These differences were greater for female physicians than for male physicians. Men and women in dual-doctor families were similar to other physicians in the frequency with which they achieved career goals and goals for their children and with which they felt conflict between professional and family roles. Marriage to another physician had distinct benefits (P < 0.001) for both men and women, including more frequent enjoyment from shared work interests and higher family incomes. CONCLUSIONS Men and women in dual-doctor families differed from other physicians in many aspects of their professional and family lives, but they achieved their career and family goals as frequently. These differences reflect personal choices that will increasingly affect the profession as more physicians marry physicians.
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Affiliation(s)
- N W Sobecks
- Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University, Ohio 44106-7124, USA
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Palmer RM, Counsell S, Landefeld CS. Clinical intervention trials: the ACE unit. Clin Geriatr Med 1998; 14:831-49. [PMID: 9799482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
The loss of independent self-care by older patients during hospitalization for an acute illness can be modified by specific interventions. Acute care geriatric units appear to be the most effective intervention, but geriatric consultation on specific units, comprehensive discharge planning, and nutritional support also appear to have beneficial effects on clinical outcomes of hospitalization. These studies highlight the potential of geriatricians, in the setting of interdisciplinary care, to improve the process of patient care and to serve as directors of medical units that focus on management of acutely ill older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Palmer
- Section of Geriatric Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio 44195, USA.
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Kresevic DM, Counsell SR, Covinsky K, Palmer R, Landefeld CS, Holder C, Beeler J. A patient-centered model of acute care for elders. Nurs Clin North Am 1998; 33:515-27. [PMID: 9719695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The patient centered "Acute Care of the Elderly Unit" is a multifaceted process of care that combines optimal geriatric nursing and medical care of elders within an interdisciplinary model. Although functional decline has been previously assumed to be an inevitable consequence of hospitalization, preliminary findings suggest that a patient centered multidisciplinary model of geriatric care prevents functional decline of hospitalized elders. In addition, the "low tech" interventions and cost savings outcomes suggests the feasibility of implementing this model of care in hospitals serving a variety of patient populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Kresevic
- University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA
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Abstract
Consumers' guides that profile the quality of care of individual health care providers may be influential in shaping health care markets. We propose four simple questions that can be used to evaluate such guides: (a) Does the guide measure distinct and important domains of health care quality? (b) Are the individual measures of quality described simply and precisely? (c) Do the measures take into account relevant differences between patients? (d) Are the ratings of quality presented fairly? Using these four questions, we examine the validity of one prominent guide that annually identifies America's best hospitals and present a set of recommendations for the design of future guides. Although the evaluation of health care quality is undoubtedly complex, the four questions that we pose provide a basis for developing a more rational approach to informing the public about health care quality.
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Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the accuracy and clinical utility of the Outpatient Bleeding Risk Index for estimating the probability of major bleeding in outpatients treated with warfarin. The index was previously derived in a retrospective cohort of 556 patients from a different hospital (derivation cohort). SUBJECTS AND METHODS We enrolled 264 outpatients starting warfarin (validation cohort) to validate the index prospectively. All patients were identified upon hospital discharge, and physician estimates of the probability of major bleeding were obtained before discharge in the validation cohort. RESULTS Major bleeding occurred in 87 of 820 outpatients (6.5%/yr). The index included four independent risk factors for major bleeding: age 65 years or greater; history of gastrointestinal bleeding; history of stroke; and one or more of four specific comorbid conditions. In the validation cohort, the index predicted major bleeding: the cumulative incidence at 48 months was 3% in 80 low-risk patients, 12% in 166 intermediate-risk patients, and 53% in 18 high-risk patients (c index, 0.78). The index performed better than physicians, who estimated the probability of major bleeding no better than expected by chance. Of the 18 episodes of major bleeding that occurred in high-risk patients, 17 were potentially preventable. CONCLUSIONS The Outpatient Bleeding Risk Index prospectively classified patients according to risk of major bleeding and performed better than physicians. Major bleeding may be preventable in many high-risk patients by avoidance of over-anticoagulation and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Beyth
- Department of Medicine, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Ohio 44106-4961, USA
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Cooper GS, Fortinsky RH, Hapke R, Landefeld CS. Factors associated with the use of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a screening test for the detection of colorectal carcinoma by primary care physicians. Cancer 1998; 82:1476-81. [PMID: 9554523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite current recommendations of flexible sigmoidoscopy as a screening test for the detection of colorectal carcinoma, relatively few asymptomatic patients undergo this procedure. To enhance the use of sigmoidoscopy, differences in the use of screening, as well as barriers to screening among specific physician groups, should be defined. METHODS The authors surveyed 1762 practicing primary care physicians to determine their self-reported ability to perform sigmoidoscopy and perceived obstacles to either initiating or enhancing screening. RESULTS A total of 884 physicians (50%) responded. Ninety percent of primary care physicians reported that they offered sigmoidoscopic screening to their patients, with 46% referring patients and 44% performing the procedure themselves. Physician characteristics were not associated with the overall use of sigmoidoscopy. In contrast, compared with physicians who referred patients for the procedure, physicians who performed sigmoidoscopy themselves were more often board certified, male, and graduated from medical school after 1970 (P < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, these characteristics were also independently associated with the ability to perform sigmoidoscopy. The barrier to sigmoidoscopy cited most often was poor patient acceptance, whether or not the physician performed or referred patients for sigmoidoscopic screening. Other barriers cited were lack of training, lack of equipment, and time required, each of which was identified most often by physicians who did not screen at all. CONCLUSIONS Most physicians surveyed reported using sigmoidoscopic screening to some degree in their practice, although many did not perform the procedure themselves. Population-based interventions to increase screening may benefit from targeting specific physician subgroups and attempting to improve patient acceptance of the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Cooper
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland and Cleveland VAMC, Case Western Reserve University, Ohio 44106, USA
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Covinsky KE, Rosenthal GE, Chren MM, Justice AC, Fortinsky RH, Palmer RM, Landefeld CS. The relation between health status changes and patient satisfaction in older hospitalized medical patients. J Gen Intern Med 1998; 13:223-9. [PMID: 9565384 PMCID: PMC1496938 DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1998.00071.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relation between two patient outcome measures that can be used to assess the quality of hospital care: changes in health status between admission and discharge, and patient satisfaction. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING AND PATIENTS Subjects were 445 older medical patients (aged > or =70 years) hospitalized on the medical service of a teaching hospital. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We interviewed patients at admission and discharge to obtain two measures of health status: global health and independence in five activities of daily living (ADLs). At discharge, we also administered a 5-item patient satisfaction questionnaire. We assessed the relation between changes in health status and patient satisfaction in two sets of analyses, that controlled for either admission or discharge health status. When controlling for admission health status, changes in health status between admission and discharge were positively associated with patient satisfaction (p values ranging from .01 to .08). However, when controlling for discharge health status, changes in health status were no longer associated with patient satisfaction. For example, among patients independent in ADLs at discharge, mean satisfaction scores were similar regardless of whether patients were dependent at admission (i.e., had improved) or independent at admission (i.e., remained stable) (79.6 vs 81.2, p = .46). Among patients dependent in ADLs at discharge, mean satisfaction scores were similar regardless of whether they were dependent at admission (i.e., remained stable) or independent at admission (i.e., had worsened) (74.0 vs 75.7, p = .63). These findings were similar using the measure of global health and in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS Patients with similar discharge health status have similar satisfaction regardless of whether that discharge health status represents stable health, improvement, or a decline in health status. The previously described positive association between patient satisfaction and health status more likely represents a tendency of healthier patients to report greater satisfaction with health care, rather than a tendency of patients who improve following an interaction with the health system to report greater satisfaction. This suggests that changes in health status and patient satisfaction are measuring different domains of hospital outcomes and quality. Comprehensive efforts to measure the outcomes and quality of hospital care will need to consider both patient satisfaction and changes in health status during hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, and the Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ohio 44016-4961, USA
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Covinsky KE, Palmer RM, Kresevic DM, Kahana E, Counsell SR, Fortinsky RH, Landefeld CS. Improving functional outcomes in older patients: lessons from an acute care for elders unit. Jt Comm J Qual Improv 1998; 24:63-76. [PMID: 9547681 DOI: 10.1016/s1070-3241(16)30362-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalization often marks the beginning, and may be partially responsible for, a downward trajectory characterized by declining function, worsening quality of life, placement in a long term care facility, and death. At the University Hospitals of Cleveland, an Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit that reengineered the process of caring for older patients (> or = 70 years of age) to improve functional outcomes was established in September 1990. DESCRIPTION OF INTERVENTION The general principles of ACE included an approach to care guided by the biopsychosocial model and recognition of the importance of fitting the hospital environment to the patient's needs. The design of the intervention was consistent with principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment and continuous quality improvement. Care, which focused on maintaining function, was directed by an interdisciplinary team that considered the patient's needs both at home and in the hospital. The major components of the ACE Unit intervention included patient-centered nursing care (daily assessment of functional needs by nursing, nursing-based protocols to improve outcomes, daily rounds by a multidisciplinary team), a prepared environment, planning for discharge, and medical care review. RESULTS In a randomized trial comparing ACE with usual care, patients receiving ACE had improved functional outcomes at discharge. The costs to the hospital for ACE unit care were less than for usual care. The functional status of ACE and usual care patients was similar 90 days after discharge. FUTURE DIRECTIONS The ACE unit intervention is being expanded to preserve the improvements observed during the hospitalization in the outpatient setting. In addition, needs other than function which are critical to patients' long-term quality of life are being considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Cooper GS, Bellamy P, Dawson NV, Desbiens N, Fulkerson WJ, Goldman L, Quinn LM, Speroff T, Landefeld CS. A prognostic model for patients with end-stage liver disease. Gastroenterology 1997; 113:1278-88. [PMID: 9322523 DOI: 10.1053/gast.1997.v113.pm9322523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Survival of patients with end-stage liver disease is variable and difficult to predict. A two-phase prospective cohort study was conducted at five teaching hospitals to develop and evaluate a model for prediction of death. METHODS Five hundred thirty-eight hospitalized patients with a history of chronic liver disease and two or more signs of decompensation were studied. RESULTS The cumulative incidence of death was 30% at 30 days and 50% at 6 months. In 295 patients in phase I, time till death was independently associated (P < 0.01) with five factors measured on study day 3: renal insufficiency, cognitive dysfunction, ventilatory insufficiency, age > or = 65 years, and prothrombin time > or = 16 seconds. These risk factors stratified 243 patients in phase II into three groups with cumulative incidences of death at 30 days of 12%, 40%, and 74%, respectively. Integration of the prognostic model with physicians' predictions led to improved estimates of the probability of death. Although performance of liver transplantation after study entry was independently associated with enhanced survival, the intensity of other acute therapies was not. CONCLUSIONS Five risk factors were associated with the risk of death in patients with end-stage liver disease and provided a quantitative basis to complement physicians' prognostic estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Cooper
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Ohio, USA
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Cooper GS, Fortinsky RH, Hapke R, Landefeld CS. Primary care physician recommendations for colorectal cancer screening. Patient and practitioner factors. Arch Intern Med 1997; 157:1946-50. [PMID: 9308506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current guidelines for colorectal cancer screening do not specify the role of age or comorbidity in patient selection. Reported screening practices may thus be influenced by patient, as well as physician, characteristics. METHODS A questionnaire was sent to primary care physicians in 10 states to determine recommendations for fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) and sigmoidoscopy in 4 pairs of clinical vignettes that varied by patient age (65 or 75 years) and comorbidity (none, mild, moderate, and terminal). RESULTS Among the 884 respondents (50%), most physicians recommended FOBT in all vignettes except those with a terminal illness and fewer than half recommended sigmoidoscopy in any vignette. Physician recommendations were influenced by comorbidity, but one third still recommended FOBT for terminally ill patients and less than 50% recommended sigmoidoscopy for patients with no comorbidity. Differences in recommended screening between vignettes that differed only in patient age were small. Among all subgroups of physicians, at least 30% recommended FOBT in terminally ill patients and no more than 60% recommended sigmoidoscopy in healthy patients. CONCLUSIONS Primary care physicians were much more likely to recommend screening with FOBT than sigmoidoscopy, regardless of patient and practitioner factors. Although physician recommendations were influenced by patient comorbidity and age, they frequently recommended FOBT in clinically inappropriate settings and failed to recommend sigmoidoscopy when appropriate. Broad-based interventions to improve appropriate screening practices may be needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Cooper
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Landefeld CS. Atrial fibrillation and stroke: what we know, what's new, and what we should do now. CMAJ 1997; 157:695-7. [PMID: 9307556 PMCID: PMC1228108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
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Covinsky KE, King JT, Quinn LM, Siddique R, Palmer R, Kresevic DM, Fortinsky RH, Kowal J, Landefeld CS. Do acute care for elders units increase hospital costs? A cost analysis using the hospital perspective. J Am Geriatr Soc 1997; 45:729-34. [PMID: 9180668 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1997.tb01478.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the hospital costs of caring for medical patients on a special unit designed to help older people maintain or achieve independence in self-care activities with the costs of usual care. DESIGN A randomized controlled study. PARTICIPANTS A total of 650 medical patients (mean age 80 years, 67% women, 41% nonwhite) assigned randomly to either the intervention unit (n = 326) or usual care (n = 324). MEASURES The hospital's resource-based cost of caring for patients was determined from the hospital's cost-accounting system. The cost of the intervention program was estimated and included in the intervention patients' total hospital cost. RESULTS The development and maintenance costs of the intervention added $38.43 per bed day to the intervention patients' hospital costs. As a result, the cost per day to the hospital was slightly higher in the intervention patients than in the control patients ($876 vs $847, P = .076). However, the average length of stay was shorter for intervention patients (7.5 vs 8.4 days, P = .449). As a result, the hospital's total cost to care for intervention patients was not greater than caring for usual-care patients ($6608 in intervention patients vs $7240 in control patients, P = .926). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the cost of the intervention program would need to be 220% greater than estimated before intervention patients would be more expensive then control patients. There were no examined subgroups of patients in whom care on the intervention unit was significantly more expensive than care on the usual-care unit. Ninety-day nursing home use was lower in intervention than control patients (24.1% vs 32.3%, P = .034). Ninety-day readmission rates (36.7% vs 41.1%, P = .283) and caregiver strain scores (3.3 vs. 2.7, P = .280) were similar. CONCLUSION Caring for patients on an intervention ward designed to improve functional outcomes in older patients was not more expensive to the hospital than caring for patients on a usual-care ward even though the intervention ward required a commitment of hospital resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Care Research, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although physical function is believed to be an important predictor of outcomes in older people, it has seldom been used to adjust for prognosis or case mix in evaluating mortality rates or resource use. The goal of this study was to determine whether patients' activity of daily living (ADL) function on admission provided information useful in adjusting for prognosis and case mix after accounting for routine physiologic measures and comorbid diagnoses. SETTING The general medical service of a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS Medical inpatients (n = 823) over age 70 (mean age 80.7, 68% women). MEASUREMENTS Independence in ADL function on admission was assessed by interviewing each patient's primary nurse. We determined the APACHE II Acute Physiology Score (APS) and the Charlson comorbidity score from chart review. Outcome measures were hospital and 1-year mortality, nursing home use in the 90 days following discharge, and cost of hospitalization. Patients were divided into four quartiles according to the number of ADLs in which they were dependent. MAIN RESULTS ADL category stratified patients into groups that were at markedly different risks of mortality and higher resource use. For example, hospital mortality varied from 0.9% in patients dependent in no ADL on admission, to 17.4% in patients dependent in all ADLs. One-year mortality ranged from 17.5% to 54.9%, nursing home use from 3% to 33%, and hospital costs varied by 53%. In multivariate analyses controlling for APS. Charlson scores, and demographic characteristics, compared with patients dependent in no ADL, patients dependent in all ADLs were at greater risk of hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.1-58.8), 1-year mortality (OR 4.4; 2.7-7.4), and 90-day nursing home use (OR 14.9; 6.0-37.0). The DRG-adjusted hospital cost was 50% higher for patients dependent in all ADLs. ADL function also improved the discrimination of hospital and 1-year mortality models that considered APS, or Charlson scores, or both. CONCLUSIONS ADL function contains important information about prognosis and case mix beyond that provided by routine physiologic data and comorbidities in hospitalized elders. Prognostic and case-mix adjustment methods may be improved if they include measures of function, as well as routine physiologic measures and comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Covinsky KE, Fortinsky RH, Palmer RM, Kresevic DM, Landefeld CS. Relation between symptoms of depression and health status outcomes in acutely ill hospitalized older persons. Ann Intern Med 1997; 126:417-25. [PMID: 9072926 DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-126-6-199703150-00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older patients often have poor health status outcomes after hospitalization. Symptoms of depression are common in hospitalized older persons and may be a risk factor for these poor outcomes. OBJECTIVE To determine whether symptoms of depression predict worse health status outcomes in acutely ill, older medical patients, independent of health status and severity of illness at hospital admission. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Medical service of a teaching hospital. PATIENTS 572 hospitalized medical patients older than 70 years of age. MEASUREMENTS 15 symptoms of depression, health status, and severity of illness were measured at admission. The main outcome was dependence in basic activities of daily living at discharge and 30 and 90 days after discharge. Other outcome measures were dependence in instrumental activities of daily living, fair or poor global health status, and poor global satisfaction with life. RESULTS The median number of symptoms of depression on admission was 4. Patients with 6 or more symptoms on admission (n = 196) were more likely than patients with 0 to 2 symptoms (n = 181) to be dependent in basic activities of daily living (odds ratio, 2.47 [95% CI, 1.58 to 3.86]) after controlling for demographic characteristics and severity of illness. At each subsequent time point, patients with more symptoms of depression on admission were more likely to be dependent in basic activities of daily living. This association persisted after adjustment for dependence in basic activities of daily living, severity of illness, and demographic characteristics on admission. The odds ratios comparing patients who had 6 or more symptoms with those who had 0 to 2 symptoms were 3.23 (CI, 1.76 to 5.95) at discharge, 3.45 (CI, 1.81 to 6.60) 30 days after discharge, and 2.15 (CI, 1.15 to 4.03) 90 days after discharge. At each time point, patients with 6 or more symptoms of depression were more likely to have more dependence in instrumental activities of daily living, worse global health status, and less satisfaction with life. CONCLUSIONS Symptoms of depression identified a vulnerable group of hospitalized older persons. The health status of patients with more symptoms of depression was more likely to deteriorate and less likely to improve during and after hospitalization. This association was not attributable to health status or severity of illness on admission. The temporal sequence and magnitude of this association, its consistency over time with different measures, and its independence from the severity of the somatic illness strongly support a relation between symptoms of depression on admission and subsequent health status outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Care Research, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Aron DC, Landefeld CS. Health services research and the endocrinologist. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1997; 26:113-24. [PMID: 9074855 DOI: 10.1016/s0889-8529(05)70236-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This article highlights the importance of health services research to endocrinologists. The content and goals of health services research are defined, and, with examples related to endocrinology, the field's focus and key themes are described and its methods and sources of data delineated. Considerations that informed readers should keep in mind when reading this literature are illustrated, with a recent example that has important implications for the role of endocrinologists in the management of diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- D C Aron
- Division of Clinical and Molecular Endocrinology, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Antani MR, Beyth RJ, Covinsky KE, Anderson PA, Miller DG, Cebul RD, Quinn LM, Landefeld CS. Failure to prescribe warfarin to patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. J Gen Intern Med 1996; 11:713-20. [PMID: 9016417 DOI: 10.1007/bf02598984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine how often warfarin was prescribed to patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation in our community in 1992 when randomized trials had demonstrated that warfarin could prevent stroke with little increase in the rate of hemorrhage, and to determine whether warfarin was prescribed less frequently to older patients-the patients at highest risk of stroke but of most concern to physicians in terms of the safety of warfarin. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. Appropriateness of warfarin was classified for each patient based on the independent judgments of three physicians applying relevant evidence and guidelines. SETTING Two teaching hospitals and five community-based practices. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (n = 189). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Warfarin was prescribed to 44 (23%) of the 189 patients. Warfarin was judged appropriate in 98 patients (52%), of whom 36 (37%) were prescribed warfarin. Warfarin was prescribed to 11 (14%) of 76 patients aged 75 years or older with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or past stroke, the group at highest risk of stroke. In a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for appropriateness of warfarin and other patient characteristics, patients aged 75 years or older were less likely than younger patients to be treated with warfarin (odds ratio 0.25; 95% confidence interval 0.10, 0.65). CONCLUSIONS Warfarin was prescribed infrequently to these patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, especially the older patients and even the patients for whom warfarin was judged appropriate. These findings indicate a substantial opportunity to prevent stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Antani
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH 44106, USA
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Beyth RJ, Antani MR, Covinsky KE, Miller DG, Chren MM, Quinn LM, Landefeld CS. Why isn't warfarin prescribed to patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation? J Gen Intern Med 1996; 11:721-8. [PMID: 9016418 DOI: 10.1007/bf02598985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the opinions of selected physicians in our community about use of warfarin for patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, and to determine the relation of the physicians' opinions to their practices. DESIGN Survey of physicians, using eight hypothetical clinical vignettes to characterize physicians' opinions about use of warfarin in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, according to patient age, risk of bleeding, and risk of stroke. SETTING Two teaching hospitals and five community-based practices. PARTICIPANTS Eighty physicians who cared for 189 consecutive patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The survey response rate was 73%. Nearly all responding physicians (90%) recommended warfarin for at least one vignette. However, physicians recommended warfarin less often for vignettes depicting 85-year-old patients than for matched vignettes depicting 65-year-old patients (odds ratio [OR] 0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01, 0.08), and less often for cases with specified risk factors for bleeding than for matched cases without the risk factors (OR 0.01; 95% CI 0.004, 0.03); warfarin was recommended more often for cases with a recent stroke than for matched cases without this history (OR 8.2; 95% CI 3.6, 18). In practice, warfarin was prescribed more often (p < or = .05) by physicians reporting good personal experience and by those who had favorable opinions about its use. However, even physicians with good experience and favorable opinions did not prescribe warfarin to half of their patents for whom warfarin was independently judged appropriate. CONCLUSIONS Physicians' opinions frequently opposed warfarin for older patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation, and for those with bleeding risk factors. Physicians' opinions, as well as other barriers to warfarin therapy, most likely contribute to its infrequent prescription.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Beyth
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH 44106, USA
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Landefeld CS, Chren MM. Drug companies and information about drugs: recommendations for doctors. Characteristics of materials distributed by drug companies: four points of view. J Gen Intern Med 1996; 11:642-4. [PMID: 8945699 DOI: 10.1007/bf02599035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Covinsky KE, Landefeld CS, Teno J, Connors AF, Dawson N, Youngner S, Desbiens N, Lynn J, Fulkerson W, Reding D, Oye R, Phillips RS. Is economic hardship on the families of the seriously ill associated with patient and surrogate care preferences? SUPPORT Investigators. Arch Intern Med 1996; 156:1737-41. [PMID: 8694674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serious illness often causes economic hardship for patients' families. However, it is not known whether this hardship is associated with a preference for the goal of care to focus on maximizing comfort instead of maximizing life expectancy or whether economic hardship might give rise to disagreement between patients and surrogates over the goal of care. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study of 3158 seriously ill patients (median age, 63 years; 44% women) at 5 tertiary medical centers with 1 of 9 diagnoses associated with a high risk of mortality. Two months after their index hospitalization, patients and surrogates were surveyed about patients' preferences for the primary goal of care: either care focused on extending life or care focused on maximizing comfort. Patients and surrogates were also surveyed about the financial impact of the illness on the patient's family. RESULTS A report of economic hardship on the family as a result of the illness was associated with a preference for comfort care over life-extending care (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.48) in an age-stratified bivariate analysis. Similarly, in a multivariable analysis controlling for patient demographics, illness severity, functional dependency, depression, anxiety, and pain, economic hardship on the family remained associated with a preference for comfort care over life-extending care (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.57). Economic hardship on the family did not affect either the frequency or direction of patient-surrogate disagreements about the goal of care. CONCLUSIONS In patients with serious illness, economic hardship on the family is associated with preferences for comfort care over life-extending care. However, economic hardship on the family does not appear to be a factor in patient-surrogate disagreements about the goal of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Covinsky
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Abstract
To determine health care leaders' opinions about a prominent guide to hospital quality, we surveyed 82 chief executive officers (CEOs) and 80 chiefs of staff of hospitals listed in the 1994 edition of the guide and 50 directors of employer based coalitions. Most of the CEOs (87%) and chiefs of staff (86%) said the guide was used in advertising. More than three quarters of the CEOs, chiefs of staff, and coalition directors who were familiar with the guide thought it was accurate, and most indicated that key constituencies (e.g., physicians, corporate managers) were aware of the guide. Our results demonstrate the likely influence of one prominent guide to health care quality and highlight the need for formal independent assessment of such guides.
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Affiliation(s)
- G E Rosenthal
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Care Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Cooper GS, Yuan Z, Landefeld CS, Rimm AA. Surgery for colorectal cancer: Race-related differences in rates and survival among Medicare beneficiaries. Am J Public Health 1996; 86:582-6. [PMID: 8604797 PMCID: PMC1380567 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.86.4.582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
This study examined surgery for colorectal cancer among Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age or older with an initial diagnosis in 1987 (n = 81 579). Black patients were less likely than White to undergo surgical resection (68% vs 78%), even after age, comorbidity, and location and extent of tumor were controlled for. Among those who underwent resection, Black patients were more likely to die (a 2-year mortality rate of 40.0% vs 33.5% in White patients); this disparity also remained after confounders had been controlled. The disparities were similar in teaching and nonteaching hospitals and in private and public hospitals. These data may indicate racially based differences among Medicare beneficiaries in access to and quality of care for colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Cooper
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
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Sager MA, Franke T, Inouye SK, Landefeld CS, Morgan TM, Rudberg MA, Sebens H, Winograd CH. Functional outcomes of acute medical illness and hospitalization in older persons. Arch Intern Med 1996; 156:645-52. [PMID: 8629876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Short-stay hospitalization in older patients is frequently associated with a loss of function, which can lead to a need for postdischarge assistance and longer-term institutionalization. Because little is known about this adverse outcome of hospitalization, this study was conducted to (1) determine the discharge and 3-month postdischarge functional outcomes for a large cohort of older persons hospitalized for medical illness, (2) determine the extent to which patients were able to recover to preadmission levels of functioning after hospital discharge, and (3) identify the patient factors associated with an increased risk of developing disability associated with acute illness and hospitalization. METHODS A total of 1279 community-dwelling patients, aged 70 years and older, hospitalized for acute medical illness were enrolled in this multicenter, prospective cohort study. Functional measurements obtained at discharge (Activities of Daily Living) and at 3 months after discharge (Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living) were compared with a preadmission baseline level of functioning to document loss and recovery of functioning. RESULTS At discharge, 59% of the study population reported no change, 10% improved, and 31% declined in Activities of Daily Living when compared with the preadmission baseline. At the 3-month follow-up, 51% of the original study population, for whom postdischarge data were available (n=1206), were found to have died (11%) or to report new Activities of Daily Living and/or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living disabilities (40%) when compared with the preadmission baseline. Among survivors, 19% reported a new Activities of Daily Living and 40% reported a new Instrumental Activities of Daily Living disability at follow-up. The 3-month outcomes were the result of the loss of function during the index hospitalization, the failure of many patients to recover after discharge, and the development of new postdischarge disabilities. Patients at greatest risk of adverse functional outcomes at follow-up were older, had preadmission Instrumental Activities of Daily Living disabilities and lower mental status scores on admission, and had been rehospitalized. CONCLUSION This study documents a high incidence of functional decline after hospitalization for acute medial illness. Although there are several potential explanations for these findings, this study suggests a need to reexamine current inpatient and postdischarge practices that might influence the functioning of older patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Sager
- Department of Medicine and Preventive Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
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Sager MA, Rudberg MA, Jalaluddin M, Franke T, Inouye SK, Landefeld CS, Siebens H, Winograd CH. Hospital admission risk profile (HARP): identifying older patients at risk for functional decline following acute medical illness and hospitalization. J Am Geriatr Soc 1996; 44:251-7. [PMID: 8600192 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1996.tb00910.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 289] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To develop and validate an instrument for stratifying older patients at the time of hospital admission according to their risk of developing new disabilities in activities of daily living (ADL) following acute medical illness and hospitalization. DESIGN Multi-center prospective cohort study. SETTING Four university and two private non-federal acute care hospitals. PATIENTS The development cohort consists of 448 patients and the validation cohort consists of 379 patients who were aged 70 and older and who were hospitalized for acute medical illness between 1989 and 1992. MEASUREMENTS All patients were evaluated on hospital admission to identify baseline demographic and functional characteristics and were then assessed at discharge and 3 months after discharge to determine decline in ADL functioning. RESULTS Logistic regression analysis identified three patient characteristics that were independent predictors of functional decline in the development cohort: increasing age, lower admission Mini-Mental Status Exam scores, and lower preadmission IADL function. A scoring system was developed for each predictor variable and patients were assigned to low, intermediate, and high risk categories. The rates of ADL decline at discharge for the low, intermediate, and high risk categories were 17%, 28%, and 56% in the development cohort and 19%, 31%, and 55% in the validation cohort, respectively. Patients in the low risk category were significantly more likely to recover ADL function and to avoid nursing home placement during the 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSION Hospital Admission Risk Profile (HARP) is a simple instrument that can be used to identify patients at risk of functional decline following hospitalization. HARP can be used to identify patients who might benefit from comprehensive discharge planning, specialized geriatric care, and experimental interventions designed to prevent/reduce the development of disability in hospitalized older populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Sager
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706 USA
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Ubel PA, Arnold RM, Gramelspacher GP, Hoppe RB, Landefeld CS, Levinson W, Tierney W, Tolle SW. Acceptance of external funds by physician organizations: issues and policy options. J Gen Intern Med 1995; 10:624-30. [PMID: 8583265 DOI: 10.1007/bf02602746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- P A Ubel
- VAMC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Genet CA, Brennan PF, Ibbotson-Wolff S, Phelps C, Rosenthal G, Landefeld CS, Daly B. Nurse practitioners in a teaching hospital. Nurse Pract 1995; 20:47-52, 54. [PMID: 7501315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The development of a model of care using acute care nurse practitioners in a teaching hospital and the integration of the nurse practitioner into an alternative model of care delivery are discussed. Issues in implementation include lack of understanding about the nurse practitioner role on the part of other members of the health care team, legislative constraints, and the administrative restrictions of teaching hospitals. Education of nurses and physicians regarding the scope of practice of the nurse practitioner role, departmental policy changes, and the development of protocols facilitate the efficiency and utilization of the nurse practitioner in this setting. Specific concerns surrounding costs of a nurse practitioner service and practice differences between the clinical nurse specialist and the acute care nurse practitioner are addressed. Nurse practitioner models of care delivery, which address quality, cost-effective care are on the forefront of tomorrow's health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Genet
- Case Western Reserve University, USA
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40
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Beyth RJ, Cohen AM, Landefeld CS. Long-term outcomes of deep-vein thrombosis. Arch Intern Med 1995; 155:1031-7. [PMID: 7748045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the long-term outcomes of patients with acute deep-vein thrombosis. METHODS We followed up 124 patients with deep-vein thrombosis 6 to 8 years after the index thrombosis to determine the frequency of death, recurrent venous thromboembolism, postphlebitic symptoms, and their relationship to three domains of health-related quality of life. RESULTS Fifty-two (42%) of the 124 patients died. The cumulative incidence of death was 17% at 1 year and 39% at 5 years. Death was especially common among patients older than 75 years and those with cancer or stroke (5-year cumulative incidence, 66%, compared with 12% among other patients; P < .0001). Most deaths were attributable to cancer or cardiovascular disease. Venous thromboembolism recurred in 18 patients (15%); the cumulative incidence was 6% at 1 year and 13% at 5 years. Recurrence was more common, however, among patients younger than 65 years with a history of recurrent venous thromboembolism (5-year cumulative incidence, 34%, compared with 10% among other patients; P < .01). In interviews with 52 patients 6 to 8 years after the index deep-vein thrombosis, 42% reported pain, swelling, or discoloration in the leg affected by the index thrombosis. Perceptions of health, physical functioning, and role limitations attributed to physical health were worse (P < .01 for each domain) in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic patients. CONCLUSIONS Six to 8 years after deep-vein thrombosis, many patients had died of preexisting cancer or cardiovascular disease. Recurrent venous thromboembolism was uncommon. Symptoms in the leg affected by the index thrombosis were common, however, and were associated with worse health-related quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Beyth
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Landefeld CS, Palmer RM, Kresevic DM, Fortinsky RH, Kowal J. A randomized trial of care in a hospital medical unit especially designed to improve the functional outcomes of acutely ill older patients. N Engl J Med 1995; 332:1338-44. [PMID: 7715644 DOI: 10.1056/nejm199505183322006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 537] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older persons who re hospitalized for acute illnesses often lose their independence and are discharged to institutions for long-term care. METHODS We studied 651 patients 70 years of age or older who were admitted for general medical care at a teaching hospital; these patients were randomly assigned to receive usual care or to be cared for in a special unit designed to help older persons maintain or achieve independence in self-care activities. The key elements of this program were a specially prepared environment (with, for example, uncluttered hallways, large clocks and calendars, and handrails); patient-centered care emphasizing independence, including specific protocols for prevention of disability and for rehabilitation; discharge planning with the goal of returning the patient to his or her home; and intensive review of medical care to minimize the adverse effects of procedures and medications. The main outcome we measured ws the change from admission to discharge in the number of five basic activities of daily living (bathing, getting dressed, using the toilet, moving from a bed to a chair, and eating) that the patient could perform independently. RESULTS Twenty-four patients in each group died in the hospital. At the time of discharge, 65 (21 percent) of the 303 surviving patients in the intervention group were classified as much better in terms of their ability to perform basic activities of daily living, 39 (13 percent) as better, 151 (50 percent) as unchanged, 22 (7 percent) as worse, and 26 (9 percent) as much worse. In the usual care group, 40 (13 percent) of the 300 surviving patients were classified as much better, 33 (11 percent) as better, 163 (54 percent) as unchanged, 39 (13 percent) as worse, and 25 (8 percent) as much worse (P = 0.009). The difference between the groups remained significant (P = 0.04) in a multivariable model in which we controlled for potentially confounding base-line characteristics of the patients. Lengths of stay and hospital charges were similar in the two groups. Fewer patients assigned to the intervention group were discharged to long-term care institutions (43 patients [14 percent], as compared with 67 patients [22 percent] in the usual-care group; P = 0.01). Among the 493 patients discharged to private homes, similar proportions (about 10 percent) in the two groups were admitted to long-term care institutions during the three months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS Specific changes in the provision of acute hospital care can improve the ability of a heterogeneous group of acutely ill older patients to perform basic activities of daily living at the time of discharge from the hospital and can reduce the frequency of discharge to institutions for long-term care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Landefeld
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Care Research, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Chren MM, Lazarus HM, Salata RA, Landefeld CS. Cultures of skin biopsy tissue from immunocompromised patients with cancer and rashes. Arch Dermatol 1995; 131:552-5. [PMID: 7741541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND DESIGN Microbiological cultures of skin biopsy tissue are often recommended in immunocompromised patients with cancer and rashes, but in a previous study, they were usually sterile or grew clinically insignificant organisms. To examine the use and bacteriological results of these cultures more comprehensively, we reviewed records from all immunocompromised adults with cancer and acute rash on which skin biopsy was performed during 39 months on a bone marrow transplantation/acute leukemia unit of a university hospital (108 episodes of rash in 80 patients). RESULTS Of the 158 cultures that were performed, one (1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0% to 4%) was a true positive; 11 (7%; 95% CI, 3% to 13%) were false positive; 143 (91%; 95% CI, 87% to 95%) were true negative; and three (2%; 95% CI, 1% to 6%) were false negative. Thus, the sensitivity of culture was 0.25, and the specificity was 0.93. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the single pathogenic organism that grew, yet was judged to be a contaminant in three episodes. Among the 95 rashes in which fewer than four types of culture were performed, viral culture may have been helpful in one case (1%; 95% CI, 0% to 6%). CONCLUSIONS Cultures of skin tissue from immunocompromised cancer patients with rashes were often unable to diagnose infection or the absence of infection. Clinical judgement was crucial to the interpretation of culture results.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Chren
- Department of Dermatology, Skin Diseases Research Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Landefeld
- Medical Firm System, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH 44106
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45
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Wu AW, Damiano AM, Lynn J, Alzola C, Teno J, Landefeld CS, Desbiens N, Tsevat J, Mayer-Oakes A, Harrell FE, Knaus WA. Predicting future functional status for seriously ill hospitalized adults. The SUPPORT prognostic model. Ann Intern Med 1995; 122:342-50. [PMID: 7847645 DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-122-5-199503010-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a model estimating the probability of an adult patient having severe functional limitations 2 months after being hospitalized with one of nine serious illnesses. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Five teaching hospitals in the United States. PARTICIPANTS 1746 patients (model development) who survived 2 months and completed an interview, selected from 4301 patients in the Study to Understand Prognoses and Preferences for Outcomes and Risks of Treatments (SUPPORT); independent validation sample of 2478 patients. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN OUTCOMES Patient function 2 months after admission categorized as absence or presence of severe functional limitations (defined as Sickness Impact Profile scores > or = 30 or as activities of daily living scores > or = 4 [levels that require near-constant personal assistance]). A logistic regression model was constructed to predict severe functional limitation. RESULTS One third (n = 590) of patients who were interviewed at 2 months had severe functional limitations. Changes in functional status were common: Of those with no baseline dependencies (not dependent on personal assistance), 21% were severely limited at 2 months; of those with 4 or more baseline limitations, 30% had improved. The patient's ability to do activities of daily living was the most important predictor of functional status. Physiologic abnormalities, diagnosis, days in hospital, age, quality of life, and previous exercise capacity also contributed substantially. Model performance, assessed using receiver-operating characteristic curves, was 0.79 for the development sample and 0.75 for the validation sample. The model was well calibrated for the entire risk range. CONCLUSIONS Functional outcome varied substantially after hospitalization for a serious illness. A small amount of readily available clinical information can estimate the probability of severe functional limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W Wu
- Health Services Research and Development Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205-1901
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46
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Population-based screening programs with flexible sigmoidoscopy have been advocated as a means to reduce the death rate from colorectal cancer. Because other studies have suggested a greater prevalence of lesions inaccessible to sigmoidoscopy in older patients, the expected yield of this procedure may differ in these subgroups. METHODS A 100% sample of Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older with a first known diagnosis of colorectal cancer in 1987 was studied. Tumor site was divided into rectum, distal colon (distal to splenic flexure) and proximal colon. The analysis was also stratified by sex, race, and presence or absence metastatic disease, and incidence rates at each site by 5-year age group were calculated. RESULTS Among the 75,266 patients studied, the incidence of colorectal cancer increased from 1.59 patients/1000 in patients age 65-69 years to 3.87 patients/1000 in patients age 85 years and older. Although the incidence rates at all three sites increased, the increment was greatest for proximal tumors. The incidence trends with age also persisted in an analysis of only metastatic lesions. Moreover, incidence rates were consistently higher in men than in women and higher in whites than in blacks at all sites, though the age-related increase in incidence was consistent among all four groups. CONCLUSIONS The proportion of tumors beyond the reach of sigmoidoscopy increased with age, as did the actual incidence of accessible lesions. These patterns were also consistent in subgroup analyses. As the age-related increase in incidence was observed for metastatic tumors at all sites in the colon, age-related differences in screening and diagnostic evaluation alone do not adequately explain the findings. These data underscore the need for further studies of the relative benefits of cancer screening and pathogenic factors in tumor development in different subgroups of the older population.
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Affiliation(s)
- G S Cooper
- Division of Gastroenterology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106-5000
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Rosenthal GE, Halloran EJ, Kiley M, Landefeld CS. Predictive validity of the Nursing Severity Index in patients with musculoskeletal disease. Nurses of University Hospitals of Cleveland. J Clin Epidemiol 1995; 48:179-88. [PMID: 7869064 DOI: 10.1016/0895-4356(94)00142-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Prior studies have not examined the validity of severity of illness instruments in patients at low risk for mortality. We, therefore, examined the predictive validity of a newly developed instrument, the Nursing Severity Index in 5347 adult medical and surgical patients with musculoskeletal diagnoses admitted to an academic medical center in 1985-88. The Index is based on aggregating 34 clinical observations which were recorded by primary nurses during patient care; observations reflect biologic, functional, cognitive and psychosocial abnormalities. Other data, including patient demographic data and outcomes were obtained from hospital data bases. We found that, among all study patients, admission Nursing Severity Index scores were highly related (p < 0.001) to in-hospital death rates-which were 0, 0.4, 0.8, 2.6, 6.7 and 23.5% in six hierarchical strata defined by the Index-and to nursing home discharge rates. In multivariate analyses, adjusting for diagnosis and other important covariates, each strata was associated with a 2.5-fold increased risk of mortality and a 1.6-fold increased risk of nursing home discharge. In addition, the Nursing Severity Index was an independent predictor (p < 0.001) of hospital charges and length of stay. We conclude that the Nursing Severity Index assesses multiple dimensions of illness, can be easily recorded during routine patient care, and accurately predicts hospital outcomes in an important 'low risk' group of patients. The validity of the Nursing Severity Index in other clinical subgroups should be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- G E Rosenthal
- Department of Medicine, Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, OH
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Abstract
Although anticoagulants are beneficial in the prevention and management of many thromboembolic disorders, they can cause serious bleeding. However, the risk of anticoagulant-related bleeding is not clearly defined for older patients, who are likely to benefit the most from anticoagulant therapy. Older patients may be at increased risk for anticoagulant-related bleeding because of their increased incidence of adverse drug reactions, increased prevalence of comorbidity and polypharmacy and increased vascular and endothelial fragility. Furthermore, the anticoagulant effect of warfarin is increased in older patients. Therefore, it is important to determine whether or not heparin-related and warfarin-related bleeding are more common in older patients. Most studies that have examined age as a risk factor for heparin-related bleeding have found bleeding to be more frequent in older patients: patients 60 years and older were approximately 3 times as likely to develop bleeding during heparin therapy than were younger patients. Studies that have examined age as a risk factor for warfarin-related bleeding have found conflicting results. Seven studies, enrolling a total of 14,388 patients, found that older patients were approximately twice as likely to bleed during warfarin therapy. In contrast, 7 studies, enrolling a total of 2940 patients, found no increase in the frequency of warfarin-related bleeding in older patients. These findings provide a basis for weighing the risks of anticoagulant therapy and for making decisions about the use of anticoagulants in older patients. These findings also indicate the potential value of methods to decrease the frequency of anticoagulant-related bleeding in older patients. Such methods include maintaining the anticoagulant effect within the therapeutic range and recognising other modifiable factors, such as medication use, that may promote bleeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Beyth
- Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Care Research, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Chren MM, Landefeld CS. A cost analysis of topical drug regimens for dermatophyte infections. JAMA 1994; 272:1922-5. [PMID: 7990244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the extra cost of using higher-priced drugs as initial therapy for dermatophyte infections, because the many available effective drugs vary considerably in cost. DESIGN Cost analysis from the purchaser's perspective, comparing two prototypical regimens to treat tinea pedis: one in which all patients initially receive a lower-priced drug and those with unresponsive infections receive a higher-priced drug at a follow-up office visit, and one in which all patients receive the higher-priced drug from the outset. The reference drug was miconazole, an imidazole available without a prescription, for which reported overall efficacy rates are 70% to 100%. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The threshold efficacy rate (the efficacy rate of miconazole below which it is always less expensive to use a specific higher-priced drug first) and the extra cost (of beginning therapy with a higher-priced drug). RESULTS Assuming the Medicare-approved charge for a follow-up visit ($21.98), it is less expensive to begin therapy with a prescription drug only if the efficacy rate of miconazole is less than 55%; this threshold efficacy rate varied from 26% (for a $0 total cost of the follow-up visit) to 79% (for an $89 total cost of the follow-up visit). If the efficacy rate of miconazole is 70%, the extra cost per patient for all patients to receive the least expensive prescription antifungal drug instead of miconazole first was $15.23 and $8.64 if total visit costs were $0 and $21.98; miconazole remained the less expensive alternative as long as the total cost of the follow-up visit was less than $50.76. CONCLUSION For reported efficacy rates and standard costs of a follow-up office visit, using miconazole first and then treating only those patients with unresponsive infections with a higher-priced prescription drug is less expensive than treating all patients with the higher-priced drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Chren
- Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, OH 44106
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Abstract
Older patients often experience a loss of independent physical functioning during the course of an acute illness requiring hospitalization. This functional decline is associated with serious sequelae including prolonged hospital stay, nursing home placement, and mortality. Elements of hospitalization may contribute to the progression or persistence of functional decline. The Unit for Acute Care of the Elderly (ACE Unit) at University Hospitals of Cleveland is an acute care general medical service that is designed to foster the independent functioning of patients. The Prehab Program of Patient Centered Care on the ACE Unit is a multifaceted intervention that integrates geriatric assessment into the optimal medical and nursing care of patients in an interdisciplinary environment. The Prehab Program has several key elements tailored to each individual patient's needs: a prepared environment, patient-centered care, multidimensional assessment and nonpharmacologic prescriptions, medical care review, and home planning. Standards of care serve to reduce the risk of iatrogenic illness resulting from polypharmacy, use of physical restraints, and diagnostic procedures. Nurse-initiated guidelines contribute to prevention of functional decline and to restoration of independent patient functioning. The effectiveness of the ACE Unit is being evaluated in a randomized clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Palmer
- Department of Medicine, University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH
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