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Abraham KM, Merrill SL, Patterson SM, Aysta SL. Care Retention Among Veterans with Serious Mental Illness who were once lost-to-Veterans Health Administration care. Psychiatr Q 2023; 94:633-644. [PMID: 37676451 DOI: 10.1007/s11126-023-10049-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate care retention among Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) who were lost to Veterans Health Administration (VHA) care for at least one year and subsequently returned to VHA care via the SMI Re-Engagement program, an outreach program for Veterans with SMI who are lost-to-care. METHODS For the 410 Veterans with SMI who returned to care via SMI Re-Engagement between April 4th, 2016 and January 31, 2018, we assessed VHA in-person and telehealth utilization (overall, primary care, mental health care) for two years following the date of return to care. RESULTS Care retention was common: 70.2% of Veterans had at least one encounter in each year of the two-year follow-up period and an additional 22.7% had at least one encounter during one of the two years. During the two-year follow-up period, 72.4% of Veterans had at least one primary care encounter and 70.7% of Veterans had at least one mental health care encounter. Adjusted binomial logistic regression analyses found a return-to-care encounter in primary care (OR = 2.70; 95% CI: 1.34, 5.42) predicted primary care retention, and a return-to-care encounter in mental health care (OR = 4.01; 95% CI: 2.38, 6.75) predicted mental health care retention. CONCLUSION Most Veterans who return to care via the SMI Re-Engagement program remain in VHA care for the subsequent two years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Abraham
- Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI, 48221, USA.
| | - Stephanie L Merrill
- Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, VA Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Veterans Health Administration, University of Michigan North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2800, USA
| | - Scott M Patterson
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, 1481 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, 355 W. 16th Street, Ste 4800, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Shanyn L Aysta
- W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, 1601 Brenner Ave, Salisbury, NC, 28144, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 791 Jonestown Road, Winston- Salem, NC, 27103, USA
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Bowersox NW, Browne J, Grau PP, Merrill SL, Haderlein TP, Llorente MD, Washington DL. COVID-19 mortality among veterans with serious mental illness in the veterans health administration. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 163:222-229. [PMID: 37230006 PMCID: PMC10171776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Persons with serious mental illness (SMI: schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder) experience increased risk of mortality after contracting COVID-19 based on the results of several international evaluations. However, information about COVID-19 mortality risk among patients with SMI in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has been limited, precluding identification of protective factors. The current evaluation was conducted to assess COVID-19 mortality risk among VHA patients with SMI and to evaluate potential protective factors in mitigating mortality risk following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. METHODS National VHA administrative data was used to identify all patients (N = 52,916) who received a positive COVID-19 test result between March 1, 2020, and September 30, 2020. Mortality risk was assessed by SMI status via bivariate comparisons and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS In unadjusted analyses, VHA patients with SMI overall and patients with bipolar disorder in particular did not experience increased mortality risk in the 30 days following a positive COVID test, although patients with schizophrenia had increased risk. Within adjusted analyses, patients with schizophrenia remained at increased mortality risk (OR = 1.38), but at reduced levels relative to previous evaluations in other healthcare settings. CONCLUSIONS Within VHA, patients with schizophrenia, but not those with bipolar disorder, experience increased mortality risk in the 30 days following a positive COVID-19 test. Large integrated healthcare settings such as VHA may offer services which may protect against COVID-19 mortality for vulnerable groups such as persons with SMI. Additional work is needed to identify practices which may reduce the risk of COVID-19 mortality among persons with SMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas W Bowersox
- Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Julia Browne
- Research Service, VA Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Peter P Grau
- Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie L Merrill
- Serious Mental Illness Treatment Resource and Evaluation Center, Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office, Washington DC, USA
| | - Taona P Haderlein
- Veterans Health Administration Health Services Research and Development Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center, Department of Veterans Affairs, North Hills, CA, USA
| | - Maria D Llorente
- Patient Care Services, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington DC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington DC, USA
| | - Donna L Washington
- Veterans Health Administration Health Services Research and Development Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation, and Policy, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Abraham KM, Merrill SL, Quasarano JG, Mach J, Harrod M, Takamine L. Outreach to facilitate return to VA care for veterans with serious mental illness: A mixed-methods evaluation of best practices. Psychol Serv 2021; 19:573-584. [PMID: 34351208 DOI: 10.1037/ser0000441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Outreach to people with serious mental illness who are disengaged from treatment can facilitate return to care. However, little is known regarding what outreach strategies are effective. This mixed-methods evaluation assessed best practices for conducting outreach to Veterans with serious mental illness via the national Veterans Health Administration Re-Engaging Veterans with Serious Mental Illness program by comparing the strategies used by high-performing sites and low-performing sites. Quantitative data included the types and number of contact attempts used to reach Veterans. Qualitative data included interviews with clinicians from high- and low-performing sites. Results indicated making at least four contact attempts using methods of phone, certified letter, and next of kin differentiated high from low-performing facilities. Clinicians from high-performing sites also differed from low-performing sites in their expressed philosophy about outreach, demonstrated a broader array of strategies in attempting to contact Veterans, and described greater connections with others at their site, with clinicians around the country, and with national program resources. Implications of evaluation findings for outreach programs and research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Sargen MR, Merrill SL, Chu EY, Nathanson KL. CDKN2A mutations with p14 loss predisposing to multiple nerve sheath tumours, melanoma, dysplastic naevi and internal malignancies: a case series and review of the literature. Br J Dermatol 2016; 175:785-9. [PMID: 26876133 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
An inherited germline mutation in CDKN2A is the most common cause of familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome. Although it is well known that CDKN2A mutations confer an increased risk for melanoma and pancreatic carcinoma, the association with an increased risk for nerve sheath tumours and other tumour types is under-recognized. We report a family with a missense mutation (c.151-1G>C) at the acceptor splice site of intron 1 of CDKN2A, resulting in loss of function of both tumour suppressor proteins p16(INK) (4) and p14(ARF) . This mutation is associated with a clinical phenotype of FAMMM syndrome in which patients develop numerous benign and malignant mutations, brain tumours, sarcomas and other solid tumours, in addition to melanoma and dysplastic naevi. Our proband initially presented with multiple nerve sheath tumours, leading to diagnostic confusion with Neurofibromatosis type 1. Loss of p14 expression results in increased MDM2-mediated degradation of the tumour suppressor protein p53, and predisposes mutation carriers to multiple benign and malignant neoplasms. This article highlights the importance of considering CDKN2A mutations in patients with dysplastic naevi, melanoma and multiple nerve sheath tumours, specifically those with histological features of both neurofibromas and schwannomas. We also present a discussion of medical management for patients with this high-risk cancer susceptibility syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Sargen
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, U.S.A
| | - S L Merrill
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - E Y Chu
- Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A
| | - K L Nathanson
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.
- Abramson Cancer Center, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, U.S.A.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe trends in hospital admission rates for asthma in England and Wales (1976-85), the East Anglian region (from 1976 to 1991-2), and Wales (1980-90). DESIGN Descriptive study. SETTING Hospitals in England and Wales; hospitals in the East Anglian Regional Health Authority; hospitals in Wales. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Hospital admissions for asthma as principal diagnosis in England and Wales (Hospital In-patient Enquiry, 1976-85), for the East Anglian region (Hospital In-patient Enquiry, 1976-7; Hospital Activity Analysis, 1978-86; Regional Information System, 1987-8 to 1991-2), and for Wales (Hospital Activity Analysis, 1980-90). RESULTS Rates for England and Wales as a whole showed a steady upward trend throughout the period examined. Rates in East Anglia, though they were similar to the national trends in the early years, showed a peak in 1985 (for males and females) with some indication of a decline in rates thereafter. Rates for Wales showed an upward trend until 1988 (for both males and females) after which they showed a decline. CONCLUSIONS Interpretation of the East Anglian trends is made more difficult by the change in England in 1987 of the system for the collection of hospital admission data. The fact that the rates for the East Anglian region seem to decline before this change and other considerations suggest that the observed trends, although partly reflecting the disruption of the coding during the changeover in systems, may not be entirely artefactual. The possible roles of diagnostic transfer and changes in the delivery of care, asthma treatment, admission and readmission policies, and the severity and prevalence of asthma in changing admission rates are considered. The changing trends in admission rates for East Anglia and Wales reflect recently published trends for mortality from asthma in England.
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Affiliation(s)
- S J Hyndman
- University Department of Community Medicine, University of Cambridge
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Earnest MP, Yarnell PR, Merrill SL, Knapp GL. Long-term survival and neurologic status after resuscitation from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Neurology 1980; 30:1298-1302. [PMID: 7192810 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.30.12.1298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Thirty-eight survivors from among 117 patients hospitalized after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were evaluated approximately 3 1/2 years later. Twenty patients were living; 18 had died. Fifty-three percent had resumed independent social activities, but only 32% had returned to work. Eight of 14 patients tested were normal on limited neuropsychologic tests. Satisfactory long-term outcome was associated statistically with the patient's being awake on admission or awakening to follow simple commands within 2 days, and with good neurologic status at the time of discharge from the hospital. None of nine patients with poor neurologic function at discharge subsequently resumed working or independent living.
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