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Wang J, Xu DR, Zhang Y, Fu H, Wang S, Ju K, Chen C, Yang L, Jian W, Chen L, Liao X, Xiao Y, Wu R, Jakovljevic M, Chen Y, Pan J. Development of the China's list of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs): a study protocol. Glob Health Res Policy 2024; 9:11. [PMID: 38504369 PMCID: PMC10949688 DOI: 10.1186/s41256-024-00350-5] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The hospitalization rate of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) has been recognized as an essential indicator reflective of the overall performance of healthcare system. At present, ACSCs has been widely used in practice and research to evaluate health service quality and efficiency worldwide. The definition of ACSCs varies across countries due to different challenges posed on healthcare systems. However, China does not have its own list of ACSCs. The study aims to develop a list to meet health system monitoring, reporting and evaluation needs in China. METHODS To develop the list, we will combine the best methodological evidence available with real-world evidence, adopt a systematic and rigorous process and absorb multidisciplinary expertise. Specific steps include: (1) establishment of working groups; (2) generations of the initial list (review of already published lists, semi-structured interviews, calculations of hospitalization rate); (3) optimization of the list (evidence evaluation, Delphi consensus survey); and (4) approval of a final version of China's ACSCs list. Within each step of the process, we will calculate frequencies and proportions, use descriptive analysis to summarize and draw conclusions, discuss the results, draft a report, and refine the list. DISCUSSION Once completed, China's list of ACSCs can be used to comprehensively evaluate the current situation and performance of health services, identify flaws and deficiencies embedded in the healthcare system to provide evidence-based implications to inform decision-makings towards the optimization of China's healthcare system. The experiences might be broadly applicable and serve the purpose of being a prime example for nations with similar conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjian Wang
- HEOA Group, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dong Roman Xu
- School of Health Management, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongqiao Fu
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Sijiu Wang
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Ju
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Chu Chen
- School of Health Management, Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Lian Yang
- School of Public Health, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Weiyan Jian
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaoyang Liao
- General Practice Ward/International Medical Center Ward, General Practice Medical Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yue Xiao
- China National Health Development Research Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ruixian Wu
- Center for Health Statistics and Information, National Health Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Mihajlo Jakovljevic
- Institute of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Institute of Comparative Economic Studies, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Global Health Economics and Policy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Kragujevac, Serbia
| | - Yaolong Chen
- Research Unit of Evidence-Based Evaluation and Guidelines, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2021RU017), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Translation, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Jay Pan
- HEOA Group, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
- Institute for Healthy Cities and West China Research Center for Rural Health Development, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Rosella LC, Hurst M, O'Neill M, Pagalan L, Diemert L, Kornas K, Hong A, Fisher S, Manuel DG. A study protocol for a predictive model to assess population-based avoidable hospitalization risk: Avoidable Hospitalization Population Risk Prediction Tool (AvHPoRT). Diagn Progn Res 2024; 8:2. [PMID: 38317268 PMCID: PMC10845544 DOI: 10.1186/s41512-024-00165-5] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Avoidable hospitalizations are considered preventable given effective and timely primary care management and are an important indicator of health system performance. The ability to predict avoidable hospitalizations at the population level represents a significant advantage for health system decision-makers that could facilitate proactive intervention for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs). The aim of this study is to develop and validate the Avoidable Hospitalization Population Risk Tool (AvHPoRT) that will predict the 5-year risk of first avoidable hospitalization for seven ACSCs using self-reported, routinely collected population health survey data. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The derivation cohort will consist of respondents to the first 3 cycles (2000/01, 2003/04, 2005/06) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) who are 18-74 years of age at survey administration and a hold-out data set will be used for external validation. Outcome information on avoidable hospitalizations for 5 years following the CCHS interview will be assessed through data linkage to the Discharge Abstract Database (1999/2000-2017/2018) for an estimated sample size of 394,600. Candidate predictor variables will include demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, self-perceived health measures, health behaviors, chronic conditions, and area-based measures. Sex-specific algorithms will be developed using Weibull accelerated failure time survival models. The model will be validated both using split set cross-validation and external temporal validation split using cycles 2000-2006 compared to 2007-2012. We will assess measures of overall predictive performance (Nagelkerke R2), calibration (calibration plots), and discrimination (Harrell's concordance statistic). Development of the model will be informed by the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis or Diagnosis (TRIPOD) statement. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This study was approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board. The predictive algorithm and findings from this work will be disseminated at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed publications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.
- Institute for Better Health, Trillium Health Partners, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- ICES, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada.
| | - Mackenzie Hurst
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
- ICES, Toronto, ON, M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Meghan O'Neill
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Lief Pagalan
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Lori Diemert
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Kathy Kornas
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Andy Hong
- PEAK Urban Research Programme, Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of City & Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- The George Institute for Global Health, Newtown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stacey Fisher
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Health Sciences Building 6th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Douglas G Manuel
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
- Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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Schrøder CK, Kristiansen EB, Flarup L, Christiansen CF, Thomsen RW, Kristensen PK. Preadmission morbidity and healthcare utilization among older adults with potentially avoidable hospitalizations: a Danish case-control study. Eur Geriatr Med 2024; 15:127-138. [PMID: 38015387 PMCID: PMC10876768 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-023-00887-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Examine preadmission diagnoses, medication use, and preadmission healthcare utilization among older adults prior to first potentially avoidable hospitalizations. METHODS A nationwide population-based case-control study using Danish healthcare data. All Danish adults aged ≥ 65 years who had a first potentially avoidable hospitalization from January 1995 through March 2019 (n = 725,939) were defined as cases, and 1:1 age- and sex-matched general population controls (n = 725,939). Preadmission morbidity and healthcare utilization were assessed based on a complete hospital diagnosis history within 10 years prior, and all medication use and healthcare contacts 1 year prior. Using log-binomial regression, we calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Included cases and controls had a median age of 78 years and 59% were female. The burden of preadmission morbidity was higher among cases than controls. The strongest associations were observed for preadmission chronic lung disease (PR 3.8, CI 3.7-3.8), alcohol-related disease (PR 3.1, CI 3.0-3.2), chronic kidney disease (PR 2.4, CI 2.4-2.5), psychiatric disease (PR 2.2, CI 2.2-2.3), heart failure (PR 2.2, CI 2.2-2.3), and previous hospital contacts with infections (PR 2.2, CI 2.2-2.3). A high and accelerating number of healthcare contacts was observed during the months preceding the potentially avoidable hospitalization (having over 5 GP contacts 1 month prior, PR 3.0, CI 3.0-3.0). CONCLUSION A high number of healthcare contacts and preadmission morbidity and medication use, especially chronic lung, heart, and kidney disease, alcohol-related or psychiatric disease including dementia, and previous infections are strongly associated with potentially avoidable hospitalizations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine K Schrøder
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark.
| | - Eskild B Kristiansen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Lone Flarup
- Strategisk Kvalitet, Koncern Kvalitet, Central Denmark Region, Viborg, Denmark
| | - Christian F Christiansen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Reimar W Thomsen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Pia K Kristensen
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Olof Palmes Allé 43-45, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens, Boulevard 99, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 82, 8200, Aarhus N, Denmark
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Javier Afonso-Argilés F, Comas Serrano M, Castells Oliveres X, Cirera Lorenzo I, García Pérez D, Pujadas Lafarga T, Ichart Tomás X, Puig-Campmany M, Vena Martínez AB, Renom-Guiteras A. Emergency department admissions and economic costs burden related to ambulatory care sensitive conditions in older adults living in care homes. Rev Clin Esp 2023; 223:585-595. [PMID: 37838224 DOI: 10.1016/j.rceng.2023.10.001] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the frequency of emergency department admissions (EDA) for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and non-ACSC among older adults living in care homes (CH), to describe and compare their demographic and clinical characteristics, the outcomes of the hospitalisation process and the associated costs. METHOD This multicenter, retrospective and observational study evaluated 2444 EDAs of older adults ≥ 65 years old living in care homes in 5 emergency departments in Catalonia (Spain) by ACSC and non-ACSC, in 2017. Sociodemographic variables, prior functional and cognitive status, and information on diagnosis and hospitalisation were collected. Additionally, the costs related with the EDAs were calculated, as well as a sensitivity analysis using different assumptions of decreased admissions due to ACSC. RESULTS A total of 2444 ED admissions were analysed. The patients' mean (SD) age was 85.9 (7.2) years. The frequency of ACSC-EDA and non-ACSC-EDA was 56.6% and 43.4%, respectively. Severe dependency and cognitive impairment were present in 56.6% and 78%, respectively, with no differences between the two groups. The three most frequent ACSC were falls/trauma (13.8%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma (11.4%) and urinary tract infection (7.4%). The average cost per ACSC-EDA was є1,408.24. Assuming a 60% reduction of ACSC-EDA, the estimated cost savings would be є1.2 million. CONCLUSIONS Emergency admissions for ACSC from care homes have a significant impact on both frequency and costs. Reducing these conditions through targeted interventions could redirect the avoided costs towards improving care support in residential settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Javier Afonso-Argilés
- Servicio de Geriatría, Fundació Sanitària Mollet, Barcelona, Spain; Estudiante de doctorado de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - M Comas Serrano
- Servicio de Epidemiología y Evaluación, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain
| | - X Castells Oliveres
- Servicio de Epidemiología y Evaluación, Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM), Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain; Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - D García Pérez
- Servicio de Urgencias, Fundació Althaia, Xarxa Assistencial Universitaria de Manresa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - T Pujadas Lafarga
- Servicio de Geriatría y Cuidados Paliativos, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, Barcelona, Spain
| | - X Ichart Tomás
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | - M Puig-Campmany
- Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain
| | - A B Vena Martínez
- Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain
| | - A Renom-Guiteras
- Miembro de la Red de Investigación en Cronicidad, Atención Primaria y Promoción de la Salud (RICAPPS), Madrid, Spain; Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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Stiefler S, Dunker E, Schmidt A, Friedrich AC, Donath C, Wolf-Ostermann K. [Reasons for hospitalization of people with dementia-A scoping review]. Z Gerontol Geriatr 2023; 56:42-7. [PMID: 35420353 DOI: 10.1007/s00391-021-02013-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalization represents a high burden for people with dementia, which can accelerate the decline of cognitive and motor skills. Behavioral changes and orientation problems may be increased in people with dementia during hospitalization. Some hospitalizations are potentially preventable by improved outpatient care. OBJECTIVE To provide an up to date overview of the most common reasons for hospitalization of people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment. MATERIAL AND METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PubMed®, CINAHL and PsycINFO® in May 2020 to conduct the scoping review. Studies in German and English published between July 2010 and May 2020 were included. RESULTS The most common reasons for hospitalization, which were named in the 14 included studies, were infectious diseases, especially respiratory infections and urinary tract infections, cardiovascular diseases (in general or specific, e.g. heart failure) and injuries, poisoning, fractures and falls, and gastrointestinal diseases. CONCLUSION Most of the most common reasons for hospitalization are ambulatory care-sensitive hospital cases. Strengthening outpatient care for people with dementia may help prevent hospitalizations.
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Kim S, Ko SK, Lee TY, Lee JH. Potentially avoidable hospitalizations for older patients transferred from long-term care hospitals: a nationwide cross-sectional analysis of potential healthcare consequences. Intern Emerg Med 2023; 18:169-176. [PMID: 36331669 DOI: 10.1007/s11739-022-03146-y] [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] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Multiple chronic disorders and disabilities among older patients in long term care hospitals (LTCH) tends to increase the healthcare burden by causing overcrowding, particularly in emergency departments. Therefore, access to timely and adequate healthcare for LTCH patients is an increasingly important issue, and potentially avoidable hospitalizations (PAHs) and hospitalizations during non-office hours can result as indicators of emergency department overcrowding. The study aimed to evaluate PAHs and hospitalizations during non-office hours in emergency departments for older patients transferred from LTCH compared to patients living at home. We performed a cross-sectional study using the National Emergency Department Information System database from January 2018 to December 2019, in South Korea, with older patients (≥ 65 years) who visited nationwide emergency departments. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for indicators of overcrowding as PAHs and hospitalizations during non-office hours were calculated by logistic regression. Among the 2,177,663 older patients who visited the emergency departments, 98,434 patients were living in LTCH and 2,079,229 patients were living at home. The older patients living in LTCH was associated with PAHs (aOR: 1.90, 95% CI 1.87-1.94) and hospitalizations during non-office hours (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI 1.73-1.78). LTCH patients showed more hospital visits, extended stay in the emergency department, greater prevalence of chronic diseases, greater rates of transfer as well as higher admission rates and mortality as compared to the patients living at home. The LTCH older patients were associated with the indicators of emergency department overcrowding, which impacts health care quality in hospitals. Introduction of policy and training programs for LTCH staff are recommended to manage vulnerable groups in advance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonji Kim
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sung-Keun Ko
- National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, 245 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04564, South Korea
| | - Tae Young Lee
- National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, 245 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04564, South Korea
| | - Jin-Hee Lee
- National Emergency Medical Center, National Medical Center, 245 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04564, South Korea.
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Khan A, Lin P, Kamdar N, Peterson M, Mahmoudi E. Potentially preventable hospitalizations and use of preventive services among people with multiple sclerosis: Large cohort study, USA. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2022; 68:104105. [PMID: 36031692 PMCID: PMC10424261 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2022.104105] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) report barriers to accessing care, including receipt of preventive services. Potentially preventable hospitalization (PPH) is an important marker for access to, and receipt of timely care. However, few national studies have examined PPH risk in people with MS or considered the role of preventive care in reducing PPH risk among this patient population. Our objective was to examine PPH risk among adults with MS compared with their counterparts without MS. METHODS Optum® Clinformatics® Data Mart (2007-2017) was used to identify 6198 individuals with an MS diagnosis and their propensity-score matched counterparts without MS. Diagnostic and procedural codes were used to identify the presence of preventive hospitalizations, which were defined as quality indicators by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) during the 4-year follow-up period since the diagnosis of MS. Information on receipt of preventive services and office visits was also extracted. Adjusted generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between MS diagnosis and PPHs. To examine the role of preventive services on odds of PPH amongst people with MS, we reported the adjusted marginal odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS The rate of any PPH among people with MS was double that of those without MS (131.6 vs 62.5 per 10,000). We identified higher odds of specific PPH indicators among people with MS compared to those without. Individuals with MS had 65% higher odds of hospitalization for pneumonia (OR=1.65, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.30), with similar significant findings observed for urinary tract infections (OR=4.90, 95% CI: 2.51, 9.57). In MS patients, receipt of preventive services, namely cholesterol screening (OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.60, 0.95) and annual wellness visits were associated with lower odds of any PPH (OR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.76). CONCLUSION People with MS were at a higher risk for PPHs compared with their counterparts without MS. Use of appropriate preventive services reduced the risk of PPH among the general population and among those with MS. More efforts are needed to encourage and facilitate the use of preventive care among people with MS. Receipt of timely and appropriate preventive care in this population may reduce the risk for PPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anam Khan
- School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Paul Lin
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Building 14, Room G234, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Neil Kamdar
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Building 14, Room G234, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, USA; Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, USA; Department of Neurosurgery, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, USA
| | - Mark Peterson
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Building 14, Room G234, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Elham Mahmoudi
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, North Campus Research Complex, 2800 Plymouth Rd., Building 14, Room G234, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Family Medicine, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, USA.
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Schüttig W, Flemming R, Mosler CH, Leve V, Reddemann O, Schultz A, Brua E, Brittner M, Meyer F, Pollmanns J, Martin J, Czihal T, von Stillfried D, Wilm S, Sundmacher L. Development of indicators to assess quality and patient pathways in interdisciplinary care for patients with 14 ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions in Germany. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:1015. [PMID: 35945585 PMCID: PMC9364554 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08327-1] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In settings like the ambulatory care sector in Germany, where data on the outcomes of interdisciplinary health services provided by multiple office-based physicians are not always readily available, our study aims to develop a set of indicators of health care quality and utilization for 14 groups of ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions based on routine data. These may improve the provision of health care by informing discussions in quality circles and other meetings of networks of physicians who share the same patients. METHODS Our set of indicators was developed as part of the larger Accountable Care in Deutschland (ACD) project using a pragmatic consensus approach. The six stages of the approach drew upon a review of the literature; the expertise of physicians, health services researchers, and representatives of physician associations and statutory health insurers; and the results of a pilot study with six informal network meetings of office-based physicians who share the same patients. RESULTS The process resulted in a set of 248 general and disease specific indicators for 14 disease groups. The set provides information on the quality of care provided and on patient pathways, covering patient characteristics, physician visits, ambulatory care processes, pharmaceutical prescriptions and outcome indicators. The disease groups with the most indicators were ischemic heart diseases, diabetes and heart failure. CONCLUSION Our set of indicators provides useful information on patients' health care use, health care processes and health outcomes for 14 commonly treated groups of ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions. This information can inform discussions in interdisciplinary quality circles in the ambulatory sector and foster patient-centered care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Schüttig
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992, Munich, Germany. .,Department for Health Services Management, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Ronja Flemming
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992, Munich, Germany.,Department for Health Services Management, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiane Höhling Mosler
- AOK Health Insurance Rhineland / Hamburg, Kasernenstraße 61, 40213, Duesseldorf, Germany.,University Hospital Düsseldorf, Office of Quality Management and Patient Safety, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Verena Leve
- Institute of General Practice (ifam), Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Olaf Reddemann
- Institute of General Practice (ifam), Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Annemarie Schultz
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Hamburg, Humboldtstraße 56, 22083, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Emmanuelle Brua
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Hamburg, Humboldtstraße 56, 22083, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Brittner
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Westphalia Lip, Robert-Schimrigk-Straße 4-6, 44141, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Frank Meyer
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Westphalia Lip, Robert-Schimrigk-Straße 4-6, 44141, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Johannes Pollmanns
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians North Rhine, Tersteegenstraße 9, 40474, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Johnannes Martin
- Regional Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians North Rhine, Tersteegenstraße 9, 40474, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Thomas Czihal
- Zentralinstitut für die Kassenärztliche Versorgung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Salzufer 8, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dominik von Stillfried
- Zentralinstitut für die Kassenärztliche Versorgung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Salzufer 8, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Wilm
- Institute of General Practice (ifam), Centre for Health and Society (chs), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Leonie Sundmacher
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Georg-Brauchle-Ring 60/62, 80992, Munich, Germany.,Department for Health Services Management, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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9
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Oh NL, Potter AJ, Sabik LM, Trivedi AN, Wolinsky F, Wright B. The association between primary care use and potentially-preventable hospitalization among dual eligibles age 65 and over. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:927. [PMID: 35854303 PMCID: PMC9295296 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08326-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals dually-enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles) are disproportionately sicker, have higher health care costs, and are hospitalized more often for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) than other Medicare beneficiaries. Primary care may reduce ACSC hospitalizations, but this has not been well studied among dual eligibles. We examined the relationship between primary care and ACSC hospitalization among dual eligibles age 65 and older. Methods In this observational study, we used 100% Medicare claims data for dual eligibles ages 65 and over from 2012 to 2018 to estimate the likelihood of ACSC hospitalization as a function of primary care visits and other factors. We used linear probability models stratified by rurality, with subgroup analyses for dual eligibles with diabetes or congestive heart failure. Results Each additional primary care visit was associated with an 0.05 and 0.09 percentage point decrease in the probability of ACSC hospitalization among urban (95% CI: − 0.059, − 0.044) and rural (95% CI: − 0.10, − 0.08) dual eligibles, respectively. Among dual eligibles with CHF, the relationship was even stronger with decreases of 0.09 percentage points (95% CI: − 0.10, − 0.08) and 0.15 percentage points (95% CI: − 0.17, − 0.13) among urban and rural residents, respectively. Conclusions Increased primary care use is associated with lower rates of preventable hospitalizations for dual eligibles age 65 and older, especially for dual eligibles with diabetes and congestive heart failure. In turn, efforts to reduce preventable hospitalizations for this dual-eligible population should consider how to increase access to and use of primary care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08326-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Loren Oh
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Andrew J Potter
- Department of Political Science & Criminal Justice, California State University, Chico, USA
| | - Lindsay M Sabik
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Amal N Trivedi
- Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA
| | - Fredric Wolinsky
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Brad Wright
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. .,Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 590 Manning Dr. CB 7595, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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10
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Hsuan C, Zebrowski A, Lin MP, Buckler DG, Carr BG. Emergency departments in the United States treating high proportions of patients with ambulatory care sensitive conditions: a retrospective cross-sectional analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:854. [PMID: 35780130 PMCID: PMC9250723 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08240-7] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background One in nine emergency department (ED) visits by Medicare beneficiaries are for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). This study aimed to examine the association between ACSC ED visits to hospitals with the highest proportion of ACSC visits (“high ACSC hospitals) and safety-net status. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of ED visits by Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries ≥ 65 years using 2013–14 claims data, Area Health Resources File data, and County Health Rankings. Logistic regression estimated the association between an ACSC ED visit to high ACSC hospitals, accounting for individual, hospital, and community factors, including whether the visit was to a safety-net hospital. Safety net status was measured by Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) index patient percentage; public hospital status; and proportion of dual-eligible beneficiaries. Hospital-level correlation was calculated between ACSC visits, DSH index, and dual-eligible patients. We stratified by type of ACSC visit: acute or chronic. Results Among 5,192,729 ACSC ED visits, the odds of visiting a high ACSC hospital were higher for patients who were Black (1.37), dual-eligible (1.18), and with the highest comorbidity burden (1.26, p < 0.001 for all). ACSC visits had increased odds of being to high ACSC hospitals if the hospitals were high DSH (1.43), served the highest proportion of dual-eligible beneficiaries (2.23), and were for-profit (relative to non-profit) (1.38), and lower odds were associated with public hospitals (0.64) (p < 0.001 for all). This relationship was similar for visits to high chronic ACSC hospitals (high DSH: 1.59, high dual-eligibility: 2.60, for-profit: 1.41, public: 0.63, all p < 0.001) and to a lesser extent, high acute ACSC hospitals (high DSH: 1.02; high dual-eligibility: 1.48, for-profit: 1.17, public: 0.94, p < 0.001). The proportion of ACSC visits at all hospitals was weakly correlated with DSH proportion (0.2) and the proportion of dual-eligible patients (0.29), and this relationship was also seen for both chronic and acute ACSC visits, though stronger for the chronic ACSC visits. Conclusion Visits to hospitals with a high proportion of acute ACSC ED visits may be less likely to be to hospitals classified as safety net hospitals than those with a high proportion of chronic ACSC visits. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08240-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charleen Hsuan
- Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 601B Ford Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Alexis Zebrowski
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle P Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David G Buckler
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brendan G Carr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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11
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Engel L, Hwang K, Panayiotou A, Watts JJ, Mihalopoulos C, Temple J, Batchelor F. Identifying patterns of potentially preventable hospitalisations in people living with dementia. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:794. [PMID: 35725546 PMCID: PMC9208182 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older Australians make up 46% of all potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) and people living with dementia are at significantly greater risk. While policy reforms aim to reduce PPHs, there is currently little evidence available on what drives this, especially for people living with dementia. This study examines patterns of PPHs in people living with dementia to inform service delivery and the development of evidence-based interventions. METHODS We used the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset from Victoria, Australia, to extract data for people aged 50 and over with a diagnosis of dementia between 2015 and 2016. Potentially avoidable admissions, known as ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), were identified. The chi-square test was used to detect differences between admissions for ACSCs and non-ACSCs by demographic, geographical, and administrative factors. Predictors of ACSCs admissions were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS Of the 8156 hospital records, there were 3884 (48%) ACSCs admissions, of which admissions for urinary tract infections accounted for 31%, followed by diabetes complications (21%). Mean bed-days were 8.26 for non-ACSCs compared with 9.74 for ACSCs (p ≤ 0.001). There were no differences between admissions for ACSCs and non-ACSCs by sex, marital status, region (rural vs metro), and admission source (private accommodation vs residential facility). Culture and language predicted ASCS admission rates in the univariate regression analyses, with ACSC admission rates increasing by 20 and 29% if English was not the preferred language or if an interpreter was required, respectively. Results from the multiple regression analysis confirmed that language was a significant predictor of ACSC admission rates. CONCLUSIONS Improved primary health care may help to reduce the most common causes of PPHs for people living with dementia, particularly for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Engel
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 4, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia ,grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Kerry Hwang
- grid.429568.40000 0004 0382 5980National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XThe University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anita Panayiotou
- grid.429568.40000 0004 0382 5980National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XThe University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia ,Safer Care Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Cathrine Mihalopoulos
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 4, 553 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC 3004 Australia ,grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Jeromey Temple
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XThe University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Frances Batchelor
- grid.1021.20000 0001 0526 7079Deakin University, Burwood, Australia ,grid.429568.40000 0004 0382 5980National Ageing Research Institute, Parkville, Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XThe University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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12
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Pendrith C, Nayyar D, Chu C, O'Brien T, Lyons OD, Agarwal P, Martin D, Bhatia RS, Mukerji G. Outpatient visit trends for internal medicine ambulatory care sensitive conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic: a time-series analysis. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:198. [PMID: 35164751 PMCID: PMC8845247 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-07566-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic shift in the delivery of outpatient medicine with reduced in-person visits and a transition to predominantly virtual visits. We sought to understand trends in visit patterns for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) commonly seen in internal medicine clinics. METHODS We included adult outpatients seen for an ACSC between March 15th, 2017 and March 14th, 2021 at a single-centre in Ontario, Canada. Monthly visits were assessed by visit type (new consultation, follow-up), diagnosis, and clinic. Time series analyses compared visit volumes pre- and post-pandemic. Proportion of virtual visits were compared before and during the pandemic. Patient and visit factors were compared between in-person and virtual visits. RESULTS 8274 patients with 34,021 visits were included. Monthly visits increased by 15% during the pandemic (p < 0.0001). New consultations decreased by 10% (p = 0.0053) but follow-up visits increased by 21% (p < 0.0001). Monthly heart failure visits increased by 43% (p < 0.0001) whereas atrial fibrillation visits decreased. Pre- pandemic, < 1% of visits were virtual compared to 82% during the pandemic (p < 0.0001). Less than half of heart failure visits were virtual whereas > 95% of diabetes visits were virtual. CONCLUSIONS We found a significant increase in overall visits to internal medicine clinics driven by increased volumes of follow-up visits, which more than offset decreased new consultations. There was variability in visit trends and uptake of virtual care by visit diagnosis, which may indicate challenges with delivery of virtual care for certain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara Pendrith
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada
| | - Dhruv Nayyar
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cherry Chu
- Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada
| | - Tara O'Brien
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Owen D Lyons
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Payal Agarwal
- Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Danielle Martin
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - R Sacha Bhatia
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Geetha Mukerji
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions & Virtual Care, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1B3, Canada. .,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. .,Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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13
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Rocha JVM, Santana R, Tello JE. Hospitalization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions: What conditions make inter-country comparisons possible? Health Policy Open 2021; 2:100030. [PMID: 37383514 PMCID: PMC10297774 DOI: 10.1016/j.hpopen.2021.100030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions have been extensively used in health services research to assess access, quality and performance of primary health care. Inter-country comparisons can assist policy-makers in pursuing better health outcomes by contrasting policy design, implementation and evaluation. The objective of this study is to identify the conceptual, methodological, contextual and policy dimensions and factors that need to be accounted for when comparing these types of hospitalizations across countries. A conceptual framework for inter-country comparisons was drawn based on a review of 18 studies with inter-country comparison of ambulatory care sensitive conditions hospitalizations. The dimensions include methodological choices; population's demographic, epidemiologic and socio-economic profiles and features of the health services and system. Main factors include access and quality of primary health care, availability of health workforce and health facilities, health interventions and inequalities. The proposed framework can assist in designing studies and interpreting findings of inter-country comparisons of ambulatory care sensitive conditions hospitalizations, accelerating learning and progress towards universal health coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Victor Muniz Rocha
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Comprehensive Health Research Centre, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal
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14
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Gygli N, Zúñiga F, Simon M. Regional variation of potentially avoidable hospitalisations in Switzerland: an observational study. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:849. [PMID: 34419031 PMCID: PMC8380390 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06876-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Primary health care is subject to regional variation, which may be due to unequal and inefficient distribution of services. One key measure of such variation are potentially avoidable hospitalisations, i.e., hospitalisations for conditions that could have been dealt with in situ by sufficient primary health care provision. Particularly, potentially avoidable hospitalisations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are a substantial and growing burden for health care systems that require targeting in health care policy. Aims Using data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) from 2017, we applied small area analysis to visualize regional variation to comprehensively map potentially avoidable hospitalisations for five ACSCs from Swiss nursing homes, home care organisations and the general population. Methods This retrospective observational study used data on all Swiss hospitalisations in 2017 to assess regional variations of potentially avoidable hospitalisations for angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes complications and hypertension. We used small areas, utilisation-based hospital service areas (HSAs), and administrative districts (Cantons) as geographic zones. The outcomes of interest were age and sex standardised rates of potentially avoidable hospitalisations for ACSCs in adults (> 15 years). Our inferential analyses used linear mixed models with Gaussian distribution. Results We identified 46,479 hospitalisations for ACSC, or 4.3% of all hospitalisations. Most of these occurred in the elderly population for congestive heart failure and COPD. The median rate of potentially avoidable hospitalisation for ACSC was 527 (IQR 432–620) per 100.000 inhabitants. We found substantial regional variation for HSAs and administrative districts as well as disease-specific regional patterns. Conclusions Differences in continuity of care might be key drivers for regional variation of potentially avoidable hospitalisations for ACSCs. These results provide a new perspective on the functioning of primary care structures in Switzerland and call for novel approaches in effective primary care delivery. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-021-06876-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklaus Gygli
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistr. 28, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Nursing, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, CH-4031, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Franziska Zúñiga
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistr. 28, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Simon
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Institute of Nursing Science, University of Basel, Bernoullistr. 28, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland. .,Nursing and Midwifery Research Unit, Department of Nursing, University Hospital Bern, Freiburgstrasse 18, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland.
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15
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Flores Jimenez SE, San Sebastián M. Assessing the impact of the 2008 health reform in Ecuador on the performance of primary health care services: an interrupted time series analysis. Int J Equity Health 2021; 20:169. [PMID: 34294109 PMCID: PMC8296739 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-021-01495-2] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2008, Ecuador started a national health reform based on the principles of Alma Ata to achieve Universal Health Coverage. While coverage indicators have increased, a systematic assessment of the impact of the reform on the delivery of health services at primary level is lacking. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the 2008 health reform on the performance of primary health care services in Ecuador. METHODS Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are a subset of diseases where hospital admission is potentially avoidable by high quality well-functioning primary care. Thus, observing the behaviour of ACSC hospitalizations can serve as an indicator of how the primary health care level is performing. Crude and adjusted rates, stratified by sex, were calculated from ten selected ACSC hospitalization discharges during 22 years of data representing 11 years before and after the health reform. An interrupted time series analysis was then conducted by applying a negative binomial regression and adjusting for overdispersion and autocorrelation. RESULTS Overall higher crude and adjusted rates for ACSC hospitalizations were observed in women compared to men; both increased gradually since the start of the observation, reaching a peak around 2010, and then started a downwards trend. In men, the incidence rate ratio increased significantly by 3 % per year during the period before the intervention. During the first year after intervention, an increase (13 %) was detected, and then a statistically significant 1 % decrease (IRR = 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.98, 0.99) was observed in the ACSC rate ratio per year in the period after the intervention. Similar trends and effect sizes were found for women. CONCLUSIONS The study revealed significant decreasing trends of the ACSC hospitalization rates in both sexes, indicating an improvement of the performance of the primary health care services following the 2008 national health reform. A continuous strengthening of the primary care model as well as a regular monitoring of ACSC hospitalization rates in the country is recommended. A health economic evaluation considering hospitalizations avoided and associated costs is also advisable.
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16
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Loureiro da Silva C, Rocha JV, Santana R. Economic and financial crisis based on Troika's intervention and potentially avoidable hospitalizations: an ecological study in Portugal. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:506. [PMID: 34039326 PMCID: PMC8152149 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06475-4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalisations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) cause harm to users and to health systems, as these events are potentially avoidable. In 2009, Portugal was hit by an economic and financial crisis and in 2011 it resorted to foreign assistance ("Memorandum of Understanding" (2011-2014)). The aim of this study was to analyse the association between the Troika intervention and hospitalisations for ACSC. METHODS We analysed inpatient data of all public NHS hospitals of mainland Portugal from 2007 to 2016, and identified hospitalisations for ACSC (pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hearth failure, hypertensive heart disease, urinary tract infections, diabetes), according to the AHRQ methodology. Rates of hospitalisations for ACSC, the rate of enrollment in the employment center and average monthly earnings were compared among the pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis periods to see if there were differences. A Spearman's correlation between socioeconomic variables and hospitalisations was performed. RESULTS Among 8,160,762 admissions, 892,759 (10.94%) were classified as ACSC hospitalizations, for which 40% corresponded to pneumonia. The rates of total hospitalisations and hospitalisations for ACSC increased between 2007 and 2016, with the central and northern regions of the country presenting the highest rates. No correlations between socioeconomic variables and hospitalisation rates were found. CONCLUSIONS During the period of economic and financial crisis based on Troika's intervention, there was an increase in potentially preventable hospitalisations in Portugal, with disparities between the municipalities. The high use of resources from ACSC hospitalisations and the consequences of the measures taken during the crisis are factors that health management must take into account.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Loureiro da Silva
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Victor Rocha
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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17
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Abstract
Hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions indicate barriers to care outside of inpatient settings. We found that Medicaid expansions under the Affordable Care Act were associated with meaningful reductions in these hospitalizations, which suggests the potential of Medicaid expansions to reduce the need for preventable hospitalizations in vulnerable populations and produce cost savings for the US health care system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hefei Wen
- Hefei Wen ( hefei. wen@uky. edu ) is a faculty member in the Division of Health Policy and Insurance Research, Department of Population Medicine, at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, in Boston, Massachusetts. This research was conducted when she was an assistant professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health, in Lexington
| | - Kenton J Johnston
- Kenton J. Johnston is an assistant professor of health management and policy in the Saint Louis University College of Public Health and Social Justice, in Missouri
| | - Lindsay Allen
- Lindsay Allen is an assistant professor of health policy, management, and leadership in the West Virginia University School of Public Health, in Morgantown
| | - Teresa M Waters
- Teresa M. Waters is an endowed professor in and chair of the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Kentucky College of Public Health
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18
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Sarmento J, Rocha JVM, Santana R. Defining ambulatory care sensitive conditions for adults in Portugal. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:754. [PMID: 32799880 PMCID: PMC7429814 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05620-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) are health conditions for which adequate management, treatment and interventions delivered in the ambulatory care setting could potentially prevent hospitalization. Which conditions are sensitive to ambulatory care varies according to the scope of health care services and the context in which the indicator is used. The need for a country-specific validated list for Portugal has already been identified, but currently no national list exists. The objective of this study was to develop a list of Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions for Portugal. Methods A modified web-based Delphi panel approach was designed, in order to determine which conditions can be considered ACSCs in the Portuguese adult population. The selected experts were general practitioners and internal medicine physicians identified by the most relevant Portuguese scientific societies. Experts were presented with previously identified ACSC and asked to select which could be accepted in the Portuguese context. They were also asked to identify other conditions they considered relevant. We estimated the number and cost of ACSC hospitalizations in 2017 in Portugal according to the identified conditions. Results After three rounds the experts agreed on 34 of the 45 initially proposed items. Fourteen new conditions were proposed and four achieved consensus, namely uterine cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, thromboembolic venous disease and voluntary termination of pregnancy. In 2017 133,427 hospitalizations were for ACSC (15.7% of all hospitalizations). This represents a rate of 1685 per 100,000 adults. The most frequent diagnosis were pneumonia, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/chronic bronchitis, urinary tract infection, colorectal cancer, hypertensive disease atrial fibrillation and complications of diabetes mellitus. Conclusions New ACSC were identified. It is expected that this list could be used henceforward by epidemiologic studies, health services research and for healthcare management purposes. ACSC lists should be updated frequently. Further research is necessary to increase the specificity of ACSC hospitalizations as an indicator of healthcare performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Sarmento
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - João Victor Muniz Rocha
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.,Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rui Santana
- NOVA National School of Public Health, Public Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.,Comprehensive Health Research Center, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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19
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Abstract
Aims: Hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions are used as an outcome indicator of access to and quality of primary care. Evidence on mortality related to these hospitalisations is scarce. This study analysed the effect of ambulatory care sensitive condition hospitalisations to subsequent mortality and time or geographical trends in the mortality indicating variations in ambulatory care sensitive conditions outcomes. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used individual-level data from national registers concerning ambulatory care sensitive condition hospitalisations. Crude and age-adjusted 365-day mortality rates for the first ambulatory care sensitive condition-related admission were calculated for vaccine-preventable, acute, and chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions separately, and for three time periods stratified by gender. The mortality rates were also compared to mortality in the general Finnish population to assess the excess mortality related to ambulatory care sensitive condition hospitalisations. Results: The data comprised a total of 712,904 ambulatory care sensitive condition hospital admissions with the crude 365-day mortality rate of 14.2 per 100 person-years. Mortality for those hospitalised for vaccine-preventable conditions was approximately 10-fold compared to the general population and four-fold in chronic and acute conditions. Of the 10 most common ambulatory care sensitive conditions, bacterial pneumonia and influenza and congestive heart failure were associated with highest age-standardised mortality rates. Conclusions: Hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions were shown to be associated with excess mortality in patients compared to the general population. Major differences in mortality were found between different types of ambulatory care sensitive condition admissions. There were also minor differences in mortality between hospital districts. These differences are important to consider when using preventable hospital admissions as an indicator of primary care performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martti Arffman
- Service System Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kristiina Manderbacka
- Service System Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilmo Keskimäki
- Service System Research, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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Wallar LE, De Prophetis E, Rosella LC. Socioeconomic inequalities in hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions: a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, 1990-2018. Int J Equity Health 2020; 19:60. [PMID: 32366253 PMCID: PMC7197160 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-020-01160-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions are an important indicator of health system equity and performance. Chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions refer to chronic diseases that can be managed in primary care settings, including angina, asthma, and diabetes, with hospitalizations for these conditions considered potentially avoidable with adequate primary care interventions. Socioeconomic inequities in the risk of hospitalization have been observed in several health systems globally. While there are multiple studies examining the association between socioeconomic status and hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions, these studies have not been systematically reviewed. The objective of this study is to systematically identify and describe socioeconomic inequalities in hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions amongst adult populations in economically developed countries reported in high-quality observational studies published in the peer-reviewed literature. METHODS Peer-reviewed literature was searched in six health and social science databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, ASSIA, and IBSS using search terms for hospitalization, socioeconomic status, and chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Study titles and abstracts were first screened followed by full-text review according to the following eligibility criteria: 1) Study outcome is hospitalization for selected chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions; 2) Primary exposure is individual- or area-level socioeconomic status; 3) Study population has a mean age ± 1 SD < 75 years of age; 4) Study setting is economically developed countries; and 5) Study type is observational. Relevant data was then extracted, and studies were critically appraised using appropriate tools from The Joanna Briggs Institute. Results were narratively synthesized according to socioeconomic constructs and type of adjustment (minimally versus fully adjusted). RESULTS Of the 15,857 unique peer-reviewed studies identified, 31 studies met the eligibility criteria and were of sufficient quality for inclusion. Socioeconomic constructs and hospitalization outcomes varied across studies. However, despite this heterogeneity, a robust and consistent association between lower levels of socioeconomic status and higher risk of hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions was observed. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review is the first to comprehensively identify and analyze literature on the relationship between SES and hospitalizations for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions, considering both aggregate and condition-specific outcomes that are common to several international health systems. The evidence consistently demonstrates that lower socioeconomic status is a risk factor for hospitalization across global settings. Effective health and social interventions are needed to reduce these inequities and ensure fair and adequate care across socioeconomic groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42018088727.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E Wallar
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Eric De Prophetis
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - Laura C Rosella
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada.
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21
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Dimitrovová K, Perelman J, Serrano-Alarcón M. Effect of a national primary care reform on avoidable hospital admissions (2000-2015): A difference-in-difference analysis. Soc Sci Med 2020; 252:112908. [PMID: 32278243 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.112908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In 2006 a major primary care reform was initiated in Portugal. The most significant aspect of this reform was the creation of a new organizational model of primary care provision: Family Health Units (FHUs), consisting of small voluntarily constituted multidisciplinary teams that have functional autonomy and are partly financed through capitation and pay-for-performance. The creation of FHUs sought to increase access to care and to chronic disease management by improving the long-term relationship between health professionals and patients. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the impact of the FHUs implementation on population health outcomes, measured by the rate of hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC), i.e. avoidable hospital inpatient admissions, and to explore the effectiveness of the pay-for-performance in primary care by analysing the subset of disease specific hospitalizations for ACSC related to the financial incentives. Using data from 276 Portuguese municipalities from 2000 to 2015 (n = 4416) and exploiting the gradual introduction of the FHUs over time, we used a difference-in-differences approach contrasting the evolution of the hospitalization rate for ACSC in municipalities that implemented or not the FHUs. We then explored heterogeneous effects by incentivized (diabetes and hypertension) and non-incentivized disease-specific rates of hospitalizations for ACSC. During the period under analysis, 448 FHUs were created in 126 municipalities. No significant impact of the FHUs implementation on the reduction of the hospitalization rate for ACSC was found. This result also held for the incentivized hospitalizations for ACSC. We only found a statistically significant effect of the FHUs implementation in the reduction of one non-incentivized area (the rate of urinary tract infection ACSC). Our results question the capacity of this payment mechanism to achieve better health outcomes, and invites a more careful and evidence-based action toward its wider diffusion.
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Hirota Y, Kunisawa S, Fushimi K, Imanaka Y. Association between clinic physician workforce and avoidable readmission: a retrospective database research. BMC Health Serv Res 2020; 20:125. [PMID: 32070343 PMCID: PMC7029440 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-4966-4] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To reduce hospitalization costs, it is necessary to prevent avoidable hospitalization as well as avoidable readmission. This study aimed to examine the relationship between clinic physician workforce and unplanned readmission for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). METHODS The present study was a retrospective database research using nationwide administrative claims database of acute care hospitals in Japan. We identified patients aged ≥65 years who were admitted with ACSCs from home and discharged to home between April 2014 and December 2014 (n = 127,209). The primary outcome was unplanned readmission for ACSCs within 30 or 90 days of hospital discharge. A hierarchical logistic regression model was developed with patients at the first level and regions (secondary medical service areas) at the second level. RESULTS The 30-day and 90-day ACSC-related readmission rates were 3.7 and 4.6%, respectively. The high full-time equivalents (FTEs) of clinic physicians per 100,000 population were significantly associated with decreased odds ratios for 30-day and 90-day ACSC-related readmissions. This association did not change even when sensitivity analyses was conducted. CONCLUSIONS Among patients who had history of admission for ACSCs, greater clinic physician workforce prevented the incidence of readmission because of ACSCs. Regional medical plans to prevent avoidable readmissions should incorporate policy interventions that focus on the clinic physician workforce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshito Hirota
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Susumu Kunisawa
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kiyohide Fushimi
- Department of Health Policy and Informatics, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuichi Imanaka
- Department of Healthcare Economics and Quality Management, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida Konoecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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23
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Satokangas M, Lumme S, Arffman M, Keskimäki I. Trajectory modelling of ambulatory care sensitive conditions in Finland in 1996-2013: assessing the development of equity in primary health care through clustering of geographic areas - an observational retrospective study. BMC Health Serv Res 2019; 19:629. [PMID: 31484530 PMCID: PMC6727548 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-019-4449-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to stagnating resources and an increase in staff workload, the quality of Finnish primary health care (PHC) is claimed to have deteriorated slowly. With a decentralised PHC organisation and lack of national stewardship, it is likely that municipalities have adopted different coping strategies, predisposing them to geographic disparities. To assess whether these disparities emerge, we analysed health centre area trajectories in hospitalisations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). Methods ACSCs, a proxy for PHC quality, comprises conditions in which hospitalisation could be avoided by timely care. We obtained ACSCs of the total Finnish population aged ≥20 for the years 1996–2013 from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register, and divided them into subgroups of acute, chronic and vaccine-preventable causes, and calculated annual age-standardised ACSC rates by gender in health centre areas. Using these rates, we conducted trajectory analyses for identifying health centre area clusters using group-based trajectory modelling. Further, we applied area-level factors to describe the distribution of health centre areas on these trajectories. Results Three trajectories – and thus separate clusters of health centre areas – emerged with different levels and trends of ACSC rates. During the study period, chronic ACSC rates decreased (40–63%) within each of the clusters, acute ACSC rates remained stable and vaccine-preventable ACSC rates increased (1–41%). While disparities in rate differences in chronic ACSC rates between trajectories narrowed, in the two other ACSC subgroups they increased. Disparities in standardised rate ratios increased in vaccine-preventable and acute ACSC rates between northern cluster and the two other clusters. Compared to the south-western cluster, 13–16% of health centre areas, in rural northern cluster, had 47–92% higher ACSC rates – but also the highest level of morbidity, most limitations on activities of daily living and highest PHC inpatient ward usage as well as the lowest education levels and private health and dental care usage. Conclusions We identified three differing trajectories of time trends for ACSC rates, suggesting that the quality of care, particularly in northern Finland health centre areas, may have lagged behind the general improvements. This calls for further investments to strengthen rural area PHC. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4449-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markku Satokangas
- Social and Health Systems Research Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland. .,Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Network of Academic Health Centres, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. .,Health Stations, Department of Social Services and Health Care, City of Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sonja Lumme
- Social and Health Systems Research Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Martti Arffman
- Social and Health Systems Research Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilmo Keskimäki
- Social and Health Systems Research Unit, National Institute for Health and Welfare, P.O. Box 30, 00271, Helsinki, Finland.,Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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van der Pol M, Olajide D, Dusheiko M, Elliott R, Guthrie B, Jorm L, Leyland AH. The impact of quality and accessibility of primary care on emergency admissions for a range of chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) in Scotland: longitudinal analysis. BMC Fam Pract 2019; 20:32. [PMID: 30795737 PMCID: PMC6385424 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-019-0921-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospital admissions for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are those that could potentially be prevented by timely and effective disease management within primary care. ACSC admissions are increasingly used as performance indicators. However, key questions remain about the validity of these measures. The evidence to date has been inconclusive and limited to specific conditions. The aim of this study was to test the robustness of ACSC admissions as indicators of the quality of primary care. It is the first study to examine a wide range of ACSCs using longitudinal data which enables us to control for unmeasured characteristics which differ by practice but which are constant over time. METHODS Using longitudinal data at the practice level, from 907 Scottish practices for the time period 1/4/2005 to 31/32012, we explored the relationships between the quality of primary care, and hospital admissions for multiple ACSCs controlling for a wide range of covariates including characteristics of GP practices, characteristics of the practice population, hospital effects and year effects. We examined the impact of two dimensions of quality of care: clinical quality of and access to daytime general practice. Generalised Estimating Equations taking the form of Negative Binomial regression models with the practice population included as the exposure term were estimated. RESULTS We found that higher achievement on some clinical quality measures of primary care was associated with reduced ACSC emergency admissions. We also show that access to primary care was associated with ACSC emergency admissions. However, the effects were small and inconsistent and ACSC emergency admissions were associated with several confounding factors such as deprivation, rurality and distance to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest caution in the use of crude ACSC admission rates as a performance indicator of quality of primary care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjon van der Pol
- Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Damilola Olajide
- Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | - Robert Elliott
- Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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Jørgensen TSH, Siersma V, Lund R, Nilsson CJ. Mobility limitation as determinant of primary care use and ambulatory care sensitive conditions. Eur Geriatr Med 2019; 10:53-60. [PMID: 32720287 DOI: 10.1007/s41999-018-0149-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE First, to investigate associations between mobility limitations and use of general practitioners and hospitalizations of acute care sensitive conditions, respectively. Second, to investigate whether these associations vary by socio-demographic factors. METHODS The study included 3574 females and males aged 75 or 80 years from the Danish Intervention Study on Preventive Home Visits. Fixed-effects logistic and poisson regression models were applied to study the relationship between mobility limitations (measured two-four times) and general practitioner consultations and hospitalizations with acute care sensitive conditions each subsequent year, respectively. RESULTS Each additional mobility limitation was associated with 15% higher odds of general practitioner home consultation (Odds ratio 1.15, 95% CI 1.07;1.23) and 4% increased incidence rate of general practitioner consultations among those with ≥ 1 consultation (Incidence rate ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.03;1.04). There were no associations between mobility limitations and whether older adults had at least one general practitioner consultation nor acute care sensitive condition hospitalization. Test of interactions (p < 0.03) showed that more mobility limitations were associated with greater incidence rate of general practitioner consultations among males compared to females, married compared to unmarried, and older adults with high compared to low financial assets. CONCLUSIONS Older adults with more mobility limitations had more often a general practitioner home consultation. Mobility limitations were not associated with whether older adults had at least one general practitioner consultation, but increased mobility limitations were associated with higher contact rate among those who had ≥ 1 consultation, especially among males and older adults who were married or had high financial assets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terese Sara Høj Jørgensen
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, 1123, Copenhagen K, Denmark.
| | - Volkert Siersma
- The Research Unit for General Practice and Section of General Practice, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke Lund
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, 1123, Copenhagen K, Denmark
- Danish Aging Research Center, University of Southern Denmark, University of Aarhus and University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Juul Nilsson
- Section of Social Medicine, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, PO Box 2099, 1014, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Center for Healthy Aging, University of Copenhagen, 1123, Copenhagen K, Denmark
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Huang Y, Meyer P, Jin L. Neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics, healthcare spatial access, and emergency department visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions for elderly. Prev Med Rep 2018; 12:101-105. [PMID: 30233997 PMCID: PMC6138954 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore relationships among neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics (for example, income and ethnicity), spatial access to health care, and emergency department (ED) visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) for adults aged 65 years and over. ED visit data were from 15 counties in the Texas Coastal Bend from September 1, 2009 and August 1, 2012. ED visits for ACSC that were common for elderly were estimated based on Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ's) ACSC and Prevention Quality Indicators. The U.S. Census American Community Service (ACS) data provided neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics. Spatial access to general practices and to hospitals, respectively at the zip code level were estimated using the enhanced two-step floating catchment area method. Using multivariable regression models, we estimated associations of elderly ACSC ED visits with neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and spatial accessibility of healthcare. We found higher rates of elderly ACSC ED visits are significantly associated with higher rates of elderly Hispanic and poverty at the zip code level. Spatial access to general practices and hospitals play inverse roles in the rate of elderly ACSC ED visits. Poorer access to general practices but easier access to hospitals contributes to the higher elderly ACSC ED rate at the zip code level. Neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics and spatial access to healthcare affect the rate of elderly ACSC ED visits. Research informing policy action is needed to decrease racial/ethnic and economic disadvantage and increase equitable spatial access to primary care for the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Huang
- Department of Computing Sciences, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Pamela Meyer
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
| | - Lei Jin
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX 78412, USA
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Kim H, Cheng SH. Assessing quality of primary diabetes care in South Korea and Taiwan using avoidable hospitalizations. Health Policy 2018; 122:1222-1231. [PMID: 30274936 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2018.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Quality of primary diabetes care is a key health policy concern in many OECD countries with an aging population. This cross-national, population-based study examined the extent and attributes of diabetes-related avoidable hospitalizations (DRAHs) in South Korea and Taiwan, both of which have social health insurance-based health systems with limited gate-keeping for hospitalizations. We analyzed comparable, nationally representative health insurance beneficiary datasets for the two countries (2002-2013), linked with community health resource data. The age- and sex-standardized DRAH rates were calculated, and multivariate, multi-level longitudinal modeling approaches were adopted. The DRAH rate decreased in Taiwan consistently during 2002-2013 and in Korea after 2011 only. Under the universal health coverage, people enjoyed high accessibility to care. A higher number of physician visits reduced DRAHs in Korea but not in Taiwan. Socio-economic disparities in DRAHs still existed in both countries, especially in Taiwan. We found a different trajectory in two similar health systems for the selected health system performance indicator for primary diabetes care. This can be partly explained by different policy approaches to diabetes management in the two countries over the years. Necessary are policy efforts to improve the quality and equality of primary diabetes care and better control of hospital admissions in these two health systems that provide generous access to care at a low cost in East Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongsoo Kim
- Graduate School of Public Health Dept. of Public Health Sciences, Institute of Aging, Institute of Health and Environment at Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Shou-Hsia Cheng
- College of Public Health Institute of Health Policy and Management and the Population Health Research Center at National Taiwan University, 17, Xu-Zhou Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Cecil E, Bottle A, Ma R, Hargreaves DS, Wolfe I, Mainous AG, Saxena S. Impact of preventive primary care on children's unplanned hospital admissions: a population-based birth cohort study of UK children 2000-2013. BMC Med 2018; 16:151. [PMID: 30220255 PMCID: PMC6139908 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-018-1142-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Universal health coverage (UHC) aims to improve child health through preventive primary care and vaccine coverage. Yet, in many developed countries with UHC, unplanned and ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) hospital admissions in childhood continue to rise. We investigated the relation between preventive primary care and risk of unplanned and ACS admission in children in a high-income country with UHC. METHODS We followed 319,780 children registered from birth with 363 English practices in Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episodes Statistics, born between January 2000 and March 2013. We used Cox regression estimating adjusted hazard ratios (HR) to examine subsequent risk of unplanned and ACS hospital admissions in children who received preventive primary care (development checks and vaccinations), compared with those who did not. RESULTS Overall, 98% of children had complete vaccinations and 87% had development checks. Unplanned admission rates were 259, 105 and 42 per 1000 child-years in infants (aged < 1 year), preschool (1-4 years) and primary school (5-9 years) children, respectively. Lack of preventive care was associated with more unplanned admissions. Infants with incomplete vaccination had increased risk for all unplanned admissions (HR 1.89, 1.79-2.00) and vaccine-preventable admissions (HR 4.41, 2.59-7.49). Infants lacking development checks had higher risk for unplanned admission (HR 4.63, 4.55-4.71). These associations persisted across childhood. Children who had higher consulting rates with primary care providers also had higher risk of unplanned admission (preschool children: HR 1.17, 1.17-1.17). One third of all unplanned admissions (62,154/183,530) were for ACS infectious illness. Children with chronic ACS conditions, asthma, diabetes or epilepsy had increased risk of unplanned admission (HR 1.90, 1.77-2.04, HR 11.43, 8.48-15.39, and HR 4.82, 3.93-5.91, respectively). These associations were modified in children who consulted more in primary care. CONCLUSIONS A high uptake of preventive primary care from birth is associated with fewer unplanned and ACS admissions in children. However, the clustering of poor health, a lack of preventive care uptake, and social deprivation puts some children with comorbid conditions at very high risk of admission. Strengthening immunisation coverage and preventive primary care in countries with poor UHC could potentially significantly reduce the health burden from hospital admission in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Cecil
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London Charing Cross Campus, London, W6 8RP, UK.
| | - Alex Bottle
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London Charing Cross Campus, London, W6 8RP, UK
| | - Richard Ma
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London Charing Cross Campus, London, W6 8RP, UK
| | | | - Ingrid Wolfe
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health Sciences, King's College London, London, England
| | - Arch G Mainous
- Department of Health Services Research, Management and Policy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sonia Saxena
- Department of Primary Care and Public Health, Imperial College London Charing Cross Campus, London, W6 8RP, UK
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Hutchison J, Thompson ME, Troyer J, Elnitsky C, Coffman MJ, Lori Thomas M. The effect of North Carolina free clinics on hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among the uninsured. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18:280. [PMID: 29650019 PMCID: PMC5897934 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-018-3082-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Free clinics are volunteer based organizations that provide health care services to low-income individuals for free or minimal cost. Communities served by a free clinic can provide ambulatory care services for uninsured individuals, reducing reliance on costly hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. This study examines whether free clinics in North Carolina reduce hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions for uninsured adults. METHODS The study used North Carolina hospital discharge data from 2003 to 2007, restricted to uninsured adults residing in North Carolina (N = 270,325). Prevention Quality Indicators identified hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. The entry of new free clinics in some counties during this time period in conjunction with county-level and year fixed effects allows the logistic regression analysis to simulate a pre/post study design. RESULTS Discharges for ambulatory care sensitive conditions constituted 12.6% of the sample. Despite the limited coverage provided by free clinics, which serve 5.5% of the uninsured in North Carolina, uninsured adults in counties served by a free clinic had an 8.0% reduced odds of a hospitalization being for an ambulatory care sensitive condition. When the model is limited to ambulatory care sensitive conditions related to chronic conditions, the odds of a hospitalization of an uninsured adult for an ambulatory care sensitive condition in counties served by a free clinic is reduced by 9.0%. CONCLUSION Free clinics are effective providers of primary care services for uninsured individuals, particularly for those with chronic conditions. To enhance this impact by increasing free clinics' reach, state and local policy makers should support and encourage development of free clinics in high need areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Hutchison
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
| | - Michael E. Thompson
- Public Health Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
| | - Jennifer Troyer
- Department of Economics, Belk College of Business, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
| | - Christine Elnitsky
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
| | - Maren J. Coffman
- School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
| | - M. Lori Thomas
- School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001 USA
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30
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Abstract
This study examined the intersection of rurality and community area deprivation using a nine-state sample of inpatient hospitalizations among children (<18 years of age) from 2011. One state from each of the nine US census regions with substantial rural representation and varying degrees of community vulnerability was selected. An area deprivation index was constructed and used in conjunction with rurality to examine differences in the rate of ACSC hospitalizations among children in the sample states. A mixed model with both fixed and random effects was used to test influence of rurality and area deprivation on the odds of a pediatric hospitalization due to an ACSC within the sample. Of primary interest was the interaction of rurality and area deprivation. The study found rural counties are disproportionality represented among the most deprived. Within the least deprived counties, the likelihood of an ACSC hospitalization was significantly lower in rural than among their urban counterparts. However, this rural advantage declines as the level of deprivation increases, suggesting the effect of rurality becomes more important as social and economic advantage deteriorates. We also found ACSC hospitalization to be much higher among racial/ethnic minority children and those with Medicaid or self-pay as an anticipated source of payment. These findings further contribute to the existing body of evidence documenting racial/ethnic disparities in important health related outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Hale
- Department of Health Services Management and Policy, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Box 70264, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
| | - Janice Probst
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Ashley Robertson
- Department of Health Services Policy and Management, South Carolina Rural Health Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 220 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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Lichtl C, Lutz T, Szecsenyi J, Bozorgmehr K. Differences in the prevalence of hospitalizations and utilization of emergency outpatient services for ambulatory care sensitive conditions between asylum-seeking children and children of the general population: a cross-sectional medical records study (2015). BMC Health Serv Res 2017; 17:731. [PMID: 29141614 PMCID: PMC5688672 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-017-2672-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) conditions are established indicators for the availability and quality of ambulatory care. We aimed to assess the differences between asylum-seeking children and children of the general population in a German city with respect to (i) the prevalence of ACS hospitalizations, and (ii) the utilization of emergency outpatient services for ACS conditions. Methods Using anonymous account data, all children admitted to the University Hospital Heidelberg in 2015 were included in our study. A unique cost unit distinguished asylum seekers residing in a nearby reception center (exposed) from the children of the general population. We adapted international lists of ACS conditions and calculated the prevalence of ACS hospitalizations and the utilization of emergency outpatient services for ACS conditions, attributable fractions among the exposed (Afe) and the population attributable fraction among total admissions (PAF) for each outcome. Differences in the prevalence of each outcome between exposed and controls were analyzed in logistic regression models adjusted for sex, age group and quarterly admission. Results Of the 32,015 admissions in 2015, 19.9% (6287) were from inpatient and 80.1% (25,638) from outpatient care. In inpatient care, 9.8% (622) of all admissions were hospitalizations for ACS conditions. The Afe of ACS hospitalizations was 46.57%, the PAF was 1.12%. Emergency service use for ACS conditions could be identified in 8.3% (3088) of all admissions (Afe: 79.57%, PAF: 5.08%). The odds ratio (OR) of asylum-seeking children being hospitalized for ACS conditions in comparison to the control group was 1.81 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.02; 3.2]. The OR of the asylumseeking population compared to the general population for the utilization of emergency service use for ACS conditions was 4.93 [95% CI: 4.11; 5.91]. Conclusions Asylum-seeking children had significantly higher odds of ACS hospitalization and of utilization of emergency outpatient services for ACS conditions. Using the concept of ACS conditions allowed measuring the strength of primary care provided to this local asylum-seeking population. This approach could help to compare the strength of primary care provision in different locations, and allow an objective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célina Lichtl
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Lutz
- Center for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Department of General Pediatrics, Metabolism, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Szecsenyi
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Doshi R, Aseltine RH, Sabina AB, Graham GN. Interventions to Improve Management of Chronic Conditions Among Racial and Ethnic Minorities. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2017; 4:1033-1041. [PMID: 29067651 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-017-0431-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Digital and mhealth interventions can be effective in improving health outcomes among minority patients with diabetes, congestive heart failure, and chronic respiratory diseases. A number of electronic and digital approaches to individual and population-level interventions involving telephones, internet and web-based resources, and mobile platforms have been deployed to improve chronic disease outcomes. This paper summarizes the evidence supporting the efficacy of various behavioral and digital interventions targeting intermediate outcomes and hospitalizations with particular emphasis on studies examining the effects of these interventions on racial and ethnic minority population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi Doshi
- Department of Community Medicine and Healthcare, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Robert H Aseltine
- Division of Behavioral Science and Community Health, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington avenue MC 6030, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
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Dimitrovová K, Costa C, Santana P, Perelman J. "Evolution and financial cost of socioeconomic inequalities in ambulatory care sensitive conditions: an ecological study for Portugal, 2000-2014". Int J Equity Health 2017; 16:145. [PMID: 28810869 PMCID: PMC5558734 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-017-0642-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSC) are specific conditions for which hospitalization is thought to be avoidable through patient education, health promotion initiatives, early diagnosis and by appropriate chronic disease management, and have been shown to be greatly influenced by socioeconomic (SE) characteristics. We examined the SE inequalities in hospitalization rates for ACSC in Portugal, their evolution over time (2000-2014), and their associated financial burden. METHODS We modeled municipality-level ACSC hospitalization rates per 1000 inhabitants and ACSC hospitalization-related costs per inhabitant, for the 2000-2014 period (n = 4170), as a function of SE indicators (illiteracy and purchasing power, in quintiles), controlling for the proportion of elderly, sex, disease specific mortality rate, population density, PC supply, and time trend. The evolution of inequalities was measured interacting SE indicators with a time trend. Costs attributable to ACSC related hospitalization inequalities were measured by the predicted values for each quintile of the SE indicators. RESULTS Hospitalization rate for ACSC was significantly higher in the 4th quintile of illiteracy compared with the 1st quintile (beta = 1.97; p < 0.01), and significantly lower in the 5th quintile of purchasing power, compared with the 1st quintile (beta = - 1.19; p < 0.05). ACSC hospitalization-related costs were also significantly higher in the 4th quintile of illiteracy compared with the 1st quintile (beta = 4.04€; p < 0.05), and significantly lower in the 5th quintile of purchasing power, compared with the 1st quintile (beta = - 4,69€; p < 0.01). The SE gradient significantly increased over the 2000-2014 period, and the annual cost of inequalities were estimated at more than 15 million euros for the Portuguese NHS. CONCLUSION There was an increasing SE patterning in ACSC related hospitalizations, possibly reflecting increasing SE inequalities in early and preventive high-quality care, imposing a substantial financial burden to the Portuguese NHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klára Dimitrovová
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Costa
- Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Letras Colégio de S. Jerónimo, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Santana
- Centre of Studies on Geography and Spatial Planning, Department of Geography, University of Coimbra, Faculdade de Letras Colégio de S. Jerónimo, 3004-530 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Julian Perelman
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde Pública, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Avenida Padre Cruz, 1600-560 Lisbon, Portugal
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34
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Walker RL, Ghali WA, Chen G, Khalsa TK, Mangat BK, Campbell NRC, Dixon E, Rabi D, Jette N, Dhanoa R, Quan H. ACSC Indicator: testing reliability for hypertension. BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2017. [PMID: 28651587 PMCID: PMC5485699 DOI: 10.1186/s12911-017-0487-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With high-quality community-based primary care, hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) are considered avoidable. The purpose of this study was to test the inter-physician reliability of judgments of avoidable hospitalizations for one ACSC, uncomplicated hypertension, derived from medical chart review. METHODS We applied the Canadian Institute for Health Information's case definition to obtain a random sample of patients who had an ACSC hospitalization for uncomplicated hypertension in Calgary, Alberta. Medical chart review was conducted by three experienced internal medicine specialists. Implicit methods were used to judge avoidability of hospitalization using a validated 5-point scale. RESULTS There was poor agreement among three physicians raters when judging the avoidability of 82 ACSC hospitalizations for uncomplicated hypertension (κ = 0.092). The κ also remained low when assessing agreement between raters 1 and 3 (κ = 0.092), but the κ was lower (less than chance agreement) for raters 1 and 2 (κ = -0.119) and raters 2 and 3 (κ = -0.008). When the 5-point scale was dichotomized, there was fair agreement among three raters (κ = 0.217). The proportion of ACSC hospitalizations for uncomplicated hypertension that were rated as avoidable was 32.9%, 6.1% and 26.8% for raters 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study found a low proportion of ACSC hospitalization were rated as avoidable, with poor to fair agreement of judgment between physician raters. This suggests that the validity and utility of this health indicator is questionable. It points to a need to abandon the use of ACSC entirely; or alternatively to work on the development of explicit criteria for judging avoidability of hospitalization for ACSC such as hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin L Walker
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - William A Ghali
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Guanmin Chen
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Tej K Khalsa
- Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Norm R C Campbell
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Elijah Dixon
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Doreen Rabi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada.,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.,Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Robyn Dhanoa
- Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Hude Quan
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Dr. NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada. .,O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
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35
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Gingold DB, Pierre-Mathieu R, Cole B, Miller AC, Khaldun JS. Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on emergency department high utilizers with ambulatory care sensitive conditions: A cross-sectional study. Am J Emerg Med 2017; 35:737-742. [PMID: 28110978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2017.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2016] [Revised: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The effect of the Affordable Care Act on emergency department (ED) high utilizers has not yet been thoroughly studied. We sought to determine the impact of changes in insurance eligibility following the 2014 Medicaid expansion on ED utilization for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) by high ED utilizers in an urban safety net hospital. METHODS High utilizers were defined as patients with ≥4 visits in the 6months before their most recent visit in the study period (July-December before and after Maryland's Medicaid expansion in January 2014). A differences-in-differences approach using logistic regression was used to investigate if differences between high and low utilizer cohorts changed from before and after the expansion. RESULTS During the study period, 726 (4.1%) out of 17,795 unique patients in 2013 and 380 (2.4%) of 16,458 during the same period in 2014 were high utilizers (p-value <0.001). ACSC-associated visit predicted being a high utilizer in 2013 (OR 1.66 (95% CI [1.37, 2.01])) and 2014 (OR 1.65 (95% CI [1.27, 2.15])) but this was not different between years (OR ratio 0.99, 95% CI [0.72, 1.38], p-value 0.97). CONCLUSION Although the proportion of high utilizers decreased significantly after Maryland's Medicaid expansion, ACSC-associated ED visits by high ED utilizers were unaffected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B Gingold
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | | | - Brandon Cole
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew C Miller
- Department of Emergency Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Joneigh S Khaldun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Emergency Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
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36
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Dantas I, Santana R, Sarmento J, Aguiar P. The impact of multiple chronic diseases on hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:348. [PMID: 27488262 PMCID: PMC4973077 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The high financial burden of avoidable hospitalizations has led to an increase of the study of hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC). There is limited information on the impact of secondary diagnoses on these hospitalizations, although patients' social and demographic characteristics, as well as the coexistence of multiple diseases are often identified in the literature as risk factors for avoidable hospitalizations. This study explores the impact of chronic conditions on the likelihood of hospitalizations for ACSC. METHODS Data were extracted from the Portuguese hospital discharge database. Avoidable hospitalizations were identified according to the Canadian Institute for Healthcare Information, and chronic conditions were identified according to criteria set by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. A retrospective study analysing all patients hospitalized for an ACSC and all patients hospitalized for non-ACSC was made, using multiple logistic regression models to identify the impact of chronic conditions on the risk of admission. RESULTS The risk of an avoidable hospitalization increases by a factor of 1.35 (95 % CI [1.34;1.35]) for each additional chronic condition, and 1.55 (95 % CI [1.55;1.56]) for each additional body system affected. The respiratory and circulatory systems have the most impact on the risk of ACSC, increasing the risk by 8.72 (95 % CI [8.58;8.86]) and 3.01 (95 % CI [2.95;3.06]), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The number of chronic conditions and the body systems affected increase the risk of hospital admissions for ACSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Dantas
- National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Rui Santana
- Department of Health Policy and Systems Management, National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.,Public Health Research Centre (PHRC), National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Sarmento
- National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Pedro Aguiar
- Public Health Research Centre (PHRC), National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Strategies in Health, National School of Public Health (ENSP), Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Av. Padre Cruz, 1600-560, Lisbon, Portugal
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37
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Ronksley PE, Kobewka DM, McKay JA, Rothwell DM, Mulpuru S, Forster AJ. Clinical characteristics and preventable acute care spending among a high cost inpatient population. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:165. [PMID: 27143000 PMCID: PMC4855849 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A small proportion of patients account for the majority of health care spending. The objectives of this study were to explore the clinical characteristics, patterns of health care use, and the proportion of acute care spending deemed potentially preventable among high cost inpatients within a Canadian acute-care hospital. METHODS We identified all individuals within the Ottawa Hospital with one or more inpatient hospitalization between April 1, 2010 and March 31, 2011. Clinical characteristics and frequency of hospital encounters were captured in the information systems of the Ottawa Hospital Data Warehouse. Direct inpatient costs for each encounter were summed using case costing information and those in the upper first and fifth percentiles of the cumulative direct cost distribution were defined as extremely high cost and high cost respectively. We quantified preventable acute care spending as hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and spending attributable to difficulty discharging patients as measured by alternate level of care (ALC) status. RESULTS During the study period, 36,892 patients had 44,066 hospitalizations. High cost patients (n = 1,844) accounted for 38 % of total inpatient spending ($122 million) and were older, more likely to be male, and had higher levels of co-morbidity compared to non-high cost patients. In over half of the high cost cohort (54 %), costs were accumulated from a single hospitalization. The majority of costs were related to nursing care and intensive care unit spending. High cost patients were more likely to have an encounter deemed to be ambulatory care sensitive compared to non-high cost inpatients (6.0 versus 2.8 %, p < 0.001). A greater proportion of inpatient spending was attributable to ALC days for high cost versus non-high cost patients (9.1 versus 4.9 %, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Within a population of high cost inpatients, the majority of costs are attributed to a single, non-preventable, acute care episode. However, there are likely opportunities to improve hospital efficiency by focusing on different approaches to community based care directed towards specific populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Ronksley
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, T2N 4N1, AB, Canada.
| | - Daniel M Kobewka
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer A McKay
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sunita Mulpuru
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alan J Forster
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Performance Measurement, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Weeks WB, Ventelou B, Paraponaris A. Rates of admission for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in France in 2009-2010: trends, geographic variation, costs, and an international comparison. Eur J Health Econ 2016; 17:453-70. [PMID: 25951924 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-015-0692-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are considered preventable and indicators of poor access to primary care. We wondered whether per-capita rates of admission for ACSCs in France demonstrated geographic variation, were changing, were related to other independent variables, or were comparable to those in other countries; further, we wanted to quantify the resources such admissions consume. METHODS We calculated per-capita rates of admission for five categories (chronic, acute, vaccination preventable, alcohol-related, and other) of ACSCs in 94 departments in mainland France in 2009 and 2010, examined measures and causes of geographic variation in those rates, computed the costs of those admissions, and compared rates of admission for ACSCs in France to those in several other countries. RESULTS The highest ACSC admission rates generally occurred in the young and the old, but rates varied across French regions. Over the 2-year period, rates of most categories of ACSCs increased; higher ACSC admission rates were associated with lower incomes and a higher supply of hospital beds. We found that the local supply of general practitioners was inversely associated with rates of chronic and total ACSC admission rates, but that this relationship disappeared if we accounted for patients' use of general practitioners in neighboring departments. ACSC admissions cost 4.755 billion euros in 2009 and 5.066 billion euros in 2010; they consumed 7.86 and 8.74 million bed days of care, respectively. France had higher rates of ACSC admissions than most other countries examined. CONCLUSIONS Because admissions for ACSCs are generally considered a failure of outpatient care, cost French taxpayers substantial monetary and hospital resources, and appear to occur more frequently in France than in other countries, policymakers should prioritize targeted efforts to reduce them.
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Affiliation(s)
- William B Weeks
- , 35 Centerra Parkway, Lebanon, NH, 03766, USA.
- The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, USA.
- The Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Marseille, France.
| | - Bruno Ventelou
- SESSTIM, UMR 912, INSERM-IRD-Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- The Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Marseille, France
| | - Alain Paraponaris
- SESSTIM, UMR 912, INSERM-IRD-Aix-Marseille Université, Marseille, France
- The Aix-Marseille School of Economics, Marseille, France
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Freund T, Heller G, Szecsenyi J. [Hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in Germany]. Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes 2014; 108:251-7. [PMID: 25066343 DOI: 10.1016/j.zefq.2014.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2014] [Revised: 04/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On the basis of the assumption that a significant proportion of hospitalisations for so-called ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are potentially avoidable by ambulatory care measures, hospitalisation rates for ACSCs are used internationally as population based indicators for access to and quality of ambulatory care. The German Council of Health Experts proposes hospitalisation rates for diabetes, asthma, hypertension and chronic heart failure as ACSC measures in Germany. OBJECTIVES This article focuses on regional differences in ACSC rates, describes the longitudinal development and explores potential determinants. MATERIAL AND METHODS Descriptive statistical analyses as well as spatial regression analyses were performed on the basis of Federal Statistical Office data. We included data from the hospital and physician statistics. Bayesian spatial regression techniques were used. RESULTS Whereas hospitalisation rates for asthma decreased between 2000 and 2010, hospitalisation rates for diabetes, hypertension and chronic heart failure increased. Comparing age-adjusted ACSC rates across all German federal states, the Eastern states as well as Saarland showed significantly higher ACSC rates over time. This observation can in part be explained by physician density and the number of hospital beds. CONCLUSION Although not all ACSC hospitalisations can be avoided, these results display a potential for optimising care across healthcare sectors in Germany.
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Bhattacharya R, Shen C, Sambamoorthi U. Depression and ambulatory care sensitive hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2014; 36:460-5. [PMID: 24999083 PMCID: PMC4138245 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2014.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the association between depression and hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (H-ACSC) among Medicare beneficiaries with chronic physical conditions. METHODS We used a retrospective longitudinal design using multiple years (2002-2009) of linked fee-for-service Medicare claims and survey data from Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to create six longitudinal panels. We followed individuals in each panel for a period of 3-years; first year served as the baseline and subsequent 2-years served as the follow-up. We measured depression, chronic physical conditions and other characteristics at baseline and examined H-ACSC at follow-up. We identified chronic physical conditions from survey data and H-ACSC and depression from fee-for-service Medicare claims. We analyzed unadjusted and adjusted relationships between depression and the risk of H-ACSC with chi-square tests and logistic regressions. RESULTS Among all Medicare beneficiaries, 9.3% had diagnosed depression. Medicare beneficiaries with depression had higher rates of any H-ACSC as compared to those without depression (13.6% vs. 7.7%). Multivariable regression indicated that, compared to those without depression, Medicare beneficiaries with depression were more likely to experience any H-ACSC. CONCLUSIONS Depression was associated with greater risk of H-ACSC, suggesting that health care quality measures may need to include depression as a risk-adjustment variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rituparna Bhattacharya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA.
| | - Chan Shen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Usha Sambamoorthi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Systems and Policy, School of Pharmacy, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
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