Collaborative Care for Injured Older Adults: The Trauma Medical Home Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Older adults with recent injuries can have impaired long-term biopsychosocial function and may benefit from interventions adapted to their needs.

Objective

To determine if a collaborative care intervention, Trauma Medical Home (TMH), improved the biopsychosocial function of older patients in the year after injury.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a single-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted at 4 level I trauma centers in Indianapolis, Indiana, and Madison, Wisconsin. Between October 2017 and October 2021, patients aged 50 years and older with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 9 or greater and without traumatic brain or spinal cord injury were enrolled. Exclusions were significant brain injury or a spinal cord injury with a persistent neurologic deficit at the time of enrollment, extensive burns, pregnancy, incarceration, neurodegenerative disease, visual or auditory impairment that would preclude study participation, a life expectancy of less than 1 year, significant alcohol or drug use history, and acute stroke during admission. Of 10 276 patients screened, 430 were randomized and 299 completed 12-month follow-up. Data were analyzed from March to July 2023.

Intervention

Intervention patients received 6 months of TMH delivered by a nurse care coordinator guided by an interdisciplinary team (trauma surgeon, pulmonary critical care and geriatrician physicians, nurses, and psychologist) in partnership with primary care. The care coordinator used standard protocols to monitor and treat biopsychosocial symptoms.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36 (SF-36) score and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes were Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) score, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale-7 (GAD-7) score, and health care utilization.

Results

A total of 429 participants (228 [53.1%] female; mean [SD] age, 69.3 [10.8] years; mean [SD] ISS, 12.3 [4.6]) completed baseline assessments and were randomized. Follow-up was 76% (n = 324) at 6 months and 70% (n = 299) at 12 months. There were no differences between the TMH and usual care groups at 12 months in SF-36 Physical Component Summary score (mean [SD], 40.42 [12.82] vs 39.18 [12.43]), SF-36 Mental Component Summary score (mean [SD], 53.92 [10.02] vs 53.21 [10.82]), or SPPB score (mean [SD], 8.00 [3.60] vs 8.28 [3.88]). Secondary outcomes were also no different. Planned subgroup analysis revealed patients with baseline symptoms of anxiety or depression (high GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores) experienced improvement in the Mental Component Summary score when randomized to the TMH intervention.

Conclusions and Relevance

The TMH intervention did not significantly influence quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms, or physical function of older adults with injury at 12 months. Subgroup analysis showed positive impact in patients with a high burden of anxiety and depression symptoms at enrollment. Collaborative care interventions may improve long-term outcomes of select patients, but further research is needed.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03108820.

Assessment of Social Vulnerabilities of Care and Prognosis in Adult Ocular Melanomas in the US

BACKGROUND

Prior works have studied the impact of social determinants on various cancers but there is limited analysis on eye-orbit cancers. Current literature tends to focus on socioeconomic status and race, with sparse analysis of interdisciplinary contributions. We examined social determinants as measured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), quantifying eye and orbit melanoma disparities across the United States.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 15,157 patients diagnosed with eye-orbit cancers in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1975 to 2017 was performed, extracting 6139 ocular melanomas. SVI scores were abstracted and matched to SEER patient data, with scores generated by weighted averages per population density of county's census tracts. Primary outcome was months survived, while secondary outcomes were advanced staging, high grading, and primary surgery receipt.

RESULTS

With increased total SVI score, indicating more vulnerability, we observed significant decreases of 23.1% in months survival for melanoma histology (p < 0.001) and 19.6-39.7% by primary site. Increasing total SVI showed increased odds of higher grading (odds ratio [OR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.43) and decreased odds of surgical intervention (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.96). Of the four themes, higher magnitude contributions were observed with socioeconomic status (26.0%) and housing transportation (14.4%), while lesser magnitude contributions were observed with minority language status (13.5%) and household composition (9.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

Increasing social vulnerability, as measured by the CDC SVI and its subscores, displayed significant detrimental trends in prognostic and treatment factors for adult eye-orbit melanoma. Subscores quantified which social determinants contributed most to disparities. This lays groundwork for providers to target the highest-impact social determinant for non-clinical factors in patient care.

Using the Stratum-Specific Likelihood Ratio Method to Derive Outcome-Based Hospital Volume Categories for Total Knee Replacement

BACKGROUND

Evidence of higher hospital volume being associated with improved outcomes for patients undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) is mostly based on arbitrary distribution-based thresholds.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to define outcome-based volume thresholds using data from a national database.

METHODS

We used the MedPAR Limited Data Set inpatient data from 2010-2015 to identify patients who had undergone primary TKR. Surgical and TKR specific complications occurring within the index hospitalization and all-cause readmission within 90 days were considered adverse events. We derived an average annual TKR case volume for each hospital and applied the stratum-specific likelihood ratio method to determine volume categories indicative of a similar likelihood of 90-day post-operative complications. Hierarchical multivariable logistic regression with a random intercept for hospital nested within study year and adjusted for patient and hospital characteristics was performed to determine if these volume thresholds were still associated with the odds of 90-day readmission for complications after adjustment.

RESULTS

SSLR analysis yielded 4 hospital volume categories based on the likelihood of 90-day postoperative complications: 1-31 (low), 32-127 (medium), 128-248 (high), and 429+ (very high) TKRs performed per year. The results of the hierarchical multivariable logistic regression showed significantly increased odds of 90-day complications at lower volume categories. Sensitivity analyses confirmed our main findings.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to provide national-level volume categories that are evidence-based. Publicizing these thresholds may enhance quality measures available to patients, providers, and payors.

Qualitative Evaluation Informs the Implementation of a Telehealth Program to Manage Chronic Pain

In response to the opioid epidemic and high rates of chronic pain among the veteran population, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs implemented the TelePain-Empower Veterans Program (EVP), a nonpharmacological pain management program for veterans. Delivered virtually, TelePain-EVP incorporates integrated health components (Whole Health, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Mindful Movement) through interdisciplinary personalized coaching. The objective of this quality improvement project was to evaluate the implementation of TelePain-EVP to identify determinants to implementation, benefits and challenges to participation, and recommendations for future direction. We used a qualitative descriptive design to conduct semistructured telephone interviews with TelePain-EVP leaders (n = 3), staff (n = 10), and veterans (n = 22). The interview guides aligned with the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Thematic content analysis organized and characterized findings. Several CFIR domains emerged as determinants relevant to program implementation, including innovation (eg, design); individuals (eg, deliverers, recipients); inner (eg, communications) and outer settings (eg, local conditions); and implementation process (eg, reflecting and evaluating). Identified determinants included facilitators (eg, virtual delivery) and barriers (eg, staff shortages). Participants reported improvements in pain management coping skills, interpersonal relationships, and sense of community, but no self-reported reductions in pain or medication use. Program improvement recommendations included using centralized staff to address vacancies, collecting electronic data, offering structured training, and providing course materials to veteran participants. Qualitative data can inform the sustained implementation of TelePain-EVP and other similar telehealth pain management programs. These descriptive data should be triangulated with quantitative data to objectively assess participant TelePain-EVP outcomes and associated participant characteristics. PERSPECTIVE: A qualitative evaluation of a telehealth program to manage chronic pain, guided by the CFIR framework, identified determinants of program implementation. Additionally, participants reported improvements in pain management coping skills, interpersonal relationships, and sense of community, but no self-reported reductions in pain or medication use.

Self-Reported Visual Disability and Unemployment: Findings from the National Health Interview Survey

PURPOSE

To investigate the association between visual impairment and employment status due to disability, utilizing data from the 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

METHODS

Adults 18 years of age and older were extracted from the 2022 NHIS dataset. A multivariable logistic regression model was created to evaluate the odds of unemployment ("laid off" and "looking for work"). Persons over the age of 65, as well as persons retired, going to school, self-employed, seasonal, or contract workers were excluded. Independent variables for the model included gender, race, Hispanic ethnicity, urban residency, level of education, citizenship, and self-reported vision. The latter variable was categorized as seeing with "some" difficulty, with "severe" difficulty, "can't see at all," and "a lot of difficulty." Outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

Associations with unemployment included education less than high school (OR 6.05, 95% CI: 3.98-9.18) and high school (OR 3.80, 95% CI 2.78-5.21); severe vision difficulty (OR 3.68 95% CI 1.73-7.86); Asian race (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.64-3.89); and Black race (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.31-2.41). The odds of unemployment were marginally elevated for those living in large metropolitan areas, while being born in the United States had a modest protective effect (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.42-0.66).

CONCLUSION

The degree of visual impairment in this post-COVID-19 pandemic survey substantially affects employment, which is consistent with historical studies. Education among those with impaired vision is an important and modifiable variable that can positively influence the chances of employment.

Mobile and Web-Based Partnered Intervention to Improve Remote Access to Pain and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Management: Recruitment and Attrition in a Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Increasing access to nonpharmacological interventions to manage pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is essential for veterans. Complementary and integrative health (CIH) interventions can help individuals manage symptom burden with enhanced accessibility via remotely delivered health care. Mission Reconnect (MR) is a partnered, self-directed intervention that remotely teaches CIH skills.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this paper is to describe the recruitment, onboarding phase, and attrition of a fully remote randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the efficacy of a self-directed mobile and web-based intervention for veterans with comorbid chronic pain and PTSD and their partners.

METHODS

A total of 364 veteran-partner dyads were recruited to participate in a mixed methods multisite waitlist control RCT. Qualitative attrition interviews were conducted with 10 veterans with chronic pain and PTSD, and their self-elected partners (eg, spouse) who consented but did not begin the program.

RESULTS

At the point of completing onboarding and being randomized to the 2 treatment arms, of the 364 recruited dyads, 97 (26.6%) failed to complete onboarding activities. Reported reasons for failure to complete onboarding include loss of self-elected partner buy-in (n=8, 8%), difficulties with using remote data collection methods and interventions (n=30, 31%), and adverse health experiences unrelated to study activities (n=23, 24%). Enrolled veterans presented at baseline with significant PTSD symptom burden and moderate-to-severe pain severity, and represented a geographically and demographically diverse population. Attrition interviews (n=10) indicated that misunderstanding MR including the intent of the intervention or mistaking the surveys as the actual intervention was a reason for not completing the MR registration process. Another barrier to MR registration was that interviewees described the mailed study information and registration packets as too confusing and excessive. Competing personal circumstances including health concerns that required attention interfered with MR registration. Common reasons for attrition following successful MR registration included partner withdrawal, adverse health issues, and technological challenges relating to the MR and electronic data collection platform (Qualtrics). Participant recommendations for reducing attrition included switching to digital forms to reduce participant burden and increasing human interaction throughout the registration and baseline data collection processes.

CONCLUSIONS

Challenges, solutions, and lessons learned for study recruitment and intervention delivery inform best practices of delivering remote self-directed CIH interventions when addressing the unique needs of this medically complex population. Successful recruitment and enrollment of veterans with chronic pain and PTSD, and their partners, to remote CIH programs and research studies requires future examination of demographic and symptom-associated access barriers. Accommodating the unique needs of this medically complex population is essential for improving the effectiveness of CIH programs. Disseminating lessons learned and improving access to remotely delivered research studies and CIH programs is paramount in the post-COVID-19 climate.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03593772; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03593772.

Health Care Disparities in Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy

PURPOSE

To investigate prevalence of diabetes (DM), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and areas with highest rates of undetected DR. To quantify and map locations of disparities as they relate to poverty and minority populations.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort study from large regional health data repository (HealthLNK). Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis mapped rates of DM and DR in Chicago area ZIP Codes.

RESULTS

Of 1,086,921 adults who met the inclusion criteria, 143,790 with DM were identified. ZIP Codes with higher poverty rates were correlated with higher prevalence of DM and DR (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0.614, p < .05, 0.333, p < .05). Poverty was negatively correlated with likelihood of DR diagnosis (-0.638, p < .05). Relative risks of DM and DR were calculated in each ZIP Code and compared to actual rates. 36 high-risk ZIP Codes had both high-risk of DM and low DR detection. In high-risk ZIP Codes 85.4% of households self-identified as ethnic minority and 33.0% were below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Both percentages were significantly higher than the Chicago average of 50.5% minority and 19.9% below FPL (p < .05). 67 ideal ZIP Codes had both low risk of DM and high DR detection. In ideal ZIP Codes 32.6% of households self-identified as minority, and 10.2% were below the FPL (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

A health care disparity exists with regards to DM and DR. High-risk ZIP Codes are associated with higher poverty and higher minority population, and they are highly concentrated in just 17% of the ZIP codes in the Chicago area.

Utility of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor as a Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring Tool in Older Injury Survivors

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor (HABC-M) as a patient-reported outcome tool to measure cognitive, functional, and psychological symptoms among older adults who sustained non-neurologic injuries requiring hospital admission.

METHODS

We used data from a multicenter randomized controlled trial to evaluate the utility of the HABC-M Self-Report version in older patients recovering from traumatic injuries. A total of 143 patients without cognitive impairment were included in the analysis. Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency, and Spearman's rank correlation test was used to evaluate the relationship of the HABC-M with standard measures of cognitive, functional, and psychological outcomes.

RESULTS

The HABC-M subscales and the total scale showed satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.64 to 0.77). The HABC-M cognitive subscale did not correlate with the Mini-Mental State Examination. The HABC-M functional and psychological subscales correlated with corresponding standard reference measures (|rs| = 0.24-0.59).

CONCLUSIONS

The HABC-M Self-Report version is a practical alternative to administering multiple surveys to monitor functional and psychological sequelae in older patients recovering from recent non-neurologic injuries. Its clinical application may facilitate personalized, multidisciplinary care coordination among older trauma survivors without cognitive impairment.

Venous Thromboembolism Chemoprophylaxis Adherence Rates After Major Cancer Surgery

Importance

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents a major source of preventable morbidity and mortality and is a leading cause of death in the US after cancer surgery. Previous research demonstrated variability in VTE chemoprophylaxis prescribing, although it is unknown how these rates compare with performance in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Objective

To determine VTE rates after cancer surgery, as well as rates of inpatient and outpatient (posthospital discharge) chemoprophylaxis adherence within the VHA.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study within 101 hospitals of the VHA health system included patients aged 41 years or older without preexisting bleeding disorders or anticoagulation usage who underwent surgical treatment for cancer with general surgery, thoracic surgery, or urology between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022. The VHA Corporate Data Warehouse, Pharmacy Benefits Management database, and the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program database were used to identify eligible patients. Data analysis was conducted between January 2022 and July 2023.

Exposures

Inpatient surgery for cancer with general surgery, thoracic surgery, or urology.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Rates of postoperative VTE events within 30 days of surgery and VTE chemoprophylaxis adherence were determined. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to determine incidence-rate ratios of inpatient and postdischarge chemoprophylaxis adherence by surgical specialty.

Results

Overall, 30 039 veterans (median [IQR] age, 67 [62-71] years; 29 386 men [97.8%]; 7771 African American or Black patients [25.9%]) who underwent surgery for cancer and were at highest risk for VTE were included. The overall postoperative VTE rate was 1.3% (385 patients) with 199 patients (0.7%) receiving a diagnosis during inpatient hospitalization and 186 patients (0.6%) receiving a diagnosis postdischarge. Inpatient chemoprophylaxis was ordered for 24 139 patients (80.4%). Inpatient chemoprophylaxis ordering rates were highest for patients who underwent procedures with general surgery (10 102 of 10 301 patients [98.1%]) and lowest for patients who underwent procedures with urology (11 471 of 17 089 patients [67.1%]). Overall, 3142 patients (10.5%) received postdischarge chemoprophylaxis, with notable variation by specialty.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings indicate the overall VTE rate after cancer surgery within the VHA is low, VHA inpatient chemoprophylaxis rates are high, and postdischarge VTE chemoprophylaxis prescribing is similar to that of non-VHA health systems. Specialty and procedure variation exists for chemoprophylaxis and may be justified given the low risks of overall and postdischarge VTE.

Empower Veterans Program (EVP): a chronic pain management program demonstrates positive outcomes among veterans

BACKGROUND

Chronic pain is a highly prevalent health condition among veterans. Traditional pharmacological interventions present unique challenges for chronic pain management including prescription opioid addiction and overdose. In alignment with the 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and VA's Stepped Care Model to meet veterans' pain management needs, the Offices of Rural Health and Pain Management, Opioid Safety, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) funded an enterprise-wide initiative to implement a Step 3 integrated tele-pain program: Empower Veterans Program (EVP). EVP provides veterans with chronic pain self-care skills using a whole health driven approach to pain management.

OBJECTIVES

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act prompted the strategic approach to offer non-pharmacological options to meet veterans' pain management needs. EVP, a 10-week interdisciplinary group medical appointment, leverages Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindful Movement, and Whole Health to provide veterans with chronic pain self-care skills. This evaluation was conducted to describe participant characteristics, graduation, and satisfaction rates; and assess pre-post patient-reported outcomes (PRO) associated with EVP participation.

METHODS

A sample of 639 veterans enrolled in EVP between May, 2015 and December, 2017 provided data to conduct descriptive analyses to assess participant demographics, graduation, and satisfaction rates. PRO data were analyzed using a within-participants pre-post design, and linear mixed-effects models were used to examine pre-post changes in PRO.

RESULTS

Of 639 participants, 444 (69.48%) graduated EVP. Participant median program satisfaction rating was 8.41 (Interquartile Range: 8.20-9.20). Results indicate pre-post EVP improvements (Bonferroni-adjusted p < .003) in the three primary pain outcomes (intensity, interference, catastrophizing), and 12 of 17 secondary outcomes, including physical, psychological, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), acceptance, and mindfulness measures.

DISCUSSION

Data suggest that EVP has significant positive outcomes in pain, psychological, physical, HRQoL, acceptance, and mindfulness measures for veterans with chronic pain through non-pharmacological means. Future evaluations of intervention dosing effect and long-term effectiveness of the program is needed.

Disparities in access to robotic technology and perioperative outcomes among patients treated with radical prostatectomy

BACKGROUND

Most radical prostatectomies are completed with robotic assistance. While studies have previously evaluated perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP), this study investigates disparities in access and clinical outcomes of RARP.

STUDY DESIGN

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients who received radical prostatectomy for cancer between 2010 and 2017 with outcomes through 2018. RARP was compared to open radical prostatectomy (ORP). Odds of receiving RARP were evaluated while adjusting for covariates. Overall survival was evaluated using a propensity-score matched cohort.

RESULTS

Overall, 354 752 patients were included with 297 676 (83.9%) receiving RARP. Patients who were non-Hispanic Black (82.8%) or Hispanic (81.3%) had lower rates of RARP than non-Hispanic White (84.0%) or Asian patients (87.7%, p < 0.001). Medicaid or uninsured patients were less likely to receive RARP (75.5%) compared to patients with Medicare or private insurance (84.4%, p < 0.001). Medicaid or uninsured status was associated with decreased odds of RARP in adjusted multivariable analysis (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.49-0.76). RARP was associated with decreased perioperative mortality and improved overall survival compared to ORP.

CONCLUSION

Patients who were underinsured were less likely to receive RARP. Improved access to RARP may lead to decreased disparities in perioperative outcomes for prostate cancer.

Factors Associated with Annual Vision Screening in Diabetic Adults: Analysis of the 2019 National Health Interview Survey

Purpose

To determine the association(s) between receiving an annual eye exam and various economic, social, and geographic factors assessed in the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) among adults with diabetes.

Patients and Methods

Data from adults 18 years of age and older relevant to self-reported non-gestational diabetes diagnosis and eye exam within the last 12 months were extracted from the 2019 NHIS dataset. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine associations between receiving an eye exam in the preceding 12 months and various economic, insurance-related, geographic, and social factors. Outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Among diabetic adults in the US, receiving an eye exam within the last 12 months was significantly associated with female sex (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.05-1.58), residence in the Midwestern United States (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.01-1.92), use of Veteran's Health Administration healthcare (OR 2.15; 95% CI 1.34-3.44), having a usual place to go for healthcare (OR 3.89; 95% CI 2.16-7.01), and the use of Private, Medicare Advantage, or other insurance (OR 3.66; 95% CI 2.42-5.53), use of Medicare only excluding Medicare Advantage (OR 3.18; 95% CI 1.95-5.30), dual eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid (OR 3.88; 95% CI 2.21-6.79), and use of Medicaid and other public health insurance (OR 3.04; 95% CI 1.89-4.88) compared to those without insurance. An educational attainment of less than high school (OR 0.66; 95% CI 0.48-0.92), and an educational attainment of high school or GED without any college (OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.47-0.81) reduced the odds of having an annual eye exam.

Conclusion

Economic, social, and geographic factors are associated with diabetic adults receiving an annual eye exam.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of overground robotic training versus conventional locomotor training in people with spinal cord injury

BACKGROUND

Few, if any estimates of cost-effectiveness for locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (SCI) are available. The purpose of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of locomotor training strategies following spinal cord injury (overground robotic locomotor training versus conventional locomotor training) by injury status (complete versus incomplete) using a practice-based cohort.

METHODS

A probabilistic cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted using a prospective, practice-based cohort from four participating Spinal Cord Injury Model System sites. Conventional locomotor training strategies (conventional training) were compared to overground robotic locomotor training (overground robotic training). Conventional locomotor training included treadmill-based training with body weight support, overground training, and stationary robotic systems. The outcome measures included the calculation of quality adjusted life years (QALYs) using the EQ-5D and therapy costs. We estimate cost-effectiveness using the incremental cost utility ratio and present results on the cost-effectiveness plane and on cost-effectiveness acceptability curves.

RESULTS

Participants in the prospective, practice-based cohort with complete EQ-5D data (n = 99) qualified for the analysis. Both conventional training and overground robotic training experienced an improvement in QALYs. Only people with incomplete SCI improved with conventional locomotor training, 0.045 (SD 0.28), and only people with complete SCI improved with overground robotic training, 0.097 (SD 0.20). Costs were lower for conventional training, $1758 (SD $1697) versus overground robotic training $3952 (SD $3989), and lower for those with incomplete versus complete injury. Conventional overground training was more effective and cost less than robotic therapy for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more effective and cost more than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The incremental cost utility ratio for overground robotic training for people with complete spinal cord injury was $12,353/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

The most cost-effective locomotor training strategy for people with SCI differed based on injury completeness. Conventional training was more cost-effective than overground robotic training for people with incomplete SCI. Overground robotic training was more cost-effective than conventional training for people with complete SCI. The effect estimates may be subject to limitations associated with small sample sizes and practice-based evidence methodology. These estimates provide a baseline for future research.

Social Determinants of Health in Community-Dwelling Dementia Patients Aged 65 and Over: Analysis of the 2019 National Health Interview Survey

Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias affect 3.4 million community-dwelling adults in the United States. Given the burden of disease, a greater understanding of modifiable risk factors is crucial for targeted public health strategies. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are modifiable risk factors categorized in five domains: economic status, education, healthcare access, environment, and community context. Although individual SDOH have been linked to dementia, limited research exists on the interaction of SDOH with dementia across multiple domains. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between SDOH across all five domains and dementia among community-dwelling adults in the United States. A cross-sectional study was performed on community-dwelling adults aged ≥65 years from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Respondents (N = 9,277), of whom 303 (4%) self-reported positive dementia diagnosis, were predominantly female (55%), white (76%), and non-Hispanic (91%). Residing in a non-metropolitan area, having a usual place for healthcare, and receiving annual eye or dental exams were negatively associated with dementia. Minority compared to white status was not significantly associated with dementia, suggesting underdiagnosis of dementia within minority groups in the NHIS. We present the first comprehensive national view of SDOH among community-dwelling dementia patients in the United States.

Gender differences in paediatric hospital chief executive officer compensation

Though there is a well-established gender pay gap in medicine, studies on compensation disparities between women and men chief executive officers (CEO) showed mixed results. We conducted a cross-sectional study of children's hospitals in the USA to evaluate whether CEO gender was associated with compensation differences. Nine out of 31 children's hospitals employed a female CEO. There was no significant difference between men and women CEOs in terms of hospital characteristics (location, size or ranking in US News and World report) or CEO characteristics (advanced degrees, tenure or compensation). Gender was not associated with significant differences in CEO compensation.

Primary care virtual resource use prior and post COVID-19 pandemic onset

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a catalyst for rapid uptake of virtual care through the use of virtual health resources (VHR). In the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System, virtual care has been critical to maintaining healthcare access for patients during COVID-19. In the current study we describe primary care patient aligned care team (PACT) VHR use patterns within one VA medical center (i.e., hospital facility and five community-based outpatient clinics) pre- and post-COVID-19 onset.

Methods

VHR provider and patient use data from 106 individual PACTs were extracted monthly between September 2019 to September 2020. Data were extracted from VHA web-based project application and tracking databases. Using longitudinal data, mixed effect models were used to compare pre- and post-COVID onset slopes.

Results

Findings highlight an increase in patient users of secure messaging (SM) and telehealth. The rate of utilization among these patients increased for SM but not for telehealth visits or online prescription refill (RxRefill) use. Finally, VetLink Kiosk check ins that are done at in person visits, diminished abruptly after COVID-19 onset.

Conclusions

These data provide a baseline of VHR use at the PACT level after the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and can inform healthcare delivery changes within the VA systems over time. Moreover, this project produced a data extraction blueprint, that is the first of its kind to track VA VHR use leveraging secondary data sources.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-08790-w.

Effect of Medication Optimization vs Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Among US Veterans With Chronic Low Back Pain Receiving Long-term Opioid Therapy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

IMPORTANCE

Medication management and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are commonly used treatments for chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, little evidence is available comparing the effectiveness of these approaches.

OBJECTIVE

To compare collaborative care medication optimization vs CBT on pain intensity, interference, and other pain-related outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

The Care Management for the Effective Use of Opioids (CAMEO) trial was a 12-month, comparative effectiveness randomized clinical trial with blinded outcome assessment. Recruitment of veterans with CLBP prescribed long-term opioids occurred at 7 Veterans Affairs primary care clinics from September 1, 2011, to December 31, 2014, and follow-up was completed December 31, 2015. Analyses were based on intention to treat in all randomized participants and were performed from March 22, 2015, to November 1, 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive either collaborative care with nurse care manager-delivered medication optimization (MED group) (n = 131) or psychologist-delivered CBT (CBT group) (n = 130) for 6 months, with check-in visits at 9 months and final outcome assessment at 12 months.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was change in Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) total score, a composite of the pain intensity and interference subscales at 6 (treatment completion) and 12 (follow-up completion) months. Scores on the BPI range from 0 to 10, with higher scores representing greater pain impact and a 30% improvement considered a clinically meaningful treatment response. Secondary outcomes included pain-related disability, pain catastrophizing, self-reported substance misuse, health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety.

RESULTS

A total of 261 patients (241 [92.3%] men; mean [SD] age, 57.9 [9.5] years) were randomized and included in the analysis. Baseline mean (SD) BPI scores in the MED and CBT groups were 6.45 (1.79) and 6.49 (1.67), respectively. Improvements in BPI scores were significantly greater in the MED group at 12 months (between-group difference, -0.54 [95% CI, -1.18 to -0.31]; P = .04) but not at 6 months (between-group difference, -0.46 [95% CI, -0.94 to 0.11]; P = .07). Secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this randomized clinical trial among US veterans with CLBP who were prescribed long-term opioid therapy, collaborative care medication optimization was modestly more effective than CBT in reducing pain impact during the 12-month study. However, this difference may not be clinically meaningful or generalize to nonveteran populations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01236521.

Randomized Trial Evaluating Health System Expenditures with Transitional Care Services for Adults with No Usual Source of Care at Discharge

BACKGROUND

Multidisciplinary transitional care services reduce readmissions for high-risk patients, but it is unclear if health system costs to offer these intensive services are offset by avoidance of higher downstream expenditures.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate net costs for a health system offering transitional care services DESIGN: One-year pragmatic, randomized trial PARTICIPANTS: Adults aged ≥ 18 without a usual source of follow-up care at the time of hospital discharge were enrolled through a high-volume, urban academic medical center in Chicago, IL, USA, from September 2015 through February 2016.

INTERVENTIONS

Eligible patients were silently randomized before discharge by an automated electronic health record algorithm allocating them in a 1:3 ratio to receive routine coordination of post-discharge care (RC) versus being offered intensive, multidisciplinary transitional care (TC) services.

MAIN MEASUREMENTS

Health system costs were collected from facility administrative systems and transformed to standardized costs using Medicare reference files. Multivariable generalized linear models estimated proportional differences in net costs over one year.

KEY RESULTS

Study patients (489 TC; 164 RC) had a mean age of 44 years; 34% were uninsured, 55% had public insurance, and 49% self-identified as Black or Latinx. Over 90 days, cost differences between groups were not statistically significant. Over 180 days, the TC group had 41% lower ED/observation costs (adjusted cost ratio [aCR], 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.97), 50% lower inpatient costs (aCR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.27-0.95), and 41% lower total healthcare costs (aCR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.99) than the RC group. Over 365 days, total cost differences remained of similar magnitude but no longer were statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Offering TC services for vulnerable adults at discharge reduced net health system expenditures over 180 days. The promising economic case for multidisciplinary transitional care interventions warrants further research.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

National Clinical Trials Registry (NCT03066492).

Correlates of Price Transparency for Healthcare Services in United States Hospitals

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate demographic and hospital characteristics that predict hospital price transparency in the United States.

Methods

We identified 6214 hospitals and extracted characteristics of each using the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, as well as cash prices for a representative selection of commonly performed procedures and visits from the Turquoise Health dataset. Descriptive statistics were used to determine compliance rates and price variation, and a Poisson regression model was used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for predictors of price transparency.

Results

Price transparency compliance ranged from 13% to 49% of hospitals, and across-center ratios ranged from 244.8 to 4789.0. Number of hospital beds was marginally associated with price transparency for more services (IRR: 1.01 [95% CI: 1.01-1.02]); in contrast, location in the Southern (IRR: 0.91 [95% CI: 0.87-0.96]) or Western (IRR: 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90-0.99]) regions of the US was associated with transparency for fewer services.

Conclusion

Smaller hospitals as well as those located in the South and West regions were less likely to be compliant with the CMS mandate for price transparency for hospital standard charges. Additionally, the poor usability of price transparency directories on hospital websites limits information access and undermines transparency efforts.

The Pain Outcomes Comparing Yoga vs. Structured Exercise (POYSE) Trial in Veterans With Fibromyalgia: Study Design and Methods

Background

Fibromyalgia is a common pain condition that often leads to significant disability. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of most medications for fibromyalgia is limited, and there is a need for alternative, non-pharmacological therapies. Yoga and aerobic exercise are both evidence-based non-pharmacological treatments for fibromyalgia. However, no prior studies have directly compared the effectiveness of yoga vs. exercise.

Objective

This article describes the study design and recruitment outcomes of the Pain Outcomes comparing Yoga vs. Structured Exercise (POYSE) Trial, a two-arm randomized comparative effectiveness trial.

Methods

Veterans with fibromyalgia, defined by the 2010 American College of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria, who also experienced at least moderate pain severity were enrolled. The participants were randomized to a 12-week yoga-based or a structured exercise program (SEP) and will undergo comprehensive outcome assessments at baseline, 1, 3, 6, and 9 months by interviewers blinded to treatment assignment. The primary outcome will be the overall severity of fibromyalgia as measured by the total Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire-Revised. Secondary outcomes included depression, anxiety, health-related quality of life, pain beliefs, fatigue, sleep, and self-efficacy.

Results

A total of 2,671 recruitment letters were sent to potential participants with fibromyalgia. Of the potential participants, 623 (23.3%) were able to be contacted by telephone and had their eligibility assessed. Three hundred seventy-one of those interviewed were found to be eligible (59.6%) and 256 (69.0%) agreed to participate and were randomized to the YOGA (n = 129) or the SEP (n = 127) arm of the trial.

Conclusions

Clinicians are faced with numerous challenges in treating patients with fibromyalgia. The interventions being tested in the POYSE trial have the potential to provide primary care and other care settings with new treatment options for clinicians while simultaneously providing a much needed relief for patients suffering from fibromyalgia.

Trial Registration

Funded by VA Rehabilitation Research and Development (D1100-R); Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01797263.

Effect of the Affordable Care Act on healthcare utilization for Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders

Context/Objective: Provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) potentially increase insurance options for Veterans with disabilities. We examined Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) to assess whether the ACA was associated with changes in healthcare utilization from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare facilities.Design: Using national VA data, we investigated impacts on VA healthcare utilization pre- (2012/13) and post-ACA (2014/15) implementation with negative binomial regression models.Setting: VA healthcare facilities.Participants: 8,591 VA users with SCI/D. Veterans with acute myelitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis were excluded as were patients who died during the study period.Interventions: We assessed VA healthcare utilization before and after ACA implementation.Outcome Measures: Total numbers of VA visits for SCI/D care, diagnostic care, primary care, specialty care, and mental health care, and VA admissions.Results: The number of VA admissions was 7% higher in the post than pre-ACA implementation period (P < 0.01). The number of VA visits post-implementation increased for SCI/D care (8%; P < 0.01) and specialty care (12%; P < 0.001). Conversely, the number of mental health visits was 17% lower in the post-ACA period (P < 0.001). Veterans with SCI/D who live <5 miles from their nearest VA facility received VA care more frequently than those ≥40 miles from VA (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Counter to expectations, results suggest that Veterans with SCI/D sought more frequent VA care after ACA implementation, indicating Veterans with SCI/D continue to utilize the lifelong, comprehensive care provided at VA.

Beyond Ten-Year Risk: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Statins for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease

Cholesterol guidelines typically prioritize primary prevention statin therapy on the basis of 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. The advent of generic pricing may justify expansion of statin eligibility. Moreover, 10-year risk may not be the optimal approach for statin prioritization. We estimated the cost-effectiveness of expanding preventive statin eligibility and evaluated novel approaches to prioritization from a Scottish health sector perspective.

Predictors of Price Transparency for Cataract Surgery and Laser Posterior Capsulotomy at Academic Hospitals in the United States

PURPOSE

To describe the characteristics of United States (US) academic hospitals that predict transparency of cash and commercial payer-negotiated prices for cataract surgery (CS) and laser posterior capsulotomy (LPC).

METHODS

A systematic review of websites for hospitals affiliated with ophthalmology residency programs was conducted to determine price transparency. Hospital characteristics were extracted from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey and Turquoise Health. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression analyses were used to compare hospitals based on price transparency for CS and LPC.

RESULTS

There were no differences in price transparency for CS and LPC based on net income, urban-rural classification, region, hospital beds, or surgical operations. Having more full-time personnel was associated with cash price transparency. No differences were identified between hospitals based on payer-negotiated price transparency.

CONCLUSIONS

Academic hospitals for ophthalmology with more full-time personnel had greater cash price transparency for CS and LPC. However, price transparency did not vary for other characteristics.

Preliminary Evidence on the Association of Complementary and Integrative Health Care Program Participation and Medical Cost in Veterans

INTRODUCTION

Transforming Health and Resilience through Integration of Values-based Experiences (THRIVE) is a complimentary and integrative health program. THRIVE is delivered through shared medical appointments where participants engage in provider-led education and group discussion on wellness-related topics. THRIVE has been associated with improved patient-reported outcomes in a female veteran cohort. This quality improvement study evaluated the association between THRIVE participation and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) healthcare costs across a 1 year period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cohort study design (n = 184) used VHA administrative data to estimate the cost difference between 1 year pre- and post-THRIVE participation. The 1 year post-cost of the THRIVE cohort was then compared to the 1 year cost of a quasi-experimental waitlist control group (n = 156). Data sources included VHA administrative and electronic health records.

RESULTS

Patients were roughly 51 years old, were typically White/Caucasian, and had a service priority level representing catastrophic disability. The adjusted post-THRIVE cost was $26,291 [95% confidence interval (CI): $23,014-29,015]; $1,720 higher than the previous year's cost but was not statistically significant (P = 0.289). However, a comparison between the THRIVE cohort and a group of waitlist THRIVE patients (n = 156) the intervention group on average was $8,108 more than the waitlist group (95% CI: $3,194-14,005; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, data analysis of veterans' annual healthcare cost trajectories were inconclusive. This preliminary study produced mixed results requiring more research with larger samples and randomized control trial methodology. Evidence of whether the THRIVE intervention can maintain cost effectiveness while maintaining its supported evidence of healthcare quality is needed.

Health Insurance Coverage Among Veterans Receiving Care From VA Health Care Facilities

Reasons for acquiring insurance outside Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care coverage among VA enrollees are incompletely understood. To assess Veterans' decision-making and acquisition of non-VA health care insurance in the Affordable Care Act era, we used mailed questionnaires and semistructured interviews in a stratified random sample of VA enrollees <65 years in the Midwest. Of the 3,666 survey participants, 32.1% reported non-VA insurance. Frequently reported reasons included wanting coverage for emergency situations or family members. Those without non-VA insurance cited unaffordability as the main obstacle. Analysis of the semistructured interview data revealed similar findings. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, characteristics associated with non-VA insurance included higher income (>$50,000 vs. <$10,000, odds ratio [OR] = 5.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.45-10.3, p < .001). As financial barriers exist for acquisition of non-VA insurance and hence community care, it is critically important that VA enrollees' health care needs are met through VA or community providers financed through VA.

THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN COMPLEX CATARACT SURGERY AND SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN FLORIDA

PURPOSE

To analyze differences between rates of complex and routine cataract surgery based on demographics and social determinants of health (SDOH) at the community level.

METHODS

Data from adults ages 18 to 84 relevant to cataract surgery billing codes were extracted from the 2017 Florida Ambulatory Surgery dataset from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality merged with SDOH measures from the American Community Survey. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to determine associations between complex cataract surgery and SDOH according to patient ZIP code. Outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS

A total of 171,754 and 11,340 patients received routine and complex cataract surgeries, respectively; females received the majority of routine surgeries (58.87%); most common age group (79.11%) was from 65 to 84 years. Male (odds ratio [OR] 2.034; p < 0.0001) and black patients (OR 1.998; p < 0.0001) more likely received complex surgery. Compared to Medicare patients, patients insured with Medicaid (OR 2.058; p < 0.0001), private insurance (OR 1.057; p = 0.0182), or self-pay (OR 1.570; p < 0.0001) were more likely to receive a complex surgery. ZIP codes with higher adult poverty (OR 2.614; p < 0.001) were more likely complex surgery patients, whereas those with higher rates of high school attendance (OR 0.487; p = 0.0193) and home occupancy (OR 0.704; p = 0.0047) were less likely to be complex.

CONCLUSIONS

Selected patient- and community-level factors including being male, Black, Asian, Hispanic, non-Medicare, or within lower education, higher poverty ZIP codes were associated with a higher likelihood of receiving complex cataract surgery.

Health Care Utilization Among Homeless Veterans in Chicago

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the single largest health care system in the United States, provides comprehensive medical and behavioral health services to more than 9 million Veterans. The size and scope of the VA's system of care allow health care providers, policymakers, and community stakeholders to conduct detailed analyses of health care utilization among Veterans; however, these analyses do not include health care encounters that occur outside VA. Although many Veterans obtain care in non-VA settings, understanding health care utilization among vulnerable populations of Veterans, including those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, is needed to identify potential opportunities to enhance access and reduce fragmentation of care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

VA administrative data were merged with data from the Chicago HealthLNK Data Repository to identify Veterans eligible for VA services who were homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, in the greater Chicago metropolitan area for the years 2010-2012.

RESULTS

During the 3-year study period, about 208,554 Veterans were registered for care at two VA medical centers located in the City of Chicago and an adjacent suburb. Of those, 13,948 were identified as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Results suggest that 17% (n = 2,309) of Veterans in this sample received some or all of their care in the community. Much of the care these Veterans received was for chronic health conditions, substance use, and mental health disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

Veterans eligible for VA servicers who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, frequently sought care in the community for a variety of chronic health conditions. Health information exchanges and partner-based registries may represent an important tool for identifying vulnerable Veteran populations while reducing duplication of care.

Determining the feasibility of an index of the social determinants of health using data from public sources

Examining the feasibility of developing an index measure for the social determinants of health using public data is needed. We examined these characteristics at the ZIP code in California and New York using public data extracted from the US Census, American Community Survey, the USDA Food Research Access Atlas, and the Dartmouth Atlas. We conducted a retrospective study from 2000 to 2017. The main outcome was a novel index measure representing six domains (economic stability, neighborhood and physical environment, education, community and social context, food access, and health care) and encompassing 13 items. The index measure at the ZIP code was created using principal component analysis, normalized to "0" worse and "1" better in California (ZIP codes n = 1,447 to 1,515) and New York (ZIP codes n = 1,211 to 1,298). We assessed the reliability and conducted a nonparametric comparison to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation County Health Rankings, Area Deprivation Index, Social Deprivation Index, and GINI Index. These measures shared similarities and differences with the novel measure. Mapping of this novel measure showed regional variation. As a result, developing a universal social determinants of health measure is feasible and more research is needed to link it to health outcomes.

Incidence of Cutaneous Melanoma of Eyelid Analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database

Purpose

The aim of this work was to report the annual incidence, incidence trend, histological types, and cause-specific survival of cutaneous melanoma of the eyelid from 1975 through to 2017.

Methods

Cases were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database using the ICD-0-3 standard codes for diagnosis and anatomic location. Cutaneous melanomas of the face and scalp/neck were studied as comparison groups. Incidence rates were calculated using the SEER*Stat statistical analysis software with 95% confidence intervals. Melanoma-specific survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier product-limited method.

Results

There was an increase in annual incidence of eyelid melanoma over the 43-year study period, ranging from a low of 0.2 × 10⁶ population in 1978 (95% CI 0.04-0.6) to a high of 1.0 × 10⁶ population in 2016 (95% CI 2.3-3.5). The average annual percent change was 1.2% (95% CI 0.5-1.8). Cause-specific survival of melanoma of the eyelid and facial skin were almost identical (approx. 91.7%) at 60 months but significantly worse for melanoma of the scalp/neck (p < 0.05%).

Conclusions

Cutaneous melanoma of the eyelid is uncommon compared to melanoma of facial skin and the scalp/neck. This can be explained in part by the comparatively small surface area at risk. Like melanomas elsewhere, the annual incidence of eyelid melanoma has risen over the last 4 decades, but less than of facial skin and the scalp/neck. Over the span of this study, cause-specific survival from eyelid melanoma was comparable to that of facial skin and better than that of the scalp/neck.

The impact of Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations (GEDI) on health services use, health related quality of life, and costs: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Older adults (age 65 and older) use the emergency department (ED) at a rate of nearly 50 ED visits per 100 older adults, accounting for over 23 million ED visits in the US annually, up to 20% of all ED visits. These ED visits are sentinel health events as discharged patients often return to the ED, experience declines in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability, or are later hospitalized. Those who are admitted incur increased costs and greater risk for poor outcomes including infections, delirium, and falls. The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the efficacy of the Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations (GEDI) program, an ED nurse-led geriatric assessment and care coordination program, in decreasing unnecessary health services use and improving Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQoL) for older adults in the ED.

METHODS

Community dwelling older adults aged 65 and older who are vulnerable or frail according to the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) during an ED visit will be randomized to either GEDI (n = 420) or to usual ED care (n = 420). Outcome variables will be assessed during the ED visit and at 7-11 days and 28-32 days post ED visit.

PROJECTED OUTCOMES

The primary outcome is hospitalization or death within 30 days of the ED visit. Secondary outcomes include health service use outcomes (ED visits and hospitalizations), healthcare costs, and HRQoL outcomes [Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores: PROMIS-Preference, Physical Function, Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities, Anxiety, and Depression].

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.Gov identifier NCT04115371.

Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease

PURPOSE

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with high acute healthcare utilization. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in SCD.

METHODS

Individuals with SCD (≤65 years and enrolled in Medicaid for ≥6 total calendar months any year between 2011 and 2016) were identified in a multisource database maintained by the California Sickle Cell Data Collection Program. We describe trends and changes in Medicaid enrollment, hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions before (2011-2013) and after (2014-2016) Medicaid expansion in California.

RESULTS

The cohort included 3635 individuals. Enrollment was highest in 2014 and lowest in 2016 with a 2.8% annual decease postexpansion. Although <20% of the cohort had a hydroxyurea prescription filled, the percentage increased by 5.2% annually after 2014. The ED visit rate was highest in 2014 and decreased slightly in 2016, decreasing by 1.1% annually postexpansion. Hospital admission rates were similar during the pre- and postexpansion periods. Young adults and adults had higher ED and hospital admission rates than children and adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid expansion does not appear to have improved enrollment or acute healthcare utilization among individuals with SCD in California. Future studies should explore whether individuals with SCD transitioned to other insurance plans or became uninsured postexpansion, the underlying reasons for low hydroxyurea utilization, and the lack of effect on hospital admissions despite a modest effect on ED visits.

Association of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations' social determinants of health and Medicare hospitalisations for ischaemic strokes: a cross-sectional data analysis

Objective

Social determinants of health (SDH) have previously demonstrated to be important risk factors in determining health outcomes. To document whether the SDH are associated with hospitalisations for ischaemic stroke.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examines data from fiscal year 2015. Patients from the national Medicare 100% Inpatient Limited Dataset were linked with SDH measures from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) County Health Rankings. Medicare patients were included in the study group if they had either an admitting or primary diagnosis of ischaemic stroke. Counties without RWJF data were excluded from the study. Ischaemic strokes were compared with all other hospitalisations associated with characteristics of the SDH measures and benchmarked to above or below their respective national median. Estimates were performed with nested logistic regression.

Results

Approximately 256 766 Medicare patients had ischaemic stroke hospitalisations compared with all other Medicare patients (n=6 386 180) without ischaemic stroke hospitalisations while 30 853 patients were excluded due to residence in US territories. Significant factors included air pollution exceeding the national median (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.07), per cent of children in single parent households exceeding the national median, (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03), violent crime rates exceeding the national median, (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03) and per cent smoking exceeding the national median, (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03).

Conclusions

When cross-sectional SDH are benchmarked to national median for ischaemic stroke hospitalisations and compared with all-cause hospitalisations, the effects remain significant. Further research on the longitudinal effects of the SDH and cardiovascular health, particularly disease-specific outcomes, is needed.

Association of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundations' Social Determinants of Health and Medicare Ocular Hospitalizations: A Cross Sectional Data Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Social determinants of health (SDH) may influence inpatient utilization rates and outcomes but have yet to be associated with ocular diagnoses. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether the SDH are associated with ocular hospitalizations.

METHODS

Patients from the national Medicare 100% Inpatient Limited Dataset were examined and linked to SDH measures from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) County Health Rankings. Patients were included in the study group with either an admitting or primary diagnosis of an ophthalmic condition. All other hospitalized Medicare patients served in the comparison group. Nested logistic regression of these Medicare patients was conducted in their respective communities at the county level. SDH measures were benchmarked above or below the national median.

RESULTS

Positively associated SDH factors included communities with air pollution exceeding 11.62 micro grams per cubic meter (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.08), communities where severe housing problems exceeding 14.38% (OR 1.13; 95% CI 1.09-1.18), children in single parent households exceeding 32.13% (OR 1.06; 95% CI 1.02-1.11), violent crime rate exceeding 250.54 per 100,000 (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.03-1.12), diabetes exceeding 10.95% (OR 1.09: 95% CI 1.04-1.14), and drug poisoning deaths including opioids exceeding 14.17 per 100,000 (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.08).

CONCLUSION

When compared to an all-condition, hospitalized population, ocular hospitalizations tended to have small, yet statistically significant associations with health behaviors, socioeconomic, and physical environment factors. Further research will be needed on how the physical environment, social, and community variables affect ocular health relative to all-cause hospitalizations.

The use of proactive risk management to reduce emergency service vehicle crashes among firefighters

INTRODUCTION

Emergency service vehicle crashes (ESVCs), including rollovers and collisions with other vehicles and fixed objects, are a leading cause of death among U.S. firefighters. Risk management (RM) is a proactive intervention to identifying and mitigating occupational risks and hazards. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of RM in reducing ESVCs.

METHODS

Three fire departments (A, B and C), representing urban and suburban geographies, and serving medium to large populations, participated in facilitated RM programs to reduce their ESVCs. Interventions were chosen by each department to address their department-specific circumstances and highest risks. Monthly crash rates per 10,000 calls were calculated for each department an average of 28 months before and 23 months after the start of the RM programs. Interrupted time series analysis was used to assess the effect of the RM programs on monthly crash rates. Poisson regression was used to estimate the number of crashes avoided. Economic data from Department A were analyzed to estimate cost savings.

RESULTS

Department A had a 15.4% (P = 0.30) reduction in the overall monthly crash rate immediately post-RM and a 1% (P = 0.18) decline per month thereafter. The estimated two-year average cost savings due to 167 crashes avoided was $253,100 (95%CI= $192,355 - $313,885). Department B had a 9.7% (P = 0.70) increase in the overall monthly crash rate immediately post-RM and showed no significant changes in their monthly crash rate. Department C had a 28.4% (P = 0.001) reduction in overall monthly crash rate immediately post-RM and a 1.2% (P = 0.09) increase per month thereafter, with an estimated 122 crashes avoided.

CONCLUSIONS

RM programs have the potential to reduce ESVCs in the fire service and their associated costs; results may vary based on the interventions chosen and how they are implemented. Practical applications: Risk management may be an effective and broadly implemented intervention to reduce ESVCs in the US fire service.

Reduced Hospitalizations, Emergency Room Visits, and Costs Associated with a Web-Based Health Literacy, Aligned-Incentive Intervention: Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

The association between health literacy and health care costs, particularly for hospitalizations and emergency room services, has been previously observed. Health information interventions aimed at addressing the negative impacts of inadequate health literacy are needed. The MedEncentive Mutual Accountability and Information Therapy (MAIT) Program is a Web-based system designed to improve health and lower costs by aligning patient-doctor incentives.

OBJECTIVE

In this mixed methods study of a Web-based patient-doctor aligned-incentive, information therapy program conducted in an 1800-member employee health plan, we aimed to (1) determine the program's quantitative impact on hospitalization and emergency room utilization and costs, and (2) assess survey responses about the program's perceived value.

METHODS

We used a mixed methods, single within-group, pre-post, descriptive study design. We analyzed quantitative data using pre-post mean utilization and cost differences and summarized the data using descriptive statistics. We used open-ended electronic survey items to collect descriptive data and analyzed them using thematic content analysis.

RESULTS

Hospitalizations and emergency room visits per 1000 decreased 32% (26.5/82.4) and 14% (31.3/219.9), respectively, after we implemented the program in 2015-2017, relative to 2013-2014. Correspondingly, the plan's annual per capita expenditures declined US $675 (95% CI US $470-865), or 10.8% ($675/$6260), after program implementation in 2015-2017 (US $5585 in 2013-2014 dollars), relative to the baseline years of 2013-2014 (US $6260; P<.05). Qualitative findings suggested that respondents valued the program, benefiting from its educational and motivational aspects to better self-manage their health.

CONCLUSIONS

Analyses suggested that the reported reductions in hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and costs were associated with the program. Qualitative findings indicated that targeted users perceived value in participating in the MAIT Program. Further research with controls is needed to confirm these outcomes and more completely understand the health improvement and cost-containment capabilities of this Web-based health information, patient-doctor, aligned-incentive program.

Is the Cost-Effectiveness of Stroke Thrombolysis Affected by Proportion of Stroke Mimics?

Background and Purpose- Differentiating ischemic stroke patients from stroke mimics (SM), nonvascular conditions which simulate stroke, can be challenging in the acute setting. We sought to model the cost-effectiveness of treating suspected acute ischemic stroke patients before a definitive diagnosis could be made. We hypothesized that we would identify threshold proportions of SM among suspected stroke patients arriving to an emergency department above which administration of intravenous thrombolysis was no longer cost-effective. Methods- We constructed a decision-analytic model to examine various emergency department thrombolytic treatment scenarios. The main variables were proportion of SM to true stroke patients, time from symptom onset to treatment, and complication rates. Costs, reimbursement rates, and expected clinical outcomes of ischemic stroke and SM patients were estimated from published data. We report the 90-day incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of administering intravenous thrombolysis compared with no acute treatment from a healthcare sector perspective, as well as the cost-reimbursement ratio from a hospital-level perspective. Cost-effectiveness was defined as a willingness to pay <$100 000 USD per quality adjusted life year gained and high cost-reimbursement ratio was defined as >1.5. Results- There was an increase in incremental cost-effectiveness ratios as the proportion of SM cases increased in the 3-hour time window. The threshold proportion of SM above which the decision to administer thrombolysis was no longer cost-effective was 30%. The threshold proportion of SM above which the decision to administer thrombolysis resulted in high cost-reimbursement ratio was 75%. Results were similar for patients arriving within 0 to 90 minutes of symptom onset as compared with 91 to 180 minutes but were significantly affected by cost of alteplase in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions- We identified thresholds of SM above which thrombolysis was no longer cost-effective from 2 analytic perspectives. Hospitals should monitor SM rates and establish performance metrics to prevent rising acute stroke care costs and avoid potential patient harms.

Challenges to electronic clinical quality measurement using third-party platforms in primary care practices: the healthy hearts in the heartland experience

Third-party platforms have emerged to support small primary care practices for calculating and reporting electronic clinical quality measures (eCQM) for federal programs like The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). Yet little is known about the capabilities and limitations of electronic health record systems (EHRs) to enable data access for these programs. We connected 116 small- to medium-sized practices with seven different EHRs to popHealth, an open-source eCQM platform. We identified the prevalence of following problems with eCQM data for data extraction in seven different EHRs: (1) Lack of coded data in five of seven; (2) Incorrectly categorized data in four of seven; (3) Isosemantic data (data within the incorrect context) in four of seven; (4) Coding that could not be directly evaluated in six of seven; (5) Errors in date assignment and labeled as historical values in five of seven; and (6) Inadequate data to assign the correct code in two of seven. We recommend specific enhancements to EHR systems that can promote effective eCQM implementation and reporting to MACRA and MIPS.

Community Health and Employee Work Performance in the American Manufacturing Environment

Although better community health has long been assumed to be good for local businesses, evidence demonstrating the relationship between community health and employee performance is quite limited. Drawing on human resources data on 6103 employees from four large US manufacturing plants, we found that employees living in counties with poor community health outcomes had considerably higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness (ABT). For example, in one company, employees living in communities with high rates of children on free or reduced lunch had higher rates of ABT compared to other employees [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.52-3.04], and employees living in communities with high rates of drug overdose deaths had higher rates of ABT (OR 1.51, 95% CI 1.29-1.77). In one plant, the annual value of lost wages due to ABT was over $1.3 million per year. Employees reported that poor community health (e.g., poverty, caregiving burdens, family dysfunction, drug use) resulted in "mental stress" leading to distraction, poor job performance, and more rarely, lapses in safety. These findings bolster the case for greater private sector investment in community health.

Driving behaviors associated with emergency service vehicle crashes in the U.S. fire service

OBJECTIVE

Emergency service vehicle incidents are a leading cause of firefighter fatalities and are also hazardous to civilian road users. Modifiable driving behaviors may be associated with emergency service vehicle incidents. The goal of this study was to use telematics to identify driving behaviors associated with crashes in the fire service.

METHODS

Forty-three emergency service vehicles in 2 fire departments were equipped with telematics devices (12 in Department A and 31 in Department B). The devices collected vehicle coordinates, speed, and g forces, which were monitored for exceptions to driving rules established by the fire departments regarding speeding, harsh braking, and hard cornering. Fire department administrative reports were used to identify vehicles involved in crashes and merged with daily telematics data. Penalized logistic regression was used to identify driving rules associated with crashes. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to generate a telematics-based risk index for emergency service vehicle incidents.

RESULTS

Nearly 1.1 million km of driving data and 44 crashes were recorded among the 2 departments during the study. Harsh braking was associated with increased odds of crash in Department A (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-4.51) and Department B (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.12-2.15). For every kilometer of nonemergency speeding, the odds of crash increased by 35% in Department A (OR = 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03-1.77) and by over 2-fold in Department B (OR = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.19-3.66). In Department B, hard cornering (OR = 1.14; 95% CI, 1.03-1.26) and emergency speeding (OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.06-2.57) were also associated with increased odds of crash. The final LASSO risk index model had a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 57%.

CONCLUSIONS

Harsh braking and excessive speeding were driving behaviors most associated with crash in the fire service. Telematics may be a useful tool for monitoring driver safety in the fire service.

An ecological perspective on implementing environmental control units for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders

Purpose: Guided by an ecological perspective, the purpose of this study was to identify multilevel factors that influenced the implementation of environmental control units (ECUs) in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Spinal Cord Injury/Disorders (SCI/D) Centres.Materials and methods: Mixed methods including an online survey and qualitative interviews of VHA healthcare employees.Results: VHA healthcare employees participated in the online survey (n = 153, 21% participation rate) and semi-structured interview (n = 28; 54% participation rate). About 58.2% of survey respondents indicated that patients admitted to a VHA SCI/D Centre received ECU training. Interview participants reported that patients might benefit from educational materials on using ECUs. About 53.7% of survey respondents indicated that they did not receive ECU training. Interview participants emphasized that more healthcare employees needed to be trained to distribute ECU-related tasks including patient training and troubleshooting problems. The most common challenge was the coordination involved in moving patients out of rooms that were being outfitted with an ECU.Conclusions: Application of an ecological framework highlighted a range of factors at multiple levels that dynamically influence ECU implementation while accounting for the SCI/D care context. Integrating this technology with the care experiences of patients, the workflow of healthcare employees, and the structure of the organization may improve the implementation of ECUs.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONAn environmental control unit (ECU) is an assistive technology device that provides persons with a physical disability (e.g., spinal cord injuries and disorders) increased independence in a home, hospital, or rehabilitation facility setting.An ECU allows a person to access and control appliances like their hospital bed, lights, television, doors, nurse call button, telephone, and computer, thus, decreasing workload on attendants and family members while increasing independence for the user.Application of an ecological framework in this study highlighted a range of factors at multiple levels that dynamically influence ECU implementation while accounting for the SCI/D care context.Integrating this technology with the care experiences of patients, the workflow of healthcare employees, and the structure of the organization may improve the implementation of ECUs in an inpatient setting.

Effect of Electronic Health Record-Based Medication Support and Nurse-Led Medication Therapy Management on Hypertension and Medication Self-management: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

Complex medication regimens pose self-management challenges, particularly among populations with low levels of health literacy.

Objective

To test medication management tools delivered through a commercial electronic health record (EHR) with and without a nurse-led education intervention.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This 3-group cluster randomized clinical trial was performed in community health centers in Chicago, Illinois. Participants included 794 patients with hypertension who self-reported using 3 or more medications concurrently (for any purpose). Data were collected from April 30, 2012, through February 29, 2016, and analyzed by intention to treat.

Interventions

Clinics were randomly assigned to to groups: electronic health record-based medication management tools (medication review sheets at visit check-in, lay medication information sheets printed after visits; EHR-alone group), EHR-based tools plus nurse-led medication management support (EHR plus education group), or usual care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Outcomes at 12 months included systolic blood pressure (primary outcome), medication reconciliation, knowledge of drug indications, understanding of medication instructions and dosing, and self-reported medication adherence. Medication outcomes were assessed for all hypertension prescriptions, all prescriptions to treat chronic disease, and all medications.

Results

Among the 794 participants (68.6% women; mean [SD] age, 52.7 [9.6] years), systolic blood pressure at 12 months was greater in the EHR-alone group compared with the usual care group by 3.6 mm Hg (95% CI, 0.3 to 6.9 mm Hg). Systolic blood pressure in the EHR plus education group was not significantly lower compared with the usual care group (difference, -2.0 mm Hg; 95% CI, -5.2 to 1.3 mm Hg) but was lower compared with the EHR-alone group (-5.6 mm Hg; 95% CI, -8.8 to -2.4 mm Hg). At 12 months, hypertension medication reconciliation was improved in the EHR-alone group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.9) and the EHR plus education group (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 3.3) compared with usual care. Understanding of medication instructions and dosing was greater in the EHR plus education group than the usual care group for hypertension medications (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.8) and all medications combined (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.8). Compared with usual care, the EHR tools alone and EHR plus education interventions did not improve hypertension medication adherence (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.6-1.4 for both) or knowledge of chronic drug indications (OR for EHR tools alone, 1.0 [95% CI, 0.6 to 1.5] and OR for EHR plus education, 1.1 [95% CI, 0.7-1.7]).

Conclusions and Relevance

The study found that EHR tools in isolation improved medication reconciliation but worsened blood pressure. Combining these tools with nurse-led support suggested improved understanding of medication instructions and dosing but did not lower blood pressure compared with usual care.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01578577.

Interventions and controls to prevent emergency service vehicle incidents: A mixed methods review

BACKGROUND

Emergency service vehicle incidents (ESVI), including crashes, rollovers, and roadside struck-by-incidents, are a leading cause of occupational fatality and injury among firefighters and other emergency responders. Though there are numerous strategies and interventions to prevent ESVIs, the evidence base for these strategies is limited and dispersed. The goal of this study was to gather and present a review of evidence-based ESVI interventions.

METHODS

We searched five academic databases for articles published within the last decade featuring interventions to reduce or prevent ESVIs. We interviewed key informants from fire departments serving major metropolitan areas for additional interventions. Interventions from both sources were summarized and data on intervention effectiveness were reported when available.

RESULTS

Sixty-five articles were included in the final review and 17 key informant interviews were completed. Most articles focused on vehicle engineering interventions (38%), followed by policy and administration interventions (26%), environmental engineering interventions (19%) and education or training (17%). Most key informants reported policy (49%) and training interventions (29%). Enhanced drivers' training and risk management programs were associated with 19-50% and 19-58% reductions in ESVIs, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Only a limited number of interventions to address ESVIs had adequate outcome data. Based on the available data, training and risk management approaches may be particularly effective approaches to reducing ESVIs.

Ischemic Stroke Risk in Medicare Beneficiaries with Central Retinal Artery Occlusion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

To determine the incidence of ischemic cerebral stroke in the 6-month periods preceding and following acute central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) among Medicare beneficiaries.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study with comparison group conducted for calendar year 2013. Patients with CRAO were identified through National Medicare limited inpatient and institutional outpatient datasets for emergency services using ICD-9-CM code for CRAO (362.31). Patients with hip fractures (ICD-9-CM 820-820.9) during the same time period served as controls. Interval incident rates of ischemic stroke were determined from time-coded diagnoses of CRAO and hip fracture (index date zero) to date of principal discharge diagnosis of ischemic stroke (ICD-9-CM 434) recorded in the Medicare inpatient dataset. Risk of stroke was examined by comparing incidence among the two cohorts preceding and following the sentinel events.

RESULTS

There were 3338 patients with CRAOs during 2013. The incidence of ischemic stroke peaked the second week following CRAO relative to patients with hip fracture (relative incidence = 33.1 [95% confidence interval 9.8-84.6]).

CONCLUSIONS

Medicare beneficiaries who present to emergency rooms with CRAO or are hospitalized directly for this condition were at highest risk of ischemic stroke in the first 2 weeks following the ocular diagnosis. Patients with acute CRAO should be promptly evaluated for stroke and stroke prevention.