[Scope and limitations of teleconsultation during the covid-19 pandemic: accounts from primary healthcare professionals in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires]

The aim was to explore the scope and limitations of teleconsultation during the pandemic from the perspective of primary care physicians at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, a private institution located in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. A qualitative study was conducted with ten individual semi-structured interviews between January and April 2022. The three major emerging topics were the transition to virtuality, accessibility, and the new care model. Obstacles were related to the massive, forced, and unplanned implementation of teleconsultations. The main benefits included providing care during isolation-distancing and addressing epidemiological doubts. Changes were highlighted in care strategies, consultation frameworks, exchange among colleagues, referral criteria, requests for complementary studies, and in the profiles of those seeking consultations. A misuse of the system by individuals and a trivialization of the consultation moment emerged. The rise of communication and information technologies undoubtedly allowed the continuity of healthcare processes, but it does not replace in-person care, and normative guidelines are needed for its continuity.

Unscheduled Emergency Department Revisits Within 48 Hours of Discharge

This study aimed to analyze early revisits (within 48 hours of discharge) in an Emergency Department. Among the 178,295 visits, 11,686 were revisits, resulting in a rate of 6.55% (95%CI 6.43-6.67). A total of 1,410 revisits required hospitalization, and 252 were due to preventable errors (17.87%). These errors were mainly related to an inadequate therapeutic plan at discharge (47.22%), an incomplete diagnostic process (29.37%), and misdiagnoses (13.10%). These findings represent a technology-enabled clinical audit tool. Electronic Healthcare Records have the potential to: provide quality metrics of hospital performance, help to keep revisit rates updated (assessment through a real-time dashboard), and improve clinical management (by transparency initiatives about errors, and a supportive learning environment regarding lessons learned).

Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Patients Valuation of Usability of Telemedicine

The aim of this paper was to report patient valuation of usability with our telemedicine system and to explore the effect of pandemic in its behavior. We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the prospective recollection of the results of the Spanish abbreviated version of the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ), from October 2019 to July 2020. We observed an inflection point of growth of answers during the pandemic era and a trend of decrease in usability valuations coinciding with the massive and forced implementation of the system after lockdown. This effect was transitory, evidencing an improvement over time. These results might be explained with a sociotechnical approach that includes considering the learning curve and suggest the importance of a telemedicine usability tool to guide decision-making. In conclusion, tools to assess telemedicine services may identify facilitators and barriers to its use in a highly changing social and technological context.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of venous thromboembolic disease between outpatient and inpatient management

Objectives

To compare the occurrence of death, bleeding, and recurrence according to inpatient or outpatient management of venous thromboembolic disease (VTE).

Materials and methods

. Retrospective cohort that included a consecutive sampling of VTE consultations between 2016 and 2019 diagnosed in the Emergency Center of a private hospital in Argentina.

Results

There were 1202 cases, 908 with isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 205 with isolated pulmonary embolism (PE), and 89 cases of combined DVT - PE. 66% were women, with a median age of 77 years; 72% of cases were managed on an outpatient basis (n= 862). Comorbidities associated with hospitalization were obesity (p=0.03), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (p=0.01), heart failure (CHF) (p=0.01), chronic renal failure (CKD) (p=0.01), and cancer (p=0.01). At 90 days, the cumulative incidence of bleeding was 2.6% in inpatient compared to 2.9% in outpatient management (p=0.81); recurrence was 0% versus 0.9% (p=0.07), and mortality was 42.9% versus 18.9%, respectively (p=0.01). The HR for 90-day mortality in hospitalized patients adjusted for confounders (sex, age, type of VTE, obesity, CKD, CHF, COPD, and cancer) was 1.99 (95% CI 1.49-2.64; p=0.01).

Conclusions

In this elderly, and predominantly female Argentine population, the 90-day mortality in patients hospitalized for VTE was higher than mortality in patients with outpatient management, without differences in recurrence or major bleeding.

[Real-world evidence on pharmacological appropriateness in type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease]

Objective

To estimate the proportion of individuals with established Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) who are receiving pharmacological anti-diabetic treatment with evidence of cardiovascular benefit at a hospital in Argentina.

Materials and Methods

Cross-sectional study conducted at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires. A consecutive sample of adult patients affiliated with the institutional prepaid health plan active in March 2020, diagnosed with T2DM and established CVD, was included. Data were collected from the Electronic Health Record. The proportion of pharmacological adequacy (combined use of metformin plus sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors and/or glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists) was reported along with its respective 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

A total of 1539 patients were included, with a mean age of 76.2 years; 65.3% were male, and 81.6% were overweight or obese. Hemoglobin A1c levels were recorded in the past year for 74.9% of patients, with an average value of 6.9% (SD 1.2). The most prescribed drugs were metformin (61.3%), insulin (26.7%), and gliptins (11%). Out of the total included patients, 82 exhibited pharmacotherapeutic adequacy for diabetes treatment, with a prevalence of 5.3% (95% CI 4.2-6.5).

Conclusions

The prevalence of prescribing anti-diabetic drugs with evidence of cardiovascular benefit was 5.3% (95% CI 4.2-6.5). This real-world evidence highlights the low frequency of prescribing this type of medication at the time of the study in a high cardiovascular risk population.

Prevalence of the use of antidepressants in patients with venous thromboembolism

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of Antidepressant use in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Describe the patient's characteristics and which drugs are the most prescribed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study involving a consecutive sample of patients included in the Registro de Enfermedad Tromboembólica (RIET) from the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires in a period between 01/01/2014 to 01/09/2018. All patients presented symptomatic VTE and confirmed diagnosis. Drugs considered included in this study were: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Dopamine and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRI), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI) and Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA).

RESULTS

From a total of 2373 patients with VTE, 472 were active users of antidepressants, showing a prevalence of antidepressant use of 19.9% (CI 95%). The most frequently prescribed drugs by drug classification were: SSRI 83.9%, TCA 20.5%, ISRN 14.6%, and NDRI 2.5%. Patients presented a median age of 76 years, predominantly women (71.4%), with several comorbidities: 52.24% arterial hypertension, 37.29% overweight, and 34.75% history of smoking. Concerning relevant history, we observed: 29.03% active oncologic disease, 26.27% major surgery before the VTE, and 21.61% previous VTE.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of antidepressant use in patients with VTE is 19.9%, superior by far to that of the general population. Depression is a major cause of morbidity worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing over the years.

Age, Gender, Body Mass Index, and Foot Loading During Gait

Background

The aim was to analyze changes in normal functional parameters of gait analysis by aging, sex, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

A cross-sectional study with a consecutive sample of asymptomatic subjects was performed between 2014 and 2020. Primary outcomes were time and force parameters (contact time and center of force [CoF] time), in the heel, midfoot, and metatarsal areas, measured using an in-office force platform.

Results

A total of 156 subjects (312 feet) were included, including 67% of women with a mean age of 47 years. The mean of total contact time was similar in males and females (P = .695) and across BMI (P = .413). Contact time did not show differences by region (P = .648 heel, P = .286 midfoot, and P = .690 metatarsal). CoF time in the heel and metatarsal areas did not change between males and females (P = .288 and P = .879, respectively); meanwhile, it was different in midfoot (P = .002). Maximum force showed a reduction between sexes in the heel (P = .039) but did not in the midfoot and metatarsal areas. By age, differences were detected in the heel and metatarsal areas in females (P = .002 and P = .001) and the metatarsal area in males (P = .001). According to the age groups, total contact time increased in females (P = .001) but not in males (P = .018), and no differences were detected between foot areas. In females, CoF time did not change either foot areas or age groups. In males, CoF time values increased in the midfoot area in the older group (P = .001).

Conclusion

Time variables did not change by foot region, independent of age, sex, and BMI. Heel maximum force decreased in females, probably linked to adaptive phenomena by aging. The midfoot remains stable, and acts as an undamaged "bridge." These parameters could be interpreted as normal in asymptomatic subjects.

Level of Evidence

Level III, diagnostic and prognostic.

[Chemotherapy at the end of life is compatible with dignified death and palliative care]

Introduction

Cancer treatment is increasingly aggressive. The aim was to estimate who died due to cancer, to report use of chemotherapy (CT) in the last 3 months of life, and to describe clinical-epidemiological characteristics of these patients.

Methods

We included a consecutive sample of deceased during 2017, affiliated to Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Through manual review of medical helath records, they were classified according to the cause of death (cancer or other cause), validating diagnosis and baseline stage, performance status (PS). Prevalences with 95% CI are reported and descriptive statistics were used.

Results

A total of 2293 adults died, 59% women with a median age of 84 years old. There were a total of 736 deaths from cancer, representing 32% (95%CI 30-34). This last subgroup were 54% women, with a median age of 75 years, and only one patient had advance directives. Regarding the place of death, 80% were hospitalized (65% general ward and 15% intensive care units). The most frequent tumors were: lung, colorectal-gastric, hematological, and breast. A total of 390 patients received CT at the end of life (53%; 95%CI 49-57), 53% being women and with a mean age of 68 years. Regarding the underlying oncological disease: 81% had a solid tumor, 75% advanced stage, and mostly with poor/regular ability to perform daily activities (25% PS3 and 32% PS4, respectively).

Conclusion

There is a high frequency of CT at the end of life and deaths continue to be mainly in-hospital.

[Clinical characteristics and care times in a chest pain unit of the emergency department of an argentine center]

Objectives

. To report the frequency of precordial pain, describe clinical characteristics, and care times.

Methods

. Retrospective descriptive study that included consultations in the Chest Pain Unit in 2021 in the emergency department of a private hospital in Argentina.

Results

There were 1469 admissions for chest pain, yielding a frequency of 1.09% (95%CI 1.04-1.15). They were 52% men, mean age 62 years (SD ±15); 48% had hypertension and 32% dyslipidemia. The median time to initial ECG was 4.3 min (ICR 2.5-7.5); and 26 min (ICR 14-46) to medical evaluation. A total of 206 (14%) were hospitalized with a median of 3 days, 76% were admitted to a closed unit, 9% required non-invasive ventilation/mechanical ventilaction and in-hospital mortality was 2.9%. Those hospitalized presented shorter delay time to medical attention (p<0.01), and greater performance of complementary studies (p<0.01), with no differences in time to ECG (p=0.22).

Conclusions

Care times were within the stipulated standards, being an important indicator of quality. Nursing was crucial, taking care of the correct triage, ECG on admission, and guaranteeing care until medical evaluation.

Efecto de la inactivación de las órdenes múltiples para solicitud de estudios complementarios en una central de emergencias

Introducción. La plantilla de órdenes múltiples es una herramienta informática que podría producir consecuencias inadvertidas pese a sus innumerables beneficios. Nos propusimos explorar el efecto de su inactivación sobre las solicitudes de estudios complementarios y los costos asociados. Métodos. Corte transversal en la Central de Emergencias de Adultos del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, que incluyó muestra consecutiva de consultas pre-intervención (Enero-Febrero 2020) y post-intervención (2021). Mediante el uso de bases secundarias, las variables incluidas fueron los débitos administrativos y sus respectivos precios de facturación. Resultados. Hubo 27.671 consultas en 2020 con una mediana de valor total de 474$, y 20.819 con 1.639$ en 2021. Tras el análisis restringido al área de consultorios de moderada complejidad (excluyendo consultas por COVID-19), se encontró: una disminución en la mediana del número de prácticas por consulta (mediana de 11 vs 10, p=0,001), una disminución en la solicitud de al menos una práctica de laboratorio (45% versus 39%, p=0,001), sin encontrar cambios significativos en costos globales (mediana 1.419$ vs 1.081$; p=0,122) ni en costos específicos de laboratorio (mediana 1.071$ vs 1.089$, p=0,710). Conclusión. Pese a la inflación interanual, se logró una reducción significativa en el número de prácticas y se mantuvieron los costos globales por consulta. Estos hallazgos demuestran la efectividad de la intervención, pero serán necesarias medidas educativas que apunten al recordatorio de los potenciales daños en la sobreutilización, y los costos sanitarios de los estudios innecesarios.

[Prognostic value of hospital hypoglycemia]

BACKGROUND

Hospital hypoglycemia (HH) is an important problem since it is linked to hospital death, prolonged stay and higher costs, both in people with and without diabetes, in the critical area and general ward, especially in cases of severe hypoglycemia. The objective of our work was to compare hospital mortality, transfer to the critical area and hospitalization periods in adults with HH according to its severity.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort of adults hospitalized with hypoglycemia at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 2013 and 2018. Three groups of hypoglycemia were defined: mild (glycemia between 70 and 54 mg/dl), severe (glycemia < 54 mg/dl and = 40 mg/dl) and critical (glycemia < 40mg/dl).

RESULTS

A total of 5994 patients had HH, the majority presented mild hypoglycemia (72%). Severe and critical hypoglycemia, compared with mild hypoglycemia, were associated with higher mortality: OR 2.6 (95%CI 2.2-3.1) and 4.2 (95%CI 3.5-5.0) respectively; and increased hospitalization in critical care areas: OR 1.6 (95%CI 1.4-1.9) and 3.2 (95%CI 2.6-4.0) respectively. There were no differences in length of stay.

DISCUSSION

This information provides, in our country, evidence on the prognostic value of hypoglycemia, whose greater severity is associated with increased hospitalization in critical areas and higher hospital mortality.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Percutaneous Third-Generation Double First Metatarsal Osteotomy Combined With Closing-Wedge Proximal Phalangeal Osteotomy for Moderate and Severe Hallux Valgus

BACKGROUND

The treatment for severe hallux valgus deformity presents a challenge with high risk of complications. Third generation MIS techniques have increased their publications in recent years. The aim was to compare clinical and radiologic outcomes in moderate and severe cases and report minor and major complications.

METHODS

Retrospective series of cases with prospective data collection of 156 consecutive feet that underwent percutaneous double first metatarsal osteotomy (PEDO) and first phalanx osteotomy between 2008 and 2019 for moderate (hallux valgus angle [HVA] between ≥20 and <40 degrees and/or intermetatarsal angle [IMA] <16 degrees) and severe (HVA ≥40 degrees and/or IMA ≥16 degrees) hallux valgus deformities. Primary outcomes included radiographic and clinical parameters. Secondary outcomes included minor and major complications.

RESULTS

A total of 156 procedures were performed in 128 patients. Mean age was 54.3 years (SD 14.3) (range, 19-82 years), median follow-up was 22.6 months (range, 12-96 months). Radiographic changes pre- to postoperation were as follows: HVA changed from 38.2 (SD 10.1) degrees to 11.2 (SD 8.3) degrees (P < .001), IMA from 14.7 (SD 3.2) degrees to 7.9 (SD 3.7) degrees (P < .001), and distal articular metatarsal angle from 19.7 (SD 6.3) degrees to 8.8 (SD 5.7) degrees (P < .001) after PEDO technique. Clinical changes pre- to postoperation were as follows: American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot scale scores improved from 47.3 (SD 16.5) to 87 (SD 11.6) (P < .001) and visual analog scale scores from 5 (2.7) to 0.9 (1.3) (P < .001). The satisfaction rate was 97% in the total sample. Recurrence rate (HVA ≥20 degrees) was 7.7%. Hallux varus (HVA <0 degrees) occurred in 5.8%, acute osteomyelitis in 1.3%, partial avascular necrosis in 0.6%, screw removal in 0.6%, and reoperation in 1.9%. No nonunion was observed.

CONCLUSION

Clinical and radiographic parameters improved significantly, with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up in moderate and severe hallux valgus. Long experience in percutaneous surgery and specific instruments are needed for this technique. Recurrence was linked to preoperative HVA ≥40 degrees and postoperative tibial sesamoid position; Hallux varus was linked to lateral soft tissue release.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series.

Using Informatics Framework in Immunosuppressed or Transplanted Patients for a Preferential Care Route at the Emergency Department

For immunosuppressed or transplanted patients, appropriate triage is a timely topic, especially in the Emergency Department (ED) of a high-volume referral center. We implemented a new Program called Rapid Clinical Care by Internal Medicine Specialists, as a preferential care route for these patients, which combines the proposed informatics framework in the field of total quality management in the healthcare units, as an example of digital technologies that can improve processes in the clinical routine. Our study aimed to describe waiting-time and attention-time in ED and to explore the effect on patients' clinical outcomes after discharge. Findings were: shortened waiting time (median of 8 minutes versus 21, p<0.001), improved ED on-call time (median of 2 hours compared to 4, p<0.001), and greater follow-up after discharge, measured as 1-week scheduled-visits rate (69% with 95%CI 63-75; compared to 43% with 95%CI 35-51; p<0.001).

Recurrence of Hypoglycemia in Hospitalized Adult Patients in Non-Critical Areas: An Opportunity to Improve Patient Care Using Electronic Health Records

Electronic Health Records offer an opportunity to improve patient care (in terms of quality and/or safety) by making available patient health information stored in a single Clinical Data Repository. We aimed to estimate the frequency of hypoglycemic recurrences in hospitalized adult patients in non-critical areas. We designed a cross sectional study with hospitalizations between 2017 and 2018, which included patients with at least one hypoglycemia health record (defined as a value <70 mg/dL, either by capillary glycemic monitoring or serum measurement). Recurrence was defined as those who presented a second event, with at least 2 hours of difference. We included 1884 patients, and 573 presented recurrences, yielding a global prevalence of 30.41% (95%CI 28.34-32.54). Due to the high frequency, it is important to identify vulnerable populations, to implement preventive measures to assist clinicians for decision-making tasks, as a clinical decision support system.

Can CPOE Based on Electronic Order Sets Cause Unintended Consequences (Expensive and Unnecessary Tests) at the Emergency Department?

Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) systems may cause unintended consequences. This study aimed to describe the on-going system for CPOE order sets, and to explore an economic evaluation at the Emergency Department. First, we developed a costs dashboard which showed us the significant and excessive use of medical tests per consultation. We identified the top 10 most widely used and most expensive tests. Additionally we noticed that the labs seemed to continually increase. Then, we found that 27% of the consultations have at least one item of laboratory practice between January and February 2020, and this represents more than 80% of the consultation costs. Health care spending has reached epic proportions globally. We think that it is time to rethink effective strategies. Maybe it is time to deactivate/remove electronic order sets (EOSs) and the functionality to develop and create their own "private" order sets, in order to eliminate waste and inefficiencies.

Semi-Structured Interviews to Evaluate a BCMA Implementation Trouble Areas

Errors in medication administration involve risks to patient safety. "Bar-Coding Medication Administration" is implemented to prevent these errors. Adoption by nurses is one of the main determinants of their effectiveness. The Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires implemented BCMA 6 years ago, but its adoption rate still finds resistance in certain sectors. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nursing staff to explore the barriers to the use in low-usage wards and explore the current perceptions of nurses. While nurses recognised the safety and usefulness of the BCMA system, they reported many difficulties. The feedback obtained through this process was useful for the implementation team to plan future interventions, priorities and improvements on the system. The semi-structured interview methodology proved useful as a continuous monitoring strategy.

Thrombotic events following Covid-19 vaccines compared to Influenza vaccines

IMPORTANCE

The actual risk of thrombotic events after Covid-19 vaccination is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the risk of thrombotic events after Covid-19 vaccination.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study which included consecutive adult patients vaccinated with the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine between January 1 and May 30, 2021, and a historic control group, defined as consecutive patients vaccinated with influenza vaccine between March 1 and July 30, 2019.

SETTING

Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, a tertiary hospital in Argentina.

PARTICIPANTS

Non-Hospitalized Adults vaccinated with the first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

EXPOSURE

Vaccination with Covid-19 vaccines available during the study period: Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca/Oxford or Covishield), BBIBP-CorV (Beijing Institute of Biological Products) (Sinopharm). Active comparator group exposure was Influenza vaccine.

MAIN OUTCOME

Primary endpoint was cumulative incidence of any symptomatic thrombotic event at 30 days, defined as the occurrence of at least one of the following: symptomatic acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT); symptomatic acute pulmonary embolism (PE); acute ischemic stroke (AIS); acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or arterial thrombosis.

RESULTS

From a total of 29,985 adult patients who received at least a first dose of Covid-19 vaccine during study period and 24,777 who received Influenza vaccine in 2019, we excluded those who were vaccinated during hospitalization. We finally included 29,918 and 24,753 patients respectively. Median age was 73 years old (IQR 75-81) and 67% were females in both groups. Thirty six subjects in the Covid-19 vaccination group (36/29,918) and 15 patients in the Influenza vaccination group (15/24,753) presented at least one thrombotic event. The cumulative incidence of any thrombotic event at 30 days was 12 per 10,000 (95%CI 9-17) for Covid-19 group and 6 per 10,000 (95%CI 4-10) for Influenza group (p-value=0.022).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study shows a significant increase in thrombotic events in subjects vaccinated with Covid-19 vaccines in comparison to a control group. The clinical implication of these findings should be interpreted with caution, in light of the high effectiveness of vaccination and the inherent risk of thrombosis from Covid-19 infection itself.

[Descriptive study of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in adults with diabetes]

The main objective was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among patients with COVID-19, to explore associated factors; and to describe clinical evolution of hospitalized patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included adults confirmed with COVID-19 between 03/12/2020 and 10/15/2020, at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. From 6009 people with COVID-19, 408 had previous diagnosis of DM, yielding a prevalence of 6% (95%CI 6-7), higher prevalence was associated with age (12% in = 60 years and 3% in < 60 years; p = 0.01). In-hospital mortality was 6% (95%CI 6-7), being 15% in DM and 6% compared in non-diabetics (p < 0.01). Associated factors with DM were cardiovascular variables such as male sex, hypertension, smoking, chronic renal failure, heart failure, previous coronary disease; and clinical variables proxy of frailty such as: age, dementia and previous institutionalization (all with p < 0.01). Only 23% (96/408) of DM had an HbA1c measurement in the last 3 months and 76% in the last year, with an average 8.6%, and 25% in goal (HbA1c = 7%). Management was mostly in-hospital (59%), with an average hospital stay of 12 days, with the following complications during hospitalization: 6% presented a hypoglycemic value (< 70 mg/dl), 42% required oxygen therapy, 19 % went to intensive care unit, 15% required invasive mechanical ventilation (mean 11 days), and 25% (95%CI 20-31) of in-hospital mortality (mean 82 years).

Risk of readmission to the emergency department in mild COVID-19 outpatients with telehealth follow-up

Introduction

To describe patients´ characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 with mild symptoms discharged home from the Emergency Department (ED) and followed using telemedicine, to estimate ED-readmission rates and hospitalization, and to explore associated factors with these clinical outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires from June to August 2020, which included patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms, diagnosed with a positive result. Follow-up occurred from discharged until ED-readmission or 14 days. We estimate cumulative incidence using the Kaplan-Meier model and associated factors using logistic regression.

Results

We included 1,239 patients, with a median of 41 years and 53.82% male. A total of 167 patients were readmitted to the ED within 14 days, with a global incidence rate of 13.08% (95%CI 11.32-15.08). Of these, 83 required hospitalization (median time from diagnosis 4.98 days), 5.98% was not related to any COVID-19 complication, and five patients died. After adjustment by confounders (age ≥65, sex, diabetes, hypertension, former smoking, active smoking, fever, diarrhea, and oxygen saturation), we found significant associations: former smoking (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.31-3.34, p0 .002), fever (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.07-2.28, p0.002) and oxygen saturation (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.95, p0.009).

Conclusion

The 13% rate of ED-readmission during 14 days of follow-up of mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients initially managed as outpatients with telehealth is highly significant in hospital management, quality performance, and patient safety.

Risk of readmission to the emergency department in mild COVID-19 outpatients with telehealth follow-up

Introduction

To describe patients´ characteristics of confirmed COVID-19 with mild symptoms discharged home from the Emergency Department (ED) and followed using telemedicine, to estimate ED-readmission rates and hospitalization, and to explore associated factors with these clinical outcomes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires from June to August 2020, which included patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms, diagnosed with a positive result. Follow-up occurred from discharged until ED-readmission or 14 days. We estimate cumulative incidence using the Kaplan-Meier model and associated factors using logistic regression.

Results

We included 1,239 patients, with a median of 41 years and 53.82% male. A total of 167 patients were readmitted to the ED within 14 days, with a global incidence rate of 13.08% (95%CI 11.32-15.08). Of these, 83 required hospitalization (median time from diagnosis 4.98 days), 5.98% was not related to any COVID-19 complication, and five patients died. After adjustment by confounders (age ≥65, sex, diabetes, hypertension, former smoking, active smoking, fever, diarrhea, and oxygen saturation), we found significant associations: former smoking (adjusted OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.31-3.34, p0 .002), fever (aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.07-2.28, p0.002) and oxygen saturation (aOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.95, p0.009).

Conclusion

The 13% rate of ED-readmission during 14 days of follow-up of mild symptomatic COVID-19 patients initially managed as outpatients with telehealth is highly significant in hospital management, quality performance, and patient safety.

[Effect COVID-19 pandemic in an emergency department in Argentina]

The objective of this study was to reveal how the COVID-19 pandemic process affected the number of visits to an emergency department of a highly complex hospital located in the Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, to explore the characteristics and reasons for consultation. The monthly number of visits between January 2019 and December 2020 was analyzed. The data showed a strong decrease in the number of visits (176 370 in 2019 and 95 421 in 2020), with an abrupt drop after the lockdown disposal (In aprilshowed the maximum reduction: 77.1%), and the different stages are reflected in the evolution (a consequence of quarantine), yielding a global annual reduction of 45.9%. The number of patients admitted by ambulances increased (5.1% in 2019 to 10.4% in 2020; p < 0.05), and consequently, the number of patients in the more complex sector (area B 2019: 5.3%, 2020: 11.5%; p < 0.01), as well as unscheduled hospitalizations from 6.8% (95% CI 6.7-6.9) to 12.1% in 2020 (95%CI11.8-12.3), p < 0.01. The five most frequent reasons for consultation in 2020 were: fever (5.1%), odynophagia (4.7%), abdominal pain (2.6%), cough (1.8%) and headache (1.8%), probably all related to COVID-19. In conclusion, the number of emergency department visits decreased by half compared to the previous year.

Diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a frequent complication in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is unclear that the extent to which the traditional risk stratifying scores for PE are accurate in this population.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of adult patients with COPD and suspected PE included in an Institutional Registry of Thromboembolic Disease at a tertiary teaching hospital in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. We estimated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AU-ROC), sensitivity and specificity of the Wells and Geneva scores using a positive computed tomography angiography as the gold standard for PE. We also estimated the sensitivity and specificity for the presence of isolated worsening of dyspnea at presentation, without other cardinal symptoms of acute exacerbation of COPD.

RESULTS

A total of 168 patients were included, of which 22% had confirmed PE. The AUC was 0.66 (95% CI 0.56-0.76) and 0.56 (95% CI 0.45-0.67) for the Wells and Geneva, respectively. Considering the most widely used cutoff points, the sensitivity and specificity were 24% and 90% for the Wells and 59% and 43% for the Geneva score, respectively. Isolated worsening of dyspnea on presentation had a sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 37%.

CONCLUSIONS

Both Wells and Geneva scores exhibit poor diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of PE in patients with COPD. The presence of isolated worsening of dyspnea on presentation could be an easy to identify criteria for the initial triage in this population. Further validation of our findings remains warranted.

Emergency department visits and hospital readmissions in an Argentine health system

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF STUDY

The scope of health in the Sustainable Development Goals is much broader than the Millennium Development Goals, spanning functions such as health-system access and quality of care. Hospital readmission rate and ED-visits within 30 days from discharge are considered low-cost quality indicators. This work assesses an indicator of quality of care in a tertiary referral hospital in Argentina, using data available from clinical records.

PURPOSE

To estimate the rate of ED-visits and the hospital readmission rate (HRR) after a first hospitalization (First-H), and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort included patients who had a First-H in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 2014-2015. Follow-up occurred from discharge until ED-visit, readmission, death, disaffiliation from health insurance, or 13 months. We present HRR at 30 days and ED-visits rate at 72 h, using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model to explore associated factors, and reporting adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with their respective 95 %CI.

RESULTS

The study comprised 10,598 hospitalizations (median age was 68 years). Of these, 5966 had at least one consultation to the ED during follow up, resulting in a 24 h rate of consultations to ED of 1.51 % (95 %CI 1.29-1.72); at 48 h 3.18 % (95 %CI 2.86-3.54); at 72 h 4.71 % (95 %CI 4.32-5.13). In multivariable models, factors associated for 72 h ED-visits were: age (aHR 1.06), male (aHR 1.14), Charlson Comorbidity Index (aHR 1.16), unscheduled hospitalization (aHR 1.39), prior consultation with the ED (aHR 1.08) and long hospital stay (aHR 1.39). Meanwhile, 2345 patients had at least one hospital readmission (98 % unscheduled), resulting a 24 h rate of 0.5 % (95 %CI 0.42-0.71), at 48 h 0.98 % (95 %CI 0.80-1.18), at 72 h 1.4 % (95 %CI 1.2-1.6); at 30 days 7.7 % (95 %CI 7.2-8.2); at 90 days 13 % (95 %CI 12.4-13.8); and one-year 22.5 % (95 %CI 21.7-23.4). Associated factors for HRR at 30 days were: age (HR 1.16), male (HR 1.09), Charlson comorbidities score (HR 1.27), social service requirement during First-H (HR 1.37), unscheduled First-H (HR 1.16), previous ED-visits (HR 1.03) and length of stay (HR 1.08).

CONCLUSION

Priorities efforts to improve must include greater attention to patients' readiness prior discharge, to explore causes of preventable readmissions, and better support for patient self-management.

A Path to Inclusion: Design and Prototype of Transgender Identity in an Electronic Health Record

With the purpose of reducing discrimination on gender, the Department of Health Informatics of the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA) developed changes in its Patient Master Index to register chosen name and self-perceived gender identity. To improve the visualization of information related to the identity of each person to provide comprehensive quality care, it was decided to modify the impact of this information on the EHR. For this, prototypes were developed with changes in the patient identification module and then user-tests were carried out.

Teletriage Pilot Study (Strategy for Unscheduled Teleconsultations): Results, Patient Acceptance and Satisfaction

Non-urgent consultations to an Emergency Department (ED) contribute to overcrowding. Telecommunications represent a potential strategy to reduce some face-to-face consultations.

OBJECTIVES

To describe characteristics of patients who used the Teletriage Program during the pilot study, to explore safety and to report user acceptance and satisfaction.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study, including all adult patients affiliated to our health insurance attended to via this telemedicine service between January 18th and May 31st, 2019 (during pilot-study). Patients were followed-up for seven days to assess re-consultation to ED or unscheduled hospitalization.

RESULTS

276 effective consultations occurred, corresponding to 241 patients, with a mean of age of 50 years, 68% (189) were women. Chief complaints were related to clinical issues (70%) and remaining (30%) were administrative problems. Only four patients were suggested a referral or face-to-face assessment. Rate of re-consultation to the ED was 18% (51) at seven days of follow-up, and the rate of unscheduled hospitalization was <1% (2), both with good clinical evolution. Patient satisfaction was 72.73%, and regarding acceptability, 66.12% stated that without this channel they would have attended to a face-to-face consultation and 64.02% that they would do so if their needs remained unmet.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementing this new communication channel could be a useful and safe strategy to reduce unnecessary non-urgent consultations to the ED.

A Path Towards Inclusion: Transdisciplinary Experience for the Inclusion of Self-Perceived Gender in an Information System

In Argentina, since 2012 the Gender Identity Law guarantees that people who identify as transgender must be called by their chosen name, among other things. Transgender patients are usually not represented in information systems, whether electronic or not. This can place them in situations of vulnerability and discrimination. With that in mind, an interdisciplinary team was formed to take address the problems of this population regarding to the information systems of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. The aim of this study is to spread the experience of the transdisciplinary team on the Electronic Health Record's modification and other associated applications to achieve include the self-perceived gender identity and the chosen name of those people who modified their gender.

Telemedicine for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections During 2018 Epidemiological Outbreak in South America

Telemedicine is an increasingly used strategy for providing care to patients. The prevention and treatment of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) during outbreaks still require new management approaches. We aimed to describe patients' characteristics and the care process after the creation and implementation of a virtual care program for patients with URTI during the epidemiological outbreak. We studied all consultations that took place between May, 21st, and September, 14th 2018 at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (HIBA). After applying exclusion criteria 218 consultations were left for the analysis. Most patients did not need a referral to a care center for a face-to-face assessment. The consultation rate to the Emergency Department (ED) within 7 days was 11.92% (26/218) with a 95% CI of 7.94-16.99%. This new approach in patient care has a great potential for relieving the overcrowding in EDs, decreasing waiting times and preventing the infection spread in waiting rooms.

Hospitalized patients with stress hyperglycemia: incidence of diabetes and mortality on follow-up

INTRODUCTION

The study objective was to estimate during post-discharge follow-up the incidence of diabetes and to ascertain mortality in hospitalized patients, classified during follow-up as having stress hyperglycemia (SH) or normoglycemia (NG) based on blood glucose levels.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort of non-diabetic adults with SH (> 140mg/dl and HbA1c <6.5%) or NG (all blood glucose values ≤ 140mg/dl) was used.

RESULTS

There were 3981 patients with NG and 884 with SH. During the observation period (median follow-up of 1.83 years), there were 255 cases of diabetes and 831 deaths. The cumulative incidence of diabetes per year was 1.59% (95% CI: 1.23-2.06) in patients with NG and 7.39% (95% CI: 5.70-9.56) in those with SH. SH was significantly associated to diabetes (crude HR 1.33, 95% CI: 1.13-1.73, p .025), even after adjusting for age and sex (adjusted HR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06-1.78, p .014). The mortality rate at one year was 10.07% (95% CI: 9.18-11.05) in NG patients and 13.24% (95% CI: 11.17-15.65) in SH patients. The sub-hazard ratio of developing diabetes considering death as a competitive event was 1.41 (95% CI 1.29-1.53, p <.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SH is a risk factor for diabetes. There were no differences in mortality during follow-up, but death appears to be a competitive event in development of diabetes in this population.

[Analysis of Crowding in an Adult Emergency Department of a tertiary university hospital]

BACKGROUND

Crowding in Emergency Departments (ED), results from the imbalance between the simultaneous demand for health care and the ability of the system to respond. The NEDOCS scale (National Emergency Department Crowding Scale) measures the degree of crowding in an ED.

AIM

To describe ED Crowding characteristics, using the NEDOCS scale, in an Argentinean hospital.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted with all adult patient consultations between July 2013 and July 2014 at the ED of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. We included all hours in the analysis period (365 days x 24 h = 8,760). The NEDOCS value was calculated for each hour using an automatic algorithm and was quantified in a six points score. Levels 4 (overcrowded), 5 (severely overcrowded) and 6 (dangerously overcrowded) were defined as overcrowding. Contour plots analysis was applied to identify patterns.

RESULTS

During the study period, 124,758 visits to the ED were registered. Overcrowding was present in 57.7% (5,055) of the analyzed hours. A predominance of scores between four and five was observed between 10:00 and 24:00 hours. The months with predominance of overcrowding were June, July and August (southern winter).

CONCLUSIONS

The calculation of the NEDOCS score and the analysis of its temporal distribution are highly relevant to identify opportunities for improvement and to develop mechanisms to prevent the highest categories of overcrowding.