Comorbidities Associated with Worse Outcomes Among Inpatients Admitted for Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding

BACKGROUND

Multimorbidity increases healthcare resource utilization. Little is known on specific comorbidity combinations.

AIMS

To identify comorbidities associated with increased resource utilization among inpatients admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB).

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study, 1/2010-5/2018 at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, analyzed electronic health records of patients with upper (UGIB) and lower (LGIB) GIB, focusing on length of stay (LOS) and 30-day readmissions for resource use and clinical outcomes, investigated by multivariable regression adjusted for antithrombotics.

RESULTS

Of 1101 patients, 791 had UGIB and 310 LGIB, most often melena and bleeding diverticula, respectively. In UGIB, thromboembolic events showed a trend toward 27% increased LOS (1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.61), antithrombotics independently associated with 46% increased LOS (1.46; 95% CI 1.32-1.62). Cancer (odds ratio [OR] 2.86; 95% CI 1.68-4.88) independently associated with 30-day readmissions, anemia showed a trend (OR 1.68; 95% CI 1.00-2.84). In LGIB, none of the investigated comorbidities associated with increased LOS, but antithrombotics independently associated with 25% increased LOS (1.25; 95% CI 1.07-1.46). Atrial fibrillation/flutter (OR 2.69; 95% CI 1.06-6.82) and cancer (OR 4.76; 95% CI 1.40-16.20) associated strongly with 30-day readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS

In both groups, cancer associated with 30-day readmissions, antithrombotics with increased LOS. Thromboembolic events and anemia showed clinically important trends in UGIB. Atrial fibrillation/flutter associated with 30-day readmissions in LGIB. Prospective studies are needed to investigate these complex multimorbid populations and establish appropriate guidelines.

Depression is independently associated with increased length of stay and readmissions in multimorbid inpatients

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the impact of depression across a broad range of multimorbid patients hospitalized for reasons other than depression. The objective of the study was to investigate in a large sample of multimorbid inpatients whether ancillary depression is associated with increased length of stay (LOS) and readmissions, two important clinical outcomes with implications for healthcare utilization and costs.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 253,009 multimorbid inpatients aged ≥18 at an academic medical center, 8/2009-8/2017.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

LOS.

SECONDARY OUTCOMES

LOS related to different main diagnoses, readmissions within 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24-months after discharge.

RESULTS

Multivariable linear regression showed 24% longer LOS in patients with ancillary depression (1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.22, 1.25). Females stayed 22% longer (1.22; 95% CI: 1.20, 1.25), males 24% (1.24; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.27). We identified 16 main diagnosis clusters in which ancillary depression was associated with significant LOS increases, with associations being strongest for "Failure and rejection of transplanted organs and tissues", "Other noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis", and "Other soft tissue disorders, not elsewhere classified". Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression showed independent associations of ancillary depression with increased readmission odds and frequencies at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Ancillary depression was independently associated with increased LOS and more readmissions across a broad range of multimorbid inpatients.

Impact of electronic reminders on venous thromboprophylaxis after admissions and transfers

OBJECTIVE

Clinical decision support has the potential to improve prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the effect of electronic reminders on thromboprophylaxis rates in wards to which patients were admitted and transferred. The latter was of particular interest since patient handoffs are considered to be critical safety issues.

METHODS

The trial involved two study periods in the six departments of a university hospital, three of which were randomly assigned to the intervention group displaying reminders during the second period. At 6 h after admission or transfer, the algorithm checked for prophylaxis orders within 0-30 h of the patient's arrival, increasing the specificity of the displayed reminders.

RESULTS

The significant impact of the reminders could be seen by prophylaxis orders placed 6-24 h after admission (increasing from 8.6% (223/2579) to 12% (307/2555); p<0.0001) and transfer (increasing from 2.4% (39/1616) to 3.7% (63/1682); p=0.034). In admission wards, the rate of thromboprophylaxis increased from 62.4% to 67.7% (p<0.0001), and in transfer wards it increased from 80.2% to 84.3% (p=0.0022). Overall, the rate of prophylaxis significantly increased in the intervention group from 69.2% to 74.3% (p<0.0001). No significant changes were observed in the control group. Postponing prophylaxis checks to 6 h after admissions and transfers reduced the number of reminders by 62% and thereby minimized the risk of alert fatigue.

CONCLUSIONS

The reminders improved awareness of VTE prevention in both admission and transfer wards. This approach may contribute to better quality of care and safer patient handoffs.