scholarly journals The Impact of the Maternal Sepsis Intervention

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-52
Author(s):  
Louise Ackers ◽  
Gavin Ackers-Johnson ◽  
Joanne Welsh ◽  
Daniel Kibombo ◽  
Samuel Opio
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Hospital Expenditure ◽  
Maternal Sepsis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis chapter presents data on maternal mortality in Uganda and the contribution that sepsis makes to mortality. Against this backdrop, it identifies key outcomes of the intervention including major improvements in maternal mortality and reductions in the length of patient stays, readmission rates and hospital expenditure.

scholarly journals Opportunities and Challenges for Improving Anti-Microbial Stewardship in Low- and Middle-Income Countries; Lessons Learnt from the Maternal Sepsis Intervention in Western Uganda

Antibiotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Ackers ◽  
Gavin Ackers-Johnson ◽  
Maaike Seekles ◽  
Joe Odur ◽  
Samuel Opio
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
Antimicrobial Stewardship ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Health Partnership ◽  
Maternal Sepsis ◽  
The Impact

This paper presents findings from an action-research intervention designed to identify ways of improving antimicrobial stewardship in a Ugandan Regional Referral Hospital. Building on an existing health partnership and extensive action-research on maternal health, it focused on maternal sepsis. Sepsis is one of the main causes of maternal mortality in Uganda and surgical site infection, a major contributing factor. Post-natal wards also consume the largest volume of antibiotics. The findings from the Maternal Sepsis Intervention demonstrate the potential for remarkable changes in health worker behaviour through multi-disciplinary engagement. Nurses and midwives create the connective tissue linking pharmacy, laboratory scientists and junior doctors to support an evidence-based response to prescribing. These multi-disciplinary ‘huddles’ form a necessary, but insufficient, grounding for active clinical pharmacy. The impact on antimicrobial stewardship and maternal mortality and morbidity is ultimately limited by very poor and inconsistent access to antibiotics and supplies. Insufficient and predictable stock-outs undermine behaviour change frustrating health workers’ ability to exercise their knowledge and skill for the benefit of their patients. This escalates healthcare costs and contributes to anti-microbial resistance.

Impact of Michigan’s new opioid prescribing laws on spine surgery patients: analysis of the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Paul Park ◽  
Victor Chang ◽  
Hsueh-Han Yeh ◽  
Jason M. Schwalb ◽  
David R. Nerenz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spine Surgery ◽  
Spinal Surgery ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Opioid Prescribing ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

OBJECTIVEIn 2017, Michigan passed new legislation designed to reduce opioid abuse. This study evaluated the impact of these new restrictive laws on preoperative narcotic use, short-term outcomes, and readmission rates after spinal surgery.METHODSPatient data from 1 year before and 1 year after initiation of the new opioid laws (beginning July 1, 2018) were queried from the Michigan Spine Surgery Improvement Collaborative database. Before and after implementation of the major elements of the new laws, 12,325 and 11,988 patients, respectively, were treated.RESULTSPatients before and after passage of the opioid laws had generally similar demographic and surgical characteristics. Notably, after passage of the opioid laws, the number of patients taking daily narcotics preoperatively decreased from 3783 (48.7%) to 2698 (39.7%; p < 0.0001). Three months postoperatively, there were no differences in minimum clinically important difference (56.0% vs 58.0%, p = 0.1068), numeric rating scale (NRS) score of back pain (3.5 vs 3.4, p = 0.1156), NRS score of leg pain (2.7 vs 2.7, p = 0.3595), satisfaction (84.4% vs 84.7%, p = 0.6852), or 90-day readmission rate (5.8% vs 6.2%, p = 0.3202) between groups. Although there was no difference in readmission rates, pain as a reason for readmission was marginally more common (0.86% vs 1.22%, p = 0.0323).CONCLUSIONSThere was a meaningful decrease in preoperative narcotic use, but notably there was no apparent negative impact on postoperative recovery, patient satisfaction, or short-term outcomes after spinal surgery despite more restrictive opioid prescribing. Although the readmission rate did not significantly increase, pain as a reason for readmission was marginally more frequently observed.

scholarly journals Impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation patient education and telephone follow-up on transitions of care: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamis R. Karaoui ◽  
Elsy Ramia ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Nisrine Haddad ◽  
Nibal Chamoun
Keyword(s):  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Bleeding Event ◽  
Transitions Of Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Post Discharge ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There is limited published data in Lebanon evaluating the impact of supplemental education for anticoagulants use, especially DOACs, on clinical outcomes such as bleeding. The study aims to assess the impact of pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education and follow-up on bleeding and readmission rates. Methods This study was a randomized, non-blinded interventional study conducted between August 2017 and July 2019 in a tertiary care teaching Lebanese hospital. Participants were inpatients ≥18 years discharged on an oral anticoagulant for treatment. Block randomization was used. The control group received the standard nursing counseling while the intervention group additionally received pharmacy counseling. Phone call follow-ups were done on day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Primary outcomes included readmission rates and any bleeding event at day 3 and 30 post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included documented elements of education in the medical records and reported mortality upon day 30 post-discharge. Results Two hundred patients were recruited in the study (100 patients in each study arm) with a mean age of 73.9 years. In the pharmacist-counseled group, more patients contacted their physician within 3 days (14% versus 4%; p = 0.010), received explicit elements of education (p < 0.001) and documentation in the chart was better (p < 0.05). In the standard of care group, patients were more aware of their next physician appointment date (52% versus 31%, p < 0.001). No difference in bleeding rates at day 3 and 30 post-discharge was observed between the groups. Conclusions Although pharmacist-conducted anticoagulation education did not appear to reduce bleeding or readmission rates at day 30, pharmacist education significantly increased patient communication with their providers in the early days post-discharge. Trial registration Lebanon Clinical Trial Registry LBCTR2020033424. Retrospectively registered. Date of registration: 06/03/2020.

scholarly journals The impact of COVID-19 on emergency surgical presentations in a university teaching hospital

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed M. Kamil ◽  
Matthew G. Davey ◽  
Fadi Marzouk ◽  
Rish Sehgal ◽  
Amy L. Fowler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Historical Data ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Operative Complications ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Introduction The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to a 50–70% reduction in acute non-COVID-19 presentations to emergency departments globally. Aim To determine the impact of COVID-19 on incidence, severity, and outcomes of acute surgical admissions in an Irish University teaching hospital. Methods Descriptive data concerning patients presenting with acute appendicitis, diverticulitis, and cholecystitis were analysed and compared from March–May 2020 to March–May 2019. Results Acute surgical admissions decreased in March from 191 (2020) to 55 (2019) (55%), before increasing by 28% in April (2019: 119, 2020: 153). Admissions due to acute cholecystitis reduced by 33% (2019: 33, 2020: 22), with increased severity at presentation (P = 0.079) and higher 30-day readmission rates (P = 0.056) reported. Acute appendicitis presentations decreased by 44% (2019: 78, 2020: 43, P = 0.019), with an increase in severity (P < 0.001), conservative management (P < 0.001), and post-operative complications (P = 0.029) in 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Conclusion COVID-19 has potentiated a significant reduction in acute surgical presentations to our hospital. Patients presenting with acute appendicitis during the pandemic had more severe disease, were more likely to have complications, and were significantly more likely to be managed conservatively when compared to historical data.

Evaluation of Targeted Pharmacist Interventions to Reduce Length of Stay in an Acute Care Practice Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Haston Leary ◽  
Kathryn Morbitzer ◽  
Bobbi Jo Walston ◽  
Stephen Clark ◽  
Jenna Kaplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pharmacist Interventions ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Background: Despite widespread recognition of the need for innovative pharmacy practice approaches, the development and implementation of value-based outcomes remains difficult to achieve. Furthermore, gaps in the literature persist because the majority of available literature is retrospective in nature and describes only the clinical impact of pharmacists’ interventions. Objective: Length of stay (LOS) is a clinical outcome metric used to represent efficiency in health care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-driven interventions on LOS in the acute care setting. Methods: A separate samples pretest-posttest design was utilized to compare the effect of pharmacist interventions across 3 practice areas (medicine, hematology/oncology, and pediatrics). Two time periods were evaluated: preimplementation (PRE) and a pilot period, postimplementation of interventions (POST). Interventions included targeted discharge services, such as discharge prescription writing (with provider cosignature). Participating pharmacists completed semistructured interviews following the pilot. Results: A total of 924 patients (466 PRE and 458 POST) were included in the analysis. The median LOS decreased from 4.95 (interquartile range = 3.24-8.5) to 4.12 (2.21-7.96) days from the PRE versus POST groups, respectively ( P < 0.011). There was no difference in readmission rates between groups (21% vs 19.1%, P = 0.7). Interviews revealed several themes, including positive impact on professional development. Conclusion and Relevance: This pilot study demonstrated the ability of pharmacist interventions to reduce LOS. Pharmacists identified time as the primary barrier and acknowledged the importance of leaders prioritizing pharmacists’ responsibilities. This study is novel in targeting LOS, providing a value-based outcome for clinical pharmacy services.

scholarly journals Maternal Mortality in Ghana: Impact of the Fee-Free Delivery Policy and the National Health Insurance Scheme

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
Seidu Sofo ◽  
Emmanuel Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Panel Data ◽  
Maternal Mortality ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Data Model ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Panel Data Model ◽  
Skilled Delivery ◽  
The Impact

<p>Maternal mortality (MMR) is the second largest cause of female deaths in Ghana. Yet, many households cannot afford the cost of skilled delivery The study utilized the Panel Data Model to examine the impact of the fee-free delivery (FDP) and the National Health Insurance Policy (NIP) exemptions on MMR in Ghana. The Demographic and Health Survey reports on Ghana from 2002 to 2009 served as the main data source. Data were analyzed using Panel data model with within group fixed effects estimator. MMR declined significantly over the period studied. Both FDP and NIP positively impacted MMR at a 5% level of significance. In addition, skilled delivery was a significant predictor of MMR. Stakeholders would do well to ensure NIP is adequately funded in order to sustain the decline in MMR.</p><p> </p><p><strong><br /></strong></p>

scholarly journals Association Between Diagnosis Code Expansion and Changes in 30‐Day Risk‐Adjusted Outcomes for Cardiovascular Diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Gilstrap ◽  
Rishi K. Wadhera ◽  
Andrea M. Austin ◽  
Stephen Kearing ◽  
Karen E. Joynt Maddox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
International Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Fee For Service ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Diagnosis Codes ◽  
Classification Of Diseases ◽  
Changes In Risk ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND In January 2011, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services expanded the number of inpatient diagnosis codes from 9 to 25, which may influence comorbidity counts and risk‐adjusted outcome rates for studies spanning January 2011. This study examines the association between (1) limiting versus not limiting diagnosis codes after 2011, (2) using inpatient‐only versus inpatient and outpatient data, and (3) using logistic regression versus the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services risk‐standardized methodology and changes in risk‐adjusted outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS Using 100% Medicare inpatient and outpatient files between January 2009 and December 2013, we created 2 cohorts of fee‐for‐service beneficiaries aged ≥65 years. The acute myocardial infarction cohort and the heart failure cohort had 578 728 and 1 595 069 hospitalizations, respectively. We calculate comorbidities using (1) inpatient‐only limited diagnoses, (2) inpatient‐only unlimited diagnoses, (3) inpatient and outpatient limited diagnoses, and (4) inpatient and outpatient unlimited diagnoses. Across both cohorts, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision ( ICD‐9 ) diagnoses and hierarchical condition categories increased after 2011. When outpatient data were included, there were no significant differences in risk‐adjusted readmission rates using logistic regression or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services risk standardization. A difference‐in‐differences analysis of risk‐adjusted readmission trends before versus after 2011 found that no significant differences between limited and unlimited models for either cohort. CONCLUSIONS For studies that span 2011, researchers should consider limiting the number of inpatient diagnosis codes to 9 and/or including outpatient data to minimize the impact of the code expansion on comorbidity counts. However, the 2011 code expansion does not appear to significantly affect risk‐adjusted readmission rate estimates using either logistic or risk‐standardization models or when using or excluding outpatient data.

A Clinical Observational Study on the Application of Enhanced Recovery After Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Liao ◽  
Ping Che ◽  
Jun-Cai Li ◽  
Jie Chen ◽  
Xiong Yan
Keyword(s):  
Enhanced Recovery ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Perioperative Period ◽  
Medical Costs ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Retrospective Clinical Study ◽  
Previously Treated ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: The safety and feasibility of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) for laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) are unclear. The aim of this retrospective clinical study was to evaluate the impact of ERAS protocols for LPD.Methods: Between March 2016 and December 2018, a total of 34 consecutive patients with ERAS for LPD were prospectively enrolled and compared with 68 consecutive patients previously treated for non-ERAS after LPD during an equal time frame. The intraoperative and postoperative data were collected and comparatively analyzed. Results: The mean length of postoperative hospital stay (15.8±3.4 and 23.1±5.1 days, P<0.001) and total medical costs (¥14.3±4.8 x104 and ¥15.8±4.9 x104, P=0.017) were reduced significantly in ER group than those in non-ER group. The operation time (462.7±117.0 vs 450.9±109.8 min, P=0.627) and intraoperative blood loss (523.5±270.0 vs 537.5±241.8 mL, P=0.800) were similar in the two groups. The complications of patients with ERAS protocols were not increased (P>0.05). No difference in mortality and readmission rates was found.Conclusions: The ERAS is safe and effective in the perioperative period of LPD. It could effectively reduce the length of postoperative stay and medical costs, and does not increase the incidence of postoperative complications.

Impact of Biological Sex on Complications, Lengths of Stay, Readmission Rates, and Costs of Care Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel J. Swiggett ◽  
Angelo Mannino ◽  
Rushabh M. Vakharia ◽  
Joseph O. Ehiorobo ◽  
Martin W. Roche ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Medical Complications ◽  
Administrative Claims ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Costs Of Care ◽  
Lengths Of Stay ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe impact of gender on total knee arthroplasty (TKA) postoperative complications, readmission rates, and costs of care has not been often evaluated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate which sex had higher rates of: (1) medical complications; (2) implant complications; (3) lengths of stay (LOSs); (4) readmission rates; and (5) costs after TKA. A query was performed using an administrative claims database from January 1, 2005, to March 31, 2015. Patients who had TKAs were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision and Current Procedural Terminology codes. Males and females were filtered separately and matched according to age and various medical comorbidities leading to 1,590,626 patients equally distributed. Primary outcomes analyzed included 90-day medical complications, LOSs, 90-day readmission rates, in addition to day of surgery and total global 90-day episode of care costs. Pearson's chi-square analyses were used to compare medical complications and readmission rates. Welch's t-tests were used to test for significance in matching outcomes and costs. A p-value of less than 0.01 was considered statistically significant. Males had a smaller risk of complications than women (1.35 vs. 1.40%, p < 0.006) and higher rates of implant-related complications (2.28 vs. 1.99%, p < 0.0001). Mean LOSs were lower for males: 3.16 versus 3.34 days (p < 0.0001). The 90-day readmission rates were higher in men (9.67 vs. 8.12%, p < 0.0001). This study demonstrated that males undergoing primary TKA have lower medical complications and shorter LOSs then their female counterparts. However, males have higher implant-related complications, readmission rates, and costs of care.

Competing risks in quality and safety research: a framework to guide choice of analysis and improve reporting

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjqs-2021-012988
Author(s):  
Perla J Marang-van de Mheen ◽  
Hein Putter ◽  
Esther Bastiaannet ◽  
Alex Bottle
Keyword(s):  
Competing Risks ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Competing Risk ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Safety Research ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
The Impact

When comparing hospitals on their readmission rates as currently done in the Hospital Readmission and Reduction Program (HRRP) in the USA, should we include the competing risk of mortality after discharge, which precludes the readmission, in the analysis? Not including competing risks in current HRRP metrics was raised recently as a limitation with possible unintended consequences, as financial penalties for higher readmission rates are more severe than for higher mortality rates. Incorrectly including or ignoring competing risks can both induce bias. In this paper, we present a framework to clarify situations when competing risks should be taken into account and when they should not. We argue that the research question and the perspective from which it is asked determine whether the competing risk is also of interest and should be included in the analysis, or if only the event of interest should be considered. This information is often not explicitly reported but is needed to interpret whether the results are valid. Using the examples of readmissions and cancer, we show how different research questions fit different perspectives from which these are asked (patient, system, regulatory/insurance). Slightly changing the research question or perspective may thus change the analysis. Even though some may argue that any introduced bias is likely to be small, in the context of the HRRP, even small changes may mean that a hospital will face (higher) financial penalties. The impact of getting it wrong matters.

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