scholarly journals Cost-effectiveness of noninvasive telemedical interventional management in patients with heart failure: health economic analysis of the TIM-HF2 trial

Author(s):  
Hanna Sydow ◽  
Sandra Prescher ◽  
Friedrich Koehler ◽  
Kerstin Koehler ◽  
Marc Dorenkamp ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Noninvasive remote patient management (RPM) in patients with heart failure (HF) has been shown to reduce the days lost due to unplanned cardiovascular hospital admissions and all-cause mortality in the Telemedical Interventional Management in Heart Failure II trial (TIM-HF2). The health economic implications of these findings are the focus of the present analyses from the payer perspective. Methods and results A total of 1538 participants of the TIM-HF2 randomized controlled trial were assigned to the RPM and Usual Care group. Health claims data were available for 1450 patients (n = 715 RPM group, n = 735 Usual Care group), which represents 94.3% of the original TIM-HF2 patient population, were linked to primary data from the study documentation and evaluated in terms of the health care cost, total cost (accounting for intervention costs), costs per day alive and out of hospital (DAOH), and cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). The average health care costs per patient year amounted to € 14,412 (95% CI 13,284–15,539) in the RPM group and € 17,537 (95% CI 16,179–18,894) in the UC group. RPM led to cost savings of € 3125 per patient year (p = 0.001). After including the intervention costs, a cost saving of € 1758 per patient year remained (p = 0.048). Conclusion The additional noninvasive telemedical interventional management in patients with HF was cost-effective compared to standard care alone, since such intervention was associated with overall cost savings and superior clinical effectiveness. Graphical abstract

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 16-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Scalvini ◽  
S Capomolla ◽  
E Zanelli ◽  
M Benigno ◽  
D Domenighini ◽  
...  

Chronic heart failure (CHF) remains a common cause of disability. We have investigated the use of home-based telecardiology (HBT) in CHF patients. Four hundred and twenty-six patients were enrolled in the study: 230 in the HBT group and 196 in the usual-care group. HBT consisted of trans-telephonic follow-up and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, followed by visits from the paramedical and medical team. A one-lead ECG recording was transmitted to a receiving station, where a nurse was available for reporting and interactive teleconsultation. The patient could call the centre when assistance was required (tele-assistance), while the team could call the patient for scheduled appointments (telemonitoring). The one-year clinical outcomes showed that there was a significant reduction in rehospitalizations in the HBT group compared with the usual-care group (24% versus 34%, respectively). There was an increase in quality of life in the HBT group (mean Minnesota Living Questionnaire scores 29 and 23.5, respectively). The total costs were lower in the HBT group (107,494 and 140,874, respectively). The results suggest that a telecardiology service can detect and prevent clinical instability, reduce rehospitalization and lower the cost of managing CHF patients.


Author(s):  
Natalie Jayaram ◽  
Harlan M Krumholz ◽  
Sarwat I Chaudhry ◽  
Jennifer Mattera ◽  
Fengming Tang ◽  
...  

Background: Although telemonitoring in patients with heart failure is not effective in reducing mortality or hospitalizations, less is known regarding its effect on patients’ health status, their symptoms, functioning and quality of life. Methods: The TeleHF study randomized 1,653 patients with recent heart failure hospitalization to telephonic monitoring (n=826) or usual care (n=827). Patients in the telemonitoring arm phoned in daily and responded to a series of automated questions regarding their symptoms and daily weight. Health status information, using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ), was collected at baseline, 3 months, and at 6 months. The primary endpoint was change in KCCQ score from baseline to 3 and 6 months. Results: The baseline characteristics of the two treatment arms were similar; 42% were female and 39% were black. At baseline, there were no significant differences in KCCQ scores between the telemedicine and the usual care group. Both groups reported significant quality of life limitations with median KCCQ score of 59.9, and median scores of 75.0, 87.5 and 56.3 on the physical limitation, self-efficacy and social limitation subscales respectively. At 3 and 6 month follow-up, there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups with respect to the primary endpoint, change in KCCQ overall summary score or subscale scores from baseline (see table). Conclusion: Telemonitoring in a large group of patients with heart failure did not improve health status when compared to usual care. Failure to improve readmission or mortality rates combined with lack of effect on quality of life suggests that alternative solutions for management of this complex population should be sought.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 1801-1809 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Nelson ◽  
V. Shane Pankratz ◽  
Donica M. Ghahate ◽  
Jeanette Bobelu ◽  
Thomas Faber ◽  
...  

Background and objectivesThe burden of CKD is greater in ethnic and racial minorities and persons living in rural communities, where access to care is limited.Design, setting, participants, & measurementsA 12-month clinical trial was performed in 98 rural adult Zuni Indians with CKD to examine the efficacy of a home-based kidney care program. Participants were randomized by household to receive usual care or home-based care. After initial lifestyle coaching, the intervention group received frequent additional reinforcement by community health representatives about adherence to medicines, diet and exercise, self-monitoring, and coping strategies for living with stress. The primary outcome was change in patient activation score, which assesses a participant’s knowledge, skill, and confidence in managing his/her own health and health care.ResultsOf 125 randomized individuals (63 intervention and 62 usual care), 98 (78%; 50 intervention and 48 usual care) completed the 12-month study. The average patient activation score after 12 months was 8.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 15.5) points higher in the intervention group than in the usual care group after adjusting for baseline score using linear models with generalized estimating equations. Participants randomized to the intervention had 4.8 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 16.7) times the odds of having a final activation level of at least three (“taking action”) than those in the usual care group. Body mass index declined by 1.1 kg/m2 (P=0.01), hemoglobin A1c declined by 0.7% (P=0.01), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein declined by 3.3-fold (P<0.001), and the Short-Form 12 Health Survey mental score increased by five points (P=0.002) in the intervention group relative to usual care.ConclusionsA home-based intervention improves participants’ activation in their own health and health care, and it may reduce risk factors for CKD in a rural disadvantaged population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1133-1141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam J Johnson ◽  
Paula McSkimming ◽  
Alex McConnachie ◽  
Claudia Geue ◽  
Yvonne Millerick ◽  
...  

Background: The effectiveness of cardiology-led palliative care is unknown; we have insufficient information to conduct a full trial. Aim: To assess the feasibility (recruitment/retention, data quality, variability/sample size estimation, safety) of a clinical trial of palliative cardiology effectiveness. Design: Non-randomised feasibility. Setting/participants: Unmatched symptomatic heart failure patients on optimal cardiac treatment from (1) cardiology-led palliative service (caring together group) and (2) heart failure liaison service (usual care group). Outcomes/safety: Symptoms (Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale), Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, performance, understanding of disease, anticipatory care planning, cost-effectiveness, survival and carer burden. Results: A total of 77 participants (caring together group = 43; usual care group = 34) were enrolled (53% men; mean age 77 years (33–100)). The caring together group scored worse in Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (43.5 vs 35.2) and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (35.4 vs 39.9). The caring together group had a lower consent/screen ratio (1:1.7 vs 1: 2.8) and few died before approach (0.08% vs 16%) or declined invitation (17% vs 37%). Data quality: At 4 months, 74% in the caring together group and 71% in the usual care group provided data. Most attrition was due to death or deterioration. Data quality in self-report measures was otherwise good. Safety: There was no difference in survival. Symptoms and quality of life improved in both groups. A future trial requires 141 (202 allowing 30% attrition) to detect a minimal clinical difference (1 point) in Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale score for breathlessness (80% power). More participants (176; 252 allowing 30% attrition) are needed to detect a 10.5 change in Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire score (80% power; minimum clinical difference = 5). Conclusion: A trial to test the clinical effectiveness (improvement in breathlessness) of cardiology-led palliative care is feasible.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 855.1-855
Author(s):  
E. Van Delft ◽  
K. H. Han ◽  
J. Hazes ◽  
D. Lopes Barreto ◽  
A. Weel

Background:Western countries experience an increasing demand for care, particularly for inflammatory arthritis (IA), while the healthcare budget decreases1. The innovative value-based primary care strategy2includes integrated care networks, where primary and secondary care bundle their expertise to improve patient value by providing the right care at the right place.General practitioners (GPs) have difficulties recognising IA, leading up to only 20% IA diagnoses of all newly referred arthralgia patients. However, since IA needs to be treated as early as possible to overcome progression, it is worthwhile to analyse whether integrated care networks have an impact on patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness. Triage by a rheumatologist in a primary care setting is one of the most promising integrated care networks for efficient referrals3.Objectives:To assess the effect of triage by a rheumatologist in a primary care setting in patients suspect for inflammatory arthritis.Methods:The present study follows a cluster randomized controlled trial design. The intervention, triage by a rheumatologist in a local primary care centre, will be compared to usual care. Usual care means that patients are referred to a rheumatology outpatient clinic based on the opinion of the general practitioner.The primary outcome is the frequency of IA diagnoses assessed by a rheumatologist. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs (EQ-5D)) and costs (work productivity (iPCQ) and healthcare utilization (iMCQ)) were determined at baseline, after three, six and twelve months. The target was to include 267 patients for each study group (power level 0.8). Since this study is still ongoing we can only show first results on the efficiency of referrals.Results:In the period between February 2017 and December 2019 a total of 543 participants were included; 275 in the usual care group and 268 in the triage group. Mean age (51.3 ± 14.6 years) and percentage of men (23.6%) were comparable between groups (page=0.139; psex=0.330).The preliminary data show that the number of referred patients in the triage group is n=28 (10.5%) (Fig. 1). 32 patients (11.9%) were not referred directly but advice was given for additional diagnostics. Since all patients in the usual care group were referred there is a decrease of at least 77.6% in referrals when rheumatologists are participating in the integrated practice units.Preliminary data on diagnosis are available for all referred patients in the triage group and for n=137 (49.8%) in the usual care group at this point. In the triage group n=18 (64.2%) of referred patients were diagnosed with IA (6.7% of the total study population). In the usual care group this was n=52 (38.0%) of the patients yet diagnosed.Conclusion:These preliminary results of an integrated care network are promising. Approximately three-quarters of all patients can be withheld from expensive outpatient care. PROMs data and cost-effectiveness analysis will give clear answers in order to provide evidence whether this integrated care network can be implemented as a standard of care.References:[1] Rijksoverheid. (2018). Bestuurlijk akkoord medisch-specialistische zorg 2019 t/m 2022.https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/.[2] Porter ME, Pabo EA, Lee TH. (2013). Redesigning Primary Care: a strategic vision to improve value by organizing around patients’ needs. Health affairs, 32(3);516-525[3] Akbari A, et al. (2008). Interventions to improve outpatient referrals from primary care to secondary care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 4,CD005471.Disclosure of Interests:None declared


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 618
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Ohbe ◽  
Kensuke Nakamura ◽  
Kazuaki Uda ◽  
Hiroki Matsui ◽  
Hideo Yasunaga

It is unclear when to begin rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the intensive care unit (ICU). Using the Japanese Diagnosis Procedure Combination inpatient database from 2010 to 2018, we identified adult patients who underwent a CABG and who were admitted to the ICU for ≥3 consecutive days from the date of their CABG. Patients who started any rehabilitation program prescribed by physicians or therapists within 3 days of CABG were defined as the early rehabilitation group, and the remaining patients were defined as the usual care group. We identified 30,568 eligible patients, with 13,150 (43%) patients in the early rehabilitation group. An inverse probability of treatment weighting analyses showed that the Barthel Index score at discharge in the early rehabilitation group was significantly higher than that in the usual care group (difference: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.5–4.8). The early rehabilitation group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality, total hospitalization costs, length of ICU stay, and hospital stay vs. the usual care group. Our results suggested that early rehabilitation by physicians or therapists beginning within 3 days of CABG was safe, as suggested by the low mortality and improved physical function in patients who underwent CABG.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiaki Ura ◽  
Tsuyoshi Okamura ◽  
Sachiko Yamazaki ◽  
Masaya Shimmei ◽  
Keisuke Torishima ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Green care farms, which offer care for people with dementia in a farm setting, have been emerging in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to 1) implement green care farms which use rice farming in Japan, 2) explore the positive experiences of rice farming care, and 3) compare the effect of rice farming care to that of usual care on well-being and cognitive ability. Methods We developed a new method of green care farm in Japan which uses rice farming, a farming that is practiced all over East Asia. The participants were 15 people with dementia (mean age = 75.6 ± 9.8 years) who participated in a one-hour rice farming care program once a week for 25 weeks. We also collected qualitative data on the positive experiences of study participants after the program. As a reference data, we also collected the corresponding data of the usual care group which included 14 people with dementia (mean age = 79.9 ± 5.8 years) who were attending the near-by day-care. Results The mean participation rate on the rice farming care group was 72.1%. After the intervention, participants reported experiencing enjoyment and connection during the program. It also changed the staff’s view on dementia. The green care farm group showed a significant improvement in well-being but no significant difference in cognitive function compared to the usual care group. Conclusions Green care farms by using rice farming is promising care method which is evidence-based, empowerment-oriented, strengths-based, community-based dementia service, which also delivers meaningful experience for the people with dementia in East Asia. Trial registration UMIN, UMIN000025020, Registered 1 April 2017.


Author(s):  
Sylvain Ploux ◽  
Marc Strik ◽  
Saer Abu-Alrub ◽  
F Daniel Ramirez ◽  
Samuel Buliard ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Multiparametric remote monitoring of patients with heart failure (HF) has the potential to mitigate the health risks of lockdowns for COVID-19. Aims To compare health care use, physiological variables, and HF decompensations during one month before and during the first month of the first French national lockdown for COVID-19 among patients undergoing remote monitoring. Methods Transmitted vital parameters and data from cardiac implantable electronic devices were analyzed in 51 patients. Medical contact was defined as the sum of visits and days of hospitalization. Results The lockdown was associated with a marked decrease in cardiology medical contact (118 days before vs 26 days during, -77%, p = 0.003) and overall medical contact (180 days before vs 79 days during, -58%, p = 0.005). Patient adherence with remote monitoring was 84±21% before and 87±19% during lockdown. The lockdown was not associated with significant changes in various parameters, including physical activity (2±1 to 2±1 h/day), weight (83±16 to 83±16 kg), systolic blood pressure (121±19 to 121±18 mmHg), heart rate (68±10 to 67±10 bpm), heart rate variability (89±44 to 78±46 ms, p = 0.05), atrial fibrillation burden (84±146 vs 86±146 h/month), or thoracic impedance (66±8 to 66±9 Ω). Seven cases of HF decompensations were observed before lockdown, all but one of which required hospitalization, versus six during lockdown, all but one of which were managed remotely. Conclusions The lockdown restrictions caused a marked decrease in health care use but no significant change in the clinical status of HF patients under multiparametric remote monitoring. lay summary The first French COVID-19 lockdown had a huge detrimental impact on conventional health care use (-78% in cardiology medical contact). However the lockdown had little impact over the short-term, if any, on vital parameters and the clinical status of patients with heart failure who were adherent to multiparametric remote monitoring. This remote monitoring strategy allowed early identification and home management of most of the heart failure decompensations during the lockdown.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Guerrero ◽  
L Alcoberro ◽  
J Vime ◽  
E Calero ◽  
E Hidalgo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Efficacy of HF programmes in oldest old (octogenarians and nonagenarians) has not been fully explored. Methods We conducted a natural experiment evaluating all patients after hospitalization for heart failure as primary diagnosis between January 2017 and January 2019. We compared outcomes between patients discharged during Period #1, before the implementation of the program with patients discharged during Period #2, after the implementation of the 7-step bundle of interventions. We explored the interaction between age group (&lt;80 vs. ≥80 years old) by the intervention modality (HF programme vs. usual care). Primary end-point was the combined end-point of all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization at 6 months after discharge from the index hospitalization. Results The study enroled 440 patients. Mean age of the whole cohort was 75±9 years. In the oldest old subgroup (n=160), mean age was 84±3. No differences were found in baseline characteristics of patients between usual care and HF program. 30-day all-cause readmission was significantly reduced in patients in the HF programme group compared to patients in the usual care group in both age strata. In unadjusted Cox regression analyses in the oldest old group, management of patients in the HF programme was significanty associated with a reduction in the risk of the primary end-point (HR: 0.50; 95% CI [0.29–0.85]; p=0.011). Conclusions Management of patients in a nurse-led integrated care-based heart failure programme results in reduction of all-cause death or all-cause hospitalizations in oldest old patients. Event-free survival cumulative curves. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Greenstein ◽  
Robert Topp ◽  
Jena Etnoyer-Slaski ◽  
Michael Staelgraeve ◽  
John McNulty ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Adhering to prescribed medical interventions predicts the efficacy of the treatment. In the physical health clinics, not adhering to prescribed therapy can take the form of not attending a scheduled clinic visit (no-show appointment) or prematurely terminating treatment against the advice of the provider (self-discharge). A variety of interventions, including mobile phone apps have been introduced with patients to increase their adherence with attending scheduled clinic visits. Limited research has examined the impact of a mobile phone app among patients attending a chiropractic and rehabilitation clinic visits. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to compare adherence with prescribed physical health treatment among patients attending a chiropractic and rehabilitation clinic who did and did not choose to adopt a phone-based app to complement their treatment. METHODS The medical records of new patients who presented for care during 2019 and 2020 at five community-based chiropractic and rehabilitation clinics were reviewed for the number of kept and no-show appointments and if the patient was provider discharged or self-discharged. During this 24-month study 36.3% of the 4,126 patients seen in the targeted clinics had downloaded the Kanvas App to their mobile phone while the remaining patients chose not to download the app (Usual Care Group). The gamification component of the Kanvas app provided the patient with a point every time they attended their visits which could be redeemed for an incentive. RESULTS During both 2019 and 2020 respectively the Kanvas App Group (50%-38%) were provider discharged at a greater rate than the Usual-Care group (47-31%). The Kanvas App Group kept a similar number of appointments compared to the Usual-Care Group in 2019 (10.20 vs. 8.68) but kept significantly more appointments than the Usual-Care Group in 2020 (11.63 vs. 7.67). During 2019 both groups exhibited a similar number of no-show appointments (1.89 vs 1.96) but in 2020 the Kanvas App Group demonstrated more no-show appointments (2.89 vs 2.14) than the Usual Care. When collapsed across years and self discharged the Kanvas App group had a greater number of kept appointments (7.79) compared to the Usual Care group (4.58). When provider discharged both groups exhibited a similar number of kept appointments (15.25 vs 13.82). The Kanvas App group (1.38) and the Usual Care group (1.34) were similar in the number of no-show appointments when provider discharged and when self-discharged the Kanvas App Group had more no-show appointments (3.37) compared to the Usual Care Group (2.44). CONCLUSIONS When patients were provider discharged, they exhibited a similar number of kept appointments and no-show appointment. When subjects were self-discharged and received the Kanvas App they exhibited 3.2 more kept appointments and .94 more no-show appointments than self-discharged Usual Care group.


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