Development of a Methodology for Healthcare System Simulations to Quantify Nurse Workload and Quality of Care

Author(s):  
Sadeem Munawar Qureshi ◽  
Nancy Purdy ◽  
W. Patrick Neumann
BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e044052
Author(s):  
Felipe Lobelo ◽  
Alan Bienvenida ◽  
Serena Leung ◽  
Armand Mbanya ◽  
Elizabeth Leslie ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo identify sociodemographic, clinical and behavioural drivers of racial disparities and their association with clinical outcomes among Kaiser Permanente Georgia (KPGA) members with COVID-19.DesignRetrospective cohort of patients with COVID-19 seen from 3 March to 29 October 2020. We described the distribution of underlying comorbidities, quality of care metrics, demographic and social determinants of health (SDOH) indicators across race groups. We also described clinical outcomes in hospitalised patients including length of stay, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, readmission and mortality. We performed multivariable analyses for hospitalisation risk among all patients with COVID-19 and stratifyied by race and sex.SettingKPGA, an integrated healthcare system.Participants5712 patients who all had laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Of them, 57.8% were female, 58.4% black, 29.5% white, 8.5% Hispanic and 3.6% Asian.ResultsBlack patients had the highest proportions of living in neighborhoods under the federal poverty line (12.4%) and in more deprived locations (neighbourhood deprivation index=0.4). Overall, 14.4% (n=827) of this cohort was hospitalised. Asian patients had the highest rates of ICU admission (53.1%) and mechanical ventilation (21.9%). Among all patients, Hispanics (adjusted 1.60, 95% CI (1.08, 2.37)), blacks (1.43 (1.13, 1.83)), age in years (1.03 (1.02, 1.04)) and living in a zip code with high unemployment (1.08 (1.03, 1.13)) were associated with higher odds of hospitalisation. COVID-19 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (2.59 (1.67, 4.02)), chronic heart failure (1.79 (1.31, 2.45)), immunocompromised (1.77 (1.16, 2.70)), with glycated haemoglobin >8% (1.68 (1.19, 2.38)), depression (1.60 (1.24, 2.06)), hypertension (1.5 (1.21, 1.87)) and physical inactivity (1.25 (1.03, 1.51)) had higher odds of hospitalisation.ConclusionsBlack and Hispanic KPGA patients were at higher odds of hospitalisation, but not mortality, compared with other race groups. Beyond previously reported sociodemographics and comorbidities, factors such as quality of care, lifestyle behaviours and SDOH indicators should be considered when designing and implementing interventions to reduce COVID-19 racial disparities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Raparelli ◽  
L Pilote ◽  
H Behlouli ◽  
J Dziura ◽  
H Bueno ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The quality of care among young adults with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be related to biological sex, psycho-socio-cultural (gender) determinants or healthcare system-level factors. Purpose To examine whether sex, gender, and the type of healthcare system influence the quality of AMI care among young adults. Methods A total of 4,564 AMI young adults (<55 years) (59% women, 47 years, 66% US) were analyzed from the VIRGO and GENESIS-PRAXY studies consisting of single-payer (Canada, Spain) versus multipayer (US) systems. For each patient treated in each system we calculated a quality of care score (QCS) for pre-AMI (1-year pre admission), in-hospital, and post-AMI (1-year post discharge) phases of care (number of quality indicators received divided by the total number [range=0–100%], with higher scores indicating better quality). Ordinal logistic or linear regression models, and 2-way interactions between sex, gender and healthcare system were tested. Results Women in the multipayer system had the highest risk factor burden. Across the phases of care for AMI, 20% of quality indicators were missed in both sexes. High stress, earner status, and social support were associated with a higher QCS in the pre-AMI phase, whereas only employment and earner status were associated with QCS in all other phases. In the pre-AMI phase, women had higher QCS than men, mainly in the single-payer system (adjusted-OR=1.85, 95% CI 1.46,2.35 vs. 1.07, 95% CI 0.84,1.36, P-interaction= 0.002). Regardless of sex, only employment status had a greater effect in the multipayer system (adjusted-OR=0.59, 95% CI 0.44,0.78 vs 1.13, 95% CI 0.89,1.44, P-interaction <0.001). In the in-hospital phase, women had a lower QCS than men, especially in the multipayer system (adjusted-mean-difference: −2.48, 95% CI-3.87, −1.08). Employment was associated with a higher QCS (2.0, 95% CI 0.9–3.17, P-interaction >0.05). Finally, in the post-AMI phase, men and women had a lower QCS, predominantly in the multipayer system. However, primary earners had higher QCS regardless of system. Conclusion Sex, gender, and healthcare system affected the quality of care after AMI. Women had a poorer in-hospital than men and both women and men had suboptimal post-discharge care. Being unemployed lowered the quality of care, more so in the multipayer system. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Canadian Institutes of Health and Research (CIHR)


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e047025
Author(s):  
Nadine Janis Pohontsch ◽  
Josefine Schulze ◽  
Charlotte Hoeflich ◽  
Katharina Glassen ◽  
Amanda Breckner ◽  
...  

BackgroundPrevalence of people with multimorbidity rises. Multimorbidity constitutes a challenge to the healthcare system, and treatment of patients with multimorbidity is prone to high-quality variations. Currently, no set of quality indicators (QIs) exists to assess quality of care, let alone incorporating the patient perspective. We therefore aim to identify aspects of quality of care relevant to the patients’ perspective and match them to a literature-based set of QIs.MethodsWe conducted eight focus groups with patients with multimorbidity and three focus groups with patients’ relatives using a semistructured guide. Data were analysed using Kuckartz’s qualitative content analysis. We derived deductive categories from the literature, added inductive categories (new quality aspects) and translated them into QI.ResultsWe created four new QIs based on the quality aspects relevant to patients/relatives. Two QIs (patient education/self-management, regular updates of medication plans) were consented by an expert panel, while two others were not (periodical check-ups, general practitioner-coordinated care). Half of the literature-based QIs, for example, assessment of biopsychosocial support needs, were supported by participants’ accounts, while more technical domains regarding assessment and treatment regimens were not addressed in the focus groups.ConclusionWe show that focus groups with patients and relatives adding relevant aspects in QI development should be incorporated by default in QI development processes and constitute a reasonable addition to traditional QI development. Our QI set constitutes a framework for assessing the quality of care in the German healthcare system. It will facilitate implementation of treatment standards and increase the use of existing guidelines, hereby helping to reduce overuse, underuse and misuse of healthcare resources in the treatment of patients with multimorbidity.Trial registration numberGerman clinical trials registry (DRKS00015718), Pre-Results.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352199884
Author(s):  
Marian A O Cohen ◽  
Jim McQuaid ◽  
Ruth Remington

Much has been written about the patient experience, but there is little information about experiences of providers as patients. Since lay patients and providers have differing perspectives and expectations, it is important to identify those elements shared by those in each group and those that diverge. This study identified experiences of nurses as being a patient or a family caregiver of a patient as well as identified assessments of the healthcare system by nurses. An exploratory study using a self-administered electronic questionnaire with a group of registered nurses was conducted. Assessments of the system by responders were positive when addressing quality of care, interactions among healthcare personnel, and interactions with patients. However, when discussing their experiences as patient, nurses reported they encountered problems with coordination of care, responses of medical personnel, attention to details of care, and responses to their attempts to become more involved. Results confirm issues raised by patients who are not medical experts in patient satisfaction studies. Adding a professional perspective highlights where problems with the healthcare system lie.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dalia Dreiher ◽  
Olga Blagorazumnaya ◽  
Ran Balicer ◽  
Jacob Dreiher

Abstract Background The quality of healthcare in Israel is considered “high”, and this achievement is due to the structure and organization of the healthcare system. The goal of the present review is to describe the major achievements and challenges of quality improvement in the Israeli healthcare system. Body In recent years, the Ministry of Health has made major strides in increasing the public’s access to comparative data on quality, finances and patient satisfaction. Several mechanisms at multiple levels help promote quality improvement and patient safety. These include legislation, financial incentives, and national programs for quality indicators, patient experience, patient safety, prevention and control of infection and accreditation. Over the years, improvements in quality indicators, infection prevention and patient satisfaction can be demonstrated, but other fields show little change, if at all. Challenges and barriers include reluctance by unions, inconsistent and unreliable flow of information, the fear of overpressure by management and the loss of autonomy by physicians, and doubts regarding “gaming” of data. Accreditation has its own challenges, such as the need to adjust it to local characteristics of the healthcare system, its high cost, and the limited evidence of its impact on quality. Lack of interest by leaders, lack of resources, burnout and compassion fatigue, are listed as challenges for improving patient experience. Conclusion Substantial efforts are being made in Israel to improve quality of care, based on the use of good data to understand what is working and what needs particular attention. Government and health care providers have the tools to continue to improve. However, several mechanisms for improving the quality of care, such as minimizing healthcare disparities, training for quality, and widespread implementation of the “choosing wisely” initiative, should be implemented more intensively and effectively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeria Raparelli ◽  
Louise Pilote ◽  
Hassan Behlouli ◽  
Dziura D James ◽  
Hector Bueno ◽  
...  

Background: The quality of care among young adults with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) may be related to biological (sex) or psycho-socio-cultural (gender) determinants or healthcare system-level factors. Objectives: To examine whether sex, gender, and the type of healthcare system influence the quality of AMI care among young adults. Methods: A total of 4,564 AMI young adults (<55 years) (59% women, 47 years, 66% US) were analyzed from the VIRGO and GENESIS-PRAXY studies consisting of single-payer (Canada, Spain) versus multipayer (US) systems. For each patient treated in each system, we calculated a quality of care score (QCS) for pre-AMI (1-year pre-admission), in-hospital, and post-AMI (1-year post-discharge) phases of care (the number of quality indicators received divided by the total number [range=0-100%], with higher scores indicating better quality). The standard quality of care indicators were selected on the basis of being the standard of care to which young adults with AMI should have access to, based on European and North American Guidelines. Ordinal logistic or linear regression models and 2-way interactions between sex, gender and healthcare system were tested. Results: Women in the multipayer system had the highest risk factor burden. Across the phases of care for AMI, 20% of quality indicators were missed in both sexes. High stress, earner status, and social support were associated with a higher QCS in the pre-AMI phase, whereas only employment and earner status were associated with QCS in all other phases. In the pre-AMI phase, women had higher QCS than men, mainly in the single-payer system (adjusted-OR=1.85, 95%CI 1.46,2.35 vs. 1.07, 95%CI 0.84,1.36, P-interaction=0.002). Regardless of sex, only employment status had a greater effect in the multipayer system (adjusted-OR=0.59, 95%CI 0.44,0.78 vs 1.13, 95%CI 0.89,1.44, P-interaction<0.001). In the in-hospital phase, women had a lower QCS than men, especially in the multipayer system (adjusted-mean-difference: -2.48, 95%CI-3.87,-1.08). Employment was associated with a higher QCS (2.0, 95%CI 0.9-3.17, P interaction >0.05). Finally, in the post-AMI phase, men and women had a lower QCS, predominantly in the multipayer system. However, primary earners had higher QCS regardless of the healthcare system. Conclusion: Sex, gender, and the healthcare system affected the quality of care after AMI. Women had a poorer in-hospital than men and young adults had suboptimal post-discharge care. Being unemployed lowered the quality of care, more so in the multipayer healthcare system.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243990
Author(s):  
Malin Inghammar ◽  
Jonas Sunden-Cullberg

Background Increased body temperature in the Emergency Department (BT-ED) and the ICU (BT-ICU) is associated with lower mortality in patients with sepsis. Here, we compared how well BT-ED and BT-ICU predict mortality; investigated mortality in various combinations of BT-ED and BT-ICU, and; compared degree of fever in the ED and ICU and associated quality of care. Methods 2385 adults who were admitted to an ICU within 24 hours of ED arrival with severe sepsis or septic shock were included. Results Thirty-day mortality was 23.6%. Median BT-ED and BT-ICU was 38.1 and 37.6°C. Crude mortality decreased more than 5% points per°C increase for both BT-ED and BT-ICU. Adjusted OR for mortality was 0.82/°C increase for BT-ED (0.76–0.88, p < 0.001), and 0.89 for BT-ICU (0.83–0.95, p<0.001). Patients who were at/below median temperature in both the ED and in the ICU had the highest mortality, 32%, and those with over median in the ED and at/below in the ICU had the lowest, 16%, (p<0.001). Women had 0.2°C lower median BT-ED (p = 0.03) and 0.3°C lower BT-ICU (p<0.0001) than men. Older patients had lower BT in the ICU, but not in the ED. Fever was associated with a higher rate of sepsis bundle achievement in the ED, but lower nurse workload in the ICU. Conclusions BT-ED was more useful to prognosticate mortality than BT-ICU. Despite better prognosis in patients with elevated BT, fever was associated with higher quality of care in the ED. Future studies should assess how BT-ED can be used to improve triage of infected patients, assigning higher priority to patients with low-grade/no fever and vice versa. Patients with at/below median BT in both ED and ICU have the highest mortality and should receive special attention. Different BT according to sex and age also needs further study.


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