Prenatal Telemedicine During COVID-19: Patterns of Use and Barriers to Access

Abstract Lay Summary To protect pregnant patients from infection during the COVID pandemic, maternity care providers turned to video and phone visits (“telemedicine”) to provide as much prenatal care as possible. To evaluate this change in our prenatal care program, we surveyed 164 pregnant people who had participated in a virtual prenatal visit about their care. Participants reported both positive and negative experiences, ranging from appreciation for having a safer option than in-person visits during the pandemic, to problems due to poor internet connection, lack of privacy, and lack of access to necessary equipment. Although 77.4% of respondents indicated they would recommend telemedicine to a friend, our program evaluation highlights the fact that the ability to participate in virtual care is not equally distributed. Unless steps are taken to address this problem, relying on telemedicine for a significant portion of prenatal care could result in widening disparities in prenatal care and outcomes. Policymakers and healthcare systems which provide telemedicine must address issues of access to technology and connectivity to avoid adding to maternal health disparities. Objective To evaluate patient experience with a prenatal telemedicine visit and identify barriers to accessing telemedicine among rural pregnant people in northern New England during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods We conducted a post-visit electronic survey of pregnant people who successfully participated in a prenatal telemedicine visit at a rural academic medical center in Northern New England. Nineteen questions were included in five domains; 1) engagement with prenatal care; 2) barriers to telemedicine and in person healthcare; 3) experience of prenatal care; 4) remote pregnancy surveillance tools; 5) sources of COVID-19 information. Results Responses were obtained from 164 pregnant people. Forty percent of participants had participated in an audio-only telemedicine visit, and 60% in a video telemedicine visit. The visit was easy or somewhat easy for 79% of respondents and somewhat difficult or difficult for 6.8%. The most common barrier to accessing telemedicine was poor internet or phone connectivity, followed by childcare responsibilities, lack of equipment and lack of privacy. Participants also engaged in additional remote prenatal care including phone calls with registered nurses (7.6%), communication with the obstetrics team through a secure health messaging portal (21.1%) and home health monitoring (76.3%). Discussion and Conclusions In this survey evaluating the experience of pregnant people participating in a prenatal telemedicine visit during the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents had a positive experience with telemedicine overall, but also identified significant barriers to participation including issues with connectivity and lack of equipment for the visit. Most participants used telemedicine in combination with other tools for remote self-care.

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Pharmacists’ Perceptions on Their Role, Activities, Facilitators, and Barriers to Practicing in a Post-Intensive Care Recovery Clinic

Hospital Pharmacy ◽

10.1177/0018578718823740 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 55 (2) ◽

pp. 119-125

Author(s):

Antoinette B. Coe ◽

Rebecca E. Bookstaver ◽

Andrew C. Fritschle ◽

Michael T. Kenes ◽

Pamela MacTavish ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Direct Patient Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Medication Regimen ◽

Medication Reviews ◽

Facilitators And Barriers

Background: Complex medication regimen changes burden intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their caregivers during the transition to home. Intensive care unit recovery clinics are a prime setting for pharmacists to address patients’ and their caregivers’ medication-related needs. The purpose of this study was to describe ICU recovery clinic pharmacists’ activities, roles, and perceived barriers and facilitators to practicing in ICU recovery clinics across different institutions. Methods: An expert panel of ICU recovery clinic pharmacists completed a 15-item survey. Survey items addressed the pharmacists’ years in practice, education and training, activities performed, their perceptions of facilitators and barriers to practicing in an ICU recovery clinic setting, and general ICU recovery clinic characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used. Results: Nine ICU recovery clinic pharmacists participated. The average number of years in practice was 16.5 years (SD = 13.5, range = 2-38). All pharmacists practiced in an interprofessional ICU recovery clinic affiliated with an academic medical center. Seven (78%) pharmacists always performed medication reconciliation and a comprehensive medication review in each patient visit. Need for medication education was the most prevalent item found in patient comprehensive medication reviews. The main facilitators for pharmacists’ successful participation in an ICU recovery clinic were incorporation into clinic workflow, support from other health care providers, and adequate space to see patients. The ICU recovery clinic pharmacists perceived the top barriers to be lack of dedicated time and inadequate billing for services. Conclusions: The ICU recovery clinic pharmacists address ICU survivors’ medication needs by providing direct patient care in the clinic. Strategies to mitigate pharmacists’ barriers to practicing in ICU recovery clinics, such as lack of dedicated time and adequate billing for pharmacist services, warrant a multifaceted solution, potentially including advocacy and policy work by national pharmacy professional organizations.

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Pharmacist Transition-of-Care Services Improve Patient Satisfaction and Decrease Hospital Readmissions

Journal of Pharmacy Practice ◽

10.1177/0897190020958264 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 089719002095826

Author(s):

Katherine L. March ◽

Michael J. Peters ◽

Christopher K. Finch ◽

Lauchland A. Roberts ◽

Katie M. McLean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Hospital Readmissions ◽

Transitions Of Care ◽

Control Group ◽

Readmission Rates ◽

Improve Patient Satisfaction ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Improve Patient

Background: Pharmacists ability to directly impact patient satisfaction through increases in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys utilizing transitions-of-care (TOC) services is unclear. Methods: Retrospective analysis of TOC patients from 07/01/2018 to 03/31/2019 was conducted. Intervention (INV) patients received pharmacist medication reconciliation and education prior to discharge and post-discharge telephone follow-up. All other patients served as control group (CON). Primary outcome: Evaluate impact of TOC services on HCAHPS scores for “Communication about Medicines” and “Care Transitions.” Secondary outcomes: 30-day readmissions, quantification of prevented potential safety events, assessment of discharge prescriptions sent to the academic medical center outpatient pharmacy (MOP) for TOC patients. Results: Of 1,728 patients screened, 414 patients met inclusion criteria (INV = 414, CON = 1314). A significant improvement (14.7%; p = <0.0001) in overall medication-related HCAHPS results was seen when comparing pre- vs post-implementation of the TOC service. Statistically significant increases for individual questions “staff told you what the medicine was for” (14.2%; p = 0.018), “staff describe possible effects” (21.2%; p = 0.004), and “understood the purpose of taking medications” (11.4%; p = 0.035) were observed. A non-significant decrease in 30-day readmission rates for the groups was observed (CON 16.4%, INV 13.3%; p = 0.133); however, an unplanned subgroup analysis evaluating impact of discharge phone calls on 30-day readmission rates revealed a significant reduction of 17.3% to 12.4% (p = 0.007). One hundred forty-three medication safety event(s) were potentially prevented by the TOC pharmacist. Lastly, 562 prescriptions were captured at the MOP as a result of the TOC initiative. Conclusions: Pharmacy-based TOC models can improve patient satisfaction, prevent hospital readmissions, and generate revenue.

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Patients’ Perceptions of Portal Use Across Care Settings: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13126 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Ann Scheck McAlearney ◽

Cynthia J Sieck ◽

Alice Gaughan ◽

Naleef Fareed ◽

Jaclyn Volney ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care Providers ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Patient Centered Care ◽

Theory Approach ◽

Access To Information ◽

Engagement In Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Patient Centered ◽

Centered Care

BACKGROUND Patient portals are a promising instrument to improve patient-centered care, as they provide patients information and tools that can help them better manage their health. The implementation of portals in both the inpatient and outpatient setting gives health care providers an opportunity to support patients both during hospitalization and after discharge. Thus, there is a need to better understand how inpatient and outpatient portals are used across care contexts. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine patients’ perceptions of using inpatient and outpatient portals across the care settings, including how they used the portals and the benefits and concerns associated with portal use. METHODS This study was conducted in a large Midwestern academic medical center consisting of seven hospitals. We interviewed 120 patients who had used an inpatient portal during their hospitalization, at 15 days and 6 months postdischarge, to determine their perspectives of portal use in both hospital and outpatient settings. Interview transcripts were analyzed inductively and deductively by using team coding processes consistent with a grounded theory approach. RESULTS Interviews focused on three main areas of portal use: experience with the portal features, perceived benefits, and concerns. Responses at 15 days (n=60) and 6 months (n=60) postdischarge were consistent with respect to perceptions about portal use. Patients identified viewing their health information, managing their schedule, and communicating with providers as notable activities. Convenience, access to information, and better engagement in care were indicated as benefits. Concerns were related to technology issues and privacy/security risks. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of inpatient portals as a complement to outpatient portals is increasing and can enable patients to better manage aspects of their care. Although care processes vary substantively across settings, the benefits of convenience, improved access to information, and better engagement in care provide opportunities for portal use across care settings to support patient-centered care.

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864. Adolescent Primary Care Provider Knowledge of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Universal Screening at a Midwest Academic Medical Center

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab466.1059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S523-S524

Author(s):

Genevieve Allen ◽

Jamie Riddell

Keyword(s):

Internal Medicine ◽

Primary Care ◽

Family Medicine ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Primary Care Providers ◽

Care Providers ◽

Academic Medical ◽

Exposure Prophylaxis

Abstract Background HIV remains a problem for adolescents with 21% of new infections in the United States in 2018 occurring in youth. In this study we attempted to assess the knowledge of and comfort with pre-exposure prophylaxis and universal HIV testing among adolescent primary care providers affiliated with one academic medical center. Methods We conducted a survey of internal medicine/pediatrics, pediatrics, and family medicine residents and attending physicians affiliated with an academic medical center. Data collected included provider prescribing and referring habits for PrEP and information on their universal HIV testing habits. A “test your knowledge” section followed the survey which asked participants to name PrEP medications and to correctly select laboratory monitoring required for PrEP. Correct answers and prescribing resources were provided on completion of the survey. Results 138 (76%) respondents were aware that PrEP is approved for adolescents. There was no significant difference across specialties or between residents and attendings. 44.8% of respondents felt uncomfortable prescribing PrEP and two thirds had never prescribed PrEP. Reasons for not prescribing PrEP included: not seeing adolescents who qualify (n=80), not having enough training (66), confidentiality concerns (22), forgetting to address PrEP (19), and concern incidence of HIV is too low to recommend PrEP (15). Pediatricians were the least likely to test for HIV with 11% of pediatrician, 32% of internal medicine/pediatric, and 38% of family medicine respondents reported universal HIV testing for patients 15 years and older (p < 0.05). Residents were more likely to test for HIV than attendings (33.3% versus 16%, p < 0.05). 111 participants completed the “test your knowledge” section. 31.5% correctly named two approved PrEP medications. There were 183 responses to the survey (49% response rate). Conclusion Adolescent primary care providers are aware that PrEP is FDA approved for adolescents but a gap in PrEP prescribing and HIV testing persists. There remain perceptions that HIV incidence is too low to discuss PrEP and that providers are not seeing patients who qualify. Next steps include developing an institutional PrEP guideline and creating an electronic medical record order set to facilitate PrEP prescribing. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Feasibility of Implementing Opioid Stewardship Recommendations for Sinonasal Surgery

Otolaryngology ◽

10.1177/0194599820969155 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 019459982096915

Author(s):

Jaxon W. Jordan ◽

Christopher Spankovich ◽

Scott P. Stringer

Keyword(s):

Breakthrough Pain ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Inferior Turbinate ◽

Primary Outcome Measure ◽

Sinus Surgery ◽

Retrospective Case ◽

Phone Calls ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After

Objective The objective of our study was to review the current literature pertaining to perioperative opioids in sinus surgery and to determine the effects of implementing opioid stewardship recommendations in the setting of endoscopic sinonasal surgery. Study Design Single-institution retrospective case-control study. Setting Academic medical center outpatient area. Methods This retrospective review comprised 163 patients who underwent routine functional endoscopic sinus surgery, septoplasty, and/or inferior turbinate reduction before and after implementation of a standardized pain control regimen based on published opioid stewardship recommendations. The regimen consisted of an oral dose of gabapentin (400 mg) and acetaminophen (1000 mg) at least 30 minutes prior to surgery, absorbable nasal packing soaked in 0.5% tetracaine intraoperatively, and a postoperative regimen of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Tramadol tablets (50 mg) were prescribed postoperatively for breakthrough pain. The primary outcome measure for the study was the average number of hydrocodone equivalents (5 mg) prescribed before and after the new protocol. Results The average number of opioid medications prescribed, measured as hydrocodone equivalents (5 mg), decreased from 24.59 preprotocol to 18.08 after the initiation of the new perioperative regimen ( P < .001). There was no significant difference between the periods ( P > .05) in number of postoperative phone calls regarding pain or in patient satisfaction scores. Conclusion Opioid stewardship recommendations can be instituted for sinonasal surgery, including multimodal perioperative pain management and substitution of tramadol for breakthrough pain, as a method to decrease the volume of opioids prescribed, without increasing patient phone calls or affecting the likelihood of physician recommendation Press Ganey scores.

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Effects of Persistent Exposure to COVID-19 on Mental Health and Burnout Outcomes Among Trainees: A Longitudinal Study (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.28627 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Charles W. Goss ◽

Jennifer Duncan ◽

Sunny S. Lou ◽

Katherine J. Holzer ◽

Bradley A. Evanoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Baseline Survey ◽

Care Providers ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Longitudinal Effects ◽

Physician Trainee ◽

Anxiety Depression ◽

Additional Exposure

BACKGROUND The rapid spread of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has created considerable strain on the physical and mental health of healthcare workers around the world. The effects have been acute for physician trainees—a unique group functioning simultaneously as learners and care providers with limited autonomy. OBJECTIVE To investigate the longitudinal effects of physician trainee exposure to patients being tested for COVID-19 on stress, anxiety, depression and burnout using three surveys conducted during the early phase of the pandemic. METHODS All physician trainees (N=1375) at an academic medical center were invited to participate in a web-based survey. Multivariable models were used to assess the relationship between repeated exposure to patients being tested for COVID-19 and stress, anxiety, depression and burnout. RESULTS 389 trainees completed the baseline survey (28.3%). Of these, 191 and 136 responded to the ensuing surveys. Mean stress, anxiety and burnout decreased by 21% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): -28% to -12%; P < 0.001), 25% (95% CI: -36% to -11%; P < 0.001) and 13% (95% CI: -18% to -7%; P < 0.001), respectively per survey. However, for each survey time point, there was mean increase in stress, anxiety and burnout per additional exposure: stress [24% (95% CI: +12% to +38%; P < 0.001)], anxiety [22%, (95% CI: +2% to +46%; P = 0.026)], burnout [18%, (95% CI: +10% to +28%; P < 0.001)]. For depression, the association between exposure was strongest for the third survey, where mean depression scores increased by 33% per additional exposure (95% CI: +18% to +50%; P = <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Training programs should adapt to address the detrimental effects of the “pile up” of distress associated with persistent exposure through adaptive programs that allow flexibility for time off and recovery.

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Reducing ER Visits and Readmissions after Head and Neck Surgery Through a Phone-based Quality Improvement Program

Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology ◽

10.1177/0003489420937044 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 130 (1) ◽

pp. 24-31

Author(s):

Mitali Shah ◽

Jennifer Douglas ◽

Ryan Carey ◽

Manvav Daftari ◽

Teresa Smink ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Head And Neck ◽

Wound Care ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Postoperative Bleeding ◽

Phone Call ◽

Improvement Program ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

Phone Calls ◽

The Impact

Objective: Evaluate the impact of a patient phone calls and virtual wound checks within 72 hours of discharge on reducing emergency room (ER) visits and readmissions. Methods: Single arm trial with comparison to historical control data of patients undergoing multi subsite head and neck cancer operations or laryngectomy between July 2017 and June 2018 at a tertiary academic medical center. Patients were contacted within 72 hours of hospital discharge. As a supplement to the call, patients were given the opportunity to video conference with and/or send pictures to the provider with additional questions via a designated wound care phone. Results: Ninety-one patients met inclusion criteria, of whom 83 (91.2%) were contacted. Six patients (7%) were readmitted, of whom three had not been able to be reached. The patients who had been unable to be contacted were readmitted for dysphagia (2), and a urinary tract infection (1). The contacted patients were advised to go the ER during the call for concerns for postoperative bleeding (2) and gastrointestinal bleeding (1). Twenty-five patients (30%) utilized the wound care phone. 18 patients (21.7%) reported that the phone call survey prevented them from going to the ER. When compared to the prior year, there was as statistically significant decrease in ER visits ( P < .05), and no change in readmissions. Conclusions: Implementation of a phone call in the early postoperative period has the potential to decrease unnecessary ER visits and enhance patient satisfaction. This may decrease strain on the health care system and improve patient care. Level of Evidence: 4

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Defining Legacy: The Perceptions of Pediatric Health Care Providers

Clinical Pediatrics ◽

10.1177/0009922820940808 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 59 (11) ◽

pp. 1004-1010

Author(s):

Jessika Boles ◽

Maile Jones ◽

Jenna Dunbar ◽

Jessica Cook

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Free Text ◽

Care Providers ◽

Pediatric Health ◽

Pediatric Health Care ◽

Free Text Response

Legacy building interventions like plaster hand molds are offered in most children’s hospitals, yet little is known about how the concept of legacy is understood and described by pediatric health care providers. Therefore, this study explored pediatric health care providers’ perceptions of legacy at an academic medical center to ensure that future legacy interventions are evidence-informed and theoretically grounded. An electronic survey featuring three open-ended questions and two multiple-choice questions with an option for free text response was completed by 172 medical and psychosocial health care providers. Analysis yielded four themes: (1) legacy is intergenerational, enduring, and typically associated with end-of-life; (2) legacies articulate the impacts on others for which one is known and remembered; (3) legacies can be expressed through tangible items or intangible qualities; and (4) legacies are informed and generated by family relationships and work experiences. By understanding legacy as a personally and professionally contextualized experience, health care providers can better assess and meet the legacy needs of hospitalized pediatric patients and families.

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Awareness of the Care Team in Electronic Health Records

Applied Clinical Informatics ◽

10.4338/aci-2011-05-ra-0034 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 02 (04) ◽

pp. 395-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

L.G. Wilcox ◽

S. Collins ◽

S. Feiner ◽

O. Mamykina ◽

D.M. Stein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electronic Health Records ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Physician Assistants ◽

Care Team ◽

Accurate Information ◽

Care Providers ◽

Health Records ◽

Electronic Health ◽

Attending Physicians

SummaryObjective: To support collaboration and clinician-targeted decision support, electronic health records (EHRs) must contain accurate information about patients’ care providers. The objective of this study was to evaluate two approaches for care provider identification employed within a commercial EHR at a large academic medical center.Methods: We performed a retrospective review of EHR data for 121 patients in two cardiology wards during a four-week period. System audit logs of chart accesses were analyzed to identify the clinicians who were likely participating in the patients’ hospital care. The audit log data were compared with two functions in the EHR for documenting care team membership: 1) a vendor-supplied module called “Care Providers”, and 2) a custom “Designate Provider” order that was created primarily to improve accuracy of the attending physician of record documentation.Results: For patients with a 3–5 day hospital stay, an average of 30.8 clinicians accessed the electronic chart, including 10.2 nurses, 1.4 attending physicians, 2.3 residents, and 5.4 physician assistants. The Care Providers module identified 2.7 clinicians/patient (1.8 attending physicians and 0.9 nurses). The Designate Provider order identified 2.1 clinicians/patient (1.1 attending physicians, 0.2 resident physicians, and 0.8 physician assistants). Information about other members of patients’ care teams (social workers, dietitians, pharmacists, etc.) was absent.Conclusions: The two methods for specifying care team information failed to identify numerous individuals involved in patients’ care, suggesting that commercial EHRs may not provide adequate tools for care team designation. Improvements to EHR tools could foster greater collaboration among care teams and reduce communication-related risks to patient safety.

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The clinical, operational, and financial worlds of neonatal palliative care: A focused ethnography

Palliative & Supportive Care ◽

10.1017/s1478951513000916 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 179-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jackie Williams-Reade ◽

Angela L. Lamson ◽

Sharon M. Knight ◽

Mark B. White ◽

Sharon M. Ballard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Palliative Care ◽

Administrative Support ◽

Planning Process ◽

Medical Center ◽

Academic Medical Center ◽

Care Program ◽

Palliative Care Program ◽

Coordinated Care ◽

Focused Ethnography ◽

Palliative Care Teams

AbstractObjective:Due to multiple issues, integrated interdisciplinary palliative care teams in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may be difficult to access, sometimes fail to be implemented, or provide inconsistent or poorly coordinated care. When implementing an effective institution-specific neonatal palliative care program, it is critical to include stakeholders from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds of healthcare. In this study, researchers sought to gain a multidisciplinary perspective into issues that may impact the implementation of a formal neonatal palliative care program at a tertiary regional academic medical center.Method:In this focused ethnography, the primary researcher conducted semistructured interviews that explored the perspectives of healthcare administrators, finance officers, and clinicians about neonatal palliative care. The perspectives of 39 study participants informed the identification of institutional, financial, and clinical issues that impact the implementation of neonatal palliative care services at the medical center and the planning process for a formal palliative care program on behalf of neonates and their families.Results:Healthcare professionals described experiences that influenced their views on neonatal palliative care. Key themes included: (a) uniqueness of neonatal palliative care, (b) communication and conflict among providers, (c) policy and protocol discrepancies, and (d) lack of administrative support.Significance of results:The present study highlighted several areas that are challenging in the provision of neonatal palliative care. Our findings underscored the importance of recognizing and procuring resources needed simultaneously from the clinical, operational, and financial worlds in order to implement and sustain a successful neonatal palliative care program.

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