scholarly journals Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in 620,000 U.S. Veterans, February 1, 2021 to August 13, 2021

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A Cohn ◽  
Piera M Cirillo ◽  
Caitlin C Murphy ◽  
Nickilou Y Krigbaum ◽  
Arthur W Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
National Data ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Vaccine Protection ◽  
Primary Determinant ◽  
Protection Against Infection ◽  
The U.S

National data on COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections is inadequate but urgently needed to determine U.S. policy during the emergence of the Delta variant. We address this gap by comparing SARS CoV-2 infection by vaccination status from February 1, 2021 to August 13, 2021 in the Veterans Health Administration, covering 2.7% of the U.S. population. Vaccine protection declined by mid-August 2021, decreasing from 91.9% in March to 53.9% (p<0.01, n=619,755). Declines were greatest for the Janssen vaccine followed by PfizerBioNTech and Moderna. Patterns of breakthrough infection over time were consistent by age, despite rolling vaccine eligibility, implicating the Delta variant as the primary determinant of infection. Findings support continued efforts to increase vaccination and an immediate, national return to additional layers of protection against infection.

scholarly journals 98. COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Hospitalizations and Deaths in the Veterans Health Administration

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S61-S62
Author(s):  
Gina Oda ◽  
Aditya Sharma ◽  
Cynthia A Lucero-Obusan ◽  
Patricia Schirmer ◽  
Mark Holodniy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Records ◽  
Vaccine Dose ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Breakthrough Infection ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Antigen Testing ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background A COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infection is defined as SARS-CoV-2 RNA or antigen detected ≥ 14 days after completion of a final vaccine dose. CDC’s May 25 MMWR report of 10,262 vaccine breakthrough infections in the U.S. is likely an underestimate. Herein, we report Veterans Health Administration (VHA) breakthrough cases, focusing on hospitalizations and deaths. Methods We extracted COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections tested between 1/19/2021 and 4/30/2021 from the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse (including screening tests). We reviewed medical records of cases who died and/or were hospitalized within 14 days of SARS-CoV-2 positive test for clinician documentation of conditions deemed high risk for COVID-19 and to confirm hospitalization or death was related to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 whole genome sequencing (Clear Labs platform) and antigen testing (Abbott BinaxNOW) from available patient samples were performed and Pangolin lineage determined. Results 1,142 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections were identified. 357/1,142 (31.3%) were hospitalized and/or died. 1,085 (95%) were male (Table 1), and median age was 72.5 years (74 years for hospitalized/deceased patients). COVID-19 infection contributed to hospitalization and/or death in 139 (38.9%) cases. The remaining 218 (61.1%) were hospitalized or died of causes apparently unrelated to COVID-19. Smoking and heart conditions were seen most frequently among hospitalized/deceased breakthrough cases (Table 2). Variant B.1.1.7 was predominant, present in 17/27 (63%) total samples sequenced, and 13/21 (61.9%) hospitalized/deceased. (Table 3). Of 21 sequenced hospitalized/deceased cases, SARS-CoV-2 antigen positivity was present in 11 (52.4%). Conclusion Compared to CDC reported breakthrough infections, VHA cases were more male, older, and hospitalized/died at higher frequency. Further study is needed to determine the contribution of specific underlying conditions, COVID-19 vaccine formulations and variants on hospitalization and death among COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough infections. Sequencing efforts for breakthrough cases should be intensified, particularly for those presenting with more severe infections. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Do You Get What You Measure? Research Opportunities Based on the Veterans Health Administration Experience

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Thibodeau ◽  
John Harry Evans ◽  
Nandu J. Nagarajan
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Performance Incentives ◽  
Healthcare Network ◽  
Similar Patient ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
The U.S

SYNOPSIS Starting in 1995, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) transformed a bureaucratic healthcare system into a performance-driven, patient-focused integrated healthcare network. The VHA's experience may offer lessons for private and public sector providers as the U.S. explores alternative healthcare delivery systems and payment methods. Similar patient-focused integrated systems are one of the hallmarks of the latest U.S. attempt to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery. The use of performance incentives to promote cooperation and innovation is also central to both the VHA and the U.S. reform. This study reviews the VHA's experience with an eye to identifying issues and potential research avenues for accounting researchers interested in the role of accounting information for control, coordination, and organizational change.

scholarly journals 1201. Diphtheria in Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 2000-2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S692-S692
Author(s):  
Patricia Schirmer ◽  
Cynthia A Lucero-Obusan ◽  
Aditya Sharma ◽  
Gina Oda ◽  
Mark Holodniy
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
Vaccination Status ◽  
Public Health Department ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
Blood Isolate ◽  
Local Public Health

Abstract Background Diphtheria is caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and can cause respiratory or skin infections. Transmission occurs primarily person-to-person via respiratory tract and rarely from skin lesions or fomites. In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), we perform surveillance for nationally notifiable diseases such as diphtheria. In early 2021, there were 4 alerts for C. diphtheriae. Therefore, we investigated diphtheria prevalence in VHA over the last 20 years. Methods Isolates of C. diphtheriae were identified from VHA data sources from 1/1/2000-2/28/2021. Patient demographics, co-morbidities, microbiologic data, treatment, outcomes, and vaccination status were obtained via electronic medical record (EMR) review. Results 33 C. diphtheriae isolates were identified representing 32 unique individuals. 17 isolates were identified from 2000-2015 and 16 were identified from 2016-2021. Isolates were from cutaneous (16), blood (10), urine (4), pulmonary (2), and throat (1) specimens. In 11 individuals, clinical significance was unclear (no antibiotics given, note mentioned that it was being considered a contaminant - i.e., isolate may have been incorrectly labeled as “C. diphtheriae” instead of “diphtheroid”). Only 3 isolates had toxin testing documented. One C. diphtheriae biovar gravis blood isolate was associated with sepsis without another source identified. The throat isolate was a nontoxigenic strain. No cutaneous isolates underwent susceptibility testing, but all 15 individuals received antibiotics (1 patient had 2 isolates). 11 had additional organisms identified in addition to C. diphtheriae. Table 1 describes demographics, co-morbidities, and vaccination status of cutaneous cases. Only 1 case (in 2021) had EMR documentation of local public health department reporting. Table 1. Characteristics of Unique Individuals with Cutaneous Diphtheria Isolates in VHA, 2000-2021 Conclusion Nearly as many isolates have been identified in the last 5.5 years compared to the previous 15 years which may be related to more robust molecular identification methods available in VHA. Most C. diphtheriae isolated was from cutaneous sources that were acute in onset. About 33% were identified as C. diphtheriae but were not treated. EMR documentation of toxin production and public health department reporting was lacking. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Synopsis of the 2020 U.S. VA/DoD Clinical Practice Guideline for the Management of Adult Overweight and Obesity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie B Mayer ◽  
Sky Graybill ◽  
Susan D Raffa ◽  
Christopher Tracy ◽  
Earl Gaar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Practice Guidelines ◽  
Practice Guidelines ◽  
Clinical Practice Guideline ◽  
Practice Guideline ◽  
Veterans Health Administration ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Veterans Health ◽  
Health Administration ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT Introduction In May of 2020, the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and Department of Defense (DoD) approved a new joint clinical practice guideline for assessing and managing patients who have overweight and obesity. This guideline is intended to give healthcare teams a framework by which to screen, evaluate, treat, and manage the individual needs and preferences of VA and DoD patients who may have either of these conditions. It can be accessed at https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/CD/obesity/. Materials and Methods In January of 2019, the VA/DoD Evidence-Based Practice Work Group convened a joint VA/DoD guideline development effort that included clinical stakeholders and conformed to the Institute of Medicine’s tenets for trustworthy clinical practice guidelines. Results The guideline panel developed 12 key questions, systematically searched and evaluated the literature, created a 1-page algorithm, and advanced 18 recommendations using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system. Conclusions This synopsis summarizes the key recommendations of the guideline regarding management of overweight and obesity, including referral to comprehensive lifestyle interventions that combine behavioral, dietary, and physical activity change, and additional tools of pharmacologic and procedural interventions. Additionally, recommendations based on evidence found in the literature for short-term weight loss are included. A clinical practice algorithm that is part of the guideline is also included. Additional materials, such as provider and patient summaries and a provider pocket card, are also available for public use, accessible at the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) website listed above.

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