Hospital Utilization and Costs in Older Patients with Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease Choosing Conservative Care or Dialysis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-489
Author(s):  
Wouter R. Verberne ◽  
Gurbey Ocak ◽  
Liesbeth A. van Gils-Verrij ◽  
Johannes J.M. van Delden ◽  
Willem Jan W. Bos
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Hospital Utilization ◽  
Conservative Care ◽  
Outpatient Visits

Background: Nondialytic conservative care has been recognized as a viable alternative to chronic dialysis in older patients with end-stage kidney disease, but little is known about its consequences on hospital utilization and costs. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study to compare outpatient and inpatient hospital utilization, place of death, and hospital costs in patients aged ≥70 years old who chose conservative care (n = 100) or dialysis (n = 162) after shared decision making in a nonacademic teaching hospital between 2008 and 2016. Results: Patients who chose conservative care were older than patients who chose dialysis (82.5 vs. 76.3 years). Comorbidity did not differ between the 2 patient groups. The incidence rates of outpatient visits per year were 7.1 in patients who chose conservative care and 10.7 in patients who chose dialysis (incidence rate ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.55–0.81). The incidence rates of in-hospital days per year were, respectively, 6.0 and 9.8 (incidence rate ratio 0.50, 95% CI 0.29–0.88). Also in the final month of life, patients on conservative care had less outpatient visits, were less frequently hospitalized, and died less frequently in hospital than the dialysis patient group. The cost rates per year, measured from original treatment decision, were EUR 5,859 in conservative care patients and EUR 28,354 in patients who chose dialysis comprising both the predialysis and dialysis period (cost rate ratio 0.42, 95% CI 0.27–0.65). Patients who chose dialysis had higher costs on dialysis sessions, outpatient care, inpatient care, laboratory tests, and medical imaging. Conclusions: Patients who decided to forego dialysis and chose conservative care had less outpatient and inpatient hospital utilization than patients who chose dialysis, including less intensive hospital utilization near the end of life. Both overall and nondialysis-related costs were lower in patients on a conservative care pathway.

scholarly journals Value-based evaluation of dialysis versus conservative care in older patients with advanced chronic kidney disease: a cohort study

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter R. Verberne ◽  
Janneke Dijkers ◽  
Johannes C. Kelder ◽  
Anthonius B. M. Geers ◽  
Wilbert T. Jellema ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Advanced Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Conservative Care

Health, performance and conduct concerns among older doctors: A retrospective cohort study of notifications received by medical regulators in Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 54-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A Thomas ◽  
Eleanor Milligan ◽  
Holly Tibble ◽  
Lay S Too ◽  
David M Studdert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Substance Misuse ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Health Performance ◽  
Rate Ratios

Objectives To determine whether ‘older doctors’ (aged over 65) are at higher risk of notifications to the medical regulator than ‘younger doctors’ (aged 36–60 years) regarding their health, performance and/or conduct. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting National dataset of 12,878 notifications lodged with medical regulators in Australia between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2014. Participants All registered doctors in Australia aged 36–60 and >65 years during the study period. Main outcome measures Incidence rates of notifications and incidence rate ratios of notifications (older versus younger doctors). Results Older doctors had higher notification rates (90.9 compared with 66.6 per 1000 practitioner years, p < 0.001). Sex-adjusted incidence rate ratios showed that older doctors had a higher risk of notifications relating to physical illness or cognitive decline (incidence rate ratio = 15.54), inadequate record keeping (incidence rate ratio = 1.98), unlawful use or supply of medications (incidence rate ratio = 2.26), substandard certificates/reports (incidence rate ratio = 2.02), inappropriate prescribing (incidence rate ratio = 1.99), disruptive behaviours (incidence rate ratio = 1.37) and substandard treatment (incidence rate ratio = 1.24). Older doctors had lower notification rates relating to mental illness and substance misuse (incidence rate ratio = 0.58) and for performance issues relating to problems with procedures (incidence rate ratio = 0.61). Conclusions Older doctors were at higher risk for notifications relating to physical or cognitive impairment, records and reports, prescribing or supply of medicines, disruptive behaviour and treatment. They were at lower risk for notifications about mental illness or substance misuse. Incorporating knowledge of these patterns into regulatory practices, workplace adjustments and continuing education/assessment could enhance patient care.

scholarly journals Disparities in Electronic Patient Portal Use in Prenatal Care: Retrospective Cohort Study

10.2196/14445 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. e14445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinma P Ukoha ◽  
Joe Feinglass ◽  
Lynn M Yee
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Patient Portals

Background Electronic patient portals are websites that provide individuals access to their personal health records and allow them to engage through a secure Web-based platform. These portals are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary health care systems. Patient portal use has been found to be beneficial in multiple specialties, especially in the management of chronic disease. However, disparities have been identified in portal use in which racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have been shown to be less likely to enroll and use patient portals than non-Hispanic white persons and individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Electronic patient portal use by childbearing women has not been well studied, and data on portal use during pregnancy are limited. Objective This study aimed to quantify the use of an electronic patient portal during pregnancy and examine whether disparities related to patients’ demographics or clinical characteristics exist. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of women who received prenatal care at an academic medical center from 2014 to 2016. Clinical records were reviewed for portal use and patient data. Patients were considered enrolled in the portal if they had an account at the time of delivery, and enrollees were compared with nonenrollees. Enrollees were further categorized based on the number of secure messages sent during pregnancy as active (≥1) or inactive (0) users. Bivariable chi-square and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of portal enrollment and, if enrolled, of active use based on patients’ characteristics. Results Of the 3450 women eligible for inclusion, 2530 (73.33%) enrolled in the portal. Of these enrollees, 72.09% (1824/2530) were active users. There was no difference in portal enrollment by maternal race and ethnicity on multivariable models. Women with public insurance (adjusted incidence rate ratio; aIRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49-0.84), late enrollment in prenatal care (aIRR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89 for second trimester and aIRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64 for third trimester), and high-risk pregnancies (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89) were significantly less likely to enroll. Conversely, nulliparity (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and having more than 8 prescription medications at prenatal care initiation (aIRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were associated with greater likelihood of enrollment. Among portal enrollees, the only factor significantly associated with active portal use (ie, secure messaging) was nulliparity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23). Conclusions Among an obstetric population, multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors were associated with electronic portal enrollment, but not subsequent active use. As portals become more integrated as tools to promote health, efforts should be made to ensure that already vulnerable populations are not further disadvantaged with regard to electronic-based care.

scholarly journals Disparities in Electronic Patient Portal Use in Prenatal Care: Retrospective Cohort Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erinma P Ukoha ◽  
Joe Feinglass ◽  
Lynn M Yee
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Prenatal Care ◽  
Incidence Rate ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Incidence Rate Ratio ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Patient Portals

BACKGROUND Electronic patient portals are websites that provide individuals access to their personal health records and allow them to engage through a secure Web-based platform. These portals are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary health care systems. Patient portal use has been found to be beneficial in multiple specialties, especially in the management of chronic disease. However, disparities have been identified in portal use in which racial and ethnic minorities and individuals with lower socioeconomic status have been shown to be less likely to enroll and use patient portals than non-Hispanic white persons and individuals with higher socioeconomic status. Electronic patient portal use by childbearing women has not been well studied, and data on portal use during pregnancy are limited. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to quantify the use of an electronic patient portal during pregnancy and examine whether disparities related to patients’ demographics or clinical characteristics exist. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of women who received prenatal care at an academic medical center from 2014 to 2016. Clinical records were reviewed for portal use and patient data. Patients were considered enrolled in the portal if they had an account at the time of delivery, and enrollees were compared with nonenrollees. Enrollees were further categorized based on the number of secure messages sent during pregnancy as active (≥1) or inactive (0) users. Bivariable chi-square and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of portal enrollment and, if enrolled, of active use based on patients’ characteristics. RESULTS Of the 3450 women eligible for inclusion, 2530 (73.33%) enrolled in the portal. Of these enrollees, 72.09% (1824/2530) were active users. There was no difference in portal enrollment by maternal race and ethnicity on multivariable models. Women with public insurance (adjusted incidence rate ratio; aIRR 0.60, 95% CI 0.49-0.84), late enrollment in prenatal care (aIRR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69-0.89 for second trimester and aIRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.39-0.64 for third trimester), and high-risk pregnancies (aIRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.75-0.89) were significantly less likely to enroll. Conversely, nulliparity (aIRR 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.20) and having more than 8 prescription medications at prenatal care initiation (aIRR 1.19, 95% CI 1.06-1.32) were associated with greater likelihood of enrollment. Among portal enrollees, the only factor significantly associated with active portal use (ie, secure messaging) was nulliparity (aIRR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01-1.23). CONCLUSIONS Among an obstetric population, multiple clinical and socioeconomic factors were associated with electronic portal enrollment, but not subsequent active use. As portals become more integrated as tools to promote health, efforts should be made to ensure that already vulnerable populations are not further disadvantaged with regard to electronic-based care.

scholarly journals Risk Factors of Daptomycin-Induced Eosinophilic Pneumonia in a Population with Osteoarticular Infection

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 446
Author(s):  
Laura Soldevila-Boixader ◽  
Bernat Villanueva ◽  
Marta Ulldemolins ◽  
Eva Benavent ◽  
Ariadna Padulles ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Joint Infection ◽  
Eosinophilic Pneumonia ◽  
Severe Adverse Effect ◽  
Osteoarticular Infection

Background: Daptomycin-induced eosinophilic pneumonia (DEP) is a rare but severe adverse effect and the risk factors are unknown. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for DEP. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed at the Bone and Joint Infection Unit of the Hospital Universitari Bellvitge (January 2014–December 2018). To identify risk factors for DEP, cases were divided into two groups: those who developed DEP and those without DEP. Results: Among the whole cohort (n = 229) we identified 11 DEP cases (4.8%) and this percentage almost doubled in the subgroup of patients ≥70 years (8.1%). The risk factors for DEP were age ≥70 years (HR 10.19, 95%CI 1.28–80.93), therapy >14 days (7.71, 1.98–30.09) and total cumulative dose of daptomycin ≥10 g (5.30, 1.14–24.66). Conclusions: Clinicians should monitor cumulative daptomycin dosage to minimize DEP risk, and be cautious particularly in older patients when the total dose of daptomycin exceeds 10 g.

scholarly journals Ambulance dispatch of older patients following primary and secondary telephone triage in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia: a retrospective cohort study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e042351
Author(s):  
Kathryn Eastwood ◽  
Dhanya Nambiar ◽  
Rosamond Dwyer ◽  
Judy A Lowthian ◽  
Peter Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Vital Signs ◽  
Telephone Triage ◽  
Ambulance Dispatch ◽  
Emergency Ambulance ◽  
Primary Triage

BackgroundMost calls to ambulance result in emergency ambulance dispatch (direct dispatch) following primary telephone triage. Ambulance Victoria uses clinician-led secondary telephone triage for patients identified as low-acuity during primary triage to refer them to alternative care pathways; however, some are returned for ambulance dispatch (secondary dispatch). Older adult patients are frequent users of ambulance services; however, little is known about the appropriateness of subsequent secondary dispatches.ObjectivesTo examine the appropriateness of secondary dispatch through a comparison of the characteristics and ambulance outcomes of older patients dispatched an emergency ambulance via direct or secondary dispatch.DesignA retrospective cohort study of ambulance patient data between September 2009 and June 2012 was conducted.SettingThe secondary telephone triage service operated in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia during the study period.ParticipantsThere were 90 086 patients included aged 65 years and over who had an emergency ambulance dispatch via direct or secondary dispatch with one of the five most common secondary dispatch paramedic diagnoses.Main outcome measuresDescriptive analyses compared characteristics, treatment and transportation rates between direct and secondary dispatch patients.ResultsThe dispatch groups were similar in demographics, vital signs and hospital transportation rates. However, secondary dispatch patients were half as likely to be treated by paramedics (OR 0.51; CI 0.48 to 0.55; p<0.001). Increasing age was associated with decreasing treatment (p<0.005) and increasing transportation rates (p<0.005).ConclusionSecondary triage could identify patients who would ultimately be transported to an emergency department. However, the lower paramedic treatment rates suggest many secondary dispatch patients may have been suitable for referral to alternative low-acuity transport or referral options.

Health-related quality of life and symptoms of conservative care versus dialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter R Verberne ◽  
Iris D van den Wittenboer ◽  
Carlijn G N Voorend ◽  
Alferso C Abrahams ◽  
Marjolijn van Buren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
End Stage Kidney Disease ◽  
Conservative Care ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
End Stage

Abstract Background Non-dialytic conservative care (CC) has been proposed as a viable alternative to maintenance dialysis for selected older patients to treat end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This systematic review compares both treatment pathways on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and symptoms, which are major outcomes for patients and clinicians when deciding on preferred treatment. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus and PsycINFO from inception to 1 October 2019 for studies comparing patient-reported HRQoL outcomes or symptoms between patients who chose either CC or dialysis for ESKD. Results Eleven observational cohort studies were identified comprising 1718 patients overall. There were no randomized controlled trials. Studies were susceptible to selection bias and confounding. In most studies, patients who chose CC were older and had more comorbidities and worse functional status than patients who chose dialysis. Results were broadly consistent across studies, despite considerable clinical and methodological heterogeneity. Patient-reported physical health outcomes and symptoms appeared to be worse in patients who chose CC compared with patients who chose dialysis but had not yet started, but similar compared with patients on dialysis. Mental health outcomes were similar between patients who chose CC or dialysis, including before and after dialysis start. In patients who chose dialysis, the burden of kidney disease and impact on daily life increased after dialysis start. Conclusions The available data, while heterogeneous, suggest that in selected older patients, CC has the potential to achieve similar HRQoL and symptoms compared with a dialysis pathway. High-quality prospective studies are needed to confirm these provisional findings.

scholarly journals Association between home insulation and hospital admission rates: retrospective cohort study using linked data from a national intervention programme

BMJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. m4571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Fyfe ◽  
Lucy Telfar ◽  
Barnard ◽  
Philippa Howden-Chapman ◽  
Jeroen Douwes
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
Rate Ratio ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Relative Rate ◽  
Intervention Programme ◽  
Admission Rates

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether retrofitting insulation into homes can reduce cold associated hospital admission rates among residents and to identify whether the effect varies between different groups within the population and by type of insulation. Design A quasi-experimental retrospective cohort study using linked datasets to evaluate a national intervention programme. Participants 994 317 residents of 204 405 houses who received an insulation subsidy through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority Warm-up New Zealand: Heat Smart retrofit programme between July 2009 and June 2014. Main outcome measure A difference-in-difference approach was used to compare the change in hospital admissions of the study population post-insulation with the change in hospital admissions of the control population that did not receive the intervention over the same two timeframes. Relative rate ratios were used to compare the two groups. Results 234 873 hospital admissions occurred during the study period. Hospital admission rates after the intervention increased in the intervention and control groups for all population categories and conditions with the exception of acute hospital admissions among Pacific Peoples (rate ratio 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.90 to 0.98), asthma (0.92, 0.86 to 0.99), cardiovascular disease (0.90, 0.88 to 0.93), and ischaemic heart disease for adults older than 65 years (0.79, 0.74 to 0.84). Post-intervention increases were, however, significantly lower (11%) in the intervention group compared with the control group (relative rate ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval 0.88 to 0.90), representing 9.26 (95% confidence interval 9.05 to 9.47) fewer hospital admissions per 1000 in the intervention population. Effects were more pronounced for respiratory disease (0.85, 0.81 to 0.90), asthma in all age groups (0.80, 0.70 to 0.90), and ischaemic heart disease in those older than 65 years (0.75, 0.66 to 0.83). Conclusion This study showed that a national home insulation intervention was associated with reduced hospital admissions, supporting previous research, which found an improvement in self-reported health.

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