Abstract 18: Patient-administered Home Inotrope Therapy: A Proof of Concept

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wally A Omar ◽  
Chris Mathew ◽  
Kavita Bhavan ◽  
Sandeep R Das ◽  
Jose A Joglar

Background: Palliative use of continuous IV inotrope therapy has shown to improve quality of life and reduce hospital readmissions for patients with end-stage heart failure (HF) who are otherwise ineligible to receive advanced therapies. Administration of home inotrope therapy generally requires a hospice or home-health agency, placing this option out of reach for patients who lack funding. As such, underinsured patients are relegated to the difficult choice of either remaining in the hospital to receive IV inotropes, or going home without the therapy for as long as their symptoms allow. To address this issue at our large county safety-net hospital, we developed and implemented a patient self-administered home inotrope therapy program. Methods: A multidisciplinary team of physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and social workers was assembled to pilot the program. Eligible patients were provided with a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) and a portable infusion pump. They were then instructed on proper use of the pump, medication administration, medication bag changes, and IV line care using a nursing teach-back technique. After proper understanding was demonstrated, patients were discharged home with weekly follow up in heart failure clinic for PICC-care and medication exchanges. Results: During the initial 12 months of the program, 5 patients were deemed eligible for enrollment. Total hospitalized days for these patients was 277 (mean = 55.4 days) in the one year prior to enrollment and 12 (mean = 2.4 days) while enrolled for a cumulative period of 288 days (Figure 1). One patient was able to secure funding for advanced therapies, two patients died while enrolled, and two patients are currently enrolled and alive. Discussion: A self-administered home IV inotrope therapy program is a feasible alternative for palliation in unfunded patients with end-stage HF who are otherwise not candidates for advanced therapies, allowing for more days at home in the end of life. Thus far, the cost impact of the program has been mitigated by the cost savings for inpatient hospitalizations. Studies to assess patient-centered outcomes, and overall cost savings are ongoing.

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra B Steverson ◽  
Paul Marano ◽  
Caren Chen ◽  
Yifei Ma ◽  
Rachel Stern ◽  
...  

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) readmission quality metrics disproportionately impact reimbursement in safety net hospitals. Prior research has demonstrated the effect of medical comorbidities on readmission, however, there is a paucity of data on predictors of readmission in vulnerable and underserved HF patients. We sought to evaluate the effect of demographics, medical and social comorbidities on risk of 30 day readmission in an academic safety net hospital in San Francisco. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review from 2018 to 2020. Patients were included if treated for HF while on inpatient cardiology or medicine services and were assigned an ICD-10 discharge code for HF. Patients less than 21 years old were excluded. Demographics and comorbidities were obtained through evaluation of ICD-10 discharge codes and chart review. Multivariate modeling was used to determine predictors of 30 day readmission. Results: The study population included 383 patients in which the mean age was 60±13 years and 73% (n=282) were male. 44% (170) were Black, 23% (88) were Latinx, 33% (127) were not housed, 97% (371) had public insurance, and 21% (81) had a diagnosis of mental illness. 46% (177) had CAD, 76% (291) hypertension, and 36% (177) DM. Substance use was common with 30% (114) using methamphetamines, 36% (138) cocaine, 18% (69) opioids, and 35% (135) alcohol. On multi-variate analysis, EF less than 40% (75%, 285) was the only medical comorbidity associated with an increased risk of readmission (OR 1.86, 1.1-3.1, p= 0.018). Social variables associated with increased risk of readmission included identifying as Black (OR 2.26, 1.03-5.0, p= 0.043) or Latinx (OR 3.43, 1.41-7.59, p= 0.006), homelessness (OR 3.02, 1.76-5.18, p=<0.001), and specific substance use: methamphetamine (OR 2.23, 1.39-3.57, p=0.001), cocaine (OR 1.63, 1.03-2.57, p= 0.037), opioids (OR 1.81, 1.05-3.13, p= 0.033), and alcohol (OR 2.26, 1.43-3.58, p= 0.001). Conclusion: Race, housing status and substance use were more strongly associated with readmission risk than medical comorbidities in a population of urban, vulnerable and underserved HF patients. Interventions to improve HF readmission metrics should consider addressing racial and social disparities in similar populations.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anjali B Thakkar ◽  
Yifei Ma ◽  
Teresa Wang ◽  
Alexandra Teng ◽  
Rebecca Scherzer ◽  
...  

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) use is rising, and overdose deaths have increased by 500% in San Francisco since 2008. MA use is associated with heart failure (HF); yet, cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in this population have not been described. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-control study of HF patients at a safety net hospital in San Francisco. Between January 2001-June 2019, 1771 HF patients with MA use were matched by age and gender to 3542 HF patients without MA use. We examined age and gender-adjusted associations of MA use with likelihood of index HF admission and 30-day readmission (HF and all-cause), and used demographic-adjusted Cox regression model with competing risks to compare hazard rates associated with MA use over the 18-year study period. Results: At time of HF diagnosis, mean age was 52 years and 77% were male. Patients with MA use were significantly more likely than non-MA users to be black (49.1% vs 33.0%), and to have comorbid conditions including HIV (14.5% vs 4.7%), pulmonary hypertension (11.1% vs 7.7%), hypertension (82.0% vs 77.6%), and cocaine use (58.0% vs 14.7%). Despite similar rates of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and diabetes, HF patients with MA use were less likely to have percutaneous coronary intervention (6.1% vs 8.2%) or coronary artery bypass graft (0.8% vs 1.4%), p<0.05 for all. Compared to HF patients without MA use, HF patients with MA use had higher rates of index HF hospitalizations (36.0% vs 21.7%, adjusted odds ratio 2.04, 95% CI 1.80-2.32, p<0.01), 30-day HF readmission (12.2% vs 6.4%, adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.87, 95% CI 1.31-2.67, p<0.01) and 30-day all cause readmission (20.9% vs 14.3%, aHR 1.46, 95% CI 1.14-1.88, p<0.01). Exposure to MA was associated with higher likelihood of death during the study period, regardless of hospitalizations (22.4% vs 15.1%, aHR=1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.33, p<0.01). Conclusions: In our study, HF patients with MA use were more likely to be admitted for an index HF admission; subsequently, they were also more likely to be readmitted within 30 days. Regardless of hospitalization risk, individuals with MA use had higher likelihood of death. Further study to understand the clinical and socioeconomic factors driving worse outcomes in this high-risk population is needed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. S87
Author(s):  
Edward Chau ◽  
Jeffrey Tran ◽  
Malini Nadadur ◽  
Michael Fong ◽  
Luanda Grazette ◽  
...  

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonah D Garry ◽  
Anjali Thakkar ◽  
Yifei Ma ◽  
Rebecca Scherzer ◽  
Priscilla Hsue

Background: While cocaine use is associated with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction, the impact of cocaine use on HF outcomes including 30-day hospital readmission and survival has not been well described. Accordingly, this study evaluated the impact of cocaine use on 30-day hospital readmissions (heart failure and all cause) and mortality. Methods: We performed a case control study of HF patients with an index HF hospitalization at an academic safety net hospital in San Francisco between 2001-2019. 746 HF patients with history of cocaine use were matched to 746 HF patients without cocaine use, based on age, gender, and date of index hospitalization. We compared clinical characteristics, readmission rates, and mortality between these two groups. Results: Average age was 53 years and 79% were male. HF patients with cocaine use were more likely to be African American (69.6% vs. 29.8%, p<0.01), have hypertension, liver disease and concurrent use of methamphetamines and opioids. Rates of coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, HIV, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were similar between the groups. There was no significant difference in prescription of guideline directed medical therapies at discharge. Within 30 days of index HF hospitalization, HF patients with cocaine use were more likely to attend follow up (91.8% vs 86.9%, p<0.01), but were more likely to be readmitted for HF (12.1% vs 7.4%, OR 1.75, p<0.01) or other causes (22.4% vs 14.7%, OR 1.67, p<0.01). Over the study period, cocaine use was associated with greater likelihood of death (27.9% vs 20.1%, p<0.01). Conclusions: HF patients with comorbid cocaine use were found to have higher likelihood of readmission or death following index HF hospitalization compared to HF patients without cocaine use. As cocaine use continues to grow it is critical to understand the mechanisms underlying cocaine induced cardiovascular pathophysiology, and to identify factors affecting readmission and mortality in this high risk group.


2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. A790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Ebinger ◽  
Brandon Wiley ◽  
Ganesh Devendra ◽  
Dhruv Kazi ◽  
Priscilla Hsue ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. e644-e651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Keshvani ◽  
Mary Hon ◽  
Arjun Gupta ◽  
Timothy J. Brown ◽  
Lonnie Roy ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: EPOCH (etoposide, prednisone, vincristine, cyclophosphamide, and doxorubicin) -based chemotherapy is traditionally administered inpatient because of its complex 96-hour protocol and number of involved medications. These routine admissions are costly, disruptive, and isolating to patients. Here, we describe our experience transitioning from inpatient to outpatient ambulatory EPOCH-based chemotherapy in a safety-net hospital, associated cost savings, and patient perceptions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Guidelines for chemotherapy administration and educational materials were developed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Data were collected via chart review and costs via the finance department. Patient satisfaction with chemotherapy at home compared with hospitalization was measured on a Likert-type scale via direct-to-patient survey. RESULTS: From January 30, 2017, through January 30, 2018, 87 cycles of EPOCH-based chemotherapy were administered to 23 patients. Sixty-one ambulatory cycles (70%) were administered to 18 patients. Of 26 cycles administered in the hospital, 18 (69%) were the first cycle of treatment. Rates of inappropriate prophylactic antimicrobial prescription and laboratory testing were lower in the outpatient setting. Eight of nine patients surveyed preferred home chemotherapy to inpatient chemotherapy. Per-cycle drug costs were 57.6% lower in outpatients as a result of differences in the acquisition cost in the outpatient setting. In total, the transition to ambulatory EPOCH-based chemotherapy yielded 1-year savings of $502,030 and an estimated 336 days of avoided hospital confinement. CONCLUSION: Multiday ambulatory EPOCH-based regimens were successfully and safely administered in our safety-net hospital. Outpatient therapy was associated with significant savings through avoided hospitalizations and reductions in drug acquisition cost and improved patient satisfaction.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 649-655
Author(s):  
Hannah Mumber ◽  
Daniela Del Campo ◽  
Manuel Alvarado ◽  
Jacqueline Watchmaker

Background: While recent vaccine development has initiated a return to pre-COVID "normalcy" both in the dermatology clinic and worldwide, significant challenges remain regarding the public’s willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Dermatologists often discuss vaccinations with their patients and aid them in making evidence-based medical decisions. Previous studies have looked at the U.S. population’s willingness to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but no studies have examined the dermatology patient population from an urban, safety-net hospital. Studies have shown that understanding the target audience is the first step towards increasing vaccine acceptance. Methods: A cross-sectional, telephone-based survey study was administered to 326 patients of an urban, safety-net hospital from July 2020 to August 2020 in order to assess willingness to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine. Results: Our survey study showed that 57.7% of patients with a recent dermatology appointment are willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and that safety concerns represent the main reason for patient hesitancy. Patients who do not regularly receive a flu vaccine, non-Caucasian patients, and those who know someone who tested positive for COVID-19 are less willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Patients with a recent dermatology appointment are more willing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine than those who did not have a recent dermatology appointment. Conclusions: Our results provide dermatologists, especially those working in urban safety-net clinics, with key information about the attitude of patients toward the COVID-19 vaccine.


Author(s):  
Mark E. Patterson ◽  
Derick Miranda ◽  
Gregory L. Schuman ◽  
Christopher M. Eaton ◽  
Andrew J. Smith ◽  
...  

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