Evaluation of Targeted Pharmacist Interventions to Reduce Length of Stay in an Acute Care Practice Model

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary-Haston Leary ◽  
Kathryn Morbitzer ◽  
Bobbi Jo Walston ◽  
Stephen Clark ◽  
Jenna Kaplan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
A Value ◽  
Pharmacist Interventions ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Background: Despite widespread recognition of the need for innovative pharmacy practice approaches, the development and implementation of value-based outcomes remains difficult to achieve. Furthermore, gaps in the literature persist because the majority of available literature is retrospective in nature and describes only the clinical impact of pharmacists’ interventions. Objective: Length of stay (LOS) is a clinical outcome metric used to represent efficiency in health care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-driven interventions on LOS in the acute care setting. Methods: A separate samples pretest-posttest design was utilized to compare the effect of pharmacist interventions across 3 practice areas (medicine, hematology/oncology, and pediatrics). Two time periods were evaluated: preimplementation (PRE) and a pilot period, postimplementation of interventions (POST). Interventions included targeted discharge services, such as discharge prescription writing (with provider cosignature). Participating pharmacists completed semistructured interviews following the pilot. Results: A total of 924 patients (466 PRE and 458 POST) were included in the analysis. The median LOS decreased from 4.95 (interquartile range = 3.24-8.5) to 4.12 (2.21-7.96) days from the PRE versus POST groups, respectively ( P < 0.011). There was no difference in readmission rates between groups (21% vs 19.1%, P = 0.7). Interviews revealed several themes, including positive impact on professional development. Conclusion and Relevance: This pilot study demonstrated the ability of pharmacist interventions to reduce LOS. Pharmacists identified time as the primary barrier and acknowledged the importance of leaders prioritizing pharmacists’ responsibilities. This study is novel in targeting LOS, providing a value-based outcome for clinical pharmacy services.

Methods used to attribute costs avoided from pharmacist interventions in acute care: A scoping review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujita W Narayan ◽  
Ivo Abraham ◽  
Brian L Erstad ◽  
Curtis E Haas ◽  
Arthur Sanders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Cost Avoidance ◽  
Harmful Consequence ◽  
Pharmacist Interventions ◽  
Acute Care Settings ◽  
Human Participants

Abstract Purpose Cost-avoidance studies are common in pharmacy practice literature. This scoping review summarizes, critiques, and identifies current limitations of the methods that have been used to determine cost avoidance associated with pharmacists’ interventions in acute care settings. Methods An Embase and MEDLINE search was conducted to identify studies that estimated cost avoidance from pharmacist interventions in acute care settings. We included studies with human participants and articles published in English from July 2010 to January 2021, with the intent of summarizing the evidence most relevant to contemporary practice. Results The database search retrieved 129 articles, of which 39 were included. Among these publications, less than half (18 of 39) mentioned whether the researchers assigned a probability for the occurrence of a harmful consequence in the absence of an intervention; thus, a 100% probability of a harmful consequence was assumed. Eleven of the 39 articles identified the specific harm that would occur in the absence of intervention. No clear methods of estimating cost avoidance could be identified for 7 studies. Among all 39 included articles, only 1 attributed both a probability to the potential harm and identified the cost specific to that harm. Conclusion Cost-avoidance studies of pharmacists’ interventions in acute care settings over the last decade have common flaws and provide estimates that are likely to be inflated. There is a need for guidance on consistent methodology for such investigations for reporting of results and to confirm the validity of their economic implications.

Cognitive Impairment and Length of Stay in Acute Care Hospitals: A Scoping Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Jonathan Plante ◽  
Karine Latulippe ◽  
Edeltraut Kröger ◽  
Dominique Giroux ◽  
Martine Marcotte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older persons experiencing a longer length of stay (LOS) or delayed discharge (DD) may see a decline in their health and well-being, generating significant costs. This review aimed to identify evidence on the impact of cognitive impairment (CI) on acute care hospital LOS/DD. A scoping review of studies examining the association between CI and LOS/DD was performed. We searched six databases; two reviewers independently screened references until November 2019. A narrative synthesis was used to answer the research question; 58 studies were included of which 33 found a positive association between CI and LOS or DD, 8 studies had mixed results, 3 found an inverse relationship, and 14 showed an indirect link between CI-related syndromes and LOS/DD. Thus, cognitive impairment seemed to be frequently associated with increased LOS/DD. Future research should consider CI together with other risks for LOS/DD and also focus on explaining the association between the two.

scholarly journals The Integration of Adult Acute Care Surgeons into Pediatric Surgical Care Models Supplements the Workforce without Compromising Quality of Care

2015 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 854-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudy J. Judhan ◽  
Raquel Silhy ◽  
Kristen Statler ◽  
Mija Khan ◽  
Benjamin Dyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Disease Process ◽  
Pediatric Care ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Late Night ◽  
General Surgeons ◽  
The Impact

Acute care of children remains a challenge due to a shortage of pediatric surgeons, particularly in rural areas. In our institutional norm, all cases in patients age six and older are managed by dedicated general surgeons. The provision of care to these children by these surgeons alleviates the impact of such shortages. We conducted a five-year retrospective analysis of all acute care pediatric surgical cases performed in patients aged 6 to 17 years by a dedicated group of adult general surgeons in a rural tertiary care hospital. Demographics, procedure, complications, outcomes, length of stay, and time of consultation/operation were obtained via chart review. Elective, trauma related, or procedures performed by a pediatric surgeon were excluded. Descriptive statistics are reported. A total of 397 cases were performed by six dedicated general surgeons during the study period. Mean age was 11.5 ± 3.1 years. In all, 100 (25.2%) were transferred from outlying facilities and 52.6 per cent of consultations/operations occurred at night (7P–7A), of which 33.2 per cent occurred during late night hours (11P–7A). On weekends, 34.0 per cent occurred. Appendectomy was the most commonly performed operation (n = 357,89.9%), of which 311 were laparoscopic (87.1%). Others included incision/drainage (4.5%), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2.0%), bowel resection (1.5%), incarcerated hernia (0.5%), small bowel obstruction (0.5%), intraabdominal abscess drainage (0.3%), resection of intussusception (0.3%), Graham patch (0.3%), and resection omental torsion (0.3%). Median length of stay was two days. Complications occurred in 23 patients (5.8%), of which 22(5.5%) were the result of the disease process. These results parallel those published by pediatric surgeons in this age group and for the diagnoses treated. Models integrating dedicated general surgeons into pediatric call rotations can be designed such that quality of pediatric care is maintained while providing relief to an overburdened pediatric surgical workforce.

The Utility of Cinematherapy for Stuttering Intervention: An Exploratory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 400-413
Author(s):  
Michael Azios ◽  
Farzan Irani ◽  
Monica Bellon-Harn ◽  
Eric Swartz ◽  
Cristiana Benson
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Cognitive Reactions ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis preliminary study explored the feasibility and benefits of using cinematherapy with adults who stutter to address affective and cognitive reactions to stuttering and their impact on the persons' life. A mixed methods research design was used to explore the impact of cinematherapy. Four clients completed a 4-week structured cinematherapy program. All clients completed two questionnaires: Unhelpful Thoughts and Beliefs about Stuttering and Overall Experience of the Speaker's Experience of Stuttering, before starting and after completing the program. At the end of the program, clients also completed a semistructured interview. The semistructured interviews provide insight on clients' perceptions of cinematherapy, and questionnaires provided quantitative insights on the clients' perceptions of change. Qualitative data analysis indicated that clients reported five themes related to perceptions of cinematherapy: Promoted Vulnerability; Nurtured Empowerment; Stimulated Self-Reflection; Incited Feelings of Belonging; and Diminished Self-Stigma. Overall, clients reported a clinically significant decrease in scores on both questionnaires after completion of the 4-week cinematherapy program. Results indicate that cinematherapy was well received and had a positive impact on cognitive and affective aspects of stuttering in the four adult clients. These results provide preliminary support for larger scale clinical trials of cinematherapy as an adjuvant to traditional stuttering therapy.

scholarly journals The Infant Cuddler Study: Evaluating the effectiveness of volunteer cuddling in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (7) ◽  
pp. 414-418
Author(s):  
Amanda Hignell ◽  
Karen Carlyle ◽  
Catherine Bishop ◽  
Mary Murphy ◽  
Teresa Valenzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Surrogate Marker ◽  
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Abstinence Syndrome ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objectives St. Michael’s Hospital launched a volunteer cuddling program for all infants admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit in October 2015. The program utilizes trained volunteers to cuddle infants when caregivers are not available. This was a pilot study to assess the impact of a volunteer cuddle program on length of stay (LOS) and feasibility of implementation of the program. Methods A mixed methods approach was utilized to measure both quantitative and qualitative impact. A pilot cohort study with a retrospective control group assessed the feasibility of implementing a volunteer cuddling program for infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Length of stay was used as a surrogate marker to measure the impact of cuddling on infants being treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Focus groups using semi-structured interviews were conducted with volunteers and nurses at the end of the pilot study. Results LOS was reduced by 6.36 days (U=34, P=0.072) for infants with NAS in the volunteer cuddling program. Focus groups with both bedside nurses and program volunteers described a positive impact of cuddling programs on infants, families, staff, and volunteers alike. Conclusions The study results suggest that the volunteer cuddling program may reduce LOS in infants with NAS and have potential economic savings on hospital resources. However, larger prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.

scholarly journals Impact of a specialist service in the Emergency Department on admission, length of stay and readmission of patients presenting with falls, syncope and dizziness

QJM ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Jusmanova ◽  
C Rice ◽  
R Bourke ◽  
A Lavan ◽  
C G McMahon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Specialist Service ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Bed Days ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact

Summary Background Up to half of patients presenting with falls, syncope or dizziness are admitted to hospital. Many are discharged without a clear diagnosis for their index episode, however, and therefore a relatively high risk of readmission. Aim To examine the impact of ED-FASS (Emergency Department Falls and Syncope Service) a dedicated specialist service embedded within an ED, seeing patients of all ages with falls, syncope and dizziness. Design Pre- and post-cohort study. Methods Admission rates, length of stay (LOS) and readmission at 3 months were examined for all patients presenting with a fall, syncope or dizziness from April to July 2018 (pre-ED-FASS) inclusive and compared to April to July 2019 inclusive (post-ED-FASS). Results There was a significantly lower admission rate for patients presenting in 2019 compared to 2018 [27% (453/1676) vs. 34% (548/1620); X2 = 18.0; P &lt; 0.001], with a 20% reduction in admissions. The mean LOS for patients admitted in 2018 was 20.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) 17.4–24.0] days compared to 18.2 (95% CI 14.6–21.9) days in 2019 (t = 0.98; P = 0.3294). This accounts for 11 344 bed days in the 2018 study period, and 8299 bed days used after ED-FASS. There was also a significant reduction in readmission rates within 3 months of index presentation, from 21% (109/1620) to 16% (68/1676) (X2 = 4.68; P = 0.030). Conclusion This study highlights the significant potential benefits of embedding dedicated multidisciplinary services at the hospital front door in terms of early specialist assessment and directing appropriate patients to effective ambulatory care pathways.

Readmission after robotic Ivor Lewis esophagectomy: Earlier discharge, increased readmissions?

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 149-149
Author(s):  
Ahmed I. Salem ◽  
Ravi Shridhar ◽  
Sarah E. Hoffe ◽  
Khaldoun Almhanna ◽  
Kenneth Meredith
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Neoadjuvant Therapy ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
P Value ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Historical Cohort ◽  
Ivor Lewis ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy ◽  
The Impact

149 Background: Readmissions after esophagectomy are costly and incidence can be as high as 25%. The robotic assisted approach has potential benefits of earlier discharge compared to conventional techniques, however it is unclear what impact an earlier discharge will have on readmission rates. We sought to examine the impact of early discharge on readmission rates with robotic approaches. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing robotic assisted Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (RAIL) from 2009-2015 was conducted. Clinicopathologic factors and surgical outcomes were recorded and compared. We then compared outcomes to a historical cohort from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data (2002 to 2009). Length of stay, 30-day and 90-day readmissions, and mortality were determined. All statistical tests were two-sided and a p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We identified 147 patients who underwent RAIL. There were 78.9% (116) male with an average age 66 ±10 years. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histology in 86% (126) patients, 9.52% (14) patients had squamous cell histology, and 4.76% (7) patients had other histology. Neoadjuvant therapy was administered to 77.6% (114) patients. In the SEER database 1,744 patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy: 80% of patients (1,390) were male, with a mean age of 73 years; 71.8% of tumors (1,251) were adenocarcinomas, and 38% of patients (667) received neoadjuvant therapy. Median length of stay was 13 days, 30-day mortality was 8.8% (158 patients), and 90 day mortality was 17.9% (302) compared to median LOH of 9 days, 30-day mortality of 0.6% (1) and 90-day mortality of 1.4% (2)% in the robotic cohort, p < 0.0001, p = 0.007, and p < 0.0001. Readmission rates at 30 and 90 days were 18.6% (212) and 31.3% (356) in the SEER patients, and 3.4% (5) and 5.4% (8) in the robotic cohort p = 0.001 and p < 0.001. Conclusions: RAIL is a safe surgical technique that provides an alternative to conventional approaches to esophageal resection. Patients undergoing RAIL had lower mortality rates and LOH. Despite the lower LOH, RAIL was associated with lower 30 and 90-day readmissions.

Reduction of Length of Stay in an Acute Care Psychiatric Unit

1996 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese Edward-Chandran ◽  
De Malcolm ◽  
RC Bowen
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Acute Care ◽  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Average Length ◽  
National Level ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Initial Increase ◽  
Psychiatric Unit ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Average Length Of Stay

Objective: To study the association between reduced length of stay in an acute care psychiatric unit and readmission rates. Method: Data on average length of stay, total discharges and readmission rates from April 1988 to March 1994 for 2 hospitals with high average lengths of stay was obtained from the Canadian Institute for Health Information database. Results: The average length of stay decreased from 25 days to 16 days, reaching the national level at one hospital. An initial increase in the readmission rate subsequently declined to pre-study levels. There was no change in length of stay at the other hospital. Conclusion: Reducing the length of stay in an acute care facility by 9 days to an average of 16 days did not lead to a sustained increase in the readmission rate.

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