scholarly journals The Healthcare Burden of Emergency Department Utilization for Multiple Myeloma: A Five Years U.S. Nationwide Study

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 3562-3562
Author(s):  
Mohamed Mokhtar Bakr ◽  
Umar Zahid ◽  
Pavan Tenneti ◽  
Rehan Farooqi ◽  
Faiz Anwer

Abstract Introduction: Multiple myeloma is comparatively uncommon cancer, but among blood malignancies it is still the second most common cancer after non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Patients with complications of multiple myeloma (MM) frequently present to the emergency department. There is a lack of data about the health care burden and trends of utilization of emergency department services by MM patients. The objective of this study is to investigate the recent trends in resource utilization in the emergency departments for MM. Furthermore, we aimed to look for the demographic characteristics associated with the subsequent hospitalization of MM patients. We hypothesized that there has been an increase in the utilization of emergency department services for the management of MM patients in recent years. We further hypothesized that subsequent hospitalization rate may be decreasing with the availability of more efficacious and potentially less toxic drugs. Methods: For this study we obtained the data from United States National Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) years 2010-2014. For categorical variables, frequencies and proportions were generated and statistical significance was tested using a chi-squared test. Rate of myeloma associated emergency department visits were estimated by using US census population. Patients and hospital characteristics were entered in univariate analysis to predict in-patient admissions from the ED. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict in-patient admissions for the variables that were found statistically significant in univariate analysis. All tests were two-sided with the statistical significance set at p < 0.05. All analyses were conducted using STATA 14.2v and no missing data was imputed. Results: Between 2010 to 2014, approximately 443,214 patients visited emergency departments (ED) with the diagnosis of MM, that accounted for 0.06 % of all emergency department visits. There was an absolute increase of 22% in MM related visits from 80,466 in 2010 to 98,279 in 2014. While the rate of emergency department service utilization by myeloma patient increased significantly by 19% (p=0.04). Overall 73% of myeloma related visits resulted in hospitalization, but over the study period trend of hospitalization decreased. The percentage of patients treated and discharged to home increased from 23% to 29% between 2010 to 2014. Total charges associated with myeloma related visits increased significantly from $315 million to $626 million during 2010 to 2014, with an annual increase in the rate (19.26%: p<0.001). In the multivariable regression analysis several characteristics of patients and hospitals were found to be positively associated with the higher odds of hospitalization following a myeloma related visit. Male gender (OR 1.09, p<0.001), age category 18-64 years (OR 4.3, p=0.002), age of 65 and above (OR 4.7, p=0.001), Medicaid insurance (OR 1.38, p<0.001), northeast location of hospital (OR 2.51, p<0.001), metropolitan non-teaching hospitals (OR 1.18, p<0.001), more number of co-morbidities (OR 1.51, p<0.001) and profit ownership of hospital (OR 1.5, p<0.01). Conclusion: Multiple myeloma related emergency department service utilization and total charges are increasing over the observed time limit. While the incidence of hospitalization from emergency department is decreasing overtime. These findings can be explained on the basis of few facts. MM patients are living longer with the availability of newer drugs but remain uncured. Most patients will face relapse after the initial disease control, at which point they may need to utilize ED services more frequently. As better oral or intravenous drugs are available through oncology out-patient offices, limited MM drug choices are available in the hospital, majority of MM patients are discharged sooner from the hospitals resulting in reduced hospital admission rates as well as shorter hospital stay. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (10) ◽  
pp. 1578-1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian J. Yun ◽  
Emily L. Aaronson ◽  
Esther Israel ◽  
Peter Greenspan ◽  
Sandhya Rao ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amyna Husain ◽  
M. Douglas Baker ◽  
Mark C. Bisanzo ◽  
Martha W. Stevens

False tooth extraction (FTE), a cultural practice in East Africa used to treat fever and diarrhea in infants, has been thought to increase infant mortality. The mortality of clinically similar infants with and without false tooth extraction has not previously been examined. The objective of our retrospective cohort study was to examine the mortality, clinical presentation, and treatment of infants with and without false tooth extraction. We conducted a retrospective chart review of records of infants with diarrhea, sepsis, dehydration, and fever in a rural Ugandan emergency department. Univariate analysis was used to test statistical significance. We found the mortality of infants with false tooth extraction (FTE+) was 18% and without false tooth extraction (FTE−) was 14% (P=0.22). The FTE+ study group, and FTE− comparison group, had similar proportions of infants with abnormal heart rate and with hypoxia. There was a significant difference in the portion of infants that received antibiotics (P=0.001), and fluid bolus (P=0.002). Although FTE+ infants had clinically similar ED presentations to FTE− infants, the FTE+ infants were significantly more likely to receive emergency department interventions, and had a higher mortality than FTE− infants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0021
Author(s):  
Aidan P. Wright ◽  
Aaron J. Zynda ◽  
Jane S. Chung ◽  
Philip L. Wilson ◽  
Henry B. Ellis ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Soccer has become the most popular youth sport in the world. Within the last decade, there has been limited epidemiologic research on pediatric soccer-related injuries based on sex and age. PURPOSE: To examine trends associated with soccer injuries presenting to emergency departments and to describe differences in injury pattern and location based on sex and age during periods of growth. METHODS: An epidemiologic study was conducted utilizing publicly accessible data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The NEISS compiles Emergency Department (ED) data on all injuries presenting to the approximately 100 participating network hospitals in the United States. Information on all soccer-related injuries occurring in ages 7-19 from January 2009 – December 2018 was extracted and summary statistics were calculated. RESULTS: Approximately 54,287 pediatric soccer-related injuries were identified. The average age for all injuries was 13.3 years, and males (60.50%) presented more often than females (39.50%). Concussions and head injuries (15.57%) were most commonly reported overall, with a greater percentage occurring in females than males (17.44% vs. 14.35%). The ankle (15.3%) was the second most common injury location with females also presenting more commonly than males (18.71% vs. 13.62%). Age and sex-based evaluation noted peaks in lower extremity injuries in females younger than in males. Both ankle (F=13-15 years, M=15-17 years) and knee (F=14 years, M=16 years) injuries peaked at ages coinciding with recognized sex-based lower extremity skeletal maturity (Figure 1). CONCLUSION: Peak pediatric soccer-related ankle and knee injuries presenting to emergency departments occur at different ages in females and males and appear to, on average, coincide with maturation (age 14 in females and 16 in males). Lower extremity injuries significantly increase nearing the completion of lower extremity growth, and may indicate appropriate timing for differential sex-specific injury prevention programs within soccer. [Figure: see text]


2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002090546
Author(s):  
Christina E. DeRemer ◽  
Shannon R. Lyons ◽  
Emily J. Harman ◽  
Karina Quinn ◽  
Jason Konopack

Introduction: Few would argue that emergency department utilization volumes do not tax the health system. Currently, there is not a process defined by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for transitioning this patient population back to their primary physicians following emergency department visits. Resource limitations in a rural family medicine setting create barriers to dedicate focus on this important transitional care management from urgent care visits to primary care office. Objective: To describe a novel pilot process for transitional care management from the emergency department utilizing pharmacy student extenders to overcome resource limitation at a rural family medicine clinic and establish follow-up primary physician contact. Methods: From a master list provided, student pharmacists proactively telephoned patients and reviewed medication changes while assisting with scheduling follow-up appointments at the patient’s primary physician clinic. Results: The result of these efforts increased the communication with patients and resulted in a 26% (10/38) increase in follow-up appointments scheduled with a total increase of an additional 7 patients adhering to follow-up transitional appointment. Conclusion: This approach utilizing student extenders is a feasible and sustainable process that can increase patient contact when resources are limited, while serving as an educational tool for next generation providers.


CJEM ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (S1) ◽  
pp. S75
Author(s):  
A. Dukelow ◽  
M. Lewell ◽  
J. Loosley ◽  
S. Pancino ◽  
K. Van Aarsen

Introduction: The Community Referral by Emergency Medical Services (CREMS) program was implemented in January 2015 in Southwestern Ontario. The program allows Paramedics interacting with a patient to directly refer those in need of home care support to their local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) for needs assessment. If indicated, subsequent referrals are made to specific services (e.g. nursing, physiotherapy and geriatrics) by CCAC. Ideally, CREMS connects patients with appropriate, timely care, supporting individual needs. Previous literature has indicated CREMS results in an increase of home care services provided to patients. Methods: The primary objective of this project is to evaluate the impact of the CREMS program on Emergency Department utilization. Data for all CCAC referrals from London-Middlesex EMS was collected for a thirteen month period (February 2015-February 2016). For all patients receiving a new or increased service from CCAC the number of Emergency Department visits 2 years before referral and 2 years after referral were calculated. A related samples Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was performed to examine the difference in ED visits pre and post referral to CCAC. Results: There were 213 individuals who received a new or increased service during the study timeframe. Median [IQR] patient age was 77 [70-85.5]. 113/213 (53%) of patients were female. The majority of patients 135/213 (63.4%) were a new referral to CCAC. The median [IQR] number of hospital visits before referral was 3 [1-5] and after referral was 2 [0-4]. There was no significant difference in the overall number of ED visits before versus after referral (955 vs 756 visits, p = 0.051). Conclusion: Community based care can improve patient experience and health outcomes. Paramedics are in a unique position to assess patients in their home to determine who might benefit from home care services. CREMS referrals for this patient group showed a trend towards decreased ED visits after referral but the trend was not statistically significant.


2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 780-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Schwebel ◽  
Carl M. Brezausek

Context: In 2010, 8.6 million children were treated for unintentional injuries in American emergency departments. Child engagement in sports and recreation offers many health benefits but also exposure to injury risks. In this analysis, we consider possible developmental risk factors in a review of age, sex, and incidence of 39 sport and recreational injuries. Objective: To assess (1) how the incidence of 39 sport and recreational injuries changed through each year of child and adolescent development, ages 1 to 18 years, and (2) sex differences. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Emergency department visits across the United States, as reported in the 2001–2008 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. Patients or Other Participants: Data represent population-wide emergency department visits in the United States. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pediatric sport- and recreation-related injuries requiring treatment in hospital emergency departments. Results: Almost 37 pediatric sport or recreational injuries are treated hourly in the United States. The incidence of sport- and recreation-related injuries peaks at widely different ages. Team-sport injuries tend to peak in the middle teen years, playground injuries peak in the early elementary ages and then drop off slowly, and bicycling injuries peak in the preteen years but are a common cause of injury throughout childhood and adolescence. Bowling injuries peaked at the earliest age (4 years), and injuries linked to camping and personal watercraft peaked at the oldest age (18 years). The 5 most common causes of sport and recreational injuries across development, in order, were basketball, football, bicycling, playgrounds, and soccer. Sex disparities were common in the incidence of pediatric sport and recreational injuries. Conclusions: Both biological and sociocultural factors likely influence the developmental aspects of pediatric sport and recreational injury risk. Biologically, changes in perception, cognition, and motor control might influence injury risk. Socioculturally, decisions must be made about which sport and recreational activities to engage in and how much risk taking occurs while engaging in those activities. Understanding the developmental aspects of injury data trends allows preventionists to target education at specific groups.


Author(s):  
Aleksi Haapanen ◽  
Johanna Uittamo ◽  
Jussi Furuholm ◽  
Antti Mäkitie ◽  
Johanna Snäll

Abstract Objectives The study purpose was to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate and disease profile of orofacial and respiratory infections in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) emergency units. Materials and methods Records of patients with orofacial or respiratory infection, or infectious symptoms, diagnosed in the OMFS or ENT Emergency Departments of the Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland between 1st March and 30th October 2020 and the corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019 were reviewed. The main outcome variable was the occurrence of studied infections during the evaluated periods. Other study variables were age, gender, residence area, speciality, specific cause for the emergency department visit and admission to ward. Results There was a significant 37% decrease in the number of infection patients in 2020 compared to the years 2019 and 2018 (1894 vs. 2929 and 3077, respectively, p < .001). A mean decrease of 51% (from 1319 and 1249 patients in 2018 and 2019, respectively, to 592 patients in 2020) was seen in the “Other ENT respiratory infection” category. ENT patients were 51% less likely to be admitted to the ward in 2020 compared to 2019 and 2018 (p = .013). Conclusion A significant decrease was observed in the volume of emergency department visits for orofacial and respiratory infections during the COVID-19-pandemic in 2020 compared to the non-COVID periods. Clinical relevance It seems that social distancing, facial mask wearing, and other infection prevention precautions have changed the accustomed patient profile in orofacial and respiratory infections.


Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 1795-1795
Author(s):  
Anna Benedetta Dalla Palma ◽  
Laura Notarfranchi ◽  
Jessica Crosara ◽  
Mario Pedrazzoni ◽  
Fabrizio Accardi ◽  
...  

The identification of risk factors for progression is critical in the clinical management and appropriate follow up of patients with pre-malignant Asymptomatic Monoclonal Gammopathies (AMG) including Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) and Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM). The development of prognostic score and consequently the early identification of patients with possible short-term progression to Multiple Myeloma (MM) could lead to anticipate the treatment. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated possible risk factors of short-term progression to active MM in a large cohort of MGUS and SMM patients admitted to a single haematological center (Hematology and BMT Unit, University Hospital of Parma) between 2010 and 2018. We analysed a total cohort of 235 patients diagnosed with AMG (81 MGUS and 154 SMM) according to the IMWG recently updated diagnostic criteria. All patients analysed underwent to Bone Marrow (BM) examination; moreover, imaging evaluation was performed in 22 MGUS and 123 SMM patients, in order to exclude the presence of bone disease. In a subgroup of AMG patients (n=50), bone mineral density (BMD) evaluation by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) was also available. Median age of the AMG patients analysed was 68 years (range 35-93 years). Median percentage of BM plasma cells (BMPCs) was 12% (range 2-55%) in the entire population, 7% (range 2-9) in MGUS and 15% (range 10-55) in SMM patients. Median serum M-protein was 1.7 g/dL (range: 0.17-4.5), 1.5 g/dL (range 0.17-4.5) in MGUS and 1.8 g/dL (range 0.4-2.7) in SMM patients. An abnormal free light chain (FLC) ratio was found in 70% of AMG patients, among the ones that performed the analysis; regarding SMM patients, FLC ratio value was available in 97 patients: in 72 (76%) the ratio was unbalanced, 37 (39%) had a FLC ratio ≤ 0.125 or ≥ 8 and in 14 (15%) it was > 20; among MGUS patients, value was collected in 41 patients and in 21 (51%) it was <0.26 or >1.65. The presence of immunoparesis in one or two uninvolved immunoglobulins occurred in 59% of the entire population. The median follow up time was 18 months (range 0 - 111 months) for whole population. Overall 44 patients of the entire cohort progressed to MM (41 SMM and 3 MGUS) with a median TTP of 14.5 months. By univariate analysis we found that percentage of BMPCs, entity of M-protein and presence of immunoparesis were significantly correlated with progression to active MM (p<0.001 for each variable). On the other hand, abnormal FLC ratio did not reach a statistical significance, as well as value of the involved FLC (p=0.059). Nevertheless, the presence of a FLC ratio < 0.125 or > 8 (as used in Mayo scoring system for SMM) showed a relationship at the limit of statistical significance in this subgroup of patients (p=0.052). Any significant correlation was not observed with age, sex, Ig isotype, light chain's type and the BMD values (p=NS). Afterwards, we applied Kaplan Meier method on risk factors resulted significant in univariate analysis demonstrating that they also significantly influenced the time to progression to MM. Finally, through a binomial logistic regression, we developed a new prognostic score for whole population. By combining the values of M-protein (< 2, score=0 or ≥ 2 g/dL, score=1) and the percentage of BMPC (<10%, score=0, 10-20%, score=1 and >20%, score=2), we obtained six groups at different probability of progression to active MM (Table 1). Given that result, we stratified patients in 3 groups: low-risk (score=0), intermediate-risk (score=1) and high-risk (score≥2); log-rank test confirmed that high-risk patients had a significantly shorter time to progression to symptomatic MM as compared to intermediate and low-risk patients (p<0.001). In conclusion, our results show that in patients with AMG the clinical factors, which mostly impact on the short-term risk of progression to active MM, are the entity of the PCs infiltrate and the MC related to the tumoral mass. The development of a clinical score based on BMPCs and M-protein will permit to overcome the traditional distinction between MGUS and SMM in the evaluation of the progression of AMG patients to active MM. Disclosures Giuliani: Janssen: Research Funding.


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