Association of dyspnea, mortality, and resource use in hospitalised patients

2021 ◽  
pp. 1902107
Author(s):  
Jennifer P. Stevens ◽  
Tenzin Dechen ◽  
Richard M. Schwartzstein ◽  
Carl O'Donnell ◽  
Kathy Baker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Intensive Care Unit Discharge ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Increased Risk

As many as 1 in 10 patients experience dyspnea at hospital admission but the relationship between dyspnea and patient outcomes is unknown. We sought to determine whether dyspnea on admission predicts outcomes.We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a single, academic medical center. We analysed 67 362 consecutive hospital admissions with available data on dyspnea, pain, and outcomes. As part of the Initial Patient Assessment by nurses, patients rated “breathing discomfort” using a 0 to 10 scale, (10=“unbearable”). Patients reported dyspnea at the time of admission and recalled dyspnea experienced in the 24 h prior to admission. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality, 2-year mortality, length of stay, need for rapid response system activation, transfer to the intensive care unit, discharge to extended care, and 7- and 30-day all cause readmission to the same institution.Patients who reported any dyspnea were at an increased risk of death during that hospital stay; the greater the dyspnea, the greater the risk of death (dyspnea=0, 0.8% in-hospital mortality; dyspnea=1–3, 2.5% mortality; dyspnea ≥4, 3.7% mortality, p<0.001). After adjustment for patient comorbidities, demographics, and severity of illness, increasing dyspnea remained associated with inpatient mortality (dyspnea 1–3, aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7–2.6; dyspnea ≥4, aOR 3.1, 95% CI 2.4–3.9). Pain did not predict increased mortality. Patients reporting dyspnea also used more hospital resources, were more likely to be readmitted, and were at increased risk of death within 2 years (dyspnea=1–3 adjusted HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3–1.6; dyspnea ≥4 adjusted HR 1.7, 95% CI 1.5–1.8).We found that dyspnea of any rating was associated with an increased risk of death. Dyspnea can be rapidly collected by nursing staff, which may allow for better monitoring or interventions that could reduce mortality and morbidity.

scholarly journals Mortality and high risk of major adverse events in patients with COVID-19 and history of cardiovascular disease

Open Heart ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e001526
Author(s):  
Elena Tessitore ◽  
David Carballo ◽  
Antoine Poncet ◽  
Nils Perrin ◽  
Cedric Follonier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Adverse Cardiovascular Event ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

ObjectiveHistory of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) may influence the prognosis of patients hospitalised for COVID-19. We investigated whether patients with previous CVD have increased risk of death and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) when hospitalised for COVID-19.MethodsWe included 839 patients with COVID-19 hospitalised at the University Hospitals of Geneva. Demographic characteristics, medical history, laboratory values, ECG at admission and medications at admission were collected based on electronic medical records. The primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality or MACE.ResultsMedian age was 67 years, 453 (54%) were males and 277 (33%) had history of CVD. In total, 152 (18%) died and 687 (82%) were discharged, including 72 (9%) who survived a MACE. Patients with previous CVD were more at risk of composite outcomes 141/277 (51%) compared with those without CVD 83/562 (15%) (OR=6.0 (95% CI 4.3 to 8.4), p<0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that history of CVD remained an independent risk factor of in-hospital death or MACE (OR=2.4; (95% CI 1.6 to 3.5)), as did age (OR for a 10-year increase=2.2 (95% CI 1.9 to 2.6)), male gender (OR=1.6 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.3)), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=2.1 (95% CI 1.0 to 4.2)) and lung infiltration associated with COVID-19 at CT scan (OR=1.9 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.0)). History of CVD (OR=2.9 (95% CI 1.7 to 5)), age (OR=2.5 (95% CI 2.0 to 3.2)), male gender (OR=1.6 (95% CI 0.98 to 2.6)) and elevated C reactive protein (CRP) levels on admission (OR for a 10 mg/L increase=1.1 (95% CI 1.1 to 1.2)) were independent risk factors for mortality.ConclusionHistory of CVD is associated with higher in-hospital mortality and MACE in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Other factors associated with higher in-hospital mortality are older age, male sex and elevated CRP on admission.

Comparison of Vasopressor Duration in Septic Shock Patients With and Without Cirrhosis

2020 ◽  
pp. 106002802098072
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Durst ◽  
Elizabeth A. Eitzen ◽  
Scott T. Benken
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Discharge Disposition ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Vasopressor Use

Background Patients with cirrhosis have immune dysfunction, altered inflammatory response, and hemodynamic changes which increase risk of septic shock and potentially prolong management with fluids, vasopressors, and other therapies. Due to limited available guidance, this study aimed to characterize vasopressor use in patients with cirrhosis in relation to patients without cirrhosis in septic shock. Methods This was a retrospective matched cohort analysis of 122 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at an academic medical center from January 2015 to November 2017. Patients were grouped based on the presence or absence of cirrhosis and matched based on severity of illness scoring. The primary outcome was vasopressor duration. Secondary comparisons included total vasopressor requirement, length of hospital and ICU stay, in-hospital mortality, change in organ function, and discharge disposition. Results The group with cirrhosis had significantly longer median (interquartile range [IQR]) durations of vasopressor therapy compared with the group without cirrhosis (86.0 [42.0-164.5] vs 39.0 [14.5-82.0] hours; P = 0.003) leading to increased median (IQR) vasopressor exposure (71.7 [15.5-239.5] vs 24.7 [5.3-77.9] mg norepinephrine [NE] equivalents; P = 0.003). No difference was found in in-hospital mortality between groups. However, regression analysis showed vasopressor exposure was associated with in-hospital mortality. Conclusion and Relevance Patients with cirrhosis in septic shock have increased vasopressor durations and overall requirements compared with patients without cirrhosis. Increased durations and requirements is associated with poorer outcomes independent of presence of cirrhosis. Future studies are needed to improve vasopressor treatment strategies and end points utilized in cirrhosis.

Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality among a Cohort of Children with Clostridium difficile Infection

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 1183-1189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neika Vendetti ◽  
Theoklis Zaoutis ◽  
Susan E. Coffin ◽  
Julia Shaklee Sammons
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Clostridium Difficile ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk

OBJECTIVEThe incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has increased and has been associated with poor outcomes among hospitalized children, including increased risk of death. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for all-cause in-hospital mortality among children with CDI.METHODSA multicenter cohort of children with CDI, aged 1–18 years, was established among children hospitalized at 41 freestanding children’s hospitals between January 1, 2006 and August 31, 2011. Children with CDI were identified using a validated case-finding tool (ICD-9-CM code for CDI plus C. difficile test charge). Only the first CDI-related hospitalization during the study period was used. Risk factors for all-cause in-hospital mortality within 30 days of C. difficile test were evaluated using a multivariable logistic regression model.RESULTSWe identified 7,318 children with CDI during the study period. The median age of this cohort was 6 years [interquartile range (IQR): 2–13]; the mortality rate was 1.5% (n=109); and the median number of days between C. difficile testing and death was 12 (IQR, 7–20). Independent risk factors for death included older age [adjusted odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval), 2.29 (1.40–3.77)], underlying malignancy [3.57 (2.36–5.40)], cardiovascular disease [2.06 (1.28–3.30)], hematologic/immunologic condition [1.89 (1.05–3.39)], gastric acid suppression [2.70 (1.43–5.08)], and presence of >1 severity of illness marker [3.88 (2.44–6.19)].CONCLUSIONPatients with select chronic conditions and more severe disease are at increased risk of death. Identifying risk factors for in-hospital mortality can help detect subpopulations of children that may benefit from targeted CDI prevention and treatment strategies.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(10):1183–1189

scholarly journals Clinical Characteristics and Predictors of In-Hospital Mortality among Older Patients with Acute Heart Failure

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Giuseppe De Matteis ◽  
Marcello Covino ◽  
Maria Livia Burzo ◽  
Davide Antonio Della Polla ◽  
Francesco Franceschi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Heart Failure ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Nyha Class ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Early Death ◽  
Increased Risk

Acute Heart Failure (AHF)-related hospitalizations and mortality are still high in western countries, especially among older patients. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality of older patients hospitalized with AHF. We conducted a retrospective study including all consecutive patients ≥65 years who were admitted for AHF at a single academic medical center between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2018. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality. We also analyzed deaths due to cardiovascular (CV) and non-CV causes and compared early in-hospital events. The study included 6930 patients, mean age 81 years, 51% females. The overall mortality rate was 13%. Patients ≥85 years had higher mortality and early death rate than younger patients. Infections were the most common condition precipitating AHF in our cohort, and pneumonia was the most frequent of these. About half of all hospital deaths were due to non-CV causes. After adjusting for confounding factors other than NYHA class at admission, infections were associated with an almost two-fold increased risk of mortality, HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10–2.71 in patients 65–74 years (p = 0.014); HR 1.83, 95% CI 1.34–2.49 in patients 75–84 years (p = 0.001); HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.24–2.19 in patients ≥85 years (p = 0.001). In conclusion, among older patients with AHF, in-hospital mortality rates increased with increasing age, and infections were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality. In contemporary patients with AHF, along with the treatment of the CV conditions, management should be focused on timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of non-CV factors, especially pulmonary infections.

scholarly journals Pulmonary thromboembolism in hospitalised patients with COVID-19: a retrospective national study of patients managed in critical care and ward environments in Scotland

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e050281
Author(s):  
Michael McGettrick ◽  
Alexander MacLellan ◽  
Paul McCaughey ◽  
Catherine Bagot ◽  
Melanie J Brewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Pulmonary Thromboembolism ◽  
Primary Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
National Study ◽  
Right Heart ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectivesTo assess for increase in pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) in hospitalised patients with COVID-19, in both critical care and ward environments.SettingWe reviewed all CT pulmonary angiograms (CTPA) performed in Scotland between 23 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 and identified those with COVID-19 using either classical radiological appearances or positive COVID-19 PCR swab.ParticipantsAll hospitalised patients in Scotland with COVID-19 between 23 March 2020 and 31 May 2020 who underwent a CTPA.Primary outcome measureTo assess if the rate of PTE was increased in those with COVID-19 compared with previously published figures of hospitalised patients.Secondary outcome measuresTo assess the effect of right heart strain or requirement for critical care on mortality.Results3401 CTPAs were reviewed. 192 were positive for PTE in patients with evidence of COVID-19 either real-time PCR swab positive for SARS-CoV-2 (n=104) or having radiological changes consistent with COVID-19 (n=88). The total number of hospital admissions in Scotland between 23rd March 2020 and 31st May 2020 with COVID-19 was 5195. The incidence of PTE during this time was 3.7% in all patients admitted to all hospitals in Scotland with COVID-19 during this period. 475 hospitalised patients were managed in critical care (both level 2 and level 3 care), in whom the incidence of PTE was 6% (n=29). 4720 patients did not require admission to critical care, in whom the incidence of PTE was 3.5% (n=163). There was increased risk of death with right heart strain (25/52 vs 128/140 (p<0.01)) and in critical care (15/29 vs 146/163 (p<0.01)).ConclusionsWe have demonstrated an increased risk of PTE in critical care and ward-based environments. Further studies are required to establish effective prophylactic anticoagulation in this group.

scholarly journals Survival in critically ill admissions with and without COVID-19 at an academic medical center during the height of the pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Caroline A. Ricard ◽  
Janelle O'keeffe Poyant ◽  
Sharon L. Holewinski ◽  
Stanley A. Nasraway Jr
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Crude Mortality ◽  
Significant Difference

Objective: Early reports demonstrate that patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have high rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. We sought to examine characteristics of ICU admissions with and without Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) and to compare outcomes between these two critically ill cohorts.Methods: A retrospective analysis of 600 unique adult ICU admissions was conducted at an academic medical center in Boston, MA from March 22 to May 31, 2020.Results: Of 600 ICU admissions, 170 (28.3%) tested positive for COVID-19. Those with COVID-19 had greater severity of illness and were more likely to require mechanical ventilation (MV). Hospital and ICU mortality rates were greater in the COVID-19 group (22.4% vs. 9.5%; 18.2% vs. 7.2%, respectively), but lower than previous reports. Unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for COVID-19 as a predictor of hospital mortality was 2.73 (95% CI 1.68 to 4.43), but when accounting for clinical characteristics and severity of illness, adjusted OR for hospital mortality was no different (1.09 [95% CI 0.50 to 2.41]) among those with and without COVID-19.Conclusions: COVID-19 admissions had greater severity of illness and suffered higher crude mortality rates compared to the non-COVID-19 cohort. However, there was no significant difference in the adjusted OR for hospital mortality between patients with and without COVID-19. This novel finding may be attributed to the “learning curve” from other healthcare system experiences, early hospital-wide preparation, and dedicated intensive care.

scholarly journals Association between Intraoperative Blood Transfusion and Mortality and Morbidity in Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery

2011 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent G. Glance ◽  
Andrew W. Dick ◽  
Dana B. Mukamel ◽  
Fergal J. Fleming ◽  
Raymond A. Zollo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Transfusion ◽  
Noncardiac Surgery ◽  
Pulmonary Complications ◽  
Wound Complications ◽  
Severe Anemia ◽  
Thromboembolic Complications ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Background The impact of intraoperative erythrocyte transfusion on outcomes of anemic patients undergoing noncardiac surgery has not been well characterized. The objective of this study was to examine the association between blood transfusion and mortality and morbidity in patients with severe anemia (hematocrit less than 30%) who are exposed to one or two units of erythrocytes intraoperatively. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the association of blood transfusion and 30-day mortality and 30-day morbidity in 10,100 patients undergoing general, vascular, or orthopedic surgery. We estimated separate multivariate logistic regression models for 30-day mortality and for 30-day complications. Results Intraoperative blood transfusion was associated with an increased risk of death (odds ratio [OR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.62). Patients receiving an intraoperative transfusion were more likely to have pulmonary, septic, wound, or thromboembolic complications, compared with patients not receiving an intraoperative transfusion. Compared with patients who were not transfused, patients receiving one or two units of erythrocytes were more likely to have pulmonary complications (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.48-2.09), sepsis (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.21-1.68), thromboembolic complications (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.32-2.38), and wound complications (OR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.47-2.37). Conclusions Intraoperative blood transfusion is associated with a higher risk of mortality and morbidity in surgical patients with severe anemia. It is unknown whether this association is due to the adverse effects of blood transfusion or is, instead, the result of increased blood loss in the patients receiving blood.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional observational study of epidemiology of COVID-19 and clinical outcomes of hospitalised patients in North West London during March and April 2020

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e044384
Author(s):  
Guduru Gopal Rao ◽  
Alexander Allen ◽  
Padmasayee Papineni ◽  
Liyang Wang ◽  
Charlotte Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Severe Infection ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
North West ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Hospitalised Patients ◽  
Increased Risk

ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to describe evolution, epidemiology and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in subjects tested at or admitted to hospitals in North West London.DesignObservational cohort study.SettingLondon North West Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH).ParticipantsPatients tested and/or admitted for COVID-19 at LNWH during March and April 2020Main outcome measuresDescriptive and analytical epidemiology of demographic and clinical outcomes (intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mechanical ventilation and mortality) of those who tested positive for COVID-19.ResultsThe outbreak began in the first week of March 2020 and reached a peak by the end of March and first week of April. In the study period, 6183 tests were performed in on 4981 people. Of the 2086 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases, 1901 were admitted to hospital. Older age group, men and those of black or Asian minority ethnic (BAME) group were predominantly affected (p<0.05). These groups also had more severe infection resulting in ICU admission and need for mechanical ventilation (p<0.05). However, in a multivariate analysis, only increasing age was independently associated with increased risk of death (p<0.05). Mortality rate was 26.9% in hospitalised patients.ConclusionThe findings confirm that men, BAME and older population were most commonly and severely affected groups. Only older age was independently associated with mortality.

scholarly journals Increased insulin resistance in intensive care: longitudinal retrospective analysis of glycaemic control patients in a New Zealand ICU

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 204201882110121
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Knopp ◽  
J. Geoffrey Chase ◽  
Geoffrey M. Shaw
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Insulin Sensitivity ◽  
Glycaemic Control ◽  
Diagnostic Category ◽  
Severity Of Illness ◽  
Insulin Metabolism ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Severity Scores ◽  
High Insulin

Background: Critical care populations experience demographic shifts in response to trends in population and healthcare, with increasing severity and/or complexity of illness a common observation worldwide. Inflammation in critical illness impacts glucose–insulin metabolism, and hyperglycaemia is associated with mortality and morbidity. This study examines longitudinal trends in insulin sensitivity across almost a decade of glycaemic control in a single unit. Methods: A clinically validated model of glucose–insulin dynamics is used to assess hour–hour insulin sensitivity over the first 72 h of insulin therapy. Insulin sensitivity and its hour–hour percent variability are examined over 8 calendar years alongside severity scores and diagnostics. Results: Insulin sensitivity was found to decrease by 50–55% from 2011 to 2015, and remain low from 2015 to 2018, with no concomitant trends in age, severity scores or risk of death, or diagnostic category. Insulin sensitivity variability was found to remain largely unchanged year to year and was clinically equivalent (95% confidence interval) at the median and interquartile range. Insulin resistance was associated with greater incidence of high insulin doses in the effect saturation range (6–8 U/h), with the 75th percentile of hourly insulin doses rising from 4–4.5 U/h in 2011–2014 to 6 U/h in 2015–2018. Conclusions: Increasing insulin resistance was observed alongside no change in insulin sensitivity variability, implying greater insulin needs but equivalent (variability) challenge to glycaemic control. Increasing insulin resistance may imply greater inflammation and severity of illness not captured by existing severity scores. Insulin resistance reduces glucose tolerance, and can cause greater incidence of insulin saturation and resultant hyperglycaemia. Overall, these results have significant clinical implications for glycaemic control and nutrition management.

scholarly journals Implementation of a Resource-Efficient Indirect Handshake Stewardship Model at an Academic Medical Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s272-s272
Author(s):  
Ronald Beaulieu ◽  
Milner Staub ◽  
Thomas Talbot ◽  
Matthew Greene ◽  
Gowri Satyanarayana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Antibiotic Stewardship ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
Antimicrobial Utilization ◽  
Data Feedback ◽  
Days Of Therapy

Background: Handshake antibiotic stewardship is an effective but resource-intensive strategy for reducing antimicrobial utilization. At larger hospitals, widespread implementation of direct handshake rounds may be constrained by available resources. To optimize resource utilization and mirror handshake antimicrobial stewardship, we designed an indirect feedback model utilizing existing team pharmacy infrastructure. Methods: The antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) utilized the plan-do-study-act (PDSA) improvement methodology to implement an antibiotic stewardship intervention centered on antimicrobial utilization feedback and patient-level recommendations to optimize antimicrobial utilization. The intervention included team-based antimicrobial utilization dashboard development, biweekly antimicrobial utilization data feedback of total antimicrobial utilization and select drug-specific antimicrobial utilization, and twice weekly individualized review by ASP staff of all patients admitted to the 5 hospitalist teams on antimicrobials with recommendations (discontinuation, optimization, etc) relayed electronically to team-based pharmacists. Pharmacists were to communicate recommendations as an indirect surrogate for handshake antibiotic stewardship. As reviewer duties expanded to include a rotation of multiple reviewers, a standard operating procedure was created. A closed-loop communication model was developed to ensure pharmacist feedback receipt and to allow intervention acceptance tracking. During implementation optimization, a team pharmacist-champion was identified and addressed communication lapses. An outcome measure of days of therapy per 1,000 patient days present (DOT/1,000 PD) and balance measure of in-hospital mortality were chosen. Implementation began April 5, 2019, and data were collected through October 31, 2019. Preintervention comparison data spanned December 2017 to April 2019. Results: Overall, 1,119 cases were reviewed by the ASP, of whom 255 (22.8%) received feedback. In total, 236 of 362 recommendations (65.2%) were implemented (Fig. 1). Antimicrobial discontinuation was the most frequent (147 of 362, 40.6%), and most consistently implemented (111 of 147, 75.3%), recommendation. The DOT/1,000 PD before the intervention compared to the same metric after intervention remained unchanged (741.1 vs 725.4; P = .60) as did crude in-hospital mortality (1.8% vs 1.7%; P = .76). Several contributing factors were identified: communication lapses (eg, emails not received by 2 pharmacists), intervention timing (mismatch of recommendation and rounding window), and individual culture (some pharmacists with reduced buy-in selectively relayed recommendations). Conclusion: Although resource efficient, this model of indirect handshake did not significantly impact total antimicrobial utilization. Through serial PDSA cycles, implementation barriers were identified that can be addressed to improve the feedback process. Communication, expectation management, and interpersonal relationship development emerged as critical issues contributing to poor recommendation adherence. Future PDSA cycles will focus on streamlining processes to improve communication among stakeholders.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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