Hospitalizations and emergency department use in cancer clinical trial patients.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 160-160
Author(s):  
Ryan David Nipp ◽  
Elizabeth Powell ◽  
Beverly Moy

160 Background: Cancer clinical trials (CTs) often represent the best available treatment for many patients, but little is known about the health care utilization of these patients. We examined correlates of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) use in cancer CT patients to determine those at greatest risk for these outcomes. Methods: We prospectively collected data on patient characteristics, hospitalizations and ED use among all patients enrolled in cancer CTs at Massachusetts General Hospital in 2014. We calculated the number of hospitalizations and ED visits in the 6-month interval following patients’ CT enrollment. We used linear regression with purposeful selection of covariates to identify factors associated with hospitalizations and ED use. Results: Of 1,218 CT patients (mean age = 58 years; 575 (47%) male), 781 (64%) were married and 851 (70%) had metastatic disease. All cancer types were represented, but hematologic cancers (21%) were most common. Within 6 months following CT enrollment, 519 (43%) and 327 (27%) had at least one hospitalization and ED visit, respectively. At any time during their cancer course, 177 (15%) received a palliative care (PC) consult. Controlling for presence of metastatic disease, PC consults correlated with both hospitalizations and ED visits. Having a hematologic cancer and being unmarried correlated with more hospitalizations and ED visits, respectively. Conclusions: Hospitalizations and ED visits occur in a substantial proportion of cancer CT patients. We need to better understand reasons for these high rates of health care utilization, but the correlations with PC consults suggest that CT patients have unique supportive care needs and that PC services are being targeted to a population particularly in need. [Table: see text]

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-256
Author(s):  
Lacey B. Robinson ◽  
Anna Chen Arroyo ◽  
Rebecca E. Cash ◽  
Susan A. Rudders ◽  
Carlos A. Camargo

Background and Objective: Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are rising among children. Little is known about health care utilization among infants and toddlers. Our objective was to characterize health care utilization and charges for acute allergic reactions (AAR). Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of trends in emergency department (ED) visits and revisits, hospitalizations and rehospitalizations, and charges among infants and toddlers (ages < 3 years), with an index ED visit or hospitalization for AAR (including anaphylaxis). We used data from population-based multipayer data: State Emergency Department Databases and State Inpatient Databases from New York and Nebraska. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with ED revisits and rehospitalizations. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, infant and toddler ED visits for AAR increased from 27.8 per 10,000 population to 35.2 (Ptrend < 0.001), whereas hospitalizations for AAR remained stable (Ptrend = 0.11). In the one year after an index AAR visit, 5.1% of these patients had at least one AAR ED revisit and 5.9% had at least one AAR rehospitalization. Factors most strongly associated with AAR ED revisits included an index visit hospitalization and receipt of epinephrine. Total charges for AAR ED visits (2009‐2015) and hospitalizations (2011‐2015) were more than $29 million and $11 million, respectively. Total charges increased more than fourfold for both AAR ED revisits for AAR rehospitalizations during the study period. Conclusion: Infants and toddlers who presented with an AAR were at risk for ED revisits and rehospitalizations for AAR within the following year. The charges associated with these revisits were substantial and seemed to be increasing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 1097-1110 ◽  
Author(s):  
John V Lavigne ◽  
Kathryn Mendelsohn Meyers

Abstract Objective To examine the association of psychological factors and pediatric health care utilization. Method Ovid Medline and PsychInfo were searched and archival and forward searchers were conducted of relevant articles. Studies of the association between psychological risk factors and pediatric health care utilization of outpatient services, emergency department, inpatient length of stay, and costs were identified. Effect sizes were expressed in the form of the standardized mean difference. From 4,546 studies identified in the search, 69 studies met inclusion criteria. Results There were significant low-moderate associations between higher outpatient visits and general child mental health (MH) problems (mean ES [mES] = 0.35), overall psychopathology (mES = 0.44), and internalizing symptoms (mES = 0.16). Results were significant for any parent MH problem (mES = 0.18). For emergency department (ED) visits, there were significant association between more ED visits and any child MH problems (mES = 0.25), internalizing symptoms (mES = 0.24), externalizing symptoms (mES = 0.16), and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (mES= 0.14), as well as parent MH (mES = 0.24) and maternal depression (mES = 0.21). Increased hospitalizations were associated with any child MH problem (mES = 0.3), overall child psychopathology (mES = 0.49), child depression (ES = 0.41), and any parent MH problem (mES = 0.54). For costs, results were significant for any child MH problem (mES = 0.38). Conclusions Child and parent MH problems are significantly associated with increased HCU.


2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1367-1387
Author(s):  
Linda L. Hill ◽  
Gail A. Laughlin ◽  
Richele Bettencourt ◽  
Elizabeth Barrett-Connor

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the associations between health and health care utilization with driving patterns in a cohort of older adults. Method: In 2012, a total of 1,826 surviving participants in the Rancho Bernardo cohort were sent a health and driving pattern survey; 1,277 were returned. Results: The majority of the respondents (1,151, 91%) were still driving. Older age, female sex, hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits and physical therapy visits, neurological disease, depression, limited vision, and limited hearing were associated with non-driving status. A total of 809 (71%) of drivers reported no citations or crashes in the last 5 years. Discussion: The vast majority of older drivers in this cohort continued to drive, and did so safely. Health care utilization, medications, medical conditions, and self-assessment of health were associated with non-driving status. Prospective studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationships between these factors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 771-771
Author(s):  
Lauren Abbate ◽  
Jiejin Li ◽  
Peter Veazie ◽  
Orna Intrator ◽  
Cathy Lee ◽  
...  

Abstract Little is known about the relationship between exercise and health care utilization in older adults. This study examined hospitalizations/emergency Department (ED) visits in the 12 months prior to and during 12 months of active Gerofit participation (across 5 sites). Data were compared for each outcome to a propensity matched nearest neighbor sample from the same site [Mean, 95% CI]. Of the 226 Veterans who were active in the program for ≥12 months and enrolled in VA and Traditional Medicare for 12 months prior to Gerofit participation, hospitalizations/ED visits were greater prior to (15.3%/42.0%) than during (6.8%/37.1%) Gerofit participation. Gerofit participants were 8% less likely to have a hospitalization in the 12 months following enrollment than controls [-0.08 (-0.14, -0.02)] but no between-group differences in ED use [-0.00 (-0.11, 0.10)] were observed. Participation in Gerofit may reduce hospitalizations, but its impact on ED use is inconclusive.


2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane W. Njeru ◽  
Jennifer L. St. Sauver ◽  
Debra J. Jacobson ◽  
Jon O. Ebbert ◽  
Paul Y. Takahashi ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110024
Author(s):  
Stephanie T. Lumpkin ◽  
Eileen Harvey ◽  
Paul Mihas ◽  
Timothy Carey ◽  
Alessandro Fichera ◽  
...  

Readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits after colorectal surgery (CRS) are common, burdensome, and costly. Effective strategies to reduce these unplanned postdischarge health care visits require a nuanced understanding of how and why patients make the decision to seek care. We used a purposefully stratified sample of 18 interview participants from a prospective cohort of adult CRS patients. Thirteen (72%) participants had an unplanned postdischarge health care visit. Participant decision-making was classified by methodology (algorithmic, guided, or impulsive), preexisting rationale, and emotional response to perceived health care needs. Participants voiced clear mental algorithms about when to visit an ED. In addition, participants identified facilitators and barriers to optimal health care use. They also identified tangible targets for health care utilization reduction efforts, such as improved care coordination with streamlined discharge instructions and improved communication with the surgical team. Efforts should be directed at improving postdischarge communication and care coordination to reduce CRS patients’ high-resource health care utilization.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Paula Tanabe ◽  
Audrey L. Blewer ◽  
Emily Bonnabeau ◽  
Hayden B. Bosworth ◽  
Denise H. Clayton ◽  
...  

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition affecting primarily individuals of African descent, who happen to be disproportionately impacted by poverty and who lack access to health care. Individuals with SCD are at high likelihood of high acute care utilization and chronic pain episodes. The multiple complications seen in SCD contribute to significant morbidity and premature mortality, as well as substantial costs to the healthcare system. Objectives: SCD is a complex chronic disease resulting in the need for primary, specialty and emergency care. Many providers do not feel prepared to care for individuals with SCD, despite the existence of evidence-based guidelines. We report the development of a SCD toolbox and the dissemination process to primary care and emergency department (ED) providers in North Carolina (NC). We report the effect of this dissemination on health-care utilization, cost of care, and overall cost-benefit. Methods: The SCD toolbox was adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommendations. Toolbox training was provided to quality improvement specialists who then disseminated the toolbox to primary care providers (PCPs) affiliated with the only NC managed care coordination system and ED providers. Tools were made available in paper, online, and in app formats to participating managed care network practices (n=1800). Medicaid claims data were analyzed for total costs and benefits of the toolbox dissemination for a 24-month pre- and 18-month post-intervention period. Results: There was no statistically significant shift in the number of outpatient specialty visits, ED visits or hospitalizations. There was a small decrease in the number of PCP visits in the post-implementation period. The dissemination resulted in a net cost-savings of $361 414 ($14.03 per-enrollee per-month on average). However, the estimated financial benefit associated with the dissemination of the SCD toolbox was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although we did not find the expected shift to increased PCP visits and decreased ED visits and hospitalizations, there were many lessons learned.


2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. e71-e71
Author(s):  
Louis-Philippe Thibault ◽  
Maria Marano ◽  
Lydia Saad ◽  
Nathalie Gaucher ◽  
Karine Couture ◽  
...  

Abstract Primary Subject area Complex Care Background Quantitative studies have found that integration into a complex care program (CCP) leads to decreased number of visits to the emergency department (ED) and hospitalization days for children with medical complexity (CMC). However, little is known about CMC families’ experiences regarding their healthcare resource utilization patterns following their child’s integration in the CCP. Objectives To analyze parental perspectives regarding changes in healthcare resources utilization following CCP admission. Design/Methods This study was conducted in our tertiary care pediatric university hospital, between December 2019 and January 2021 using individual semi-structured interviews. To assess the effect of CCP admission on healthcare resources utilization, only patients with at least 6 months of chronic disease before inclusion were eligible (32 families). The interview guide was co-constructed by our CCP team of nurses, doctors, social worker and parents of CMC. Participation rate was over one third (12/32) throughout, for which a satisfactory level of data saturation was obtained, as core themes specific to the research question were repeatedly identified. Verbatims were analyzed with NVivo. Descriptive thematic analysis was performed by coding themes emerging from the data. Results Sixteen parents from twelve families were interviewed (11 mothers, 5 fathers, including 4 couples). Most parents had experienced a decrease in ED visits with improvement in their perceived satisfaction regarding the provided healthcare services following CCP admission. Visits to the CCP pediatrician led to appreciated, continuous and tailored care. In comparison, the constant change of pediatricians in the ED and during hospitalization on the ward seemed to complicate their care experience. Also, the support from pivot nurses and social workers for daily health issues, drug prescription and paperwork was perceived as a relief. This directly favorably influenced care experience. Profound knowledge of patients’ health conditions and families’ personal challenges and strengths, led to personalized care and trust that greatly improved parents’ confidence in care and empowered families. Individualized advice by the CCP team leading to prompt treatment and preventive measures started early at home were identified by parents as the main driving forces leading to the observed decrease in ED visits. When hospitalized, confidence in the quality of care provided by parents at home with close follow-up by CCP were identified as the main driving forces leading to the quicker discharge. Conclusion Changes in health care utilization following admission to CCP was associated with an improved care experience. Parents identified individualized care and close follow-ups as key factors leading to decreased health care utilization.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 91-91
Author(s):  
Frances Loretta Gill

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Elucidate the unique challenges associated with hospital discharge planning for patients experiencing homelessness. Assess the impact of robust community partnerships and strong referral pathways on participating patients’ health care utilization patterns in an interdisciplinary, student-run hospital consult service for patients experiencing homelessness. Identify factors (both patient-level and intervention-level) that are associated with successful warm hand-offs to outside social agencies at discharge. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: To assess the impact of participation in HHL on patients’ health care utilization, we conducted a medical records review using the hospital’s electronic medical record system comparing patients’ health care utilization patterns during the nine months pre- and post- HHL intervention. Utilization metrics included number of ED visits and hospital admissions, number of hospital days, 30-day hospital readmissions, total hospital costs, and follow-up appointment attendance rates, as well as percentage of warm hand-offs to community-based organizations upon discharge. Additionally, we collected data regarding patient demographics, duration of homelessness, and characteristics of homelessness (primarily sheltered versus primarily unsheltered, street homeless versus couch surfing, etc) and intervention outcome data (i.e. percentage of warm hand-offs). This study was reviewed and approved by the Tulane University Institutional Review Board and the University Medical Center Research Review Committee. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: For the first 41 patients who have been enrolled in HHL, participation in HHL is associated with a statistically significant decrease in hospital admissions by 49.4% (p < 0.01) and hospital days by 47.7% (p < 0.01). However, the intervention is associated with a slight, although not statistically significant, increase in emergency department visits. Additionally, we have successfully accomplished warm hand-offs at discharge for 71% percent of these patients. Over the next year, many more patients will be enrolled in HHL, which will permit a more finely grained assessment to determine which aspects of the HHL intervention are most successful in facilitating warm hand-offs and decreased health care utilization amongst patients experiencing homelessness. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Providing care to patients experiencing homelessness involves working within complex social problems that cannot be adequately addressed in a hospital setting. This is best accomplished with an interdisciplinary team that extends the care continuum beyond hospital walls. The HHL program coordinators believe that ED visits amongst HHL patients and percentage of warm hand-offs are closely related outcomes. If we are able to facilitate a higher percentage of warm hand-offs to supportive social service agencies, we may be able to decrease patient reliance on the emergency department as a source of health care, meals, and warmth. Identifying the factors associated with successful warm hand-offs upon discharge from the hospital may assist us in building on the HHL program’s initial successes to further decrease health care utilization while offering increased interdisciplinary educational opportunities for medical students.


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