Identifying high-risk features for readmission in patient with metastatic solid tumor malignancies at an academic community hospital.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 217-217
Author(s):  
Nathan Reuben Teich ◽  
Alexander A. Hindenburg
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Quality Initiatives ◽  
Metastatic Solid Tumor

217 Background: Readmission of oncology patients to hospitals is an undesirable outcome for both the patient and healthcare system. These can lead to delays in treatment and increased resource utilization. 30-day readmission have been a target of multiple national quality initiatives. Adverse outcomes have been associated with readmission in multiple patient populations. The aim of this study was to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis on inpatient solid tumor medical oncology readmissions to an academic community hospital. Additionally, identifying additional risk factors for readmission such as need for fluid drainage and rate of palliative care involvement were assessed. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes, 183 patients were identified as being readmitted within 30 days with a known oncological diagnosis from January 2019-Decemember 2019. Only the most recent readmission was included for review. 54 of these patients were selected at random for manual chart review to generate data. Results: In the 54 patients who underwent detailed review, 21 were identified as having stage IV metastatic sold tumor disease primarily under the care of a medical oncology team. Common factors identified for readmission included malignant abdominal ascites (6 patients), thoracic pleural effusions requiring drainage (5 patients), CNS/spinal metastases (4 patients). Palliative care was consulted in the index admission in 48% of cases analyzed. In patients with metastatic solid tumor disease, 17/21 (81%) of patients were discharged on a weekday. Examples of preventable readmissions identified included inadequately treated hypercalcemia of malignancy and cerebral edema due to brain metastases discharged with insufficient corticosteroid dosing. Conclusions: The high-risk features identified (e.g. recurrent malignant ascites) may benefit from novel systems-based approaches (i.e. EMR alerts, daily oncology/palliative care team huddle to discuss high risk patients). Most patients readmitted to the oncology service with metastatic disease were not discharged on a weekend day. This analysis also revealed under-utilization of palliative care during the index admissions for these oncology patients with known metastatic disease. Further quality initiatives will be directed at creation of a risk score for readmission in this subset of patients with high disease burden.

Healthcare utilization among cancer patients prior to hospice.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 135-135
Author(s):  
Emily Miller Ray ◽  
Richard F. Riedel ◽  
Christel N. Rushing ◽  
Anthony N. Galanos
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Healthcare Utilization ◽  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
Inpatient Service ◽  
Invasive Procedures ◽  
Aggressive Approach

135 Background: The integration of palliative medicine in oncologic care has become increasingly recognized and supported. We have previously reported improved health system and quality of care outcomes for solid tumor patients admitted to our novel, fully-integrated palliative care (PC) and medical oncology inpatient service at Duke University Medical Center (DUMC). In this study, we explored healthcare utilization in patients specifically discharged to hospice pre- and post-PC integration. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients on the solid tumor unit at DUMC who were discharged to hospice care between September 1, 2009-June 30, 2010 (pre-PC integration) and September 1, 2011-June 30, 2012 (post-PC integration). Cohorts were compared on the following outcome variables occurring within 30 days prior to discharge to hospice: number of hospitalizations, ICU days, ED visits, invasive procedures, subspecialty consultations, radiologic studies, medical oncology clinic visits, and use of chemotherapy or radiation. Wilcoxon rank-sum and Chi square tests were used for statistical analyses. Results: A total of 296 patients were included (133 pre-PC integration; 163 post-PC integration) in the analyses. Patient characteristics were well matched between cohorts. The overall mean age was 63 years (range 25-96), 62% were Caucasian, 51% were male, and 98% of patients had recurrent or metastatic disease. Of particular note, there were no significant differences noted between cohorts with regards to the resource utilization outcome variables assessed. Conclusions: Understanding healthcare utilization in this patient population is of great interest to clinical providers and policymakers alike. While we have previously demonstrated the benefit of integrating palliative care and medical oncology for reducing hospital readmissions and length of stay, this study shows no significant impact of an integrated approach on the utilization of healthcare resources measured within the 30 days prior to discharge to hospice. This may reflect the aggressive approach to management of symptoms for end-of-life patients, which often involves invasive procedures, use of imaging, and other resources to meet their needs.

scholarly journals Factors associated with the aggressiveness of care at the end of life for patients with cancer dying in hospital: a nationwide retrospective cohort study in mainland Portugal

ESMO Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. e000953
Author(s):  
Diogo Martins-Branco ◽  
Silvia Lopes ◽  
Rita Canario ◽  
Joao Freire ◽  
Madalena Feio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Mainland Portugal ◽  
Palliative Care Services

IntroductionThere is growing concern about the aggressiveness of cancer care at the end of life (ACCEoL), defined as overly aggressive treatments that compromise the quality of life at its end. Recognising the most affected patients is a cornerstone to improve oncology care. Our aim is to identify factors associated with ACCEoL for patients with cancer dying in hospitals.MethodsAll adult patients with cancer who died in public hospitals in mainland Portugal (January 2010 to December 2015), identified from the hospital morbidity database. This database provided individual clinical and demographic data. We obtained hospital and region-level variables from a survey and National Statistics. The primary outcome is a composite ACCEoL measure of 16 indicators. We used multilevel random effects logistic regression modelling (p<0·05).ResultsWe included 92 155 patients: median age 73 years; 62% male; 53% with metastatic disease. ACCEoL prevalence was 71% (95% CI 70% to 71%). The most prevalent indicators were >14 days in the hospital (43%, 42–43) and surgery (28%, 28–28) in the last 30 days. Older age (p<0·001), breast cancer (OR 0·83; 95% CI 0·76 to 0·91), and metastatic disease (0·54; 95% CI 0·50 to 0·58) were negatively associated with ACCEoL. In contrast, higher Deyo-Charlson Comorbidity Index (p<0·001), gastrointestinal and haematological malignancies (p<0·001), and death at cancer centre (1·31; 95% CI 1·01 to 1·72) or hospital with medical oncology department (1·29; 95% CI 1·02 to 1·63) were positively associated with ACCEoL. There was no association between hospital palliative care services at the hospital of death and ACCEoL.ConclusionClinical factors related to a better understanding of disease course are associated with ACCEoL reduction. Patients with more comorbidities and gastrointestinal malignancies might represent groups with complex needs, and haematological patients may be at increased risk because of unpredictable prognosis. Improvement of hospital palliative care services could help reduce ACCEoL, particularly in cancer centres and hospitals with medical oncology department, as those services are usually under-resourced, thus reaching few.

Symptom distress and patterns of palliative-care referral among oncology outpatients.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (26_suppl) ◽  
pp. 185-185
Author(s):  
Kaylan Christianer ◽  
Craig D Blinderman
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Symptom Distress ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale ◽  
Palliative Care Services

185 Background: The early implementation of palliative care services is recognized as an important aspect of oncologic care. However, rates of referral to palliative care services among oncology patients are still low, and the decision to refer is frequently at the discretion of the treating oncologist or by patient request. We sought to better identify the patterns of referral to outpatient palliative care, as well as patient symptom burden in an effort to target early and high-yield palliative care interventions. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among outpatients presenting to a Hematology/Oncology practice at a tertiary care hospital. Patients presenting to the clinic were asked to complete an Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) survey at time of registration. Chart review was completed to identify basic demographic information, timing and extent of cancer diagnosis, basic medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and existing referral to palliative care services. Results: Between November 15, 2014 and December 24, 2014, a total of 146 complete surveys were collected from oncology outpatients. The most common malignancies were hematologic (40.4%), lung (24.6%), breast (8.2%), gastrointestinal (6.8%) and genitourinary (6.8%); 30.1% had metastatic disease at the time of the visit. A total of 13 patients (8.9%) were receiving outpatient palliative care services. As compared to patients not receiving palliative care services, those who were reported higher overall symptom distress scores (26.3 vs. 12.7, p = 0.013) and pain scores (3.5 vs. 1.6, p = 0.03). Patients receiving palliative care services also had fewer years since diagnosis (2.8 years vs. 4.5 years, p = 0.028), and a non-significant trend toward higher rates of metastatic disease (72.7% vs. 47.3%, p = 0.059). Conclusions: Overall, low rates of referrals to palliative care were found among oncology outpatients. In addition, this study suggests oncology patients are referred to palliative care at later stages of disease, when they are already experiencing significant symptom burden. Future research will determine which patients will benefit from earlier referrals to palliative care before symptoms become more advanced.

VTE risk assessment in cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 07 (01) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
I. Pabinger ◽  
C. Ay
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Oncology ◽  
Clinical Importance ◽  
Cancer Surgery ◽  
Ambulatory Setting ◽  
Oncology Patients ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Risk Assessment Models ◽  
Increased Risk

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality, and its prevention is of major clinical importance. However, the VTE rates in the cancer population vary between 0.5% - 20%, depending on cancer-, treatment- and patient-related factors. The most important contributors to VTE risk are the tumor entity, stage and certain anticancer treatments. Cancer surgery represents a strong risk factor for VTE, and medical oncology patients are at increased risk of developing VTE, especially when receiving chemotherapy or immunomodulatory drugs. Also biomarkers have been investigated for their usefulness to predict risk of VTE (e.g. elevated leukocyte and platelet counts, soluble P-selectin, D-dimer, etc.). In order to identify cancer patients at high risk of VTE and to improve risk stratification, risk assessment models have been developed, which contain both clinical parameters and biomarkers. While primary thromboprophylaxis with lowmolecular- weight-heparin (LMWH) is recommended postoperatively for a period of up to 4 weeks after major cancer surgery, the evidence is less clear for medical oncology patients. Thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized medical oncology patients is advocated, and is based on results of randomized controlled trials which evaluated the efficacy and safety of LMWH for prevention of VTE in hospitalized medically ill patients. In recent trials the benefit of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the ambulatory setting has been investigated. However, at the present stage primary thromboprophylaxis for prevention of VTE in these patients is still a matter of debate and cannot be recommended for all cancer outpatients.

scholarly journals A TTP-incorporated scoring model for predicting mortality of solid tumor patients with bloodstream infection caused by Escherichia coli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Hao-Yang Gao ◽  
Ding Li ◽  
Chang-Sen Bai ◽  
Zheng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Bloodstream Infection ◽  
Solid Tumor ◽  
Prognostic Scores ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Tumor Patients ◽  
Scoring Model ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background Few mortality-scoring models are available for solid tumor patients who are predisposed to develop Escherichia coli–caused bloodstream infection (ECBSI). We aimed to develop a mortality-scoring model by using information from blood culture time to positivity (TTP) and other clinical variables. Methods A cohort of solid tumor patients who were admitted to hospital with ECBSI and received empirical antimicrobial therapy was enrolled. Survivors and non-survivors were compared to identify the risk factors of in-hospital mortality. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were adopted to identify the mortality-associated predictors. Risk scores were assigned by weighting the regression coefficients with corresponding natural logarithm of the odds ratio for each predictor. Results Solid tumor patients with ECBSI were distributed in the development and validation groups, respectively. Six mortality-associated predictors were identified and included in the scoring model: acute respiratory distress (ARDS), TTP ≤ 8 h, inappropriate antibiotic therapy, blood transfusion, fever ≥ 39 °C, and metastasis. Prognostic scores were categorized into three groups that predicted mortality: low risk (< 10% mortality, 0–1 points), medium risk (10–20% mortality, 2 points), and high risk (> 20% mortality, ≥ 3 points). The TTP-incorporated scoring model showed excellent discrimination and calibration for both groups, with AUC being 0.833 vs 0.844, respectively, and no significant difference in the Hosmer–Lemeshow test (6.709, P = 0.48) and the chi-square test (6.993, P = 0.46). Youden index showed the best cutoff value of ≥ 3 with 76.11% sensitivity and 79.29% specificity. TTP-incorporated scoring model had higher AUC than no TTP-incorporated model (0.837 vs 0.817, P < 0.01). Conclusions Our TTP-incorporated scoring model was associated with improving capability in predicting ECBSI-related mortality. It can be a practical tool for clinicians to identify and manage bacteremic solid tumor patients with high risk of mortality.

Decreasing Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infection in a Large Academic Community Hospital

2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Doyle ◽  
Zubina Mawji ◽  
Margaret Horgan ◽  
Paula Stillman ◽  
Amy Rinehart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract Infection ◽  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Tract Infection ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Nosocomial Urinary Tract Infection

Practicing Anthropology in an Academic Community Hospital: Lessons from the Field

2010 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 19-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Deitrick ◽  
Terry Capuano ◽  
Debbie Salas-Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Medical Education ◽  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Community Hospital ◽  
Continuum Of Care ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Hospital Culture ◽  
Doctor's Office ◽  
Vantage Points

Practicing anthropology at an academic community hospital involves collaborations across the full continuum of care, from hospital, to doctor's office, to the medical education classroom and into the community. Through these collaborations, the anthropologist learns about hospital culture through many different lenses and is, in turn, able to provide valuable insights into organizational culture and patient care from a variety of vantage points.

A Case–Control Study Evaluating the Impact of Dedicated Palliative Care Training on Critical Care Interventions at the end of Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 082585972110374
Author(s):  
Jee Y. You ◽  
Lie D. Ligasaputri ◽  
Adarsh Katamreddy ◽  
Kiran Para ◽  
Elizabeth Kavanagh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
High Risk ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Poor Prognosis ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Impact

Many patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) are at high risk of dying. We hypothesize that focused training sessions for ICU providers by palliative care (PC) certified experts will decrease aggressive medical interventions at the end of life. We designed and implemented a 6-session PC training program in communication skills and goals of care (GOC) meetings for ICU teams, including house staff, critical care fellows, and attendings. We then reviewed charts of ICU patients treated before and after the intervention. Forty-nine of 177 (28%) and 63 of 173 (38%) patients were identified to be at high risk of death in the pre- and postintervention periods, respectively, and were included based on the study criteria. Inpatient mortality (45% vs 33%; P = .24) and need for mechanical ventilation (59% vs 44%, P = .13) were slightly higher in the preintervention population, but the difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of patients in whom the decision not to initiate renal replacement therapy was made because of poor prognosis was significantly higher in the postintervention population (14% vs 67%, P = .05). There was a nonstatistically significant trend toward earlier GOC discussions (median time from ICU admission to GOC 4 vs 3 days) and fewer critical care interventions such as tracheostomies (17% vs 4%, P = .19). Our study demonstrates that directed PC training of ICU teams has a potential to reduce end of life critical care interventions in patients with a poor prognosis.

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