Primary Care Population Management for COVID-19 Patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
MD Deborah Blazey-Martin ◽  
FNP Elizabeth Barnhart ◽  
Joseph Gillis ◽  
Gabriela Andujar Vazquez

Abstract BACKGROUND: Most patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have mild to moderate symptoms manageable at home; however up to 20% develop severe illness requiring additional support. Primary care practices performing population management can use these tools to remotely assess and manage COVID-19 patients and identify those needing additional medical support before becoming critically ill.AIM: We developed an innovative population management approach for managing COVID-19 patients remotely.SETTING: Development, implementation, and evaluation took place in April 2020 within a large urban academic medical center primary care practice.PARTICIPANTS: Our panel consists of 40,000 patients. By April 27, 2020, 305 had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR. Outreach was performed by teams of doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses.PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Our innovation includes an algorithm, an EMR component, and a twice daily population report for managing COVID-19 patients remotely.PROGRAM EVALUATION: Of the 305 patients with COVID-19 in our practice at time of submission, 196 had returned to baseline; 54 were admitted to hospitals, six of these died, and 40 were discharged.DISCUSSION: Our population management strategy helped us optimize at-home care for our COVID-19 patients and enabled us to identify those who require inpatient medical care in a timely fashion.

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. ii122-ii123
Author(s):  
Christina Cone ◽  
Mary Affronti

Abstract BACKGROUND Neuro-oncology advanced practitioners (APs - nurse practitioners, physician assistants) require specialization beyond the scope of population-based generalist training and education. There are no specialty standards or certifications for neuro-oncology APs, no formal training programs, and no literature that addresses the competency requirements of neuro-oncology APs. The burden of AP turnover at an academic medical center ambulatory neuro-oncology practice was as high as 50%. This quality improvement project’s purpose was to develop a professional practice model (PPM) to support the professional development and retention of APs. METHODS Using the Focus, Analyze, Develop, Execute and Evaluate (FADE) quality improvement methodology the authors (1) reviewed literature and relevant professional organizations to identify possible professional competencies for neuro-oncology APs, (2) analyzed data to develop evidenced-based practice domains, (3) used purposive sampling to recruit a team of neuro-oncology experts, (4) conducted a Delphi study with the experts to gain consensus on practice domains and professional competencies, and finally (5) utilized the Delphi study results to create a PPM for neuro-oncology APs. RESULTS The authors recruited twenty-three participants (39% were physicians, 57% were APs, and 4% were administrators) for the Delphi study, which was executed via electronic transmission using Qualtrics. Participants reached consensus on six domains of practice (Medical Knowledge, Interprofessional Collaboration/Communication, System-based Practice, Professionalism, Practice-based learning, Patient/family-centered care) and fifty corresponding competency statements after two rounds of the Delphi. With the implementation of the PPM and the development of standardized onboarding, the AP turnover rate decreased from 50% to 12% in just two years. CONCLUSION This QI project successfully created a PPM for a neuro-oncology AP team. The PPM supports neuro-oncology APs by validating their unique skill set that combines several specialties. The PPM provided the framework to standardize orientation/training, evaluate performance, and promote job satisfaction and retention.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-123
Author(s):  
Michelle A Carrasquillo ◽  
Tyler A Vest ◽  
Jill S Bates ◽  
Aimee Faso ◽  
Jessica Auten ◽  
...  

Purpose Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists are advanced practice providers who are highly trained and qualified healthcare professionals that can help support traditional demands on oncologists' increased time in direct patient care. The purpose of this study was to detail and assess the creation of a privileging process for this group of medical professionals within an academic medical center. Obtaining the designation of limited oncology practice provider (LOPP) gives the right to modify chemotherapy orders and to order supportive care medications. Methods An interdisciplinary team developed a comprehensive training process inclusive of required educational domains, knowledge goals, and educational activities to become an LOPP. In 2018, five years after the implementation of the privileging process, a survey was distributed to assess perceptions of the training process and integration of LOPPs within oncology practice. Results Most oncologists noted that working with LOPPs is beneficial to oncology practice (94%) and that they make modifying chemotherapy orders more efficient (87%). Greater than 82% of LOPPs also reported that their privileges streamline the chemotherapy process and make them feel valuable. Conclusion The creation of the LOPP designation is an effective way to integrate nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists within oncology practice. The inclusion of a focused privileging process ensures the safety of cancer care provided and has created a streamlined process for chemotherapy modifications and supportive care.


2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 167-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Moote ◽  
Ron Nelson ◽  
Robin Veltkamp ◽  
Darrell Campbell

Productivity measurement for physician assistants and nurse practitioners can be challenging. This study quantifies their productivity in oncology according to economic indicators such as charges and work relative value units.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunny S. Lou ◽  
Charles W. Goss ◽  
Bradley A. Evanoff ◽  
Jennifer G. Duncan ◽  
Thomas Kannampallil

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a transformation of clinical care practices to protect both patients and providers. These changes led to a decrease in patient volume, impacting physician trainee education due to lost clinical and didactic opportunities. We measured the prevalence of trainee concern over missed educational opportunities and investigated the risk factors leading to such concerns. Methods All residents and fellows at a large academic medical center were invited to participate in a web-based survey in May of 2020. Participants responded to questions regarding demographic characteristics, specialty, primary assigned responsibility during the previous 2 weeks (clinical, education, or research), perceived concern over missed educational opportunities, and burnout. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between missed educational opportunities and the measured variables. Results 22% (301 of 1375) of the trainees completed the survey. 47% of the participants were concerned about missed educational opportunities. Trainees assigned to education at home had 2.85 [95%CI 1.33–6.45] greater odds of being concerned over missed educational opportunities as compared with trainees performing clinical work. Trainees performing research were not similarly affected [aOR = 0.96, 95%CI (0.47–1.93)]. Trainees in pathology or radiology had 2.51 [95%CI 1.16–5.68] greater odds of concern for missed educational opportunities as compared with medicine. Trainees with greater concern over missed opportunities were more likely to be experiencing burnout (p = 0.038). Conclusions Trainees in radiology or pathology and those assigned to education at home were more likely to be concerned about their missed educational opportunities. Residency programs should consider providing trainees with research or at home clinical opportunities as an alternative to self-study should future need for reduced clinical hours arise.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick North ◽  
Kristine E Luhman ◽  
Eric A Mallmann ◽  
Toby J Mallmann ◽  
Sidna M Tulledge-Scheitel ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Patient portal registration and the use of secure messaging are increasing. However, little is known about how the work of responding to and initiating patient messages is distributed among care team members and how these messages may affect work after hours. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the growth of secure messages and determine how the work of provider responses to patient-initiated secure messages and provider-initiated secure messages is distributed across care teams and across work and after-work hours. METHODS We collected secure messages sent from providers from January 1, 2013, to March 15, 2018, at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, both in response to patient secure messages and provider-initiated secure messages. We examined counts of messages over time, how the work of responding to messages and initiating messages was distributed among health care workers, messages sent per provider, messages per unique patient, and when the work was completed (proportion of messages sent after standard work hours). RESULTS Portal registration for patients having clinic visits increased from 33% to 62%, and increasingly more patients and providers were engaged in messaging. Provider message responses to individual patients increased significantly in both primary care and specialty practices. Message responses per specialty physician provider increased from 15 responses per provider per year to 53 responses per provider per year from 2013 to 2018, resulting in a 253% increase. Primary care physician message responses increased from 153 per provider per year to 322 from 2013 to 2018, resulting in a 110% increase. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and registered nurses, all contributed to the substantial increases in the number of messages sent. CONCLUSIONS Provider-sent secure messages at a large health care institution have increased substantially since implementation of secure messaging between patients and providers. The effort of responding to and initiating messages to patients was distributed across multiple provider categories. The percentage of message responses occurring after hours showed little substantial change over time compared with the overall increase in message volume.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 141-146
Author(s):  
Kathleen Posa-Kearney ◽  
Samantha M. Aranda ◽  
Elizabeth M. Day ◽  
Erin Dowding ◽  
Kristen Fisher ◽  
...  

Advanced practice nurses including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists (CNS), certified registered nurse anesthetists, and certified nurse midwives contribute in many ways to improve care in the intensive care unit. This article reports on the roles of the CNS at an academic medical center and how they contribute to improving patient outcomes and support critical care nursing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Merilyn S Varghese ◽  
Jordan B Strom ◽  
Sarah Fostello ◽  
Warren J Manning

Introduction: COVID-19 has significantly impacted hospital systems worldwide. The impact of statewide stay-at-home mandates on echocardiography volumes is unclear. Methods: We queried our institutional echocardiography database from 6/1/2018 to 6/13/2020 to examine rates of transthoracic (TTE), stress (SE), and transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) prior to and following the COVID-19 Massachusetts stay-at-home order on March 15, 2020. Results: Among 36,377 total studies performed during the study period, mean weekly study volume dropped from 332 + 3 TTEs/week, 30 + 1 SEs/week, and 21 + 1 TEEs/week prior to the stay-at-home order (6/1/2018-3/15/2020) to 158 + 13 TTEs/week, 8 + 2 SEs/week, and 8 + 1 TEEs/week after (% change, -52%, -73%, and -62% respectively, all p < 0.001 when comparing volume prior to March 15 versus after). Weekly TTEs correlated strongly with hospital admissions throughout the study period (r = 0.93, 95% CI 0.89-0.95, p < 0.001) ( Figure ). Outpatient TTEs declined more than inpatient TTEs (% change, -74% vs. -39%, p <0.001). As of 3 weeks following the cessation of the stay-at-home order, TTE, SE, and TEE weekly volumes have increased to 73%, 66%, and 81% of pre-pandemic levels, respectively. Conclusions: Echocardiography volumes fell precipitously following the Massachusetts stay-at-home order, strongly paralleling declines in overall hospitalizations. Outpatient TTEs declined more than inpatient TTEs. Despite lifting of the order, echocardiography volumes remain substantially below pre-pandemic levels. The impact of the decreased use of echocardiographic services on patient outcomes remains to be determined.


2020 ◽  
Vol 173 (7) ◽  
pp. 527-535
Author(s):  
Malathi Srinivasan ◽  
Steven Asch ◽  
Stacie Vilendrer ◽  
Samuel Crandall Thomas ◽  
Rika Bajra ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272093126
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Siniscalchi ◽  
Marion E. Broome ◽  
Jason Fish ◽  
Joseph Ventimiglia ◽  
Julie Thompson ◽  
...  

The health issue addressed is the unmet need to universally screen and treat depression, which is one of the most common mental health disorders among adults in the United States. The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults for depression in primary care and using evidence-based protocols. This quality improvement project implemented VitalSign6, a measurement-based care program, to improve depression screening and treatment of adults in primary care at an academic medical center. A pre-post design was used to determine effectiveness of changes in screening, outcomes, and satisfaction. Of 1200 unique adult patients, 95.4% received initial screening. Providers diagnosed and administered measurement-based care to 236 patients. After 14 weeks, 27.5% returned for at least 1 follow-up. Results showed a statistically significant decrease in self-reported depression scores from baseline to follow-up. VitalSign6 was effective in improving identification and management of depression in primary care.


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