scholarly journals Health Disparities of Critically Ill Children in Poverty: A Nationwide Population-Based Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Park ◽  
Hyejeong Park ◽  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Chi Ryang Chung ◽  
Jeong Hoon Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Disparities ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
National Database ◽  
Critically Ill Children ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Icu Discharge

Abstract Background: There is a lack of nationwide studies on health disparity of critically ill patients under the National Health Insurance (NHI) System. We aim to evaluate health disparities in intensive care unit (ICU) admission, outcomes, and readmission after ICU discharge in an impoverished pediatric population.Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a national database of claims submitted to the Korean NHI and Medical Aid Program (MAP). MAP provides support for the population whose household income is lower than 40% of the median Korean household income, and we defined poverty as being a MAP beneficiary. Patients between 28 days and 18 years old who were admitted to the ICU between August 1, 2010 and September 30, 2013, were included. Demographic characteristics, procedures, admission rates, and clinical outcomes were compared between the poverty and reference groups. Logistic regression model used to analyze hospital mortality and readmission with adjustment for patient characteristics, hospital type, and management procedures.Results: Out of 17,893 patients, 1,153 (6.4%) patients were in poverty. The age-standardized ICU admission rate was higher in the poverty group (126.9 vs. 80.2 per 100,000 person-years). There were more deaths among impoverished patients who were admitted to the ICU (11.8 vs. 4.3 per 100,000 person-years). Patients in the poverty group had a similar risk of adjusted in-hospital mortality to those not in the poverty group (odds ratio: 1.15, confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–1.55) but a higher readmission rate (hazard ratio 1.25, CI 1.09–1.42).Conclusion: Pediatric patients in poverty were more likely to die in association with ICU admission. A high ICU admission rate rather than the high in-hospital mortality rate may cause the disparity in deaths. Further policies and studies are required to improve the health status of pediatric patients in poverty to decrease ICU admission.Trial registration: retrospectively registered

scholarly journals Health disparities of critically ill children according to poverty: the Korean population-based retrospective cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Park ◽  
Hyejeong Park ◽  
Danbee Kang ◽  
Chi Ryang Chung ◽  
Jeong Hoon Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Retrospective Cohort Study ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Retrospective Cohort ◽  
National Database ◽  
Critically Ill Children ◽  
Icu Admission

Abstract Background There is a lack of nationwide studies on critically ill patients’ health disparity under the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. We evaluated health disparities in intensive care unit (ICU) admission, outcomes, and readmission in impoverished children. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using a national database from the Korean NHI and Medical Aid Program (MAP). MAP supports the population whose household income is lower than 40% of the median Korean household income. We defined poverty as being a MAP beneficiary and compared the poverty and non-poverty groups. Patients between 28 days and 18 years old who were admitted to the ICU were included. Hospital mortality and readmission were analyzed with adjustment for patient characteristics, hospital type, and management procedures. Results Out of 17,893 patients, 1153 (6.4%) patients were in poverty. The age-standardized ICU admission rate was higher in the poverty group (126.9 vs. 80.2 per 100,000 person-years). There was more age-standardized mortality in the poverty group (11.8 vs. 4.3 per 100,000 person-years). Patients in the poverty group did not have a statistically different risk of adjusted in-hospital mortality to those in the non-poverty group (odds ratio: 1.15, confidence interval [CI]: 0.84–1.55) but had a higher readmission rate (hazard ratio 1.25, CI 1.09–1.42). Conclusion Under the NHI system, the disparity in pediatric critical care outcomes according to poverty is not definite, but the healthcare disparity in pre- and post-hospital care is a concern. Further studies are required to improve pre- and post-hospital healthcare quality of impoverished children.

Serum Coenzyme Q10 Levels are Decreased in Critically-Ill Septic Patients: Results From a Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 109980042094448
Author(s):  
Alice G. Vassiliou ◽  
Zafeiria Mastora ◽  
Edison Jahaj ◽  
Chrysi Keskinidou ◽  
Maria E. Pratikaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Septic Shock ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Coenzyme Q10 ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Icu Discharge ◽  
Sepsis And Septic Shock

Background: The increased oxidative stress resulting from the inflammatory responses in sepsis initiates changes in mitochondrial function which may result in organ damage, the most common cause of death in the intensive care unit (ICU). Deficiency of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a key cofactor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, could potentially disturb mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative stress, and may serve as a biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction. Hence, we aimed to investigate in initially non-septic patients whether CoQ10 levels are decreased in sepsis and septic shock compared to ICU admission, and to evaluate its associations with severity scores, inflammatory biomarkers, and ICU outcomes. Methods: Observational retrospective analysis on 86 mechanically-ventilated, initially non-septic, ICU patients. CoQ10 was sequentially measured on ICU admission, sepsis, septic shock or at ICU discharge. CoQ10 was additionally measured in 25 healthy controls. Inflammatory biomarkers were determined at baseline and sepsis. Results: On admission, ICU patients who developed sepsis had lower CoQ10 levels compared to healthy controls (0.89 vs. 1.04 µg/ml, p < 0.05), while at sepsis and septic shock CoQ10 levels decreased further (0.63 µg/ml; p < 0.001 and 0.42 µg/ml; p < 0.0001, respectively, from admission). In ICU patients who did not develop sepsis, admission CoQ10 levels were also lower than healthy subjects (0.81 µg/ml; p < 0.001) and were maintained at the same levels until discharge. Conclusion: CoQ10 levels in critically-ill patients are low on ICU admission compared to healthy controls and exhibit a further decrease in sepsis and septic shock. These results suggest that sepsis severity leads to CoQ10 depletion.

scholarly journals Management of Patients With Sepsis in Canadian Community Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Multicenter Observational Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233339282092008
Author(s):  
Victor C. K. Lo ◽  
Haitong Su ◽  
Yuet Ming Lam ◽  
Kathleen Willis ◽  
Virginia Pullar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Lactate Concentration ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Multicenter Observational Study ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Physician Assessment ◽  
Assessment Time

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality representing significant financial burden on the health-care system. Early identification and intervention is crucial to maximizing positive outcomes. We studied a quality improvement initiative with the aim of reviewing the initial management of patients with sepsis in Canadian community emergency departments, to identify areas for improving the delivery of sepsis care. We present a retrospective, multicenter, observational study during 2011 to 2015 in the community setting. Methods: We collected data on baseline characteristics, clinical management metrics (triage-to-physician-assessment time, triage-to-lactate-drawn time, triage-to-antibiotic time, and volume of fluids administered within the first 6 hours of triage), and outcomes (intensive care unit [ICU] admission, in-hospital mortality) from a regional database. Results: A total of 2056 patients were analyzed. The median triage-to-physician-assessment time was 50 minutes (interquartile range [IQR]: 25-104), triage-to-lactate-drawn time was 50 minutes (IQR: 63-94), and triage-to-antibiotics time was 129 minutes (IQR: 70-221). The median total amount of fluid administered within 6 hours of triage was 2.0 L (IQR: 1.5-3.0). The ICU admission rate was 36% and in-hospital mortality was 25%. We also observed a higher ICU admission rate (51% vs 24%) and in-hospital mortality (44% vs 14%) in those with higher lactate concentration (≥4 vs ≤2 mmol/L), independent of other sepsis-related parameters. Conclusion: Time-to-physician-assessment, time-to-lactate-drawn, time-to-antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation in community emergency departments could be improved. Future quality improvement interventions are required to optimize management of patients with sepsis. Elevated lactate concentration was also independently associated with ICU admission rate and in-hospital mortality rate.

Clinical Significance of Bioimpedance Spectroscopy in Critically Ill Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shang-Feng Yang ◽  
Ching-Min Tseng ◽  
I-Fan Liu ◽  
Shin-Hung Tsai ◽  
Wein-Shung Kuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Critically Ill Patients ◽  
Fluid Management ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Acute Stage ◽  
Volume Control ◽  
Hospital Death ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
The Third

Background: Early fluid resuscitation is a key aspect in the successful management of critically ill patients, but the optimal goal for volume control after the acute stage of critical illness remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of bioimpedance spectrometry for fluid management in critically ill patients. Methods: In this prospective observational study, patients who consented to participate were screened within the first 24 hours of admission to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) from February 4, 2015, to January 31, 2016. Information on demographics, comorbidities, primary reasons for admission, baseline laboratory data, and ventilator or inotropic use were documented. Data of fluid intake, fluid output, and body weight were recorded for the first 3 days of ICU admission. Bioimpedance spectrometry was performed on the first and third days after ICU admission. All participants were followed until death or hospital discharge. Results: Of the 140 enrolled patients (median age: 70 years, interquartile range: 60-77 years), 23 (16.4%) patients died during hospitalization. Independent predictors of hospital mortality were Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores (per 1 point increase, odds ratio [OR]: 1.101) and overhydration (OH) volume on the first day (per 1 L increase, OR: 1.216). Compared to normal OH status (OH volume between −1 and 1 L), hyper OH status (OH volume < −1 L) on the third day after ICU admission was an independent predictor of hospital death (OR: 7.609). Normal OH status on the third day was associated with greater numbers of ICU-free and ventilator-free days. Conclusion: Bioimpedance spectrometry can be used to predict outcomes in critically ill patients. Increased OH volume on day 1 and hyper OH volume on day 3 of ICU admission are associated with a greater risk of hospital mortality. Volume status on day 3 is associated with durations of ventilator use and ICU stay.

Dialysis Therapies in Critically Ill Children

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-613
Author(s):  
Will Hendrix
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Acute Renal Failure ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Critically Ill Children ◽  
Small Children ◽  
Care Nurse ◽  
Renal Replacement Therapies ◽  
In Infants And Children

Technologic advances provide renal replacement therapies to critically ill pediatric patients. Having multiplied rapidly, the options for intervention and treatment of acute renal failure in infants and small children are numerous. Thus, the need for the dialysis nurse and the critical care nurse to maintain, expand, and develop a new baseline of knowledge is a constant challenge. This article explores the management and treatment options for acute renal failure in infants and children

Burden of hospitalisation among older people in the Brazilian public health system: a big data analysis from 2009 to 2015

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 537-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Daglius Dias ◽  
Jacson Venancio de Barros
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Older People ◽  
Health System ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
Older Population ◽  
Icu Admission

BackgroundThe world’s population is progressively ageing, and this trend imposes several challenges to society and governments. The aim of this study was to investigate the burden generated by the hospitalisation of older (>60 years) compared with non-older population, as well as the epidemiology of these hospital admissions.MethodsUsing the Brazilian Unified Health System (known as ‘Sistema Único de Saúde’ (SUS)), an analysis of all hospital admissions of adult patients in the SUS from 2009 to 2015 was undertaken. The following indicators were used: hospital admission rate, intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate, average length of hospital and ICU stay, hospital mortality and average reimbursement per hospitalisation.ResultsA total of 61 958 959 admissions during the 7-year period, were analysed, encompassing 17 893 392 (28.9%) older patients. Elderly represent 15% (n=21 294 950) of the Brazilian adult population, but are responsible for 29% (n=17 893 392) of hospitalisations, 52% (n=1 731 299) of ICU admissions and 66% (n=1 885 291) of hospital mortality. Among the adults, elderly represents 39% of the total reimbursement made related to admission/hospitalisation. For 2009 to 2015, while the older population increased 27%, ICU admission rate increased 20%; the average length of ICU stay was 12% higher in 2015 (6.5 days) compared with 2009 (5.8 days); and the hospital mortality increased from 9.8% to 11.2%.ConclusionThese findings illustrate the current panorama of the burden due to hospitalisation of older people in the Brazilian public health system, and evidence the consolidation of the epidemiological transition toward the predominance of non-communicable diseases as the main cause of hospitalisation among the elderly in Brazil.

scholarly journals Inpatient Outcomes Following a Return Visit to the Emergency Department: A Nationwide Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1124-1130
Author(s):  
Chu-Lin Tsai ◽  
Dean-An Ling ◽  
Tsung-Chien Lu ◽  
Jasper Lin ◽  
Chien-Hua Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Resource Use ◽  
Admission Rate ◽  
National Database ◽  
Return Visit ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
Inpatient Outcomes ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
Admission Group

Introduction: Emergency department (ED) revisits are traditionally used to measure potential lapses in emergency care. However, recent studies on in-hospital outcomes following ED revisits have begun to challenge this notion. We aimed to examine inpatient outcomes and resource use among patients who were hospitalized following a return visit to the ED using a national database. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. One-third of ED visits from 2012–2013 were randomly selected and their subsequent hospitalizations included. We analyzed the inpatient outcomes (mortality and intensive care unit [ICU] admission) and resource use (length of stay [LOS] and costs). Comparisons were made between patients who were hospitalized after a return visit to the ED and those who were hospitalized during the index ED visit. Results: Of the 3,019,416 index ED visits, 477,326 patients (16%) were directly admitted to the hospital. Among the 2,504,972 patients who were discharged during the index ED visit, 229,059 (9.1%) returned to the ED within three days. Of them, 37,118 (16%) were hospitalized. In multivariable analyses, the inpatient mortality rates and hospital LOS were similar between the two groups. Compared with the direct-admission group, the return-admission group had a lower ICU admission rate (adjusted odds ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72-0.84), and lower costs (adjusted difference, -5,198 New Taiwan dollars, 95% CI, -6,224 to -4,172). Conclusion: Patients who were hospitalized after a return visit to the ED had a lower ICU admission rate and lower costs, compared to those who were directly admitted. Our findings suggest that ED revisits do not necessarily translate to poor initial care and that subsequent inpatient outcomes should also be considered for better assessment.

scholarly journals Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Antibiotic-Associated Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Children

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 2243-2251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily L. Joyce ◽  
Sandra L. Kane-Gill ◽  
Priyanka Priyanka ◽  
Dana Y. Fuhrman ◽  
John A. Kellum
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Critically Ill Children ◽  
Lengths Of Stay ◽  
Medication Exposure ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

BackgroundThere continues to be uncertainty about whether piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) increases the risk of AKI in critically ill pediatric patients. We sought to compare rates of AKI among critically ill children treated with TZP or cefepime, an alternative frequently used in intensive care units, with and without vancomycin.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study assessing the risk of AKI in pediatric intensive care unit patients after exposure to vancomycin, TZP, and cefepime, alone or in combination, within 48 hours of admission. The primary outcome was development of stage 2 or 3 AKI or an increase in AKI stage from 2 to 3 within the 6 days after the 48-hour exposure window. Secondary outcomes included lengths of stay, need for RRT, and mortality.ResultsOf 5686 patients included, 494 (8.7%) developed stage 2 or 3 AKI. The adjusted odds of developing AKI after medication exposure were 1.56 for TZP (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.23 to 1.99), 1.13 for cefepime (95% CI, 0.79 to 1.64), and 0.86 for vancomycin (95% CI, 0.69 to 1.07). The adjusted odds of developing AKI for vancomycin plus TZP versus vancomycin plus cefepime was 1.38 (95% CI, 0.85 to 2.24).ConclusionsObservational data in critically ill children show that TZP use is associated with increased odds of AKI. A weaker, nonsignificant association between vancomycin plus TZP and AKI compared with vancomycin plus cefepime, creates some uncertainty about the nature of the association between TZP and AKI. However, cefepime is an alternative not associated with AKI.

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