scholarly journals Utility of a Telephone Triage Hotline in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin A Y Cher ◽  
Eric A Wilson ◽  
Alexa M Pinsky ◽  
Ryan F Townshend ◽  
Ann V Wolski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Patient Portal ◽  
Telephone Triage ◽  
Telephone Hotline ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Triage Algorithm

BACKGROUND During the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapidly rising disease prevalence in the United States created a demand for patient-facing information exchanges that addressed questions and concerns about the disease. One approach to managing increased patient volumes during a pandemic involves the implementation of telephone-based triage systems. During a pandemic, telephone triage hotlines can be employed in innovative ways to conserve medical resources and offer useful population-level data about disease symptomatology and risk factor profiles. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to describe and evaluate the COVID-19 telephone triage hotline used by a large academic medical center in the midwestern United States. METHODS Michigan Medicine established a telephone hotline to triage inbound patient calls related to COVID-19. For calls received between March 24, 2020, and May 5, 2020, we described total call volume, data reported by callers including COVID-19 risk factors and symptomatology, and distribution of callers to triage algorithm endpoints. We also described symptomatology reported by callers who were directed to the institutional patient portal (online medical visit questionnaire). RESULTS A total of 3929 calls (average 91 calls per day) were received by the call center during the study period. The maximum total number of daily calls peaked at 211 on March 24, 2020. Call volumes were the highest from 6 AM to 11 AM and during evening hours. Callers were most often directed to the online patient portal (1654/3929, 42%), nursing hotlines (1338/3929, 34%), or employee health services (709/3929, 18%). Cough (126/370 of callers, 34%), shortness of breath (101/370, 27%), upper respiratory infection (28/111, 25%), and fever (89/370, 24%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Immunocompromised state (23/370, 6%) and age >65 years (18/370, 5%) were the most commonly reported risk factors. CONCLUSIONS The triage algorithm successfully diverted low-risk patients to suitable algorithm endpoints, while directing high-risk patients onward for immediate assessment. Data collected from hotline calls also enhanced knowledge of symptoms and risk factors that typified community members, demonstrating that pandemic hotlines can aid in the clinical characterization of novel diseases.

scholarly journals Clinical Ordering Practices of the SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Test at a Large Academic Medical Center

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joesph R Wiencek ◽  
Carter L Head ◽  
Costi D Sifri ◽  
Andrew S Parsons
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
The United States ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Academic Medical ◽  
Public Health Epidemiology ◽  
Testing Costs

Abstract Background The novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated in December 2019 and has now infected almost 5 million people in the United States. In the spring of 2020, private laboratories and some hospitals began antibody testing despite limited evidence-based guidance. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing from May 14, 2020, to June 15, 2020, at a large academic medical center, 1 of the first in the United States to provide antibody testing capability to individual clinicians in order to identify clinician-described indications for antibody testing compared with current expert-based guidance from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results Of 444 individual antibody test results, the 2 most commonly described testing indications, apart from public health epidemiology studies (n = 223), were for patients with a now resolved COVID-19-compatible illness (n = 105) with no previous molecular testing and for asymptomatic patients believed to have had a past exposure to a person with COVID-19-compatible illness (n = 60). The rate of positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among those indications consistent with current IDSA and CDC guidance was 17% compared with 5% (P < .0001) among those indications inconsistent with such guidance. Testing inconsistent with current expert-based guidance accounted for almost half of testing costs. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a dissociation between clinician-described indications for testing and expert-based guidance and a significantly different rate of positive testing between these 2 groups. Clinical curiosity and patient preference appear to have played a significant role in testing decisions and substantially contributed to testing costs.

scholarly journals Decreasing Incidence of Skin and Soft-tissue Infections in 86 US Emergency Departments, 2009–2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Morgan ◽  
Sam Hohmann ◽  
Jessica P Ridgway ◽  
Robert S Daum ◽  
Michael Z David
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Soft Tissue Infections

Abstract Background The incidence of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs), for which human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant risk factor, in United States emergency departments (EDs) increased dramatically after 2000 with the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Few studies have examined SSTI incidence among HIV-infected and non–HIV-infected patients in the United States after 2010. Methods Data were obtained for patient encounters at all academic medical center EDs affiliated with the Vizient clinical data warehouse assigned an SSTI-associated code based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014. The rate was calculated per 1000 ED encounters by year and stratified by SSTI, HIV infection, or both, and by age group, race, payer type, and region of care. Poisson regression was used to assess temporal change over the study period. Results In 2009–2014, a total of 47317 HIV-associated and 820440 SSTI-associated encounters were recorded among 25239781 ED patient encounters. The rate of SSTIs decreased by 8% among all patients and by 14.6%, among those with HIV infection. The SSTI incidence overall decreased from 32.0 to 29.7 per 1000 ED encounters between 2009 and 2014. HIV-infected patients had a significantly higher rate of SSTIs than HIV-uninfected patients (adjusted rate ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.84–1.99). Conclusions The decline in SSTI incidence in US EDs between 2009 and 2014 is a remarkable epidemiologic shift from the increase in SSTIs after 2000, and further research is necessary to assess reasons for this decrease.

Emergency Physician Involvement in Hospital Preparedness: A National Survey of Academic Medical Centers

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Kevin M. Ryan ◽  
Sina Mostaghimi ◽  
Julianne Dugas ◽  
Eric Goralnick
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Emergency Medicine ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
The United States ◽  
Academic Medical Centers ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Academic Medical

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of emergency medicine physicians at academic medical centers across the United States as well as their background training, roles in the hospital, and compensation if applicable for time dedicated to preparedness. Methods: A structured survey was delivered by means of email to 109 Chairs of Emergency Medicine across the United States at academic medical centers. Unique email links were provided to track response rate and entered into REDCap database. Descriptive statistics were obtained, including roles in emergency preparedness, training, and compensation. Results: Forty-four of the 109 participants responded, resulting in a response rate of 40.4%. The majority held an administrative role in emergency preparedness. Formal training for the position (participants could select more than 1) included various avenues of education such as emergency medical services fellowship or in-person or online courses. Of the participants, most (93.18%) strongly agreed that it was important to have a physician with expertise in disaster medicine assisting with preparedness. Conclusions: The majority of responding academic medical center participants have taken an active role in hospital emergency preparedness. Education for the roles varied though, often consisted of courses from emergency management agencies. Volunteering their time for compensation was noted by 27.5%.

scholarly journals Learning Experiences Within Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency Programs in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C Cho ◽  
Matthew P Crotty ◽  
Wesley D Kufel ◽  
Elias B Chahine ◽  
Amelia K Sofjan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Travel Medicine ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Medical Centers ◽  
Academic Medical

Abstract Background Pharmacists with residency training in infectious diseases (ID) optimize antimicrobial therapy outcomes in patients and support antimicrobial stewardship (AS) programs. Although most ID residencies are accredited and assessed by certain standards, the degree to which these programs are similar is not known. Methods A 19-item, cross-sectional, multicentered, electronic survey was distributed via e-mail to pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs) of all 101 second-year postgraduate (PGY-2) ID residency programs in the United States. Results Survey responses were collected from 71 RPDs (70.3%); 64.8% were associated with an academic medical center and 97.2% focused primarily in adult ID. Rotations in the microbiology laboratory, adult AS, and adult ID consult were required in 98.6% of residency programs. Only 28.2% of responding programs required pediatric AS and pediatric ID consult rotations. Programs at academic medical centers were more likely to offer immunocompromised host ID consult (P = .003), pediatric ID consult (P = .006), and hospital epidemiology (P = .047) rotations but less frequently offered outpatient AS (P = .003), viral hepatitis clinics (P = .001), and travel medicine clinics (P = .007) rotations compared to programs at nonacademic medical centers. Residents were frequently involved in AS committees (97.2%), pharmacokinetic dosing of antimicrobials (83.1%), precepting pharmacy trainees (80.3%), and performing research projects (91.5%). Conclusions The PGY-2 ID pharmacy residency programs demonstrated consistency in required adult ID consult, antimicrobial management activities, committee service, and teaching and research opportunities. Pediatric experiences were less common. The PGY-2 ID residency programs prepare pharmacists to become antimicrobial stewards for adult patients.

scholarly journals The Burden of Neurocysticercosis at a Single New York Hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Amy Spallone ◽  
Luboslav Woroch ◽  
Keith Sweeney ◽  
Roberta Seidman ◽  
Luis A. Marcos
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Long Island ◽  
Taenia Solium ◽  
The United States ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Predominantly Hispanic ◽  
Icd 10 ◽  
Risk Patients

Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a disease caused by the larval pork tapeworm Taenia solium, has emerged as an important infection in the United States. In this study, we describe the spectrum of NCC infection in eastern Long Island, where there is a growing population of immigrants from endemic countries. A retrospective study was designed to identify patients diagnosed with NCC using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes in the electronic medical records at Stony Brook University Hospital between 2005 and 2016. We identified 52 patients (56% male, median age: 35 years) diagnosed with NCC in the only tertiary medical center in Suffolk County. Twenty-five cases were reported in the last three years of the study. Forty-eight (94%) patients self-identified as Hispanic or Latino in the electronic medical record. Twenty-two (44%) and 28 (56%) patients had parenchymal and extraparenchymal lesions, respectively. Nineteen (41.3%) patients presented with seizures to the emergency department. Six patients (11.7%) had hydrocephalus, and five of them required frequent hospitalizations and neurosurgical interventions, including permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunts or temporary external ventricular drains. No deaths were reported. The minimum accumulated estimated cost of NCC hospitalizations during the study period for all patients was approximately 1.4 million United States dollars (USD). In conclusion, NCC predominantly affects young, Hispanic immigrants in Eastern Long Island, particularly in zip codes correlating to predominantly Hispanic communities. The number of cases diagnosed increased at an alarming rate during the study period. Our study suggests a growing need for screening high-risk patients and connecting patients to care in hopes of providing early intervention and treatment to avoid potentially detrimental neurological sequelae.

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