scholarly journals Emergency Telepsychiatry and the Acute Care Continuum: Creating Value Through Improved Patient Accessibility and Follow-up

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prentice A. Tom

I few years ago, I coined the term, “Medicine Without Walls”1 to describe our future healthcare delivery system—an environment where patient and healthcare practitioner are unencumbered by physical location or limitations in access points due to human resource restrictions, where medical information is transferred not only between patient and clinician but also between any number of care practitioners and healthcare institutions—a world where patients have open and ready access to medical care when and where needed.

Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander C Flint ◽  
Carol Conell ◽  
Xiushui Ren ◽  
Sheila L Chan ◽  
Vivek A Rao ◽  
...  

Outpatient statin use is known to reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke of atherothrombotic etiology, but it is not known whether statins have similar effects in ischemic stroke associated with atrial fibrillation (AF). We examined the relationship between outpatient statin adherence and the risk of recurrent ischemic stroke in patients with or without AF in a large integrated healthcare delivery system. Among 6,283 patients with ischemic stroke discharged on a statin over a 5 year period, 1,486 (23.7%) had a diagnosis of AF at discharge. Statin adherence rates, measured as percentage of days covered (PDC), averaged 85% (88% for AF patients and 84% for non-AF patients). We observed up to three years after the initial stroke, with an average of two years follow up. In multivariable survival models, after controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and key medical comorbidities, higher statin adherence was found to strongly predict a reduced risk of recurrent ischemic stroke (Figure). In the second year post-stroke, the hazard ratio (HR) associated with a 10% increase in PDC was 0.93 (95% C.I. 0.89-097). The relationship between statin adherence and reduced stroke rates was similar in AF patients (HR 0.94, 95% C.I. 0.84-0.98) and non-AF patients (HR 0.93, 95% C.I. 0.88-0.98). These findings support the use of outpatient statins in all ischemic stroke patients, irrespective of stroke etiology (atherothrombotic vs. atrial fibrillation).


Author(s):  
Keane K. Lee ◽  
Rachel C. Thomas ◽  
Thida C. Tan ◽  
Thomas K. Leong ◽  
Anthony Steimle ◽  
...  

Background: In-person clinic follow-up within 7 days after discharge from a heart failure hospitalization is associated with lower 30-day readmission. However, health systems and patients may find it difficult to complete an early postdischarge clinic visit, especially during the current pandemic. We evaluated the effect on 30-day readmission and death of follow-up within 7 days postdischarge guided by an initial structured nonphysician telephone visit compared with follow-up guided by an initial clinic visit with a physician. Methods and Results: We conducted a pragmatic randomized trial in a large integrated healthcare delivery system. Adults being discharged home after hospitalization for heart failure were randomly assigned to either an initial telephone visit with a nurse or pharmacist to guide follow-up or an initial in-person clinic appointment with primary care physicians providing usual care within the first 7 days postdischarge. Telephone appointments included a structured protocol enabling medication titration, laboratory ordering, and booking urgent clinic visits as needed under physician supervision. Outcomes included 30-day readmissions and death and frequency and type of completed follow-up within 7 days of discharge. Among 2091 participants (mean age 78 years, 44% women), there were no significant differences in 30-day heart failure readmission (8.6% telephone, 10.6% clinic, P =0.11), all-cause readmission (18.8% telephone, 20.6% clinic, P =0.30), and all-cause death (4.0% telephone, 4.6% clinic, P =0.49). Completed 7-day follow-up was higher in 1027 patients randomized to telephone follow-up (92%) compared with 1064 patients assigned to physician clinic follow-up (79%, P <0.001). Overall frequency of clinic visits during the first 7 days postdischarge was lower in participants assigned to nonphysician telephone guided follow-up (48%) compared with physician clinic-guided follow-up (77%, P <0.001). Conclusions: Early, structured telephone follow-up after hospitalization for heart failure can increase 7-day follow-up and reduce in-person visits with comparable 30-day clinical outcomes within an integrated care delivery framework. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT03524534.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S474-S475
Author(s):  
Erin Goldman ◽  
Sheronda Union ◽  
Tammie McClendon ◽  
Jennifer Veltman

Abstract Background Of the 11098 people living with HIV in southeast Michigan, over 30% are out of care, with transportation being the most commonly identified barriers. To address this barrier and re-engage patients into care, we introduced an HIV homecare program. The objective of this study was to describe the implementation of the homecare program and document the outcomes of patients enrolled. Methods In 2016, WSUPG ID clinic saw 1990 patients and had additional 95 clients who were virally unsuppressed and lost to care for 12 months. We called all 95 of these clients and offered homecare. We also advertised our program internally, to the Detroit Public Health Departments’ Data to Care Program (Link up Detroit), and to community-based organizations. Referred patients were seen by a NP/MA team supervised by an infectious disease attending. HIV medical care delivered in home utilized same standards of care as for outpatient setting, including lab draws and counseling. Patients also had the ability to text/call provider directly on the program cell phone. This project was funding through a Part A Ryan White MAI grant. Results Of the 95 clients out-of-care, 38 (40%) were unreachable, 41 (43%) were reachable and 16 (17%) did not qualify (relocation, incarcerated, deceased, in-care at the time of call). 5 (5%) enrolled in homecare and additional 29 patients were referred to our program. A total of 34 patients enrolled from September 20, 2017 to September 20, 2018. Among the 34 clients, mental health barriers were the most frequently reported (depression in 20, schizophrenia or bipolar in 7, anxiety in 23, and history of trauma in 11). Of the 34 clients, 24 have achieved virologic suppression at least once during their enrollment. Among the 26 clients with 6+ months of follow-up, 17 have achieved virologic suppression. Conclusion Homecare offers a new, innovative healthcare delivery system which is effective at achieving viral suppression in a challenging patient population and is a successful strategy to re-engage patients in care. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 1141-1146
Author(s):  
Lisa A Thompson ◽  
Lauren J Heath ◽  
Heather Freml ◽  
Thomas Delate

Background Clinical data to guide management of patients with cancer and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection who are treated with immunosuppressive chemotherapy are lacking. The purpose of this study was to describe HBV+ rates in a population of patients with cancer and evaluate a risk-stratified management protocol for the prevention of HBV reactivation (HBVr). Methods This was a descriptive study conducted in an integrated healthcare delivery system. Patients with cancer and hepatitis B virus infection who received immunosuppressive chemotherapy between 1 January 2014 and 31 January 2016 were included. A risk-stratified management protocol that continued for six months after chemotherapy completion or 12 months after completion of B-cell targeted chemotherapy was assessed. Outcomes included the proportion of patients who were HBV+ and amongst patients who initiated immunosuppressive therapy, proportions who received hepatitis B virus monitoring or anti-hepatitis B virus prophylaxis, or experienced HBVr or hepatitis B virus-related complications. Results There were 2463 patients with cancer screened for hepatitis B virus with 114 (4.6%) HBV+ of whom 59 (51.8%) initiated chemotherapy. Included patients were primarily older, male, and white with gastrointestinal or hematologic cancers and initiated intermediate/low-risk cytotoxic chemotherapy. During follow-up, 41 (69.5%) received hepatitis B virus DNA monitoring and 17 (28.8%) initiated anti-hepatitis B virus prophylaxis. No HBVr was observed. ALT and AST abnormalities were common but mostly Grade 1 and primarily related to the patient’s malignancy or medications. Conclusions Universal hepatitis B virus screening coupled with a risk-stratified management strategy utilizing HBVr monitoring and anti-hepatitis B virus prophylaxis in HBV+ patients receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy for cancer may prevent HBVr.


2014 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. A538
Author(s):  
Ali R. Rahimi ◽  
Elizabeth Neeley ◽  
Sherry Bowen ◽  
Carla Leto ◽  
Binwei Song

Author(s):  
Joel Fisher

Healthcare costs worldwide are increasing because of new medicines, new techniques, and more expensive and extensive research on diseases. It is essential that healthcare delivery systems be implemented that take advantage of these advances in a cost-effective economic manner. One critical aspect of the healthcare delivery system is the improvement in diagnosis of disease. This chapter emphasizes diagnosis and the need to collect key patient information (pivotal information) at the earliest possible point in the patient's disease process and put such pivotal information in physicians' hands. There is a potential for huge benefits in cost savings and greater effectiveness of treatment from these actions, but challenges must be overcome to realize their full benefits. The major problems include (1) market incentives in the current healthcare system, which fail to encourage collecting pivotal medical information as early as possible, (2) physician resistance to some of these ideas, and (3) technical and ethical problems that remain to be solved.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S275-S276
Author(s):  
Emily M Scott ◽  
Sarah N Cox ◽  
Julia H Rogers ◽  
Jessica Knaster Wasse ◽  
Helen Y Chu

Abstract Background Homeless shelters are high risk settings for SARS-CoV-2 transmission. People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have high rates of chronic illness, and have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The burden of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) in PEH has not been well-studied and PEH may be uniquely affected due to barriers to medical care and the potential exacerbation of existing threats to health, housing, employment, and self-care. Methods The Seattle Flu Study conducted community-based surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in nine homeless shelters from September 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. Individuals with and without respiratory symptoms were tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection using a PCR assay. We completed follow-up surveys with shelter residents age ≥18 years at days 5, 10, 30 and 60+ after positive or inconclusive diagnosis with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Individuals were asked about residual symptoms, impact on activities of daily living, access to medical care, and health-related quality of life. Results Of 51 eligible participants, 22 (43%) completed a follow-up survey, with six at day 5 or 10 survey, 11 at day 30, and 18 at day 60+. The median time from enrollment to last follow-up survey was 77 (range 49-138) days. Five (23%) participants reported at least one symptom at day 0, five (83%) at day 5 or 10, eight (73%) at day 30 and seven (39%) at day 60+ (Figure 1). Eight (36%) reported at least one symptom on a day 30 or 60+ follow up survey that interfered or prevented their daily activities. Nine (41%) received medical care at the quarantine facility. Of those with symptoms persisting beyond day 10, four (30%) received medical care outside of a medical provider at the quarantine facility. Prevalence of self-reported symptoms at Day 0 (enrollment), Day 5 or 10, Day 30, and Day 60+ in shelter residents who tested positive or inconclusive for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion PEH reported a high prevalence of persistent COVID-19 symptoms 30+ days after their SARS-CoV-2 detection. Few participants accessed medical care for their persistent illness. The impact of COVID-19 extends beyond acute illness and PASC may exacerbate existing challenges PEH face in health and wellbeing. Disclosures Helen Y. Chu, MD MPH, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (Consultant)Cepheid (Research Grant or Support)Ellume (Consultant)Merck (Consultant)Pfizer (Consultant)Sanofi-Pasteur (Research Grant or Support)


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Da Hee Park ◽  
Jan Fuge ◽  
Tanja Meltendorf ◽  
Kai G. Kahl ◽  
Manuel J. Richter ◽  
...  

Background/Objective: Covid-19 pandemic may affect mental health and quality of life (QoL) in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We assessed changes in anxiety and depression, quality of life (QoL) and self-described impact of Covid-19 in patients with PAH during the Covid-19 pandemic.Methods: This study included 152 patients with PAH from two German referral centers. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D) at two different timepoints before and during the Covid-19 pandemic with a median of 232 days between baseline and follow-up. QoL was assessed using EQ-5D and emPHasis-10. Perceived impact of Covid-19 and related regulations and measures were assessed using a set of specific questions and statements.Results: More than two thirds of patients had an unsuspicious HADS-A and HADS-D. Median scores did not differ from baseline for both HADS-A and HADS-D (p = 0.202; p = 0.621). Overall, no significant changes in HADS-A or HADS-D categories from baseline to follow up were observed (p = 0.07; p = 0.13). QoL did not change between baseline and follow-up. The Covid-19 pandemic had little impact on access to medical care and established PAH therapy. Patients were in agreement with governmental measures and regulations and felt sufficiently safe.Conclusion: First waves of Covid-19 pandemic had little impact on anxiety, depression and QoL in patient with PAH. Established PAH therapy and access to medical care were not affected. Further studies on the impact of prolonged duration of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic are needed.


2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Utkarsh Shah

This research paper attempts to collate literature from various sources, in an attempt to answer three pertinent questions related to healthcare in India. Firstly, what is it meant by ‘private sector’ in healthcare delivery system of India, secondly how has the private sector evolved over the decades and what has been the role of the government in propelling the growth. Finally, the paper tries to highlight some of the factors that have promoted the growth of private sector in India with specific reference to quality of medical care. The paper explicitly indicates that the deficiencies in the public health delivery system of India, was the key to growth of private infrastructure in healthcare. The shift of hospital industry for ‘welfare orientation’ to ‘business orientation’ was marked by the advent of corporate hospitals, supported by various policy level initiatives made by the government. Today, there are over 20 international healthcare brands in India with several corporate hospitals. However, a large section of the ‘private healthcare delivery segment’ is scattered and quality of medical care continues to remain a matter of concern. This paper tracks the various government initiatives to promote private investment in healthcare and attempts to explore the reasons for preference of the private sector. Surprisingly, in contrast to contemporary belief, quality of medical care doesn’t seem to be the leading cause for preference of the private sector. Except for a few select corporate and trust hospitals, quality of medical care in private sector seems to be poor and at times compromised.


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