scholarly journals Development and Internal Validation of a Disability Algorithm for Multiple Sclerosis in Administrative Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth Ann Marrie ◽  
Qier Tan ◽  
Okechukwu Ekuma ◽  
James J. Marriott

Objective: We developed and internally validated an algorithm for disability status in multiple sclerosis (MS) using administrative data.Methods: We linked administrative data from Manitoba, Canada to a clinical dataset with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores for people with MS. Clinical EDSS scores constituted the reference standard. We created candidate indicators using the administrative data. These included indicators based on use of particular health care services (home care, long-term care, rehabilitation admission), use of specific diagnostic codes (such as spasticity, quadriplegia), and codes based on use of Employment and Income Insurance. We developed algorithms to predict severe disability (EDSS ≥6.0), and to predict disability as a continuous measure. We manually developed algorithms, and also employed regression approaches. After we selected our preferred algorithms for disability, we tested their association with health care use due to any cause and infection after potential confounders.Results: We linked clinical and administrative data for 1,767 persons with MS, most of whom were women living in urban areas. All individual indicators tested had specificities >90% for severe disability, and all but a diagnosis of visual disturbance had positive predictive values (PPV) >70%. The combination of home care or long-term care use or rehabilitation admission had a sensitivity of 61.9%, specificity of 90.76%, PPV of 70.06% and negative predictive of 87.21%. Based on regression modeling, the best-performing algorithm for predicting the EDSS as a continuous variable included age, home care use, long-term care admission, admission for rehabilitation, visual disturbance, other paralytic syndromes and spasticity. The mean difference between observed and predicted values of the EDSS was −0.0644 (95%CI −0.1632, 0.0304). Greater disability, whether measured using the clinical EDSS or either of the administrative data algorithms was similarly associated with increased hospitalization rates due to any cause and infection.Conclusion: We developed and internally validated an algorithm for disability in MS using administrative data that may support population-based studies that wish to account for disability status but do not have access to clinical data sources with this information. We also found that more severe disability is associated with increased health care use, including due to infection.

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Newcomer ◽  
Charlene Harrington ◽  
Denis Hulett ◽  
Taewoon Kang ◽  
Michelle Ko ◽  
...  

Objective: We examined the health care utilization patterns of Medicare and Medicaid enrollees (MMEs) before and after initiating long-term care in the community or after admission to a nursing facility (NF). Method: We used administrative data to compare hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and post-acute care use of MMEs receiving long-term care in California in 2006-2007. Results: MMEs admitted to a NF for long-term care had much greater use of hospitalizations, ED visits, and post-acute care before initiating long-term care than those entering long-term care in the community. Post-entry, community service users had less than half the average monthly hospital and ED use compared with the NF cohort. Conclusion: Hospital and ED use prior to and following NF and personal care program entry suggest a need for reassessing the monitoring of these high-risk populations and the communication between health and community care providers.


Author(s):  
Stacey Fisher ◽  
Douglas G Manuel ◽  
Sarah Spruin ◽  
Geoffrey Anderson ◽  
Monica Taljaard ◽  
...  

IntroductionIt is important for dementia patients, their families and caregivers, and health planners to have an understanding of life expectancy and the likely care experience of patients from dementia diagnosis to end-of-life. Objectives and ApproachUsing administrative health data of all dementia patients in Ontario, Canada (2014 to 2017) and period life table methodology, life expectancy and average health care use and cost for individuals from dementia diagnosis to death was examined. Dementia was ascertained by a validated case ascertainment definition and information from long-term care, home care and complex continuing care assessments. Formal care was categorized as inpatient, outpatient, home care or long-term care. ResultsLife expectancy at dementia diagnosis was 8.7 years and 9.8 years for men and women diagnosed prior to age 75, of which 3.7 years (42%) and 4.7 years (49%) was spent receiving formal care, respectively. Life expectancy was 4.4 and 5.2 years for men and women diagnosed after age 75, of which 2.2 years (50%) and 3.1 years (60%) was spent receiving care, respectively. Women received proportionally more long-term and home care compared to men, while men received more inpatient and outpatient care. In the year prior to dementia diagnosis, individuals received formal care for 20 days per 100 person-days. Those at the end-of-life received care for 79 days per 100 person-days, including 55 long-term care days and 7.8 inpatient care days. Average direct health care costs from diagnosis to end-of-life was $230,000 and was higer for women and those diagnosed before age 75. ConclusionThe burden of formal care for those with dementia is substantial. The results of this study will be used by physicians to inform conversations with patients, their families and caregivers around what to expect after a dementia diagnosis, and by health care planners for population health planning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 705-705
Author(s):  
Yuchi Young ◽  
Ye-Mei Chen ◽  
Kuo-Piao Chen ◽  
Hsiu-Hsi Chen ◽  
Wei-Jung Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract Identification of heavy health care users among community-dwelling older adults can lead to strategic care planning and management that positively impacts health care use and costs. This study aims to identify risk factors associated with heavy users of acute care and long-term care (LTC) in Changhua County, Taiwan. Study participants (n=8,090) included residents (age 65+) of Changhua County. Data were collected from 4/1/2017-10/26/2018. Linked hospitalization and LTC use information was provided by the Changhua County Public Health Bureau. Hospitalization was grouped into 1 vs. 2+. Univariate and multivariate logistic models will be used to address the study aim. Preliminary results show the average age was 81 years ranging from 65-105. Of this population, 56% are female, and 10% live alone. The average length of hospital stay was 9.7 days. Risk factors associated with heavy health care users identified in multivariate analysis will be presented and intervention strategies will be discussed. Part of a symposium sponsored by International Comparisons of Healthy Aging Interest Group.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. e399-e409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant R. Williams ◽  
Lisette Dunham ◽  
YunKyung Chang ◽  
Allison M. Deal ◽  
Mackenzi Pergolotti ◽  
...  

PURPOSE: The association between geriatric assessment (GA)–identified impairments and long-term health care use in older cancer survivors remains unknown. Our objective was to evaluate whether a GA performed at cancer diagnosis was predictive of hospitalizations and long-term care (LTC) use in older adult cancer survivors. METHODS: Older adults with GA performed between 3 months before through 6 months after diagnosis were included (N = 125). Patients with Medicare Parts A and B coverage and no managed care were identified. Hospitalizations and LTC use (skilled nursing or assisted living) were assessed up to 5 years postdiagnosis. GA risk measures were evaluated in separate Poisson models estimating the relative risk (RR) for hospital and LTC visits, adjusting for age and Charlson comorbidity score. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 74 years, and the majority were female (80%) and white (90%). Breast cancer (64%) and early-stage disease (stages 0 to III, 77%) were common. Prefrail/frail status (RR, 2.5; P < .001), instrumental activities of daily living impairment (RR, 5.47; P < .001), and limitations in climbing stairs (RR, 2.94; P < .001) were associated with increased hospitalizations. Prefrail/frail status (RR, 1.86; P < .007), instrumental activities of daily living impairment (RR, 4.58; P < .001), presence of falls (RR, 6.73; P < .001), prolonged Timed Up and Go (RR, 5.45; P < .001), and limitations in climbing stairs (RR, 1.89; P < .005) were associated with LTC use. CONCLUSION: GA-identified impairments were associated with increased hospitalizations and LTC use among older adults with cancer. GA-focused interventions should be targeted toward high-risk patients to reduce long-term adverse health care use in this vulnerable population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 82-82
Author(s):  
Jihyun Park ◽  
Suhyun Kim

Abstract Population aging is one of the significant global issues. Long-term care is emphasized as “aging in place,” and it is known that home and community-based service is a cost-effective way to achieve this. Over ten years have passed since the introduction of long-term care insurance in Korea, and it is necessary to improve home health care in long-term care. The aim of this study was to identify the measures that must be undertaken for enhancing home health care in Korea by comparing it to the home health care in Finland. The data were collected via a literature review, expert interview, and field survey in Kuopio, Eastern Finland, from March 16 to 23, 2018. Based on the comparison between Korean and Finnish home health care, some issues related to home health care in Korea that need to be resolved were identified: the complex process involved in availing home health care, low utilization rate, higher cost than home health aide services in long-term care, and undifferentiated roles in home health care between registered nurses and nurse assistants. Several strategies could be utilized to enhance home health care in Korea, such as a simplified procedure to use home health care, clarification of roles between registered nurses and nurse assistants in home care, supervision of the integration of home care services by registered nurses, and an expansion of home health care into comprehensive assessment and nursing activities for chronic illness care and health promotion.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 704-704
Author(s):  
Yuchi Young ◽  
Barbara Resnick

Abstract The world population is aging. The proportion of the population over 60 will nearly double from 12% in 2015 to 22% in 2050. Global life expectancy has more than doubled from 31 years in 1900 to 72.6 years in 2019. The need for long-term care (LTC) services is expanding with the same rapidity. A comprehensive response is needed to address the needs of older adults. Learning from health systems in other countries enables health systems to incorporate best long-term care practices to fit each country and its culture. This symposium aims to compare long-term care policies and services in Taiwan, Singapore, and the USA where significant growth in aging populations is evidenced. In 2025, the aging population will be 20% in Taiwan, 20% in Singapore and 18 % in the USA. In the case of Taiwan, it has moved from aging society status to aged society, and to super-aged society in 27 years. Such accelerated rate of aging in Taiwan is unparalleled when compared to European countries and the United States. In response to this dramatic change, Taiwan has passed long-term care legislation that expands services to care for older adults, and developed person-centered health care that integrates acute and long-term care services. Some preliminary results related to access, care and patterns of utilization will be shared in the symposium. International Comparisons of Healthy Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 629-629
Author(s):  
Silke Metzelthin ◽  
Sandra Zwakhalen ◽  
Barbara Resnick

Abstract Functional decline in older adults often lead towards acute or long-term care. In practice, caregivers often focus on completion of care tasks and of prevention of injuries from falls. This task based, safety approach inadvertently results in fewer opportunities for older adults to be actively involved in activities. Further deconditioning and functional decline are common consequences of this inactivity. To prevent or postpone these consequences Function Focused Care (FFC) was developed meaning that caregivers adapt their level of assistance to the capabilities of older adults and stimulate them to do as much as possible by themselves. FFC was first implemented in institutionalized long-term care in the US, but has spread rapidly to other settings (e.g. acute care), target groups (e.g. people with dementia) and countries (e.g. the Netherlands). During this symposium, four presenters from the US and the Netherlands talk about the impact of FFC. The first presentation is about the results of a stepped wedge cluster trial showing a tendency to improve activities of daily living and mobility. The second presentation is about a FFC training program. FFC was feasible to implement in home care and professionals experienced positive changes in knowledge, attitude, skills and support. The next presenter reports about significant improvements regarding time spent in physical activity and a decrease in resistiveness to care in a cluster randomized controlled trial among nursing home residents with dementia. The fourth speaker presents the content and first results of a training program to implement FFC in nursing homes. Nursing Care of Older Adults Interest Group Sponsored Symposium


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