scholarly journals Multisite Study to Examine the Amount of Inpatient Physician Continuity Experienced by Hospitalized Patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 624-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathlyn E. Fletcher ◽  
Siddhartha Singh ◽  
Jeff Whittle ◽  
Vishal Ratkalkar ◽  
Alexis M. Visotcky ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Background Continuity for inpatient medicine has been widely discussed, but methods for measuring it have been lacking. Objective To measure the continuity of care experienced by hospitalized patients and to identify predictors of continuity. Methods This was a multisite prospective cohort study and retrospective chart review that took place at 3 hospitals: an academic tertiary care center, a Veterans Affairs medical center, and a community teaching hospital. Subjects were general medicine patients and internal medicine residents. We measured continuity of care using 3 metrics: (1) the percentage of hospital time covered by the primary intern; (2) the amount of time between admission and the first handoff of care; and (3) admission-discharge continuity. We conducted univariate analyses to identify patient and hospital factors that may be associated with each type of continuity of care. Results Our sample included 869 patients with a mean age of 62.6 years (SD = 17.2) and 34% female patients. The mean percentage of hospital time covered by the primary intern was 39.2% (SD = 16.3%). The mean time between admission and the first handoff of care was 13.3 hours (SD = 7.1). Forty percent of patients experienced admission-discharge continuity. In univariate and multivariable modeling, the site was significantly associated with each type of continuity. Conclusions The amount of continuity varied greatly and was influenced by the site and other factors. No site maximized every aspect of continuity. Programs and institutions should decide which aspects of continuity are most important locally and design schedules accordingly.

2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P36-P36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yalon Dolev ◽  
Martin J Black ◽  
Michael P Hier ◽  
Michael Tamilia ◽  
Richard J Payne

Objective To clearly define what constitutes successful parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and to review our institution's results. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted for consecutive patients who underwent parathyroidectomy at a university-affiliated tertiary care center between January 1998 and February 2006. Intraoperative pre- and post-excision PTH levels were recorded. PTH and calcium levels were recorded at 3 – 6 month intervals in the first 2 years and then yearly. Results 84 patients were analyzed. 50 (60%) had normal calcium and normal PTH levels following surgery, 28 (33%) had normal calcium and elevated PTH following surgery, and 6 (7%) had both elevated calcium and PTH. The mean follow-up time was 2.23 years, with a range of 0.25 to 5 years. Conclusions Surgery was successful, as indicated by normocalcemia, in 78 patients (93%). Of these 78 patients, 28 (33%) developed persistent PTH elevation without developing hypercalcemia. Other studies have studied this subgroup of patients with normalized post-operative calcium and consistently elevated PTH levels and noted that these new set points persist. Consequently, successful parathyroidectomy should be defined by serum calcium and not PTH levels.


2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 873-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaher K. Otrock ◽  
Gerard O. Oghlakian ◽  
Mariana M. Salamoun ◽  
Maurice Haddad ◽  
Abdul Rahman N. Bizri

AbstractObjective:To determine the incidence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) following transrectal ultrasound guided needle biopsy of the prostate (TRUBP) and the bacteriology of these infections.Design:Retrospective evaluation of the charts and records of all patients who underwent TRUBP between June 1, 2002, and August 31, 2003.Setting:American University of Beirut Medical Center, a tertiary-care center in Lebanon.Patients:Two hundred seven patients underwent TRUBP. All received prophylactic antibiotics. One hundred twenty (58%) received ciprofloxacin alone, whereas 87 (42%) received both ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. Sixty-one patients (29.5%) had an enema prior to the procedure, whereas 146 (70.5%) did not.Results:Thirteen patients (6.3%) were admitted with UTI. All had rigors and fever on admission. Symptoms appeared at a mean of 2.7 days and the mean hospital stay was 9.2 days. The mean duration of antibiotic treatment was 23.2 days. Ten (77%) of the patients had positive bacteriology. Urine cultures were positive in 8 (61.5%) of the patients and blood cultures in 6 (46.2%). All positive cultures grew Escherichia coli resistant to ciprofloxacin, with 5 isolates producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.Conclusions:TRUBP continues to be associated with significant infectious complications, especially UTI. Given the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance mainly among the Enterobacteriaceae, antimicrobial prophylaxis practices should be reevaluated and the universal administration of quinolones alone or in combination with aminoglycosides should be reconsidered.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghada El Khoury ◽  
Hanine Mansour ◽  
Wissam K. Kabbara ◽  
Nibal Chamoun ◽  
Nadim Atallah ◽  
...  

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease that affects 387 million people around the world. Episodes of hyperglycemia in hospitalized diabetic patients are associated with poor clinical outcomes and increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, prevention of hyperglycemia is critical to decrease the length of hospital stay and to reduce complications and readmissions. Objective: The study aims to examine the prevalence of hyperglycemia and assess the correlates and management of hyperglycemia in diabetic non-critically ill patients. Methods: The study was conducted on the medical wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Lebanon. A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2014 until September 2015. Diabetic patients admitted to Internal Medicine floors were identified. Descriptive analysis was first carried out, followed by a multivariable analysis to study the correlates of hyperglycemia occurrence. Results: A total of 235 medical charts were reviewed. Seventy percent of participants suffered from hyperglycemia during their hospital stay. The identified significant positive correlates for inpatient hyperglycemia, were the use of insulin sliding scale alone (OR=16.438 ± 6.765-39.941, p=0.001) and the low frequency of glucose monitoring. Measuring glucose every 8 hours (OR= 3.583 ± 1.506-8.524, p=0.004) and/or every 12 hours (OR=7.647 ± 0.704-79.231, p=0.0095) was associated with hyperglycemia. The major factor perceived by nurses as a barrier to successful hyperglycemia management was the lack of knowledge about appropriate insulin use (87.5%). Conclusion: Considerable mismanagement of hyperglycemia in diabetic non-critically ill patients exists; indicating a compelling need for the development and implementation of protocol-driven insulin order forms a comprehensive education plan on the appropriate use of insulin.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110089
Author(s):  
Quinn Dunlap ◽  
James Reed Gardner ◽  
Amanda Ederle ◽  
Deanne King ◽  
Maya Merriweather ◽  
...  

Objective Neck dissection (ND) is one of the most commonly performed procedures in head and neck surgery. We sought to compare the morbidity of elective ND (END) versus therapeutic ND (TND). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Setting Academic tertiary care center. Methods Retrospective chart review of 373 NDs performed from January 2015 to December 2018. Patients with radical ND or inadequate chart documentation were excluded. Demographics, clinicopathologic data, complications, and sacrificed structures during ND were retrieved. Statistical analysis was performed with χ2 and analysis of variance for comparison of categorical and continuous variables, respectively, with statistical alpha set a 0.05. Results Patients examined consisted of 224 males (60%) with a mean age of 60 years. TND accounted for 79% (n = 296) as compared with 21% (n = 77) for END. Other than a significantly higher history of radiation (37% vs 7%, P < .001) and endocrine pathology (34% vs 2.6%, P < .001) in the TND group, no significant differences in demographics were found between the therapeutic and elective groups. A significantly higher rate of structure sacrifice and extranodal extension within the TND group was noted to hold in overall and subgroup comparisons. No significant difference in rate of surgical complications was appreciated between groups in overall or subgroup analysis. Conclusion While the significantly higher rate of structure sacrifice among the TND population represents an increased morbidity profile in these patients, no significant difference was found in the rate of surgical complications between groups. The significant difference seen between groups regarding history of radiation and endocrine pathology likely represents selection bias.


Author(s):  
Akane Takamatsu ◽  
Hitoshi Honda ◽  
Tomoya Kojima ◽  
Kengo Murata ◽  
Hilary Babcock

Abstract Objective The COVID-19 vaccine may hold the key to ending the pandemic, but vaccine hesitancy is hindering the vaccination of healthcare personnel (HCP). Design Before-after trial Participants and setting Healthcare personnel at a 790-bed tertiary care center in Tokyo, Japan. Interventions A pre-vaccination questionnaire was administered to HCP to examine their perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine. Then, a multifaceted intervention involving (1) distribution of informational leaflets to all HCP, (2) hospital-wide announcements encouraging vaccination, (3) a mandatory lecture, (4) an educational session about the vaccine for pregnant or breastfeeding HCP, and (5) allergy testing for HCP at risk of allergic reactions to the vaccine was implemented. A post-vaccination survey was also performed. Results Of 1,575 HCP eligible for enrollment, 1,224 (77.7%) responded to the questionnaire, 43.5% (n =533) expressed willingness to be vaccinated, 48.4% (n = 593) were uncertain, and 8.0% (n=98) expressed unwillingness to be vaccinated. The latter two groups were concerned about the vaccine’s safety rather than its efficacy. Post-intervention, the overall vaccination rate reached 89.7% (1,413/1,575), with 88.9% (614/691) of the pre-vaccination survey respondents who answered “unwilling” or “unsure” eventually receiving a vaccination. In the post-vaccination questionnaire, factors contributing to increased COVID-19 vaccination included information and endorsement of vaccination at the medical center (26.4%; 274/1,037). Conclusions The present, multifaceted intervention increased COVID-19 vaccinations among HCP at a Japanese hospital. Frequent support and provision of information were crucial for increasing the vaccination rate and may be applicable to the general population as well.


BMC Surgery ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Shabhay ◽  
Pius Horumpende ◽  
Zarina Shabhay ◽  
Andrew Mganga ◽  
Jeff Van Baal ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Diabetic foot ulcers complications are the major cause of non-traumatic major limb amputation. We aimed at assessing the clinical profiles of diabetic foot ulcer patients undergoing major limb amputation in the Surgical Department at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), a tertiary care hospital in North-eastern Tanzania. Methods A cross—sectional hospital-based study was conducted from September 2018 through March 2019. Demographic data were obtained from structured questionnaires. Diabetic foot ulcers were graded according to the Meggitt-Wagner classification system. Hemoglobin and random blood glucose levels data were retrieved from patients’ files. Results A total of 60 patients were recruited in the study. More than half (31/60; 51.67%) were amputated. Thirty-five (58.33%) were males. Fifty-nine (98.33%) had type II diabetes. Nearly two-thirds (34/60; 56.67%) had duration of diabetes for more than 5 years. The mean age was 60.06 ± 11.33 years (range 30–87). The mean haemoglobin level was 10.20 ± 2.73 g/dl and 9.84 ± 2.69 g/dl among amputees. Nearly two thirds (42/60; 70.00%) had a haemoglobin level below 12 g/dl, with more than a half (23/42; 54.76%) undergoing major limb amputation. Two thirds (23/31; 74.19%) of all patients who underwent major limb amputation had mean hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl. The mean Random Blood Glucose (MRBG) was 13.18 ± 6.17 mmol/L and 14.16 ± 6.10 mmol/L for amputees. Almost two thirds of the study population i.e., 42/60(70.00%) had poor glycemic control with random blood glucose level above 10.0 mmol/L. More than half 23/42 (54.76%) of the patients with poor glycemic control underwent some form of major limb amputation; which is nearly two thirds (23/31; 74.19%) of the total amputees. Twenty-eight (46.67%) had Meggitt-Wagner classification grade 3, of which nearly two thirds (17:60.71%) underwent major limb amputation. Conclusion In this study, the cohort of patients suffering from diabetic foot ulcers treated in a tertiary care center in north-eastern Tanzania, the likelihood of amputation significantly correlated with the initial grade of the Meggit-Wagner ulcer classification. High blood glucose levels and anaemia seem to be also important risk factors but correlation did not reveal statistical significance.


1994 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Manos ◽  
Rae Wu

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the ten point clock test in screening for and grading cognitive deficits in medical and surgical patients. Method: The setting was the hospital and clinics of Virginia Mason Medical Center, a tertiary referral center. Consecutive samples of hospitalized patients, and clinic outpatients—with and without a dementia—were administered the ten point clock test as well as a number of other neuropsychological tests and measures of cognitive impairment. Results: Clock scores correlated with neuropsychological test scores and with the mini-mental state examination. They were stable from rater to rater, and from day to day in stable patients. The mean clock score of elderly outpatient controls was 8.5, significantly different from the mean of 5.5 scored by patients with a dementia. A cut off score of seven identified 76 percent of outpatients with dementia and 78 percent of elderly controls. Clock scores correlated well with nurses' ratings of their inpatients' cognitive deficits (Spearman's rs = −0.61). The test was easy to administer, even to hospitalized patients. Conclusions: The ten point clock test is reliable, valid, and useful as a quick screen and grading method for cognitive deficits in medical and surgical patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Bjorklund ◽  
Emily A. Eismann ◽  
Roger Cornwall

ABSTRACT Background The importance of continuity of care in training is widely recognized; however, a broad-spectrum assessment across all specialties has not been performed. Objective We assessed the continuity of care provided by trainees, following patient consultations in the emergency department (ED) across all specialties at a large pediatric tertiary care center. Methods Medical records were reviewed to identify patients seen in consultation by a resident or fellow trainee in the ED over a 1-year period, and to determine if the patient followed up with the same trainee for the same condition during the next 6 months. Results Resident and fellow trainees from 33 specialties participated in 3400 ED consultations. Approximately 50% (1718 of 3400) of the patients seen in consultation by a trainee in the ED followed up with the same specialty within 6 months, but only 4.1% (70 of 1718) followed up with the same trainee for the same condition. Trainee continuity of care ranged from 0% to 21% among specialties, where specialties with resident clinics (14.4%) have a greater continuity of care than specialties without resident clinics (2.7%, P &lt; .001). Continuity of care did not differ between fellows (4.2%) and residents (4.0%, P = .87), but did differ between postgraduate years for residents (P &lt; .001). Conclusions Trainee continuity of care for ED consultations was low across all specialties and levels of training. If continuity of care is important for patient well-being and trainee education, efforts to improve continuity for trainees must be undertaken.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 69-74
Author(s):  
Md Tauhidul Islam Chowdhury ◽  
Mohammad Shah Jahirul Hoque Choudhury ◽  
KM Ahasan Ahmed ◽  
Mohammad Sadekur Rahman Sarkar ◽  
Md Abdullah Yusuf ◽  
...  

Background: Neurological disorders is becoming a growing concern both for developed and developing countries. Magnitude of the problem is increasing day by day. Among all neurological disorders, stroke is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally.Objectives: The purpose of the study was to see the trend of admission of patients with neurological diseases and to study the outcome of patients at referral neurology hospital in Bangladesh.Methodology: This retrospective chart review was conducted in the blue unit of the Department of Neurology at National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh from 1st January to 31st December 2016 for a period of one (01) year. All the admitted patients with both sexes were selected as study population. The outcome was observed among the study population.Result: A total number of 1044 patients were admitted during the study period. Majority of the patients were in the age group of the 41 to 50 years which was 417(39.9%) cases. Both male and female were in highest number in the month of May which was 63 and 48 cases respectively. The total death of the study population was 146(14.0%) cases. The mean length of hospital stay was 8.4±2.31 days.Conclusion: Middle aged male is the main bulk of the neurological patients, admitted in a referral neurology hospital in Bangladesh. Highest admission and mortality was observed in stroke patients.Journal of National Institute of Neurosciences Bangladesh, 2018;4(2): 69-74


2014 ◽  
Vol 04 (02) ◽  
pp. 017-020
Author(s):  
Dharma Rao V. ◽  
Rajaneesh Reddy M. ◽  
Srikanth K. ◽  
Raj Kumar Prakash B. ◽  
Satya Prasad A. ◽  
...  

Abstract: Objective: To determine the prevalence of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) in a tertiary care center and to identify the clinical profile of chronic AF in hospitalized patients. Methods: All patients admitted to Mamata General Hospital in medicine/cardiology wards with chronic AF (persistent and permanent) during the period January 2012 to December 2012 were included into the study. The principal exclusion criteria were new onset AF and acute AF. Results: During the study period, 49 patients were admitted with chronic AF with an average of 45.44 years. A slight female dominance was seen with male: female ratio of 1:1.2. Half of the patients (51%) were below the age 50 years. The elderly age group comprised of only 16.3% of cases. The commonest presenting complaint was dyspnea followed by palpitation. Rheumatic valvular heart disease was seen more commonly in people below the age of 50 years whereas hypertension and ischemic heart disease after 50 years. Heart failure was the commonest condition associated with the chronic AF and was the cause of hospitalization in almost fifty percent of cases Conclusion: Chronic AF is still a cause of concern in India in people below the age of 50 years due to high prevalence of rheumatic fever inspite of advances in the medical field.


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