Review: In patients with chest pain, risk scores better predict high risk for ACS than individual risk factors

2016 ◽  
Vol 164 (6) ◽  
pp. JC34
Author(s):  
Eric R. Bates
2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 296-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lasantha Ratnayake ◽  
Amy Harris ◽  
Doreen Ko ◽  
Linda Hawtin

Background: Incidence of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in the UK is increasing. In 2013, Public Health England (PHE) published a toolkit to control spread of CPE within healthcare settings. Aim: To assess compliance to hospital CPE policy (adapted from PHE) in the identification, isolation and screening of suspected CPE patients. Methods: Admission booklets of 150 patients were evaluated to see whether the relevant section had been completed to identify high-risk CPE patients. Where necessary, patients were interviewed or their GPs were contacted to assess their CPE risk. Additionally, 28 patients screened for CPE were audited to assess compliance to screening and isolation. Findings: Only 23 patients out of 147 (15.6%) were risk assessed on admission. Risk status of 27 (18.4%) patients could not be assessed due to lack of data. Fifteen patients out of 28 (54%) screened for CPE were identified and isolated on admission. Ten out of 19 patients (53%) had three screens 48 h apart. Discussion: This audit highlights difficulties in screening based on individual risk factors as the majority of patients were not screened on admission and documentation on isolation and screening was poor. More needs to be done to raise awareness of the requirements for routine assessment, isolation and screening.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (30_suppl) ◽  
pp. 262-262
Author(s):  
Jordan Bernens ◽  
Kara Hartman ◽  
Brendan F. Curley ◽  
Sijin Wen ◽  
Jame Abraham ◽  
...  

262 Background: Patients receiving chemotherapy are at risk for febrile neutropenia following treatment. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) recommend screening patients for risk of febrile neutropenia and risk stratification based on likelihood of febrile neutropenia events. Prophylactic growth factors (G-CSF) should be in patients receiving high-risk regimens or intermediate-risk regimens with individual risk factors. The impact of electronic medical record system (EMR) implementation on compliance with G-CSF support guidelines has not been studied. Methods: At West Virginia University/Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center we conducted an IRB approved retrospective chart review of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy from January 1, 2007 to August 1, 2008 (pre-EMR) and January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011 (post-EMR). We reviewed the chemotherapy regimens and patient risk factors for developing febrile neutropenia, and determined if the G-CSF usage was consistent with guideline recommendations. Results: Compliance with prophylactic G-CSF guidelines was 75.6% in the post-EMR arm, compared to 67.5% in the pre-EMR arm (p=0.041, ch-square). The post EMR data of 1,042 new chemotherapy initiations showed: (see Table). The appropriateness of usage in high and low risk patients were the most compliant, as G-CSF orders were built into chemotherapy plans of high risk regimens and omitted from low risk regimens. Conclusions: Appropriate prophylactic G-CSF usage can be improved when orders are integrated into standard chemotherapy order sets in an EMR. An area of further improvement would include automatic identification of individual risk factors by the EMR. [Table: see text]


Author(s):  
Francis M. Hacker ◽  
Jaclyn M. Phillips ◽  
Lara S. Lemon ◽  
Hyagriv N. Simhan

Objective Hemorrhage risk prediction tools were developed in response to rising rates of obstetric hemorrhage (OBH). The California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) risk prediction tool classifies patients as low, medium, and high risk for OBH based on individual risk factors. At our institution, Magee-Womens Hospital (MWH), a unique OBH risk prediction tool was derived from the CMQCC tool that differs through its use of weighted risk factors and distinctive laboratory value cutoffs. Our objective is to compare this enhanced institution-specific tool to the CMQCC tool. Study Design This study was a retrospective cohort analysis of delivery admissions from a single health care network. Admission OBH risk scores were assigned to each patient using both the MWH and CMQCC scores. Cohen's kappa estimated agreement. Scoring systems and maternal outcomes were compared using chi-square test. Composite morbidity included transfusion, hysterectomy, uterine artery embolization, and intensive care unit admission. Results A total of 21,843 delivery admissions were included. A moderate association was observed between scoring systems (kappa 0.41, p < 0.001). The CMQCC tool categorized 16,184 (74%) patients as low risk, 4,664 (21%) as medium risk, and 995 (5%) as high risk. The MWH tool categorized 13,137 (60%) patients as low risk, 8,113 (37%) as medium risk, and 593 (3%) as high risk. The MWH score recategorized CMQCC low-risk patients to a higher stratum 26% of the time. CMQCC high-risk patients were recategorized to a lower stratum 82% of the time. Both the MWH and CMQCC tools were able to differentiate OBH-related morbidity across risk strata. The MWH tool independently predicted risk of composite morbidity within each stratum of the CMQCC score. Conclusion Both the MWH and CMQCC tools independently distinguish risk of composite morbidity. Adding weighted values to individual risk factors further discriminates risk of morbidity. This suggests it may be reasonable to adapt the CMQCC tool to reflect institutional populations and resources. Key Points


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirk U Knowlton ◽  
Heidi T May ◽  
Stacey Knight ◽  
Tami L Bair ◽  
Viet T Le ◽  
...  

Introduction: It is well-documented that COVID-19 patients with pre-existing cardiovascular-related disorders are at higher risk of a complicated course. It would be valuable to integrate individual risk factors into overall risk scores for hospitalization and death from COVID-19. Methods: The Intermountain Healthcare medical record database was searched for all individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection up to June 8, 2020. Data from test-positive patients (pts) was analyzed to determine the characteristics of pts requiring hospitalization. From these data, 2 risk scores for hospitalization were derived using multi-variable modeling: of only demographic and risk-factor data, or also including concurrent medications. The risk scores were also applied to predict the risk of dying from COVID-19. Results: Of 104,018 people tested at Intermountain Healthcare for SARS-CoV-2, 5505 (5.3%) were positive. Of test-positive pts, 451 (8.2%) were hospitalized, and 37 (0.7%) died. Using a demographic/risk factor only score, 1.4, 7.0, and 36.6% of low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups, respectively, were hospitalized (AUC=0.826). Using demographic risk-factors and medications, 1.4, 5.6, and 40.3% of low-, moderate-, and high-risk patients were hospitalized (AUC=0.854, Table 1). The demographic/risk factor-score was also predictive of the risk of dying, with 0%, 0.9% and 4.5% in low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups dying (AUC=0.918). Adding medications to the risk-factors model further improved the prediction of death with 0.1, 0.04, and 4.9% in the low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups dying (AUC=0.942, Table 2). Conclusions: We demonstrate the derivation of highly predictive risk scores for COVD-19 patients at low, moderate, and high risks of hospitalization or death. Pending appropriate validation in another cohort, application of these risk-scores may allow healthcare systems to risk-stratify COVID-19 patients requiring variable intensity of care.


Crisis ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maila Upanne

This study monitored the evolution of psychologists' (n = 31) conceptions of suicide prevention over the 9-year course of the National Suicide Prevention Project in Finland and assessed the feasibility of the theoretical model for analyzing suicide prevention developed in earlier studies [ Upanne, 1999a , b ]. The study was formulated as a retrospective self-assessment where participants compared their earlier descriptions of suicide prevention with their current views. The changes in conceptions were analyzed and interpreted using both the model and the explanations given by the subjects themselves. The analysis proved the model to be a useful framework for revealing the essential features of prevention. The results showed that the freely-formulated ideas on prevention were more comprehensive than those evolved in practical work. Compared to the earlier findings, the conceptions among the group had shifted toward emphasizing a curative approach and the significance of individual risk factors. In particular, greater priority was focused on the acute suicide risk phase as a preventive target. Nonetheless, the overall structure of prevention ideology remained comprehensive and multifactorial, stressing multistage influencing. Promotive aims (protective factors) also remained part of the prevention paradigm. Practical working experiences enhanced the psychologists' sense of the difficulties of suicide prevention as well as their criticism and feeling of powerlessness.


Author(s):  
Meizi Wang ◽  
Jianhua Ying ◽  
Ukadike Chris Ugbolue ◽  
Duncan S. Buchan ◽  
Yaodong Gu ◽  
...  

(1) Background: Scotland has one of the highest rates of obesity in the Western World, it is well established that poor weight profiles, and particularly abdominal obesity, is strongly associated with Type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Whether these associations are apparent in ethnic population groups in Scotland is unclear. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between different measures of fatness with clustered cardio metabolic risk factors between Scottish South Asian adolescents and Scottish Caucasian adolescents; (2) Methods: A sample of 208 Caucasian adolescents and 52 South Asian adolescents participated in this study. Stature, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk were measured; (3) Results: Significant, partial correlations in the South Asian cohort between body mass index (BMI) and individual risk factors were generally moderate. However, correlations between Waist circumference (WC) and individual risk factors were significant and strong. In the Caucasian cohort, a significant yet weak correlation between WC and total cholesterol (TG) was noted although no other associations were evident for either WC or BMI. Multiple regression analysis revealed that both BMI and WC were positively associated with CCR (p < 0.01) in the South Asian group and with the additional adjustment of either WC or BMI, the independent associations with clustered cardio-metabolic risk (CCR) remained significant (p < 0.005); (4) Conclusions: No positive relationships were found between BMI, WC, and CCR in the Caucasian group. Strong and significant associations between measures of fatness and metabolic risk were evident in Scottish South Asian adolescents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A Black ◽  
J Campbell ◽  
J Sharman ◽  
M Nelson ◽  
S Parker ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The majority of patients attending chest pain clinics are found not to have a cardiac cause of their symptoms, but have a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors that may be opportunistically addressed. Absolute risk calculators are recommended to guide risk factor management, although it is uncertain to what extent these calculations may assist with patient engagement in risk factor modification. Purpose We sought to determine the usefulness of a proactive, absolute risk-based approach, to guide opportunistic cardiovascular risk factor management within a chest pain clinic. Methods This was a prospective, open-label, blinded-endpoint study in 192 enhanced risk (estimated 5-year risk ≥8%, based on Australian Absolute Risk Calculator) patients presenting to a tertiary hospital chest pain clinic. Patients were randomized to best practice usual care, or intervention with development of a proactive cardiovascular risk management strategy framed around a discussion of the individual's absolute risk. Patients found to have a cardiac cause of symptoms were excluded as they constitute a secondary prevention population. Primary outcome was 5-year absolute cardiovascular risk score at minimum 12 months follow up. Secondary outcomes were individual modifiable risk factors (lipid profile, blood pressure, smoking status). Results 192 people entered the study; 100 in the intervention arm and 92 in usual care. There was no statistical difference between the two groups' baseline sociodemographic and clinical variables. The intervention group showed greater reduction in 5-year absolute risk scores (difference −2.77; p&lt;0.001), and more favourable individual risk factors, although only smoking status and LDL cholesterol reached statistical significance (table). Conclusion An absolute risk-guided proactive risk factor management strategy employed opportunistically in a chest pain clinic significantly improves 5-year cardiovascular risk scores. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Tasmanian Community Fund


2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110283
Author(s):  
Yingwei Yang ◽  
Karen D. Liller ◽  
Martha Coulter ◽  
Abraham Salinas-Miranda ◽  
Dinorah Martinez Tyson ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mutual impact of community and individual factors on youth’s perceptions of community safety, using structural equation modeling (SEM) conceptualized by syndemic theory. This study used survey data collected from a county wide sample of middle and high school students (N=25,147) in West Central Florida in 2015. The outcome variable was youth’s perceptions of community safety. Predictors were latent individual and community factors constructed from 14 observed variables including gun accessibility, substance use, depressive symptoms, and multiple neighborhood disadvantage questions. Three structural equation models were conceptualized based on syndemic theory and analyzed in Mplus 8 using weighted least squares (WLS) estimation. Each model’s goodness of fit was assessed. Approximately seven percent of youth reported feeling unsafe in their community. After model modifications, the final model showed a good fit of the data and adhered to the theoretical assumption. In the final SEM model, an individual latent factor was implied by individual predictors measuring gun accessibility without adult’s permission (β=0.70), sadness and hopelessness (β=0.52), alcohol use (β=0.79), marijuana use (β=0.94), and illegal drug use (β=0.77). Meanwhile, a community latent factor was indicated by multiple community problems including public drinking (β=0.88), drug addiction (β=0.96), drug selling (β=0.97), lack of money (β=0.83), gang activities (β=0.90), litter and trash (β=0.79), graffiti (β=0.91), deserted houses (β=0.86), and shootings (β=0.93). A second-order syndemic factor that represented the individual and community factors showed a very strong negative association with youth’s safe perception (β=-0.98). This study indicates that individual risk factors and disadvantaged community conditions interacted with each other and mutually affected youth’s perceptions of community safety. To reduce these co-occurring effects and improve safe perceptions among youth, researchers and practitioners should develop and implement comprehensive strategies targeting both individual and community factors.


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