Hindsight 20/20: Looking Back for a Vision Forward in Gerontology

This article contains excerpts from the opening and closing remarks delivered at CAG2021 – the Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology (CAG) – which was hosted virtually from October 21 to 23, 2021. This event commemorated CAG’s 50th anniversary and included 645 delegates from across Canada and the world. The conference theme, “Hindsight 20/20: Looking Back for a Vision Forward in Gerontology,” focused on the burgeoning gerontological work that examines the various and complex ways that COVID-19 has affected older people and aging, as well as the need to develop a stronger emphasis on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in the field of gerontology.

357 Improving Surgical Consent – A Quality Improvement Project to Enhance the Consenting Process

Introduction RCS guidelines on consent, recently updated, encourage a dialogue where all risks material to that patient are discussed and are clear. An audit was performed to assess whether practice at Oxford Hospitals is compliant with these guidelines – that all patients for elective surgery are consented prior to admission. Method Thirty-two undergoing elective Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), Tonsillectomy and Septoplasty were interviewed in May-June 2019. Baseline data were presented at a local educational meeting, along with education on the recent changes to the RCS guidelines. Repeat audit took place in August-September 2020. Results All 32 patients were consented as per RCS guidelines and understood the reason for their surgery, but only 31% could explain the risks, and 56% could explain alternative options. Twenty (63%) consent forms were easily legible on randomised heuristic assessment. After education and change in department practice, understanding of the operation was much improved (80-100%). One outcome was to create pre-filled consent forms for common ENT operations. Conclusions Whilst RCS policy on completing consent prior to admission is being achieved, patient interviews suggest a lack of understanding of the operation. Standardised consent forms have the potential to enhance this understanding, as well as saving time.

P64 Improving surgical consent – a quality improvement project to enhance the consenting process

Introduction RCS guidelines on consent, recently updated, encourage a dialogue where all risks material to that patient are discussed and are clear. An audit was performed to assess whether practice at Oxford Hospitals is compliant with these guidelines – that all patients for elective surgery are consented prior to admission. Method Thirty-two undergoing elective Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS), Tonsillectomy and Septoplasty were interviewed in May-June 2019. Baseline data were presented at a local educational meeting, along with education on the recent changes to the RCS guidelines. Repeat audit took place in August-September 2020. Results All 32 patients were consented as per RCS guidelines and understood the reason for their surgery, but only 31% could explain the risks, and 56% could explain alternative options. Twenty (63%) consent forms were easily legible on randomised heuristic assessment. After education and change in department practice, understanding of the operation was much improved (80-100%). One outcome was to create pre-filled consent forms for common ENT operations. Conclusions Whilst RCS policy on completing consent prior to admission is being achieved, patient interviews suggest a lack of understanding of the operation. Standardised consent forms have the potential to enhance this understanding, as well as saving time.

Implementation of the Swedish Guideline for Prevention of Mental ill-health at the Workplace: study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial, using multifaceted implementation strategies in schools

Background Given today’s high prevalence of common mental disorders and related sick leave among teachers, an urgent need exists for a more systematic approach to the management of social and organizational risk factors within schools. In 2015, we launched the first Swedish occupational health guideline to support a structured prevention of these risks at the workplace. The existence of guidelines does however not guarantee their usage, as studies show that guidelines are often underused. Knowledge is therefore needed on effective implementation strategies that can facilitate the translation of guidelines into practice. The primary aim of the randomized waiting list-controlled trial described in this study protocol is to compare the effectiveness of a multifaceted implementation strategy versus a single implementation strategy for implementing the Guideline for the prevention of mental ill-health at the workplace within schools. The effectiveness will be compared regarding the extent to which the recommendations are implemented (implementation effectiveness) and with regard to social and organisational risk factors for mental ill-health, absenteeism and presenteeism (intervention effectiveness). Methods The trial is conducted among primary schools of two municipalities in Sweden. The single implementation strategy is an educational strategy (an educational meeting). The multifaceted strategy consists of the educational meeting, an implementation team and a series of workshops. The outcome measure of implementation effectiveness is guideline adherence. The primary outcome of intervention effectiveness is exhaustion. Secondary outcomes include demands at work, work organization and job contents, interpersonal relations and leadership, presenteeism, work performance, recovery, work-life balance, work-engagement, self-reported stress, self-perceived health, sickness absence and psychosocial safety climate. Process outcomes as well as barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation process are assessed. Data will be collected at baseline, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months by mixed methods (i.e. survey, focus-group interviews, observation). Discussion The study described in this protocol will provide valuable knowledge on the effectiveness of implementation strategies for implementing a guideline for the prevention of common mental disorders within schools. We hypothesize that successful implementation will result in reductions in school personnel’s perceived social and organizational risk factors, mental ill-health and sick-leave. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03322839 (trial registration: 09/19/2017).

Economic evaluation of guideline implementation in primary care: a systematic review

Purpose To review the economic evaluation of the guideline implementation in primary care. Data sources Medline and Embase. Study selection Electronic search was conducted on April 1, 2019, focusing on studies published in the previous ten years in developed countries about guidelines of non-communicable diseases of adult (≥18 years) population, the interventions targeting the primary care provider. Data extraction was performed by two independent researchers using a Microsoft Access based form. Results of data synthesis Among the 1338 studies assessed by title or abstract, 212 qualified for full text reading. From the final 39 clinically eligible studies, 14 reported economic evaluation. Cost consequences analysis, presented in four studies, provided limited information. Cost-benefit analysis was reported in five studies. Patient mediated intervention, and outreach visit applied in two studies showed no saving. Audit resulted significant savings in lipid lowering medication. Audit plus financial intervention was estimated to reduce referrals into secondary care. Analysis of incremental cost-effectiveness ratios was applied in four studies. Educational meeting evaluated in a simulated practice was cost-effective. Educational meeting extended with motivational interview showed no improvement; likewise two studies of multifaceted intervention. Cost-utility analysis of educational meeting supported with other educational materials showed unfavourable outcome. Conclusion Only a minor proportion of studies reporting clinical effectiveness of guideline implementation interventions included any type of economic evaluation. Rigorous and standardized cost-effectiveness analysis would be required, supporting decision-making between simple and multifaceted interventions through comparability.

Azacitidine Improves Outcome in Patients with MDS and AML with High Risk Cytogenetics - a Single Center Experience

Azacitidine is a novel hypomethylating agent shown to improve leukaemia free survival and overall survival in comparison with other modalities of treatment in MDS and AML patients. There is proven reduction in transfusion requirements by improvement in haematological parameters with continuous azacitidine use. However azacitidine benefit in high risk cytogenetics group is unclear. Recent retrospective study from GESMD and GFM registries showed that Azacitidine improves outcome in higher‐risk MDS patients with chromosome 7 abnormalities. Here we report our experience in high risk cytogenetics group including complex karyotype. Methodology:- We retrospectively reviewed patients with MDS and AML who received Azacitidine at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust from April 2012- January 2018. Patient's demographic data, disease characteristics, treatment, outcome and follow up data were obtained and all patients were included irrespective of the number of the cycles. Results 57 patients were included in the analysis. Median age of treatment was 73.9 years. Median number of cycles was 6 (range from 1 to 43). There were 68% of MDS patients, 22.8% of AML and 8.8% of CMML2 patients in the cohort .Varying degree of performance stage was noted including ECOG 0,1 and 2 at 40.4%,43.9% and 7.7% respectively. 9 patients had monosomy 7 and 11 patients had complex karyotype (3/>3). 42.1% had high risk cytogenetics. At presentation, median Hb was 9g/dl, Neutrophil count was 0.7x109/l and platelet count was 41x109/l. Median bone marrow blast percentage was10% and median RIPSS score was 6.5. Causes of death were mainly disease progression and sepsis. 42.2% died due to disease progression and 35.1% died due to sepsis. Overall survival was not affected by age, Bone marrow median blast percentage and median neutrophil count, however, survival was affected by presenting peripheral blast percentage, cytogenetic risk group and was statistically significant (P<0.05) Overall, median progression free survival (PFS) was 19monts while median overall survival (OS) was 12 months. There was no statistically significant PFS or OS difference for patients who had varying performance stage. High risk cytogenetics group: Among high risk cytogenetics group, 21% Patients had red cell transfusion independence at 6 months, 28% had an improvement in the neutrophil count to >1x10^9/L at 6 months. 25% patients had doubling of platelet count at 3 months leading to platelet independence and 17.8% maintained platelet transfusion independence. A significant difference was noted in the group of who had high risk cytogenetic versus other cytogenetic risks with PFS of 15 and 29 months respectively, OS of 8 months and 15 months respectively. with high risk cytogenetics still had a PFS advantage with treatment. Conclusion Azacidine therapy has benefited for the patients who had advanced age AML CMML and MDS who has non high risk cytogenetic based on IPSS-R risk categorization. However, the group of patients with high risk cytogenetic considered historically very poor survival had considerable PFS and OS benefitting treatment rather than best supportive care. Figure. Figure. Disclosures Murthy: celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel grant for educational meeting; Abbview: Other: Travel grant for Educational meeting. Kartsios:Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Boehringer Inglelheim: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Nikolousis:Celgene: Consultancy, Other: Travel grant for educational meetings.

Efficacy and Safety of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate in Patients Treated with Rivaroxaban or Apixaban Compared to Warfarin Presenting with Major Bleeding

Introduction Bleeding is the major complication of anticoagulant therapy. Reversal of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in patients with major bleeding events (MBE) including intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is achieved with prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) and intravenous vitamin K. Administration of PCC or activated PCC is approved UK strategy for treating MBE associated with rivaroxaban or apixaban, pending approval of a specific reversal agent. In all cases there is concern regarding the incidence of thrombotic events. Methods In this respective review, the efficacy and safety of 4-factor PCCs for the management of MBE in 344 patients receiving rivaroxaban, apixaban or warfarin were compared from January 2016 to April 2018. All patients had full blood count, coagulation screen (INR for VKA) and biochemistry profile at presentation and prior to receiving PCC. Patients on rivaroxaban or apixaban had samples taken for drug level but did not wait for the results to administer PCC. Concomitant antiplatelet or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, length of stay, thromboembolic events, re-bleeding at the same site and 30-day mortality were documented from medical records. Results Table 1: Baseline characteristics of the 344 patients Overall median (range) dose of PCC was 2000 units of Factor IX (500-5000). As expected, AF was more frequently the indication for apixaban and rivaroxaban (36/40, 90% and 29/40, 72.5%) than it was for warfarin (165/264, 62.5%). Patients with metallic heart valves or left ventricular thrombus received only warfarin. ICH was the most common indication for PCC in all three anticoagulant groups (137/344, 39.8%) followed by gastrointestinal bleeding (93/344, 27%). ICH was more frequently the indication for PCC in patients receiving rivaroxaban (25/40, 62.5%) and apixaban (21/40, 52.5%) compared to warfarin (91/264, 34.5%), p=0.003. Patients on warfarin more frequently received PCC for musculoskeletal bleeding (12.9%) compared to those on rivaroxaban (5%) and apixaban (5%), p=0.003. There were no differences in the other bleeding sites based on type of anticoagulant. No differences were observed in hemoglobin, platelet count and fibrinogen in patients based on type of anticoagulant or site of bleeding. Median (range) rivaroxaban and apixaban levels at time of receiving PCC were 230ng/ml (47-759) and 159ng/ml (45-255) respectively. Median INR pre- and post-PCC in patients on warfarin were 3.4 (1.9-15.4) and 1.2 (1.0-1.9) respectively. A significantly higher proportion of patients on apixaban (17/40, 42.5%) or rivaroxaban (14/40, 35%) received tranexamic acid compared to warfarin (51/264, 19.2%), p=0.001. Vitamin K was given to 227/264, 86% of patients on warfarin with median dose 5mg (range 1mg-10mg). There was no difference in number of red cell units, platelet or FFP used in the three anticoagulant groups. Overall 30-day mortality rate was 24.7% (85/344) and did not differ according to type of anticoagulant (p=0.17). Recurrent bleeding occurred in 18% overall, warfarin 15.8%, rivaroxaban 20% and apixaban 30.8%, p=0. 07. Recurrent thrombosis occurred in 4.1% (14/344) patients within 30 days of receiving PCC with no difference in three anticoagulant groups, p=0.83 (warfarin 4.2%, rivaroxaban 5.1% and apixaban 2.5%). Nearly half of the patients (48.1%), restarted anticoagulation in a median 13.5 days (6-44). Anticoagulation was restarted in a significantly higher proportion of patients on warfarin (138/264, 52.3%) compared to (10/40, 25%) on rivaroxaban and (13/40, 32.5%) on apixaban, p=0.001. In patients with ICH there were no differences in age or sex between groups. There were no differences in concomitant use of antiplatelet treatment, recurrent bleeding (overall 17.8%, warfarin 17.8%, rivaroxaban 20% and apixaban 15%, p=0.90) or 30-day mortality (overall 30-day mortality was 35%; warfarin 31.9%, rivaroxaban 44% and apixaban 38.1%, p=0.50). None of the patients with ICH on rivaroxaban or apixaban had thrombotic events and only 2/91 (2.2%) patients on warfarin had ischemic strokes within 30 days post PCC. Overall 30.6% of patients with ICH restarted anticoagulation with a median 15 days (10-42). In conclusion, there was no difference in the safety (thrombosis) and efficacy (30-day mortality and re-bleeding) in use of PCC to treat MBE in patients on warfarin, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Some differences may reflect indications for anticoagulation. Disclosures Jayakody Arachchillage: Octapharma: Other: Sponsored to attend an educational meeting; Mitsubishi Phama: Other: Sponsored to attend an educational meeting; Bayer: Other: Sponsored to attend educational meetings. Laffan:Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria.

Incidence of Thrombocytopenia and Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia in Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Compared to Cardiopulmonary Bypass and the Limited Sensitivity of Pre-Test Probability Score

Introduction Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life saving measure for severe respiratory (veno-venous ECMO [VV-ECMO]) or cardiac (veno-arterial ECMO [VA-ECMO]) failure. Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a special concern in these patients because ECMO uses a modified cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) resulting in continuous exposure to artificial surfaces and unfractionated heparin (UFH) over several days to weeks, compared to CPB in which these exposures are for only a few hours. In addition, most of the patients undergoing CPB do not have underlying systemic inflammation and have a normal platelet count at the time of first exposure to UFH. It is possible that patients receiving ECMO are at higher risk of developing HIT compared to patients having CPB. The prevalence of HIT in adult patients receiving VV-ECMO is unknown. We determined to ascertain the incidence of thrombocytopenia and the reliability of pre-test probability score (PTPS) in predicting HIT, in patients receiving VV-ECMO or VA-ECMO compared to CPB. Differences in the PTPS of patients on ECMO compared to patients who received CPB and the effect of HIT on 30-day mortality in ECMO patients compared to patients who did not have HIT were also assessed. Methods This was a single centre retrospective study of patients undergoing CPB (median 4.6 [2-16.5] hrs. or receiving ECMO for ≥ 48hrs (median 7.1 [3-42] days. HIT screening was performed in all patients who showed a typical pattern of platelet drop in first 5 to 12 days after exposure to UFH with or without thrombosis. A citrated blood sample and a completed PTPS (4Ts) were collected from all patients prior to a screening test for HIT antibody performed on an ACL TOP500 analyser using Hemosil HIT-Ab (PF4-H) kit (Werfen UK). Those with positive HIT screening had confirmatory testing by ELISA (HYPHEN BioMed, France). Clinical data were collected from electronic records. From January 2016 to April 2018, 296 ECMO patients (142 VA-ECMO, 156 VV-ECMO) and 2998 CPB patients were studied. Results CPB patients were older than the patients who received ECMO; mean age (standard deviation) for EMCO and CPB were 45.4 (±15.6) and 64.9 (±13), p< 0.00001. A significantly higher proportion of men had CPB (71.3%) and ECMO (58.5%) than women, P<0.0001. Thrombocytopenia was divided into mild (platelet count 100-150x109/L), moderate (50-99x109/L) and severe (<50x109/L)). Table 1 demonstrates the percentages of patients in ECMO and CPB with different degrees of thrombocytopenia on day 1, 2, 5 and 10. The incidences of severe thrombocytopenia and moderate thrombocytopenia were 4.4% and 40% already on the first day of ECMO which were significantly higher than in patients having CPB (p<0.0001) and this difference remained significant in day 2, 5 and 10. The proportion of CPB patients with moderate thrombocytopenia rose to 32.4% on day 2 from 14.5% on day 1 but by day 10 platelet count was normal in 83% compared to 42.3 % patients receiving ECMO. A total of 96 patients had HIT screening tests (64/296 ECMO and 32/2988 CPB). Twenty patients (20/296, 6.8%) on ECMO (11/142, 7.7% VA-ECMO and 9/156, 5.8% VV-ECMO) had a positive screening test compared to 18 patients (18/2998, 0.6%) on CPB (p<0.001). All positive screening tests were confirmed by ELISA (100% positive predictive value). The median PTPS for patients on ECMO was 4 (3-7) whilst for patients who received CPB it was 5 (4-7). Four ECMO patients had PTPS of 3 and would not normally been screened according current guidelines. All patients with confirmed HIT were treated with argatroban. There was no difference in mortality between ECMO patients who did or did not developed HIT; overall mortality: 95/296, 32.1%, mortality in patients without HIT: 89/276, 32.2% and patients with HIT 6/20, 30%) In conclusion, severe and moderate thrombocytopenia is already common in patients receiving ECMO on the day of the ECMO initiation. Patients who had CPB dropped their platelet count to mild to moderate levels on day 2 and 5 and then recovered by day 10. HIT is more frequent in patients receiving ECMO (both VV and VA-ECMO) compared to patients who had CPB. Although the PTPS was good at predicting HIT in patients who had CPB, it failed to detect HIT in 4/20 (20%) ECMO patients. Disclosures Jayakody Arachchillage: Bayer: Other: Sponsored to attend educational meetings; Octapharma: Other: Sponsored to attend an educational meeting; Mitsubishi Phama: Other: Sponsored to attend an educational meeting. Laffan:Roche: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Honoraria.