A Longitudinal Comparison of Telemedicine Versus In-Person Otolaryngology Clinic Efficiency and Patient Satisfaction During COVID-19

Objectives: Telemedicine was increasingly adopted in otolaryngology as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but how it compares to in-person visits over the longitudinal course of the pandemic has not been characterized. This study compares telemedicine visits to in-person visits on measures of clinical efficiency and patient satisfaction. Methods: We examined all in-person and telemedicine encounters that occurred during the 13-month period from April 1, 2020 to April 30, 2021 at a pediatric otolaryngology clinic associated with a large tertiary care children’s hospital. We compared patient demographics, primary encounter diagnoses, completions, cancellations, no-shows, cycle time, and patient satisfaction. Results: A total of 19 541 (90.5%) in-person visits and 2051 (9.5%) telemedicine visits were scheduled over the study period. There was no difference in patient age or gender between the visit types. There was a difference in race (75% White or Caucasian for in-person and 73% for telemedicine, P = .007) and average travel distance (53.3 miles for in-person vs 71.0 for telemedicine, P = .000). The most common primary diagnosis was Eustachian tube dysfunction for in-person visits (11.8%) and sleep disordered breathing for telemedicine visits (13.7%). Completion rate was greater for telemedicine visits (52.4% in-person vs 62.5% telemedicine). Cancellations were greater for in-person visits (42.6% in-person vs 24.2% telemedicine), but no-shows were greater for telemedicine (5.0% in-person vs 13.3% telemedicine, all P = .000). Average cycle time was shorter for telemedicine visits (56.5 minutes in-person vs 47.6 minutes telemedicine, P = .000). Patient satisfaction with provider interactions and overall care experience was high for both visit types. Conclusions: Telemedicine was utilized more during months of heightened COVID-19 cases, with higher completion rates, fewer cancellations, shorter cycle times, saved travel distance, and comparable patient satisfaction to in-person visits. Telemedicine has the potential to remain an efficient mode of care delivery in the post-pandemic era.

Determining the impact of a clinic coordinator on patient access and clinic efficiency in a pediatric multidisciplinary spina bifida clinic using medical informatics

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the effects on patient access by decreasing missed appointments after hiring a clinic coordinator using medical informatics. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of the rates of missed appointments before and after hiring a clinic coordinator in a multidisciplinary spinal differences clinic were analyzed using a commercially available business software system (SAP® Business Objects). The total number of clinic visits was collected for each month to determine the access available for patients. RESULTS: The median number of missed appointments per clinic by month before employing the clinic coordinator was higher than in the two years following implementation (p < 0.0005). No differences were seen in the number of available appointment slots per month indicating no new clinics were needed to improve patient access (p = 0.551). Projected billing amounts prior to hiring the clinic coordinator indicated that $91,520 was lost in the 2 years prior to hiring this coordinator compared to $30,160 lost during the 2 years following the creation of this position (p = 0.0009). CONCLUSION: Hiring a clinic coordinator decreased the rate of missed appointments and was a cost-efficient intervention to improve patient access and provide effective patient care in a multidisciplinary setting.

Successful Conversion and Implementation to Subcutaneous Daratumumab in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis

Introduction Intravenous (IV) daratumumab has become a standard in the treatment of MM and AL amyloidosis largely due to its significant clinical benefit. Due to the high risk of infusion-related reactions (IRRs) prolonged infusion times are required at time of treatment initiation. These lengthy administrations can limit clinic capacity, require split dose infusions, increase chair time, and decrease patient satisfaction. Fixed-dose subcutaneous (SC) formulation of daratumumab (daratumumab and hyaluronidase-fihj) was approved in 2020 for the treatment of MM and subsequently, AL amyloidosis in 2021. While landmark trials have demonstrated its efficacy, there is lack of consensus around the standardized pre-medications and post-injection monitoring times for SC daratumumab. We present real world evidence from a large academic center with adoption and standardization of SC formulation of daratumumab into clinical practice. Methods We evaluated all patients that received SC daratumumab for MM and/or AL amyloidosis at Boston Medical Center from June 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. Baseline demographics were collected, including patient diagnosis, chemotherapy regimen, prior daratumumab administration details, and total doses of daratumumab received. Patients that were naïve to daratumumab, started their first dose as a SC injection. Patients were monitored for 30 minutes following the first SC dose and were pre-medicated with all oral agents: acetaminophen, dexamethasone, and diphenhydramine. Infusion chair time, improvement in clinic efficiency (using our standard infusion time of 90 minutes for IV daratumumab infusions after the 2nd dose), and safety were evaluated. Results A total of 41 patients were treated with SC daratumumab. Eighteen patients (44%) were switched from IV daratumumab to SC daratumumab. All other patients were naïve to SC daratumumab (n=23). All patients were monitored for 30 minutes after their first SC daratumumab dose only. In the absence of an ARR (administration-related reactions), patients were not monitored after subsequent injections. One patient had facial and neck swelling 2 days after administration of SC daratumumab (with no other symptoms) but resolved within 24 hours of an additional dose of dexamethasone and did not recur upon re-challenge of SC daratumumab. One patient experienced nausea following her first dose of SC daratumumab but it resolved without intervention. All patients received dexamethasone 20-40 mg (as anti-myeloma dose), acetaminophen 650 mg, and diphenhydramine 25-50 mg prior to the dose of SC daratumumab. Fourteen patients (24%) received montelukast 10 mg and 19 patients (46%) received famotidine 20-40 mg prior to the dose of SC daratumumab at provider discretion. Dexamethasone 4 mg daily for two days post-injection was not administered with SC formulation as was previously routine with the IV formulation. When analyzing the chair time saved by this standard monitoring protocol, a total of 478.8 hours of chair time were saved that were used for other patients in our practice (average of 11.7 hours saved per patient). Conclusion We report a successful conversion and adoption of SC daratumumab at our ambulatory hematology/oncology clinic. A standard 30-minute monitoring parameter can safely be implemented following the first SC daratumumab dose. Furthermore, less aggressive supportive medications can also be used. Integration of the SC formulation yielded significant chair time savings and may have the ability to create a more efficient clinic workflow. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Hughes: Rigel: Other: Advisory Board, Research Funding; Amgen: Speakers Bureau; Karyopharm: Other: Advisory Board, Speakers Bureau; Abbvie: Speakers Bureau. Sloan: Pharmacosmos: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneca: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Abbvie: Honoraria; Stemline: Honoraria. Sanchorawala: Abbvie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Research Funding; Janssen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Prothena: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Caelum: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Regeneron: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Proclara: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Oncopeptide: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Research Funding; Sorrento: Research Funding; Pfizer: Honoraria.

Exploring Memory Care Clinics in Minnesota: A Qualitative Analysis

Objectives: We explored memory clinic care provision in Minnesota, examining diversity and similarities of services provided and challenges faced. We also considered how well their services and care philosophies aligned with national dementia care practice recommendations. Methods: We created a 53-question interview guide and interviewed 11 memory clinics across Minnesota in late 2019. Interview transcripts were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analyses in NVivo 12. Results: We identified 6 themes regarding financial issues, staffing, appointment logistics, care provision during and after the memory evaluation as well as features of an ideal clinic. Conclusions: Memory evaluation and care provision were very different across clinics, primarily due to team make-up, particularly team size and specialty. However, memory care providers shared a passion for providing patient-centered memory care, emphasizing family and patient education and partnership. Their care was largely aligned with national memory care recommendations. Common challenges, including maintaining financial stability and clinic efficiency, exerted significant influence on clinic functioning and survival.

Patient Perceptions of Dermatologic Photography: A Scoping Review (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Medical photography is used extensively in dermatology to record disease progression, measure treatment response, and help teach patients about skin disease; such photos are also commonly utilized in teledermatology, medical education, research, and medical reference websites. Understanding patient perceptions of medical photographs obtained during dermatologic care in the clinic- or hospital- setting is critical to enable the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered medical care. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to elucidate patient perceptions of skin photos in dermatology, and to explore possible next steps in improving the patient experience of medical photography in the hospital- or clinic- setting. METHODS A scoping review of the literature was performed using the PubMed database, with clinic- or hospital- based full-text publications in English spanning the last ten years considered for inclusion. RESULTS The majority of included studies (n=10/11, 91%) found positive patient attitudes toward medical photographs. The majority of patients (n=1197/1511, 79.2%) felt that medical photographs could improve medical care in the clinic setting. Written consent detailing all photo uses, including secondary uses (such as research or teaching), was preferred apart from one study. Patients preferred or found it acceptable for the photographer of their medical photos to be a physician (n=1301/1444, 90.1%). Clinic-owned cameras with departmental record storage were the preferred modality. Latinx and African-American patients expressed less trust in the utility of medical photographs to improve care, compared to Asian and White patients. Study limitations include the minimal number of available publications on this topic and the inclusion of articles older than five years are limitations, since patient perceptions of medical photography may have rapidly changed during this time span, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent increase in teledermatology visits. CONCLUSIONS Patients reported positive perceptions of dermatologic photography for improving their medical care. Ethnic disparities in patient perceptions require further exploration to better elucidate nuances and develop interventions to improve the experience of marginalized patients. Building patient trust in nonphysician photographers may enhance clinic efficiency. While clinic-owned cameras are well-accepted by patients, improved patient education surrounding the safety of EMR phone applications is needed. CLINICALTRIAL

1295 Virtual Fracture Clinic: An Audit of Referral Quality and Service Effectiveness

Aim Assessment of referral quality to the virtual fracture clinic (VFC) at the Liverpool University Hospital foundation trust compared to the standards set out by the Glasgow virtual fracture clinic pathway. As a secondary aim the effectiveness of the VFC in diverting patients not requiring further clinical management away from face-to-face specialist physical fracture clinics (PFC) was assessed. Method Outcomes of 1st attendances were collected for standard PFC's before the implementation of the VFC at our centre. This data was comparatively analysed to the outcomes of 1st ‘attendances' of VFCs post-service implementation. To assess VFC referral quality fracture type was recorded and compared to the standard set out by the Glasgow virtual fracture pathway which states that a selection of simple stable fractures should be discharged from ED directly with patient advice and telephone support. Results We analysed 529 PFC first attendances and 402 VFC first attendances. We saw a variety of simples stable fractures (21%) in the VCF including: Distal radial, Fifth metatarsal, Minor radial head, Fifth metacarpal, Mallet finger, which could have been managed with direct ED discharge and telephone support. 19.4% of PFC attendance resulted in discharge without a change in management as compared to 22.1% of 1st attendances for the VFC. Conclusions The VFC clinic has shown itself as an effective service in re-directing patients from face-to-face appointments, evidenced by the comparative rates of patient discharge on first attendance. This study has laid the foundation for improving referral quality to the VFC. Collaborative efforts between Orthopaedics and ED could improve VFC clinic efficiency further.

Perceptions of precision health approaches in hypertension management; a quality improvement study (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Hypertension is the most prevalent and important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, affecting nearly 50% of the United States (US) adult population; however, only 30% of these patients achieve controlled blood pressure (BP). Incorporating strategies into primary care that take into consideration individual patient needs such as remote BP monitoring may improve hypertension management. OBJECTIVE The Stanford Precision Health pilot, Humanwide, aimed to leverage high-tech and high-touch medicine to tailor individualized care for conditions such as hypertension. We examined multi-stakeholder perceptions of hypertension management in Humanwide to evaluate the program’s acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews with 16 patients and 15 providers to assess their experiences with hypertension management in Humanwide. We transcribed and analyzed interviews using a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive analysis to identify common themes around hypertension management and consensus methods to ensure reliability and validity. RESULTS Ten patients and six providers mentioned hypertension in the context of Humanwide. These participants reported remote BP monitoring improving motivation, BP control, and clinic efficiency. Providers discussed feasibility challenges including time needed to analyze BP data and give individualized feedback, integration of BP data, technological difficulties with the BP cuff, and decreased use of remote BP monitoring over time. CONCLUSIONS Remote BP monitoring for hypertension management in Humanwide was acceptable to patients and providers, and appropriate for care. Important challenges need to be addressed to improve the feasibility and sustainability of this approach by leveraging team-based care, engaging patients to sustain remote BP monitoring, standardizing EMR integration of BP measurements, and finding more user-friendly BP cuffs. CLINICALTRIAL n/a

Implementation of a pilot teleretinal screening protocol for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in a Los Angeles County safety net clinic

Introduction This study aimed to determine whether teleretinal screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy (HCQR) improves clinical efficiency and adherence to recommended screening guidelines compared to face-to-face screening among patients in a large safety net medical system. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of a consecutive sample of 590 adult patients with active HCQ prescriptions seen in the outpatient ophthalmology clinic at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center from 1 September 2018 to 25 November 2019, 203 patients underwent technician-only tele-HCQR screening (THRS), and 387 patients underwent screening with traditional face-to-face visits (F2FV) with an eye-care provider. Data on clinic efficiency measures (appointment wait time and encounter duration) and adherence to recommended screening guidelines were collected and compared between the two cohorts. Results Compared to F2FV, the THRS cohort experienced significantly shorter median (interquartile range) time to appointment (2.5 (1.5–4.6) vs. 5.1 (2.9–8.4) months; p < 0.0001), shorter median encounter duration (1 (0.8–1.4) vs. 3.7 (2.5–5.2) hours; p < 0.0001) and higher proportion of complete baseline screening (102/104 (98.1%) vs. 68/141 (48.2%); p < 0.001) and complete chronic screening (98/99 (99%) vs. 144/246 (58.5%); p < 0.001). Discussion A pilot THRS protocol was successfully implemented at a major safety net eye clinic in Los Angeles County, resulting in a 50.9% reduction in wait times for screening, 72.9% reduction in encounter duration and 49.9% and 40.5% increases in proportions of complete baseline and chronic screening, respectively. Tele-HCQ retinal screening protocols may improve timeliness to care and screening adherence for HCQR in the safety net setting.

Improving Genetics Clinic Efficiency and Capacity Using Design and Human Factors Methods

This quality improvement study focused on developing an understanding of factors influencing the ability of prenatal genetics counsellors (GCs) to efficiently see patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and strategies to improve their workflow using techniques from human factors and design. The demand for Prenatal Genetics Clinics is rising which has increased pressure on GCs to become more efficient. Genetics counsellors can improve access to their services by reducing the time spent on the tasks performed before and after a genetic counselling encounter, thereby increasing the number of patients they see. We were limited to certain methods to understand the differences in workflow before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study involved a literature review, archival analysis of workflow studies conducted before the pandemic, stakeholder meetings and mapping, a brainstorming session, as well as documenting time-on-task in a diary and naturalistic observation sessions. A task analysis was developed to identify factors influencing efficiency related to the design of the space, processes and the use of artefacts. Virtual and on-site workflows show that GCs spend at least half of their time on tasks before and/or after the patient’s appointment. Looking at potential inefficiencies or bottlenecks in workflow formed the development of a strategic plan for improving GC workflows at the prenatal Genetics Clinic. Improvements suggested through this analysis were constrained to support the current number of healthcare providers working within the existing space configuration.

An Analysis of Apps with a Medication List Functionality for Older People with Heart Failure: Evaluation using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics Functionality Score (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Managing the care of older patients with heart failure (HF) largely centres on medication management. Due to their frequent medication or dosing changes, an app supporting them to keep an up-to-date list of medication could be advantageous. During COVID-19 times, HF outpatients’ consultations are taking place virtually or by phone. An app with the capability to share the medication list with healthcare professionals before consultation could support the clinic efficiency, for example, reducing consultation time. However, the influence of apps on maintaining an up to date medication history for older adults with HF in Ireland remains largely unexplored. OBJECTIVE The objectives of this review are twofold: to review apps with a medication list functionality and to evaluate the quality of the apps included in the review using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics functionality scale. METHODS A systematic search of apps was conducted in June 2019 using the Google Play StoreTM and iTunes App StoreTM. The MARS was used independently by four researchers to assess the quality of the apps using an Android phone and an iPad. Apps were also evaluated using the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics functionality score. RESULTS Google play and iOS app stores searches identified 483 potential apps (292 from Android stores and 191 from Apple stores). Six apps met the inclusion criteria. Medisafe app had the highest overall MARS score (4/5) and the medication list & medical records app had the lowest overall score (2.5/5). Five out of the six apps achieved an acceptable quality MARS score (>3.0). Two apps scored the maximum number of features (n=11) according to the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics functionality score and two scored the lowest (n=5). The apps had on average 8 functions based on the IMS functionality criteria (range 5 to 11). CONCLUSIONS The quality of current apps with a medication list functionality varies regarding their technical aspects. Most of the apps reviewed have an acceptable MARS objective quality. However, the subjective quality or satisfaction with the apps was poor. Only three apps are based on scientific evidence and have been previously tested. Two apps featured all the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics functionalities and half do not provide clear instructions on how to enter medication data, do not display vital parameters data in an easy to understand format and do not guide users on how or when to take their medication. CLINICALTRIAL N/A