Showing papers in "Journal of Hospital Medicine in 2016"

Epidemiology of pediatric hospitalizations at general hospitals and freestanding children's hospitals in the United States.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Children may be hospitalized at general hospitals or freestanding children's hospitals. Knowledge about how inpatient care differs at these hospitals is important to inform national research and quality efforts. OBJECTIVE To describe the volume and characteristics of pediatric hospitalizations at acute care general and freestanding children's hospitals in the United States. DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND SETTING Cross-sectional study of hospitalizations in the United States among children <18 years, excluding in-hospital births, using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's 2012 Kids' Inpatient Database. MEASUREMENT We examined differences between hospitalizations at general and freestanding children's hospitals, applying weights to generate national estimates. Reasons for hospitalization were categorized using a pediatric grouper, and differences in hospital volumes were assessed for common diagnoses. RESULTS A total of 1,407,822 (standard deviation 50,456) hospitalizations occurred at general hospitals, representing 71.7% of pediatric hospitalizations. Hospitalizations at general hospitals accounted for 63.6% of hospital days and 50.0% of pediatric inpatient healthcare costs. Median volumes of pediatric hospitalizations, per hospital, were significantly lower at general hospitals than freestanding children's hospitals for common medical and surgical diagnoses. Although the most common reasons for hospitalization were similar, the most costly conditions differed. CONCLUSIONS In 2012, more than 70% of pediatric hospitalizations occurred at general hospitals in the United States. Differences in patterns of care at general hospitals and freestanding children's hospitals may inform clinical programs, research, and quality improvement efforts. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:743-749. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Promoting mobility and reducing length of stay in hospitalized general medicine patients: A quality‐improvement project

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To determine whether a multidisciplinary mobility promotion quality-improvement (QI) project would increase patient mobility and reduce hospital length of stay (LOS). PATIENTS AND METHODS Implemented using a structured QI model, the project took place between March 1, 2013 and March 1, 2014 on 2 general medicine units in a large academic medical center. There were 3352 patients admitted during the QI project period. The Johns Hopkins Highest Level of Mobility (JH-HLM) scale, an 8-point ordinal scale ranging from bed rest (score = 1) to ambulating ≥250 feet (score = 8), was used to quantify mobility. Changes in JH-HLM scores were compared for the first 4 months of the project (ramp-up phase) versus 4 months after project completion (post-QI phase) using generalized estimating equations. We compared the relative change in median LOS for the project months versus 12 months prior among the QI units, using multivariable linear regression analysis adjusting for 7 demographic and clinically relevant variables. RESULTS Comparing the ramp-up versus post-QI phases, patients reaching JH-HLM's ambulation status increased from 43% to 70% (P 7 days), were associated with a significantly greater adjusted median reduction in LOS of 1.11 (95% CI: −1.53 to −0.65, P < 0.001) days. Increased mobility was not associated with an increase in injurious falls compared to 12 months prior on the QI units (P = 0.73). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Active prevention of a decline in physical function that commonly occurs during hospitalization may be achieved with a structured QI approach. In an adult medicine population, our QI project was associated with improved mobility, and this may have contributed to a reduction in LOS, particularly for more complex patients with longer expected hospital stay. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study)

Abstract: BACKGROUND Previous data suggest that direct pharmacist interaction with patients through medication reconciliation, discharge counseling, and postdischarge phone calls decreases the number of adverse drug events (ADEs) and plays an overall positive role in transitional care. Previous studies have evaluated pharmacist involvement in improving transitional care, but these studies did not include multiple postdischarge follow-up phone calls. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of pharmacist involvement in transitions of care as measured by decreased medication errors (MEs) and ADEs, patients' knowledge related to communication about their medications as measured by improvement in the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores, and 30-day all-cause inpatient readmissions and emergency department (ED) visits. METHODS This was a prospective, randomized, single-period longitudinal study that occurred from November 2012 through June 2013 at an urban, tertiary, academic medical center. Patients admitted to 2 designated internal medicine units on high-risk medications or with greater than 3 prescription medications upon discharge were included for randomization. The control group received the usual hospital standard of care. The study group received face-to-face medication reconciliation, a patient-specific pharmaceutical care plan, discharge counseling, and postdischarge phone calls on days 3, 14, and 30 to provide education and assess study endpoints. RESULTS A total of 278 patients were included in the final analysis, with 141 in the control group and 137 in the study group. Fifty-five patients (39%) in the control arm experienced an inpatient readmission or ED visit within 30-days postdischarge compared to 34 patients (24.8%) in the study arm (P = 0.01). Eighteen patients (12.8%) in the control group experienced an ADEs or MEs compared to 11 patients (8%) in the study group (P > 0.05). The HCAHPS scores during the study period showed a 9% improvement for the assessed questionnaire domain (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that pharmacist involvement in hospital discharge transitions of care had a positive impact on decreasing composite inpatient readmissions and ED visits. Statistically significant difference in medication-related events and HCAHPS scores were not observed. Patients with moderately complex medication regimens benefited from a continuity of care involving a pharmacy team during transitions in care. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:39–44. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine

Effectiveness of rapid response teams on rates of in‐hospital cardiopulmonary arrest and mortality: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract: BACKGROUND In 2004, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's 100,000 Lives Campaign recommended that hospitals implement rapid response teams (RRTs) charged with identifying non–intensive care unit (ICU) patients at risk for rapid deterioration. Although RRTs are now in widespread use, there have been conflicting results regarding the impact of RRTs on hospital mortality and cardiopulmonary arrest. PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of RRTs on reducing hospital mortality and non-ICU cardiopulmonary arrest rates. DATA SOURCES We conducted a systematic review using MEDLINE (1966–2014), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1898–2014), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1994–2014), and ClinicalTrials.gov (1997–2014) during October 2014. There were no constraints on language or publication status. DATA EXTRACTION We included before-after studies, cohort studies, and cluster randomized trials that reported hospital mortality and/or non-ICU cardiopulmonary arrest for adults hospitalized in a non-ICU setting after the implementation of RRTs and/or medical emergency teams (METs). Data were extracted by 2 sets of 2 independent reviewers using a standardized data-collection form. Disagreements were resolved by a third reviewer. Authors were contacted to obtain any missing data. DATA SYNTHESIS Our search identified 691 studies, of which 30 met criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Implementation of an RRT/MET was associated with a significant decrease in hospital mortality (relative risk [RR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83-0.93, I2 = 86%, 3,478,952 admissions) and a significant decrease in the number of non-ICU cardiac arrests (RR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.55-0.69, I2 = 71%, 3,045,273 admissions). CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an RRT/MET is associated with a reduction in both hospital mortality and non-ICU cardiopulmonary arrests. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:438–445. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Systematic Review of Physiologic Monitor Alarm Characteristics and Pragmatic Interventions to Reduce Alarm Frequency.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Alarm fatigue from frequent nonactionable physiologic monitor alarms is frequently named as a threat to patient safety. PURPOSE To critically examine the available literature relevant to alarm fatigue. DATA SOURCES Articles published in English, Spanish, or French between January 1980 and April 2015 indexed in PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov. STUDY SELECTION Articles focused on hospital physiologic monitor alarms addressing any of the following: (1) the proportion of alarms that are actionable, (2) the relationship between alarm exposure and nurse response time, and (3) the effectiveness of interventions in reducing alarm frequency. DATA EXTRACTION We extracted data on setting, collection methods, proportion of alarms determined to be actionable, nurse response time, and associations between interventions and alarm rates. DATA SYNTHESIS Our search produced 24 observational studies focused on alarm characteristics and response time and 8 studies evaluating interventions. Actionable alarm proportion ranged from <1% to 36% across a range of hospital settings. Two studies showed relationships between high alarm exposure and longer nurse response time. Most intervention studies included multiple components implemented simultaneously. Although studies varied widely, and many had high risk of bias, promising but still unproven interventions include widening alarm parameters, instituting alarm delays, and using disposable electrocardiographic wires or frequently changed electrocardiographic electrodes. CONCLUSIONS Physiologic monitor alarms are commonly nonactionable, and evidence supporting the concept of alarm fatigue is emerging. Several interventions have the potential to reduce alarms safely, but more rigorously designed studies with attention to possible unintended consequences are needed. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:136–144. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine

Association between intensive care unit transfer delay and hospital mortality: A multicenter investigation.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Previous research investigating the impact of delayed intensive care unit (ICU) transfer on outcomes has utilized subjective criteria for defining critical illness. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of delayed ICU transfer using the electronic Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (eCART) score, a previously published early warning score, as an objective marker of critical illness. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING Medical-surgical wards at 5 hospitals between November 2008 and January 2013. PATIENTS Ward patients. INTERVENTION None. MEASUREMENTS eCART scores were calculated for all patients. The threshold with a specificity of 95% for ICU transfer (eCART ≥ 60) denoted critical illness. A logistic regression model adjusting for age, sex, and surgical status was used to calculate the association between time to ICU transfer from first critical eCART value and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS A total of 3789 patients met the critical eCART threshold before ICU transfer, and the median time to ICU transfer was 5.4 hours. Delayed transfer (>6 hours) occurred in 46% of patients (n = 1734) and was associated with increased mortality compared to patients transferred early (33.2% vs 24.5%, P < 0.001). Each 1-hour increase in delay was associated with an adjusted 3% increase in odds of mortality (P < 0.001). In patients who survived to discharge, delayed transfer was associated with longer hospital length of stay (median 13 vs 11 days, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Delayed ICU transfer is associated with increased hospital length of stay and mortality. Use of an evidence-based early warning score, such as eCART, could lead to timely ICU transfer and reduced preventable death. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:757–762. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

So many options, where do we start? An overview of the care transitions literature

Abstract: BACKGROUND Health systems are faced with a large array of transitional care interventions and patient populations to whom such activities might apply. PURPOSE To summarize the health and utilization effects of transitional care interventions, and to identify common themes about intervention types, patient populations, or settings that modify these effects. DATA SOURCES PubMed and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (January 1950–May 2014), reference lists, and technical advisors. STUDY SELECTION Systematic reviews of transitional care interventions that reported hospital readmission as an outcome. DATA EXTRACTION We extracted transitional care procedures, patient populations, settings, readmissions, and health outcomes. We identified commonalities and compiled a narrative synthesis of emerging themes. DATA SYNTHESIS Among 10 reviews of mixed patient populations, there was consistent evidence that enhanced discharge planning and hospital-at-home interventions reduced readmissions. Among 7 reviews in specific patient populations, transitional care interventions reduced readmission in patients with congestive heart failure and general medical populations. In general, interventions that reduced readmission addressed multiple aspects of the care transition, extended beyond hospital stay, and had the flexibility to accommodate individual patient needs. There was insufficient evidence on how caregiver involvement, transition to sites other than home, staffing, patient selection practices, or care settings modified intervention effects. CONCLUSIONS Successful interventions are comprehensive, extend beyond hospital stay, and have the flexibility to respond to individual patient needs. The strength of evidence should be considered low because of heterogeneity in the interventions studied, patient populations, clinical settings, and implementation strategies. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:221–230. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Secular trends in Acinetobacter baumannii resistance in respiratory and blood stream specimens in the United States, 2003 to 2012: A survey study

Abstract: BACKGROUND Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) has evolved a variety of resistance mechanisms and exhibits unpredictable susceptibility patterns, making it difficult to select empiric therapy. OBJECTIVE To examine US secular trends in the resistance of AB in respiratory infections and blood stream infections (BSI) to antimicrobial agents whose effectiveness is supported in the literature DESIGN Survey. METHODS We analyzed 3 time periods (2003–2005, 2006–2008, 2009–2012) in Eurofins' The Surveillance Network for resistance of AB to the following antimicrobials: carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, doripenem), aminoglycosides (tobramycin, amikacin), tetracyclines (minocycline, doxycycline), polymyxins (colistin, polymyxin B), ampicillin-sulbactam, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Resistance to ≥3 drug classes defined multidrug resistance (MDR). RESULTS We identified 39,320 AB specimens (81.1% respiratory, 18.9% BSI). The highest prevalence of resistance was to doripenem (90.3%) followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (55.3%), and the lowest to colistin (5.3%). Resistance to carbapenems (21.0% in 2003–2005 and 47.9% in 2009–2012) and colistin (2.8% in 2006–2008 to 6.9% in 2009–2012) more than doubled. Prevalence of MDR AB rose from 21.4% in 2003 to 2005 to 33.7% in 2006 to 2008, and remained stable at 35.2% in 2009 to 2012. In contrast, resistance to minocycline diminished from 56.5% (2003–2005) to 30.5% (2009–2012). MDR organisms were most frequent in nursing homes (46.5%), followed by general ward (29.2%), intensive care unit (28.7%), and outpatient setting (26.2%). CONCLUSIONS Resistance rates among AB to such last-resort antimicrobials as carbapenems and colistin are on the rise, whereas that to minocycline has declined. Nursing homes are a reservoir of resistant AB. These trends should inform not only empiric treatment of serious infections, but also approaches to infection control. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Residents' self-report on why they order perceived unnecessary inpatient laboratory tests

Abstract: Resident physicians routinely order unnecessary inpatient laboratory tests. As hospitalists face growing pressures to reduce low-value services, understanding the factors that drive residents' laboratory ordering can help steer resident training in high-value care. We conducted a qualitative analysis of internal medicine (IM) and general surgery (GS) residents at a large academic medical center to describe the frequency of perceived unnecessary ordering of inpatient laboratory tests, factors contributing to that behavior, and potential interventions to change it. The sample comprised 57.0% of IM and 54.4% of GS residents. Among respondents, perceived unnecessary inpatient laboratory test ordering was self-reported by 88.2% of IM and 67.7% of GS residents, occurring on a daily basis by 43.5% and 32.3% of responding IM and GS residents, respectively. Across both specialties, residents attributed their behaviors to the health system culture, lack of transparency of the costs associated with health care services, and lack of faculty role models that celebrate restraint. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:869-872. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Poor mobility in hospitalized adults of all ages.

Abstract: Low levels of activity in hospital inpatients contribute to functional decline. Previous studies have shown low levels of activity in older inpatients, but few have investigated younger inpatients (aged <65 years). This observational study measured activity in older (aged ≥65 years) and younger hospital inpatients on 3 wards (medical, surgical, oncology) in a major teaching hospital in Brisbane, Australia, as part of a quality-improvement intervention to enhance mobility. Using structured behavioral mapping protocols, participants were observed for 2-minute intervals throughout 4, 4-hour daytime observation periods. The proportion of time spent at different activity levels was calculated for each participant, and time spent standing, walking or wheeling was compared between age group and wards. There were 3272 observations collected on 132 participants (median, 30 per patient; range, 9-35). The most time was spent lying in bed (mean 57%), with 9% standing or walking. There were significant differences among wards, but no difference between older and younger subgroups. Low mobility is common in adult inpatients of all ages. Behavioral mapping provided measures suitable for use in quality improvement.

Piloting electronic medical record-based early detection of inpatient deterioration in community hospitals.

Abstract: Patients who deteriorate in the hospital outside the intensive care unit (ICU) have higher mortality and morbidity than those admitted directly to the ICU. As more hospitals deploy comprehensive inpatient electronic medical records (EMRs), attempts to support rapid response teams with automated early detection systems are becoming more frequent. We aimed to describe some of the technical and operational challenges involved in the deployment of an early detection system. This 2-hospital pilot, set within an integrated healthcare delivery system with 21 hospitals, had 2 objectives. First, it aimed to demonstrate that severity scores and probability estimates could be provided to hospitalists in real time. Second, it aimed to surface issues that would need to be addressed so that deployment of the early warning system could occur in all remaining hospitals. To achieve these objectives, we first established a rationale for the development of an early detection system through the analysis of risk-adjusted outcomes. We then demonstrated that EMR data could be employed to predict deteriorations. After addressing specific organizational mandates (eg, defining the clinical response to a probability estimate), we instantiated a set of equations into a Java application that transmits scores and probability estimates so that they are visible in a commercially available EMR every 6 hours. The pilot has been successful and deployment to the remaining hospitals has begun. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:S18-S24. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Fecal microbiota transplantation for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection

Abstract: Clostridium difficile, a major cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea due to perturbation of the normal gastrointestinal microbiome, is responsible for significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditures. The incidence and severity of C difficile infection (CDI) is increasing, and recurrent disease is common. Recurrent infection can be difficult to manage with conventional antibiotic therapy. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), which involves instillation of stool from a healthy donor into the gastrointestinal tract of the patient, restores the gut microbiome to a healthy state. FMT has emerged as a promising new treatment for CDI. There are limited data on FMT for treatment of primary CDI, but FMT appears safe and effective for recurrent CDI. The safety and efficacy of FMT in patients with severe primary or severe recurrent CDI has not been established. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who undergo FMT for CDI may be at increased risk of IBD flare, and caution should be exercised with use of FMT in that population. The long-term safety of FMT is unknown; thus, rigorously conducted prospective studies are needed.

Predicting all-cause readmissions using electronic health record data from the entire hospitalization: Model development and comparison.

Abstract: Author(s): Nguyen, Oanh Kieu; Makam, Anil N; Clark, Christopher; Zhang, Song; Xie, Bin; Velasco, Ferdinand; Amarasingham, Ruben; Halm, Ethan A | Abstract: BackgroundIncorporating clinical information from the full hospital course may improve prediction of 30-day readmissions.ObjectiveTo develop an all-cause readmissions risk-prediction model incorporating electronic health record (EHR) data from the full hospital stay, and to compare "full-stay" model performance to a "first day" and 2 other validated models, LACE (includes Length of stay, Acute [nonelective] admission status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Emergency department visits in the past year), and HOSPITAL (includes Hemoglobin at discharge, discharge from Oncology service, Sodium level at discharge, Procedure during index hospitalization, Index hospitalization Type [nonelective], number of Admissions in the past year, and Length of stay).DesignObservational cohort study.SubjectsAll medicine discharges between November 2009 and October 2010 from 6 hospitals in North Texas, including safety net, teaching, and nonteaching sites.MeasuresThirty-day nonelective readmissions were ascertained from 75 regional hospitals.ResultsAmong 32,922 admissions (validation = 16,430), 12.7% were readmitted. In addition to many first-day factors, we identified hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile infection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18-3.48), vital sign instability on discharge (AOR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15-1.36), hyponatremia on discharge (AOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.18-1.51), and length of stay (AOR: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07) as significant predictors. The full-stay model had better discrimination than other models though the improvement was modest (C statistic 0.69 vs 0.64-0.67). It was also modestly better in identifying patients at highest risk for readmission (likelihood ratio +2.4 vs. 1.8-2.1) and in reclassifying individuals (net reclassification index 0.02-0.06).ConclusionsIncorporating clinically granular EHR data from the full hospital stay modestly improves prediction of 30-day readmissions. Given limited improvement in prediction despite incorporation of data on hospital complications, clinical instabilities, and trajectory, our findings suggest that many factors influencing readmissions remain unaccounted for. Further improvements in readmission models will likely require accounting for psychosocial and behavioral factors not currently captured by EHRs. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:473-480. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Depressive symptoms are associated with higher rates of readmission or mortality after medical hospitalization: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Depressive symptoms during a medical hospitalization may be an overlooked prognostic factor for adverse events postdischarge Our aim was to evaluate whether depressive symptoms predict 30-day readmission or death after medical hospitalization We conducted a systematic review of studies that compared postdischarge outcomes by in-hospital depressive status We assessed study quality and pooled published and unpublished data using random effects models Overall, one-third of 6104 patients discharged from medical wards were depressed (interquartile range, 27%-40%) Compared to inpatients without depression, those discharged with depressive symptoms were more likely to be readmitted (204% vs 137%, risk ratio [RR]: 173, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 116-258) or die (28% vs 15%, RR: 213, 95% CI: 131-344) within 30 days Depressive symptoms were common in medical inpatients and are associated with an increased risk of adverse events postdischarge Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:373-380 © 2016 The Authors Journal of Hospital Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc on behalf of Society of Hospital Medicine

Medications associated with geriatric syndromes and their prevalence in older hospitalized adults discharged to skilled nursing facilities

Abstract: Background More than half of the hospitalized older adults discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have more than three geriatric syndromes. Pharmacotherapy may be contributing to geriatric syndromes in this population.

Long length of hospital stay in children with medical complexity

Abstract: BACKGROUND Hospitalizations of children with medical complexity (CMC) account for one-half of hospital days in children, with lengths of stays (LOS) that are typically longer than those for children without medical complexity. The objective was to assess the impact of, risk factors for, and variation across children's hospitals regarding long LOS (≥10 days) hospitalizations in CMC. METHODS A retrospective study of 954,018 CMC hospitalizations, excluding admissions for neonatal and cancer care, during 2013 to 2014 in 44 children's hospitals. CMC were identified using 3M's Clinical Risk Group categories 6, 7, and 9, representing children with multiple and/or catastrophic chronic conditions. Multivariable regression was used to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with LOS ≥10 days. Hospital-level risk-adjusted rates of long LOS generated from these models were compared using a covariance test of the hospitals' random effect. RESULTS Among CMC, LOS ≥10 days accounted for 14.9% (n = 142,082) of all admissions and 61.8% ($13.7 billion) of hospital costs. The characteristics most strongly associated with LOS ≥10 days were use of intensive care unit (ICU) (odds ratio [OR]: 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4-3.5), respiratory complex chronic condition (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.6-2.7), and transfer from another medical facility (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 2.0-2.1). After adjusting for severity, there was significant (P < 0.001) variation in the prevalence of LOS ≥10 days for CMC across children's hospitals (range, 10.3%–21.8%). CONCLUSIONS Long hospitalizations for CMC are costly. Their prevalence varies significantly by type of chronic condition and across children's hospitals. Efforts to reduce hospital costs in CMC might benefit from a focus on prolonged LOS. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:750–756. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Family caregivers as partners in care transitions: The caregiver advise record and enable act

Abstract: The objective of this Perspective was to provide guidance to hospitalists and hospital clinical leadership on how to implement the Caregiver Advise Record and Enable (CARE) Act, which has been passed into law in 30 US states and territories. Specifically, the objective is 3-fold: (1) increase awareness among hospitalists and encourage them to begin to prepare for implementation, (2) explore the impetus for this legislation, and (3) provide a list of suggested resources geared to both family caregivers and healthcare professionals that may be helpful in preparation for implementing the CARE Act. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:883-885. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Interhospital transfer patients discharged by academic hospitalists and general internists: Characteristics and outcomes.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Prior work suggests interhospital transfer (IHT) may be a risky event. Outcomes for patients transferred from another acute care institution and discharged by hospitalists and general internists at academic health systems are not well described. OBJECTIVE Investigate the characteristics and outcomes of IHT patients compared with patients admitted from the emergency department (ED) to academic health systems. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING/PATIENTS A total of 885,392 adult inpatients discharged by hospitalists or general internal medicine physicians from 158 academic medical centers and affiliated hospitals participating in the University HealthSystem Consortium Clinical Database and Resource Manager from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. METHODS Patient cohorts were defined by admission source: those from another acute care institution were IHTs, and those coming through the ED whose source of origination was not another hospital or ambulatory surgery site were ED admissions. In-hospital mortality was our primary outcome. We analyzed our data using descriptive statistics, t tests, χ2 tests, and logistic regression. RESULTS Compared with ED admissions, IHT patients had a longer average length of stay, higher proportion of time spent in the intensive care unit, higher costs per hospital day, lower frequency of discharges home, and higher inpatient mortality (4.1% vs 1.8%, P < 0.01). After adjusting for patient characteristics and risk of mortality measures, IHT patients had a higher risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio: 1.36, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–1.43). CONCLUSIONS In this large national sample, IHT status is independently associated with inpatient mortality. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine

From discharge to readmission: Understanding the process from the patient perspective

Abstract: BACKGROUND Patient engagement is critical in delivering high-quality care. However, literature investigating patient perspectives on readmissions is lacking. OBJECTIVES To understand patients' beliefs and attitudes about 30-day readmissions and to elucidate areas for improvement aimed at reducing readmissions. DESIGN In person survey. SETTING Academic medical center and affiliated community hospital. PATIENTS Patients with 30-day readmissions to medicine and cardiology services. MEASUREMENTS Patient readiness, attitudes toward readmissions, discharge instructions, ambulatory resources, and follow-up care. RESULTS Of 479 eligible patients approached for interviews, 230 (48%) were interviewed. Of these, 28% reported not feeling ready for discharge, and this correlated with inadequate symptom resolution, poor pain control, and concerns about self-care. Sixty-five percent remembered reviewing discharge paperwork, but over 22% could not identify critical information on this paperwork. Eighty-five percent reported having a primary doctor; however, only 56% of patients who received a contact number on discharge called a physician before returning to the hospital. One-third of patients knew where to obtain same-day care outside of the emergency room. Lastly, patients reported feeling more relieved than burdened upon readmission (7.7 [standard deviation {SD} 2.8) vs 5.9 [SD 3.4]; P < 0.001, scale of 1–10). CONCLUSIONS By engaging readmitted patients we have illuminated areas for future interventions, including better symptom management and self-care planning before discharge, more clarity in discharge instructions, promoting awareness of outpatient resources, and improved alignment of patient and provider attitudes about readmissions. As the United States strives to reduce readmissions, attending to the patient perspective is critical in informing appropriate avenues for quality improvement. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Structure and outcomes of interdisciplinary rounds in hospitalized medicine patients: A systematic review and suggested taxonomy.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Interdisciplinary rounds (IDR) have been described to improve outcomes. However, there is limited understanding of optimal IDR design. PURPOSE To systematically review published reports of IDR to catalog types of IDR and outcomes, and assess the influence of IDR design on outcomes. DATA SOURCES Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Journals Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (EBSCOhost), and PubMed from 1990 through December 2014, and hand searching of article bibliographies. STUDY SELECTION Experimental, quasiexperimental, and observation studies in English-language literature where physicians rounded with another healthcare professional in inpatient medicine units. DATA EXTRACTION Studies were abstracted for study setting and characteristics, and design and outcomes of IDR. DATA SYNTHESIS Twenty-two studies were included in the qualitative analysis. Many were of low to medium quality with few high-quality studies. There is no clear definition of IDR in the literature. There was wide variation in IDR design and team composition across studies. We found three different models of IDR: pharmacist focused, bedside rounding, and interdisciplinary team rounding. There are reasonable data to support an association with length of stay and staff satisfaction but little data on patient safety or satisfaction. Positive outcomes may be related to particular components of IDR design, but the relationship between design and outcomes remains unclear. CONCLUSIONS Future studies should be more deliberately designed and fully reported with careful attention to team composition and features of IDR and their impact on selected outcomes. We present a proposed IDR definition and taxonomy for future studies. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:513–523. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Functional status before and during acute hospitalization and readmission risk identification

Abstract: BACKGROUND Recent efforts to prevent readmissions are increasingly focusing on early identification of high-risk patients. OBJECTIVE To test whether information on functioning during hospitalization contributes to the ability to accurately identify older adults at high risk of readmission beyond their baseline risk. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Internal medicine wards at 2 medical centers. PATIENTS Five hundred fifty-nine community-dwelling older adults (aged ≥70 years) discharged to their homes. MEASUREMENTS Data on unplanned 30-day readmissions were retrieved from electronic health records. Data on at-admission activities of daily living (ADL) and in-hospital ADL decline were collected using validated questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the association between functioning and readmission controlling for known risk factors. RESULTS Higher in-hospital ADL decline was significantly associated with readmission (odds ratio for each 10-point decrease in ADL = 1.32, 95% confidence interval = 1.02-1.72) but did not contribute to the overall discrimination of the model, as compared with the at-admission data (C statistic = 0.81 for each model). Identifying high-risk (10th highest percentile) patients by the at-admission model did not detect 7/55 (12.7%) of patients who would have been categorized as high risk if risk identification was postponed to the discharge date and included data on in-hospital ADL decline. CONCLUSIONS The study highlights the ability to identify patients at high risk for readmission already early in the index hospitalization using data on functioning, nutrition, chronic morbidity, and prior hospitalizations. Nonetheless, at-discharge functional assessment can detect additional patients whose readmission risk changes during the index hospitalization. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Effect of HCAHPS reporting on patient satisfaction with physician communication

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Prior studies, using limited data from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys, reported that public reporting increases satisfaction scores in all domains except physician communication. Our objective was to examine changes in patient satisfaction with physician communication using all available data. METHODS We used publicly accessible datasets: HCAHPS (2007–2013), socioeconomic datasets from the US Census Bureau, and hospital service area (HSA) dataset from the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care. Satisfaction scores were determined by the percentage of responses to “doctors always communicated well.” Hospitals were grouped into quartiles based on 2007 scores. We used multilevel models to account for correlation between within-hospital observations. RESULTS HCAHPS data were reported by 2273 hospitals in 2007. During the 7-year period, overall satisfaction scores with physician communication increased by 2.8% (P < 0.001). The lowest quartile hospitals had significant increase in satisfaction scores, whereas the highest quartile scores decreased (0.87% per year vs −0.23% per year; P < 0.001). These differences remained significant after adjusting for hospital and local population characteristics. Survey response rate and the number of acute-care beds and physicians in the HSA were positively associated, whereas HSA population size and being a teaching hospital were negatively associated with patient satisfaction scores (all P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Although there has been an improvement in patient satisfaction with physicians during the past 7 years, this improvement was not seen in all hospitals. The overall gap between hospitals has narrowed, which can be further improved through sharing best practices. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:105–110. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine

Validation of the delirium observation screening scale in a hospitalized older population.

Abstract: Delirium is challenging to diagnose in older populations. It is often reversible, and when detected, treatment can improve patient outcomes. Delirium detection currently relies on trained staff to conduct neurocognitive interviews. The Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOS) is a screen designed to allow faster, easier identification of delirium. In this validation study, conducted at an academic tertiary care center, we attempted to determine the accuracy of the DOS as a delirium screening tool in hospitalized patients over 64 years old. We compared DOS results to a validated delirium diagnostic tool, the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98. We also assess the user-friendliness of the DOS by nurses via electronic survey. In 101 assessments of 54 patients, the DOS had sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 91% for delirium. The DOS is an accurate and easy way to screen for delirium in older inpatients. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:494-497. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Preparedness for hospital discharge and prediction of readmission.

Abstract: BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVE Patients' self-reported preparedness for discharge has been shown to predict readmission. It is unclear what differences exist in the predictive abilities of 2 available discharge preparedness measures. To address this gap, we conducted a comparison of these measures. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS Adults hospitalized for cardiovascular diagnoses were enrolled in a prospective cohort. MEASUREMENTS Two patient-reported preparedness measures assessed during postdischarge calls: the 11-item Brief Prescriptions, Ready to re-enter community, Education, Placement, Assurance of safety, Realistic expectations, Empowerment, Directed to appropriate services (B-PREPARED) and the 3-item Care Transitions Measure (CTM-3). Cox proportional hazard models analyzed the relationship between preparedness and time to first readmission or death at 30 and 90 days, adjusted for readmission risk using the administrative database-derived Length of stay, Acuity, Comorbidity, and Emergency department use (LACE) index and other covariates. RESULTS Median preparedness scores were: B-PREPARED 21 (interquartile range [IQR] 18–22) and CTM-3 77.8 (IQR 66.7–100). In individual Cox models, a 4-point increase in B-PREPARED score was associated with a 16% decrease in time to readmission or death at 30 and 90 days. A 10-point increase in CTM-3 score was not associated with readmission or death at 30 days, but was associated with a 6% decrease in readmission or death at 90 days. In models with both preparedness scores, B-PREPARED retained an association with readmission or death at both 30 and 90 days. However, neither preparedness score was as strong a predictor as the LACE index when all were included in the model predicting 30- and 90-day readmission or death. CONCLUSION The B-PREPARED score was more strongly associated with readmission or death than the more widely adopted CTM-3, but neither predicted readmission as well as the LACE index. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:603–609. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Interhospital transfer handoff practices among US tertiary care centers: A descriptive survey.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Interhospital transfer is an understudied area within transitions of care. The process by which hospitals accept and transfer patients is not well described. National trends and best practices are unclear. OBJECTIVE To describe the demographics of large transfer centers, to identify common handoff practices, and to describe challenges and notable innovations involving the interhospital transfer handoff process. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS A convenience sample of 32 tertiary care centers in the United States was studied. Respondents were typically transfer center directors surveyed by phone. MAIN MEASURES Data regarding transfer center demographics, handoff communication practices, electronic infrastructure, and data sharing were obtained. RESULTS The median number of patients transferred each month per receiving institution was 700 (range, 250–2500); on average, 28% of these patients were transferred to an intensive care unit. Transfer protocols and practices varied by institution. Transfer center coordinators typically had a medical background (78%), and critical care–trained registered nurse was the most prevalent (38%). Common practices included: mandatory recorded 3-way physician-to-physician conversation (84%) and mandatory clinical status updates prior to patient arrival (81%). However, the timeline of clinical status updates was variable. Less frequent transfer practices included: electronic medical record (EMR) cross-talk availability and utilization (23%), real-time transfer center documentation accessibility in the EMR (32%), and referring center clinical documentation available prior to transport (29%). A number of innovative strategies to address challenges involving interhospital handoffs are reported. CONCLUSIONS Interhospital transfer practices vary widely amongst tertiary care centers. Practices that lead to improved patient handoffs and reduced medical errors need additional prospective evaluation. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

Successful implementation of outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy at a medical respite facility for homeless patients

Abstract: Background Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) is a safe way to administer intravenous (IV) antimicrobial therapy to patients with the potential to decrease hospital length of stay (LOS). Often, homeless patients with complex infections, who could otherwise be treated as an outpatient, remain in the hospital for the duration of IV antibiotic treatment. Injection drug use (IDU) is a barrier to OPAT. Objective To evaluate our experience with administering OPAT to homeless patients at a medical respite facility and determine if patients could complete a successful course of antibiotics. Design Using retrospective chart review, demographics, diagnosis, and comorbidities including mental illness, current IDU, and remote IDU (>3 months ago) were recorded. Surgical, microbiologic, and antimicrobial therapy including route (IV or oral), duration of therapy, and adverse events were abstracted. Participants Homeless patients >18 years old who received OPAT at medical respite after discharge, no exclusions. Main measurements Primary outcome was successful completion of OPAT at medical respite. Secondary outcome was successful antimicrobial course completion for a specific diagnosis. Results Forty-six (87%) patients successfully completed a defined course of antibiotic therapy. Thirty-four (64%) patients were successfully treated with OPAT at medical respite. Readmission rate was 30%. The average length of OPAT was 22 days. The cost savings to our institution (using $1500/day inpatient cost) was $25,000 per episode of OPAT. Conclusions OPAT can be successful in a supervised medical respite setting for homeless patients with the help of a multidisciplinary team, and can decrease inpatient LOS resulting in cost savings. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:531-535. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Real‐time patient experience surveys of hospitalized medical patients

Abstract: BACKGROUND Real-time feedback about patients' perceptions of the quality of the care they are receiving could provide physicians the opportunity to address concerns and improve these perceptions as they occur, but physicians rarely if ever receive feedback from patients in real time. OBJECTIVE To evaluate if real-time patient feedback to physicians improves patient experience. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, quality-improvement initiative. SETTING University-affiliated, public safety net hospital. PARTICIPANTS Patients and hospitalist physicians on general internal medicine units. INTERVENTION Real-time daily patient feedback to providers along with provider coaching and revisits of patients not reporting optimal satisfaction with their care. MEASUREMENTS Patient experience scores on 3 provider-specific questions from daily surveys on all patients and Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores and percentiles on randomly selected patients. RESULTS Changes in HCAHPS percentile ranks were substantial (communication from doctors: 60th percentile versus 39th, courtesy and respect of doctors: 88th percentile versus 23rd, doctors listening carefully to patients: 95th percentile versus 57th, and overall hospital rating: 87th percentile versus 6th (P = 0.02 for overall differences in percentiles), but we found no statistically significant difference in the top box proportions for the daily surveys or the HCAHPS survey. The median [interquartile range] top box score for the overall hospital rating question on the HCAHPS survey was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (10 [9, 10] vs 9 [8, 10], P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS Real-time feedback, followed by coaching and patient revisits, seem to improve patient experience. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:251–256. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine

The Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC) initiative: A summary and review of peripherally inserted central catheter and venous catheter appropriate use

Abstract: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are being selected for venous access more frequently today than ever before. Often the choice of a PICC, when compared with other vascular access devices (VADs), is attractive because of perceived safety, availability, and ease of insertion. However, complications associated with PICCs exist, and there is a paucity of evidence to guide clinician choice for PICC selection and valid use. An international panel with expertise in the arena of venous access and populations associated with these devices was convened to clarify approaches for the optimal use of PICCs and VADs. Here we present for the busy hospital-based practitioner the methodology, key outcomes, and recommendations of the Michigan Appropriateness Guide for Intravenous Catheters (MAGIC) panelists for the appropriate use of VADs.

Do physicians clean their hands? Insights from a covert observational study.

Abstract: Physicians are notorious for poor hand hygiene (HH) compliance. We wondered if lower performance by physicians compared with other health professionals might reflect differences in the Hawthorne effect. We introduced covert HH observers to see if performance differences between physicians and nurses decreased and to gain further insights into physician HH behaviors. Following training and validation with a hospital HH auditor, 2 students covertly measured HH during clinical rotations. Students rotated off clinical services every week to increase exposure to different providers and minimize risk of exposing the covert observation. We compared covertly measured HH compliance with data from overt observation by hospital auditors during the same time period. Covert observation produced much lower HH compliance than recorded by hospital auditors during the same time period: 50.0% (799/1597) versus 83.7% (2769/3309) (P < 0.0002). The difference in physician compliance between hospital auditors and covert observers was 19.0% (73.2% vs 54.2%); for nurses this difference was much higher at 40.7% (85.8% vs 45.1%) (P < 0.0001). Physician trainees showed markedly better compliance when attending staff cleaned their hands compared with encounters when attending did not (79.5% vs 18.9%; P < 0.0002). Our study suggests that traditional HH audits not only overstate HH performance overall, but can lead to inaccurate inferences about performance by professional groupings due to relative differences in the Hawthorne effect. We suggest that future improvement efforts will rely on more accurate HH monitoring systems and strong attending physician leadership to set an example for trainees. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:862-864. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Multifaceted intervention including education, rounding checklist implementation, cost feedback, and financial incentives reduces inpatient laboratory costs.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Inappropriate laboratory testing is a contributor to waste in healthcare. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of a multifaceted laboratory reduction intervention on laboratory costs. DESIGN A retrospective, controlled, interrupted time series (ITS) study. SETTING University of Utah Health Care, a 500-bed academic medical center in Salt Lake City, Utah. POPULATION All patients 18 years or older admitted to the hospital to a service other than obstetrics, rehabilitation, or psychiatry. INTERVENTION Multifaceted quality-improvement initiative in a hospitalist service including education, process change, cost feedback, and financial incentive. MEASUREMENTS Primary outcomes of lab cost per day and per visit. Secondary outcomes of number of basic metabolic panel (BMP), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), complete blood count (CBC), and prothrombin time/international normalized ratio tests per day; length of stay (LOS); and 30-day readmissions. RESULTS A total of 6310 hospitalist patient visits (intervention group) were compared to 25,586 nonhospitalist visits (control group). Among the intervention group, the unadjusted mean cost per day was reduced from $138 before the intervention to $123 after the intervention (P < 0.001), and the unadjusted mean cost per visit decreased from $618 to $558 (P = 0.005). The ITS analysis showed significant reductions in cost per day, cost per visit, and the number of BMP, CMP, and CBC tests per day (P = 0.034, 0.02, <0.001, 0.004, and <0.001). LOS was unchanged and 30-day readmissions decreased in the intervention group. CONCLUSION A multifaceted approach to laboratory reduction demonstrated a significant reduction in laboratory cost per day and per visit, as well as common tests per day at a major academic medical center. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:348–354. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine