Spatial patterns of maternal and neonatal continuum of care use and its correlations with women's empowerment.

BACKGROUND: The continuum of care (CoC) in maternal health refers to the continuity of individual reproductive health care across the antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods. The CoC is an indicator of the quality of maternal and newborn health outcomes and women's empowerment is crucial to improving maternal and neonatal health service access and utilisation. OBJECTIVE: To examine the spatial patterns of continuum of care use for maternal and neonatal health services and its correlation with women's empowerment. METHODS: We analysed data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS) of 2011 and 2016. All women aged 15-49 who had live births in the preceding five years of the DHS surveys were included in the analysis. We measured the continuum of care using the modified co-coverage index (CoCI), which consisted of six indicators. Women's empowerment was assessed using a validated survey-based Women's Empowerment (SWPER) index. We used the Getis-Ord-Gi* spatial analysis tool to portray locations with clusters of CoC service use and spatial correlations between CoC use and women empowerment. RESULTS: None of the newborn-mother pairs in the 2011 survey received the entire continuum of care and only 2.5% of newborn-mother pairs received the full range of continuum of care services in the 2016 survey. In 2016, 6.9% of mother-newborn pairs received the basic CoC services (four or more antenatal care [ANC] visits, skilled birth attendance [SBA], and postnatal care [PNC]), and no mother-newborn pair received all three services at the same time in 2011. The Amhara, Afar, and Somali regional states had the least CoC service use in both surveys. There was a positive spatial correlation between CoC use and women's empowerment domains. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that the use of four or more ANC visits, SBS, newborn PNC, Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine uptake, and tetanus toxoid protection at birth were low in Ethiopia. Women empowerment domains were found to have a positive spatial correlation with CoC services use. To improve and preserve continuity of care, it is critical to leverage every maternal health facility encounter to encourage sustained service usage at each step of the continuum. Government policies should prioritise women's empowerment and raise public awareness of maternity services.

Associations among claims-based care fragmentation, self-reported gaps in care coordination, and self-reported adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Fragmentation of care (that is, the use of multiple ambulatory providers without a dominant provider) may increase the risk of gaps in communication among providers. However, it is unclear whether people with fragmented care (as measured in claims) perceive more gaps in communication among their providers. It is also unclear whether people who perceive gaps in communication experience them as clinically significant (that is, whether they experience adverse events that they attribute to poor coordination). METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study using data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, including a survey on perceptions of healthcare (2017-2018) and linked fee-for-service Medicare claims (for the 12 months prior to the survey) (N = 4,296). We estimated correlation coefficients to determine associations between claims-based and self-reported numbers of ambulatory visits and ambulatory providers. We then used logistic regression to determine associations between claims-based fragmentation (measured with the reversed Bice-Boxerman Index [rBBI]) and self-reported gaps in care coordination and, separately, between claims-based fragmentation and self-reported adverse events that the respondent attributed to poor coordination. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between claims-based and self-report was 0.37 for the number of visits and 0.38 for the number of providers (p < 0.0001 for each). Individuals with high fragmentation by claims (rBBI ≥ 0.85) had a 23% increased adjusted odds of reporting any gap in care coordination (95% CI 3%, 48%) and, separately, a 61% increased adjusted odds of reporting an adverse event that they attributed to poor coordination (95% CI 11%, 134%). CONCLUSIONS: Medicare beneficiaries with claims-based fragmentation also report gaps in communication among their providers. Moreover, these gaps appear to be clinically significant, with beneficiaries reporting adverse events that they attribute to poor coordination.

EXploring Patterns of Use and Effects of Adult Day Programs to Improve Trajectories of Continuing Care (EXPEDITE): Protocol for a Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Adult day programs provide critical supports to older adults and their family or friend caregivers. High-quality care in the community for as long as possible and minimizing facility-based continuing care are key priorities of older adults, their caregivers, and health care systems. While most older adults in need of care live in the community, about 10% of newly admitted care home residents have relatively low care needs that could be met in the community with the right supports. However, research on the effects of day programs is inconsistent. The methodological quality of studies is poor, and we especially lack robust, longitudinal research. OBJECTIVE: Our research objectives are to (1) compare patterns of day program use (including nonuse) by province (Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba) and time; (2) compare characteristics of older adults by day program use pattern (including nonuse), province, and time; and (3) assess effects of day programs on attendees, compared with a propensity score-matched cohort of older nonattendees in the community. METHODS: In this population-based retrospective cohort study, we will use clinical and health administrative data of older adults (65+ years of age) who received publicly funded continuing care in the community in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Manitoba between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2024. We will compare patterns of day program use between provinces and assess changes over time. We will then compare characteristics of older adults (eg, age, sex, physical or cognitive disability, area-based deprivation indices, and caregiver availability or distress) by pattern of day program use or nonuse, province, and time. Finally, we will create a propensity score-matched comparison group of older adults in the community, who have not attended a day program. Using time-to-event models and general estimating equations, we will assess whether day program attendees compared with nonattendees enter care homes later; use emergency, acute, or primary care less frequently; experience less cognitive and physical decline; and have better mental health. RESULTS: This will be a 3-year study (July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027). We received ethics approvals from the relevant ethics boards. Starting on July 1, 2024, we will work with the 3 provincial health systems on data access and linkage, and we expect data analyses to start in early 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This study will generate robust Canadian evidence on the question whether day programs have positive, negative, or no effects on various older adult and caregiver outcomes. This will be a prerequisite to improving the quality of care provided to older adults in day programs, ultimately improving the quality of life of older adults and their caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06440447; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06440447. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/60896.

Relationship between continuity of primary care and hospitalisation for patients with COPD: population-based cohort study from South Korea.

OBJECTIVES: The existing evidence for the impacts of continuity of care (COC) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is low to moderate. This study aimed to investigate the associations between relational COC within primary care and COPD-related hospitalisations using a robust methodology. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: National Health Insurance Service database, South Korea. PARTICIPANTS: 92 977 adults (≥40 years) with COPD newly diagnosed between 2015 and 2016 were included. The propensity score (PS) matching approach was used. PSs were calculated from a multivariable logistic regression that included eight baseline characteristics. EXPOSURE: COC within primary care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence of COPD-related hospitalisations. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate HRs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Out of 92 977 patients, 66 677 of whom were cared for continuously by primary doctors (the continuity group), while 26 300 were not (the non-continuity group). During a 4-year follow-up period, 2094 patients (2.25%) were hospitalised; 874 (1.31%) from the continuity group and 1220 (4.64%) from the non-continuity group. After adjusting for confounding covariates, patients in the non-continuity group exhibited a significantly higher risk of hospital admission (adjusted HR (aHR) 2.43 (95% CI 2.22 to 2.66)). This risk was marginally reduced to 2.21 (95% CI 1.99 to 2.46) after PS matching. The risk of emergency department (ED) visits, systemic corticosteroid use and costs were higher for patients in the non-continuity group (aHR 2.32 (95% CI 2.04 to 2.63), adjusted OR 1.25 (95% CI 1.19 to 1.31) and expß=1.89 (95% CI 1.82 to 1.97), respectively). These findings remained consistent across the PS-matched cohort, as well as in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with COPD aged over 40, increased continuity of primary care was found to be associated with less hospitalisation, fewer ED visits and lower healthcare expenditure.

End-of-Life Healthcare Utilization in Lewy Body Dementia.

Background: Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia in the US, presenting unique end-of-life challenges. Objective: This study examined healthcare utilization and care continuity in the last year of life in LBD. Methods: Medicare claims for enrollees with LBD, continuously enrolled in the year preceding death, were examined from 2011-2018. We assessed hospital stays, emergency department (ED) visits, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, life-extending procedures, medications, and care continuity. Results: We identified 45,762 LBD decedents, predominantly female (51.8%), White (85.9%), with average age of 84.1 years (SD 7.5). There was a median of 2 ED visits (IQR 1-5) and 1 inpatient stay (IQR 0-2). Higher age was inversely associated with ICU stays (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.96-0.97) and life-extending procedures (OR 0.96; 95% CI 0.95-0.96). Black and Hispanic patients experienced higher rates of ED visits, inpatient hospitalizations, ICU admissions, life-extending procedures, and in-hospital deaths relative to White patients. On average, 15 (7.5) medications were prescribed in the last year. Enhanced care continuity correlated with reduced hospital (OR 0.72; 95% CI 0.70-0.74) and ED visits (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.69-0.87) and fewer life-extending procedures (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.64-0.79). Conclusions: This study underscored the complex healthcare needs of people with LBD during their final year, which was influenced by age and race. Care continuity may reduce hospital and ED visits and life-extending procedures.

Trajectories and Transitions in Service Use Among Older Veterans at High Risk of Long-Term Institutional Care.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify combinations of long-term services and supports (LTSS) Veterans use, describe transitions between groups, and identify factors influencing transition. METHODS: We explored LTSS across a continuum from home to institutional care. Analyses included 104,837 Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients 66 years and older at high-risk of long-term institutional care (LTIC). We conduct latent class and latent transition analyses using VHA and Medicare data from fiscal years 2014 to 2017. We used logistic regression to identify variables associated with transition. RESULTS: We identified 5 latent classes: (1) No Services (11% of sample in 2015); (2) Medicare Services (31%), characterized by using LTSS only in Medicare; (3) VHA-Medicare Care Continuum (19%), including LTSS use in various settings across VHA and Medicare; (4) Personal Care Services (21%), characterized by high probabilities of using VHA homemaker/home health aide or self-directed care; and (5) Home-Centered Interdisciplinary Care (18%), characterized by a high probability of using home-based primary care. Veterans frequently stayed in the same class over the three years (30% to 46% in each class). Having a hip fracture, self-care impairment, or severe ambulatory limitation increased the odds of leaving No Services, and incontinence and dementia increased the odds of entering VHA-Medicare Care Continuum. Results were similar when restricted to Veterans who survived during all 3 years of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans at high risk of LTIC use a combination of services from across the care continuum and a mix of VHA and Medicare services. Service patterns are relatively stable for 3 years.

Assessing the HIV care continuum among transgender women during 11 years of follow-up: results from the Netherlands' ATHENA observational cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Transgender women are at increased risk of acquiring HIV. Earlier studies reported lower retention in HIV care, antiretroviral therapy uptake, adherence and viral suppression. We assessed the stages of the HIV care continuum of transgender women in the Netherlands over an 11-year period. In addition, we assessed new HIV diagnoses and late presentation, as well as disengagement from care, between 2011 and 2021. METHODS: Using data from the Dutch national ATHENA cohort, we separately assessed viral suppression, as well as time to achieving viral suppression, among transgender women for each year between 2011 and 2021. We also assessed trends in new HIV diagnoses and late presentation (CD4 count of <350 cells/µl and/or AIDS at diagnosis), and disengagement from care. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 260 transgender women attended at least one HIV clinical visit. Across all years, <90% of transgender women were virally suppressed (207/239 [87%] in 2021). The number of new HIV diagnoses fluctuated for transgender women (ptrend = 0.053) and late presentation was common (ranging between 10% and 67% of new HIV diagnoses). Of the 260 transgender women, 26 (10%) disengaged from care between 2011 and 2021 (incidence rate = 1.10 per 100 person-years, 95% confidence interval = 0.75-1.61). CONCLUSIONS: Between 2011 and 2021, less than 90% of transgender women linked to HIV care were virally suppressed. Late presentation at the time of diagnosis and disengagement from care were common. Efforts are needed to identify barriers to early HIV diagnosis and to optimize the different steps across the care continuum for transgender women.

Continuity of care in general practice in Norway.

AIMS: Maintaining continuity of care between doctors and patients is considered a fundamental aspect of quality in primary healthcare. In this study, we aim to examine continuity in Norway over time by computing two commonly used indicators of continuity: the St Leonard's Index of Continuity of Care (SLICC) and the Usual Provider of Care Index (UPC). METHOD: We employ individual-level data, which covers all primary care consultations. This data includes the identities of each patient and physician, and we can identify each patient's regular general practitioner (GP). The SLICC is calculated as the share of consultations conducted by the patient's regular GP annually from 2006 to 2021. Additionally, we identify each patient's most visited physician and compute the UPC as the share of total consultations conducted by the most visited physician during the same period. Our analysis is conducted at the national level and stratified according to the level of centrality, differentiating between areas of high, moderate, and low centrality. RESULTS: Our findings reveal that, at the national level, SLICC and UPC exhibit remarkable stability, reaching 64 and 71 percent, respectively, in 2021. However, there is significant geographical variation, with the least central areas experiencing less continuous healthcare (SLICC at 49 percent in 2021) than patients residing in more central areas (SLICC at 68 in 2021). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate a high degree of continuity that has been stable over time. However, large geographical variations suggest that policymakers should strive to reduce geographical disparities in healthcare quality.

Intensity, Characteristics, and Factors Associated With Receipt of Care Coordination Among High-Risk Veterans in the Veterans Health Administration.

BACKGROUND: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has initiatives underway to enhance the provision of care coordination (CC), particularly among high-risk Veterans. Yet, evidence detailing the characteristics of and who receives VHA CC is limited. OBJECTIVES: We examined intensity, timing, setting, and factors associated with VHA CC among high-risk Veterans. RESEARCH DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study, following Veterans for 1 year after being identified as high-risk for hospitalization or mortality, to characterize their CC. Demographic and clinical factors predictive of CC were identified via multivariate logistic regression. SUBJECTS: A total of 1,843,272 VHA-enrolled high-risk Veterans in fiscal years 2019-2021. MEASURES: We measured 5 CC variables during the year after Veterans were identified as high risk: (1) receipt of any service, (2) number of services received, (3) number of days to first service, (4) number of days between services, and (5) type of visit during which services were received. RESULTS: Overall, 31% of high-risk Veterans in the sample received CC during one-year follow-up. Among Veterans who received ≥1 service, a median of 2 [IQR (1, 6)] services were received. Among Veterans who received ≥2 services, there was a median of 26 [IQR (10, 57)] days between services. Most services were received during outpatient psychiatry (46%) or medicine (16%) visits. Veterans' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were associated with receipt of CC. CONCLUSIONS: A minority of Veterans received CC in the year after being identified as high-risk, and there was variation in intensity, timing, and setting of CC. Research is needed to examine the fit between Veterans' CC needs and preferences and VHA CC delivery.

Impacts of Telehealth Adoption on the Quality of Care for Individuals With Serious Mental Illness: Retrospective Observational Analysis of Veterans Affairs Administrative Data.

Background: Telehealth implementation can be challenging for persons with serious mental illness (SMI), which may impact their quality of care and health outcomes. The literature on telehealth's impacts on SMI care outcomes is mixed, necessitating further investigation. Objective: We examined the impacts of facility-level telehealth adoption on quality of care metrics over time among patients with SMI. Methods: We analyzed Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative data across 138 facilities from January 2021 to December 2022. We performed longitudinal mixed-effects regressions to identify the relationships between the proportion of facility-level telehealth visits and SMI specialty care quality metrics: engagement with primary care; access and continuity of care across a range of mental health services including psychotherapy or psychosocial rehabilitation, SMI-specific intensive outpatient programs, and intensive case management; and continuity of mental health care after a high-risk event (eg, suicide attempt). Results: Facilities with a higher proportion of telehealth visits had reduced access and continuity of physical and mental health care for patients with SMI (P<.05). Higher telehealth adoption was associated with reduced primary care engagement (z=-4.04; P<.001), reduced access to and continuity in SMI-specific intensive case management (z=-4.49; P<.001; z=-3.15; P<.002), reductions in the continuity of care within psychotherapy and psychosocial rehabilitation (z=-3.74; P<.001), and continuity of care after a high-risk event (z=-2.46; P<.01). Telehealth uptake initially increased access to intensive outpatient but did not improve its continuity over time (z=-4.47; P<.001). Except for continuity within SMI-specific intensive case management (z=2.62; P<.009), continuity did not improve over time as telehealth became routinized. Conclusions: Although telehealth helped preserve health care access during the pandemic, telehealth may have tradeoffs with regard to quality of care for some individuals with SMI. These data suggest that engagement strategies used by SMI-specific intensive case management may have preserved quality and could benefit other settings. Strategies that enhance telehealth implementation-selected through a health equity lens-may improve quality of care among patients with SMI.

Association between Gaps in Care Coordination and Emergency Department Visits Among Children without Chronic Conditions or Special Needs.

OBJECTIVE: Prior studies and have shown that gaps in care coordination (CC) increase the risk of emergency department (ED) visits among children with special healthcare needs. This study aims to determine if gaps in CC are associated with an increased risk of ED visits among children without special needs (non-CSHCN). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a cross-sectional study using the National Survey of Children's Health (2018-2019), representing children up to age 17. A "gap" in CC occurs if the adult proxy reported dissatisfaction with communication between providers or difficulty getting the help needed to coordinate care for the child. Using logistic regression models adjusting for age and sex, we measured the association between a gap in CC and 1 or more ED visits during the past 12 months overall and stratified by any special needs. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2019, 15% of respondents reported a gap in CC and 19.4% of children had at least one ED visit. Among non-CSHCN, these rates were 11% and 17%. In this population, a gap in CC was independently associated with an increased odds of ED use (AOR: 2.14; 95% CI 1.82, 2.52). CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: Self-reported gaps in ambulatory CC were associated with increased odds of ED visits even among non-CSHCN children with minor illnesses, suggesting that providers need to be aware of potential pitfalls in CC for all children, and ensure that pertinent information is available where needed.

Midwifery continuity of care, breastfeeding and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: A retrospective cohort study.

AIM: To examine the association between Midwifery Continuity of Care (MCoC) and exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. METHODS: A matched cohort design was employed using data from the Swedish Pregnancy Register. The study included 12,096 women who gave birth at a university hospital in Stockholm, Sweden from January 2019 to August 2021. Women and newborns cared for in a MCoC model were compared with a propensity-score matched set receiving standard care. Risk ratios (RR) were determined with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) based on the matched cohort through modified Poisson regressions with robust standard error. A mediation analysis assessed the direct and indirect effects of MCoC on exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge and neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and to what extent the association was mediated by preterm birth. FINDING: Findings showed that MCoC was associated with a higher chance of exclusive breastfeeding rate (RR: 1.06, 95 % CI: 1.01-1.12) and lower risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (RR: 0.51, 95 % CI: 0.32-0.82) compared with standard care. Mediation analysis demonstrated that lower preterm birth accounted for approximately 28 % of total effect on the reduced risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This matched cohort study provided preliminary evidence that MCoC models could be an intervention for improving exclusive breastfeeding rates at hospital discharge and reducing the risk of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Ongoing Decline in Continuity With GPs in English General Practices: A Longitudinal Study Across the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE: Relationship continuity of care has declined across English primary health care, with cross-sectional and longitudinal variations between general practices predicted by population and service factors. We aimed to describe cross-sectional and longitudinal variations across the COVID-19 pandemic and determine whether practice factors predicted the variations. METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, ecological study of English general practices during 2018-2022 with continuity data, excluding practices with fewer than 750 patients or National Health Service (NHS) payments exceeding £500 per patient. Variables were derived from published data. The continuity measure was the product of weighted responses to 2 General Practice Patient Survey questions. In a multilevel mixed-effects model, the fixed effects were 11 variables' interactions with time: baseline continuity, NHS region, deprivation, location, percentage White ethnicity, list size, general practitioner and nurse numbers, contract type, NHS payments per patient, and percentage of patients seen on the same day as booking. The random effects were practices. RESULTS: Main analyses were based on 6,010 practices (out of 7,190 active practices). During 2018-2022, mean continuity in these practices declined (from 29.3% to 19.0%) and the coefficient of variation across practices increased (from 48.1% to 63.6%). Both slopes were steepest between 2021 and 2022. Practices having more general practitioners and higher percentages of patients seen the same day had slower declines. Practices having higher baseline continuity, located in certain non-London regions, and having higher percentages of White patients had faster declines. The remaining variables were not predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Variables potentially associated with greater appointment availability predicted slower declines in continuity, with worsening declines and relative variability immediately after the COVID-19 lockdown, possibly reflecting surges in demand. To achieve better levels of continuity for those seeking it, practices can increase appointment availability within appointment systems that prioritize continuity.Annals Early Access article.

Use of a toll-free call center for COVID-19 response and continuity of essential services during the lockdown, Greater Kampala, Uganda, 2020: a descriptive study.

Introduction: on March 21, 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Uganda. A total lockdown was initiated on March 30 which was gradually lifted May 5-June 30. On March 25, a toll-free call center was organized at the Kampala Capital City Authority to respond to public concerns about COVID-19 and the lockdown. We documented the set-up and use of the call center and analyzed key concerns raised by the public. Methods: two hotlines were established and disseminated through media platforms in Greater Kampala. The call center was open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. We abstracted data on incoming calls from March 25 to June 30, 2020. We summarized call data into categories and conducted descriptive analyses of public concerns raised during the lockdown. Results: among 10,167 calls, two-thirds (6,578; 64.7%) involved access to health services, 1,565 (15.4%) were about social services, and 1,375 (13.5%) involved COVID-19-related issues. Approximately one-third (2,152; 32.7%) of calls about access to health services were requests for ambulances for patients with non-COVID-19-related emergencies. About three-quarters of calls about social services were requests for food and relief items (1,184; 75.7%). Half of the calls about COVID-19 (730; 53.1%) sought disease-related information. Conclusion: the toll-free call center was used by the public during the COVID-19 lockdown in Kampala. Callers were more concerned about access to essential health services, non-related to COVID-19 disease. It is important to plan for continuity of essential services before a public health emergency-related lockdown.

Unravelling the Belgian cascade of hypertension care and its determinants: insights from a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality worldwide. Despite the widespread availability of effective antihypertensives, blood pressure (BP) control rates remain suboptimal, even in high-income countries such as Belgium. In this study, we used a cascade of care approach to identify where most patients are lost along the continuum of hypertension care in Belgium, and to assess the main risk factors for attrition at various stages of hypertension management. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the 2018 Belgian Health Interview Survey and the Belgian Health Examination Survey, we estimated hypertension prevalence among the Belgian population aged 40-79 years, and the proportion that was (1) screened, (2) diagnosed, (3) linked to care, (4) in treatment, (5) followed up and (6) well-controlled. Cox regression models were estimated to identify individual risk factors for being unlinked to hypertension care, untreated and not followed up appropriately. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension based on self-reported and measured high BP was 43.3%. While 98% of the hypertensive population had their BP measured in the past 5 years, only 56.7% were diagnosed. Furthermore, 53.4% were linked to care, 49.8% were in treatment and 43.4% received adequate follow-up. Less than a quarter (23.5%) achieved BP control. Among those diagnosed with hypertension, males, those of younger age, without comorbidities, and smokers, were more likely to be unlinked to care. Once in care, younger age, lower BMI, financial hardship, and psychological distress were associated with a higher risk of being untreated. Finally, among those treated for hypertension, females, those of younger age, and without comorbidities were more likely to receive no adequate follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our results show that undiagnosed hypertension is the most significant barrier to BP control in Belgium. Health interventions are thus needed to improve the accurate and timely diagnosis of hypertension. Once diagnosed, the Belgian health system retains patients fairly well along the continuum of hypertension care, yet targeted health interventions to improve hypertension management for high-risk groups remain necessary, especially with regard to improving treatment rates.

Racial and Ethnic Inequities in Cancer Care Continuity During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Those With SARS-CoV-2.

Importance: Racially and ethnically minoritized US adults were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and experience poorer cancer outcomes, including inequities in cancer treatment delivery. Objective: To evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in cancer treatment delays and discontinuations (TDDs) among patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 during different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Survey on COVID-19 in Oncology Registry (data collected from April 2020 to September 2022), including patients with cancer also diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 during their care at 69 US practices. Racial and ethnic differences were examined during 5 different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States based on case surge (before July 2020, July to November 2020, December 2020 to March 2021, April 2021 to February 2022, and March to September 2022). Exposures: Race and ethnicity. Main Outcomes and Measures: TDD was defined as any cancer treatment postponed more than 2 weeks or cancelled with no plans to reschedule. To evaluate TDD associations with race and ethnicity, adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression, accounting for nonindependence of patients within clinics, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, cancer type, cancer extent, and SARS-CoV-2 severity (severe defined as death, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, or mechanical ventilation). Results: A total of 4054 patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2 were included (143 [3.5%] American Indian or Alaska Native, 176 [4.3%] Asian, 517 [12.8%] Black or African American, 469 [11.6%] Hispanic or Latinx, and 2747 [67.8%] White; 2403 [59.3%] female; 1419 [35.1%] aged 50-64 years; 1928 [47.7%] aged ≥65 years). The analysis focused on patients scheduled (at SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis) to receive drug-based therapy (3682 [90.8%]), radiation therapy (382 [9.4%]), surgery (218 [5.4%]), or transplant (30 [0.7%]), of whom 1853 (45.7%) experienced TDD. Throughout the pandemic, differences in racial and ethnic inequities based on case surge with overall TDD decreased over time. In multivariable analyses, non-Hispanic Black (third wave: aPR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.31-1.85) and Hispanic or Latinx (third wave: aPR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.13-1.62) patients with cancer were more likely to experience TDD compared with non-Hispanic White patients during the first year of the pandemic. By 2022, non-Hispanic Asian patients (aPR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.08-2.12) were more likely to experience TDD compared with non-Hispanic White patients, and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native patients were less likely (aPR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16-0.89). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional study of patients with cancer and SARS-CoV-2, racial and ethnic inequities existed in TDD throughout the pandemic; however, the disproportionate burden among racially and ethnically minoritized patients with cancer varied across SARS-CoV-2 waves. These inequities may lead to downstream adverse impacts on cancer mortality among minoritized adults in the United States.

Hospital Readmission Rates for Patients Receiving In-Person vs. Telemedicine Discharge Follow-Up Care.

INTRODUCTION: Unplanned readmissions can be avoided by standardizing and improving the coordination of care after discharge. Telemedicine has been increasingly utilized; however, the quality of this care has not been well studied. Standardized measures can provide an objective comparison of care quality. The purpose of our study was to compare quality performance transitions of care management in the office vs telemedicine. METHODS: The Epic SlicerDicer tool was used to compare the percentage of encounters that were completed via telemedicine (video visits); or via in-person for comparison, Chi-squared tests were used. RESULTS: A total of 13,891 patients met the inclusion criteria during the study time frame. There were 12,846 patients in the office and 1,048 in the telemedicine cohort. The office readmission rate was 11.9% with 1,533 patients out of 12,846 compared with telemedicine with the rate of readmission at 12.1% with 126 patients out of 1,045 patients. The P-value for the Chi-squared test between the prepandemic and study time frame was 0.15 and 0.95, respectively. Demographic comparability was seen. DISCUSSION: Our study found a comparable readmission rate between patients seen via in-office and telemedicine for Transitions of Care Management (TCM) encounters. The findings of this study support the growing body of evidence that telemedicine augments quality performance while reducing cost and improving access without negatively impacting HEDIS performance in health care systems. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine poses little threat of negatively impacting HEDIS performance and might be as effective as posthospitalization traditional office care transitions of care management.

Interdisciplinary videoconference model for identifying potential adverse transition of care events following hospital discharge to postacute care.

Discharge from hospitals to postacute care settings is a vulnerable time for many older adults, when they may be at increased risk for errors occurring in their care. We developed the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes-Care Transitions (ECHO-CT) programme in an effort to mitigate these risks through a mulitdisciplinary, educational, case-based teleconference between hospital and skilled nursing facility providers. The programme was implemented in both academic and community hospitals. Through weekly sessions, patients discharged from the hospital were discussed, clinical concerns addressed, errors in care identified and plans were made for remediation. A total of 1432 discussions occurred for 1326 patients. The aim of this study was to identify errors occurring in the postdischarge period and factors that predict an increased risk of experiencing an error. In 435 discussions, an issue was identified that required further discussion (known as a transition of care event), and the majority of these were related to medications. In 14.7% of all discussions, a medical error, defined as 'any preventable event that may cause or lead to inappropriate medical care or patient harm', was identified. We found that errors were more likely to occur for patients discharged from surgical services or the emergency department (as compared with medical services) and were less likely to occur for patients who were discharged in the morning. This study shows that a number of errors may be detected in the postdischarge period, and the ECHO-CT programme provides a mechanism for identifying and mitigating these events. Furthermore, it suggests that discharging service and time of day may be associated with risk of error in the discharge period, thereby suggesting potential areas of focus for future interventions.

Multilevel analysis of dropout from maternal continuum of care and its associated factors: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey.

BACKGROUND: The maternal continuum of care (CoC) is a cost-effective approach to mitigate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths. Women in developing countries, including Tanzania, face an increased vulnerability to significant dropout rates from maternal CoC, and addressing dropout from the continuum remains a persistent public health challenge. METHOD: This study used the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). A total weighted sample of 5,172 women who gave birth in the past 5 years and had first antenatal care (ANC) were included in this study. Multilevel binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors associated with dropout from the 3 components of maternal CoC (i.e., ANC, institutional delivery, and postnatal care (PNC)). RESULTS: The vast majority, 83.86% (95% confidence interval (CI): 82.83%, 84.83%), of women reported dropout from the maternal CoC. The odds of dropout from the CoC was 36% (AOR = 0.64, (95% CI: 0.41, 0.98)) lower among married women compared to their divorced counterparts. Women who belonged to the richer wealth index reported a 39% (AOR = 0.61, (95% CI: 0.39, 0.95)) reduction in the odds of dropout, while those belonged to the richest wealth index demonstrated a 49% (AOR = 0.51, (95% CI: 0.31, 0.82)) reduction. The odds of dropout from CoC was 37% (AOR = 0.63, (95% CI: 0.45,0.87)) lower among women who reported the use of internet in the past 12 months compared to those who had no prior exposure to the internet. Geographical location emerged as a significant factor, with women residing in the Northern region and Southern Highland Zone, respectively, experiencing a 44% (AOR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35-0.89) and 58% (AOR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.26-0.68) lower odds of dropout compared to their counterparts in the central zone. CONCLUSION: The dropout rate from the maternity CoC in Tanzania was high. The findings contribute to our understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding maternity care continuity and underscore the need for targeted interventions, considering factors such as marital status, socioeconomic status, internet usage, and geographical location.

The Impact of Primary Care Clinic and Family Physician Continuity on Patient Health Outcomes: A Retrospective Analysis From Alberta, Canada.

PURPOSE: Continuity of care is broadly associated with better patient health outcomes. The relative contributions of continuity with an individual physician and with a practice, however, have not generally been distinguished. This retrospective observational study examined the impact of continuity of care for patients seen at their main clinic but by different family physicians. METHODS: We analyzed linked health administrative data from 2015-2018 from Alberta, Canada to explore the association of physician and clinic continuity with rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations across varying levels of patient complexity. Physician continuity was calculated using the known provider of care index and clinic continuity with an analogous measure. We developed zero-inflated negative binomial models to assess the association of each with all-cause ED visits and hospitalizations. RESULTS: High physician continuity was associated with lower ED use across all levels of patient complexity and with fewer hospitalizations for highly complex patients. Broadly, no (0%) clinic continuity was associated with increased use and complete (100%) clinic continuity with decreased use, with the largest effect seen for the most complex patients. Levels of clinic continuity between 1% and 50% were generally associated with slightly higher use, and levels of 51% to 99% with slightly lower use. CONCLUSIONS: The best health care outcomes (measured by ED visits and hospitalizations) are associated with consistently seeing one's own primary family physician or seeing a clinic partner when that physician is unavailable. The effect of partial clinic continuity appears complex and requires additional research. These results provide some reassurance for part-time and shared practices, and guidance for primary care workforce policy makers.