Changes in payer mix of new and established trauma centers: the new trauma center money grab?

Background: Although timely access to trauma center (TC) care for injured patients is essential, the proliferation of new TCs does not always improve outcomes. Hospitals may seek TC accreditation for financial reasons, rather than to address community or geographic need. Introducing new TCs risks degrading case and payer mix at established TCs. We hypothesized that newly accredited TCs would see a disproportionate share of commercially insured patients. Study design: We collected data from all accredited adult TCs in Pennsylvania using the state trauma registry from 1999 to 2018. As state policy regarding supplemental reimbursement for underinsured patients changed in 2004, we compared patient characteristics and payer mix between TCs established before and after 2004. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the relationship between payer and presentation to a new versus established TC in recent years. Results: Over time, there was a 40% increase in the number of TCs from 23 to 38. Of 326 204 patients from 2010 to 2018, a total of 43 621 (13.4%) were treated at 15 new TCs. New TCs treated more blunt trauma and less severely injured patients (p<0.001). In multivariable analysis, patients presenting to new TCs were more likely to have Medicare (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.9 to 2.1) and commercial insurance (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.5 to 1.6) compared with Medicaid. Over time, fewer patients at established TCs and more patients at new TCs had private insurance. Conclusions: With the opening of new centers, payer mix changed unfavorably at established TCs. Trauma system development should consider community and regional needs, as well as impact on existing centers to ensure financial sustainability of TCs caring for vulnerable patients. Level of evidence: Level III, prognostic/epidemiological.

Analysis of social determinants of health on emergency department utilization by gunshot wound survivors after level 1 trauma center discharge.

Background: This project analyzed risk factors for emergency department (ED) utilization without readmission within 2 weeks post-discharge for survivors of gun violence. Methods: A hundred gun violence survivors admitted to a Level 1 trauma center were surveyed. Descriptive analyses and group comparisons were conducted between patients who did and did not use the ED. Factors analyzed are rooted in social determinants of health and clinical care related to the index hospitalization. Results: Of the 100 patients, 31 had an ED visit within 6 weeks, although most (87.1%) returned within 2 weeks of discharge. Factors significantly associated (p≤0.05) with a return ED visit included: not having an identified primary care provider, not having friends or family to count on for help, not having enough money to support themselves before return to work, and not feeling able to read discharge instructions. Conclusion: Lack of a primary care provider, low health literacy and social support were associated with increased ED visits without readmission post-discharge. Level of Evidence: Level III, Prognostic and Epidemiological.

Nursing care for people with woundsin primary health care: Challenges and strengths / Cuidado de enfermagem à pessoa com feridana Atenção Primária à Saúde: desafios e potências / Atención de enfermería a personas conheridas en atención primaria de salud: desafíos y potencias

Objetivo: descrever fatores identificados pelos enfermeiros como desafios e potências no cuidado de enfermagem à pessoa com ferida na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: estudo exploratório, descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado de setembro a novembro de 2022, no Distrito Sanitário Centro de Florianópolis. Utilizou-se para a coleta de dados um questionário on-line, cujos resultados foram analisados com base na análise temática do conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: o estudo contou com a participação de 29 enfermeiros, dos quais28 (97%) relataram enfrentar desafios, assim como identificaram potências no cotidiano de cuidado à pessoa com ferida. Com base na análise dos dados, emergiram três categorias: "Categoria 1 ­ Desafios e potências relacionadas ao processo de trabalho do enfermeiro"; "Categoria 2 ­ Desafios e potências relacionadas à pessoa com ferida"; e "Categoria 3 ­ Desafios e potências relacionados à infraestrutura e recursos tecnológicos e materiais disponíveis". Conclusão: Os fatores destacados pelos enfermeiros como potências e desafios estão relacionados ao trabalho do enfermeiro, ao indivíduo com ferida e à infraestrutura e recursos tecnológicos e materiais disponíveis. Conhecer esses fatores pode suscitar a implementação de ferramentas para superação dos desafios e promoção das potências, visando fomentar a qualidade dessa prática. (AU)

Objective: We aim to describe factors identified by nurses as challenges and strengths in nursing care for people with wounds in primary health care.Method: This is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study conducted from September to November 2022, in the Health District Center of the city of Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We used an online questionnaire for data collection, and the results were analyzed based on thematic content analysis according to Bardin. Results: A total of 29 nurses were included in the sample, of which 28 (97%) reported facing challenges as well as identifying strengths in the daily care of individuals with wounds. Based on data analysis, three categories emerged: "Category 1 ­ Challenges and strengths related to the nurse's work process"; "Category 2 ­ Challenges and strengths related to the individual with a wound"; and "Category 3 ­ Challenges and strengths related to available infrastructure, technological resources, and materials."Conclusions: The factors highlighted by nurses as strengths and challenges are related to nursing work focused on the person with a wound and to the available infrastructure, technological resources, and materials. Knowledge of these factors can lead to the implementation of tools to overcome challenges and promote strengths, with the aim of improving the quality of this practice. (AU)

Objetivo: Pretendemos describir los factores identificados por las enfermeras como desafíos y fortalezas en la atención de enfermería para personas con heridas en la atención primaria de salud.Método: Se trata de un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y cualitativo realizado de septiembre a noviembre de 2022, en el Distrito de Salud Centro de la ciudad de Florianópolis, estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Utilizamos un cuestionario en línea para la recopilación de datos, y los resultados fueron analizados según el análisis de contenido temático de Bardin. Resultados: Un total de 29 enfermeras fueron incluidas en la muestra, de las cuales 28 (97%) informaron enfrentar desafíos y también identificar fortalezas en la atención diaria de individuos con heridas. Basándonos en el análisis de datos, surgieron tres categorías: "Categoría 1 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con el proceso de trabajo de la enfermera"; "Categoría 2 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con el individuo con una herida"; y "Categoría 3 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con la infraestructura disponible, recursos tecnológicos y materiales".Conclusiones: Los factores destacados por las enfermeras como fortalezas y desafíos están relacionados con el trabajo de enfermería centrado en la persona con una herida y con la infraestructura disponible, recursos tecnológicos y materiales. El conocimiento de estos factores puede llevar a la implementación de herramientas para superar desafíos y promover fortalezas, con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad de esta práctica. (AU)

Cuidado de enfermagem à pessoa com ferida naAtenção Primária à Saúde: desafios e potências / Nursing care for people with woundsin primary health care: Challenges and strengths / Atención de enfermería a personas conheridas en atención primaria de salud: desafíos y potencias

Objetivo: descrever fatores identificados pelos enfermeiros como desafios e potências no cuidado de enfermagem à pessoa com ferida na Atenção Primária à Saúde. Método: estudo exploratório, descritivo, de abordagem qualitativa, realizado de setembro a novembro de 2022, no Distrito Sanitário Centro de Florianópolis. Utilizou-se para a coleta de dados um questionário on-line, cujos resultados foram analisados com base na análise temática do conteúdo de Bardin. Resultados: o estudo contou com a participação de 29 enfermeiros, dos quais28 (97%) relataram enfrentar desafios, assim como identificaram potências no cotidiano de cuidado à pessoa com ferida. Com base na análise dos dados, emergiram três categorias: "Categoria 1 ­ Desafios e potências relacionadas ao processo de trabalho do enfermeiro"; "Categoria 2 ­ Desafios e potências relacionadas à pessoa com ferida"; e "Categoria 3 ­ Desafios e potências relacionados à infraestrutura e recursos tecnológicos e materiais disponíveis". Conclusão: Os fatores destacados pelos enfermeiros como potências e desafios estão relacionados ao trabalho do enfermeiro, ao indivíduo com ferida e à infraestrutura e recursos tecnológicos e materiais disponíveis. Conhecer esses fatores pode suscitar a implementação de ferramentas para superação dos desafios e promoção das potências, visando fomentar a qualidade dessa prática. (AU)

Objective: We aim to describe factors identified by nurses as challenges and strengths in nursing care for people with wounds in primary health care.Method: This is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study conducted from September to November 2022, in the Health District Center of the city of Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We used an online questionnaire for data collection, and the results were analyzed based on thematic content analysis according to Bardin. Results: A total of 29 nurses were included in the sample, of which 28 (97%) reported facing challenges as well as identifying strengths in the daily care of individuals with wounds. Based on data analysis, three categories emerged: "Category 1 ­ Challenges and strengths related to the nurse's work process"; "Category 2 ­ Challenges and strengths related to the individual with a wound"; and "Category 3 ­ Challenges and strengths related to available infrastructure, technological resources, and materials."Conclusions: The factors highlighted by nurses as strengths and challenges are related to nursing work focused on the person with a wound and to the available infrastructure, technological resources, and materials. Knowledge of these factors can lead to the implementation of tools to overcome challenges and promote strengths, with the aim of improving the quality of this practice. (AU)

Objetivo: Pretendemos describir los factores identificados por las enfermeras como desafíos y fortalezas en la atención de enfermería para personas con heridas en la atención primaria de salud.Método: Se trata de un estudio exploratorio, descriptivo y cualitativo realizado de septiembre a noviembre de 2022, en el Distrito de Salud Centro de la ciudad de Florianópolis, estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Utilizamos un cuestionario en línea para la recopilación de datos, y los resultados fueron analizados según el análisis de contenido temático de Bardin. Resultados: Un total de 29 enfermeras fueron incluidas en la muestra, de las cuales 28 (97%) informaron enfrentar desafíos y también identificar fortalezas en la atención diaria de individuos con heridas. Basándonos en el análisis de datos, surgieron tres categorías: "Categoría 1 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con el proceso de trabajo de la enfermera"; "Categoría 2 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con el individuo con una herida"; y "Categoría 3 ­ Desafíos y fortalezas relacionados con la infraestructura disponible, recursos tecnológicos y materiales".Conclusiones: Los factores destacados por las enfermeras como fortalezas y desafíos están relacionados con el trabajo de enfermería centrado en la persona con una herida y con la infraestructura disponible, recursos tecnológicos y materiales. El conocimiento de estos factores puede llevar a la implementación de herramientas para superar desafíos y promover fortalezas, con el objetivo de mejorar la calidad de esta práctica. (AU)

Developmental surveillance and screening practices in a pediatric oncology clinic: Initial progress of a quality improvement study.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric cancer patients' oncology teams regularly take on a primary care role, but due to the urgent nature of cancer treatment, developmental screenings may be deprioritized. This leaves patients at risk of developmental diagnoses and referrals being delayed. AIMS: Clarify the current developmental surveillance and screening practices of one pediatric oncology team. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Researchers reviewed charts for patients (n = 66) seen at a pediatric oncology clinic in a suburban academic medical center to determine engagement in developmental screening (including functioning around related areas such as speech, neurocognition, etc.) and referrals for care in these areas. RESULTS: Developmental histories were collected from all patients through admission history and physical examination (H&P), but there was no routinized follow-up. Physicians did not conduct regular developmental screening per American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for any patients but identified n = 3 patients with needs while the psychology team routinely surveilled all patients seen during this time (n = 41) and identified n = 18 patients as having delays. DISCUSSION: Physicians did not routinely screen for development needs beyond H&P and were inconsistent in developmental follow-up/referrals. Integrated psychologists were key in generating referrals for developmental-based care. However, many oncology patients were not seen by psychologists quickly or at all, creating a significant gap in care during a crucial developmental period. CONCLUSION: The case is made for further routinization of ongoing developmental screening in pediatric oncology care.

Drivers of access to cardiovascular health care for rural Indigenous Peoples: a scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Māori (the Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) are disproportionately represented in cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, morbidity and mortality rates, and are less likely to receive evidence-based CVD health care. Rural Māori experience additional barriers to treatment access, poorer health outcomes and a greater burden of CVD risk factors compared to Non-Māori and Māori living in urban areas. Importantly, these inequities are similarly experienced by Indigenous Peoples in other nations impacted by colonisation. Given the scarcity of available literature, a systematic scoping review was conducted on literature exploring barriers and facilitators in accessing CVD health care for rural Māori and other Indigenous Peoples in nations impacted by colonisation. METHODS: The review was underpinned by Kaupapa Māori Research methodology and was conducted utilising Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) methodological framework. A database search of MEDLINE (OVID), PubMed, Embase, SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre and NZResearch.org was used to explore empirical research literature. A grey literature search was also conducted. Literature based in any healthcare setting providing care to adults for CVD was included. Rural or remote Indigenous Peoples from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the US were included. Literature was included if it addressed cardiovascular conditions and reported barriers and facilitators to healthcare access in any care setting. RESULTS: A total of 363 articles were identified from the database search. An additional 19 reports were identified in the grey literature search. Following screening, 16 articles were included from the database search and 5 articles from the grey literature search. The literature was summarised using the Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi) Framework principles: tino rangatiratanga (self-determination), partnership, active protection, equity and options. Themes elucidated from the literature were described as key drivers of CVD healthcare access for rural Indigenous Peoples. Key driver themes included input from rural Indigenous Peoples on healthcare service design and delivery, adequate resourcing and support of indigenous and rural healthcare services, addressing systemic racism and historical trauma, providing culturally appropriate health care, rural Indigenous Peoples' access to family and wellbeing support, rural Indigenous Peoples' differential access to the wider social determinants of health, effective interservice linkages and communication, and equity-driven and congruent data systems. CONCLUSION: The findings are consistent with other literature exploring access to health care for rural Indigenous Peoples. This review offers a novel approach to summarising literature by situating the themes within the context of equity and rights for Indigenous Peoples. This review also highlighted the need for further research in this area to be conducted in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Telematic Interview in Telepharmacy: a comprehensive guide for pharmacotherapeutic follow-up and and informed drug delivery. / [Artículo traducido] Entrevista telemática en telefarmacia: documento de consenso para el seguimiento farmacoterapéutico y la entrega informada de medicamentos.

Telepharmacy is defined as the practice of remote pharmaceutical care, using information and communication technologies. Given its growing importance in outpatient pharmaceutical care, the Spanish Society of Hospital Pharmacy developed a consensus document, Guía de entrevista telemática en atención farmacéutica, as part of its strategy for the development and expansion of telepharmacy, with key recommendations for effective pharmacotherapeutic monitoring and informed dispensing and delivery of medications through telematic interviews. The document was developed by a working group of hospital pharmacists with experience in the field. It highlights the benefits of telematic interviewing for patients, hospital pharmacy professionals, and the healthcare system as a whole, reviews the various tools for conducting telematic interviews, and provides recommendations for each phase of the interview. These recommendations cover aspects such as tool/platform selection, patient selection, obtaining authorization and consent, assessing technological skills, defining objectives and structure, scheduling appointments, reviewing medical records, and ensuring humane treatment. Telematic interview is a valuable complement to face-to-face consultations but its novelty requires a strategic and formal framework that this consensus document aims to cover. The use of appropriate communication tools and compliance with recommended procedures ensure patient safety and satisfaction. By implementing telematic interviews, healthcare institutions can improve patient care, optimize the use of resources and promote continuity of care.