Moderating Effects of Informal Care on the Relationship Between ADL Limitations and Adverse Outcomes in Stroke Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Stroke survivors with limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) have a greater risk of experiencing falls, hospitalizations, or physical function decline. We examined how informal caregiving received in hours per week by stroke survivors moderated the relationship between ADL limitations and adverse outcomes. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort, community-dwelling participants were extracted from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2020; n=277) and included if they had at least 1 formal or informal caregiver and reported an incident stroke in the prior year. Participants reported the amount of informal caregiving received in the month prior (low [<5.8], moderate [5.8-27.1], and high [27.2-350.4] hours per week) and their number of ADL limitations (ranging from 0 to 7). Participants were surveyed 1 year later to determine the number of adverse outcomes (ie, falls, hospitalizations, and physical function decline) experienced over the year. Poisson regression coefficients were converted to average marginal effects and estimated the moderating effects of informal caregiving hours per week on the relationship between ADL limitations and adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Stroke survivors were 69.7% White, 54.5% female, with an average age of 80.5 (SD, 7.6) years and 1.2 adverse outcomes at 2 years after the incident stroke. The relationships between informal caregiving hours and adverse outcomes and between ADL limitations and adverse outcomes were positive. The interaction between informal caregiving hours per week and ADL limitations indicated that those who received the lowest amount of informal caregiving had a rate of 0.12 more adverse outcomes per ADL (average marginal effect, 0.12 [95% CI, 0.005-0.23]; P=0.041) than those who received the highest amounts. CONCLUSIONS: Informal caregiving hours moderated the relationship between ADL limitations and adverse outcomes in this sample of community-based stroke survivors. Higher amounts relative to lower amounts of informal caregiving hours per week may be protective by decreasing the rate of adverse outcomes per ADL limitation.

Association of Continuity of Care With Health Care Utilization and Expenditures Among Patients Discharged Home After Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association of prestroke continuity of care (COC) with postdischarge health care utilization and expenditures. STUDY POPULATION: The study population included 2233 patients with a diagnosis of stroke or a transient ischemic attack hospitalized in one of 41 hospitals in North Carolina between March 2016 and July 2019 and discharged directly home from acute care. METHODS: COC was assessed from linked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Medicare claims using the Modified, Modified Continuity Index. Logistic regressions and 2-part models were used to examine the association of prestroke primary care COC with postdischarge health care utilization and expenditures. RESULTS: Relative to patients in the first (lowest) COC quartile, patients in the second and third COC quartiles were more likely [21% (95% CI: 8.5%, 33.5%) and 33% (95% CI: 20.5%, 46.1%), respectively] to have an ambulatory care visit within 14 days. Patients in the highest COC quartile were more likely to visit a primary care provider but less likely to see a stroke specialist. Highest as compared with lowest primary care COC quartile was associated with $45 lower (95% CI: $14, $76) average expenditure for ambulatory care visits within 30 days postdischarge. Patients in the highest, as compared with the lowest, primary care COC quartile were 36% less likely (95% CI: 8%, 64%) to be readmitted within 30 days postdischarge and spent $340 less (95% CI: $2, $678) on unplanned readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the importance of primary care COC received before stroke hospitalization to postdischarge care and expenditures.

Post-acute Ambulatory Care Service Use Among Patients Discharged Home After Stroke or TIA: The Cluster-randomized COMPASS Study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We examined transitional care management within 90 days and 1 year following discharge home among acute stroke and transient ischemic attack patients from the Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study, a cluster-randomized pragmatic trial of early supported discharge conducted in 41 hospitals (40 hospital units) in North Carolina, United States. METHODS: Data for 2262 of the total 6024 (37.6%; 1069 intervention and 1193 usual care) COMPASS patients were linked with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services fee-for-service Medicare claims. Time to the first ambulatory care visit was examined using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for patient characteristics not included in the randomization protocol. RESULTS: Only 6% of the patients [mean (SD) age 74.9 (10.2) years, 52.1% women, 80.3% White)] did not have an ambulatory care visit within 90 days postdischarge. Mean time (SD) to first ambulatory care visit was 12.0 (26.0) and 16.3 (35.1) days in intervention and usual care arms, respectively, with the majority of visits in both study arms to primary care providers. The COMPASS intervention resulted in a 27% greater use of ambulatory care services within 1 year postdischarge, relative to usual care [HR=1.27 (95% CI: 1.14-1.41)]. The use of transitional care billing codes was significantly greater in the intervention arm as compared with usual care [OR=1.87 (95% CI: 1.54-2.27)]. DISCUSSION: The COMPASS intervention, which was aimed at improving stroke post-acute care, was associated with an increase in the use of ambulatory care services by stroke and transient ischemic attack patients discharged home and an increased use of transitional care billing codes by ambulatory providers.

Postacute Expenditures Among Patients Discharged Home After Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: The COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Trial.

OBJECTIVES: The COMPASS (COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services) pragmatic trial cluster-randomized 40 hospitals in North Carolina to the COMPASS transitional care (TC) postacute care intervention or usual care. We estimated the difference in healthcare expenditures postdischarge for patients enrolled in the COMPASS-TC model of care compared with usual care. METHODS: We linked data for patients with stroke or transient ischemic attack enrolled in the COMPASS trial with administrative claims from Medicare fee-for-service (n = 2262), Medicaid (n = 341), and a large private insurer (n = 234). The primary outcome was 90-day total expenditures, analyzed separately by payer. Secondary outcomes were total expenditures 30- and 365-days postdischarge and, among Medicare beneficiaries, expenditures by point of service. In addition to intent-to-treat analysis, we conducted a per-protocol analysis to compare Medicare patients who received the intervention with those who did not, using randomization status as an instrumental variable. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant difference in total 90-day postacute expenditures between intervention and usual care; the results were consistent across payers. Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the COMPASS intervention arm had higher 90-day hospital readmission expenditures ($682, 95% CI $60-$1305), 30-day emergency department expenditures ($132, 95% CI $13-$252), and 30-day ambulatory care expenditures ($67, 95% CI $38-$96) compared with usual care. The per-protocol analysis did not yield a significant difference in 90-day postacute care expenditures for Medicare COMPASS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The COMPASS-TC model did not significantly change patients' total healthcare expenditures for up to 1 year postdischarge.

Prevalence and Predictors of Ambulatory Care Physicians' Documentation of Mobility Limitations in Older Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how often physicians document mobility limitations in visits with older adults, and which patient, physician, and practice characteristics associate with documented mobility limitations. DESIGN: We completed a cross-sectional analysis of National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys, years 2012-2016. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify patient, physician, and practice-level factors associated with mobility limitation documentation. SETTING: Ambulatory care visits. PARTICIPANTS: We analyzed visits with adults 65 years and older. Final sample size represented 1.3 billion weighted visits. INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: We defined the presence/absence of a mobility limitation by whether any International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 or ICD-10 code related to mobility limitations, injury codes, or the patient's "reasons for visit" were documented in the visits. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of mobility limitation documentation was 2.4%. The most common codes were falls-related. Patient-level factors more likely to be associated with mobility limitation documentation were visits by individuals over 85 years of age, relative to 65-69 years, (odds ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.76-3.07]; with a comorbid diagnosis of arthritis (odds ratio 1.35, 1.18-2.01); and with a comorbid diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (odds ratio 1.60, 1.13-2.26). Patient-level factors less likely to be associated with mobility limitation documentation were visits by men (odds ratio 0.80, 0.64-0.99); individuals with a cancer diagnosis (odds ratio 0.76, 0.58-0.99); and by individuals seeking care for a chronic problem (relative to a new problem [odds ratio 0.36, 0.29-0.44]). Physician-level factors associated with an increased likelihood of mobility limitation documentation were visits to neurologists (odds ratios 4.48, 2.41-8.32) and orthopedists (odds ratio 2.67, 1.49-4.79) compared with primary care physicians. At the practice-level, mobility documentation varied based on the percentage of practice revenue from Medicare. CONCLUSIONS: Mobility limitations are under-documented and may be primarily captured when changes in function are overt.

Association of Physical Therapy Treatment Frequency in the Acute Care Hospital With Improving Functional Status and Discharging Home.

BACKGROUND: Physical therapists (PTs) are consulted to address functional deficits during hospitalization, but the effect of PT visit frequency on patients' outcomes is not clear. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine whether PT visit frequency is independently associated with functional improvement, discharge home, and both outcomes combined. RESEARCH DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Patients discharged from hospitals in 1 health system between 2017 and 2020, stratified by diagnostic subgroup: cardiothoracic and vascular, general medical/surgical, neurological, oncology, and orthopedic. MEASURES: PT visit frequency was categorized as ≤2, >2-4, >4-7, >7 visits/week. Functional improvement was defined as ≥5-point improvement in Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care mobility score. Other outcomes were discharge home and both outcomes combined. RESULTS: There were 243,779 patients included. Proportions within frequency categories ranged from 11.0% (>7 visits/wk) to 40.5% (≤2 visits/wk) and varied by subgroup. In the full sample, 36% of patients improved function, 64% were discharged home, and 27% achieved both outcomes. In adjusted analyses, relative to ≤2 visits/week, the adjusted relative risk (aRR) for functional improvement increased incrementally with higher frequency (aRR=1.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.14-1.26 for >2-4 visits to aRR=1.78, 95% confidence interval: 1.55-2.03 for >7 visits). For all patients and within subgroups, the higher frequency was also associated with a greater likelihood of discharging home and achieving both outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: More frequent PT visits during hospitalization may facilitate functional improvement and discharge home. Most patients, however, receive infrequent visits. Further research is needed to determine the optimal delivery of PT services to meet individual patient needs.

Skilled Nursing and Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Use by Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries Discharged Home After a Stroke: Findings From the COMPASS Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of a comprehensive transitional care model on the use of skilled nursing facility (SNF) and inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) care in the 12 months after acute care discharge home following stroke; and to identify predictors of experiencing a SNF or IRF admission following discharge home after stroke. DESIGN: Cluster randomized pragmatic trial SETTING: Forty-one acute care hospitals in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: 2262 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries with transient ischemic attack or stroke discharged home. The sample was 80.3% White and 52.1% female, with a mean (SD) age of 74.9 (10.2) years and a mean ± SD National Institutes of Health stroke scale score of 2.3 (3.7). INTERVENTION: Comprehensive transitional care model (COMPASS-TC), which consisted of a 2-day follow-up phone call from the postacute care coordinator and 14-day in-person visit with the postacute care coordinator and advanced practice provider. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to first SNF or IRF and SNF or IRF admission (yes/no) in the 12 months following discharge home. All analyses utilized multivariable mixed models including a hospital-specific random effect to account for the non-independence of measures within hospital. Intent to treat analyses using Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the effect of COMPASS-TC on time to SNF/IRF admission. Logistic regression was used to identify clinical and non-clinical predictors of SNF/IRF admission. RESULTS: Only 34% of patients in the intervention arm received COMPASS-TC per protocol. COMPASS-TC was not associated with a reduced hazard of a SNF/ IRF admission in the 12 months post-discharge (hazard ratio, 1.20, with a range of 0.95-1.52) compared to usual care. This estimate was robust to additional covariate adjustment (hazard ratio, 1.23) (0.93-1.64). Both clinical and non-clinical factors (ie, insurance, geography) were predictors of SNF/IRF use. CONCLUSIONS: COMPASS-TC was not consistently incorporated into real-world clinical practice. The use of a comprehensive transitional care model for patients discharged home after stroke was not associated with SNF or IRF admissions in a 12-month follow-up period. Non-clinical factors predictive of SNF/IRF use suggest potential issues with access to this type of care.

The Cost of Implementing and Sustaining the COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services Model.

BACKGROUND: The COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) model, a transitional care intervention for stroke patients discharged home, was tested against status quo postacute stroke care in a cluster-randomized trial in 40 hospitals in North Carolina. This study examined the hospital-level costs associated with implementing and sustaining COMPASS. METHODS: Using an activity-based costing survey, we estimated hospital-level resource costs spent on COMPASS-related activities during approximately 1 year. We identified hospitals that were actively engaged in COMPASS during the year before the survey and collected resource cost estimates from 22 hospitals. We used median wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and COMPASS enrollment data to estimate the hospital-level costs per COMPASS enrollee. RESULTS: Between November 2017 and March 2019, 1582 patients received the COMPASS intervention across the 22 hospitals included in this analysis. Average annual hospital-level COMPASS costs were $2861 per patient (25th percentile: $735; 75th percentile: $3,475). Having 10% higher stroke patient volume was associated with 5.1% lower COMPASS costs per patient (P=0.016). About half (N=10) of hospitals reported postacute clinic visits as their highest-cost activity, while a third (N=7) reported case ascertainment (ie, identifying eligible patients) as their highest-cost activity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the costs of implementing COMPASS varied across hospitals. On average, hospitals with higher stroke volume and higher enrollment reported lower costs per patient. Based on average costs of COMPASS and readmissions for stroke patients, COMPASS could lower net costs if the model is able to prevent about 6 readmissions per year.

Association Between Use of Rehabilitation in the Acute Care Hospital and Hospital Readmission or Mortality in Patients With Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between the number of physical and occupational therapist visits received in the acute care hospital and the risk of hospital readmission or death. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of electronic health records and administrative claims data collected for 2.25 years (January 1, 2016-March 30, 2018). SETTING: Twelve acute care hospitals in a large health care system in western Pennsylvania. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N=8279) discharged with a primary stroke diagnosis. INTERVENTIONS: The exposure was number of physical and occupational therapist visits during the acute care stay. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Generalized linear mixed models were estimated to examine the relationship between therapy use and 30- and 7-day hospital readmission or death (outcome), controlling for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: The 30- and 7-day readmission or death rates were 16.0% and 5.7%, respectively. The number of therapist visits was inversely related to the risk of 30-day readmission or death. Relative to no therapist visits, the odds of readmission or death were 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.90) for individuals who received 1-2 visits, 0.59 (95% CI, 0.43-0.81) for 3-5 visits, and 0.57 (95% CI, 0.39-0.81) for >5 visits. A similar pattern was seen for the 7-day outcome, with slightly larger effect sizes. Effects were also greater in individuals with more mobility limitations on admission and for those discharged to a postacute care facility vs home. CONCLUSIONS: There was an inverse relationship between the number of therapist visits and risk for readmission or death for patients with stroke discharged from an acute care hospital. Effects differed by time to the event (30d vs 7d), discharge location, and mobility limitations on admission.

Hospital to Home Transition for Patients With Stroke Under Bundled Payments.

Bundled payments are a promising alternative payment model for reducing costs and improving the coordination of postacute stroke care, yet there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of bundled payments for stroke. This may be due to the lack of effective strategies to address the complex needs of stroke survivors. In this article, we describe COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS), a comprehensive transitional care intervention focused on discharge from the acute care setting to home. COMPASS may serve as a potential care redesign strategy under bundled payments for stroke, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Bundled Payment for Care Improvement Initiative. The COMPASS care model is aligned with the incentive structures and essential components of bundled payments in terms of care coordination, patient assessment, patient and family involvement, and continuity of care. Ongoing evaluation will inform the design of incorporating COMPASS-like transitional care interventions into a stroke bundle.

Movement Matters, and So Does Context: Lessons Learned From Multisite Implementation of the Movement Matters Activity Program for Stroke in the Comprehensive Postacute Stroke Services Study.

The purpose of this Special Communication is to discuss the rationale and design of the Movement Matters Activity Program for Stroke (MMAP) and explore implementation successes and challenges in home health and outpatient therapy practices across the stroke belt state of North Carolina. MMAP is an interventional component of the Comprehensive Postacute Stroke Services Study, a randomized multicenter pragmatic trial of stroke transitional care. MMAP was designed to maximize survivor health, recovery, and functional independence in the community and to promote evidence-based rehabilitative care. MMAP provided training, tools, and resources to enable rehabilitation providers to (1) prescribe physical activity and exercise according to evidence-based guidelines and programs, (2) match service setting and parameters with survivor function and benefit coverage, and (3) align treatment with quality metric reporting to demonstrate value-based care. MMAP implementation strategies were aligned with the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change project, and MMAP site champion and facilitator survey feedback were thematically organized into the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains. MMAP implementation was challenging, required modification and was affected by provider- and system-level factors. Program and study participation were limited and affected by practice priorities, productivity standards, and stroke patient volume. Sites with successful implementation appeared to have empowered MMAP champions in vertically integrated systems that embraced innovation. Findings from this broad evaluation can serve as a road map for the design and implementation of other comprehensive, complex interventions that aim to bridge the currently disconnected realms of acute care, postacute care, and community resources.

Predictors of Physical Therapy Referral Among Persons With Peripheral Vestibular Disorders in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of physical therapy (PT) referral and patient and physician characteristics associated with PT referral for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and other peripheral vestibular disorders (PVD) in ambulatory care clinics in the United States. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey 2004-2015 SETTING: Ambulatory care clinics in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: We identified 5.6 million weighted adult visits for BPPV (International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision-Clinical Modifications (ICD-9-CM): 386.11) and 6.6 million weighted visits for other PVDs (ICD-9-CM: 386.1-386.9, excluding 386.11 and 386.2) made by patients 18 years and older from 2004 through 2015. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient, clinical, and physician characteristics were extracted, and descriptive statistics were stratified by referral to PT. Two multivariable logistic regression models were estimated for each diagnostic group (BPPV and other PVDs) to identify predictors of PT referral. RESULTS: PT referrals for BPPV increased from 6.2% in the period from 2004 to 2006 to 12.9% in the period from 2013 to 2015, whereas PT referrals for other PVDs decreased from 3.8% in the period from 2004 to 2006 to 0.5% in the period from 2013 to 2015. Other insurance coverage (versus private) and neurologists and other specialists (versus otolaryngologists) were associated with a greater odds of PT referral for BPPV. Visits made in the Midwest and West (versus the Northeast) and in rural versus metropolitan areas had greater odds of PT referral for BPPV. Relative to otolaryngologists, primary care physicians were less likely to refer to PT for other PVDs. Visits made in metropolitan versus rural areas and visits with 1 or more comorbidities (versus none) had greater odds of PT referral for other PVDs. CONCLUSIONS: PT referrals remain low for ambulatory care visits for BPPV and other PVDs in the United States. Referral to PT for BPPV and other PVDs varied by insurance type, physician specialty, and office location.

Potential long-term impact of "On The Move" group-exercise program on falls and healthcare utilization in older adults: an exploratory analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Wellness program participation may reduce the risk of falling, emergency department-use, and hospitalization among older adults. "On the Move" (OTM), a community-based group exercise program focused on the timing and coordination of walking, improved mobility in older adults, but its impact on falls, emergency department-use, and hospitalizations remains unclear. The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the potential long-term effects that OTM may have on downstream, tertiary outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized, single-blind intervention trial, which compared two community-based, group exercise programs: OTM and a seated exercise program on strength, endurance, and flexibility (i.e. 'usual-care'). Program classes met for 50 min/session, 2 sessions/week, for 12 weeks. Older adults (≥65 years), with the ability to ambulate independently at ≥0.60 m/s were recruited. Self-reported incidence of falls, emergency department visitation, and hospitalization were assessed using automated monthly phone calls for the year following intervention completion. Participants with ≥1 completed phone call were included in the analyses. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated (reference = usual-care). RESULTS: Participants (n = 248) were similar on baseline characteristics and number of monthly phone calls completed. Participants in the seated exercise program attended an average of 2.9 more classes (p = .017). Of note, all results were not statistically significant (i.e. 95% CI overlapped a null value of 1.0). However, point estimates suggest OTM participation resulted in a decreased incidence rate of hospitalization compared to usual-care (IRR = 0.88; 95% CI = 0.59-1.32), and the estimates strengthened when controlling for between-group differences in attendance (adjusted IRR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.56-1.21). Falls and emergency department visit incidence rates were initially greater for OTM participants, but decreased after controlling for attendance (adjusted IRR = 1.08; 95% CI = 0.72-1.62 and adjusted IRR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.55-1.66, respectively). CONCLUSION: Compared to a community-based seated group exercise program, participation in OTM may result in a reduced risk of hospitalization. When OTM is adhered to, the risk for falling and hospitalizations are attenuated. However, definitive conclusions cannot be made. Nevertheless, it appears that a larger randomized trial, designed to specifically evaluate the impact of OTM on these downstream health outcomes is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical trials.gov (NCT01986647; prospectively registered on November 18, 2013).

Physical and Occupational Therapy From the Acute to Community Setting After Stroke: Predictors of Use, Continuity of Care, and Timeliness of Care.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of therapist use (any use, continuity of care, timing of care) in the acute care hospital and community (home or outpatient) for patients discharged home after stroke. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis of Medicare claims (2010-2013) linked to hospital-level and county-level data. SETTING: Acute care hospital and community. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=23,413) who survived the first 30 days at home after being discharged from an acute care hospital after stroke. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical and occupational therapist use in acute care and community settings; continuity of care across the inpatient and home or the inpatient and outpatient settings; and early therapist use in the home or outpatient setting. Multivariate logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify hospital-level, county-level, and sociodemographic characteristics associated with therapist use, continuity, and timing, controlling for clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of patients received therapy in the acute care hospital, but only 40.8% received care in the first 30 days after discharge. Hospital nurse staffing was positively associated with inpatient and outpatient therapist use and continuity of care across settings. Primary care provider supply was associated with inpatient and outpatient therapist use, continuity of care, and early therapist care in the home and outpatient setting. Therapist supply was associated with continuity of care and early therapist use in the community. There was consistent evidence of sociodemographic disparities in therapist use. CONCLUSIONS: Therapist use after stroke varies in the community and for specific sociodemographic subgroups and may be underused. Inpatient nurse staffing levels and primary care provider supply were the most consistent predictors of therapist use, continuity of care, and early therapist use.

Community Use of Physical and Occupational Therapy After Stroke and Risk of Hospital Readmission.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether receipt of therapy and number and timing of therapy visits decreased hospital readmission risk in stroke survivors discharged home. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis of Medicare claims (2010-2013). SETTING: Acute care hospital and community. PARTICIPANTS: Patients hospitalized for stroke who were discharged home and survived the first 30 days (N=23,413; mean age ± SD, 77.6±7.5y). INTERVENTIONS: Physical and occupational therapist use in the home and/or outpatient setting in the first 30 days after discharge (any use, number of visits, and days to first visit). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital readmission 30 to 60 days after discharge. Covariates included demographic characteristics, proxy variables for functional status, hospitalization characteristics, comorbidities, and prior health care use. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the relation between therapist use and readmission. RESULTS: During the first 30 days after discharge, 31% of patients saw a therapist in the home, 11% saw a therapist in an outpatient setting, and 59% did not see a therapist. Relative to patients who had no therapist contact, those who saw an outpatient therapist were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.90). Although the point estimates did not reach statistical significance, there was some suggestion that the greater the number of therapist visits in the home and the sooner the visits started, the lower the risk of hospital readmission. CONCLUSIONS: After controlling for observable demographic-, clinical-, and health-related differences, we found that individuals who received outpatient therapy in the first 30 days after discharge home after stroke were less likely to be readmitted to the hospital in the subsequent 30 days, relative to those who received no therapy.

The Comprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) study: design and methods for a cluster-randomized pragmatic trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients discharged home after stroke face significant challenges managing residual neurological deficits, secondary prevention, and pre-existing chronic conditions. Post-discharge care is often fragmented leading to increased healthcare costs, readmissions, and sub-optimal utilization of rehabilitation and community services. The COMprehensive Post-Acute Stroke Services (COMPASS) Study is an ongoing cluster-randomized pragmatic trial to assess the effectiveness of a comprehensive, evidence-based, post-acute care model on patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: Forty-one hospitals in North Carolina were randomized (as 40 units) to either implement the COMPASS care model or continue their usual care. The recruitment goal is 6000 patients (3000 per arm). Hospital staff ascertain and enroll patients discharged home with a clinical diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack. Patients discharged from intervention hospitals receive 2-day telephone follow-up; a comprehensive clinic visit within 2 weeks that includes a neurological evaluation, assessments of social and functional determinants of health, and an individualized COMPASS Care Plan™ integrated with a community-specific resource database; and additional follow-up calls at 30 and 60 days post-stroke discharge. This model is consistent with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services transitional care management services provided by physicians or advanced practice providers with support from a nurse to conduct patient assessments and coordinate follow-up services. Patients discharged from usual care hospitals represent the control group and receive the standard of care in place at that hospital. Patient-centered outcomes are collected from telephone surveys administered at 90 days. The primary endpoint is patient-reported functional status as measured by the Stroke Impact Scale 16. Secondary outcomes are: caregiver strain, all-cause readmissions, mortality, healthcare utilization, and medication adherence. The study engages patients, caregivers, and other stakeholders (including policymakers, advocacy groups, payers, and local community coalitions) to advise and support the design, implementation, and sustainability of the COMPASS care model. DISCUSSION: Given the high societal and economic burden of stroke, identifying a care model to improve recovery, independence, and quality of life is critical for stroke survivors and their caregivers. The pragmatic trial design provides a real-world assessment of the COMPASS care model effectiveness and will facilitate rapid implementation into clinical practice if successful. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02588664 ; October 23, 2015.

Comparative Short-term Safety of Sodium Ferric Gluconate Versus Iron Sucrose in Hemodialysis Patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite different pharmacologic properties, little is known about the comparative safety of sodium ferric gluconate versus iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study using the clinical database of a large dialysis provider (2004-2005) merged with administrative data from the US Renal Data System. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 66,207 patients with Medicare coverage who received center-based hemodialysis. PREDICTORS: Iron formulation use assessed during repeated 1-month exposure periods (n=278,357). OUTCOMES: All-cause mortality, infection-related hospitalizations and mortality, and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations and mortality occurring during a 3-month follow-up period. MEASUREMENTS: For all outcomes, we estimated 90-day risk differences between the formulations using propensity score weighting of Kaplan-Meier functions, which controlled for a wide range of demographic, clinical, and laboratory variables. Risk differences were also estimated within various clinically important subgroups. RESULTS: Ferric gluconate was administered in 11.4%; iron sucrose, in 48.9%; and no iron in 39.7% of the periods. Risks for most study outcomes did not differ between ferric gluconate and iron sucrose; however, among patients with a hemodialysis catheter, use of ferric gluconate was associated with a slightly decreased risk for both infection-related death (risk difference, -0.3%; 95% CI, -0.5% to 0.0%) and infection-related hospitalization (risk difference, -1.5%; 95% CI, -2.3% to -0.6%). Bolus dosing was associated with an increase in infection-related events among both ferric gluconate and iron sucrose users. LIMITATIONS: Residual confounding and outcome measurement error. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the 2 iron formulations studied exhibited similar safety profiles; however, ferric gluconate was associated with a slightly decreased risk for infection-related outcomes compared to iron sucrose among patients with a hemodialysis catheter. These associations should be explored further using other data or study designs.

Comparative Effectiveness of Iron and Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Dosing on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: The potential effects of iron-dosing strategies and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the dialysis population are unclear. We examined the independent associations of bolus versus maintenance iron dosing and high versus low ESA dosing on HRQoL. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort design. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: Clinical data (2008-2010) from a large dialysis organization merged with data from the US Renal Data System. 13,039 patients receiving center-based hemodialysis were included. PREDICTOR: Iron and ESA dosing were assessed during 1-month (n=14,901) and 2-week (n=15,296) exposure periods. OUTCOMES: HRQoL was measured by the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument (0-100 scale) during a 3-month follow-up period. MEASUREMENTS: Generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for several covariates, were used to estimate associations between iron and ESA dosing and HRQoL overall and for clinically relevant subgroups. RESULTS: For the 1-month exposure period, patients with lower baseline hemoglobin levels who received higher ESA dosing had higher physical health and kidney disease symptom scores (by 2.4 [95% CI, 0.6-4.2] and 5.6 [95% CI, 2.8-8.4] points, respectively) in follow-up than patients who received lower ESA dosing. For the 2-week exposure period, patients with low baseline hemoglobin levels who received bolus dosing had higher mental health scores (by 1.9 [95% CI, 0.0-3.8] points) in follow-up. Within the low-baseline-hemoglobin subgroup, individuals with a catheter or dialysis vintage less than 1 year who received higher ESA dosing had higher HRQoL scores in follow-up (by 5.0-9.9 points) and individuals with low baseline transferrin saturations who received bolus dosing had higher HRQoL scores in follow-up (by 2.6-5.8 points). LIMITATIONS: Observational design; short duration of observation. CONCLUSIONS: For individuals with low baseline hemoglobin levels, higher ESA dosing and bolus iron dosing were associated with slightly higher HRQoL scores in follow-up. These differences became more pronounced and clinically relevant for specific subgroups.

Observation stays in administrative claims databases: underestimation of hospitalized cases.

PURPOSE: Recent policy changes in the USA have led to an increasing number of patients being placed into observation units rather than admitted directly to the hospital. Studies of administrative data that use inpatient diagnosis codes to identify cohorts, outcomes, or covariates may be affected by this change in practice. To understand the potential impact of observation stays on research using administrative healthcare data, we examine the trends of observation stays, short (≤2 days) inpatient admissions, and all inpatient admissions. METHODS: We examined a large administrative claims database of commercially insured individuals in the USA between 2002 and 2011. Observation stays were defined on the basis of the procedure codes reimbursable by Medicare or commercial insurers. We report monthly rates of observation stays and short inpatient admissions overall and by patient demographics. RESULTS: We identified 5 355 752 observation stays from 2002 to 2011. Over the course of study, the rate of observation stays increased, whereas the rate of short inpatient stays declined. The most common reason for observation stays was nonspecific chest pain, also the third most common reason for short inpatient stays. The increasing trend of observation stays related to circulatory diseases mirrors the decreasing trend of short inpatient stays. CONCLUSIONS: The use of observation stays has increased in patients with commercial insurance. Failure to account for observation stays may lead to an under-ascertainment of hospitalizations in contemporary administrative healthcare data from the USA.

Comparative short-term safety of bolus versus maintenance iron dosing in hemodialysis patients: a replication study.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has reported that patients receiving bolus (frequent large doses to achieve iron repletion) versus maintenance dosing of iron have an increased short-term risk of infection, but a similar risk of cardiovascular events. We sought to determine whether these findings could be replicated using the same methods and a different data source. METHODS: Clinical data from 6,605 patients of a small U.S. dialysis provider merged with Medicare claims data were examined. Iron dosing patterns (bolus, maintenance, no iron) were identified during 1-month exposure periods and cardiovascular and infection-related outcomes were assessed during 3-month follow-up periods. The effects of bolus versus maintenance dosing were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to estimate hazard ratios and semiparametric additive risk models to estimate hazard rate differences, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory values and medications, and comorbidities. RESULTS: 48,050 exposure/follow-up periods were examined. 13.9 percent of the exposure periods were bolus dosing, 49.3 percent were maintenance dosing, and the remainder were no iron use. All of the adjusted hazard ratios were >1.00 for the infection-related outcomes, suggesting that bolus dosing increases the risk of these events. The effects were greatest for hospitalized for infection of any major organ system (hazard ratio 1.13 (1.03, 1.24)) and use of intravenous antibiotics (hazard ratio 1.08 (1.02, 1.15). When examining the subgroup of individuals with catheters, the hazard ratios for the infection-related outcomes were generally greater than in the overall sample. There was little association between type of dosing practice and cardiovascular outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study provide further evidence of the association between bolus dosing and increased infection risk, particularly in the subgroup of patients with a catheter, and of the lack of an association between dosing practices and cardiovascular outcomes.