Association between military service and Alzheimer's disease neuropathology at autopsy.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-amyloid therapies are at the forefront of efforts to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD). Identifying amyloid risk factors may aid screening and intervention strategies. While veterans face increased exposure to risk factors, whether they face a greater neuropathologic amyloid burden is not well understood. METHODS: Male decedents donating to two Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) brain banks from 1986 to 2018 with categorized neuritic plaque density and neurofibrillary tangles (n = 597) were included. Using generalized ordered logistic regression we modeled each outcome's association with military history adjusting for age and death year. RESULTS: Having served in the military (60% of sample) is associated with post mortem neuritic amyloid plaque (for each comparison of higher to lower C scores OR = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.49) and tau pathology (B score OR = 1.10; 95% CI = 1.08-1.12). DISCUSSION: This is the first study, to our knowledge, finding increased levels of verified AD neuropathology in those with military service. Targeted veteran AD therapies is a pressing need.

Deriving life-course residential histories in brain bank cohorts: A feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: The exposome is theorized to interact with biological mechanisms to influence risk for Alzheimer's disease but is not well-integrated into existing Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) brain bank data collection. METHODS: We apply public data tracing, an iterative, dual abstraction and validation process rooted in rigorous historic archival methods, to develop life-course residential histories for 1254 ADRC decedents. RESULTS: The median percentage of the life course with an address is 78.1% (IQR 24.9); 56.5% of the sample has an address for at least 75% of their life course. Archivists had 89.7% agreement at the address level. This method matched current residential survey methodology 97.4% on average. DISCUSSION: This novel method demonstrates feasibility, reproducibility, and rigor for historic data collection. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that public data tracing methods for brain bank decedent residential history development can be used to better integrate the social exposome with biobank specimens. HIGHLIGHTS: Public data tracing compares favorably to survey-based residential history. Public data tracing is feasible and reproducible between archivists. Archivists achieved 89.7% agreement at the address level. This method identifies residences for nearly 80% of life-years, on average. This novel method enables brain banks to add social characterizations.

Differential Effects of an Emergency Department-to-Home Care Transitions Intervention in an Older Adult Population: A Latent Class Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Older adults frequently return to the emergency department (ED) within 30 days of a visit. High-risk patients can differentially benefit from transitional care interventions. Latent class analysis (LCA) is a model-based method used to segment the population and test intervention effects by subgroup. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify latent classes within an older adult population from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an ED-to-home transitional care program and test whether class membership modified the intervention effect. RESEARCH DESIGN: Participants were randomized to receive the Care Transitions Intervention or usual care. Study staff collected outcomes data through medical record reviews and surveys. We performed LCA and logistic regression to evaluate the differential effects of the intervention by class membership. SUBJECTS: Participants were ED patients (age 60 y and above) discharged to a community residence. MEASURES: Indicator variables for the LCA included clinically available and patient-reported data from the initial ED visit. Our primary outcome was ED revisits within 30 days. Secondary outcomes included ED revisits within 14 days, outpatient follow-up within 7 and 30 days, and self-management behaviors. RESULTS: We interpreted 6 latent classes in this study population. Classes 1, 4, 5, and 6 showed a reduction in ED revisit rates with the intervention; classes 2 and 3 showed an increase in ED revisit rates. In class 5, we found evidence that the intervention increased outpatient follow-up within 7 and 30 days (odds ratio: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.13-2.91; odds ratio: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.25-4.03). CONCLUSIONS: Class membership modified the intervention effect. Population segmentation is an important step in evaluating a transitional care intervention.

Multimethod Process Evaluation of a Community Paramedic Delivered Care Transitions Intervention for Older Emergency Department Patients.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed fidelity of delivery and participant engagement in the implementation of a community paramedic coach-led Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) program adapted for use following emergency department (ED) visits. METHODS: The adapted CTI for ED-to-home transitions was implemented at three university-affiliated hospitals in two cities from 2016 to 2019. Participants were aged ≥60 years old and discharged from the ED within 24 hours of arrival. In the current analysis, participants had to have received the CTI. Community paramedic coaches collected data on program delivery and participant characteristics at each transition contact via inventories and assessments. Participants provided commentary on the acceptability of the adapted CTI. Using a multimethod approach, the CTI implementation was assessed quantitatively for site- and coach-level differences. Qualitatively, barriers to implementation and participant satisfaction with the CTI were thematically analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 863 patient participants, 726 (84.1%) completed their home visits. Cancellations were usually patient-generated (94.9%). Most planned follow-up visits were successfully completed (94.6%). Content on the planning for red flags and post-discharge goal setting was discussed with high rates of fidelity overall (95% and greater), while content on outpatient follow-up was lower overall (75%). Differences in service delivery between the two sites existed for the in-person visit and the first phone follow-up, but the differences narrowed as the study progressed. Participants showed a 24.6% increase in patient activation (i.e., behavioral adoption) over the 30-day study period (p < 0.001).Overall, participants reported that the program was beneficial for managing their health, the quality of coaching was high, and that the program should continue. Not all participants felt that they needed the program. Community paramedic coaches reported barriers to CTI delivery due to patient medical problems and difficulties with phone visit coordination. Coaches also noted refusal to communicate or engage with the intervention as an implementation barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Community paramedic coaches delivered the adapted CTI with high fidelity across geographically distant sites and successfully facilitated participant engagement, highlighting community paramedics as an effective resource for implementing such patient-centered interventions.

Association Between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Pediatric Readmissions.

OBJECTIVE: Although individual-level social determinants of health (SDH) are known to influence 30-day readmission risk, contextual-level associations with readmission are poorly understood among children. This study explores associations between neighborhood disadvantage measured by Area Deprivation Index (ADI) and pediatric 30-day readmissions. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included discharges of patients aged < 20 years from Maryland's 2013-2016 all-payer dataset. The ADI, which quantifies 17 indicators of neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage within census block groups, is used as a proxy for contextual-level SDH. Readmissions were identified with the 30-day Pediatric All-Condition Readmissions measure. Associations between ADI and readmission were identified with generalized estimating equations adjusted for patient demographics and clinical severity (Chronic Condition Indicator [CCI], Pediatric Medical Complexity Algorithm [PMCA], Index Hospital All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups [APR-DRG]), and hospital discharge volume. RESULTS: Discharges (n = 138,998) were mostly female (52.7%), publicly insured (55.1%), urban-dwelling (93.0%), with low clinical severity levels (0-1 CCIs [82.3%], minor APR-DRG severity [48.4%]). Overall readmission rate was 4.0%. Compared to the least disadvantaged ADI quartile, readmissions for the most disadvantaged quartile were significantly more likely (aOR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.30). After adjustment, readmissions were associated with public insurance and indicators of medical complexity (higher number of CCIs, complex-chronic disease PMCA, and APR-DRG severity). CONCLUSION: In this all-payer, statewide sample, living in the most socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods independently predicted pediatric readmission. While the relative magnitude of neighborhood disadvantage was modest compared to medical complexity, disadvantage is modifiable and thus represents an important consideration for prevention and risk stratification efforts.

Moving beyond disclosure: Stages of care in preclinical Alzheimer's disease biomarker testing.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with an asymptomatic "preclinical" phase, in which abnormal biomarkers indicate risk for developing cognitive impairment. Biomarker information is increasingly being disclosed in research settings, and is moving toward clinical settings with the development of cheaper and non-invasive testing. Limited research has focused on the safety and psychological effects of disclosing biomarker results to cognitively unimpaired adults. However, less is known about how to ensure equitable access and robust counseling for decision-making before testing, and how to effectively provide long-term follow-up and risk management after testing. Using the framework of Huntington's disease, which is based on extensive experience with disclosing and managing risk for a progressive neurodegenerative condition, this article proposes a conceptual model of pre-disclosure, disclosure, and post-disclosure phases for AD biomarker testing. Addressing research questions in each phase will facilitate the transition of biomarker testing into clinical practice.

Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in Black and non-Hispanic White cohorts: A contextualized review of the evidence.

Black Americans are disproportionately affected by dementia. To expand our understanding of mechanisms of this disparity, we look to Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers. In this review, we summarize current data, comparing the few studies presenting these findings. Further, we contextualize the data using two influential frameworks: the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIA-AA) Research Framework and NIA's Health Disparities Research Framework. The NIA-AA Research Framework provides a biological definition of AD that can be measured in vivo. However, current cut-points for determining pathological versus non-pathological status were developed using predominantly White cohorts-a serious limitation. The NIA's Health Disparities Research Framework is used to contextualize findings from studies identifying racial differences in biomarker levels, because studying biomakers in isolation cannot explain or reduce inequities. We offer recommendations to expand study beyond initial reports of racial differences. Specifically, life course experiences associated with racialization and commonly used study enrollment practices may better account for observations than exclusively biological explanations.

Scalar Assessment of the Family Caregiver Activation in Transitions Tool: An Exploratory Factor Analysis.

The Family Caregiver Activation in Transitions (FCAT) tool in its current, non-scalar form is not pragmatic for clinical use as each item is scored and intended to be interpreted individually. The purpose of the current study was to create a scalar version of the FCAT to facilitate better care communications between hospital staff and family caregivers. We also assessed the scale's validity by comparing the scalar version of the measure against patient health measures. Data were collected from 463 family caregiver-patient dyads from January 2016 to July 2019. An exploratory factor analysis was performed on the 10-item FCAT, resulting in a statistically homogeneous six-item scale focused on current caregiving activation factors. The measure was then compared against patient health measures, with no significant biases found. The six-item scalar FCAT can provide hospital staff insight into the level of caregiver activation occurring in the patient's health care and help tailor care transition needs for family caregiver-patient dyads. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(12), 35-42.].

Race, Ethnicity, Neighborhood Characteristics, and In-Hospital Coronavirus Disease-2019 Mortality.

BACKGROUND: Despite many studies reporting disparities in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) incidence and outcomes in Black and Hispanic/Latino populations, mechanisms are not fully understood to inform mitigation strategies. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to test whether neighborhood factors beyond individual patient-level factors are associated with in-hospital mortality from COVID-19. We hypothesized that the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a neighborhood census-block-level composite measure, was associated with COVID-19 mortality independently of race, ethnicity, and other patient factors. RESEARCH DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort study examining COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. SUBJECTS: Inclusion required hospitalization with positive SARS-CoV-2 test or COVID-19 diagnosis at three large Midwestern academic centers. MEASURES: The primary study outcome was COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Patient-level predictors included age, sex, race, insurance, body mass index, comorbidities, and ventilation. Neighborhoods were examined through the national ADI neighborhood deprivation rank comparing in-hospital mortality across ADI quintiles. Analyses used multivariable logistic regression with fixed site effects. RESULTS: Among 5999 COVID-19 patients median age was 61 (interquartile range: 44-73), 48% were male, 30% Black, and 10.8% died. Among patients who died, 32% lived in the most disadvantaged quintile while 11% lived in the least disadvantaged quintile; 52% of Black, 24% of Hispanic/Latino, and 8.5% of White patients lived in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods.Living in the most disadvantaged neighborhood quintile predicted higher mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.74; 95% confidence interval: 1.13-2.67) independent of race. Age, male sex, Medicare coverage, and ventilation also predicted mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood disadvantage independently predicted in-hospital COVID-19 mortality. Findings support calls to consider neighborhood measures for vaccine distribution and policies to mitigate disparities.

Neighborhood disadvantage and 30-day readmission risk following Clostridioides difficile infection hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is commonly associated with outcomes like recurrence and readmission. The effect of social determinants of health, such as 'neighborhood' socioeconomic disadvantage, on a CDI patient's health outcomes is unclear. Living in a disadvantaged neighborhood could interfere with a CDI patient's ability to follow post-discharge care recommendations and the success probability of these recommendations, thereby increasing risk of readmission. We hypothesized that neighborhood disadvantage was associated with 30-day readmission risk in Medicare patients with CDI. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, odds of 30-day readmission for CDI patients are evaluated controlling for patient sociodemographics, comorbidities, and hospital and stay-level variables. The cohort was created from a random 20% national sample of Medicare patients during the first 11 months of 2014. RESULTS: From the cohort of 19,490 patients (39% male; 80% white; 83% 65 years or older), 22% were readmitted within 30 days of an index stay. Unadjusted analyses showed that patients from the most disadvantaged neighborhoods were readmitted at a higher rate than those from less disadvantaged neighborhoods (26% vs. 21% rate: unadjusted OR = 1.32 [1.20, 1.45]). This relationship held in adjusted analyses, in which residence in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods was associated with 16% increased odds of readmission (adjusted OR = 1.16 [1.04, 1.28]). CONCLUSIONS: Residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods poses a significantly increased risk of readmission in CDI patients. Further research should focus on in-depth assessments of this population to better understand the mechanisms underlying these risks and if these findings apply to other infectious diseases.

Safety-Net Hospitals, Neighborhood Disadvantage, and Readmissions Under Maryland's All-Payer Program: An Observational Study.

Background: Safety-net hospitals have higher-than-expected readmission rates. The relative roles of the mean disadvantage of neighborhoods the hospitals serve and the disadvantage of individual patients in predicting a patient's readmission are unclear. Objective: To examine the independent contributions of the patient's neighborhood and the hospital's service area to risk for 30-day readmission. Design: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Maryland. Participants: All Maryland residents discharged from a Maryland hospital in 2015. Measurements: Predictors included the disadvantage of neighborhoods for each Maryland resident (area disadvantage index) and the mean disadvantage of each hospital's discharged patients (safety-net index). The primary outcome was unplanned 30-day hospital readmission. Generalized estimating equations and marginal modeling were used to estimate readmission rates. Results were adjusted for clinical readmission risk. Results: 13.4% of discharged patients were readmitted within 30 days. Patients living in neighborhoods at the 90th percentile of disadvantage had a readmission rate of 14.1% (95% CI, 13.6% to 14.5%) compared with 12.5% (CI, 11.8% to 13.2%) for similar patients living in neighborhoods at the 10th percentile. Patients discharged from hospitals at the 90th percentile of safety-net status had a readmission rate of 14.8% (CI, 13.4% to 16.1%) compared with 11.6% (CI, 10.5% to 12.7%) for similar patients discharged from hospitals at the 10th percentile of safety-net status. The association of readmission risk with the hospital's safety-net index was approximately twice the observed association with the patient's neighborhood disadvantage status. Limitations: Generalizability outside Maryland is unknown. Confounding may be present. Conclusion: In Maryland, residing in a disadvantaged neighborhood and being discharged from a hospital serving a large proportion of disadvantaged neighborhoods are independently associated with increased risk for readmission. Primary Funding Source: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission.

Sepsis Survivors Admitted to Skilled Nursing Facilities: Cognitive Impairment, Activities of Daily Living Dependence, and Survival.

OBJECTIVE: Severe sepsis survivors frequently experience cognitive and physical functional impairment. The degree of impairment and its association with mortality is understudied, particularly among those discharged to a skilled nursing facility. Our objective was to quantify the cognitive and physical impairment among severe sepsis survivors discharged to a skilled nursing facility and to investigate the relationship between impairment and long-term mortality. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: United States. SUBJECTS: Random 5% sample of Medicare patients discharged following severe sepsis hospitalization, 2005-2009 (n = 135,370). MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Medicare data were linked with the Minimum Data Set; Minimum Data Set-Cognition Scale was used to assess cognitive function, and the Minimum Data Set activities of daily living hierarchical scale was used to assess functional dependence. Associations were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards regression. Of 66,540 beneficiaries admitted to a skilled nursing facility following severe sepsis, 34% had severe or very severe cognitive impairment, and 72.5% had maximal, dependence, or total dependence in activities of daily living. Median survival was 19.4 months for those discharged to a skilled nursing facility without having been in a skilled nursing facility in the preceding 1 year and 10.4 months for those discharged to a skilled nursing facility who had spent time in a skilled nursing facility in the prior year. The adjusted hazard ratio for death was 3.1 for those with very severe cognitive impairment relative to those who were cognitively intact (95% CI, 2.9-3.2; p < 0.001) and 4.3 for those with "total dependence" in activities of daily livings relative to those who were independent (95% CI, 3.8-5.0; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Discharge to a skilled nursing facility following severe sepsis hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries was associated with shorter survival, and cognitive impairment and activities of daily living dependence were each strongly associated with shortened survival. These findings can inform decision-making by patients and physicians and underscores high palliative care needs among sepsis survivors discharged to skilled nursing facility.

Qualitative Evaluation of the Coach Training within a Community Paramedicine Care Transitions Intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) has potential to improve the emergency department (ED)-to-home transition for older adults. Community paramedics may function as the CTI coaches; however, this requires the appropriate knowledge, skills, and attitudes, which they do not receive in traditional emergency medical services (EMS) education. This study aimed to define community paramedics' perceptions regarding their training needs to serve as CTI coaches supporting the ED-to-home transition. METHODS: This study forms part of an ongoing randomized controlled trial evaluating a community paramedic-implemented CTI to enhance the ED-to-home transition. The community paramedics' training covered the following domains: the CTI program, geriatrics, effective coaching, ED discharge processes, and community paramedicine. Sixteen months after starting the study, we conducted audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with community paramedics at both study sites. After transcribing the interviews, team members independently coded the transcripts. Ensuing group analysis sessions led to the development of final codes and identifying common themes. Finally, we conducted member checking to confirm our interpretations of the interview data. RESULTS: We interviewed all 8 participating community paramedics. Participants consisted solely of non-Hispanic whites, included 5 women, and had a mean age of 43. Participants had extensive backgrounds in healthcare, primarily as EMS providers, but minimal experience with community paramedicine. All reported some prior geriatrics training. Four themes emerged from the interviews: (1) paramedics with positive attitudes and willingness to acquire the needed knowledge and skills will succeed as CTI coaches; (2) active rather than passive learning is preferred by paramedics; (3) the existing training could benefit from adjustments such as added content on mental health, dementia, and substance abuse issues, as well as content on coaching subjects with a range of illness severity; and (4) continuing education should address the paramedic coaches' evolving needs as they develop proficiency with the CTI. CONCLUSIONS: Paramedics as CTI coaches represent an untapped resource for supporting ED-to-home care transitions. Our results provide the necessary first step to make the community paramedic CTI coach more successful. These findings may apply to training for similar community paramedicine roles, but additional research must investigate this possibility.

A randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of a paramedic-delivered care transitions intervention to reduce emergency department revisits.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 20% of community-dwelling older adults discharged from the emergency department (ED) return to an ED within 30 days, an occurrence partially resulting from poor care transitions. Prior published interventions to improve the ED-to-home transition have either lacked feasibility or effectiveness. The Care Transitions Intervention (CTI) has been validated to decrease rehospitalization among patients transitioning from the hospital to the home but has never been tested for patients transitioning from the ED to the home. Paramedics, traditionally involved only in emergency care, are well-positioned to deliver the CTI, but have never been previously evaluated in this role. METHODS: This single-blinded randomized controlled trial tests whether the paramedic-delivered ED-to-home CTI reduces community-dwelling older adults' ED revisits in the 30 days after an index visit. We are prospectively recruiting patients aged≥ 60 years at 3 EDs in Rochester, NY and Madison, WI to enroll 2400 patient subjects. Subjects are randomized into control and treatment groups, with the latter receiving the adapted CTI. The intervention consists of the paramedic performing one home visit and up to three follow-up phone calls. During these interactions, the paramedic follows the CTI approach by coaching patients toward their goals, with a focus on their personal health record, medication management, red flags, and primary care follow-up. We follow patient participants for 30 days. All receive a survey during the index ED visit to capture baseline demographic and health information and two telephone-based surveys to assess process objectives and outcomes. We also perform a medical record review. The primary outcome is the odds of ED revisit within 30 days after discharge from the index ED visit. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to test whether the CTI, applied to the ED-to-home transition and delivered by community paramedics, can decrease the rate at which older adults revisit an ED. Outcomes from this research will help address a major emergency care challenge by supporting older adults in the transition from the ED to home, thereby improving health outcomes for this population and reducing potentially avoidable ED visits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Registration: NCT02520661 . Trial registration date: August 13, 2015.

Hospital discharge documentation of a designated clinician for follow-up care and 30-day outcomes in hip fracture and stroke patients discharged to sub-acute care.

BACKGROUND: Transitions to sub-acute care are regularly complicated by inadequate discharge communication, which is exacerbated by a lack of clarity regarding accountability for important follow-up care. Patients discharged to sub-acute care often have complex medical conditions and are at heightened risk for poor post-hospital outcomes, yet many do not see a provider until 30 days post discharge due to current standards in Medicare regulations. Lack of designation of a responsible clinician or clinic for follow-up care may adversely impact patient outcomes, but the magnitude of this potential impact has not been previously studied. METHODS: We examined the association of designating a responsible clinician/clinic for post-hospital follow-up care within the hospital discharge summary on risk for 30-day rehospitalization and/or death in stroke and hip fracture patients discharged to sub-acute care. This retrospective cohort study used Medicare Claims and Electronic Health Record data to identify non-hospice Medicare beneficiaries with primary discharge diagnoses of stroke/ or hip fracture discharged from one of two urban hospitals to sub-acute care facilities during 2003-2008 (N = 1130). We evaluated the association of omission of the designation of a responsible clinician/clinic for follow-up care in the hospital discharge summary on the composite outcome of 30-day rehospitalization and/or death after adjusting for patient characteristics and utilization. We used multivariate logistic regression robust estimates clustered by discharging hospital. RESULTS: Patients whose discharge summaries omitted designation of a responsible clinician/clinic for follow-up care were significantly more likely to experience 30-day rehospitalization and/or death (OR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.12, P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The current study found a strong relationship between the omission of a responsible clinician/clinic for follow-up care from the hospital discharge summary and the poor outcomes for patients transferred to sub-acute care. More research is needed to understand the role and impact of designating accountability for follow-up care needs on patient outcomes.

Adaptation and Implementation of a Transitional Care Protocol for Patients Undergoing Complex Abdominal Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Transitional care protocols are effective at reducing readmission for medical patients, yet no evidence-based protocols exist for surgical patients. A transitional care protocol was adapted to meet the needs of patients discharged to home after major abdominal surgery. APPROACH: The Coordinated-Transitional Care (C-TraC) protocol, initially designed for medical patients, was used as the initial framework for the development of a surgery-specific protocol (sC-TraC). Adaptation was accomplished using a modification of the Replicating Effective Programs (REP) model, which has four phases: (1) preconditions, (2) preimplementation, (3) implementation, and (4) maintenance and evolution. A random sample of five patients each month was selected to complete a phone survey regarding patient satisfaction. Preimplementation planning allowed for integration with current systems, avoided duplication of processes, and defined goals for the protocol. The adapted protocol specifically addressed surgical issues such as nutrition, fever, ostomy output, dehydration, drain character/output, and wound appearance. After protocol launch, the rapid iterative adaptation process led to changes in phone call timing, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and discharge instructions. OUTCOMES: Survey responders reported 100% overall satisfaction with the transitional care program. KEY INSIGHTS: The adaptable nature of sC-TraC may allow for low-resource hospitals, such as rural or inner-city medical centers, to use the methodology provided in this study for implementation of local phone-based transitional care protocols. In addition, as the C-TraC program has begun to disseminate nationally across US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and rural health settings, sC-TraC may be implemented using the existing transitional care infrastructure in place at these hospitals.

Overcoming the Challenges of Unstructured Data in Multisite, Electronic Medical Record-based Abstraction.

BACKGROUND: Unstructured data encountered during retrospective electronic medical record (EMR) abstraction has routinely been identified as challenging to reliably abstract, as these data are often recorded as free text, without limitations to format or structure. There is increased interest in reliably abstracting this type of data given its prominent role in care coordination and communication, yet limited methodological guidance exists. OBJECTIVES: As standard abstraction approaches resulted in substandard data reliability for unstructured data elements collected as part of a multisite, retrospective EMR study of hospital discharge communication quality, our goal was to develop, apply and examine the utility of a phase-based approach to reliably abstract unstructured data. This approach is examined using the specific example of discharge communication for warfarin management. RESEARCH DESIGN: We adopted a "fit-for-use" framework to guide the development and evaluation of abstraction methods using a 4-step, phase-based approach including (1) team building; (2) identification of challenges; (3) adaptation of abstraction methods; and (4) systematic data quality monitoring. MEASURES: Unstructured data elements were the focus of this study, including elements communicating steps in warfarin management (eg, warfarin initiation) and medical follow-up (eg, timeframe for follow-up). RESULTS: After implementation of the phase-based approach, interrater reliability for all unstructured data elements demonstrated κ's of ≥0.89-an average increase of +0.25 for each unstructured data element. CONCLUSIONS: As compared with standard abstraction methodologies, this phase-based approach was more time intensive, but did markedly increase abstraction reliability for unstructured data elements within multisite EMR documentation.

Design and Hospitalwide Implementation of a Standardized Discharge Summary in an Electronic Health Record.

BACKGROUND: The hospital discharge summary is the primary method used to communicate a patient's plan of care to the next provider(s). Despite the existence of regulations and guidelines outlining the optimal content for the discharge summary and its importance in facilitating an effective transition to posthospital care, incomplete discharge summaries remain a common problem that may contribute to poor posthospital outcomes. Electronic health records (EHRs) are regularly used as a platform on which standardization of content and format can be implemented. The feasibility of designing and implementing a standardized discharge summary hospitalwide using an EHR was examined-to the authors' knowledge, for the first time. METHODS: This large-scale project at the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics was led by a task force that had been assembled to develop best practices for EHR notes. The evidence-based Replicating Effective Programs (REP) model was employed to guide the development and implementation during the project. REP outlines four stages in clinical health service intervention implementation: preconditions, preimplementation, implementation, and maintenance. RESULTS: At 18 months postimplementation, 90% of all hospital discharge summaries were written using the standardized format. Hospital providers found the template helpful and easy to use, and recipient providers perceived an improvement in the quality of discharge summaries compared to those previously sent from the hospital. CONCLUSION: Discharge summaries can be standardized and implemented hospitalwide with both author and recipient provider satisfaction, particularly if evidence-based implementation strategies are employed. The use of EHR tools to guide clinicians in writing comprehensive discharge summaries holds promise in improving the existing deficits in communication at transitions of care.