Simulating the healthcare workforce impact and capacity for pancreatic cancer care in Victoria: a model-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of pancreatic cancer is rising. With improvements in knowledge for screening and early detection, earlier detection of pancreatic cancer will continue to be more common. To support workforce planning, our aim is to perform a model-based analysis that simulates the potential impact on the healthcare workforce, assuming an earlier diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We developed a simulation model to estimate the demand (i.e. new cases of pancreatic cancer) and supply (i.e. the healthcare workforce including general surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pain medicine physicians, and palliative care physicians) between 2023 and 2027 in Victoria, Australia. The model compares the current scenario to one in which pancreatic cancer is diagnosed at an earlier stage. The incidence of pancreatic cancer in Victoria, five-year survival rates, and Victoria's population size were obtained from Victorian Cancer Registry, Cancer Council NSW, and Australian Bureau of Statistics respectively. The healthcare workforce data were sourced from the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care's Health Workforce Data. The model was constructed at the remoteness level. We analysed the new cases and the number of healthcare workforce by profession together to assess the impact on the healthcare workforce. RESULTS: In the status quo, over the next five years, there will be 198 to 220 stages I-II, 297 to 330 stage III, and 495 to 550 stage IV pancreatic cancer cases diagnosed annually, respectively. Assuming 20-70% of the shift towards pancreatic cancer's earlier diagnosis (shifting from stage IV to stages I-II pancreatic cancer within one year), the stages I-II cases could increase to 351 to 390 or 598 to 665 per year. The shift to early diagnosis led to substantial survival gains, translating into an additional 284 or 795 out of 5246 patients with pancreatic cancer remaining alive up to year 5 post-diagnosis. Workforce supply decreases significantly by the remoteness levels, and remote areas face a shortage of key medical professionals registered in delivering pancreatic cancer care, suggesting travel necessities by patients or clinicians. CONCLUSION: Improving the early detection and diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is expected to bring significant survival benefits, although there are workforce distribution imbalances in Victoria that may affect the ability to achieve the anticipated survival gain.

Impact of the Medicare Benefits Schedule Rebate (MBSR) freeze on General Practice (GP) use: multivariable regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: In 2015, the Australian government froze the Medicare Benefits Schedule Rebate (MBSR) for General Practitioner (GP) service use. This paper aimed to explore the impact of the MBSR freeze on the demand for GP services in Victoria, Australia, for three years, from 2014 to 2016. METHOD: Annual data on GP service utilisation by the Victorian State Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3) were analysed using 2015 as the reference year (MBSR freeze year). We compared annual per-person GP service use before and after the MBSR freeze for each SA3. Socioeconomic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) scores and regions of Victoria (Greater Melbourne and the Rest of Victoria) were used to identify the most disadvantaged SA3s in Victoria. We conducted a multivariable regression analysis for the number of GP services per patient by SA3, controlling for regions of Victoria, the number of GP services, the proportion of bulk-billed visits, age group, gender and year. FINDINGS: After adjusting for age group, gender, region, SEIFA, the number of GPs and the proportion of bulk-billed GP visits, mean GP services per person per year declined steadily between 2014 and 2016, with a 3% or 0.11 visit (-0.114, 95%CI: -0.134; -0.094, P = < 0.001) reduction in mean utilisation in 2016 compared to 2014. In disadvantaged SA3s, there was a fall in the number of GP services that were bulk-billed during and after the MBSR freeze compared to 2014, and this fall was large in LOW SEIFA SA3s, with a reduction in 17% of mean bulk-billed GP services. CONCLUSION: The MBSR freeze for GP consultations in 2015 resulted in a reduction in the annual per capita demand for GP visits, with the impact of reduced demand more significant in lower socioeconomic and regional/rural areas. The GP funding policies must consider the demand differences by social-economic status and location.

Vital sign assessment and nursing interventions in medical and surgical patients with rapid response system triggers.

AIM(S): To explore vital sign assessment (both complete and incomplete sets of vital signs), and escalation of care per policy and nursing interventions in response to clinical deterioration. DESIGN: This cohort study is a secondary analysis of data from the Prioritising Responses of Nurses To deteriorating patient Observations cluster randomised controlled trial of a facilitation intervention on nurses' vital sign measurement and escalation of care for deteriorating patients. METHODS: The study was conducted in 36 wards at four metropolitan hospitals in Victoria, Australia. Medical records of all included patients from the study wards during three randomly selected 24-h periods within the same week were audited at three time points: pre-intervention (June 2016), and at 6 (December 2016) and 12 months (June 1017) post-intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the study data, and relationships between variables were examined using chi-square test. RESULTS: A total of 10,383 audits were conducted. At least one vital sign measurement was documented every 8 h in 91.6% of audits, and a complete set of vital signs was documented every 8 h in 83.1% of audits. There were pre-Medical Emergency Team, Medical Emergency Team or Cardiac Arrest Team triggers in 25.8% of audits. When triggers were present, a rapid response system call occurred in 26.8% of audits. There were 1350 documented nursing interventions in audits with pre-Medical Emergency Team (n = 2403) or Medical Emergency Team triggers (n = 273). One or more nursing interventions were documented in 29.5% of audits with pre-Medical Emergency Team triggers and 63.7% of audits with Medical Emergency Team triggers. CONCLUSION: When rapid response system triggers were documented, there were gaps in escalation of care per policy; however, nurses undertook a range of interventions within their scope of practice in response to clinical deterioration. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Medical and surgical ward nurses in acute care wards frequently engage in vital sign assessment. Interventions by medical and nurgical nurses may occur prior to, or in parallel with calling the rapid response system. Nursing interventions are a key but under-recognised element of the organisational response to deteriorating patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nurses engage in a range of nursing interventions to manage deteriorating patients, (aside from rapid response system activation) that are not well understood, nor well described in the literature to date. IMPACT: This study addresses the gap in the literature regarding nurses' management of deteriorating patients within their scope of practice (aside from RRS activation) in real world settings. When rapid response system triggers were documented, there were gaps in escalation of care per policy; however, nurses undertook a range of interventions within their scope of practice in response to clinical deterioration. The results of this research are relevant to nurses working on medical and surgical wards. REPORTING METHOD: The trial was reported according to the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials extension for Cluster Trials recommendations, and this paper is reported according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.

Clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ambulatory heart failure nurse-led services: an integrated review.

BACKGROUND: Globally the burden of heart failure is rising. Hospitalisation is one of the main contributors to the burden of heart failure and unfortunately, the majority of heart failure patients will experience multiple hospitalisations over their lifetime. Considering the high health care cost associated with heart failure, a review of economic evaluations of post-discharge heart failure services is warranted. AIM: An integrated review of the economic evaluations of post-discharge nurse-led heart failure services for patients hospitalised with acute heart failure. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched using EBSCOHost: CINAHL complete, Medline complete, Embase, Scopus, EconLit, Global Health, and Health source (Consumer and Nursing/Academic) for published articles until 22nd June 2021. The searches focussed on papers that examined the cost-effectiveness of nurse-led clinics or telemonitoring involving nurses to follow-up patients after hospitalisation for acute heart failure. GRADE criteria and CHEERS checklist were used to determine the quality of the evidence and the quality of reporting of the economic evaluation. RESULTS: Out of 453 studies identified, eight studies were included: four in heart failure clinics and four in telemonitoring programs. Five of the articles were cost-effectiveness analyses, one a cost comparison and two studies involved economic modelling The GRADE criteria were rated as high in five studies. In which, four studies examined the cost-effectiveness of telemonitoring programs. Based on the CHEERS checklist for reporting quality of economic evaluations, the majority of economic evaluations were rated between 86 and 96%. All the studies found the intervention to be cost-effective compared to usual care with Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratios ranging from $18 259 (Canadian dollars)/life year gained to €40,321 per Quality Adjusted Life Years gained. CONCLUSION: Nurse-led heart failure clinics and telemonitoring programs were found to be cost-effective. Certainly, this review has shown that heart failure clinics and telemonitoring programs do represent value for money with their greatest impact and cost savings through reducing rehospitalisations.

Identifying patterns of potentially preventable hospitalisations in people living with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Older Australians make up 46% of all potentially preventable hospitalisations (PPHs) and people living with dementia are at significantly greater risk. While policy reforms aim to reduce PPHs, there is currently little evidence available on what drives this, especially for people living with dementia. This study examines patterns of PPHs in people living with dementia to inform service delivery and the development of evidence-based interventions. METHODS: We used the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset from Victoria, Australia, to extract data for people aged 50 and over with a diagnosis of dementia between 2015 and 2016. Potentially avoidable admissions, known as ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), were identified. The chi-square test was used to detect differences between admissions for ACSCs and non-ACSCs by demographic, geographical, and administrative factors. Predictors of ACSCs admissions were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Of the 8156 hospital records, there were 3884 (48%) ACSCs admissions, of which admissions for urinary tract infections accounted for 31%, followed by diabetes complications (21%). Mean bed-days were 8.26 for non-ACSCs compared with 9.74 for ACSCs (p ≤ 0.001). There were no differences between admissions for ACSCs and non-ACSCs by sex, marital status, region (rural vs metro), and admission source (private accommodation vs residential facility). Culture and language predicted ASCS admission rates in the univariate regression analyses, with ACSC admission rates increasing by 20 and 29% if English was not the preferred language or if an interpreter was required, respectively. Results from the multiple regression analysis confirmed that language was a significant predictor of ACSC admission rates. CONCLUSIONS: Improved primary health care may help to reduce the most common causes of PPHs for people living with dementia, particularly for those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Impacts of chronic disease prevention programs implemented by private health insurers: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases contribute to a significant proportion (71%) of all deaths each year worldwide. Governments and other stakeholders worldwide have taken various actions to tackle the key risk factors contributing to the prevalence and impact of chronic diseases. Private health insurers (PHI) are one key stakeholders, particularly in Australian health system, and their engagement in chronic disease prevention is growing. Therefore, we investigated the impacts of chronic disease prevention interventions implemented by PHI both in Australia and internationally. METHOD: We searched multiple databases (Business Source Complete, CINAHL, Global Health, Health Business Elite, Medline, PsycINFO, and Scopus) and grey literature for studies/reports published in English until September 2020 using search terms on the impacts of chronic disease prevention interventions delivered by PHIs. Two reviewers assessed the risk of bias using a quality assessment tool developed by Effective Public Healthcare Panacea Project. After data extraction, the literature was synthesised thematically based on the types of the interventions reported across studies. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO, CRD42020145644. RESULTS: Of 7789 records, 29 studies were eligible for inclusion. There were predominantly four types of interventions implemented by PHIs: Financial incentives, health coaching, wellness programs, and group medical appointments. Outcome measures across studies were varied, making it challenging to compare the difference between the effectiveness of different intervention types. Most studies reported that the impacts of interventions, such as increase in healthy eating, physical activity, and lower hospital admissions, last for a shorter term if the length of the intervention is shorter. INTERPRETATION: Although it is challenging to conclude which intervention type was the most effective, it appeared that, regardless of the intervention types, PHI interventions of longer duration (at least 2 years) were more beneficial and outcomes were more sustained than those PHI interventions that lasted for a shorter period. FUNDING: Primary source of funding was Geelong Medical and Hospital Benefits Association (GMHBA), an Australian private health insurer.

Staff perspectives of a model of access and triage for reducing waiting time in ambulatory services: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) is an intervention designed to reduce waiting time in community outpatient health services, shown to be effective in a large stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial. STAT combines initial strategies to reduce existing wait lists with creation of a specific number of protected appointments for new patients based on demand. It offers an alternative to the more traditional methods of demand management for these services using waiting lists with triage systems. This study aimed to explore perceptions of clinicians and administrative staff involved in implementing the model. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews with 20 staff members who experienced the change to STAT were conducted by an independent interviewer. All eight sites involved in the original trial and all professional disciplines were represented in the sample. Data were coded and analysed thematically. RESULTS: Participants agreed that shorter waiting time for patients was the main advantage of the STAT model, and that ongoing management of caseloads was challenging. However, there was variation in the overall weight placed on these factors, and therefore the participants' preference for the new or previous model of care. Perceptions of whether the advantages outweighed the disadvantages were influenced by five sub-themes: staff perception of how much waiting matters to the patient, prior exposure to the management of waiting list, caseload complexity, approach and attitude to the implementation of STAT and organisational factors. CONCLUSIONS: The STAT model has clear benefits but also presents challenges for staff members. The findings of this study suggest that careful preparation and management of change and active planning for known fluctuations in supply and demand are likely to help to mitigate sources of stress and improve the likelihood of successful implementation of the STAT model for improving waiting times for patients referred to community outpatient services.

Strategies to reduce diagnostic errors: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness of audit and communication strategies to reduce diagnostic errors made by clinicians. METHODS: MEDLINE complete, CINHAL complete, EMBASE, PSNet and Google Advanced. Electronic and manual search of articles on audit systems and communication strategies or interventions, searched for papers published between January 1990 and April 2017. We included studies with interventions implemented by clinicians in a clinical environment with real patients. RESULTS: A total of 2431 articles were screened of which 26 studies met inclusion criteria. Data extraction was conducted by two groups, each group comprising two independent reviewers. Articles were classified by communication (6) or audit strategies (20) to reduce diagnostic error in clinical settings. The most common interventions were delivered as technology-based systems n = 16 (62%) and within an acute care setting n = 15 (57%). Nine studies reported randomised controlled trials. Three RCT studies on communication interventions and 3 RCTs on audit strategies found the interventions to be effective in reducing diagnostic errors. CONCLUSION: Despite numerous studies on interventions targeting diagnostic errors, our analyses revealed limited evidence on interventions being practically used in clinical settings and a bias of studies originating from the US (n = 19, 73% of included studies). There is some evidence that trigger algorithms, including computer based and alert systems, may reduce delayed diagnosis and improve diagnostic accuracy. In trauma settings, strategies such as additional patient review (e.g. trauma teams) reduced missed diagnosis and in radiology departments review strategies such as team meetings and error documentation may reduce diagnostic error rates over time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database under registration number CRD42017067056 .

A model of access combining triage with initial management reduced waiting time for community outpatient services: a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Long waiting times are associated with public community outpatient health services. This trial aimed to determine if a new model of care based on evidence-based strategies that improved patient flow in two small pilot trials could be used to reduce waiting time across a variety of services. The key principle of the Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) model is that patients are booked directly into protected assessment appointments and triage is combined with initial management as an alternative to a waiting list and triage system. METHODS: A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted between October 2015 and March 2017, involving 3116 patients at eight sites across a major Australian metropolitan health network. RESULTS: The intervention reduced waiting time to first appointment by 33.8% (IRR = 0.663, 95% CI 0.516 to 0.852, P = 0.001). Median waiting time decreased from a median of 42 days (IQR 19 to 86) in the control period to a median of 24 days (IQR 13 to 48) in the intervention period. A substantial reduction in variability was also noted. The model did not impact on most secondary outcomes, including time to second appointment, likelihood of discharge by 12 weeks and number of appointments provided, but was associated with a small increase in the rate of missed appointments. CONCLUSIONS: Broad-scale implementation of a model of access and triage that combined triage with initial management and actively managed the relationship between supply and demand achieved substantial reductions in waiting time without adversely impacting on other aspects of care. The reductions in waiting time are likely to have been driven, primarily, by substantial reductions for those patients previously considered low priority. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615001016527 registration date: 29/09/2015.

Additional Physical Therapy Services Reduce Length of Stay and Improve Health Outcomes in People With Acute and Subacute Conditions: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To update a previous review on whether additional physical therapy services reduce length of stay, improve health outcomes, and are safe and cost-effective for patients with acute or subacute conditions. DATA SOURCES: Electronic database (AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database [PEDro], PubMed) searches were updated from 2010 through June 2017. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials evaluating additional physical therapy services on patient health outcomes, length of stay, or cost-effectiveness were eligible. Searching identified 1524 potentially relevant articles, of which 11 new articles from 8 new randomized controlled trials with 1563 participants were selected. In total, 24 randomized controlled trials with 3262 participants are included in this review. DATA EXTRACTION: Data were extracted using the form used in the original systematic review. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, and the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was applied to each meta-analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Postintervention data were pooled with an inverse variance, random-effects model to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There is moderate-quality evidence that additional physical therapy services reduced length of stay by 3 days in subacute settings (mean difference [MD]=-2.8; 95% CI, -4.6 to -0.9; I2=0%), and low-quality evidence that it reduced length of stay by 0.6 days in acute settings (MD=-0.6; 95% CI, -1.1 to 0.0; I2=65%). Additional physical therapy led to small improvements in self-care (SMD=.11; 95% CI, .03-.19; I2=0%), activities of daily living (SMD=.13; 95% CI, .02-.25; I2=15%), and health-related quality of life (SMD=.12; 95% CI, .03-.21; I2=0%), with no increases in adverse events. There was no significant change in walking ability. One trial reported that additional physical therapy was likely to be cost-effective in subacute rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Additional physical therapy services improve patient activity and participation outcomes while reducing hospital length of stay for adults. These benefits are likely safe, and there is preliminary evidence to suggest they may be cost-effective.

Are wait lists inevitable in subacute ambulatory and community health services? A qualitative analysis.

Objectives Wait lists are common in ambulatory and community-based services. The aim of the present study was to explore managers' perceptions of factors that contribute to wait times. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with managers and team leaders of ambulatory and community health services within a large health network. Interviews were transcribed and coded, and the codes were then grouped into themes and subthemes. Results Representatives from 26 services participated in the project. Four major themes were identified. Three themes related to reasons and factors contributing to increased wait time for services (inefficient intake and scheduling processes; service disruptions due to human resource issues; and high service demand). A fourth theme related to staff attitudes towards wait times and acceptance and acknowledgement of wait lists. Conclusions Service providers perceive high demand to be a key driver of wait times, but a range of other factors also contributes and may represent opportunities for improving access to care. These other factors include improving process efficiencies, greater consistency of service delivery through more efficient management of human resources and shifting to more consumer-centred approaches in measuring wait times in order to drive improvements in patient flow. What is known about the topic? Wait times are common in out-patient and ambulatory services. These services experience high demand, which is likely to continue to grow as health service delivery shifts from hospital to community settings. What does this paper add? Although demand is an important driver of wait times, there are other modifiable factors that also contribute, including process inefficiencies and service disruption related to human resource issues. An underlying staff attitude of acceptance of wait times appears to be an additional barrier to improving access. What are the implications for practitioners? The findings of the present study suggest that there are opportunities for improving access to ambulatory and community health services through more efficient use of existing resources. However, a more consumer-focused approach regarding acceptability of wait times is needed to help drive change.

Improving access for community health and sub-acute outpatient services: protocol for a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Waiting lists for treatment are common in outpatient and community services, Existing methods for managing access and triage to these services can lead to inequities in service delivery, inefficiencies and divert resources from frontline care. Evidence from two controlled studies indicates that an alternative to the traditional "waitlist and triage" model known as STAT (Specific Timely Appointments for Triage) may be successful in reducing waiting times without adversely affecting other aspects of patient care. This trial aims to test whether the model is cost effective in reducing waiting time across multiple services, and to measure the impact on service provision, health-related quality of life and patient satisfaction. METHODS/DESIGN: A stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial has been designed to evaluate the impact of the STAT model in 8 community health and outpatient services. The primary outcome will be waiting time from referral to first appointment. Secondary outcomes will be nature and quantity of service received (collected from all patients attending the service during the study period and health-related quality of life (AQOL-8D), patient satisfaction, health care utilisation and cost data (collected from a subgroup of patients at initial assessment and after 12 weeks). Data will be analysed with a multiple multi-level random-effects regression model that allows for cluster effects. An economic evaluation will be undertaken alongside the clinical trial. DISCUSSION: This paper outlines the study protocol for a fully powered prospective stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial (SWCRCT) to establish whether the STAT model of access and triage can reduce waiting times applied across multiple settings, without increasing health service costs or adversely impacting on other aspects of patient care. If successful, it will provide evidence for the effectiveness of a practical model of access that can substantially reduce waiting time for outpatient and community services with subsequent benefits for both efficiency of health systems and patient care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12615001016527 . Approved 15/9/2015.

Health-related quality of life in people with Parkinson's disease receiving comprehensive care.

Objectives The aim of the present study was to quantify the baseline variation in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) referred to a comprehensive care program and those attending standard neurological services. Methods Participants included individuals with PD receiving conventional care from neurologists in private practice and individuals referred to a comprehensive inter-professional team hospital out-patient service. The Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39) and the EuroQoL (EQ-5D-3L) were used to quantify HRQOL. Results Participants referred to an inter-professional service were more likely to have poorer indices on PD-specific measures but not for generic HRQOL compared with individuals receiving standard neurological services. After adjusting for age, gender, disease severity and duration, people referred to a comprehensive care program were more likely to have a higher score for the PDQ-39 summary index (PDQ-39 SI; mean±s.d. 27.2±11.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 25.5, 28.9) compared with individuals receiving standard neurological services (PDQ-39 SI mean 0.2±12.8; 95% CI 18.0, 22.4). Conclusions Compared with those attending standard neurological out-patient clinics, individuals referred to an inter-professional PD program are more likely to have advanced disease and poorer HRQOL. This observation has implications for the way in which people with PD are recruited for future clinical trials, because uneven recruitment from different sources may be a potential source of bias. What is known about the topic? Given that PD is associated with a complex array of motor and non-motor symptoms, an inter-professional team approach to service provision is argued to be optimal for individuals living with this debilitating condition. What does this paper add? This paper has shown that individuals referred to an inter-professional service are more likely to have advanced disease and complex care needs. Compared with those referred to neurologist private clinics, those referred to an inter-professional clinic had less functional independence and lower PD-specific HRQOL when first assessed, even after controlling for disease severity. What are the implications for practitioners? When recruiting for future trials to examine the efficacy of multidisciplinary care programs in people with PD, it is important to take into account whether these individuals have been referred to an inter-professional service. There may be a potential source of bias if participants were recruited predominantly from such services.

The extra resource burden of in-hospital falls: a cost of falls study.

OBJECTIVE: To quantify the additional hospital length of stay (LOS) and costs associated with in-hospital falls and fall injuries in acute hospitals in Australia. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A multisite prospective cohort study conducted during 2011-2013 in the control wards of a falls prevention trial (6-PACK). The trial included all admissions to 12 acute medical and surgical wards of six Australian hospitals. In-hospital falls data were collected from medical record reviews, daily verbal reports by ward nurse unit managers, and hospital incident reporting and administrative databases. Clinical costing data were linked for three of the six participating hospitals to calculate patient-level costs. OUTCOME MEASURES: Hospital LOS and costs associated with in-hospital falls and fall injuries for each patient admission. RESULTS: We found that 966 of a total of 27 026 hospital admissions (3.6%) involved at least one fall, and 313 (1.2%) at least one fall injury, a total of 1330 falls and 418 fall injuries. After adjustment for age, sex, cognitive impairment, admission type, comorbidity and clustering by hospital, patients who had an in-hospital fall had a mean increase in LOS of 8 days (95% CI, 5.8-10.4; P < 0.001) compared with non-fallers, and incurred mean additional hospital costs of $6669 (95% CI, $3888-$9450; P < 0.001). Patients with a fall-related injury had a mean increase in LOS of 4 days (95% CI, 1.8-6.6; P = 0.001) compared with those who fell without injury, and there was also a tendency to additional hospital costs (mean, $4727; 95% CI, -$568 to $10 022; P = 0.080). CONCLUSION: Patients who experience an in-hospital fall have significantly longer hospital stays and higher costs. Programs need to target the prevention of all falls, not just the reduction of fall-related injuries.

Empirical evidence of recall bias for primary health care visits.

BACKGROUND: While it is common for an economic evaluation of health care to rely on trial participants for self-reported health service utilisation, there is variability in the accuracy of this data due to potential recall bias. The aim of this study was to quantify the level of recall bias in self-reported primary health care general practitioner (GP) visits following inpatient rehabilitation over a 12 month period. METHODS: This report is a secondary analysis from a larger randomised control trial of an economic evaluation of additional Saturday inpatient rehabilitation. Participants were adults who had been discharged into the community following admission to an acute general rehabilitation hospital. Participants were asked to recall primary health care visits, including community GP visits, via a telephone questionnaire which was administered at 6 and 12 months following discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Participants were asked to recall health service utilisation over each preceding 6 month period. The self-reported data were compared to equivalent claims data from the national insurer, over the same period. RESULTS: 751 participants (75% of the full trial) with a mean age of 74 years (SD 13) were included in this analysis. Over the 12 month period following discharge from rehabilitation there was an under-reporting of 14% in self-reported health service utilisation for GP visits compared to national insurer claims data over the same period. From 0 to 6 months following discharge from rehabilitation, there was an over-reporting of self-reported GP visits of 35% and from 7 to 12 months there was an under-reporting of self-reported GP visits of 36%, compared to national insurer claims data over the same period. 46% of patients reported the same or one number difference in self-reported GP visits between the 0 to 6 and the 7 to 12 month periods. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings we recommend that an economic evaluation alongside a clinical trial for an elderly adult rehabilitation population include a sensitivity analysis that inflates self-reported GP visits by 16% over 12 months. However caution is required when utilising self-reported GP visits as the data may contain periods of both over and under reporting. Where general practitioner visits are expected to vary significantly between intervention and control groups we recommend that administrative data be included in the trial to accurately capture resources for an economic evaluation.

Is cost effectiveness sustained after weekend inpatient rehabilitation? 12 month follow up from a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Our previous work showed that providing additional rehabilitation on a Saturday was cost effective in the short term from the perspective of the health service provider. This study aimed to evaluate if providing additional rehabilitation on a Saturday was cost effective at 12 months, from a health system perspective inclusive of private costs. METHODS: Cost effectiveness analyses alongside a single-blinded randomized controlled trial with 12 months follow up inclusive of informal care. Participants were adults admitted to two publicly funded inpatient rehabilitation facilities. The control group received usual care rehabilitation services from Monday to Friday and the intervention group received usual care plus additional Saturday rehabilitation. Incremental cost effectiveness ratios were reported as cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained and for a minimal clinical important difference (MCID) in functional independence. RESULTS: A total of 996 patients [mean age 74 years (SD 13)] were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 496) or control group (n = 500). The intervention was associated with improvements in QALY and MCID in function, as well as a non-significant reduction in cost from admission to 12 months (mean difference (MD) AUD$6,325; 95% CI -4,081 to 16,730; t test p = 0.23 and MWU p = 0.06), and a significant reduction in cost from admission to 6 months (MD AUD$6,445; 95% CI 3,368 to 9,522; t test p = 0.04 and MWU p = 0.01). There is a high degree of certainty that providing additional rehabilitation services on Saturday is cost effective. Sensitivity analyses varying the cost of informal carers and self-reported health service utilization, favored the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: From a health system perspective inclusive of private costs the provision of additional Saturday rehabilitation for inpatients is likely to have sustained cost savings per QALY gained and for a MCID in functional independence, for the inpatient stay and 12 months following discharge, without a cost shift into the community. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry November 2009 ACTRN12609000973213.

Are weekend inpatient rehabilitation services value for money? An economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial with a 30 day follow up.

BACKGROUND: Providing additional Saturday rehabilitation can improve functional independence and health related quality of life at discharge and it may reduce patient length of stay, yet the economic implications are not known. The aim of this study was to determine from a health service perspective if the provision of rehabilitation to inpatients on a Saturday in addition to Monday to Friday was cost effective compared to Monday to Friday rehabilitation alone. METHODS: Cost utility and cost effectiveness analyses were undertaken alongside a multi-center, single-blind randomized controlled trial with a 30-day follow up after discharge. Participants were adults admitted for inpatient rehabilitation in two publicly funded metropolitan rehabilitation facilities. The control group received usual care rehabilitation services from Monday to Friday and the intervention group received usual care plus an additional rehabilitation service on Saturday. Incremental cost utility ratio was reported as cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained and an incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) was reported as cost for a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in functional independence. RESULTS: 996 patients (mean age 74 (standard deviation 13) years) were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 496) or the control group (n = 500). Mean difference in cost of AUD$1,673 (95% confidence interval (CI) -271 to 3,618) was a saving in favor of the intervention group. The incremental cost utility ratio found a saving of AUD$41,825 (95% CI -2,817 to 74,620) per QALY gained for the intervention group. The ICER found a saving of AUD$16,003 (95% CI -3,074 to 87,361) in achieving a MCID in functional independence for the intervention group. If the willingness to pay per QALY gained or for a MCID in functional independence was zero dollars the probability of the intervention being cost effective was 96% and 95%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis removing Saturday penalty rates did not significantly alter the outcome. CONCLUSIONS: From a health service perspective, the provision of rehabilitation to inpatients on a Saturday in addition to Monday to Friday, compared to Monday to Friday rehabilitation alone, is likely to be cost saving per QALY gained and for a MCID in functional independence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry November 2009 ACTRN12609000973213.

Economic evaluation of adult rehabilitation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in a variety of settings.

OBJECTIVES: To report if there is a difference in costs from a societal perspective between adults receiving rehabilitation in an inpatient rehabilitation setting versus an alternative setting. If there are cost differences, to report whether opting for the least expensive program setting adversely affects patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases from the earliest possible date until May 2011. All languages were included. STUDY SELECTION: Multiple reviewers identified randomized controlled trials with a full economic evaluation that compared adult inpatient rehabilitation with an alternative. There were 29 included trials with 6746 participants. DATA EXTRACTION: Multiple observers extracted data independently. Trial appraisal included a risk of bias assessment and a checklist to report the strength of the economic evaluation. DATA SYNTHESIS: Results were synthesized using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and meta-analyses for the primary outcome of cost. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation was applied to assess for risk of bias across studies for meta-analyses. There was high-quality evidence that cost was significantly reduced for rehabilitation in the home versus inpatient rehabilitation in a meta-analysis of 732 patients poststroke (pooled SMD [δ]=-.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.47 to -.09), without compromise to patient outcomes. Results of individual trials in other patient groups (orthopedic, rheumatoid arthritis, and geriatric) receiving rehabilitation in the home or community were generally consistent with the meta-analysis. There was moderate quality evidence that cost was significantly reduced for inpatient rehabilitation (stroke unit) versus general acute care in a meta-analysis of 463 patients poststroke (δ=.31; 95% CI, .15-.48), with improvement to patient outcomes. These results were not replicated in 2 individual trials with a geriatric and a mixed cohort, where costs did not differ between general acute care and inpatient rehabilitation. Three of the 4 individual trials, inclusive of a stroke or orthopedic population, reported less cost for an intensive inpatient rehabilitation program compared with usual inpatient rehabilitation. Sensitivity analysis included a health service perspective and varied inflation rates with no change to the significant findings of the meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this systematic review and meta-analyses, a single rehabilitation service may not provide health economic benefits for all patient groups and situations. For some patients, inpatient rehabilitation may be the most cost-effective method of providing rehabilitation; yet, for other patients, rehabilitation in the home or community may be the most cost-effective model of care. To achieve cost-effective outcomes, the ideal combination of rehabilitation services and patient inclusion criteria, as well as further data for nonstroke populations, warrants further research.

Does additional acute phase inpatient rehabilitation help people return to work? A subgroup analysis from a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate if a Saturday rehabilitation service in addition to usual care improved return to work outcomes 12 months post discharge and to report predictors of return to work. DESIGN: Subgroup analysis of a single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: General inpatient rehabilitation service. SUBJECTS: A mixed cohort of 137 adults previously engaged in work, who were admitted for inpatient rehabilitation and allocated to a control group (n=63) or an intervention group (n=74). INTERVENTION: The control group received usual care rehabilitation from Monday to Friday and the intervention group received usual care plus an additional rehabilitation service on Saturdays (physiotherapy and occupational therapy). MAIN OUTCOME: Return to paid or unpaid work. RESULTS: After 12 months, 36 participants (57%) in the control group and 38 participants (51%) in the intervention group had returned to work. There was no difference between groups (mean difference -1.06 hours per week, 95% CI -8.70 to 6.57) in return to work outcomes. Functional status on discharge (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.00 to 1.10), an orthopaedic diagnosis (OR 4.92, 95%CI 2.01 to 12.03) and engagement in unpaid work prior to rehabilitation (OR 5.08, 95%CI 1.39 to 18.58) were predictive of return to work at 12 months. CONCLUSION: A Saturday rehabilitation service in addition to usual care showed no improvement in return to work outcomes at 12 months. Predictors of return to work may help identify those at risk of not returning to work and who require follow-up vocational rehabilitation services.

Cost-effectiveness of an inpatient nurse practitioner in heart failure.

AIMS: Heart failure (HF) nurse practitioners (NPs) are an important part of the HF specialist team, and their impact on the cost-effectiveness of their role is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the cost-effectiveness of a HF NP inpatient service compared with current practice of no HF NP service from a health system perspective at 12 months and 3 years. METHODS AND RESULTS: We developed a Markov model to estimate costs, effects, and cost-effectiveness for hospitalized HF patients and seen by a HF NP service compared with usual care at 12 months and 3 years. Costs and effects were taken from a retrospective observational cohort study. Transition probabilities and utilities were derived from published studies. A total of 500 patients were included (250 patients in the HF NP service vs. 250 patients in usual care). Average age was 77.7 ± 11 years, and 54% were male. At 12 months, the HF NP group was cheaper and more effective compared with no HF NP [$23 031 vs. $25 111 (AUD), respectively; quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were 0.68 in HF NP group compared with 0.66 in usual care]. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio showed a savings of $109 474 per QALY gained at 12 months and a savings of $270 667 per QALY gained at 3 years in favour of the HF NP service. CONCLUSION: The HF NP service was cost-effective with lower costs and higher QALYs compared with no HF NP service. Economic evaluations alongside randomized controlled trials are warranted.