Severity of illness and risk of mortality in Mayo Clinic's virtual hybrid advanced care at home program: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In July 2020, Mayo Clinic launched Advanced Care at Home (ACH), a high-acuity virtual hybrid hospital-at-home model (HaH) of care at Mayo Clinic Florida and Northwest Wisconsin, an urban destination medical center and a rural community practice respectively. This study aims to describe demographic characteristics of ACH patients as well as their acuity of illness using severity of illness (SOI) and risk of mortality (ROM), to illustrate the complexity of patients in the program, taking into account the different diagnostic related groups. METHODS: Mayo Clinic uses All Patient Refined-Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) to calculate SOI and ROM on hospitalized patients. APR-DRG data, including SOI and ROM, were gathered from individual chart reviews from July 6, 2020, to March 31, 2022. RESULTS:  Out of 923 patients discharged from ACH, the average APR-DRG SOI was 2.89 (SD 0.81) and ROM was 2.73. (SD 0.92). Mean age was 70.88 (SD 14.46) years, 54.6% were male patients and the average length of stay was 4.10 days. The most frequent diagnosis was COVID-19 infection with 162 patients (17.6%), followed by heart failure exacerbation (12.7%) and septicemia (10.9%). The 30-day readmission rate after discharge from ACH was 11.2% (n = 103) and the 30-day mortality rate was 1.8% (n = 17). There were no in-program patient deaths. CONCLUSIONS: SOI and ROM from patients at the ACH program have been shown to be in the range of "moderate/major" according to the APR-DRG classification. The ACH program is capable of accepting and managing highly complex patients that require advanced therapeutic means. Furthermore, the ACH program has an in-program mortality rate of 0 to date. Therefore, ACH is rising as a capable alternative to the brick-and-mortar hospital.

Implementation of a virtual and in-person hybrid hospital-at-home model in two geographically separate regions utilizing a single command center: a descriptive cohort study.

BACKGROUND: As providers look to scale high-acuity care in the patient home setting, hospital-at-home is becoming more prevalent. The traditional model of hospital-at-home usually relies on care delivery by in-home providers, caring for patients in urban communities through academic medical centers. Our objective is to describe the process and outcomes of Mayo Clinic's Advanced Care at Home (ACH) program, a hybrid virtual and in-person hospital-at-home model combining a single, virtual provider-staffed command center with a vendor-mediated in-person medical supply chain to simultaneously deliver care to patients living near an urban hospital-at-home command center and patients living in a rural region in a different US state and time zone. METHODS: A descriptive, retrospective medical records review of all patients admitted to ACH between July 6, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Patients were admitted to ACH from an urban academic medical center in Florida and a rural community hospital in Wisconsin. We collected patient volumes, age, sex, race, ethnicity, insurance type, primary hospital diagnosis, 30-day mortality rate, in-program mortality, 30-day readmission rate, rate of return to hospital during acute phase, All Patient Refined-Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) Severity of Illness (SOI), and length of stay (LOS) in both the inpatient-equivalent acute phase and post-acute equivalent restorative phase. RESULTS: Six hundred and eighty-six patients were admitted to the ACH program, 408 in Florida and 278 in Wisconsin. The most common diagnosis seen were infectious pneumonia (27.0%), septicemia / bacteremia (11.5%), congestive heart failure exacerbation (11.5%), and skin and soft tissue infections (6.3%). Median LOS in the acute phase was 3 days (IQR 2-5) and median stay in the restorative phase was 22 days (IQR 11-26). In-program mortality rate was 0% and 30-day mortality was 0.6%. The mean APR-DRG SOI was 2.9 (SD 0.79) and the 30-day readmission rate was 9.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The ACH hospital-at-home model was able to provide both high-acuity inpatient-level care and post-acute care to patients in their homes through a single command center to patients in urban and rural settings in two different geographical locations with favorable outcomes of low mortality and hospital readmissions.

Emerging role of cardiovascular CT and MRI in the evaluation of stroke.

OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this article are to explore the potential for use of CT angiography and MRI and to highlight data suggestive of their usefulness in specific cardiovascular abnormalities. CONCLUSION. The evaluation of stroke requires comprehensive assessment of potential stroke mechanisms, including cardiac sources. Despite an exhaustive search for secondary causes, the precise cause of many strokes remains unknown (cryptogenic). It is well recognized, however, that some of these potential causes occur as a result of embolism from the heart or great vessels. Thus, echocardiography, in particular transesophageal echocardiography, is instrumental in a careful assessment of cardiac causes in selected individuals. Unfortunately, transesophageal echocardiography is invasive, and some patients may have relative or absolute contraindications. Cardiovascular CT angiography and MRI have growing potential compared with conventional cardiovascular echography.

Screening for connective tissue disease in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the utility of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) levels in distinguishing the cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension as idiopathic (IPAH) or connective tissue disease related (CTD-PAH). METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with IPAH or CTD-PAH seen between 2010 and 2012 at our institution. Medical records were reviewed for demographic and clinical data and laboratory values. RESULTS: Of 115 patients identified, 65 (56%) had IPAH and 50 (44%) had CTD-PAH. The mean age was 59 years and most of the patients (76%) were women. Most patients (64%) were in World Health Organization functional class III or IV. Compared with the IPAH group, the CTD-PAH group had significantly increased B-type natriuretic peptide levels (635 vs 325 pg/mL; P = 0.02) and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance (6 vs 9 WU; P = 0.04). The median ANA level was significantly higher in the CTD-PAH group than the IPAH group (7 vs 0 U; P < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for a positive ANA to predict CTD-PAH was 0.91 (P < 0.001). A cutoff of 5 U for predicting ANA provided an optimal specificity of 94% and a sensitivity of 70%. The resulting likelihood ratio using the same cutoff was 12 (P < 0.001), or a positive predictive value of 91% with a negative predictive value of 79%. CONCLUSIONS: In this selected cohort of patients, a quantitative ANA value >5 U may be useful in distinguishing CTD-PAH from IPAH, but a lower level does not confidently exclude CTD-PAH.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Treatment for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in a Patient without Liver Disease.

Introduction: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disease caused by the reciprocal translocation of chromosomes 9 and 22, which leads to a chimeric gene product known as BCR-ABL. Some studies have shown a higher incidence of secondary malignancies than the one seen in the general population in patients with CML. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rarely reported in association with CML and/or CML-related treatment. Case Presentation: We describe a case of a patient with no history of liver disease and CML on imatinib for 10 years, who presented with worsening right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Imaging revealed a large hepatic mass highly suspicious of malignancy that later was confirmed to be HCC after biopsy. The patient was bracketed with advanced stage HCC (BCLC stage C) and given her advanced age and poor performance status; palliative care was offered. Conclusion: Patients with CML have a common association with secondary malignancies. This is the first case report based on our extensive review of available literature that HCC was diagnosed in a patient with CML on treatment with imatinib without any clear or usual underlying cause.

A Rare Complication of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome.

BACKGROUND Cognitive errors are common in medical practice and can have serious consequences for patients related to misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosis and treatment. We report a case in which cognitive error substantially influenced a patient's diagnosis and treatment. CASE REPORT This report recounts the case of an adolescent girl with symptoms similar to those of her previous episodes of tetrahydrocannabinol-induced hyperemesis, despite a 21-kg weight loss over 6 months. She sought care at multiple facilities until finally being diagnosed with superior mesenteric artery syndrome. Treatment was conservative with intravenous hydration, nasogastric feeding, and gastric decompression until duodenal compression was relieved. The patient's condition had improved at 7-month follow-up, and she declined surgical consultation. CONCLUSIONS This case report seeks to raise awareness of the effects of cognitive errors in clinical practice. This tendency to prematurely attribute symptoms to a known diagnosis and thereby overlook alternative and potentially more accurate explanations can lead to delays in diagnoses and treatments. Awareness of cognitive error is especially important in the context of the increasing prevalence of legalization of tetrahydrocannabinol/marijuana in several states. Superior mesenteric artery syndrome, although rare, is linked to high morbidity and mortality when the diagnosis is delayed; thus, it is crucial to consider it in the differential diagnosis for a patient with weight loss and abdominal pain. By sharing this case, we hope clinicians and patients can become more aware of this rare consequence of tetrahydrocannabinol use to facilitate more comprehensive patient-centered investigations.

A Virtual Hybrid Care Hotel Model Supports the Recovery of Post-procedural Patients with Mild to Severe Systemic Diseases.

BACKGROUND: Patients with mild to severe chronic systemic disease undergoing low-risk procedures are often hospitalized for observation. The Care Hotel is a novel virtual medicine hybrid model of care that offers patients a comfortable, out of hospital environment where they can receive both in-person and virtual care after a surgery or procedure. This study aimed to analyze if virtual hybrid post-procedure care in a hotel could be both conducted on and accepted by patients, even those with moderate to severe chronic diseases. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between July 23, 2020 and June 4, 2021 at Mayo Clinic in Florida, a 306-bed community academic hospital. We collected the sex, age, race, ethnicity, acceptance rate, ASA score, and primary procedure of patients using the Care Hotel. RESULTS: Out of 392 patients, 272 (69.4%) opted for care in the program. Median patient age was 61.5 years, 59.56% were males, and 86.40% were white. We found that 50.37% had an ASA score of 2 and 43.4% had an ASA score of 3. Ten different surgical specialties were able to utilize the Care Hotel for care in 47 different procedure types. Urology had the most patients (n=70, 25.7%). Post-electrophysiologic procedures were the most common procedures (n=39, 14.3%). CONCLUSION: Our virtual hybrid Care Hotel program was widely accepted by patients and could care for a multitude of post-operative procedures. Additionally, this novel program can care for patients with both mild and severe systemic diseases.

The ASA Classification System as a Predictive Factor to Stay at the Virtual Hybrid Care Hotel.

INTRODUCTION: The Care Hotel is a virtual hybrid care model for postoperative patients after low-risk procedures which allow recovery in an outpatient environment. This study aimed to analyze if the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA PS) Classification System can be used as a predictive factor for staying at Mayo Clinic's Care Hotel. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between July 23, 2020, and June 4, 2021, at Mayo Clinic in Florida, a 306-bed community academic hospital. ASA PS Class and post-procedure care setting (Care Hotel vs inpatient ward) were collected. Patients were classified into two ASA PS groups (ASA PS Classes 1-2 and 3-4). Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine if the ASA PS Class and having stayed or not at the Care Hotel were independent and an Odds Ratio (OR) calculated. RESULTS: Out of 392 surgical and procedural patients, 272 (69.39%) chose the Care Hotel and 120 (30.61%) chose the inpatient ward. There was a statistically significant association between ASA PS Class and staying at the Care Hotel, P < .01. The OR of preferring to stay at the Care Hotel in patients with ASA PS Class 1-2 vs ASA PC Class 3-4 was 1.91 (P = .0041, 95% CI: 1.229-2.982). CONCLUSION: Patients with ASA PS Classes 1-2 are almost twice as likely to elect to stay at the Care Hotel compared to those with ASA PS Classes 3-4. This finding may help care teams focus their Care hotel recruitment efforts.

Provider Evaluation of a Novel Virtual Hybrid Hospital at Home Model.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare provider's experience with new models of care is crucial for long-term success. In July 2020, Mayo Clinic implemented a novel virtual hybrid hospital at home program called Advanced Care at Home (ACH). This model allows virtual providers in a command center to care for high-acuity patients in the home setting through collaboration with a vendor-mediated supply chain. This study aims to describe the outcomes obtained from a survey applied to the ACH providers to determine their acceptance of the quality and safety of the virtual hybrid care model, their perception towards the decision-making and teamwork between the command center and supplier network, and determine if the overall experience with ACH was rewarding. METHODS: A 15-question anonymous survey was distributed via email quarterly to all the physicians and nurse practitioners registered in ACH program at Mayo Clinic. The survey encompassed questions related to the overall experience in ACH concerning work environment, quality of care, service reliability, teamwork, decision-making, and satisfaction. All the questions were Likert-like scale choice, and a descriptive analysis using frequency distribution and percentages of the data was performed. RESULTS: Between September 1, 2020 and April 30, 2021, three quarterly surveys were sent to a total of 21 physicians and nurse practitioners caring for patients virtually in ACH. The response rate reported was 72%, 33%, and 66%, respectively, at the first, second, and third quarters. Eighty percent or more of providers consistently gave positive scores to all three areas analyzed throughout the 8-month study. CONCLUSION: Providers found the ACH virtual hybrid model of home hospital care very rewarding. They were able to deliver high-quality and safe care to their patients through positive teamwork with a vendor-mediated supply chain. This novel model of hospital at home has the potential to be a great provider satisfier moving forward.

Recurrent Syncope, a Clue in Amyloid Cardiomyopathy.

Infiltrative cardiomyopathies include a variety of disorders that lead to myocardial thickening resulting in a constellation of clinical manifestations and eventually heart failure that could be the first clue to reach the diagnosis. Among the more described infiltrative diseases of the heart is amyloid cardiomyopathy. The disease usually presents with subtle, nonspecific symptoms. Herein, we illustrate a case of recurrent syncope as the initial presenting symptom for systemic amyloid with polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy as a cause of syncope. The article illustrates the role of advanced cardiac imaging in the diagnosis of the disease with a focused literature review. We also highlight the role of early, shared decision-making between patient, family, and medical team in the management of cardiac amyloidosis.

Rare Incidence of Ventricular Tachycardia and Torsades de Pointes in Hospitalized Patients With Prolonged QT Who Later Received Levofloxacin: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation in patients with prolonged corrected QT interval (QTc) who received levofloxacin through retrospective chart review at a tertiary care teaching hospital in the United States. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We selected 1004 consecutive hospitalized patients with prolonged QTc (>450 ms) between October 9, 2009 and June 12, 2012 at our institution. Levofloxacin was administered orally and/or intravenously and adjusted to renal function in the inpatient setting. The primary outcome measure was sustained ventricular tachycardia recorded electrocardiographically. RESULTS: With a median time from the start of levofloxacin use to hospital discharge (or death) of 4 days (range, 1-94 days), only 2 patients (0.2%; 95% CI, 0.0%-0.7%) experienced the primary outcome of sustained ventricular tachycardia after the initiation of levofloxacin use. CONCLUSION: In this study, the short-term risk for sustained ventricular tachycardia in patients with a prolonged QTc who subsequently received levofloxacin was very rare. These results suggest that levofloxacin may be a safe option in patients with prolonged QTc; however, studies with longer follow-up are needed.