Sex Differences in Endovascular Treatment for Stroke: A Population-based Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischemic stroke may affect women and men differently. We aimed to evaluate sex differences in outcomes of endovascular treatment (EVT) for ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion in a population-based study in Alberta, Canada. METHODS AND RESULTS: Over a 3-year period (April 2015-March 2018), 576 patients fit the inclusion criteria of our study and constituted the EVT group of our analysis. The medical treatment group of the ESCAPE trial had 150 patients. Thus, our total sample size was 726. We captured outcomes in clinical routine using administrative data and a linked database methodology. The primary outcome of our study was home-time. Home-time refers to the number of days that the patient was back at their premorbid living situation without an increase in the level of care within 90 days of the index stroke event. In adjusted analysis, EVT was associated with an increase of 90-day home-time by an average of 6.08 (95% CI -2.74-14.89, p-value 0.177) days in women compared to an average of 11.20 (95% CI 1.94-20.46, p-value 0.018) days in men. Further analysis revealed that the association between EVT and 90-day home-time in women was confounded by age and onset-to-treatment time. CONCLUSIONS: We found a nonsignificant nominal reduction of 90-day home-time gain for women compared to men in this province-wide population-based study of EVT for large vessel occlusion, which was only partially explained by confounding.

Provincial Door-to-Needle Improvement Initiative Results in Improved Patient Outcomes Across an Entire Population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Improving door-to-needle times (DNTs) for thrombolysis of acute ischemic stroke patients improves outcomes, but participation in DNT improvement initiatives has been mostly limited to larger, academic medical centers with an existing interest in stroke quality improvement. It is not known whether quality improvement initiatives can improve DNT at a population level, including smaller community hospitals. This study aims to determine the effect of a provincial improvement collaborative intervention on improvement of DNT and patient outcomes. METHODS: A pre post cohort study was conducted over 10 years in the Canadian province of Alberta with 17 designated stroke centers. All ischemic stroke patients who received thrombolysis in the Canadian province of Alberta were included in the study. The quality improvement intervention was an improvement collaborative that involved creation of interdisciplinary teams from each stroke center, participation in 3 workshops and closing celebration, site visits, webinars, and data audit and feedback. RESULTS: Two thousand four hundred eighty-eight ischemic stroke patients received thrombolysis in the pre- and postintervention periods (630 in the post period). The mean age was 71 years (SD, 14.6 years), and 46% were women. DNTs were reduced from a median of 70.0 minutes (interquartile range, 51-93) to 39.0 minutes (interquartile range, 27-58) for patients treated per guideline (P<0.0001). The percentage of patients discharged home from acute care increased from 45.6% to 59.5% (P<0.0001); the median 90-day home time increased from 43.3 days (interquartile range, 27.3-55.8) to 53.6 days (interquartile range, 36.8-64.6) (P=0.0015); and the in-hospital mortality decreased from 14.5% to 10.5% (P=0.0990). CONCLUSIONS: The improvement collaborative was likely the key contributing factor in reducing DNTs and improving outcomes for ischemic stroke patients across Alberta.

One-Year Healthcare Utilization for Patients That Received Endovascular Treatment Compared With Control.

Background and Purpose- Endovascular therapy has been shown to be highly efficacious based on 90-day modified Rankin Scale score. We examined actual daily healthcare utilization from stroke onset to 1 year afterward from the ESCAPE trial (Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT to Recanalization Time) and registry data. Methods- We examined patients from Alberta, Canada, that was enrolled into the ESCAPE trial and the Quality Improvement and Clinical Research registry in the 2016/2017 fiscal year. Through data linkages to several administrative data sets, the daily location of each patient was assessed in various healthcare settings. Results- A total of 286 patients were analyzed, 52 patients were in the treatment arm, and 47 patients were in the control arm of the ESCAPE trial while 187 patients received endovascular therapy as usual care (2016/2017 fiscal year). The odds of a patient being out of a healthcare setting over 1 year was significantly higher when they received endovascular therapy: 3.46 (1.68-7.30) in ESCAPE trial patients and 2.00 (1.08-3.75) in the Quality Improvement And Clinical Research patients. Conclusions- Endovascular therapy significantly reduces healthcare utilization up to 1 year after a stroke.

Comparative Effectiveness of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Population-Based Analysis.

Background A heterogeneous patient population receives endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke caused by proximal large-vessel occlusion every day. We aimed to conduct a population-based study of EVT in the province of Alberta, Canada, to understand the effectiveness in a complete population and how the magnitude of effect differs from the artificial world of clinical trials. Methods and Results Within a 3-year period (April 2015 to March 2018), 576 patients fit the inclusion criteria of our study and constituted the EVT group of our analysis. The medical treatment group of the ESCAPE (Endovascular Treatment for Small Core and Anterior Circulation Proximal Occlusion With Emphasis on Minimizing CT [Computed Tomography] to Recanalization Times) trial had 150 patients. Thus, our total sample size was 726. We captured outcomes in clinical routine using administrative data and a linked database method. Primary outcome of our study was home-time. Home-time refers to the number of days that the patient was back at premorbid living situation without increase in level of care within 90 days of index stroke event. Median age of patients was 70 years (interquartile range, 59-81 years), and 47.8% were women. Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 17 (interquartile range, 13-20). EVT was associated with an increased 90-day home-time by an average of 8.5 days compared with medical treatment alone using Cragg hurdle regression (P=0.009). Age and higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score were associated with decreased 90-day home-time (both P<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed no association between EVT and mortality at 90 days (odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.47-1.24). Conclusions EVT for acute ischemic stroke caused by proximal large-vessel occlusion was effective in our province-wide population-based study and results in an increase of 90-day home-time by ~8.5 days.

Return on investment of the diabetes foot care clinical pathway implementation in Alberta, Canada.

AIMS: Based on best practices, the diabetes foot care clinical pathway (DFCCP) has been developed and implemented in several clinics in Alberta, Canada. We performed a return on investment (ROI) analysis of this implementation. METHODS: We used a cohort design comparing both cost and return (in terms of reduced health services utilization, HSU) between diabetes patients who were exposed and who were unexposed, to the intervention. We used a difference-in-difference approach and a propensity-score-matching technique to minimize biases due to differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between two cohorts. We used a 1-year time-horizon and converted all costs/savings to 2019 Canadian dollars (1 CA$ ~= 0.75 US$). RESULTS: The intervention helped avoid $3500 in costs of HSU per patient-year. Subtracting the intervention cost of $500, the net benefit of intervention was $3000 (ranged $2400-$3700) per patient-year. The ROI ratio was estimated at 7.4 (ranged 6.1 to 8.8) meaning that every invested $1 returned $7.4 (ranged $6.1-$8.8) for the health system. The probability of intervention being cost-saving ranged from 99.5-100%. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of DFCCP in Alberta is cost-saving. A continuation of the pathway implementation at studied clinics and a spread to other clinics are recommended.

Digging deeper: quality of patient-provider communication across Hispanic subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Recent research suggests that ethnic subgroup designation plays an important role in health-related disparities among Hispanics. Our objective was to examine the influence of Hispanics' self-reported ethnic subgroup designation on perceptions of their health care providers' communication behaviors. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis of the 2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Participants included non-institutionalized Hispanics (n = 5197; US population estimate = 27,070,906), aged > or = 18 years, reporting visiting a health care provider within the past 12 months. Six (n = 6) items were used to capture respondents' perceptions of their health care providers' communication behaviors. RESULTS: After controlling for socio-demographic covariates, compared to Other Hispanics (reference group), very few differences in perceptions of health care providers communication emerged across ethnic subgroups. Puerto Ricans were more likely to report that their health care provider "always" showed respect for what they had to say (OR = 2.16, 95% CI 1.16-4.03). Both Puerto Ricans (OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.06-4.92) and Mexicans (OR = 1.88, 95% CI 1.02-3.46) were more likely to indicate that their health care provider "always" spent enough time with them as compared to Other Hispanics. CONCLUSIONS: We observed very few differences among Hispanics respondents in their perceived quality of interactions with health care providers as a function of their ethnic subgroup designation. While our findings somewhat contradict previous research, they do suggest that other underlying factors may influence the quality of perceived interactions with health care providers.

Are patient-administered attention deficit hyperactivity disorder scales suitable for adults?

OBJECTIVE: This primary purpose of this study was to examine cognitive complexity and readability of patient-administered ADHD scales. The secondary purpose was to estimate variation in readability of individual ADHD scale items. METHOD: Using comprehensive search strategies, we identified eight English-language ADHD scales for inclusion in our study. A complete copy of each ADHD scale was obtained from the most current publication. Cognitive complexity of individual ADHD scale items were assessed using three techniques (number of items, number of words, and linguistic problems), while readability was calculated using the Flesch-Kinkaid formula. RESULTS: Total number of ADHD scale items ranged from 6 to 66. The ADHD scale items averaged from a low of 4.4+/-2.9 to a high of 18.7+/-4.4 words. Most individual ADHD scale items had between 1 to 3 linguistic problems. Although readability of ADHD scales ranged from approximately 5th to 8th grade, there was notable variation in readability across individual statements and questions. CONCLUSION: Formatting characteristics, including linguistic problems and high readability, may interfere with patients' ability to accurately complete ADHD scales.

Relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life among Tennesseans.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between health literacy and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a sample of English-speaking Tennesseans attending a university-based family medicine residency clinic. We measured the health literacy skills of patients (n = 249) using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM), dividing patients' scores into limited (< or = 8th-grade level) and adequate (> or = 9th-grade) literacy skill levels. We measured HRQOL using four items developed and validated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Scores on the REALM indicated that 28.5 percent of patients had limited and 71.5 percent had adequate health literacy skills. There was a significant correlation between patients' health literacy skills and self-reported general health (rho = 0.249, P < 0.01). Patients with limited health literacy skills had a higher median number of physically unhealthy days (P = 0.05) and activity limitation days (P = 0.05) compared with patients with adequate health literacy skills. Based on this study, patients' health literacy skills are associated with several components of HRQOL.

Knowledge Translation to Optimize Adult Inpatient Glycemic Management With Basal Bolus Insulin Therapy and Improve Patient Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a Basal Bolus Insulin Therapy (BBIT) Knowledge Translation toolkit to address barriers to adoption of established best practice with BBIT in the care of adult inpatients. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2 phases and focused on the hospitalist provider group across 4 acute care facilities in Calgary. Phase 1 involved a qualitative evaluation of provider and site specific barriers and facilitators, which were mapped to validated interventions using behaviour change theory. This informed the co-development and optimization of the BBIT Knowledge Translation toolkit, with each tool targeting a specific barrier to improved diabetes care practice, including BBIT ordering. In Phase 2, the BBIT Knowledge Translation toolkit was implemented and evaluated, focusing on BBIT ordering frequency, as well as secondary outcomes of hyperglycemia (patient-days with BG >14.0 mmol/L), hypoglycemia (patient-days with BG <4.0 mmol/L), and acute length of stay. RESULTS: Implementation of the BBIT Knowledge Translation toolkit resulted in a significant 13% absolute increase in BBIT ordering. Hyperglycemic patient-days were significantly reduced, with no increase in hypoglycemia. There was a significant, absolute 14% reduction in length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of an evidence-informed, multifaceted BBIT Knowledge Translation toolkit effectively reduced a deeply entrenched in-patient diabetes care gap. The resulting sustained practice change improved patient clinical and system resource utilization outcomes. This systemic approach to implementation will guide further scale and spread of glycemic optimization initiatives.

The medical dialogue: disentangling differences between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites.

BACKGROUND: Patients' race and ethnicity play an important role in quality of and access to healthcare in the United States. OBJECTIVES: To examine the influence of ethnicity--Hispanic whites vs. non-Hispanic whites--on respondents' self-reported interactions with healthcare providers. To understand, among Hispanic whites, how demographic and socioeconomic characteristics impact their interactions with healthcare providers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of the 2002 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative survey on medical care conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. PARTICIPANTS: Civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged > or = 18 years who reported visiting a healthcare provider within the past 12 months prior to data collection. RESULTS: After controlling for several demographic and socioeconomic covariates, compared to non-Hispanic whites (reference group), Hispanic whites who had visited a doctor's office or clinic in the past 12 months were more likely to report that their healthcare provider "always" listened to them [odds ratio (OR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.21-1.53], explained things so that they understood (OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.41), showed respect for what they had to say (OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.35-1.72), and spent enough time with them (OR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38). However, Hispanics were less likely to indicate that their health care provider "always" gave them control over treatment options (OR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.72-0.95) as compared to non-Hispanics. Within the Hispanic population exclusively, age, place of residence, census region, health insurance status, and presence of a usual source of care influenced self-reported interactions with healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: Hispanic white respondents were more likely to report that some aspects of provider-patient interactions were indicative of high quality, whereas those related to decision-making autonomy were not. These somewhat paradoxical results should be examined more fully in future research.

Population-based study of home-time by stroke type and correlation with modified Rankin score.

OBJECTIVE: To describe home-time, stratified by stroke type, in a complete population and to determine its correlation with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. METHODS: We used linked administrative data to derive home-time in all patients admitted for a cerebrovascular event in Alberta, Canada, between 2012 and 2016. Home-time is the number of days spent outside a health institution in the first 90 days after index hospitalization. We used negative binomial regression, adjusted for age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index, and hospital location, to determine the association between home-time and stroke type. In 552 patients enrolled in 4 acute ischemic stroke clinical trials, we used multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis to determine the association between home-time and mRS score at 90 days. RESULTS: Among 15,644 patients (n = 10,428 with ischemic stroke, n = 1,415 with intracerebral hemorrhage, n = 760 with subarachnoid hemorrhage, n = 3,041 with TIA), patients with TIA have the longest home-time, almost triple the number of days at home compared to patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (incidence rate ratio 2.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.58-3.15). Among clinical trial ischemic stroke patients, longer home-time was associated with a lower mRS score at 90 days (adjusted common odds ratio 1.04, 95% CI 1.04-1.05). CONCLUSIONS: We showed that home-time is an objective and graded indicator that is correlated with disability after stroke. It is obtainable from administrative data, applicable to different stroke types, and a valuable outcome indicator in population-based health services research.

Brief report: screening items to identify patients with limited health literacy skills.

BACKGROUND: Patients with limited literacy skills are routinely encountered in clinical practice, but they are not always identified by clinicians. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 3 candidate questions to determine their accuracy in identifying patients with limited or marginal health literacy skills. METHODS: We studied 305 English-speaking adults attending a university-based primary care clinic. Demographic items, health literacy screening questions, and the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine (REALM) were administered to patients. To determine the accuracy of the candidate questions for identifying limited or marginal health literacy skills, we plotted area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves for each item, using REALM scores as a reference standard. RESULTS: The mean age of subjects was 49.5; 67.5% were female, 85.2% Caucasian, and 81.3% insured by TennCare and/or Medicare. Fifty-four (17.7%) had limited and 52 (17.0%) had marginal health literacy skills. One screening question, "How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?" was accurate in detecting limited (AUROC of 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.77 to 0.86) and limited/marginal (AUROC of 0.79; 95% CI=0.74 to 0.83) health literacy skills. This question had significantly greater AUROC than either of the other questions (P<.01) and also a greater AUROC than questions based on demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: One screening question may be sufficient for detecting limited and marginal health literacy skills in clinic populations.

Suitability of written supplemental materials available on the Internet for nonprescription medications.

PURPOSE: The suitability, readability, and cultural appropriateness of written supplemental materials available on the Internet for nonprescription medications were examined. METHODS: We videotaped 48 hours of television programming, recording a total of 152 advertisements highlighting 37 unique nonprescription medications. The supplemental materials corresponding to each advertised medication were downloaded and printed in their entirety from each product-specific Web site. These materials were assessed using the Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) instrument. Total SAM scores were grouped as follows: not suitable (0-39%), adequate (40-69%), and superior (70-100%). The Fry readability formula was used to determine the reading grade level for the materials assessed with the SAM instrument. RESULTS: The mean +/- S.D. SAM score of all materials was 54.9% +/- 0.1% (range, 38-76%). Materials for the majority of drugs (86.5%, n = 32) were rated adequate. Materials for four drugs (10.8%) were rated superior, and the material for one drug was not suitable. While the total SAM scores were adequate for most of the materials evaluated, the majority of materials scored particularly poorly for their reading level (the materials for 81.1% of drugs were not suitable). The materials for 40.9% of drugs used uncommon words. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the suitability, readability, and cultural appropriateness of written supplemental materials for nonprescription medications available on manufacturer-sponsored Web sites and intended for consumers or patients revealed that SAM scores were adequate for most of the materials; however, many scored poorly in the areas of reading level and used uncommon words.

Nutrition in chronic disease management in the elderly.

Older Americans experience chronic disease at rates well above other segments of our society. Rates of health services use are also 2 to 3 times that of younger age groups. The most rapidly growing segments of America's aging population are also its most nutritionally vulnerable-women, minorities, and those 85 years of age and older. The routine incorporation of nutrition screening and intervention into chronic disease management protocols will lower healthcare services usage, decrease healthcare costs, help relieve the burden of human suffering experienced by older Americans with chronic disease, and improve quality of life for our nation's elders.

Literacy, medical care, and health status in Tennessee.

Based on the most recent information, Tennessee is facing an enormous problem with literacy and health outcomes. As a result, the healthcare industry is vulnerable because of patients' inability to understand and follow a plan of treatment. This in part has resulted in poor healthcare and increased costs in providing care. By implementing strategies such as those outlined in Table 1, strides can be made in improving the healthcare provided to Tennesseans and reducing costs associated.

Use of theory in low-literacy intervention research from 1980 to 2009.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether theories and/or models are used in interventions geared towards improving health-related outcomes for individuals with limited literacy skills. METHODS: Intervention studies (n=52) published between 1980 and 2009 that met inclusion criteria were reviewed to assess the topic addressed, type of theory and/or model used, and the extent of theory use. RESULTS: Twenty-one (40.4%) interventions were based on a theory or model. Most of those 21 interventions were either "informed by" (n=15, 71.4%) or "applied" (n=4, 19.1%) theory whereas 2 (9.5%) "tested" theory. CONCLUSIONS: Most low-literacy intervention research is not based on any educational, behavioral, or social science theory or model.

Drug-eluting stent thrombosis in routine clinical practice: two-year outcomes and predictors from the TAXUS ARRIVE registries.

BACKGROUND: Stent thrombosis (ST) is an uncommon but serious complication of drug-eluting and bare metal stents. To assess drug-eluting stent ST in contemporary practice, we analyzed 2-year data from the 7492-patient ARRIVE registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients were enrolled at the initiation of percutaneous coronary intervention with no inclusion/exclusion criteria beyond use of the paclitaxel-eluting TAXUS stent. Two-year follow-up was 94% with independent adjudication of major cardiac events. A second, autonomous committee adjudicated Academic Research Consortium (ARC) definite/probable ST. Cumulative 2-year ARC-defined ST was 2.6% (1.0% early ST [<30 days], 0.7% late ST [31 to 365 days], and 0.8% very late ST [>1 year]). Simple-use (single-vessel and single-stent) cases had lower rates than expanded use (broader patient/lesion characteristics, 2-year cumulative: 1.4% versus 3.3%, P<0.001; early ST: 0.4% versus 1.4%, P<0.001; late ST: 0.5% versus 0.8%, P=0.14; very late ST: 0.4% versus 1.0%, P=0.008). Within 7 days of ST, 23% of patients died; 28% suffered Q-wave myocardial infarction. Mortality was higher with early ST (39%) than late ST (12%, P<0.001) or very late ST (13%, P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed anatomic factors increased early ST (lesion >28 mm, lesion calcification) and late ST (vessel <3.0 mm); biological factors increased very late ST (renal disease, prior brachytherapy). Although early ST (71.4%) and very late ST (23.1%) patients had dual antiplatelet therapy at the time of ST, premature thienopyridine discontinuation was a strong independent predictor of both. CONCLUSIONS: The relative risks of early and late ST differ. Knowledge of ST risk for specific subgroups may guide revascularization options until the completion of randomized trials in these broad populations.

Can screening items identify surgery patients at risk of limited health literacy?

BACKGROUND: Health literacy skills (HLS) have been shown to have a major impact on patient outcomes. To identify patients with limited or marginal HLS, the accuracy of three established screening items were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied English-speaking adults (>or=21 years) attending a university-based vascular surgery clinic. Structured interviews were conducted to assess sociodemographic characteristics, screening items, and HLS. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves were plotted to assess the discriminatory capacity of each screening item in detecting patients with limited/marginal HLS. RESULTS: One hundred patients agreed to enter the study and met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 62.0 +/- 12.9; 65 were female; 96 were Caucasian; and 32 had not completed high school. The three screening items were effective in detecting patients with limited (n=18) or marginal (n=21) HLS. "How often do you have someone (like a family member, friend, or hospital worker) help you read hospital materials?" (AUROC of 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.73, 0.92), "How often do you have problems learning about your medical condition because of difficulty understanding written information?" (AUROC of 0.77; 95% CI=0.67, 0.86), and "How confident are you filling out medical forms by yourself?" (AUROC of 0.76; 95% CI=0.66, 0.86) were effective in detecting those with limited/marginal HLS skills. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide further evidence of the clinical usefulness of these screening items for detecting inadequate HLS in this patient population. Surgeons should consider administering these easy screening items to identify patients at greatest risk of limited or marginal HLS.

Misperceptions of medical understanding in low-literacy patients: implications for cancer prevention.

BACKGROUND: Patients with limited literacy skills often have difficulty understanding medical information, are less likely to undergo cancer screening, and present with cancer at later stages than patients with better literacy skills. Since primary care physicians are responsible for performing or initiating the majority of cancer screening in the United States, they need to be able to not only identify patients who might not understand medical information but also communicate effectively with them about cancer prevention and screening. METHODS: To determine whether family medicine residents could identify patients who might have difficulty understanding medical information because of limited literacy, we measured the literacy skills of patients in a university-based family medicine clinic using the short form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). After the patients completed their office visits with a physician, we asked family medicine residents to rate the patients' ability to understand medical information. RESULTS: Among 140 patients who met with 18 family medicine resident physicians, 24% had limited literacy skills based on testing with the S-TOFHLA. Residents identified only about half of these patients as having poor or below average understanding of medical information. CONCLUSIONS: IN many cases, family medicine residents are unable to identify patients who, based on assessment of their literacy skills, are likely to have difficulty understanding medical information. When working with residents, medical educators should promote the habit of taking poor literacy into account when communicating with patients.