Expanding Access to Psychiatric Care Through Universal Depression Screening: Lessons from an Urban Student-Run Free Clinic.

The purpose of this study is to report the utility of a universal depression screening in a student-run free clinic (SRFC) to improve bridging to psychiatric care. Patients (n = 224) seen by an SRFC between April 2017 and November 2022 were screened for depression in the patient's primary language using the standardized Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A PHQ-9 score greater or equal to 5 prompted psychiatry referral. Retrospective chart review was conducted to determine clinical characteristics and length of psychiatry follow-up. Out of 224 patients screened, 77 patients had positive depression screens and were referred to the SRFC's adjacent psychiatry clinic. Of these 77 patients, 56 patients (73%) were female, the average age was 43.7 (SD = 14.5), and the mean PHQ score was 10 (SD = 5.13). Thirty-seven patients (48%) accepted referral, while 40 (52%) declined or were lost to follow-up. There were no statistical differences in age or number of medical comorbidities between the two groups. Patients who accepted referrals were more likely to be female, as well as to have psychiatric histories, higher PHQ-9 scores, and a history of trauma. Reasons for declining and being lost to follow-up included transition to insurance, geographic relocation and deferral due to hesitancy in seeking psychiatric care. Implementation of a standardized depression screening reveals a significant rate of depressive symptoms among an urban uninsured primary care population. Universal screening may serve as a tool to improve the delivery of psychiatric care to underserved patients.

Reprint of: Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Malnutrition (Undernutrition) Screening Tools for All Adults.

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that, based upon current evidence, the Malnutrition Screening Tool should be used to screen adults for malnutrition (undernutrition) regardless of their age, medical history, or setting. Malnutrition (undernutrition) screening is a simple process intended to quickly recognize individuals who may have a malnutrition diagnosis. While numerous malnutrition screening tools are in use, their levels of validity, agreement, reliability, and generalizability vary. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reviewed the body of evidence supporting malnutrition screening tools and determined a single tool for identifying adults in all settings who may have malnutrition, regardless of their age or medical history. The Nutrition Screening for Adults Workgroup conducted a systematic review of the most robust evidence to promote using the highest-quality malnutrition screening tool available.

A Medical Student-Run Telehealth Primary Care Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Maintaining Care for the Underserved.

BACKGROUND: In this report, we outline our approach to implementing a hybrid in-person and virtual clinic model at a student-run free clinic (SRFC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) are at an increased risk for COVID-19 infection and severe clinical outcomes. It is unclear if telehealth is a viable continuity of care enabler for the underserved. METHODS: The Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC) implemented a novel telehealth clinic model to serve uninsured patients in May 2020. A phone survey of was conducted to assess WCCC patients access to technology needed for telehealth visits (eg, personal computers, smartphones). Patient no-show rates were retrospectively assessed for both in-person (pre-pandemic) and hybrid continuity of care models. RESULTS: The phone survey found that 90% of WCCC patients had access to technology needed for telehealth visits. In the 8 months following implementation of the hybrid model, telehealth and in-person no-show rates were 11% (14/128) and 15% (10/67) respectively; the combined hybrid no-show rate was 12% (24/195). For comparison, the in-person 2019 no-show rate was 23% (84/367). This study aligns with previous reports that telehealth improves patient attendance. CONCLUSION: Literature on the transition of SRFCs from in-person to telehealth care delivery models is limited. At the WCCC, the reduction in no-show rates supports the feasibility and benefits of adopting telehealth for the delivery of care to underserved patient populations. We believe the hybrid telehealth model described here is a viable model for other student run free clinics to increase access to care in low SES communities.

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Malnutrition (Undernutrition) Screening Tools for All Adults.

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that, based upon current evidence, the Malnutrition Screening Tool should be used to screen adults for malnutrition (undernutrition) regardless of their age, medical history, or setting. Malnutrition (undernutrition) screening is a simple process intended to quickly recognize individuals who may have a malnutrition diagnosis. While numerous malnutrition screening tools are in use, their levels of validity, agreement, reliability, and generalizability vary. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reviewed the body of evidence supporting malnutrition screening tools and determined a single tool for identifying adults in all settings who may have malnutrition, regardless of their age or medical history. The Nutrition Screening for Adults Workgroup conducted a systematic review of the most robust evidence to promote using the highest-quality malnutrition screening tool available.

Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Nutrition Informatics.

It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that nutrition informatics is a rapidly evolving area of practice for registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered; and that the knowledge and skills inherent to nutrition informatics permeate all areas of the dietetics profession. Further, nutrition and dietetics practitioners must continually learn and update their informatics knowledge and skills to remain at the forefront of nutrition practice. Nutrition informatics is the intersection of information, nutrition, and technology. However, informatics is not just using technology to do work. The essence of nutrition informatics is to manage nutrition data in combination with standards, processes, and technology to improve knowledge and practice that ultimately lead to improved quality of health care and work efficiency. Registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetic technicians, registered, are already experts in using evidence to practice in all areas of nutrition and dietetics. To remain at the forefront of technological innovation, the profession must actively participate in the development of standards, processes, and technologies for providing nutrition care.

Insurance Enrollment at a Student-Run Free Clinic After the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) aims to increase insurance coverage through government subsidies. Medical student-run free clinics (SRFC) are an important entry point into the healthcare system for the uninsured. SRFCs do not have a standardized approach for navigating the complexities of enrollment. The Weill Cornell Community Clinic (WCCC) developed a unique enrollment model that may inform other SRFCs. Our objective is to describe enrollment processes at SRFCs throughout New York City, and to evaluate enrollment outcomes and persistent barriers to coverage at WCCC. We surveyed SRFC leadership throughout NYC to understand enrollment processes. We evaluated enrollment outcomes at WCCC through chart review and structured phone interviews. Subjects included WCCC patients seen in clinic between October 1, 2013 and September 30, 2015 (N = 140). Demographic information, method of insurance enrollment, and qualitative description of enrollment barriers were collected. SRFCs in New York City have diverse enrollment processes. 48% (N = 42) of WCCC patients obtained health insurance. Immigration status was a barrier to coverage in 21% of patients. Failure to gain coverage was predicted by larger household size (p = 0.02). Gender and employment status were not associated with remaining uninsured. The main barriers to enrollment were inability to afford premiums and lack of interest. Insurance enrollment processes at SRFCs in New York City are mostly ad hoc and outcomes are rarely tracked. Following implementation of the ACA, WCCC stands out for its structured approach, with approximately half of eligible WCCC patients gaining coverage during the study period.

Follow-Up Survey on Functionality of Nutrition Documentation and Ordering Nutrition Therapy in Currently Available Electronic Health Record Systems.

BACKGROUND: This is a follow-up survey to reassess the safety and efficacy of nutrition content in the available electronic health record (EHR) systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Members of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.), American Society for Nutrition, and the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics were asked to participate in an online survey. The survey included questions from a 2012 EHR survey on the safety and efficacy in 5 nutrition content areas as well as questions from previous 2003 and 2011 A.S.P.E.N. parenteral nutrition (PN) surveys. RESULTS: Percent of respondents using an EHR and using the EHR for less than 1 year increased between 2012 and 2014 (86%-94%, P < .05; 11%-16%, P < .05, respectively). However, there was no improvement in the safety and efficacy of the 5 nutrition content areas, with a significant decrease in 2 of these areas, ordering oral nutrition supplements and ordering PN. The top-rated EHR vendors had a higher average favorable response rate in regards to safety and efficacy in the nutrition content areas but even the top-rated EHR vendor had only a 60% average in favorable responses. Reported use of electronic PN ordering and a direct interface between the EHR and the automated compounding device (ACD) significantly increased from 2003 to 2011 to 2014 (29% to 33% to 63% and 16% to 19% to 28%, respectively, P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: This is a call to action to nutrition support clinicians, societies, and organizations to proactively be involved in initiatives to educate clinicians and collaborate with EHR vendors to enhance the EHR systems to improve the safety and efficacy of providing nutrition therapy in hospitalized patients.

Attaining Financial Fluency among Physicians: Start with the Students.

One in three chronically ill patients is unable to afford medications, food, or both. Too often, physicians do not discuss costs of care, risking decreased patient adherence. Physicians may be uncomfortable talking about prices and costs with patients because they receive little training in how to do so. The authors argue that one way of teaching providers financial fluency--defined here as physician knowledge of and comfort with discussing economic barriers to care--is to provide that training early in their careers. The concept of anchoring bias supports this argument, as it suggests that humans often rely heavily on the first piece of information obtained. An ideal training setting is the student-run community clinic, where volunteer physicians see low-income, uninsured patients, and medical students coordinate care. This early exposure trains students to expect, rather than fear, a discussion about the cost of care. These experiences should be expanded and formally evaluated.

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: revised 2015 standards of practice and standards of professional performance for registered dietitian nutritionists (competent, proficient, and expert) in pediatric nutrition.

All of the health care professions recognize that care of infants and children is best managed as a specialty area of practice. Nutrition plays a key role in normal growth and development. Appropriate nutrition care is vital adjuvant therapy for infants and children with acute or chronic illness. Provision of nutrition services in pediatric practice requires that registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) have advanced knowledge in the focus area of pediatric nutrition. Therefore, the Pediatric Nutrition Dietetic Practice Group, with guidance from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Management Committee, has developed this revision of the Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance for RDNs in Pediatric Nutrition as a resource for RDNs working in pediatric nutrition to assess skill level and to identify needs for professional development to advance practice in pediatric nutrition. This revision reflects recent advances in pediatric nutrition and replaces the previous Standards published in 2009. The Standards of Practice represent the four steps of the Nutrition Care Process as applied to the care of patients/clients. The Standards of Professional Performance represent six domains of professionalism: Quality in Practice, Competence and Accountability, Provision of Services, Application of Research, Communication and Application of Knowledge, and Utilization and Management of Resources. The Standards of Practice and Standards of Professional Performance are complementary resources for RDNs working in pediatric nutrition and dietetics practice.

Stigmatization of substance use disorders among internal medicine residents.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that some physicians harbor negative attitudes towards patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). The study sought to (1) measure internal medicine residents' attitudes towards patients with SUDs and other conditions; (2) determine whether demographic factors influence regard for patients with SUDs; and (3) assess the efficacy of a 10-hour addiction medicine course for improving attitudes among a subset of residents. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 128 internal medicine residents at an academic medical center in New York City. Scores from the validated Medical Condition Regard Scale (MCRS) were used to assess attitude towards patients with alcoholism, dependence on narcotic pain medication, heartburn, and pneumonia. Demographic variables included gender, postgraduate training year, and prior addiction education. RESULTS: Mean baseline MCRS scores were lower (less regard) for patients with alcoholism (41.4) and dependence on narcotic pain medication (35.3) than for patients with pneumonia (54.5) and heartburn (48.9) (P < .0001). Scores did not differ based upon gender, prior hours of addiction education, or year of training. After the course, MCRS scores marginally increased for patients with alcoholism (mean increased by 0.16, P = .04 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.004-0.324]) and dependence on narcotic pain medication (mean increased by 0.09, P = .10 [95% CI: 0.02-0.22]). CONCLUSIONS: Internal medicine residents demonstrate less regard for patients with SUDs. Participation in a course in addiction medicine was associated with modest attitude improvement; however, other efforts may be necessary to ensure that patients with potentially stigmatized conditions receive optimal care.

A brief office educational intervention improved referral rates for hypertension control in women.

As part of an initiative to increase physician awareness about hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD); we studied the effects of a pilot intervention on the rates of referral for uncontrolled hypertension in an Ob-Gyn office. Physicians in an Ob-Gyn practice completed an educational session regarding hypertension and used a 1-page tracking form in their medical records for 3 months. Trained personnel reviewed medical records to compare baseline rates of hypertension control to those at the end of the intervention. Rates of counseling about lifestyle modification to control hypertension were also documented. The rate of referral for hypertension was significantly increased after 3 months (p<0.001). The rates of counseling about CVD risk factors approached 100%. In this study, hypertension was commonly under-treated, despite being a major risk factor for CVD. As primary care physicians, obstetrician-gynecologists are in an excellent position to facilitate evaluation and treatment of hypertension in women. Education about the importance of hypertension control along with a simple tracking form can assist Ob-Gyn physicians in complying with JNC 7 guidelines.

Update in women's health.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this clinical update is to summarize articles and guidelines published in the last year with the potential to change current clinical practice as it relates to women's health. METHODS: We used two independent search strategies to identify articles relevant to women's health published between March 1, 2007 and February 29, 2008. First, we reviewed the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and journal indices from the ACP Journal Club, Annals of Internal Medicine, Archives of Internal Medicine, British Medical Journal, Circulation, Diabetes, JAMA, JGIM, Journal of Women's Health, Lancet, NEJM, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Women's Health Journal Watch. Second, we performed a MEDLINE search using the medical subject heading term "sex factors." The authors, who all have clinical and/or research experience in the area of women's health, reviewed all article titles, abstracts, and, when indicated, full publications. We excluded articles related to obstetrical aspects of women's health focusing on those relevant to general internists. We had two acceptance criteria, scientific rigor and potential to impact women's health. We also identified new and/or updated women's health guidelines released during the same time period. RESULTS: We identified over 250 publications with potential relevance to women's health. Forty-six articles were selected for presentation as part of the Clinical Update, and nine were selected for a more detailed discussion in this paper. Evidence-based women's health guidelines are listed in Table 1. Table 1 Important Women's Health Guidelines in 2007-2008: New or Updated Topic Issuing organization Updated recommendations and comments Mammography screening in women 40-4917 ACP Individualized risk assessment and informed decision making should be used to guide decisions about mammography screening in this age group. To aid in the risk assessment, a discussion of the risk factors, which if present in a woman in her 40s increases her risk to above that of an average 50-year-old woman, is provided in the guidelines. In addition, available risk prediction models, such as the NIH Web site calculator (http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/) can also be used to estimate quantitative breast cancer risk. This model was updated in 2008 with race-specific data for calculating risk in African-American women.18 The harms and benefits of mammography should be discussed and incorporated along with a woman's preferences and breast cancer risk profile into the decision on when to begin screening. If a woman decides to forgo mammography, the decision should be readdressed every 1 to 2 years. STD screening guidelines19 USPSTF and CDC Routine screening for this infection is now recommended for ALL sexually active women age 24 and under, based on the recent high prevalence estimates for chlamydia It is not recommended for women (pregnant or nonpregnant) age 25 and older, unless they are at increased risk for infection. STD treatment guidelines20 CDC Flouroquinolones are NO longer recommended for treatment of N. gonorrhea, due to increasing resistance (as high as 15% of isolates in 2006). For uncomplicated infections, treatment of gonorrhea should be initiated with ceftriaxone 125 mg IM or cefixime 400 mg PO and co-treatment for chlamydia infection (unless ruled out with testing). Recent estimates demonstrate that almost 50% of persons with gonorrhea have concomitant chlamydia infection21. STD = sexually transmitted disease, NIH = National Institutes of Health, ACP = American College of Physicians, USPSTF = United States Prevention Services Task Force, CDC = Centers for Disease Control.

Nutrition screening vs nutrition assessment: how do they differ?

Interest in nutrition screening has increased rapidly due to regulatory requirements as well as the known adverse impact of nutrition deficits on outcomes of hospitalization. Screening programs now in use in acute care are often complex and difficult to administer. Current interest in evaluation of all aspects of healthcare using evidence-based methods requires that nutrition screening programs be thoroughly evaluated. Clinicians attempting to evaluate evidence in support of different methods to identify patients who might have nutrition problems are often confronted with research that blurs the distinction between screening and assessment. Therefore, before identifying methods to conduct nutrition screening, it is necessary to have a thorough understanding of the difference between screening and assessment. A review of terms, definitions, and programs for screening in other areas of healthcare will provide some guidance to the clinician faced with development, implementation, and monitoring of nutrition screening programs. This facilitates development of nutrition assessment programs so that patients who have a nutrition screen are assessed in a timely fashion and receive appropriate nutrition interventions.

Computer technology and the nutrition support professional: make it work for you!

Healthcare professionals caring for patients receiving enteral and parenteral nutrition (PN) are faced with the need to develop and expand their technologic skills. Patients and their caregivers are finding information from the Internet that healthcare professionals are then tasked with evaluating for accuracy and veracity. Healthcare professionals themselves must be able to rapidly find information to answer clinical questions that arise during daily practice. Information-seeking skills must be well developed in order to find information from the Internet, as well as in the professional literature. Such skills include the ability to formulate a search strategy that limits extraneous results as much as possible yet ensures that relevant results are not missed. In addition, electronic health records are being implemented in many facilities now, with a national goal of an electronic health record in place by 2014. Clinicians must be involved with implementation at all stages, including planning, purchasing, implementing, and evaluating an electronic system. Electronic health records can include very sophisticated components that provide for computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and decision support. Nutrition support must be an integral part of these systems. This paper provides some background information on the Internet and the World Wide Web, along with strategies to find information using search engines. Information is also provided on the use of MEDLINE to search medical literature. Finally, a brief overview of the electronic health record is provided, with suggestions for involvement by nutrition support clinicians in implementation of electronic health records in the workplace.

Use of multidisciplinary rounds to simultaneously improve quality outcomes, enhance resident education, and shorten length of stay.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-based clinicians and educators face a difficult challenge trying to simultaneously improve measurable quality, educate residents in line with ACGME core competencies, while also attending to fiscal concerns such as hospital length of stay (LOS). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of multidisciplinary rounds (MDR) on quality core measure performance, resident education, and hospital length of stay. DESIGN: Pre and post observational study assessing the impact of MDR during its first year of implementation. SETTING: The Norwalk Hospital is a 328-bed, university-affiliated community teaching hospital in an urban setting with a total of 44 Internal Medicine residents. METHODS: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) core measure performance was obtained on a monthly basis for selected heart failure (CHF), pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) measures addressed on the general medical service. Resident knowledge and attitudes about MDR were determined by an anonymous questionnaire. LOS and monthly core measure performance rates were adjusted for patient characteristics and secular trends using linear spline logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: Institution of MDR was associated with a significant improvement in quality core measure performance in targeted areas of CHF from 65% to 76% (p < .001), AMI from 89% to 96% (p = .004), pneumonia from 27% to 70% (p < .001), and all combined from 59% to 78% (p < .001). Adjusted overall monthly performance rates also improved during MDR (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, CI 1.06-1.12, p < .001). Residents reported substantial improvements in core measure knowledge, systems-based care, and communication after institution of MDR (p < .001). Residents also agreed that MDR improved efficiency, delivery of evidence-based care, and relationships with involved disciplines. Adjusted average LOS decreased 0.5 (95% CI 0.1-0.8) days for patients with a target core measure diagnosis of either CHF, pneumonia, or AMI (p < .01 ) and by 0.6 (95% CI 0.5-0.7) days for all medicine DRGs (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Resident-centered MDR is an effective process using no additional resources that simultaneously improves quality of care while enhancing resident education and is associated with shortened length of stay.