Sustaining Gains in Diabetic Eye Screening: Outcomes from a Stakeholder-Based Implementation Program for Teleophthalmology in Primary Care.

Background: Teleophthalmology is a validated method for diabetic eye screening that is underutilized in U.S. primary care clinics. Even when made available to patients, its long-term effectiveness for increasing screening rates is often limited. Introduction: We hypothesized that a stakeholder-based implementation program could increase teleophthalmology use and sustain improvements in diabetic eye screening. Materials and Methods:We used the NIATx Model to test a stakeholder-based teleophthalmology implementation program, I-SITE at one primary care clinic (Main) and compared teleophthalmology use and diabetic eye screening rates with those of other primary care clinics (Outreach) within a U.S. multipayer health system where teleophthalmology was underutilized.Results:Teleophthalmology use increased post-I-SITE implementation (odds ratio [OR] = 5.73 [p < 0.001]), and was greater at the Main than at the Outreach clinics (OR = 10.0 vs. 1.69, p < 0.001). Overall diabetic eye screening rates maintained an increase from 47.4% at baseline to 60.2% and 64.1% at 1 and 2 years post-I-SITE implementation, respectively (p < 0.001). Patients who were younger (OR = 0.98 per year of age, p = 0.02) and men (OR = 1.98, p = 0.002) were more likely to use teleophthalmology than in-person dilated eye examinations for diabetic eye screening.Discussion: Our stakeholder-based implementation program achieved a significant increase in overall teleophthalmology use and maintained increased post-teleophthalmology diabetic eye screening rates. Conclusion: Stakeholder-based implementation may increase the long-term reach and effectiveness of teleophthalmology to reduce vision loss from diabetes. Our approach may improve integration of telehealth interventions into primary care.

Identification of barriers, facilitators and system-based implementation strategies to increase teleophthalmology use for diabetic eye screening in a rural US primary care clinic: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Teleophthalmology for diabetic eye screening is an evidence-based intervention substantially underused in US multipayer primary care clinics, even when equipment and trained personnel are readily available. We sought to identify patient and primary care provider (PCP) barriers, facilitators, as well as strategies to increase teleophthalmology use. DESIGN: We conducted standardised open-ended, individual interviews and analysed the transcripts using both inductive and directed content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators to teleophthalmology use. The Chronic Care Model was used as a framework for the development of the interview guide and for categorising implementation strategies to increase teleophthalmology use. SETTING: A rural, US multipayer primary care clinic with an established teleophthalmology programme for diabetic eye screening. PARTICIPANTS: We conducted interviews with 29 participants (20 patients with diabetes and 9 PCPs). RESULTS: Major patient barriers to teleophthalmology use included being unfamiliar with teleophthalmology, misconceptions about diabetic eye screening and logistical challenges. Major patient facilitators included a recommendation from the patient's PCP and factors related to convenience. Major PCP barriers to referring patients for teleophthalmology included difficulty identifying when patients are due for diabetic eye screening and being unfamiliar with teleophthalmology. Major PCP facilitators included the ease of the referral process and the communication of screening results. Based on our results, we developed a model that maps where these key patient and PCP barriers occur in the teleophthalmology referral process. Patients and PCPs also identified implementation strategies to directly address barriers and facilitators to teleophthalmology use. CONCLUSIONS: Patients and PCPs have limited familiarity with teleophthalmology for diabetic eye screening. PCPs were expected to initiate teleophthalmology referrals, but reported significant difficulty identifying when patients are due for diabetic eye screening. System-based implementation strategies primarily targeting PCP barriers in conjunction with improved patient and provider education may increase teleophthalmology use in rural, US multipayer primary care clinics.

Variation in coordination of care reported by breast cancer patients according to health literacy.

BACKGROUND: Health literacy is the ability to perform basic reading and numerical tasks to function in the healthcare environment. The purpose of this study is to describe how health literacy is related to perceived coordination of care reported by breast cancer patients. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-sponsored "Share Thoughts on Breast Cancer" Study including demographic factors, perceived care coordination and responsiveness of care, and self-reported health literacy obtained from a mailed survey completed by 62% of eligible breast cancer survivors (N = 1221). Multivariable analysis of variance was used to characterize the association between presence of a single healthcare professional that coordinated care ("care coordinator") and perceived care coordination, stratified by health literacy level. RESULTS: Health literacy was classified as low in 24% of patients, medium in 34%, and high in 42%. Women with high health literacy scores were more likely to report non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, private insurance, higher education and income, and fewer comorbidities (all p < 0.001). The presence of a care coordinator was associated with 17.1% higher perceived care coordination scores among women with low health literacy when compared to those without a care coordinator, whereas a coordinator modestly improved perceived care coordination among breast cancer survivors with medium (6.9%) and high (6.2%) health literacy. CONCLUSION: The use of a single designated care coordinator may have a strong influence on care coordination in patients with lower levels of health literacy.

Factors influencing patient adherence with diabetic eye screening in rural communities: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetic retinopathy remains the leading cause of blindness among working-age U.S. adults largely due to low screening rates. Rural populations face particularly greater challenges to screening because they are older, poorer, less insured, and less likely to receive guideline-concordant care than those in urban areas. Current patient education efforts may not fully address multiple barriers to screening faced by rural patients. We sought to characterize contextual factors affecting rural patient adherence with diabetic eye screening guidelines. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 participants (20 adult patients with type 2 diabetes and 9 primary care providers) in a rural, multi-payer health system. Both inductive and directed content analysis were performed. RESULTS: Factors influencing rural patient adherence with diabetic eye screening were categorized as environmental, social, and individual using the Ecological Model of Health. Major themes included limited access to and infrequent use of healthcare, long travel distances to obtain care, poverty and financial tradeoffs, trusting relationships with healthcare providers, family members' struggles with diabetes, anxiety about diabetes complications, and the burden of diabetes management. CONCLUSIONS: Significant barriers exist for rural patients that affect their ability to adhere with yearly diabetic eye screening. Many studies emphasize patient education to increase adherence, but current patient education strategies fail to address major environmental, social, and individual barriers. Addressing these factors, leveraging patient trust in their healthcare providers, and strategies targeted specifically to environmental barriers such as long travel distances (e.g. teleophthalmology) may fill crucial gaps in diabetic eye screening in rural communities.

Primary care colorectal cancer screening correlates with breast cancer screening: implications for colorectal cancer screening improvement interventions.

OBJECTIVE: National colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates have plateaued. To optimize interventions targeting those unscreened, a better understanding is needed of how this preventive service fits in with multiple preventive and chronic care needs managed by primary care providers (PCPs). This study examines whether PCP practices of other preventive and chronic care needs correlate with CRC screening. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of 90 PCPs and 33,137 CRC screening-eligible patients. Five PCP quality metrics (breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, HgbA1c and LDL testing, and blood pressure control) were measured. A baseline correlation test was performed between these metrics and PCP CRC screening rates. Multivariable logistic regression with clustering at the clinic-level estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for these PCP quality metrics, patient and PCP characteristics, and their relationship to CRC screening. RESULTS: PCP CRC screening rates have a strong correlation with breast cancer screening rates (r = 0.7414, p < 0.001) and a weak correlation with the other quality metrics. In the final adjusted model, the only PCP quality metric that significantly predicted CRC screening was breast cancer screening (OR 1.25; 95% CI 1.11-1.42; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PCP CRC screening rates are highly concordant with breast cancer screening. CRC screening is weakly concordant with cervical cancer screening and chronic disease management metrics. Efforts targeting PCPs to increase CRC screening rates could be bundled with breast cancer screening improvement interventions to increase their impact and success.

Thirty-day readmission and mortality among Medicare beneficiaries discharged to skilled nursing facilities after vascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Readmission within 30 d of an acute hospital stay is frequent, costly, and increasingly subject to penalties. Early readmission is most common after vascular surgery; these patients are often discharged to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), making postacute care an essential partner in reducing readmissions. We characterize 30-day readmissions among vascular surgery patients discharged to SNF to provide evidence for this understudied segment of readmission after specialty surgery. METHODS: We utilize the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Chronic Conditions Warehouse, a longitudinal 5% national random sample of Medicare beneficiaries to study 30-day readmission or death after discharge to SNF following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair or lower extremity revascularization from 2005-2009. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression with Least Adaptive Shrinkage and Selection Operator were used for analysis. RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred ninety-seven patients underwent an abdominal aortic aneurysm procedure or lower extremity revascularization at 686 hospitals and discharged to 1714 SNFs. Eight hundred (36%) were readmitted or had died at 30 d. In adjusted analysis, predictors of readmission or death at 30 d included SNF for-profit status (OR [odds ratio] = 1.2; P = 0.032), number of hospitalizations in the previous year (OR = 1.06; P = 0.011), number of comorbidities (OR = 1.06; P = 0.004), emergent procedure (OR = 1.69; P < 0.001), renal complication (OR = 1.38; P = 0.003), respiratory complication (OR = 1.45; P < 0.001), thromboembolic complication (OR = 1.57; P = 0.019), and wound complication (OR = 0.70; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Patients discharged to SNF following vascular surgery have exceptionally high rates of readmission or death at 30 d. Many factors predicting readmission or death potentially modify decision-making around discharge, making early detection, discharge planning, and matching patient needs to SNF capabilities essential to improving outcomes.

Insurance Coverage for CT Colonography Screening: Impact on Overall Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates.

Purpose To compare overall colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates for patients who were eligible and due for CRC screening and who were with and without insurance coverage for computed tomographic (CT) colonography for CRC screening. Materials and Methods The institutional review board approved this retrospective cohort study, with a waiver of consent. This study used longitudinal electronic health record data from 2005 through 2010 for patients managed by one of the largest multispecialty physician groups in the United States. It included 33 177 patients under age 65 who were eligible and due for CRC screening and managed by the participating health system. Stratified Cox regression models provided propensity-adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationship between CT colonography coverage and CRC screening. Results After adjustment, patients who had insurance coverage for CT colonography and were due for CRC screening had a 48% greater likelihood of being screened for CRC by any method compared with those without coverage who were due for CRC screening (HR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.41, 1.55). Similarly, patients with CT colonography coverage had a greater likelihood of being screened with CT colonography (HR, 8.35; 95% CI: 7.11, 9.82) and with colonoscopy (HR, 1.38; 95% CI: 1.31, 1.45) but not with fecal occult blood test (HR, 1.00; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.10) than those without such insurance coverage. Conclusion Insurance coverage of CT colonography for CRC screening was associated with a greater likelihood of a patient being screened and a greater likelihood of being screened with a test that helps both to detect cancer and prevent cancer from developing (CT colonography or colonoscopy). © RSNA, 2017.

Primary Care Provider Perceptions of Colorectal Cancer Screening Barriers: Implications for Designing Quality Improvement Interventions.

Aims. Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is underutilized. Increasing CRC screening rates requires interventions targeting multiple barriers at each level of the healthcare organization (patient, provider, and system). We examined groups of primary care providers (PCPs) based on perceptions of screening barriers and the relationship to CRC screening rates to inform approaches for conducting barrier assessments prior to designing and implementing quality improvement interventions. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study linking EHR and survey data. PCPs with complete survey responses for questions addressing CRC screening barriers were included (N = 166 PCPs; 39,430 patients eligible for CRC screening). Cluster analysis identified groups of PCPs. Multivariate logistic regression estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for predictors of membership in one of the PCP groups. Results. We found two distinct groups: (1) PCPs identifying multiple barriers to CRC screening at patient, provider, and system levels (N = 75) and (2) PCPs identifying no major barriers to screening (N = 91). PCPs in the top half of CRC screening performance were more likely to identify multiple barriers than the bottom performers (OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 2.43-7.08). Conclusions. High-performing PCPs can more effectively identify CRC screening barriers. Targeting high-performers when conducting a barrier assessment is a novel approach to assist in designing quality improvement interventions for CRC screening.

Utilization of preoperative endoscopic ultrasound for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is used for pancreatic adenocarcinoma staging and obtaining a tissue diagnosis. The objective was to determine patterns of preoperative EUS and the impact on downstream treatment. METHODS: The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Medicare-linked database was used to identify patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The staging period was the first staging procedure within 6 months of surgery until surgery. Logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with preoperative EUS. The main outcome was EUS in the staging period, with secondary outcomes including number of staging tests and time to surgery. RESULTS: 2782 patients were included, 56% were treated at an academic hospital (n = 1563). 1204 patients underwent EUS (43.3%). The factors most associated with receipt of EUS were: earlier year of diagnosis, SEER area, and a NCI or academic hospital (all p < 0.0001). EUS was associated with a longer time to surgery (17.8 days; p < 0.0001), and a higher number of staging tests (40 tests/100 patients; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Factors most associated with receipt of EUS are geographic, temporal, and institutional, rather than clinical/disease factors. EUS is associated with a longer time to surgery and more preoperative testing, and additional study is needed to determine if EUS is overused.

Endovascular Versus Open Revascularization for Peripheral Arterial Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether endovascular or open revascularization provides an advantageous approach to symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) over the longer term. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The optimal revascularization strategy for symptomatic lower extremity PAD is not established. METHODS: We evaluated amputation-free survival, overall survival, and relative rate of subsequent vascular intervention after endovascular or open lower extremity revascularization for propensity-score matched cohorts of Medicare beneficiaries with PAD from 2006 through 2009. RESULTS: Among 14,685 eligible patients, 5928 endovascular and 5928 open revascularization patients were included in matched analysis. Patients undergoing endovascular repair had improved amputation-free survival compared with open repair at 30 days (7.4 vs 8.9%, P = 0.002). This benefit persisted over the long term: At 4 years, 49% of endovascular patients had died or received major amputation compared with 54% of open patients (P < 0.001). An endovascular procedure was associated with a risk-adjusted 16% decreased risk of amputation or death compared with open over the study period (hazard ratio: 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-0.89; P < 0.001). The amputation-free survival benefit associated with an endovascular revascularization was more pronounced in patients with congestive heart failure or ischemic heart disease than in those without (P = 0.021 for interaction term). The rate of subsequent intervention at 30 days was 7.4% greater for the endovascular vs the open revascularization cohort. At 4 years, this difference remained stable at 8.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Using population-based data, we demonstrate that an endovascular approach is associated with improved amputation-free survival over the long term with only a modest relative increased risk of subsequent intervention.

Variation in the Types of Providers Participating in Breast Cancer Follow-Up Care: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current guidelines do not delineate the types of providers that should participate in early breast cancer follow-up care (within 3 years after completion of treatment). This study aimed to describe the types of providers participating in early follow-up care of older breast cancer survivors and to identify factors associated with receipt of follow-up care from different types of providers. METHODS: Stages 1-3 breast cancer survivors treated from 2000 to 2007 were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End results Medicare database (n = 44,306). Oncologist (including medical, radiation, and surgical) follow-up and primary care visits were defined using Medicare specialty provider codes and linked American Medical Association (AMA) Masterfile. The types of providers involved in follow-up care were summarized. Stepped regression models identified factors associated with receipt of medical oncology follow-up care and factors associated with receipt of medical oncology care alone versus combination oncology follow-up care. RESULTS: Oncology follow-up care was provided for 80 % of the patients: 80 % with a medical oncologist, 46 % with a surgeon, and 39 % with a radiation oncologist after radiation treatment. The patients with larger tumor size, positive axillary nodes, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive status, and chemotherapy treatment were more likely to have medical oncology follow-up care than older patients with higher Charlson comorbidity scores who were not receiving axillary care. The only factor associated with increased likelihood of follow-up care with a combination of oncology providers was regular primary care visits (>2 visits/year). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial variation exists in the types of providers that participate in breast cancer follow-up care. Improved guidance for the types of providers involved and delineation of providers' responsibilities during follow-up care could lead to improved efficiency and quality of care.

Predictors of primary care provider adoption of CT colonography for colorectal cancer screening.

PURPOSE: To examine factors influencing primary care provider (PCP) adoption of CT colonography (CTC) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study linking electronic health record (EHR) data with PCP survey data. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were not up-to-date with CRC screening and if they had CTC insurance coverage in the year prior to survey administration. PCPs were included if they had at least one eligible patient in their panel and completed the survey (final sample N = 95 PCPs; N = 6245 patients). Survey data included perceptions of CRC screening by any method, as well as CTC specifically. Multivariate logistic regression estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for PCP and clinic predictors of CRC screening by any method and screening with CTC. RESULTS: Substantial variation in CTC use was seen among PCPs and clinics (range 0-16% of CRC screening). Predictors of higher CTC use were PCP perceptions that CTC is effective in reducing CRC mortality, higher number of perceived advantages to screening with CTC, and Internal Medicine specialty. Factors not associated with CTC use were PCP perceptions of less organizational capacity to meet demand for colonoscopy, number of perceived disadvantages to screening with CTC, PCP age and gender, and clinic factors. CONCLUSION: Significant variation in PCP adoption of CTC exists. PCP perceptions of CTC and specialty practice were related to CTC adoption. Strategies to increase PCP adoption of CTC for CRC screening should include emphasis on the effectiveness and advantages of CTC.

The Role of Intraoperative Pathologic Assessment in the Surgical Management of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ.

BACKGROUND: Re-excision surgeries for the treatment of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) put a strain on patients and healthcare resources; however, intraoperative pathologic assessment of DCIS may lead to a reduction in these additional surgeries. This study examined the relationship between intraoperative pathologic assessment and subsequent operations in patients with a diagnosis of DCIS. METHODS: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare patients diagnosed with DCIS from 1999 to 2007 who initially underwent partial mastectomy, without axillary surgery, were included in this study. Use of intraoperative frozen section or touch preparation during the initial surgery was assessed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to describe the relationship between the use of intraoperative pathologic assessment and any subsequent mastectomy or partial mastectomy within 90 days of the initial partial mastectomy. RESULTS: Of 8259 DCIS patients, 3509 (43 %) required a second surgery, and intraoperative pathologic assessment was performed for 2186 (26 %). Intraoperative pathologic assessment had no statistically significant effect on whether or not a subsequent breast surgery occurred (adjusted odds ratio 1.07, 95 % confidence interval 0.95-1.21; p = 0.293). Patient residence in a rural area, tumor size ≥2 cm, and poorly differentiated tumor grade were associated with a greater likelihood of subsequent surgery, while age 80 years and older was associated with a lower likelihood of subsequent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The use of intraoperative frozen section or touch preparation during partial mastectomy from 1999 to 2007 was not associated with a reduction in subsequent breast operations in women with DCIS. These results highlight the need to identify cost-effective tools and strategies to reduce the need for additional surgery in patients with DCIS.

Use of a novel statistical technique to examine the delivery of breast cancer follow-up care by different types of oncology providers.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Frequent follow-up is recommended for the more than 3 million breast cancer survivors living in the USA. Given the multidisciplinary nature of breast cancer treatment, follow-up may be provided by medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and primary care providers. This creates the potential for significant redundancy as well as gaps in care. The objective was to examine patterns of breast cancer follow-up provided by different types of oncologists and develop a statistical means of quantifying visit distribution over time. METHODS: We identified stage I-III breast cancer patients who underwent breast conservation from 2000 to 2006 (n = 12 139) within the SEER-Medicare linked database. Provider type was defined using Medicare specialty provider codes and AMA Masterfile. The coefficient of variation (CV) for time between oncologist follow-up visits was calculated. Ordinal logistic regression assessed factors associated with CV. RESULTS: Substantial variation in CV was observed. Sixty-seven per cent of patients with low CV (high visit regularity) received follow-up from a single oncologist type, versus 8% with high CV (low visit regularity). The number of oncologist types participating in follow-up had the greatest association with high CV (odds ratio 7.4 [6.7-8.3] and 15.4 [13.6-17.6] for two and three oncologist types). CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel means of quantifying follow-up visit regularity, we determined that breast cancer patients with dispersed follow-up with more than one oncologist have more disordered care. The CV could be used in electronic medical records to identify cancer survivors with more disordered.

Cross-sectional study examining whether the extent of first-contact access to primary care differentially benefits those with certain personalities to receive preventive services.

OBJECTIVE: The extent of first-contact access to primary care (ie, easy availability when needed) is associated with receiving recommended preventive services. Whether this access benefits patients at risk of preventive services underutilisation, such as those with certain personality characteristics, is unclear. SETTING: Secondary analysis of the 2003-2006 round of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. PARTICIPANTS: 6975 respondents who reported a usual provider whose specialty was internal medicine or family medicine. Those reporting not visiting a medical provider in the past 12 months, and those who were uninsured were excluded. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Receiving mammography, cholesterol testing and influenza vaccination. Adjusted predicted probabilities (aPP) of receiving these services were analysed stratified by personality characteristics overall, and if significant, then interacted with first-contact access. RESULTS: Lower conscientiousness as compared with higher conscientiousness predicted less of all 3 preventive services; mammography (aPP 80%; 95% CI (77% to 83%) vs aPP 85%; (95% CI 82% to 87%)), cholesterol testing (88%; (85% to 90%) vs 93% (91% to 94%), and influenza vaccination (62%; (59% to 64%) vs 66%; (63% to 68%)). Lower agreeableness as compared with higher agreeableness predicted less mammography (77%; (73% to 81%) vs 84%; (82% to 87%)) and less influenza vaccination (59%; (56% to 62%) vs 65%; (63% to 68%)). Lower extraversion predicted less cholesterol testing (88%; (86% to 91%) vs (92%; (90% to 94%)). Lower openness to experience predicted less influenza vaccination (59%; (56% to 63%) vs (68%; (65% to 70%)). For agreeableness, these differences in receiving preventive services did not persist when first-contact access to primary care was present. CONCLUSIONS: Certain personality characteristics predicted receiving less preventive care services. For those with less agreeableness, improved first-contact access to primary care mitigated this effect. If these results are replicated in other studies, primary care offices seeking to improve population health through receiving preventive services should prioritise increasing their first-contact accessibility.

Practice variations in voice treatment selection following vocal fold mucosal resection.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To characterize initial voice treatment selection following vocal fold mucosal resection in a Medicare population. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a large, nationally representative Medicare claims database. METHODS: Patients with > 12 months of continuous Medicare coverage who underwent a leukoplakia- or cancer-related vocal fold mucosal resection (index) procedure during calendar years 2004 to 2009 were studied. The primary outcome of interest was receipt of initial voice treatment (thyroplasty, vocal fold injection, or speech therapy) following the index procedure. We evaluated the cumulative incidence of each postindex treatment type, treating the other treatment types as competing risks, and further evaluated postindex treatment utilization using the proportional hazards model for the subdistribution of a competing risk. Patient age, sex, and Medicaid eligibility were used as predictors. RESULTS: A total of 2,041 patients underwent 2,427 index procedures during the study period. In 14% of cases, an initial voice treatment event was identified. Women were significantly less likely to receive surgical or behavioral treatment compared to men. From age 65 to 75 years, the likelihood of undergoing surgical treatment increased significantly with each 5-year age increase; after age 75 years, the likelihood of undergoing either surgical or behavioral treatment decreased significantly every 5 years. Patients with low socioeconomic status were significantly less likely to undergo speech therapy. CONCLUSION: The majority of Medicare patients do not undergo voice treatment following vocal fold mucosal resection. Further, the treatments analyzed here appear disproportionally utilized based on patient sex, age, and socioeconomic status. Additional research is needed to determine whether these observations reflect clinically explainable differences or disparities in care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 126:2505-2512, 2016.

Trajectories and Prognosis of Older Patients Who Have Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation After High-Risk Surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Surgical patients often receive routine postoperative mechanical ventilation with excellent outcomes. However, older patients who receive prolonged mechanical ventilation may have a significantly different long-term trajectory not fully captured in 30-day postoperative metrics. The objective of this study is to describe patterns of mortality and hospitalization for Medicare beneficiaries 66 years old and older who have major surgery with and without prolonged mechanical ventilation. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Hospitals throughout the United States. PATIENTS: Five percent random national sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries (age ≥ 66 yr) who underwent 1 of 227 operations previously defined as high risk during an inpatient stay at an acute care hospital between January 1, 2005, and November 30, 2009. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: We identified 117,917 episodes for older patients who had high-risk surgery; 4% received prolonged mechanical ventilation during the hospitalization. Patients who received prolonged mechanical ventilation had higher 1-year mortality rate than patients who did not have prolonged ventilation (64% [95% CI, 62-65%] vs 17% [95% CI, 16.4-16.9%]). Thirty-day survivors who received prolonged mechanical ventilation had a 1-year mortality rate of 47% (95% CI, 45-48%). Thirty-day survivors who did not receive prolonged ventilation were more likely to be discharged home than patients who received prolonged ventilation 71% versus 10%. Patients who received prolonged ventilation and were not discharged by postoperative day 30 had a substantially increased 1-year mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 4.39 [95% CI, 3.29-5.85]) compared with patients discharged home by day 30. Hospitalized 30-day survivors who received prolonged mechanical ventilation and died within 6 months of their index procedure spent the majority of their remaining days hospitalized. CONCLUSIONS: Older patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation after high-risk surgery and survive 30 days have a significant 1-year risk of mortality and high burdens of treatment. This difficult trajectory should be considered in surgical decision making and has important implications for surgeons, intensivists, and patients.

Examining systemic steroid Use in older inflammatory bowel disease patients using hurdle models: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Interpreting clinical guideline adherence and the appropriateness of medication regimens requires consideration of individual patient and caregiver factors. Factors leading to initiation of a medication may differ from those determining continued use. We believe this is the case for systemic steroid therapy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), resulting in a need to apply methods that separately consider factors associated with initiation and duration of therapy. To evaluate the relationship between patient characteristics and the frequency and duration of incident steroid use we apply a 2-part hurdle model to Medicare data. We do so in older patients with tumor necrosis factor antagonist (anti-TNFs) contraindications, as they are of special interest for compliance with Medicare-adopted, quality metrics calling for anti-TNFs and nonbiologic immune therapies to reduce steroid utilization. Many older patients have contraindications to anti-TNFs. However, nonbiologics cause adverse events that are concerning in older adults, limiting their use in this population and increasing reliance on systemic steroids. METHODS: We used a national Medicare sample for 2006-2009 including patients with 12 months or greater of Parts A and B and 6 months or greater of Part D coverage, IBD confirmed with at least 2 claims for ICD-9CM 555.xx or 556.xx, anti-TNF contraindications and without contraindications to nonbiologic agents. We applied a negative binomial-logit hurdle model to examine patient characteristics associated with systemic steroid utilization. RESULTS: Among the 1,216 IBD patients without baseline steroid use, 21% used systemic steroids. Odds of receiving systemic steroids were greater in those younger, rural, and those receiving other agents. Available patient characteristics failed to predict longer steroid treatment duration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified differences in predictors of frequency and duration of medication use and suggests the utility of two-part models to examine drug utilization patterns. Applying such a model to Medicare data, we determined that despite medical consensus that systemic steroid use should be minimized, its use was substantial. Findings indicate anticipated difficulties in implementing recently adopted quality measures to avoid systemic steroids.

Biological and steroid use in relationship to quality measures in older patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a US Medicare cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the frequency and predictors of antitumour necrosis factor (TNF) use, and to describe steroid utilisation among US patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) aged 65 years and older prior to the publication of a new Medicare quality measure calling for the use of anti-TNFs and other steroid-sparing agents. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study utilised 2006-2009 claims data for a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with IBD (>1 claim for ICD codes 555.xx, 556.xx) without anti-TNF contraindications, enrolled in Medicare parts A and B ≥12 months and part D ≥6 months were included (n=8502). OUTCOME MEASURES: We estimated incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CIs predicting new anti-TNF therapy using multivariable Poisson regression. RESULTS: This nationally representative study of older patients with IBD estimated that only 3.7% received anti-TNFs. New anti-TNF use (1.4%) was associated with younger age, absence of Medicaid coverage, hospitalisation, and higher preceding use of burst (IRR=2.35, CI 1.59 to 3.47) and maintenance steroids (IRR=2.40, CI 1.05 to 5.48). Among anti-TNF users, we observed high rates of concurrent maintenance steroid use (19%). CONCLUSIONS: Anti-TNF use was very low in this population of older patients with IBD and, importantly, was often combined with maintenance steroid use despite guidelines suggesting reduced needs. Expanding IBD-specific quality measures to include steroid taper plans may cue appropriate maintenance regimens that include anti-TNFs and other steroid sparing agents while reducing protracted concomitant steroid use as intended by current quality measures.