Development of an outcome indicator framework for a universal health visiting programme using routinely collected data.

BACKGROUND: Universal health visiting has been a cornerstone of preventative healthcare for children in the United Kingdom (UK) for over 100 years. In 2016, Scotland introduced a new Universal Health Visiting Pathway (UHVP), involving a greater number of contacts with a particular emphasis on the first year, visits within the home setting, and rigorous developmental assessment conducted by a qualified Health Visitor. To evaluate the UHVP, an outcome indicator framework was developed using routine administrative data. This paper sets out the development of these indicators. METHODS: A logic model was produced with stakeholders to define the group of outcomes, before further refining and aligning of the measures through discussions with stakeholders and inspection of data. Power calculations were carried out and initial data described for the chosen indicators. RESULTS: Eighteen indicators were selected across eight outcome areas: parental smoking, breastfeeding, immunisations, dental health, developmental concerns, obesity, accidents and injuries, and child protection interventions. Data quality was mixed. Coverage of reviews was high; over 90% of children received key reviews. Individual item completion was more variable: 92.2% had breastfeeding data at 6-8 weeks, whilst 63.2% had BMI recorded at 27-30 months. Prevalence also varied greatly, from 1.3% of children's names being on the Child Protection register for over six months by age three, to 93.6% having received all immunisations by age two. CONCLUSIONS: Home visiting services play a key role in ensuring children and families have the right support to enable the best start in life. As these programmes evolve, it is crucial to understand whether changes lead to improvements in child outcomes. This paper describes a set of indicators using routinely-collected data, lessening additional burden on participants, and reducing response bias which may be apparent in other forms of evaluation. Further research is needed to explore the transferability of this indicator framework to other settings.

Home-Based Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care Provider Visits: Effects on Healthcare Utilization.

OBJECTIVE: This hypothesis-generating study sought to assess the impact of home-based hospice and palliative care (HBHPC) provider home visits (HV) on healthcare use. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of individuals ages 1 month to 21 years receiving an in-person HBHPC provider (MD/DO or APN) HV through 2 HBHPC programs in the Midwest from January 1, 2013, through December 31, 2018. Descriptive statistics were calculated for healthcare use variables. Paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test compared the changes in healthcare use the year before and year after initial provider HVs. RESULTS: The cohort included 195 individuals (49% female), with diagnoses composed of 49% neurologic, 30% congenital chromosomal, 11% oncologic, 7% cardiac, and 3% other. After implementation of HBHPC services, these patients showed decreases in the median (IQR) number of intensive care unit days (before HV, 12 [IQR, 4-37]; after HV, 0 [IQR, 0-8]; P < .001); inpatient admissions (before HV, 1 [IQR, 1-3]; after HV, 1 [IQR, 0-2]; P = .005); and number of inpatient days (before HV, 5 [IQR, 1-19]; after HV, 2 [IQR, 0-8]; P = .009). There was an increase in clinically relevant phone calls to the HBHPC team (before HV, 1 [IQR, 0-4] vs after HV, 4 [IQR, 1-7]; P < .001) and calls to the HBHPC team before emergency department visits (before HV, 0 [IQR, 0-0] vs after HV, 1 [IQR, 1-2]; P < .001). CONCLUSION: HBHPC provider HVs were associated with fewer inpatient admissions, hospital days, and intensive care unit days, and increased clinically relevant phone calls and phone calls before emergency department visit. These findings indicate that HBHPC HV may contribute to decreased inpatient use and increased use of the HBHPC team.

[Postpartum Care by Midwives: Socioeconomic Status has a Strong Influence on the Amount of Care Received An Analysis with Routine Data from BARMER Health Insurance]. / Aufsuchende Wochenbettbetreuung: Die sozioökonomische Lage hat einen starken Einfluss auf den Betreuungsumfang Eine Analyse mit Routinedaten der BARMER.

BACKGROUND: Socio-economic situation is associated with inequalities in access to health care and health-related resources. This also applies to pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Compared to other European countries, Germany has very good care options for the postpartum period. It has an unique system of postpartum care, which comprises home visits by midwives for 12 weeks after birth and beyond in problem cases and thus has structurally good care options. So far, however, there are hardly any studies based on routine data that show which mothers receive homevisits in postpartum care and to what extent. METHOD: The study population comprised 199,978 women insured with BARMER who gave birth to at least one child in the years 2017-2020. Some women were pregnant several times in this period of time. The services billed by freelance midwives for outreach midwifery care in the puerperium were considered for 227,088 births, taking into account the socioeconomic situation of the mothers. RESULTS: According to the definition of the German Institute for Economic Research, 26% of the mothers belonged to a low income group, 46% to a medium income group and 29% to a high income group. Similar to what was shown for midwifery care during pregnancy, large differences were also found with regard to postpartum care: While 90.5% of the women with a high income received home visits, only 83.5% of women with a medium income did so, and only 67.9% of women with a low income. The groups did not differ with regard to other characteristics such as rate of caesarean section, preterm births, twins, age or concomitant diseases to an extent that could explain the differences in care. Women who had received midwifery services in pregnancy were much more likely to receive home visits by a midwife in the postpartum period. Furthermore, there was a correlation with the density of midwives in the respective region. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that access to home-based postpartum care by freelance midwives is significantly limited for low-income women. In contrast to antenatal care, women in the postpartum period cannot switch to other service providers, as outreach postpartum care is a reserved activity of midwives. Women with low incomes thus receive less midwifery care, although they have a higher need for support (Eickhorst et al. 2016).

Maternal Experiences of Racial Discrimination, Child Indicators of Toxic Stress, and the Minding the Baby Early Home Visiting Intervention.

BACKGROUND: Racism is a significant source of toxic stress and a root cause of health inequities. Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to vicarious racism (i.e., racism experienced by a caregiver) is associated with poor child health and development, but associations with biological indicators of toxic stress have not been well studied. It is also unknown whether two-generation interventions, such as early home visiting programs, may help to mitigate the harmful effects of vicarious racism. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine associations between maternal experiences of racial discrimination and child indicators of toxic stress and to test whether relationships are moderated by prior participation in Minding the Baby (MTB), an attachment-based early home visiting intervention. METHODS: Ninety-seven maternal-child dyads (n = 43 intervention dyads, n = 54 control dyads) enrolled in the MTB Early School Age follow-up study. Mothers reported on racial discrimination using the Experiences of Discrimination Scale. Child indicators of toxic stress included salivary biomarkers of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein, panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines), body mass index, and maternally reported child behavioral problems. We used linear regression to examine associations between maternal experiences of racial discrimination and child indicators of toxic stress and included an interaction term between experiences of discrimination and MTB group assignment (intervention vs. control) to test moderating effects of the MTB intervention. RESULTS: Mothers identified as Black/African American (33%) and Hispanic/Latina (64%). In adjusted models, maternal experiences of racial discrimination were associated with elevated salivary interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in children, but not child body mass index or behavior. Prior participation in the MTB intervention moderated the relationship between maternal experiences of discrimination and child interleukin-6 levels. DISCUSSION: Results of this study suggest that racism may contribute to the biological embedding of early adversity through influences on inflammation, but additional research with serum markers is needed to better understand this relationship. Improved understanding of the relationships among vicarious racism, protective factors, and childhood toxic stress is necessary to inform family and systemic-level intervention.

Atención en domicilio de pacientes NANEAS: experiencia del hospital de niños Dr. Roberto del Río / Home care of NANEAS patients: experience of the children's hospital Dr. Roberto del Río

El avance de las tecnologías de soporte vital ha aumentado la sobrevida de niños con patologías y secuelas graves, categorizados como NANEAS (Niños y Adolescentes con Necesidades Especiales de Atención en Salud) de mediana y alta complejidad. En el Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto del Río se organizó un equipo de atención para NANEAS en 2014, que realiza visitas domiciliarias desde 2015 a pacientes médicamente complejos. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar la población atendida en domicilio y la modalidad de atención. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo descriptivo mediante revisión de registro clínico electrónico y ficha clínica de NANEAS atendidos en domicilio del 2015 al 2018. RESULTADOS: Se analizaron 581 visitas a 81 pacientes, mediana 8 años, 78% hombres, 64% institucionalizados, 78% con patología neurológica de base, 75% de alta y mediana complejidad según clasificación SOCHIPE. De las visitas, 71% fue en comunas rurales, la mediana de tiempo de viaje 60 minutos y de atención 26 minutos. Un 60% de las visitas se realizó a pacientes con dispositivos médicos. En un 99% asistió pediatra, 33% enfermera y 68% otro profesional, que en 61% correspondió al neuropediatra. CONCLUSIONES: La mayor proporción de pacientes atendidos son de alta y mediana complejidad, usuarios de dispositivos médicos y la mayoría con patología neurológica de base, por lo que resulta fundamental contar con un neurólogo en el equipo interdisciplinario. Las visitas se realizan principalmente a comunas distantes por la dificultad de traslado de estos pacientes. Esta modalidad de atención promueve una mejor calidad de vida para niños y niñas médicamente complejos y para sus familias.

The advancement of life support technologies has increased the survival of children with serious pathologies and sequelae, categorized as NANEAS (Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs) of medium and high complexity. At the Hospital de Niños Dr. Roberto del Río, a care team for NANEAS was organized in 2014, which has made home visits to medically complex patients since 2015. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the population attended at home and the care modality. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Retrospective descriptive study by reviewing the clinical file of NANEAS patients seen at home in this period. RESULTS: 581 visits were analyzed in 81 patients, median 8 years, 78% men, 63% institutionalized, 78% with neurological diseases. 75% were of high and medium complexity according to the SOCHIPE classification. Of the visits, 71% were in rural places, median travel time 60 minutes and direct attention 26 minutes. 60% of the visits were made to patients with medical devices, 99% attended by a pediatrician, 33% a nurse and 68% another professional, who in 61% corresponded to the child neurologist. CONCLUSIONS: The highest proportion of patients seen are of high and medium complexity with medical devices and with underlying neurological pathology, so it is important to have a neurologist in the interdisciplinary team. Many of the visits are made in places distant from the hospital center due to the difficulty of transferring these patients. This modality of care promotes a better quality of life for medically complex children and their families.

Reorganisation of primary care for older adults during COVID-19: a cross-sectional database study in the UK.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a rapid change in workload across healthcare systems. Factors related to this adaptation in UK primary care have not yet been examined. AIM: To assess the responsiveness and prioritisation of primary care consultation type for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN AND SETTING: A cross-sectional database study examining consultations between 17 February and 10 May 2020 for patients aged ≥65 years, drawn from primary care practices within the Oxford Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Research and Surveillance Centre (RSC) sentinel network, UK. METHOD: The authors reported the proportion of consultation type across five categories: clinical administration, electronic/video, face-to-face, telephone, and home visits. Temporal trends in telephone and face-to-face consultations were analysed by polypharmacy, frailty status, and socioeconomic group using incidence rate ratios (IRR). RESULTS: Across 3 851 304 consultations, the population median age was 75 years (interquartile range [IQR] 70-82); and 46% (n = 82 926) of the cohort (N = 180 420) were male. The rate of telephone and electronic/video consultations more than doubled across the study period (106.0% and 102.8%, respectively). Face-to-face consultations fell by 64.6% and home visits by 62.6%. This predominantly occurred across week 11 (week commencing 9 March 2020), coinciding with national policy change. Polypharmacy and frailty were associated with a relative increase in consultations. The greatest relative increase was among people taking ≥10 medications compared with those taking none (face-to-face IRR 9.90, 95% CI = 9.55 to 10.26; telephone IRR 17.64, 95% CI = 16.89 to 18.41). CONCLUSION: Primary care has undergone an unprecedented in-pandemic reorganisation while retaining focus on patients with increased complexity.

General practitioners' provision of end-of-life care and associations with dying at home: a registry-based longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) may play an important role in providing end-of-life care to community-dwelling people. OBJECTIVE: To investigate patients' contacts with GPs, GPs' interdisciplinary collaboration, out-of-hours services and hospitalizations in the last 13 weeks of life and associations with dying at home. Second, investigate whether GP contacts were associated with fewer out-of-hours contacts or days hospitalized. METHODS: Individually linked data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry, Norwegian Patient Registry, Statistics Norway and Control and Payment of Reimbursement to Health Service Providers database for all 80 813 deceased people in Norway within 2012-13. Outcomes were analyzed with logistic regression and negative binomial multilevel mixed-effect models. RESULTS: Overall, 1% of people received GP home visits in Week 13 and 4.6% in the last week before death. During the last 4 weeks of life, 9.2% received one or more GP home visits. Altogether, 6.6% received one or more home visits when the GP had one or more interdisciplinary collaborations during the last 4 weeks, of which <3% died at home. GP office consultations decreased towards the end of life. The likelihood of home death versus another location increased in relation to GP home visits [one home visit odds ratio (OR) 1.92, confidence interval (CI) 1.71-2.15; two or more OR 3.49, CI 3.08-3.96] and GP interdisciplinary collaboration (one contact OR 1.76, CI 1.59-1.96; two or more OR 2.52, CI 2.32-2.74). CONCLUSIONS: GPs play a role in enabling people to die at home by performing home visits and collaborating with other health care personnel. Only a minority received such services in Norway.

Prevalence and Correlates of Maternal and Infant Sleep Problems in a Low-Income US Sample.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of maternal and infant sleep problems among low-income families receiving home visiting services. METHODS: The study sample includes 1142 mother-infant dyads in Wisconsin, United States. Women completed a survey when their infants were between two weeks and one year old. Outcome data were collected using the PROMIS® sleep disturbance short form-4a and the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire. Correlates of sleep problems were assessed in two domains: maternal health and home environment quality. Descriptive analyses produced prevalence estimates, and multivariate regressions were performed to test hypothesized correlates of maternal and infant sleep problems. Subgroup analyses were conducted to examine the prevalence and correlates of sleep problems across different infant age groups. RESULTS: Approximately 24.5% of women reported poor or very poor sleep in the past week; 13% reported an infant sleep problem and 11% reported more than three infant wakings per night. Reported night wakings were more prevalent among younger infants but maternal and infant sleep problems were not. Multivariate results showed that poor maternal physical and mental health and low social support were associated with maternal sleep disturbance but not infant sleep problems. Bed sharing and smoking were associated with infant sleep outcomes but not maternal sleep. There was limited evidence that the correlates of maternal and infant sleep varied by infant age. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings point to alterable factors that home visiting programs and other interventions may target to enhance maternal and infant sleep.

Effect of continuation of antiplatelet therapy on survival in patients receiving physician home visits.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the effects of continued antiplatelet therapy in patients who receive physician home visits. This study aimed to evaluate the association of survival with the continuation of antiplatelet drugs in patients who received physician home visits. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a teaching hospital in Toyota, Japan, from April 2015 to October 2018. All patients who received home visits by physicians from the department of Family Medicine of the hospital were included. The primary outcome was the difference in all-cause mortality between patients who were taking antiplatelet drugs and those who were not. The Cox proportional hazards model was applied, adjusted for the patient's demographic features, activities of daily living, comorbidities, and primary disease requiring home care. RESULTS: A total of 815 patients were included, of whom 61 received antiplatelet drugs (n = 42 for aspirin, n = 17 for clopidogrel, and n = 8 for cilostazol) and 772 received no antiplatelet drugs. The mean age of the patients was 78.3 years, 409 (49.1%) were male, and 314 (37.7%) had end-stage cancer. During a median follow-up period of 120 days (interquartile range, 29-364), 54.3% of the patients died. Compared with patients not taking antiplatelet drugs, patients taking antiplatelet drugs had a better outcome (p <  0.01, log-rank test) and a significantly lower hazard ratio (0.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.65; Cox proportional hazards regression). CONCLUSIONS: The continuous prescription of antiplatelet drugs may have beneficial effects on mortality among patients who receive physician home visits.

A home visit program versus a non-home visit program in total knee replacement patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The goals in total knee replacement (TKR) are pain relief, restore functions, and improve quality of life. Surgical outcomes were not related to patients' satisfaction. Low 1-year WOMAC especially in the first 6 weeks and painful TKR related to patient dissatisfied. To improve satisfaction, we created the home visit program (TKR-H) after hospital discharge. INHOMESSS was the rationale for home visit activities. METHODS: We recruited 52 TKRs. Four TKRs were excluded. We used simple randomization for 24 patients as a home visit (TKR-H) and 24 patients as a non-home visit (TKR). Patients were evaluated by general demographics, pain intensity scores (VAS), range of motion (ROM), WOMAC, knee scores, and functional scores as a primary objective. A duration for gait aid independent and patient's satisfaction score as secondary objective. The study was 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: TKR-H and TKR had significant differences in the mean of WOMAC score (88.29 ± 10.66 vs. 68.00 ± 12.47, respectively, P <  0.001), pain score (VAS) (6.25 ± 10.13 vs. 35.67 ± 22.05, respectively, P <  0.001), knee score (81.67 ± 10.08 vs. 68.38 ± 6.45, respectively, P <  0.001), functional score (77.83 ± 4.22 vs. 73.70 ± 7.48, respectively, P = 0.037), and range of motion (107.71 ± 8.47 vs. 98.17 ± 9.57, respectively, P = 0.001). The patient's satisfaction score in TKR-H group (4.71 ± 0.46) was significantly higher than the TKR group (4.13 ± 0.45) (P <  0.001) and time to gait aid independent (2.75 ± 0.99 vs. 3.71 ± 1.23, respectively, P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our TKR-H showed better clinical outcomes and satisfaction than non-home visit. The rationale in TKR-H improves satisfaction after total knee replacement. TRIAL REGISTRATION: TCTR20190514001.

The contribution of hospital-based home health services in pulmonary diseases: Current Practice in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: The medical management of chronic respiratory diseases becomes more difficult with the increase in the rate of the elderly population. Monitoring and treating chronic respiratory diseases at home are more comfortable for both the patient and their relatives. Therefore, countries need to develop policies regarding home health services (HHS) according to the state of their social, cultural, and financial infrastructure. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to show the role and contribution of hospital-based HHS regarding respiratory disorders, and to evaluate the model and its efficiency. STUDY DESIGN: The design of this study was cross-sectional. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health of Turkey with official permission. Data were collected for HHS concerning respiratory diseases between 2011 and 2017. Age and sex distribution, the number of recorded patients, the number of visits for pulmonary diseases, the distribution of institutional visits, and the quantitative alterations within the years were investigated. STUDY POPULATION: The study population was based on patients with respiratory disorders who were given HHS as directed by the Ministry of Health of Turkey. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2017, the majority of patients with pulmonary diseases, mostly those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and lung cancer, visited government hospitals (78%). The number of house visits concerning pulmonary disorders increased nearly ten times, but hospitalization due to respiratory diseases decreased (13.5% in 2011 to 12.9% in 2017). CONCLUSION: Hospital-based HHS in pulmonary diseases can be considered as an appropriate model for implementation for countries like Turkey, those that have inadequate hospice-type health service infrastructure.

Ações do programa de puerpério na atenção primária: uma revisão integrativa / Postpartum program actions in primary health care: an integrative review

Resumo O puerpério trata-se de um período de significativa morbimortalidade para as mulheres, e a Atenção Primária à saúde (APS) é importante no desenvolvimento de ações para atender as necessidades de saúde das mulheres. Objetivou-se sistematizar o conhecimento produzido sobre as ações de programas de atenção pós-parto no âmbito da APS, tanto em nível nacional, como internacional. Utilizou-se revisão integrativa de literatura de artigos junto às bases Lilacs (Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde), BDENF (Base de dados em Enfermagem), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) e PubMed (Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos Estados Unidos). A busca ocorreu de abril a maio de 2017. Atenderam aos critérios de seleção 43 artigos. Os resultados apontam que: a APS possui estrutura física para atenção à puérpera, porém com déficit em recursos humanos e materiais; há baixa cobertura de consulta pós-parto e visita domiciliar; boa avaliação do incentivo ao aleitamento materno, porém com foco na criança; rastreamento da Depressão Pós-Parto internacionalmente por meio da "Edimburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale", e déficit na atenção a esse agravo no Brasil. A atenção pós-parto ainda tem como foco o cuidado ao recém-nascido e são restritos, em sua maioria, ao puerpério imediato e tardio.

Abstract Puerperium is a period of significant morbimortality for women, and Primary Health Care (PHC) is important in developing actions to meet women's health needs. This study aimed to systematize the knowledge produced on postpartum care programs actions within PHC at both national and international levels. This is an integrative review of the literature in databases LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), BDENF (Nursing Database), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online) and PubMed (US National Library of Medicine). Search was performed in the period April-May 2017. Forty-three papers met the selection criteria. Results indicate that PHC has the physical structure to provide puerperae with care, but has a shortage of human and material resources; there is low postpartum consultation coverage and home visits; there is a good evaluation of the incentive for breastfeeding, but focused on the child; international screening of Postpartum Depression through the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and care shortage for this condition in Brazil. Postpartum care still focuses on care for the newborn and is mostly restricted to the immediate and late puerperium.

O agente comunitário de saúde como interlocutor da alimentação complementar em Pelotas, RS, Brasil / The community health worker as interlocutor in complementary feeding in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Resumo Este artigo avalia o conhecimento dos agentes comunitários de saúde em alimentação complementar e sua associação com características sociodemográficas, rotinas de trabalho e descreve os recursos disponíveis nas unidades básicas de saúde para que tenham domínio neste tema. Foi aplicado um questionário ao responsável do serviço de saúde e outro aos agentes comunitários de saúde, este último composto pelo teste de conhecimento que permitiu o cálculo de escores conforme o número de acertos em questões de múltipla escolha. Houve associação positiva com idade, tempo de profissão, visitas domiciliares a crianças com até 24 meses, realizar orientações e buscar informações sobre alimentação complementar com o conhecimento em alimentação nos primeiros 24 meses de vida. Evidenciou-se desacordo entre as respostas do serviço de saúde e dos agentes comunitários de saúde quanto a treinamentos, materiais governamentais e acompanhamento do crescimento infantil. Verificou-se maior domínio em aleitamento materno em relação à alimentação complementar, portanto, a unidade básica de saúde deve oferecer respaldo e recursos que ampliem o conhecimento em alimentação complementar, mediante treinamentos e acesso facilitado aos materiais governamentais.

Abstract This paper evaluates the knowledge of community health workers in complementary feeding and their association with sociodemographic characteristics, work routines and describes the resources available in primary care facilities to master this topic. We applied questionnaires to the responsible for health services and to community health workers, the latter consisting of a knowledge test that allowed the calculation of scores according to the number of correct answers in multiple-choice questions. There was a positive association with age, length of service, home visits to children under 24 months, providing guidance or seeking information about complementary feeding with the knowledge in feeding in the first 24 months of life. There were discrepant responses by health services and the community health workers regarding training, government materials and child growth monitoring. Greater mastery was noted in breastfeeding in relation to complementary feeding. Therefore, primary care facilities should provide support and resources to increase knowledge in complementary feeding through training and access to government materials.

Re-recruiting postpartum women living with HIV into a follow-up study in Cape Town, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: Recruitment and retention present major challenges to longitudinal research in maternal and child health, yet there are few insights into optimal strategies that can be employed in low-resource settings. Following prior participation in a longitudinal study following women living with HIV through pregnancy and breastfeeding in Cape Town, women were re-contacted at least 18 months after the last study contact and were invited to attend an additional follow-up visit. We describe lessons learnt and offer recommendations for a multiphase recruitment approach. RESULTS: Using telephone calls, home visits, clinic tracing and Facebook/WhatsApp messages, we located 387 of the 463 eligible women and successfully enrolled 353 (91% of those contacted). Phone calls were the most successful strategy, yielding 67% of enrolments. Over half of the women had changed their contact information since participation in the previous study. We recommend that researchers collect multiple contact details and use several recruitment strategies in parallel from the start of a study. Participants in longitudinal studies may require frequent contact to update contact information, particularly in settings where mobility is common.

Pharmacy characteristics correlating to performance in a community pharmacy network.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between pharmacy characteristics and a broad set of performance measures used to support a community pharmacy network. METHODS: Baseline characteristics regarding demographics, services provided, technology, and staffing were collected via a 68-item survey for 123 pharmacies participating in the North Carolina community pharmacy enhanced services network. Performance metric data were collected, and scores were calculated for each pharmacy. Outcome measures for this study comprised of 4 adherence measures, a risk-adjusted hospitalization measure, a risk-adjusted emergency department visit measure, a total cost of medical care measure, and a composite pharmacy performance measure. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to create multivariable statistical models measuring the correlation between pharmacy characteristics and performance measures. RESULTS: After inclusion criteria were applied, 115 pharmacies remained in the analysis. These pharmacies were primarily single and multiple independent pharmacies, at 36.5% and 59.1%, respectively. Five characteristics were significantly associated with 3 measures, and none were associated with 4 or more. Having pharmacists in non dispensing roles was positively associated with total score, diabetes adherence, and chronic medication adherence. Home visits were positively associated with hypertension adherence, ED visit rate, and total score. Offering a smoking cessation program was positively associated with chronic medication, hypertension, and statin adherence. Offering free home delivery was positively associated with diabetes adherence but negatively associated with total medical spending and ED visit rate. Using dispensing automation was negatively associated with adherence to chronic medications, renin-angiotensin system antagonists, and statins. CONCLUSION: No pharmacy characteristics were associated with a majority of performance measures chosen. Additional research is needed to identify structural variables that can be used as minimum participation criteria for high-performing pharmacy networks.

Care Transitions Program for High-Risk Frail Older Adults is Most Beneficial for Patients with Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: Although posthospitalization care transitions programs (CTP) are highly diverse, their overall program thoroughness is most predictive of their success. OBJECTIVE: To identify components of a successful homebased CTP and patient characteristics that are most predictive of reduced 30-day readmissions. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. PATIENTS: A total of 315 community-dwelling, hospitalized, older adults (≥60 years) at high risk for readmission (Elder Risk Assessment score ≥16), discharged home over the period of January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2013. SETTING: Midwest primary care practice in an integrated health system. INTERVENTION: Enrollment in a CTP during acute hospitalization. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was all-cause readmission within 30 days of the first CTP evaluation. Logistic regression was used to examine independent variables, including patient demographics, comorbidities, number of medications, completion, and timing of program fidelity measures, and prior utilization of healthcare. RESULTS: The overall 30-day readmission rate was 17.1%. The intensity of follow-up varied among patients, with 17.1% and 50.8% of the patients requiring one and ≥3 home visits, respectively, within 30 days. More than half (54.6%) required visits beyond 30 days. Compared with patients who were not readmitted, readmitted patients were less likely to exhibit cognitive impairment (29.6% vs 46.0%; P = .03) and were more likely to have high medication use (59.3% vs 44.4%; P = .047), more emergency department (ED; 0.8 vs 0.4; P = .03) and primary care visits (4.0 vs 3.0; P = .018), and longer cumulative time in the hospital (4.6 vs 2.5 days; P = .03) within 180 days of the index hospitalization. Multivariable analysis indicated that only cognitive impairment and previous ED visits were important predictors of readmission. CONCLUSIONS: No single CTP component reliably predicted reduced readmission risk. Patients with cognitive impairment and polypharmacy derived the most benefit from the program.

A qualitative study of home visiting as a palliative care strategy to follow-up cancer patients by nurses in clinical setting in a developing country.

AIMS: The aims are to examine the effect of home visiting and resources for instituting the programme as a follow-up strategy in integration of palliative care in daily clinical practice by nurses caring for cancer patients in Nigeria, and on how it can be used to improve care for cancer patients. BACKGROUND: Home visiting by nurses has been used as a follow-up option in maternal and child health care globally. Most cancer patients default after diagnosis, home visiting offers potential as a strategy for follow-up of these patients too. METHODS: This was a qualitative study which employed a focus group discussion with nurse managers and interviews with cancer in-patients in two teaching hospitals in Nigeria. It utilised an interpretive paradigm to reach the best understanding of the problem. A total of 19 nurse managers who were directly involved with the care of cancer patients and 11 cancer patients participated in the study between July and September 2016. A qualitative content analysis was employed to analyse the data. FINDINGS: Nine major themes were identified in relation to perceived benefits of home visiting services and six in relation to needed resources in instituting the programme. Similar findings emerged from both the focus group discussions and the interviews with patients. Participants agreed that visiting cancer patients would ease many problems commonly encountered by patients following diagnosis of cancer, including psychological, financial, and emotional problems. Needed resources included hospital policies, adequate staff strength, staff commitment and funding. CONCLUSIONS: Viable home visiting requires palliative care teams to carry out the service and hospital policy to direct their activities. Putting this into practice will be in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) advocacy of integrated palliative care for chronic diseases.

Home visits of the nurse and its relationship with hospitalization by diseases sensitive to primary health care / Visitas domiciliares del enfermero y su relación con las hospitalizaciones por enfermedades sensibles a la atención primária / Visitas domiciliares do enfermeiro e sua relação com as internações por doenças sensíveis à atenção básica

Abstract Objective: To identify if nurses' home visits recorded by the family health strategy are proportional to the registered population and the population covered by the family health team, and its relationship with the rate of hospitalization for conditions sensitive to primary health care. Method: Secondary data were gathered from the Information Systems of Primary Care and Hospitalization regarding potential population coverage, number of visits done, hospitalizations for diseases sensitive to primary health care. An exploratory analysis was performed with data grouping for triennium (2010-2012 and 2013-2015) and assignment of scores for each variable, creating the classification strata in: low, medium and high. Results: It was identified that the number of registered home visits does not meet the estimated population coverage as well as does not impact on the admissions sensitive to primary health care. Conclusion and implications for practice: Even with high coverage of the family health strategy, home visits are not the main focus of nurses yet. Home visits should be used as a tool for disease prevention and health promotion, which may explain the non-reduction of hospitalizations sensitive to primary health care.

Resumen Objetivo: Identificar si las visitas domiciliarias registradas en la Estrategia Salud de la Familia son proporcionales a la población registrada y la población cubierta por la estrategia, y su relación con la tasa de internación por condiciones sensibles a la atención básica. Método: Se recogieron datos secundarios del Sistema de Información de la Atención Básica y Sistemas de Información Hospitalaria con respecto a: cobertura poblacional potencial, número de visitas realizadas, internaciones por enfermedades sensibles a la atención básica. Se ha llevado a cabo un análisis exploratorio con agrupación de los datos por trienio (2010-12 y 2013-15) y asignación de escores para cada variable, permitiendo establecer la clasificación en baja, media y alta. Resultados: Se identificó que la cantidad de visitas domiciliarias registradas no atiende la cobertura poblacional estimada así como no impacta en las internaciones sensibles a la atención básica. Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica: A pesar de la elevada cobertura de la estrategia salud de la familia, las visitas domiciliarias aún no son el principal foco de los enfermeros. Las visitas domiciliarias deberían ser utilizadas como herramienta de prevención de enfermedades y promoción de la salud, lo que quizá explique la no reducción de las internaciones sensibles a la atención básica.

Resumo Objetivo: Identificar se as visitas domiciliares registradas pela estratégia saúde da família são proporcionais à população registrada e à população coberta pela estratégia, e sua relação com a taxa de internação por condições sensíveis a atenção básica. Método: Foram coletados dados secundários do Sistema de Informação da Atenção Básica e Sistema de Informações Hospitalares referentes a: cobertura populacional potencial, número de visitas realizadas, internações por doenças sensíveis a atenção básica. Foi realizada análise exploratória com agrupamento dos dados por triênio (2010-2012 e 2013-2015) e atribuição de escores para cada variável, permitindo estabelecer a classificação a baixa, média e alta. Resultados: Identificou-se que a quantidade de visitas domiciliares registradas não atende a cobertura populacional estimada, assim como não impacta nas internações sensíveis à atenção básica. Conclusão e implicações para a prática: Mesmo com elevada cobertura da estratégia saúde da família, as visitas domiciliares ainda não são o principal foco dos enfermeiros. As visitas domiciliares deveriam ser utilizadas como ferramenta de prevenção de doenças e promoção da saúde, o que talvez explique a não redução das internações sensíveis à atenção básica.

[One Size Fits All? Using Psychosocial Risk Assessments to Predict Service Use in Early Intervention and Prevention]. / One size fits all? Die Eignung von Risikoscreenings zur Prognose der Inanspruchnahme von Angeboten der Frühen Hilfen.

One Size Fits All? Using Psychosocial Risk Assessments to Predict Service Use in Early Intervention and Prevention Early intervention and prevention services offer a variety of programs. At the same time, program participants differ widely in their service use. This study aims at investigating the prognostic validity of psychosocial risk assessments in predicting the participants' service use. The psychosocial risk assessment "Heidelberg Stress Scale" is used to predict aspects of service use (dosage, attrition, intervention content, working relationship). Service use data of N = 1.514 participants of a home-visiting program will be analyzed via Machine-Learning-Algorithms. Dosage and intervention content can be predicted with psychosocial risk assessments. The classification strength is small. Global and continuous risk scales have a prognostic advantage over single categorical risk items. Financial burden has a significant influence on every aspect of service use. Psychosocial risk assessments provide additional information that can support intervention planning. Yet, these instruments should be supplemented by additional diagnostic information.

Visita domiciliaria: un espacio para la adquisición y modificación de prácticas en salud / Home visit: a place for the acquisition and modification of health practices / Visita domiciliar: um espaço para a aquisição e modificação de práticas de saúde

Resumen La visita domiciliaria realizada por el asistente técnico de atención primaria en salud (ATAPS), corresponde a la principal actividad fundamental de atención primaria desarrollada en Costa Rica, cuya principal labor es proporcionar información y recomendaciones sobre educación en salud a las personas usuarias. Respecto de lo anterior, el objetivo de esta investigación es determinar los conocimientos y la modificación en los estilos de vidas que las personas realizan posterior a la visita del ATAPS.El diseño del estudio fue cualitativo, analítico y observacional. Para la recolección de los datos se aplicó entrevistas a profundidad a las personas usuarias visitadas y se realizó un grupo focal con los ATAPS. Para el análisis de los datos, se estableció categorías de análisis desde la metodología de la teoría fundamentada. Se identificó que las personas usuarias refieren un mayor adquisición de conocimientos cuando se abordó temas como dengue, la vacunación, el lavado de manos, la citología vaginal y una alimentación saludable y un predominio significativo del ama de casa en la participación de esta actividad, lo que al final limita la transmisibilidad de la información al resto de los integrantes. Con respecto a la modificación de prácticas, la mayoría de las personas expresan cambios en estilos de vida saludable y mayores facilidades para el acceso a los servicios de salud. Se concluye que es importante entender la visita domiciliaria como un medio de aproximación entre las familias y el sistema de salud, que favorezca el acceso a los servicios de salud, mientras se constituye en un instrumento que humaniza la atención de las necesidades.

Abstract The home visit made by the technical assistant of primary health care (ATAPS), corresponds to the main primary care activity developed in Costa Rica, whose main task is to provide information and recommendations on health education to users. Regarding the above, the objective of this research is to determine the knowledge and the modification in the lifestyles that people make after the ATAPS visit. The design of the study was qualitative, analytical and observational. For the data collection, in-depth interviews were applied to the users visited and a focus group was made with the ATAPS. For the analysis of the data, categories of analysis were established from the methodology of the grounded theory. It was identified that users report a greater acquisition of knowledge when addressing issues such as dengue, vaccination, hand washing, vaginal cytology and healthy eating and a significant predominance of the housewife in the participation of this activity, which in the end limits the transmissibility of the information to the rest of the members. With respect to the modification of practices, most people express changes in healthy lifestyles and greater facilities for access to health services. It is conclude that it is important to understand the home visit as a means of approximation between families and the health system, which favors access to health services, while providing an instrument that meets the needs.

Resumo A visita domiciliária feita pelo auxiliar técnico de cuidados de saúde primários (ATAPS) corresponde à principal atividade de atenção primária desenvolvida na Costa Rica, cuja principal tarefa é fornecer informações e recomendações sobre educação em saúde aos usuários. No que se refere ao acima, o objetivo desta pesquisa é determinar o conhecimento e a modificação nos estilos de vida que as pessoas fazem após a visita ATAPS. O design do estudo foi qualitativo, analítico e observacional. Para a coleta de dados, foram aplicadas entrevistas em profundidade aos usuários visitados e um grupo focal foi feito com o ATAPS. Para a análise dos dados, as categorias de análise foram estabelecidas a partir da metodologia da teoria fundamentada. Foi identificado que os usuários relatam uma maior aquisição de conhecimento ao abordar questões como dengue, vacinação, lavagem das mãos, citologia vaginal e alimentação saudável e uma significativa predominância significativa da dona de casa na participação desta atividade, que no final limita a transmissibilidade da informação ao resto dos membros. Com respeito à modificação de práticas, a maioria das pessoas expressa mudanças em estilos de vida saudáveis ​​e maiores facilidades para acesso a serviços de saúde.Conclui-se que é importante compreender a visita domiciliar como meio de aproximação entre as famílias e o sistema de saúde, o que favorece o acesso aos serviços de saúde, ao mesmo tempo que fornece um instrumento que atenda ás necessidades.