Factors Influencing Acute Stroke Thrombolytic Treatments in Hispanics In the San Diego Region.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) for acute ischemic stroke, rt-PA rate and number of stroke centers have increased. Despite this, studies have shown racial and ethnic disparities in stroke care especially in Black and Hispanic populations. What factors are related to the administration of rt-PA within the Hispanic population has to date been unclear. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of IRB approved, prospectively collected data from the UC San Diego Stroke Registry from 7/2004-7/2016. Patients were included based on the primary diagnosis of Transient Ischemic Attack or Ischemic Stroke. Hispanic vs non-Hispanic patients were compared to assess for overall rt-PA treatment rates and process of care intervals. For the Hispanic cohort itself, demographics and NIHSS scores were assessed to determine why some Hispanics received rt-PA while others were not. RESULTS: Overall, 1489 patients (300 Hispanic vs. 1189 non-Hispanic) were included. Comparing Hispanics to non-Hispanics, there was no difference in rt-PA rate (35.3% vs. 33.1%; p=0.49). In rt-PA treated patients, "onset to arrival" interval was higher in Hispanics (1.03 vs. 0.88 hours; p=0.04), while the "arrival to treatment" interval was not different (1.13 vs. 1.02 hours; p=0.07). When looking at Hispanic patients only, there was no difference in baseline characteristics except for initial NIHSS in treated vs. non-treated patients (13.27 vs. 7.24; p<.001). CONCLUSION: Our analyses sought to determine the factors important to administration of rt-PA to Hispanic patients. These findings highlight the need for strategies to improve recognition and presentation pathways for Hispanics.

[Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of a Multifactorial Fall Prevention Programme in Nursing Homes in a Real-World Setting]. / Effektivität und Kosteneffektivität einer multifaktoriellen Sturzpräventions-maßnahme in Pflegeheimen im Versorgungsalltag.

The purpose of the present study was to analyse the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention programme in nursing home residents in a real-world setting. The adjusted relative risk of a femoral fracture was 0.82 (95% CI 0.72-0.93) in residents exposed to the fall and fracture prevention programme compared to residents from the control group. Given a willingness-to-pay of 50,000 EUR per year free of femoral fractures from a payer perspective the probability that the intervention is cost-effective was 83%.

Cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention program in nursing homes.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention program in nursing home residents. Given a willingness-to-pay (WTP) of 50,000 EUR per year free of femoral fracture, the probability that the intervention is cost-effective is 83%. INTRODUCTION: Despite their increased risk of falls and fractures, nursing home residents have been neglected in economic evaluations of fall prevention programs so far. The purpose of this study was to analyze, for the first time, the cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial fall prevention program in nursing home residents. METHODS: This study is part of a prospective, unblinded, cluster, nonrandomized, controlled study focusing on the transfer of an efficacious fall prevention program into a real-world setting. The analyzed subsample was derived from claims data and consisted of data on intervention (n=256, residents n=10,178) and control homes (n=893, residents n=22,974), representing all insurants of a sickness fund (AOK Bavaria, Germany) who were 65 years or older, residing in a nursing home on the 31st of March 2007 and had a level of care of ≥1 according to the classification of the statutory long-term care insurance. Time free of femoral fracture (ICD-10, S72) was used as measure of health effects. Femoral fracture-related costs and intervention costs were measured from a payer perspective. Multivariate regression models were applied. Sensitivity analyses were performed and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves computed. RESULTS: Within the first year of the intervention, femoral fracture rate was significantly reduced, resulting in a nonsignificant incremental mean time of 1.41 days free of femoral fracture. Incremental mean total direct costs were 29 EUR per resident, which was not significant. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was 7,481 EUR per year free of femoral fracture. The probability of an ICER<50,000 EUR per year free of femoral fracture was 83%. CONCLUSION: Depending on the amount the decision-maker is willing to pay for the incremental effect, the fall prevention program might be cost-effective within the first year. Future studies should expand the range of costs and effects measured.

The health burden and costs of incident fractures attributable to osteoporosis from 2010 to 2050 in Germany--a demographic simulation model.

UNLABELLED: To predict the burden of incident osteoporosis attributable fractures (OAF) in Germany, an economic simulation model was built. The burden of OAF will sharply increase until 2050. Future demand for hospital and long-term care can be expected to substantially rise and should be considered in future healthcare planning. INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to develop an innovative simulation model to predict the burden of incident OAF occurring in the German population, aged >50, in the time period of 2010 to 2050. METHODS: A Markov state transition model based on five fracture states was developed to estimate costs and loss of quality adjusted life years (QALYs). Demographic change was modelled using individual generation life tables. Direct (inpatient, outpatient, long-term care) and indirect fracture costs attributable to osteoporosis were estimated by comparing Markov cohorts with and without osteoporosis. RESULTS: The number of OAF will rise from 115,248 in 2010 to 273,794 in 2050, cumulating to approximately 8.1 million fractures (78 % women, 22 % men) during the period between 2010 and 2050. Total undiscounted incident OAF costs will increase from around 1.0 billion Euros in 2010 to 6.1 billion Euros in 2050. Discounted (3 %) cumulated costs from 2010 to 2050 will amount to 88.5 billion Euros (168.5 undiscounted), with 76 % being direct and 24 % indirect costs. The discounted (undiscounted) cumulated loss of QALYs will amount to 2.5 (4.9) million. CONCLUSIONS: We found that incident OAF costs will sharply increase until the year 2050. As a consequence, a growing demand for long-term care as well as hospital care can be expected and should be considered in future healthcare planning. To support decision makers in managing the future burden of OAF, our model allows to economically evaluate population- and risk group-based interventions for fracture prevention in Germany.

[Fall and fracture prevention based on the National Expert Standard. Implementation and costs in a real world setting in nursing homes]. / Sturz- und Frakturprävention auf der Grundlage des Nationalen Expertenstandards Sturzprophylaxe. Umsetzung und Kosten im Versorgungsalltag im Setting Pflegeheim.

BACKGROUND: A National Expert Standard for Fall and Fracture Prevention ("Expertenstandard Sturzprophylaxe") was established a few years ago in Germany. The purpose of this study was to determine for the first time the implementation and costs of fall and fracture prevention measures based on this National Expert Standard in German nursing homes in a real world setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This before/after study is based on an un-blinded, controlled translational study focussing on the primary prevention of fall-related hip fractures in nursing homes in Bavaria. 274 nursing homes were included in this study in 2008. The intervention aimed at implementing fall and fracture prevention measures based on the National Expert Standard. A random sample of 79 nursing homes was assessed via telephone at baseline and two follow ups. Costs were determined from a societal perspective, based on a questionnaire covering use and costs of fall and fracture prevention measures. Costs were analysed using paired t-tests and non-parametric bootstrapping techniques. RESULTS: The implementation of this program led to an increase in fall and fracture prevention activities and to additional mean costs of 6,248 EUR (± SD 7,340 EUR; pricing year 2008) per nursing home over 18 months. Costs varied widely between nursing homes. The majority of additional costs occurred for the implementation of strength and balance training. Depending on type and costs of staff conducting the training, total costs varied between 4,347 EUR (± SD 7,167 EUR) and 7,024 EUR (± SD 7,439 EUR). CONCLUSION: The implementation of fall and fracture prevention measures based on the National Expert Standard led to additional costs. Cost figures can be used by decision-makers with respect to decisions on resource allocation for different prevention programs (e.g., different National Expert Standards), to determine the main cost components, and finally for model-based cost-effectiveness analyses of fall-prevention programs in nursing homes.

[Falling in geriatrics. Diagnosis and treatment]. / Stürze in der Geriatrie. Diagnostik und Therapie.

Falls are among the most frequent adverse events in the life of an older person. Accident and emergency units, outpatient services and internal medicine wards should have a diagnostic concept for falls and fall-related injuries and implement an evidence-based risk management for fall prevention. The recently published Reviews of the Cochrane Collaboration and the revised guidelines of the Anglo-American medical societies are a proper basis to plan these steps. This, of course, has to be adapted for the needs of each institution. Currently, it is probable that at least 30% of all falls are preventable. A structured fall history and multifactorial assessment is not part of the routine of outpatient and inpatient services in Germany. The planned revision of the German nursing guideline on fall prevention and the current activities of the Aktionsbündnis Patientensicherheit will also lead to a legal dilemma for those institutions that have not implemented an adequate workup.

Availability and use of hip protectors in residents of nursing homes.

SUMMARY: Potential predictors of availability and use of hip protectors were studied in residents of 48 nursing homes. The likelihood of being offered a hip protector was reduced in men, in residents with very low or very high care needs, in residents with migration background, and in recipients of welfare aid. INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to analyze potential predictors of availability and use of hip protectors in residents of nursing homes. METHODS: In 48 German nursing homes, individual information on availability and use of hip protectors was collected from all institutionalized residents (3,924 residents; 78.2% women). Information on nursing home characteristics was obtained by telephone interview. The effect of individual variables and of nursing home characteristics on hip protector availability and use was estimated using multilevel logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The prevalence of hip protectors being made available was 10.0% in women and 6.2% in men. Sixty-four percent of those with a hip protector used it during the 4 weeks prior to the examination. The likelihood of being offered a hip protector was reduced in men (odds ratio (OR), 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.43; 0.83), in residents with very low or very high care needs (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.18; 0.56 and OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38; 0.79, respectively), in residents with a migration background (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.09; 0.99), and in recipients of welfare aid (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.44; 0.81). Nursing home characteristics such as the size of the nursing home or staff participation rate in training measures had no effect on hip protector availability and use. CONCLUSION: Predictors of hip protector availability were sex, the degree of care need, migration status, and welfare aid. The lower availability of hip protectors in residents with welfare aid and migration status may be an indicator for health inequality in the German health system.

Cost of falls in old age: a systematic review.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to review the evidence of the economic burden of falls in old age. This review showed that falls are a relevant economic burden. Efforts should be directed to fall-prevention programmes. INTRODUCTION: Falls are a common mechanism of injury and a leading cause of costs of injury in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to review for the first time the evidence of the economic burden caused by falls in old age. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in the databases of PubMed, of the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination and in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews until June 2009. Studies were assessed for inclusion, classified and synthesised. Costs per inhabitant, the share of fall-related costs in total health care expenditures and in gross domestic products (GDP) were calculated. If appropriate, cost data were inflated to the year 2006 and converted to US Dollar (USD PPP). RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were included. National fall-related costs of prevalence-based studies were between 0.85% and 1.5% of the total health care expenditures, 0.07% to 0.20% of the GDP and ranged from 113 to 547 USD PPP per inhabitant. Direct costs occurred especially in higher age groups, in females, in hospitals and long-term care facilities and for fractures. Mean costs per fall victim, per fall and per fall-related hospitalisation ranged from 2,044 to 25,955; 1,059 to 10,913 and 5,654 to 42,840 USD PPP and depended on fall severity. A more detailed comparison is restricted by the limited number of studies. CONCLUSION: Falls are a relevant economic burden to society. Efforts should be directed to economic evaluations of fall-prevention programmes aiming at reducing fall-related fractures, which contribute substantially to fall-related costs.