Hospital-based health systems 20 years later: A taxonomy for policy research and analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Building on the original taxonomy of hospital-based health systems from 20 years ago, we develop a new taxonomy to inform emerging public policy and practice developments. DATA SOURCES: The 2016 American Hospital Association's (AHA) Annual Survey; the 2016 IQVIA Healthcare Organizations and Systems (HCOS) database; and the 2017-2018 National Survey of Healthcare Organizations and Systems (NSHOS). STUDY DESIGN: Cluster analysis of the 2016 AHA Annual Survey data to derive measures of differentiation, centralization, and integration to create categories or types of hospital-based health systems. DATA COLLECTION: Principal components factor analysis with varimax rotation generating the factors used in the cluster algorithms. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among the four cluster types, 54% (N = 202) of systems are decentralized (-0.35) and relatively less differentiated (-0.37); 23% of systems (N = 85) are highly differentiated (1.28) but relatively decentralized (-0.29); 15% (N = 57) are highly centralized (2.04) and highly differentiated (0.65); and approximately 9 percent (N = 33) are least differentiated (-1.35) and most decentralized (-0.64). Despite differences in calculation, the Highly Centralized, Highly Differentiated System Cluster and the Undifferentiated, Decentralized System Cluster were similar to those identified 20 years ago. The other two system clusters contained similarities as well as differences from those 20 years ago. Overall, 82 percent of the systems remain relatively decentralized suggesting they operate largely as holding companies allowing autonomy to individual hospitals operating within the system. CONCLUSIONS: The new taxonomy of hospital-based health systems bears similarities as well as differences from 20 years ago. Important applications of the taxonomy for addressing current challenges facing the healthcare system, such as the transition to value-based payment models, continued consolidation, and the growing importance of the social determinants of health, are highlighted.

Proactive Integrated Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry: A new service model for the psychiatric care of general hospital inpatients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new service model for the psychiatric care of general hospital inpatients, called Proactive Integrated Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry ('Proactive Integrated Psychological Medicine' in the UK). METHOD: The new service model was developed especially for general hospital inpatient populations with multimorbidity, such as older medical inpatients. Its design was informed by the published literature and the clinical experience of C-L psychiatrists. It was operationalized by a process of iterative piloting. RESULTS: The rationale for the new model and the principles underpinning it are outlined. Details of how to implement it, including a service manual and associated workbook, are provided. The training of clinicians to deliver it is described. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this new service model is being evaluated. Whilst we have found it feasible to deliver and well-accepted by ward teams, potential challenges to its wider implementation are discussed. CONCLUSION: Proactive Integrated Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (PICLP) is a fusion of proactive consultation and integrated care, operationalized in a field-tested service manual. Initial experience indicates that it is feasible to deliver. Its effectiveness and cost effectiveness for older patients on acute medical wards is currently being evaluated in a large multicentre randomized controlled trial (The HOME Study).

The impact of an integrated heart failure service in a medium-sized district general hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Assessing the impact of a new integrated heart failure service (IHFS) in a medium-sized district general hospital (DGH) on heart failure (HF) mortality, readmission rates, and provision of HF care. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study encompassing all patients admitted with a diagnosis of HF over two 12-month periods before (2012/2013), and after (2015/2016) IHFS establishment. RESULTS: Total admissions for HF increased by 40% (385 vs 540), with a greater number admitted to the cardiology ward (231 vs 121). After IHFS implementation, patients were more likely to see a cardiologist (35.1% vs 43.7%, p=0.009), undergo echocardiography (70.1% vs 81.5%, p<0.001), be initiated on all three disease modifying HF medications (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA)) in the heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) group (42% vs 99%, p<0.001) and receive specialist HF input (81.6% vs 85.4%, p=0.2). Both 30-day post-discharge mortality and HF related readmissions were significantly lower in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (8.9% vs 3.1%, p=0.032, 58% reduction, p=0.043 respectively) with no-significant reductions in all other HF groups. In-patient mortality was similar. Length of stay in Cardiology wards increased from 8.4 to 12.7 days (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Establishment of an IHFS within a DGH with limited resources and only a modest service re-design has resulted in significantly improved provision of specialist in-patient care, use of HFrEF medications, early heart failure nurse follow-up, and is associated with a reduction in early mortality, particularly in the HFpEF cohort, and HF related readmissions.

Patients' perception of dignity in Iranian general hospital settings.

BACKGROUND: Dignified care is one of the main objectives of holistic care. Furthermore, paying attention to dignity as one of the fundamental rights of patients is extremely important. However, in many cases, the dignity of hospitalized patients is not considered. Dignity is an abstract concept, and comprehensive studies of the dignity of Iranian patients hospitalized in general hospital settings are limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the concept of dignity from the perspective of patients hospitalized in general hospital settings in Iran. RESEARCH DESIGN: This study takes a qualitative approach. Data were gathered using individual, semi-structured interviews. Qualitative content analysis was the method used to analyse and interpret the data. The criteria suggested by Guba and Lincoln were used ensure the trustworthiness of the study. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: A total of 14 hospitalized patients in general hospital settings in Shiraz participated in this study. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The Research Ethics Committee of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences approved the protocol of the study and the ethical principles were followed throughout. FINDINGS: The findings of this study revealed four main themes - 'respectful atmosphere', 'patient privacy', 'preservation of authority' and 'receiving attention' - and 10 categories. DISCUSSION: Patients need to be hospitalized in a respectable environment in which their privacy is preserved and paid attention, providing them with sufficient authority in terms of medical decisions and their life-related issues. The dignity of hospitalized patients will be preserved under these conditions. CONCLUSION: Patients hospitalized in general hospital settings need to retain their dignity. This can contribute to the optimal therapeutic outcomes for them. Therefore, it is suggested that a cultural, professional and institutional background, in which all components of the patient's dignity are protected and emphasized, should be provided.

COVID-19: Adapting to change, general surgery at a district general hospital in the United Kingdom.

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused major change across the world and in the National Health Service. In order to cope and help limit contagion, numerous institutions recognised the need to adjust clinical practice quickly yet safely. In this paper, we aim to describe the changes implemented in a general surgery department at a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. Across the surgical specialties, frameworks, protocols and guidelines have been established locally and nationally. The aerosol generating procedures involved in general surgery required us to alter our daily activities. Modifications to patient management were necessary to try and reduce viral spread. Staff wellbeing was heavily promoted in order to help maintain the frontline workforce. A holistic approach was required.

RECALMIN: The association between management of Spanish National Health Service Internal Medical Units and health outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between management of Internal Medical Units (IMUs) with outcomes (mortality and length of stay) within the Spanish National Health Service. DESIGN: Data on management were obtained from a descriptive transversal study performed among IMUs of the acute hospitals. Outcome indicators were taken from an administrative database of all hospital discharges from the IMUs. SETTING: Spanish National Health Service. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty-four acute general hospitals with available data of management and outcomes (401 424 discharges). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: IMU risk standardized mortality rates were calculated using a multilevel model adjusted by Charlson Index. Risk standardized myocardial infarction and heart failure mortality rates were calculated using specific multilevel models. Length of stay was adjusted by complexity. RESULTS: Greater hospital complexity was associated with longer average length of stays (r: 0.42; P < 0.001). Crude in-hospital mortality rates were higher at larger hospitals, but no significant differences were found when mortality was risk adjusted. There was an association between nurse workload with mortality rate for selected conditions (r: 0.25; P = 0.009). Safety committee and multidisciplinary ward rounds were also associated with outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: We have not found any association between complexity and intra-hospital mortality. There is an association between some management indicators with intra-hospital mortality and the length of stay. Better disease-specific outcomes adjustments and a larger number of IMUs in the sample may provide more insights about the association between management of IMUs with healthcare outcomes.

Risk mitigation of shared electronic records system in campus institutions: medical social work practice in singapore.

In 2013, the Singapore General Hospital (SGH) Campus initiated a shared electronic system where patient records and documentations were standardized and shared across institutions within the Campus. The project was initiated to enhance quality of health care, improve accessibility, and ensure integrated (as opposed to fragmented) care for best outcomes in our patients. In mitigating the risks of ICT, it was found that familiarity with guiding ethical principles, and ensuring adherence to regulatory and technical competencies in medical social work were important. The need to negotiate and maneuver in a large environment within the Campus to ensure proactive integrative process helped.

[Standardized management of acupuncture-moxibustion clinic in Singapore General Hospital].

The standardized management of acupuncture-moxibustion in Singapore General Hospital is introduced. With gradual improvement of outpatient infrastructure, re-training of medical staff, strict disinfection of manipulation, periodical inspection of medical instruments, unified management of writing, saving and processing in medical records and public education of TCM knowledge, a standardized management system in accordance with modernized hospital is gradually established. As a result, efficiency and quality of clinical treatment is continuously increasing. From April of 1998 to December of 2012, a total of 74 654 times of treatment were performed, and treatment amount per day is gradually increased. The unusual condition of acupuncture is avoided. Periodical strict inspection of joint committee authenticated by domestic and overseas medical health organization is repeatedly passed and accepted. Additionally, three clinical researches funded by Singapore Health-care Company are still in progress in acupuncture-moxibustion department.

The effectiveness of consultation-liaison psychiatry in the general hospital setting: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review how the effectiveness of consultation liaison psychiatry (CLP) services has been measured and to evaluate the strength of the evidence for effectiveness. METHODS: Systematic review of medical databases using broad search terms as well as expert opinion was sought. The literature search was restricted to studies of general, whole-of-hospital inpatient CLP services. RESULTS: Forty articles were found and grouped into five measurements of effectiveness: cost effectiveness including length of stay, concordance, staff and patient feedback, and follow-up outcome studies. All measurements contributed to the evaluation of CLP services, but no one measure in isolation could adequately cover the multifaceted roles of CLP. Concordance was the only measurement with an established, consistent approach for evaluation. Cost effectiveness and follow-up outcome studies were the only measures with levels of evidence above four, however the three follow-up outcome studies reported conflicting results. Subjective evidence derived from patient and staff feedback is important but presently lacking due to methodological problems. The effectiveness of CLP services was demonstrated by cost-effectiveness, earlier referrals to CLP predicting shorter length of stay, and concordance with some management recommendations. CONCLUSION: There is evidence that some CLP services are cost-effective and reduce length of stay when involved early and that referrers follow certain recommendations. However, many studies had disparate results and were methodologically flawed. Future research should focus on standardising patient and staff feedback, and short-term patient outcomes.

Case studies of orthopedic surgery in California: the virtues of care coordination versus specialization.

Two overarching frameworks compete to address the organizational ills of the health care system. One framework diagnoses lack of coordination and prescribes integration and global payment. The other diagnoses loss of focus and prescribes specialization and episode payment. This article, based on research and interviews, assesses how the two frameworks manifest themselves at two high-volume orthopedic hospitals in Irvine, California. The Kaiser Permanente Irvine Medical Center is part of a large and diversified health system. The Hoag Orthopedic Institute is a single-specialty facility jointly owned by the physicians and the hospital. Market outcomes, such as the merger of the Hoag specialty hospital into a larger diversified health system, suggest that Kaiser's focus on coordination of patient care from preadmission to postdischarge is a key factor in its success. But Hoag's specialization also leads to improved efficiencies. The integrated approach appears to be prevailing. At the same time, large diversified organizations might obtain further efficiencies by pursuing service-line strategies as described in this article--for instance, by providing incentives for efficiency and quality for each specialty and type of care.

Does the integration of TB medical services in the general hospital improve the quality of TB care? Evidence from a case study in China.

BACKGROUND: Moving the clinical services from tuberculosis (TB) dispensary to the integrated county hospital (called integrated approach) has been practiced in China; however, it is unknown the quality of TB care in the integrated approach and in the dispensary approach. METHODS: A total of 202 new TB patients were investigated using structured questionnaires in three counties implementing the integrated approach and one county implementing the dispensary approach. The quality of TB care is measured based on success rate of treatment, medical expenditure, health system delay and second-line drug use. RESULTS: The integrated approach showed a high success treatment rate. The medical expenditure in the integrated approach was USD 432, significantly lower than that in the dispensary approach (Z = -5.771, P < 0.001). The integrated approach had a shorter health system delay (5 days) than the dispensary approach (32 days). Twenty-six percent of patients in integrated hospitals were prescribed with second-line TB drugs, significantly lower than that in the TB dispensary (47%, χ(2) = 7.452, P = 0.006). However, the medical expenditure, use of second-line anti-TB drug and liver-protection drugs indeed varied greatly across the three integrated hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated approach showed better quality of TB care, but the performance of the integrated hospitals varied greatly. A method to standardize TB treatment and management of this approach is urgent.

Redesigning care delivery in British Columbia.

Phase 1 of this initiative was designed to examine the current state of practice in acute care and to provide administrators with research evidence for identifying areas for improvement. Data were collected through observational research using function analysis augmented by a staff survey and interviews. Data were collected from 17 acute care sites across Vancouver Island and the Mainland of British Columbia involving four health authorities.

A diabetic foot service established by a department of vascular surgery: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism by which the multidisciplinary approach to diabetic foot disease reduces amputation rates is unclear. Ischemia, sepsis, and necrosis represent aspects of severe diabetic foot disease amenable to intervention. In 2006, a vascular unit introduced a rapid access service for severe foot disease, augmenting the established community provision. This study aimed to determine whether concurrent changes in amputation rates were observed, and to identify areas that may have influenced outcomes. METHODS: Unit data prospectively collected during 4 years for patients with lower-limb disease were compared with data retrieved over 2 years before the foot service. Outcome measurements were major amputations, foot surgery, vascular interventions, admissions, and length of stay. RESULTS: Major amputation rates associated with diabetes peaked in 2005 at 24.7/10,000 vs. 1.07/10,000 in 2009; (relative risk = 0.043, 95% confidence interval = 0.006-0.322). The proportion of diabetic to nondiabetic amputations decreased; foot surgery rates also dropped (53.7/10,000 in 2006 vs. 7.5/10,000 in 2009). The number of open revascularization procedures decreased, but the rates of endovascular procedures remained generally constant. Hospital admission rates decreased after initially peaking, and the length of stay was unchanged (16 vs. 15.5 days in 2004 and 2009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The integration of a vascular unit with community care has been associated with improved outcomes for patients with diabetic foot disease. Improvements were not related to the increased number of vascular procedures or hospitalizations, but did coincide with a greater proportion of patients attending the foot unit. The referral of patients to the unit facilitates the rapid management of severe disease, reducing delays deleterious to outcomes.

Who needs chaplain's visitation in general hospitals? Assessing patients with psychosocial and religious needs.

Owing to the declining length of patients' hospital stay in recent years, chaplains need evidence-based criteria to decide which patients are likely to have the greatest psychosocial and/or religious-spiritual needs. Therefore, the present pilot study aims at sorting out evidence-based criteria to assess patients with lack of coping resources. A total of 610 patients in the German-speaking part of Switzerland were surveyed with regard to their psychosocial health. The results suggest that lack of vitality (including health condition), lack of support and lack of faith (including spiritual struggle) are valid and reliable criteria for chaplains as internal triggers for pastoral visitation.

Employing post-DEA cross-evaluation and cluster analysis in a sample of Greek NHS hospitals.

To increase Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) discrimination of efficient Decision Making Units (DMUs), by complementing "self-evaluated" efficiencies with "peer-evaluated" cross-efficiencies and, based on these results, to classify the DMUs using cluster analysis. Healthcare, which is deprived of such studies, was chosen as the study area. The sample consisted of 27 small- to medium-sized (70-500 beds) NHS general hospitals distributed throughout Greece, in areas where they are the sole NHS representatives. DEA was performed on 2005 data collected from the Ministry of Health and the General Secretariat of the National Statistical Service. Three inputs -hospital beds, physicians and other health professionals- and three outputs -case-mix adjusted hospitalized cases, surgeries and outpatient visits- were included in input-oriented, constant-returns-to-scale (CRS) and variable-returns-to-scale (VRS) models. In a second stage (post-DEA), aggressive and benevolent cross-efficiency formulations and clustering were employed, to validate (or not) the initial DEA scores. The "maverick index" was used to sort the peer-appraised hospitals. All analyses were performed using custom-made software. Ten benchmark hospitals were identified by DEA, but using the aggressive and benevolent formulations showed that two and four of them respectively were at the lower end of the maverick index list. On the other hand, only one 100% efficient (self-appraised) hospital was at the higher end of the list, using either formulation. Cluster analysis produced a hierarchical "tree" structure which dichotomized the hospitals in accordance to the cross-evaluation results, and provided insight on the two-dimensional path to improving efficiency. This is, to our awareness, the first study in the healthcare domain to employ both of these post-DEA techniques (cross efficiency and clustering) at the hospital (i.e. micro) level. The potential benefit for decision-makers is the capability to examine high and low "all-round" performers and maverick hospitals more closely, and identify and address problems typically overlooked by first-stage DEA.

Mental and Social Health Atlas I in Saudi Arabia: 2007-08.

Based on the World Health Organization's Mental Health Atlas, the first Mental and Social Health Atlas in Saudi Arabia describes the historical background of mental health and social services in the country and identifies several deficiencies in the system including infrastructure and logistics and lack of epidemiological data. There is now great progress in strategic planning for developing and improving mental health care services across the nation, with suggestions to develop psychiatric services for identified special populations, to establish community mental health care services, to improve research and training in mental health, and to update mental health annual information systems using advanced information technology.

Familiarity breeds discontent: senior hospital doctors' attitudes towards complementary/alternative medicine.

UNLABELLED: Studies have shown that many general medical practitioners refer their patients to complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) practitioners and believe in the therapeutic benefit of these modalities. However, there is less information concerning the beliefs and practices of senior hospital doctors. OBJECTIVES: In view of the increasing institutionalization of CAM and moves to incorporate CAM into secondary and tertiary healthcare settings, the objective of this study is to understand the attitudes and practices of senior hospital doctors, a sector whose members are often responsible for formulating and implementing institutional policy. DESIGN AND SETTING: A questionnaire was administered to 294 directors of hospital departments and their deputies on their attitudes and practices concerning CAM. Response rate was 70%. Almost all general hospitals in Israel participated in the study. RESULTS: The findings show, in general, that while senior hospital physicians in Israel hold positive attitudes towards CAM, they are not well disposed towards co-operation with CAM practitioners. Incorporating a CAM clinic into the hospital site does not seem to enhance clinical co-operation between conventional physicians and CAM practitioners. In hospitals that had functioning CAM clinics, doctors were consistently and significantly more opposed to co-operation with CAM than in hospitals without CAM clinics.

[The psychiatric department of the general hospital in community mental health care]. / Die Rolle der psychiatrischen Fachabteilung am Allgemeinkrankenhaus in der gemeindepsychiatrischen Versorgung.

Decentralizing mental health care and integrating psychiatry in general hospitals requires new strategies for mental health work. The Austrian Structural Plan for Health 2006 identifies psychiatric departments in general hospitals as pacemakers in creating a needs-based service organization on a regional level. We describe psychiatric departments in general hospitals, how they specialize in responding to the needs of a particular region, and how they relate to community mental health services and general health care.