Health economic impact of patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) in France - A nationwide study of health insurance claims data.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inherited metabolic disease. If left untreated, it can lead to severe irreversible intellectual disability and can cause seizures, behavior disturbance, and white matter disease. This study aimed at evaluating the health economic impact of patients with PKU in France. Methods: This retrospective observational study used health insurance claims data from the French SNDS (Système National des Données de Santé) database, which contains data from over 66 million French inhabitants. Patients with PKU were identified by ICD-10 diagnosis codes E70.0 (PKU) and E70.1 (Other hyperphenylalaninemia) documented as a chronic condition (affection de longue durée - ALD) or in the inpatient setting in the SNDS database between 2006 and 2018. Patients with PKU were matched to controls without PKU by age, sex, and region. Patients with early- and late-diagnosed PKU were defined as patients born after and before the implementation of nationwide newborn screening in France in 1972, respectively. Outcomes were analyzed for the year 2018. Results: Overall, 3549 patients with PKU were identified in the database on January 1st, 2018. Of those, 3158 patients versus 15,703 controls with at least one healthcare consumption in 2018 were available for outcome analyses. Patients with PKU had 7.7 times higher healthcare costs than non-PKU controls in 2018 (€11,144 versus 1456 mean costs; p < 0.0001). Pharmaceutical costs including dietary amino acid supplements were the cost driver and contributed 80.0% of the overall mean difference (MD) between patients with PKU and matched non-PKU controls. More than half (52.4%) of the mean pharmaceutical costs per patient with PKU was attributable to medical foods including dietary amino acid supplements.Of the 3158 patients with PKU, 2548 (80.7%) were classified as early-diagnosed and 610 (19.7%) as late-diagnosed. Increased healthcare costs, in comparison to non-PKU controls, were more evident in early-diagnosed patients (€11,263 versus €855 mean costs; 13.2-fold increase; p < 0.0001). For patients with late-diagnosed PKU, healthcare costs were 2.7-fold higher compared to matched non-PKU controls (€10,644 versus €3951 mean costs; p < 0.0001). Outpatient pharmaceutical costs accounted for 89.1% of the MD between early-diagnosed patients and controls. Among late-diagnosed patients, 55.5% of the MD were attributable to costs for inpatient care, followed by costs for outpatient care (23.9%) and outpatient pharmaceutical costs (20.6%). Conclusion: The results indicate that PKU is associated with substantially increased health care costs compared to non-PKU controls in France. The health economic impact was most evident in patients with early-diagnosed PKU due to increased outpatient pharmaceutical costs, especially for medical foods including dietary amino acid supplements. For late-diagnosed and by definition older patients with PKU, the excess costs compared with matched controls were mostly driven by costs for inpatient care.

Outpatient mental health care during high incidence phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany - changes in utilization, challenges and post-COVID care.

BACKGROUND: As only a few studies have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health outpatient system so far, the aim of the COVID Ψ Outpatient Survey was to gain insight from outpatient providers in Germany regarding changes in utilization; associated problems and challenges; telemedicine services; interactions with inpatient and nursing home services; and experiences with post-COVID syndromes. METHODS: Between July and September 2021, we invited 351 randomly selected outpatient mental health specialists to take part in the online survey via e-mail. Additionally, we extended an invitation to professional associations to encourage their members to participate. N = 105 physicians of most regions of Germany took part in the survey. RESULTS: Survey participants reported changes in utilization during the high incidence phases (HIP) of the pandemic using pre-formulated categories: For the first HIP in spring 2020, 31% of the survey participants reported a decrease > 20% and 5% an increase > 20% of patient contacts. For the third HIP in spring 2021, 4% reported a decrease > 20% of contacts, while 30% an increase > 20%. Participants chose "patient's fears of infection" and "providers protection measures" as reasons for decreases, and "pandemic related anxieties", "economic stressors", and "capacity reductions of the inpatient system" as reasons for increases of patient contact. Many providers introduced telemedicine services. A majority reported consultations for post-COVID syndromes already in spring 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The survey hinted at changes in utilization, multiple problems but as well good-practice-solutions in the mental health outpatient system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Use of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) for Home-Based Pain Management, an Observational Cohort Study.

Chronic pain is prevalent in the Veteran population at a disproportionate rate. Given the concerns for traditional pharmacologic management of pain, many are turning to nonpharmacologic alternatives for the treatment of pain. Virtual reality (VR) is an evidence-based tool, which has been demonstrated to reduce pain in hospitalized patients, and has been used for this purpose within the VA Sierra Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHCS) since 2019. Given the ongoing demonstrated benefit in this setting, these authors set to assess benefit for pain when used in an outpatient setting (demonstrations in the clinic, treatments in the patient's home) and demonstrate safety when used outside of a supervised setting. In this analysis, pain intensity decreased by an average of 22% when comparing pre- and postimmersion pain scores, and by 12.7% when comparing baseline pain scores with the end of the analysis. Patients also reported that the use of VR reduced their stress, decreased pain, and improved their mood, and some participants were able to reduce use of their as-needed pain medications with the use of VR. These findings are limited by a small sample size; however, this study provides encouraging evidence of benefit and a framework for future, larger scale analyses.

[Rheumatological care in Germany : Memorandum of the German Society for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology 2024]. / Rheumatologische Versorgung in Deutschland : Memorandum der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Rheumatologie und Klinische Immunologie 2024.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatology in Germany is facing major challenges. The need for rheumatological care is increasing and can no longer be met in some regions for capacity reasons. Too many people with an inflammatory rheumatic disease (IRD) have to forego appropriate care or receive it too late. The 4th new edition of the memorandum of the German Society for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (DGRh) provides information on rheumatological care in Germany. It was produced under the leadership of the DGRh together with the Professional Association of German Rheumatologists (BDRh), the Association of Acute Rheumatology Clinics (VRA), the German Rheumatism League (DRL) and the German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ). METHODS: The memorandum describes the current state and development of the following areas: number of people with IRD, outpatient, inpatient and rehabilitative care structures, number of specialists in rheumatology, education and training, quality of care, health economic aspects and digital care concepts. Proposals for health policy measures to safeguard rheumatological care are presented. RESULTS: Prevalence: approximately 1.8 million adults in Germany have an IRD. The prevalence is increasing, due to changes in the demographic structure of the population, improved diagnostics, treatment and longer survival. Care structures: outpatient specialist care (ASV) for rheumatic diseases is developing as a cross-sectoral care model for hospital outpatient clinics and rheumatology practices. Hospitals have been able to be certified as rheumatology centers since 2020, which enables structural developments. Specialists in rheumatology: as of 31 December 2023, there were 1164 specialists in rheumatology working in Germany. This included 715 physicians accredited to work in practices for national health assurance patients, 39% of whom were employees. In hospitals, 39% of doctors worked part-time. At least 2 rheumatology specialists per 100,000 adults are needed, i.e. around 1400, in order to provide adequate care. This means that there is a shortage of around 700 rheumatology specialists in the outpatient sector alone. Of all working specialists, 30% are currently aged 60 years old and over. Medical training: only 10 out of 38 (26%) state universities have an independent chair in rheumatology. In addition, 11 rheumatology departments are subordinate to a nonrheumatology chair. In the rheumatology-integration into student training (RISA) III study, only 16 out of 36 faculties fulfilled the recommended minimum number of compulsory hours of student rheumatology teaching. Continuing education in rheumatology: the annual postgraduate training qualifications do not cover the demand for rheumatology specialists, which is additionally increasing due to intensified workload, reduced capacities through retirement, and part-time work. Quality of care: since the introduction of highly effective medication patients with IRD have a much better chance of achieving remission of their disease. With early initiation of targeted therapy, the lives of many patients are hardly restricted at all: however, waiting times for a first rheumatological visit often last more than 3 months. Quality target is a first consultation within the first 6 weeks after the onset of symptoms. Models for early consultation, delegation of medical services, structured patient training and digital care concepts have been positively evaluated but are not covered financially. COSTS: the total annual costs for inflammatory joint diseases alone amount to around 3 billion euros. The direct costs have significantly risen since the introduction of biologics, while the indirect costs for sick leave, disability and hospitalization have fallen. CONCLUSION: The core demands of this memorandum are a significant and sustainable increase in the number of further training positions in the outpatient and inpatient sector, the creation of chairs or at least independent departments for rheumatology at all universities and the further implementation of new and cross-sectoral forms of care. This will ensure modern needs-based rheumatological care for all patients in the future.

The Relationship Between Hyperalbuminemia and Unscheduled Medical Visits: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction Hyperalbuminemia, defined as elevated serum albumin levels, may influence healthcare utilization, particularly unscheduled medical visits. The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) regulates serum albumin, which is crucial for maintaining oncotic pressure and substance transport. SNS instability, linked to chronic diseases, can impact albumin levels. This study investigates the association between hyperalbuminemia and unscheduled medical visits in community hospital outpatient departments, aiming to establish its potential as a predictor of healthcare utilization. Methods This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic medical records from Unnan City Hospital, Japan, from September 2021 to August 2023. Participants were over 15 years old and had albumin data available, excluding those with acute albumin conditions. The case group consisted of 321 hyperalbuminemia patients (serum albumin ≥ 5 g/dL), matched monthly with 16 controls. Data on demographics, chronic diseases, and unscheduled medical visits were collected. Multivariate logistic regression analyzed the association between hyperalbuminemia and unscheduled medical visits. Results Among 716 participants, the hyperalbuminemia group (mean age 59.13 years) was younger than the non-hyperalbuminemia group (mean age 74.36 years). Hyperalbuminemia patients had a higher BMI, pulse rate, and prevalence of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and brain stroke. Significant associations were found between hyperalbuminemia and unscheduled medical visits (OR 2.35, 95% CI 1.56-3.53, p < 0.001), age, BMI, pulse rate, and brain stroke. Conclusion Hyperalbuminemia is significantly associated with increased unscheduled medical visits in rural outpatient settings. Routine serum albumin assessments can aid in risk stratification and personalized care, potentially reducing acute healthcare needs. Future research should explore underlying mechanisms and broader populations to enhance clinical applications.

Streamlining atrial fibrillation ablation management using a digitization solution.

Aims: Catheter ablation is a widely accepted intervention for atrial fibrillation (AF) management. Prior to undertaking this procedure, thorough patient education on its efficacy and potential complications is crucial. Additionally, educating patients about stroke risk management and anticoagulant therapy is imperative. At Mater Private Hospital in Dublin, we implemented a solution, integrating a customized treatment pathway and a mobile application. This patient-centred approach aims to optimize the clinical management of AF catheter ablation candidates, focusing on knowledge gaps and adherence to guideline-based care to enhance overall outcomes. Methods and results: The application automates pre-operative assessments and post-operative support, facilitating seamless patient-clinician communication. During the observation period (September 2022-April 2023), 63 patients installed the app. Patient adherence to the pathway was strong, with 98% of patients actively engaging in the treatment pathway and with 81% completing all pre-operative tasks. The average enrolment-to-admission duration was 14 days, and post-ablation tasks were fulfilled by 62% of patients within an average of 36 days. Operators perceived the solution as user-friendly and effective in enhancing patient connectivity. Patient satisfaction was high, and knowledge about AF improved notably through the solution, particularly concerning the recognition of symptoms and anticoagulation therapy-related complications. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate the successful implementation of the app-based Ablation Solution, showcasing widespread patient use, improved adherence, and enhanced understanding of AF and its treatments. The system effectively connects healthcare providers with patients, offering a promising approach to streamline AF catheter ablation management and improve patient outcomes.

The potential of psychiatric outpatient centers to reduce the length of stay in inpatient facilities and the negative impact of COVID-19 on the availability of psychiatric services: the case of Latvia.

The move from psychiatric hospitals to community-based care is the goal of policies in many countries. Latvia has attempted to reach this goal by establishing two outpatient centers in Riga. Since 2005, when the first outpatient centers opened, the ability of day clinics to reduce the total length of stay for hospital inpatients has been observed, although using the outpatient centers did not affect the number of patients treated. The open-door inpatient wards of the centers also attracted a new patient group. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number and length of stay of both outpatients and inpatients at psychiatric hospitals decreased. Therefore, other factors that can affect the move from psychiatric hospital inpatient care to outpatient centers should be further investigated.

Impact of Palliative Care Referral on End-of-Life Outcomes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancy.

CONTEXT: Compared to patients with solid malignancies, less is known about the role of palliative care in patients with hematologic malignancies, leading to underutilization of palliative care. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the timing and impact of palliative care referrals on end-of-life outcomes over a 5-year period with intent to improve the utilization of palliative care in patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of patients from an urban, NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, aged 18 years and older with a diagnosis of an advanced hematologic malignancy were separated into groups of early, late, very late, or no specialty palliative care. Logistic regression models were constructed to examine variables associated with timing of palliative care referral. Groups were compared using the Kruskal Wallis test and Dunn's test with a Bonferroni correction method. RESULTS: 222 patients with advanced hematologic malignancies who died between July 1, 20218 and June 30, 2023 were included. 50 (23%), 41 (18%), and 51 (23%) patients received an early, late, and very late palliative care referral, respectively and 80 (36%) patients did not receive a palliative care referral. There was a significantly high completion of ACP documentation among the palliative care cohorts. There was no significant difference among all cohorts in end-of-life outcomes in the last 14 or 30 days of life. CONCLUSION: ACP documentation improved with palliative care, however, end-of-life outcomes did not. These results are likely due to the majority of late, inpatient palliative care referrals. Future studies with targeted interventions are needed to improve these outcomes.

Safety of treating acute pulmonary embolism at home: an individual patient data meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Home treatment is considered safe in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) patients selected by a validated triage tool (e.g. simplified PE severity index score or Hestia rule), but there is uncertainty regarding the applicability in underrepresented subgroups. The aim was to evaluate the safety of home treatment by performing an individual patient-level data meta-analysis. METHODS: Ten prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials were identified in a systematic search, totalling 2694 PE patients treated at home (discharged within 24 h) and identified by a predefined triage tool. The 14- and 30-day incidences of all-cause mortality and adverse events (combined endpoint of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and/or all-cause mortality) were evaluated. The relative risk (RR) for 14- and 30-day mortalities and adverse events is calculated in subgroups using a random effects model. RESULTS: The 14- and 30-day mortalities were 0.11% [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.0-0.24, I2 = 0) and 0.30% (95% CI 0.09-0.51, I2 = 0). The 14- and 30-day incidences of adverse events were 0.56% (95% CI 0.28-0.84, I2 = 0) and 1.2% (95% CI 0.79-1.6, I2 = 0). Cancer was associated with increased 30-day mortality [RR 4.9; 95% prediction interval (PI) 2.7-9.1; I2 = 0]. Pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease, abnormal troponin, and abnormal (N-terminal pro-)B-type natriuretic peptide [(NT-pro)BNP] at presentation were associated with an increased incidence of 14-day adverse events [RR 3.5 (95% PI 1.5-7.9, I2 = 0), 2.5 (95% PI 1.3-4.9, I2 = 0), and 3.9 (95% PI 1.6-9.8, I2 = 0), respectively], but not mortality. At 30 days, cancer, abnormal troponin, and abnormal (NT-pro)BNP were associated with an increased incidence of adverse events [RR 2.7 (95% PI 1.4-5.2, I2 = 0), 2.9 (95% PI 1.5-5.7, I2 = 0), and 3.3 (95% PI 1.6-7.1, I2 = 0), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of adverse events in home-treated PE patients, selected by a validated triage tool, was very low. Patients with cancer had a three- to five-fold higher incidence of adverse events and death. Patients with increased troponin or (NT-pro)BNP had a three-fold higher risk of adverse events, driven by recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in short-circuit outpatient care: Is prostatic volume a limiting factor?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Our goals were to study prostatic volume as a limiting factor after HoLEP surgery with short-circuit outpatient care (4 h) and to define other factors that affect the success of the proposed circuit. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational analysis and review was performed using a prospective database. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were included for patients who were scheduled for short-circuit outpatient care (SCOC) and who underwent HoLEP between 2020 and 2023. We defined SCOC as a postoperative hospital stay of 4 h. Subjects who required more than 4 h in hospital were categorized as conventional hospital admission (CHA). A descriptive populational study was conducted, expressing the mean using a 95% confidence interval and percentages for the continuous variables. In order to analyze them, we used the Student's t-test for the continuous variables and the chi-squared test for the categorical variables. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were included, 54 of which completed SCOC, which represented a success ratio of 79.5%. The mean age and prostatic volume of the whole cohort were 68.9 (±6.8) years and 79.5 (±29.1) mL, respectively. We found no significant differences in age, prostatic volume, antiplatelet drug use, indwelling bladder catheter, or applied energy among the subjects who completed SCOC and those who required CHA. No patient was presented with a complication of Grade 3 (or higher) in the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. At the six-month follow-up, no differences were observed in the uroflowmetry or International Prostate Symptoms Score variables. CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic volume does not seem to be a limiting factor after undergoing HoLEP with short-circuit outpatient care.

Empiric Treatment of Classical Pyoderma Gangrenosum in the Outpatient Setting: A Case Report.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic disorder that typically presents as painful, ulcerative lesions. It is a diagnosis of exclusion and is oftentimes associated with systemic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. PG remains difficult to diagnose, and a delay in recognizing the disease can contribute to appreciable morbidity in the population. Here, we present the case of a 42-year-old male with the classical subtype of PG in the outpatient clinic who failed three courses of antibiotics before responding to corticosteroids.

Cannabis-related treatment demand at the eve of German cannabis legalization - a 20-years trend analysis.

Post-2000, the prevalence of cannabis consumption has been rising internationally. This paper investigates whether cannabis-related treatment demand in German outpatient addiction care facilities (OACFs) has been following this trend. Treatment demand related to cannabis use disorder (CUD) for the period 2001 to 2021 was investigated using data from the nation-wide standardized German Addiction Care Statistical Service. Analyses covered all and first-time treatment admissions, demographics, and treatment outcomes. We identified years with significant changes in slope or direction of trends through joinpoint regression. Trends within the CUD client population were contrasted with trends among the entire OACF client population. CUD is the second-most common cause for OACF admissions in Germany. Between 2001 and 2021, the share of CUD-related cases among total OACF caseload increased from 7.1 to 19.9%, whereby the share of first-time treatment admissions declined from 79.6 to 55.6%. The share of CUD client population > 35 years almost tripled from 6.0 to 17.4%, that of female client population rose from 15.6 to 18.1%. From 2001 to 2007, the share of CUD-related treatments completed with improved symptomatology increased from 54.7 to 65.6%, followed by a marginal decline. CUD-related treatment demand is growing in Germany's OACFs, involving a client population that is increasingly older and more experienced with the addiction care system. As current intervention programmes mainly target adolescents and young adults who have been consuming cannabis only for a short time, adapting service offers to the changing client profiles appears paramount to improve treatment effectiveness.

Remote symptom monitoring with patient-reported outcome measures in outpatients with chronic kidney disease (PROKID): a multicentre randomised controlled non-inferiority study.

Background: The increasing incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is straining the capacity of outpatient clinics. Remote healthcare delivery might improve CKD follow-up compared with conventional face-to-face follow-up. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are used to empower remote follow-up and patient engagement. The consequences of shifting from face-to-face follow-up to remote outpatient follow-up on kidney function, health resource utilisation and quality of life remain unknown. Methods: We conducted a multicentre pragmatic non-inferiority trial at three outpatient clinics in the Central Denmark Region. A total of 152 incident outpatients with CKD were randomised (1:1:1) to either PRO-based, PRO-telephone follow-up or standard of care (SoC). The primary outcome was the annual change in kidney function measured by the slope of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The non-inferiority margin was an eGFR of 2.85 ml/min/1.73 m2/year. Mean differences were estimated using intention-to-treat (ITT), per protocol and random coefficient models. Results: Mean eGFR slope differences between PRO-based and SoC were -0.97 ml/min/1.73 m2/year [95% confidence interval (CI) -3.00-1.07] and -1.06 ml/min/1.73 m2/year (95% CI -3.02-0.89) between PRO-telephone and SoC. Non-inferiority was only established in the per-protocol analysis due to CIs exceeding the margin in the ITT group. Both intervention groups had fewer outpatient visits: -4.95 (95% CI -5.82 to -4.08) for the PRO-based group and -5.21 (95% CI -5.95 to -4.46) for the PRO-telephone group. We found no significant differences in quality of life, illness perception or satisfaction. Conclusion: Differences in the eGFR slope between groups were non-significant and results on non-inferiority were inconclusive. Thus, transitioning to remote PRO-based follow-up requires close monitoring of kidney function. Reducing patients' attendance in the outpatient clinic was possible without decreasing either quality of life or illness perception.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03847766.

Optimising the structure of outpatient clinic letters: insights from a survey of general practitioners and hospital doctors.

Outpatient letters are an essential communication tool in healthcare. Yet doctors receive little training on letter writing and what details recipients consider important. We surveyed 106 hospital doctors and 63 general practitioners (GPs), identifying differences in each group's preferences; GPs preferred more structured, detailed letters. Opportunities for feedback, formal templates and advanced software systems can improve communication in outpatient clinics.

[What importance does outpatient care have for mobility in rural areas? Results from a GPS study among persons aged 75 and older]. / Außerhäusliche Mobilität von Personen ab 75 Jahren im ländlichen Raum. Ergebnisse aus einer GPS-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Out-of-home mobility, defined as active and passive movement through external environments, is a resource for autonomy, quality of life, and self-realization in older age. Various factors influence out-of-home mobility, primarily studied in urban settings. The study aims to examine associated factors in a study population aged 75 and above in rural areas. METHODS: Baseline data from the MOBILE trial involving 212 participants aged 75 and above and collected between June 2021 and October 2022 were analyzed. Out-of-home mobility was measured temporally as time out of home (TOH) and spatially as convex hull (CHull) using GPS over seven days. Mixed models considered outpatient care parameters as well as personal, social, and environmental factors along with covariates such as age and gender. RESULTS: Participants in the MOBILE study (average age 81.5; SD: 4.1; 56.1% female) exhibited average out-of-home mobility of TOH: 319.3 min (SD: 196.3) and CHull: 41.3 (SD: 132.8). Significant associations were found for age (TOH: ß = -0.039, p < 0.001), social network (TOH: ß = 0.123, p < 0.001), living arrangement (CHull: ß = 0.689, p = 0.035), health literacy (CHull: ß = 0.077, p = 0.008), sidewalk quality (ß = 0.366, p = 0.003), green space ratio (TOH: ß = 0.005, p = 0.047), outpatient care utilization (TOH: ß = -0.637, p < 0.001, CHull: ß = 1.532; p = 0.025), and active driving (TOH: ß = -0.361, p = 0.004). DISCUSSION: Previously known multifactorial associations related to objectively measured out-of-home mobility in old age could be confirmed in rural areas. Novel and relevant for research and practice is the significant correlation between out-of-home mobility and outpatient care utilization.

Implementation of a Web-Based Outpatient Asynchronous Consultation Service: Mixed Methods Study.

BACKGROUND: Asynchronous outpatient patient-to-provider communication is expanding in UK health care, requiring evaluation. During the pandemic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in Scotland expanded its outpatient asynchronous consultation service from dermatology (deployed in May 2020) to gastroenterology and pain management clinics. OBJECTIVE: We conducted a mixed methods study using staff, patient, and public perspectives and National Health Service (NHS) numerical data to obtain a rounded picture of innovation as it happened. METHODS: Focus groups (3 web-based and 1 face-to-face; n=22) assessed public readiness for this service, and 14 interviews with staff focused on service design and delivery. The service's effects were examined using NHS Grampian service use data, a patient satisfaction survey (n=66), and 6 follow-up patient interviews. Survey responses were descriptively analyzed. Demographics, acceptability, nonattendance rates, and appointment outcomes of users were compared across levels of area deprivation in which they live and medical specialties. Interviews and focus groups underwent theory-informed thematic analysis. RESULTS: Staff anticipated a simple technical system transfer from dermatology to other receptive medical specialties, but despite a favorable setting and organizational assistance, it was complicated. Key implementation difficulties included pandemic-induced technical integration delays, misalignment with existing administrative processes, and discontinuity in project management. The pain management clinic began asynchronous consultations (digital appointments) in December 2021, followed by the gastroenterology clinic in February 2022. Staff quickly learned how to explain and use this service. It was thought to function better for pain management as it fitted preexisting practices. From May to September 2022, the dermatology (adult and pediatric), gastroenterology, and pain management clinics offered 1709 appointments to a range of patients (n=1417). Digital appointments reduced travel by an estimated 44,712 miles (~71,956.81 km) compared to the face-to-face mode. The deprivation profile of people who chose to use this service closely mirrored that of NHS Grampian's population overall. There was no evidence that deprivation impacted whether digital appointment users subsequently received treatment. Only 18% (12/66) of survey respondents were unhappy or very unhappy with being offered a digital appointment. The benefits mentioned included better access, convenience, decreased travel and waiting time, information sharing, and clinical flexibility. Overall, patients, the public, and staff recognized its potential as an NHS service but highlighted informed choice and flexibility. Better communication-including the use of the term assessment instead of appointment-may increase patient acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Asynchronous pain management and gastroenterology consultations are viable and acceptable. Implementing this service is easiest when existing administrative processes face minimal disruption, although continuous support is needed. This study can inform practical strategies for supporting staff in adopting asynchronous consultations (eg, preparing for nonlinearity and addressing task issues). Patients need clear explanations and access to technical support, along with varied consultation options, to ensure digital inclusion.

Hospital behavior over the private equity life cycle.

Private equity is an increasing presence in US healthcare, with unclear consequences. Leveraging unique data sources and difference-in-differences designs, we examine the largest private equity hospital takeover in history. The affected hospital chain sharply shifts its advertising strategy and pursues joint ventures with ambulatory surgery centers. Inpatient throughput is increased by allowing more patient transfers, and crucially, capturing more patients through the emergency department. The hospitals also manage shorter, less treatment-intensive stays for admitted patients. Outpatient surgical care volume declines, but remaining cases focus on higher complexity procedures. Importantly, behavior changes persist even after private equity divests.

Outpatient and inpatient dental care for patients with disabilities in Brazil's public healthcare system: A population-based approach from 2014 to 2023.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate outpatient and inpatient dental care for patients with disabilities from 2014 to 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A time series analysis was carried out with data from Brazil's public healthcare system, considering the outpatient productivity of Special Needs Dentistry specialists and hospitalizations (inpatient admissions) of patients with disabilities for dental procedures, both normalized to every 100,000 inhabitants (incidence). The significance level was set at 5%. RESULTS: In the last 10 years, 22,420,859 procedures were carried out and 89,380 hospitalizations were approved. Trend analysis showed no significant temporal variation in the incidence of both variables. Regarding the procedures, the majority were low-complexity (82.1%, p < .001) and clinical (71.2%, p < .001). Periodontal (19.9%) and restorative (19.5%) procedures were the most frequent. Considering the hospitalizations, almost (R$) 40 million was allocated, and the majority were classified as elective (71.9%, p = .002) and of short duration (less than a day). CONCLUSION: Dental care for patients with disabilities presented patterns related to the types of procedures, complexity and circumstance, in addition to not showing significant temporal variation over the last 10 years.

Using Clinical-based Discharge Criteria to Discharge Patients After Endoscopy Procedures Under Drug-induced Intravenous Sedation in the Outpatient Care Unit: An Observational Study.

PURPOSE: To verify the feasibility of clinical-based discharge (CBD) criteria and to find out the reasons for the delayed discharge of outpatients after endoscopy procedures under drug-induced intravenous sedation. DESIGN: A prospectively observational study conducted at a tertiary endoscopy center. METHODS: Medical records were collected from outpatients admitted for endoscopy procedures under drug-induced intravenous sedation from June 1, 2021 to December 30, 2021. Patients were scheduled to discharge at least 30 minutes based on the time-based discharge (TBD) method. Postanesthetic discharge scoring system in the outpatient post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) recorded the time of patients discharged home on the CBD criteria. Postoperative complications were recorded in the PACU and within 24 hours after discharge. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify the factors relating to late discharges. FINDINGS: 10,597 patients were safely and successfully discharged home, and we were informed of no serious emergency or accidental readmissions to the hospital. The mean CBD time (21.77 ± 11.35 minutes) was compared with the TBD time (30 minutes) and actual TBD discharge time (61.56 ± 4.93 minutes), which were statistically significant, without changes in the patient's vital signs (P < .01). Primarily, further univariate and multivariate analyses showed that abdominal pain and fatigue were key factors accountable for delay in PACU discharge (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that in patients undergoing ambulatory endoscopy procedures with drug-induced intravenous sedation, discharge times based on physiological scoring systems can efficiently and safely guide ambulatory patient discharge as compared to the traditional TBD method. Postoperative fatigue and pain were the main factors affecting patients discharge associated with a relatively long PACU length of stay.