Is the Human Touch Always Therapeutic? Patient Stimulation and Spreading Depolarization after Acute Neurological Injuries.

Touch and other types of patient stimulation are necessary in critical care and generally presumed to be beneficial. Recent pre-clinical studies as well as randomized trials assessing early mobilization have challenged the safety of such routine practices in patients with acute neurological injury such as stroke. We sought to determine whether patient stimulation could result in spreading depolarization (SD), a dramatic pathophysiological event that likely contributes to metabolic stress and ischemic expansion in such patients. Patients undergoing surgical intervention for severe acute neurological injuries (stroke, aneurysm rupture, or trauma) were prospectively consented and enrolled in an observational study monitoring SD with implanted subdural electrodes. Subjects also underwent simultaneous video recordings (from continuous EEG monitoring) to assess for physical touch and other forms of patient stimulation (such as suctioning and positioning). The association of patient stimulation with subsequent SD was assessed. Increased frequency of patient stimulation was associated with increased risk of SD (OR = 4.39 [95%CI = 1.71-11.24]). The overall risk of SD was also increased in the 60 min following patient stimulation compared to times with no stimulation (OR = 1.19 [95%CI = 1.13-1.26]), though not all subjects demonstrated this effect individually. Positioning of the subject was the subtype of stimulation with the strongest overall effect on SD (OR = 4.92 [95%CI = 3.74-6.47]). We conclude that in patients with some acute neurological injuries, touch and other patient stimulation can induce SD (PS-SD), potentially increasing the risk of metabolic and ischemic stress. PS-SD may represent an underlying mechanism for observed increased risk of early mobilization in such patients.

Spreading Depolarization as a Therapeutic Target in Severe Ischemic Stroke: Physiological and Pharmacological Strategies.

BACKGROUND: Spreading depolarization (SD) occurs nearly ubiquitously in malignant hemispheric stroke (MHS) and is strongly implicated in edema progression and lesion expansion. Due to this high burden of SD after infarct, it is of great interest whether SD in MHS patients can be mitigated by physiologic or pharmacologic means and whether this intervention improves clinical outcomes. Here we describe the association between physiological variables and risk of SD in MHS patients who had undergone decompressive craniectomy and present an initial case of using ketamine to target SD in MHS. METHODS: We recorded SD using subdural electrodes and time-linked with continuous physiological recordings in five subjects. We assessed physiologic variables in time bins preceding SD compared to those with no SD. RESULTS: Using multivariable logistic regression, we found that increased ETCO2 (OR 0.772, 95% CI 0.655-0.910) and DBP (OR 0.958, 95% CI 0.941-0.991) were protective against SD, while elevated temperature (OR 2.048, 95% CI 1.442-2.909) and WBC (OR 1.113, 95% CI 1.081-1.922) were associated with increased risk of SD. In a subject with recurrent SD, ketamine at a dose of 2 mg/kg/h was found to completely inhibit SD. CONCLUSION: Fluctuations in physiological variables can be associated with risk of SD after MHS. Ketamine was also found to completely inhibit SD in one subject. These data suggest that use of physiological optimization strategies and/or pharmacologic therapy could inhibit SD in MHS patients, and thereby limit edema and infarct progression. Clinical trials using individualized approaches to target this novel mechanism are warranted.

Enhancing Collaborative Learning for Quality Improvement: Evidence from the Improving Clinical Flow Project, a Breakthrough Series Collaborative with Project ECHO.

BACKGROUND: This project engaged teams from Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in a quality improvement (QI) collaborative to improve clinical flow (increase quality and efficiency of operations), using a novel combination of Breakthrough Series Collaborative tools with Project ECHO's telementoring model. This mixed methods study describes the collaborative and evaluates its success in generating improvement and developing QI capacity at participating FQHCs. METHODS: The 18-month collaborative used three in-person/virtual learning session workshops and weekly telementoring sessions with brief lectures and case-based learning. Participants engaged in QI work (for example, PDSAs [Plan-Do-Study-Act]) and tracked data for 10 care system measures to evaluate progress. These data were averaged across consistently reporting sites for standard run chart analysis. Semistructured interviews assessed the effectiveness and value of the approach for participants. RESULTS: Fifteen sites across the United States participated for one year (Cohort 1); 10 sites continued to 18 months (Cohort 2). Cohort 2 evidenced improvement for 6 measures: Patient/Family Experience, Patient Time Valued, Empanelment, Cycle Time, Colorectal Cancer Screening Rate, and Third Next Available Appointment. Progress varied across sites and measures. Participant interviews indicated value from both in-person and virtual activities, increased QI knowledge, and professional growth, as well as challenges when participants lacked time, engagement, leadership support, and consistent and committed staff. CONCLUSION: This novel collaborative structure is promising. Evidence indicates progress in building QI capacity and improving processes and patient experience across participating FQHCs. Future iterations should address barriers to improvement identified here. Additional work is needed to compare the efficacy of this approach to other collaborative modes.

A Novel Intervention for High-Need, High-Cost Medicaid Patients: a Study of ECHO Care.

BACKGROUND: A small number of high-need patients account for a disproportionate amount of Medicaid spending, yet typically engage little in outpatient care and have poor outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To address this issue, we developed ECHO (Extension for Community Health Outcomes) Care™, a complex care intervention in which outpatient intensivist teams (OITs) provided care to high-need high-cost (HNHC) Medicaid patients. Teams were supported using the ECHO model™, a continuing medical education approach that connects specialists with primary care providers for case-based mentoring to treat complex diseases. DESIGN: Using an interrupted time series analysis of Medicaid claims data, we measured healthcare utilization and expenditures before and after ECHO Care. PARTICIPANTS: ECHO Care served 770 patients in New Mexico between September 2013 and June 2016. Nearly all had a chronic mental illness, and over three-quarters had a chronic substance use disorder. INTERVENTION: ECHO Care patients received care from an OIT, which typically included a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, a registered nurse, a licensed mental health provider, and at least one community health worker. Teams focused on addressing patients' physical, behavioral, and social issues. MAIN MEASURES: We assessed the effect of ECHO Care on Medicaid costs and utilization (inpatient admissions, emergency department (ED) visits, other outpatient visits, and dispensed prescriptions. KEY RESULTS: ECHO Care was associated with significant changes in patients' use of the healthcare system. At 12 months post-enrollment, the odds of a patient having an inpatient admission and an ED visit were each reduced by approximately 50%, while outpatient visits and prescriptions increased by 23% and 8%, respectively. We found no significant change in overall Medicaid costs associated with ECHO Care. CONCLUSIONS: ECHO Care shifts healthcare utilization from inpatient to outpatient settings, which suggests decreased patient suffering and greater access to care, including more effective prevention and early intervention for chronic conditions.

Combining rhetoric and role-play to introduce and develop patient presentation skills in third year pharmacy students.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To implement a mock rounds activity designed to introduce and develop patient presentation skills in pharmacy students. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY AND SETTING: The sample population included third-year pharmacy students enrolled at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) during Fall 2011, 2012, and 2013. A mock rounds activity was developed and implemented in the Pharmaceutical Care Lab setting. Students were assigned an infectious disease case and asked to create an assessment and plan to present orally to an acting preceptor in a small group laboratory setting. Summative assessment of student performance was evaluated using a standardized rubric. FINDINGS: A total of 621 students (VCU: 371; UNM: 250) from both universities participated in the mock rounds activity. Data was collected using the rubric. Students scored highest in the areas of respectfulness (94.8% exceeds expectations) and completion time (86.9% exceeds expectations). The lowest ratings were in the areas of logical flow and organization (73.7% exceeds expectations) and ability to answer preceptors' questions (73.3% exceeds expectations). DISCUSSION AND SUMMARY: A simulated mock rounds activity enabled students to practice patient case presentation skills and receive summative feedback prior to Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences.

Mortality Among Patients Hospitalized With Heart Failure and Diabetes Mellitus: Results From the National Inpatient Sample 2000 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Case fatality and hospitalization rates for US patients with heart failure (HF) have steadily decreased during the past several decades. Diabetes mellitus (DM), a risk factor for, and frequent coexisting condition with, HF continues to increase in the general population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the National Inpatient Sample to estimate overall as well as age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-specific trends in HF hospitalizations, DM prevalence, and in-hospital mortality among 2.5 million discharge records from 2000 to 2010 with HF as primary discharge diagnosis. Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression were used to assess the impact of the above demographic characteristics on in-hospital mortality. Age-standardized hospitalizations decreased significantly in HF overall and in HF with DM. Age-standardized in-hospital mortality with HF declined from 2000 to 2010 (4.57% to 3.09%, Ptrend<0.0001), whereas DM prevalence in HF increased (38.9% to 41.9%, Ptrend<0.0001) as did comorbidity burden. Age-standardized in-hospital mortality in HF with DM also decreased significantly (3.53% to 2.27%, Ptrend<0.0001). After adjusting for year, age, and comorbid burden, males remained at 17% increased risk versus females, non-Hispanics remained at 12% increased risk versus Hispanics, and whites had a 30% higher mortality versus non-white minorities. Absolute mortality rates were lower in younger versus older patients, although the rate of decline was attenuated in younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital mortality in HF patients with DM significantly decreased during the past decade, despite increases in DM prevalence and comorbid conditions. Mortality rate decreases among younger patients were significantly attenuated, and mortality disparities remain among important demographic subgroups.

In-hospital mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and acute myocardial infarction: results from the national inpatient sample, 2000-2010.

BACKGROUND: Case-fatality rates in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have significantly decreased; however, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM), a risk factor for AMI, has increased. The purposes of the present study were to assess the prevalence and clinical impact of DM among patients hospitalized with AMI and to estimate the impact of important clinical characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI and DM. METHODS AND RESULTS: We used the National Inpatient Sample to estimate trends in DM prevalence and in-hospital mortality among 1.5 million patients with AMI from 2000 to 2010, using survey data-analysis methods. Clinical characteristics associated with in-hospital mortality were identified using multivariable logistic regression. There was a significant increase in DM prevalence among AMI patients (year 2000, 22.2%; year 2010, 29.6%, Ptrend<0.0001). AMI patients with DM tended to be older and female and to have more cardiovascular risk factors. However, age-standardized mortality decreased significantly from 2000 (8.48%) to 2010 (4.95%) (Ptrend<0.0001). DM remained independently associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio 1.069, 95% CI 1.051 to 1.087; P<0.0001). The adverse impact of DM on in-hospital mortality was unchanged over time. Decreased death risk over time was greatest among women and elderly patients. Among younger patients of both sexes, there was a leveling off of this decrease in more recent years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite increasing DM prevalence and disease burden among AMI patients, in-hospital mortality declined significantly from 2000 to 2010. The adverse impact of DM on mortality remained unchanged overall over time but was age and sex dependent.

The effectiveness of screening and brief intervention on reducing driving while intoxicated citations.

The purpose of this study was to use retrospective data, including citations for driving while intoxicated (DWI), to assess the long-term effectiveness of a program consisting of Screening and Brief Intervention (SBI) for at-risk alcohol users and its impact on traffic safety. A second objective was to study ethnic differences in response to SBI. During the time period of 1998-1999, LCF Research, together with the Lovelace Health System, participated in the Cutting Back SBI study for at-risk drinkers. A total of 426 subjects exhibiting at-risk drinking behaviors from the New Mexico cohort were examined for the study, including 211 subjects who received a brief counseling intervention and 215 in the no intervention control group. This study examined DWI citations for all 426 subjects during the 5 years following the Cutting Back study. The brief interventions were shown to have had a significant impact on reducing DWI citations for at-risk drinkers, with the added benefit lasting for the 5-year duration of the study. The SBI was found to be most effective at reducing DWI citations for Hispanic at-risk drinkers. Evidence is presented to show that screening to identify at-risk drinkers followed by a brief intervention has a statistically significant lasting impact on improving traffic safety.

A comparative analysis of recruitment methods used in a randomized trial of diabetes education interventions.

Recruitment methods heavily impact budget and outcomes in clinical trials. We conducted a post-hoc examination of the efficiency and cost of three different recruitment methods used in Journey for Control of Diabetes: the IDEA Study, a randomized controlled trial evaluating outcomes of group and individual diabetes education in New Mexico and Minnesota. Electronic databases were used to identify health plan members with diabetes and then one of the following three methods was used to recruit study participants: 1. Minnesota Method 1--Mail only (first half of recruitment period). Mailed invitations with return-response forms. 2. Minnesota Method 2--Mail and selective phone calls (second half of recruitment period). Mailed invitations with return-response forms and subsequent phone calls to nonresponders. 3. New Mexico Method 3--Mail and non-selective phone calls (full recruitment period): Mailed invitations with subsequent phone calls to all. The combined methods succeeded in meeting the recruitment goal of 623 subjects. There were 147 subjects recruited using Minnesota's Method 1, 190 using Minnesota's Method 2, and 286 using New Mexico's Method 3. Efficiency rates (percentage of invited patients who enrolled) were 4.2% for Method 1, 8.4% for Method 2, and 7.9% for Method 3. Calculated costs per enrolled subject were $71.58 (Method 1), $85.47 (Method 2), and $92.09 (Method 3). A mail-only method to assess study interest was relatively inexpensive but not efficient enough to sustain recruitment targets. Phone call follow-up after mailed invitations added to recruitment efficiency. Use of return-response forms with selective phone follow-up to non-responders was cost effective.

Cardiometabolic risk and health care utilization and cost for Hispanic and non-Hispanic women.

Cardiometabolic risk (CMR) is a specific set of risk factors that are associated with an increased chance of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We conducted a retrospective study of female members of a health maintenance organization in the southwestern United States to: determine the prevalence of CMR for 4 different groupings of CMR factors, identify differences between Hispanics and non-Hispanics, and quantify differences in 2-year health care utilization and costs of CMR. Subjects were females who had bone mineral density tests during 2003-2004, and thus a measure of height and weight, allowing body mass index (BMI) calculation (n = 2578; 27.6% Hispanic). Risk factors used to define CMR groupings were: obesity (BMI), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure, and fasting glucose. Results showed that Hispanics had higher prevalence rates than non-Hispanics (65.8% versus 52.3%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Adjusting for age and ethnicity, total costs for CMR patients in the groupings that required the presence of diabetes were twice the costs of those without CMR (approximately $11,500 versus $5500, respectively; P < 0.0001). In all other groupings, costs for patients with and without CMR were approximately $7000 versus $5500, respectively (P < 0.0001). Non-Hispanics had significantly higher visit costs than Hispanics. There were no differences in pharmacy costs. Higher utilization and costs associated with CMR suggest the need to identify and monitor patients with CMR. Our findings suggest diabetes prevention could yield substantial cost savings. Higher costs for non-Hispanics, despite higher prevalence among Hispanics, may indicate underutilization of health care resources by Hispanics. Future research in CMR should explore ethnic differences in access to care and disease management programs.