Evaluation of a patient-centered integrated care program for individuals with frequent hospital readmissions and multimorbidity.

Managing patients with multimorbidity and frequent hospital readmissions is a challenge. Integrated care programs that consider their needs and allow for personalized care are necessary for their early identification and management. This work aims to describe these patients' clinical characteristics and evaluate a program designed to reducing readmissions. This prospective study analyzed all patients with ≥ 3 admissions to a medical department in the previous year who were included in the Internal Medicine Department chronic care program at the Lucus Augusti University Hospital (Lugo, Spain) between April 1, 2019 and April 30, 2021. A multidimensional assessment, personalized care plan, and proactive follow-up with a case manager nurse were provided via an advanced hospital system. Clinical and demographic variables and data on healthcare system use were analyzed at 6 and 12 months before and after inclusion. Descriptive and survival analyses were performed. One hundred sixty-one patients were included. Program participants were elderly (mean 81.4 (SD 11) years), had multimorbidity (10.2 (3) chronic diseases) and polypharmacy (10.6 (3.5) drugs), frequently used the healthcare system, and were highly complex. Most were included for heart failure. The program led to significant reductions in admissions and emergency department visits (p = .0001). A total of 44.7% patients died within 1 year. The PROFUND Index showed good predictive ability (p = .013), with high values associated with mortality (RR 1.15, p = .001). Patients with frequent hospital readmissions are highly complex and need special care. A personalized integrated care program reduced admissions and allowed for individualized decision-making.

El hospital en los tiempos del Covid-19: ingresos y mortalidad / Hospital in the time of Covid-19: hospital admissions and mortality

Objetivo: Describir la evolución de los ingresos hospitalarios, en plantas de hospitalización y Cuidados Intensivos, y la mortalidad en el hospital de un área afectada con tasas de incidencia medias por la pandemiaCOVID-19.Métodos: Estudio observacional de todos los ingresos, y fallecimientos, que se produjeron entre los días 1 de marzo y 30 de abril de los años2017, 2018, 2019 y 2020 en un hospital general. Consideramos las00.00 horas del día 14 de marzo como inicio del estado de alarma y separación entre dos periodos: pre-estado de alarma (1-13 de marzo) y estado de alarma (14 de marzo-30 de abril).Resultados: Comparando los meses de marzo-abril de los años 2017,2018 y 2019 frente a 2020 se aprecia un descenso del número de ingresos: 23,33% (Área Médica), 33,46% (Área Quirúrgica) y 38,37% en cuidados intensivos (p<0,0001 en todos los casos). En las Áreas Médica y Quirúrgicas disminuyeron con el inicio del estado de alarma y en Cuidados Intensivos dos semanas más tarde. En el momento de máxima presión los pacientes con COVID-19 ocuparon un 9,8% del total de camas del Centro. En las mismas fechas los fallecidos disminuyeron en las Áreas Médicas y Quirúrgicas un 3,98% y 13,13% respectivamente (p=NS) y se incrementaron levemente (17,59%;p < 0,001) en Cuidados Intensivos. Conclusiones: Tras la instauración del estado de alarma, en un área sanitaria con incidencia media por la pandemia por COVID-19, se redujeron de forma significativa los ingresos hospitalarios sin apreciarse un exceso de mortalidad. (AU)

Objective: To describe the evolution of the hospital admissions in the medical and surgical areas and intensive care units and that of the mortality in the hospital of an area affected with average incidence rates of theCOVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Observational study of all admissions in the medical servicesand deaths that were registered between March 1st and April 30th of years 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 in a General Hospital. We consider00.00 on March 14th of 2020 as the beginning of the alarm state and as cut-off point between two periods: before the state of alert (March 1-13)and the state of alert (March 14- April 30) Results: Comparing the months of March-April of years 2017, 2018,2019 to 2020 a decrease in the number of admissions can be observed: 23,33% (Medical area), 33,46% (Surgical area) and 38,37% (Intensive Care Units), (p<0,0001 in every case). In the medical and surgical areas decreased with the beginning of state of alert’s official statement andin Intensive Care Units two weeks after. During peak times patients withCOVID-19 took up 9,8% of total beds of the Center. At the same dates fatalities decreased in the medical and surgical areas 3,98% and 13,13%respectively (p=NS) and increased slightly (17,59%; p<0,001) in Intensive Care Units. Conclusions: After the state of alert’s official statement in an health care area with average impact of COVID19 pandemic, hospital admissions dropped significantly without showing an excess in mortality. (AU)

El hospital en los tiempos del Covid-19: capacidad de reacción y adaptación / Hospital in times of Covid-19: reaction and adaptation

Objetivo: Describir las repercusiones sobre la hospitalización y las características de los pacientes atendidos en las primeras semanas tras la declaración del estado de alarma durante la pandemia por COVID-19 en un hospital general. Métodos: Estudio observacional de todos los ingresos, en todos servicios hospitalarios, entre los días 1 de marzo y 30 de abril de los años 2017, 2018, 2019 y 2020 en un hospital general. La fuente de información fue el conjunto mínimo básico de datos del centro. Consideramos las 00.00 horas del día 14 de marzo como el inicio del estado de alarma y punto de corte entre dos periodos: previo al estado de alarma (días 1 a 13 de marzo) y estado de alarma (días 14 a 30 de abril). Resultados: Tras la declaración del estado de alarma disminuyó el número de hospitalizaciones (p<0.0001), en un rango entre el 3,5% y el 55,9% con respecto al promedio de los 3 años previos en los diez principales servicios médicos y quirúrgicos de adultos y por todas las modalidades de ingreso (p<0.001). En paralelo se redujo la estancia media ( p<0.001) y se incrementó el porcentaje de ingresados de procedencia urbana (p< 0.01). Si bien la mortalidad global no mostró cambios, si aumentaron los fallecidos en las primeras 24 horas de ingreso hospitalario ( p<0.008). Conclusiones: Este estudio describe los mecanismos de reacción y adaptación de un hospital durante el estado de alarma por la pandemia por COVID-19. Nuestros resultados podrían ayudar a otros centros a diseñar y dimensionar sus preparativos. (AU)

Aim: Describe the patient’s features and the hospital changes during the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic alarm in a General Hospital.Method: Observational study that asses all the admissions in the hospital departments between March 1st and April 30th of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 in a General Hospital. The information was obtained from the basic data set of the Center. We consider 00.00 on March 14th of 2020 as the beginning of the alarm state and as cut-off point between two periods: before the state of alert (March 1st-13th) and the state of alert (March 14th- April 30th) Results: After the state of alarm the number of admissions decreased (p< 0,0001) in all kind of admissions (p<0,001) and in the ten medical and surgical services of adults between 3,5% and 55,9% comparing with the main of 3 previous years. At the same time main stay decreased ( p<0,001) and rate of admitted from urban areas increased (p<0,01). Although total mortality did not change, deaths during the first 24 hours after admissions were increased (p<0,008). Conclusions: This study describes surge and adaptation mechanisms of a hospital during state of alert by COVID-19 pandemic. Our results could help other Centers with designing and measuring their preparations. (AU)

Estándares de calidad en un seguimiento a pacientes ancianos con insuficiencia cardiaca e importante comorbilidad

Resumen: Introducción: Los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) seguidos por los servicios de medicina interna son más ancianos y presentan más comorbilidades asociadas. Por ello presentan un riesgo elevado de ingreso hospitalario y de mortalidad. En este estudio se evaluaron los objetivos alcanzados en términos de ingresos, visitas a urgencias y mortalidad, así como la actividad realizada para conseguirlos, en una unidad dirigida a este perfil de pacientes y caracterizada por una atención integral y continuada (programa UMIPIC). Métodos: Se analizaron retrospectivamente los datos de los 329 pacientes con IC atendidos en la unidad de IC, modelo UMIPIC, del servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital de Lugo. Se recogieron desde enero del 2020, hasta diciembre 2020 los ingresos por IC y totales, las visitas a urgencias por IC y totales, la mortalidad, las consultas realizadas, y los rescates realizados en régimen de hospital de día (HDD). Resultados: Se recogieron 108 ingresos, 40 por IC y 68 por otras causas, 99 visitas a urgencias, 25 por IC y 74 por otras causas. Se produjeron 57 fallecimientos, 37 fueron en el hospital (15 por IC, 12 por otras causas) y 20 fueron extra-hospitalarios. Se realizaron 1179 consultas médico-enfermería, 1554 consultas de enfermería exclusiva y se realizaron 406 tratamientos en HDD. Conclusiones: Los estándares de actividad y resultados conseguidos pueden ser orientativos de la actividad a desarrollar en una unidad de IC modelo UMIPIC.

Abstract: Introduction: Patients with heart failure (HF) followed by internal medicine services are older and have more associated comorbidities. For this reason, they present a high risk of hospital admission and mortality. In this study, the objectives achieved in terms of admissions, emergency room visits and mortality, as well as the activity carried out to achieve them, were evaluated in a unit aimed at this patient profile and characterized by comprehensive and continuous care (UMIPIC program). Methods: The data of the 329 patients with HF treated in the HF unit, model UMIPIC, of the Internal Medicine service of the Hospital de Lugo, were retrospectively analyzed. From January 2020, to December 2020, total and HF admissions, total and HF emergency visits, mortality, consultations made, and rescues performed in a day hospital (HDD) were collected. Results: 108 admissions were collected, 40 for HF and 68 for other causes, 99 visits to the emergency room, 25 for HF and 74 for other causes. There were 57 deaths, 37 were in the hospital (15 due to HF, 12 due to other causes) and 20 were extra-hospital. 1179 medical-nursing consultations were carried out, 1554 exclusive nursing consultations and 406 treatments were carried out in HDD. Conclusions: The activity standards and results achieved can be indicative of the activity to be carried out in an IC model UMIPIC unit.

Resumo: Introdução: Pacientes com insuficiência cardíaca (IC) acompanhados por serviços de medicina interna são mais velhos e apresentam mais comorbidades associadas. Portanto, apresentam alto risco de admissão hospitalar e mortalidade. Neste estudo, os objetivos alcançados em termos de internações, atendimentos de emergência e mortalidade, bem como a atividade desenvolvida para os atingir, foram avaliados numa unidade dirigida a este perfil de doente e caracterizada por um atendimento integral e contínuo (programa UMIPIC). Métodos: Foram analisados ​​retrospectivamente os dados dos 329 pacientes com IC atendidos na unidade de IC, modelo UMIPIC, do serviço de Clínica Médica do Hospital de Lugo. No período de janeiro de 2020 a dezembro de 2020, foram coletadas internações totais e por IC, atendimentos totais e de emergência por IC, mortalidade, consultas realizadas e resgates realizados em regime de hospital-dia (HDD). Resultados: foram coletadas 108 internações, sendo 40 por IC e 68 por outras causas, 99 visitas ao pronto-socorro, 25 por IC e 74 por outras causas. Ocorreram 57 óbitos, 37 foram hospitalares (15 por IC, 12 por outras causas) e 20 extra-hospitalares. Foram realizadas 1179 consultas médico-enfermagem, 1554 consultas exclusivas de enfermagem e 406 atendimentos em HDD. Conclusões: Os padrões de atividade e os resultados alcançados podem ser indicativos da atividade a ser desenvolvida numa unidade IC modelo UMIPIC.