Seven Strategies to Integrate Equity within Translational Research in Neurology.

The rapidly accelerating translation of biomedical advances is leading to revolutionary therapies that are often inaccessible to historically marginalized populations. We identified and synthesized recent guidelines and statements to propose 7 strategies to integrate equity within translational research in neurology: (1) learn history; (2) learn about upstream forces; (3) diversify and liberate; (4) change narratives and adopt best communication practices; (5) study social drivers of health and lived experiences; (6) leverage health technologies; and (7) build, sustain, and lead culturally humble teams. We propose that equity should be a major goal of translational research, equally important as safety and efficacy. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:432-441.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Inpatient Utilization for Acute Neurologic Disease.

Background and Objective: The initial months of the Corona Virus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic resulted in decreased hospitalizations. We aimed to describe differences in hospitalizations and related procedures across neurologic disease. Methods: In our retrospective observational study using the California State Inpatient Database and state-wide population-level estimates, we calculated neurologic hospitalization rates for a control period from January 2019 to February 2020 and a COVID-19 pandemic period from March to December 2020. We calculated incident rate ratios (IRR) for neurologic hospitalizations using negative binomial regression and compared relevant procedure rates over time. Results: Population-based neurologic hospitalization rates were 29.1 per 100,000 (95% CI 26.9-31.3) in April 2020 compared to 43.6 per 100,000 (95% CI 40.4-46.7) in January 2020. Overall, the pandemic period had 13% lower incidence of neurologic hospitalizations per month (IRR 0.87, 95% CI 0.86-0.89). The smallest decreases were in neurotrauma (IRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.89-0.95) and neuro-oncologic cases (IRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.99). Headache admissions experienced the greatest decline (IRR 0.62, 95% CI 0.58-0.66). For ischemic stroke, greater rates of endovascular thrombectomy (5.6% vs 5.0%; P < .001) were observed in the pandemic. Among all neurologic disease, greater rates of gastrostomy (4.0% vs 3.5%; P < .001), intubation/mechanical ventilation (14.3% vs 12.9%, P < .001), and tracheostomy (1.4 vs 1.2%; P < .001) were observed during the pandemic. Conclusions: During the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic there were fewer hospitalizations to varying degrees for all neurologic diagnoses. Rates of procedures indicating severe disease increased. Further study is needed to determine the impact on triage, patient outcomes, and cost consequences.

National Cost Estimates of Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Tracheostomy in Acute Stroke, 2008-2017.

BACKGROUND: Patients with stroke receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and tracheostomy incur intense treatment and long hospitalizations. We aimed to evaluate US hospitalization costs for patients with stroke requiring IMV, tracheostomy, or no ventilation. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of US hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage receiving IMV, tracheostomy, or none using the National Inpatient Sample, 2008 to 2017. We calculated hospitalization costs using cost-to-charge ratios adjusted to 2017 US dollars for inpatients with stroke by ventilation status (no IMV, IMV alone, tracheostomy). RESULTS: Of an estimated 5.2 million (95% CI, 5.1-5.3) acute stroke hospitalizations, 2008 to 2017; 9.4% received IMV alone and 1.4% received tracheostomy. Length of stay for patients without IMV was shorter (median, 4 days; interquartile range [IQR], 2-6) compared with IMV alone (median, 6 days; [IQR, 2-13]), and tracheostomy (median, 25 days; [IQR, 18-36]; P<0.001). Mortality for patients without IMV was 3.2% compared with 51.2% for IMV alone and 9.8% for tracheostomy (P<0.001). Median hospitalization costs for patients without IMV was $9503 (IQR, $6544-$14 963), compared with $23 774 (IQR, $10 900-$47 735) for IMV alone and $95 380 (IQR, $63 921-$144 019) for tracheostomy. Tracheostomy placement in ≤7 days had lower costs compared with placement in >7 days (median, $71 470 [IQR, $47 863-$108 250] versus $102 979 [IQR, $69 563-$152 543]; P<0.001). Each day awaiting tracheostomy was associated with a 2.9% cost increase (95% CI, 2.6%-3.1%). US hospitalization costs for patients with acute stroke were $8.7 billion/y (95% CI, $8.5-$8.9 billion). For IMV alone, costs were $1.8 billion/y (95% CI, $1.7-$1.9 billion) and for tracheostomy $824 million/y (95% CI, $789.7-$858.3 million). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with acute stroke who undergo tracheostomy account for 1.4% of stroke admissions and 9.5% of US stroke hospitalization costs. Future research should focus on the added value to society and patients of IMV and tracheostomy, in particular after 7 days for the latter procedure given the increased costs incurred and poor outcomes in stroke.

Hospital Discharge and Readmissions Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic for California Acute Stroke Inpatients.

BACKGROUND: Acute stroke therapy and rehabilitation declined during the COVID-19 pandemic. We characterized changes in acute stroke disposition and readmissions during the pandemic. METHODS: We used the California State Inpatient Database in this retrospective observational study of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. We compared discharge disposition across a pre-pandemic period (January 2019 to February 2020) to a pandemic period (March to December 2020) using cumulative incidence functions (CIF), and re-admission rates using chi-squared. RESULTS: There were 63,120 and 40,003 stroke hospitalizations in the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, respectively. Pre-pandemic, the most common disposition was home [46%], followed by skilled nursing facility (SNF) [23%], and acute rehabilitation [13%]. During the pandemic, there were more home discharges [51%, subdistribution hazard ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.15-1.19], decreased SNF discharges [17%, subdistribution hazard ratio 0.70, 95% CI 0.68-0.72], and acute rehabilitation discharges were unchanged [CIF, p<0.001]. Home discharges increased with increasing age, with an increase of 8.2% for those ≥85 years. SNF discharges decreased in a similar distribution by age. Thirty-day readmission rates were 12.7 per 100 hospitalizations pre-pandemic compared to 11.6 per 100 hospitalizations during the pandemic [p<0.001]. Home discharge readmission rates were unchanged between periods. Readmission rates for discharges to SNF (18.4 vs. 16.7 per 100 hospitalizations, p=0.003) and acute rehabilitation decreased (11.3 vs. 10.1 per 100 hospitalizations, p=0.034). CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic a greater proportion of patients were discharged home, with no change in readmission rates. Research is needed to evaluate the impact on quality and financing of post-hospital stroke care.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with severe intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often suffer from impaired capacity and rely on surrogates for decision-making. Restrictions on visitors within healthcare facilities during the pandemic may have impacted care and disposition for patient with ICH. We investigated outcomes of ICH patients during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to a pre-pandemic period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of ICH patients from two sources: (1) University of Rochester Get With the Guidelines database and (2) the California State Inpatient Database (SID). Patients were divided into 2019-2020 pre-pandemic and 2020 pandemic groups. We compared mortality, discharge, and comfort care/hospice. Using single-center data, we compared 30-day readmissions and follow-up functional status. RESULTS: The single-center cohort included 230 patients (n = 122 pre-pandemic, n = 108 pandemic group), and the California SID included 17,534 patients (n = 10,537 pre-pandemic, n = 6,997 pandemic group). Inpatient mortality was no different before or during the pandemic in either cohort. Length of stay was unchanged. During the pandemic, more patients were discharged to hospice in the California SID (8.4% vs. 5.9%, p<0.001). Use of comfort care was similar before and during the pandemic in the single center data. Survivors in both datasets were more likely to be discharged home vs. facility during the pandemic. Thirty-day readmissions and follow-up functional status in the single-center cohort were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Using a large database, we identified more ICH patients discharged to hospice during the COVID-19 pandemic and, among survivors, more patients were discharged home rather than healthcare facility discharge during the pandemic.

Identification of Palliative Care Needs and Mental Health Outcomes Among Family Members of Patients With Severe Acute Brain Injury.

Importance: Family members of patients with severe acute brain injury (SABI) are at risk for poor psychological outcomes. Objective: To explore the utility of the early use of a palliative care needs checklist in identifying care needs of patients with SABI and family members who are at risk of poor psychological outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study included patients with SABI in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 2 days or more and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12 or lower and their family members. This single-center study was conducted at an academic hospital in Seattle, Washington, from January 2018 to June 2021. Data were analyzed from July 2021 to July 2022. Exposure: At enrollment, a 4-item palliative care needs checklist was completed separately by clinicians and family members. Main Outcomes and Measures: A single family member for each enrolled patient completed questionnaires assessing symptoms of depression and anxiety, perception of goal-concordant care, and satisfaction in the ICU. Six months later, family members assessed their psychological symptoms, decisional regret, patient functional outcome, and patient quality of life (QOL). Results: A total of 209 patient-family member pairs (family member mean [SD] age, 51 [16] years; 133 women [64%]; 18 Asian [9%], 21 Black [10%], 20 [10%] Hispanic, and 153 White [73%] participants) were included. Patients had experienced stroke (126 [60%]), traumatic brain injury (62 [30%]), and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (21 [10%]). At least 1 need was identified for 185 patients or their families (88%) by family members and 110 (53%) by clinicians (κ = -0.007; 52% agreement). Symptoms of at least moderate anxiety or depression were present in 50% of family members at enrollment (87 with anxiety and 94 with depression) and 20% at follow-up (33 with anxiety and 29 with depression). After adjustment for patient age, diagnosis, and disease severity and family race and ethnicity, clinician identification of any need was associated with greater goal discordance (203 participants; relative risk = 1.7 [95% CI, 1.2 to 2.5]) and family decisional regret (144 participants; difference in means, 17 [95% CI, 5 to 29] points). Family member identification of any need was associated with greater symptoms of depression at follow-up (150 participants; difference in means of Patient Health Questionnaire-2, 0.8 [95% CI, 0.2 to 1.3] points) and worse perceived patient QOL (78 participants; difference in means, -17.1 [95% CI, -33.6 to -0.5] points). Conclusions and Relevance: In this prospective cohort study of patients with SABI and their families, palliative care needs were common, although agreement on needs was poor between clinicians and family members. A palliative care needs checklist completed by clinicians and family members may improve communication and promote timely, targeted management of needs.

Association of Skilled Nursing Facility Participation in Voluntary Bundled Payments With Postacute Care Outcomes for Joint Replacement.

IMPORTANCE: The Medicare Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) model 3 of 2013 holds participating skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) responsible for all episode costs. There is limited evidence regarding SNF-specific outcomes associated with BPCI. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between SNF BPCI participation and patient outcomes and across-facility differences in these outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing lower extremity joint replacement (LEJR). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Observational difference-in-differences (DID) study of 2013-2017 for 330 unique persistent-participating SNFs, 146 unique dropout SNFs, and 14,028 unique eligible nonparticipating SNFs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rehospitalization within 30 and 90 days after SNF admission, and rate of successful discharge from the SNF to the community. RESULTS: Total 636,355 SNF admissions after LEJR procedures were identified for 582,766 Medicare patients [mean (SD) age, 76.81 (9.26) y; 424,076 (72.77%) women]. The DID analysis showed that for persistent-enrollment SNFs, no BPCI-related changes were found in readmission and successful community discharge rates overall, but were found for their subgroups. Specifically, under BPCI, the 30-day readmission rate decreased by 2.19 percentage-points for White-serving SNFs in the persistent-participating group relative to those in the nonparticipating group, and by 1.75 percentage-points for non-Medicaid-dependent SNFs in the persistent-participating group relative to those in the nonparticipating group; and the rate of successful community discharge increased by 4.44 percentage-points for White-serving SNFs in the persistent-participating group relative to those in the nonparticipating group, whereas such relationship was not detected among non-White-serving SNFs, leading to increased between-facility differences (differential DID=-7.62). BPCI was not associated with readmission or successful community discharge rates for dropout SNFs, overall, or in subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Among Medicare patients receiving LEJR, BPCI was associated with improved outcomes for White-serving/non-Medicaid-dependent SNFs but not for other SNFs, which did not help reduce or could even worsen the between-facility differences.

Advancing the Neuropalliative Care Approach-A Call to Action.

This Viewpoint advocates for the integration of neuropalliative care as a vital practice for supporting patients with neurological disease and their families.

Skilled Nursing Facility Participation in Bundled Payments Was Related to Small Increases in Nurse Staffing Levels.

Medicare implemented Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) Model 3 in 2013, in which participating skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) were accountable for episode costs. We performed comparative interrupted time series analyses to evaluate associations between SNF BPCI participation and nurse staffing levels, using Medicare claims, resident assessments, and facility-level and market-level files of 2010-2017. For persistent-participating SNFs, BPCI was associated with improved certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing levels (differential change = .03 hours, p = .025). However, BPCI was not related to changes in registered nurse (RN) and all licensed nurse hours, and nurse skill mix. Among drop-out SNFs, BPCI was associated with increased RN staffing levels (differential change = .02 hours, p = .009), leading to a higher nurse skill ratio (0.51 percentage points, p = .016) than control SNFs. Bundled payments for care improvement had no impact on CNA and all licensed nurse staffing levels. In conclusion, BPCI was associated with statistically significant but small increases in nurse staffing levels.

Emerging Subspecialties in Neurology: Cortical Careers in Neuropalliative Care.

Serious neurologic illnesses are associated with significant palliative care (PC) needs, including symptom management, complex decision-making, support for caregivers, and end-of-life care. While all neurologists are responsible for the provision of primary PC, there is an increasing need for trained neurologists with expertise in palliative medicine to manage refractory symptoms, mitigate conflict around goals of care, and provide specialized end-of-life care. This has led to the emergence of neuropalliative care (NPC) as a subspecialty. There are different ways to acquire PC skills, incorporate them into one's neurology practice, and develop a neuropalliative carer. We interviewed 3 leaders in the field of NPC, Dr. Robert Holloway, Dr. Jessica McFarlin, and Dr. Janis Miyasaki, who are all neurologists with different subspecialties and training pathways working in academic centers. They share their career paths, their advice for neurology trainees interested in pursuing a career in NPC, and their thoughts on the future of the field.

Prognostication in neurology.

Prognosticating is central to primary palliative care in neurology. Many neurologic diseases carry a high burden of troubling symptoms, and many individuals consider health states due to neurologic disease worse than death. Many patients and families report high levels of need for information at all disease stages, including information about prognosis. There are many barriers to communicating prognosis including prognostic uncertainty, lack of training and experience, fear of destroying hope, and not enough time. Developing the right mindset, tools, and skills can improve one's ability to formulate and communicate prognosis. Prognosticating is subject to many biases which can dramatically affect the quality of patient care; it is important for providers to recognize and reduce them. Patients and surrogates often do not hear what they are told, and even when they hear correctly, they form their own opinions. With practice and self-reflection, one can improve their prognostic skills, help patients and families create honest roadmaps of the future, and deliver high-quality person-centered care.

Reversal of Advanced Directives in Neurologic Emergencies.

Objective: Patients with advanced directives or Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (MOLST), including "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) and/or "Do Not Intubate" (DNI), may be candidates for procedural interventions when presenting with acute neurologic emergencies. Such interventions may limit morbidity and mortality, but typically they require MOLST reversal. We investigated outcomes of patients with MOLST reversal for treatment of neurologic emergencies. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review from July 1, 2019 to April 30, 2021 of patients with MOLST reversal treated in our NeuroMedicine Intensive Care Unit. Variables collected include neurologic disease, MOLST reversal decision maker, procedural interventions, and outcomes. Results: Twenty-seven patients (18 female, median age 78 years (IQR 73-85 years), median baseline modified Rankin score 1 [IQR 0-2.5] were identified with MOLST reversal. The most common pre-procedural MOLST was DNR/DNI (n=22, 81%), and 93% (n=25) pre-procedural MOLSTs were completed by the patient. MOLSTs were reversed by surrogates in n=23 cases (85%). The median time from MOLST completion to MOLST reversal was 603 days (IQR 45 days to 4 years). The most common neurologic emergency was ischemic stroke (n=14, 52%). Most patients died (n=14, 52%), 26% (n=7) were discharged to skilled nursing, and 22% (n=6) returned to home or assisted living. Conclusions: In neurologic emergencies, urgent shared decision making is needed to ensure goal-concordant care, which may result in reversal of existing advanced directives. Outcomes of patients with MOLST reversal were heterogeneous, emphasizing the importance of deliberate patient-centered care weighing the risks and benefits of each intervention.

A Remote Longitudinal Observational Study of Individuals at Genetic Risk for Parkinson Disease: Baseline Results.

Background and Objectives: To recruit and characterize a national cohort of individuals who have a genetic variant (LRRK2 G2019S) that increases risk of Parkinson disease (PD), assess participant satisfaction with a decentralized, remote research model, and evaluate interest in future clinical trials. Methods: In partnership with 23andMe, Inc., a personal genetics company, LRRK2 G2019S carriers with and without PD were recruited to participate in an ongoing 36-month decentralized, remote natural history study. We examined concordance between self-reported and clinician-determined PD diagnosis. We applied the Movement Disorder Society Prodromal Parkinson's Disease Criteria and asked investigators to identify concern for parkinsonism to distinguish participants with probable prodromal PD. We compared baseline characteristics of LRRK2 G2019S carriers with PD, with prodromal PD, and without PD. Results: Over 15 months, we enrolled 277 LRRK2 G2019S carriers from 34 states. At baseline, 60 had self-reported PD (mean [SD] age 67.8 years [8.4], 98% White, 52% female, 80% Ashkenazi Jewish, and 67% with a family history of PD), and 217 did not (mean [SD] age 53.7 years [15.1], 95% White, 59% female, 73% Ashkenazi Jewish, and 57% with a family history of PD). Agreement between self-reported and clinician-determined PD status was excellent (κ = 0.94, 95% confidence interval 0.89-0.99). Twenty-four participants had prodromal PD; 9 met criteria for probable prodromal PD and investigators identified concern for parkinsonism in 20 cases. Compared with those without prodromal PD, participants with prodromal PD were older (63.9 years [9.0] vs 51.9 years [15.1], p < 0.001), had higher modified Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale motor scores (5.7 [4.3] vs 0.8 [2.1], p < 0.001), and had higher Scale for Outcomes in PD for Autonomic Symptoms scores (11.5 [6.2] vs 6.9 [5.7], p = 0.002). Two-thirds of participants enrolled were new to research, 97% were satisfied with the overall study, and 94% of those without PD would participate in future preventive clinical trials. Discussion: An entirely remote national cohort of LRRK2 G2019S carriers was recruited from a single site. This study will prospectively characterize a large LRRK2 G2019S cohort, refine a new model of clinical research, and engage new research participants willing to participate in future therapeutic trials.

Association of Medicare Mandatory Bundled Payment Reform With Joint Replacement Surgery Use for Beneficiaries With Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias.

Importance: Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD) are a particularly vulnerable group in whom arthritis is a frequently occurring comorbidity. Medicare's mandatory bundled payment reform-the Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR) model-was intended to improve quality and reduce spending in beneficiaries undergoing joint replacement surgical procedures for arthritis. In the absence of adjustment for clinical risk, hospitals may avoid performing elective joint replacements for beneficiaries with ADRD. Objective: To evaluate the association of the CJR model with utilization of joint replacements for Medicare beneficiaries with ADRD. Design Setting and Participants: This cohort study used national Medicare data from 2013 to 2017 and multivariable linear probability models and a triple differences estimation approach. Medicare beneficiaries with a diagnosis of arthritis were identified from 67 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) mandated to participate in CJR and 104 control MSAs. Data were analyzed from July 2020 to July 2021. Exposures: Implementation of the CJR model in 2016. Main Outcomes and Measures: Outcomes were separate binary indicators for whether or not a beneficiary underwent hip or knee replacement. Key independent variables were the MSA group, before-CJR and after-CJR phase, ADRD diagnosis, and their interactions. The linear probability models controlled for beneficiary characteristics, MSA fixed effects, and time trends. Results: The study included 24 598 729 beneficiary-year observations for 9 624 461 unique beneficiaries, of which 250 168 beneficiaries underwent hip and 474 751 underwent knee replacements. The mean (SD) age of the 2013 cohort was 77.1 (7.9) years, 3 110 922 (66.4%) were women, 3 928 432 (83.8%) were non-Hispanic White, 792 707 (16.9%) were dually eligible for Medicaid, and 885 432 (18.9%) had an ADRD diagnosis. Before CJR implementation, joint replacement rates were lower among beneficiaries with ADRD (hip replacements: 0.38% vs 1.17% for beneficiaries with and without ADRD, respectively; P < .001; knee replacements: 0.70% vs 2.25%; P < .001). After controlling for relevant covariates, CJR was associated with a 0.07-percentage-point decline in hip replacements for beneficiaries with ADRD (95% CI, -0.13 to -0.001; P = .046) and a 0.07-percentage-point decline for beneficiaries without ADRD (95% CI, -0.12 to -0.02; P = .01) residing in CJR MSAs compared with beneficiaries in control MSAs. However, this change in hip replacement rates for beneficiaries with ADRD was not statistically significantly different from the change for beneficiaries without ADRD (percentage point difference: 0.01; 95% CI, -0.08 to 0.09; P = .88). No statistically significant changes in knee replacement rates were noted for beneficiaries with ADRD compared with those without ADRD with CJR implementation (percentage point difference: -0.03, 95% CI, -0.09 to 0.02; P = .27). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries with arthritis, the CJR model was not associated with a decline in joint replacement utilization among beneficiaries with ADRD compared with beneficiaries without ADRD in the first 2 years of the program, thereby alleviating patient selection concerns.

Development and Dissemination of a Neurology Palliative Care Curriculum: Education in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Neurology.

Despite increasing awareness of the importance of a palliative care approach to meet the needs of persons living with neurologic illness, residency and fellowship programs report meeting this educational need due to a limited pool of neuropalliative care educators and a lack of adequate educational resources. To meet this need, a group of experts in neuropalliative care and palliative medicine leveraged resources from the Education in Palliative and End-of-life Care (EPEC) program and the National Institutes of Nursing Research to create a library of modules addressing topics relevant for neurology trainees, palliative medicine fellows, and clinicians in practice. In this article, we describe the development and dissemination plan of the EPEC Neurology program, initial evidence of efficacy, and opportunities for neurology educators and health services researchers to use these resources.

Association of Time Elapsed Since Ischemic Stroke With Risk of Recurrent Stroke in Older Patients Undergoing Elective Nonneurologic, Noncardiac Surgery.

Importance: Perioperative strokes are a major cause of death and disability. There is limited information on which to base decisions for how long to delay elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery in patients with a history of stroke. Objective: To examine whether an association exists between the time elapsed since an ischemic stroke and the risk of recurrent stroke in older patients undergoing elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study used data from the 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review files, including the Master Beneficiary Summary File, between 2011 and 2018 and included elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgeries in patients 66 years or older. Patients were excluded if they had more than 1 procedure during a 30-day period, were transferred from another hospital or facility, were missing information on race and ethnicity, were admitted in December 2018, or had tracheostomies or gastrostomies. Data were analyzed May 7 to October 23, 2021. Exposures: Time interval between a previous hospital admission for acute ischemic stroke and surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures: Acute ischemic stroke during the index surgical admission or rehospitalization for stroke within 30 days of surgery, 30-day all-cause mortality, composite of stroke and mortality, and discharge to a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AORs) to quantify the association between outcome and time since ischemic stroke. Results: The final cohort included 5 841 539 patients who underwent elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgeries (mean [SD] age, 74.1 [6.1] years; 3 371 329 [57.7%] women), of which 54 033 (0.9%) had a previous stroke. Patients with a stroke within 30 days before surgery had higher adjusted odds of perioperative stroke (AOR, 8.02; 95% CI, 6.37-10.10; P < .001) compared with patients without a previous stroke. The adjusted odds of stroke were not significantly different at an interval of 61 to 90 days between previous stroke and surgery (AOR, 5.01; 95% CI, 4.00-6.29; P < .001) compared with 181 to 360 days (AOR, 4.76; 95% CI, 4.26-5.32; P < .001). The adjusted odds of 30-day all-cause mortality were higher in patients who underwent surgery within 30 days of a previous stroke (AOR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.99-3.16; P < .001) compared with those without a history of stroke, and the AOR decreased to 1.49 (95% CI, 1.15-1.92; P < .001) at 61 to 90 days from previous stroke to surgery but did not decline significantly, even after an interval of 360 or more days. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cohort study suggest that, among patients undergoing nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery, the risk of stroke and death leveled off when more than 90 days elapsed between a previous stroke and elective surgery. These findings suggest that the recent scientific statement by the American Heart Association to delay elective nonneurologic, noncardiac surgery for at least 6 months after a recent stroke may be too conservative.

A Multi-Component Transition of Care Improvement Project to Reduce Hospital Readmissions Following Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a common cause of hospitalization which carries a significant economic burden and leads to high rates of death and disability. Readmission in the first 30 days after hospitalization is associated with increased healthcare costs and higher risk of death and disability. Efforts to decrease the number of patients returning to the hospital after IS may improve quality and cost of care. Methods: Improving care transitions to reduce readmissions is amenable to quality improvement (QI) initiatives. A multi-component QI intervention directed at IS patients being discharged to home from a stroke unit at an academic comprehensive stroke center using IS diagnosis-driven home care referrals, improved post-discharge telephone calls, and timely completion of discharge summaries was developed. The improvement project was implemented on July 1, 2019, and evaluated for the 6 months following initiation in comparison to the same 6-month period pre-intervention in 2018. Results: Following implementation, a statistically significant decrease in 30-day all-cause same-hospital readmission rates from 7.4% to 2.8% (p = .031, d = 1.61) in the project population and from 6.6% to 3% (p = .010, d = 1.43) in the overall IS population was observed. Improvement was seen in all process measures as well as in patient satisfaction scores. Conclusions: An evidence-based bundled process improvement intervention for IS patients discharged to home was associated with decreased hospital readmission rates following IS.

Recruitment for Remote Decentralized Studies in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Traditional in-person Parkinson's disease (PD) research studies are often slow to recruit and place unnecessary burden on participants. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has added new impetus to the development of new research models. OBJECTIVE: To compare recruitment processes and outcomes of three remote decentralized observational PD studies with video visits. METHODS: We examined the number of participants recruited, speed of recruitment, geographic distribution of participants, and strategies used to enhance recruitment in FIVE, a cross-sectional study of Fox Insight participants with and without PD (n = 203); VALOR-PD, a longitudinal study of 23andMe, Inc. research participants carrying the LRRK2 G2019S variant with and without PD (n = 277); and AT-HOME PD, a longitudinal study of former phase III clinical trial participants with PD (n = 226). RESULTS: Across the three studies, 706 participants from 45 U.S. states and Canada enrolled at a mean per study rate of 4.9 participants per week over an average of 51 weeks. The cohorts were demographically homogenous with regard to race (over 95%white) and level of education (over 90%with more than a high school education). The number of participants living in primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas in each study ranged from 30.3-42.9%. Participants reported interest in future observational (98.5-99.6%) and interventional (76.1-87.6%) research studies with remote video visits. CONCLUSION: Recruitment of large, geographically dispersed remote cohorts from a single location is feasible. Interest in participation in future remote decentralized PD studies is high. More work is needed to identify best practices for recruitment, particularly of diverse participants.