Development and validation of COEWS (COVID-19 Early Warning Score) for hospitalized COVID-19 with laboratory features: A multicontinental retrospective study.

Background: The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants with significant immune-evasiveness, the relaxation of measures for reducing the number of infections, the waning of immune protection (particularly in high-risk population groups), and the low uptake of new vaccine boosters, forecast new waves of hospitalizations and admission to intensive care units. There is an urgent need for easily implementable and clinically effective Early Warning Scores (EWSs) that can predict the risk of complications within the next 24-48 hr. Although EWSs have been used in the evaluation of COVID-19 patients, there are several clinical limitations to their use. Moreover, no models have been tested on geographically distinct populations or population groups with varying levels of immune protection. Methods: We developed and validated COVID-19 Early Warning Score (COEWS), an EWS that is automatically calculated solely from laboratory parameters that are widely available and affordable. We benchmarked COEWS against the widely used NEWS2. We also evaluated the predictive performance of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Results: The variables of the COEWS predictive model were selected based on their predictive coefficients and on the wide availability of these laboratory variables. The final model included complete blood count, blood glucose, and oxygen saturation features. To make COEWS more actionable in real clinical situations, we transformed the predictive coefficients of the COEWS model into individual scores for each selected feature. The global score serves as an easy-to-calculate measure indicating the risk of a patient developing the combined outcome of mechanical ventilation or death within the next 48 hr.The discrimination in the external validation cohort was 0.743 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.703-0.784) for the COEWS score performed with coefficients and 0.700 (95% CI: 0.654-0.745) for the COEWS performed with scores. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Additionally, we observed that the AUROC of the NEWS2 was 0.677 (95% CI: 0.601-0.752) in vaccinated patients and 0.648 (95% CI: 0.608-0.689) in unvaccinated patients. Conclusions: The COEWS score predicts death or MV within the next 48 hr based on routine and widely available laboratory measurements. The extensive external validation, its high performance, its ease of use, and its positive benchmark in comparison with the widely used NEWS2 position COEWS as a new reference tool for assisting clinical decisions and improving patient care in the upcoming pandemic waves. Funding: University of Vienna.

Prevalence of the use of antidepressants in patients with venous thromboembolism / Prevalencia del uso de antidepresivos en pacientes con enfermedad tromboembólica venosa.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of Antidepressant use in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Describe the patient's characteristics and which drugs are the most prescribed. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving a consecutive sample of patients included in the Registro de Enfermedad Tromboembólica (RIET) from the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires in a period between 01/01/2014 to 01/09/2018. All patients presented symptomatic VTE and confirmed diagnosis. Drugs considered included in this study were: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), Dopamine and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRI), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRI) and Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA). RESULTS: From a total of 2373 patients with VTE, 472 were active users of antidepressants, showing a prevalence of antidepressant use of 19.9% (CI 95%). The most frequently prescribed drugs by drug classification were: SSRI 83.9%, TCA 20.5%, ISRN 14.6%, and NDRI 2.5%. Patients presented a median age of 76 years, predominantly women (71.4%), with several comorbidities: 52.24% arterial hypertension, 37.29% overweight, and 34.75% history of smoking. Concerning relevant history, we observed: 29.03% active oncologic disease, 26.27% major surgery before the VTE, and 21.61% previous VTE. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of antidepressant use in patients with VTE is 19.9%, superior by far to that of the general population. Depression is a major cause of morbidity worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing over the years.

OBJETIVOS: Estimar la prevalencia de consumo de fármacos antidepresivos en pacientes que hayan sufrido un evento tromboembólico venoso (TEV), describir esta población y las drogas más utilizadas. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Corte transversal que incluyó una muestra consecutiva de adultos incluidos en el Registro de Enfermedad Tromboembólica (RIET) del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires entre el 01/01/2014 y el 1/09/2018. Se consideraron los siguientes fármacos: Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina (IRSS), Inhibidores de la Recaptación de Dopamina y Noradrenalina (IRDN), Inhibidores de la Recaptación de Serotonina y Noradrenalina (IRSN), y Antidepresivos Tricíclicos (ATC). RESULTADOS: De un total de 2373 pacientes, 472 se identificaron como usuarios activos de antidepresivos, arrojando una prevalencia de 19,9% (IC95% de 18,3-21,6). Según familia farmacológica, en orden de mayor a menor frecuencia, se indicaron: IRSS 83,9%, ATC 20,5%, IRS 14,6% e IRDN y IRDN 2,5%. Los pacientes bajo tratamiento con antidepresivos presentaron una mediana de edad de 76 años, mayoritariamente mujeres (71,4%), con alta carga de comorbilidad: 52,24% hipertensión arterial, 37,29% sobrepeso, 34,75% ex tabaquismo. Los antecedentes de mayor frecuencia resultaron enfermedad oncológica activa (29,03%), cirugía mayor en último mes (26,27%), y el 21,61% presentaba ETV previa. CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de uso de antidepresivos en pacientes con ETV resultó 19,9%, superior a la población general. La depresión es una causa principal de enfermedad y discapacidad en todo el mundo, cuya prevalencia aumentó durante los últimos años.

Efecto de la inactivación de las órdenes múltiples para solicitud de estudios complementarios en una central de emergencias.

Introducción. La plantilla de órdenes múltiples es una herramienta informática que podría producir consecuencias inadvertidas pese a sus innumerables beneficios. Nos propusimos explorar el efecto de su inactivación sobre las solicitudes de estudios complementarios y los costos asociados. Métodos. Corte transversal en la Central de Emergencias de Adultos del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, que incluyó muestra consecutiva de consultas pre-intervención (Enero-Febrero 2020) y post-intervención (2021). Mediante el uso de bases secundarias, las variables incluidas fueron los débitos administrativos y sus respectivos precios de facturación. Resultados. Hubo 27.671 consultas en 2020 con una mediana de valor total de 474$, y 20.819 con 1.639$ en 2021. Tras el análisis restringido al área de consultorios de moderada complejidad (excluyendo consultas por COVID-19), se encontró: una disminución en la mediana del número de prácticas por consulta (mediana de 11 vs 10, p=0,001), una disminución en la solicitud de al menos una práctica de laboratorio (45% versus 39%, p=0,001), sin encontrar cambios significativos en costos globales (mediana 1.419$ vs 1.081$; p=0,122) ni en costos específicos de laboratorio (mediana 1.071$ vs 1.089$, p=0,710). Conclusión. Pese a la inflación interanual, se logró una reducción significativa en el número de prácticas y se mantuvieron los costos globales por consulta. Estos hallazgos demuestran la efectividad de la intervención, pero serán necesarias medidas educativas que apunten al recordatorio de los potenciales daños en la sobreutilización, y los costos sanitarios de los estudios innecesarios.

Effect of computerized physician order entry inactivation to order complementary studies in an emergency department / [Efecto de la inactivación de las órdenes múltiples para solicitud de estudios complementarios en una central de emergencias.]

Introduction: The computerized provider order entry (CPOE) is a computing tool that could lead to unintended consequences despite its myriad benefits. We aimed to explore the effect of its inactivation on requests for complementary studies and the associated costs. Methods: Cross sectional study at the Emergency Department of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, which included a consecutive sample of pre-intervention (January-February 2020) and post-intervention (2021) consultations. Using secondary bases, the variables included were administrative debits and their respective billing prices. Results: There were 27,671 consultations in 2020 with a total median value of $474, and 20,819 with $1,639 in 2021. After the analysis restricted to the area of ​​moderately complex clinics (excluding COVID-19 consultations), the following was found: a decrease in the median number of practices per consultation (median of 11 vs. 10, p=0.001), a decrease in the request for at least one laboratory practice (45% vs. 39%, p=0.001), without finding significant changes in global costs (median $1,419 vs. $1,081; p=0.122) or in specific laboratory costs (median $1,071 vs. $1,089, p=0.710). Conclusion: Despite inflation, a significant reduction in the number of practices was achieved and overall costs per consultation were maintained. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention, but an educational intervention aimed at reminding the potential harm of overuse and the health costs of unnecessary studies will be necessary.

Introducción: La plantilla de órdenes múltiples es una herramienta informática que podría producir consecuencias inadvertidas pese a sus innumerables beneficios. Nos propusimos explorar el efecto de su inactivación sobre las solicitudes de estudios complementarios y los costos asociados. Métodos: Corte transversal en la Central de Emergencias de Adultos del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, que incluyó muestra consecutiva de consultas pre-intervención (Enero-Febrero 2020) y post-intervención (2021). Mediante el uso de bases secundarias, las variables incluidas fueron los débitos administrativos y sus respectivos precios de facturación. Resultados: Hubo 27.671 consultas en 2020 con una mediana de valor total de 474$, y 20.819 con 1.639$ en 2021. Tras el análisis restringido al área de consultorios de moderada complejidad (excluyendo consultas por COVID-19), se encontró: una disminución en la mediana del número de prácticas por consulta (mediana de 11 vs 10, p=0,001), una disminución en la solicitud de al menos una práctica de laboratorio (45% versus 39%, p=0,001), sin encontrar cambios significativos en costos globales (mediana 1.419$ vs 1.081$; p=0,122) ni en costos específicos de laboratorio (mediana 1.071$ vs 1.089$, p=0,710). Conclusión: Pese a la inflación interanual, se logró una reducción significativa en el número de prácticas y se mantuvieron los costos globales por consulta. Estos hallazgos demuestran la efectividad de la intervención, pero serán necesarias medidas educativas que apunten al recordatorio de los potenciales daños en la sobreutilización, y los costos sanitarios de los estudios innecesarios.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Telehealth and In-Person Visits: Implications from an Emergency Department in Argentina.

Since Argentina's government declared a national emergency to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with a lockdown status, it has produced consequences on the healthcare system. We aimed to quantify the effect on the Emergency Department (ED) visits at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Our electronic health data showed that ED in-person visits declined 46% during the COVID-19 pandemic, from an overall of 176,370 visits during 2019 to 95,421 visits during 2020. Simultaneously, there was a telehealth visits boom when mandatory quarantine began (March 20, 2020): from a median of 12 daily in February 2020 to a median of 338 daily in April 2020; reaching a maximum daily peak of 1,132 on March 26 2020. For a while, teleconsultations replaced ED visits. Then, when face-to-face visits began to increase, teleconsultations began to decrease slowly, as the phenomenon reversed.

Using Informatics Framework in Immunosuppressed or Transplanted Patients for a Preferential Care Route at the Emergency Department.

For immunosuppressed or transplanted patients, appropriate triage is a timely topic, especially in the Emergency Department (ED) of a high-volume referral center. We implemented a new Program called Rapid Clinical Care by Internal Medicine Specialists, as a preferential care route for these patients, which combines the proposed informatics framework in the field of total quality management in the healthcare units, as an example of digital technologies that can improve processes in the clinical routine. Our study aimed to describe waiting-time and attention-time in ED and to explore the effect on patients' clinical outcomes after discharge. Findings were: shortened waiting time (median of 8 minutes versus 21, p<0.001), improved ED on-call time (median of 2 hours compared to 4, p<0.001), and greater follow-up after discharge, measured as 1-week scheduled-visits rate (69% with 95%CI 63-75; compared to 43% with 95%CI 35-51; p<0.001).

Infecciones respiratorias superiores virales en una central de emergencias: estudio de cohorte retrospectiva / Upper respiratory tract infection on an Emergency Department: retrospective cohort

Estimar la frecuencia de cuadro de vías aéreas superiores (CVAS) como motivo de consulta no programada, describir el proceso de atención y explorar la variación tras la implementación de una nueva estrategia de gestión para la atención, así como el efecto en los indicadores de calidad y seguridad de atención. Cohorte retrospectiva que incluyó consultas por CVAS entre 01/01/2015 y 31/12/2016 de Demanda Espontánea (consultas de baja complejidad de la Central de Emergencia de Adultos), en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. La prevalencia global del período 2015-2016 resultó 12,01% (21.581/179.597). La intervención múltiple, resultó efectiva en términos de disminución de estudios complementarios (19% antes y 17% después con p=0,001), disminución de laboratorios (9% antes y 8% después con p=0,009), y reducción del tiempo de atención (media de 51 minutos antes y 42 minutos después, con p=0,001). No hubo diferencias significativas en la incidencia acumulada de reconsultas a los 7 días (12,72% antes y 13,11% después con p=0,400) ni en la tasa de internaciones a los 7 días (0,42% antes y 0,38% después con p=0,651) desde la consulta índice (primer consulta en guardia). En un sistema sobresaturado, se requiere fortalecer los sistemas de atención primaria que conforman la puerta de entrada de la salud para garantizar la correcta utilización de los recursos disponibles, la solicitud de estudios apropiados y la indicación correcta de antibióticos. Muchas lecciones aprendidas facilitaron la organización y la reestructuración necesarias durante la pandemia COVID-19 (AU)

To estimate upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) frequency as a reason for unscheduled consultation, to describe the care process and to explore the variation after the implementation of a new management strategy for care, as well as the effect on quality and security indicators of care. Retrospective cohort which included consecutive consultations by URTI between 01/01/2015 and 12/31/2016 for ambulatory clinic (low complexity consultations at the Emergency Department), at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. The prevalence for the period 2015-2016 was 12.01% (21,581/179,597). The multiple intervention was effective in terms of reduction of complementary studies (19% before and 17% after; p =0.001), reduction of laboratories (9% before and 8% after; p=0.009), and reduction of attention time (mean of 51 minutes before and 42 minutes after; p=0.001). During the follow up, there were no significant differences in the cumulative incidence of reconsultations at 7 days (12.72% before and 13.11% after; p=0.400) or in the rate of hospitalizations at 7 days (0.42% before and 0.38% after; p=0.651) from the index consultation. In an overcrowded system, it is necessary to strengthen the primary care systems that make up the gateway to health to guarantee the correct use of available resources, the request for appropriate studies and the correct indication of antibiotics. Many lessons learned facilitated the organization and restructuring of the Emergency Department needed during the COVID-19 pandemic (AU)

Emergency department visits and hospital readmissions in an Argentine health system.

BACKGROUND AND GOAL OF STUDY: The scope of health in the Sustainable Development Goals is much broader than the Millennium Development Goals, spanning functions such as health-system access and quality of care. Hospital readmission rate and ED-visits within 30 days from discharge are considered low-cost quality indicators. This work assesses an indicator of quality of care in a tertiary referral hospital in Argentina, using data available from clinical records. PURPOSE: To estimate the rate of ED-visits and the hospital readmission rate (HRR) after a first hospitalization (First-H), and to identify associated factors. METHODS: This retrospective cohort included patients who had a First-H in Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires between 2014-2015. Follow-up occurred from discharge until ED-visit, readmission, death, disaffiliation from health insurance, or 13 months. We present HRR at 30 days and ED-visits rate at 72 h, using the Cox proportional-hazards regression model to explore associated factors, and reporting adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with their respective 95 %CI. RESULTS: The study comprised 10,598 hospitalizations (median age was 68 years). Of these, 5966 had at least one consultation to the ED during follow up, resulting in a 24 h rate of consultations to ED of 1.51 % (95 %CI 1.29-1.72); at 48 h 3.18 % (95 %CI 2.86-3.54); at 72 h 4.71 % (95 %CI 4.32-5.13). In multivariable models, factors associated for 72 h ED-visits were: age (aHR 1.06), male (aHR 1.14), Charlson Comorbidity Index (aHR 1.16), unscheduled hospitalization (aHR 1.39), prior consultation with the ED (aHR 1.08) and long hospital stay (aHR 1.39). Meanwhile, 2345 patients had at least one hospital readmission (98 % unscheduled), resulting a 24 h rate of 0.5 % (95 %CI 0.42-0.71), at 48 h 0.98 % (95 %CI 0.80-1.18), at 72 h 1.4 % (95 %CI 1.2-1.6); at 30 days 7.7 % (95 %CI 7.2-8.2); at 90 days 13 % (95 %CI 12.4-13.8); and one-year 22.5 % (95 %CI 21.7-23.4). Associated factors for HRR at 30 days were: age (HR 1.16), male (HR 1.09), Charlson comorbidities score (HR 1.27), social service requirement during First-H (HR 1.37), unscheduled First-H (HR 1.16), previous ED-visits (HR 1.03) and length of stay (HR 1.08). CONCLUSION: Priorities efforts to improve must include greater attention to patients' readiness prior discharge, to explore causes of preventable readmissions, and better support for patient self-management.

Tasa de reinternaciones y factores asociados en ancianos luego de una internación por fractura de cadera / Rate of re-experiences and associated factors in the elderly after hospitalization due to hip fracture

INTRODUCCIÓN: El anciano con fractura de cadera tiene alto riesgo de complicaciones y mortalidad hospitalaria. Las estadías hospitalarias cortas y el alta temprana con problemas clínicos activos pueden llevar a reinternaciones. OBJETIVOS: conocer la tasa de reinternaciones, los motivos y las variables predictoras de las mismas en los sujetos que tuvieron fracturas de cadera. MÉTODOS: Se trabajó una cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyó a todos los pacientes ingresados en el Registro Institucional de Ancianos con Fractura de Cadera entre julio de 2014 y julio de 2017. Se describió la tasa de reinternación y su IC95%. Se utilizó un modelo de riesgo proporcional de Cox para describir factores de riesgo y el tiempo a la reinternación. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 858 pacientes. La mediana de días de internación fue de 6 (rango intercuartil [RIC 5-9]). El 86% (737) de los pacientes era de sexo femenino, con una mediana de edad de 86 años (RIC 81-89). La tasa de reinternación a los 30 días fue de 10% (IC95%: 8,3-12,5) y al año, de 39% (IC95%: 34,8-42,6). La principal causa fue la infección (30%). Los factores asociados fueron: edad (>85 años) Razón de Hazard o Hazard ratio (HR)1,3 (IC95%: 1-1,7; p 0,03), sexo femenino HR 0,5 (IC95%: 0,4-0,7; p<0,01), fragilidad HR 1,4 (IC95%: 1,1-1,8; p<0,01), score de Charlson (≥2) HR 1,6 (IC95%: 1,3-2,1; p<0,01), días de internación (>7 días) HR 1,4 (IC95%: 1,2-1,9; p<0,01). CONCLUSIONES: La reinternación después de una fractura de cadera tiene alta incidencia. El cuidado perioperatorio de los pacientes con fractura de cadera es esencial para reducir las complicaciones.

INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients with hip fracture are at high risk for complications and in-hospital mortality. Short hospital stay and early discharge with still active clinical problems may lead to readmissions. OBJECTIVES: to know the rate of readmissions, the reasons and the predictive variables in patients who had hip fractures. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed, with all patients included in the institutional registry of elderly patients with hip fracture between July 2014 and July 2017. Readmission rates and their CI95% were described. A proportional risk Cox model was used to describe risk factors and time-toreadmission. RESULTS: A total of 858 patients were included with a median hospital stay of 6 days (interquartile range [IQR] 5-9), 86% (737) of female patients and a median age of 86 years (IQR 81-89). Readmission rates were 10% (CI95%: 8.3-12.5) at 30 days and 39% (CI95%: 34.8-42.6) at 12 months. The main cause was infection (30%). Associated factors were: age (>85 years) HR 1.3 (CI95%: 1-1.7; p 0.03), female gender HR 0.5 (CI95%: 0.4-0.7; p<0.01), fragility HR 1.4 (CI95%: 1.1-1.8; p<0.01), Charlson score (≥2) HR 1.6 (CI95%: 1.3-2.1; p<0.01), hospital stay (>7 days) HR 1.4 (CI95%: 1.2- 1.9, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Readmission after hip fracture has a high incidence. Perioperative care of patients with hip fracture is essential to reduce complications.