RESUMO
Background: This project analyzed risk factors for emergency department (ED) utilization without readmission within 2 weeks post-discharge for survivors of gun violence. Methods: A hundred gun violence survivors admitted to a Level 1 trauma center were surveyed. Descriptive analyses and group comparisons were conducted between patients who did and did not use the ED. Factors analyzed are rooted in social determinants of health and clinical care related to the index hospitalization. Results: Of the 100 patients, 31 had an ED visit within 6 weeks, although most (87.1%) returned within 2 weeks of discharge. Factors significantly associated (p≤0.05) with a return ED visit included: not having an identified primary care provider, not having friends or family to count on for help, not having enough money to support themselves before return to work, and not feeling able to read discharge instructions. Conclusion: Lack of a primary care provider, low health literacy and social support were associated with increased ED visits without readmission post-discharge. Level of Evidence: Level III, Prognostic and Epidemiological.
RESUMO
Introduction: Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) is fundamental to improving health outcomes. At a student-run free clinic, we developed a screening process to understand the SDOH needs and resource utilization of Milwaukee's uninsured population. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we screened adult patients without health insurance (N = 238) for nine traditional SDOH needs as well as their access to dental and mental health care between October 2021 and October 2022. Patients were surveyed at intervals greater than or equal to 30 days. We assessed correlations between SDOH needs and trends in patient-reported resource usefulness. Results: Access to dental care (64.7%) and health insurance (51.3%) were the most frequently endorsed needs. We found significant correlations (P ≤ 0.05) between various SDOH needs. Notably, mental health access needs significantly correlated with dental (r = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.63), medications (r = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.30, 0.72), utilities (r = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.17, 0.61), and food insecurity (r = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.64). Food-housing (r = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.32, 0.78), housing-medications (r = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.35, 0.81), and medications-food (r = 0.53; 95% CI = 0.32, 0.74) were significantly correlated with each other. Longitudinal assessment of patient-reported usefulness informed changes in the resources offered. Conclusions: Understanding prominent SDOH needs can inform resource offerings and interventions, addressing root causes that burden under-resourced patients. In this study, patient-reported data about resource usefulness prompted the curation of new resources and volunteer roles. This proof-of-concept study shows how longitudinally tracking SDOH needs at low-resource clinics can inform psychosocial resources.
RESUMO
Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used as a treatment option for patients diagnosed with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that is highly resistant to conventional treatment methods. In 2009, DBS was granted a humanitarian device exemption-approval by the Food and Drug Administration after promising preliminary data. Monitoring of long-term safety data through post market surveillance of adverse events has not yet been conducted for DBS in OCD patients. This study aims to address this critical knowledge gap. Methods: All patient- and device-related (PR; DR) reports from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2021, were downloaded and compiled from the manufacturer and user facility device experience (MAUDE) database pertaining to DBS for OCD using the product class name "Deep Brain Stimulator For OCD." Data in this study were examined using descriptive statistics to evaluate for frequency of reporting. Results: The most frequently reported PR adverse event categories included psychiatric (40%), neurological (19%), other (14%), decreased therapeutic response (10%), and infections (10%). The most frequent DR reports were high impedance (14%), energy output problem (7%), battery problem (7%), malposition of device (7%), and improper/incorrect procedure or method (7%). Conclusion: The PR and DR adverse events in our study align with the previous findings of adverse events. They also further solidify that DBS for refractory OCD may be a viable option for the right patient population. However, further studies are essential given the limitations of the MAUDE database.
