An Online Platform to Provide Work and Study Support for Young People With Mental Health Challenges: Observational and Survey Study.

BACKGROUND: Young people, aged 15-25 years, are at a critical stage of life when they need to navigate vocational pathways and achieve work and study outcomes. Those with mental health problems are particularly at risk of disengagement with work and study and need effective support. The headspace Work and Study (hWS) service is an innovative online platform implemented in Australia to support young people aged 15-25 years with mental health problems to achieve work and study goals. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine whether the hWS service has been implemented as planned, provides appropriate support for young people, and achieves its main goals. METHODS: Data were collected via 2 methodologies: (1) the hWS Minimum Data Set, which includes data on all clients in the service (n=1139), services delivered, and service impact; and (2) a survey of hWS clients who volunteered to participate in an evaluation of the hWS service (n=137). RESULTS: The service was accessed by its defined target group, young people aged 15-25 years with mental health and work and study difficulties. Young people found the online platform to be acceptable, and the assistance provided and clinical integration useful; many young people achieved positive work and study outcomes, particularly those who engaged more times with the service. More assistance was sought for work than study goals, suggesting that the transition to work may be particularly challenging for young people. One-third (298/881, 33.8%) of the sample for the service impact analyses achieved at least 1 primary work or study outcome, and this increased to 44.5% (225/506) for those who engaged with 5 or more sessions, demonstrating that greater engagement with the service produced better outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Critical work and study support can be effectively delivered via an online modality to young people with common mental health problems. Digital services are scaleable to reach many young people and are of particular value for those with difficulty accessing in-person services.

Successful impella-assisted suction thrombectomy of right heart thrombus via the AngioVac device: Advantages, limitations, and alternatives.

An elderly man with cardiogenic shock who was found to have a thrombus burden in the right atrium was described. The thrombus was suctioned via the AngioVac device, with assistance from the Impella CP. This is the first reported case of the use of the AngioVac device in conjunction with left-sided mechanical circulatory devices.

Choosing a support surface for pressure injury prevention and treatment.

This article discusses an evidence- and consensus-based support-surface algorithm designed to help clinicians choose the most appropriate support surface for preventing or treating pressure injuries based on patient, nurse, and institutional considerations.

An Interprofessional Quality Improvement Training Program That Improves Educational and Quality Outcomes.

A key component of quality improvement (QI) is developing leaders who can implement QI projects collaboratively. A yearlong interprofessional, workplace-based, continuing professional development program devoted to QI trained 2 cohorts of teams (dyads or triads) to lead QI projects in their areas of work using Plan-Do-Study-Act methodology. Teams represented different specialties in both inpatient and outpatient settings. They spent 4 to 6 hours/week on seminars, online modules, bimonthly meetings with a QI coach, and QI project work. Evaluations conducted after each session included pre-post program QI self-efficacy and project milestones. Post-program participants reported higher levels of QI self-efficacy (mean = 3.47; SD = 0.39) compared with pre program (mean = 2.02, SD = 0.51; P = .03, Cohen's d = 3.19). Impact on clinical units was demonstrated, but varied. The coach was identified as a key factor for success. An interprofessional, workplace-based, continuing professional development program focused on QI increased QI knowledge and skills and translated to improvements in the clinical setting.

Appetite for health-related food taxes: New Zealand stakeholder views.

There is increasing discussion globally of the value of health-related food taxes and subsidies to address obesity and noncommunicable diseases. In order for such policies to be successful it is important to understand the positions of key stakeholders. This research investigated New Zealand (NZ) stakeholders' views on the feasibility and acceptability of selected health-related food taxes and subsidies over the next 5 to 10 years. Twenty semi-structured interviews were undertaken by telephone from November 2014 to May 2015. The purposive sample of key stakeholders included politicians, bureaucrats, public health experts, food industry leaders and consumer representatives. Prior to interviews participants were sent summary information on the estimated impacts of a range of health-related food taxes and subsidies on dietary intake and mortality. According to key stakeholders there appears to be little appetite for taxes on foods high in saturated fat or salt in NZ. Stakeholders largely agreed that a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and a subsidy on fruit and vegetables were both feasible and likely acceptable. There was strong support for starting with a SSBs tax, possibly framed around protecting children and dental health. Addressing obesity and noncommunicable diseases is a multidimensional challenge. A tax on SSBs and a subsidy on fruit and vegetables, possibly in tandem, could be part of the solution in NZ. There is growing interest in, and evidence for, health-related taxes and subsidies internationally. Given the critical role of stakeholder support for such policies similar research on stakeholders' views may assist the implementation of health-related food taxes and subsidies in other jurisdictions.

Identifying the right surface for the right patient at the right time: generation and content validation of an algorithm for support surface selection.

Support surfaces are an integral component of pressure ulcer prevention and treatment, but there is insufficient evidence to guide clinical decision making in this area. In an effort to provide clinical guidance for selecting support surfaces based on individual patient needs, the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses Society (WOCN®) set out to develop an evidence- and consensus-based algorithm. A Task Force of clinical experts was identified who: 1) reviewed the literature and identified evidence for support surface use in the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers; 2) developed supporting statements for essential components for the algorithm, 3) developed a draft algorithm for support surface selection; and 4) determined its face validity. A consensus panel of 20 key opinion leaders was then convened that: 1.) reviewed the draft algorithm and supporting statements, 2.) reached consensus on statements lacking robust supporting evidence, 3.) modified the draft algorithm and evaluated its content validity. The Content Validity Index (CVI) for the algorithm was strong (0.95 out of 1.0) with an overall mean score of 3.72 (out of 1 to 4), suggesting that the steps were appropriate to the purpose of the algorithm. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence and consensus based algorithm for support surface selection that has undergone content validation.

A business planning model to identify new safety net clinic locations.

PURPOSE: Community health clinics serving the poor and underserved are geographically expanding due to changes in U.S. health care policy. This paper describes the experience of a collaborative alliance of health care providers in a large metropolitan area who develop a conceptual and mathematical decision model to guide decisions on expanding its network of community health clinics. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Community stakeholders participated in a collaborative process that defined constructs they deemed important in guiding decisions on the location of community health clinics. This collaboration also defined key variables within each construct. Scores for variables within each construct were then totaled and weighted into a community-specific optimal space planning equation. This analysis relied entirely on secondary data available from published sources. FINDINGS: The model built from this collaboration revolved around the constructs of demand, sustainability, and competition. It used publicly available data defining variables within each construct to arrive at an optimal location that maximized demand and sustainability and minimized competition. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This is a model that safety net clinic planners and community stakeholders can use to analyze demographic and utilization data to optimize capacity expansion to serve uninsured and Medicaid populations. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Communities can use this innovative model to develop a locally relevant clinic location-planning framework.

Patient-centered innovation in health care organizations: a conceptual framework and case study application.

BACKGROUND: Patient-centered innovation is spreading at the federal and state levels. A conceptual framework can help frame real-world examples and extract systematic learning from an array of innovative applications currently underway. The statutory, economic, and political environment in Washington State offers a special contextual laboratory for observing the interplay of these factors. PURPOSE: We propose a framework for understanding the process of initiating patient-centered innovations-particularly innovations addressing patient-centered goals of improved access, continuity, communication and coordination, cultural competency, and family- and person-focused care over time. The framework to a case study of a provider organization in Washington State actively engaged in such innovations was applied in this article. METHODS: We conducted a selective review of peer-reviewed evidence and theory regarding determinants of organizational change. On the basis of the literature review and the particular examples of patient-centric innovation, we developed a conceptual framework. Semistructured key informant interviews were conducted to illustrate the framework with concrete examples of patient-centered innovation. FINDINGS: The primary determinants of initiating patient-centered innovation are (a) effective leadership, with the necessary technical and professional expertise and creative skills; (b) strong internal and external motivation to change; (c) clear and internally consistent organizational mission; (d) aligned organizational strategy; (e) robust organizational capability; and (f) continuous feedback and organizational learning. The internal hierarchy of actors is important in shaping patient-centered innovation. External financial incentives and government regulations also significantly shape innovation. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Patient-centered care innovation is a complex process. A general framework that could help managers and executives organize their thoughts around innovation within their organization is presented.

Innovation in patient-centered care: lessons from a qualitative study of innovative health care organizations in Washington State.

BACKGROUND: Growing interest in the promise of patient-centered care has led to numerous health care innovations, including the patient-centered medical home, shared decision-making, and payment reforms. How best to vet and adopt innovations is an open question. Washington State has been a leader in health care reform and is a rich laboratory for patient-centered innovations. We sought to understand the process of patient-centered care innovation undertaken by innovative health care organizations - from strategic planning to goal selection to implementation to maintenance. METHODS: We conducted key-informant interviews with executives at five health plans, five provider organizations, and ten primary care clinics in Washington State. At least two readers of each interview transcript identified themes inductively; final themes were determined by consensus. RESULTS: Innovation in patient-centered care was a strategic objective chosen by nearly every organization in this study. However, other goals were paramount: cost containment, quality improvement, and organization survival. Organizations commonly perceived effective chronic disease management and integrated health information technology as key elements for successful patient-centered care innovation. Inertia, resource deficits, fee-for-service payment, and regulatory limits on scope of practice were cited as barriers to innovation, while organization leadership, human capital, and adaptive culture facilitated innovation. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-centered care innovations reflected organizational perspectives: health plans emphasized cost-effectiveness while providers emphasized health care delivery processes. Health plans and providers shared many objectives, yet the two rarely collaborated to achieve them. The process of innovation is heavily dependent on organizational culture and leadership. Policymakers can improve the pace and quality of patient-centered innovation by setting targets and addressing conditions for innovation.

Health care transitions among youth with disabilities or special health care needs: an ecological approach.

This literature review of 46 articles uses the ecological model as a framework for organizing concepts and themes related to health care transition among youth with disabilities or special health care needs (SHCN). Transition involves interactions in immediate and distal environmental systems. Important interactions in immediate environments include those with family members, health care providers, and peers. Activities in distal systems include policies at the governmental and health system levels. The ecological model can help researchers and practitioners to design experimental interventions in multiple settings that ensure smooth transitions and support the well-being of youth with disabilities or SHCN.

A randomized experiment of issue framing and voter support of tax increases for health insurance expansion.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of issue framing on voter support of tax increases for health insurance expansion. METHODS: During October 2008, a random sample of registered voters (n=1203) were randomized to a control and two different 'framing' groups prior to being asked about their support for tax increases. The 'framing' groups listened to one of two statements: one emphasized the externalities or negative effects of the uninsured on the insured, and the other raised racial and ethnic disparities in health insurance coverage as a problem. All groups were asked the same questions: would they support tax increases to provide adequate and reliable health insurance for three groups, (1) all American citizens, (2) all children, irrespective of citizenship, and (3) all military veterans. RESULTS: Support for tax increases varied substantially depending on which group benefited from the expansion. Consensus on coverage for military veterans was highest (83.3%), followed by all children, irrespective of citizenship (64.7%), and all American citizens (60.1%). There was no statistically significant difference between voter support in the 'framing' and control groups or between the two frames. In multivariable analyses, political party affiliation was the strongest predictor of support. CONCLUSIONS: Voters agree on the need for coverage of military veterans, but are less united on the coverage of all children and American citizens. Framing was less important than party affiliation, suggesting that voters consider coverage expansions and related tax increases in terms of the characteristics of the targeted group, and their own personal political views and values rather than the broader impact of maintaining the status quo.

Risk of losing insurance during the transition into adulthood among insured youth with disabilities.

To compare insured youth (age 15-25 years) with and without disabilities on risk of insurance loss. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation 2001. Descriptive statistics characterized insured youth who maintained and lost insurance for at least 3 months over a 3-year time frame. We conducted logistic regression to calculate the association between disability and insurance loss. Adjustment variables were gender, race, ethnicity, age, work or school status, poverty status, type of insurance at study onset, state generosity, and an interaction between disability and insurance type. This study includes 2,123 insured youth without disabilities, 320 insured youth with non-severe disabilities, and 295 insured youth with severe disabilities. Thirty-six percent of insured youth without disabilities lost insurance compared to 43% of insured youth with non-severe disabilities and 41% of insured youth with severe disabilities (P = .07). Youth with non-severe disabilities on public insurance have an estimated 61% lower odds of losing insurance (OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.93; P = .03) compared to youth without disabilities on public insurance. Further, youth with severe disabilities on public insurance have an estimated 81% lower odds of losing insurance (OR: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.40; P < .001) compared to youth without disabilities. When examining youth with private insurance, we find that youth with severe disabilities have 1.63 times higher odds (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.57; P = .04) of losing health insurance compared to youth without disabilities. Insurance type interacts with disability severity to affect odds of insurance loss among insured youth.

Health insurance regain after a spell of uninsurance: a longitudinal comparison of youth with and without disabilities transitioning into adulthood.

PURPOSE: To examine insurance regain among youth with no, nonsevere, and severe disabilities. METHODS: The data source for this study was the Survey of Income and Program Participation 2001. We examined insurance regain among youth with no, nonsevere, and severe disabilities between the ages of 15 and 25 using a longitudinal design. Kaplan-Meier survival functions provided estimates of uninsurance spell durations measured in waves, or 4-month intervals. We conducted a discrete time survival analysis adjusting for personal characteristics. RESULTS: This study includes 1,310 youth who entered the SIPP with insurance and became uninsured. 985 youth (75%) regained insurance. Based on SIPP waves, median duration of uninsurance was two waves (between 5 and 8 months) for youth with severe disabilities and three waves (between 9 and 12 months) for youth with nonsevere disability. Youth with nonsevere disabilities had decreased odds of regaining health insurance compared to youth without disabilities (odds ratio .73; 95% confidence interval: .57, .92; p=.01). CONCLUSIONS: Youth with severe disabilities and youth without disabilities had similar odds of and durations to insurance regain. In contrast, youth with nonsevere disabilities had lower odds of regaining insurance and experienced longer durations of uninsurance compared to peers without disabilities. We recommend additional research into the implications of Medicaid eligibility pathways and employment barriers for youth with nonsevere disabilities.

Pharmacogenomic testing to prevent aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in cystic fibrosis patients: potential impact on clinical, patient, and economic outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Aminoglycosides are commonly used in cystic fibrosis patients to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infections. Aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss may occur in 1%-15% of patients with cystic fibrosis, ranging from mild to severe. Recently, a genetic test to identify patients with a mitochondrial mutation (A1555G) that may predispose patients to this adverse event has become available. Although the A1555G variant is very rare, it seems to confer a high risk of severe hearing loss in patients exposed to aminoglycosides. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to evaluate the potential clinical, patient, and economic outcomes associated with the use of A1555G testing in a cystic fibrosis population, and explore data gaps and uncertainty in its clinical implementation. METHODS: We developed a decision-analytic model to evaluate a hypothetical cohort of patients with cystic fibrosis from a societal perspective. Clinical and economic data were derived primarily from a critical literature review. The incidence of aminoglycoside-induced severe hearing loss, quality-adjusted life-years, and total health care costs were evaluated. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate uncertainty in our results. RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, A1555G testing decreased the risk of severe aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss by 0.12% in the cystic fibrosis population. The discounted incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-years gained was $79,300, but varied widely from $33,000 to testing being dominated by the no testing strategy (higher costs and lower quality-adjusted life-years with testing) in sensitivity analyses. If avoidance of aminoglycosides in patients testing positive leads to an absolute increase in the lifetime risk of death from Pseudomonas infection of 0.8% or greater, A1555G testing would lead to a decrease in quality-adjusted life-years. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our analysis suggest that there are significant data gaps and uncertainty in the outcomes with A1555G testing, but it is not likely cost-effective, and could lead to worse patient outcomes due to avoidance of first-line therapy in the >95% of patients who are false-positives. Additional research is needed before pharmacogenetic testing for the A1555G mitochondrial mutation can be recommended, even in a population with a high likelihood of exposure to aminoglycosides.

Utilization trends of genetic clinics excluding prenatal services in Washington State, 1995-2004.

PURPOSE: To analyze genetic clinic utilization in Washington State and to explore factors associated with utilization. METHODS: Our analysis included data from the 9 of 15 genetic clinics that consistently reported to the Washington State Minimum Data Set between 1995 and 2004. Prenatal genetics services were excluded. We described utilization with yearly counts of patients and analyze patient volume according to age, sex, and residence. RESULTS: The total number of patients at nine genetic clinics in Washington increased from 1804 patients in 1995 to 3536 patients in 2004 with growth increasing at an average 8% each year. Although adults aged 35 years and over comprised 14% of all patients in 1995, they comprised almost 28% in 2004. The number of females aged 35 years and older increased markedly during this time frame. CONCLUSION: Nine genetic clinics in Washington experienced growth in utilization and changes in the mix of patients served between 1995 and 2004. We suggest further study of how test availability, public awareness of genetics, supply of genetics providers, and changing regulations and insurance policies influence utilization of genetics clinics.

The effect of a pressure ulcer prevention program and the bowel management system in reducing pressure ulcer prevalence in an ICU setting.

The Braden score is a reliable predictor of a patient's potential for developing pressure ulcers. Moisture is 1 of 6 indicators considered when calculating a Braden score. Efforts to reduce the effects of moisture and enzymatic activity on skin from incontinent diarrhea have employed various types of nonstandardized and nonapproved approaches. Rigid rectal tubes and catheters designed for other purposes are among the devices being utilized. These devices may put the patient at risk for rectal necrosis and loss of sphincter tone, and their use has produced no demonstrable positive outcomes. Additionally, their use is limited to those patients who are experiencing active diarrhea. The Zassitrade mark Bowel Management System (BMS) developed by Zassi Medical Evolutions, Inc., has produced promising outcomes. While the BMS is useful in managing patients with diarrhea, it can also be used to modify formed stool in patients who have wounds that are likely to become contaminated with incontinent feces, or who are too hemodynamically unstable to turn for lengthy or frequent incontinence care.

The role of genetics in the provision of essential public health services.

States include genetics services among their public health programs, but budget shortfalls raise the question, is genetics an essential part of public health? We used the Essential Services of Public Health consensus statement and data from state genetics plans to analyze states' public health genetics programs. Public health genetics programs fulfill public health obligations: birth defects surveillance and prevention programs protect against environmental hazards, newborn screening programs prevent injuries, and clinical genetics programs ensure the quality and accessibility of health services. These programs fulfill obligations by providing 4 essential public health services, and they could direct future efforts toward privacy policies, research on communications, and rigorous evaluations.

Insurance coverage and subsequent utilization of complementary and alternative medicine providers.

BACKGROUND: Since 1996, Washington State law has required that private health insurance cover licensed complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how insured people used CAM providers and what role this played in healthcare utilization and expenditures. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of insurance enrollees from western Washington in 2002. METHODS: Analysis of insurance demographic data, claims files, benefit information, diagnoses, CAM and conventional provider utilization, and healthcare expenditures for 3 large health insurance companies. RESULTS: Among more than 600,000 enrollees, 13.7% made CAM claims. This included 1.3% of enrollees with claims for acupuncture, 1.6% for naturopathy, 2.4% for massage, and 10.9% for chiropractic. Patients enrolled in preferred provider organizations and point-of-service products were notably more likely to use CAM than those with health maintenance organization coverage. The use of CAM was greater among women and among persons 31 to 50 years of age. The use of chiropractic was more frequent in less populous counties. The CAM provider visits usually focused on musculoskeletal complaints except for naturopathic physicians, who treated a broader array of problems. The median per-visit expenditures were 39.00 dollars for CAM care and 74.40 dollars for conventional outpatient care. The total expenditures per enrollee were 2589 dollars, of which 75 dollars(2.9%) was spent on CAM. CONCLUSIONS: The number of people using CAM insurance benefits was substantial; the effect on insurance expenditures was modest. Because the long-term trajectory of CAM cost under third-party payment is unknown, utilization of these services should be followed.

Retention in a breast cancer risk information trial: motivations of a population-based sample of women.

A better understanding of factors influencing retention in breast cancer risk education and prevention programs can improve the design and effectiveness of such programs. Such information may also be useful to researchers seeking to maximize full retention in research trials involving low risk and low perceived benefit by the participants. These data are from a population-based study of 481 women from the Seattle, Washington, area, with diverse levels of breast cancer risk. This study sought to describe motivations for retention, to relate motivation variables to demographic characteristics, and to evaluate predictors of retention. Increasing age predicted study assessment completion, and both cancer worry and White ethnicity predicted intervention retention.