Safety and efficiency of discharge to home hospitalization directly after emergency department care of patients with acute heart failure. / Análisis de seguridad y eficiencia de la hospitalización a domicilio directamente desde urgencias en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether discharge to home hospitalization (HHosp) directly from emergency departments (EDs) after care for acute heart failure (AHF) is efficient and if there are short-term differences in outcomes between patients in HHosp vs those admitted to a conventional hospital ward (CHosp). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Secondary analysis of cases from the EAHFE registry (Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments). The EAHFE is a multicenter, multipurpose, analytical, noninterventionist registry of consecutive AHF patients after treatment in EDs. Cases were included retrospectively and registered to facilitate prospective follow-up. Included were all patients diagnosed with AHF and discharged to HHosp from 2 EDs between March 2016 and February 2019 (3 years). Cases from 6 months were analyzed in 3 periods: March-April 2016 (corresponding to EAHFE-5), January-February 2018 (EAHFE-6), and January-February 2019 (EAHFE-7). The findings were adjusted for characteristics at baseline and during the AHF decompensation episode. RESULTS: A total of 370 patients were discharged to HHosp and 646 to CHosp. Patients in the HHosp group were older and had more comorbidities and worse baseline functional status. However, the decompensation episode was less severe, triggered more often by anemia and less often by a hypertensive crisis or acute coronary syndrome. The HHosp patients were in care longer (median [interquartile range], 9 [7-14] days vs 7 [5-11] days for CHosp patients, P .001), but there were no differences in mortality during hospital care (7.0% vs. 8.0%, P = .56), 30-day adverse events after discharge from the ED (30.9% vs. 32.9%, P = .31), or 1-year mortality (41.6% vs. 41.4%, P = .84). Risks associated with HHosp care did not differ from those of CHosp. The odds ratios (ORs) for HHosp care were as follows for mortality while in care, OR 0.90 (95% CI, 0.41-1.97); adverse events within 30 days of ED discharge, OR 0.88 (95% CI, 0.62-1.26); and 1-year mortality, OR 1.03 (95% CI, 0.76-1.39). Direct costs of HHosp and CHosp averaged €1309 and €5433, respectively. CONCLUSION: After ED treatment of AHF, discharge to HHosp requires longer care than CHosp, but short- and longterm outcomes are the same and at a lower cost.

OBJETIVO: Analizar si la hospitalización domiciliaria (HDom) directamente desde los servicios de urgencias (SU) de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) resulta eficiente y si se asocia con diferencias en evolución a corto y largo plazo comparada con hospitalización convencional (HCon). METODO: Análisis secundario del registro Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure in Emergency departments (EAHFE), que es un registro multicéntrico, multiporpósito, analítico no intervencionista, con seguimiento prospectivo que incluye de forma consecutiva a los pacientes que acuden por episodio de ICA al SU. Se incluyeron, retrospectivamente, todos los pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en dos SU ingresados directamente en HDom entre marzo de 2016 y febrero de 2019 (3 años) y se compararon sus resultados con los pacientes diagnosticados de ICA incluidos en el registro EAHFE por esos 2 SU e ingresados en HCon durante los periodos marzo-abril 2016 (EAHFE-5), enero-febrero 2018 (EAHFE-6), y enero-febrero 2019 (EAHFE-7) (6 meses). Los resultados se ajustaron por las características basales y clínicas del episodio de descompensación. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 370 pacientes en HDom y 646 en HCon. El grupo HDom tenía mayor edad, mayor comorbilidad y peor situación funcional basal, pero menor gravedad del episodio de descompensación, más frecuentemente desencadenado por anemia y menos por crisis hipertensiva y síndrome coronario agudo. La duración del ingreso fue mayor [mediana (RIC) 9 (7-14) días frente a 7 (5-11) días, p 0,001], pero no hubo diferencias en mortalidad intrahospitalaria (7,0% frente a 8,0%, p = 0,56), eventos adversos a 30 días posalta (30,9% frente a 32,9%, p = 0,31) ni mortalidad al año (41,6% frente a 41,4%, p = 0,84). En el modelo ajustado, el riesgo asociado a HDom tampoco difirió significativamente en mortalidad intrahospitalaria (OR = 0,90, IC 95% = 0,41-1,97), eventos adversos posalta a 30m días (HR = 0,88, IC95% = 0,62-1,26) ni mortalidad al año (HR = 1,03, IC 95% = 0,76-1,39). El coste directo promedio del episodio en HDom y HCon fue 1.309 y 5.433 euros, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: En la ICA, la HDom directamente desde el SU es más prolongada que la HCon, pero consigue los mismos resultados a corto y largo plazo, y su coste es inferior.

Análisis de seguridad y eficiencia de la hospitalización a domicilio directamente desde urgencias en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / Safety and efficiency of discharge to home hospitalization directly after emergency department care of patients with acute heart failure

Objetivos: Analizar si la hospitalización domiciliaria (HDom) directamente desde los servicios de urgencias (SU) de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) resulta eficiente y si se asocia con diferencias en evolución a corto y largo plazo comparada con hospitalización convencional (HCon). Método: Análisis secundario del registro Epidemiology Acute Heart Failure in Emergency departments (EAHFE), que es un registro multicéntrico, multiporpósito, analítico no intervencionista, con seguimiento prospectivo que incluye de forma consecutiva a los pacientes que acuden por episodio de ICA al SU. Se incluyeron, retrospectivamente, todos los pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en dos SU ingresados directamente en HDom entre marzo de 2016 y febrero de 2019 (3 años) y se compararon sus resultados con los pacientes diagnosticados de ICA incluidos en el registro EAHFE por esos 2 SU e ingresados en HCon durante los periodos marzo-abril 2016 (EAHFE-5), enero-febrero 2018 (EAHFE-6), y enero-febrero 2019 (EAHFE-7) (6 meses). Los resultados se ajustaron por las características basales y clínicas del episodio de descompensación. Resultados: Se incluyeron 370 pacientes en HDom y 646 en HCon. El grupo HDom tenía mayor edad, mayor comorbilidad y peor situación funcional basal, pero menor gravedad del episodio de descompensación, más frecuentemente desencadenado por anemia y menos por crisis hipertensiva y síndrome coronario agudo. La duración del ingreso fue mayor [mediana (RIC) 9 (7-14) días frente a 7 (5-11) días, p < 0,001], pero no hubo diferencias en mortalidad intrahospitalaria (7,0% frente a 8,0%, p = 0,56), eventos adversos a 30 días posalta (30,9% frente a 32,9%, p = 0,31) ni mortalidad al año (41,6% frente a 41,4%, p = 0,84). (AU)

Objectives: To analyze whether discharge to home hospitalization (HHosp) directly from emergency departments (EDs) after care for acute heart failure (AHF) is efficient and if there are short-term differences in outcomes between patients in HHosp vs those admitted to a conventional hospital ward (CHosp). Methods: Secondary analysis of cases from the EAHFE registry (Epidemiology of Acute Heart Failure in Emergency Departments). The EAHFE is a multicenter, multipurpose, analytical, noninterventionist registry of consecutive AHF patients after treatment in EDs. Cases were included retrospectively and registered to facilitate prospective follow-up. Included were all patients diagnosed with AHF and discharged to HHosp from 2 EDs between March 2016 and February 2019 (3 years). Cases from 6 months were analyzed in 3 periods: March-April 2016 (corresponding to EAHFE-5), January-February 2018 (EAHFE-6), and January-February 2019 (EAHFE-7). The findings were adjusted for characteristics at baseline and during the AHF decompensation episode. Results: A total of 370 patients were discharged to HHosp and 646 to CHosp. Patients in the HHosp group were older and had more comorbidities and worse baseline functional status. However, the decompensation episode was less severe, triggered more often by anemia and less often by a hypertensive crisis or acute coronary syndrome. The HHosp patients were in care longer (median [interquartile range], 9 [7-14] days vs 7 [5-11] days for CHosp patients, P < .001), but there were no differences in mortality during hospital care (7.0% vs. 8.0%, P = .56), 30-day adverse events after discharge from the ED (30.9% vs. 32.9%, P = .31), or 1-year mortality (41.6% vs. 41.4%, P = .84). (AU)

An integrated emergency department/hospital at home model in mild COVID-19 pneumonia: feasibility and outcomes after discharge from the emergency department.

To evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated emergency department (ED)/hospital at home (HH) medical care model in mild COVID-19 pneumonia and evaluate baseline predictors of major outcomes and potential savings. Retrospective cohort study with patients evaluated for COVID-19 pneumonia in the ED, from March 3 to April 30, 2020. All of them were discharged home and controlled by HH. The main outcomes were ED revisit and the need for deferred hospital admission (protocol failure). Outcome predictors were analyzed by simple logistic regression model (OR; 95% CI). Potential savings of this medical care model were estimated. Of the 377 patients attended in the ED, 109 were identified as having mild pneumonia and were included in the ED/HH medical care model. Median age was 50.0 years, 52.3% were males and 57.8% had Charlson index ≥ 1. The median HH stay was 8 (IQR 3.7-11) days. COVID-19-related ED revisit was 19.2% (n = 21) within 6 days (IQR 3-12.5) after discharge from ED. Overall protocol failure (deferred hospital admission) was 6.4% (n = 7), without ICU admission. The ED/HH model provided potential cost savings of 77% compared to traditional stay, due to the costs of home care entails 23% of the expenses generated by a conventional hospital stay. 789 days of hospital stay were avoided by HH, rather than hospital admission. An innovative ED/HH model for selected patients with mild COVID-19 pneumonia is feasible, safe and effective. Less than 6.5% of patients requiring deferred hospital admission and potential savings were generated due to hospitalization.

Frequency, Associated Risk Factors, and Characteristics of COVID-19 Among Healthcare Personnel in a Spanish Health Department.

INTRODUCTION: This study examines the frequency, associated factors, and characteristics of healthcare personnel coronavirus disease 2019 cases in a healthcare department that comprises a tertiary hospital and its associated 12 primary healthcare centers. METHODS: This study included healthcare personnel that showed symptoms or were in contact with a coronavirus disease 2019 case patient from March 2, 2020 to April 19, 2020. Their evolution and characteristics (age, sex, professional category, type of contact) were recorded. Correlations between the different characteristics and risk of developing coronavirus disease 2019 and severe coronavirus disease 2019 were analyzed using chi-square tests. Their magnitudes were quantified with ORs, AORs, and their 95% CIs using a logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 3,900 healthcare professionals in the department, 1,791 (45.9%) showed symptoms or were part of a contact tracing study. The prevalence of those with symptoms was 20.1% (784/3,900; 95% CI=18.8, 21.4), with coronavirus disease 2019 was 4.0% (156/3,900; 95% CI=3.4, 4.6), and with severe coronavirus disease 2019 was 0.5% (18/3,900; 95% CI=0.2, 0.7). The frequency of coronavirus disease 2019 in symptomatic healthcare personnel with a nonprotected exposure was 22.8% (112/491) and 13.7% (40/293) in those with a protected exposure (AOR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2, 3.9). The service in which the healthcare personnel performed their activity was not significantly associated with being diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019. A total of 26.3% (10/38) of male healthcare personnel with coronavirus disease 2019 required hospitalization, compared with 6.8% (8/118) among female healthcare personnel (OR=4.9, 95% CI=1.8, 13.6). CONCLUSIONS: A surveillance and monitoring program centred on healthcare personnel enables an understanding of the risk factors that lead to coronavirus disease 2019 among this population. This knowledge allows the refinement of the strategies for disease control and prevention in healthcare personnel during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.