Economic value of insertable cardiac monitors in unexplained syncope in the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Early use of insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) is recommended for patients with unexplained syncope following initial clinical workup, due to its superior ability to establish symptom-rhythm correlation compared with conventional testing (CONV). However, ICMs incur higher upfront costs, and the impact of additional diagnoses and resulting treatment on downstream costs and outcomes is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ICM compared with CONV for the diagnosis of arrhythmia in patients with unexplained syncope, from a US payer perspective. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to estimate lifetime costs and benefits of arrhythmia diagnosis with ICM versus CONV, considering all related diagnostic and arrhythmia-related treatment costs and consequences. Cohort characteristics and costs were informed by original claims database analyses. Risks of mortality, syncopal recurrence, injury due to syncope and quality of life consequences from syncopal events were identified from the literature. RESULTS: ICM was less costly and more effective than CONV. Most of the observed US$4532 cost savings were attributed to reduced downstream diagnostic testing. For every 1000 patients, ICM was projected to yield an additional 253 arrhythmia diagnoses and lead to treatment in an additional 168 patients. The ICM strategy resulted in overall improved outcomes (0.30 quality-adjusted life years gained), due to a reduction in syncope recurrence and injury resulting from arrhythmia treatment. The results were robust to changes in the base case parameters but sensitive to the model time horizon, underlying probability of syncope recurrence and prevalence of arrhythmias. CONCLUSIONS: Our model projected that early ICM for the diagnosis of unexplained syncope reduced long-term costs, and led to an improvement in overall clinical outcomes by shortening time to arrhythmia treatment. The cost of ICM was outweighed by savings arising from fewer downstream diagnostic episodes, and the increased cost of treatment was counterbalanced by fewer syncope-related event costs.

Geographical Differences in Comorbidity Burden and Outcomes in Adults With Syncope Hospitalizations in Canada.

A recent study found that rates of hospitalization for syncope vary across provinces; however, it is unknown whether differences in comorbidity burden and outcomes also exist. The Canadian Institute for Health Information Discharge Abstract Database was used to identify primary syncope hospitalizations (ICD-10 code R55) from 2004 to 2013 for all provinces (except Quebec). Charlson comorbidity score was calculated from comorbidities at the time of hospitalization. Outcomes were defined as in-hospital mortality, 30-day readmission for any cause, and syncope. Logistic regression models were constructed for odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to estimate interprovincial differences in outcomes. The interprovincial range (IPR) for mean age was 61.1 ± 17.5 to 73.7 ± 16.3 years, and at least half were male patients. There were significant differences in comorbidity burden across provinces (P < 0.01); however, the majority of patients had a Charlson comorbidity score = 0 (IPR, 53.9%- 71.9%). In multivariable analysis, compared with Ontario, in-hospital mortality was higher for British Columbia (OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.22-2.06), Nova Scotia (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.05-2.65), and Newfoundland (OR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.29-4.00); 30-day readmission for any cause was higher for British Columbia (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.06-1.26), Alberta (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31), Manitoba (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18-1.56), and Prince Edward Island (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.0-1.89), and all outcomes were higher in Saskatchewan. There is significant interprovincial heterogeneity in comorbidity burden and outcomes for hospitalizations for syncope. Future research evaluating whether standardized practices for management of syncope reduce variability and improve healthcare utilization and costs is needed.

Use of a Pediatric Syncope Unit Improves Diagnosis and Lowers Costs: A Hospital-Based Experience.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of a dedicated pediatric syncope unit on the diagnostic and therapeutic management of children with suspected syncope. We also evaluated the effectiveness of the pediatric syncope unit model in decreasing unnecessary tests and hospitalizations, minimizing social costs, and improving diagnostic yield. STUDY DESIGN: This single-center cohort observational, prospective study enrolled 2278 consecutive children referred to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital from 2012 to 2017. Characteristics of the study population, number and type of admission examinations, and diagnostic findings before the pediatric syncope unit was implemented (2012-2013) and after the pediatric syncope unit was implemented (2014-2015 and 2016-2017) were compared. RESULTS: The proportion of undefined syncope, number of unnecessary diagnostic tests performed, and number of hospital stay days decreased significantly (P < .0001), with an overall decrease in costs. A multivariable logistic regression analysis, adjusted for confounding variables (age, sex, number of diagnostic tests), the period after pediatric syncope unit (2016-2017) resulted as the best independent predictor of effectiveness for a defined diagnosis of syncope (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric syncope unit organization with fast-tracking access more appropriate diagnostic tests is effective in terms of accuracy of diagnostic yield and reduction of costs.

Trends of hospitalizations for syncope/collapse in the United States from 2004 to 2013-An analysis of national inpatient sample.

INTRODUCTION: Syncope/collapse is a common reason for emergency department visits, and approximately 30-40% of these individuals are hospitalized. We examined changes in hospitalization rates, in-hospital mortality, and cost of syncope/collapse-related hospital care in the United States from 2004 to 2013. METHODS: We used the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2004 to 2013 to identify syncope/collapse-related hospitalizations using ICD-9, code 780.2, as the principal discharge diagnosis. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. RESULTS: From 2004 to 2013, there was a 42% reduction in hospitalizations with a principal discharge diagnosis of syncope/collapse from 54,259 (national estimate 253,591) in 2004 to 31,427 (national estimate 156,820) in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The mean length of hospital stays decreased (2.88 ± 0.04 days in 2004 vs. 2.54 ± 0.02 in 2013; P < 0.0001), while in-hospital mortality did not change (0.28% in 2004 vs. 0.18% in 2013; P  =  0.12). However, mean charges (inflation adjusted) for syncope/collapse-related hospitalization increased by 43.6% from $17,514 in 2004 to $25,160 in 2013 (P < 0.0001). The rates of implantation of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillator remained low during these hospitalizations, and decreased over time (P for both < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization rates for syncope/collapse have decreased significantly in the US from 2004 to 2013. Despite a modest reduction in length of stay, the cost of syncope/collapse-related hospital care has increased.

Cost of Unnecessary Testing in the Evaluation of Pediatric Syncope.

Syncope is a common and a typically benign clinical problem in children and adolescents. The majority of tests ordered in otherwise healthy pediatric patients presenting with syncope have low diagnostic yield. This study quantifies testing and corresponding patient charges in a group of pediatric patients presenting for outpatient evaluation for syncope. Patients seen between 3/2011 and 4/2013 in the multi-disciplinary Syncope Clinic at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center were enrolled in a registry which was reviewed for patient information. The electronic medical record was used to determine which syncope patients underwent cardiac (electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or exercise testing) or neurologic (head CT/MRI or electroencephalogram) testing within the interval from 3 months before to 3 months after the Syncope Clinic visit. Testing charges were obtained through hospital billing records. 442 patients were included for analysis; 91% were Caucasian; 65.6% were female; median age was 15.1 years (8.1-21.2 years). Cardiac and neurologic testing was common in this population. While some testing was performed during the Syncope Clinic visit, 46% of the testing occurred before or after the visit. A total of $1.1 million was charged to payers for cardiac and neurological testing with an average total charge of $2488 per patient. Despite the typically benign etiology of pediatric syncope, patients often have expensive and unnecessary cardiac and/or neurologic testing. Reducing or eliminating this unnecessary testing could have a significant impact on healthcare costs, especially as the economics of healthcare shift to more capitated systems.

Estimating the Cost of Care for Emergency Department Syncope Patients: Comparison of Three Models.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to compare three hospital cost-estimation models for patients undergoing evaluation for unexplained syncope using hospital cost data. Developing such a model would allow researchers to assess the value of novel clinical algorithms for syncope management. METHODS: We collected complete health services data, including disposition, testing, and length of stay (LOS), on 67 adult patients (age 60 years and older) who presented to the emergency department (ED) with syncope at a single hospital. Patients were excluded if a serious medical condition was identified. We created three hospital cost-estimation models to estimate facility costs: V1, unadjusted Medicare payments for observation and/or hospital admission; V2: modified Medicare payment, prorated by LOS in calendar days; and V3: modified Medicare payment, prorated by LOS in hours. Total hospital costs included unadjusted Medicare payments for diagnostic testing and estimated facility costs. We plotted these estimates against actual cost data from the hospital finance department, and performed correlation and regression analyses. RESULTS: Of the three models, V3 consistently outperformed the others with regard to correlation and goodness of fit. The Pearson correlation coefficient for V3 was 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.81, 0.92) with an R-square value of 0.77 and a linear regression coefficient of 0.87 (95% CI 0.76, 0.99). CONCLUSION: Using basic health services data, it is possible to accurately estimate hospital costs for older adults undergoing a hospital-based evaluation for unexplained syncope. This methodology could help assess the potential economic impact of implementing novel clinical algorithms for ED syncope.

[Faintness in emergency departments is frequent, benign but expensive: An epidemiologic study of hospitalization's risk factors to reduce overcrowdings of emergency departments]. / Les malaises adressés aux urgences sont fréquents, bénins et coûteux : étude épidémiologique des facteurs de risque d'hospitalisation en vue de désencombrer les urgences.

INTRODUCTION: We assessed (i) the frequency of consultations for faintness in the Emergency department (ED) of a University hospital centre (UHC), (ii) clinical epidemiology and (iii) cost of faintness, taking a particular interest into the determining risk factors for hospitalization. METHODS: This epidemiological study has been conducted retrospectively, from data obtained for every patient having consulted for faintness in ED of Reims UHC (01/01/12-03/31/12). Every medical record was classified as syncope/lipothymia/brief consciousness loss on one hand and as syncope according to the definition of the French Health High Authority (FHHA). RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-one patients out of 5953 (5.7%) were referred for faintness during the study period. Medical records were analysed for 296 patients. Sixty-two point eight percent were women, with a median age of 43years. Physical examination was normal for 57% of patients. For 48% of cases, there was no complete consciousness loss thus corresponding to lipothymia, which is not taken into account by the FHHA definition. Median length of stay in the ED was 4hours and 67 patients (22.6%) were hospitalized. Minimal estimated cost was 280,000 euros. Risk factors independently associated with hospitalization were age≥60 and complete consciousness loss unlike predisposing circumstances to vagal hypertonia. CONCLUSION: Age≥60 and complete consciousness loss seemed to be associated with hospitalization.

Syncope Best Practices: A Syncope Clinical Practice Guideline to Improve Quality.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether implementation of a standardized clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the evaluation of syncope would decrease practice variability and resource utilization. DESIGN: A retrospective review of medical records of patients presenting to our practice for outpatient evaluation of syncope before and after implementation of the CPG. The guideline included elements of history, physical exam, electrocardiogram, and "red flags" for further testing. SETTING: Outpatient pediatric cardiology offices of a large pediatric cardiology practice. PATIENTS: All new patients between 3 and 21 years old, who presented to cardiology clinic with a chief complaint of syncope. INTERVENTIONS: The CPG for the evaluation of pediatric syncope was presented to the providers. OUTCOME MEASURES: Resource utilization was determined by the tests ordered by individual physicians before and after initiation of the CPG. Patient final diagnoses were recorded and the medical records were subsequently reviewed to determine if any patients, who presented again to the system, were ultimately diagnosed with cardiac disease. RESULTS: Of the 1496 patients with an initial visit for syncope, there was no significant difference in the diagnosis of cardiac disease before or after initiation of the CPG: (0.6% vs. 0.4%, P = .55). Electrocardiography provides the highest yield in the evaluation of pediatric syncope. Despite high compliance (86.9%), there were no overall changes in costs ($346.31 vs. $348.53, P = .85) or in resource utilization. There was, however, a decrease in the variability of ordering of echocardiograms among physicians, particularly among those at the extremes of utilization. CONCLUSIONS: Although the CPG did not decrease already low costs, it did decrease the wide variability in echo utilization. Evaluation beyond detailed history, physical exam, and electrocardiography provides no additional benefit in the evaluations of pediatric patients presenting with syncope.

National cost savings from observation unit management of syncope.

OBJECTIVES: Syncope is a frequent emergency department (ED) presenting complaint and results in a disproportionate rate of hospitalization with variable management strategies. The objective was to estimate the annual national cost savings, reduction in inpatient hospitalizations, and reduction in hospital bed hours from implementation of protocolized care in an observation unit. METHODS: We created a Monte Carlo simulation by building a model that reflects current clinical practice in the United States and uses inputs gathered from the most recent available peer-reviewed literature and national survey data. ED visit volume was adjusted to reflect observation unit availability and the portion of observation visits requiring subsequent inpatient care. A recent multicenter randomized controlled study informed the cost savings and length of stay reduction per observation unit visit model inputs. The study population included patients aged 50 years and older with syncope deemed at intermediate risk for serious 30-day cardiovascular outcomes. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) annual cost savings was estimated to be $108 million (±$89 million) from avoiding 235,000 (±13,900) inpatient admissions, resulting in 4,297,000 (±1,242,000) fewer hospital bed hours. CONCLUSIONS: The potential national cost savings for managing selected patients with syncope in a dedicated observation unit is substantial. Syncope is one of many conditions suitable for care in an observation unit as an alternative to an inpatient setting. As pressure to decrease hospital length of stay and bill short-stay hospitalizations as observation increases, syncope illustrates the value of observation unit care.

Costs of unstructured investigation of unexplained syncope: insights from a micro-costing analysis of the observational PICTURE registry.

AIMS: The observational PICTURE (Place of Reveal In the Care pathway and Treatment of patients with Unexplained Recurrent Syncope) registry enrolled 570 patients with unexplained syncope, documented their care pathway and the various tests they underwent before the insertion of an implantable loop recorder (ILR). The aims were to describe the extent and cost of diagnostic tests performed before the implant. METHODS AND RESULTS: Actual costs of 17 predefined diagnostic tests were characterized based on a combination of data from PICTURE and a micro-costing study performed at a medium-sized UK university hospital in the UK. The median cost of diagnostic tests per patient was £1114 (95% CI £995-£1233). As many patients received more than the median number of tests, the mean expenditure per patient was higher with £1613 (95% CI £1494-£1732), and for 10% of the patients the cost exceeded £3539. Tests were frequently repeated, and early use of specific and expensive tests was common. In the 12% of patients with types of tests entirely within the recommendations for an initial evaluation before ILR implant, the mean cost was £710. CONCLUSION: Important opportunities to reduce test-related costs before an ILR implant were identified, e.g. by more appropriate use of tests recommended in the initial evaluation, by decreasing repetition of tests, and by avoiding early use of specialized and expensive tests. A structured multidisciplinary approach would be the best model to achieve an optimal outcome.

Yield of diagnostic tests and its impact on cost in adult patients with syncope presenting to a community hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Total annual costs for syncope-related hospitalizations were $2.4 billion in 2000. The aim of this study was to examine the type and number of tests ordered for patients admitted with syncope and whether these tests helped establish the cause. METHODS: We studied the records of 1038 patients coded as "syncope" in billing records, and 167 fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The main outcome measures were the diagnostic yield of the ordered tests, the incremental cost/incremental benefit, and the number of admissions that can be averted if risk stratification were used in the evaluation. RESULTS: The etiology of the syncope was identified in 48.3% of the patients. Postural blood pressure measurement has the highest diagnostic yield at 58.7%, whereas history taking diagnosed 19.7% of cases. The diagnostic yields of telemetry, electrocardiogram, radionuclide stress test, echocardiography, and troponin measurement were 4.76%, 4.24%, 3.44%, 0.94%, and 0.62%, respectively. Chest x-ray, carotid ultrasonography, 24-hour Holter monitoring, brain computed tomography, and brain magnetic resonance imaging did not yield the diagnosis in any of the patients. Only 1.9% of the money spent in the evaluation of syncope was effective in leading to a definitive diagnosis. The orthostatic blood pressure measurement was ranked first in the incremental cost/incremental benefit ratio and the radionuclide stress test was ranked last (17.03 vs 42,369.0, respectively). Approximately 6% of the patients did not meet the admission criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians ordered unnecessary tests that have a low yield and are not cost-effective. A standardized algorithmic approach should be the cornerstone in the evaluation of syncope.

Early use of an implantable loop recorder in syncope evaluation: a randomized study in the context of the French healthcare system (FRESH study).

BACKGROUND: The role of implantable loop recorders (ILRs) in the evaluation strategy for recurrent syncope in France is limited by lack of knowledge of the cost. AIM: To compare a conventional evaluation strategy for syncope with the early use of an ILR in low-risk patients, in terms of diagnostic yield, cost and impact on quality of life (QoL). METHODS: National prospective randomized open-label multicenter study of patients with a single syncope (if severe and recent) or at least two syncopes in the past year. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients (32 men) were randomized to the ILR strategy (ILR group, n=39) or the conventional evaluation strategy (CONV group, n=39): mean age 66.2±14.8 years; 4.3±6.4 previous syncopes. After 14 months of follow-up, a certain cause of syncope was established in 18 (46.2%) patients in the ILR group and two (5%) patients in the CONV group (P<0.001). Advanced cardiological tests were performed less frequently in the ILR group than in the CONV group (0.03±0.2 vs. 0.2±0.5 tests per patient; P=0.05). Patients in the ILR group were hospitalized for a non-significantly shorter period than patients in the CONV group (5.7±3.2 vs. 8.0±1.4 days). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of QoL main composite score. CONCLUSION: In patients with unexplained syncope, the early use of an ILR has a superior diagnostic yield compared with the conventional evaluation strategy, with lower healthcare-related costs.

Financial impact of adopting implantable loop recorder diagnostic for unexplained syncope compared with conventional diagnostic pathway in Portugal.

BACKGROUND: To estimate the short- and long-term financial impact of early referral for implantable loop recorder diagnostic (ILR) versus conventional diagnostic pathway (CDP) in the management of unexplained syncope (US) in the Portuguese National Health Service (PNHS). METHODS: A Markov model was developed to estimate the expected number of hospital admissions due to US and its respective financial impact in patients implanted with ILR versus CDP. The average cost of a syncope episode admission was estimated based on Portuguese cost data and landmark papers. The financial impact of ILR adoption was estimated for a total of 197 patients with US, based on the number of syncope admissions per year in the PNHS. Sensitivity analysis was performed to take into account the effect of uncertainty in the input parameters (hazard ratio of death; number of syncope events per year; probabilities and unit costs of each diagnostic test; probability of trauma and yield of diagnosis) over three-year and lifetime horizons. RESULTS: The average cost of a syncope event was estimated to be between 1,760€ and 2,800€. Over a lifetime horizon, the total discounted costs of hospital admissions and syncope diagnosis for the entire cohort were 23% lower amongst patients in the ILR group compared with the CDP group (1,204,621€ for ILR, versus 1,571,332€ for CDP). CONCLUSION: The utilization of ILR leads to an earlier diagnosis and lower number of syncope hospital admissions and investigations, thus allowing significant cost offsets in the Portuguese setting. The result is robust to changes in the input parameter values, and cost savings become more pronounced over time.

Quality-of-life, health service use, and costs associated with syncope.

Syncope is a prevalent condition that is associated with high morbidity, health service use, and costs. Syncope negatively impacts multiple domains of quality-of-life, including physical health, mental health, and functional status. The morbidity associated with recurrent syncope is equivalent to chronic conditions such as severe rheumatoid arthritis and low back pain. Frequency of syncope events is related to worse morbidity, suggesting that effective diagnosis and management can improve quality-of-life. There is a high incidence of health service use associated with syncope, including 740,000 annual emergency department visits and 460,000 hospital admissions in the United States. Rates of admission and inpatient diagnostic testing are characterized by high variance and low clinical utility. Finally, the evaluation of syncope is associated with high costs. Hospital costs associated with the inpatient evaluation of syncope exceed $2.4 billion per year in the United States. Improved diagnostic and treatment algorithms are urgently needed to improve patient quality-of-life, reduce health service use, and lower costs related to the evaluation of syncope.

Approach to the patient with syncope: venues, presentations, diagnoses.

Syncope is a frequent cause for presentation to emergency departments and urgent-care clinics. The physician should establish a confident causal diagnosis, assess prognostic implications, and provide appropriate advice to prevent recurrences. An organized approach is needed to the assessment of the patient with syncope, including a careful initial examination as well as application of specialized syncope evaluation units and structured questionnaires for history taking. The initial patient evaluation, particularly a detailed medical history, is the key to identifying the most likely diagnosis. Based on these findings, subsequent diagnostic tests can be chosen to confirm the clinical suspicion.

Syncope units: impact on patient care and health-related costs.

Clinical decision making can be challenging regarding the emergency department (ED) management of patients with recent syncope. Several models of the syncope management unit are summarized in this article. Assessment of patients with recent syncope in a specialized evaluation unit, such as an emergency department-based syncope management unit, holds great promise in terms of reducing hospital admissions, reducing costs and improving outcomes for patients with syncope.

Transforming the emergency department observation unit: a look into the future.

Many institutions have developed outpatient observation units as an alternative to short-stay inpatient admissions. In this article, we highlight evidence to support the efficacy of EDOU care for chest pain and identify areas in which additional research is needed. Evidence-based protocols and collaborative approaches to care have potential to achieve similar clinical and improved economic outcomes compared with hospital admission. The potential for the EDOU to provide the right care for the right patient at the right time is only beginning to be realized, with significant advances in health care delivery anticipated in the near future.