Telemetry Overuse and the Effect of Educational and Electronic Health Record-Based Interventions on an Academic Internal Medicine Ward.

OBJECTIVES: Guidelines for appropriate use of telemetry recommend monitoring for specific patient populations; however, many hospitalized patients receive telemetry monitoring without an indication. Clinical data and outcomes associated with nonindicated monitoring are not well studied. The objectives of our study were to evaluate the impact of an education and an order entry intervention on telemetry overuse and to identify the diagnoses and telemetry-related outcomes of patients who receive telemetry monitoring without guidelines indication. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients on internal medicine (IM) wards between 2015 and 2018 examining the effects of educational and order entry interventions at an academic urban medical center. A baseline cohort examining telemetry use was established. This was followed by the delivery of IM resident educational sessions regarding telemetry guidelines. In a subsequent intervention, the telemetry order entry system was modified with a constraint to require American Heart Association guidelines justification. RESULTS: Across all of the cohorts, 51% (n = 141) of patients lacked a guidelines-specified indication. These patients had variable diagnoses. The educational intervention alone did not result in significant differences in telemetry use by IM residents. The order entry intervention resulted in a significant increase in the proportion of guidelines-indicated patients and a decrease in nonindicated patients on telemetry. No safety events were noted in any group. CONCLUSIONS: A telemetry order entry system modification implemented following an educational intervention is more likely to reduce telemetry use than an educational intervention alone in IM resident practice. A variety of patients are monitored without evidence of need; therefore, the clinical impact of telemetry reduction is unlikely to be harmful.

Predicting the factors influencing the inter- and intraspecific survival rates of riverine fishes implanted with acoustic transmitters.

Biotelemetry is a central tool for fisheries management, with the implantation of transmitters into animals requiring refined surgical techniques that maximize retention rates and fish welfare. Even following successful surgery, long-term post-release survival rates can vary considerably, although knowledge is limited for many species. The aim here was to investigate the post-tagging survival rates in the wild of two lowland river fish species, common bream Abramis brama and northern pike Esox lucius, following their intra-peritoneal double-tagging with acoustic transmitters and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Survival over a 2-year period was assessed using acoustic transmitter data in Cox proportional hazards models. Post-tagging survival rates were lowest in the reproductive periods of both species, but in bream, fish tagged just prior to spawning actually had the highest subsequent survival rates. Pike survival was influenced by sex, with males generally surviving longer than females. PIT tag detections at fixed stations identified bream that remained active, despite loss of an acoustic transmitter signal. In these instances, loss of the acoustic signal occurred up to 215 days post-tagging and only during late spring or summer, indicating a role of elevated temperature, while PIT detections occurred between 18 and 359 days after the final acoustic detections. Biotelemetry studies must thus always consider the date of tagging as a fundamental component of study designs to avoid tagged fish having premature end points within telemetry studies.

E-HeaRT BPA: electronic health record telemetry BPA.

INTRODUCTION: Continuous cardiac monitoring in non-critical care settings is expensive and overutilised. As such, it is an important target of hospital interventions to establish cost-effective, high-quality care. Since inappropriate telemetry use was persistently elevated at our institution, we devised an electronic best practice alert (BPA) and tested it in a randomised controlled fashion. METHODS: Between 4 March 2018 and 5 July 2018 at our 600-bed academic hospital, all non-critical care patients who had at least one telemetry order were randomised to the control or intervention group. The intervention group received daily BPAs if telemetry was active. RESULTS: 275 and 283 patients were randomised to the intervention and control groups, respectively. The intervention group triggered 1042 alerts and trended toward fewer telemetry days (3.8 vs 5.0, p=0.017). The intervention group stopped telemetry 31.7% of the alerted patient-days compared with 23.3% for the control group (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.88, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in length of stay, rapid responses, code blues, or mortality between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Using a randomised controlled design, we show that BPAs significantly reduce telemetry without negatively affecting patient outcomes. They should have a role in promoting high-value telemetry use.

The Use of Home Telemonitoring for Heart Failure Management Among Hispanics, Non-Hispanic Blacks, and Non-Hispanic Whites.

Heart failure (HF) is ranked as one of the leading causes of hospitalizations and mortality among adults of all racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Telemonitoring, as a home care intervention for HF management, has been used across all groups although the benefit for Hispanics has not been established. The purpose of this retrospective, quantitative study was to determine the differences in hospital readmission between Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic White patients with HF who either received or did not receive home telemonitoring services from a home care agency in Connecticut. A purposive sample of 138 records of patients admitted between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2017, with a diagnosis of HF provided the data for the study. Data were analyzed by conducting simple and multiple logistic regression analyses. The key findings showed that Hispanics who used telemonitoring were almost four times less likely to be readmitted to the hospital compared with Hispanics who did not use telemonitoring (p = .04). Race, age, gender, and insurance were not significant predictors of readmissions (p > .05). The findings from this study may provide healthcare providers with a better understanding of the outcomes of home telemonitoring for treating adult Hispanic patients with HF.

Accuracy of intraoperative electrophysiological testing in confirming correct cochlear implant electrode positions.

Objective: To investigate the accuracy of intraoperative electrophysiological studies in detecting incorrectly positioned electrodes in cochlear implant surgery. Study design: A retrospective chart review. Setting: Tertiary referral centre. Patients: In total, 104 consecutive patients with a mean age of 5 years underwent cochlear implant surgery at our centre between January 2012 and December 2013. All patients were implanted with Cochlear Nucleus Freedom implants. Method: A retrospective study to compare intraoperative neural response telemetry (NRT), impedance and electrode position using Stenver's transorbital plain X-ray view. Results: Intraoperative electrophysiological tests for patients with Cochlear Nucleus Freedom implants showed 97% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with postoperative X-ray imaging. Conclusion: NRT results for the position of cochlear implants were very accurate when checked by X-ray imaging showing that this technique is sufficient in most cases. Stenver's plain X-ray view is needed in complicated cases with abnormal NRT testing or difficult electrode insertion.

Appropriate utilisation of cardiac telemetry monitoring: a quality improvement project.

For hospitals located in the United States, appropriate use of cardiac telemetry monitoring can be achieved resulting in cost savings to healthcare systems. Our institution has a limited number of telemetry beds, increasing the need for appropriate use of telemetry monitoring to minimise delays in patient care, reduce alarm fatigue, and decrease interruptions in patient care. This quality improvement project was conducted in a single academic medical centre in Kansas City, Kansas. The aim of the project was to reduce inappropriate cardiac telemetry monitoring on intermediate care units. Using the 2004 American Heart Association guidelines to guide appropriate telemetry utilisation, this project team sought to investigate the effects of two distinct interventions to reduce inappropriate telemetry monitoring, huddle intervention and mandatory order entry. Telemetry utilisation was followed prospectively for 2 years. During our initial intervention, we achieved a sharp decline in the number of patients on telemetry monitoring. However, over time the efficacy of the huddle intervention subsided, resulting in a need for a more sustained approach. By requiring physicians to input indication for telemetry monitoring, the second intervention increased adherence to practice guidelines and sustained reductions in inappropriate telemetry use.

Compliance after switching from CPAP to bilevel for patients with non-compliant OSA: big data analysis.

Introduction: For patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) who are initially non-compliant with continuous (automatic) positive airway pressure (CPAP/APAP) therapy, a bilevel PAP (Spont/VAuto) therapy transition pathway is available to improve therapy adherence. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare PAP therapy usage data of patients with non-compliant OSA (ncOSA) on CPAP/APAP who were switched to bilevel PAP. Methods: A PAP telemonitoring database was queried between 1 January 2015 and 31 July 2016 for eligible patients started on CPAP/APAP and non-CMS (United States Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services) compliant and switched to bilevel PAP within 90 days of starting CPAP/APAP therapy. PAP therapy data on all patients were compared before switch (CPAP/APAP) and after switch (VAuto/Spont). Results: Of the 1496 patients with ncOSA identified, 30.3% used CPAP, 62.3% APAP, and 7.4% both APAP and CPAP before switching to a bilevel mode. 47.8% patients switched to Spont mode and 52.2% to VAuto mode. PAP usage significantly improved by 0.9 h/day (p<0.001) and all other device metrics (residual apnoea-hypopnoea index and unintentional mask leak) also improved after the switch. No patients had achieved US CMS criteria for compliance before the switch, and 56.8% did after. Conclusion: This shows for the first time that there may be potential benefit from switching from CPAP/APAP to bilevel PAP for patients struggling with PAP adherence.

Evaluation of Telemetry Utilization on Medical-Surgical Units.

Alarm fatigue is the most common contributing factor in alarm-related sentinel events. Researchers have demonstrated a 35% overuse of telemetry, a key factor in alarm fatigue. This project evaluates practice patterns for the ordering and discontinuation of telemetry on medical-surgical units. Practice patterns were reviewed to determine if they aligned with the American Heart Association evidence-based practice guidelines for telemetry monitoring and whether the order indication was congruent with the patient's clinical status. Nurse's attitudes and practices related to alarm safety were evaluated.

Seasonal trend of ventricular arrhythmias in a nationwide remote monitoring database of implantable defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization devices.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of sustained ventricular arrhythmias (SVA) may be influenced by environmental factors. We aimed to investigate annual periodic trends of SVA from the intracardiac electrograms (IEGMs) stored in the implantable defibrillators (ICDs) or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) recipients. METHODS: Data from the Home Monitoring Expert Alliance project, a pooled repository of remote monitoring transmissions were analyzed. All IEGMs stored were independently adjudicated by three cardiac electrophysiologists. Periodicity of SVA was evaluated with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) models, including periodic terms depending on months in a year. RESULTS: A total of 2936 ICD/CRT-D patients (median age 70 years, 79.6% male) were followed for a median period of 25[13-44] months. Most prevalent structural heart diseases were ischemic (50.8%) and idiopathic dilated (30.6%) cardiomyopathies. Overall, 942 (32.1%) patients experienced a total of 4824 SVA. At GEE analysis, we found a significant periodic component (p = 0.048) when considering both shocked and non-shocked episodes. SVA less frequently occurred in Junes and Julies (3.7 × 1000 patient-month). No evidence of significant periodicity was collected in the subgroup of ischemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this RM-based cohort of ICD/CRT-T patients, we observed an annual periodicity of SVA occurrence, with a lower incidence in summer months.

Rural-Urban Comparison of Telehome Monitoring for Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

INTRODUCTION: Rural geographic isolation may act as a promoting or restraining variable to the diffusion of technology and healthy aging in the community. Telehome monitoring (TM) leverages technology to support seniors living in the community with chronic conditions. To date, limited research has investigated the utilization of TM in rural settings. This study assesses the comparative utilization of TM for patients with heart failure in rural versus urban environments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving chart reviews of all patients enrolled in the TM program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute during 2014. Data were extracted on urban/rural status, demographic characteristics, and process and outcomes of care. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: More rural patients did not have a documented reason for emergency room visits compared to urban patients. There was no significant association between the urban/rural status and the process and outcome measures at the multivariate level. Being followed-up regularly by a family physician and a specialist, as opposed to a specialist or general practitioner only, was associated with significantly longer TM period and a higher number of diuretic adjustments and calls made by nurses. DISCUSSION: Although more urban patients were older and living alone, their profile did not affect their utilization of TM. The difference in diagnosis between urban and rural patients also did not contribute to such differences. Hence, there is no variation in the process and outcome measures associated with the utilization of TM between urban and rural environments. CONCLUSIONS: Rural patients may not be perceived as extensive users of resources nor patients who represent challenges in terms of feasibility of TM use.

Cost-Saving Opportunities with Appropriate Utilization of Cardiac Telemetry.

A third of healthcare spending in the United States is considered waste, and costs are growing at an unsustainable rate. Reducing unnecessary cardiac telemetry, a costly intervention with a high potential for overuse, may be an opportunity to reduce waste. We performed a review of 250 consecutive patients admitted to telemetry capable beds on the general medical-surgical, noncritical care units. Based on the American Heart Association Practice Standards for Electrocardiographic Monitoring in Hospital Settings, appropriateness of telemetric monitoring during each inpatient day was assessed, with identification of significant new arrhythmias, code calls, and clinical decisions resulting from telemetry. Cost of a telemetry day was calculated using a time-driven activity-based cost model. Patients (63 ± 19 years, 54% male) spent a total of 1,640 days hospitalized, 1,399 (85%) of which were on telemetry. Average length of stay was 6.6 days, and average telemetry time was 5.6 days. Only 334 (24%) telemetry days were deemed appropriate based on Practice Standards. During telemetric monitoring, 16 new significant arrhythmias were detected, 4 code calls were made, and 19 significant clinical decisions were prompted by telemetry. No cardiac code call occurred on a nontelemetry day. The cost of telemetry was calculated as $34.28 more per day than a nontelemetry hospital day. Elimination of inappropriate telemetry days would result in a minimum estimated savings of $37,007 in these 250 patients, and an annual savings of $528,241 overall. Telemetric monitoring is frequently overused. In conclusion, our findings propose that a reduction in inappropriate telemetry days in accordance with the American Heart Association Practice Standards could result in significant cost savings.

Usefulness of Routine Transtelephonic Monitoring for Supraventricular Tachycardia in Infants.

OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that routine daily transtelephonic monitoring (TTM) transmissions can accurately detect supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) in asymptomatic infants and/or assuage parental concerns rather than being used solely to diagnose arrhythmias. STUDY DESIGN: Single center, retrospective chart review of 60 patients with fetal or infant SVT prescribed TTM for at least 30 days, January 2010-September 2016. Patients were excluded if initial SVT was not documented, was perioperative, was atrial flutter/fibrillation, or chaotic atrial tachycardia. Categorical variables expressed as mean ± SD. Mann-Whitney, Spearman correlation, and Fisher exact tests were used for continuous and categorical variables respectively. RESULTS: Sixty patients were included. There were 2688 TTM transmissions received from 55 of 60 patients over 61.1 ± 66.7 days (0.73 ± 0.65 TTM/patient/days). Routine asymptomatic TTM transmissions revealed actionable findings in 5 of 2801 TTM transmissions sent by 5 patients (8.3%). No patient presented in shock or died. Forty-five of 2688 TTM transmissions were sent for parental concerns/symptoms in 16 patients (25.8%) with findings of normal sinus rhythm in 37 of 45 TTM transmissions and SVT in 8 of 45 TTM transmissions. Symptomatic actionable findings were more likely sent by patients discharged on class I or III antiarrhythmics (95% CI = 11.5%-68.3%, P = .004) and patients with prolonged initial hospitalizations (95% CI = 6.98%-59.7%, P = .01). Flecainide was discontinued in 1 patient after widened QRS was noted on routine TTM. CONCLUSIONS: TTM accurately diagnose asymptomatic recurrent SVT in neonates and infants before they develop signs of congestive heart failure or shock and is helpful for recurrent SVT management.

The clinical impact of bedside fiberoptic laryngoscopic recording on a tertiary consult service.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Fiberoptic laryngoscopy is dependent on accurate descriptions of examination findings. Traditional recording methods can be impractical for inpatient consults. Therefore, we aim to determine the utility of a smartphone-coupled portable recording system with flexible laryngoscopy for transmitting information between resident and attending physicians in a real-time setting. STUDY DESIGN: Pilot prospective study in a tertiary academic hospital. METHODS: This is a prospective study of inpatient consultations in a tertiary referral hospital over a 3-month period from April 2015 to June 2015. Flexible laryngoscopy was performed by a resident physician, and mobile recordings were relayed to an attending physician. Concordance of laryngoscopy interpretations between resident and attending physicians as well as changes in management were documented. RESULTS: Seventy-nine fiberoptic examinations were recorded and compared. Each consult was categorized as follows: airway evaluation (AE) (43%, 34/79), voice evaluation (VE) (3.7%, 3/79), dysphagia (D) (24%, 19/79), and aerodigestive tract mass/pathology (ADM) (29.1%, 23/79). Nine examinations showed discordance between resident and attending interpretations. Inter-rater agreement was good, with a kappa value of 0.747 (95% confidence interval: 0.643-0.851). The frequency of discordant exams within each group was as follows: AE (15%, 5/34), VE (33%, 1/3), D (11%, 2/19), and ADM (4.3%, 1/23). In five patients, changes in laryngoscopy interpretation changed clinical management. Seven nondiscordant exams had a change in management after attending review. Of the 79 exams, only one required repeat flexible laryngoscopy by the attending physician. CONCLUSIONS: Portable recording of flexible laryngoscopy is an effective tool for timely management of inpatient consultations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:818-822, 2018.

Interactive Multimodal Curriculum on Use and Interpretation of Inpatient Telemetry.

Introduction: Inpatient telemetry monitoring is a commonly used technology designed to detect and monitor life-threatening arrhythmias. However, residents are rarely educated in the proper use and interpretation of telemetry monitoring. Methods: We developed a training module containing an educational video, PowerPoint presentation, and hands-on interactive learning session with a telemetry expert. The module highlights proper use of telemetry monitoring, recognition of telemetry artifact, and interrogation of telemetry to identify clinically significant arrhythmias. Learners completed pre- and postcurriculum knowledge-based assessments and a postcurriculum survey on their experience with the module. In total, the educational curriculum had three 60-minute sessions. Results: Thirty-two residents participated in the training module. Residents scored higher on the posttest (77% ± 12%) than on the pretest (70% ± 12%), t(31) = -4.3, p < .001. Wilcoxon signed rank tests indicated PGY-3s performed better on the posttest (Mdn = 0.86) than on the pretest (Mdn = 0.72), z = -2.19, p = .031. PGY-2s also performed better on the posttest (Mdn = 0.86) than on the pretest (Mdn = 0.76), z = -2.04, p = .042. There was no difference between pretest (Mdn = 0.66) and posttest (Mdn = 0.71) scores for PGY-1s, z = -1.50, p = .142. The majority of residents reported that the telemetry curriculum boosted their self-confidence, helped prepare them to analyze telemetry on their patients, and should be a required component of the residency. Discussion: This module represents a new paradigm for teaching residents how to successfully and confidently interpret and use inpatient telemetry.

Safety at The William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre.

PURPOSE: We examined the yield from EMFIT bed alarms and staff response time to generalised seizure in a medium term residential assessment unit for epilepsy. METHODS: The Scottish Epilpesy Centre (SEC) has a Video Observation System (VOS) that provides continuous recording of all patient spaces (external and internal) and allows retention of clinically relevant events. A retrospective audit of daily EMFIT test records, nursing seizure record sheets (seizure type and EMFIT alert status), clinical incident reporting systems and the VOS database of retained clinical events was conducted for an 9 month period from April 1st 2016 till December 31st 2016. All generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) were noted by patient, time and location and staff response time to GTCS was calculated. RESULTS: There were 85 people admitted during the audit period who had 61 GTCS. 50 events were in bed and EMFIT alert status was recorded. On 8 occasions the EMFIT did not alert: 5 events were not of sufficient duration or frequency, in 2 the patient fell from the bed early and 1 event the alarm did not trigger. The average response time to GTCS was 23s. The longest response time was 69s (range, 0-69s, sd 15.76.). CONCLUSIONS: The EMFIT bed alarm appears to be a valuable adjunct to safety systems. Within the novel environment of the SEC it is possible to maintain a response time to GTCS that is comparable to hospital based UK video telemetry units.

The haemtrack home therapy reporting system: Design, implementation, strengths and weaknesses: A report from UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation.

INTRODUCTION: Haemtrack is an electronic home treatment diary for patients with inherited bleeding disorders, introduced in 2008. It aimed to improve the timeliness and completeness of patient-reported treatment records, to facilitate analysis of treatment and outcome trends. The system is easy to use, responsive and accessible. METHODS: The software uses Microsoft technologies with a SQL Server database and an ASP.net website front-end, running on personal computers, android and I-phones. Haemtrack interfaces with the UK Haemophilia Centre Information System and the National Haemophilia Database (NHD). Data are validated locally by Haemophilia Centres and centrally by NHD. Data collected include as follows: treatment brand, dose and batch number, time/date of bleed onset and drug administration, reasons for treatment (prophylaxis, bleed, follow-up), bleed site, severity, pain-score and outcome. RESULTS: Haemtrack was used by 90% of haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) in 2015, registering 2683 patients using home therapy of whom 1923 used Haemtrack, entering >17 000 treatments per month. This included 68% of all UK patients with severe haemophilia A. Reporting compliance varied and 55% of patients reported ≥75% of potential usage. Centres had a median 78% compliance overall. A strategy for progressively improving compliance is in place. Age distribution and treatment intensity were similar in Haemtrack users/non-users with severe haemophilia treated prophylactically. CONCLUSION: The Haemtrack system is a valuable tool that may improve treatment compliance and optimize treatment regimen. Analysis of national treatment trends and large-scale longitudinal, within-patient analysis of changes in regimen and/or product will provide valuable insights that will guide future clinical practice.