Decolonization in Nursing Homes to Prevent Infection and Hospitalization.

BACKGROUND: Nursing home residents are at high risk for infection, hospitalization, and colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms. METHODS: We performed a cluster-randomized trial of universal decolonization as compared with routine-care bathing in nursing homes. The trial included an 18-month baseline period and an 18-month intervention period. Decolonization entailed the use of chlorhexidine for all routine bathing and showering and administration of nasal povidone-iodine twice daily for the first 5 days after admission and then twice daily for 5 days every other week. The primary outcome was transfer to a hospital due to infection. The secondary outcome was transfer to a hospital for any reason. An intention-to-treat (as-assigned) difference-in-differences analysis was performed for each outcome with the use of generalized linear mixed models to compare the intervention period with the baseline period across trial groups. RESULTS: Data were obtained from 28 nursing homes with a total of 28,956 residents. Among the transfers to a hospital in the routine-care group, 62.2% (the mean across facilities) were due to infection during the baseline period and 62.6% were due to infection during the intervention period (risk ratio, 1.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96 to 1.04). The corresponding values in the decolonization group were 62.9% and 52.2% (risk ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.88), for a difference in risk ratio, as compared with routine care, of 16.6% (95% CI, 11.0 to 21.8; P<0.001). Among the discharges from the nursing home in the routine-care group, transfer to a hospital for any reason accounted for 36.6% during the baseline period and for 39.2% during the intervention period (risk ratio, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.12). The corresponding values in the decolonization group were 35.5% and 32.4% (risk ratio, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.88 to 0.96), for a difference in risk ratio, as compared with routine care, of 14.6% (95% CI, 9.7 to 19.2). The number needed to treat was 9.7 to prevent one infection-related hospitalization and 8.9 to prevent one hospitalization for any reason. CONCLUSIONS: In nursing homes, universal decolonization with chlorhexidine and nasal iodophor led to a significantly lower risk of transfer to a hospital due to infection than routine care. (Funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Protect ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03118232.).

Door-in-Door-out Times for Interhospital Transfer of Patients With Stroke.

Importance: Treatments for time-sensitive acute stroke are not available at every hospital, often requiring interhospital transfer. Current guidelines recommend hospitals achieve a door-in-door-out time of no more than 120 minutes at the transferring emergency department (ED). Objective: To evaluate door-in-door-out times for acute stroke transfers in the American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry and to identify patient and hospital factors associated with door-in-door-out times. Design, Setting, and Participants: US registry-based, retrospective study of patients with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke from January 2019 through December 2021 who were transferred from the ED at registry-affiliated hospitals to other acute care hospitals. Exposure: Patient- and hospital-level characteristics. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the door-in-door-out time (time of transfer out minus time of arrival to the transferring ED) as a continuous variable and a categorical variable (≤120 minutes, >120 minutes). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models were used to identify patient and hospital-level characteristics associated with door-in-door-out time overall and in subgroups of patients with hemorrhagic stroke, acute ischemic stroke eligible for endovascular therapy, and acute ischemic stroke transferred for reasons other than endovascular therapy. Results: Among 108 913 patients (mean [SD] age, 66.7 [15.2] years; 71.7% non-Hispanic White; 50.6% male) transferred from 1925 hospitals, 67 235 had acute ischemic stroke and 41 678 had hemorrhagic stroke. Overall, the median door-in-door-out time was 174 minutes (IQR, 116-276 minutes): 29 741 patients (27.3%) had a door-in-door-out time of 120 minutes or less. The factors significantly associated with longer median times were age 80 years or older (vs 18-59 years; 14.9 minutes, 95% CI, 12.3 to 17.5 minutes), female sex (5.2 minutes; 95% CI, 3.6 to 6.9 minutes), non-Hispanic Black vs non-Hispanic White (8.2 minutes, 95% CI, 5.7 to 10.8 minutes), and Hispanic ethnicity vs non-Hispanic White (5.4 minutes, 95% CI, 1.8 to 9.0 minutes). The following were significantly associated with shorter median door-in-door-out time: emergency medical services prenotification (-20.1 minutes; 95% CI, -22.1 to -18.1 minutes), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score exceeding 12 vs a score of 0 to 1 (-66.7 minutes; 95% CI, -68.7 to -64.7 minutes), and patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for endovascular therapy vs the hemorrhagic stroke subgroup (-16.8 minutes; 95% CI, -21.0 to -12.7 minutes). Among patients with acute ischemic stroke eligible for endovascular therapy, female sex, Black race, and Hispanic ethnicity were associated with a significantly higher door-in-door-out time, whereas emergency medical services prenotification, intravenous thrombolysis, and a higher NIHSS score were associated with significantly lower door-in-door-out times. Conclusions and Relevance: In this US registry-based study of interhospital transfer for acute stroke, the median door-in-door-out time was 174 minutes, which is longer than current recommendations for acute stroke transfer. Disparities and modifiable health system factors associated with longer door-in-door-out times are suitable targets for quality improvement initiatives.

Clinical outcomes and health care costs of transferring rural Western Australians for invasive coronary angiography, and a cost-effective alternative care model: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in people from rural or remote Western Australia referred for invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in Perth and their subsequent management; to estimate the cost savings were computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) offered in rural centres as a first line investigation for people with suspected CAD. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Adults with stable symptoms in rural and remote WA referred to Perth public tertiary hospitals for ICA evaluation during the 2019 calendar year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Severity and management of CAD (medical management or revascularisation); health care costs by care model (standard care or a proposed alternative model with local CTCA assessment). RESULTS: The mean age of the 1017 people from rural and remote WA who underwent ICA in Perth was 62 years (standard deviation, 13 years); 680 were men (66.9%), 245 were Indigenous people (24.1%). Indications for referral were non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (438, 43.1%), chest pain with normal troponin level (394, 38.7%), and other (185, 18.2%). After ICA assessment, 619 people were medically managed (60.9%) and 398 underwent revascularisation (39.1%). None of the 365 patients (35.9%) without obstructed coronaries (< 50% stenosis) underwent revascularisation; nine patients with moderate CAD (50-69% stenosis; 7%) and 389 with severe CAD (≥ 70% stenosis or occluded vessel; 75.5%) underwent revascularisation. Were CTCA used locally to determine the need for referral, 527 referrals could have been averted (53%), the ICA:revascularisation ratio would have improved from 2.6 to 1.6, and 1757 metropolitan hospital bed-days (43% reduction) and $7.3 million in health care costs (36% reduction) would have been saved. CONCLUSION: Many rural and remote Western Australians transferred for ICA in Perth have non-obstructive CAD and are medically managed. Providing CTCA as a first line investigation in rural centres could avert half of these transfers and be a cost-effective strategy for risk stratification of people with suspected CAD.

Traslado neonatal: evaluación de 4 años en un departamento del interior del país / Neonatal transport services: 4-year assessment in the interior of Uruguay / Transporte neonatal: avaliação de 4 anos em um departamento do interior do Uruguai

Introducción: la creación de sistemas de traslado neonatal marcó una inflexión en cuanto a la reducción de morbimortalidad de los recién nacidos (RN). La Organización Panamericana de la Salud estima que 1% de los RN requerirá ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos. El traslado ideal es intraútero, pero muchas veces esto no es posible, requiriendo un traslado neonatal. La regionalización de los sistemas de traslado, la capacitación de recursos humanos y la adquisición de materiales son elementos que han mejorado su calidad y disminuido su indicación. Objetivos: describir a los RN que requirieron traslado y valorar el impacto sobre ellos al adquirir materiales y recursos humanos capacitados. Metodología: estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y multicéntrico, incluyendo todos los RN que requirieron traslado en el período 2016-2019. Variables analizadas: número de nacimientos, número de traslados, edad gestacional (EG), edad al momento del traslado, peso al nacer, tiempo de estabilización, oxigenoterapia y métodos, medicación recibida, medio de transporte y recursos humanos. Resultados y discusión: se realizaron 101 traslados neonatales, 1,5% del total de nacimientos. Variación anual: 2% de los RN en el año 2016, 1,6% en el 2017, 1,4% en el 2018, 1.1% en el 2019. Sector público: 63,3%. La media de EG fue de 33 semanas (25-40), modo 31 semanas. Pretérminos extremos 4,17%, pretérminos severos 37,5%, pretérminos moderados 17,7%, pretérminos tardíos 15,6% y de término 25%. La media de peso al nacer fue de 2.102 gramos (710-4.160), modo 1.440 gramos. La media de días al momento del traslado fue de 2,1 (3 horas-26 días). Indicaciones de traslado: prematurez 39,6%, otros SDR 22,9%, patología quirúrgica 13,5%, shock séptico 10,4%, asfixia/convulsiones 8,3% y cardiopatías 3%. Tratamiento durante la estabilización: oxigenoterapia 87,1%. Intubación orotraqueal y asistencia ventilatoria mecánica 71%, CPAP 9,7%, catéter nasal 6,4%. Requirieron surfactante 58,5%, antibióticos 77,4%, inotrópicos 26,6%, prostaglandinas 3,3%, aminofilina 3,3%. La media de tiempo de estabilización fue de 10,5 horas (3-36 horas). Destino: 64,3% Montevideo, 30,6% Tacuarembó, 3% Salto, 1% Canelones y 1% Minas. Medio de transporte: terrestre 95% y aéreo 5%. Fallecidos 1%. Recursos humanos disponibles: en 2016 un neonatólogo y seis pediatras. En 2019 tres neonatólogos, dos posgrados en neonatología, un pediatra intensivista, nueve pediatras (que se capacitaron en la estabilización del RN) y un supervisor docente y referente. Concomitante creación de unidades neonatales de estabilización con capacitación continua del personal de enfermería. Conclusiones: la principal causa de traslado fue la prematurez severa. Con la adquisición de recursos materiales adecuados y humanos capacitados se logró un descenso de casi 50% de los traslados. La regionalización ha ido en aumento pero se debe enfatizar, sobre todo en los RN menores a 1.000 gramos.

Introduction: the creation of neonatal transport systems showed a landmark regarding reduced morbidity and mortality of newborns (NB). The Pan-American Health Organization estimates that 1% of NBs require admission to an Intensive Care Unit. The ideal transport system would be intrauterine; however, many times this is not possible and neonatal transport services are needed. The regionalization of transport services, the training of human resources and the acquisition of materials have improved and therefore the need for transport services has decreased. Objectives: to describe the situation of newborns who required transport services and assess the impact on these services when acquiring materials and skilled human resources. Methodology: descriptive, retrospective and multicenter study, including all newborns who required transport services in 2016-2019. Variables analyzed: number of births, number of transfers, gestational age (GA), age at the time of transfer, birth weight, stabilization time, oxygen therapy and methods, medication received, means of transport and human resources. Results and discussion: 101 neonatal transfers were carried out, 1.5% of all births. Annual variation: 2% of newborns in 2016, 1.6% in 2017, 1.4% in 2018, 1.1% in 2019. Public sector: 63.3%. The mean GA was 33 weeks (25-40), mode 31 weeks. Extreme pre-terms 4.17%, severe pre-terms 37.5%, moderate pre-terms 17.7%, late pre-terms 15.6% and term newborns 25%. The mean birth weight was 2102 grams (710-4160), mode 1440 grams. The mean number of days at the time of transfer was 2.1 (3 hours-26 days). Transport main indications: prematurity 39.6%, other RDS 22.9%, surgical pathology 13.5%, septic shock 10.4%, asphyxia/seizures 8.3%, and heart disease 3%. Treatment during stabilization: Oxygen therapy: 87.1%. Orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation assistance 71%, CPAP 9.7%, nasal catheter 6.4%. 58.5% required surfactant, 77.4% antibiotics, 26.6% inotropes, 3.3% prostaglandins, 3.3% aminophylline. The mean stabilization time was 10.5 hours (3-36 hours). Destination: 64.3% Montevideo, 30.6% Tacuarembó, 3% Salto, 1% Canelones and 1% Minas. Means of transport: land 95% and air 5%. Deceased 1%. Available human resources: in 2016, 1 neonatologist and 6 pediatricians. In 2019, 3 neonatologists, 2 post graduated doctors in neonatology, 1 intensivist pediatrician, 9 pediatricians (who were trained in NB stabilization) and an academic supervisor and referent. Simultaneous neonatal stabilization units with continuous training of the nursing staff were created. Conclusions: the main cause of neonatal transport was severe prematurity. With the acquisition of adequate material and trained human resources, a decrease of almost 50% of these transfers was achieved. Regionalization has been rising even though it should be strengthened, especially in newborns weighing less than 1000 grams.

Introdução: a criação dos sistemas de transporte neonatal marcou uma virada na redução da morbimortalidade de recém-nascidos (RN). A Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde estima que 1% dos RNs necessitarão de internação em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. O transporte ideal é intrauterino, más muitas vezes isso não é possível, sendo necessário o transporte neonatal. A regionalização do transporte neonatal, a formação de recursos humanos e a aquisição de materiais, tem melhorado a qualidade e diminuído a indicação do transporte neonatal. Objetivos: descrever a situação dos recém-nascidos que necessitaram de transporte e avaliar o impacto da aquisição de materiais e recursos humanos capacitados sobre os resultados. Metodologia: estudo descritivo, retrospectivo e multicêntrico, incluindo todos os recém-nascidos que necessitaram de transporte no período 2016-2019. Variáveis analisadas: número de partos, número de transportes, idade gestacional (IG), idade no momento do transporte, peso ao nascer, tempo de estabilização, oxigenoterapia e métodos, medicação recebida, meio de transporte e recursos humanos. Resultados e discussão: foram realizados 101 transportes neonatais, 1,5% de todos os nascimentos. Variação anual: 2% dos recém-nascidos em 2016, 1,6% em 2017, 1,4% em 2018, 1,1% em 2019. Setor público: 63,3%. A média de IG foi de 33 semanas (25-40), moda de 31 semanas. Pré-termos maduros extremos 4,17%, pré-termos graves 37,5%, pré-termos moderados 17,7%, pré-termos tardios 15,6% e recém-nascidos a termo 25%. O peso médio ao nascer foi de 2.102 gramas (710-4.160), moda 1.440 gramas. O número médio de dias no momento do traslado foi de 2,1 (3 horas-26 dias). Indicações de transporte: prematuridade 39,6%, outras SDR 22,9%, patologia cirúrgica 13,5%, choque séptico 10,4%, asfixia/convulsões 8,3% e cardiopatia 3%. Tratamento durante a estabilização: Oxigenoterapia: 87,1%. Intubação orotraqueal e assistência à ventilação mecânica 71%, CPAP 9,7%, cateter nasal 6,4%. 58,5% necessitaram de surfactante, 77,4% de antibióticos, 26,6% de inotrópicos, 3,3% de prostaglandinas, 3,3% de aminofilina. O tempo médio de estabilização foi de 10,5 horas (3-36 horas). Destino: 64,3% Montevidéu, 30,6% Tacuarembo, 3% Salto, 1% Canelones e 1% Minas. Meios de transporte: terrestre 95% e aéreo 5%. Falecidos 1%. Recursos humanos disponíveis: em 2016, 1 neonatologista e 6 pediatras. Em 2019, 3 neonatologistas, 2 pós-graduados em neonatologia,1 pediatra intensivista, 9 pediatras (treinados em estabilização de RN) e uma supervisora e referente académica. Simultaneamente se criaram unidades de estabilização neonatal com treinamento contínuo da equipe de enfermagem. Conclusões: a principal causa de transporte neonatal foi a prematuridade grave. Com a aquisição de material adequado e recursos humanos capacitados, conseguiu-se uma diminuição de quase 50% dos traslados. A regionalização vem aumentando, mas deve ser reforçada, principalmente para os casos de recém-nascidos com menos de 1.000 gramas de peso.

Predictors of Acute Care Transfers From Skilled Nursing Facilities: Recommendations for Preventing Unnecessary Hospitalization.

Preventing acute care transfers from skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) is a challenge secondary to residents' associated debilitated status and comorbidities. Acute care transfers often result in serious complications and unnecessary health care expenditure. Literature implies that approximately two thirds of these acute care transfers could be prevented using proactive interventions. The purpose of the current study was to identify the predictors of acute care transfers for SNF residents in developing relevant prevention strategies. A retrospective chart review using multivariate logistic regression analysis showed increased odds of SNF hospitalization was significantly associated with impaired cognition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic kidney disease, whereas decreased odds of hospitalization was identified among non-Hispanic White residents. Study recommendations include prompt assessment of comorbid symptomatology among SNF residents for the timely management and prevention of unnecessary acute care transfers. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 15(4), 172-178.].

Facilitating remote access to specialist medical expertise through the scaled up adoption of a smartphone application: A South African case.

BACKGROUND: In the context of a shortage of medical specialists, a medical referral app, designed for use on smartphones, was launched in 2014 for use by doctors in the public health service in South Africa. OBJECTIVES: As this is a novel intervention, with potential to have an impact on the use of scarce resources, and because not much was known about the use of the app, a descriptive study was undertaken to assess its adoption in Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) facilities. METHODS: Usage data of the app in WCGH facilities, in terms of referral and user numbers, were obtained from the date of its introduction in 2014. In addition, all the referrals to WCGH facilities for July 2019, stripped of any identifying data of patients or doctors, were analysed for origin, destination, outcome and response times. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Use of the app grew rapidly from 40 referrals per quarter to 16 437 per quarter after 5 years in use, with a cumulative total of 95 381 referrals. In July 2019, active users of the system included 913 sending doctors and 298 receiving doctors, representing 20 medical specialties. The senders and receivers were representative of every level in the healthcare system, from clinic to tertiary hospital. In July 2019, a total of 5 941 referrals were sent by means of the app to public facilities in Western Cape Province. Of the referrals, 80% were classified as acute and 20% as non-urgent. The referral outcomes included 51% accepted for transfer, 19% accepted for a specialist appointment, and 13% concluded with advice alone without the need for a specialist appointment or patient transfer - this category accounted for 28% of non-urgent referrals and 9% of acute referrals. In 50% of referrals, advice was given to the referring doctor, either as an additional or the only outcome. The median response times were 9 minutes for acute referrals and 19 minutes for non-urgent referrals. CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the scale-up of a mobile phone consultation and referral app from pilot phase to significant growth in use across a resource-constrained healthcare system. In a large proportion of cases, advice was given to the referring doctor by means of the app, frequently obviating the need for a specialist appointment or patient transfer. This finding demonstrates that a mobile app has the potential to reduce the need for face-to-face specialist visits, thereby improving the use of scarce medical resources.

Relationship between insurance status and interhospital transfers among cancer patients in the United States.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between insurance status and interhospital transfers has not been adequately researched among cancer patients. Hence this study aimed for understanding this relationship using a nationally representative database. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data collected during 2010-2016 and included all cancer hospitalization between 18 and 64 years of age. Interhospital transfers were compared based on insurance status (Medicare, Medicaid, private, and uninsured). Weighted multivariable logistic regressions were used to calculate the odds of interhospital transfers based on insurance status, after adjusting for many covariates. RESULTS: There were 3,580,908 weighted cancer hospitalizations, of which 72,353 (2.02%) had interhospital transfers. Uninsured patients had significantly higher rates of interhospital transfers, compared to those with Medicare (P = 0.005) and private insurance (P < 0.001). Privately insured patients had significantly lower rates of interhospital transfers, compared to those with Medicare (P < 0.001) and Medicaid (P < 0.001). Logistic regression analyses showed that the odds of having interhospital transfers were significantly higher among uninsured (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.57, 95% CI: 1.45-1.69), Medicare (aOR, 1.38, 95% CI: 1.32-1.45) and Medicaid (aOR, 1.23, 95% CI: 1.16-1.30) patients when compared to those with private insurance coverages. CONCLUSION: Among cancer patients, uninsured and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries were more likely to experience interhospital transfers. In addition to medical reasons, factors such as affordability and socioeconomic status are influencing interhospital transfer decisions, indicating existing healthcare disparities. Further studies should focus on identifying the causal associations between factors explored in this study as well as additional unexplored factors.

Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Who Can Be Managed at a Non-pediatric Trauma Center Hospital? A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects about 475,000 children in the United States annually. Studies from the 1990s showed worse mortality in pediatric TBI patients not transferred to a pediatric trauma center (PTC), but did not examine mild pediatric TBI. Evidence-based guidelines used to identify children with clinically insignificant TBI who do not require head CT were developed by the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN). However, which patients can be safely observed at a non-PTC is not directly addressed. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted, focusing on management of pediatric TBI and transfer decisions from 1990 to 2020. RESULTS: Pediatric TBI patients make up a great majority of preventable transfers and admissions, and comprise a significant portion of avoidable costs to the health care system. Majority of mild TBI patients admitted to a PTC following transfer do not require ICU care, surgical intervention, or additional imaging. Studies have shown that as high as 83% of mild pediatric TBI patients are discharged within 24 hrs. CONCLUSIONS: An evidence-based clinical practice algorithm was derived through synthesis of the data reviewed to guide transfer decision. The papers discussed in our systematic review largely concluded that transfer and admission was unnecessary and costly in pediatric patients with mild TBI who met the following criteria: blunt, no concern for NAT, low risk on PECARN assessment, or intermediate risk on PECARN with negative imaging or imaging with either isolated, nondisplaced skull fractures without ICH and/or EDH, or SDH <0.3 cm with no midline shift.

Adverse events during intrahospital transport of critically ill patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Intrahospital transport of critically ill patients is often necessary for diagnostic procedures, therapeutic procedures, or admission to the intensive care unit. The aim of this study was to investigate and describe safety and adverse events during intrahospital transport of critically ill patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was performed of MEDLINE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published up to June 3, 2020, and of the International Clinical Trials Platform Search Portal and ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing trials. We selected prospective and retrospective cohort studies published in English on intrahospital transport of critically ill patients, and then performed a meta-analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of all adverse events that occurred during intrahospital transport. The secondary outcomes were death due to intrahospital transport or life-threatening adverse events, minor events in vital signs, adverse events related to equipment, durations of ICU and hospital stay, and costs. RESULTS: A total of 12,313 intrahospital transports and 1898 patients from 24 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Among 24 studies that evaluated the primary outcome, the pooled frequency of all adverse events was 26.2% (95% CI: 15.0-39.2) and the heterogeneity among these studies was high (I2 = 99.5%). The pooled frequency of death due to intrahospital transport and life-threatening adverse events was 0% and 1.47% each, but heterogeneity was also high. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that adverse events can occur during intrahospital transport of critically ill patients, and that the frequency of critical adverse events is relatively low. The results of this meta-analysis could assist in risk-benefit analysis of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures requiring intrahospital transport of critically ill patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000040963.

Decision-Making Involvement, Self-Efficacy, and Transition Readiness in Youth With Sickle Cell Disease.

BACKGROUND: Transition to adult healthcare is a critical time for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with sickle cell disease, and preparation for transition is important to reducing morbidity and mortality risks associated with transition. OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationships between decision-making involvement, self-efficacy, healthcare responsibility, and overall transition readiness in AYAs with sickle cell disease prior to transition. METHODS: This cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 50 family caregivers-AYAs dyads receiving care from a large comprehensive sickle cell clinic between October 2019 and February 2020. Participants completed the Decision-Making Involvement Scale, the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Readiness to Transition Questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the relationships between decision-making involvement, self-efficacy, healthcare responsibility, and overall transition readiness in AYAs with sickle cell disease prior to transition to adult healthcare. RESULTS: Whereas higher levels of expressive behaviors, such as sharing opinions and ideas in decision-making, were associated with higher levels of AYA healthcare responsibility, those behaviors were inversely associated with feelings of overall transition readiness. Self-efficacy was positively associated with overall transition readiness but inversely related to AYA healthcare responsibility. Parent involvement was negatively associated with AYA healthcare responsibility and overall transition readiness. DISCUSSION: While increasing AYAs' decision-making involvement may improve AYAs' healthcare responsibility, it may not reduce barriers of feeling unprepared for the transition to adult healthcare. Facilitating active AYA involvement in decision-making regarding disease management, increasing self-efficacy, and safely reducing parent involvement may positively influence their confidence and capacity for self-management.

Emergency general surgery transfer to lower acuity facility: The role of right-sizing care in emergency general surgery regionalization.

BACKGROUND: Regionalization of emergency general surgery (EGS) has primarily focused on expediting care of high acuity patients through interfacility transfers. In contrast, triaging low-risk patients to a nondesignated trauma facility has not been evaluated. This study evaluates a 16-month experience of a five-surgeon team triaging EGS patients at a tertiary care, Level I trauma center (TC) to an affiliated community hospital 1.3 miles away. METHODS: All EGS patients who presented to the Level I TC emergency department from January 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed. Patients were screened by EGS surgeons covering both facilities for transfer appropriateness including hemodynamics, resource need, and comorbidities. Patients were retrospectively evaluated for disposition, diagnosis, comorbidities, length of stay, surgical intervention, and 30-day mortality and readmission. RESULTS: Of 987 patients reviewed, 31.5% were transferred to the affiliated community hospital, 16.1% were discharged home from the emergency department, and 52.4% were admitted to the Level I TC. Common diagnoses were biliary disease (16.8%), bowel obstruction (15.7%), and appendicitis (14.3%). Compared with Level I TC admissions, Charlson Comorbidity Index was lower (1.89 vs. 4.45, p < 0.001) and length of stay was shorter (2.23 days vs. 5.49 days, p < 0.001) for transfers. Transfers had a higher rate of surgery (67.5% vs. 50.1%, p < 0.001) and lower readmission and mortality (8.4% vs. 15.3%, p = 0.004; 0.6% vs. 5.0%, p < 0.001). Reasons not to transfer were emergency evaluation, comorbidity burden, operating room availability, and established care. No transfers required transfer back to higher care (under-triage). Bed days saved at the Level I TC were 693 (591 inpatients). Total operating room minutes saved were 24,008 (16,919, between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm). CONCLUSION: Transfer of appropriate patients maintains high quality care and outcomes, while improving operating room and bed capacity and resource utilization at a tertiary care, Level I TC. Emergency general surgery regionalization should consider triage of both high-risk and low-risk patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prospective comparative cohort study, Level II.

Respiratory events after intensive care unit discharge in trauma patients: Epidemiology, outcomes, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory complications are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in trauma patients. The care transition from the intensive care unit (ICU) to the acute care ward is a vulnerable time for injured patients. There is a lack of knowledge about the epidemiology of respiratory events and their outcomes during this transition. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study in a single Level I trauma center of injured patients 18 years and older initially admitted to the ICU from 2015 to 2019 who survived initial transfer to the acute care ward. The primary outcome was occurrence of a respiratory event, defined as escalation in oxygen therapy beyond nasal cannula or facemask for three or more consecutive hours. Secondary outcomes included unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, adjudicated via manual chart review, as well as in-hospital mortality and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine patient characteristics associated with posttransfer respiratory events. RESULTS: There were 6,561 patients that met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 52.3 years and median Injury Severity Score of 18 (interquartile range, 13-26). Two hundred and sixty-two patients (4.0%) experienced a respiratory event. Respiratory events occurred early after transfer (median, 2 days, interquartile range, 1-5 days), and were associated with high mortality (16% vs. 1.8%, p < 0.001), and ICU readmission rates (52.6% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). Increasing age, male sex, severe chest injury, and comorbidities, including preexisting alcohol use disorder, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, were associated with increased odds of a respiratory event. Fifty-eight patients experienced an unplanned intubation for a primary pulmonary cause, which was associated with an in-hospital mortality of 39.7%. CONCLUSION: Respiratory events after transfer to the acute care ward occur close to the time of transfer and are associated with high mortality. Interventions targeted at this critical time are warranted to improve patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological study, level III.

Sex-based differences in loss of independence after lower extremity bypass surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This study analyzes sex-based differences in the risk of discharge to a nonhome facility (loss of independence) after lower extremity revascularization and resultant outcomes. METHODS: Data from the NSQIP database for years 2015-2017 was utilized to assess sex-based differences in loss of independence and associated unplanned readmission and 30-day amputation using chi-square, student t-test, and multivariate logistic regression analyses where appropriate. RESULTS: There was increased loss of independence in women (34.9% vs. 26.1 %, p < .01) and associated increase in unplanned readmission (18.4% vs. 13.6 %, p = .01) and length of stay (12.1 days vs 6.5 days, p < .01). Endovascular revascularization was associated with decreased likelihood of loss of independence (OR 0.43, CI 0.36-0.50). CONCLUSION: Loss of independence after lower extremity bypass surgery affects women more than men and it is associated with worse postoperative outcomes.

Caracterização das transferências inter-hospitalares de mulheres realizadas pelo atendimento móvel de urgência / Caracterización de las transferencias interhospitalarias de mujeres realizadas por la atención móvil de urgencia / Characterization of inter-hospital transfers of women performed by mobile emergency care

Objetivo: descrever a caracterização de mulheres transferidas pelo serviço de atendimento móvel de urgência localizado em cidade do interior de Pernambuco, Brasil. Método: pesquisa descritiva, quantitativa, realizada com 302 fichas de transferência de pacientes do sexo feminino ocorridas entre 2014 e 2019. O instrumento elaborado para coleta dos dados possibilitou análise descritiva posterior. Resultados: predominaram pacientes transferidas no ano de 2018 (24,5%), mês de setembro (10,9%), durante o turno da tarde (36,7%). Entre as mulheres, 47,7% eram idosas, 89,1% foram deslocadas para hospitais públicos, e 49,7% foram para a região metropolitana do estado. Referente aos agravos, as transferências foram mais numerosas nos casos clínicos (74,2%). Houve a presença de técnico de enfermagem, condutor e médico na composição da equipe de atendimento móvel. Conclusão: as transferências inter-hospitalares caracterizaram-se pela predominância de pacientes idosas, acometidas por doenças cardiovasculares, transferidas no turno vespertino para instituições hospitalares da região metropolitana.

Objetivo: describir la caracterización de mujeres transferidas por el servicio de atención móvil de urgencia ubicado en ciudad del interior de Pernambuco, Brasil. Método: investigación descriptiva, cuantitativa, realizada con 302 fichas de transferencias de pacientes del sexo femenino ocurridas entre 2014 y 2019. El instrumento elaborado para la recolección de los datos posibilitó análisis descriptivo posterior. Resultados: predominaron pacientes transferidas en el año 2018 (24,5%), mes de septiembre (10,9%), durante el turno de la tarde (36,7%). Entre las mujeres, 47,7% eran ancianas, 89,1% fueron desplazadas para hospitales públicos, y 49,7% fueron para la región metropolitana del estado. Referente a los agravios, las transferencias fueron más numerosas en los casos clínicos (74,2%). Hubo la presencia de técnico de enfermería, conductor y médico en la composición del equipo de atención móvil. Conclusión: las transferencias interhospitalarias se caracterizaron por la predominancia de pacientes ancianos, afectados por enfermedades cardiovasculares, transferidas en el turno vespertino para instituciones hospitalarias de la región metropolitana.

Objective: to describe the characterization of women transferred by the mobile emergency care service located in a city in the interior of Pernambuco, Brazil. Method: descriptive, quantitative research, conducted with 302 transfer forms of female patients occurred between 2014 and 2019. The instrument developed for data collection allowed further descriptive analysis. Results: patients were predominantly transferred in 2018 (24.5%), September (10.9%), during the afternoon shift (36.7%). Among women, 47.7% were elderly, 89.1% were displaced to public hospitals, and 49.7% went to the metropolitan region of the state. Regarding injuries, transfers were more frequent in clinical cases (74.2%). There was the presence of nursing technician, driver and doctor in the composition of the mobile care team. Conclusion: inter-hospital transfers were characterized by the predominance of elderly patients, affected by cardiovascular diseases, transferred in the afternoon shift to hospital institutions in the metropolitan region.

Model of care and chance of spontaneous vaginal birth: a prospective, multicenter matched-pair analysis from North Rhine-Westphalia.

BACKGROUND: Advantages of midwife-led models of care have been reported; these include a higher vaginal birth rate and less interventions. In Germany, 98.4% of women are giving birth in obstetrician-led units. We compared the outcome of birth planned in alongside midwifery units (AMU) with a matched group of low-risk women who gave birth in obstetrician-led units. METHODS: A prospective, controlled, multicenter study was conducted. Six of seven AMUs in North Rhine-Westphalia participated. Healthy women with a singleton term cephalic pregnancy booking for birth in AMU were eligible. For each woman in the study group a control was chosen who would have been eligible for birth in AMU but was booking for obstetrician-led care; matching for parity was performed. Mode of birth was chosen as primary outcome parameter. Secondary endpoints included a composite outcome of adverse outcome in the third stage and / or postpartum hemorrhage; higher-order obstetric lacerations; and for the neonate, a composite outcome (5-min Apgar < 7 and / or umbilical cord arterial pH < 7.10 and / or transfer to specialist neonatal care). Statistical analysis was by intention to treat. A non-inferiority analysis was performed. RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-nine case-control pairs were recruited, final analysis was performed with 391 case-control pairs. Nulliparous women constituted 56.0% of cases. For the primary endpoint vaginal birth superiority was established for the study group (5.66%, 95%-CI 0.42% - 10.88%). For the composite newborn outcome (1.28%, 95%-CI -1.86% - -4.47%) and for higher-order obstetric lacerations (2.33%, 95%-CI -0.45% - 5.37%) non-inferiority was established. Non-inferiority was not present for the composite maternal outcome (-1.56%, 95%-CI -6.69% - 3.57%). The epidural anesthesia rate was lower (22.9% vs. 41.1%), and the length of hospital stay was shorter in the study group (p < 0.001 for both). Transfer to obstetrician-led care occurred in 51.2% of cases, with a strong association to parity (p < 0.001). Request for regional anesthesia was the most common cause for transfer (47.1%). CONCLUSION: Our comparison between care in AMU and obstetrician-led care with respect to mode of birth and other outcomes confirmed the superiority of this model of care for low-risk women. This pertains to AMU where admission and transfer criteria are in place and adhered to.

Registro Nacional de Quemados Chile: presentación de una plataforma online y mirada al pronóstico de pacientes no trasladados a Centro de Quemados / Presentation of an online National Registration Platform for severely burned patients in the Chilean Public Health System and a look into the prognosis of patients not transferred to the National Reference Burn Center

Resumen Introducción: En el año 2017 se incorporó un registro de notificación en línea (Registro Nacional de Quemados) al flujo de derivación de pacientes quemados en Chile. Objetivo: A partir de la información obtenida de esta plataforma, se describe la epidemiología de las quemaduras y las variables que podrían explicar los traslados fallidos a nuestra unidad de quemados. Materiales y Método: Se analizaron los casos subidos a esta plataforma entre julio de 2017 y julio de 2018. Se caracterizó la población global y comparó variables relevantes entre el grupo de pacientes no trasladados a nuestra unidad y los que fueron trasladados con éxito. Resultados: Se analizaron 319 pacientes, 66% hombres, edad promedio 51 años, IMC de 27% y 47% con enfermedades previas. El fuego fue la principal causa de quemaduras. Se observó un 31% de injuria inhaladora. 107 pacientes no se trasladaron a nuestro centro de quemados. Los pacientes trasladados puntuaron más alto en comorbilidad, índice de gravedad, superficie corporal total quemada y aseo quirúrgico en el hospital base. El grupo de pacientes no trasladados puntuó más alto en injuria inhalatoria. La mortalidad global fue 20,4%. La mortalidad fue mayor en pacientes no trasladados (33,6% versus 13,7%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Además de facilitar el flujo de pacientes y ahorrar recursos, un uso noble de esta plataforma es ser fuente de información epidemiológica y de implementación de políticas públicas, lo cual puede ser tomado como ejemplo por otros países en vías de desarrollo. Además, se demuestra que ser trasladado constituye un factor protector de muerte por quemaduras.

Introduction: In 2017, an online notification register, the National Burn Registry, was incorporated into the referral flow of burned patients in Chile. Aim: Through the information obtained from this platform, we describe the epidemiology of burns in Chile, and identify variables that could explain failed transfers to our burn unit. Materials and Method: Cases uploaded to this platform between July 2017 - July 2018 were analyzed. We characterize the global population and relevant variables were compared between the group of patients that failed to be transferred to the burn unit and the ones who were successfully transferred. Results: 319 patients were analyzed, 66% men, average age 51 years, BMI of 27 and 47% with previous illnesses. Fire was the main cause of burn injury. Smoke inhalation injury was observed for 31%. 107 patients failed to reach to our burn center. Transferred patients rated higher in comorbidity, severity index, total burned body surface and surgical debridement at base hospital. The group of not transferred patients rated higher in inhalation injury. Overall mortality was 20.4%. Mortality was higher in non-transferred patients (33.6% versus 13.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Aside from facilitating the flow of burned patients and resources saving, a noble use of this platform has been to serve as a source of epidemiological information and implementation of public policies, which can be taken as an example by other developing countries. Also, being transferred is a protective factor for death from burn injuries.

Door-In-Door-Out Process Times at Primary Stroke Centers in Chicago.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Acute stroke patients often require interfacility transfer from primary stroke centers to comprehensive stroke centers. Given the time-sensitive benefits of endovascular reperfusion, reducing door-in-door-out time at the primary stroke center is a target for quality improvement. We sought to identify modifiable predictors of door-in-door-out times at 3 Chicago-region primary stroke centers. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients with acute stroke from February 1, 2018 to January 31, 2020 who required transfer from 1 of 3 primary stroke centers to 1 of 3 affiliated comprehensive stroke centers in the Chicago region. Stroke coordinators at each primary stroke center abstracted data on type of transport, medical interventions and treatments prior to transfer, and relevant time intervals from patient arrival to departure. We evaluated predictors of door-in-door-out time using median regression models. RESULTS: Of 191 total patients, 67.9% arrived by emergency medical services and 57.4% during off-hours. Telestroke was performed in 84.2%, 30.5% received alteplase, and 48.4% underwent a computed tomography (CT) angiography at the primary stroke center. The median door-in-door-out time was 148.5 (interquartile range 106 to 207.8) minutes. The largest contributors to door-in-door-out time, in minutes, were CT to CT angiography time (22 [7 to 73.5]), transfer center contact to ambulance request time (20 [8 to 53.3]), ambulance request to arrival time (20.5 [14 to 36]), and transfer ambulance time at primary stroke center (26 [21 to 35]). Factors associated with door-in-door-out time were (adjusted median differences, in minutes [95% confidence intervals]): CT angiography performed at primary stroke center (+39 [12.3 to 65.7]), walk-in arrival mode (+53 [4.1 to 101.9]), administration of intravenous alteplase (-29 [-31.3 to -26.7]), intubation at primary stroke center (+23 [7.3 to 38.7]), and ambulance request by primary stroke center (-20 [-34.3 to -5.7]). CONCLUSION: Door-in-door-out times at Chicago-area primary stroke centers average nearly 150 minutes. Reducing time to CT angiography, receipt of alteplase, and ambulance request are likely important modifiable targets for interventions to decrease door-in-door-out times at primary stroke centers.

Multiple attribute group decision-making based on interval-valued q-rung orthopair uncertain linguistic power Muirhead mean operators and linguistic scale functions.

Fuzzy set theory and its extended form have been widely used in multiple-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problems, among which the interval-valued q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets (IVq-ROFSs) got a lot of attention for its ability of capturing information denoted by interval values. Based on the previous studies, to find a better solution for fusing qualitative quantization information with fuzzy numbers, we propose a novel definition of interval-valued q-rung orthopair uncertain linguistic sets (IVq-ROULSs) based on the linguistic scale functions, as well as its corresponding properties, such as operational rules and the comparison method. Furthermore, we utilize the power Muirhead mean operators to construct the information fusion method, and provide a variety of aggregation operators based on the proposed information description environment. A model framework is constructed for solving the MAGDM problem utilizing the proposed method. Finally, we illustrate the performance of the new method and investigate its advantages and superiorities through comparative analysis.

Trauma in northern Quebec, 2005-2014: epidemiologic features, transfers and patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The Inuit people residing in Nunavik, Quebec, are vulnerable to major trauma owing to environmental and social factors; however, there is no systematic data collection for trauma in Nunavik, and, apart from data regarding patients who are transferred to tertiary care centres, no data enter the Quebec trauma registry directly from Nunavik. We performed a study to characterize the epidemiologic features of trauma in Nunavik, and describe indications for transfer and outcomes of patients referred to the tertiary trauma centre. METHODS: We collected data retrospectively for all patients with trauma admitted to the Centre de santé Tulattavik de l'Ungava in Kuujjuaq from 2005 to 2014. Sociodemographic, injury and health services data were extracted. The data were analyzed in conjunction with coroners' reports on death from trauma in Nunavik. RESULTS: A total of 797 trauma cases were identified. The most common causes of injury were motor vehicle collisions (258 cases [32.4%]), falls (137 [17.2%]) and blunt assault (95 [11.9%]). One-third of patients (262 [32.9%]) were transferred to the tertiary care centre in Montréal. The incidence rate of major trauma (Injury Severity Score > 12) was 18.1 and 21.7 per 10 000 person-years in the Kuujjuaq region and the Puvirnituq region, respectively, which translates to a relative risk (RR) of 4 compared to the Quebec population. The disparity observed in trauma mortality rate was even greater, with an RR of 47.6 compared to the Quebec population. CONCLUSION: The study showed major disparity in trauma incidence and mortality rate between Nunavik and the province of Quebec. Our findings allow for a better understanding of the burden of injury and regional trauma mortality in Nunavik, and recommendations for optimization of the trauma system in this unique setting.

Association of Hospital Telestroke Adoption With Changes in Initial Hospital Presentation and Transfers Among Patients With Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attacks.

Importance: It has been proposed that the implementation of telestroke services (a web-based approach to using video telecommunication to treat patients with stroke before hospital admission) changes where patients with stroke symptoms receive care, but this proposal has not been rigorously assessed. Objective: To assess whether the implementation of telestroke services is associated with changes in where and how patients initially present with stroke symptoms, in their decision to be transferred to another hospital, and which hospitals they are transferred to. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study compared changes in stroke systems of care between a sample of 593 US hospitals that adopted telestroke during the period from 2009 to 2016 but were not comprehensive stroke centers, major teaching hospitals, or thrombectomy-capable hospitals vs 593 matched control hospitals without telestroke based on rural location, critical access hospital status, bed size, primary stroke center status, presence of hospital alternatives in the community, hospital stroke volume, census region, and ownership. With the use of data on 100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, all stroke and transient ischemic attack admissions from 2008 to 2018 were identified. Exposures: For each hospital pair (telestroke plus matched control), the telestroke hospital's implementation date and difference-in-differences approach were used to quantify the association between telestroke implementation and changes in care from 2 years before implementation to 2 years after implementation. Models also controlled for differences in observed patient characteristics. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospital stroke volume, patients' ambulance transport distance to initial hospital, hospital case mix, interhospital transfer proportion, and size of the receiving hospital for transferred patients. Results: Of the 669 telestroke hospitals and 2143 potential control hospitals, 593 hospital pairs were matched; in each category, 261 hospitals (44.0%) were located in a rural area, 179 (30.2%) were primary stroke centers, and 130 (21.9%) were critical access hospitals. The changes in the preimplementation to postimplementation period were similar at telestroke and control hospitals in mean annual stroke volume (telestroke hospitals, decreased from 79.6 to 76.3 patients; control hospitals, decreased from 78.8 to 75.5 patients [-3.3 patients per year for both; difference-in-differences, 0.009; P ≥ .99]). Similarly, no differences were seen in ambulance transport distance, case mix, interhospital transfers, or bed size of receiving hospitals among transferred patients. Conclusions and Relevance: This study suggests that, across a national sample of hospitals implementing telestroke, no association between telestroke adoption and changes in stroke systems of care were found.