Frequent hospital presenters' use of health information during COVID-19: results of a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: High-frequency hospital users often present with chronic and complex health conditions and are at increased risk of serious morbidity and mortality if they contract COVID-19. Understanding where high-frequency hospital users are sourcing their information, whether they understand what they find, and how they apply the information to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is essential for health authorities to be able to target communication approaches. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey of 200 frequent hospital users (115 with limited English proficiency) informed by the WHO's "Rapid, simple, flexible behavioral insights on COVID-19". Outcome measures were source of, and trust in information, and knowledge of symptoms, preventive strategies, restrictions, and identification of misinformation. RESULTS: The most frequently cited source of information was television (n = 144, 72%) followed by the internet (n = 84, 42%). One in four television users sought their information from overseas news outlets from their country of origin, while for those using the internet, 56% relied on Facebook and other forms of social media including YouTube and WeChat. Overall, 41.2% of those surveyed had inadequate knowledge about symptoms, 35.8% had inadequate knowledge about preventative strategies, 30.2% had inadequate knowledge about government-imposed restrictions, and 69% believed in misinformation. Half of the respondents (50%) trusted all information, and only one in five (20%) were uncertain or untrusting. English-speaking participants were almost three times more likely to have adequate knowledge about symptoms (OR 2.69, 95%CI 1.47;4.91) and imposed restrictions (OR 2.10 95%CI 1.06; 4.19), and 11 times more likely to recognize misinformation (OR 11.52 95%CI 5.39; 24.60) than those with limited English. CONCLUSION: Within this population of high-frequency hospital users with complex and chronic conditions, many were sourcing their information from less trustworthy or locally relevant sources, including social media and overseas news outlets. Despite this, at least half were trusting all the information that they found. Speaking a language other than English was a much greater risk factor for having inadequate knowledge about COVID-19 and believing in misinformation. Health authorities must look for methods to engage diverse communities, and tailor health messaging and education in order to reduce disparities in health outcomes.

Sustainability in Health care by Allocating Resources Effectively (SHARE) 7: supporting staff in evidence-based decision-making, implementation and evaluation in a local healthcare setting.

BACKGROUND: This is the seventh in a series of papers reporting Sustainability in Health care by Allocating Resources Effectively (SHARE) in a local healthcare setting. The SHARE Program was a systematic, integrated, evidence-based program for resource allocation within a large Australian health service. It aimed to facilitate proactive use of evidence from research and local data; evidence-based decision-making for resource allocation including disinvestment; and development, implementation and evaluation of disinvestment projects. From the literature and responses of local stakeholders it was clear that provision of expertise and education, training and support of health service staff would be required to achieve these aims. Four support services were proposed. This paper is a detailed case report of the development, implementation and evaluation of a Data Service, Capacity Building Service and Project Support Service. An Evidence Service is reported separately. METHODS: Literature reviews, surveys, interviews, consultation and workshops were used to capture and process the relevant information. Existing theoretical frameworks were adapted for evaluation and explication of processes and outcomes. RESULTS: Surveys and interviews identified current practice in use of evidence in decision-making, implementation and evaluation; staff needs for evidence-based practice; nature, type and availability of local health service data; and preferred formats for education and training. The Capacity Building and Project Support Services were successful in achieving short term objectives; but long term outcomes were not evaluated due to reduced funding. The Data Service was not implemented at all. Factors influencing the processes and outcomes are discussed. CONCLUSION: Health service staff need access to education, training, expertise and support to enable evidence-based decision-making and to implement and evaluate the changes arising from those decisions. Three support services were proposed based on research evidence and local findings. Local factors, some unanticipated and some unavoidable, were the main barriers to successful implementation. All three proposed support services hold promise as facilitators of EBP in the local healthcare setting. The findings from this study will inform further exploration.

Novel machine learning model for predicting multiple unplanned hospitalisations.

BACKGROUND: In the Australian public healthcare system, hospitals are funded based on the number of inpatient discharges and types of conditions treated (casemix). Demand for services is increasing faster than public funding and there is a need to identify and support patients that have high service usage. In 2016, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services developed an algorithm to predict multiple unplanned admissions as part of a programme, Health Links Chronic Care (HLCC), that provided capitation funding instead of activity based funding to support patients with high admissions. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine whether an algorithm with higher performance than previously used algorithms could be developed to identify patients at high risk of three or more unplanned hospital admissions 12 months from discharge. METHODS: The HLCC and Hospital Unplanned Readmission Tool (HURT) models were evaluated using 34 801 unplanned inpatient episodes (27 216 patients) from 2017 to 2018 with an 8.3% prevalence of 3 or more unplanned admissions in the following year of discharge. RESULTS: HURT had a higher AUROC (84%, 95% CI 83.4% to 84.9% vs 71%, 95% CI 69.4% to 71.8%) than HLCC, that was statistically significant using Delong test at p<0.05. DISCUSSION: We found features that appear to be strong predictors of admission risk that have not been previously used in models, including socioeconomic status and social support. CONCLUSION: The high AUROC, moderate sensitivity and high specificity for the HURT algorithm suggests it is a very good predictor of future multi-admission risk and that it can be used to provide targeted support for at-risk individual.

Evaluating Dermatology Residents Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill Prescribing Practices, Knowledge, and Comfort Level in the Management of Acne Vulgaris: A Cross-sectional Survey Study.

Objective: Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs) are safe and effective therapies for females with acne vulgaris. Data is lacking regarding dermatology residents' COCs use. We aimed to evaluate dermatology residents' knowledge, comfort level, and prescribing practices of COCs in the management of acne vulgaris. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was emailed to current dermatology residents in approved training programs and descriptive statistics were performed. Results: Most residents reported that COCs are an effective treatment for acne (160/170, 94.1%) but, less felt adequately trained on efficacy (105/170, 61.8%) and safety (72/170, 42.4%). 30 percent (51/170) of residents' attending physicians regularly prescribed COCs for acne. Half were comfortable counseling patients on adverse effects of COCs (86/170, 50.6%) while fewer were comfortable counseling on how to properly take COCs (66/170, 38.8%). 60 percent (102/170) felt comfortable prescribing COCs to healthy adolescents while 66.5 percent (113/170) were comfortable prescribing to adults. Limitations: Limitations include a small sample size, response bias, and inability to calculate an accurate response rate. Conclusion: This data suggests most residents recognize COCs are an effective treatment for acne vulgaris, but less feel adequately trained. Several knowledge gaps and potential educational interventions regarding COCs, including safety, efficacy, adverse effects, and contraindications, are highlighted.

Measuring the economic impact of hospital-acquired complications on an acute health service.

Objective This study determined the economic impact of 16 'high-priority' hospital-acquired complications (HACs), as defined by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, from the perspective of an individual Australian health service. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using a deidentified patient dataset containing 93056 in-patient separations in Northern Health (Victoria, Australia) from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Two log-linked generalised linear regression models were used to obtain additional costs and additional length of stay (LOS) for 16 different HACs, with the main outcome measures being the additional cost and LOS for all 16 HACs. Results In all, 1700 separations involving HACs (1.83%) were identified. The most common HAC was health care-associated infections. Most HACs were associated with a statistically significant risk of increased cost (15/16 HACs) and LOS (11/16 HACs). HACs involving falls resulting in fracture or other intracranial injury were associated with the highest additional cost (A$17173). The biggest increase in additional LOS was unplanned admissions to the intensive care unit (5.42 days). Conclusions This study shows the economic impact of HACs from the perspective of an individual health service. The methodology used demonstrates how other health services could determine safety priorities corresponding to their own casemix. What is known about the topic? HACs are a major issue in Australian health care; however, their effect on cost and LOS at the individual health service level is not well quantified. What does this paper add? Additional cost and LOS implications for 16 high-priority HACs have been quantified within an Australian health service. There is substantial variation in terms of the number of HACs and the economic impact of each HAC. What are the implications for practitioners? This study provides a template for other health services to assess the economic impact of HACs corresponding to their own casemix and to inform targeted patient safety programs.

Congenital leukemia cutis.

We describe a premature neonate who was born with pancytopenia and a single subcutaneous nodule on her right lower extremity. A biopsy specimen from the nodule demonstrated a dense infiltrate of pleomorphic mononuclear cells that extended throughout the dermis and into the subcutaneous tissue. Immunohistochemical stains and bone marrow examination confirmed a diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia. Cytogenetic studies on peripheral blood by G-banding analysis revealed an abnormal karyotype of 46, XX, ins[inv(10)(p11.2q22.2);11](q22.2;q13.2q23.2). A split in the mixed lineage leukemia gene was identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Induction chemotherapy was started but was complicated by multiorgan failure. The patient died on the eleventh day of life. As leukemia cutis more typically presents as multiple infiltrative papules, nodules, or plaques, we stress the importance of including leukemia in the differential diagnosis of a solitary nodule in a neonate.

Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis: a clinicopathologic study of six cases.

BACKGROUND: Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis is a rare fibrosing condition that occurs in patients with renal insufficiency. While its histologic characteristics have been well described, the etiology and pathogenesis have not been fully characterized. Several recent studies support the theory that gadolinium-based contrast agents play a causative role in the development of the disease. Erythropoietin therapy and endothelial damage from surgical procedures have also been suggested as potential contributing factors. OBJECTIVE: This study attempts to help contribute to the understanding of this novel disorder. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of 6 patients diagnosed with nephrogenic systemic fibrosis at our institution. Emphasis was placed on identification of potential putative etiologic agents including gadolinium, erythropoietin therapy, and previous surgical procedures. RESULTS: All patients had documented exposure to gadolinium-based contrast agents. Three of the 6 patients were treated with erythropoietin, and all patients underwent a previous surgical procedure. LIMITATIONS: This study is limited by its small size; therefore, the findings and results may not be applicable to all patients with this disorder. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that gadolinium plays a primary role in nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and that prior surgery may be a contributory factor.

Inflammatory vitiligo versus hypopigmented mycosis fungoides in a 58-year-old Indian female.

Vitiligo, particularly the rarer inflammatory variant, may be difficult to distinguish from hypopigmented mycosis fungoides (MF) clinically. Complicating the distinction is that when biopsies are taken from the periphery of early vitiliginous lesions or from lesions with an inflammatory border (inflammatory vitiligo), a dermal lymphocytic infiltrate, exocytosis, interface dermatitis, and mild spongiosis may be seen, all resembling the findings seen in hypopigmented MF. We present a case demonstrating the difficulty in differentiating between these two diseases and examine some characteristic clinical and histopathological features of each. Often, a conclusive diagnosis cannot be made, necessitating close follow-up of the patient and monitoring for progression of their disease over time.

External quality assessment program for Chlamydia trachomatis diagnostic testing by nucleic acid amplification assays.

We report the results from 57 Australian diagnostic laboratories testing two external quality assessment panels using either the Roche Amplicor Chlamydia trachomatis test (R-PCR) or the Abbott LCx Chlamydia trachomatis assay (A-ligase chain reaction [LCR]). Panel samples were either normal urine spiked with Chlamydia trachomatis antigen or clinical urine specimens. There was no significant difference between laboratories or between assays in detection of C. trachomatis-positive clinical samples. Only at the lower limit of detection of the assays did the R-PCR demonstrate increased sensitivity over the A-LCR in the detection of C. trachomatis antigen. However, it was found that single-sample testing could lead to decreased test sensitivity. Detection of the presence of inhibitors of nucleic acid amplification differed between laboratories.