Avoidable Visits Research Articles

Inpatient Reliance Ratio Versus Emergency Department Reliance Ratio in a Sickle Cell Disease Medical Home

Background: The Emergency Department (ED) Reliance Ratio (ERR, defined as ED visits/ED + ambulatory + inpatient visits) measures the percentage of all health care visits that occur in the ED in relation to primary care, including avoidable ED visits, and may therefore discriminate among high-ED-user populations. Adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) are known to have high ERR (by convention, >0.33), likely driven by a complex mix of factors. Like in other ambulatory-care-sensitive conditions, intense SCD ambulatory case management may drive down the ERR. But we found no validated measure of hospital utilization percentage analogous to the ERR. We therefore created the inpatient reliance ratio (IRR, defined as inpatient visits/ED + ambulatory + inpatient visits), as the percentage of all health care visits that occur in the hospital in relation to primary care and ED care, including avoidable hospital visits. We tested the performance of the ERR versus the IRR in an adult SCD sample. Method: In 2018, as part of a multi-component intervention in an SCD Adult Medical Home, we assigned Patient Navigators (PNs), as case managers to each of the program's top 50 highest utilizers, but also began periodically managing the remaining medical home patients ad hoc. Services provided included behavioral health services, dedicated inpatient care, an infusion unit, and inpatient and ED individualized care plans. The study sample was Adult SCD patients at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2011-2021 (annual N's from 299 to 641). Using Analysis of Variance, we studied the effect of the intervention over time on total annual charges, the annual ERR, and the annual IRR. We also performed Spearman's correlations associating annual total charges with either annual ERR or annual IRR. Last, we performed linear regression with annual total charges as the outcome variable (linearly distributed), to test the relative predictive contribution of ERR vs. IRR. Results: (Figure 1) After increasing steadily from 2011-2017 pre-program onset, both the annual ERR and the annual IRR decreased roughly successively from 2017-21 (ANOVA p-value=0.0089 for ERR, ANOVA p-value=0.0002 for IRR). Annual total charges correlated strongly with ERR (Spearman R=0.44, P<0.0001) but more strongly with annual IRR (Spearman R=0.64, P-value<0.0001). Similarly, linear regression indicated that IRR contributed more strongly to annual total charges than did ERR (beta coefficients = 97906 vs 23175). Conclusion: We demonstrate that the IRR, similar to the ERR, appears to be a measure of avoidable care: It varies as a function of total costs, but it is sensitive to intense ambulatory case management. It more closely correlates with total costs and more closely predicts total costs than the ERR. The benchmark for what makes a high or low IRR has not been defined as it has for ERR. But future studies could further show its relationship to utilization management and get population norms to set an appropriate management goal for the IRR. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Association between oncology clinical pathway utilization and quality and cost outcomes in patients with metastatic solid tumors.

430 Background: Anticancer drug regimens that are approved by accepted drug compendia and also considered high value based on their efficacy, toxicity, and costs are designated as “on-pathway” for a national commercial payer. This study compared quality and cost of cancer care among patients with metastatic solid tumors treated in the first line setting who were prescribed on- vs. off-pathway regimens. Methods: Using administrative claims data and prior authorization data from a national commercial payer, we identified 8,357 commercially insured or Medicare Advantage adult patients with solid tumor cancers including breast, lung, colorectal, pancreatic, melanoma, kidney, bladder, gastric, or uterine cancer, who were prescribed first-line anti-cancer regimens in the metastatic setting from 2018 to 2021. Patients were classified into on- vs. off pathway group based on the initial anticancer regimen that was prescribed. On-pathway status was prospectively defined by a panel of practicing oncologists based on review of curated evidence and general application of relative clinical value frameworks accepted in the field. We compared post–6-month quality-of-care outcomes including chemotherapy-related avoidable hospitalizations, emergency room (ER) visits, immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) such as endocrinopathies owing to immune checkpoint inhibitors, need for supportive drugs such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor, and cost outcomes between groups. Generalized linear models were used to assess the association between on-pathway regimens and outcomes adjusting for key patient demographics, clinical and provider characteristics. Results: A total of 5,453 (65.3%) patients were prescribed on-pathway regimens. Both groups had similar age (60.1 vs. 59.6, p = 0.06) and ECOG performance status (0.63 vs. 0.62, p = 0.40), with more females in the off-pathway group (54.6% vs. 57.3%, p = 0.02). There was no statistically significant difference in chemotherapy-related avoidable hospitalizations, IRAEs and need for supportive drugs between the two groups after modeling adjustment. However, patients treated on-pathway had higher rates of chemotherapy-related avoidable ER visits (18% vs. 15%, adjusted odds ratio: 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01 to 1.33, p = 0.03). Patients in the on-pathway group had significantly lower 6-month anticancer treatment cost (adjusted cost difference: -$10410, 95% CI: -$14935 to -$5886, p &lt; 0.01), resulting in an overall lower total healthcare costs (adjusted cost difference: -$12826, 95% CI: -$18879 to -$6773, p &lt; 0.01). Conclusions: Pathway regimens for metastatic solid tumors were associated with reduced total healthcare costs and similar quality of care compared with off-pathway regimens. These findings support the use of high value, evidence-based regimens for metastatic cancer patients.

Medicaid can and should play an active role in advancing health equity.

Medicaid can and should play an active role in advancing health equity.

Experiences of nurses working in RACFs and EDs utilising visual telehealth consultation to assess the need for RACF resident transfer to ED: A qualitative descriptive study.

This study aimed to explore whether an intervention using visual telehealth improves care outcomes for residents in residential aged care facilities during acute illness events from the perspective of the nurses from residential aged care facilities and emergency departments. The intervention was the addition of visual telehealth, to an already existing outreach service called Aged Care Emergency. Older people who are residents of residential aged care facilities commonly experience potentially avoidable visits and hospitalisations. Adopting visual telehealth or telemedicine has emerged as a care transition solution across several domains in health care, including residential aged care. This study used an interpretive descriptive methodological approach and was part of a larger study called the PACE-IT project that implemented a visual telehealth assisted model of care in four emergency departments and 16 residential aged care facilities to prevent unnecessary resident presentations to emergency departments. We report findings from six focus groups that explored key issues relating to the experiences of emergency department and residential aged care nurses who participated in the PACE-IT project. This study adhered to COREQ research guidelines. There were four overarching themes that emerged from the six focus groups; facilitated person centred care; built confidence, relationships and trust; enabled bidirectional communication that strengthens decision making, but there were issues with technology access, connectivity and usability between the acute care setting and the residential aged care facility. Understanding the experiences of residential aged care facility and emergency nurses' experiences when using visual telehealth will better inform practice development in aged care, in particular enhancing decision making and increasing safe practices using telehealth. The knowledge gained in this study in terms of enhanced assessments for residents will provide policy makers with valuable insights for future health care planning and implementation of telehealth. ACTRN12619001692123.

Geographic proximity to primary care providers as a risk-assessment criterion for quality performance measures.

Previous studies have found a mixed association between Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) designation and improvements in primary care quality indicators, including avoidable pediatric emergency department (ED) encounters. Whether these associations persist after accounting for the geographic locations of providers relative to where patients reside is unknown. To examine the association between geographic proximity to primary care providers versus hospitals and risk of avoidable and potentially avoidable ED visits among children with pre-existing diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or asthma. Retrospective cohort study of a panel of pediatric Medicaid claims data from the South Carolina from 2016-2018 for 2,959 beneficiaries having a pre-existing diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD, ages 6-12) and 6,390 beneficiaries with asthma (MMA, ages 5-18), as defined using Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) performance measures. We calculated differences in avoidable and potentially avoidable ED visits by the beneficiary's PCMH attribution type and in relation to differences in proximity to their primary care providers versus hospitals. Outcomes were defined using the New York University Emergency Department Algorithm (NYU-EDA). Differences in ED visit risk were assessed using generalized estimation equations and compared using marginal effects models. The 2.4 percentage point reduction in risk of avoidable ED visits among children in the ADD cohort who attended a PCMH versus those who did not increased to 3.9 to 7.2 percentage points as relative proximity to primary care providers versus hospitals improved (p < 0.01). Children in the ADD and MMA cohorts that were enrolled in a medical home, but did not attend one for primary care services exhibited a 5.4 and 3.0 percentage point increase in avoidable ED visit compared to children who were unenrolled and did not attend medical homes (p < 0.05), but these differences were only observed when geographic proximity to hospitals was more convenient than primary care providers. Mixed findings were observed for potentially avoidable visits. In several health care performance evaluations, patient-centered medical homes have not been found to reduce differences in hospital utilization for conditions that are treatable in primary care settings among children with chronic illnesses. Analytical approaches that also consider geographic proximity to health care services can identify performance benefits of medical homes. Expanding risk-adjustment models to also include geographic data would benefit ongoing quality improvement initiatives.

Frequency of Potentially Avoidable Surgical Referrals for Asymptomatic Umbilical Hernias in Children.

The American Association of Pediatrics released guidelines in 2019 recommending delay of surgical referral in children with asymptomatic umbilical hernias until 4-5y of age. The purpose of this study was to assess contemporary rates of potentially avoidable referrals in this cohort of children, and to assess whether rates have decreased following guideline release. Retrospective analysis of umbilical hernias referrals evaluated at a single pediatric surgery clinic from October 2014 to August 2021. Potentially avoidable referrals (PAR) were defined as asymptomatic, non-enlarging umbilical hernia referrals in a child 3y of age or younger without a history of incarceration. Referral indication, disposition following clinic visit, and rates of PAR were compared before and after guideline release. A total of 803 umbilical hernia referrals were evaluated, of which 48% were in children 3y of age or younger at time of evaluation ("early" referrals). 33% of all referrals and 68% of early referrals were categorized as a PAR, and rates were similar before and after guideline release (all referrals: 32% versus 33%, P=0.94; early referrals: 68% versus 67%, P=0.94). Of the 333 early referrals who were managed expectantly per guideline recommendations, 2 (0.6%) developed incarceration which was managed with successful reduction and interval repair. One-third of all referrals for umbilical hernia evaluation are potentially avoidable, and this rate did not change following release of American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. Aligning expectations between surgeons and referring providers through improved education and guideline dissemination may reduce avoidable visits, lost caregiver productivity, and exposure to potentially avoidable surgery.

Inappropriate and potentially avoidable emergency department visits of Swiss nursing home residents and their resource use: a retrospective chart-review

BackgroundEmergency department (ED) visits for nursing home residents lead to higher morbidity and mortality. Therefore, inappropriate visits (for conditions treatable elsewhere) or potentially avoidable visits (those avoidable through adequate chronic care management) must be minimized. This study aimed to investigate factors and resource consumption patterns associated with inappropriate and potentially avoidable visits in a Swiss tertiary hospital.MethodsThis is a single-center retrospective chart review in an urban Swiss university hospital ED. A consecutive sample of 1276 visits by nursing home residents (≥ 65 years old), recorded between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2017 (three calendar years) were included. Case characteristics were extracted from ED electronic documentation. Appropriateness was assessed via a structured Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol; potentially avoidable visits—measured as ambulatory-care sensitive conditions (ACSCs)—were analyzed separately. Inter-group differences concerning ED resource use were tested respectively with chi-square or Wilcoxon rank sum tests. To identify predictors of inappropriate or potentially-avoidable visits, we used multivariable logistic regression analysis.ResultsSix percent of visits were rated as inappropriate: they had lower triage levels (OR 0.55 [95%-CI 0.33-0.92], p=0.024) and, compared to ambulance calls, they had higher odds of initiation via either patient-initiated walk-in (OR 3.42 [95%-CI 1.79-6.55], p≤0.001) or GP referrals (OR 2.13 [95%-CI 1.16-3.90], p=0.015). For inappropriate visits, overall ED resource use was significantly lower (median 568 vs. 1403 tax points, p≤0.001). Of all visits included, 29% were due to (often potentially-avoidable) ACSCs. In those cases, compared to ambulance initiation, odds of being potentially-avoidable were considerably lower for walk-in patients (OR 0.46 [95%-CI 0.27-0.77], p=0.004) but higher for GP referrals (OR 1.40 [95%-CI 1.00-1.94], p=0.048). Nurse work (93 tax points vs. 64, p≤0.001) and laboratory resource use (334 tax points vs. 214, p≤0.001) were higher for potentially-avoidable ED visits.ConclusionsWe revealed substantial differences between the investigated groups. While nearly one third of ED visits from nursing homes were potentially avoidable, inappropriate visits were lower in numbers and not resource-intensive. Further research is required to differentiate potentially avoidable visits from inappropriate ones and to determine these findings’ public health implications.

Effect of Social Needs Case Management on Hospital Use Among Adult Medicaid Beneficiaries : A Randomized Study.

Case management programs assisting patients with social needs may improve health and avoid unnecessary health care use, but little is known about their effectiveness. This large-scale study assessed the population-level impact of a case management program designed to address patients' social needs. Single-site randomized encouragement design with administrative enrollment from an eligible population and intention-to-treat analysis. Study participants were enrolled between August 2017 and December 2018 and followed for 1 year. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04000074). Contra Costa County, an economically and culturally diverse community in the San Francisco Bay Area. 57972 randomized enrollments of adult Medicaid patients at elevated risk for health care use (top 15%) to the intervention or control group. Enrollees were offered 12 months of social needs case management, which provided more intensive services to patients with higher demonstrated needs. Medical use was measured via emergency department (ED) visits and inpatient admissions, some of which were classified as avoidable. Participants in the intervention group visited the ED at ratios of 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91 to 1.00) for all visits and 0.97 (CI, 0.92 to 1.03) for avoidable visits relative to the control group. The intervention group was hospitalized at ratios of 0.89 (CI, 0.81 to 0.98) for all admissions and 0.72 (CI, 0.55 to 0.88) for avoidable admissions. Only 40% of the intervention group engaged with the program. The program was in continual development during the trial period. Although social needs case management programs may reduce health care use, these savings may not cover full program costs. More work is needed to identify ways to increase patient uptake and define characteristics of successful programs. Contra Costa Health Services via the Medicaid waiver program.

632-P: Youth with T1D and High Social Risk Enrolled in an Intensive Community-Based Intervention: Two-Region Comparison of Risk

Objective: Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare (NICH) , a program for youth with T1D who experience high rates of avoidable health problems (e.g., DKA) , has been newly implemented in a second region. This study examines how youth with T1D referred for combined health problems and social risk compare to similarly referred youth in another region. Methods: Participants (Oregon=51; Bay Area=24) were referred by medical providers due to avoidable ED visits, hospitalizations and/or chronically elevated A1C values. Caregivers reported on 15 social risks (e.g., housing insecurity, domestic violence) . Results: Social risk prevalence was high at both sites, with an average of 7.6 in Oregon and 5.6 risks endorsed in the Bay Area. Oregon youth and their parents were significantly (p&amp;lt;.05) more likely to have a mental health diagnosis and domestic violence exposure, while Bay Area youth were significantly more likely to identify as Black or Hispanic, and to have experienced parental incarceration. Conclusions: While there are some differences in social risk distribution across sites, the rate of risk is extremely high across sites, highlighting the importance of interventions specifically designed to target social factors for this population. Likewise, rethinking standard diabetes care for this subgroup is warranted given the impact of social factors on diabetes outcomes. Disclosure D.V.Wagner: None. C.Cruz: None. M.A.Harris: None. J.C.Wong: Consultant; Provention Bio, Inc., Research Support; Dexcom, Inc., Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. A.Reed: None. L.Yglecias: None. A.Bonilla ospina: None. D.Naranjo: None. C.E.Noya: None. J.Viana: None. C.Jenisch: None. Funding The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

Characterization of General Neurology Emergency Department Discharge Consultations: A Pilot Study into Potentially Avoidable Neurological ED Visits (P15-7.005)

Characterization of General Neurology Emergency Department Discharge Consultations: A Pilot Study into Potentially Avoidable Neurological ED Visits (P15-7.005)

Patient characteristics and outcomes among bariatric surgery patients with high narcotic overdose scores.

Obesity-related chronic pain can increase the risk of narcotic abuse in bariatric surgery patients. However, assessment of overdose risk has not been evaluated to date. A NARxCHECK® overdose score ("Narx score") was obtained preoperatively on all patients undergoing bariatric surgery (n = 306) between 2018 and 2020 at a single-center academic bariatric surgery program. The 3-digit score ranges from 000 to 999 and is based on patient risk factors found within the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. A Narx score ≥ 200 indicates tenfold increased risk of narcotic overdose. Patient characteristics, comorbidities, and emergency room (ER) visits were compared between patients in the upper (≥ 200) and lower (000) terciles of Narx scores. Morphine milligram equivalent (MME) prescribed at discharge and refills was also evaluated. Patients in the upper tercile represented 32% (n = 99) of the study population, and compared to the lower tercile (n = 101, 33%), were more likely to have depression (63.6% vs 38.6%, p = 0.0004), anxiety (47.5% vs 30.7%, p = 0.0150), and bipolar disorder (6.1% vs 0.0%, p = 0.0120). Median MME prescribed at discharge was the same between both groups (75); however, high-risk patients were more likely to be prescribed more than 10 tablets of a secondary opioid (83.3% vs 0.0%, p = 0.0111), which was prescribed by another provider in 67% of cases. ER visits among patients who did not have a complication or require a readmission was also higher among high-risk patients (7.8% vs 0.0%, p = 0.0043). There were no deaths or incidents of mental health-related ER visits in either group. Patients with a Narx score ≥ 200 were more likely to have mental health disorders and have potentially avoidable ER visits in the setting of standardized opioid prescribing practices. Narx scores can help reduce ER visits by identifying at-risk patients who may benefit from additional clinic or telehealth follow-up.

The Impact of an Integrated Care Management Program on Acute Care Use and Outpatient Appointment Attendance Among High-Risk Patients With Lupus.

ObjectivePatients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often struggle with high acute care use (emergency department [ED] visits and hospitalizations) and missed appointments. A nurse‐led integrated care management program (iCMP) at our multihospital system coordinates care for patients at high risk for frequent acute care use due to comorbidities, demographics, and prior use patterns. We studied whether iCMP enrollment was associated with decreased acute care use and missed appointment rates among patients with SLE.MethodsWe used a validated electronic health record (EHR) machine learning algorithm to identify adults with SLE and then determined which patients were enrolled in the iCMP from January 2012 to February 2019. We then used EHR data linked to insurance claims to compare the incidence rates of ED visits, hospitalizations, potentially avoidable ED visits and hospitalizations, and missed appointments during iCMP enrollment versus the 12 months prior to iCMP enrollment. We used Poisson regression to compare incidence rate ratios (IRRs) during the iCMP versus pre‐iCMP for each use measure, adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, number of comorbidities, and calendar year, accounting for within‐patient clustering.ResultsWe identified 67 iCMP enrollees with SLE and linked EHR claims data. In adjusted analyses, iCMP enrollment was associated with reduced rates of ED visits (IRR 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.47‐0.85), avoidable ED visits (IRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28‐0.88), and avoidable hospitalizations (IRR 0.37, 95% CI 0.21‐0.65).ConclusionA nurse‐led iCMP was effective at decreasing the rate of all ED visits and potentially avoidable ED visits and hospitalizations among high‐risk patients with SLE. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other patient populations.

Factors in Avoidable Emergency Visits for Ambulatory Care-sensitive Conditions among Older Patients Receiving Home Care in Japan: A Retrospective Study.

Objective Older adults have many health conditions that do not require hospitalization, such as cognitive decline and progression of frailty, so it is necessary to prevent avoidable emergency visits for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) in this population. We therefore examine Freund's classification of reasons for hospitalization owing to ACSCs to identify factors involved in elderly patients visiting emergency departments in Japan. Methods This retrospective case-control study included patients who received emergency transport for medical treatment at Yushoukai Home Care Clinic Shinagawa in Japan between January 1, 2016, and April 30, 2019. We examined patients' medical records and categorized the reasons for emergency visit by ambulance in accordance with Freund's categories (physician related level, medical causes, patient level, and social level). In addition, we classified and compared patients who lived at home (Group A) with those living in a care facility for older adults (Group B). Results A total of 365 patients visited the emergency department (298 in Group A and 67 in Group B). Among these, we determined that emergency visits were potentially avoidable in 135 patients from Group A and 28 from Group B. The patient and social level categories accounted for 81% of potentially avoidable emergency visits. Confirmed advanced care planning (ACP) was significantly associated with avoidable emergency visit by ambulance in multivariate analyses. Conclusion To prevent emergency visits for ACSCs among older people, ACP should be encouraged.

State-level regulations and opioid-related health outcomes

IntroductionDue to the ongoing opioid use disorder crisis, improved access to opioid treatment programs (OTPs) is needed. However, OTPs operate in a complex regulatory environment which may limit their ability to positively affect health outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine how the number and type of state OTP regulations are associated with opioid-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency department visits. MethodsCross-sectional data capturing information about OTP state-level regulations collected by Jackson et al. was combined with other secondary sources. OTP regulations were categorized based on the nature of their focus. Analyses include bivariate and multivariable regressions that controlled for region and other state laws that can affect opioid outcomes. ResultsIn bivariate analysis, a greater number of OTP regulations was positively correlated with both deaths and emergency visits. Moreover, a greater number of regulations in the Physical Facilities Management category (e.g., rules related to restrooms, lighting, and signage) was positively correlated with both deaths and hospitalizations. The number of regulations in the Staffing Requirement category was positively associated with emergency visits. In adjusted analysis, the number of regulations in the Physical Facilities Management category was positively associated with opioid-related deaths. ConclusionsStates with a higher number of regulations had poorer opioid-related outcomes. Additional research is needed to support policy decisions that can improve access to OTPs and reduce avoidable deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency visits.

Pharmacist-led interventions during transitions of care of older adults admitted to short term geriatric units: Current practices and perceived barriers

BackgroundDuring transitions of care, older adults are at risk of adverse drug events which could lead to avoidable hospital visits. Pharmacists are increasingly involved in care teams at various stages of the continuum of care. The types and frequency of clinical interventions performed by pharmacists in the geriatric practice setting remain poorly documented. ObjectivesThis study aimed to describe the current integration of pharmacist interventions during transitions of care of older adults admitted in short-term geriatric units (STGUs) and to explore barriers and facilitators to their implementation in clinical practice. The secondary objective was to explore associations between certain patient characteristics and pharmacist-led interventions during transitional care. MethodsA mixed methods study was conducted with pharmacists practicing in STGUs in the Montreal area, Canada. The application of 8 pharmaceutical interventions was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, along with as a retrospective chart review. Four semi-structured group interviews were conducted in order to identify perceived barriers and facilitators. ResultsThirteen pharmacists participated in the study. In the questionnaire, medication reconciliation on admission and at discharge was reported as being performed at least half the time by 12 (92%) and 7 (54%) pharmacists, respectively. The retrospective chart review revealed that these interventions were documented in 95 (98%) and 25 (26%) files, respectively. While 35% of patients had a documented pharmaceutical care plan on admission, none was documented at discharge. Several barriers to implementing clinical interventions were identified such as lack of time, technical support, communication and standardization. ConclusionsPharmacists are involved at different periods of transitional care; however, certain barriers should be addressed in order to expand their role in discharge planning. Providing guidelines on what is expected at discharge and post-discharge, and having a practice focused on delegation and collaboration would help pharmacists increase their role throughout the transition of care of older adults.

Use of Nerve Block in Addition to General Anesthesia Reduces Pain and Time in Post-Anesthesia Care Unit After Rotator Cuff Repair

Purpose To determine if use of nerve blocks during rotator cuff repairs will result in an overall improvement of post-operative pain and reduction of time spent in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) without any increases in avoidable emergency department (ED) or urgent care (UC) visits within 7 and 30 days. Methods A large integrated health system was queried for all rotator cuff repairs conducted between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 and separated into two groups: general anesthesia only or general anesthesia with an additional nerve block. Maximal pain scores in the PACU, time spent in the PACU and avoidable visits to the ED/UC within 7 and 30 days were recorded and compared. Results A total of 3,128 patients undergoing rotator cuff repair were included (39.5% received general anesthesia with a nerve block). The use of an additional nerve block was associated with a 1.3 (p &lt; 0.001) point reduction in maximum reported pain scores and a 15.7 (11.9%, p &lt; 0.001) minute reduction in PACU time per patient. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in avoidable ED/UC visits within 7 (p = 0.432) and 30 (p = 0.454) days between groups. Conclusion The use of a nerve block in addition to general anesthesia was associated with a significant reduction in maximum pain scores and time spent in the PACU with no increases in avoidable ED/UC visits within 7 or 30 days. Therefore, use of a nerve block in addition to general anesthesia could lead to longitudinally decreased costs in the rotator cuff repair surgical pathway. Level of Evidence III

Young adults' healthcare utilisation and healthcare needs: Perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers.

BackgroundHealth care in many countries entails long waiting times. Avoidable healthcare visits by young adults have been identified as one probable cause.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore healthcare providers' experiences and opinions about young adults' healthcare utilisation in the first line of care.MethodThis study used latent qualitative conventional content analysis with focus groups. Four healthcare units participated: two primary healthcare centres and two emergency departments. This study included 36 participants, with 4–7 participants in each group, and a total of 21 registered nurses and 15 doctors. All interviews followed an interview guide.ResultsData were divided into eight categories, which all contained the implicit theme of distribution of responsibility between the healthcare provider and the healthcare user. Young adult healthcare consumers were considered to be highly influenced by external resources, often greatly concerned with small/vague symptoms they had difficulty explaining and unable to wait with. The healthcare provider's role was much perceived as being part of a healthcare structure—a large organisation with multiple units—and having to meet different priorities while also considering ethical dilemmas, though feeling supported by experience.ConclusionHealthcare personnel view young adults as transferring too much of the responsibility of staying healthy to the healthcare system. The results of this study show that the discussion of young adults unnecessarily seeking health care includes an underlying discussion of scarcity of resources.Patient or Public ContributionThe conduct of this study is based on interviews with young adult patients about their experiences of seeking healthcare.

Mobile-health tool for timely management of cancer treatment toxicity.

321 Background: Treatment related side effects after chemotherapy are common, with significant toxicities seen in 78.2% to 98.3% of patients allocated to two study arms of a lymphoma trial [1]. While most oncology clinics provide patient education before treatment, onetime delivery of large amounts of information without reiteration of crucial facts results in information gaps, delay in seeking care, culminating in potentially avoidable ED visits and hospitalizations. Technology based symptom monitoring can facilitate early detection of complications, reduce symptom burden and cost of care. Here we update our study [2] of utility of a mobile-health tool for timely management of cancer treatment related toxicities in a community-based oncology practice. Methods: A web-based mobile application consisting of a patient interface, a provider interface and an embedded analytic platform was developed. Patient ‘check-ins’ incorporating a brief introduction and chemotherapy toxicity questionnaires are delivered through automated text or email. Toxicity questionnaires are based on the NCI-PRO-CTCAE ITEMS-ENGLISH form builder. The provider interface incorporates a ‘patient records summary’ page and a ‘tracker’ page, allowing the oncology care team to monitor responses in real-time. Responses exceeding pre-specified thresholds generate a color-coded ‘flag’ and are marked for follow up. Flags result in a phone call followed by in-person evaluation if necessary. All interventions are time stamped. Patient experience is measured concurrently using a Likert-scale as well as free-text response box. Results: 310 patients were enrolled as of January 21, 2021. Median age was 64 years. There were 49% females.8916 check-ins were sent out and 2963 responses recorded for an overall response rate of 33.23%. 531 responses provided by 109 unique patients were flagged for follow up, amounting to 6% of all responses. Fatigue was the most common symptom flagged for follow-up (454), followed by nausea/vomiting or diarrhea (167), abdominal pain (140), cough/dyspnea (140) and numbness/tingling (138). Follow up was prompt, with 60% of patient symptoms followed up on the same day and of these, 84% followed-up within 4 hours of patient reported symptom. Patient experience was consistently favorable. 72% of patients reported an experience score of ≥ 4 (1-5 scale, 5 being the most favorable). Conclusions: Electronic capture of symptoms using connected technology is feasible and can be used for timely management of treatment related complications.

Integrated Hemophilia Patient Care via a National Network of Care Centers in the United States: A Model for Rare Coagulation Disorders.

Rare, chronic diseases such as hemophilia and other congenital coagulation disorders require coordinated delivery of services for optimal outcomes. Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTCs) are specialized, multidisciplinary health-care centers providing team-based care to meet the physical, psychosocial, and emotional needs of people with hemophilia (PWH) and may serve as a model for other rare coagulation disorders. Health-care purchasers, as well as the general medical community, may not appreciate the breadth and quality of services provided by HTCs. They exemplify the acculturalization and actualization of integrated care by providing comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services that reduce morbidity, mortality, avoidable emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and overall costs, while promoting a longer lifespan and improved patient functioning and outcomes. This is accomplished by a team-based approach relying upon a shared decision-making model to effectively prevent complications and manage symptoms in PWH, who are dependent on high-cost treatments. This article provides a concise yet comprehensive description of the core components of an HTC and the regional and national networks in the United States, which together achieve their incomparable value for all stakeholders.

Observational study of the implementation of telephone advice nursing in Sweden: did callers follow recommendations and did the rate of healthcare visits change?

ObjectivesTelephone advice nursing is introduced in many countries with one key aim being a reduction of avoidable healthcare visits. The aim of this study was to explore whether callers to...