Changes In Practice Patterns Research Articles

Effect of Telemedicine and the COVID-19 Pandemic on Medical Trainees' Usage of the Electronic Health Record in the Outpatient Setting.

This study aimed to (1) determine the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) and the corresponding increase in use of telemedicine on volume, efficiency, and burden of electronic health record (EHR) usage by residents and fellows; and (2) to compare these metrics with those of attending physicians. We analyzed 11 metrics from Epic's Signal database of outpatient physician user logs for active residents/fellows at our institution across three 1-month time periods: August 2019 (prepandemic/pre-telehealth), May 2020 (mid-pandemic/post-telehealth implementation), and July 2020 (follow-up period) and compared these metrics between trainees and attending physicians. We also assessed how the metrics varied for medical trainees in primary care as compared with subspecialties. Analysis of 141 residents/fellows and 495 attendings showed that after telehealth implementation, overall patient volume, Time in In Basket per day, Time outside of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Time in notes decreased significantly compared with the pre-telehealth period. Female residents, fellows, and attendings had a lower same day note closure rate before and during the post-telehealth implementation period and spent greater time working outside of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. compared with male residents, fellows, and attendings (p < 0.01) compared with the pre-telehealth period. Attending physicians had a greater patient volume, spent more time, and were more efficient in the EHR compared with trainees (p < 0.01) in both the post-telehealth and follow-up periods as compared with the pre-telehealth period. The dramatic change in clinical operations during the pandemic serves as an inflection point to study changes in physician practice patterns in the EHR. We observed that (1) female physicians closed fewer notes the same day and spent more time in the EHR outside of normal working hours compared with male physicians, and (2) attending physicians had higher patient volumes and also higher efficiency in the EHR compared with resident physicians.

Characterizing Interhospital Variability in Neurosurgical Interventions for Patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Intracranial Hemorrhage.

The objective of this study was to quantify nation-wide interhospital variation in neurosurgical intervention risk by intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) type in the setting of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). This was a retrospective cohort study of adult (≥18 years) trauma patients included in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2019 with an emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale score 13-15, diagnosed ICH, no skull fracture. The primary outcome was neurosurgical intervention. Interhospital variation was assessed by examining the best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) obtained from mixed-effects logistic regression with random slopes and intercepts for hospitals and covariates for time and 14 demographic, injury, and hospital characteristics; one model per ICH type. Intercept BLUPs are estimates of how different each hospital is from the average hospital (after covariate adjustment). The study population included 49,220 (7%) neurosurgical interventions among 666,842 patients in 1060 hospitals. In 2019, after adjusting for patient case-mix and hospital characteristics, the percentage of hospitals with hemorrhage-specific neurosurgical intervention risk significantly different from the average hospital was as follows: isolated unspecified hemorrhage (0% of 995 hospitals); isolated contusion/laceration (0.54% of 929); isolated epidural hemorrhage (0.39% of 778); isolated subarachnoid hemorrhage (0.10% of 1002); multiple hemorrhages (2.49% of 963); and isolated subdural hemorrhage (16.25% of 1028). In the setting of mTBI, isolated subdural hemorrhages were the only ICH type to have considerable interhospital variability. Causes for this significant variation should be elucidated and might include changing hemorrhage characteristics and practice patterns over time.

Abstract Number ‐ 109: Mechanical Thrombectomy Hands‐on Skill Workshop for MT2020+ in the Caribbean

Introduction While mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is proven to be lifesaving and disability‐sparing, there remains disparities in access in low‐ to middle‐income countries (LTMICs), including the Caribbean. We hypothesized that team‐oriented MT workshops would improve MT skills and change practice patterns for MT services in this region. Methods We designed a 22‐hour MT workshop which was conducted as two identical events: in English (Jamaica, January 2022), and in Spanish (Dominican Republic, May 2022). The workshops included neurointerventional teams (practicing neurointerventionalists, neuroIR nurses and technicians), focused on patient selection, acutetreatment and post‐MT care of patients with stroke due to large vessel occlusion. MT skills, procedure duration and potential harmful techniques were recorded before and after by independent evaluators utilizing flow models under fluoroscopy. Overall course evaluation was performed. Press conferences were included to raise stroke awareness and emphasize the importance of early stroke presentation. Results Twenty‐two physicians and their teams from eight countries across the Caribbean completed the didactic and hands‐on training. Eighteen groups completed both pre‐ and post‐MT hands‐on testing and were included in the final analysis. Pre‐ and post‐course hands‐on assessment showed that the course effectively reduced the total time to complete a simulated MT procedure from 36.5 to 21.1 min (Figure 1; p&lt; 1.0×10‐7). All groups showed an improvement in measures of good MT techniques, which resulted in a 39% improvement in complete reperfusion (8/18 groups achieved a TICI 3 score on pre‐course vs. 15/18 groups on post‐course). There was a significant reduction in total potentially dangerous maneuvers by 82% (p&lt; 0.002), with 12/18 groups performing an average 2 dangerous maneuvers on pre‐course simulation vs. only 4/18 groups performing an average 1 dangerous maneuver after completing the course. Participants also demonstrated increased knowledge of stroke treatment and stroke system of care. Utilizing a basic stroke knowledge questionnaire, we found 28% respondents did not have a baseline passing grade vs 100% passed after the workshop. The average post‐workshop knowledge score was 80%. Universally the workshop was rated as very satisfactory and likely to change practice in 93% of the Dominican Republic participants and 75% among Jamaican participants. Conclusions A team‐based approach to MT training is novel, effective in reducing time to reperfusion and harmful techniques, and improves competencies. Team members independently demonstrated advanced stroke learning post‐training. To our knowledge, this is the first workshop of its kind; it is feasible, practice‐changing and creates a pathway for increasing access to MT in LTMICs.

Abstract P341: A Flexible, Interpretable Approach to Recalibrate Risk Prediction Models: Adapting the Pooled Cohorts Equation to a Local New England Contemporary Population

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prognostic models have well-documented poor generalizability in contemporary populations. Sustained, accurate performance of risk prediction models is challenging given demographic shifts, changes in practice patterns, and geographic variation. We propose an approach to tailor known risk prediction models for local settings while preserving known disease risk mechanisms. Here, as a case study, we recalibrate the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) in a contemporary (1997-2018), local electronic health records (EHR) cohort in New England. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using EHR from large Boston-area hospitals. 61,808 patients 45+ years old, without ASCVD in 1997-2006 and complete data to calculate PCE model were split into training (50%), validation (10%), and test sets (40%). We used XGBoost to recalibrate PCE model (XGB-PCE) using PCE risk score, age, race/ethnicity, and sex (Figure). We constrained the XGB-PCE model to preserve known physiologic trends i.e. increase in ASCVD risk with increase in total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. Models’ discrimination and calibration were calculated in a set aside test set using the Harrell’s c-index and modified Nam D’Agostino χ2 test. Results: In the test set, XGB-PCE exhibited improved calibration across ASCVD risk categories (p=0.37) and race/ethnicity populations (p=0.73). In contrast, even after recalibration in the large, PCE was poorly calibrated across risk categories (p&lt;0.001) and race/ethnicity populations (p&lt;0.001). For model discrimination, both models produced similar c-index (Δc-index of ±.01). Conclusions: Our recalibration approach maintained comparable discriminative performance and demonstrated improved calibration relative to the PCE while preserving known disease risk mechanisms. Methods that are flexible and preserve disease mechanisms have the potential to locally tailor existing models to be better calibrated for contemporary populations.

The Persistent Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Total Joint Arthroplasty Changes in Practice Patterns in the United States From 2020 to 2021

BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has dramatically disrupted orthopaedic surgery practice patterns. This study aimed to examine differences between patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty (TJA) before the pandemic compared to 2020 and 2021. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed on all patients who underwent elective inpatient TJA from January 2017 to December 2021 using a national large database. Descriptive statistics were utilized to trend length of stay (LOS) and patient age. Patient demographics, discharge destinations, and rates of medical comorbidities were assessed for patients undergoing TJA in 2020 and 2021 compared to patients from prepandemic years (2017 to 2019). Overall, 1,173,366 TJAs were identified (2017 to 2019: 810,268 TJAs, average 270,089 cases/year; 2020: 175,185 TJAs; 2021: 187,627 TJAs). There was a 35.3% and 30.5% decrease in 2020 and 2021, respectively, when compared to the prepandemic annual average. ResultsAverage LOS decreased from 1.6 days in January 2020 to 0.9 days by December 2021. Same-day discharges increased from 6.2% of cases in 2019 to 30.5% in 2021. Discharge to skilled nursing facilities (SNF) reduced from 11.3% in 2017 to 2019 to 4.3% and 4.5% in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Patients ≥70 years old undergoing elective TJA decreased from 39.6% in 2017 to 2019 to 29.2% in April 2020. ConclusionIn response to the COVID-19 pandemic, same-day discharges following primary elective TJA increased markedly, the average LOS decreased, discharges to SNFs decreased, and a preferential shift toward younger patients was observed. Level of EvidenceTherapeutic Level III.

Evolving Landscape of Practice Patterns in the Management of Localized Low-Risk Prostate Cancer: A NCDB Study

Introduction: Most patients with low-risk prostate cancer (LRPC) are candidates for active surveillance (AS) or definitive local treatment, including radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiotherapy (EBRT), or prostate seed implant (PSI). In this study, we analyzed the treatment pattern of patients with LRPC using a large patient population provided by the National Cancer Database (NCDB). Methods: Patients with LRPC, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria, between 2004 and 2015 from the NCDB were analyzed. Patients, with no or minimal comorbidity, were categorized according to treatment modalities, including RP, EBRT, PSI, and no local therapy (NLT). Chi-square tests were used to analyze the association among demographic variables and treatments. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the likelihood of choosing NLT. Results: In total, 195,452 patients diagnosed with LRPC between 2004 and 2015 were identified. There was a significant change in practice patterns with increased utilization of NLT over time, from 11.3% in 2004 to 53.5% in 2015, with a turning point in 2009. RP utilization peaked at 41.6% in 2008, EBRT peaked at 24.3% in 2006, and PSI peaked at 35.3% in 2004. However, it dropped to 17.6%, 18.1%, and 10.8%, respectively, in 2015. Academic/research programs (A/RP), older age, lower income, poorer education, lack of insurance, African Americans, and other races were associated with increased NLT use. The difference between White and African American, and older and younger patients in odds ratios were less after 2010. Conclusions: There was a significant shift in treatment patterns between 2004 and 2015. AS, as represented by the NLT in this study, has become the dominant treatment of choice for patients with LRPC. A/RPs were leading this trend, particularly in younger patients. Socioeconomic factors played roles in choosing NLT, but the racial difference became less apparent after 2010.

Critical Appraisal of Paediatric Embryonal Cancers Treated with Image-guided Intensity-modulated Proton Therapy

AimTo carry out a comprehensive critical appraisal of image-guided intensity-modulated proton therapy practice for craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Materials and methodsAn image-guided intensity-modulated proton therapy database of 45 consecutive paediatric patients with central nervous system embryonal malignancies treated between January 2019 and April 2022 were critically appraised for demography, diagnosis, treatment planning strategy and treatment delivery accuracy. ResultsMost patients (median age: 7.5 years; male:female ratio: 34:11) had medulloblastoma (56%), followed by recurrent ependymoma (19%), pinealoblastoma (5%), germ cell (5%) and others (15%). The dose to the planning target volume-craniospinal (PTV-CS; length 39.06–79.59 cm) varied from 21 to 35 GyRBE, whereas the combined median dose to craniospinal and boost was 54 GyRBE. In all patients, the 95% isodose line covered the cribriform plate completely and optic nerves mostly, with a median V95% of 100% and 82.96%, keeping Dmax to the lens <3.9 GyRBE. In skeletally immature patients (88.38%), the anterior vertebral body was completely covered in 18.18% and underdosed in 70.15% of the cases, resulting in a median Dmean of 10.11 GyRBE to the oesophagus. Lateral spine coverage was maintained on the edges of the vertebral body in 52.2%, whereas it extended beyond in 48.8%. The median V98% for clinical target volumes and V95% for PTVs of the brain, spine and craniospinal were >97%, with excellent conformity (0.89) and homogeneity (0.07) indices for PTV-CS. All neurological organs at risk received a median Dmax ranging from 36 to 44 GyRBE from the combined CSI and boost regimens. Analysis of patient-specific quality assurance results revealed that 545 (97.67%) planar dosage verification had gamma (3% at 3 mm) values >95%. The online patient set-up verification showed translational and rotational deviation within 2 mm and 0.5° in 88–94% and 97% of the cases. Systematic and random error were within 0.90 mm and 1.71 mm in translation and 0.1° and 0.2° in rotation. ConclusionA change in practice pattern was observed. The findings from our comprehensive critical appraisal add to the growing library of CSI practice and may serve as a reference for inter-institutional comparison.

Trends of single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion documentation after the 2015 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services coding audit.

With the use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) expected to rise by 13.3% from 2020 to 2040, the increased usage of interbody cages with integral anterior fixation prompted a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) review, which resulted in coding changes affecting anterior instrumentation documentation. CMS determined that Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 22845 should not be used to report integrated instrumentation (plate) with an interbody device, and if additional anterior instrumentation (e.g., plates and screws) is placed with an integrated interbody device, then a 59 modifier should be used. There is sparse literature examining the trends of ACDF without and with additional anterior instrumentation after the 2015 CMS audit. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the trends of single-level subaxial ACDF utilization from 2011 to 2019 to determine whether the 2015 CMS audit influenced the documented usage of additional anterior instrumentation. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the commercially available database PearlDiver. Patient records were queried from 2011 to 2019 for single-level subaxial ACDF without (CPT code 22551) and with (CPT codes 22551 + 22845) instrumentation. Cochran-Armitage trend analyses were performed to evaluate the hypothesis that ACDF with additional anterior instrumentation decreased over the given time period. Between 2011 and 2019, the total number of single-level ACDFs decreased from 6202 to 4402. From 2011 to 2015, an average of 6240 patients per year underwent single-level subaxial ACDF; of those, 950 patients (15.2%) had ACDF without instrumentation and 5290 patients (84.8%) had ACDF with instrumentation. In 2016, the total number of single-level subaxial ACDFs decreased to 5525, with 1006 patients (18.2%) receiving no instrumentation and 4519 patients (81.8%) receiving instrumentation. From 2017 to 2019, an average of 4283 patients per year underwent a single-level subaxial ACDF; of these, 1280 (29.9%) had no instrumentation and 3003 (70.1%) had instrumentation (all p < 0.0001). From 2015 to 2019, single-level ACDF without instrumentation significantly increased by 91.5% and ACDF with anterior instrumentation significantly decreased by 18.1%. The 2015 CMS audit of interbody cages and anterior instrumentation coding (CPT code 22845) may account for the decreased documentation of anterior instrumentation in the 9-year period. Understanding CMS auditing could help surgeons perceive changes in practice patterns that may lead to a more thorough evaluation of patient outcomes, cost, and overall value.

Referral, Genetic Counselling, and BRCA Testing in the Manitoba High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Population, 2004–2019

(1) Background: The primary objective of this study was to examine the rate of genetic referral, BRCA testing, and BRCA positivity amongst all patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) from 2004-2019. The secondary objective was to analyze secondary factors that may affect the rates of referral and testing. (2) Methods: This population-based cohort study included all women diagnosed with HGSOC using the Manitoba Cancer Registry, CervixCheck registry, Medical Claims database at Manitoba Health, the Hospital Discharge abstract, the Population Registry, and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority genetics data. Data were examined for three different time cohorts (2004-2013, 2014-2016; 2017-2019) correlating to practice pattern changes. (3) Results: A total of 944 patients were diagnosed with HGSOC. The rate of genetic referrals changed over the three timeframes (20.0% → 56.7% → 36.6%) and rate of genetic testing increased over the entire timeframe. Factors found to increase rates of referral and testing included age, histology, history of oral contraceptive use, and family history of ovarian cancer. Prior health care utilization indicators did not affect genetic referral or testing. (4) Conclusion: The rate of genetic referral (2004-2016) and BRCA1/2 testing (2004-2019) for patients with a diagnosis of HGSOC increased over time. A minority of patients received a consultation for genetics counselling, and even fewer received testing for a BRCA1/2. Without a genetic result, it is difficult for clinicians to inform treatment decisions. Additional efforts are needed to increase genetics consultation and testing for Manitoban patients with HGSOC. Effects of routine tumour testing on rates of genetic referral will have to be examined in future studies.

The Economic Downturn of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Its Impact on Access to Eye Care.

To discuss the economic downturn of pediatric ophthalmology in the setting of an alarming decline in the number of residents pursuing pediatric ophthalmology and its impact on limiting access to eye care. Survey studies and articles examining the recent economic impact of reimbursement cuts and practice pattern changes in pediatric ophthalmology were reviewed. Population data from the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau and the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) were analyzed to illustrate provider-to-population relationships by state. Survey studies demonstrated a deteriorating economic situation marked by progression in reimbursement cuts, reductions in pediatric ophthalmologists accepting Medicaid patients, and dwindling numbers of residents pursuing pediatric ophthalmology fellowships. Provider-to-population relationships revealed that pediatric ophthalmologists are not evenly distributed to meet population demand, and that many states are suffering from a shortage of pediatric ophthalmologists. Furthermore, many states with high percentages of Medicaid coverage simultaneously have lower AAPOS members/million person ratios. The simple economic principles of supply and demand reveal a crisis in access to pediatric eye and adult strabismus care. The economic downtown and change in practice patterns may produce rippling effects outside pediatric ophthalmology in fields such as pediatrics and comprehensive ophthalmology. An interdisciplinary effort among health care providers and governmental officials is needed to revive the field of pediatric ophthalmology and improve access to eye care. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(1):18-24.].

Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of an Esophagectomy Care Pathway: a Qualitative Analysis

IntroductionA new postoperative esophagectomy care pathway was recently implemented at our institution. Practice pattern change among provider teams can prove challenging; therefore, we sought to study the barriers and facilitators toward pathway implementation at the provider level. MethodsThis qualitative study was guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to study the adoption and implementation of a post-esophagectomy care pathway. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with providers involved with the pathway. Matrix analysis was used to analyze the data. ResultsProviders included attending surgeons (n = 6), advanced practice providers (n = 8), registered dietitian (n = 1), and clinic staff (n = 1). TDF domains that were salient across our findings included knowledge, beliefs about consequences, social influences, and environmental context and resources. Identified facilitators included were electronic health record tools, such as note templates including pathway components and a pathway-specific order set, patient satisfaction, and preliminary data indicating clinical benefits such as a reduced anastomotic leak rate. The major barrier reported was a hesitance to abandon previous practice patterns, most prevalent at the attending surgeon level. ConclusionThe TDF enabled us to identify and understand the individuals’ perceived barriers and facilitators toward adoption and implementation of a postoperative esophagectomy pathway. This analysis can help guide and improve adoption of surgical patient care pathways among providers.

Toward a ‘green allopathy’? Naturopathic paradigm and practice in Ontario, Canada

Epistemic tensions have long been evident within naturopathy, a heterodox healthcare occupation licensed across much of North America. Naturopaths less inclined toward bioscientific explanatory and evidentiary norms have long used the trope of the ‘green allopath’ to critique the practices of their more biomedically- (i.e., ‘allopathically’) inclined colleagues. Using the ‘green allopathy’ narrative as a conceptual starting point, this work uses a qualitatively-driven, mixed methods design involving interviews (n = 17) and a census-style survey (n = 366) to characterize the paradigmatic and practice patterns of licensed naturopaths in Ontario, Canada between 2017 and 2019. At odds with many interviewees' accounts, survey results suggest that the occupation's overall epistemic character, aligned with the concept of holism, has not changed much over the last two decades. Nevertheless, findings suggest notable changes in Ontario naturopaths' clinical practice patterns over the same period, including: more frequent use of botanical medicines, nutritional supplements and acupuncture; less frequent use of physical medicine (e.g., massage, hydrotherapy); and, an overall reduction in homeopathic usage. Controlling for other factors, older naturopaths are more likely to rely often on non-biomedical diagnostic modes (p = 0.042), suggesting an emerging shift, in practice, toward a ‘green allopathy’. Naturopaths' widespread ongoing engagement with therapeutic modalities whose epistemic premises diverge strongly from conventional biomedicine (e.g., homeopathy, East Asian medicine), appears mediated by the increasing body of related bioscientific evidence, and by gender and age (p-values <0.05). Gender and age also significantly predict naturopaths' alignment with more pharmaceutically-oriented care (p values < 0.05). Though naturopathy's ‘green allopathization’ appears underway, the demographic predominance of women within the profession may temper this trend in the years ahead.

Computed tomography to replace invasive coronary angiography? The DISCHARGE trial.

Ongoing advancements of coronary computed tomographic angiography (CTA) continue to challenge the role of invasive coronary angiography (ICA) as the gold standard for the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD). To investigate the comparative effectiveness of ICA when compared with CTA as an initial diagnostic imaging strategy the DISCHARGE Trial enrolled 3561 patients with stable chest pain and an intermediate pre-test probability of obstructive CAD. The study showed no difference between CTA and ICA in the incidence of the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or non-fatal stroke during 3.5 years of follow up. As with many trials that advance a field, this trial raises several additional questions of interest that will be discussed. Furthermore, recent studies focused on the discrepancies of CTA vs. ICA indicate that the status of CTA remains unchanged in its ability to rule out disease but at present cannot be considered a substitute for ICA when coronary lesions are documented. Thus, a change in clinical practice patterns likely requires evidence from clinical studies demonstrating equivalence of CT to ICA for guiding medical management. Developments, however, are swift, and CT technology is catching up on its invasive counterpart.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Maganty et al. have conducted a thorough and intriguing analysis of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program called the Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). The analysis correlated MIPS scores with changes in practice patterns over time. Not unsurprisingly, smaller urology practices performed less well in MIPS scores (in part one of the CMS metric is “interoperability”–that is, investment in large scale electronic health records)–as did urology practices caring for the most vulnerable and poorest of Medicare patients.

Determinants of Commercial Prices for Common Radiation Therapy Procedures

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Radiation oncologists are increasingly working in larger practices. The implications of changing practice patterns on the cost of care have not been well studied. We analyzed whether radiation practice consolidation and other market factors were associated with higher prices for radiation therapy. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> Utilizing a database of U.S. hospital-reported price transparency data, we characterized the prices paid by commercial insurers for 4 common RT procedures—Intensity modulated RT (IMRT) Planning (Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 77301), IMRT Delivery (77386), 3D RT (3DRT) Planning (77295), and 3DRT Delivery (77412). To assess variation, we calculated the ratio of the 90^th percentile to the 10^th percentile price among different insurers in each hospital and among different hospitals in each Hospital Referral Region (HRR). We measured levels of radiation oncology practice market consolidation via the standard Herfindahl-Hirschman Index. We generated multivariable models to test the association of various hospital, health system, regional, and market factors on commercial prices, specifically evaluating the impact of radiation oncology practice consolidation. <h3>Results</h3> A total of 1,069 hospitals reported prices for any of the 4 RT procedures considered in this study. National median commercial prices for IMRT planning and IMRT delivery were $4,073 (IQR: $2,242-$6,305) and $1,666 (IQR: $1,014-$2,619), respectively, while those for 3DRT planning and 3DRT delivery were $2,824 (IQR: $1,339-$4,738) and $616 (IQR: $419-877), respectively. Within each hospital, the 90^th percentile price paid by commercial insurers was 2.3 to 2.5 times higher on average than the 10^th percentile price across the 4 procedures. Among different hospitals in each HRR, the median price at the 90^th percentile hospital was between 2.4 and 3.2 times higher than at the 10^th percentile hospital. On multivariable analysis, higher prices for the 4 procedures were generally observed at for-profit hospitals (3DRT Planning: median price 58% higher than non-profit, p=0.02; 3DRT Delivery: +68%, p<0.001) teaching hospitals (IMRT Delivery: +34%, p=0.02; 3D-RT Planning: +34%, p=0.03), and hospitals affiliated with large health systems (3D-RT Planning: +2%, p=0.04; 3D-RT Delivery: +2%, 0=0.03). Regional levels of radiation oncology practice consolidation did not have a statistically significant impact on any of the prices. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Utilizing nationwide price transparency data, we found that commercial prices for commonly billed RT procedures demonstrate significant variability. Prices for the same procedure vary by more than a factor of 2 depending on a patient's commercial insurer and hospital of choice. Prices appear to be driven by specific hospital and health-system characteristics with little apparent influence from radiation oncology practice consolidation. Further study is warranted to characterize the implications of price variability on access and costs of care.

Changes in the Use of Invasive and Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation in Pediatric Asthma: 2009-2019.

Rationale: Despite lower overall hospitalization rates for asthma in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of pediatric patients receiving intensive care management in the United States. Objectives: To investigate how the use of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation for asthma has changed in the context of an evolving cohort of critically ill pediatric patients with asthma. Methods: We analyzed children admitted to intensive care units for asthma from 2009 through 2019 in the Virtual Pediatric Systems database. Regression analyses were used to evaluate how respiratory support interventions, mortality, and patient characteristics have changed over time. Odds ratios were calculated to determine how patient characteristics were associated with respiratory support needs. Stratified analyses were performed to determine how changing practice patterns may have differed between patient subgroups. Results: There were 67,614 admissions for 56,727 patients analyzed. Intubation occurred in 4.6% of admissions and decreased from 6.9% to 3.4% over time (P < 0.001), whereas noninvasive ventilation as the maximal respiratory support increased from 8.9% to 20.0% (P < 0.001). Over time, the cohort shifted to include more 2- to 6-year-olds and patients of Asian/Pacific Islander or Hispanic race/ethnicity. Although intubation decreased and noninvasive ventilation increased in all subgroups, the changes were most pronounced in the youngest patients and slightly less pronounced for obese patients. Conclusions: In pediatric asthma, use of intubation has halved, whereas use of noninvasive ventilation has more than doubled. This change in practice appears partially related to a younger patient cohort, although other factors merit exploration.

Barriers and Facilitators in Implementation of a New Postoperative Esophagectomy Care Pathway: A Qualitative Analysis

INTRODUCTION: We recently implemented a new esophagectomy pathway that included significant practice changes, including gastric ischemic preconditioning 4 weeks before definitive surgery and routine placement of feeding jejunostomy tubes. Practice pattern changes can prove challenging. We therefore sought to determine barriers and facilitators to the implementation at the provider level. METHODS: We utilized qualitative method guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework to study the adoption and implementation of a post-esophagectomy care pathway. Sixteen interviews with providers involved with the pathway were conducted and analyzed using Matrix Analysis. RESULTS: Salient Theoretical Domains Framework domains identified included: knowledge, beliefs about consequences, and environmental context and resources. Facilitators included electronic health record tools (note templates including pathway components, pathway specific order set), patient satisfaction, and preliminary data suggesting reduced anastomotic leak rate. Barriers reported included hesitance to abandon previous practices and a desire for more concrete data prior to changing practice; these were most prevalent at the faculty level. Suggestions included improving post-discharge communication between providers and access to pathway documents by the clinical team. CONCLUSION: The Theoretical Domains Framework was successfully able to identify individuals’ perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation and adoption of an esophagectomy pathway that included significant practice changes. This analysis helped inform faculty about implementation and promoted communication between providers about pathway components. The findings of this qualitative methodology may inform future surgical patient care protocol implementations.

Evolution of and Evidence-Practice Gaps in Antithrombotic Management of Atrial Fibrillation Patients After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

BackgroundThe management of atrial fibrillation and flutter (AF) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has evolved rapidly in the past decade. We determine whether the publication of the 2016 Canadian Cardiovascular Society AF guidelines were associated with a shift in practice patterns. MethodsUsing Quebec provincial administrative database information for the period from 2010-2017, a retrospective cohort of patients with inpatient or outpatient coding for AF, who subsequently underwent PCI with placement of a coronary stent, was created and analyzed for the antithrombotic regimen received in the following year. Prescribing behavior was compared among 3 time periods (2010-2011, 2012-2015, 2016-2017), and use of antithrombotics was compared to guideline-predicted therapy using the χ2 test. Predictors of oral anticoagulation (OAC) prescription were identified using adjusted logistic regression. ResultsA total of 3740 AF patients undergoing PCI were included. The proportion of OAC prescription increased over time (2010-2011 = 51.4%; 2012-2015 = 54.3%; 2016-2017 = 56.6%; P = 0.13), with a significant increase in direct OAC prescription (P < 0.01). A substantial treatment gap in OAC prescription persisted after publication of the 2016 guidelines (56.6% observed vs 89.7% predicted; P < 0.01). Previous stroke, CHADS2 score, Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 4, and prior use of direct OAC or warfarin were predictors of being exposed to OAC claims; previous major bleeding, and low-dose acetylsalicylic acid or P2Y12 inhibitor use were predictors of not being exposed to OACs. ConclusionExpert guidance contributed to an increase in OAC prescription following PCI, but up to 2017, substantial further changes in practice patterns would have been required to achieve the recommended rates of OAC prescription.

Establishment of SEP-1 national practice guidelines does not impact fluid administration for septic shock patients

BackgroundThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced the Early Management Bundle, Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock (SEP-1) as a national quality measure in October 2015. The purpose of SEP-1 is to facilitate the efficient, effective, and timely delivery of high-quality care to patients presenting along the spectrum of sepsis severity.Objectives: The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether provider practice surrounding emergency department (ED) fluid management of suspected septic shock patients was impacted by SEP-1. MethodsThe study was a retrospective observational analysis of 470,558 patient encounters at an urban academic center over a five-year period. The sample of suspected septic shock patients was defined by the following: blood cultures collected, antibiotics administered, and vasopressors initiated. Participants were divided into two cohorts based on date of presentation (Pre-SEP-1: May 1, 2013, − August 30, 2015, and Post-SEP-1: November 1, 2015, − February 28, 2018). The primary outcome was classified as a dichotomous variable based on whether the total volume of fluids administered equaled or exceeded the calculated weight-based (≥30 cc/kg) goal. Segmented logistic regression analyses were used to assess the immediate impact of SEP-1 as well as to compare the long-term trend of fluid volume administered between Pre-SEP-1 and Post-SEP-1 cohorts. ResultsA total of 413 and 482 septic shock patients were included in the Pre-SEP-1 and Post-SEP-1 cohorts, respectively. There was no statistically significant change in weight-based fluid management between the cohorts. The odds of compliance with the weight-based goal decreased 22% immediately following dissemination of SEP-1, however, this was not statistically significant (log-odds = −0.25, p = 0.41). A positive trend in compliance was observed during both the Pre-SEP-1 and Post-SEP-1 periods with odds ratios increasing 0.005 and 0.018 each month, respectively, however, these findings were not statistically significant (log-odds = 0.005, p = 0.736, and log-odds = 0.018, p = 0.10, respectively). ConclusionsOverall, there were no clinically or statistically meaningful changes in fluid volume resuscitation strategies for suspected septic shock patients following SEP-1. Broad mandates may not be effective tools for promoting practice change in the ED setting. Further research investigating barrier to changes in practice patterns surrounding fluid administration and other SEP-1 bundle elements is warranted.

"I was Close to Helping him but Couldn't Quite get There": Psychiatrists' Experiences of a Patient's Death by Suicide.

A patient's death by suicide is a common experience for psychiatrists, ranging from 33% to 80%, however, research about the impact of patient suicide on psychiatrists is limited to a few survey studies. This study had three main objectives: (1) understanding the emotional and behavioural impact of a patient's suicide on psychiatrists, (2) exploring if and how the experience of a patient's suicide results in changes in psychiatrist practice patterns, and (3) understanding the tangible steps that psychiatrists and institutions take to manage the emotional and behavioural impact of patient suicide on psychiatrists. Eighteen psychiatrists were recruited using snowball sampling and interviewed to collect demographic data, followed by an in-depth exploration of their experiences of patient suicide. Interviews were then transcribed verbatim and analysed using constructivist grounded theory. Study participants described strong emotional reactions in response to patient suicide. Emotional reactions were mediated by a physician, patient, relationship and institutional factors. While psychiatrists did not change the acuity or setting of their practice in response to patient suicide, they made several changes in their practice, including increased caution regarding discharges and passes from inpatient units, more thorough documentation and continuing education about suicide. Patient suicide has a profound impact on psychiatrists and based on the findings of this study, we propose steps that psychiatrists and institutions can take to manage the emotional, psychological and behavioural burden of this event.