Transfer To Hospital Research Articles

Parental Knowledge and Attitude Toward Children Foreign Body Aspiration in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) causes morbidity and mortality in children. Caregivers play a major role in maintaining the children’s safety and well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to assess parents’ knowledge and attitudes toward children’s FBA in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Methodology: We used an online questionnaire to assess parents’ understanding of FBA, confidence in applying first aid, and details of any previous choking incidents. The data collection process started on May 2023 till July 2023. Statistical software “JMP” was used to analyze the collected data. Results: 60.55% of 1,280 total participants chose “1-2 years old” as the most common age group prone to choking. Most parents chose coins, toys, and button batteries as the most likely objects to cause choking, whereas only 1% chose raspberries and apples to cause choking. 72.03% of the participants believed that raspberry ingestion by children did not require immediate hospital transfer. 63.91% of the participants preferred removing objects from their children's reach to prevent choking incidents. Nevertheless, only 3.83% considered themselves very confident in applying first aid. Conclusion: This study revealed that many parents are aware of the life-threatening nature of FBA. Coins were the most frequently identified choking hazard. However, a few recognized raspberries and apples as choking hazards. Therefore, awareness needs to be raised by campaigns and educational workshops to correct misconceptions and increase parents' confidence in their first aid skills, as aspiration is commonly encountered in homes.

First Report of <i>Candida auris</i> Isolated from a Patient with Severe Pneumonia in Zhejiang, China

Introduction: Candida auris has emerged as a serious public health threat due to its multidrug resistance, remarkable transmissibility, and high mortality rates, resulting in global outbreaks. Here, we report the first detected case of C. auris in Zhejiang, China. Case Presentation: A 60-year-old male patient with severe pneumonia was previously treated in multiple hospitals in Nanjing before being transferred to the ICU at Jinhua Hospital of Zhejiang University. A yeast isolated from the patient's sputum cultures was identified as C. auris using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The isolate underwent antifungal susceptibility testing, whole genome sequencing (WGS), and phylogenetic analysis. The isolate demonstrated high resistance to fluconazole while remaining susceptible to other antifungal agents and was classified under genetic clade I. Unfortunately, the patient's condition deteriorated, leading the family to decide against further treatment. Considering the patient’s clinical history and multiple hospital transfers, it is suspected that colonization or infection occurred in a previous hospital setting. Conclusions: Candida auris is an invasive fungal pathogen capable of causing severe infections. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry provides an accurate and timely method for detecting C. auris. Patients in intensive care units (ICUs), especially those with prolonged stays and multiple underlying conditions, are at heightened risk for acquiring C. auris infections. Admission screening and preventive control measures are crucial to preventing the spread of C. auris outbreaks.

Real world delays in antivenom administration: patient, snake or hospital factors (ASP-33)

Objective Early antivenom administration is essential for effective treatment. We investigated the delays in antivenom administration. Methods We reviewed snakebites from the Australian Snakebite Project (2006–2021) given antivenom, presenting to hospital within 12 h. We extracted demographics, snake type, time of bite, hospital arrival, blood collection, antivenom treatment and hospital transfer. Results There were 2,169 patients recruited to Australian Snakebite Project 1,132 patients received antivenom within 12 h of the bite, and 1,019 of these were envenomated: median age 41 years (IQR: 24–57 years); 738 (72%) males. A pressure bandage was applied in 950 (93%), a median of 15 min (IQR: 5–30 min) post-bite. Specific snakes were identified by venom assays in 855 patients (80%), including 328 brown snakes (32%), 173 tiger snakes (17%), 74 rough-scaled snakes (7%), 85 red-bellied black snakes (8%), 49 taipans (5%) and 26 death adders (3%). Seventy-seven patients (7%) received antivenom without envenomation. The median length of hospital stay was 41 h (IQR: 24–67 h). The median time to hospital was 60 min (IQR: 30–105 min), to first blood tests was 90 min (IQR: 59–154 min) and to antivenom was 235 min (IQR: 155–345 min). There was a median delay in blood tests of 20 min (IQR: 10–37 min) and a median delay to antivenom of 147 min (IQR: 84–249 min). Non-specific systemic symptoms occurred in 641 (63%) patients, which occurred a median of 24 min (IQR: 10–60 min) post-bite, which was at a median of 180 min (IQR: 106 to 275 min) prior to antivenom administration. Time to antivenom in the 314 transferred patients was similar to those not transferred. Time to antivenom was significantly shorter for 189 patients given antivenom prior to transfer, median 183 min (IQR: 110–270 min), compared to 130 patients given antivenom after transfer, median 363 min (IQR: 289–513 min; P <0.001). Discussion Antivenom administration was delayed on average by 2.5 h after hospital presentation, despite three-quarters arriving in hospital within 3 h, the optimal time for antivenom administration. Patients requiring transfer received antivenom in a similar time, but earlier if administered prior to transfer, highlighting the possible benefits of pragmatic clinical decision-making prior to blood tests. Conclusion We found the leading cause of delays to antivenom administration after patients arrive in hospital was waiting for blood results. Systemic symptoms occurred early in most cases and could be given greater weight in decisions about early antivenom.

Implementing INTERACT in Veterans Health Administration Community Living Centers: A pragmatic randomized trial.

Hospital transfers from VA Community Living Centers (CLCs) are common. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of introducing the Intervention to Reduce Acute Care Transfers (INTERACT) program into VA CLCs. Cluster randomized trial involving 16 pair-matched VA CLCs. Intervention CLC nursing staff were trained in the use of INTERACT tools designed to identify early signs of a clinical change in condition and improve communication and documentation. One tool was embedded into the VA Electronic Medical Record. Intervention staff were supported by bi-weekly calls over 18 months to reinforce INTERACT tool use. The primary outcome for intent-to-treat analyses was the rate of all-cause hospitalizations per 1000 person days. Secondary outcomes, assessed through structured record reviews and algorithms, were intervention CLCs change in 1) potentially inappropriate transfer decisions and 2) potentially preventable transfers. CLC staff implementation and engagement in INTERACT were documented. Only five of the eight intervention CLCs substantially engaged in the intervention. Using a negative-binomial regression with random effects, adjusting for month, intervention, and the interaction of time and the intervention, we observed no statistically significant difference between intervention and control facilities in all-cause hospitalizations. This was confirmed with matched resident-level, as-treated, analyses among residents in the five engaged CLCs and their matched controls. Structured implicit review of intervention CLC's medical records revealed low rates of inappropriate transfer decisions both before and after the intervention. Introducing INTERACT into volunteer VA CLCs did not reduce the rates of all-cause hospitalizations. In both the pre- and post-intervention periods, all-cause hospitalization rates were relatively higher, and inappropriate transfers lower in VA CLCs than commonly observed in community NHs. Low rates of potentially inappropriate transfers and higher nurse and physician staffing in CLCs may explain why INTERACT was not implemented as fully as planned.

Does distance to hospital and interhospital transfer negatively impact time to definitive fixation and outcomes in patients with fractured neck of femur in a rural setting?

This study aims to investigate in patients over 65 with neck of femur (NOF) fractures in Rural Australia, does initial presentation to a peripheral hospital result in a delay to surgery? Retrospective cohort study. Dubba Base Hospital, Trauma Hospital Rural Australia(Modified Monash Model (MMM) 3) and catchment area (MMM 3-7), NSW, Australia. The study includes 350 patients over 65, presenting with closed, unilateral NOF fractures who underwent operative management at the operating centre, 203 from peripheral hospitals. Primary outcomes include time to surgery and adherence to recommended timeframes for NOF fixation. Secondary outcomes encompass complications, hospital length of stay and a subgroup analysis to identify causes of surgery delay. Patients transferred from peripheral hospitals experienced a statistically significant delay in time from presentation to surgery compared to those presenting directly to the operating centre (42 h vs. 24 h, p < 0.001) and were more likely to be outside of current guidelines for NOF fixation within 36 h of presentation (OR 5.1, p < 0.001). There were no differences in mortality at 1 year between the two groups (15% vs. 18%, p = 0.5). On subgroup analysis, distance from the operating centre, time to x-ray and after-hours presentation were associated with increased likelihood of surgery outside of 36 h in the peripheral hospital group. This study underscores an inequity in service delivery for rural patients with NOF fractures, particularly those requiring transfer. Pre-arrival delays necessitate targeted interventions to address diagnostic service delays, logistical challenges and transport issues in rural health care.

Exploring Post-Fall Management Interventions in Long-Term Care Facilities and Hospitals for Older Adults: A Scoping Review.

The population is rapidly growing, significantly impacting healthcare settings such as hospitals and long-term care. Falls are a major concern, being a leading cause of hospitalisations and injuries especially among adults aged 60 and above. Despite extensive research on falls prevention and risk factors, there is limited study on effective post-fall management strategies, making it crucial to review and develop interventions to improve care and safety for older adults in healthcare settings. To explore the interventions implemented for post-fall management for residents and patients within healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities. A scoping literature review. We used the Joanna Briggs Institute guidance and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Eligible articles included hospital and long-term care post-fall management interventions. Data were manually extracted by two independent reviewers using the AACTT (Actor, Action, Context, Target and Time) Framework to detail intervention characteristics and guide the data charting process, allowing for thematic analysis and narrative synthesis of key findings. Medline, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Scopus were searched from inception until 30th September 2024. Eighteen articles were included. Over half the studies (55.5%) focused on post-fall interventions in LTCFs, testing assessment tools (50%), structured protocols (27.7%), huddles (11.1%) or multifactorial approaches (11.1%), with varied effectiveness. While assessment tools and huddles showed mixed results, structured protocols showed encouraging results with reduced unnecessary hospital transfers and hospitalisations. This scoping review identified a variety of interventions used after falls in healthcare settings. However, there is inconclusive evidence about the effectiveness of interventions to reduce hospitalisation and injuries. This review identified areas for research that may help to inform post-fall management, including the need for further research into various interventions (e.g., standardised toolkit) to enhance care immediately following a fall. No Patient or Public Contribution.

Patterns of orthopedic injuries associated with increasing e-scooter-related trauma: A retrospective observational study with a 4-year evaluation from a tertiary center in Istanbul, Turkey.

The increasing use of electric scooters (e-scooters) has been accompanied by an increase in the number of traumas. Noncompliance with regulations and the effectiveness of legal measures remain subjects of ongoing debate. This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics of patients with e-scooter-related orthopedic injuries, temporal distribution of trauma, and patterns of these injuries. We retrospectively evaluated 534 patients with e-scooter-related injuries who were referred to the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology between January 2020 and October 2023. Variables such as patient sex, age, time of trauma, type of hospital transfer, mechanism of trauma, injury location and type, accompanying head trauma in extremity injuries, and treatment approach were recorded. Temporal analysis was performed by hour, day, month, season, and weekday versus weekend. The majority of patients were male (80.0%), with injuries most common in the 25 to 39 age group (33.7%). Trauma was frequent in the summer (45.7%), especially in July (16.5%), with most hospital visits occurring on Fridays (18.2%) and weekends (32.2%). Blunt soft tissue injuries (47.3%) and fractures (42.4%) were prevalent, particularly in the elbow (18.4%), wrist (16.9%), and knees (14.3%). A total of 247 fractures were identified, with the radial head (17.0%) and distal radius (10.9%) being the most common fractures. Fracture rates have increased in 2022 and 2023 compared to those in previous years. While 86.0% of patients received nonsurgical treatment, 14.0% underwent surgery, with a rise in surgical cases in 2022 and 2023. Elbow (19.0%), knee (16.7%), and wrist (16.7%) were the most frequent surgical sites. The increasing use of e-scooters among young people has increased trauma cases, with a growing proportion of fractures over time. The higher incidence of injuries, particularly in the elbow and knee joints, underscores the importance of protective equipment. Therefore, additional legal regulations can help to prevent such injuries.

A Multifaceted Assessment of the Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service Within a Regional Australian Hospital.

Medical and mental health conditions have a reciprocal relationship, with each impacting the other. Consultation-liaison psychiatry (CLP) is a sub-speciality that addresses psychiatric comorbidities in the general hospital system and positively impacts hospital resources through its service aspects of 'consultation' and 'liaison'. This multi-faceted evaluation aims to describe and evaluate the characteristics of a regional CLP service. Retrospective evaluation of all referrals accepted by CLP between May 2021 and 2022 were reviewed through the hospital's electronic records. An evaluation tool was designed to assess multiple aspects of care, including the source of referrals, the reasons for referral, patient demographics, how quickly the patient was seen, information on their mental health, and the details and timeframe of CLP involvement. There were 147 patients included in this study. Doctors were the primary referrers (92%). A total of 94% of patients were reviewed within 24 h of the referral being received. Referral reasons were balanced across diagnostic clarification/review, medication review, and risk review. A large proportion of referrals were aged > 60 years. There was a large proportion of patients who lived rurally, requiring hospital transfer. CLP involvement was primarily required to provide a diagnosis (91% of patients) and provide pharmacological management advice (88%). The CLP service currently operates with limited resources, and without additional support, the sustainability of the service will become increasingly challenged due to population ageing. It is essential that we address this issue to ensure that the community's needs are met effectively.

Nurse-led framework to improve the safety and quality of residential aged care (HIRAID® Aged Care): protocol for a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial

BackgroundThe health issues experienced by older people can often be severe and complex, and an increasing number are using residential aged care services to meet their care needs. High-quality nursing care is fundamental to the health and safety of aged care residents and is contingent on nurses’ accurate assessment, informed decision-making, and delivery of timely interventions. However, the role of the aged care nurse is often challenging, impeded by factors such as understaffing, high workloads, and a lack of access to clinical infrastructure and resources. When these challenges mount, residents are put at greater risk of adverse outcomes, such as avoidable clinical deterioration and hospital transfers. This study describes the adaptation and implementation of the emergency nursing framework, HIRAID® (History including Infection risk, Red Flags, Assessment, Interventions, Diagnostics, reassessment, communication and plan)—a tool to assist nurses’ assessment, decision-making and care in residential aged care.MethodsThe HIRAID® framework will be adapted for residential aged care using a real-time Delphi and panel of aged care and nursing experts. The co-designed HIRAID® Aged Care framework will be trialled in 23 residential aged care homes in Sydney, Australia, in a modified stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial design. All homes will be randomised into one of four clusters. Outcomes of interest include the rate of clinical deterioration events resulting from nurses’ actions, the rate of hospital transfers determined to be inappropriate, performance against the national mandatory aged care quality indicators, resident satisfaction with care, nurse and medical staff satisfaction with communication, and the quality of nursing documentation. These outcomes will be evaluated using a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis of routinely collected resident data, expert assessments of facility documentation events against validated criteria, and pre- and post-intervention surveys of residents, family carers, nurses, and medical staff.DiscussionThis protocol describes a pragmatic trial that aims to translate an evidence-based framework from the emergency care context into residential aged care. The adapted HIRAID® Aged Care framework will be the first of its kind to standardise and guide holistic nursing assessment, decision-making, and documentation in residential aged care in Australia.Ethics and disseminationThis research has been approved by the Western Sydney Local Health District Human Research Ethics Committee: 2023/ETH00523. A waiver of consent has been approved to access resident health data and nursing documentation at each participating site.Trial registrationAustralian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, ACTRN12623000481673. Registered 12 May 2023.Protocol versionVersion 1.0 6 February 2024.

Supporting resident-centred decision-making about transitions from long-term care homes to hospital: a qualitative study protocol

IntroductionBurdensome care transitions may occur despite clinicians’ engagement in care planning discussions with residents and their family/friend care partners. Conversations about potential hospital transfers can better prepare long-term care (LTC)...

Commentary to “What matters in testicular torsion? Association of hospital transfer, race and socioeconomic factors with testicular outcomes in a single center experience”

Commentary to “What matters in testicular torsion? Association of hospital transfer, race and socioeconomic factors with testicular outcomes in a single center experience”

Rapid rule-out of acute myocardial infarction using the 0/1-hour algorithm for cardiac troponins in emergency primary care: the OUT-ACS implementation study

Abstract Background Acute chest pain in primary care often results in defensive and unnecessary hospital referrals due to the limited ability to rule out an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) outside of hospital. In a previous prospective observational study (OUT-ACS; One-hoUr Troponin in a low-prevalence population of Acute Coronary Syndrome), we demonstrated that the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm for high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) would be safe and cost-effective if implemented to assess low-risk patients with chest pain in emergency primary care. Purpose We evaluated the real-world applicability, personnel adherence, and disposition of low-risk patients with chest pain following the implementation of the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm in emergency primary care. Methods In April 2023, the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm for hs-cTnT was implemented at a large emergency primary care clinic in Norway. The clinic is located close to a hospital, enabling the patient to wait at the clinic while blood samples are analysed for hs-cTnT at the hospital laboratory. For the following six months, all patients ≥18 years with acute non-traumatic chest discomfort, offered hs-cTnT measurements at the clinic, were anonymously registered, including their discharge diagnoses and disposition from the clinic. By applying the ESC 0/1-hour algorithm, patients were assigned to rule-out, rule-in or further observation. Patients in the observation group were offered a 4-hour hs-cTnT measurement before a final decision. Results During the six-month period, 10.3% (n=3,053/29,631) of the clinic's consultations involved chest complaints. Hs-cTnT measurements were conducted in 32.6% (n=995/3,053) with a median age of 58 years (IQR 45-68), 50.6% being female. A single hs-cTnT &amp;lt;5 ng/L, sampled ≥3 hours since symptom onset, triaged 24.1% (n=240/995) of the patients towards the rule-out group, increasing to 63.8% after adding a 1-hour measurement. In the rule-in group (n=42/995, 4.2%), 16 patients were diagnosed with an AMI. The intermediate observation group (n=318/995, 32.0%, 4 AMIs) was reduced to 23.0 % after a 4-hour hs-cTnT measurement. Healthcare personnel adhered well to the algorithm, with a median sampling interval of 63 minutes (IQR 60-66) and 4.5 hours (IQR 4.1-5.5) for the 1- and 4-hour measurements, respectively. The algorithm was misinterpreted or overruled in 8.8% of the cases. Ultimately, only 14.8% required hospital transfer following troponin assessment at the clinic. The remaining patients were sent home or managed in the outpatient setting. Conclusions The OUT-ACS strategy, utilizing a 0/1/4-hour algorithm for hs-cTnT measurements in emergency primary care, is safe, effective and applicable, and the strategy contributes to reduced hospital referrals for low-risk patients with chest pain.0/1/4-hour algorithm for hs-cTnTDisposition

Predictive Factors of Emergency Department Length of Stay: Analyzing National Emergency Department Data.

This study aimed to identify and analyze the factors influencing Emergency Department Length of Stay (ED LOS) using a nationwide database to improve emergency care efficiency. This retrospective study utilized data from the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) in South Korea, covering 25,578,263 ED visits from 2018 to 2022. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and ED operational variables were examined. The study employed univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the association between these factors and prolonged ED LOS, defined as six hours or more. Among the 25,578,263 patients included, median ED LOS was 2.1 hours (interquartile range [IQR], 1.050 - 3.830 hours), with 12.6% experienced a prolonged ED LOS. Elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) were significantly more likely to experience prolonged ED LOS (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.415, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.411-1.419). Patients transferred from other hospitals (aOR: 1.469, 95% CI: 1.463-1.474) and those arriving by 119 ambulances (aOR: 1.093, 95% CI: 1.077-1.108) also had higher odds of prolonged LOS. Conversely, pediatric patients had a lower likelihood of extended stays (aOR: 0.682, 95% CI: 0.678-0.686). Severe illness, including sepsis (aOR: 1.324, 95% CI: 1.311-1.340) and COVID-19 infection (aOR: 1.413, 95% CI: 1.399-1.427), were strongly associated with prolonged LOS. Prolonged ED LOS is influenced by a combination of patient demographics, clinical severity, and systemic factors. Targeted interventions focusing on older adults, severe illness, and operational inefficiencies, such as hospital transfers, are essential for reducing ED LOS and improving overall emergency care delivery.

Frequent callers contacting the Norwegian national emergency medical number 113: a retrospective study

BackgroundCalling for help is the first link in the chain of survival; however, few studies have investigated the challenges faced by frequent callers (FCs) to emergency medical communication centres (EMCCs). This study aimed to explore the characteristics of FCs and the nature of their calls to the Bergen EMCC, Norway.MethodsThis was a retrospective analysis of all emergency calls to the Bergen EMCC over three consecutive years (2019–2021). Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, and the Bergen EMCC and ambulance services are part of the specialist medical service, covering a population of 460,000. The Bergen EMCC receives approximately 60,000 emergency calls per year. The study population comprised all adults identified during emergency medical calls. FCs were defined as individuals who registered five or more calls over 12 consecutive months during the three-year period.ResultsThe analysis included approximately 50,000 individuals, who made > 90,000 calls during the study period. Of those, 1,594 (3.2%) were FCs, accounting for approximately one in four (21,339 of 90,085, 23.7%) calls. The FCs included more men (882 of 1,594 (55.3%) vs. 24,204 of 47,564 (50.9%)) and registered a lower proportion of calls with an acute degree of urgency (6,051 of 21,339 calls (28.4%) vs. 30,276 of 68,746 calls (44.0%)). Calls from FCs showed an even occurrence throughout the week, peaking between 19:00 h and 20:00 h. Compared with calls from non-FCs, calls from FCs had a higher proportion of ‘no response/verbal referral to local emergency medical department’ and involved a lower proportion of hospital transfers. The EMCC most frequently used the medical criterion ‘Mental health problems/suicide’ for calls from FCs.ConclusionsFCs were common, and more often men. The EMCC dispatched ambulances or admitted patients to hospitals less frequently following these calls. Many of these situations could be handled in other parts of the healthcare system, reducing the burden on EMCCs, and providing more suitable services for FCs. Thus, EMCCs should identify and adjust patient management to match their actual needs.

Antenatal Risk of Coarctation for Newborns at Hartford Hospital (ARCH) Pathway: A Predictor of Postnatal Management Strategy.

The diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) prior to birth can be challenging due to the physiologic changes during postnatal transition. Prenatal risk stratification can standardize postnatal management and improve outcome. CT Children's Fetal Cardiology created the Antenatal Risk of CoA in Hartford (ARCH) clinical pathway defining four distinct postnatal order sets based on degree of suspicion for ductal dependency on fetal evaluation: low, low-moderate, moderate-high, and high risk. This study aims to evaluate safety and efficacy of the ARCH pathway in neonates with suspected CoA. This study was a single-center, retrospective chart review evaluating maternal-infant dyads with findings concerning for CoA between July 2004 and July 2021, before and after ARCH pathway implementation. Neonates were evaluated for the presence or absence of critical CoA and postnatal clinical data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using chi square and Fisher's exact test. There were 108 maternal-infant dyads studied, comprising 53 non-pathway patients and 55 ARCH pathway participants. Thirty-three neonates had critical CoA, comprising 23 non-pathway and 10 ARCH pathway subjects.Patients categorized in the high-risk group were highly associated with critical CoA (P = 0.003). Non-pathway neonates with CoA demonstrated higher likelihood of hospital transfer compared to ARCH pathway neonates (56.5% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.021).NICU admission, prostaglandin administration, and intubation were not significantly different between before and after ARCH implementation (P < 0.05). More echocardiograms were performed in ARCH pathway neonates without CoA than their non-pathway counterparts (1.586 vs. 2.133, P = 0.049). The ARCH pathway is a safe, reliable prenatal risk stratification system to help guide management of patients with critical CoA. These results identify effective targets of modification to the pathway to reduce resource utilization without compromising safety.

Untangling the complex web of avoidable nursing home-to-hospital transfers of residents with dementia.

Nursing home (NH) residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias (ADRD) are at high risk for hospital transfer. We aimed to (1) describe characteristics and predictors of avoidable transfer of residents with ADRD and (2) explore how "what matters" influences the decision to transfer. We applied an exploratory, mixed methods design using data collected as part of a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstration project. Advanced practice registered nurses documented retrospective details about nursing home (NH)-to-hospital transfers (n=3687) from 16 NHs. NH residents with ADRD had 1.22 times higher odds of having an avoidable NH-to-hospital transfer (odds ratio=1.22; 95% confidence interval=1.03, 1.45). Factors contributing to avoidable transfers were age, stage of ADRD, what matters to the resident and their family, changes in condition, and resources available in the NH. These findings highlight the need for enhanced specificity in the discussion and documentation of resident and family preferences and continued investments in the NH workforce. This article reports on factors contributing to avoidable nursing home (NH)-to-hospital transfer of residents with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The mixed methods design used in this study offers insight beyond what is possible using a single-method design. Using data collected from a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services demonstration project, advanced practice registered nurses documented retrospective details about NH-to-hospital transfers (n=3687) of residents. NH residents with ADRD were more likely to have an avoidable NH-to-hospital transfer. Factors contributing to avoidable transfers were age, stage of ADRD, what matters to the resident and their family, changes in condition, and resources available in the NH. These findings highlight the need for enhanced specificity in discussion and documentation of resident and family preferences and continued investments in the NH workforce.

A-072 Growth hormone stimulation tests: experience of a large cohort from a Brazilian diagnostic medical center

Abstract Background Growth hormone (GH) stimulation tests are used to diagnose short stature in children and to assess hypothalamic-pituitary axis in adults. The most frequently stimulation tests are: oral clonidine (CLO), insulin-induced hypoglycemia (ITT), glucagon (GLU) and exercise (EXE). Well-known side effects are hypotension, nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study was to evaluate side effects and intercurrences observed during the performance of GH stimulation tests and to identify their possible predisposing factors. Methods From April/2022 to May/2023, in a large private laboratory located in 8 different sites, 3,006 GH stimulation tests were performed, with 266 patients with two or more GH stimulation tests. Results Considering only patients aged &amp;lt; 18 years (95% of the tests), the mean age was 10.3 ± 2.7 years (median 10.6 years), with 62.5% being male. GH stimulation test was distributed as follows: 64% CLO, 27.6% ITT, 7% GLU and 1.4% EXE. Patients with a history of asthma, allergies, seizure and heart disease were reported in 3%, 1.7%, 0.9% and 0.6%, respectively. More than 2 punctures for venous access were necessary in 9.3% of the cases, particularly in CLO test. The age of patients submitted to GLU was significantly lower compared to CLO and ITT (9.5 ± 3.3 years vs 10.3 ± 2.7 years and 10.6 ± 2.6 years, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Side effects were noted in only 5.1% of the total tests (145/2,863 tests), most frequent in the GLU (50/197 tests, 25%) and none observed in the EXE. There was no correlation of reported side effects with age and weight. As expected, hypotension was more frequent in CLO (27%), not associated with the oral clonidine administered dose (0.1 or 0.150 mg/SC). Nausea and vomiting occurred in 23% of the GLU tests. Symptomatic hypoglycemia that needed glucose administration (oral or parenteral) occurred in 8% of the ITT. Cough was observed in 6 patients during CLO, with no previous history of asthma or allergies. There were no occurrences that hospital transfer was need. Conclusions GH stimulation tests are safe and rarely cause serious side effects, certainly due to the presence of a prepared team for promptly support.

What matters in testicular torsion? Association of hospital transfer, race and socioeconomic factors with testicular outcomes in a single center experience

IntroductionTesticular torsion is a surgical emergency that is managed with either septopexy-only or tunica vaginalis flap with septopexy if the testis is potentially viable or orchiectomy if not. Minimizing time from ischemia onset to surgery maximizes the likelihood of testicular preservation. While factors such as time from door to OR can be easily targeted, others such as inequalities in access to care are more difficult to address. ObjectiveWe sought to determine whether patient transfer affects testicular outcomes intraoperatively and in the long-term. Secondary goals included investigating the impact of race and Child Opportunity Index (COI) on testicular torsion outcomes and defining the optimal time cutoff from symptom onset to presentation that predicts salvage. MethodsWe reviewed our prospective testicular torsion database to identify boys who underwent operative intervention for testicular torsion between January 2015 and March 2022. The association of race and COI with testicular salvage, defined as septopexy-only, was evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression controlling for time to presentation, while the association of transfer with salvage was evaluated with univariate and multivariate logistic regression controlling for age, time to presentation, and time to OR. To determine the optimal cutoff for time to presentation to predict testicular salvage, the Youden index was calculated. ResultsRace and COI were not associated with testicular salvage on either univariate or multivariate logistic regression that controlled for time to presentation. Transfer status was not associated with salvage, while age, time from symptoms to presentation, and time from institutional arrival to OR were associated with salvage. The optimal time cutoff to predict salvage using the Youden index was 10.5 hours from symptom onset to presentation and 14.5 hours from symptom onset to detorsion. DiscussionTime to presentation was the strongest, modifiable risk factor associated with testicular salvage. As it may be difficult for children to accurately communicate their symptoms, diagnosis and prompt management of testicular torsion can be delayed. Improvement in outcomes can be achieved by placing greater efforts into patient, parental, and primary care provider education of the signs and symptoms of testicular torsion. ConclusionsRace, COI, and transfer status were not found to have a statistically significant effect on testicular salvage outcomes in patients presenting with testicular torsion. Despite the common premise of a six-hour window until testicular loss, we found that intervention within the acute window of 14.5 hours from symptom onset is still associated with salvage.

Impact of Hospital Transfers on Cardiac Surgery Outcomes: A Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database Analysis

BackgroundTransfers for cardiac surgery are not well studied. We sought to understand the risk profile of transferred patients and determine whether transfer rates vary by cardiac surgery and whether outcomes of transferred patients vary with type of referral hospital/surgery. MethodsPatients undergoing cardiac surgery with operative risk models were identified from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons database between July 1, 2014, and December 31, 2022. Patients were stratified as no transfer, transferred from hospital with cardiac surgery, and transferred from hospital without cardiac surgery. Risk associated with transfer compared with no transfer was derived by using multivariable logistic regression for operative mortality and select perioperative outcomes. ResultsIncluded were 1,828,787 patients at 1145 hospitals, with 1,452,491 no-transfer patients (79.4%), 28,862 transfers (1.6%) from hospitals with cardiac surgery, and 347,434 transfers (19.0%) from hospitals without cardiac surgery. Most transferred patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (83.6%); however, transfers from hospitals with cardiac surgery were most common for mitral valve replacement (17.9%). Transferred patients had increased comorbid diseases and urgent/emergent procedures. In multivariable analysis, transfers from hospitals with/without cardiac surgery were not associated with differential risk of adverse outcomes by procedure type. Patients transferred from hospitals with cardiac surgery undergoing mitral and aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting had significantly lower adjusted mortality risk compared with nontransferred patients, whereas composite morbidity/mortality was higher in mitral valve repair. ConclusionsPatients transferred for cardiac surgery are generally higher risk; yet, outcomes at transfer to hospitals are as expected or better. However, further research is necessary to examine patients who are transferred but do not undergo surgery.

Differences in Interfacility Transfer from Emergency Department and Inpatient Services for Inpatient Neurologic Care.

Interhospital transfer is an important mechanism for improving access to specialized neurologic care but there are large gaps in our understanding of interhospital transfer for the management of non-stroke-related neurologic disease. This observational study included consecutive patients admitted to an adult academic general neurology service via interhospital transfer from July 1, 2015 to July 1, 2017. Characteristics of the referring hospital and transferred patients were obtained through the American Hospital Association Directory, a hospital transfer database maintained by the accepting hospital, and the electronic medical record. The analyses used descriptive statistics to examine the cohort overall and compare characteristics of patients transferred from an emergency department and inpatient service. 504 patients were admitted via interhospital transfer during the study period. Of these, 395 patients (78.4%) were transferred because the referring hospital lacked capability, and 139 patients (27.6%) were transferred from an emergency department as opposed to inpatient service. Seizures was the most common diagnosis (23.8%). Patients who were transferred from an emergency department had a higher proportion covered by Medicaid (44.6%) than those transferred from an inpatient service (28.8%) and had a shorter median length of stay (3days; IQR 2-7 vs 7days; IQR 4-12). The majority of observed interhospital non-stroke neurologic transfers occurred to improve access to specialized neurological care for patients, though patients transferred from the ED, as opposed to an inpatient service, had lower health care utilization, and this will be important to consider when developing systems of care and in future research.