Quebec Hospitals Research Articles

Active Surveillance and Isolation of Asymptomatic Carriers of Clostridium difficile at Hospital Admission: Containing What Lies Under the Waterline.

During the 2000s, the incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) increased dramatically, in large part due to the emergence of a hypervirulent strain, BI/NAP1/027, responsible for many hospital outbreaks in the United States. In 2011, C difficile accounted for 12% of all US health care–associated infections, surpassing Staphylococcus aureus as the most common cause of such infections.1 Hospitalized patients with CDI are a recognized source of health care–associated (HA) transmission, and a primary control measure is to limit the spread of the organism from symptomatic patients. However, increasing molecular evidence, based on genomic sequence–based methods, indicates that asymptomatic patients colonized with C difficile also contribute to transmission.2,3 A 2013 study3 found that incident CDI cases in a hospital were as frequently linked to transmission from asymptomatic carriers as to symptomatic patients. Despite the potential for patients with asymptomatic colonization to serve as a reservoir for CDI, no data currently exist to determine whether interventions targeting asymptomatically colonized patients could be effective in reducing HA-CDI. In this issue of JAMA Internal Medicine, Longtin et al4 report findings from a quasi-experimental controlled study using time series analysis to determine the effect of active surveillance and isolation of asymptomatic carriers on the incidence of HA-CDI. The authors conducted rectal sampling of all patients admitted through the emergency department of a tertiary acute care hospital over an approximate 17-month period. Clostridium difficile testing was performed using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that targeted the tcdB gene and has been demonstrated to detect the subset of carriers with heavier organism loads who were more likely to contaminate the skin or environment.5 All identified asymptomatic carriers were placed under isolation precautions until discharge. Among 7599 of 8218 patients screened, 4.8% were identified as asymptomatic carriers, which is similar to a previous study6 that included additional Quebec hospitals. However, other researchers have reported a higher prevalence of carriage on admission, ranging from 7% to 18%.7 Longtin et al4 did not provide the proportion of all patients admitted who were either transferred from other hospitals or directly admitted from long-term care facilities. Although these individuals are likely to be higher-risk patients, they were excluded from screening due to logistical restraints, and their exclusion could have contributed to the low prevalence of asymptomatic carriage. The limited sensitivity of direct screening using a commercial PCR (ie, insufficient for detecting carriers with lower organism burden) might be another reason for the lower prevalence. Nonetheless, Longtin et al4 found that the incidence of HA-CDI decreased by 7% per 4-week period during the interventionperiod, resulting in anoverall decreaseof 7.2 casesper 10000 patient-days. The interventionwas estimated to have prevented 63 of 101 expected cases. This meant that, for every single HA-CDI case prevented, 121 patients had to be screened, and 6 asymptomatic carriers had to be isolated. No concomitant decrease in the incidence of HA-CDI was detected among other hospitals in Quebec City and throughout Quebecprovince. It is conceivable thatmore caseswouldhave beenprevented ifperiodic screeningwasperformedamongpatientsafter admission, identifyingadditional carrierswhowere missed during admission screening. In addition, a greater reductionofHA-CDI incidencemighthavebeendetected if ithad not been for the previously mentioned limitations (ie, exclusion of direct admissions and transfers and use of a less sensitive screening method). Several strengths of this study should be noted. Although the study design was not as rigorous as a cluster randomized approach,multiple statisticalmethodswere used to measure the effect of the intervention, including segmented regression analysis and autoregressive integratedmoving averagemodeling, and these analyses produced similar results, while accounting for seasonality andchanges indiagnostic assays. Multiple control hospitals were also included for interhospital comparison.Other important confounders thatwere assessed includedhandhygienecomplianceandantibiotic and proton pump inhibitor use. Hand hygiene compliance increasedduring the interventionphase, but almost all handhygiene was performed with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which is not effective against C difficile spores. The results of this study are promising for reducing HA-CDI.Additional informationonpatient-specific factors that couldhave affected the incidence ofHA-CDI, such aswhether asymptomatic carrierswere less likely than noncarriers to receive antibiotics and therefore todevelopCDI,wouldbehelpful. Adherence to isolation precautionswas also not assessed to ensure that the intervention was adequately implemented. In addition, isolation precautions were modified to allow asymptomatic carriers to share a room with noncarriers as longas the curtain separating the2bedswasdrawn.The effectiveness of this approach in preventing C difficile transmission is unknown, andnodatawere available regarding the proportion of noncarrier roommates who subsequently Related article page 796 Effect of Detecting and Isolating Clostridium difficile Carriers Original Investigation Research

Descriptive analysis of the use of ipilimumab (IPI) in previously treated patients with unresectable stage III or IV metastatic melanoma (MM) in four university hospitals of Quebec, Canada.

e21020Background: IPI was approved in Quebec in 2012 for treatment of mm patients with an ECOG of 0-1 after failure to chemotherapy. We measured the clinical benefit and adverse events (AE) profile...

Education and Role Title as Predictors of Enacted (Actual) Scope of Practice in Generalist Nurses in a Pediatric Academic Health Sciences Center.

The aim of this study is to document the enacted (actual) scope of practice (SOP) of nurses in pediatric settings in relation to education level and position. Baccalaureate-prepared staff nurses routinely carry out only a fraction of the activities essential for quality of care and patient safety they have been educated for. A direct care nurse clinician role exists for nurses with bachelor's degrees in Quebec, Canada. Survey of 301 nurses in a pediatric university hospital in Quebec was conducted. Enacted (actual) SOP for baccalaureate-educated nurses was significantly broader than that of nurses with junior college diplomas and nurse clinicians (baccalaureate-educated) carried out complex activities more frequently. The creation of job titling and role descriptions that reflect the upper range of nursing competencies could be an important tool for promoting broadened SOP for baccalaureate nurses.

Implantation d’un « milieu de travail promoteur de santé » : compatibilité avec les pratiques organisationnelles d’un Centre Hospitalier Universitaire

In 2006, a University Hospital in Quebec decided to implement the Health Promoting Hospital project (HPH). A study was conducted on the internal context of the HPH Project implementation, and more particularly on one of its dimensions, the “health promoting workplace”. Compatibility is an important factor of the internal context, but has been rarely studied. The objective of this paper is to examine whether there are any organizational practices compatible with those of a health promoting workplace for nurses. A questionnaire was administered, interviews were conducted with strategic actors and a document analysis was performed.The results show various levels of compatibility with the criteria of a health promoting workplace. Thus, compatibility was very high for criteria related to the development of a learning and efficient organization, the strategies to ensure a healthy and safe workplace, and healthy lifestyles. However, poor compatibility was observed for criteria related to the adoption of a health promotion policy and no compatibility was observed for nurses’ participation in the decision-making process.The study identified strengths and weaknesses in the “Health Promoting Workplace” Subproject implementation process. It also emphasized the importance of the adaptation of tools to local conditions. In this case, it is the WHO assessment tool for hospitals wishing to assess their health promotion practices and to stimulate their development.

Outcomes of Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Receiving and Not Receiving Reperfusion Therapy: The Importance of Examining All Patients

BackgroundHospitals treating patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) may show good results with reperfusion treatment (fibrinolysis or primary percutaneous coronary intervention [PPCI]), but a comprehensive evaluation should factor in outcomes of patients with STEMI who do not receive reperfusion. We compared outcomes of patients receiving and not receiving reperfusion within a complete system of STEMI care by hospital type: PPCI centres, fibrinolysis centres, centres that only transfer for PPCI, and centres providing a mix of fibrinolysis and PPCI transfer. MethodsAll patients presenting to 82 Quebec hospitals with characteristic symptoms, a final diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, and core-laboratory confirmed STEMI over two 6-month periods were studied. ResultsOf the total 3731 patients with STEMI, 2918 (78.2%) received reperfusion treatment (81% PPCI, 19% fibrinolysis); 813 (21.8%) did not. For reperfusion-treated patients, 30-day mortality was 5.4% in PPCI centres, 5.4% in fibrinolysis centres, 6.9% in transfer PPCI centres, and 6.0% in mixed centres (P = 0.55). For untreated patients, 30-day mortality was 15.7% (PPCI centres), 16.1% (fibrinolysis centres), 21.8% (transfer PPCI), and 24.6% (mixed) (P = 0.08). Adjusted mortality odds ratios for all patients were 1.00 (PPCI centres), 1.50 (95% CI: 0.97-2.32; fibrinolysis centres), 1.30 (0.95-1.78; transfer PPCI centres), and 1.58 (1.09-2.29; mixed centres). PPCI was within recommended delays in 35.4%, 11.9%, and 1.2% of PPCI, transfer, and mixed centres, respectively. ConclusionsMixed centres had the highest crude and adjusted all-patient 30-day STEMI mortality. Relatively good outcomes of reperfusion-treated patients, despite long treatment delays, can misrepresent overall performance if untreated patients are not examined.

Insufficient Body Weight of Adults Born With Esophageal Atresia.

Impaired growth has been reported in children born with esophageal atresia (EA). Their nutritional fate at adulthood remains uncertain though. Our objectives were to determine the body mass index (BMI) of adult patients with EA followed up from 2009 to 2011 in the EA clinic of a university-affiliated hospital in Quebec (Canada), and investigate characteristics associated with underweight. The 40 adult patients with EA attending the clinic were invited to participate. Height and weight were measured and BMI calculated. Patients with BMI < 18.5 kg/m were deemed underweight. Patients' characteristics were obtained, including digestive symptoms and compensatory eating behaviors. Nonparametric tests were used to compare the proportion of underweight among patients with EA with that found in the Quebec population and the characteristics between patients with EA deemed underweight and those with BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m. The final sample included 16 women and 21 men, ages 18 to 44 years. Mean BMI was 21.3 ± 4.9 kg/m and 24.3% had BMI < 18.5 kg/m, which is higher than in the Quebec adult population (2.5%, P < 0.001). Compared with patients with EA having BMI ≥ 18.5 kg/m, underweight patients had more often experienced failure to thrive during their adolescence (55.6% vs 7.4%, P = 0.006), and reported severe postprandial fullness (62.5% vs 21.4%, P = 0.040), the need to eat slowly (87.5% vs 46.4%; P = 0.045), and severe difficulties to swallow dry solid foods (50.0% vs 14.3%, P = 0.054). Insufficient body weight is prevalent in this sample of adult patients with EA and could result from digestive symptoms. Follow-up with a gastroenterologist and nutritional counseling should be considered for adult patients with EA.

The Meaning and Experience of Patients Undergoing Rectal High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy.

High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy is a precise form of radiation therapy that targets cancerous tumors by directly applying the radiation source at the site or directly next to the tumor. Patients often experience but underreport pain and anxiety related to cancer treatments. At present, there is no research available concerning the pervasiveness and intensity of patients' pain and anxiety during rectal brachytherapy. The aim of this study was to examine patients' thoughts, emotions, coping strategies, physical sensations, and needs during rectal HDR brachytherapy treatment. Twenty-five patients with rectal cancer were interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative interview following the completion of their brachytherapy treatment delivered at a Montreal-based hospital in Quebec, Canada. The experiences of pain and discomfort varied greatly between patients and were linked to the meaning patients attributed to the treatment itself, sense of time, the body's lithotomic position, insertion of the treatment applicator, and the patients' sense of agency and empowerment during the procedure. Patients drew upon a variety of internal and external resources to help them cope with discomfort. Staff need to know about the variation in the physical and emotional experiences of patients undergoing this treatment. Clinical teams can tailor their procedural behavior (eg, using certain language, psychosocial interventions) according to patients' needs to increase patients' comfort and ultimately improve their experience of HDR rectal brachytherapy.

Descriptive Analysis of Azacitidine Use in Four Adult University Teaching Hospitals in Quebec, Canada

Background: Azacitidine (5-AZA; Vidaza®), a pyrimidine nucleoside analog, is used in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other hematological malignancies. Pharmacy directors gave the Therapeutic Drug Management Program (TDMP - www.pgtm.qc.ca) the mandate to evaluate 5-AZA use in four University Hospitals in Quebec, Canada.Objectives: Describe and review 5-AZA use for all indications in our hospitals.Methods: A review of pharmacy databases was performed to identify patients who received 5-AZA between January 1st 2010 and May 31st 2013. Files and medical records of every patient who received 5-AZA during the study period were reviewed to assess diagnostic (including International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) scores), treatment, response and non-hematological adverse events.Results: A total of 77 patients received 5-AZA during the study period, 56 (72.7 %) for the treatment of MDS, 15 (19.5 %) for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 6 (7.8 %) for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). At the end of the study period, 31 patients were alive (14 were still on treatment), 35 patients had died and 11 were lost to follow up. Excluding the 14 patients still on treatment, 32 patients (50.8 %) received at least 6 cycles of 5-AZA.In the MDS population (76.7 % with an intermediate-2 or higher IPSS score), patients received a mean of 8.0 cycles (median = 6) and the overall benefit rate (OBR) (complete remission, partial remission, hematological improvement or stable disease) was 48.2 %. The median overall survival (OS) was 17.8 months and the median time to progression (TTP) was 9.7 months. MDS transformation to AML occurred in 16 patients after a mean of 9.9 months. Median time to transformation or death in the MDS population was 14.4 months.In the AML population, patients received a mean of 6.6 cycles (median = 5) and the OBR was 26.7 %. The median OS was 12.2 months and the median TTP was 6.5 months.In the CMML population, patients received a mean of 10 cycles (median = 5.5) and the OBR was 50% (3 of the 6 patients achieved stable disease).Across all patient populations, a 5-AZA dose of 75 mg/m2 for 7 days every 28 days was used in 77.8% of patients. Non-hematological adverse events were seen in 67 patients (87 %) but were mostly mild and most did not lead to delays or dose reductions (treatment intensity of 96 %).Conclusions: Our results show that 5-AZA had a more limited benefit in our real-life population when compared to published clinical trials (OBR of 44.2 % in MDS, AML and CMML populations combined compared to 60% and 61% and a mean exposition of 8.1 months compared to 10.3 to 11.4 months in the pivotal clinical studies (AZA-001 and CALGB 9221 respectively)). Considering that 5-AZA is often the only treatment we can offer these patients and considering its high cost, it would be of highest importance to wisely choose patients to whom we offer this treatment and to periodically re-evaluate its use (at least after the 6th cycle) to confirm the patient is benefiting from treatment. DisclosuresOlney:Cellgene: Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy.

Descriptive Analysis of Bortezomib Use in Multiple Myeloma in Four Adult University Teaching Hospitals in Quebec, Canada

Background: Bortezomib, a reversible inhibitor of the 26S proteasome widely used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, is now being used in various other indications. Pharmacy directors gave the Therapeutic Drug Management Program (TDMP - www.pgtm.qc.ca) the mandate to evaluate bortezomib use in four University Hospitals in Quebec, Canada.Objectives: Describe bortezomib use for all indications in our hospitals and review its utilisation in the treatment of multiple myeloma.Methods: A review of pharmacy databases was performed to identify patients who receivedbortezomib between June1st 2012 and May 31st 2013. The pharmaceutical and medical records of every patient who received bortezomib were reviewed to assess the treatment, pathology and adverse events.Results: Two hundred and thirty two bortezomib regimens were administered to 227 different patients during the study period. Median age was 68. The most frequent indication (55%) was first-line treatment of multiple myeloma (n=128) followed by treatment of relapsed/refractory disease (31%) (n=73). Various other indications, including amyloidosis (n=17), lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (n=12) and mantle cell lymphoma (n=2), represented 13% of the population.At the time of data analysis, 35% of patients were still treated with bortezomib, 25% had finished their planned treatment and 34% had discontinued treatment because of adverse events or disease progression. Fifteen patients (6%) died during the study period.Among the 45 patients eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), the main regimen used was the association of bortezomib and dexamethasone (VelDex) (n=27), primarily using subcutaneous bortezomib (n=24) at 1.3 mg/m2 (n=30). Median treatment duration was four cycles. Twenty-eight patients have undergone ASCT and only two progressed.The association of bortezomib, melphalan and prednisone (VMP) (54.2%) followed by VelDex (29%) and the association of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (CyborD) (16.8%) were the regimens used in the population (n=83) not eligible to ASCT. Response rate using international uniform response criteria for multiple myeloma was 47.9% excluding patients still receiving treatment at the time of data collection.Seventy three patients received bortezomib for relapsed/refractory myeloma. Of these patients, thirty two (43.8%) discontinued therapy, nineteen due to disease progression, eight for the occurrence of side effects and five for other reasons. The initial dose was variable, from 1.0 to 1.6 mg/m2, and close to half of this patient population received CYBorD (49.4%), followed by VelDex (30.2%) and VMP protocols (15%). The number of cycles for patients who completed treatment (4 to 9) as well as the median exposure time (57 to 223 days) was also highly variable.Respectively 8.5% and 10.9% of the population treated with bortezomib for multiple myeloma were hospitalized (n=17) or had to discontinue treatment (n=22) because of adverse events (mostly hematologic toxicity, peripheral neuropathy or gastro-intestinal toxicity).Conclusions: Bortezomib is widely used in the treatment of multiple myeloma. Treatment algorithms should be developed and implemented to optimize the use of bortezomib, particularly in the relapsed/refractory setting. Standard regimens should also be implemented in each center. The utilisation of pre-printed orders for the prescription of chemotherapy regimens promotes uniform prescription. A review of the literature should be performed and recommendations should be made for the use of bortezomib in off-label indications like amyloidosis and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. DisclosuresOff Label Use: bortezomib use in amyloidosis and lymphoplasmacitic lymphoma. Lemieux-Blanchard:celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen and Janssen: Other: preceptorship. Bérard:Janssen: Honoraria. Sebag:Janssen: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Novartis: Honoraria.

Clinical Profiles Related to Timing of Death, Including In-Hospital Deaths Before Admission, in Patients With ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who die in hospital before inpatient admission are generally not included in clinical studies and registries, and the clinical profiles of patients who die earlier versus later are not well defined. We aimed to characterize all patients with STEMI who arrived at emergency departments in the province of Quebec (Canada) based on inpatient admission status and when they died. All patients who presented with symptoms and core laboratory-confirmed STEMI or left bundle branch block during 6 months in 82 hospitals in Quebec were included. Death certificates were used to identify nonadmitted deaths. Of the 2017 patients with STEMI, 340 (16.9%) died within 1 year. Of the latter, 63 (18.5%) were nonadmitted deaths (group A), 179 (52.6%) were deaths after admission but within 30 days (group B), and 98 (28.8%) were deaths after 30 days to 1 year (group C). Group A was younger and most often hemodynamically unstable, followed for both features by B then C. Earliest presentation from symptom onset and most frequent ambulance use were found in group A, followed by B, then C. Presenting electrocardiogram (ECG) features were most severe in A, then B, then C (more arrhythmias, more anterior STEMI, more leads with ST elevation, and higher ST elevation). Patients who died earliest had the least frequency of previous myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, vascular disease, and heart failure, and the least noncardiac co-morbidity. In conclusion, patients with STEMI dying in hospital before inpatient admission contributed substantially to overall STEMI mortality. Although dying patients who presented earlier had severer presenting clinical profiles, they were paradoxically younger and had less co-morbidity. Previous co-morbidities may favor adaptive protective mechanisms on initial presentation with STEMI.

Association Between Preeclampsia and Congenital Heart Defects.

The risk of congenital heart defects in infants of women who had preeclampsia during pregnancy is poorly understood, despite shared angiogenic pathways in both conditions. To determine the prevalence of congenital heart defects in offspring of women with preeclampsia. Population-level analysis of live births before discharge, 1989-2012, was conducted for the entire province of Quebec, comprising a quarter of Canada's population. All women who delivered an infant with or without heart defects in any Quebec hospital were included (N = 1,942,072 neonates). Preeclampsia or eclampsia with onset before or after 34 weeks of gestation. Presence of any critical or noncritical congenital heart defect detected in infants at birth, comparing prevalence in those exposed and not exposed to preeclampsia. The absolute prevalence of congenital heart defects was higher for infants of women with preeclampsia than those without it. Infants of women with preeclampsia had no increased prevalence of critical heart defects but did have an increased prevalence of noncritical heart defects compared with infants of nonpreeclamptic women. [table: see text]. Among specific defects, prevalence was greatest for septal defects. Compared with infants of women with late-onset preeclampsia, those with early onset (<34 weeks) had greater prevalence of critical heart defects (364.4/100,000 [20/5488]; prevalence ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 1.71-4.50; prevalence difference, 249.6/100,000; 95%CI, 89.7-409.6) and noncritical heart defects (7306.9/100,000 [401/5488]; prevalence ratio, 5.55; 95%CI, 4.98-6.19; prevalence difference, 6089.2/100,000; 95%CI, 5350.0-6828.3). In this population-based study, preeclampsia was significantly associated with noncritical heart defects in offspring, and preeclampsia before 34 weeks was associated with critical heart defects. However, the absolute risk of congenital heart defects was low.

A Cluster-Randomized Trial to Reduce Cesarean Delivery Rates in Quebec

BackgroundIn Canada, cesarean delivery rates have increased substantially over the past decade. Effective, safe strategies are needed to reduce these rates. MethodsWe conducted a cluster-randomized, controlled trial of a multifaceted 1.5-year intervention at 32 hospitals in Quebec. The intervention involved audits of indications for cesarean delivery, provision of feedback to health professionals, and implementation of best practices. The primary outcome was the cesarean delivery rate in the 1-year postintervention period. ResultsAmong the 184,952 participants, 53,086 women delivered in the year before the intervention and 52,265 women delivered in the year following the intervention. There was a significant but small reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery from the preintervention period to the postintervention period in the intervention group as compared with the control group (change, 22.5% to 21.8% in the intervention group and 23.2% to 23.5% in the control group; odds ratio for incremental change ...

Early medication use in new-onset rheumatoid arthritis may delay joint replacement: results of a large population-based study.

IntroductionUse of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may prevent joint damage and potentially reduce joint replacement surgeries. We assessed the association between RA drug use and joint replacement in Quebec, Canada.MethodsA cohort of new-onset RA patients was identified from Quebec’s physician billing and hospitalization databases from 2002–2011. The outcome was defined using procedure codes submitted by orthopedic surgeons. Medication use was obtained from pharmacy databases. We used alternative Cox regression models with time-dependent variables measuring the cumulative effects of past use during different time windows (one model focussing on the first year after cohort entry) for methotrexate (MTX), and other DMARDs. Models were adjusted for baseline sociodemographics, co-morbidity and prior health service use, time-dependent cumulative use of other drugs (anti-tumor necrosis factor [anti-TNF] agents, other biologics, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors [COXIBs], nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and systemic steroids), and markers of disease severity.ResultsDuring follow-up, 608 joint replacements occurred among 11,333 patients (median follow-up: 4.6 years). The best-fitting model relied on the cumulative early use (within the first year after cohort entry) of MTX and of other DMARDs, with an interaction between MTX and other DMARDs. In this model, greater exposure within the first year, to either MTX (adjusted hazard ratio, HR = 0.95 per 1 month, 95 % confidence interval, 95 % CI 0.93-0.97) or other DMARDs (HR = 0.97, 95 % CI 0.95-0.99) was associated with longer time to joint replacement.ConclusionsOur results suggest that longer exposure to either methotrexate (MTX) or other DMARDs within the first year after RA diagnosis is associated with longer time to joint replacement surgery.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-015-0713-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Association between ovarian stimulators with or without intrauterine insemination, and assisted reproductive technologies on multiple births

We sought to quantify the risk of multiple births associated with the use of different modalities of medically assisted reproduction. We conducted a case-control study using a birth cohort from 2006 through 2009. This cohort was built with the linkage of data obtained by a self-administered questionnaire and medical, hospital, pharmaceutical, birth, and death databases in Quebec. Cases were pregnancies resulting in multiple live births (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision/International Statistical Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes). Each case was matched, on maternal age and year of delivery, with 3 singleton pregnancies (controls) randomly selected among all Quebec singleton pregnancies. Data on the use of different fertility treatments were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models, adjusted for body mass index, number of previous live births, ethnicity, family income, place of residence, marital status, subfertility, reduction of embryos, diabetes, metformin treatment, folic acid supplementation, and lifestyle factors, were used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs). We evaluated the associations between each type of fertility treatment (ovarian stimulators used alone, intrauterine insemination [IUI] used with ovarian stimulation, and assisted reproductive technologies [ART]) and the risk of multiple births. A total of 1407 cases of multiple births and 3580 controls were analyzed. More than half of multiple births following medically assisted reproduction (53.6%) occurred among women having used ovarian stimulation with or without IUI. The use of ovarian stimulators alone and IUI with ovarian stimulation increase the risk of multiple births (adjusted OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 3.2-6.4; and adjusted OR, 9.32; 95% CI, 5.60-15.50, respectively) compared to spontaneous conception. The use of invasive ART was associated with a greatly increased risk of multiple births. Among only the 465 women who used medically assisted reproduction for conception, the use of IUI with ovarian stimulation was associated with an increased risk of multiple births (adjusted OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.12-3.49) when compared to ovarian stimulators used alone. Invasive ART were associated with an increased risk of multiple births (adjusted OR, 6.81; 95% CI, 3.72-12.49) when compared to ovarian stimulators used alone. Although the risk of multiple births associated with invasive ART can be decreased by elective implementing of single embryo transfer, special attention should be paid to the greatly increased risk associated with ovarian stimulation used alone or with IUI.

Abstract 360: How Should We Measure Quality of Care for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI)? Results for 6 Quebec TAVI Programs Compared with International Registries

Background: Our publicly funded cardiology evaluation unit examined quality indicators relating to the use and outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We compared results in Québec hospitals with registries around the world. Methods: We abstracted data on all TAVI cases (n=294) in 6 hospitals in 2013-14. Variables, outcomes and definitions were chosen to facilitate comparisons with registries. Results were presented to TAVI teams with the goal of choosing quality indicators and improving performance. Results: Annual TAVI center volume ranged from 30 to 115 and rate of TAVI varied widely across Quebec’s 16 health regions, as did rates around the world. Median patient age was 83 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 78-86) with little variation across centers and international registries. Documented proportion of patients with NYHA class III/IV was 64% (188/294) for Quebec and varied from 75 to 86% across registries. A surgical risk score (STS) was recorded in only 53% (156/294) of Quebec patients but was often obligatory in registries. The median STS score for Quebec was very similar to that reported in the USA [6% (IQR: 4-10) vs 7% (IQR: 5-11), respectively] but was much lower than in France, Austria and Brazil. Frequency of in-hospital adverse events varied widely across Québec centers: stroke (0-7.5%), bleeding (16.7-26.7%) and transfusion (16.7-43.3%). Overall incidence of in-hospital stroke was 2.3% (7/294) and varied from 1.8 to 5.3% across registries. Bleeding and transfusion were rarely reported in registries. Conversion to surgery was 3% (9/294) in Quebec, and 0.4-4.3% in registries. In Quebec, 15% of patients required a new pacemaker, with wide variation across centers (0-21%) and registries (6.6-25%). Rates of procedural success varied widely across Quebec, largely due to non-standardized classification of post-TAVI aortic regurgitation. Such classification also varied across registries. Overall procedural success for Quebec (73%; 215/294) was lower than in registries but in the latter, the definition of success was often unclear. In-hospital mortality in Quebec was 6.5% (19/294) versus 5.5% in USA and a reported 5.1% for transvascular and 7.7% for transapical TAVI in Germany. Other registries only reported 30-day mortality, varying from 4.1 to 9.1%. Discharge home was more likely in Quebec (80%) than the USA (63%); this outcome was not reported elsewhere. Conclusions: Practice and outcomes in TAVI vary widely across Quebec hospitals and internationally. Despite publication of recommended endpoints (VARC and BARC), there is a lack of standardized reported outcomes and patient populations. While quality benchmarks for patient selection and outcomes remain unclear, continued monitoring with timely feedback to TAVI teams and decision-makers is essential for this new and costly intervention that is predominantly being performed in the very elderly.

A Cluster-Randomized Trial to Reduce Cesarean Delivery Rates in Quebec

BackgroundIn Canada, cesarean delivery rates have increased substantially over the past decade. Effective, safe strategies are needed to reduce these rates.MethodsWe conducted a cluster-randomized, controlled trial of a multifaceted 1.5-year intervention at 32 hospitals in Quebec. The intervention involved audits of indications for cesarean delivery, provision of feedback to health professionals, and implementation of best practices. The primary outcome was the cesarean delivery rate in the 1-year postintervention period.ResultsAmong the 184,952 participants, 53,086 women delivered in the year before the intervention and 52,265 women delivered in the year following the intervention. There was a significant but small reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery from the preintervention period to the postintervention period in the intervention group as compared with the control group (change, 22.5% to 21.8% in the intervention group and 23.2% to 23.5% in the control group; odds ratio for incremental change over time, adjusted for hospital and patient characteristics, 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.99; P=0.04; adjusted risk difference, −1.8%; 95% CI, −3.8 to −0.2). The cesarean delivery rate was significantly reduced among women with low-risk pregnancies (adjusted risk difference, −1.7%; 95% CI, −3.0 to −0.3; P=0.03) but not among those with high-risk pregnancies (P=0.35; P = 0.03 for interaction). The intervention group also had a reduction in major neonatal morbidity as compared with the control group (adjusted risk difference, −0.7%; 95% CI, −1.3 to −0.1; P=0.03) and a smaller increase in minor neonatal morbidity (adjusted risk difference, −1.7%; 95% CI, −2.6 to −0.9; P<0.001). Changes in minor and major maternal morbidity did not differ significantly between the groups.ConclusionsAudits of indications for cesarean delivery, feedback for health professionals, and implementation of best practices, as compared with usual care, resulted in a significant but small reduction in the rate of cesarean delivery, without adverse effects on maternal or neonatal outcomes. The benefit was driven by the effect of the intervention in low-risk pregnancies. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research; QUARISMA Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN95086407.)

A Decade of Experience in Primary Prevention of Clostridium difficile Infection at a Community Hospital Using the Probiotic Combination Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2 (Bio-K+).

In August 2003, the 284-bed community hospital Pierre-Le Gardeur (PLGH) in Quebec experienced a major outbreak associated with the Clostridium difficile NAP1/027/BI strain. Augmented standard preventive measures (SPMs) were not able to control this outbreak. It was decided in February 2004 to give to every adult inpatient on antibiotics, without any exclusion, a probiotic (Bio-K+: Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285, Lactobacillus casei LBC80R, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CLR2) within 12 hours of the antibiotic prescription. Augmented SPMs were continued. The use of the probiotic in addition to SPMs was associated with a marked reduction of C. difficile infection (CDI). During the 10 years of observation, 44 835 inpatients received Bio-K+, and the CDI rate at PLGH declined from 18.0 cases per 10,000 patient-days and remained at low mean levels of 2.3 cases per 10,000 patient-days. Additionally, 10-year data collected by the Ministry of Health in Quebec comparing the CDI rate between Quebec hospitals showed that CDI rates at PLGH were consistently and continuously lower compared with those at similar hospitals. Blood cultures were monitored at PLGH for Lactobacillus bacteremia through the 10 years' experience, and no Lactobacillus bacteremias were detected. Despite the limitation of an observational study, we concluded that the probiotic Bio-K+ was safe and effective in decreasing our primary CDI rate.

Predictors of asymptomatic Clostridium difficile colonization on hospital admission

Clostridium difficile (CD) is the leading cause of health care-associated diarrhea and can result in asymptomatic carriage. Rates of asymptomatic CD colonization on hospital admission range from 1.4%-21%. The objective of this study was to evaluate host and bacterial factors associated with colonization on admission. The Consortium de recherche québécois sur le Clostridium difficile study provided data for analysis, including demographic information, known risk factors, and potential confounding factors, prospectively collected for 5,232 patients from 6 hospitals in Quebec and Ontario over 15 months from 2006-2007. Stool or rectal swabs were obtained for culture on admission. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on the isolates. The presence of antibody against CD toxins A and B was measured. There were 212 (4.05%) patients colonized with CD on admission, and 5,020 patients were not colonized with CD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hospitalization within the last 12 months, use of corticosteroids, prior CD infection, and presence of antibody against toxin B were associated with colonization on admission. Of patients colonized on admission, 79.4% had non-NAP1, non-NAP2 strains. There are identifiable risk factors among asymptomatic CD carriers that could serve in their detection and provide a basis for targeted screening.

Social acceptance and population confidence in telehealth in Quebec

BackgroundAccess to healthcare in remote areas is difficult and telehealth could be a promising avenue if accepted by the population. The aim of this study is to assess social acceptance and population confidence in telehealth in the Province of Quebec.MethodsWe conducted a survey using a questionnaire assessing the social acceptance of and confidence level in telehealth. Two strategies were used: 1) paper questionnaires were sent to two hospitals in Quebec; and 2) online questionnaires were randomly sent by a firm specialized in online survey to a representative sample of the population of the Province of Quebec. Respondents were all residents of the Province of Quebec and 18 years and older. Questions were scored with a four-level Likert scale.ResultsA total of 1816 questionnaires were analyzed (229 written and 1,587 online questionnaires). The socio-demographic variables in our samples, especially the online questionnaires, were fairly representative of Quebec’s population. Overall, social acceptance scored at 77.71% and confidence level at 65.76%. Both scores were higher in the case of treatment (3 scenarios were proposed) vs. diagnosis (p < 0.05). No difference was found when respondents were asked to respond for themselves and for a member of their family, which demonstrates a true interest in telehealth in Quebec. In addition, we found a significant difference (p < 0.05) between written and online questionnaires regarding social acceptance (80.75% vs. 77.33%) and confidence level (74.84% vs. 64.55%). These differences may be due to social desirability or avidity bias in the written questionnaires.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the population in Quebec encourages the development of telehealth for real time diagnosis and long distance treatment for regions deprived of healthcare professionals.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12913-015-0727-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of ECG findings and process-of-care characteristics on the likelihood of not receiving reperfusion therapy in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: results of a field evaluation.

BackgroundMany patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) do not receive reperfusion therapy and are known to have poorer outcomes. We aimed to perform the first population-level, integrated analysis of clinical, ECG and hospital characteristics associated with non-receipt of reperfusion therapy in patients with STEMI.Methods and ResultsThis systematic evaluation of STEMI care in 82 hospitals in Quebec included all patients with a discharge diagnosis of myocardial infarction, presenting with characteristic symptoms and an ECG showing STEMI as attested by at least one of two study cardiologists or left bundle branch block (LBBB). Excluding LBBB, an ECG was considered a definite STEMI diagnosis if both cardiologists scored ‘certain STEMI’ and ambiguous if one scored ‘uncertain’ or ‘not STEMI’. Centers were classified according to accessibility to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI): 1) on-site PPCI; 2) routine transfer for PPCI; 3) varying mix of PPCI transfer and on-site fibrinolysis; and 4) routine on-site fibrinolysis. Of 3730 STEMI/LBBB patients, 812 (21.8%) did not receive reperfusion therapy. In multivariate analysis, likelihood of no reperfusion therapy was a function of PPCI accessibility (odds ratio [OR] for fibrinolysis versus PPCI centers = 3.1; 95% CI: 2.2–4.4), presence of LBBB (OR = 24.1; 95% CI: 17.8–32.9) and an ECG ambiguous for STEMI (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 3.3–5.1). When the ECG was ambiguous, likelihood of no reperfusion therapy was highest in hospitals most distant from PPCI centers.ConclusionsECG diagnostic ambiguity, LBBB and PPCI accessibility are important predictors of not receiving reperfusion therapy, suggesting opportunities for improving outcomes.