Inpatient Hospital Costs Research Articles

Feasibility Of Outpatient Hemodialysis For Patients With Total Artificial Heart

<h3>Introduction</h3> Total artificial hearts (TAH) are used in patients with end-stage heart failure as a bridge-to-transplant. AKI is a common post-operative complication associated with TAH implant. Patients requiring temporary dialysis are denied implantation of TAH due to the inability to provide outpatient (OP) dialysis in the long term. In most cases, patients with a TAH with renal dysfunction requiring dialysis remain hospitalized until either a heart-kidney becomes available for transplant or renal function recovers. To our knowledge, there is only one case describing a TAH patient successfully maintained on OP dialysis, and he did not survive to transplant. Here we discuss four cases from a single center who were successfully maintained on OP hemodialysis (HD) after implantation of TAH. <h3>Case Presentation</h3> All four patients were implanted with a 70cc Syncardia TAH for NICM. Two were INTERMACS profile 2 and two were profile 3. The profile 2 patients had preoperative CKD Stage III. The profile 3 patients had normal preoperative renal function<b>.</b> Age at time of implant ranged from 31-61 years; two were female and 2 were male. Average post-op hospital length of stay was 63 days. Three patients required discharge to acute rehab, and one was discharged directly home. All patients were on scheduled OP HD QMWF. The average length of service of OP HD was 185 days (ranging 75-483 days). Outcomes for each patient differed: one remains on OP HD with TAH, one died before transplant due to anoxic brain injury, one underwent orthotopic heart transplantation but did not survive to renal transplant, and one had subsequent improvement in renal function still awaiting heart transplant. <h3>Discussion</h3> Maintaining TAH patients with renal failure on OP HD can increase patient quality of life and decrease inpatient hospital burden and costs. In these four cases, one patient survived to transplant, one did not survive to transplant, one is still awaiting dual-organ transplant, and one was successfully weaned off HD as an OP. A total of 318 days of OP HD was performed among these four patients without complications. These cases confirm that OP HD is a feasible option for TAH patients with post-implant chronic renal dysfunction provided that the dialysis centers are trained and supported by the implanting program.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer in Malaysia: Consensus on Treatment Patterns, Health Care Utilization and Cost.

Healthcare resource utilization for Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) in Malaysia needs to be clarified. This modified Delphi panel study aimed to describe the clinical pathways for diabetic foot ulcer in Malaysia and to define the healthcare resources used and their costs. A systematic review of the literature was carried out on the management of diabetic foot ulcer in Malaysia. A modified Delphi panel involving 7 local experts was organized to validate the statements, in order to arrive at a consensus on the resources used for the treatment of DFU patients in Malaysia and their costs. A Markov model was then used to estimate the financial burden of DFU patients in Malaysia.The total cost per patient per annum was MYR 5981 in public and MYR 8581 in private setting. In the public setting, outpatient visits costs represent 50% of the overall cost, followed by medical devices which represent 38% of total costs. In the private setting, as in the public, outpatient visits and devices contribute the most to overall costs with 51% and 21%, respectively. However, hospital inpatient costs are higher in private setting and represent 14% of the total costs versus 5% in public setting.These findings may prove useful for clinicians and decision makers in understanding the economic implications of managing DFUs in Malaysia and the need for innovative therapies to reduce the burden for patients but also for the society.

The costs of treating all-cause dementia among American Indians and Alaska native adults who access services through the Indian Health Service and Tribal health programs.

Little is known about treatment costs for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) adults with dementia who access services through the Indian Health Service (IHS) and Tribal health programs. We analyzed fiscal year 2013 IHS/Tribal treatment costs for AI/ANs aged 65+ years with dementia and a matched sample without dementia (n=1842) to report actual and adjusted total treatment costs and costs by service type. Adjusted costs were estimated using multivariable regressions. Mean total treatment cost for adults with dementia were $13,027, $5400 higher than for adults without dementia ($7627). The difference in adjusted total treatment costs was $2943 (95% confidence interval [CI]: $1505, $4381), the majority of which was due to the difference in hospital inpatient costs ($2902; 95% CI: $1512, $4293). Knowing treatment costs for AI/ANs with dementia can guide enhancements to policies and services for treating dementia and effectively using health resources.

Intravenous to oral antibiotics versus intravenous antibiotics: a step-up or a step-down for extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing urinary tract infections without concomitant bacteraemia?

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends numerous antibiotics for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes of oral step-down antibiotics compared with continued intravenous therapy in UTIs without bacteraemia. This multicentre, retrospective, cohort study was conducted in hospitalised patients with ESBL-producing UTIs between July 2016 and March 2020. The primary outcome was a composite all-cause clinical failure, defined as 30-day re-admission, 30-day hospital mortality or a change in oral antibiotics during hospitalisation. Secondary outcomes included individual primary outcome components, re-admission due to a recurrent UTI, change in antibiotic during hospitalisation, hospital length of stay (LOS), antibiotic costs and adverse events. The study included 153 patients. The primary outcome occurred in 28% of both groups (27/95 vs. 16/58; P=0.91). The primary outcome components were similar: re-admission (26% vs. 26%; P=0.95); hospital mortality (2% vs. 2%; P=1.0); and change in antibiotics (0% vs. 2%; P=0.38). Mean hospital LOS and direct antibiotic costs were 8 ± 6 days vs. 5 ± 2 days (P < 0.01) and US$278 ± 244 vs. US$180 ± 104 (P < 0.01), respectively. Adverse events were similar, except diarrhoea (15% vs. 2%; P=0.01). There was no difference in clinical failure, re-admission rate, re-admission due to a recurrent UTI, mortality rate or antibiotic change between groups. The switch group was associated with reduced hospital LOS and inpatient antibiotic costs.

Effect of constipation on outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients

Constipation can be a significant clinical challenge that can compromise management plans and prolong hospital stays. Our goal was to examine the effects of constipation on mechanically ventilated patients, with outcomes related to inpatient stays. We retrospectively analyzed critically ill patients hospitalized with constipation in the 2016 to 2019 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. Constipation was defined using Rome IV criteria. Critically ill patients were defined as mechanically ventilated from admission day 1. Our primary outcome was length of stay (LOS) and total hospital charge. Secondary outcomes included predictors of mortality in critically ill patients with constipation. The study included 2,351,119 weighted discharges of mechanically ventilated patients in the NIS database. Of these, 3.7% had constipation. The adjusted LOS was 3.4 days longer in patients with constipation vs those without it (P < 0.001). The adjusted inpatient hospital cost was $31,762 higher in patients with constipation (P < 0.001). Men had higher LOS and inpatient costs. Constipation was not associated with increased inpatient mortality (P < 0.001). Several conditions increased mortality in critically ill patients with constipation, including peritonitis, fecal impaction, and bowel obstruction.

Hospital Charges Are Not Associated With Episode-of-Care Costs or Complications After Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundThe Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) now requires hospitals to publish charges for commonly performed procedures. This study aimed to evaluate compliance with the price transparency mandate and to determine if there is a correlation between hospital charges and episode-of-care claims costs and outcomes after total hip arthroplasty (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsWe identified a consecutive series of 2476 Medicare patients who underwent primary THA or TKA from 2018 to 2019 at one of 18 hospitals. Each hospital website was explored to assess compliance with the new price transparency requirements. Demographics, comorbidities, complications, and readmissions were recorded. Ninety-day episode-of-care claims costs were calculated using CMS claims data. Multivariate regression was performed to determine whether hospital charges had any association with complications, readmissions, or episode-of-care costs. ResultsThere was no correlation between published hospital charges and inpatient costs (r = 0.087), postacute care costs (r = 0.126), or episode-of-care costs (r = 0.131). When controlling for demographics and comorbidities, there was no association between published charges and complications (P = .433) or readmissions (P = .141). All hospitals posted some shoppable services information online, but only 7 (39%) were fully compliant by publishing all price data. Of the 11 hospitals (61%) publishing hospital THA and TKA charges, the mean charge was $48,325 (range, $12,625-$79,531). ConclusionPublished charges for TKA and THA had no correlation with episode-of-care claims costs and were not associated with clinical outcomes. Despite efforts by CMS to increase price transparency, few hospitals were fully compliant, and a wide range in published charges was found.

Rate and predictors of 30-day readmission for clostridiodes difficile: a United States analysis

Background Clostridiodes difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. In this study, we aimed to identify the rates and predictors for 30-day readmissions of Clostridiodes difficile Enterocolitis (CDE) in the United States. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of the Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify adult hospitalizations with a principal diagnosis of CDE for 2018. Individuals <18 years old and elective hospitalizations were excluded. Primary outcomes included readmission rate and the top ten principal diagnosis on readmission, while the secondary outcomes were inpatient mortality, hospital costs and independent predictors of 30-day all-cause readmissions. Furthermore, we devised a scoring system to estimate the risk of CDE readmissions. Stata® Version 16 was used for statistical analysis and p-values ≤0.05 were statistically significant. Results We identified 94,668 index hospitalizations and 18,296 readmissions at 30-days for CDE in 2018. The 30-day all-cause readmission rate was 25.7%. On readmission, CDE was the most common principal diagnosis (25.7%), followed by unspecified sepsis, and acute renal failure. A female predominance was also noted for index and 30-day readmissions of CDE. Compared to index admissions, we noted higher odds of inpatient mortality [4.4 vs 1.4%, Odds Ratio (OR):3.32, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):2.87–3.84, p < 0.001], longer mean length of stay (LOS) [6.4 vs 5.6 days, Mean Difference (MD):0.9, 95% CI:0.7–1.0, p < 0.001), and higher mean total hospital charge (THC) [$56,015 vs $40,871, MD:15,144, 95% CI:13,260–17,027, p < 0.001] for 30-day readmissions of CDE. Independent predictors for 30-day all-cause readmissions of CDE included discharged against medical advice (AMA) [Adjusd Hazard Ratio (aHR):2.01, 95% CI:1.73–2.53, p < 0.001], diabetes mellitus (DM) [aHR:1.22, 95% CI:1.16–1.29, p < 0.001], and chronic kidney disease (CKD) [aHR:1.29, 95% CI:1.21–1.37, p < 0.001]. Conclusion The all-cause 30-day readmission rate and inpatient mortality for CDE was 25.7% and 4.4%, respectively. Discharge AMA, DM and CKD were independent predictors for 30-day all-cause readmissions of CDE. KEY MESSAGE The 30-day all-cause readmission rate for Clostridiodes difficile Enterocolitis was noted to be 21.4% in 2018. Independent predictors of 30-day all-cause readmissions for Clostridiodes difficile Enterocolitis include diabetes mellitus, discharged against medical advice and chronic kidney disease. Readmissions of Clostridiodes difficile Enterocolitis had higher mortality rates, healthcare cost and length of hospital stay compared to index admissions.

Healthcare resource utilization and cost of obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a US population

BackgroundThere are limited data evaluating all-cause and disease-related healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and cost of care for patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM). MethodsThis was a retrospective study using US longitudinal medical and pharmacy claims data during 2012–2020. Adults with ≥2 oHCM diagnoses were identified, with the first diagnosis date used as the index date. HCRU and costs of care were reported for the year preindex (baseline) and at 1- and 2-year follow-ups. ResultsWe identified 1841 patients with oHCM (63 ± 15 years; 52% male). The mean number of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)-related outpatient and cardiology visits increased from baseline to 1-year follow-up (2.3 vs. 7.8 and 0.6 vs. 2.2, respectively). At baseline, 8% of patients had ≥1 HCM-related inpatient hospitalization (mean 0.11 visits, 5.4 days length of stay), increasing to 27% postdiagnosis (mean 0.42 visits, 5.9 days length of stay). Total HCM-related costs increased from $5968 to $20,290 at 1-year follow-up, largely driven by inpatient hospitalization costs ($3889 vs. $14,369) and surgical costs ($2259 vs. $7217). The proportion with ≥1 HCM-related prescription increased from baseline (69%; mean fills 5.3) to 1-year follow-up (82%; mean fills 7.8). Pharmacy costs were generally low but also increased ($449 vs. $752). ConclusionsThis benchmark economic dataset for management and evaluation of patients with oHCM shows increased HCM-related costs over a 2-year period after oHCM diagnosis, driven by inpatient hospitalizations and surgical costs. Medication use was high, but costs were low, possibly reflecting use of generic multi-indication drugs for oHCM treatment.

Trends and characteristics of primary pyogenic spine infections among people who do and do not inject drugs: Northeast New York State, 2007 to 2018

Background: Pyogenic spine infections (PSIs) are challenging to diagnose and treat. People who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk and contribute to rising PSI incidence. Objective: To analyze trends and characterize PSI in persons who do and do not inject drugs in northeast New York State (NYS), a predominantly rural region. Methods: A retrospective study of PSI patients at a regional tertiary care hospital from 2007 to 2018 was conducted. PSI incidence, population demographics, microbiology, surgical interventions, length of stay (LOS), and costs were compared between injection substance use disorder (ISUD) and non-ISUD cohorts. Results: Two hundred and seventy patients (59 ISUD and 211 non-ISUD) were included in this study. PSI incidence due to ISUD increased 1175% during the study time periods. The median age of the ISUD and non-ISUD cohorts was 39 and 65, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative organism, although a variety of bacterial and fungal pathogens were identified. Nearly half of the patients in each cohort required surgical intervention. Median acute care LOS was 12 days and comparable between cohorts. However, the ISUD cohort was frequently discharged against medical advice, or transferred back to acute care hospitals to complete antibiotic courses. Median inpatient hospital costs were approximately $25,000 and were comparable between cohorts. These costs do not reflect inpatient costs once the patient was transferred back to the referring hospital, nor costs for outpatient care. Medicaid and Medicare were the most common primary insurance payers for the ISUD and non-ISUD cohorts, respectively. Conclusions: Incidence of PSI has increased significantly coincident with the opioid epidemic and has had significant impact on a large, rural region of NYS. PSIs consume large amounts of healthcare resources. This study can inform hospitals and public health agencies regarding the need for substance abuse harm reduction strategies.

Surgical site complications in kidney transplant recipients: incidence, risk factors and outcomes in the modern era.

Background:Surgical site complications (SSCs) are an important source of morbidity after kidney transplantation. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, outcomes and economic impact of SSCs in a large, diverse population of kidney transplant recipients.Methods:We conducted a single-centre, observational cohort study of adult (age ≥ 18 yr) patients who underwent kidney transplantation between Jan. 1, 2005, and Dec. 31, 2015, with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up. Cases of SSC, including infections and wound dehiscence, were determined from patient records. Inpatient and outpatient hospital costs were determined 6 and 12 months after transplantation. We used the Kaplan–Meier product-limit method to determine the cumulative probability of SSCs and other outcomes. We evaluated risk factors and clinical outcomes using Cox proportional hazard ratios. Linear regression models were used to study the effect of SSCs on graft function.Results:The incidence rate of SSCs within 30 days after transplantation was 4.19 per 100 person-months. The cumulative probability of developing an SSC within 30 days after transplantation was 4.13% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.23%–5.28%). Increased recipient body mass index (BMI) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07, 95% CI 1.02–1.11), longer cold ischemic time (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.09) and transplantation in 2010–2012 versus 2005–2009 (HR 2.20, 95% CI 1.19–4.04) were risk factors for SSC development. In multivariable stepwise Cox proportional hazard models, SSC was a significant risk factor for death-censored graft failure (HR 3.08, 95% CI 1.60–5.90) and total graft failure (HR 2.09, 95% CI 1.32–3.32). Cumulative median hospital costs were $2238.46 greater for patients with an SSC than for those without.Conclusion:Increased BMI, longer cold ischemic time and the 2010–2012 transplantation period predisposed to SSCs. The development of SSCs was associated with a higher risk of graft failure. Strategies to minimize SSCs may improve outcomes after kidney transplantation and reduce costs.

Emergency Department Admissions Among Older Adults Living Alone With Multimorbidity

Older adults living alone are at higher risk of mortality, morbidity and healthcare utilization. As more older adults live alone, Emergency Department (ED) admissions could rapidly increase, particularly among those with multimorbidity. We studied the association of living alone on ED admissions among older adults with multimorbidity. We used data from 16,785 older adults of the population-based Singapore Chinese Health Study (mean age: 73 years, range: 61-96 years) who were interviewed in 2014-2016 for living arrangements and medical history. Participants were followed-up for one year on ED admission outcomes (number of admissions, inpatient days and hospitalization costs). We used multivariable logistic regression to study the association between living alone and ED admission, and ran two-part models (probit & generalised linear model) to estimate the association of living alone on inpatient days and hospitalization cost. We found that compared to living with others, living alone was associated with a higher odds of ED admissions [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.28, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.08-1.51)], longer inpatient days (+0.61, 95% CI 0.25-0.97) and higher hospitalization costs (+322 USD, 95% CI 54-591). Compared to those living with others without multimorbidity, living alone with multimorbidity was associated with higher odds of ED admission (OR 1.64 95% CI 1.33-2.03), longer inpatient days (+0.73, 95% CI 0.29-1.17) and higher hospitalization costs (+567 USD, 95% CI 230-906). In conclusion, living alone is associated with higher odds of ED admission, longer inpatient days and higher hospitalization costs among older adults, particularly among those with multimorbidity.

Sepsis Among Medicare Beneficiaries: 4. Precoronavirus Disease 2019 Update January 2012-February 2020.

To provide updated information on the burdens of sepsis during acute inpatient admissions for Medicare beneficiaries. Analysis of paid Medicare claims via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services DataLink Project. All U.S. acute-care hospitals, excluding federally operated hospitals (Veterans Administration and Defense Health Agency). All Medicare beneficiaries, January 2012-February 2020, with an explicit sepsis diagnostic code assigned during an inpatient admission. None. The count of Medicare Part A/B (fee-for-service) plus Medicare Advantage inpatient sepsis admissions rose from 981,027 (CY2012) to 1,700,433 (CY 2019). The proportion of total admissions with sepsis in the Medicare Advantage population rose from 21.43% to 35.39%, reflecting the increasing beneficiary proportion enrolled in Medicare Advantage. In CY2019, 6-month mortality rates in Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries for sepsis continued to decline, but remained high: 59.9% for septic shock, 35.5% for severe sepsis, 30.8% for sepsis attributed to a specific organism, and 26.5% for unspecified sepsis. Total fee-for-service-only inpatient hospital costs rose from $17.79B (CY2012) to $22.98B (CY2019). We estimated that the aggregate cost of sepsis hospital care for the entire U.S. population was at least $57.47B in 2019. Inclusion of 14 months' (January 2019-February 2020) newer data exposed new trends: the cost per patient, number of admissions, and fraction of patients with sepsis labeled as present on admission inflected around November 2015, coincident with the change to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Edition, and introduction of the Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock Management Bundle (SEP-1) metric. Sepsis among Medicare beneficiaries precoronavirus disease 2019 imposed immense burdens upon patients, their families, and the taxpayers.

Healthcare Resource Utilization and Costs in US Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Intensive Induction Chemotherapy

INTRODUCTIONAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy. In the United States (US) in 2020, the incidence of AML was 4.3/100,000, with a death rate of ~2.8 per 100,000. Following diagnosis, for patients who are fit for high-dose therapy, standard of care consists of initial intensive remission-inducing chemotherapy followed by post-remission therapy comprising consolidation chemotherapy alone, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) alone, or consolidation chemotherapy followed by HSCT. Despite an initial response to treatment, most patients with AML progress, and relapse is common. Relapse in AML is associated with poor prognosis, substantial healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and a cost burden. Maintenance therapy with newer agents may delay relapse and prolong survival. Understanding HCRU and costs of newly diagnosed AML may inform clinicians, policy makers, and payers on the burden of AML and the potential clinical and economic benefits of novel therapies. This retrospective study describes HCRU and costs for patients with newly diagnosed AML receiving intensive induction chemotherapy in the US. METHODSThe Premier Healthcare Database was used to identify patients aged ≥18 years with an inpatient hospitalization or hospital-based outpatient visit (01/01/2016-03/31/2019), an AML diagnosis (ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes: C92.00, C92.40, C92.50, C92.60, C92.A0), who received CPX-351 or 7+3 treatments, and had ≤280 days from the end of first induction treatment to remission. Patients with prior AML diagnosis or those receiving other treatments were excluded. Index date was the admission date for the first hospitalization or the first hospital-based outpatient visit with an AML diagnosis. Patients were followed until death, relapse or last known follow-up, whichever was first. Unadjusted descriptive analyses were performed for patient demographics, baseline clinical characteristics, outpatient days, inpatient hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and costs. RESULTSOverall, 642 patients who received induction chemotherapy for newly diagnosed AML were identified. Mean (median) patient age was 53.7 (56.0) years, and 53.1% of patients were male. Patients had commercial (47.2%), Medicare (26.8%), Medicaid (17.6%), or other (8.4%) insurance. Mean (SD) Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.5 (2.2), and the most common comorbidities were diabetes (20.3%), chronic pulmonary disease (15.4%), and congestive heart failure (9.4%). Most frequent adverse events were pyrexia (47.2%), neutropenia (39.9%), sepsis (28.0%), pneumonia (24.3%), and fungal infection (17.9%). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) time from the end of first induction chemotherapy to remission was 58 (40-90) days. Median (IQR) time from remission to relapse was 274 (141-389) days. A total of 385 (60.0%) patients had outpatient service days at a Premier facility; median (IQR) number of outpatient service days per patient was 3 (1-6), outpatient hospital cost per visit was $1,083 ($481-$2,189), and total outpatient hospital cost was $2,904 ($1,054-$7,217). All patients had an inpatient hospitalization; median (IQR) number of inpatient hospitalizations per patient was 2 (2-3), length of stay (LOS) per inpatient hospitalization was 16 (13-21) days, cost per inpatient hospitalization was $34,558 ($25,419-$49,460), and total inpatient hospital cost was $83,440 ($63,067-$113,985). A total of 144 (22.4%) patients had an ICU admission; median (IQR) number of ICU admissions per patient was 1 (1-1), LOS per ICU admission was 3 (2-8) days, cost per ICU visit was $15,771 ($7,209-$27,564), and ICU cost was $16,550 ($7,368-$36,968). CONCLUSIONSIn the US, healthcare costs for patients with newly diagnosed AML who receive induction chemotherapy are considerable, primarily due to high HCRU and lengthy inpatient stays. Patient response to induction therapy and duration of remission may also contribute to HCRU and costs. More tolerable therapies that improve remission rate and duration, and/or reduce hospitalization rates, may alleviate the economic burden of AML. DisclosuresHuggar: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Knoth: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Copher: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Cao: Premier, Inc.: Current Employment; BeiGene, Ltd.: Consultancy. Lipkin: Premier, Inc.: Current Employment. McBride: Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. LeBlanc: Amgen: Consultancy, Other: travel; BMS/Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel fees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau; Flatiron: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board; Astellas: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Duke University: Research Funding; American Cancer Society: Research Funding; Helsinn: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; Heron: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: advisory board; Agios: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Travel fees, Speakers Bureau; Pfizer: Consultancy, Other: Advisory Board; CareVive: Consultancy, Other, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Other: Advisory board, Research Funding; Jazz Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Otsuka: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other; Daiichi-Sankyo: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Advisory board; Travel fees, Speakers Bureau; UpToDate: Patents & Royalties; NINR/NIH: Research Funding.

Inpatient Hospital Costs for COVID-19 Patients in the United States.

IntroductionReliable cost and resource use data for COVID-19 hospitalizations are crucial to better inform local healthcare resource decisions; however, available data are limited and vary significantly.MethodsCOVID-19 hospital admissions data from the Premier Healthcare Database were evaluated to estimate hospital costs, length of stay (LOS), and discharge status. Adult COVID-19 patients (ICD-10-CM: U07.1) hospitalized in the US from April 1 to December 31, 2020, were identified. Analyses were stratified by patient and hospital characteristics, levels of care during hospitalization, and discharge status. Factors associated with changes in costs, LOS, and discharge status were estimated using regression analyses. Monthly trends in costs, LOS, and discharge status were examined.ResultsOf the 247,590 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 49% were women, 76% were aged ≥ 50, and 36% were admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Overall median hospital LOS, cost, and cost/day were 6 days, US$11,267, and $1772, respectively; overall median ICU LOS, cost, and cost/day were 5 days, $13,443, and $2902, respectively. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation had the highest hospital and ICU median costs ($47,454 and $41,510) and LOS (16 and 11 days), respectively. Overall, 14% of patients died in hospital and 52% were discharged home. Older age, Black and Caucasian race, hypertension and obesity, treatment with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and discharge to long-term care facilities were major drivers of costs, LOS, and risk of death. Admissions in December had significantly lower median hospital and ICU costs and LOS compared to April.ConclusionThe burden from COVID-19 in terms of hospital and ICU costs and LOS has been substantial, though significant decreases in cost and LOS and increases in the share of hospital discharges to home were observed from April to December 2020. These estimates will be useful for inputs to economic models, disease burden forecasts, and local healthcare resource planning.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-01887-4.

Trends in Heart Failure Hospitalizations in the US from 2008 to 2018

Heart failure (HF) is a major driver of health care costs in the United States and is increasing in prevalence. There is a paucity of contemporary data examining trends among hospitalizations for HF that specifically compare HF with reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFrEF or HFpEF, respectively). Using the National Inpatient Sample, we identified 11,692,995 hospitalizations due to HF. Hospitalizations increased from 1,060,540 in 2008 to 1,270,360 in 2018. Over time, the median age of patients hospitalized because of HF decreased from 76.0 to 73.0 years (P < 0.001). There were increases in the proportions of Black patients (18.4% in 2008 to 21.2% in 2018) and of Hispanic patients (7.1% in 2008 to 9.0% in 2018; P < 0.001, all). Over the study period, we saw an increase in comorbid diabetes, sleep apnea and obesity (P < 0.001, all) in the entire cohort with HF as well as in the HFrEF and HFpEF subgroups. Persons admitted because of HFpEF were more likely to be white and older compared to admissions because of HFrEF and also had lower costs. Inpatient mortality decreased from 2008 to 2018 for overall HF (3.3% to 2.6%) and HFpEF (2.4% to 2.1%; P < 0.001, all) but was stable for HFrEF (2.8%, both years). Hospital costs, adjusted for inflation, decreased in all 3 groups across the study period, whereas length of stay was relatively stable over time for all groups. The volume of patients hospitalized due to HF has increased over time and across subgroups of ejection fraction. The demographics of HF, HFrEF and HFpEF have become more diverse over time, and hospital inpatient costs have decreased, regardless of HF type. Inpatient mortality rates improved for overall HF and HFpEF admissions but remained stable for HFrEF admissions.

Effect of Early Palliative Care on End-of-Life Health Care Costs: A Population-Based, Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of early versus not-early palliative care among cancer decedents on end-of-life health care costs. Using linked administrative databases, we created a retrospective cohort of cancer decedents between 2004 and 2014 in Ontario, Canada. We identified those who received early palliative care (palliative care service used in the hospital or community 12 to 6 months before death [exposure]). We used propensity score matching to identify a control group of not-early palliative care, hard matched on age, sex, cancer type, and stage at diagnosis. We examined differences in average health system costs (including hospital, emergency department, physician, and home care costs) between groups in the last month of life. We identified 144,306 cancer decedents, of which 37% received early palliative care. After matching, we created 36,238 pairs of decedents who received early and not-early (control) palliative care; there were balanced distributions of age, sex, cancer type (24% lung cancer), and stage (25% stage III and IV). Overall, 56.3% of early group versus 66.7% of control group used inpatient care in the last month (P < .001). Considering inpatient hospital costs in the last month of life, the early group used an average (±standard deviation) of $7,105 (±$10,710) versus the control group of $9,370 (±$13,685; P < .001). Overall average costs (±standard deviation) in the last month of life for patients in the early versus control group was $12,753 (±$10,868) versus $14,147 (±$14,288; P < .001). Receiving early palliative care reduced average health system costs in the last month of life, especially via avoided hospitalizations.

Cost-Consequence Analysis of Using Cangrelor in High Angiographic Risk Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients: A US Hospital Perspective.

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to evaluate a US hospital’s cost implications and outcomes of cangrelor use in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients with two or more angiographic high-risk features (HRFs), including avoidance of oral P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment in patients requiring cardiac surgery. Intravenous cangrelor provides direct, immediate onset and rapid-offset P2Y12 inhibition, which may reduce the necessity for oral P2Y12 pretreatment.MethodsA decision analytic model was developed, estimating the annual impact over 3 years of cangrelor availability. Ischemic and bleeding events (48 h) from randomized clinical trial data were extrapolated to 30 days. Event costs were from the CHAMPION PHOENIX Economics substudy. Rates of coronary artery disease (CAD) presentation, PCI, oral P2Y12 pretreatment, and inpatient hospitalization costs were from published literature and clinical experts. Scenario analyses evaluated the impact of cangrelor availability on potential reduced P2Y12 pretreatment rates by 50–100%. Drug costs were 2019 wholesale acquisition costs and, where necessary, all costs were adjusted to 2019 dollars.ResultsIn a hospital treating 1000 CAD PCI inpatients annually, increasing cangrelor use from 11 to 32% resulted in a reduction in 48-h ischemic events/year by 5.7%, while bleeding events increased by 2.9%. Total costs of $1,135,472 declined 12.8%, with a 50% reduction in P2Y12 pretreatment or 30% with no pretreatment. Savings were driven by a decrease in ischemic events, decrease in glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor use, and less need for and shorter oral P2Y12 inhibitor washout period for surgery patients.ConclusionUse of cangrelor in patients with two or more angiographic HRFs may improve outcomes and lower hospital budgets, mainly from avoiding surgery delays necessitated by oral P2Y12 inhibitor pretreatment.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40256-021-00491-9.

Economic analysis of prenatal fetoscopic vs open-hysterotomy repair of open neural tube defect.

Fetal repair of an open neural tube defect (ONTD) by open hysterotomy has been shown to reduce the need for ventriculoperitoneal shunting and improve motor outcomes for infants, but increases the risk of Cesarean section and prematurity. Fetoscopic repair is an alternative approach that may confer similar neurological benefits but allows for vaginal delivery and reduces the incidence of hysterotomy-related complications. We sought to compare the costs of care from fetal surgery until neonatal discharge, as well as the clinical outcomes, associated with each surgical approach. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent prenatal ONTD repair, using either the open-hysterotomy or the fetoscopic approach, at a single institution between 2012 and 2018. Clinical outcomes were collected by chart review. A cost-consequence analysis was conducted from the hospital perspective, and included all inpatient and ambulatory hospital and physician costs incurred for the care of mothers and their infants, from the time of maternal admission for fetal ONTD repair up to postnatal maternal and infant discharge. Costs were estimated using cost-to-charge ratios for hospital billing and the Medicare physician fee schedule for physician billing. Seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis, of whom 47 underwent fetoscopic repair and 31 underwent open-hysterotomy repair. In the fetoscopic-repair group, compared with the open-repair group, fewer women underwent Cesarean section (53% vs 100%; P < 0.001) and the median gestational age at birth was significantly higher (38.1 weeks (interquartile range (IQR), 35.2-39.1 weeks) vs 35.7 weeks (IQR, 33.9-37.0 weeks); P < 0.001). No case of uterine dehiscence was observed in the fetoscopic-repair group, compared with an incidence of 16% in the open-repair group. After adjusting for baseline characteristics, there was no significant difference in the total cost of care between the fetoscopic-repair and the open-repair groups (median, $76 978 (IQR, $60 312-$115 386) vs $65 103 (IQR, $57 758-$108 103); P = 0.458). Fetoscopic repair of ONTD, when compared with the open-hysterotomy approach, reduces the incidence of Cesarean section and preterm delivery with no significant difference in total costs of care from surgery to infant discharge. This novel approach may represent a cost-effective alternative to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes for this high-risk population. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Length of Stay in Pediatric Neurology Hospital Admissions.

To describe inpatient length of stay patterns, identify key drivers related to prolonged length of stay, and evaluate the relationship between length of stay and readmission in pediatric neurology. This was a retrospective review of patients <19 years old admitted with a principal neurologic diagnosis to our hospital between January 2017 and July 2019. Scheduled admissions and hospital admissions lasting >30 days were excluded from analysis. Length of stay was obtained in addition to demographic characteristics, principal discharge diagnosis, multispecialty care, use of multiple antiseizure medications, inpatient hospital costs (ie, claims paid), and pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) admission for unplanned admissions and 7- and 30-day readmissions. There were a total of 1579 unplanned admissions. The most common reasons for admission were seizure (n = 942), headache (n = 161), other neurologic diagnosis (n = 121), and psychiatric disorders/functional neurologic disorder (n = 60). Children admitted to the hospital for a neurologic condition have an average length of stay of 2.8±5.0 days for unplanned admissions, 4.5±7.4 days for 7-day readmissions, and 5.2±7.5 days for 30-day readmissions. Average inpatient hospital costs were $44 075±56 976 for unplanned admissions, $60 361±71 427 for 7-day readmissions, and $55 434±56 442 for 30-day readmissions. Prolonged length of stay and increased hospital costs were associated with pediatric ICU admission, multispecialty care, 7- and 30-day readmission, multiple antiseizure medications, and psychiatric disorders / functional neurologic disorders. Pediatric ICU admission, multispecialty care, readmission, multiple antiseizure medications, and psychiatric disorder / functional neurologic disorder prolong length of stay and increase hospital costs.

Potential positive effects of bariatric surgery on healthcare resource utilisation.

To determine whether a bariatric surgical procedure is associated with a reduction in healthcare utilisation among patients with obesity and high pre-procedural healthcare needs. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary Victorian public hospital. Twenty-nine adults who underwent publicly funded primary bariatric surgery between 2008 and 2018 at the Alfred Hospital, Melbourne and had high resource use over the year prior to surgery, defined as at least two of ≥3 hospital admissions, ≥7 inpatient bed days for obesity-related co-morbidities or inpatient hospital costs ≥$10 000. Change in inpatient and outpatient resource use. After 1 year following bariatric surgery, total hospital bed days decreased from 663 to 80 and the median (Q1, Q3) per patient decreased from 7 (4.5, 15) to 5 (2.25, 9.75) (p=0.001) and the total number of hospital admissions fell from 118 to 67 (p < 0.001). The median cost of inpatient care decreased from $11 405 ($4408, $22251) to $3974 ($0, $4325) per annum (p < 0.001). The total and median number of outpatient attendances did not significantly change 12 months after bariatric surgery, but the demand for outpatient services unrelated to bariatric surgery declined by a median of four visits per patient (p=0.013). The evidence from this small pilot study suggests that Bariatric surgery has the potential to decrease resource use and inpatient hospital costs over a 1-year time frame for obese patients with high resource use. These data will be used to design a prospective randomised controlled trial to provide more definitive information on this important issue.