Long-term Acute Care Research Articles

Home-Based Digital Exercise Training Program to Improve Physical Function of Older Sepsis Survivors: Protocol of the HEAL Sepsis Randomized Clinical Trial.

While sepsis, an exaggerated response to infection, can affect people of all age groups, it is more prevalent in middle-aged and older adults. Older adults suffer worse short-term and long-term outcomes than younger patients. Older sepsis survivors are commonly discharged to long-term acute care facilities, where they often die within 1 year. Those who return home from the hospital lose the momentum of physical function improvement after early inpatient rehabilitation, and often face exacerbation of comorbidities and decline in physical function. Additionally, patients who are discharged home often live at distant locations and are not able to commute to rehabilitation centers due to their poor health status. Therefore, remotely delivered exercise interventions tailored to this population hold promise to improve physical function safely and effectively after sepsis. However, this type of intervention has yet to be tested in this population. This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and ease of recruitment and retention of participants for a remotely delivered physical activity intervention for improving physical function in middle-aged and older sepsis survivors. The proposed intervention will be delivered through a digital health platform that comprises a patient-facing mobile app and a 12-week physical activity program specifically designed for middle-aged and older sepsis survivors with poor health status who may face challenges participating in traditional out-patient or community-based exercise interventions. This study is ongoing and plans to enroll 40 sepsis survivors aged 55 years and older who will be randomized to either a remotely delivered exercise intervention group or a control group (electronic health diary). Both groups will use a tablet containing the Health in Motion app (Blue Marble Health). The intervention group will receive a clinician-designed personalized avatar-guided home exercise program and reminders while the control group will self-report daily activities using the in-app health diary feature. This study is the first to use a home-based, remotely monitored 12-week exercise program to improve physical function in sepsis survivors. This study will evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy, providing the necessary knowledge to design and calculate power for future larger trials. This study will provide important information for planning a future randomized clinical trial to test the efficacy of a remotely delivered exercise intervention in this high-risk population. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05568511; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05568511. DERR1-10.2196/60270.

Surviving septic patients endotyped with a functional assay demonstrate active immune responses.

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by a heterogenous host immune response. Historically, static protein and transcriptomic metrics have been employed to describe the underlying biology. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ex vivo functional TNF expression as well as an immunologic endotype based on both IFNγ and TNF expression could be used to model clinical outcomes in sepsis patients. This prospective, observational study of patient samples collected from the SPIES consortium included patients at five health systems enrolled over 17 months, with 46 healthy control patients, 68 ICU patients without sepsis, and 107 ICU patients with sepsis. Whole blood was collected on day 1, 4, and 7 of ICU admission. Outcomes included in-hospital and 180-day mortality and non-favorable discharge disposition defined by skilled nursing facility, long-term acute care facility, or hospice. Whole blood ELISpot assays were conducted to quantify TNF expression [stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and IFNγ expression (stimulated by anti-CD3/CD28 mAb), which were then used for assignment to one of four subgroups including an 'immunocompetent', 'immunosuppressed endotype', and two 'mixed' endotypes. Whole blood TNF spot-forming units were significantly increased in septic and CINS patients on days 4 and 7 compared to healthy subjects. In contrast, TNF expression per cell on days 1, 4, and 7 was significantly lower in both septic and critically ill non-septic (CINS) patients compared to healthy subjects. Early increases in total TNF expression were associated with favorable discharge disposition and lower in-hospital mortality. 'Immunocompetent' endotype patients on day 1 had a higher proportion of favorable to non-favorable discharges compared to the 'immunosuppressed' endotype. Similarly, 'immunocompetent' endotype patients on day 4 had a higher in-hospital survival compared to the 'immunosuppressed' endotype patients. Finally, among septic patients, decreased total TNF and IFNγ expression were associated with 180-day mortality. Increased ex vivo whole blood TNF expression is associated with improved clinical outcomes. Further, the early 'immunocompetent' endotype is associated with favorable discharge and improved in-hospital and 180-day survival. The ability to functionally stratify septic patients based on blood cell function ex vivo may allow for identification of future immune modulating therapies.

Impact of functional recovery on patients having heart surgery.

To describe the results of a program developed to manage institutional postacute care (IPAC) (postacute skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation facility, and long-term acute care) in a CMS Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) project for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We compared pre- and postutilization patterns during a 3-year period by evaluating risk-adjusted national, state, and other BPCI participant comparisons using a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis in a large urban community tertiary center with a CABG surgery program. Included in the analysis were all Medicare patients receiving CABG surgery at the institution (n = 504), across the nation (n = 213,423), and at other BPCI institutions (n = 4939). The intervention included (1) use of a standardized tool for evaluation and prognostication of patient placement, (2) programmatic changes to manage patient functional recovery, and (3) patient and family engagement in postacute placement and functional recoveryplan. Physical therapist/occupational therapist time with patients who had undergone CABG surgery increased by more than 179% between the pre- and postintervention periods. This was associated with a 41.2% and 51.6% decline in IPAC use at the institution on an observed basis and adjusted basis, respectively. DID comparison demonstrated a 14.40% (95% CI, -19.30% to -9.60%) greater reduction at the target hospital than at other participating BPCI hospitals. A strong association exists between a focused patient functional recovery program and IPAC use reduction after CABG surgery. Using a structured approach to clinical analytics and hypothesis testing of redesign efforts when managing postacute care populations removes waste from care delivery.

Diaphragmatic Myopathy Associated with Dual Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in a Patient with Renal Cell Carcinoma

ABSTRACT Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have become increasingly prevalent with immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) cancer treatment. We present a 79-year-old man with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who developed shortness of breath and hypercapnic respiratory insufficiency after his first cycle of nivolumab and ipilimumab. Laboratory data showed elevated creatinine kinase, troponins, and transaminases. Computed tomography of the chest demonstrated bilateral lower lobe atelectasis. Heart catheterization and endomyocardial biopsy were unremarkable. Electromyogram (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS) of the limb muscles revealed mild diffuse myopathy, normal sensory nerve conductions, and low-amplitude motor responses. Subsequent diaphragmatic EMG and NCS demonstrated severe myopathy. ICI-mediated myopathy predominantly affecting diaphragmatic muscles was diagnosed. Treatment included intravenous methylprednisolone, infliximab, abatacept, rituximab, and plasmapheresis. He underwent tracheostomy placement on hospital day 11 due to minimal improvement. He was discharged to a long-term acute care hospital, but unfortunately, he died less than 1 month later due to recurrent infections. irAEs can affect any organ system, but diaphragmatic dysfunction is uncommon. Use of diaphragmatic EMG, NCS, ultrasound study, or biopsy can support the diagnosis. Treatment includes systemic steroids, plasmapheresis, immunosuppressive medications, respiratory support, and cessation of causative medications. ICI-related diaphragmatic dysfunction should be suspected in those patients at risk with hypoxia, hypercapnia, or prolonged invasive or noninvasive ventilation without a distinct etiology. This case report exemplifies the importance of multidisciplinary workup and management of respiratory symptoms and insufficiency to identify and ameliorate irAEs. Diaphragmatic involvement can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality despite early aggressive multimodal therapy.

Acute Laryngeal Injury in Patients Undergoing Airway Screening at a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital.

Acute laryngeal injury (ALgI) is an identified complication of prolonged intubation. Its evolution into mature stenosis and factors affecting decannulation are unclear. This retrospective review aims to characterize the incidence and characteristics of ALgI development and decannulation. Retrospective study of post-intubated patients with a tracheostomy seen for screening evaluation at a single long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) from 2019 to 2022. Patients were followed for an average of 115 days after extubation. Forty-nine of 119 adult patients had ALgI. Those with ALgI were more likely female (61% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.006) with higher body mass index (BMI; 32.9 vs. 28.1, p = 0.03) and lower height (166 vs. 171.1 cm, p = 0.01). Decannulation rates in patients with ALgI were 69.4% compared to 84.3% in patients without ALgI (p = 0.053). Patients with ALgI were scoped more quickly post-extubation (28.8 vs. 36.6 days, p = 0.04), but time to decannulation did not differ (66.6 vs. 81.2 days, p = 0.74). Lower CCI (4.03 vs 6.93) and lack of tobacco use (41.2% vs 73.3%) were associated with successful decannulation (p = 0.038, p = 0.0008). Patients with ALgI treated conservatively (observation or medical management) were decannulated up to 71 days post-extubation. Further decannulations only occurred with surgical intervention. Female gender, higher BMI, and shorter height are associated with ALgI among patients undergoing a LTACH screening evaluation. CCI and tobacco have a negative association with decannulation success. Among the ALgI cohort, no patient treated conservatively was decannulated after 71 days. 4 Laryngoscope, 134:4642-4648, 2024.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing FIM-1-metallo-β-lactamase: emergence and cross-transmission in a long-term acute care rehabilitation hospital.

FIM-1 metallo-β-lactamase was previously detected in sporadic Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Here, we report on FIM-1-positive P. aeruginosa from two patients who had shared the same ward in a long-term acute care rehabilitation hospital. Whole-genome sequencing analysis revealed close relatedness of these isolates, which belonged to an ST235 sublineage (clade 8/14) different from those previously reported. Results highlighted the occurrence of clonal diversity among FIM-positive strains and the possibility of their cross-transmission in some healthcare settings.

Prevalence of Candida auris Among High-Risk Patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

Background: Candida auris (C. auris) is a multidrug-resistant fungus that is increasingly implicated in outbreaks in healthcare facilities worldwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services recommend healthcare facilities screen patients who are considered high-risk for C. auris, including patients with an overnight stay in a healthcare facility outside the United States (U.S.) in the previous year, or recently stayed in a rehabilitation (rehab) facility, long-term acute care (LTAC), or skilled nursing facility (SNF). Screening patients for C. auris colonization allows for early implementation of infection control measures, preventing transmission to healthcare workers and other patients. According to the CDC, most cases of C. auris result from local spread within and among healthcare facilities in the same city or state. In Texas, 160 clinical cases have been reported during the past 12 months. At present, the necessity of screening high-risk patients at our center for C. auris is not known. We aimed to determine the prevalence of C. auris colonization among our patient population. Method: During a 4-week period, we performed targeted screening of patients meeting the CDC’s high-risk definition for C. auris. Admitted patients were screened by an Infection Preventionist (IP) using the electronic health record to identify patients who were either international or admitted from a rehab or care facility. A composite swab of bilateral axilla and groin creases was collected using an eSwab™ (Becton Dickinson) and sent to a reference lab (Mayo Clinic Laboratories) for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection of C. auris. Additionally, we reviewed historic cases of C. auris diagnosed at our institution to better define our at-risk patients. Results: Between July 14 – August 8, 2023, we consecutively screened 25 high-risk patients, including 18 (72%) international and 7 (28%) patients from rehabs, LTAC, or SNF. None were positive for C. auris. Since 2019, we identified six patients with C. auris positive cultures, including five clinical cases and one colonization case. Five patients were international and one was local with no history of international travel or stay in a care facility. Interestingly, all six were known to be colonized with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli. Conclusion: We have a very low prevalence of C. auris among CDC-defined high-risk patients. A review of historic C. auris cases indicated an association with colonization by other multidrug-resistant organisms, specifically ESBL E. coli, which will inform future screening protocols at our institution.Disclosure: Roy Chemaly: Contracted Research paid for my institution: Merck, Karius, AiCuris, Ansun Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, Genentech, Oxford Immunotec, and Eurofins-Viracor; Honorarium/Ad Board/Consultant: ADMA Biologics, Janssen, Merck/MSD, Partner Therapeutics, Takeda, Shinogi, AiCuris, Roche/Genentech, Astellas, Tether, Oxford Immunotec, Karius, Moderna, and Ansun Pharmaceuticals; Stock Options: Xenex

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Candida auris in Southeast Michigan

Background: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug resistant fungus that presents a serious global health threat and causes severe infections with a high mortality rate in hospitalized patients with significant underlying comorbidities. We describe the risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with C. auris in Southeast Michigan. Methods: This is a retrospective case series of culture-positive C. auris patients who had contact with our healthcare facility in Detroit from 2021 to 2023. We evaluated demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, and outcomes. A comparative analysis of colonized and infected patients was performed. Results: Forty-eight (81%) colonized and 11 (19%) infected patients were included (Table); 70% were male with median age of 66 years. All variables were comparable between the two groups except chronic kidney disease, which was significantly more prevalent among colonized patients (40% vs 0, p=0.011). All patients had prior exposure to acute care hospital (ACH), 37% to long-term acute care hospital, and 42% to skilled nursing facility within 1 year of diagnosis. Chronic wounds, prior broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and indwelling devices were prevalent in both groups; more than half required mechanical ventilation in the last month, and one third had tracheostomy at the time of C. auris detection. Almost 60% had a prior history of drug-resistant organisms, including multi-drug resistant gram negative (37%) and carbapenem-resistant (20%) organisms. Blood (82%) and wound (18%) were sources of invasive candidiasis. More than half (61%) of the testing was performed at ACH. Nine patients (82%) with invasive disease were treated with echinocandins (88%); among the colonized, two (4%) were treated with echinocandins but had persistent colonization. Thirty-day mortality was not significantly different among the two groups and was nearly 20%. Conclusions: In this large cohort study, a history of healthcare exposure, drug-resistant organisms, use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, indwelling devices, and chronic wounds were common risk factors among C. auris patients. Limiting the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobials and invasive devices, adherence to infection prevention and control practices, and interfacility transfer communication are important mitigating strategies to reduce the incidence and spread of C. auris.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales in US Dialysis Populations, 2016-2021

Background: Infections lead to high mortality among patients on chronic dialysis; knowledge of multi-drug resistant infections is limited. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program (EIP) conducts laboratory- and population-based surveillance for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in 10 U.S. sites and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) in 9 U.S. sites. We investigated clinical characteristics, healthcare exposures, and outcomes of CRE and CRAB cases in persons on chronic dialysis from 2016-2021. Methods: Among EIP catchment-area residents on chronic dialysis, we defined a CRE case as the first isolation of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae complex, Klebsiella aerogenes (formerly Enterobacter aerogenes), Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Klebsiella variicola resistant to any carbapenem, from a normally sterile site or urine in a 30-day period. A CRAB case was defined as the first isolation of Acinetobacter baumannii complex resistant to any carbapenem (excluding ertapenem), from a normally sterile site or urine (or lower respiratory tract or wound since 2021) in a 30-day period. Medical records were reviewed. A case was considered colonized if the case culture had no associated infection type or colonization was documented in the medical record. Descriptive analyses, including analyses stratified by pathogen, were conducted. Results: Among 426 cases, 314 were CRE, and 112 were CRAB; most cases were male (235, 55.2%), Black (229, 53.8%), and 51-80 years old (320, 75.1%) (Table). An infection was associated with 363 (85.2%) case cultures; bloodstream infections (148; 40.8%), urinary tract infections (134; 36.9%), and pneumonia (17; 4.7%) were the most frequent. Overall, most cases had documented healthcare exposures (excluding outpatient dialysis) in the year before incident specimen collection, including: 366 (85.9%) hospitalizations, 235 (55.2%) surgeries, 209 (49.1%) long-term care facility stays, 54 (12.7%) long-term acute care facility stays. Additionally, 125 (29.3%) had an intensive care unit admission within the 7 days before incident specimen collection. Compared to CRE cases, a higher proportion of CRAB cases (a) had a long-term care facility stay (82/112 [73.2%] versus 127/314 [40.5%], P<.0001) or hospitalization (103/112 [92%] versus 263/314 [83.8%], P = .03) within the preceding year and (b) died within 30 days of incident specimen collection (40/112 [35.7%] versus 64/314 [20.4%], P = .001). Discussion: Among CRE and CRAB cases in persons on chronic dialysis, healthcare exposures were common, and mortality was high. Additional efforts to better describe the burden of these organisms and associated risk factors in the dialysis population are needed for tailoring infection prevention strategies to this vulnerable.

Application of a Model Using Prior Healthcare Information to Predict Multidrug-Resistant Organism (MDRO) Carriage

Background: Early identification of patients colonized with MDROs can help healthcare facilities improve infection control and treatment. We evaluated whether a model previously validated to predict carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) carriage on hospital admission (area under the curve [AUC]=0.86, Lin et al. OFID 2019) would generalize to predict a patient’s likelihood of CRE and non-CRE MDRO colonization at the time of medical intensive care unit (MICU) admission. Methods: We analyzed data collected previously in a retrospective observational cohort study of patients admitted to Rush University Medical Center’s MICU from 1/2017-1/2018 and screened within the first two days for rectal MDRO colonization. Organisms of interest included CRE, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (3GCR-E). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization at admission was determined by routine clinical screening. Each patient’s first MICU admission during the study period was linked to Illinois’ hospital discharge database and assigned a CRE colonization risk probability using the existing model. Model covariates were age, and during the prior 365 days, number of short-term acute care hospitalizations (STACH) and mean STACH length of stay, number of long-term acute care hospitalizations (LTACH) and mean LTACH length of stay, prior hospital admission with an ICD-10 diagnosis code indicating bacterial infection, and current admission to LTACH. Predictive value of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: We analyzed 1237 MICU admissions. MDRO admission prevalence is shown in the Table. The model performed well to predict carriage of healthcare-associated MDROs, including CRE, CRPA, composite CR-MDROs (CRE & CRPA), and VRE. However, the model performed poorly for MDROs with known community reservoirs, including 3GCR-E and MRSA (Table). In general, MDRO admission prevalence increased in parallel with predicted CRE colonization risk (Figure). The number needed to screen (NNS) to detect one healthcare-associated MDRO carrier was inversely related to the CRE colonization risk score. For example, NNS in the total cohort compared to those with CRE risk score of >0.5% was: CRE 111 vs 32 patients, CRPA 333 vs 42 patients, composite CR-MDRO 83 vs 18 patients, and VRE 12 vs 4 patients. However, higher CRE risk score cutoff was inversely related to screening sensitivity. Conclusion: A prediction model using prior healthcare exposure information successfully discriminated patients likely to harbor healthcare-associated MDROs upon MICU admission. Prediction scores generated by a public-health accessible database could be used to target screening/isolation or enact protective measures for high-risk patients.

Whole Genome Sequencing to Identify Multiple Clusters of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Cases – Colorado, 2022-2023

Background: The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) detected an increase in Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (KPC-CRE) infections in October 2022. We investigated patient epidemiological links and isolate relatedness to characterize interfacility transmission of KPC-CRE in the Denver metro area and inform regional prevention strategies. Methods: We defined a case as polymerase chain reaction detection of KPC from clinical or screening specimens collected during January 2022 – January 2023. Cases were identified through statewide CRE surveillance and carbapenemase testing at the CDPHE laboratory and counted once within a 30-day period. Medical records were reviewed to identify healthcare facility admissions and patient facility overlap in the 12 months prior to sample collection. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for 34 patients with available KPC-CRE isolates using short- and long-read sequencing techniques. We performed multi-locus sequence typing, generated genome phylogenetic trees, and compared plasmid contig sequences to identify relatedness between KPC-CRE isolates. Clusters were defined as ≥2 genetically related isolates of the same organism or carbapenemase plasmid, from different patients. Results: We identified 48 cases (34 clinical and 14 screening) among 39 patients (figure). Patients had a mean age of 52 years (range 16-86) and median of three healthcare facility admissions (range 1-14). Twenty-eight patients (72%) were male. We identified 16 (41%) patients with epidemiological links to one acute care hospital (ACH), 11 (28.2%) patients to one long-term acute care hospital (LTACH), and four (10.2%) patients to each of two ventilator-capable skilled nursing facilities (vSNF). Five distinct clusters of KPC-CRE were identified by WGS among 23 patients (E. hormaechei, two distinct E. cloacae clusters, K. pneumoniae, and K. oxytoca) with linkages to ten healthcare facilities, including two vSNFs, two LTACHs, and six ACHs. Three distinct KPC genes were identified among the clusters: KPC-2, KPC-3, and KPC-4. Genomes assembled from long reads identified identical or similar KPC-gene-containing plasmids across different species or sequence types, suggesting horizontal gene transfer of KPC. Conclusions: Multiple KPC-CRE strains co-circulated and were associated with patient movement between acute and post-acute care settings. WGS allowed us to identify multi-facility clusters. Time and location of carbapenemase acquisition were challenging to determine for genetically related isolates when epidemiologic links could not be determined from medical records. This could be due to undetected cases. We notified healthcare facilities of their shared transmission risk and advocated for improved attention to infection control, carbapenemase screening, and communication upon patient transfer.

Post-acute care facility utilization and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing inpatient cancer surgery.

11088 Background: Patients with cancer using post-acute care facilities have poor outcomes, including delayed return home and increased health care utilization. However, little is known about post-acute care use and outcomes among patients with cancer undergoing surgery. Methods: We examined Medicare claims of 100% of fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries from 2010-2022, to identify patients who underwent inpatient cancer-directed surgery and were thus eligible for a post-acute facility stay. We used billing codes within 3 days of hospital discharge to identify post-acute facility stays, defined as skilled nursing facility (SNF), long-term acute care hospital (LTACH), or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) stays. We used logistic regression to identify patient sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with post-acute care facility use. We also compared hospital readmissions within 30 days and days at home (defined as days not in an acute or post-acute facility) in the 90 days after discharge by setting, using Chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results: We studied 1,637,792 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent inpatient cancer surgery from 2010 to 2022. About half (48.9%) were women; median age was 73.0 years. The most common cancer diagnoses were colorectal (28.4%), lung (14.4%), and prostate (12.1%), and 22.7% had a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) of ≥3. Overall, 16.0% of patients were discharged to a post-acute care facility (11.4% SNF, 4.5% LTACH/IRF). Discharge to post-acute care was greater among patients who were aged ≥80 vs 65-69 (Adjusted Odds Ratio[AOR] 3.85, 95% Confidence Interval[CI] 3.79,3.90), had CCI ≥3 versus 0 (AOR 2.92, 95%CI 2.88,2.95), were dual-eligible (AOR 2.01, 95%CI 1.99,2.04), or had metastatic cancer (AOR 1.26, 95%CI 1.24,1.28). Patients undergoing brain or spinal surgeries for primary or metastatic cancers had highest odds of PAC facility utilization. Compared to those discharged home, patients discharged to post-acute care facilities had a higher 30-day hospital readmission rates (18.6% vs. 9.5%, p<0.0001), and fewer days at home in the 90 days after discharge from their index surgical admission (median 68 vs. 90 days, p<0.0001). Conclusions: Patients with cancer undergoing inpatient surgery who are older, have comorbidities, or have advanced disease have higher rates of post-acute care facility use, and such post-acute care is associated with higher hospital readmissions and fewer post-operative days at home. Further work is needed to improve pre-operative decision-making and optimization as well as to develop supportive care and rehabilitative interventions that can improve post-operative outcomes for patients who need post post-acute care.

In-Hospital vs 30-Day Sepsis Mortality at US Safety-Net and Non–Safety-Net Hospitals

In-hospital mortality of patients with sepsis is frequently measured for benchmarking, both by researchers and policymakers. Prior studies have reported higher in-hospital mortality among patients with sepsis at safety-net hospitals compared with non-safety-net hospitals; however, in critically ill patients, in-hospital mortality rates are known to be associated with hospital discharge practices, which may differ between safety-net hospitals and non-safety-net hospitals. To assess how admission to safety-net hospitals is associated with 2 metrics of short-term mortality (in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality) and discharge practices among patients with sepsis. Retrospective, national cohort study of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 66 years and older, admitted with sepsis to an intensive care unit from January 2011 to December 2019 based on information from the Medicare Provider Analysis and Review File. Data were analyzed from October 2022 to September 2023. Admission to a safety-net hospital (hospitals with a Medicare disproportionate share index in the top quartile per US region). Coprimary outcomes: in-hospital mortality and 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes: (1) in-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders, (2) in-hospital palliative care delivery, (3) discharge to a postacute facility (skilled nursing facility, inpatient rehabilitation facility, or long-term acute care hospital), and (4) discharge to hospice. Between 2011 and 2019, 2 551 743 patients with sepsis (mean [SD] age, 78.8 [8.2] years; 1 324 109 [51.9%] female; 262 496 [10.3%] Black, 2 137 493 [83.8%] White, and 151 754 [5.9%] other) were admitted to 666 safety-net hospitals and 1924 non-safety-net hospitals. Admission to safety-net hospitals was associated with higher in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.06-1.13) but not 30-day mortality (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99-1.04). Admission to safety-net hospitals was associated with lower do-not-resuscitate rates (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.81-0.91), palliative care delivery rates (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.60-0.73), and hospice discharge (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.78-0.87) but not with discharge to postacute facilities (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.95-1.01). In this cohort study, among patients with sepsis, admission to safety-net hospitals was associated with higher in-hospital mortality but not with 30-day mortality. Differences in in-hospital mortality may partially be explained by greater use of hospice at non-safety-net hospitals, which shifts attribution of death from the index hospitalization to hospice. Future investigations and publicly reported quality measures should consider time-delimited rather than hospital-delimited measures of short-term mortality to avoid undue penalty to safety-net hospitals with similar short-term mortality.

Survival, Function, and Cognition After Hospitalization in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals

More than 70 000 Medicare beneficiaries receive care in long-term acute care hospitals (LTCHs) annually for prolonged acute illness. However, little is known about long-term functional and cognitive outcomes of middle-aged and older adults after hospitalization in an LTCH. To describe survival, functional, and cognitive status after LTCH hospitalization and to identify factors associated with an adverse outcome. This retrospective cohort study included middle-aged and older adults enrolled in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with linked fee-for-service Medicare claims. Included participants were aged 50 years or older with an LTCH admission between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2016, with HRS interviews available before admission. Data were analyzed between November 1, 2021, and June 30, 2023. Function and cognition were ascertained from HRS interviews conducted every 2 years. The primary outcome was death or severe impairment in the 2.5 years after LTCH hospitalization, defined as dependencies in 2 or more activities of daily living (ADLs) or dementia. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate associations with a priori selected risk factors including pre-LTCH survival prognosis (Lee index score), pre-LTCH impairment status, and illness severity characterized by receipt of mechanical ventilation and prolonged intensive care unit stay of 3 days or longer. This study included 396 participants, with a median age of 75 (IQR, 68-82) years. Of the participants, 201 (51%) were women, 125 (28%) had severe impairment, and 318 (80%) died or survived with severe impairment (functional, cognitive, or both) within 2.5 years of LTCH hospitalization. After accounting for acute illness characteristics, prehospitalization survival prognosis as determined by the Lee index score and severe baseline impairment (functional, cognitive, or both) were associated with an increased likelihood of death or severe impairment in the 2.5 years after LTCH hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.2 [95% CI, 1.7 to 6.0] for a 5-point increase in Lee index score; and AOR, 4.5 [95% CI, 1.3 to 15.4] for severe vs no impairment). In this cohort study, 4 of 5 middle-aged and older adults died or survived with severe impairment within 2.5 years of LTCH hospitalization. Better preadmission survival prognosis and functional and cognitive status were associated with lower risk of an adverse outcome, and these findings should inform decision-making for older adults with prolonged acute illness.

Molecular and Epidemiological Investigation of Fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis-Georgia, United States, 2021.

Reports of fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis bloodstream infections are increasing. We describe a cluster of fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis bloodstream infections identified in 2021 on routine surveillance by the Georgia Emerging Infections Program in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze C parapsilosis bloodstream infections isolates. Epidemiological data were obtained from medical records. A social network analysis was conducted using Georgia Hospital Discharge Data. Twenty fluconazole-resistant isolates were identified in 2021, representing the largest proportion (34%) of fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis bloodstream infections identified in Georgia since surveillance began in 2008. All resistant isolates were closely genetically related and contained the Y132F mutation in the ERG11 gene. Patients with fluconazole-resistant isolates were more likely to have resided at long-term acute care hospitals compared with patients with susceptible isolates (P = .01). There was a trend toward increased mechanical ventilation and prior azole use in patients with fluconazole-resistant isolates. Social network analysis revealed that patients with fluconazole-resistant isolates interfaced with a distinct set of healthcare facilities centered around 2 long-term acute care hospitals compared with patients with susceptible isolates. Whole-genome sequencing results showing that fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis isolates from Georgia surveillance demonstrated low genetic diversity compared with susceptible isolates and their association with a facility network centered around 2 long-term acute care hospitals suggests clonal spread of fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis. Further studies are needed to better understand the sudden emergence and transmission of fluconazole-resistant C parapsilosis.

Reducing Pressure Injuries in a High-Risk Long-Term Acute Care Hospital

Reducing Pressure Injuries in a High-Risk Long-Term Acute Care Hospital

Trajectories of Serious Illness Communication During Long-term Acute Care Hospital Admissions (GP151)

Trajectories of Serious Illness Communication During Long-term Acute Care Hospital Admissions (GP151)

One-Year Recovery Among Survivors of Prolonged Severe COVID-19: A National Multicenter Cohort.

Understanding the long-term effects of severe COVID-19 illness on survivors is essential for effective pandemic recovery planning. Therefore, we investigated impairments among hospitalized adults discharged to long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) for prolonged severe COVID-19 illness who survived 1 year. The Recovery After Transfer to an LTACH for COVID-19 (RAFT COVID) study was a national, multicenter, prospective longitudinal cohort study. We included hospitalized English-speaking adults transferred to one of nine LTACHs in the United States between March 2020 and February 2021 and completed a survey. None. Validated instruments for impairments and free response questions about recovering. Among 282 potentially eligible participants who provided permission to be contacted, 156 (55.3%) participated (median age, 65; 38.5% female; 61.3% in good prior health; median length of stay of 57 d; 77% mechanically ventilated for a median of 26 d; 42% had a tracheostomy). Approximately two-thirds (64%) had a persistent impairment, including physical (57%), respiratory (49%; 19% on supplemental oxygen), psychiatric (24%), and cognitive impairments (15%). Nearly half (47%) had two or more impairment types. Participants also experienced persistent debility from hospital-acquired complications, including mononeuropathies and pressure ulcers. Participants described protracted recovery, attributing improvements to exercise/rehabilitation, support, and time. While considered life-altering with 78.7% not returning to their usual health, participants expressed gratitude for recovering; 99% returned home and 60% of previously employed individuals returned to work. Nearly two-thirds of survivors of among the most prolonged severe COVID-19 illness had persistent impairments at 1 year that resembled post-intensive care syndrome after critical illness plus debility from hospital-acquired complications.

Reducing Hospitalizations and Multidrug-Resistant Organisms via Regional Decolonization in Hospitals and Nursing Homes

Infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of hospitalization, and health care costs. Regional interventions may be advantageous in mitigating MDROs and associated infections. To evaluate whether implementation of a decolonization collaborative is associated with reduced regional MDRO prevalence, incident clinical cultures, infection-related hospitalizations, costs, and deaths. This quality improvement study was conducted from July 1, 2017, to July 31, 2019, across 35 health care facilities in Orange County, California. Chlorhexidine bathing and nasal iodophor antisepsis for residents in long-term care and hospitalized patients in contact precautions (CP). Baseline and end of intervention MDRO point prevalence among participating facilities; incident MDRO (nonscreening) clinical cultures among participating and nonparticipating facilities; and infection-related hospitalizations and associated costs and deaths among residents in participating and nonparticipating nursing homes (NHs). Thirty-five facilities (16 hospitals, 16 NHs, 3 long-term acute care hospitals [LTACHs]) adopted the intervention. Comparing decolonization with baseline periods among participating facilities, the mean (SD) MDRO prevalence decreased from 63.9% (12.2%) to 49.9% (11.3%) among NHs, from 80.0% (7.2%) to 53.3% (13.3%) among LTACHs (odds ratio [OR] for NHs and LTACHs, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.40-0.57), and from 64.1% (8.5%) to 55.4% (13.8%) (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.93) among hospitalized patients in CP. When comparing decolonization with baseline among NHs, the mean (SD) monthly incident MDRO clinical cultures changed from 2.7 (1.9) to 1.7 (1.1) among participating NHs, from 1.7 (1.4) to 1.5 (1.1) among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 30.4%; 95% CI, 16.4%-42.1%), from 25.5 (18.6) to 25.0 (15.9) among participating hospitals, from 12.5 (10.1) to 14.3 (10.2) among nonparticipating hospitals (group × period interaction reduction, 12.9%; 95% CI, 3.3%-21.5%), and from 14.8 (8.6) to 8.2 (6.1) among LTACHs (all facilities participating; 22.5% reduction; 95% CI, 4.4%-37.1%). For NHs, the rate of infection-related hospitalizations per 1000 resident-days changed from 2.31 during baseline to 1.94 during intervention among participating NHs, and from 1.90 to 2.03 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.7%; 95% CI, 19.0%-34.5%). Associated hospitalization costs per 1000 resident-days changed from $64 651 to $55 149 among participating NHs and from $55 151 to $59 327 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 26.8%; 95% CI, 26.7%-26.9%). Associated hospitalization deaths per 1000 resident-days changed from 0.29 to 0.25 among participating NHs and from 0.23 to 0.24 among nonparticipating NHs (group × period interaction reduction, 23.7%; 95% CI, 4.5%-43.0%). A regional collaborative involving universal decolonization in long-term care facilities and targeted decolonization among hospital patients in CP was associated with lower MDRO carriage, infections, hospitalizations, costs, and deaths.

Guillain-Barre in the long-term acute care hospital setting: Ventilation does not prolong stay

Objective Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, resulting in loss of muscle function and potentially respiratory failure requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Data describing the demographics and outcomes of patients with severe GBS requiring prolonged ventilation in the long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) setting is limited. We hypothesized that patients with GBS requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation require longer lengths of stay in an LTACH and are discharged with poorer functional status than GBS patients who do not require mechanical ventilation. Design, Setting, and Participants We conducted a retrospective study of GBS patients admitted over a 9-year period at an independent, large LTACH and compared ventilated versus non-ventilated GBS patients’ lengths of stay and functional ability at the time of admission and discharge. Interventions Not Applicable Main Outcome Measures and Results We found no significant difference in mean (standard error of means) lengths of stay between ventilated and non-ventilated GBS patients admitted to an LTACH (48.4 (± 8.0) vs. 38.8 (± 5.7) days, P 0.37). We also found that ventilated patients with GBS were discharged from an LTACH with similar functional ability than non-ventilated GBS patients (4.5 vs. 4.0, P 0.43 on 10 ft walk; 4.7 vs. 4.5 on P 0.70; 5.0 vs. 4.2, P 0.21 on 150 ft walk). Conclusion These findings suggest that GBS patients suffering from prolonged mechanical ventilation may expect similar lengths of stay in an LTACH as non-ventilated GBS patients and a similar or greater rate of functional improvement during their stay. These data support admission of chronically ventilated GBS patients to an LTACH for ongoing care after their acute care without the anticipation of greater length of stay or less rehabilitation outcomes with respect to non-ventilated GBS patients. Keywords: Guillain-Barre Syndrome, Assisted Ventilation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, LTACH, Critical Care