Referral Protocols Research Articles

Palliative care referrals in patients with advanced cancer on early-phase cancer clinical trials (EP-CTs).

29 Background: EP-CTs investigate novel therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer, but little is known about the utilization of supportive care services, specifically palliative care (PC), in this population. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of consecutive patients enrolled on EP-CTs at the MGH Cancer Center from 2017-2019. Sociodemographic and clinical variables, including utilization of PC services, were obtained via chart review. Details of the PC evaluation were compared between patients who received first referral to PC while enrolled on an EP-CT versus those who received a PC referral at any point after diagnosis. Results: Among 426 patients enrolled on EP-CTs (median age 63 years; 44% male), 249 (59%) received a PC referral at any time following a diagnosis of cancer (median age 57 years, 58% male). Eighty-six (35%) were referred prior to enrollment on EP-CT, 44 (18%) were referred while on EP-CT, and 119 (48%) were referred post-EP-CT. Patients referred on EP-CT were younger (median 56 vs 63 years, p < 0.0001) than those enrolled on EP-CTs. For patients referred while on EP-CT, 48% had a PC consult within 30 days of enrollment (range: 0-530 days); median number of PC visits was 3 (range: 0-37); median time from first PC consult to death or termination of EP-CT was 32 days (range: 1-213). Of 44 patients referred on EP-CT, 2 (5%) died while on EP-CT. Of the remaining patients, median time from first PC consult to date of death was 79 days (IQR: 45-178 days). Most common reasons for referral included pain (22, 50%), non-pain symptoms (21, 48%), and goals of care/advanced care planning (20, 45%). Of these referrals, 13 (30%) were initiated as inpatients versus 31 (70%) as outpatients. Pain was most commonly cited for outpatient referral (35%), followed by non-pain symptoms (25%) and goals of care (23%). Non-pain symptoms (40%) and goals of care (36%) were most commonly cited reasons for inpatient referral, followed by pain (24%). Of referrals while on EP-CT, 23 (52%) were made by EP-CT staff, including MD and APP, 7 (16%) from the primary oncologist, and 1 (2%) was self-referral. 26 (57%) of patients referred to PC during trial were also referred to hospice, with a median time from last PC consult to hospice referral of 24 days (range: -2-322). Conclusions: A majority of patients with advanced cancer enrolled on EP-CTs received a PC referral. The timeline and method of referral varied, but most patients did not receive a referral until or following enrollment on an EP-CT. Future work will focus on developing a standard referral protocol for patients enrolled on EP-CTs.

Improving Referrals to Diabetes Self-Management Education in Medically Underserved Adults.

Electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical decision-support algorithms improve diabetes care. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to determine whether an electronic diabetes education referral protocol using the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Algorithm of Care (DSMES Algorithm) and protocol training would increase the proportion of adult patients with type 2 diabetes at a federally qualified health center electronically referred for diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES). The EHR was modified to include the DSMES Algorithm and questions regarding prior participation in diabetes education. Protocol trainings were conducted. Data were obtained via retrospective chart review. A one-sample t test was used to evaluate the statistical difference between the electronic referral (e-referral) rates of the pre-intervention and intervention groups. Completion of the DSMES Algorithm was positively associated with e-referrals to diabetes education (P <0.001). The intervention group had a higher rate of e-referral for DSMES than the pre-intervention group (31 vs. 0%, P <0.001). E-referral protocols using the DSMES Algorithm and protocol training may aid in the identification and documentation of self-care needs of medically underserved patients with type 2 diabetes and improve e-referrals to DSMES. Of clinical importance, these findings translate into active patient engagement, team-based care, and information-sharing. Additional work is needed to determine whether the e-referral rate is sustained or increases over time. Further investigations should also be explored to evaluate the impact of e-referral protocols and algorithms on participation in DSMES.

Investigating the benefits and challenges of including bereaved women in research: a multifaceted perinatal audit in a socially disadvantaged French district

ObjectivesTo describe experiences including interviews with bereaved women in a clinical audit.DesignThe data come from an audit of all stillbirths and neonatal deaths at ≥22 weeks of gestation in Seine-Saint-Denis,...

Referral systems for preterm, low birth weight, and sick newborns in Ethiopia: a qualitative assessment

BackgroundA responsive and well-functioning newborn referral system is a cornerstone to the continuum of child health care; however, health system and client-related barriers negatively impact the referral system. Due to the complexity and multifaceted nature of newborn referral processes, studies on newborn referral systems have been limited. The objective of this study was to assess the barriers for effective functioning of the referral system for preterm, low birth weight, and sick newborns across the primary health care units in 3 contrasting regions of Ethiopia.MethodsA qualitative assessment using interviews with mothers of preterm, low birth weight, and sick newborns, interviews with facility leaders, and focus group discussions with health care providers was conducted in selected health facilities. Data were coded using an iteratively developed codebook and synthesized using thematic content analysis.ResultsGaps and barriers in the newborn referral system were identified in 3 areas: transport and referral communication; availability of, and adherence to newborn referral protocols; and family reluctance or refusal of newborn referral. Specifically, the most commonly noted barriers in both urban and rural settings were lack of ambulance, uncoordinated referral and return referral communications between providers and between facilities, unavailability or non-adherence to newborn referral protocols, family fear of the unknown, expectation of infant death despite referral, and patient costs related to referral.ConclusionsAs the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health focuses on averting early child deaths, government investments in newborn referral systems and standardizing referral and return referral communication are urgently needed. A complimentary approach is to lessen referral overload at higher-level facilities through improvements in the scope and quality of services at lower health system tiers to provide basic and advanced newborn care.

Optimising the outcomes of index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration for biliary emergencies: a service model

AimsThe rate of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains low due to operational constraints. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a service model of index admission cholecystectomy with referral protocols, refined logistics and targeted job planning.MethodsA prospectively maintained dataset was evaluated to determine the processes of care and outcomes of patients undergoing emergency biliary surgery. The lead author has maintained a 28 years prospective database capturing standard demographic data, intraoperative details including the difficulty of cholecystectomy as well as postoperative outcome parameters and follow up data.ResultsOver five thousand (5555) consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. Only patients undergoing emergency procedures (2399,43.2% of entire group) were analysed for this study. The median age was 52 years with 70% being female. The majority were admitted with biliary pain (34%), obstructive jaundice (26%) and acute cholecystitis (16%). 63% were referred by other surgeons. 80% underwent surgery within 5 days (40% within 24 h). Cholecystectomies were performed on scheduled lists (44%) or dedicated emergency lists (29%). Two thirds had suspected bile duct stones and 38.1% underwent bile duct exploration. The median operating time was 75 min, median hospital stay 7 days, conversion rate 0.8%, morbidity 8.9% and mortality rate 0.2%.ConclusionIndex admission cholecystectomy for biliary emergencies can have low rates of morbidity and mortality. Timely referral and flexible theatre lists facilitate the service, optimising clinical results, number of biliary episodes, hospital stay and presentation to resolution intervals. Cost benefits and reduced interval readmissions need to be weighed against the length of hospital stay per episode.

Luchando contra la COVID-19: labor asistencial de los médicos rehabilitadores españoles. Estudio transversal

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to analyse both the impact of the pandemic and clinical and teaching organisation in Spanish Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Departments during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsA survey was conducted of the tutors of rehabilitation departments. The questionnaire contained 31 questions divided into 6 parts about the following: general information on the department, adaptation of rehabilitation departments to the COVID pandemic, clinical work of rehabilitation physicians, the approach to rehabilitation in COVID patients, and the effects of the pandemic on the health and teaching activity of rehabilitation physicians during this period. ResultsA total of 54 responses were obtained. Almost half of the departments cancelled face-to-face medical consultations (40%) and 48% of the treatment rooms were turned into COVID beds. In 30 hospitals (55.6%), the physicians worked in COVID units. Most of the rehabilitation departments developed both graphic and audiovisual material with exercises, referral protocols and guidelines for the rehabilitation management and treatment of COVID 19 patients. Half of the departments reported some anxiety symptoms in medical staff. Tutorial work has been cancelled (40.7%) or reduced (35.2%). ConclusionsThe organisation of Spanish rehabilitation departments in response to the COVID pandemic has been very similar throughout the country. The response of these departments to the healthcare crisis has revealed the versatility of rehabilitation physicians.

Use of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants Among Emergency Department Patients With Untreated Opioid Use Disorder

Concurrent use of amphetamine-type stimulants among individuals with opioid use disorder can exacerbate social and medical harms, including overdose risk. The study evaluated rates of amphetamine-type stimulant use among patients with untreated opioid use disorder presenting at emergency departments in Baltimore, MD; New York, NY; Cincinnati, OH; and Seattle, WA. Emergency department (ED) patients with untreated opioid use disorder (N=396) and enrolled between February 2017 and January 2019 in a multisite hybrid type III implementation science study were evaluated for concurrent amphetamine-type stimulant use. Individuals with urine tests positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, or both were compared with amphetamine-type stimulant-negative patients. Overall, 38% of patients (150/396) were amphetamine-type stimulant positive; none reported receiving prescribed amphetamine or methamphetamine medications. Amphetamine-type stimulant-positive versus -negative patients were younger: mean age was 36 years (SD 10 years) versus 40 years (SD 12 years), 69% (104/150) versus 46% (114/246) were white, 65% (98/150) versus 54% (132/246) were unemployed, 67% (101/150) versus 49 (121/246) had unstable housing, 47% (71/150) versus 25% (61/245) reported an incarceration during 1 year before study admission, 60% (77/128) versus 45% (87/195) were hepatitis C positive, 79% (118/150) versus 47% (115/245) reported drug injection during 1 month before the study admission, and 42% (62/149) versus 29% (70/244) presented to the ED for an injury. Lower proportions of amphetamine-type stimulant-positive patients had cocaine-positive urine test results (33% [50/150] versus 52% [129/246]) and reported seeking treatment for substance use problems as a reason for their ED visit (10% [14/148] versus 19% [46/246]). All comparisons were statistically significant at P<.05 with the false discovery rate correction. Amphetamine-type stimulant use among ED patients with untreated opioid use disorder was associated with distinct sociodemographic, social, and health factors. Improved ED-based screening, intervention, and referral protocols for patients with opioid use disorder and amphetamine-type stimulant use are needed.

Dental Practice Patterns for Oral Care in Medical Oncology Patients-a Survey-Based Assessment of Massachusetts Dentists.

Oral complications associated with cancer therapy lead to a significant deterioration of oral health and overall quality of life. The primary aim of this study was to assess dental practice patterns followed by dentists for oral care of medical oncology patients and to identify potential barriers to recommended care. A questionnaire-based survey was developed using the Qualtrics online platform. It was electronically distributed to all dentists within the Massachusetts Dental Society (MDS). Descriptive statistics were automatically computed by Qualtrics. A total of 363 responses (10.7%) were received. Dentists reported minimal correspondence from the oncology team during referrals. Most dentists communicate treatment recommendations to the oncology team with regard to extractions (74.6%), restorations (66.7%), periodontal health (68.8%), and other urgent needs (73.5%). Potential obstacles to providing care included insufficient time for dental care before start of therapy (61%), lack of patient education on oral complications associated with therapy (56%), and lack of dental insurance (31%). Only 50% of the dentists felt adequately trained to treat oncology patients, and 46% of dentists infrequently followed the recommendations set by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial research (NIDCR). The findings of this study indicate significant variability in the referral patterns and practice protocols for medically necessary oral care in oncology patients. The major barriers to following established guidelines for care may be attributed to the lack of correspondence between provider teams, inadequate training of professionals, and financial or insurance factors associated with increased cost of supportive care.

Development and pilot testing of an adaptable protocol to address postpartum depression in pediatric practices serving lower-income and racial/ethnic minority families: contextual considerations

BackgroundPostpartum depression (PPD) affects approximately 25% of women in lower-income and racial/ethnic minority populations in the USA. Evidence-based interventions for PPD screening and treatment exist, but many women with PPD are not identified or are inadequately treated. To address this gap, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening for PPD at routine preventive visits in the first 6 months of postpartum, but less than half of pediatricians do so. Small PPD screening studies have been conducted in pediatric practices serving average-risk women, but less is known about practices serving families with lower-income and/or racial/ethnic minority status (safety-net practices). Study objectives were (1) to develop and pilot test an adaptable PPD screening protocol in safety-net practices and (2) to test strategies for implementing the protocol.MethodsThe Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used for this two-phase pilot study. Phase I focus groups with pediatric providers and staff in four safety-net practices informed phase II development and implementation of a PPD screening and referral protocol. Feasibility measures included the percentage of eligible women screened and documentation of follow-up plans in the electronic health record at 1-, 2-, 4-, and 6-month preventive visits over 3 months. Implementation strategies were assessed for acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility.ResultsFocus group participants felt that (1) addressing PPD in the pediatric setting is important, (2) all clinical team members should be engaged in screening, (3) workflows and competing interests may present barriers, and (4) commonly used screening tools/approaches may not adequately detect depression in the population studied. During protocol implementation, screening rates increased from 75 to 85% for 324 eligible preventive visits and documentation of follow-up plans increased from 66 to 87%. Only 6.5% of women screened positive (EPDS ≥ 10). Minor adaptations to implementation strategies were recommended to improve acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility.ConclusionsAlthough developing and implementing an adaptable protocol for PPD screening in safety-net pediatric practices using external facilitation and a bundle of implementation strategies appear feasible, low positive screen rates suggest adaptations to account for intersecting patient, practice, and external policy contexts are needed to improve PPD screening effectiveness in these practices.

Colocation Does Not Equal Integration: Identifying and Measuring Best Practices in Primary Care Integration of Children's Oral Health Services in Health Centers

ObjectiveImproving oral health of low-income and uninsured young children remains challenging because of reluctance of general dentists to care for very young children or participate in Medicaid, limited involvement of primary care providers in children's oral health, and lack of parental awareness of the importance of early oral health care. These barriers can be addressed in health centers (HCs) that are the premier sources of primary care for low-income and uninsured populations and a significant Medicaid provider. Many HCs provide dental services on-site, but literature indicates that medical and dental services often remain siloed with limited interaction among providers in addressing the oral health needs of young patients including risk assessment, education, and caries prevention. Accordingly, we developed a conceptual framework and measuring tool for medical dental integration and sought to examine utility of this tool in a purposive sample of HCs. MethodWe developed a conceptual framework for integrated oral health delivery and designed a survey to measure this integration. We surveyed 12 HCs in Los Angeles County participating in a project to improve oral health-care capacity for young children after 2 years of implementation. We included measures of risk assessment, preventive interventions, communication and collaborative practice, and buy-in organized in structure and process domains. Two individuals independently scored the responses, and a third reviewed and finalized. We standardized final scores to range from 0 to 100. ResultsOverall integration scores ranged from 31% to 73% (mean = 64%). Process scores were higher than structure scores for nearly all HCs. Processes contributing to higher scores included referrals with warm hand-offs, leadership support for medical-dental integration, and involvement in dental quality improvement projects. Structure factors contributing to higher scores included the presence of medical oral health champions, linked electronic health records, and referral protocols. ConclusionWe found that high levels of integration could be achieved despite structure and process limitations and sustainable integration depends on leadership and provider commitment and embedding of best practices in daily operations. Further research can illustrate the reliability of our tool and the impact of integration on access.

Signs and symptoms to determine if a patient presenting in primary care or hospital outpatient settings has COVID-19 disease.

Signs and symptoms to determine if a patient presenting in primary care or hospital outpatient settings has COVID-19 disease.

Developing a Policy, and Professional Development for School Staff, to Address and Respond to Nonsuicidal Self-Injury in Schools

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) can be a perplexing behavior: Why would someone deliberately damage their body to feel relief? Often starting in early adolescence, up to 1 in 5 high school students report engaging in the behavior. School staff (principals, teachers, and mental health professionals) are understandably concerned and have been calling for clear guidelines regarding how best to address and respond to NSSI. Based on the current evidence, we argue that schools need to develop a policy for NSSI and implement professional training for staff, which includes professional development and training, protocols for appropriate referrals of students, strategies for responding effectively to NSSI disclosures, safely discussing NSSI with students to minimize socialization effects, and a protocol for family and parent/caregiver engagement. We call on all schools, and school boards, to develop their own local policy, based on the guidelines we present in this policy brief.

Experiences and satisfaction of high-risk mothers who gave birth in select facilities in Legazpi City, Philippines

&lt;span&gt;Among the interventions implemented to curb maternal mortality in the Philippines, service delivery networks (SDNs) have been one of the most important. However, due to their recent implementation, frameworks to assess the quality of care they provide have not yet been established. To address this need, we had formulated the Integrated Patient-Centered Health Service Framework and used it to explore the satisfaction of mothers who gave birth in select facilities Legazpi City Philippines. We conducted key-informant interviews with 14 mothers. We found out that they were satisfied with the quality of care during pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-partum; however, the quality of care during labor and delivery, adherence to referral protocols, and respect for patient‟s autonomy can still be improved. The framework should be used by program managers to have a qualitative measure of quality of care provided by SDNs, as well as to ensure that referral protocols were implemented.&lt;/span&gt;

Nutrition Considerations for Transgender Adolescents and Young Adults: Screening for Disordered Eating and Food Insecurity at a Midwestern Transgender Center

Abstract Objectives 1) Define a nutrition screening protocol for transgender and nonbinary youth and adolescents, and 2) Identify the prevalence of disordered eating and food insecurity in transgender and nonbinary patients using multiple validated measures at a Midwestern transgender center. Methods Return patients at the Washington University in St. Louis Transgender Center at Children's Hospital were screened for disordered eating and food insecurity from 9/2019–12/2019. The screener included five sections: 1) Yes/no question regarding previous diagnosis of an eating disorder; 2) SCOFF Questionnaire; 3) Nine-Item Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (NIAS); 4) Adolescent Binge Eating Disorder Questionnaire (ADO-BED); 5) Hunger Vital Sign. The completed screeners were collected weekly and scored by a registered dietitian. Positive screens for disordered eating and food insecurity were referred to adolescent medicine and case management, respectively. Results A total of 159 transgender and nonbinary adolescents and young adults completed the screener. Two major findings emerged: 1) Food insecurity was a potential concern for one in five patients. Of the n = 159 patients that completed the screener, n = 32 (20%) screened positive for food insecurity on the Hunger Vital Sign. Food insecurity and disordered eating were not mutually exclusive; over half (56%) of the patients that screened positive for food insecurity also screened positive on at least one disordered eating measure. 2) Disordered eating was a potential concern for the majority of patients. Of the 159 patients that completed the screener, n = 115 (72%) screened positive for disordered eating. Conclusions Disordered eating and food insecurity are prominent nutrition-related concerns for transgender and nonbinary adolescents and young adults. Providers working with this population may utilize a screening and referral protocol to address patient needs that may be otherwise unmet. Funding Sources This project was supported by a workload release awarded to the primary investigator through the Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University.

Screening for elder mistreatment in emergency departments: current progress and recommendations for next steps

ABSTRACT Emergency Department (ED) visits provide an important but seldom realized opportunity to identify elder mistreatment. Many screening tools exist, including several that are brief and may be effective, but few have been specifically designed for or tested in EDs. In addition to the absence of validated tools, other challenges with implementing ED elder mistreatment screening include difficulty integrating anything longer than a few questions into a busy clinical encounter and resources required to respond to positive screens. The Electronic Health Record (EHR) offers a critical tool to facilitate elder mistreatment screening through required data entry and real-time monitoring of compliance and results. We describe current work in the field and recommend next steps including design and testing of a two-step screening process, implementation research to accelerate adoption, development of ED-based interventions and referral protocols for positive cases, and consideration of the important role of pre-hospital providers in case identification.

Development of a referral pathway framework for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in the Pilbara.

This article describes the process of mapping referral pathways to develop a localised resource to enhance the journey to diagnosis, treatment and support for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) in a regional community setting. Over a 6-month period, a research officer engaged service providers in Port and South Hedland, Western Australia, using participatory action research methods. An iterative process included a service environment scan, interviews with service leaders and refinement of progressive drafts of the pathway through the Hedland FASD Network. A community reference group advised on cultural issues. Referral pathways for interagency sectors (health, education, justice) were developed. Three pathway schematics and a companion four-page referral protocol were endorsed. The pathways were disseminated to all service providers and consensus was reached to trial the pathways within existing service systems. The process of referral pathway development provided a service mapping and gapping exercise to facilitate service integration. Evaluation of the resource will be conducted using the RE-AIM framework. The referral pathways template has been adapted and trialled by health and other professionals in several sites across Australia. The model developed for FASD can be applied to other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Fight against Pandemic in Frontline: Referral Protocol to Public Pharmacies for Covid-19

Fight against Pandemic in Frontline: Referral Protocol to Public Pharmacies for Covid-19

Consensus standards of healthcare for adults and children with inflammatory bowel disease in the UK

ObjectiveSymptoms and clinical course during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary among individuals. Personalised care is therefore essential to effective management, delivered by a strong patient-centred multidisciplinary team, working within a...

Pharmacist Medication Management of Adults with Attention Deficit: An Alternative Clinical Structure.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric conditions in youth. This disorder can persist into adulthood, with an estimated prevalence of 4.4% to 5.2% in the US. To review adult ADHD diagnostic criteria, adult clinical presentation, and resulting impairments in function and to describe our adult psychiatry clinic's pharmacist-comanaged ADHD medication management program as a model to provide safe and effective care that is accessible, efficient, and well monitored. The program consists of 1) screening (urine toxicology, diagnostic evaluation, data collection) by physicians, 2) program participation and treatment agreement with establishment of care goals, and 3) patient maintenance and monitoring. Pharmacists in the Department of Psychiatry manage refills, distributing the clinical caseload among a broader clinician base. This program created a standardized protocol for assessment, referral, and follow-up of adult patients with ADHD, with close monitoring and titration of controlled medications, systematic use of screening measures, and a stimulant treatment contract. Development of this program and workflow model could increase care delivery efficiency, potentially improving patient satisfaction and outcomes. There is a great need to use alternative patient management strategies such as this to maintain access to high-quality care while there is a nationwide need for more psychiatric clinicians. We believe this program offers a solution to a component of this growing problem, and other clinical sites would benefit from such a program. Next steps include analysis and publication of results of implementation, including patient outcomes, engagement in treatment, and satisfaction.

Provider perspective on the role of palliative care in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a single ventricle defect. While staged surgical palliative treatments have revolutionised care, patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome continue to have significant morbidity and mortality. In 2017, the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative recommended all single ventricle patients to receive a prenatal palliative care consult. This study aimed to elucidate provider perspectives on the implementation of prenatal palliative care consults for families expecting a child with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. An online survey was administered to obstetric and paediatric providers of relevant disciplines to assess their experience with palliative care involvement in hypoplastic left heart syndrome cases. Nearly, all physicians (97%) and most registered nurses (79%) agreed that the initial palliative care consult for patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome should occur during the prenatal period. Respondents also indicated that prenatal palliative care consults should also be offered in a variety of other CHD conditions. Participants believed positive aspects of this new referral protocol included an expanded support network for families, decreased family stress during the postnatal period, increased patient education about what to expect during the postnatal period, and continuity of care. Multidisciplinary healthcare professionals believe that prenatal palliative care consults provide a variety of benefits for patients and families with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Additional, multi-centre research is necessary to evaluate whether prenatal palliative care consults should become standard of care for families expecting a child with a single ventricle defect.