Retrospective Chart Audit Research Articles

Promoting Attachment Through Healing (PATH): Results of a retrospective feasibility study providing trauma-and-violence-informed care to pregnant women.

To evaluate the impact of a trauma and violence-informed cognitive behavioural therapy (TVICBT) intervention, compared with standard care on mental health, coping, bonding and maternal-infant attachment among pregnant women with a history of intimate partner violence and who displayed symptomatology consistent with anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A mixed-methods case study design was employed, where women either received standard perinatal care or were referred to a specialized TVICBT program. Data were collected through a retrospective obstetric medical chart audit in 2017 at an Ontario hospital in a large urban centre. Multiple choice and 'yes/no' questions were analysed using measures of central tendency and dispersion, in addition to frequency counts. Qualitative data from clinical notes were subjected to an inductive content analysis approach to identify key concepts. In total, 69 women participated (intervention group=37, standard care group=32). Prevalence of mental illness between groups was consistent, apart from the TVICBT group having a significant increase in PTSD. In the TVICBT group, 83.8% of women (n=31) expressed perinatal concerns, compared with only 37.5% (n=12) of the standard care group. More women in the intervention group (94.6%, n=35) coped successfully in the intrapartum period than the standard care group (78.1%, n=25). However, more women in the standard care group (97.0%, n=31) exhibited appropriate bonding behaviours than the TVICBT group (88.6%, n=31). The TVICBT intervention was effective in assisting women to identify triggers during their pregnancy journey, develop appropriate coping strategies and advocate for their needs to best cope. TVICBT offers an effective, individualized, trauma and violence-informed approach to optimize the health outcomes of perinatal women and their infants by promoting positive coping and maternal-infant bonding, thus filling an existing practice gap of a lack of individualized, trauma-informed care.

219 IMPROVING DELIRIUM SCREENING AND MANAGEMENT IN POST-ACUTE REHABILITATION: A MULTI-STAGE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT INITIATIVE

Abstract Background There is risk of delirium among older patients on transition from acute care to post-acute rehabilitation (Marcantonio et al. 2003). The 4AT is the recommended delirium detection tool for clinical practice (Tieges et al. 2020). A multi-disciplinary led quality improvement project was undertaken to standardise and improve delirium screening and management in the older person’s rehabilitation service of a post-acute rehabilitation hospital. Methods A retrospective audit of medical charts was completed for all patients admitted to a post-acute older person’s rehabilitation service from October 2019 to December 2019. Following that audit, there was a staff education intervention focusing on delirium awareness, screening and management. Furthermore, a dedicated ‘Delirium Champions Group’ was formed with representatives from the multi-disciplinary team. A Delirium Screen pro-forma was developed and implemented by this group. It included an attached 4AT sticker for all new admission medical charts. A post intervention medical chart audit was completed for all admissions to the same ward from October to December 2020. Results The pre-intervention chart audit showed 0% compliance with any form of formal delirium screening tool. The majority of patients had at least 2 delirium risk factors at the time of admission. The post-intervention audit recorded 92% compliance with 4AT use at the time of admission as well as full completion of the Delirium Screen pro-forma which included the documentation of risk factors for delirium. The Delirium Champions Group provide ongoing staff education, resources and are now exploring hospital environmental design and its role in delirium prevention. Conclusion This initiative lead to a significant improvement in the completion of delirium screening in post-acute rehabilitation. This project had the secondary benefit of prompting the formation of a dedicated delirium improvement group focusing on delirium awareness, screening, documentation, management and ultimately prevention.

Comparison between antimicrobial stewardship program and intervention by infection control team for managing antibiotic use in neurogenic bladder-related urinary tract infection patients: A retrospective chart audit

BackgroundAntimicrobial prescriptions are relatively common in urologic outpatients. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the impact of antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) interventions. MethodsIn urology outpatients, antimicrobial use density (AUD), antimicrobial agent costs, isolation of urinary tract infection (UTI)-causing organisms and their antimicrobial susceptibilities were compared between intervention by infection control team (ICT) era (pre-2014) and ASP era (post-2014) in 2739 patients with lower urinary tract symptoms, including neurogenic bladder patients with UTI or suspected UTI, from 2011 to 2020. ResultsIn the ASP, overall AUD (P<.001), cefotiam (CTM) (P=.0013), 2nd-generation cephalosporins (P=.026), cefdinir (CFDN) (P<.001), levofloxacin (LVFX) (P<.001), sitafloxacin (STFX) (P=.0016), and tosufloxacin (TFLX) (P=.0044) showed a significant decrease, but cefaclor (P=.019) showed a significant increase. Regarding antimicrobial agent costs, overall (P=.016), CTM (P=.021), 2nd-generation cephalosporins (P=.033), CFDN (P=.016), LVFX (P=.016), STFX (P=.033), and TFLX (P=.033) showed a significant decrease in the ASP. UTI-causing antimicrobial susceptibilities, CTM (P=.035), LVFX (P=.026) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (P=.048) in E. coli, and minocycline (P=.026) in K. pneumoniae showed a significant improve in the ASP. ConclusionASP contributed to decrease AUD and antimicrobial agent costs, and to improve antimicrobial susceptibilities of E. coli and K. pneumoniae to several antibiotics, compared to ICT. Further prospective studies are necessary for definitive conclusions.

The administration of intravenous fluids to nulliparous women in labour: A retrospective clinical chart review and fluid balance documentation audit

BackgroundIn Australia, midwives are integral to providing safe and supportive care to women in labour. The administration of intravenous (IV) fluids is a frequent clinical intervention performed by midwives. At present, practices surrounding IV fluid administration to women during labour within Australia are largely undescribed and there is a limited amount of robust evidence available to guide practice. IV fluids do carry a risk of harm. To define and ensure safe IV fluid practices, research into practices surrounding the administration of IV fluids to women in labour is essential. AimsTo describe the current practice for registered midwives administering IV fluids to women during labour. DesignRetrospective clinical chart review and fluid balance documentation audit. MethodsA retrospective clinical chart review and audit of fluid balance documentation for 107 nulliparous women was conducted at a single metropolitan tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, New South Wales between 1 October 2016 and 22 March 2017. A 24-point tool was developed to audit fluid balance charts. ResultsEighty-eight percent of the 88 fluid balance charts available scored 50% or less using the 24-point fluid balance chart audit tool. Additionally, there was an estimated 18% completion rate for the NSW IV fluid order chart. ConclusionThis study found wide variation in clinical practice and incomplete fluid balance documentation at a single, metropolitan tertiary referral hospital. The findings highlight the difficulty of determining IV fluids practices in the context of incomplete fluid balance documentation. Additionally, there are patient safety and professional regulation concerns when fluid management documentation is missing and/or incomplete. Future research should examine barriers and facilitators for documentation.

ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPIES IN CANADIAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: INSIGHTS FROM THE CONNECT AF+PCI-I AND -II PROGRAMS

ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPIES IN CANADIAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS WITH CONCOMITANT CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE: INSIGHTS FROM THE CONNECT AF+PCI-I AND -II PROGRAMS

EFFECT OF ANTICOAGULATION AND ANTIPLATELET AGENTS ON HYPERCOAGULABILITY STATES IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

TOPIC: Chest Infections TYPE: Original Investigations PURPOSE: We retrospectively investigated COVID-19 patients on anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications as their home medication or used as inpatient treatment to evaluate if they exhibited lower levels of D-dimer and lower rates of embolic events and mortality. METHODS: This correlational retrospective study evaluated n=319 COVID-19 patients admitted to acute inpatient services across the Mercy Health Youngstown hospitals. A retrospective chart audit included home medications and admission medications, hospital and ICU length of stay, days on the ventilator, initial and follow-up labs (D-dimer), and thromboembolic events after diagnosis of COVID-19. We constructed a composite index for any embolic events occurring in inpatient: MI, DVT, PE, stroke, and cardiac arrest. The prevalence of these embolic events was 23.5% (n=75/319). For propensity modeling, comorbidities, initial D-dimer, demographics, days from a positive COVID-19 test result to admission, and a summative index of comorbidities were entered in a binary logistic regression model to predict embolic events. RESULTS: The rate of any embolic events among COVID inpatients was 23.5% (n=75/319). Initial D-dimer was 1648±1702 ng/mL among patients experiencing any embolic events and was lower among patients without embolic events, 1009±1205 ng/mL (t=3.638, p < 0.001). In iterative forward selection, logistic modeling retained in the model for embolic events were age, initial D-dimer, past medical history of ESRD, and ethnicity, which correctly classified 75% of embolic events in patients (AUC=0.702). The addition of home medications, antiplatelets and anticoagulants to the propensity model did not significantly improve AUC (0.704) which indicates that neither home use of anticoagulation nor antiplatelets was associated with inpatient embolic events in a propensity adjusted model. However, when inpatient anticoagulation therapy was initiated, statistically significant benefit in preventing embolic events was observed (AOR = 3.32 (95% CI 1.79-6.16); AUC 0.752 (p < 0.001)). Similarly, home use of antiplatelet and anticoagulation medications was not associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients, but in-hospital use of anticoagulation was statistically significant (p=0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Our study aimed to see if taking antiplatelet or anticoagulation medications as a home medication would have any effect on thromboembolic events and mortality in COVID-19 patients compared to when receiving antiplatelet or anticoagulation agents during hospitalization. We found that being on an antiplatelet or anticoagulation medication at home (before hospitalization) did not prevent COVID-19 patients from thromboembolic events or improve mortality. However, after adjusting for baseline risk of embolic events, in-hospital anticoagulation had a statistically significant benefit in preventing embolic events and mortality. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: It has been established that COVID-19 patients are at higher risk for embolic events that have been linked to increased mortality. In our current study using a composite index model to predict embolic events in COVID-19 patients, the use of anticoagulation agents during hospitalization revealed a significant reduction in embolic risks and mortality while patients on home antiplatelet or anticoagulation medications did not show benefits in reducing the same risks. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Omotooke Babalola, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Timothy Barreiro, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by David Gemmel, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Oyidiya Osoka, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Jeannie Ur, source=Web Response

Stillbirth risks and rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their babies in North Queensland.

The stillbirth rate for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants remains higher than non-Indigenous rates. Risks for stillbirth include maternal factors such as ethnicity, age, geographic location, and physical health. Fetal risk factors include gestational age, birthweight and congenital anomalies. The total stillbirth rate for all babies born at the Townsville University Hospital during the study period was 11 per 1000 births. To identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stillbirth rates, risk factors and causes in North Queensland. A retrospective chart audit was conducted to identify Indigenous women who had experienced stillbirth in the Townsville University Hospital between January 2005 and December 2014. Thirty-two charts were available for audit. The stillbirth rate for non-Indigenous infants was 10.3 per 1000 births. The stillbirth rate for Indigenous infants was 11.7 per 1000 births. Almost half of the women lived in rural, remote or very remote areas. Maternal risk factors included poorer physical health, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and smoking, fertility issues and lack of antenatal care. Fetal risk factors included congenital anomalies, including cardiac and skeletal abnormalities, placental disorders, and preterm birth. Stillbirth risk remains higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their babies. Supporting women to enhance their health is paramount, particularly during pregnancy. Further, increasing awareness of stillbirth risk factors through education for both women and healthcare professionals will support culturally responsive care for women and their families to mitigate stillbirth risk and enhance pregnancy outcomes in non-urban Queensland.

Real-Life Response to Erenumab in a Therapy-Resistant Case Series of Migraine Patients From the Province of Québec, Eastern Canada.

Erenumab is the first migraine-specific preventive therapy approved by Health Canada since the approval of onabotulinumtoxinA 10 years ago. It is one of four calcitonin gene-related peptide antagonist monoclonal antibodies that have been commercialized worldwide for use in the headache pipeline. The objective of our study was to determine real-life efficacy of monthly erenumab for the prevention of migraine in a small case series of difficult-to-treat patients followed at a tertiary headache clinic from the Canadian province of Québec. We performed a retrospective chart audit of patients having failed four or more conventional migraine oral preventive therapies and who were treated with monthly self-administered subcutaneous erenumab (70 or 140 mg/mL dose) over a 1-year period. We assessed the patients' baseline characteristics, response to treatment, and tolerability. A total of 18 patients with a diagnosis of high-frequency episodic migraines or chronic migraine met criteria (83.3% female; mean age: 48.7 years; mean duration of migraine condition: 32.9 years). Patients self-administered erenumab using a prefilled disposable autoinjector on a monthly basis; 16 patients received a 140 mg/mL dosage, two patients received a 70 mg/mL dosage. At 1 year follow-up, 50% of patients reported ≥ 50% reduction in migraine frequency and were deemed responders. Patients attempted six doses of erenumab therapy prior to discontinuation for non-response, except for two patients with other concomitant chronic pain conditions, who required ten doses to reach a 50% response. For the overall cohort, there was a decrease of 5.2 monthly migraine days; 9 days for responders and 1.3 days for non-responders (t-test (df = 16) = - 2.77, p = 0.014). There was an additional decrease of 7 monthly non-migraine days amongst patients with unremitting daily headaches; 8 days for responders and 5 days for non-responders (p> 0.05). There was a decrease of 5.4 monthly days using acute analgesics; 8.9 days for responders and 2 days for non-responders (T(16) = - 2.33, p = 0.033). The overall mean reduction in disability using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) score was 5.6 points; only responders showed a reduction in HIT-6 severity category (p> 0.05). The most commonly reported adverse event was constipation (16.7%), which did not lead to treatment discontinuation and was successfully managed in all patients with early counselling and intervention. This study supports the efficacy of erenumab in a case series of therapy-resistant migraine patients from the region of Québec. A high rate of previously failed preventive oral agents and medication overuse did not predict response in our patient cohort. In the presence of real-world complexity factors, such as psychological distress, regular opioid consumption and concomitant chronic pain conditions, a longer therapy trial may be warranted in obtaining optimal response.

Use of antithrombotic therapy for secondary prevention in patients with stable atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: Insights from the COordinated National Network to Engage Cardiologists in the antithrombotic Treatment of patients with CardioVascular Disease (CONNECT‐CVD) study

Although acetylsalicylic acid is the most commonly used antithrombotic agent for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular events, residual atherothrombotic risk has prompted a guideline recommendation for the addition of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) or dual pathway inhibition (DPI) in high vascular risk patients. Accordingly, the CONNECT CVD quality enhancement initiative provides a contemporary "snapshot" of the clinical features and antithrombotic management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients in Canada. Canadian cardiologists (49 cardiologists from six provinces) undertook a retrospective chart audit of 10 ASCVD patients in their outpatient practice who met the Cardiovascular Outcomes for People Using Anticoagulation Strategy-like criteria from May 2018 to April 2019. Of the 492 (two cardiologists provided 11 patients) enroled, average age was 70years, 25% were female, 39% had diabetes and 20% had atrial fibrillation. Prior revascularisation was common (percutaneous coronary artery intervention 61%, coronary artery bypass graft 39%), with 31% having multivessel disease. A total of 47% of patients had a Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health bleeding score of ≥11 (~2.8% risk of serious bleeding at 2years). Single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) alone was most commonly used (62%), while 22% were on DAPT alone. In total, 22% were on oral anticoagulation (OAC), with 16% being on non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant alone, 5% on DPI and 1% received triple therapy. In contemporary Canadian clinical practice of stable ASCVD patients, a large number of patients receive antithrombotic therapy other than SAPT. Further efforts are required to guide the appropriate selection of patients in whom more potent antithrombotic therapies may safely reduce residual risk.

Factors contributing to the restoration of normothermia after hypothermia in people with a major burn injury in the first 24 h of hospital admission

BackgroundPeople with burn injury experiencing hypothermia are at risk of serious complications such as shock, multisystem organ failure, and death. There is limited information available for health professionals with regard to factors that contribute to restoration of normothermia after hypothermia in people with a major burn injury. ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to identify factors that contribute to normothermia restoration after hypothermia in people with 10% or more total body surface area (TBSA) burn in the first 24 h of admission to a burn care hospital. MethodsThe study was guided by the Gearing Framework for retrospective chart audit. The sample comprised medical charts of all adult people (n = 113) with a burn injury more than 10% of their TBSA admitted to a single-site burn care hospital intensive care unit in Victoria, Australia, between May 31, 2013, and June 1, 2015. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sample, and logistic regression was conducted to predict variables contributing to return to normothermia in people with burn injury. Charts with incomplete data were excluded. FindingsThe sample (n = 50) recorded a median initial temperature on admission to the emergency department (ED) of 35.4°C (range = 31.9–37.2°C) and took on an average of 6.2 (standard deviation [SD] = 4.96) hours to return to normothermia (36.5°C). Women took around 6 h longer than men to return to normothermia (mean = 11.14 h, SD = 5.58; mean = 5.38 h, SD = 4.41). Positive correlations were noted between TBSA%, the length of time between admission to the ED and the intensive care unit, and the hours taken to reach normothermia. Regression analysis suggests the initial recorded temperature on admission to the ED was the main predictor of the time body temperature takes to return to normothermia (β = .513, p < .001). ConclusionThis study provides information for practice changes by highlighting the need for guidelines and education programs for health professionals to ensure the delivery of optimum care to people with burn injury.

Serum C-reactive protein is an early, simple and inexpensive prognostic marker for the progression of intramedullary lesion on magnetic resonance imaging from acute to subacute stage in patients with spinal cord injury.

Retrospective chart audit. This study aimed to identify conventional routine blood testing biomarkers associated with the progression of intramedullary injured area in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). A spinal cord injury center in Hokkaido, Japan. We retrospectively reviewed 71 consecutive adults with acute SCI who were admitted within 24 h after injury and diagnosed as American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale Grade A or B at admission. Participants were divided into the progression (P group) and no progression group (NP group) based on the change of the hyperintense signal abnormality in the spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging from the time of admission to 4 weeks after injury. Individual characteristics and blood testing data obtained in the first 4 weeks after injury were compared between groups. The P and NP groups were comprised of 16 and 55 participants, respectively. In univariate analyses, white blood cell (WBC) count on day 3 was significantly higher in group P than group NP (P = 0.021), as was serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level on day 3 (P = 0.015) and day 7 (P = 0.047). Multivariable analysis identified serum CRP level on day 3 as a significant independent prognostic factor for the progression of secondary SCI (OR, 1.138; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.28; P = 0.034). Serum CRP level on day 3 after injury was a good predictor for the progression of intramedullary signal intensity change on MRI from acute to subacute stage in patients with SCI.

Continuation of Treatment With Clozapine After an Episode of Neutropenia.

Clozapine is the most effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Neutropenia is an adverse effect of the drug requiring treatment discontinuation. This study related treatment continuation with little or no interruption after a neutropenia episode. The study contrasted from rechallenge studies after an extended treatment interruption. This retrospective chart audit examined 37 patients with an episode of neutropenia. It described characteristics of patients continuing treatment with minimal interruption. Thirty-one patients continued treatment after an initial treatment interruption for less than 3 days. A probable cause for neutropenia other than clozapine was identified in 14 patients. Twelve patients continued treatment with a change in the absolute neutrophil counts threshold to 1000/μL to determine treatment cessation. Most patients recovered from the index episode of neutropenia within 2 days. They also frequently presented with recurring benign episodes of low neutrophil cell counts during treatment than a comparative group. The study recommends modifying clozapine treatment protocol absolute neutrophil count thresholds to less than 1000/μL to determine treatment cessation. Consideration of other probable causes for neutropenia, diurnal variations in cell counts, and laboratory errors reduced preemptive discontinuation of treatment. A risk-benefit approach supports continuing clozapine treatment after an episode of neutropenia.

Absconding: A qualitative perspective of patients leaving inpatient psychiatric care.

Absconding from inpatient psychiatric care is a complex problem with significant and broad ranging effects for patients, staff, family/carers, and the broader community. Absconding includes leaving the ward without permission and failing to return from leave at an agreed time. This study is a retrospective chart audit of a data set of absconding events from 11 psychiatric wards in a metropolitan Australian city. The data set included both quantitative and qualitative data. The focus of this study is analysis of the qualitative data documenting what happened during events, with quantitative data provided to contextualize the qualitative analysis. A total of 995 absconding events by 488 patients were reported between January 2016 and June 2018, representing a rate of 1.6 per 100 admissions. Two themes were identified in the qualitative analysis. 'Having things to do' encompassed opportunistic absconding and volitional absconding. 'Something changed' represented predisposing events that affected the absconding behaviour, such as being stepped down in care (moving from a more acute to a less acute psychiatric unit), receiving bad news, or interpersonal conflict either between patients or between nursing staff and patients. Results highlight the importance of harm minimization strategies to reduce the incidence of absconding.

Implementation of Depression Screening with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at a Radiation Oncology Department.

Introduction Depression is the leading cause of disease burden and disability in adults in the United States and worldwide. Cancer patients with unidentified and/or untreated depression are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes that contribute to poor prognosis and mortality. Inadequate depression screening and referral practices were observed and verbalized as a concern by internal stakeholders at a Radiation Oncology Department (ROD). Retrospective chart audits revealed depression screening compliance was less than two percent. Thus, the purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to implement and evaluate the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression screening tool with subsequent psychosocial referrals for all positive screens. It is anticipated these interventions will improve early identification of depression in adult cancer patients and increase patient access to psychosocial services for formal evaluation. Methods There is considerable evidence of the high internal consistency, reliability and validity with the PHQ-9. Eligible adult cancer patients at the ROD were screened for depression with the PHQ-9 during their first treatment visit. Patients with positive screens (score of ≥10) were provided resources and referred to an Oncology Social Worker for further evaluation. Weekly retrospective chart reviews were conducted to collect the number and percentage of completed PHQ-9 screening and referrals. Staff compliance results were summarized in frequency counts and plotted on run charts to monitor implementation progress. Results A total of 117 cancer patients attended their first treatment appointment. Of these, 61% (n=71) were screened for depression with the PHQ-9 instrument, and 13% screened positive for depression. Of those positive screens (n=9), 100% were referred to the Oncology Social Worker, and 100% received follow-up care. Staff pre/post-education survey data were analyzed statistically with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results demonstrated improved competency in the new process (V = 17.00, z = -6.31, p < .001). Conclusions After fifteen weeks of data collection and analysis, the plan is to discuss the brevity, efficacy, and feasibility of the PHQ-9 depression screening and psychosocial referrals for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at the ROD. The impact of the practice change, significance of results, and sustainability measures will also be covered. Depression is the leading cause of disease burden and disability in adults in the United States and worldwide. Cancer patients with unidentified and/or untreated depression are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes that contribute to poor prognosis and mortality. Inadequate depression screening and referral practices were observed and verbalized as a concern by internal stakeholders at a Radiation Oncology Department (ROD). Retrospective chart audits revealed depression screening compliance was less than two percent. Thus, the purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to implement and evaluate the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) depression screening tool with subsequent psychosocial referrals for all positive screens. It is anticipated these interventions will improve early identification of depression in adult cancer patients and increase patient access to psychosocial services for formal evaluation. There is considerable evidence of the high internal consistency, reliability and validity with the PHQ-9. Eligible adult cancer patients at the ROD were screened for depression with the PHQ-9 during their first treatment visit. Patients with positive screens (score of ≥10) were provided resources and referred to an Oncology Social Worker for further evaluation. Weekly retrospective chart reviews were conducted to collect the number and percentage of completed PHQ-9 screening and referrals. Staff compliance results were summarized in frequency counts and plotted on run charts to monitor implementation progress. A total of 117 cancer patients attended their first treatment appointment. Of these, 61% (n=71) were screened for depression with the PHQ-9 instrument, and 13% screened positive for depression. Of those positive screens (n=9), 100% were referred to the Oncology Social Worker, and 100% received follow-up care. Staff pre/post-education survey data were analyzed statistically with a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The results demonstrated improved competency in the new process (V = 17.00, z = -6.31, p < .001). After fifteen weeks of data collection and analysis, the plan is to discuss the brevity, efficacy, and feasibility of the PHQ-9 depression screening and psychosocial referrals for cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at the ROD. The impact of the practice change, significance of results, and sustainability measures will also be covered.

A Chart Audit Study of Clozapine Utilization in Early Psychosis.

This study aimed to document the treatment trajectories and clozapine use in first-episode psychosis patients and to document the underlying reasons for using or not using clozapine in patients not achieving psychosis remission. We conducted a retrospective chart audit of patients aged 18 to 30 years having DSM-5 diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum psychotic disorders treated in 3 Canadian early intervention programs for psychosis. The severity of the patient's illness (using the Clinical Global Impression Severity [CGI-S] scale) and remission of psychosis were rated before and after each antipsychotic trial. One hundred and forty-seven patients were included in the study. There were 19.7% patients exposed to clozapine after an average of 2.4 antipsychotic trials and a mean delay of 470.8 days. There were 75.9% patients who improved their CGI-S score (mean improvement, 2.5) after the clozapine trial and 62.1% achieved a CGI-S score ≤3. Full remission of psychosis on clozapine was achieved in 69.0% of the patients. Clozapine was successfully used for some patients with a nonadherent profile in our sample (eg, personality disorder, substance use disorder). Although the mean duration of clozapine trials during the observation period was 688.6 days, no patient discontinued clozapine because of adherence issues. Clozapine use in these early intervention programs were at a rate consistent to what is expected from the literature and allowed a majority of patients to achieve remission of psychosis and to experience a robust improvement of severity of illness.

The fiscal impact of repeat imaging in a pediatric orthopedic clinic.

Many patients present to an initial pediatric orthopedic clinic visit without bringing previously obtained x-rays (XRs), leading to repeat imaging, unnecessary radiation exposure, and increased health care costs. Importing images to the picture archiving and communication system and the use of cloud-based medical image-sharing software systems result in the reduction of reimaging rates and health care costs. Unnecessary duplicative XR imaging was recognized in our pediatric orthopedic clinic as an area for quality improvement. Our purpose was to determine the magnitude of the problem and the feasibility of decreasing total visit charges through electronic retrieval of previous XRs. Data collection occurred from May 22, 2019, through June 22, 2019, in the orthopedic trauma clinics at the main campus of a quaternary care pediatric hospital in the northeast United States and its three satellite locations. The number of patients who did not bring XRs to their initial orthopedic visit and the type of XR ordered were recorded by clinicians. A retrospective chart audit was also completed for comparison. Of 699 new patient visits, 77 (11%) did not bring previous XRs. This resulted in total reimaging charges of $33,326, representing 30%-50% of total visit charges. Retrospective chart audit identified 60% more new patients than the clinicians. Electronic retrieval of XRs in pediatric orthopedic clinics can decrease duplicative charges, radiation exposure, and health care waste. It can also contribute to successful care of patients via virtual visits in times of restricted access such as a pandemic.

Clinical profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults with stroke and traumatic brain injury at a regional Australian hospital: a retrospective chart audit

AbstractBackground:The clinical profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults admitted to hospital with neurological injury is not well documented. Understanding these profiles may enable health professionals to provide more culturally responsive health care for this patient group. This study aimed to report the clinical profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults admitted to a regional Queensland hospital due to stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI).Method:A 2-year retrospective medical record review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (≥18 years) admitted to a regional Queensland hospital with principal diagnoses of stroke or TBI.Results:There were 132 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adult stroke (51.5%) or TBI (48.5%) admissions. The mean ages were 56.7 years for stroke and 42.7 years for TBI. The majority of patients (83.3%) were of Aboriginal descent with others identifying as Torres Strait Islander only, or both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Patients were from 26 diverse home locations across northern Australia, primarily Outer Regional or Remote/Very Remote geographical locations. All patients’ language backgrounds were documented as English only. Over 90% of stroke and 50% of TBI patients presented with medical co-morbidities.Conclusions:Patients had diverse geographical locations and cultural backgrounds, with many likely impacted by dislocation from home and country, as well as potential delays in receiving treatment. Despite this diversity, English was documented in patients’ medical records as their only language. The majority of patients also presented with multiple medical co-morbidities. Health professionals should consider these factors to ensure patients receive optimum and culturally responsive health care.

The prevalence of scoliosis within Belgian myelomeningocele population and the correlation with ambulatory status and neurological comorbidities: a chart audit.

Retrospective chart audit. Firstly determining the prevalence of scoliosis in myelomeningocele (MMC) patients of the University Hospitals Leuven. Secondly analyzing whether there are differences concerning distribution of radiological level, ambulatory status, hydrocephalus, tethered cord, and syringomyelia in MMC patients with/without scoliosis. University Hospitals Leuven, spina bifida convention. The following data were collected: age, gender, radiograph type, age at the time of the radiograph, position during radiograph, presence of fusion, age at the time of fusion, diagnosis of hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia, radiological level of MMC, ambulatory status, main Cobb angle, main curve convexity, and main curve location. Correlation between prevalence of scoliosis and ambulatory status, neurological comorbidities, and radiological level were investigated. There were 116 patients remaining, after excluding patients without MMC or useful images. The scoliosis prevalence in MMC patients was 78.4% (95% CI, 71.0-85.8) for Cobb angle ≥10°; 60.3% (95% CI, 51.4-69.2) for ≥20°, 52.6% (95% CI, 43.5-61.7) for ≥30°, and 36.6% (95% CI, 27.7-45.5) for an angle ≥40°. Wheelchair users had 4 to 8 times more chance of having scoliosis than patients able to walk on all surfaces without aid. Thoracolumbar and lumbar radiological levels had a slightly higher prevalence of scoliosis than sacral levels. The high prevalence of scoliosis warrants a thorough screening and follow-up for MMC. There was no statistically significant difference between hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia regarding scoliosis. Future studies should focus on the interactions of the neurological comorbidities associated with MMC and scoliosis.

The impact of excess alcohol consumption on health care utilisation in regional patients with chronic disease – a retrospective chart audit

ObjectiveTo understand the impact of alcohol consumption on the health utilisation of people with chronic diseases. MethodsA retrospective chart audit was undertaken in two primary care settings in a regional Australian city. Three indicator conditions were selected: type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic kidney disease. The audits were analysed to examine the impact of alcohol consumption on primary care and hospital‐based health utilisation. ResultsA total of 457 records were audited. Alcohol consumption decreased engagement in the primary care setting, with fewer visits, prescriptions and lower primary care costs. There was a U‐shaped association between alcohol consumption and hospital attendance rates and costs. Admission rates were unchanged but a decrease in length of stay was observed in non‐smokers in the highest alcohol consumption category. ConclusionExcess alcohol consumption decreases engagement in primary care and results in increased emergency department attendance, but not admissions to hospital. In those who are admitted to hospital, alcohol is associated with a decreased length of stay. Implications for public healthAlcohol consumption should be considered as a potential cause of decreased engagement in primary care. Follow‐up and recall of patients may reduce shifting of care to the hospital environment.

The effect of alcohol consumption on clinical outcomes in regional patients with chronic disease: a retrospective chart audit

ObjectiveTo better understand the impact of alcohol consumption on the clinical management of chronic diseases in a regional general practice setting. MethodsA retrospective chart audit was undertaken of individual patient records at two large group general practices in Townsville, a regional Australian city. Three common indicator chronic diseases were selected that have clear management guidelines for general practice: type 2 diabetes; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and chronic kidney disease. The audits were analysed using SPSS software to examine the association between alcohol consumption on acquisition of clinical management targets and primary disease intermediate outcomes (haemoglobin A1c fraction; per cent of normal forced expiratory volume at one second; and estimated glomerular filtration rate). ResultsA total of 457 records were audited. Higher‐risk alcohol consumption is associated with reduced ability of patients to reach management targets (F[3,453]=3.68; p=0.012) and decreased standardised primary disease outcome (F[3,403]=2.86; p=0.037). ConclusionHigher‐risk alcohol consumption is associated with reduced attainment of chronic disease management targets and worse chronic disease outcomes. Implications for public healthAlcohol consumption should be assessed frequently in people with chronic disease, especially when there is difficulty acquiring management targets or worsening of disease outcomes without a clear explanation. Better education about the potential associations between alcohol use and chronic disease would benefit those managing these complex conditions, both clinicians and patients.