Trends in Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Among US Nursing Home Residents, 2006-2014

Geographic Variation in Racial Disparities in Receipt of High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Among US Older Adults

BACKGROUND

Racial disparities in receipt of high-dose influenza vaccine (HDV) have been documented nationally, but whether small-area geographic variation in such disparities exists remains unknown. We assessed the distribution of disparities in HDV receipt between Black and White traditional Medicare beneficiaries vaccinated against influenza within states and hospital referral regions (HRRs).

METHODS

We conducted a nationally representative retrospective cohort study of 11,768,724 community-dwelling traditional Medicare beneficiaries vaccinated against influenza during the 2015-2016 influenza season (94.3% White and 5.7% Black). Our comparison was marginalized versus privileged racial group measured as Black versus White race. Vaccination and type of vaccine were obtained from Medicare Carrier and Outpatient files. Differences in the proportions of individuals who received HDV between Black and White beneficiaries within states and HRRs were used to measure age- and sex-standardized disparities in HDV receipt. We restricted to states and HRRs with ≥ 100 beneficiaries per age-sex strata per racial group.

RESULTS

We detected a national disparity in HDV receipt of 12.8 percentage points (pps). At the state level, the median standardized HDV receipt disparity was 10.7 pps (minimum, maximum: 2.9, 25.6; n = 30 states). The median standardized HDV receipt disparity among HRRs was 11.6 pps (minimum, maximum: 0.4, 24.7; n = 54 HRRs).

CONCLUSION

Black beneficiaries were less likely to receive HDV compared to White beneficiaries in almost every state and HRR in our analysis. The magnitudes of disparities varied substantially across states and HRRs. Local interventions and policies are needed to target geographic areas with the largest disparities to address these inequities.

Geospatial Distribution of Racial Disparities in Influenza Vaccination in Nursing Homes

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the distribution of racial disparities in influenza vaccination between White and Black short-stay and long-stay nursing home residents among states and hospital referral regions (HRRs).

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We included short-stay and long-stay older adults residing in US nursing homes during influenza seasons between 2011 and 2018. Included residents were aged ≥65 years and enrolled in Traditional Medicare. Analyses were conducted using resident-seasons, whereby residents could contribute to one or more influenza seasons if they resided in a nursing home across multiple seasons.

METHODS

Our comparison of interest was marginalized vs privileged racial group membership measured as Black vs White race. We obtained influenza vaccination documentation from resident Minimum Data Set assessments from October 1 through June 30 of a particular influenza season. Nonparametric g-formula was used to estimate age- and sex-standardized disparities in vaccination, measured as the percentage point (pp) difference in the proportions of individuals vaccinated between Black and White nursing home residents within states and HRRs.

RESULTS

The study included 7,807,187 short-stay resident-seasons (89.7% White and 10.3% Black) in 14,889 nursing homes and 7,308,111 long-stay resident-seasons (86.7% White and 13.3% Black) in 14,885 nursing homes. Among states, the median age- and sex-standardized disparity between Black and White residents was 10.1 percentage points (pps) among short-stay residents and 5.3 pps among long-stay residents across seasons. Among HRRs, the median disparity was 8.6 pps among short-stay residents and 5.0 pps among long-stay residents across seasons.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our analysis revealed that the magnitudes of vaccination disparities varied substantially across states and HRRs, from no disparity in vaccination to disparities in excess of 25 pps. Local interventions and policies should be targeted to high-disparity geographic areas to increase vaccine uptake and promote health equity.

An organizational assessment of 101 Community-Based Adult Services centers to identify and address gaps in influenza vaccination among Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries

INTRODUCTION

Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries are at high risk of experiencing severe disease from influenza. Yet, immunization assessment followed by influenza vaccination (when needed) are not regularly performed at Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) centers in/near medically underserved areas. To better understand this challenge, an organizational assessment was conducted in early 2020 to identify and examine modifiable factors that may impede or facilitate immunization assessment and influenza vaccination at CBAS centers in Los Angeles County (LAC), California.

METHODS

All 158 CBAS centers in LAC were asked to complete a 17-question survey. The survey asked about immunization assessment, gaps in communication with primary care providers, knowledge and use of the California Immunization Registry (CAIR), and institutional policies for influenza vaccination. In addition, the survey asked each center about its vaccination policy for staff and clients, including whether or not increasing vaccinations was an interest/priority for the center. Best subsets algorithms (regression models) were performed to identify factors that may influence CBAS centers' practices on immunization assessment and vaccination.

RESULTS

Of the 158 centers, 101 (66 %) completed the survey. A majority did not conduct immunization assessments for influenza (n = 59; 58 %); nearly-two-thirds (n = 70; 71 %) reported it would be feasible to do so if the practice is integrated as part of the individualized/nursing plan of care. Best subsets algorithms showed the strongest factors influencing whether CBAS centers assess for influenza vaccination were: center size, staff training on CAIR, presence of barriers to vaccination, and the belief that it is the center's responsibility to conduct immunization assessments and vaccinations.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that practice gaps in immunization assessment and influenza vaccination are common at LAC's CBAS centers. Closing these gaps may help LAC (and California) improve influenza vaccine uptake and other vaccinations (e.g., pneumococcal, COVID-19) among the most vulnerable of the state's aging populations, Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries.

Geographic Variation in Influenza Vaccination Disparities Between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White US Nursing Home Residents

BACKGROUND

Disparities in influenza vaccination exist between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White US nursing home (NH) residents, but the geographic areas with the largest disparities remain unknown. We examined how these racial/ethnic disparities differ across states and hospital referral regions (HRRs).

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included >14 million short-stay and long-stay US NH resident-seasons over 7 influenza seasons from October 1, 2011, to March 31, 2018, where residents could contribute to 1 or more seasons. Residents were aged ≥65 years and enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service. We used the Medicare Beneficiary Summary File to ascertain race/ethnicity and Minimum Data Set assessments for influenza vaccination. We calculated age- and sex-standardized percentage point (pp) differences in the proportions vaccinated between non-Hispanic White and Hispanic (any race) resident-seasons. Positive pp differences were considered disparities, where the proportion of non-Hispanic White residents vaccinated was greater than the proportion of Hispanic residents vaccinated. States and HRRs with ≥100 resident-seasons per age-sex stratum per racial/ethnic group were included in analyses.

RESULTS

Among 7 442 241 short-stay resident-seasons (94.1% non-Hispanic White, 5.9% Hispanic), the median standardized disparities in influenza vaccination were 4.3 pp (minimum, maximum: 0.3, 19.2; n = 22 states) and 2.8 pp (minimum, maximum: -3.6, 10.3; n = 49 HRRs). Among 6 758 616 long-stay resident-seasons (93.7% non-Hispanic White, 6.5% Hispanic), the median standardized differences were -0.1 pp (minimum, maximum: -4.1, 11.4; n = 18 states) and -1.8 pp (minimum, maximum: -6.5, 7.6; n = 34 HRRs).

CONCLUSIONS

Wide geographic variation in influenza vaccination disparities existed across US states and HRRs. Localized interventions targeted toward areas with high disparities may be a more effective strategy to promote health equity than one-size-fits-all national interventions.

Correlation of long-term care facility vaccination practices between seasons and resident types

Background

Influenza vaccination varies widely across long-term care facilities (LTCFs) due to staff behaviors, LTCF practices, and patient factors. It is unclear how seasonal LTCF vaccination varies between cohabitating but distinct short-stay and long-stay residents. Thus, we assessed the correlation of LTCF vaccination between these populations and across seasons.

Methods

The study design is a national retrospective cohort using Medicare and Minimum Data Set (MDS) data. Participants include U.S. LTCFs. Short-stay and long-stay Medicare-enrolled residents age ≥ 65 in U.S. LTCFs from a source population of residents during October 1^st-March 31^st in 2013–2014 (3,042,881 residents; 15,683 LTCFs) and 2014–2015 (3,143,174, residents; 15,667 LTCFs). MDS-assessed influenza vaccination was the outcome. Pearson correlation coefficients were estimated to assess seasonal correlations between short-stay and long-stay resident vaccination within LTCFs.

Results

The median proportion of short-stay residents vaccinated across LTCFs was 70.4% (IQR, 50.0–82.7%) in 2013–2014 and 69.6% (IQR, 50.0–81.6%) in 2014–2015. The median proportion of long-stay residents vaccinated across LTCFs was 85.5% (IQR, 78.0–90.9%) in 2013–2014 and 84.6% (IQR, 76.6–90.3%) in 2014–2015. Within LTCFs, there was a moderate correlation between short-stay and long-stay vaccination in 2013–2014 (r = 0.50, 95%CI: 0.49–0.51) and 2014–2015 (r = 0.53, 95%CI: 0.51–0.54). Across seasons, there was a moderate correlation for LTCFs with short-stay residents (r = 0.54, 95%CI: 0.53–0.55) and a strong correlation for those with long-stay residents (r = 0.68, 95%CI: 0.67–0.69).

Conclusions

In LTCFs with inconsistent influenza vaccination across seasons or between populations, targeted vaccination protocols for all residents, regardless of stay type, may improve successful vaccination in this vulnerable patient population.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-03540-3.

Prevalence and predictors of influenza vaccination in long-term care homes: a cross-national retrospective observational study

OBJECTIVE

To compare facility-level influenza vaccination rates in long-term care (LTC) homes from four countries and to identify factors associated with influenza vaccination among residents.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective cross-sectional study of individuals residing in LTC homes in New Brunswick (Canada), New Zealand, Switzerland, and the Netherlands between 2017 and 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

LTC home residents assessed with interRAI assessment system instruments as part of routine practice in New Brunswick (n=7006) and New Zealand (n=34 518), and national pilot studies in Switzerland (n=2760) and the Netherlands (n=1508). End-of-life residents were excluded from all country cohorts.

OUTCOMES

Influenza vaccination within the past year.

RESULTS

Influenza vaccination rates among LTC home residents were highest in New Brunswick (84.9%) and lowest in Switzerland (63.5%). For all jurisdictions where facility-level data were available, substantial interfacility variance was observed. There was approximately a fourfold difference in the coefficient of variation for facility-level vaccination rates with the highest in Switzerland at 37.8 and lowest in New Brunswick at 9.7. Resident-level factors associated with vaccine receipt included older age, severe cognitive impairment, medical instability, health conditions affecting a greater number of organ systems and social engagement. Residents who displayed aggressive behaviours and smoke tobacco were less likely to be vaccinated.

CONCLUSION

There are opportunities to increase influenza vaccine uptake at both overall country and individual facility levels. Enhanced vaccine administration monitoring programmes in LTC homes that leverage interRAI assessment systems should be widely adopted.

Variation in influenza vaccine assessment, receipt, and refusal by the concentration of Medicare Advantage enrollees in U.S. nursing homes

BACKGROUND

More older adults enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) are entering nursing homes (NHs), and MA concentration could affect vaccination rates through shifts in resident characteristics and/or payer-related influences on preventive services use. We investigated whether rates of influenza vaccination and refusal differ across NHs with varying concentrations of MA-enrolled residents.

METHODS

We analyzed 2014-2015 Medicare enrollment data and Minimum Data Set clinical assessments linked to NH-level characteristics, star ratings, and county-level MA penetration rates. The independent variable was the percentage of residents enrolled in MA at admission and categorized into three equally-sized groups. We examined three NH-level outcomes including the percentages of residents assessed and appropriately considered for influenza vaccination, received influenza vaccination, and refused influenza vaccination.

RESULTS

There were 936,513 long-stay residents in 12,384 NHs. Categories for the prevalence of MA enrollment in NHs were low (0% to 3.3%; n = 4131 NHs), moderate (3.4% to 18.6%; n = 4127 NHs) and high (>18.6%; n = 4126 NHs). Overall, 81.3% of long-stay residents received influenza vaccination and 14.3% refused the vaccine when offered. Adjusting for covariates, influenza vaccination rates among long-stay residents were higher in NHs with moderate (1.70 percentage points [pp], 95% confidence limits [CL]: 1.15 pp, 2.24 pp), or high (3.05 pp, 95% CL: 2.45 pp, 3.66 pp) MA versus the lowest prevalence of MA. Influenza vaccine refusal was lower in NHs with moderate (-3.10 pp, 95% CL: -3.53 pp, -2.68 pp), or high (-4.63 pp, 95% CL: -5.11 pp, -4.15 pp) MA compared with NHs with the lowest prevalence of MA.

CONCLUSION

A higher concentration of long-stay NH residents enrolled in MA was associated with greater influenza vaccine receipt and lower vaccine refusal. As MA becomes a larger share of the Medicare program, and more MA beneficiaries enter NHs, decisionmakers need to consider how managed care can be leveraged to improve the delivery of preventive services like influenza vaccinations in NH settings.

The role of health determinants in the influenza vaccination uptake among older adults (65+): a scope review

Background

Although the burden of influenza infection is the highest in older adults, vaccination coverage remains low, despite this age group being more vulnerable than others.

Aims

Given the current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, it was the aim of this scope review to update knowledge on factors affecting seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among older adults to strengthen prevention approaches in the context of an overall burden of infectious diseases.

Methods

We searched bibliographic databases from 2012 to 2019. All studies reviewed one or more social determinant of health listed by WHO, or factors affecting the decision-making process whether to accept influenza vaccine or not.

Results

Overall, 44 studies were included, 41 determinants were extracted and summarized into six categories. Older age and constitutional factors including multiple chronic diseases as well as preventive lifestyle and frequent routine healthcare utilization positively affected vaccination uptake (VU). Living and working conditions are also researched determinants of influenza vaccine uptake. A small number of studies explored the role of social inclusion and system-based interventions.

Discussion and conclusions

This scope review provides a comprehensive overview on factors affecting seasonal influenza vaccination uptake among older citizens. The review also clearly shows gaps for evidence on system-based level or political strategies to improve vaccination uptake.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40520-021-01793-3.

Geographic variation in influenza vaccination among U.S. nursing home residents: A national study

Objectives

Estimates of influenza vaccine use are not available at the county level for U.S. nursing home (NH) residents but are critically necessary to guide the implementation of quality improvement programs aimed at increasing vaccination. Furthermore, estimates that account for differences in resident characteristics between counties are unavailable. We estimated risk‐standardized vaccination rates (RSVRs) among short‐ and long‐stay NH residents by U.S. county and identified drivers of geographic variation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study utilizing 100% of 2013–2015 fee‐for‐service Medicare claims, Minimum Data Set assessments, Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports, and Long‐Term Care: Facts on Care in the U.S. We separately evaluated short‐stay (<100 days) and long‐stay (≥100 days) residents aged 65 and older across the 2013–2014 and 2014–2015 influenza seasons. We estimated RSVRs via hierarchical logistic regression adjusting for 32 resident‐level covariates. We then used multivariable linear regression models to assess associations between county‐level NHs predictors and RSVRs.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 2,817,217 residents in 14,658 NHs across 2798 counties. Short‐stay residents had lower RSVRs than long‐stay residents (2013–2014: median [interquartile range], 69.6% [62.8–74.5] vs 84.0% [80.8–86.4]), and there was wide variation within each population (range, 11.4–89.8 vs 49.1–92.6). Several modifiable facility‐level characteristics were associated with increased RSVRs, including higher registered nurse to total nurse ratio and higher total staffing for licensed practical nurses, speech‐language pathologists, and social workers. Characteristics associated with lower RSVRs included higher percentage of residents restrained, with a pressure ulcer, and NH‐level hospitalizations per resident‐year.

Conclusions

Substantial county‐level variation in influenza vaccine use exists among short‐ and long‐stay NH residents. Quality improvement interventions to improve vaccination rates can leverage these results to target NHs located in counties with lower risk‐standardized vaccine use.

Reducing Morbidity and Mortality Rates from COVID-19, Influenza and Pneumococcal Illness in Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities by Vaccination and Comprehensive Infection Control Interventions

The COVID-19 pandemic identifies the problems of preventing respiratory illnesses in seniors, especially frail multimorbidity seniors in nursing homes and Long-Term Care Facilities (LCTFs). Medline and Embase were searched for nursing homes, long-term care facilities, respiratory tract infections, disease transmission, infection control, mortality, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. For seniors, there is strong evidence to vaccinate against influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and pneumococcal disease, and evidence is awaited for effectiveness against COVID-19 variants and when to revaccinate. There is strong evidence to promptly introduce comprehensive infection control interventions in LCFTs: no admissions from inpatient wards with COVID-19 patients; quarantine and monitor new admissions in single-patient rooms; screen residents, staff and visitors daily for temperature and symptoms; and staff work in only one home. Depending on the vaccination situation and the current risk situation, visiting restrictions and meals in the residents' own rooms may be necessary, and reduce crowding with individual patient rooms. Regional LTCF administrators should closely monitor and provide staff and PPE resources. The CDC COVID-19 tool measures 33 infection control indicators. Hand washing, social distancing, PPE (gowns, gloves, masks, eye protection), enhanced cleaning of rooms and high-touch surfaces need comprehensive implementation while awaiting more studies at low risk of bias. Individual ventilation with HEPA filters for all patient and common rooms and hallways is needed.

Decomposing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Nursing Home Influenza Vaccination

OBJECTIVES

Quantify how observable characteristics contribute to influenza vaccination disparities among White, Black, and Hispanic nursing home (NH) residents.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Short- and long-stay U.S. NH residents aged ≥65 years.

METHODS

We linked Minimum Data Set (MDS) and Medicare data to LTCFocUS and other facility data. We included residents with 6-month continuous enrollment in Medicare and an MDS assessment between October 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. Residents were classified as short-stay (<100 days in NH) or long-stay (≥100 days in NH). We fit multivariable logistic regression models to assess the relationships between 27 resident and NH-level characteristics and receipt of influenza vaccination. Using nonlinear Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition, we decomposed the disparity in influenza vaccination between White versus Black and White versus Hispanic NH residents. Analyses were repeated separately for short- and long-stay residents.

RESULTS

Our study included 630,373 short-stay and 1,029,593 long-stay residents. Proportions vaccinated against influenza included 67.2% of White, 55.1% of Black, and 54.5% of Hispanic individuals among short-stay residents and 84.2%, 76.7%, and 80.8%, respectively among long-stay residents. Across 4 comparisons, the crude disparity in influenza vaccination ranged from 3.4 to 12.7 percentage points. By equalizing 27 prespecified characteristics, these disparities could be reduced 37.7% to 59.2%. Living in a predominantly White facility and proxies for NH quality were important contributors across all analyses. Characteristics unmeasured in our data (eg, NH staff attitudes and beliefs) may have also contributed significantly to the disparity.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The racial/ethnic disparity in influenza vaccination was most dramatic among short-stay residents. Intervening on factors associated with NH quality would likely reduce these disparities; however, future qualitative research is essential to explore potential contributors that were unmeasured in our data and to understand the degree to which these factors contribute to the overall disparity in influenza vaccination.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Those 65 and Older: Rates of Detection, Risk Factors, Vaccine Effectiveness, Hospitalisation and Mortality

Pneumococcal pneumonia (PP) and invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) are important causes of morbidity and mortality in seniors worldwide. Incidence rates and serious outcomes worsen with increasing frailty, numbers of risk factors and decreasing immune competence with increasing age. Literature reviews in Medline and Embase were performed for pneumococcal disease incidence, risk factors, vaccination rates and effectiveness in the elderly. The introduction of protein-conjugated pneumoccal vaccines (PCV) for children markedly reduced IPD and PP in seniors, but serotypes not included in vaccines and with previously low levels increased. Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV23) vaccination does not change nasal and pharyngeal carriage rates. Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination rates in seniors are below guideline levels, especially in older seniors and nursing home staff. Pneumococcal and influenza carriage and vaccination rates of family members, nursing home health care workers and other contacts are unknown. National vaccination programmes are effective in increasing vaccination rates. Detection of IPD and PP initially depend on clinical symptoms and new chest X ray infiltrates and then varies according to the population and laboratory tests used. To understand how seniors and especially older seniors acquire PP and IPD data are needed on pneumococcal disease and carriage rates in family members, carers and contacts. Nursing homes need reconfiguring into small units with air ventilation externally from all rooms to minimise respiratory disease transmission and dedicated staff for each unit to minimise transmision of infectious diseaases.

Oral healthcare delivery in institutionalised older people: A health-economic evaluation

OBJECTIVES

This health-economic evaluation aimed to assess the cost-effectiveness of a number of alternatives for preventive and curative oral health care in institutionalised older people in Flanders.

METHODS

A six-state Markov model was used to compare expected costs and healthy oral years (HOYs) of four alternatives: (1) usual care; (2) on-site preventive care; (3) on-site preventive care + curative care in the community; and (4) on-site preventive care + on-site curative care. A healthcare payer perspective was adopted, and the time horizon was 10 years. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of alternatives 2, 3 and 4 (all compared to alternative 1) were as follows: (2) 7944 €/HOY gained; (3) 1576 €/HOY gained; and (4) 1132 €/HOY gained. Hence, alternatives 2 and 3 were not cost-effective compared to alternative 4. The probability that oral care interventions are more effective and cost-saving than usual care was <3% for all three interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

For institutionalised older people, on-site solutions for preventive and curative oral health care might be the most cost-effective alternative. It should be kept in mind that on-site solutions require large initial investment and that the advanced age of the population and the high costs of oral health care make it unlikely that these interventions would become cost-saving, even in the long term.

Geographic Variation in Pneumonia and Influenza in Long-Term Care Facilities: A National Study

There is large county-level geographic variation in pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations among short-stay and long-stay long-term care facility residents in the United States. Long-term care facilities in counties in the Southern and Midwestern regions had the highest rates of pneumonia and influenza from 2013 to 2015. Future research should identify reasons for these geographic differences.

Persistence of Racial Inequities in Receipt of Influenza Vaccination among Nursing Home Residents in the United States

Background

We sought to determine if racial differences in influenza vaccination among nursing home (NH) residents during the 2008–2009 influenza season persisted in 2018–2019.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of NHs certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services during the 2018–2019 influenza season in US states with ≥1% Black NH residents and a White–Black gap in influenza vaccination of NH residents (N = 2 233 392) of at least 1 percentage point (N = 40 states). NH residents during 1 October 2018 through 31 March 2019 aged ≥18 years and self-identified as being of Black or White race were included. Residents’ influenza vaccination status (vaccinated, refused, and not offered) was assessed. Multilevel modeling was used to estimate facility-level vaccination status and inequities by state.

Results

The White–Black gap in influenza vaccination was 9.9 percentage points. In adjusted analyses, racial inequities in vaccination were more prominent at the facility level than at the state level. Black residents disproportionately lived in NHs that had a majority of Blacks residents, which generally had the lowest vaccination. Inequities were most concentrated in the Midwestern region, also the most segregated. Not being offered the vaccine was negligible in absolute percentage points between White residents (2.6%) and Black residents (4.8%), whereas refusals were higher among Black (28.7%) than White residents (21.0%).

Conclusions

The increase in the White–Black vaccination gap among NH residents is occurring at the facility level in more states, especially those with the most segregation.

Risk factors for pneumonia and influenza hospitalizations in long-term care facility residents: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Older adults who reside in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at particularly high risk for infection, morbidity and mortality from pneumonia and influenza (P&I) compared to individuals of younger age and those living outside institutional settings. The risk factors for P&I hospitalizations that are specific to LTCFs remain poorly understood. Our objective was to evaluate the incidence of P&I hospitalization and associated person- and facility-level factors among post-acute (short-stay) and long-term (long-stay) care residents residing in LTCFs from 2013 to 2015.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we used Medicare administrative claims linked to Minimum Data Set and LTCF-level data to identify short-stay (< 100 days, index = admission date) and long-stay (100+ days, index = day 100) residents who were followed from the index date until the first of hospitalization, LTCF discharge, Medicare disenrollment, or death. We measured incidence rates (IRs) for P&I hospitalization per 100,000 person-days, and estimated associations with baseline demographics, geriatric syndromes, clinical characteristics, and medication use using Cox regression models.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 1,118,054 short-stay and 593,443 long-stay residents. The crude 30-day IRs (95% CI) of hospitalizations with P&I in the principal position were 26.0 (25.4, 26.6) and 34.5 (33.6, 35.4) among short- and long-stay residents, respectively. The variables associated with P&I varied between short and long-stay residents, and common risk factors included: advanced age (85+ years), admission from an acute hospital, select cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, impaired functional status, and receipt of antibiotics or Beers criteria medications. Facility staffing and care quality measures were important risk factors among long-stay residents but not in short-stay residents.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-stay residents had lower crude 30- and 90-day incidence rates of P&I hospitalizations than long-stay LTCF residents. Differences in risk factors for P&I between short- and long-stay populations suggest the importance of considering distinct profiles of post-acute and long-term care residents in infection prevention and control strategies in LTCFs. These findings can help clinicians target interventions to subgroups of LTCF residents at highest P&I risk.

Influenza Illness and Hip Fracture Hospitalizations in Nursing Home Residents: Are They Related?

Background

Influenza illness may impact the risk of falls and fractures during acute illness due to unsteady gait or dizziness. We evaluated the association between influenza and hip fracture hospitalizations in long-stay (LS) nursing home (NH) residents.

Methods

We analyzed weekly rates of hospitalization in a retrospective cohort of LS NH residents between January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2009. Hip fracture and influenza like illness (ILI) hospitalizations were identified with Medicare fee-for-service part A claims. We evaluated unadjusted and adjusted models with the primary exposures, weekly rate of influenza-like illness hospitalizations, city-wide mortality, and NH influenza vaccination rate and primary outcome of weekly rate of hip fracture hospitalizations.

Results

There were 9,237 incident hip fractures in the cohort. Facility wide ILI hospitalization rate was associated with the hip fracture hospitalization rate in the unadjusted (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.17) and adjusted (IRR 1.13, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.18) analyses. City-wide influenza mortality was associated with hip fracture hospitalization rates for the unadjusted (IRR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.04), and adjusted (IRR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03) analyses. NH influenza vaccination rates were not associated with changes in hip fracture hospitalization rates.

Conclusions

ILI hospitalizations are associated with a 13% average increase in hip fracture hospitalization risk. In a given NH week, an increase in the number ILI hospitalizations from none to two was associated with an approximate one percentage point increase in hip fracture hospitalization risk. Strategies to reduce influenza risk should be investigated to reduce hip fracture risk.

The burden of respiratory infections among older adults in long-term care: a systematic review

Background

Respiratory infections among older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are a major global concern, yet a rigorous systematic synthesis of the literature on the burden of respiratory infections in the LTCF setting is lacking. To address the critical need for evidence regarding the global burden of respiratory infections in LTCFs, we assessed the burden of respiratory infections in LTCFs through a systematic review of the published literature.

Methods

We identified articles published between April 1964 and March 2019 through searches of PubMed (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Experimental and observational studies published in English that included adults aged ≥60 residing in LTCFs who were unvaccinated (to identify the natural infection burden), and that reported measures of occurrence for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or pneumonia were included. Disagreements about article inclusion were discussed and articles were included based on consensus. Data on study design, population, and findings were extracted from each article. Findings were synthesized qualitatively.

Results

A total of 1451 articles were screened for eligibility, 345 were selected for full-text review, and 26 were included. Study population mean ages ranged from 70.8 to 90.1 years. Three (12%) studies reported influenza estimates, 7 (27%) RSV, and 16 (62%) pneumonia. Eighteen (69%) studies reported incidence estimates, 7 (27%) prevalence estimates, and 1 (4%) both. Seven (27%) studies reported outbreaks. Respiratory infection incidence estimates ranged from 1.1 to 85.2% and prevalence estimates ranging from 1.4 to 55.8%. Influenza incidences ranged from 5.9 to 85.2%. RSV incidence proportions ranged from 1.1 to 13.5%. Pneumonia prevalence proportions ranged from 1.4 to 55.8% while incidence proportions ranged from 4.8 to 41.2%.

Conclusions

The reported incidence and prevalence estimates of respiratory infections among older LTCF residents varied widely between published studies. The wide range of estimates offers little useful guidance for decision-making to decrease respiratory infection burden. Large, well-designed epidemiologic studies are therefore still necessary to credibly quantify the burden of respiratory infections among older adults in LTCFs, which will ultimately help inform future surveillance and intervention efforts.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12877-019-1236-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalizations for pneumonia in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children and older adults. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) were introduced into the US routine infant vaccination schedule leading to substantial reductions of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD). PCV introduction also led to reductions in all-cause pneumonia among US children, though the indirect impact of PCVs on pneumonia in adults is difficult to quantify, especially due to the recent US recommendation for direct PCV use in older adults. Areas covered: We described the existing evidence for both the direct and indirect impact of PCVs on pneumonia among children and adults in the US since PCV introduction. Expert commentary: The introduction of PCVs into the US routine infant vaccination schedule led to important reductions in the burden of IPD and non-invasive pneumonia among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The impact of direct vaccination of older adults in the US since 2014, though difficult to quantify, is currently being evaluated. As pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US, future evaluations of the direct and indirect effects of current and expanded valency PCVs in the US population are needed.

Seasonal and circadian patterns of myocardial infarction by coronary artery disease status and sex in the ACTION Registry-GWTG

BACKGROUND

Myocardial infarction (MI) presentations are more common during winter months and morning hours. However, it is unknown whether MI with obstructive coronary artery disease (MI-CAD) and non-obstructive CAD (MINOCA) display similar patterns.

METHODS

We evaluated seasonal and circadian patterns of MI presentation by coronary artery disease (CAD) status and sex in patients with MI from 2007 to 2014 in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Acute Coronary Treatment Intervention Outcomes Network (ACTION) Registry-Get With the Guidelines. Adult patients who underwent coronary angiography for MI were included. Patients with missing age, sex, or angiographic data, cocaine use, thrombolytic therapy prior to catheterization, or prior revascularization were excluded. Baseline demographics and characteristics of symptom onset, including season and time of day of presentation, were compared by CAD status and sex.

RESULTS

Among 322,523 patients, 112,547 were female (35%); 18,918 had MINOCA (5.9%). There was no seasonal pattern of MI overall. However, both men and women with MINOCA presented more often in the summer and fall while MI-CAD presentations were equally distributed across seasons. The most common time of presentation was 8 am-2 pm regardless of CAD status or sex. A secondary peak in women with MINOCA during late afternoon hours was also identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Seasonal variation of MI differed between MINOCA and MI-CAD, with a small increase in MINOCA incidence in the summer and fall. MINOCA and MI-CAD most commonly occurred in the morning, with a secondary peak in late afternoon in women with MINOCA. These differences in presentation may relate to underlying MI pathophysiology.