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Zilberman-Itskovich S, Youngster I, Lazarovitch T, Bondarenco M, Toledano L, Kachlon Y, Mengesha B, Strul N, Zaidenstein R, Marchaim D. Potential impact of removing metronidazole from treatment armamentarium of mild acute Clostridioides difficile infection. Future Microbiol 2020; 14:1489-1495. [PMID: 31913060 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2019-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Recent guidelines recommended removing metronidazole as a therapeutic option for Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI). However, superiority of vancomycin over metronidazole in mild CDI is not established and use of vancomycin might lead to emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Patients & methods: A retrospective cohort study and efficacy analyses were conducted at Shamir Medical Center, Israel (2010-2015), among adults with acute CDI. Results: A total of 409 patients were enrolled. In multivariable analyses, metronidazole was noninferior to vancomycin for mild CDI, but vancomycin was an independent predictor for post-CDI VRE acquisition. Conclusion: A significant independent association was evident between treatment with vancomycin and, later, acquisition of VRE. In first episodes of mild acute CDI, metronidazole should be considered a valid therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilan Youngster
- Pediatric Division, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.,Center for Microbiome Research, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
| | | | | | - Limor Toledano
- Pediatric Division, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kachlon
- Pediatric Division, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Nathan Strul
- Unit of Infection Control, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
| | - Ronit Zaidenstein
- Internal Medicine A, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.,Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dror Marchaim
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.,Unit of Infection Control, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel
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Li R, Lu L, Lin Y, Wang M, Liu X. Efficacy and Safety of Metronidazole Monotherapy versus Vancomycin Monotherapy or Combination Therapy in Patients with Clostridium difficile Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0137252. [PMID: 26444424 PMCID: PMC4621873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become a global epidemiological problem for both hospitalized patients and outpatients. The most commonly used drugs to treat CDI are metronidazole and vancomycin. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of metronidazole monotherapy with vancomycin monotherapy and combination therapy in CDI patients. Methods A comprehensive search without publication status or other restrictions was conducted. Studies comparing metronidazole monotherapy with vancomycin monotherapy or combination therapy in patients with CDI were considered eligible. Meta-analysis was performed using the Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effects model, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated and reported. Results Of the 1910 records identified, seventeen studies from thirteen articles (n = 2501 patients) were included. No statistically significant difference in the rate of clinical cure was found between metronidazole and vancomycin for mild CDI (OR = 0.67, 95% CI (0.45, 1.00), p = 0.05) or between either monotherapy and combination therapy for CDI (OR = 1.07, 95% CI (0.58, 1.96), p = 0.83); however, the rate of clinical cure was lower for metronidazole than for vancomycin for severe CDI (OR = 0.46, 95% CI (0.26, 0.80), p = 0.006). No statistically significant difference in the rate of CDI recurrence was found between metronidazole and vancomycin for mild CDI (OR = 0.99, 95% CI (0.40, 2.45), p = 0.98) or severe CDI (OR = 0.98, 95% CI (0.63, 1.53), p = 0.94) or between either monotherapy and combination therapy for CDI (OR = 0.91, 95% CI (0.66, 1.26), p = 0.56). In addition, there was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events (AEs) between metronidazole and vancomycin (OR = 1.18, 95% CI (0.80, 1.74), p = 0.41). In contrast, the rate of AEs was significantly lower for either monotherapy than for combination therapy (OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.17, 0.51), p<0.0001). Conclusions Metronidazole and vancomycin are equally effective for the treatment of mild CDI, but vancomycin is superior for the treatment of severe CDI. Combination therapy is not superior to monotherapy because it appears to be associated with an increase in the rate of AEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Laichun Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, Third Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Lin
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingxia Wang
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xin Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Shields K, Araujo-Castillo RV, Theethira TG, Alonso CD, Kelly CP. Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: From colonization to cure. Anaerobe 2015; 34:59-73. [PMID: 25930686 PMCID: PMC4492812 DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasingly prevalent, dangerous and challenging to prevent and manage. Despite intense national and international attention the incidence of primary and of recurrent CDI (PCDI and RCDI, respectively) have risen rapidly throughout the past decade. Of major concern is the increase in cases of RCDI resulting in substantial morbidity, morality and economic burden. RCDI management remains challenging as there is no uniformly effective therapy, no firm consensus on optimal treatment, and reliable data regarding RCDI-specific treatment options is scant. Novel therapeutic strategies are critically needed to rapidly, accurately, and effectively identify and treat patients with, or at-risk for, RCDI. In this review we consider the factors implicated in the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical presentation of RCDI, evaluate current management options for RCDI and explore novel and emerging therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Shields
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| | - Roger V Araujo-Castillo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Lowry Medical Office Building, Suite GB 110 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| | - Thimmaiah G Theethira
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| | - Carolyn D Alonso
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Lowry Medical Office Building, Suite GB 110 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02215, United States.
| | - Ciaran P Kelly
- Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA 02215, United States.
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Na X, Martin AJ, Sethi S, Kyne L, Garey KW, Flores SW, Hu M, Shah DN, Shields K, Leffler DA, Kelly CP. A Multi-Center Prospective Derivation and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Tool for Severe Clostridium difficile Infection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123405. [PMID: 25906284 PMCID: PMC4408056 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Prediction of severe clinical outcomes in Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is important to inform management decisions for optimum patient care. Currently, treatment recommendations for CDI vary based on disease severity but validated methods to predict severe disease are lacking. The aim of the study was to derive and validate a clinical prediction tool for severe outcomes in CDI. Methods A cohort totaling 638 patients with CDI was prospectively studied at three tertiary care clinical sites (Boston, Dublin and Houston). The clinical prediction rule (CPR) was developed by multivariate logistic regression analysis using the Boston cohort and the performance of this model was then evaluated in the combined Houston and Dublin cohorts. Results The CPR included the following three binary variables: age ≥ 65 years, peak serum creatinine ≥2 mg/dL and peak peripheral blood leukocyte count of ≥20,000 cells/μL. The Clostridium difficile severity score (CDSS) correctly classified 76.5% (95% CI: 70.87-81.31) and 72.5% (95% CI: 67.52-76.91) of patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. In the validation cohort, CDSS scores of 0, 1, 2 or 3 were associated with severe clinical outcomes of CDI in 4.7%, 13.8%, 33.3% and 40.0% of cases respectively. Conclusions We prospectively derived and validated a clinical prediction rule for severe CDI that is simple, reliable and accurate and can be used to identify high-risk patients most likely to benefit from measures to prevent complications of CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Na
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alan J. Martin
- Department of Medicine for the Older Person, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Saurabh Sethi
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lorraine Kyne
- Department of Medicine for the Older Person, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kevin W. Garey
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Sarah W. Flores
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mary Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dhara N. Shah
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kelsey Shields
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Daniel A. Leffler
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ciarán P. Kelly
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Solomon K, Martin AJ, O’Donoghue C, Chen X, Fenelon L, Fanning S, Kelly CP, Kyne L. Mortality in patients with Clostridium difficile infection correlates with host pro-inflammatory and humoral immune responses. J Med Microbiol 2013; 62:1453-1460. [DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.058479-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Host anti-toxin immune responses play important roles in Clostridium difficile disease and outcome. The relationship between host immune and inflammatory responses during severe C. difficile infection (CDI) and the risk of mortality has yet to be defined. We aimed to investigate the host systemic IgG anti-toxin immune responses, the in vitro cytotoxicity of the infecting C. difficile ribotyped strain, and the host inflammatory markers and their relationship to CDI disease severity and risk of mortality. Inflammatory markers, co-morbidities and CDI outcomes were recorded in a prospective cohort of 150 CDI cases. Serum anti-cytotoxin A (TcdA) and anti-TcdB IgG titres were measured by ELISA and the infecting C. difficile isolate was ribotyped and the in vitro cytotoxin titre assessed. A low median anti-TcdA IgG titre was significantly associated with 30-day all-cause mortality (P<0.05). Ribotype 027 isolates were significantly more toxinogenic than other ribotypes (P<0.00001). High cytotoxin titres correlated with increased inflammatory markers but also higher anti-TcdA and -TcdB (P<0.05) IgG responses resulting in a lower risk of mortality. On multivariate analysis, predictors of mortality were peak white cell count >20×109 l−1 [odds ratio (OR) 11.53; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 2.38–55.92], creatinine concentration >133 µmol l−1 (OR 6.54; 95 % CI 1.47–29.07), Horn’s index >3 (OR 4.09; 95 % CI 0.76–22.18) and low anti-TcdA IgG (OR 0.97; 95 % CI 0.95–0.99), but not ribotype, cytotoxin titre or anti-TcdB IgG. Thus, host pro-inflammatory and humoral responses correlate with the cytotoxin titre of the infecting strain and effective anti-toxin immune responses reduce the risk of mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Solomon
- School of Medicine and Medical Science, UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Alan J. Martin
- Department of Medicine for the Older Person, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Caoilfhionn O’Donoghue
- Department of Medicine for the Older Person, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland
| | - Xinhua Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lynda Fenelon
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Séamus Fanning
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Ciarán P. Kelly
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lorraine Kyne
- Department of Medicine for the Older Person, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccles St, Dublin 7, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Science, UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Baraboutis I, Tsagalou E, Skoutelis A, Mylona E, Papastamopoulos V, Papakonstantinou I, Marangos M, Gogos C, Bassaris H, Johnson S. Predictors of Methicillin Resistance in Healthcare-AssociatedStaphylococcus aureusBloodstream Infections: The Role of Recent Antibiotic Use. J Chemother 2013; 22:424-7. [DOI: 10.1179/joc.2010.22.6.424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
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7
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Assessment of treatment patterns and patient outcomes before vs after implementation of a severity-based Clostridium difficile infection treatment policy. J Hosp Infect 2013; 85:28-32. [PMID: 23834988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2013.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2012] [Accepted: 04/01/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND National guidelines recommend oral vancomycin for severe Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) based on results from recent clinical trials demonstrating improved clinical outcomes. However, real-world data to support these clinical trials are scant. AIM To compare treatment patterns and patient outcomes of those treated for CDI before and after implementation of a severity-based CDI treatment policy at a tertiary teaching hospital. METHODS This study evaluated adult patients with a positive C. difficile toxin before and after implementation of a policy where patients with severe CDI given metronidazole were switched to oral vancomycin unless contra-indicated. Patients were stratified according to disease severity using a modified published severity score. Treatment patterns based on CDI severity and rates of refractory CDI were assessed. FINDINGS In total, 256 patients with CDI (mean age 66 years, standard deviation 17, 52% female) were evaluated (before implementation: N = 144; after implementation: N = 112). Use of oral vancomycin for severe CDI increased significantly from 14% (N = 8) to 91% (N = 48) following implementation of the policy (P < 0.0001). Refractory disease in patients with severe CDI decreased significantly from 37% to 15% following implementation of the policy (P = 0.035). No significant differences were noted among patients with mild to moderate CDI. CONCLUSION A severity-based CDI treatment policy at a tertiary teaching hospital increased the use of oral vancomycin and was associated with decreased rates of refractory CDI.
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Mattila E, Arkkila P, Mattila PS, Tarkka E, Tissari P, Anttila VJ. Extraintestinal Clostridium difficile Infections. Clin Infect Dis 2013; 57:e148-53. [DOI: 10.1093/cid/cit392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
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Shaughnessy MK, Amundson WH, Kuskowski MA, DeCarolis DD, Johnson JR, Drekonja DM. Unnecessary antimicrobial use in patients with current or recent Clostridium difficile infection. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012; 34:109-16. [PMID: 23295554 DOI: 10.1086/669089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the fraction of unnecessary antimicrobial use among patients with current and/or recent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). DESIGN Retrospective review from January 2004 through December 2006. SETTING Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center (MVAMC). PARTICIPANTS Patients with new-onset CDI diagnosed at the MVAMC without another CDI diagnosis in the prior 30 days. METHODS Pharmacy and medical records were reviewed to identify incident CDI cases, non-CDI antimicrobial use during and up to 30 days after completion of CDI treatment, and patient characteristics. Two infectious disease physicians independently assessed non-CDI antimicrobial use, which was classified as unnecessary if not fully indicated. Factors associated with only unnecessary use were identified through univariable and multivariable analysis. RESULTS Of 246 patients with new-onset CDI, 141 (57%) received non-CDI antimicrobials during and/or after their CDI treatment, totaling 2,147 antimicrobial days and 445 antimicrobial courses. The two reviewers agreed regarding the necessity of antimicrobials in more than 99% of antimicrobial courses (85% initially, 14% after discussion). Seventy-seven percent of patients received at least 1 unnecessary antimicrobial dose, 26% of patients received only unnecessary antimicrobials, and 45% of total non-CDI antimicrobial days included unnecessary antimicrobials. The leading indications for unnecessary antimicrobial use were putative urinary tract infection and pneumonia. Drug classes frequently used unnecessarily were fluoroquinolones and β-lactams. CONCLUSIONS Twenty-six percent of patients with recent CDI received only unnecessary (and therefore potentially avoidable) antimicrobials. Heightened awareness and caution are needed when antimicrobial therapy is contemplated for patients with recent CDI.
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11
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Min Cho S, Joon Lee J, Jung Yoon H. Clinical risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated diseases. Braz J Infect Dis 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/s1413-8670(12)70320-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
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12
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Antimicrobial use and risk for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Am J Med 2011; 124:1081.e1-7. [PMID: 21944159 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.05.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2011] [Revised: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although antimicrobial use during and immediately after Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is discouraged, the frequency and consequences of such use are poorly defined. We sought to determine the frequency of non-CDI antimicrobial therapy during and after treatment for CDI, and the association of such therapy with recurrent disease. METHODS Retrospective review of all CDI cases at a Veterans Affairs medical center from 2004-2006. Outcomes were non-CDI antimicrobial use during and within 30 days after completing CDI treatment, and recurrent CDI. RESULTS From 2004 to 2006, new-onset CDI occurred in 249 unique patients. No follow-up information was available for 3 patients, leaving 246 as study subjects. Of these, 141 (57%) received non-CDI antimicrobials, including 61 (25%) who received non-CDI antimicrobials during CDI treatment, and 80 (33%) who received non-CDI antimicrobial therapy after CDI treatment. With adjustment for age, disease severity, duration of CDI treatment, and recent hospital or intensive-care unit stay, receipt of non-CDI antimicrobials after CDI treatment was significantly associated with recurrent CDI (odds ratio [OR] 3.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66-5.52), compared with no antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial use during CDI treatment was not associated with recurrent CDI (OR 0.79; 95% CI, 0.40-1.52). Neither number of antimicrobial courses nor antimicrobial days was associated with recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Non-CDI antimicrobial therapy after an episode of CDI is common and is associated with a 3-fold increase in the odds of recurrent disease. The added risk associated with antimicrobial exposure (regardless of duration) should be considered if such therapy is contemplated.
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Arora V, Kachroo S, Ghantoji SS, Dupont HL, Garey KW. High Horn's index score predicts poor outcomes in patients with Clostridium difficile infection. J Hosp Infect 2011; 79:23-6. [PMID: 21700363 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2011.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2010] [Accepted: 04/13/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Several variables have been proposed to predict the prognosis of patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), but a clinically useful tool to stratify resource utilization has not been determined. Horn's index, a severity score based on underlying clinical illness, reliably predicts patients at high risk of CDI. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of Horn's index to stratify patients with CDI at high risk of poor clinical and economic outcomes. Hospitalized patients diagnosed with CDI were followed prospectively for three months. Horn's index scores were calculated for each patient on the day of the positive toxin test for C. difficile, and used to stratify differences in outcome variables (length of hospital stay, mortality and hospital costs). Eighty-five CDI patients (50% male, 64% Caucasian) were recruited. Discharge mortality was 0% for patients with Horn's index scores of 1 or 2, 5% for those with a score of 3, and 50% for those with a score of 4 (P < 0.001). Three-month mortality was 0%, 5%, 17% and 60% for patients with Horn's index scores of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (P = 0.0004). Median three-month hospital costs were $8,585, $12,670, $29,077 and $68,708 for patients with Horn's index scores of 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (P < 0.001). Patients with Horn's index scores of 3 or 4 had a significantly longer hospital stay [mean 33.4 (standard deviation, SD 33.3) days] than patients with scores of 1 or 2 [mean 15.1 (SD 16.2) days, P = 0.001]. This study found Horn's index to be a simple and useful method for identifying CDI patients at high risk of poor clinical and economic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Arora
- University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX, USA
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14
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Wong WC, Sahadevan S, Ding YY, Tan HN, Chan SP. Resource Consumption in Hospitalised, Frail Older Patients. ANNALS OF THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE, SINGAPORE 2010. [DOI: 10.47102/annals-acadmedsg.v39n11p830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine factors, other than the Diagnostic Related Grouping (DRG), that can explain the variation in the cost of hospitalisation and length of hospital stay (LOS) in older patients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, observational cohort study involving 397 patients, aged 65 years and above. Data collected include demographic information, admission functional and cognitive status, overall illness severity score, number of referral to therapists, referral to medical social worker, cost of hospitalisation, actual LOS, discharge DRG codes and their corresponding trimmed average length of stay (ALOS). Results: The mean age of the cohort was 80.2 years. The DRG’s trimmed ALOS alone explained 21% of the variation in the cost of hospitalisation and actual LOS. Incorporation of an illness severity score, number of referral to therapists and referral to medical social worker into the trimmed ALOS explained 30% and 31% of the variation in the cost and actual LOS, respectively. Conclusion: The DRG model is able to explain 21% of the variation in the cost of hospitalisation and actual LOS in older patients. Other factors that determined the variation in the cost of hospitalisation and LOS include the degree of illness severity, the number of referral to therapists and referral to medical social worker.
Keywords: Aged, Cost of hospitalisation, Length of stay
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Hu MY, Katchar K, Kyne L, Maroo S, Tummala S, Dreisbach V, Xu H, Leffler DA, Kelly CP. Prospective derivation and validation of a clinical prediction rule for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Gastroenterology 2009; 136:1206-14. [PMID: 19162027 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2008] [Revised: 11/06/2008] [Accepted: 12/11/2008] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a substantial therapeutic challenge. A previous prospective study of 63 patients with CDI identified risk factors associated with recurrence. This study aimed to develop a prediction rule for recurrent CDI using the above derivation cohort and prospectively evaluate the performance of this rule in an independent validation cohort. METHODS The clinical prediction rule was developed by multivariate logistic regression analysis and included the following variables: age>65 years, severe or fulminant illness (by the Horn index), and additional antibiotic use after CDI therapy. A second rule combined data on serum concentrations of immunoglobulin G (IgG) against toxin A with the clinical predictors. Both rules were then evaluated prospectively in an independent cohort of 89 patients with CDI. RESULTS The clinical prediction rule discriminated between patients with and without recurrent CDI, with an area under the curve of the receiver-operating-characteristic curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70-0.95) in the derivation cohort and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.67-0.92) in the validation cohort. The rule correctly classified 77.3% (95% CI: 62.2%-88.5%) and 71.9% (95% CI: 59.2%-82.4%) of patients in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The combined rule performed well in the derivation cohort but not in the validation cohort (area under the curve of the receiver-operating-characteristic curve, 0.89 vs 0.62; diagnostic accuracy, 93.8% vs 69.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We prospectively derived and validated a clinical prediction rule for recurrent CDI that is simple, reliable, and accurate and can be used to identify high-risk patients most likely to benefit from measures to prevent recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Y Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA
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Halim HA, Peterson GM, Friesen WT, Ott AK. Case-controlled review of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in southern Tasmania. J Clin Pharm Ther 2009; 22:391-7. [PMID: 19160724 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2710.1997.tb00022.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM While the incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) has increased sharply over the last 15 years, its risk factors are still not well defined. The aim of this study was to review cases of CDAD at the major teaching hospital in Tasmania, Australia, to identify risk factors for CDAD and their association with prognosis. METHODS A retrospective review of the medical records of adult patients admitted to the hospital between January 1994 and December 1996 was performed. Sixty-four patients who developed CDAD prior to or during their admission, and an additional 120 diarrhoea-free patients (the control group) were studied. An extensive range of demographic and clinical variables were recorded, and the differences between the control group and patients with CDAD were evaluated. RESULTS The CDAD patients had a median age of 66 years (range 22-95 years), with females accounting for 52% of cases. There were no significant demographic differences from the control group. Identifiable risk factors for developing CDAD were severe underlying disease, renal impairment, exposure to antibiotics or antineoplastic agents, and the use of total parenteral nutrition or nasogastric feeding. Cephalosporins were the most frequently used antibiotics in both CDAD and control patients, with cefotaxime being the only antibiotic which was identified as being significantly associated with an increased risk of CDAD. The median length of diarrhoea episodes was 9 days (range 1-60 days). The mortality rate was 17.2%, and factors associated with a poor prognosis were older age, severe underlying disease, renal impairment and failure to treat with metronidazole or vancomycin. Delay in starting specific treatment and use of codeine were related to prolonged CDAD. CONCLUSION CDAD is a growing contributor to hospital morbidity and costs. Severely ill patients with compromised immune function are particularly susceptible, with antibiotic use being a major risk factor. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of treatment are important factors in the improvement of prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- H A Halim
- Tasmanian School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Tasmania, Australia
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Howitt JR, Grace JW, Schaefer MG, Dolder C, Cannella C, Schaefer RS. Clostridium difficile-positive stools: a retrospective identification of risk factors. Am J Infect Control 2008; 36:488-91. [PMID: 18786452 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2007.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 09/12/2007] [Accepted: 09/12/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In an attempt to determine the association of potential risk factors and an increase in the rate of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) at a tertiary teaching institution in the Midwest United States, all CDAD cases among admissions from a period of 20 consecutive months were analyzed. A retrospective chart review was performed on 4992 admissions from this period. Logistic regression analysis suggested a correlation between CDAD and multiple factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua R Howitt
- Pharmacy, Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Kansas City, MO 64128, USA.
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Thorson MAL, Bliss DZ, Savik K. Re-examination of risk factors for non-Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients. J Adv Nurs 2008; 62:354-64. [PMID: 18426460 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04607.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
AIM This paper is a report of a study to determine the incidence of non-Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalized patients and to re-evaluate clinical characteristics and other risk factors related to non-C. difficile-associated diarrhoea. BACKGROUND Numerous factors are thought to be responsible for diarrhoea in hospitalized patients. Reports about the diarrhoeal effects of some medications administered concomitantly with tube feeding have stimulated reappraisal of the influence of tube feeding as a potential cause. METHOD This study was a secondary analysis of data of 154 hospitalized patients collected during a prospective epidemiological study from 1992 to 1993. The secondary analysis was completed in 2006 in order to investigate unanswered questions of current importance. FINDINGS The sample was predominantly male and middle aged; approximately 50% were tube fed, and 25% were in an intensive care unit. The incidence of diarrhoea was 35%. Increased severity of illness as well as the combination of sorbitol-containing medication administration and tube feeding were found to be statistically significant factors in the development of diarrhoea. CONCLUSION As diarrhoea in hospitalized patients appears to be multifactorial, use of an algorithm to systematically evaluate and manage related factors is recommended.
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Abstract
Making a prognosis is one of the primary functions of the medical profession. At the end of the nineteenth century prognostication took up approximately ten percent of medical textbooks, by 1970 this had fallen to nearly zero. Given medical technology's awesome ability to prolong the process and suffering of dying today's patients need to know their prognosis in order to make choices about their treatment options. Whilst precise predictions of the future are obviously not possible, relatively simple mathematical modelling techniques can make reasonable estimates of likely outcomes for individual patients. The life expectancy of a patient of any age with any illness can be estimated provided the disease-specific mortality of the illness is known. Decision analysis or logistic regression models can then be used to determine the risks and benefits of various treatment options. A patient's prognosis does not just depend on their age and primary diagnosis, but also on the severity of their illness, their functional capacity both prior to and during the illness and the number of co-morbidities also suffered from. Several predictive instruments have been developed to help simplify the prediction of the outcome of individual patients. There are conflicting reports on how these models compare with doctors' intuition--whatever their strengths and weaknesses it is unlikely that they worsen clinical judgement. Therefore, all doctors should become familiar with them and use them appropriately.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Kellett
- Department of Medicine, Nenagh Hospital, Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland.
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Castillo F, López JM, Marco R, González JA, Puppo AM, Murillo F. [Care grading in Intensive Medicine: Intermediate Care Units]. Med Intensiva 2007; 31:36-45. [PMID: 17306139 DOI: 10.1016/s0210-5691(07)74768-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Intermediate Care Units are created for patients who predictably have low risk of requiring therapeutic life support measures but who require more monitoring and nursing cares than those received in the conventional hospitalization wards. Previous studies have demonstrated that Intermediate Care Units may promote hospital care grading, allowing for better classification in critical patients, improving efficacy and efficiency of the ICUs and thus decreasing costs and above all mortality in the conventional hospitalization wards. This document attempts to group the currently existing knowledge that served as a base for the consensus meeting on the application of them in the establishment of future ICUs in our hospital setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Castillo
- Servicio de Cuidados Críticos y Urgencias, Hospitales Universitarios Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, España.
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Katchar K, Taylor CP, Tummala S, Chen X, Sheikh J, Kelly CP. Association between IgG2 and IgG3 subclass responses to toxin A and recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2007; 5:707-13. [PMID: 17544998 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2007.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Individuals who mount a significant serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G response to toxin A are protected against recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). We investigated whether humoral immune deficiencies and/or specific IgG subclass responses are associated with recurrent CDAD. METHODS We compared the clinical characteristics and humoral immune responses of 13 patients with recurrent CDAD with 13 matched controls with a single CDAD episode. We measured the serum IgG titers to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, as well as total and toxin A- and toxin B-specific serum IgG, IgA, and IgG subclass concentrations. RESULTS There were no differences between the single and recurrent CDAD subjects in terms of age, sex, ethnicity, or other potential confounding variables. The total duration of diarrhea in patients with recurrent CDAD was greater (median, 62 vs 17 days; P = .005). IgG titers to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, total IgG, and IgG subclass levels were similar in both groups. The total IgA was somewhat lower in those with recurrent CDAD (204 vs 254 mg/dL; P = .05). IgA, IgG, IgG1, and IgG4 anti-toxin A and anti-toxin B levels were similar in both groups. However, IgG2 and IgG3 anti-toxin A levels were significantly lower in the recurrent group (P = .01 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with recurrent CDAD did not show evidence of widespread humoral immune deficiency or of IgG subclass deficiency. Their low serum IgG anti-toxin A concentrations reflected selectively reduced IgG2 and IgG3 subclass responses. Measurement of specific IgG2/3 anti-toxin A may be useful in selecting patients for treatment with agents to prevent recurrent CDAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kianoosh Katchar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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Vesta KS, Wells PG, Gentry CA, Stipek WJ. Specific risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a prospective, multicenter, case control evaluation. Am J Infect Control 2005; 33:469-72. [PMID: 16216661 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2005.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2005] [Revised: 06/20/2005] [Accepted: 06/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that is responsible for toxicity to the colonic mucosa, causing inflammation, necrosis, and, in some extreme cases, intestinal dilation and perforation. C difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) occurs when patients have a reduction in their natural gastrointestinal flora that allows for the proliferation of and toxin production by C difficile. METHODS Using a multicenter, prospective observational case control study, we assessed and quantified risk factors associated with the development of diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, with particular attention to antibiotic use. All hospitalized patients with diarrhea requiring a C difficile toxin test as part of their routine clinical workup were considered for study inclusion. Patients with a negative specimen (controls) were considered for enrollment if matched (by age, sex, length of stay, and institution) to a case. Variables associated with CDAD were identified using univariate analysis. Significant factors were then entered into multivariate logistic regression analysis to identify independent factors. RESULTS There were no significant differences in antibiotic use between cases and controls. Patient severity, classified by Horn's Index, was significantly different between cases and controls (P = .0022). No other significant variables were identified. CONCLUSION The severity of illness of the cases was classified as more severe than the controls, but no significant differences in antibiotic use were identified between the groups. The negative C difficile toxin studies on the well-matched control patients indicate a different etiology of diarrhea (such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea), which may have developed in the presence of similar antibiotic use as the cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimi S Vesta
- University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy, Oklahoma City, OK 73190-5040, USA.
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Kyne L, Sougioultzis S, McFarland LV, Kelly CP. Underlying disease severity as a major risk factor for nosocomial Clostridium difficile diarrhea. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2002; 23:653-9. [PMID: 12452292 DOI: 10.1086/501989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the diagnostic accuracy of an index of underlying disease severity (Horn's index) in identifying patients with a high probability of having nosocomial Clostridium difficile diarrhea as a complication of antimicrobial therapy. DESIGN A prospective cohort study of 252 adult patients admitted to the hospital and receiving antibiotics. Risk facctors for C. difficile diarrhea were first determined retrospectively in a different cohort of 300 hospitalized patients (primary cohort) and then prospectively in this cohort of 252 hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics (secondary cohort). At the time of hospital admission, disease was rated by clinicians as mild (1), moderate (2), severe (3), or extremely severe (4) using a modified Horn's index. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) for C. difficile diarrhea associated with increasing levels of disease severity. SETTING An urban teaching hospital affiliated with a medical school in Boston, Massachusetts. RESULTS The incidence of nosocomial C. difficile diarrhea was 8.7% in the primary cohort and 11% in the secondary cohort In the prospective cohort study (secondary cohort), the OR for C. difficile diarrhea associated with extremely severe disease was 17.6 (95% confidence interval, 5.8 to 53.5). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of a Horn's index score of 3 or more (severe to extremely severe disease) as a predictor of nosocomial C. difficile diarrhea were 79%, 73%, 27%, and 96%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide a means of early stratification of hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics according to their risk for nosocomial C. difficile diarrhea. Patients with severe to extremely severe disease at the time of admission may benefit from careful monitoring of antibiotic prescribing and early attention to infection control issues. In the future, these "high-risk" patients may benefit from prophylaxis studies of novel agents being developed to prevent C. difficile diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Kyne
- Gerontology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Kyne L, Hamel MB, Polavaram R, Kelly CP. Health care costs and mortality associated with nosocomial diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile. Clin Infect Dis 2002; 34:346-53. [PMID: 11774082 DOI: 10.1086/338260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 541] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2001] [Revised: 08/27/2001] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 271 patients were prospectively followed up to determine whether patients whose hospital stay is complicated by diarrhea due to Clostridium difficile experience differences in cost and length of stay and survival rates when compared with patients whose stay is not complicated by C. difficile-associated diarrhea. Forty patients (15%) developed nosocomial C. difficile-associated diarrhea. These patients incurred adjusted hospital costs of $3669--that is, 54% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17%-103%)--higher than patients whose course was not complicated by C. difficile-associated diarrhea. The extra length of stay attributable to C. difficile-associated diarrhea was 3.6 days (95% CI, 1.5-6.2). C. difficile-associated diarrhea was not associated with excess 3-month or 1-year mortality after adjustment for age, comorbidity, and disease severity. On the basis of the findings of this study, a conservative estimate of the cost of this disease in the United States exceeds $1.1 billion per year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine Kyne
- Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA.
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Kyne L, Warny M, Qamar A, Kelly CP. Association between antibody response to toxin A and protection against recurrent Clostridium difficile diarrhoea. Lancet 2001; 357:189-93. [PMID: 11213096 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(00)03592-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 590] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have reported that symptom-free carriers of Clostridium difficile have a systemic anamnestic immune response to toxin A. The aim of this study was to determine whether an acquired immune response to toxin A, during an episode of C. difficile diarrhoea, influences risk of recurrence. METHODS We prospectively studied 63 patients with nosocomial C. difficile diarrhoea. Serial serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations against C. difficile toxin A, toxin B, or non-toxin antigens were measured by ELISA. Individuals were followed for 60 days. FINDINGS 19 patients died (30%). Of the 44 who survived, 22 had recurrent C. difficile diarrhoea. Patients with a single episode of C. difficile diarrhoea (n=22) had higher concentrations of serum IgM against toxin A on day 3 of their first episode of diarrhoea than those with recurrent diarrhoea (n=22, p=0.004). On day 12, serum IgG values against toxin A were higher in patients who had a single episode of diarrhoea (n=7) than in those who subsequently had recurrent diarrhoea (n=9, p=0.009). The odds ratio for recurrence associated with a low concentration of serum IgG against toxin A, measured 12 days after onset of C. difficile diarrhoea, was 48.0 (95% CI 3.5-663). INTERPRETATION A serum antibody response to toxin A, during an initial episode of C. difficile diarrhoea, is associated with protection against recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kyne
- Gerontology Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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26
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78495111110.1097/00006199-200003000-00007" />
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Bliss DZ, Johnson S, Savik K, Clabots CR, Gerding DN. Fecal incontinence in hospitalized patients who are acutely ill. Nurs Res 2000; 49:101-8. [PMID: 10768587 DOI: 10.1097/00006199-200003000-00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Information about fecal incontinence experienced by patients in acute-care settings is lacking. The relationship of fecal incontinence to several well-known nosocomial or iatrogenic causes of diarrhea has not been determined. OBJECTIVES To determine the cumulative incidence of fecal incontinence in hospitalized patients who are acutely ill, and to ascertain the relationship between fecal incontinence and stool consistency, and between diarrhea and two well-known nosocomial or iatrogenic etiologies of diarrhea: Clostridium difficile and tube feeding. The relationship of fecal incontinence and risk factors for diarrhea associated with C. difficile and tube feeding in hospitalized patients was examined. METHODS Fecal incontinence, stool frequency and consistency, administration of tube feeding and medications, severity of illness, and nutritional data were prospectively recorded in 152 patients on acute or critical care units of a university-affiliated Veterans' Affairs Medical Center. Rectal swabs and stool specimens from patients were obtained weekly for C. difficile culture. C. difficile culture and cytotoxin assay were performed on diarrheal stools. HindIII restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) was used for typing of C. difficile isolates. RESULTS In this study, 33% (50/152) of the patients had fecal incontinence. The proportion of total surveillance days with fecal incontinence in these patients was 0.50 +/- 0.06. A greater percentage of patients with diarrhea had fecal incontinence than patients without diarrhea (23/53 [43%] vs. 27/99 [27%]; p = 0.04). Incontinence was more frequent in patients with loose/liquid stool consistency than in patients with hard/soft stool consistency (48/50 [96%] vs. 71/100 [71%]; p < 0.001). The proportion of surveillance days with fecal incontinence was related to the proportion of surveillance days with diarrhea (r = 0.69; p < 0.001) and the proportion of surveillance days with loose/liquid stools (r = 0.64; p < 0.001). Multivariate risk factors for fecal incontinence were unformed/loose or liquid consistency of stool (RR = 11.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2, 56.7), severity of illness (RR = 5.7; CI = 2.6, 12.3), and age (RR = 1.1; CI = 1, 1.1). CONCLUSIONS Fecal incontinence is common in hospitalized patients who are acutely ill, but the condition was not associated with any specific cause of diarrhea. Because loose or liquid stool consistency is a risk factor for fecal incontinence, use of treatments that result in a more formed stool may be beneficial in managing fecal incontinence. However, treatments that slow intestinal transit should be avoided in patients with C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Z Bliss
- University of Minnesota School of Nursing, Minneapolis 55455-0324, USA.
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Kyne L, Warny M, Qamar A, Kelly CP. Asymptomatic carriage of Clostridium difficile and serum levels of IgG antibody against toxin A. N Engl J Med 2000; 342:390-7. [PMID: 10666429 DOI: 10.1056/nejm200002103420604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 702] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clostridium difficile infection can result in asymptomatic carriage, mild diarrhea, or fulminant pseudomembranous colitis. We studied whether antibody responses to C. difficile toxins affect the risks of colonization, diarrhea, and asymptomatic carriage. METHODS We prospectively studied C. difficile infections in hospitalized patients who were receiving antibiotics. Serial stool samples were tested for C. difficile colonization by cytotoxin assay and culture. Serum antibody (IgA, IgG, and IgM) levels and fecal antibody (IgA and IgG) levels against C. difficile toxin A, toxin B, and nontoxin antigens were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Of 271 patients, 37 (14 percent) were colonized with C. difficile at the time of admission, 18 of whom were asymptomatic carriers. An additional 47 patients (17 percent) became infected in the hospital, 19 of whom remained asymptomatic. The baseline antibody levels were similar in the patients who later became colonized and those who did not. After colonization, those who became asymptomatic carriers had significantly greater increases in serum levels of IgG antibody against toxin A than did the patients in whom C. difficile diarrhea developed (P<0.001). The adjusted odds ratio for diarrhea was 48.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 3.4 to 678) among patients with colonization who had a serum level of IgG antibody against toxin A of 3.00 ELISA units or less, as compared with patients with colonization who had a level of more than 3.00 ELISA units. CONCLUSIONS We find no evidence of immune protection against colonization by C. difficile. However, after colonization there is an association between a systemic anamnestic response to toxin A, as evidenced by increased serum levels of IgG antibody against toxin A, and asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kyne
- Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Jiménez Paneque RE, Vázquez García J, Fariñas Seijas H. [Construction and validation of a severity of illness index of patients hospitalized in clinical areas]. GACETA SANITARIA 1997; 11:122-30. [PMID: 9340318 DOI: 10.1016/s0213-9111(97)71287-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Severity of illness indexes for hospitalized patients are frequently used for the assessment of hospital performance. The purpose here was to develop and validate a quantitative index for clinical areas which could measure severity of illness during hospitalization period and would be easy to obtain from the information contained in a regular clinical chart. The construction included item selection and search for items weights. Experts and literature were consulted and 74 clinical records provided empirical information. The result was the proposal of an index with two alternatives: one quantitative and the other ordinal with four levels of severity. Validation included four aspects of validity, general reliability, interrater agreement and internal consistency. Sixteen specialized physicians assessed content and face validity. One hundred clinical records of discharged patients were used to assess criterion, construct validity and reliability. Results show satisfactory validity in almost all aspects. The reliability coefficient was 0.95, Kappa coefficient was 0.4 for the ordinal index and correlation coefficients over 0.93 for the quantitative one. The index is ready for current applications in this context although some suggestions for future improvements were also included.
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Tacconelli E, Tumbarello M, Pittiruti M, Leone F, Lucia MB, Cauda R, Ortona L. Central venous catheter-related sepsis in a cohort of 366 hospitalised patients. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 1997; 16:203-9. [PMID: 9131322 DOI: 10.1007/bf01709582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Five hundred two central venous catheters inserted in 366 patients were evaluated prospectively over a one-year period to determine the frequency and risk factors associated with catheter-related sepsis. For study purposes, in cases in which catheter infection was suspected but the initial blood cultures were negative, the catheters were replaced by guidewire technique; otherwise, the catheters were routinely changed after 21 days by guidewire technique. A catheter-related infection was suspected in 190 cases (190/502, 38%). A diagnosis of catheter-related sepsis was established in 50 patients, which represents 10% of the total number of lines (502). Over a total of 6428 days of catheter use, the infection rate was 0.8 cases of sepsis per 100 catheter-days. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida spp. were the most frequently isolated aetiological agents of sepsis. On univariate analysis, six variables affecting the rate of catheter-related sepsis were identified: neutropenia for more than eight days (p < 0.001); AIDS (p < 0.001); haematological malignancy (p < 0.001); administration of total parenteral nutrition (p = 0.001); duration of site use (p = 0.04); and high APACHE II score (p = 0.04). The logistic regression analysis revealed that AIDS and haematological malignancies were independent risk factors of catheter-related sepsis. Catheter replacement over a guidewire was no more likely to be associated with sepsis than was percutaneous catheter insertion. In conclusion, although the incidence of established catheter infection is much lower than the incidence of suspected infection, in most cases of suspected infection it is wise to change the catheter with the guidewire technique and wait for culture of the tip, rather than to remove the catheter immediately. Such a policy may help reduce the number of unnecessary catheter removals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Tacconelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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Abstract
The activities of a consultation-liaison psychiatry service to general medical units in a university affiliated suburban teaching hospital are described, with a report from the MICRO-CARES clinical database on 165 consecutive referrals over a 12 month period. The referral rate was 4.2% of admissions. The data confirm the association of psychiatric referral and prolonged length of hospital stay (mean of 18 days for referred patients, 9 days for non-referred patients). The most common reasons for referral were depression, suicide risk evaluation, organic brain syndrome and suspected psychological component to illness. The most common psychiatric diagnoses were Mood Disorders (55%), Organic Mental Disorders (35%), Adjustment Disorders (19%), Somatoform and other Somatic Disorders (16%) and Personality Disorders (15%). Although 67% of patients received at least one confirmed diagnosis, 39% of all diagnoses remained "differential", or unconfirmed, at discharge. Concordance with drug recommendations was 97% and with non-drug recommendations 95%. Two groups of patients were prominent among the referrals: the young self-poisoning patient, and the older patient living alone. The issues involved in providing a liaison psychiatry service to general medical units with these characteristics are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Clarke
- Monash University Department of Psychological Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria
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McCue MJ, Thompson JM. The ownership difference in relative performance of rehabilitation specialty hospitals. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1995; 76:413-8. [PMID: 7741610 DOI: 10.1016/s0003-9993(95)80569-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Despite the rapid growth in the number of rehabilitation specialty hospitals in recent years, there is little knowledge of the performance of these facilities. The recent growth in the number of for-profit rehabilitation providers and increasing competition among for-profit and not-for-profit rehabilitation hospitals have raised questions about differences in performance. This study analyzed differences in financial and operational performance between for-profit rehabilitation specialty hospitals and not-for-profit rehabilitation specialty hospitals for fiscal years ending in 1989 through 1992. Because rehabilitation hospitals are exempted from Medicare's Prospective Payment System, but subject to cost limits established under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), this study controlled for the influence of TEFRA by grouping hospitals into "new" and "existing" categories. The findings show significantly higher net revenue and profits in existing for-profit rehabilitation hospitals. In addition, existing for-profit rehabilitation facilities served a larger percentage of Medicare patients and had fewer employees than existing not-for-profit facilities. It was concluded that existing for-profit rehabilitation hospitals maximized their charges to increase their revenues. These findings have important policy implications for reimbursement alternatives under consideration for inpatient rehabilitation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J McCue
- Department of Health Administration, Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298-0203, USA
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Asenjo MA, Baré L, Bayas JM, Prat A, Lledó R, Grau J, Salleras L. Relationship between severity, costs and claims of hospitalized patients using the Severity of Illness Index. Eur J Epidemiol 1994; 10:625-32. [PMID: 7859865 DOI: 10.1007/bf01719583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The results of the prospective application of Horn's 'Severity of Illness Index' in a teaching hospital during 1987, 1989, and 1990 constitute the basis of the present report. The average overall severity of illness scores for the three years were 1.42 in 1987, 1.65 in 1989, and 1.46 in 1990. Most of the processes evaluated in the three periods showed an overall distribution among severity levels 1 and 2, both overall and when the seven dimensions of the severity of illness index were analyzed. A statistically significant correlation between the overall severity of illness and average length of stay was found for patients in 1989 and 1990. The length of stay differed significantly in the different severity levels. When the four levels of the seven dimensions of the severity of illness index for 1987, 1989, and 1990 were compared, it was observed that figures were not uniformly distributed. There was a statistically significant association between severity of illness for hospital service and pharmacy charges per hospital stay for both 1989 and 1990, as well as a statistically significant inverse relationship between severity of illness and the number of claims per hospital service in both periods of time. Case-mix methods that account for the severity of patients constitute a useful indicator of quality for the management of different hospital services and of the hospital as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Asenjo
- Department of Technical Management, Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona, Spain
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35
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Jiménez Paneque RE, Gutiérrez Rojas AR, Fariñas Seijas H, Suárez García N, Fuentes Valdés E. [Variations in the postoperative length of stay according to patient characteristics in a general surgery service]. GACETA SANITARIA 1994; 8:180-8. [PMID: 7960457 DOI: 10.1016/s0213-9111(94)71191-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
With the purpose of identifying factors that explain variations in length of postoperative stay in a general surgery unit, information from 666 clinical records of discharged alive patients was collected. Factors related to the surgical procedure, the severity of the disease and the medical team together with sociodemographic characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Statistical analysis was based on analysis of variance and multiple linear regression. Variables with statistically significant regression coefficients (p < 0.001) were in this order: severity of complications, type of intervention, need for reintervention and severity of diagnosis. Sixty-seven percent of length of stay variation was explained by the included variables. Results allow to suggest an evaluation procedure which takes into account patient and operation characteristics.
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36
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Strain JJ, Hammer JS, Fulop G. APM task force on psychosocial interventions in the general hospital inpatient setting. A review of cost-offset studies. PSYCHOSOMATICS 1994; 35:253-62. [PMID: 8036254 DOI: 10.1016/s0033-3182(94)71773-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Several investigations of interventions with psychiatric and medical comorbidity (CM) in the medical inpatient setting have been reported. These studies include psychiatric liaison screening and interventions, psychosocial screening, and standard consultation. The studies had a variety of outcome variables: 1) altered psychiatric morbidity; 2) lag time to identification of CM; 3) lag time to referring to mental health disciplines; 4) cost offset; and 5) discharge placement. Methodological and design problems confound many of the results, in particular, the lack of random control procedures. However, similarity of findings of the frequency of CM in the inpatient setting and patient response to early detection and treatment should stimulate further research into the effects of psychiatric interventions in the acute inpatient medical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Strain
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Consultation Psychiatry, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY
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Walker KJ, Gilliland SS, Vance-Bryan K, Moody JA, Larsson AJ, Rotschafer JC, Guay DR. Clostridium difficile colonization in residents of long-term care facilities: prevalence and risk factors. J Am Geriatr Soc 1993; 41:940-6. [PMID: 8104968 DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1993.tb06759.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the period prevalence of Clostridium difficile disease and asymptomatic carriage in the residents of long-term care facilities (LTCF) and to characterize the risk factors for colonization or associated disease. DESIGN Period prevalence survey. SETTING Two long-term care facilities in St. Paul, MN. PARTICIPANTS Specimens were collected from 225 LTCF residents. MEASUREMENTS The dependent variable was the culture result for C. difficile, which was isolated and identified using selective culture media and a commercial anaerobe identification kit. Tissue culture assay was used to detect the ability of each C. difficile isolate to produce toxin. Independent variables (including gender, age, race, current medical diagnoses, severity of underlying disease, case mix, current clinical symptoms, current medications, antibiotic use within 4 weeks prior to specimen procurement, and other pertinent history) were obtained from the current medical record of each participant. RESULTS Of 225 stool cultures that were obtained, 16 (7.1%) were positive for C. difficile. None of the residents with a positive culture was symptomatic. History of nosocomial infection and the use of antibiotics in general, cephalosporins, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX), and histamine-2 blockers were significantly associated with positive C. difficile culture (P < or = 0.05) by univariate analyses. Trends towards significance (0.05 < 0.10) were noted for narcotic use, previous hospitalization, LTCF, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant, independent predictors of positive culture: antibiotic use in general (P = 0.028; relative risk = 3.31), histamine-2 antagonist use (P = 0.038; relative risk = 3.27), cephalosporin use (P = 0.038; relative risk = 4.66), and TMP/SMX use (P = 0.007; relative risk = 8.45). CONCLUSIONS The use of antibiotics, particularly cephalosporins and TMP/SMX, is a significant risk factor for asymptomatic carriage of C. difficile in long-term care facilities. The use of H-2 blockers was also a significant risk factor for carriage; however, this finding has not been reported previously and should be confirmed by independent studies. These medications should be used judiciously in the LTCF population. When diarrheal diseases are encountered in LTCF residents, a high index of suspicion for C. difficile infection should be maintained and the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Walker
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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Stineman MG, Escarce JJ. Analysis of Case Mix and the Prediction of Resource Use in Medical Rehabilitation. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/s1047-9651(18)30563-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Affiliation(s)
- M McKee
- Health Services Research Unit, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
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Lovett RB, Wagner L, McMillan S. Validity and reliability of a pediatric hematology oncology patient acuity tool. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 1991; 8:122-30. [PMID: 1930802 DOI: 10.1177/104345429100800305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate use of nursing resources in the pediatric hematology and oncology inpatient settings demands a patient acuity system that is easy to use and accurate, and that objectively measures nursing care needs of a specialized patient population. Structured survey of 13 comprehensive cancer centers and a review of the literature show no valid and reliable acuity tools for this pediatric population. The purpose of this project was to study the validity and reliability of a newly developed pediatric hematology and oncology acuity system designed to quantify patient care needs. A new acuity tool for this pediatric population was developed based on the patient classification tool used at Johns Hopkins Hospital Oncology Center (JHHOC). The levels of care from the JHHOC tool were adopted, with therapeutic indicators modified to reflect nursing diagnoses relevant to the pediatric inpatient. Nursing care hours required for each level of care were also identified. Validity was studied using a content validity index (CVI). Experts from the pediatric unit where the tool would be used were asked whether each therapeutic indicator was assigned to the correct level of care (1 thru 5) based on patient care hours. CVIs for items ranged from .5 to 1.0; the overall CVI for the tool was .93. Interrater reliability was studied using two raters from the unit. Data were collected for 150 patient observations on a 12-bed pediatric hematology and oncology inpatient and short-stay outpatient unit. The resulting Pearson correlation coefficient was r = .97 (P less than .001).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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41
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Noronha MF, Veras CT, Leite IC, Martins MS, Braga Neto F, Silver L. [The development of diagnosis-related groups--DRG's. Methodology for classifying hospital patients]. Rev Saude Publica 1991; 25:198-208. [PMID: 1820605 DOI: 10.1590/s0034-89101991000300007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The history of Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG's), a system for classifying patients in acute care hospitals, developed by researchers at Yale University, USA, is reviewed. DRGs are an instrument for measuring the hospital product, primarily from a management viewpoint. Starting with a review of the definitions of hospital product, the article follows the course from the first DRGs through the most recent revision, providing a summary of potential and current applications of the system in several countries, which range from payment mechanism to uses in quality control.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Noronha
- Departamento de Administração e Planejamento em Saúde, Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública/FIO-CRUZ-Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of early (in 14 days or less) readmissions to the hospital, and to identify risk factors for readmission. DESIGN Matched case-control. Cases (n = 155) were readmitted to the hospital within 14 days of a hospital discharge, while controls (n = 155) were not. Controls and cases were matched by week of hospital discharge. PATIENTS Two-year sequential sample of male veterans aged 65 years and over admitted to the Seattle Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. MEASUREMENTS Data about 31 potential risk factors were abstracted from the medical records. RESULTS Three risk factors associated with readmission risk were identified and include two or more hospital admissions in the previous year [odds ratio (OR) = 3.06], any medication dosage change in the 48 hours prior to discharge (OR = 2.34), and a visiting nurse referral for follow-up (OR = 2.78). One protective factor--discharge from the geriatric evaluation unit (GEU) (OR = 0.09)--was also determined. CONCLUSIONS Early unplanned readmissions were frequent at this VA facility. Since the strongest risk factor for readmission was the number of admissions in the previous year, readmissions appeared most commonly among high utilizers of inpatient VA care. This risk factor and others may be useful in identifying a group at high readmission risk, which could be targeted in intervention studies. The reduced readmission rate associated with the GEU suggests one potential intervention to decrease readmission risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Reed
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson
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43
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Abstract
DRGs have recently been revised to account for severity of illness through a more refined use of additional diagnoses (comorbidities and complications). Under the refined model, patients are differentiated with respect to classes of additional diagnoses that are disease and procedure specific. The Refined DRGs were evaluated with data from selected Barcelona hospitals and the findings compared to those obtained with Norwegian and English hospital discharge information. In terms of predictive performance, the Refined DRGs represent only a very small improvement over the second revision DRGs for the study's sample of European data. This lack of significant improvement is likely attributed to misclassification of the European discharges due to limited reporting of additional diagnoses. It is recommended that European countries use the Refined DRGs as a descriptive framework for reporting utilization statistics in order to encourage more complete reporting of comorbidities and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Freeman
- Department of Community and Family Medicine, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH 03756
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Leidl R. Theoretische Grundlagen der Produktspezifikation im Krankenhaus und angrenzende Fragen. Public Health 1991. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-84312-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Weintraub WS, Jones EL, King SB, Craver J, Douglas JS, Guyton R, Liberman H, Morris D. Changing use of coronary angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery in the treatment of chronic coronary artery disease. Am J Cardiol 1990; 65:183-8. [PMID: 2296887 DOI: 10.1016/0002-9149(90)90082-c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the use of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) over the last several years have resulted in a new and different environment for the interventional treatment of coronary artery disease. This study explores these changes as applied to the treatment of chronic coronary artery disease. The study population comprised 14,078 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization between 1981 and 1988. In 1981, 1,704 patients underwent a first known cardiac catheterization at Emory University Hospital or Crawford W. Long Hospital and were found to have significant coronary artery disease. Of these patients, 51.7% were treated medically, 44.0% by CABG and 4.3% with PTCA. A similar group comprised 1,719 patients in 1988. Of this group 41.2% were treated medically, 28.5% with CABG and 30.3% with PTCA. The data reveal a much more complex phenomenon than a simple increase in PTCA for the treatment of coronary disease at the expense of CABG. The CABG group aged such that the percent of the CABG population more than 65 years old increased from 26.0% of the total in 1981 to 44.9% of the total in 1988. The percent of patients with ejection fractions less than 50% in the CABG population increased from 24.5% in 1981 to 29.7% in 1988. The PTCA population had less severe disease, was younger and had better left ventricular function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- W S Weintraub
- Division of Cardiology, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 30322
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Hammond KW, Prather RJ, Date VV, King CA. A provider-interactive medical record system can favorably influence costs and quality of medical care. Comput Biol Med 1990; 20:267-79. [PMID: 2225783 DOI: 10.1016/0010-4825(90)90052-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The Geriatric Record and Multidisciplinary Planning System (GRAMPS) is a provider-interactive computerized medical record system designed to support outpatient geriatric practice in Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) clinics. In a controlled prospective study, physician use of the system was demonstrated to be associated with a reduction of the costs, and improvement in the quality and outcomes of patient care. The system was well-accepted by users, and provided a practical approach to physician data-entry. The system's text-handling and narrative generation capabilities support an extensive clinical content domain, contributing to overall performance. These features will be described in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- K W Hammond
- Health Services Research and Development, American Lake VA Medical Center, Tacoma, WA 98493
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47
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Goldman ES, Easterling MJ, Sheiner LB. Improving the homogeneity of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) by using clinical laboratory, demographic, and discharge data. Am J Public Health 1989; 79:441-4. [PMID: 2494894 PMCID: PMC1349971 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.79.4.441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
For 48 of the most common diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) at our hospital, we examined the ability of clinical laboratory tests, demographic data, and ICD-9-CM codes, which provide a measure of severity of illness, to predict patients' length of stay (LOS) more accurately than DRGs alone. For 10 of 20 medical DRGs and 13 of 23 surgical DRGs examined, we were able to increase the ability to predict LOS by at least 10 per cent. The laboratory tests that proved most predictive of LOS over all DRGs were the mean serum sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and albumin. The system is data driven, objective, and flexible, thus ensuring its utility for the purpose of equitable reimbursement.
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Affiliation(s)
- E S Goldman
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco 94143-0626
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48
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Abstract
We studied the acquisition and transmission of Clostridium difficile infection prospectively on a general medical ward by serially culturing rectal-swab specimens from 428 patients admitted over an 11-month period. Immunoblot typing was used to differentiate individual strains of C. difficile. Seven percent of the patients (29) had positive cultures at admission. Eighty-three (21 percent) of the 399 patients with negative cultures acquired C. difficile during their hospitalizations. Of these patients, 52 (63 percent) remained asymptomatic and 31 (37 percent) had diarrhea; none had colitis. Patient-to-patient transmission of C. difficile was evidenced by time-space clustering of incident cases with identical immunoblot types and by significantly more frequent and earlier acquisition of C. difficile among patients exposed to roommates with positive cultures. Of the hospital personnel caring for patients with positive cultures, 59 percent (20) had positive cultures for C. difficile from their hands. The hospital rooms occupied by symptomatic patients (49 percent) as well as those occupied by asymptomatic patients (29 percent) were frequently contaminated. Eighty-two percent of the infected cohort still had positive cultures at hospital discharge, and such patients were significantly more likely to be discharged to a long-term care facility. We conclude that nosocomial C. difficile infection, which was associated with diarrhea in about one third of cases, is frequently transmitted among hospitalized patients and that the organism is often present on the hands of hospital personnel caring for such patients. Effective preventive measures are needed to reduce nosocomial acquisition of C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- L V McFarland
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle
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49
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Lyons JS, Scherubel JC, Anderson RL, Swartz JA. Isolating the impact of psychiatric consultations in the general hospital: psychiatric comorbidities and nursing intensity. Int J Psychiatry Med 1989; 19:173-80. [PMID: 2807738 DOI: 10.2190/b8x2-6j98-xkxe-8plb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The amount of nursing services represents a substantial portion of the total cost of hospital treatment of medical/surgical patients. Patients receiving psychiatric consultations were compared to matched patients (DRG and LOS) who did not receive psychiatric services on the intensity of their nursing service needs. These two groups were then compared on the measure of nursing intensity before and after the timing of the consultation. Those who received a consultation had significantly lower intensity scores prior to seeing the psychiatrist. Although patients receiving psychiatric consultations did not show a significantly greater reduction in nursing acuity relative to their baseline levels than did the matched control patients, the amount of time the psychiatrist spent with consultation patients was positively related with the change in nursing intensity post-consultation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Lyons
- Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL 60611
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50
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de Pouvourville G. Differences in the approaches of the doctor, manager, politician and social scientist in health care controversies--hospital case-mix management methods: an illustration of the manager's approach in health care controversies. Soc Sci Med 1989; 29:341-9. [PMID: 2503891 DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(89)90282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Resource allocation methods in health care are one of the major sources of controversies between managers, doctors, politicians and social scientists. In the past 10 years, an important innovation has appeared in hospital management and payment methods: case based systems, the most well known being the Diagnostic Related Group (DRG), that have been used for 5 years by Medicare in the U.S.A. to pay for hospital care. Through the analysis of the diffusion of DRGs in the U.S.A. and in France, we support the idea that DRGs are a typical illustration of the managerial approach to health care. They represent a significant breach in professional autonomy through the introduction of bureaucratic rationality. We also show how scientific controversies are structured by the dynamics of the diffusion of case based management systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- G de Pouvourville
- Centre de Recherche en Gestion de l'Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France
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