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Mohr NM, Young T, Vakkalanka JP, Carter KD, Shane DM, Ullrich F, Schuette AR, Mack LJ, DeJong K, Bell A, Pals M, Camargo CA, Zachrison KS, Boggs KM, Skibbe A, Ward MM. Provider-to-provider telehealth for sepsis patients in a cohort of rural emergency departments. Acad Emerg Med 2024; 31:326-338. [PMID: 38112033 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Telehealth has been proposed as one strategy to improve the quality of time-sensitive sepsis care in rural emergency departments (EDs). The purpose of this study was to measure the association between telehealth-supplemented ED (tele-ED) care, health care costs, and clinical outcomes among patients with sepsis in rural EDs. METHODS Cohort study using Medicare fee-for-service claims data for beneficiaries treated for sepsis in rural EDs between February 1, 2017, and September 30, 2019. Our primary hospital-level analysis used multivariable generalized estimating equations to measure the association between treatment in a tele-ED-capable hospital and 30-day total costs of care. In our supporting secondary analysis, we conducted a propensity-matched analysis of patients who used tele-ED with matched controls from non-tele-ED-capable hospitals. Our primary outcome was total health care payments among index hospitalized patients between the index ED visit and 30 days after hospital discharge, and our secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, hospital length of stay, 90-day mortality, 28-day hospital-free days, and 30-day inpatient readmissions. RESULTS In our primary analysis, sepsis patients in tele-ED-capable hospitals had 6.7% higher (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1%-11.5%) total health care costs compared to those in non-tele-ED-capable hospitals. In our propensity-matched patient-level analysis, total health care costs were 23% higher (95% CI 16.5%-30.4%) in tele-ED cases than matched non-tele-ED controls. Clinical outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONS Tele-ED capability in a mature rural tele-ED network was not associated with decreased health care costs or improved clinical outcomes. Future work is needed to reduce rural-urban sepsis care disparities and formalize systems of regionalized care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Mohr
- Departments of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, and Epidemiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Tracy Young
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - J Priyanka Vakkalanka
- Departments of Emergency Medicine and Epidemiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Knute D Carter
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Dan M Shane
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Fred Ullrich
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | | | - Luke J Mack
- Department of Family Medicine, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
- Avel eCARE, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | | | | | - Mark Pals
- Avel eCARE, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kori S Zachrison
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Krislyn M Boggs
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Adam Skibbe
- Department of Geography, University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
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2
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Ofoma UR, Deych E, Mohr NM, Walkey A, Kollef M, Wan F, Joynt Maddox KE. The Relationship Between Hospital Capability and Mortality in Sepsis: Development of a Sepsis-Related Hospital Capability Index. Crit Care Med 2023; 51:1479-1491. [PMID: 37338282 PMCID: PMC10615795 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000005973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Regionalized sepsis care could improve sepsis outcomes by facilitating the interhospital transfer of patients to higher-capability hospitals. There are no measures of sepsis capability to guide the identification of such hospitals, although hospital case volume of sepsis has been used as a proxy. We evaluated the performance of a novel hospital sepsis-related capability (SRC) index as compared with sepsis case volume. DESIGN Principal component analysis (PCA) and retrospective cohort study. SETTING A total of 182 New York (derivation) and 274 Florida and Massachusetts (validation) nonfederal hospitals, 2018. PATIENTS A total of 89,069 and 139,977 adult patients (≥ 18 yr) with sepsis were directly admitted into the derivation and validation cohort hospitals, respectively. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We derived SRC scores by PCA of six hospital resource use characteristics (bed capacity, annual volumes of sepsis, major diagnostic procedures, renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and major therapeutic procedures) and classified hospitals into capability score tertiles: high, intermediate, and low. High-capability hospitals were mostly urban teaching hospitals. Compared with sepsis volume, the SRC score explained more variation in hospital-level sepsis mortality in the derivation (unadjusted coefficient of determination [ R2 ]: 0.25 vs 0.12, p < 0.001 for both) and validation (0.18 vs 0.05, p < 0.001 for both) cohorts; and demonstrated stronger correlation with outward transfer rates for sepsis in the derivation (Spearman coefficient [ r ]: 0.60 vs 0.50) and validation (0.51 vs 0.45) cohorts. Compared with low-capability hospitals, patients with sepsis directly admitted into high-capability hospitals had a greater number of acute organ dysfunctions, a higher proportion of surgical hospitalizations, and higher adjusted mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.25-1.92). In stratified analysis, worse mortality associated with higher hospital capability was only evident among patients with three or more organ dysfunctions (OR, 1.88 [1.50-2.34]). CONCLUSIONS The SRC score has face validity for capability-based groupings of hospitals. Sepsis care may already be de facto regionalized at high-capability hospitals. Low-capability hospitals may have become more adept at treating less complicated sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uchenna R. Ofoma
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Elena Deych
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Nicholas M. Mohr
- Departments of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia, and Epidemiology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City IA, USA
| | - Allan Walkey
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The Pulmonary Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
- Evans Center for Implementation and Improvement Sciences, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Marin Kollef
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Fei Wan
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Department of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
| | - Karen E Joynt Maddox
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis MO, USA
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3
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Tu KJ, Wymore C, Tchangalova N, Fuller BM, Mohr NM. The impact of telehealth in sepsis care: A systematic review. J Telemed Telecare 2023:1357633X231170038. [PMID: 37093782 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x231170038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sepsis is associated with significant mortality. Telehealth may improve the quality of early sepsis care, but the use and impact of telehealth applications for sepsis remain unclear. We aim to describe the telehealth interventions that have been used to facilitate sepsis care, and to summarize the reported effect of telehealth on sepsis outcomes. DATA SOURCES We identified articles reporting telehealth use for sepsis using an English-language search of PubMed, CINAHL Plus (EBSCO), Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), APA PsycINFO (EBSCO), Public Health (ProQuest), and Web of Science databases with no restrictions on publication date. STUDY SELECTION Included studies described the use of telehealth as an intervention for treating sepsis. Only comparative effectiveness analyses were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, two investigators independently selected articles for inclusion and abstracted data. A random-effects subgroup analysis was conducted on patient survival treated with and without telehealth. RESULTS A total of 15 studies were included, involving 188,418 patients with sepsis. Thirteen studies used observational study designs, and the most common telehealth applications were provider-to-provider telehealth consultation and intensive care unit telehealth. Clinical and methodological heterogeneity was significantly high. Telehealth use was associated with higher survival, especially in settings with low control group survival. The effect of telehealth on other care processes and outcomes were more varied and likely dependent on hospital-level factors. CONCLUSIONS Telehealth has been used in diverse applications for sepsis care, and it may improve patient outcomes in certain contexts. Additional interventional trials and cost-based analyses would clarify the causal role of telehealth in improving sepsis outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J Tu
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Cole Wymore
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nedelina Tchangalova
- Research and Academic Services, University of Maryland Libraries, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Brian M Fuller
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicholas M Mohr
- Departments of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia Critical Care, and Epidemiology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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O'Shea AM, Reisinger HS, Panos R, Goede M, Fortis S. Association of interactions between Tele-critical care and bedside with length of stay and mortality. J Telemed Telecare 2022:1357633X221107993. [PMID: 35770292 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x221107993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Substantial variation exists in telemedicine critical care (Tele-CC) effectiveness, which may be explained by heterogeneity in Tele-CC implementation and utilization. METHODS We studied inpatient intensive care unit (ICU) admissions within the Veterans Health Administration from January 2005 to September 2018. Tele-CC affiliation was based on a facility's Tele-CC go-live date. Tele-CC interaction was quantified as the monthly number of video activations, recorded in the eCaremanager® (Phillips) system, per patient days. Tele-CC affiliated facilities were propensity-score matched to facilities without Tele-CC by hospital volume and average modified APACHE scores. We examined the effect of Tele-CC affiliation and the quantity of video interactions between Tele-CC and bedside on hospital outcomes. RESULTS Comparing Tele-CC affiliated and control facilities, affiliated patients were, on average, younger (66.8 years vs 67.8 years; p < 0.001) and more likely to be rural residents (11.3% vs 6.5%; p < 0.001). Stratifying the Tele-CC affiliated facilities, facilities with frequent interactions care for more rural and sicker patients relative to facilities with infrequent interactions. Adjusting for patient demographics, facilities in the top tertile of interactions and propensity score matched control facilities were assessed; patients in ICU's with Tele-CC access experienced shorter ICU-specific lengths of stay (RR = 0.39; 95% CI = [0.23, 0.65]). However, when facilities in the bottom tertile and propensity score matched control facilities were assessed, no significant differences were noted in ICU length of stay. DISCUSSION Tele-CC interactions may occur more frequently for higher acuity patients. Increased Tele-CC interactions may improve health outcomes for the most acute and complex ICU cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Mj O'Shea
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, 12243University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Heather S Reisinger
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, 12243University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ralph Panos
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division and Cincinnati Tele-CC, Cincinnati VAMC, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, 12303University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Matt Goede
- VA Tele-Critical. Care West, 20040Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Surgery, Division of Acute Care Surgery, 12284University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Spyridon Fortis
- Center for Access and Delivery Research and Evaluation, Iowa City VA Health Care System, Iowa City, IA, USA
- VA Tele-Critical. Care West, 20040Minneapolis VA Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine, 12243University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
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5
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Walton NT, Mohr NM. Concept review of regionalized systems of acute care: Is regionalization the next frontier in sepsis care? J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open 2022; 3:e12631. [PMID: 35024689 PMCID: PMC8733842 DOI: 10.1002/emp2.12631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Regionalization has become a buzzword in US health care policy. Regionalization, however, has varied meanings, and definitions have lacked contextual information important to understanding its role in improving care. This concept review is a comprehensive primer and summation of 8 common core components of the national models of regionalization informed by text-based analysis of the writing of involved organizations (professional, regulatory, and research) guided by semistructured interviews with organizational leaders. Further, this generalized model of regionalized care is applied to sepsis care, a novel discussion, drawing on existing small-scale applications. This discussion highlights the fit of regionalization principles to the sepsis care model and the actualized and perceived potential benefits. The principal aim of this concept review is to outline regionalization in the United States and provide a roadmap and novel discussion of regionalized care integration for sepsis care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas M. Mohr
- Departments of Emergency Medicine, Anesthesia‐Critical Care Medicine, and EpidemiologyUniversity of Iowa–Carver College of MedicineIowa CityIowaUSA
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6
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Hayden EM, Davis C, Clark S, Joshi AU, Krupinski EA, Naik N, Ward MJ, Zachrison KS, Olsen E, Chang BP, Burner E, Yadav K, Greenwald PW, Chandra S. Telehealth in emergency medicine: A consensus conference to map the intersection of telehealth and emergency medicine. Acad Emerg Med 2021; 28:1452-1474. [PMID: 34245649 DOI: 10.1111/acem.14330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Telehealth has the potential to significantly change the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) and has rapidly expanded in EM during the COVID pandemic; however, it is unclear how EM should intersect with telehealth. The field lacks a unified research agenda with priorities for scientific questions on telehealth in EM. METHODS Through the 2020 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's annual consensus conference, experts in EM and telehealth created a research agenda for the topic. The multiyear process used a modified Delphi technique to develop research questions related to telehealth in EM. Research questions were excluded from the final research agenda if they did not meet a threshold of at least 80% of votes indicating "important" or "very important." RESULTS Round 1 of voting included 94 research questions, expanded to 103 questions in round 2 and refined to 36 questions for the final vote. Consensus occurred with a final set of 24 important research questions spanning five breakout group topics. Each breakout group domain was represented in the final set of questions. Examples of the questions include: "Among underserved populations, what are mechanisms by which disparities in emergency care delivery may be exacerbated or ameliorated by telehealth" (health care access) and "In what situations should the quality and safety of telehealth be compared to in-person care and in what situations should it be compared to no care" (quality and safety). CONCLUSION The primary finding from the process was the breadth of gaps in the evidence for telehealth in EM and telehealth in general. Our consensus process identified priority research questions for the use of and evaluation of telehealth in EM to fill the current knowledge gaps. Support should be provided to answer the research questions to guide the evidenced-based development of telehealth in EM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M. Hayden
- Department of Emergency Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA USA
| | - Christopher Davis
- Department of Emergency Medicine University of Colorado School of Medicine Aurora CO USA
| | - Sunday Clark
- Department of Emergency Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY USA
| | - Aditi U. Joshi
- Department of Emergency Medicine Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia PA USA
| | | | - Neel Naik
- Department of Emergency Medicine Weill Cornell Medicine New York NY USA
| | - Michael J. Ward
- Department of Emergency Medicine Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville TN USA
| | - Kori S. Zachrison
- Department of Emergency Medicine Massachusetts General Hospital Boston MA USA
| | - Erica Olsen
- Department of Emergency Medicine Columbia UniversityCollege of Physicians and Surgeons New York NY USA
| | - Bernard P. Chang
- Department of Emergency Medicine Columbia UniversityCollege of Physicians and Surgeons New York NY USA
| | - Elizabeth Burner
- Department of Emergency Medicine Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Kabir Yadav
- Department of Emergency Medicine Harbor–UCLA Medical Center Torrance CA USA
| | | | - Shruti Chandra
- Department of Emergency Medicine Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia PA USA
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7
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Mohr NM, Harland KK, Okoro UE, Fuller BM, Campbell K, Swanson MB, Simpson SQ, Parker EA, Mack LJ, Bell A, DeJong K, Faine B, Zepeski A, Mueller K, Chrischilles E, Carpenter CR, Jones MP, Ward MM. TELEmedicine as an intervention for sepsis in emergency departments: a multicenter, comparative effectiveness study (TELEvISED Study). J Comp Eff Res 2021; 10:77-91. [PMID: 33470848 DOI: 10.2217/cer-2020-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a life-threatening infection that affects over 1.7 million Americans annually. Low-volume rural hospitals have worse sepsis outcomes, and emergency department (ED)-based telemedicine (tele-ED) has been one promising strategy for improving rural sepsis care. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of tele-ED consultation on sepsis care and outcomes in rural ED patients. The TELEvISED study is a multicenter (n = 25) retrospective propensity-matched comparative effectiveness study of tele-ED care for rural sepsis patients in a mature tele-ED network. Telemedicine-exposed patients will be matched with non telemedicine patients using a propensity score to predict tele-ED use. The primary outcome is 28-day hospital free days, and secondary outcomes include adherence with guidelines, mortality and organ failure. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04441944.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Mohr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesia, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Karisa K Harland
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Uche E Okoro
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Brian M Fuller
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Kalyn Campbell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Surgery, Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55415, USA
| | - Morgan B Swanson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Stephen Q Simpson
- Department of Pulmonary, Critical Care, & Sleep Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.,Biomedical Advanced Research & Development Authority, US Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC 20201, USA
| | - Edith A Parker
- Department of Community & Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Luke J Mack
- Avera eCARE, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA.,Department of Family Medicine, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA
| | | | | | - Brett Faine
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Care, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Department of Health Management & Policy, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Anne Zepeski
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Care, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Department of Health Management & Policy, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Keith Mueller
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Elizabeth Chrischilles
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Christopher R Carpenter
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael P Jones
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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8
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Subramanian S, Pamplin JC, Hravnak M, Hielsberg C, Riker R, Rincon F, Laudanski K, Adzhigirey LA, Moughrabieh MA, Winterbottom FA, Herasevich V. Tele-Critical Care: An Update From the Society of Critical Care Medicine Tele-ICU Committee. Crit Care Med 2020; 48:553-561. [PMID: 32205602 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2014, the Tele-ICU Committee of the Society of Critical Care Medicine published an article regarding the state of ICU telemedicine, one better defined today as tele-critical care. Given the rapid evolution in the field, the authors now provide an updated review. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION We searched PubMed and OVID for peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2018 related to significant developments in tele-critical care, including its prevalence, function, activity, and technologies. Search terms included electronic ICU, tele-ICU, critical care telemedicine, and ICU telemedicine with appropriate descriptors relevant to each sub-section. Additionally, information from surveys done by the Society of Critical Care Medicine was included given the relevance to the discussion and was referenced accordingly. DATA EXTRACTION AND DATA SYNTHESIS Tele-critical care continues to evolve in multiple domains, including organizational structure, technologies, expanded-use case scenarios, and novel applications. Insights have been gained in economic impact and human and organizational factors affecting tele-critical care delivery. Legislation and credentialing continue to significantly influence the pace of tele-critical care growth and adoption. CONCLUSIONS Tele-critical care is an established mechanism to leverage critical care expertise to ICUs and beyond, but systematic research comparing different models, approaches, and technologies is still needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Subramanian
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department Anesthesiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
| | - Jeremy C Pamplin
- Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center, Ft. Detrick, MD
- Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD
| | - Marilyn Hravnak
- Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, School of Nursing, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | | | | | - Fred Rincon
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Krzysztof Laudanski
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Leonard Davis Institute for Healthcare Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - M Anas Moughrabieh
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Fiona A Winterbottom
- Advanced Practice Provider, Pulmonary Critical Care Evidence-Based Practice Facilitator, The Center for EBP and Nursing Research Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA
| | - Vitaly Herasevich
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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9
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Mohr NM, Campbell KD, Swanson MB, Ullrich F, Merchant KA, Ward MM. Provider-to-provider telemedicine improves adherence to sepsis bundle care in community emergency departments. J Telemed Telecare 2020; 27:518-526. [PMID: 31903840 DOI: 10.1177/1357633x19896667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency. Together, early recognition and intervention decreases mortality. Protocol-based resuscitation in the emergency department (ED) has improved survival in sepsis patients, but guideline-adherent care is less common in low-volume EDs. This study examined the association between provider-to-provider telemedicine and adherence with sepsis bundle components in rural community hospitals. METHODS This is a prospective cohort study of adults presenting with sepsis or septic shock in community EDs participating in rural telemedicine networks. The primary outcome was adherence to four sepsis bundle requirements: lactate measurement within 3 hours, blood culture before antibiotics, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. Multivariable generalized estimating equations estimated the association between telemedicine and adherence. RESULTS In this cohort (n = 655), 5.6% of subjects received ED telemedicine consults. The telemedicine group was more likely to be male and have a higher severity of illness. After adjusting for severity and chief complaint, total sepsis bundle adherence was higher in the telemedicine group compared with the non-telemedicine group (aOR 17.27 [95%CI 6.64-44.90], p < 0.001). Telemedicine consultation was associated with higher adherence with three of the individual bundle components: lactate, antibiotics, and fluid resuscitation. DISCUSSION Telemedicine patients were more likely to receive initial blood lactate measurement, timely broad-spectrum antibiotics, and adequate fluid resuscitation. In rural, community EDs, telemedicine may improve sepsis care and potentially reduce disparities in sepsis outcomes at low-volume facilities. Future work should identify specific components of telemedicine-augmented care that improve performance with sepsis quality indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Mohr
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.,Department of Anesthesia Division of Critical Care, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Kalyn D Campbell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Morgan B Swanson
- Department of Emergency Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Fred Ullrich
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Kimberly A Merchant
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
| | - Marcia M Ward
- Department of Health Management and Policy, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA
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10
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Double inter-hospital transfer in Sepsis patients presenting to the ED does not worsen mortality compared to single inter-hospital transfer. J Crit Care 2019; 56:49-57. [PMID: 31837601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2019.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Sepsis is a leading cause of hospital deaths. Inter-hospital transfer is frequent in sepsis and is associated with increased mortality. Some sepsis patients undergo two inter-hospital transfers (double transfer). This study assessed the (1) prevalence, (2) associated risk factors, (3) associated mortality, and (4) hospital length-of-stay and costs of double-transfer of sepsis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective cohort study using 2005-2014 administrative claims data in Iowa. Multivariable generalized estimating equations adjusted for potential confounding variables, with a primary outcome of mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length-of-stay and costs. Hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios estimated hospital costs. Hospitals were categorized into quintiles based on sepsis-volume. RESULTS Of 15,182 sepsis subjects, there were 45.2% non-transfers and 2.1% double-transfers. Double-transfers had worse mortality than non-transfers but not single-transfers. Of the non-transfers, 44.9% presented to a top sepsis-volume hospital compared to 22.8% of double-transfers and 25.1% of single-transfers. After transfer from first to second hospital, 93.4% of the single-transfers and 92.2% of the double-transfers were at a top sepsis-volume hospital. Double-transfers had longer length-of-stay and more in total hospital costs than single-transfers. CONCLUSIONS Double-transfer occurs in 2.1% of Iowa sepsis patients. Double-transfers had similar mortality and increased length of stay and costs compared to single-transfers.
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