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Background: Non-traumatic lower limb amputation rates are rising worldwide, resulting in increased hospitalisations and use of rehabilitation services. This study aimed to identify key comorbidities associated with prolonged length of stay or decreased functional gain for episodes receiving inpatient rehabilitation following non-traumatic lower limb amputation. Methods: Prospectively collected data submitted to the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcomes Centre were analysed. The cohort comprised episodes for patients (aged ≥18 years) discharged from inpatient rehabilitation between 1 July 2013 and 30 June 2018 following a non-traumatic lower limb amputation. Results: The cohort included 5074 episodes with an average age of 66.3 years and the majority being male (71.7%). Comorbidities affecting the ability to participate in rehabilitation were reported for 65.4% of episodes, most commonly diabetes mellitus (50.3%), cardiac disease (33.5%), and respiratory disease (10.1%). These comorbidities were associated with a prolonged length of stay and reduced functional improvement. Conclusion: This study showed comorbidities contribute to prolonged length of stay and poorer functional outcomes among those undergoing inpatient rehabilitation following non-traumatic lower limb amputation. Future research should focus on strategies to address these comorbidities to help improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. What is known about the topic? It is known that the presence of comorbidities contributes to lower limb amputation; however, the effect that comorbidities have on inpatient rehabilitation outcomes is not well reported. What does this paper add? This study identified five comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, cardiac disease, respiratory disease, renal failure with dialysis, and mental health problems) associated with prolonged length of stay and decreased functional outcomes following inpatient rehabilitation for non-traumatic lower limb amputation. What are the implications for practitioners? Our findings suggest practitioners should focus on strategies to address these comorbidities to help improve functional outcomes, reduce length of stay, and reduce healthcare costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare robotic versus laparoscopic colorectal operations for clinical outcomes, safety and cost. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed of 213 elective colorectal operations (59 robotic, 154 laparoscopic), matched by surgeon and operation type. Results: No differences in age, body mass index, median American Society of Anesthesiologists score or presence of cancer were observed between the laparoscopic or robotic surgery groups. However, patients undergoing robotic colorectal surgery were more frequently male (P = 0.004) with earlier T stage tumours (P = 0.02) if cancer present. Procedures took longer in cases of robotic surgery (302 vs 130 min; P < 0.001), and patients in this group were more frequently admitted to intensive care units (P < 0.001). Overall length of stay was longer (7 vs 5 days; P = 0.03) and consumable cost was A$2728 higher per patient in the robotic surgery group. Conclusion: Robotic colorectal surgery appears to be safe compared with current laparoscopic techniques, albeit with longer procedure times and overall length of stay, more frequent intensive care admissions and higher consumables cost. What is known about the topic?: Robotic surgery is an emerging alternative to traditional laparoscopic approaches in colorectal surgery. International trials suggest the two techniques are equivalent in safety. What does this paper add?: This is an original cohort study examining clinical outcomes in Australian colorectal robotic surgery. The data suggest it may be safe, but this paper demonstrates key issues in the implementation and audit of novel surgical technologies in relatively low-volume centres. What are implications for practitioners?: In our study, patients undergoing robotic colorectal surgery at a single centre in Australia had equivalent measured clinical outcomes to those undergoing laparoscopic surgery. However, practitioners may counsel patients that robotic procedures are typically longer and more expensive, with a longer overall hospital admission and a higher likelihood of intensive care admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The management of low-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) patients through ambulatory programs has demonstrated comparative safety and effectiveness to in-patient strategies. However, there is limited evidence of benefits of changing practice, particularly on a national scale. The aim of this study was to estimate costs and benefits of the program over a 10-year time horizon. Methods: A comparative cost analysis from a health system perspective was performed, comparing costs and length of stay (LOS) of patients enrolled in an ambulatory program to a historical cohort who did not receive the program. Generalised linear models were used for analysis and bootstrapped to account for uncertainty. National data of identified FN admissions were used to inform future projections, with varying proportions of low-risk patients and eligibility for the ambulatory program. Results: The overall LOS for patients in ambulatory cohort was 1.9 days shorter (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–2.8 days), a 50% reduction in in-patient bed-days. Although patients in the ambulatory cohort incurred additional costs due to care received outside hospital (mean (± s.d.) A$828.03 ± 124.30), the mean total cost incurred remained substantially lower than that of the historical cohort (A$2979 lower; 95% CI A$772–5391). On a national scale, this could translate into A$62.7 million in costs averted and 41 347 bed-days saved over 10 years if the low-risk prediction rate and eligibility for ambulatory programs remained at currently observed rates. Conclusions: The wider implementation of a safe and effective ambulatory program to manage low-risk FN patients can result in significant return-on-investment for the healthcare system by eliminating avoidable costs due to unnecessary lengthy hospital admissions. What is known about the topic?: There is strong evidence demonstrating out-patient treatment of low-risk FN patients to be an effective and cost-effective strategy compared with continued in-patient hospitalisation. What does this paper add?: This study demonstrates the sustainability of the ambulatory program in ensuring cost benefits and in-patient beds through real-life implementation data. It also provides evidence of the substantial cost and bed-days potentially averted when the cost savings and difference in LOS are estimated on a national scale over a 10-year time horizon. What are the implications for practitioners?: The management of low-risk FN patients through ambulatory or out-patient programs is a safe and effective approach. There is strong evidence demonstrating the likely cost savings and considerable bed-days saved, which can be reallocated to meet other medical demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restorative home-care services, or re-ablement home-care services as they are now known in the UK, aim to assist older individuals who are experiencing difficulties in everyday living to optimise their functioning and reduce their need for ongoing home care. Until recently, the effectiveness of restorative home-care services had only been investigated in terms of singular outcomes such as length of home-care episode, admission to hospital and quality of life. This paper reports on a more complex and perhaps more significant measure - the use and cost of the home-care and healthcare services received over the 2-year period following service commencement. Seven hundred and fifty older individuals referred for government-funded home care were randomly assigned to a restorative or standard service between June 2005 and August 2007. Health and aged care service data were sourced and linked via the Western Australian Data Linkage System. Restorative clients used fewer home-care hours (mean [ SD], 117.3 [129.4] vs. 191.2 [230.4]), had lower total home-care costs ( AU$5570 vs. AU$8541) and were less likely to be approved for a higher level of aged care ( N [%], 171 [55.2] vs. 249 [63.0]) during follow-up. They were also less likely to have presented at an emergency department ( OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.50-0.94) or have had an unplanned hospital admission [ OR (95% CI), 0.69 (0.50-0.95)]. Additionally, the aggregated health and home-care costs of the restorative clients were lower by a factor of 0.83 (95% CI 0.72-0.96) over the 2-year follow-up ( AU$19,090 vs. AU$23,428). These results indicate that at a time when Australia is facing the challenges of population ageing and an expected increase in demand for health and aged care services, the provision of a restorative service when an older person is referred for home care is potentially a more cost-effective option than providing conventional home care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the relationship of the implementation of a nurse‐led high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen protocol on the clinical outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis in a regional paediatric unit. Background: Bronchiolitis is a common lower respiratory illness and is the leading cause for hospitalisation of infants globally. Standard care involves the provision of supportive measures. Historically, supplemental oxygen was provided by low‐flow nasal cannula. High‐flow nasal cannula oxygen has been increasingly adopted despite limited evidence of its efficacy. Methods: This study employed non‐equivalent, post‐implementation only design to explore clinical outcomes of infants with bronchiolitis admitted for high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy. The study compared infants in the 24 months before and after the initiation of a high‐flow nasal cannula protocol. The primary clinical outcome was length of stay, secondary outcomes included time on high flow, weaning time, escalation of care and time outside of physiological parameters. Implementation strategy evaluation was measured by compliance with applying the protocol, reported as episodes of variance, and duration of variance. The StaRI checklist was selected as the most appropriate reporting guideline. Results: A total of 80 patients were admitted with bronchiolitis and received high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy during a 48‐month period; 37 patients were prior, and 43 after, the introduction of a nurse‐led high‐flow nasal cannula protocol. Length of stay was significantly reduced in the post‐implementation group compared to the historical control group (83.8 vs. 61.3 h). Time on high flow and weaning time was decreased in the post‐implementation group compared to the control group (33.5 vs. 26.7 h and 26 vs.12.25 h, respectively); however, these did not reach statistical significance. There was varied application of the HFNC protocol. Conclusions: The implementation of a nurse‐led high‐flow nasal cannula protocol was associated with a reduced length of stay. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study demonstrated that infants with bronchiolitis that were treated with a nurse‐led high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy protocol had positive effects on clinical outcomes including a shorter length of stay than compared with those with physician‐directed care in a regional paediatric unit. A weight‐based (2 L/kg) HFNC therapy was safely administered to infants with bronchiolitis in a regional hospital paediatric ward with no paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims We extended follow-up of a heart failure (HF) prevention study to determine if initially positive findings of improved cardiac recovery were translated into less de novo HF and/or all-cause mortality (primary endpoint) in the longer term. Methods and results The Nurse-led Intervention for Less Chronic HF (NIL-CHF) study was a single-centre randomized trial of nurse-led prevention involving cardiac inpatients without HF. At 3 years, 454 survivors (aged 66 ± 11 years, 71% men and 68% coronary artery disease) had the following: (i) a normal echocardiogram (128 cases/28.2%), (ii) structural heart disease (196/43.2%), or (iii) left ventricular diastolic dysfunction/left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVDD/LVSD: 130/28.6%). Outcomes were examined during median 8.3 (interquartile range 7.8–8.8) years according to these hierarchal groups and change in cardiac status from baseline to 3 years. Overall, 109 (24.0%) participants had a de novo HF admission or died while accumulating 551 cardiovascular-related admissions/3643 days of hospital stay. Progressively worse cardiac status correlated with increased hospitalizations (P < 0.001). The mean rate (95% confidence interval) of cardiovascular admissions/days of hospital stay being 0.09 (0.05–0.12) admissions/0.33 (0.13–0.54) days vs. 0.27 (0.20–0.34) admissions/2.20 (1.36–3.04) days per annum for those with a normal echocardiogram vs. LVDD/LVSD at 3 years. With progressively higher event rates, the adjusted hazard ratio for a de novo HF admission and/or death associated with a structural abnormality (24.5% of cases) and LVDD/LVSD (36.2%) at 3 years was 1.57 (0.82–3.01; P = 0.173) and 2.07 (1.05–4.05; P = 0.035) compared with a normal echocardiogram (10.9%). Mortality also mirrored the direction/extent of cardiac status/trajectory. Conclusions These data suggest the positive initial effects of NIL-CHF intervention on cardiac recovery contributed to better long-term outcomes among patients at high risk of HF. However, prevention of HF remains challenging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: The study investigated: (a) the usage patterns of paracetamol, and (b) the association between paracetamol use and patient outcomes such as liver and kidney functions among older people. Background: Paracetamol is a well‐known analgesic and antipyretic drug, with an excellent safety profile when used within its recommended dose. It is a commonly used drug by people aged over 65 years to treat chronic pain. Prolonged use of paracetamol in the elderly is poorly understood. As such, there is a genuine risk among older people of unintentional overdose. Methods: A retrospective analysis of medical records in rehabilitation wards was undertaken from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017. Patients' paracetamol use, prescribing patterns and biochemical results were analysed to assess for differences in admission and discharge biochemistry results. The TREND Statement was utilised to guide study reporting (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research, 2021). Results: A total of 1119 patients were admitted for seven or more days in a metropolitan tertiary hospital in Melbourne. Almost three‐quarters (74%) of patients were administered paracetamol; 76.1% received 'Immediate‐Release Paracetamol' (IRP), and 23.9% were given 'Sustained‐Release Paracetamol' (SRP). A proportion (4.5%) of patients in both the IRP and SRP groups received more than the daily recommended dose. There were limited statistically significant differences between patients' admission and discharge biochemistry results; group or time differences were observed, which were indicative of improvements within the paracetamol group. Conclusion: Paracetamol was a commonly used medication among long‐stay elderly patients. Precaution to ensure paracetamol use does not exceed recommended daily doses is required. This study suggests that paracetamol used at a therapeutic level in older patients had limited, negative associations with liver and kidney function. Relevance to clinical practice: The clinical practice regarding prolonged use of paracetamol is ambitious. The increased risk of paracetamol toxicity among the frail elderly is a concern. Optimising the dose adjustment in the elderly is important to avoid adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Adult febrile neutropenic oncology patients, at low risk of developing medical complications, may be effectively and safely managed in an ambulatory setting, provided they are appropriately selected and adequate supportive facilities and clinical services are available to monitor these patients and respond to any clinical deterioration. Methods. A cost analysis was modelled using decision tree analysis, published cost and effectiveness parameters for ambulatory care strategies and data from the State of Victoria's hospital morbidity dataset. Two-way sensitivity analyses and Monte Carlo simulation were performed to evaluate the uncertainty of costs and outcomes associated with ambulatory care. Results. The modelled cost analysis showed that cost savings for two ambulatory care strategies were ~30% compared to standard hospital care. The weighted average cost saving per episode of 'low-risk' febrile neutropenia using Strategy 1 (outpatient follow-up only) was 35% (range: 7-55%) and that for Strategy 2 (early discharge and outpatient follow-up) was 30% (range: 7-39%). Strategy 2 was more cost-effective than Strategy 1 and was deemed the more clinically favoured approach. Conclusion. This study outlines a cost structure for a safe and comprehensive ambulatory care program comprised of an early discharge pathway with outpatient follow-up, and promotes this as a cost effective approach to managing 'low-risk' febrile neutropenic patients. INSET: What is known about the topic?. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]