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Objective: Transition from the hospital to an outpatient setting is a multifaceted process requiring coordination among a variety of services and providers to ensure a high-quality discharge. Vascular surgery patients comprise a complex population that experiences high unplanned readmission rates. We performed a qualitative study to identify themes for process improvement for vascular surgery patients. A validated discharge process, RED (Re-Engineered Discharge), was used to identify additional actionable themes to create a more efficient discharge process tailored specifically to the vascular surgery population. Methods: A prospective, qualitative analysis at a tertiary center using a semi-structured focus group interview guide was performed to evaluate the current discharge process and identify opportunities for improvement. Focus groups were Zoom recorded, transcribed into electronic text files, and were loaded into Dedoose qualitative software for analysis using a directed content analysis approach. Two researchers independently thematically coded each transcript, starting with accepted discharge components to identify new thematic categories. Prior to analysis, all redundancy of codes was resolved, and all team members agreed on text categorization and coding. Results: Eight focus groups with a total of 38 participants were conducted. Participants included physicians (n = 13), nursing/ancillary staff (n = 14), advanced nurse practitioners (n = 2), social worker/dietitian/pharmacist (n = 3), and patients (n = 6). Transcript analyses revealed facilitators and barriers to the discharge process. In addition to traditional RED components, unique concepts pertinent to vascular surgery patients included patient complexity, social determinants of health, technology literacy, complexity of ancillary services, discharge appropriateness, and use of advanced nurse practitioners for continuity. Conclusions: Specific themes were identified to target and enhance the future vRED (vascular Re-Engineered Discharge) bundle. Thematic targets for improvement include increased planning, organization, and communication prior to discharge to address vascular surgery patients' multiple comorbidities, extensive medication lists, and need for complex ancillary services at the time of discharge. Other thematic barriers discovered to improve include provider awareness of patient health literacy, patient understanding of complex discharge instructions, patient technology barriers, and intrinsic social determinants of health in this population. To address these discovered barriers, organizational targets to improve include enhanced social support, the use of advanced nurse practitioners for education reinforcement, and increased coordination. These results provide a framework for future quality improvement targeting the vascular surgery discharge process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular surgery patients have a high incidence of unplanned hospital readmissions and complications. Previous research has not fully examined specific elements of the hospital discharge process for vascular surgery patients to identify issues that may contribute to readmissions. The objective of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore challenges identified by healthcare providers and patients regarding the discharge process from an academic vascular surgery service. Data were collected from eight focus group interviews and analyzed for relevant themes. Patients and healthcare providers identified several challenges within the standard discharge process, including ineffective communication, insufficient time for discharge education, and limitations accessing providers with post‐discharge concerns. These obstacles may be ameliorated in part by specialized coordinators, caregiver support, and use of adaptive strategies outside of the current discharge process. The discharge challenges described by study participants likely contribute to adverse post‐hospitalization outcomes, including unplanned hospital readmissions. A multifaceted approach that incorporates standardized discharge processes, as well as informal problem‐solving strategies, is recommended to improve hospital discharge and outcomes for vascular surgery patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In order to be reimbursed for the care they provide, hospitals in the United States are required to use a standard system to code all discharge diagnoses: the International Classification of Disease, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9). Although ICD-9 codes specific for child maltreatment exist, they do not identify all maltreatment-related hospital and emergency department discharges. To increase the usefulness of medical data for public health surveillance of child maltreatment, this project sought to identify ICD-9 codes that are suggestive of child maltreatment. Methods: After review of the literature and discussions with experts, injuries and conditions that should raise suspicion of child maltreatment (physical or sexual abuse or neglect) were identified and a list of corresponding ICD codes was compiled. Using a statewide electronic database of hospital discharges and emergency department (ED) visits for the year 2000, visits by children assigned these ICD codes were identified, a sample of visits was selected, and medical records were reviewed to assess the circumstances of the injury or illness that led to the visit. Based on information in the medical record, the injury or illness was classified as maltreatment-related, or not. Results: There were 3,684 visits selected for review. Of these, 2,826 records were reviewed and classified; 1,200 (43%) records met the criteria for being maltreatment-related, 1,419 (50%) contained adequate information indicating the injury/condition was not likely maltreatment-related, and 207 (7%) records did not contain enough information to classify. Sixty-eight ICD codes had greater than 66% of visits classified as maltreatment-related, the "a priori" criteria for a code to be considered suggestive of maltreatment. Codes suggestive of maltreatment include specific fractures, burns, and injuries of undetermined intent, among others. Conclusion: Several ICD codes were found that, when used with age restrictions and other specific exclusion criteria, are suggestive of maltreatment. This information may increase the usefulness of hospital discharge data for public health surveillance of child maltreatment. Practice implications: Use of these suggestive codes facilitates identifying conditions and injuries that are likely maltreatment-related in hospital discharge and ED visit data. When used in conjunction with ICD maltreatment-specific codes, these suggestive codes may enhance the use of medical data for monitoring child maltreatment trends. (Contains 6 tables.)

Elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair for patients with a diagnosis of cancer has remained controversial. In the present study, we evaluated the in-hospital outcomes for patients who had undergone AAA repair in the setting of a cancer diagnosis. Inpatients (2008-2018) who had undergone elective AAA repair were selected from the Cerner Health Facts database using International Classification of Diseases, ninth and tenth revision, procedure codes. We used χ2 analysis and logistic regression models to evaluate the association of patient characteristics with the medical and vascular outcomes. A total of 8663 patients who had undergone AAA repair were identified (270 with a cancer diagnosis and 8393 without a cancer diagnosis). No significant demographic differences were found between the two groups, except that more patients with a cancer diagnosis had undergone endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) than open aneurysm repair (88.2% vs 82.1%; P =.01). Male reproductive organ (24.8%) and lung (24.4%) cancer were the most common cancer diagnoses in the cohort. The unadjusted analysis revealed that patients with a cancer diagnosis were more likely to require remedial EVAR (relative risk, 3.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-10.2) or reoperation for bleeding, infection, or thrombosis (relative risk, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.09-2.32). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that, overall, patients with a cancer diagnosis were more likely to require a prolonged length of stay (odds ratio [OR], 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5-3.3) and to have developed respiratory failure (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.3-3.4) or infection (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.2-2.4). Similar point estimates were found for men with and without a cancer diagnosis. However, women with a cancer diagnosis had a greater odds of a prolonged length of stay compared with women without a cancer diagnosis (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.2-5.6). EVAR in the presence of a cancer diagnosis was also significantly associated with poor outcomes. Elective AAA repair for patients with a cancer diagnosis was associated with a prolonged length of stay and the development of infection, respiratory failure, and vascular-specific complications during the inpatient hospitalization. Given that differences in outcomes stratified by gender and treatment modality have been shown for patients with a cancer diagnosis, careful patient selection is important and reinforces the finding that cancer exerts negative systemic postoperative effects even when treated or quiescent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facebook® is a popular platform for older adults, especially as they try to stay in contact with their family around the country. It is also a popular platform for hosting online support groups. The readily available, socially acceptable, and free platform holds many advantages not only for older adults but also for nurse researchers designing and implementing interventions for older adults. The literature is void of proven methods to measure individual engagement with the Facebook platform. The current article describes efforts to develop a measurement process and evaluate the impact that engagement with Facebook has on improved mental health outcomes for older adults. Scores were severely skewed and ranged from no engagement to very high engagement. Engagement differed based on sex, race, and living arrangements with patients. Further work in this area is needed if nurse researchers are to consider the role of engagement in social media interventions. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(7), 10–17.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying individual and neighborhood-level factors associated with worsening cardiometabolic risks despite clinic-based care coordination may help identify candidates for supplementary team-based care. Methods: Secondary data analysis of data from a two-year nurse-led care coordination program cohort of Medicare, Medicaid, dual-eligible adults, Leveraging Information Technology to Guide High Tech, High Touch Care (LIGHT2), from ten Midwestern primary care clinics in the U.S. Outcome Measures: Hemoglobin A1C, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and blood pressure. Multivariable generalized linear regression models assessed individual and neighborhood-level factors associated with changes in outcome measures from before to after completion of the LIGHT2 program. Results: 6378 participants had pre-and post-intervention levels reported for at least one outcome measure. In adjusted models, higher pre-intervention cardiometabolic measures were associated with worsening of all cardiometabolic measures. Women had worsening LDL-cholesterol compared with men. Women with pre-intervention HbA1c > 6.8% and systolic blood pressure > 131 mm of Hg had worse post-intervention HbA1c and systolic blood pressure compared with men. Adding individual's neighborhood-level risks did not change effect sizes significantly. Conclusions: Increased cardiometabolic risks and gender were associated with worsening cardiometabolic outcomes. Understanding unresolved gender-specific needs and preferences of patients with increased cardiometabolic risks may aid in tailoring clinic-community-linked care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A focus on palliative care for residents with dementia is much more common in Dutch nursing homes than in the United States. We compared treatment and mortality in U.S. and Dutch nursing home residents with lower respiratory infections (LRI), which are often the immediate cause of death in dementia. Design and Methods: We studied two prospective cohorts--a study of pneumonia (n = 706) conducted in 61 psychogeriatric nursing homes throughout the Netherlands and 701 subjects with likely dementia from a study of LRIs in 36 nursing homes in Missouri. Results: Nursing home residents with dementia were more often treated without antibiotics in the Netherlands (23%) than in Missouri (15%). Indicators of severe illness operate in opposite directions: more severe illness is associated with antibiotic treatment in the United States, but with palliative treatment without antibiotics in the Netherlands. Implications: Our findings are consistent with others in indicating problems with transition to palliative care for U.S. nursing home residents with dementia. Key Words: Nursing homes, Aged, Dementia, Palliative care, Lower respiratory infection

Background. Scant information exists about the risk of functional decline following treatment of acute illness in the nursing home (NH) setting. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of short-term (30-day) functional decline among survivors of NH-acquired lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) and the factors that predict such decline, including the role of initial hospitalization. Methods. We used a prospective cohort design to study 781 episodes of LRI in 1044 NH residents in 36 NHs in central Missouri and the St. Louis metropolitan area. Functional decline was defined as a 3-point increase on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) activities of daily living (ADL) long form scale. Results. Of 781 LRI cases who survived to 30 days, the incidence of ADL decline was 28.8%. In a logistic regression model that used generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering, variables associated with ADL decline included the following: chronic feeding tube use (AOR = 4.54, 95% confidence interval, or CI, 1.61, 12.80), decubitus ulcer (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.29, 95% CI 1.35, 3.90), shortness of breath (AOR = 2.18, 95% CI 1.44, 3.30), short-term memory problems (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI 1.33, 3.23), decline in self-performance of toilet use in the 24 hours prior to evaluation (AOR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.29, 2.12), age (AOR = 1.02, 95% CI 1.00, 1.05), and baseline ADL score. Addition of treatment variables to the model showed that initial hospitalization was also associated with ADL decline (AOR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.20, 3.00). Residents with ADL decline at 30 days were less likely to recover to their baseline ADL status at 90 days. Conclusions. Many NH residents who survive to 30 days following LRI develop new functional limitations, and such individuals are at risk for ADL decline at 90 days. A limited number of clinical variables may predict short-term functional decline. Initial hospitalization for acute treatment of LRI may increase the risk of subsequent ADL decline among individuals who survive to 30 days.

Objective. Approximately 2000 children die annually in the United States from maltreatment. Although maternal and child risk factors for child abuse have been identified, the role of household composition has not been well-established. Our objective was to evaluate household composition as a risk factor for fatal child maltreatment. Methodology. Population-based, case-control study using data from the Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel system, 1992-1994. Households were categorized based on adult residents' relationship to the deceased child. Cases were all maltreatment injury deaths among children Results. Children residing in households with adults unrelated to them were 8 times more likely to die of maltreatment than children in households with 2 biological parents (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-21.5). Risk of maltreatment death also was elevated for children residing with step, foster, or adoptive parents (aOR: 4.7; 95% CI: 1.6-12.0), and in households with other adult relatives present (aOR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1-4.5). Risk of maltreatment death was not increased for children living with only 1 biological parent (aOR: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8-2.0). Conclusions. Children living in households with 1 or more male adults that are not related to them are at increased risk for maltreatment injury death. This risk is not elevated for children living with a single parent, as long as no other adults live in the home. Pediatrics 2002; 109:615-621; epidemiology, injury, child abuse and neglect, fatalities, mortality, maltreatment, case-control study, death, risk factors, behavior. ABBREVIATIONS. CFRP, Missouri Child Fatality Review Panel; SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome; aOR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval., Maltreatment of children causes an estimated 2000 deaths annually in the United States. (1) Ninety percent of these deaths occur among children Several studies have identified the following maternal risk [...]

Researchers have developed a health status indicator that can identify nursing home patients who have a high risk of death from a respiratory tract infection. The indicator includes blood urea nitrogen, white blood cell count, body mass index, pulse rate, activities of daily living status, absolute lymphocyte count, sex, and mood changes., Context Lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) is a leading cause of mortality and hospitalization in nursing home residents, Treatment decisions may be aided by a clinical prediction rule that identifies residents at low and high risk of mortality. Objective To identify patient characteristics predictive of 30-day mortality in nursing home residents with an LRI. Design, Setting, and Patients Prospective cohort study of 1406 episodes of LRI in 1044 residents of 36 nursing homes in central Missouri and the St Louis, Mo, area between August 15,1995, and September 30, 1998. Main Outcome Measure Thirty-day all-cause mortality. Results Thirty-day mortality was 14.7% (n = 207). In a logistic analysis, using generalized estimating equations to adjust for clustering, we developed an 8-variable model to predict 30-day mortality, including serum urea nitrogen, white blood cell count, body mass index, pulse rate, activities of daily living status, absolute lymphocyte count of less than 800/[micro]L (0.8 X 10(9)/L), male sex, and deterioration in mood over 90 days. In validation testing, the model exhibited reasonable discrimination (c = .76) and calibration (nonsignificant Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit statistic, P = 54). A point score based on this model's variables fit to the entire data set closely matched observed mortality. Fifty-two percent of residents had low (score of 0-4) or relatively low (score of 5-6) predicted 30-day mortality, with 2.2% and 6.2% actual mortality, respectively. Conclusions Our model distinguishes nursing home residents at relatively low risk for mortality due to LRI. If independently validated, our findings could help physicians identify nursing home residents in need of different therapeutic approaches for LRI.

Background and Objectives: Many family members struggle to negotiate their aging relative's care with nursing home staff, potentially leading to depression and other negative outcomes for residents' families. This pilot study tested an intervention designed to empower residents' family members to attend and participate in nursing home care plan meetings. Research Design and Methods: We conducted a small, randomized, controlled trial of the Families Involved in Nursing home Decision-making (FIND) intervention, which used web conferencing to facilitate family participation in care plan meetings. Results: Overall, FIND was feasible and acceptable. Family members who received the FIND intervention were more likely to experience decreased depressive symptoms than those who did not. Discussion and Implications: FIND is a promising approach to reduce depression among family members of nursing home residents. Findings support the need for a follow-up clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A more widespread adoption of smoking bans in workplaces could encourage more smokers to quit smoking altogether. Researchers interviewed 1,469 current or former smokers who worked in hospitals in 21 states and 920 current or former smokers who worked in workplaces in the community that did not have smoking bans. In 1993, the agency that accredits hospitals required all hospitals to be smoke-free. The quit rates among hospital employees one year after the smoking ban were almost twice as high as those in the community workers. Quit rates were even higher in hospitals that had voluntarily mandated smoking bans before 1993. Hospital employees also appeared to be further along on the smoking cessation cycle. For example, 30.5% were seriously thinking of quitting, compared to 23.4% in the community. Hospital employees who continued to smoke had reduced their daily cigarette consumption by an average of one cigarette. The hospital industry is the only industry that has implemented a nationwide smoking ban., Objective--To examine the impact of workplace smoking bans on smoking behavior of employees. Participants.--A total of 1469 current or former smokers (interventon group) employed in smoke-free hospitals and 920 current or former smokers (comparison group) employed in non-smoke-free workplaces were surveyed to determine smoking behavior. Design.--This cross-sectional study is part of a larger, ongoing prospective study. The study design was quasi-experimental. We randomly selected sites consisting of a hospital and a corresponding community. Furthermore, we randomly selected subjects from hospitals and their corresponding communities. Main Outcome Measures.--Postban quit ratio and progression along the stages-of-change continuum. Methods.--The Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare the postban quit ratio between the intervention and comparison groups. The Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel analysis of variance statistic was used to compare groups on the stages-of-change variables. Results.--Beginning with the smoking ban and continuing for 5 years after implementation, statistically significant differences in the postban quit ratio were observed between employees of smoke-free hospitals who were smokers and counterparts in the community (P

Background: Understanding challenges of family caregivers within specific palliative care contexts is needed. Objective: To describe the challenges of family caregivers of patients with cancer who receive outpatient palliative care. Methods: We summarized the most common and most challenging problems for 80 family caregivers of cancer patients receiving outpatient palliative care in the midwestern United States. Results: Caregiver worry and difficulty managing side effects or symptoms other than pain, constipation, and shortness of breath were most common. "Financial concerns" was cited most as a "top 3" problem. Almost half of caregivers reported "other" problems, including family members, patient physical function, care coordination, and patient emotional state. Conclusions: The most common and most challenging problems of family caregivers of cancer patients receiving outpatient palliative care may differ from those experienced in other serious illness care contexts. Comparative studies on caregiver problems across the cancer care continuum can help develop and refine interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]