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Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Purpose: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, private practice, inpatient consult services, and academic residency programs in ophthalmology saw a decrease in patient encounters. This study elucidates how community hospital ophthalmology consult (OC) services were affected during the pandemic. We aim to determine whether there was a change in resident OC volume in a community-based ophthalmology program consult service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondary objectives included analyzing the change in the types of diagnoses and the number of patients seen for diabetic retinopathy over the same time., Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted reviewing the electronic health record (EHR) charts from OCs for the period 2017-2021. Records were categorized by referral source and the nature of OCs (trauma, acute, or chronic); OCs were further grouped by year and weak of referral. An intermonth analysis of weekly OC counts in each category was performed for the average number of consults in February-April 2017-2019 and for February-April 2020. A one-tailed t-test was performed. All t-tests assumed equal variances., Results: Weekly OCs in 2020 revealed no statistically significant differences in overall cases or in acute or chronic cases when the volume before the COVID-19 pandemic was compared to the volume after the onset of the pandemic. However, a statistically significant increase in the average weekly trauma cases was noted when 2020 (an average of 2.7 cases per week) was compared to the weekly average for the same weeks of years 2017- 2019 (0.4; P = 0.016). This statistically significant increase in trauma in 2020 disappeared when comparing weeks 11-17 in 2020 (2.2 cases per week) and the average of 2017-2019 (1.1)., Conclusion: This report outlines no significant change in OCs before and after the onset of the pandemic compared to three previous years. There was, however, an increase in trauma consults during the pandemic and an increase in the number (though not the proportion) of diabetic retinopathy (DR+) patients seen by residents. This report uniquely describes no significant changes in the resident volume of patients seen during the COVID-19 global pandemic., Competing Interests: None

Rapid genome sequencing impacted real-time diagnostic and therapeutic management for patients in a nonacademic community hospital. A retrospective chart review of 24 patients identified that more than 60% had a change in medical management as a result of rapid genome sequencing., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The objective of the study is the identification of racial differences in characteristics and comorbidities in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and the impact on outcomes., Study Design: The study design is a retrospective observational study., Methods: Data for all patients admitted to seven community hospitals in Michigan, United States, with polymerase chain reaction confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from March 10 to April 15, 2020 were analyzed. The primary outcomes of racial disparity in inpatient mortality and intubation were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models., Results: The study included 336 Black and 408 White patients. Black patients were younger (62.9 ± 15.0 years vs 71.8 ± 16.4, P < .001), had a higher mean body mass index (32.4 ± 8.6 kg/m 2 vs 28.8 ± 7.5, P < .001), had higher prevalence of diabetes (136/336 vs 130/408, P = .02), and presented later (6.6 ± 5.3 days after symptom onset vs. 5.4 ± 5.4, P = .006) compared with White patients. Younger Black patients had a higher prevalence of obesity (age <65 years, 69.9%) than older Black patients (age >65 years, 39.2%) and younger White patients (age < 65, 55.1%). Intubation did not reach statistical significance for racial difference (Black patients 61/335 vs. 54/406, P = .08). Mortality was not higher in Black patients (65/335 vs. 142/406 in White patients, odds ratio 0.61, 95% confidence interval: 0.37 to 0.99, 2-sided P = .05) in multivariate analysis, accounting for other risk factors associated with mortality., Conclusions: Higher prevalence of obesity and diabetes in young Black populations may be the critical factor driving disproportionate COVID-19 hospitalizations in Black populations. Hospitalized Black patients do not have worse outcomes compared with White patients., (Copyright © 2020 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Ultrasound-facilitated, catheter-directed, low-dose fibrinolysis (USAT) appears to provide promising results for the management of acute submassive pulmonary embolisms (ASMPEs) at tertiary care centers. This study assessed outcome measures at a community-based hospital systems and compared results to known studies., Materials and Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective study assessing clinical outcomes of the EkoSonic Endovascular System intervention for ASMPEs performed by three surgical 3 subspecialties (interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, and vascular surgery) part of a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT). We reviewed 146 PERT activations from June 2013 to December 2017. Eighty-three patients with ASMPEs underwent USAT., Results: Our study showed greater differences ( P = .01) between baseline and follow-up pulmonary artery systolic pressures (20.9 ± 9.8 mm Hg [n = 14]) compared to the ULTIMA study (12.3 ± 10 mm Hg [n = 30]). Our length-of-stay measures were shorter (6.1 ± 5.1 [n = 83]; P = .0001) compared to the SEATTLE II study (8.8 ± 5.0 [n = 150]). Preprocedure transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) were performed for 54 (65%) of 83 patients. Postprocedure TTEs at 48 hours was performed for 52 (62%) of 83 patients. Use of TTEs before and after intervention did not change outcomes. Intracranial hemorrhage was not observed in our patient population. There was no difference in outcomes between the three subspecialties in our study., Conclusions: Use of USAT in a community-based hospital PERT has similar outcomes to tertiary care centers. Furthermore, similar outcomes were observed between the three subspecialties suggesting development of a comprehensive care team for management of ASMPEs.

This qualitative and descriptive study examined the feasibility of a bed-height alert system as a fall-prevention strategy. The alpha prototype was developed to measure and record bed height, and to remind staff to keep patient beds in the lowest position. This pilot project was conducted in a 52-bed adult acute surgical inpatient care unit of a Michigan community hospital. Qualitative and quantitative information was gathered during semistructured interviews of nursing staff (18 RNs and 13 PCAs; January-April 2011). Descriptive content analysis and descriptive analyses were performed. The overall response rate was 44.9%. The mean values of the feasibility questions are all favorable. Staff's comments also support the view that the alert system would promote patient safety and prevent falls. In short, this system was found to be somewhat useful, feasible, appropriate, and accurate. It has the potential to promote patient safety and prevent bed-associated injurious falls in inpatient care settings.

Background: Use of alteplase improves outcome in some patients with stroke. Several types of barrier frequently prevent its use. We assessed whether a standardised, barrier-assessment, multicomponent intervention could increase alteplase use in community hospitals in Michigan, USA., Methods: In a cluster-randomised controlled trial, we selected adult, non-specialty, acute-care community hospitals in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, USA. Eligible hospitals discharged at least 100 patients who had had a stroke per year, had less than 100 000 visits to the emergency department per year, and were not academic comprehensive stroke centres. Using a computer-generated randomisation sequence, we selected 12 matched pairs of eligible hospitals. Within pairs, the hospitals were allocated to intervention or control groups with restricted randomisation in January, 2007. Between January, 2007, and December, 2007, intervention hospitals implemented a multicomponent intervention that included qualitative and quantitative assessment of barriers to alteplase use and ways to address the findings, and provided additional support. The primary outcome was change in alteplase use in patients with stroke in emergency departments between the pre-intervention period (January, 2005, to December, 2006) and the post-intervention period (January, 2008, to January, 2010). Physicians in participating hospitals and the coordinating centre could not be masked to group assignment, but were masked to progress made in paired control hospitals. External medical reviewers who were masked to group assignment assessed outcomes. We did intention-to-treat (ITT) and target-population (without one pair that was excluded after randomisation) analyses. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00349479., Findings: All 24 hospitals completed the study. Overall, 745 of 40 823 patients with stroke received intravenous alteplase treatment. In the ITT analysis, the proportion of patients with stroke who were admitted and treated with alteplase increased between the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods in intervention hospitals (89 [1·25%] of 7119 patients to 235 [2·79%] of 8419) to a greater extent than in control hospitals (99 [1·25%] of 7946 to 194 [2·10%] of 9222), but the difference between groups was not significant (relative risk [RR] 1·37, 95% CI 0·96-1·93; p=0·08). In the target-population analysis, the increase in alteplase use in intervention hospitals (59 [1·00%] of 5882 to 191 [2·62%] of 7288) was significantly greater than in control hospitals (65 [1·09%] of 5957 to 120 [1·72%] of 6989; RR 1·68, 95% CI 1·09-2·57; p=0·02), but was still clinically modest., Interpretation: The intervention did not significantly increase alteplase use in patients with ischaemic stroke. The increase in use of alteplase in the target population was significant, but smaller than the effect to which the study was powered. Additional strategies to increase acute stroke treatment are needed., Funding: National Institutes of Health National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This project used chart review to evaluate 22 patients labeled as "frequent fliers," each with 4 to 8 readmissions over a 6-month period at a Michigan community hospital. The goal was to identify whether the 4 key elements identified by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement for reducing rehospitalization had been put into place for these patients. It found that a clear discharge plan was only documented for 15 (68%) of the 22 patients. Better coordinated care is warranted.

Cocaine use is associated with ischemic stroke through unique mechanisms, including reversible vasospasm, drug-induced arteritis, enhanced platelet aggregation, cardioembolism, and hypertensive surges. To date, no study has described disability in patients with cocaine-related ischemic stroke. The present study compared risk factors, comorbidities, complications, laboratory findings, medications, and outcomes in patients with cocaine-related (n = 41) and non-cocaine-related (n = 221) ischemic stroke (n = 147) and transient ischemic attack (n = 115) in 3 academic hospitals. The patients with cocaine-related stroke were younger (mean age, 51.9 years vs 59.1 years; P = .0008) and more likely to be smokers (95% vs 62.9%; P < .004). The prevalence of arrhythmias was significantly higher in the patients with cocaine-related stroke, and that of diabetes was significantly higher in those with non-cocaine-related strokes. The prevalence of hypertension and lipid profiles were similar in the 2 groups; however, those with cocaine-related stroke were less likely to receive statins. Antiplatelet use was similar in the 2 groups. Survivors of both groups had similar modified Rankin scores and lengths of hospital stay. In the older urban population, smoking and cocaine use may coexist with other cerebrovascular risk factors, and cocaine-related strokes have similar morbidities and mortality as non-cocaine-related strokes. Moreover, because the patients with cocaine-related stroke is younger, they have an earlier morbidity. New strategies for effective stroke prevention interventions are needed in this subgroup., (Copyright © 2011 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a relatively recent technology. In comparison to the conventional open surgical treatment for AAA, endovascular AAA repair (EVAR) combines a less-invasive approach with lower morbidity and mortality. There have been few studies regarding the performance of this procedure in a community-based setting. We report our experience of EVAR performed primarily by interventional cardiologists in a community hospital., Methods: In our community hospital setting, between September 2005 and November 2007, we included all patients who underwent EVAR by interventional cardiologists, with available on-site vascular surgical support. Clinical and serial computed angiographic imaging outcomes were followed by a retrospective chart review. Data collection tools included demographic and clinical characteristics, anatomical aneurysm features, length of stay, peri- and postprocedural complications, and mortality., Results: A total of 71 consecutive patients had EVAR attempted. The endovascular stent placement was successful in 67 (93%) patients. Thirty-day mortality in this study was 1 of 71 (1.4%). All four procedural failures and the single periprocedural mortality occurred in women. Mean follow-up was 12 months. There were a total of six mortalities and among these four were women (P ≤ 0.001); however, multivariate analysis revealed loss of significant difference in mortality (P = 0.16). Major complications following EVAR were noted in 10 of 71 (14%) patients., Conclusion: EVAR can be successfully performed by experienced interventional cardiologists with vascular surgical support in a community-based setting. In our experience, there is acceptable rate of complications and mortality in a carefully selected patient population., (©2010, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Background: Drug-resistant Acinetobacter species are problematic in tertiary-care hospitals. We describe the epidemiology, resistance patterns, and outcomes of older adults with Acinetobacter infection in community hospitals., Methods: We queried the microbiology databases of the Oakwood Healthcare System (4 hospitals with 632, 259, 199, and 168 beds) for clinical Acinetobacter cultures obtained in 2003-2008. Patients aged 60 years who were admitted from home or nursing homes were included. We recorded the initial Acinetobacter isolate and susceptibility to 8 antibiotics. Cultures obtained 48 h after hospitalization were categorized as "nosocomial." Administrative databases provided patients' origins (home or nursing home) and discharge destinations (home, nursing home, long-term acute-care facility, another hospital, or hospice care or death)., Results: During the 6-year period, 560 community-dwelling (mean age +/- standard deviation, 74 +/- 8.6 years) and 280 nursing home-dwelling (78 +/- 9.1 years) patients had Acinetobacter isolated. During this period, Acinetobacter prevalence increased 25% (P<.001, by trend test). In comparison of 2003 with 2008, Acinetobacter resistance to imipenem and ampicillin/sulbactam increased (from 1.8% to 33.1%; P<.001), as did "panresistance" (ie, resistance to all 8 antibiotics; increase from 0.0% to 13.6%; P<.001). Although resistance was stable in community-acquired isolates (resistance to approximately 4.2 antibiotics), resistance increased among nursing home-acquired and nosocomial-acquired isolates (from 4.5 to 5.7 and from 5.0 to 6.0 antibiotics, respectively; P<.01). At discharge, only 25% of community-dwelling and 50% of nursing home-dwelling patients returned to their place of origin; the remainder required higher levels of care or died. After adjustment for age, length of stay, and origin, resistance to each additional antibiotic predicted a >20% increased risk for discharge to higher levels of care or death (odds ratio, 1.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.36)., Conclusions: The prevalence and resistance of Acinetobacter species are increasing in the community. Patients with resistant isolates are selectively discharged to nursing homes and long-term acute-care facilities, introducing resistance to new facilities.

Context: Influenza remains a serious threat and is the most frequent cause of death from a vaccine-preventable disease. Physicians' understanding of influenza and its management and prevention can potentially reduce the spread of disease in the community., Objective: To ascertain physicians' knowledge of the prevention, identification, and treatment of seasonal and avian influenza., Methods: A 14-question survey regarding seasonal and avian influenza was distributed to emergency physicians at a medical staff meeting in 2005., Results: The survey was given to 360 physicians, of whom 54 (15%) submitted completed surveys. Of the 51 physicians (94%) in favor of vaccines, only 32 (59%) received the influenza vaccine and only 21 (39%) always received the yearly vaccine. Eight physicians (15%) washed their hands before seeing patients, 18 (33%) washed their hands after seeing patients, 21 (39%) washed their hands before and after seeing patients, and 7 (13%) stated they only wash their hands sometimes. Seven (13%) always "alcohol" their stethoscope between patients; 28 (52%) responded "sometimes;" and 4 (7%), "never." When taking patient histories, 31 (58%) stated that they always or sometimes ask about travel history; 15 (28%) stated that they never ask about travel history. Thirty-six respondents (67%) would take oseltamivir phosphate if they had avian influenza., Conclusion: This survey-based study reveals that physicians may lack information in the domains of influenza prevention, identification, and management. Emergency physicians must take the lead in the hospital to ensure that we as a profession are aware of emerging pathogens, how to recognize those pathogens and treat infected patients, and how to protect ourselves.

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects nearly 1.4 million Americans annually with an estimated 5.3 million US citizens living with disability. There is no standardized course of treatment for individuals with moderate TBI. This study aims to evaluate the patient demographics and acute care course for those with moderate TBI., Methods: This is a descriptive study of 40 persons diagnosed with moderate TBI to examine demographic, clinical, and discharge variables associated with this injury., Results: Falls, the most frequent mechanism of injury, were seen in more than 50% of individuals 65 years and older. The 21-to 64-year age group was more likely to be injured from motor vehicle crashes. Fifty percent of the patients were discharged; however, only 1 in 9 patients older than 65 years was discharged. Glasgow Coma Scale was not correlated with discharge destination. Cognitive status was screened in the hospital setting on 9 patients, and orders for outpatient screening/evaluation were done on an additional 17 patients., Conclusion: Moderate TBI is a unique subset of brain injury. Having a better understanding of its course of recovery will help develop appropriate management guidelines for this group.

Aims and Objectives: This exploratory study used archived hospital data to determine whether the call light use rate and the average call light response time contribute to the fall and the injurious fall rates in acute care settings., Background: Inpatients often use call lights to seek nurses' attention and assistance. Although implied in patient safety, no studies have examined data related to the call light use or the response time to call lights collected via existing tracking mechanisms to monitor nursing practice., Design: The study was conducted in a Michigan community hospital and used archived hospital data for analyses for the period from February 2007-June 2008. The unit of analysis was unit-week., Method: The call light use rate per patient-day was calculated based on information retrieved from the call light tracking system. The average response time in seconds was used as generated from the tracking system. The fall and injurious fall rates per 1000 patient-days were calculated based on the fall incident reports. SPSS was used for data analyses. One-way ANOVA and correlation analyses were conducted., Results: More calls for assistance related to less fall-related patient harm. Surprisingly, longer response time to call lights also related to fewer total falls and less fall-related patient harm. Generally speaking, more call light use related to longer response times., Conclusions: This study's findings challenged the appropriateness of targeting the goals of reducing the frequency of call light use and the fall rates as two outcome indicators of conducting hourly patient rounds., Relevance to Clinical Practice: Encouraging call light use is a key to reducing injurious fall rates. Unit managers should routinely monitor the trend of the call light use rate and ensure that the call light use rate is maintained at least above the mean rate.

Background: While medication reconciliation (MR) has been shown to reduce medication errors by limiting errors of transcription, omission, and duplicate therapy, its impact on the provision of unnecessary prophylaxis is largely unknown., Objective: To determine the effect of MR on the incidence of prolonged stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) across the continuum of care from hospital admission to discharge as well as evaluate clinical conditions associated with prolonged SUP., Methods: This retrospective study assessed patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and had SUP initiated. Patients were excluded if they were receiving gastroprotective therapy prior to ICU admission, were being treated for an acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage, or died. The need for SUP was determined using risk factors adapted from evidence-based guidelines developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The use of SUP was assessed upon transfer from the ICU to a non-ICU setting and at hospital discharge. Results were compared between pre-MR and post-MR groups., Results: Data from 114 (pre-MR, n = 53; post-MR, n = 61) medical and surgical ICU patients were evaluated. There was no significant difference in the use of prolonged SUP upon transfer from the ICU to a non-ICU setting in the pre-MR and post-MR groups, respectively (85% [45/53] vs 79% [48/61], p = 0.393). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the use of prolonged SUP upon hospital discharge in the pre-MR and post-MR groups, respectively (14% [6/44] vs 23% [10/43], p = 0.247). There were no clinical conditions for which prolonged SUP use was predominant., Conclusions: The strategy of MR alone will not decrease the incidence of prolonged SUP in hospitalized patients. Other techniques should be evaluated to encourage appropriate use of acid-suppressive agents.

Purpose: To examine parents' and health care providers' perceptions of back transport from a tertiary care neonatal intensive care unit to a community hospital., Design: Qualitative, hypothesis-generating, cross-sectional study utilizing focus group methodology., Sample: Participants included 12 parents of back-transported infants insured by Medicaid, 6 regional NICU health care providers, and 17 community hospital special care nursery health care providers., Main Outcome Measures: Participant perceptions of factors that support or impede successful back transport., Results: Data from the focus groups were analyzed to identify five main themes: early communication about back transport, preparing parents for back transport, communication between hospitals at the time of back transport, follow-up and information exchange after back transport, and improving the back-transport experience for parents.

We describe a method of making a vision document tangible by attaching specific tactics and metrics to the key elements of the vision. We report on the development and early use of a "vision-tactics-metrics" table in a department of surgery. Use of the table centered the vision in the daily life of the department and its faculty, and facilitated cultural change.

Background: Community hospital placement is dictated by a diverse set of geographical factors and historical contingency. In the summer of 2004, a multi-organizational committee headed by the State of Michigan's Department of Community Health approached the authors of this paper with questions about how spatial analyses might be employed to develop a revised community hospital approval procedure. Three objectives were set. First, the committee needed visualizations of both the spatial pattern of Michigan's population and its 139 community hospitals. Second, the committee required a clear, defensible assessment methodology to quantify access to existing hospitals statewide, taking into account factors such as distance to nearest hospital and road network density to estimate travel time. Third, the committee wanted to contrast the spatial distribution of existing community hospitals with a theoretical configuration that best met statewide demand. This paper presents our efforts to first describe the distribution of Michigan's current community hospital pattern and its people, and second, develop two models, access-based and demand-based, to identify areas with inadequate access to existing hospitals., Results: Using the product from the access-based model and contiguity and population criteria, two areas were identified as being "under-served." The lower area, located north/northeast of Detroit, contained the greater total land area and population of the two areas. The upper area was centered north of Grand Rapids. A demand-based model was applied to evaluate the existing facility arrangement by allocating daily bed demand in each ZIP code to the closest facility. We found 1,887 beds per day were demanded by ZIP centroids more than 16.1 kilometers from the nearest existing hospital. This represented 12.7% of the average statewide daily bed demand. If a 32.3 kilometer radius was employed, unmet demand dropped to 160 beds per day (1.1%)., Conclusion: Both modeling approaches enable policymakers to identify under-served areas. Ultimately this paper is concerned with the intersection of spatial analysis and policymaking. Using the best scientific practice to identify locations of under-served populations based on many factors provides policymakers with a powerful tool for making good decisions.

We expect children to live to adulthood; however, children do die. Some die from diseases they are born with, others from accidents or illnesses. The devastating effects associated with the death of a child can be lessened by providing palliative, hospice, and bereavement care. At St. John Hospital (SJH) in Detroit, MI, the services that provide care for children chartered the Pediatric Palliative Care Committee. The committee brought together staff from the inpatient pediatric unit, cancer center, home care, and hospice care services within the St. John Health System. Utilizing established staff and services, this group began to provide care for children with potentially life limiting illnesses in a coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach. The positive outcomes of this approach include an overall increase in patient and family satisfaction with care, a decrease in the number of emergency room visits and inpatient hospital stays, and an increase in patient and family informed decision making and goal setting. Positive outcomes for the staff include support in caring for children with life limiting illnesses and an increase in satisfaction with the care they provide.

Purpose: For proper indications at university hospitals laparoscopic nephrectomy is often considered the standard of care. At community hospitals past surveys have not demonstrated this change. We describe the changing practice patterns of performing laparoscopic nephrectomies in indicated patients at our community hospital. We reviewed our data on monitoring our training program., Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of 381 consecutive complete nephrectomies performed at our institution from February 2000 to December 2003, including 62 live donor nephrectomies. Patient age, pathological size, operative time, estimated blood loss, duration to solid food intake and duration of hospitalization were compared between open nephrectomy and laparoscopic nephrectomy groups using the Wilcoxon 2-sample test. Surgical practice and surgeon characteristics were also described., Results: Patients who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy demonstrated superior postoperative recovery with earlier return to solid diet and shorter hospitalization. The 2 groups were similar in regard to major complication rates. The number of laparoscopic nephrectomies increased annually, while the number of open nephrectomies decreased. The number of laparoscopic urologists increased annually. More importantly laparoscopic urologists performed an increasing number of nephrectomies, while nonlaparoscopic urologists faced a decrease in the number of nephrectomies performed. There appeared to be little evidence of hand assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy as a bridge to learning standard laparoscopic nephrectomy., Conclusions: Our training paradigm has safely and effectively trained community urologists to perform laparoscopic nephrectomies. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is now considered a standard treatment option along with conventional open surgery and it should be offered to the patient in the medical setting. Although fellowship trained urologists can certainly add expertise to any program, community based hospitals do not have to depend on them.

Objective: To examine changes in the rate of beta-blocker (BB) use at admission, in hospital, and at discharge between 1994 and 1995 (MICH I) and 1997 (MICH II) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI)., Design: Comparison of two prospectively enrolled cohorts., Setting: Five mid-Michigan community hospitals., Patients: We studied 287 MICH I patients and 121 MICH II patients with AMI who had no contraindications to BB use from cohorts of consecutively admitted cases of AMI (814 in MICH I; 500 in MICH II)., Results: Prescription of BBs to ideal patients with AMI increased in patients with previous history of myocardial infarction on arrival at the hospital (12.5% vs 36.0%; P= .01), in hospital (47.0% vs 76%; P < .01), and at discharge (34.0% vs 61.9%; P < .01). Neither race nor gender was a predictor of BB use. Younger age predicted BB prescription at discharge (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 3.23). Later study cohort was the most important predictor of BB use in hospital (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 2.09 to 5.25)., Conclusion: BB use improved dramatically over the study period, but additional work is needed to improve use of BB after discharge and among elderly patients with AMI.

Demonstrate accountability and uncompromised patient care with exceptional documentation from electronic systems.

Study Objective: Misdiagnosis of acute ischemic stroke is a risk inherent in treating patients with acute deficits, yet few data exist on the problem. We report an evaluation of emergency department misdiagnoses in patients treated with tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke., Methods: We conducted an observational study of 151 consecutive patients treated without an acute stroke team. Initial diagnosis was compared with interim and hospital discharge diagnoses. Separate analyses were performed for patients without a final diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke and for those without a final diagnosis of either acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, combined., Results: Ten of 151 patients (7%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3% to 12%) had final diagnoses that did not include acute ischemic stroke. Six of 151 (4%; 95% CI 1% to 8%) had a final diagnosis other than acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (conversion disorder [4], complex migraine [1], and Todd's paralysis [1]). These "stroke mimics" had no intracranial hemorrhage (0%; 95% CI 0% to 31%), had less disability at discharge (modified Rankin Scale score mean+/-SD, 2.2+/-1.3 versus 3.2+/-1.8), and were younger (mean age+/-SD, 47+/-21 years versus 68+/-15 years) than patients with acute ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. An additional 4 (3%) patients had interim diagnoses other than acute ischemic stroke, all subsequently changed to acute ischemic stroke after magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography., Conclusion: These data show that in a 4-hospital system without an acute stroke team, thrombolytic treatment of patients with diagnoses mimicking stroke was infrequent, and hemorrhagic complications did not occur in any patients without an acute ischemic stroke. However, because the number of mimics was small, safety cannot be ensured with statistical confidence.

Over the last 10 years, hospitals in the north central region of Michigan have collaborated with human service agencies across a 21-country area of northern Lower Michigan on the Community Health Assessment Project: Building A Healthier Northern Michigan. A survey was completed in 1995 that provided insight into the health status of adults in the region. The survey helped communities identify health priorities and implement plans to address them.

Purpose: Research is educationally important for surgical residents. However, little information exists regarding effective methods for teaching residents scientific methodology in a community hospital. This effort describes an effective program conducted in a community hospital for enhancing scientific opportunities of surgical residents., Methods: A strong infrastructure that supports research is necessary. Dedicated nonsalaried teaching faculty serve as mentors and co-investigators. Opportunities to engage in basic research are made available in off-campus basic science laboratories., Results: Research productivity has been prolific, as demonstrated by numerous publications. Residents interested in sub-speciality training have been able to conduct research that has made them competitive for fellowships and a wider range of practice choices., Conclusion: Rigorous research can be effectively taught in a community hospital, provided adequate educational and funding support is provided and faculty actively mentor residents. Having research capabilities provides added incentive for better-qualified medical students to apply to a surgical residency position in a community hospital. Research productivity also enhances the ability to better recruit new faculty.

Historically, most patients with the lumbar spinal stenosis have been older than 66 yr when initially diagnosed; however, with a growing awareness of this entity, it is increasingly being identified at an earlier age. A 5-yr retrospective review of hospital records was initiated to determine the frequency of lumbar spinal stenosis in a population of patients of <51 yr of age. Of 2751 patients admitted with this diagnosis, 268 (9.8%) were <51 yr of age.

Objective: To determine factors contributing to the relatively high frequency and variability (10% to 30%) of finding no significant coronary disease by coronary angiography in patients with chest pain., Study Design: Retrospective, comparative analysis of practice patterns at 3 southeastern Michigan hospitals and a composite sample from New York State., Patients and Methods: Medical records for 7668 patients were reviewed to determine the frequency of negative coronary arteriographic findings in patients undergoing chest pain evaluation. A private practice allopathic community hospital with interventional cardiologists and a private practice osteopathic community hospital with diagnostic facilities (DiagCommunity) were compared with a university hospital with full-time salaried interventional cardiologists and a sample of 17 New York hospitals., Results: Of the 7668 coronary angiograms at all centers, 39.7% were performed to assess patients with stable chest pain. There was no significant obstruction found in 16.5%, and the frequency was not different between the Michigan (17.8%+/-3.8%) and New York (14.2%) hospitals. The DiagCommunity had the highest proportion (22%; P < .001 vs others). On review of the negative coronary arteriographic findings, normal or near normal coronary arteriographic findings were infrequent (range, 2.4%-6.6%) but higher in the DiagCommunity (6.6% vs 2.9%+/-1.6%; P < .0001)., Conclusions: The frequency of finding no significant coronary disease by arteriography in patients with chest pain is similar in southeastern Michigan hospitals and comparable to an established external database. Cardiology self-referral and personal gain does not seem to be a major factor in selection of patients for invasive studies.

Purpose: This study attempts to determine the incidence of established acute pulmonary embolism (PE) in a community/teaching general hospital., Background: The reported incidence of objectively diagnosed acute PE among hospitalized adults in a large urban hospital or major university hospital ranges from 0.27 to 0.40%. Whether the incidence of PE in other categories of hospitals fits within this narrow range is unknown., Methods: Patients with acute PE diagnosed by ventilation/perfusion lung scan, pulmonary angiography, compression ultrasound in a patient with suspected PE, autopsy, or (by coincidence) lung biopsy were identified among patients hospitalized during a 2-year period from 1998 to 2000. The incidence of PE was also determined according to age, sex, and race., Results: Among adult patients (> or = 20 years old), the incidence of established acute PE was 95 of 34,567 patients (0.27%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22 to 0.34%). No PE was diagnosed in patients < 20 years old. The incidence of PE in men was 36 of 13,722 patients (0.26%; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.36%); in women, it was 59 of 20,845 patients (0.2%; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.36%; not significant [NS]). The incidence in African-Americans adults was 10 of 4,344 patients (0.23%; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.42%); in white adults, it was 84 of 28,615 patients (0.29%; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.36%; NS)., Conclusion: The incidence of PE in a community/teaching general hospital was comparable to the incidence in a large urban-care center and in a major university hospital.

This study reviews physician documentation of compliance with The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy RE9539 regarding early newborn hospital discharge and follow-up. All pediatricians in Kalamazoo, MI, were educated at a grand rounds regarding the AAP early newborn discharge policy. Newborns are seen at 2 community hospitals. One of them simultaneously instituted a Quality Improvement/Feedback (QI/F) program regarding early newborn discharge, (intervention) and the other 1 did not (control). This is a retrospective chart analysis that compares performance of 4 pediatric practices seeing newborns at each hospital. Each practice was compared at each hospital for appropriateness of discharge orders before and after the educational grand rounds and the QI/F initiative. Statistical analysis was done using the chi square test and the Breslow-Day test for homogeneity, and the Fisher's Exact Test. Odds ratios with a 95% confidence interval based on Taylor's approximation were used. There were no significant differences between the pediatric practices' performance before and after the educational initiative at the control hospital. There were significant differences before and after the educational initiative in the intervention hospital with the QI/F initiative. There was a significant reduction in variation among the practices after the QI/F initiative at the intervention hospital. When both hospitals were compared after the educational initiative, there was a significant difference between compliance among the same practices at each hospital, with better compliance at the intervention hospital with the QI/F initiative. There were significant differences in physicians' performance at the intervention hospital before and after the educational and QI/F initiatives. However, it was noted that the very same physicians did not comply as well in the control hospital without the QI/F initiative, thus still raising questions as to whether QI measures alter physician "culture." It is possible that the driving force for change in physician behavior was more intragroup peer pressure than an external QI/F initiative.

Background: Previous studies documenting underutilization of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have been limited to Medicare populations., Hypothesis: This study examines ACEI prescription rates and predictors in a community sample of hospitalized patients with AMI., Methods: The charts of 1163 community patients with AMI, prospectively identified at admission between January 1, 1994, and April 30, 1995, were reviewed., Results: Only 64 of 158 (40%) patients considered ideal candidates for ACEI prescription were discharged with a prescription for an ACEI. In a multivariate logistic regression model, prior ACEI utilization [adjusted odds ration (OR) = 3.26; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.05-5.20], presence of congestive heart failure (OR = 2.33; CI = 1.50-3.61) and black race (OR = 2.20; CI = 1.34-3.64) were identified as positive predictors of ACEI prescription. Conversely, lack of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) measurement (OR = 0.46; CI = 0.28-0.75), LVEF > 40 ( OR = 0.27; CI = 0.18-0.40), and acute renal failure (OR = 0.08; CI = 0.01-0.44) were negative predictors. Women were also less likely to be discharged with an ACEI prescription (OR = 0.71; CI = 0.48-1.05). Furthermore, women were significantly less likely to have LVEF measured prior to discharge than were males (77 vs. 85%, p = 0.001)., Conclusion: This study underscores the need for improvement in the utilization of ACEI in eligible patients with AMI. It also identifies opportunities for improvement in prescription rates, especially in women.

The health care delivery system is a reactive instrument: it conforms to the demands of the most powerful drivers. How the system responds to these drivers in terms of design of coverage and delivery of care represents in large part the major challenge of the coming decade. This article presents an overview of some of the major drivers of health care today--cost, customers and technology--and how hospitals and health systems are responding.

Objective: To review the clinical and laboratory findings in children with pneumococcal bacteremia during a 6-year period between 1989 and 1995., Design: Retrospective review of medical records identified from computer-generated blood culture records., Setting: Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Mich, a community teaching hospital affiliated with Michigan State University., Measurements: Data concerning age, gender, race, clinical findings, laboratory features, nature of antibiotic therapy, source of bacteremia, and outcome were obtained from patient medical records., Results: Most (68%) of the children with pneumococcal bacteremia were <2 years of age. About 50% of the cases of invasive pneumococcal disease in childhood occurred between February and May. Focal source of bacteremia was as follows: 11.5% had meningitis, 37% had pneumonia, 30% had otitis media, and 33% had no focal source. Overall, 60% of children were African-Americans, although in children with meningitis, whites were predominant (p<0.04). Leukocytosis was present in 81% and bandemia >1,500/microL was present in 53% of children. The overall mortality was 1.6% with a case fatality rate for meningitis of 14%. Penicillin resistance was found in 6.5% of pneumococcal isolates, although during 1 study year (1993), 17% of all pneumococcal isolates from all sources in the same hospital were found to be penicillin resistant., Conclusions: Clinical and laboratory findings seen in children with pneumococcal bacteremia at a community hospital are presented with a review of literature. Pneumococci isolated from sterile body sites were found to be less resistant to antibiotics compared with those isolated from nonsterile body sites.

Objectives: To determine whether an effective telephone callback system can be successfully implemented in a busy ED and to quantify the benefits that can be obtained related to the follow-up care of elder patients., Methods: This was a prospective, cohort study conducted at a community teaching hospital during a 6-month period. Consecutive patients > or = 60 years old and released from the ED were selected for telephone follow-up. Calls were made by a research nurse within 72 hours after the patient's ED visit. Follow-up information included current medical status, problems encountered during the ED visit, compliance, and impact of the illness on self-care capabilities., Results: Seventy-nine percent (831/1,048) of the patients selected for telephone follow-up were successfully contacted. The calls lasted an average of 4 +/- 2.5 minutes. Although 94% (778/831) of these patients had a regular physician, 14% failed to make their recommended follow-up arrangements. Compliance was significantly improved when a follow-up physician was contacted during the patient's ED visit. Approximately 96% of the patients were either satisfied or very satisfied with their ED care. However, 13% (109/831) had moderate deterioration in their ability to care for themselves. Of the patients contacted, 333 (40%) required further clarification of their home care instructions, 31 were advised to return to the ED for reevaluation, and 26 were referred to a medical social worker for psychosocial concerns., Conclusion: A telephone callback system is a feasible and effective method to improve follow-up care of elder patients released from the ED.

Community benefit is defined as programs and services that address broad community health needs and provide measurable improvement in health access, health status and use of health care resources. How does the presence of hospitals and/or health systems in your community enhance community benefit?

Objective: To assess the relationship between early discharge, breast feeding, and other factors on hospital readmission of newborns., Design: Retrospective record review., Setting: An urban, private community hospital., Patients: All newborns born over a 1-year period who were readmitted to the hospital within the first 3 weeks of life (n=117). The control group consisted of a systematic sampling of newborns born over the same period who were not readmitted (n=147)., Results: Early discharge, defined as discharge when younger than 24, 36, or 48 hours of age, does not seem to contribute to readmission. However, newborns whose initial stay was longer than 72 hours were at significantly lower risk for readmission (P=.02, chi(2)). Factors in the initial hospitalization associated with readmission included vaginal delivery and length of stay less than 72 hours (difference, 12 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4% to 20%; P=.005), need for performance of a complete blood count (CBC) (difference, 16 percentage points; CI 6% to 26%; P=.002), presence of jaundice (difference, 17 percentage points; CI, 5% to 29% P=.005), and gestational age 37 weeks or less (difference, 10 percentage points; CI, 2% to 18%; P=.02), discharge weight less than 3 kg (difference, 11 percentage points; CI, 0 to 22%; P=.05). However, almost all newborns delivered vaginally were discharged within less than 72 hours, so our ability to comment on the independent effect of delivery mode on readmission is limited. A trend toward significance was noted between breast-feeding and readmission (difference, 9 percentage points; CI, 0% to 18%; P=.07). However, when only vaginal deliveries were considered, this association was statistically significant (difference, 13 percentage points; CI, 4% to 22%; P=.02). A significant association was noted between breast-feeding and jaundice or dehydration. Of babies admitted with jaundice or dehydration, 94% were breast-fed, compared with 67% of babies admitted with neither jaundice nor dehydration (difference, 27 percentage points; CI, 13% to 41%; P<.001)., Conclusions: These findings strongly suggest that early discharge (at younger than 24, 36, or 48 hours of age) from the hospital is not associated with hospital readmission within the first 3 weeks of life. Factors associated with readmission included breast-feeding, vaginal delivery and length of stay less than 72 hours, jaundice or need for a CBC, gestational age of 37 weeks or less, and discharge weight less than 3 kg.