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Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third leading cause of preventable hospital-associated (HA) death. Most HA-VTE, including fatal pulmonary emboli, occur among medically ill patients. The rate of symptomatic VTE more than doubles over the first 21 days after hospital discharge. Trials have demonstrated that the burden of HA-VTE may be reduced with postdischarge thromboprophylaxis; however, few patients receive this therapy. We formerly validated the ability of eVTE (eVTE is the abbreviation for a risk assessment tool constituted by 2 calculations: one predicts 90-day VTE and the other predicts 30-day major bleeding derived from only elements of the complete blood count and basic metabolic panel and age) to identify medical patients being discharged with both an elevated risk of VTE and a low risk of bleeding. Objectives: Implement a cluster-randomized, stepped wedge, type II hybrid implementation/effectiveness trial generating an alert among select at-risk patients upon discharge for implementation of thrombosis chemoprophylaxis in a 23-hospital not-for-profit healthcare system. Methods: We use the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance framework to guide implementation and outcomes reporting. Results: The primary outcome for aim 1 (implementation) is the prescription of rivaroxaban 10 mg daily for 30 days as postdischarge thromboprophylaxis among at-risk patients. The primary efficacy and safety outcomes (effectiveness) are the 90-day composite of symptomatic VTE, myocardial infartcion, nonhemorrhagic stroke, all-cause mortality, and 30-day major bleeding. Conclusion: The eVTE trial will provide high-quality, real-world evidence on the effectiveness and safety of a pragmatic intervention to implement targeted postdischarge thromboprophylaxis using decision support embedded in the electronic health record.

Background: The utility of the Risk Assessment Profile (RAP) score in predicting VTE was assessed, and VTE risk factors identified to guide a duplex ultrasound (DUS) protocol in injured patients. Methods: Secondary analysis of prospective data on trauma inpatients (March 2017–September 2019), with admission RAP ≥5. Inhospital VTE patients compared to those without. Regression analyses in DVT, PE and proximal DVT, and ROC analysis evaluating RAP's VTE predictability were performed. Results: 1989 patients were analyzed. VTE was identified in 163(8.2%), DVT 159(8.0%), and PE 10(0.5%) patients. Strongest VTE predictors were massive transfusion (OR 5.97, p = 0.005) and spinal cord injury (OR 2.43, p = 0.03). AUC 0.61 (p

Abstract Background Structured reporting is an efficient and replicable method of presenting diagnostic results that eliminates variability inherent in narrative descriptive reporting and may improve clinical decisions. Synoptic element reporting can generate discrete coded data that then may inform clinical decision support and trigger downstream actions in computerized electronic health records. Objective Limited evidence exists for use of synoptic reporting for computed tomography pulmonary arteriography (CTPA) among patients suspected of pulmonary embolism. We reported the accuracy of synoptic reporting for the outcome of pulmonary embolism among patients who presented to an integrated health care system with CTPA performed for suspected pulmonary embolism. Methods Structured radiology reports with embedded synoptic elements were implemented for all CTPA examinations on March 1, 2018. Four hundred CTPA reports between January 4, 2019 and July 30, 2020 (200 reports each for which synoptic reporting recorded the presence or absence of pulmonary embolism [PE]) were selected at random. One non‐diagnostic study was excluded from analysis. We then assessed the accuracy of synoptic reporting compared with the gold standard of manual chart review. Results Synoptic reporting and manual review agreed in 99.2% of patients undergoing CTPA for suspected PE, agreed on the presence of PE in 196 of 199 (98.5%) cases, the absence of PE in 200 of 200 (100%) cases with a sensitivity of 87.6% (76.1–96.1) a specificity of 99.9% (99.7%–100%), a positive predictive value of 99.5% (98.1–100), and a negative predictive value of 98% (95.7%–99.5%). Conclusion The overall rate of agreement was 99.2%, but we observed an unacceptable false‐negative rate for clinical reliance on synoptic element reporting in isolation from dictated reports.

Objective To derive and validate a D-dimer cutoff for ruling out pulmonary embolism (PE) in COVID-19 patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed in an integrated healthcare system including 22 adult ED's between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Results were validated among patients enrolled in the RECOVER Registry, representing data from 154 ED's from 26 US states. Consecutive ED patients with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, a D-dimer performed within 48 h of ED arrival, and with objectively confirmed PE were compared to those without PE. After identifying a D-dimer threshold at which the 95% confidence lower bound of the negative predictive value for PE was higher than 98% in the derivation cohort, it was validated using RECOVER registry data. Results Among 3978 patients with a D-dimer result, 3583 with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included in the derivation cohort. Overall, PE incidence was 4.1% and a D-dimer cutoff of < 2 μ/mL (2000 ng/mL) was associated with a NPV of 98.5% (95% CI = 98.0%−98.9%). In the validation cohort of 13,091 patients with a D-dimer, 7748 had confirmed COVID-19 infection, and the PE incidence was 1.14%. A D-dimer cutoff of < 2 μ/mL was associated with a NPV of 99.5% (95% CI = 99.3%−99.7%). Conclusion A D-dimer cutoff of < 2 μ/ml was associated with a high negative predictive value for PE among patients with COVID-19. However, the resultant sensitivity for PE result at that threshold without pre-test probability assessment would be considered clinically unsafe.

Abstract Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk is increased in patients with COVID‐19 infection. Understanding which patients are likely to develop VTE may inform pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis decision making. The hospital‐associated venous thromboembolism–Intermountain Risk Score (HA‐VTE IMRS) and the hospital‐associated major bleeding–Intermountain Risk Score (HA‐MB IMRS) are risk scores predictive of VTE and bleeding that were derived from only patient age and data found in the complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic panel (BMP). Objectives We assessed the HA‐VTE IMRS and HA‐MB IMRS for predictiveness of 90‐day VTE and major bleeding, respectively, among patients diagnosed with COVID‐19, and further investigated if adding D‐dimer improved these predictions. We also reported 30‐day outcomes. Patients/Methods We identified 5047 sequential patients with a laboratory confirmed diagnosis of COVID‐19 and a CBC and BMP between 2 days before and 7 days following the diagnosis of COVID‐19 from March 12, 2020, to February 28, 2021. We calculated the HA‐VTE IMRS and the HA‐MB IMRS for all patients. We assessed the added predictiveness of D‐dimer obtained within 48 hours of the COVID test. Results The HA‐VTE IMRS yielded a c‐statistic of 0.70 for predicting 90‐day VTE and adding D‐dimer improved the c‐statistic to 0.764 with the corollary sensitivity/specificity/positive/negative predictive values of 49.4%/75.7%/6.7%/97.7% and 58.8%/76.2%/10.9%/97.4%, respectively. Among hospitalized and ambulatory patients separately, the HA‐VTE IMRS performed similarly. The HA‐MB IMRS predictiveness for 90‐day major bleeding yielded a c‐statistic of 0.64. Conclusion The HA‐VTE IMRS and HA‐MB IMRS predict 90‐ and 30‐day VTE and major bleeding among COVID‐19 patients. Adding D‐dimer improved the predictiveness of the HA‐VTE IMRS for VTE.

Abstract Background Syncope occurs in 1 in 4 people during their lifetime and accounts for 1% to 1.5% of emergency department (ED) visits. Most causes of syncope are benign, but syncope may be caused by life‐threatening conditions including pulmonary embolism (PE) in up to 2% of cases. A recent publication reported the prevalence of PE in patients with syncope to be over 17%. Aims We sought to determine the frequency and diagnostic yield of testing for PE in patients presenting to the ED with syncope in our large, integrated health care system. Methods We performed a retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of patients who presented with syncope to EDs within a 21‐hospital integrated health care system from 2010 to 2015 to find the frequency and diagnostic yield of testing for PE in patients with syncope at index ED visit and within 180 days afterward. Results We screened 2 749 371 ED encounters to find 32 440 (1.2%) with syncope. Median age was 52 (interquartile range, 31‐71), 57.5% were female, and 90% were Caucasian. PE was diagnosed on the index ED visit in 259 (0.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.7%‐0.9%) cases. Assessment for suspected PE with D‐dimer occurred in 5089 (15.7%) patients, and 2338 (7.2%) underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). The yield of CTPA was 7.9%. PE was detected in 2.2% in whom a D‐dimer was performed. From index visit to 180 days, 467 (1.4%; 95% CI, 1.3%‐1.6%) patients were diagnosed with a PE, and 1051 (3.2%, 95% CI, 3.0%‐3.4%) patients died. Conclusion Diagnostic testing for PE is frequent in patients with syncope presenting to the EDs of a large, integrated health care system. The yield of diagnostic testing is low.

Objectives The Intermountain Risk Score (IMRS), composed using published sex-specific weightings of parameters in the complete blood count (CBC) and basic metabolic profile (BMP), is a validated predictor of mortality. We hypothesised that IMRS calculated from prepandemic CBC and BMP predicts COVID-19 outcomes and that IMRS using laboratory results tested at COVID-19 diagnosis is also predictive.Design Prospective observational cohort study.Setting Primary, secondary, urgent and emergent care, and drive-through testing locations across Utah and in sections of adjacent US states. Viral RNA testing for SARS-CoV-2 was conducted from 3 March to 2 November 2020.Participants Patients aged ≥18 years were evaluated if they had CBC and BMP measured in 2019 and tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020.Primary and secondary outcome measures The primary outcome was a composite of hospitalisation or mortality, with secondary outcomes being hospitalisation and mortality separately.Results Among 3883 patients, 8.2% were hospitalised and 1.6% died. Subjects with low, mild, moderate and high-risk IMRS had the composite endpoint in 3.5% (52/1502), 8.6% (108/1256), 15.5% (152/979) and 28.1% (41/146) of patients, respectively. Compared with low-risk, subjects in mild-risk, moderate-risk and high-risk groups had HR=2.33 (95% CI 1.67 to 3.24), HR=4.01 (95% CI 2.93 to 5.50) and HR=8.34 (95% CI 5.54 to 12.57), respectively. Subjects aged

Abstract Objective Multiple professional societies recommend pre‐test probability (PTP) assessment prior to imaging in the evaluation of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE), however, PTP testing remains uncommon, with imaging occurring frequently and rates of confirmed PE remaining low. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of a clinical decision support tool embedded into the electronic health record to improve the diagnostic yield of computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in suspected patients with PE in the emergency department (ED). Methods Between July 24, 2014 and December 31, 2016, 4 hospitals from a healthcare system embedded an optional electronic clinical decision support system to assist in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (ePE). This system employs the Pulmonary Embolism Rule‐out Criteria (PERC) and revised Geneva Score (RGS) in series prior to CT imaging. We compared the diagnostic yield of CTPA) among patients for whom the physician opted to use ePE versus the diagnostic yield of CTPA when ePE was not used. Results During the 2.5‐year study period, 37,288 adult patients were eligible and included for study evaluation. Of eligible patients, 1949 of 37,288 (5.2%) were enrolled by activation of the tool. A total of 16,526 CTPAs were performed system‐wide. When ePE was not engaged, CTPA was positive for PE in 1556 of 15,546 scans for a positive yield of 10.0%. When ePE was used, CTPA identified PE in 211 of 980 scans (21.5% yield) (P

Abstract Background Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) constitutes approximately 10% of all deep vein thromboses (DVTs). The incidence of UEDVT is increasing in association with use of peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Treatment for UEDVT is derived largely from evidence for treatment of lower extremity DVT. Limited evidence exists for the use of a direct oral anticoagulant for the treatment of UEDVT. Population Sequential patients identified within the Intermountain Healthcare System and University of Utah Healthcare system with symptomatic UEDVT defined as the formation of thrombus within the internal jugular, subclavian, axillary, brachial, ulnar, or radial veins of the arm. Intervention Apixaban 10 mg PO twice daily for 7 days followed by apixaban 5 mg twice daily for 11 weeks. Comparison The historical literature review rate of venous thrombosis reported for recurrent clinically overt objective venous thromboembolism (VTE) and VTE‐related death. If the confidence interval for the observed rate excludes the threshold event rate of 4%, we will conclude that treatment with apixaban is noninferior and therefore a clinically valid approach to treat UEDVT. Sample Size We elected a sample size of 375 patients so that an exact 95% confidence interval would exclude an event rate of VTE in the observation cohort of 4%. Outcome Ninety‐day rate of new or recurrent objectively confirmed symptomatic venous thrombosis and VTE‐related death. The primary safety outcome is the composite of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding.

Abstract Background Some hospitalized medical patients experience venous thromboembolism (VTE) following discharge. Prophylaxis extended beyond hospital discharge (extended duration thromboprophylaxis [EDT]) may reduce this risk. However, EDT is costly and can cause bleeding, so selecting appropriate patients is essential. We formerly reported the performance of a mortality risk prediction score (Intermountain Risk Score [IMRS]) that was minimally predictive of 90‐day hospital‐associated venous thromboembolism (HA‐VTE) and major bleeding (HA‐MB). We used the components of the IMRS to calculate de novo risk scores to predict 90‐day HA‐VTE (HA‐VTE IMRS) and major bleeding (HA‐MB IMRS). Methods From 45 669 medical patients we randomly assigned 30 445 to derive the HA‐VTE IMRS and the HA‐MB IMRS. Backward stepwise regression and bootstrapping identified predictor covariates from the blood count and basic chemistry. These candidate variables were split into quintiles, and the referent quintile was that with the lowest event rate for HA‐VTE and HA‐MB; respectively. A clinically relevant rate of HA‐VTE and HA‐MB was used to inform outcome rates. Performance was assessed in the derivation set of 15 224 patients. Results The HA‐VTE IMRS and HA‐MB IMRS area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) in the derivation set were 0.646, and 0.691, respectively. In the validation set, the HA‐VTE IMRS and HA‐MB IMRS AUCs were 0.60 and 0.643. Conclusions Risk scores derived from components of routine labs ubiquitous in clinical care identify patients that are at risk for 90‐day postdischarge HA‐VTE and major bleeding. This may identify a subset of patients with high HA‐VTE risk and low HA‐MB risk who may benefit from EDT.

BACKGROUND:Prompt sepsis treatment is associated with improved outcomes but requires a complex series of actions by multiple clinicians. We investigated whether simply reorganizing emergency department (ED) care to expedite patients' initial evaluation was associated with shorter sepsis door-to-antibiotic times. METHODS:Patients eligible for this retrospective study received IV antibiotics and demonstrated acute organ failure after presenting to one of three EDs in Utah. On May 1, 2016, the intervention ED instituted "swarming" as the default model for initial evaluation of all mid- and low-acuity patients. Swarming involved simultaneous patient evaluation by the ED physician, nurse, and technician followed by a team discussion of the initial care plan. Care was unchanged at the two control EDs. A 30-day wash-in period separated the baseline (May 16, 2015 to April 15, 2016) and post-intervention (May 16, 2016 to November 15, 2016) analysis periods. We conducted a quasi-experimental analysis comparing door-to-antibiotic time for sepsis patients at the intervention ED after versus before care reorganization, applying difference-in-differences methods to control for trends in door-to-antibiotic time unrelated to the studied intervention and multivariable regression to adjust for patient characteristics. RESULTS:The analysis included 3,230 ED sepsis patients, including 1,406 from the intervention ED. Adjusted analyses using difference-in-differences methods to control for temporal trends unrelated to the studied intervention revealed no significant change in door-to-antibiotic time after care reorganization (-7 minutes, 95% CI -20 to 6 minutes, p = 0.29). Multivariable pre/post analyses using data only from the intervention ED overestimated the magnitude and statistical significance of outcome changes associated with ED care reorganization. CONCLUSIONS:Implementation of an ED care model involving parallel multidisciplinary assessment and early team discussion of the care plan was not associated with improvements in mid- and low-acuity sepsis patients' door-to-antibiotic time after accounting for changes in the outcome unrelated to the studied intervention.

BACKGROUND:The Charlson and Elixhauser comorbidity indices are mortality predictors often used in clinical, administrative, and research applications. The Intermountain Mortality Risk Scores (IMRS) are validated mortality predictors that use all factors from the complete blood count and basic metabolic profile. How IMRS, Charlson, and Elixhauser relate to each other is unknown. METHODS:All inpatient admissions except obstetric patients at Intermountain Healthcare's 21 adult care hospitals from 2010-2014 (N = 197,680) were examined in a observational cohort study. The most recent admission was a patient's index encounter. Follow-up to 2018 used hospital death records, Utah death certificates, and the Social Security death master file. Three Charlson versions, 8 Elixhauser versions, and 3 IMRS formulations were evaluated in Cox regression and the one of each that was most predictive was used in dual risk score mortality analyses (in-hospital, 30-day, 1-year, and 5-year mortality). RESULTS:Indices with the strongest mortality associations and selected for dual score study were the age-adjusted Charlson, the van Walraven version of the acute Elixhauser, and the 1-year IMRS. For in-hospital mortality, Charlson (c = 0.719; HR = 4.75, 95% CI = 4.45, 5.07), Elixhauser (c = 0.783; HR = 5.79, CI = 5.41, 6.19), and IMRS (c = 0.821; HR = 17.95, CI = 15.90, 20.26) were significant predictors (p