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PloS One 2018Unplanned hospital admissions in high-risk patients are common and costly in an increasingly frail chronic disease population. Virtual Wards (VW) are an emerging concept... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Unplanned hospital admissions in high-risk patients are common and costly in an increasingly frail chronic disease population. Virtual Wards (VW) are an emerging concept to improve outcomes in these patients.
PURPOSE
To evaluate the effect of post-discharge VWs, as an alternative to usual community based care, on hospital readmissions and mortality among heart failure and non-heart failure populations.
DATA SOURCES
Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SCOPUS and CINAHL, from inception through to Jan 31, 2017; unpublished data, prior systematic reviews; reference lists.
STUDY SELECTION
Randomized trials of post-discharge VW versus community based, usual care that reported all-cause hospital readmission and mortality outcomes.
DATA EXTRACTION
Data were reviewed for inclusion and independently extracted by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool.
DATA SYNTHESIS
In patients with heart failure, a post-discharge VW reduced risk of mortality (six trials, n = 1634; RR 0.59, 95% CI = 0.44-0.78). Heart failure related readmissions were reduced (RR 0.61, 95% CI = 0.49-0.76), although all-cause readmission was not. In contrast, a post-discharge VW did not reduce death or hospital readmissions for patients with undifferentiated high-risk chronic diseases (four trials, n = .3186).
LIMITATIONS
Heterogeneity with respect to intervention and comparator, lacking consistent descriptions and utilization of standardized nomenclature for VW. Some trials had methodologic shortcomings and relatively small study populations.
CONCLUSIONS
A post-discharge VW can provide added benefits to usual community based care to reduce all-cause mortality and heart failure-related hospital admissions among patients with heart failure. Further research is needed to evaluate the utility of VWs in other chronic disease settings.
Topics: Chronic Disease; Continuity of Patient Care; Heart Failure; Humans; Length of Stay; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Patient Discharge; Patient Readmission
PubMed: 29708997
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196114 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2016Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a common adverse effect in children with cancer. Due to the high relative risk of infections and infectious complications, standard... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is a common adverse effect in children with cancer. Due to the high relative risk of infections and infectious complications, standard care for children with cancer and febrile neutropenia consists of routine hospitalization and parenteral administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics. However, there are less serious causes of febrile neutropenia; in a subgroup of these children, lengthy in-hospital treatment might be unnecessary. Various research groups have studied the adjustment of standard care to shorten in-hospital treatment for children with cancer and febrile neutropenia at low risk for bacterial infections. However, most of these studies were not done in a randomized matter.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate whether early discharge (mean/median of less than five days) from in-hospital treatment was not inferior to non-early discharge (mean/median of five days or more) and whether very early discharge (mean/median of less than 24 hours) was not inferior to early discharge, non-early discharge, or a combination of these, in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2015, issue 11), MEDLINE/PubMed (from 1945 to December 2015), EMBASE/Ovid (from 1980 to December 2015), the reference lists of relevant articles and review articles, and various conference proceedings (dependent on availability from 2005 to 2010 to 2013 to 2015). We scanned the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number (ISRCTN) Register, the National Institute of Health Register for ongoing trials, and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) on 9 January 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included all randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials in which children with cancer and febrile neutropenia were divided in groups with different times of discharge.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard methods of Cochrane and its Childhood Cancer Group. Two independent review authors performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment. We entered data extracted from the included studies into Review Manager 5 and undertook analyses according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions.
MAIN RESULTS
We included two randomized controlled trials assessing very early, early, non-early (or a combination of these) discharge in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia. We graded the evidence as low quality; we downgraded for risk of bias and imprecision. One study, Santolaya 2004, consisted of 149 randomized low-risk episodes and compared early discharge (mean/median of less than five days) to non-early discharge (mean/median of five days or more). This study found no clear evidence of difference in treatment failure (risk ratio (RR) 0.91, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 3.50, P value = 0.89 for rehospitalization or adjustment of antimicrobial treatment, or both; Fischer's exact P value = 0.477 for death) or duration of treatment (mean difference -0.3 days, 95% CI -1.22 to 0.62, P value = 0.52 for any antimicrobial treatment; mean difference -0.5 days, 95% CI -1.36 to 0.36, P value = 0.25 for intravenous antimicrobial treatment; mean difference 0.2 days, 95% CI -0.51 to 0.91, P value = 0.58 for oral antimicrobial treatment). Costs were lower in the early discharge group (mean difference USD -265, 95% CI USD -403.14 to USD -126.86, P value = 0.0002). The second included study, Brack 2012, consisted of 62 randomized low-risk episodes and compared very early discharge (mean/median of less than 24 hours) to early discharge (mean/median of less than five days). This study also found no clear evidence of difference in treatment failure (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.89, P value = 0.34 for rehospitalization or adjustment of antimicrobial treatment (or both); Fischer's exact P value = 0.557 for death). Regarding duration of treatment, median duration of intravenous antimicrobial treatment was shorter in the very early discharge group (Wilcoxon's P value ≤ 0.001, stated in the study) and median duration of oral antimicrobial treatment was shorter in the early discharge group (Wilcoxon's P ≤ 0.001, stated in the study) as compared to one another. However, there was no clear evidence of difference in median duration of any antimicrobial treatment (Wilcoxon's P value = 0.34, stated in the study). Costs were not assessed in this study. Neither of the included studies assessed quality of life. Meta-analysis was not possible as the included studies assessed different discharge moments and used different risk stratification models.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Very limited data were available regarding the safety of early discharge compared to non-early discharge from in-hospital treatment in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia and a low risk for invasive infection. The absence of clear evidence of differences in both studies could be due to lack of power.Evidently, there are still profound gaps regarding very early and early discharge in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia. Future studies that assess this subject should have a large sample size and aim to establish uniform and objective criteria regarding the identification of a low-risk febrile neutropenic episode.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Febrile Neutropenia; Humans; Length of Stay; Neoplasms; Patient Discharge; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Standard of Care; Time Factors
PubMed: 26899263
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008382.pub2 -
Exploratory Research in Clinical and... Sep 2023Clinical pharmacists have been shown to identify and resolve medication related problems post-discharge, however the impact on patient clinical outcomes is unclear.
BACKGROUND
Clinical pharmacists have been shown to identify and resolve medication related problems post-discharge, however the impact on patient clinical outcomes is unclear.
AIMS
To undertake a systematic review to identify, critically appraise and present the evidence on post-discharge hospital clinics that provide clinical pharmacist medication review; report the patient clinical outcomes measured; and describe the activities of the clinical pharmacist.
METHODS
Published studies evaluating a patient clinical outcome following a post-discharge hospital clinic pharmacy service were included. All studies needed a comparative design (intervention vs control or comparator). Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycnINFO, Web of Science, IPA and APAIS-Health databases were searched to identify studies. The type of clinic and the clinical pharmacist activities were linked to patient clinical outcomes.
RESULTS
Fifty-seven studies were included in the final analysis, 14 randomised controlled trials and 43 non-randomised studies. Three key clinic types were identified: post-discharge pharmacist review alone, inpatient care plus post-discharge review and post-discharge collaborative clinics. The three main outcome metrics identified were hospital readmission and/or representation, adverse events and improved disease state metrics. There was often a mix of these outcomes reported as primary and secondary outcomes. High heterogeneity of interventions and clinical pharmacist activities reported meant it was difficult to link clinical pharmacist activities with the outcomes reported.
CONCLUSIONS
A post-discharge clinic pharmacist may improve patient clinical outcomes such as hospital readmission and representation rates. Future research needs to provide a clearer description of the clinical pharmacist activities provided in both arms of comparative studies.
PubMed: 37655116
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2023.100305 -
BMC Geriatrics Jul 2013Older age and higher acuity are associated with prolonged hospital stays and hospital readmissions. Early discharge planning may reduce lengths of hospital stay and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Older age and higher acuity are associated with prolonged hospital stays and hospital readmissions. Early discharge planning may reduce lengths of hospital stay and hospital readmissions; however, its effectiveness with acutely admitted older adults is unclear.
METHODS
In this systematic review, we compared the effectiveness of early discharge planning to usual care in reducing index length of hospital stay, hospital readmissions, readmission length of hospital stay, and mortality; and increasing satisfaction with discharge planning and quality of life for older adults admitted to hospital with an acute illness or injury.We searched the Cochrane Library, DARE, HTA, NHSEED, ACP, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, PubMed, Web of Science, SciSearch, PEDro, Sigma Theta Tau International's registry of nursing research, Joanna Briggs Institute, CRISP, OT Seeker, and several internet search engines. Hand-searching was conducted in four gerontological journals and references of all included studies and previous systematic reviews. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. Data were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. Where meta-analysis was not possible, narrative analysis was performed.
RESULTS
Nine trials with a total of 1736 participants were included. Compared to usual care, early discharge planning was associated with fewer hospital readmissions within one to twelve months of index hospital discharge [risk ratio (RR) = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69 - 0.90]; and lower readmission lengths of hospital stay within three to twelve months of index hospital discharge [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -2.47, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = -4.13 - -0.81)]. No differences were found in index length of hospital stay, mortality or satisfaction with discharge planning. Narrative analysis of four studies indicated that early discharge planning was associated with greater overall quality of life and the general health domain of quality of life two weeks after index hospital discharge.
CONCLUSIONS
Early discharge planning with acutely admitted older adults improves system level outcomes after index hospital discharge. Service providers can use these findings to design and implement early discharge planning for older adults admitted to hospital with an acute illness or injury.
Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Hospitalization; Humans; Patient Discharge; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 23829698
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-70 -
BMJ Open Aug 2017Many studies have assessed the predictors of morbidity/mortality of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in acute care. However, with the increasing rate of... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Many studies have assessed the predictors of morbidity/mortality of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in acute care. However, with the increasing rate of survival after TBI, more attention has been given to discharge destinations from acute care as an important measure of clinical priorities. This study describes the design of a systematic review compiling and synthesising studies on the prognostic factors of discharge settings from acute care in patients with TBI.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
This systematic review will be conducted on peer-reviewed studies using seven databases including Medline/Medline in-Process, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane CENTRAL, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Supplemental PubMed. The reference list of selected articles and Google Scholar will also be reviewed to determine other relevant articles. This study will include all English language observational studies that focus on adult patients with TBI in acute care settings. The quality of articles will be assessed by the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
The results of this review will provide evidence that may guide healthcare providers in making more informed and timely discharge decisions to the next level of care for patient with TBI. Also, this study will provide valuable information to address the gaps in knowledge for future research.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Trial registration number (PROSPERO) is CRD42016033046.
Topics: Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Humans; Patient Discharge; Prognosis; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 28860230
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016694 -
EClinicalMedicine Nov 2023Hospital-treated self-harm is common, costly, and strongly associated with suicide. Whilst effective psychosocial interventions exist, little is known about what key...
BACKGROUND
Hospital-treated self-harm is common, costly, and strongly associated with suicide. Whilst effective psychosocial interventions exist, little is known about what key factors might modify the clinical decision to refer an individual to psychiatric in- and/or out-patient treatment following an episode of hospital-treated self-harm.
METHODS
We searched five electronic databases (CENTRAL, CDSR, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycINFO) until 3 January 2023 for studies reporting data on either the proportion of patients and/or events that receive a referral and/or discharge to psychiatric in- and/or outpatient treatment after an episode of hospital-treated self-harm. Pooled weighted prevalence estimates were calculated using the random effects model with the Freedman-Tukey double arcsine adjustment in R, version 4.0.5. We also investigated whether several study-level and macro-level factors explained variability for these outcomes using random-effects meta-regression. The protocol of this review was pre-registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021261531).
FINDINGS
189 publications, representing 131 unique studies, which reported data on 243,953 individual participants who had engaged in a total of 174,359 episodes of self-harm were included. Samples were drawn from 44 different countries. According to World Bank classifications, most (83.7%) samples were from high income countries. Across the age range, one-quarter of persons were referred for inpatient psychiatric care and, of these, around one-fifth received treatment. Just over one-third were referred to outpatient psychiatric care, whilst around half of those referred received at least one treatment session across the age range. Event rate estimates were generally of a lower magnitude. Subgroup analyses found that older adults (mean sample age: ≥60 years) may be less likely than young people (mean sample age: ≤25 years) and adults (mean sample age: >25 years to <60 years) to be referred for outpatient psychiatric care following self-harm. More recent studies were associated with a small increase in the proportion of presentations (events) that were referred to, and received, psychiatric outpatient treatment. No macro-level factor explained between-study heterogeneity.
INTERPRETATION
There is considerable scope for improvement in the allocation and provision of both in- and out-patient psychiatric care following hospital-presenting self-harm, particularly considering that the period after discharge from general hospitals represents the peak risk period for repeat self-harm and suicide. Given the marked between-study heterogeneity, the basis for allocation of aftercare treatment is therefore not yet known and should be further studied.
FUNDING
There was no specific funding for this review.
PubMed: 37965430
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102295 -
Electronic Discharge Communication Tools Used in Pediatric Emergency Departments: Systematic Review.JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting Jun 2022Electronic discharge communication tools (EDCTs) are increasingly common in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). These tools have been shown to improve...
BACKGROUND
Electronic discharge communication tools (EDCTs) are increasingly common in pediatric emergency departments (EDs). These tools have been shown to improve patient-centered communication, support postdischarge care at home, and reduce unnecessary return visits to the ED.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to map and assess the evidence base for EDCTs used in pediatric EDs according to their functionalities, intended purpose, implementation context features, and outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) procedures for identification, screening, and eligibility. A total of 7 databases (EBSCO, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE Scopus, and Web of Science) were searched for studies published between 1989 and 2021. Studies evaluating discharge communication-related outcomes using electronic tools (eg, text messages, videos, and kiosks) in pediatric EDs were included. In all, 2 researchers independently assessed the eligibility. Extracted data related to study identification, methodology, settings and demographics, intervention features, outcome implementation features, and practice, policy, and research implications. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality. The synthesis of results involved structured tabulation, vote counting, recoding into common metrics, inductive thematic analysis, descriptive statistics, and heat mapping.
RESULTS
In total, 231 full-text articles and abstracts were screened for review inclusion with 49 reports (representing 55 unique tools) included. In all, 70% (26/37) of the studies met at least three of five Mixed Method Appraisal Tool criteria. The most common EDCTs were videos, text messages, kiosks, and phone calls. The time required to use the tools ranged from 120 seconds to 80 minutes. The EDCTs were evaluated for numerous presenting conditions (eg, asthma, fracture, head injury, fever, and otitis media) that required a range of at-home care needs after the ED visit. The most frequently measured outcomes were knowledge acquisition, caregiver and patient beliefs and attitudes, and health service use. Unvalidated self-report measures were typically used for measurement. Health care provider satisfaction or system-level impacts were infrequently measured in studies. The directionality of primary outcomes pointed to positive effects for the primary measure (44/55, 80%) or no significant difference (10/55, 18%). Only one study reported negative findings, with an increase in return visits to the ED after receiving the intervention compared with the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
This review is the first to map the broad literature of EDCTs used in pediatric EDs. The findings suggest a promising evidence base, demonstrating that EDCTs have been successfully integrated across clinical contexts and deployed via diverse technological modalities. Although caregiver and patient satisfaction with EDCTs is high, future research should use robust trials using consistent measures of communication quality, clinician experience, cost-effectiveness, and health service use to accumulate evidence regarding these outcomes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO CRD42020157500; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=157500.
PubMed: 35608929
DOI: 10.2196/36878 -
Emergencias : Revista de La Sociedad... Feb 2020To evaluate the efficacy of intraosseous access versus venous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in terms of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the efficacy of intraosseous access versus venous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in terms of return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and survival to hospital discharge with or without favorable neurologic status.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Systematic review and meta-analysis of articles indexed in MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, the Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Other terms adapted to the language of each index were also used. We included observational studies and clinical trials published from January 1, 1950, to May 31, 2019, if the study population included adult patients in cardiac arrest outside the hospital and in whom an intraosseous or intravenous catheter was inserted. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) tools.
RESULTS
We identified 434 papers to include in the qualitative review and 5 studies for meta-analysis. Intraosseous access was related to a lower rate of ROSC (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.57-0.83; P=.02; I2=65%) and worse survival to discharge (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51-0.83); P<.01, I2=30%).
CONCLUSION
Intraosseous access in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is related to poorer outcomes in terms of ROSC and survival at hospital discharge.
Topics: Adult; Catheterization; Humans; Infusions, Intraosseous; Odds Ratio; Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest; Patient Discharge; Return of Spontaneous Circulation
PubMed: 31909913
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal of Chronic... 2023Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) effectively improves symptoms and exercise ability in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Effects of Early Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Hospitalized Patients with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) effectively improves symptoms and exercise ability in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the effectiveness and timing of early PR on hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is still debated.
METHODS
This study conducted a meta-analysis to compare the outcome benefits between early PR and usual care for patient hospitalized due to AECOPD. A systematic search was performed for retrieving randomized control trials (RCTs) from the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library until November 2021. RCTs reporting early PR for AECOPD with hospitalization, either during admission or within four weeks of discharge, were enrolled for systematic review and meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Twenty RCTs (1274 participants) were included. Early PR showed significantly improved readmission rate (ten trials, risk ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.92), 6-minute walking distance (6MWD, twelve trials, MD 59.73, 95% CI 36.34-83.12), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire score (eight trials, MD -10.65, 95% CI -14.78 to -6.52), Borg score (eight trials, MD -0.79, 95% CI -1.26 to -0.32), and modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (eight trials, MD -0.38, 95% CI -0.5 to -0.25). However, the trend of mortality (six trials, risk ratio 0.72, 95% CI 0.39-1.34) benefit was not significant. The subgroup analysis showed non-significant trends of better effect in early PR during admission than those after discharge for outcomes of 6MWD, quality of life, and dyspnea. However, non-significant trends of less benefits on mortality and readmission rate were found in early PR during the admission.
CONCLUSION
Overall, early PR is beneficial for AECOPD with hospitalization, and there was no significant outcome difference between PR initiated during admission or within 4 weeks of discharge.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Hospitalization; Quality of Life; Dyspnea; Patient Discharge
PubMed: 37215744
DOI: 10.2147/COPD.S397361 -
Vaccine Aug 2023Hospital settings represent an opportunity to offer and/or promote childhood vaccination. The purpose of the systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hospital settings represent an opportunity to offer and/or promote childhood vaccination. The purpose of the systematic review was to assess the effectiveness of different hospital-based strategies for improving childhood vaccination coverage.
METHODS
A systematic search of multiple bibliographic databases, thesis databases, and relevant websites was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles published up to September 20, 2021. Articles were included if they evaluated the impact of a hospital (inpatient or emergency department)-based intervention on childhood vaccination coverage, were published in English or French, and were conducted in high-income countries. High quality studies were included in a narrative synthesis.
RESULTS
We included 25 high quality studies out of 7,845 unique citations. Studies focused on routine, outbreak, and influenza vaccines, and interventions included opportunistic vaccination (i.e. vaccination during hospital visit) (n = 7), patient education (n = 2), community connection (n = 2), patient reminders (n = 2), and opportunistic vaccination combined with patient education and/or reminders (n = 12). Opportunistic vaccination interventions were generally successful at improving vaccine coverage, though results ranged from no impact to vaccinating 71 % of eligible children with routine vaccines and 9-61 % of eligible children with influenza vaccines. Interventions that aimed to increase vaccination after hospital discharge (community connection, patient education, reminders) were less successful.
CONCLUSIONS
Some interventions that provide vaccination to children accessing hospitals improved vaccine coverage; however, the baseline coverage level of the population, as well as implementation strategies used impact success. There is limited evidence that interventions promoting vaccination after hospital discharge are more successful if they are tailored to the individual.
Topics: Child; Humans; Vaccination Coverage; Influenza Vaccines; Vaccination; Income; Data Management; Immunization
PubMed: 37500415
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.07.036