Template matching for benchmarking hospital performance in the veterans affairs healthcare system.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Vincent BM
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6531221 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Project description:Template matching is a proposed approach for hospital benchmarking, which measures performance based on matching a subset of comparable patient hospitalizations from each hospital. We assessed the ability to create the required matched samples and thus the feasibility of template matching to benchmark hospital performance in a diverse healthcare system.Nationwide Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals, 2017.Observational cohort study.We used administrative and clinical data from 668,592 hospitalizations at 134 VA hospitals in 2017. A standardized template of 300 hospitalizations was selected, and then 300 hospitalizations were matched to the template from each hospital.There was substantial case-mix variation across VA hospitals, which persisted after excluding small hospitals, hospitals with primarily psychiatric admissions, and hospitalizations for rare diagnoses. Median age ranged from 57 to 75 years across hospitals; percent surgical admissions ranged from 0.0% to 21.0%; percent of admissions through the emergency department, 0.1% to 98.7%; and percent Hispanic patients, 0.2% to 93.3%. Characteristics for which there was substantial variation across hospitals could not be balanced with any matching algorithm tested. Although most other variables could be balanced, we were unable to identify a matching algorithm that balanced more than ∼20 variables simultaneously.We were unable to identify a template matching approach that could balance hospitals on all measured characteristics potentially important to benchmarking. Given the magnitude of case-mix variation across VA hospitals, a single template is likely not feasible for general hospital benchmarking.
| S-EPMC7302661 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Premature clopidogrel discontinuation after drug-eluting stent placement is associated with adverse outcomes. Little is known about patient and hospital factors associated with premature discontinuation or whether less variation in premature discontinuation exists in integrated health care systems such as the Veterans Affairs (VA).We evaluated the frequency of premature clopidogrel discontinuation, defined as a gap between clopidogrel refills of ≥90 days during the first 6 months of treatment, among 12 707 patients who received drug-eluting stents in VA hospitals between 2008 and 2010. We evaluated the association between premature discontinuation and all-cause mortality and/or acute myocardial infarction, variation in the proportion of premature discontinuation among hospitals, the patient and hospital characteristics associated with premature discontinuation, and the extent to which unexplained hospital characteristics contribute to premature discontinuation. Of the patients, 963 (7.6%) discontinued clopidogrel prematurely. Premature discontinuation was associated with acute myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.65, 95% CI 1.37-1.99, P<0.001). The proportion of patients with premature discontinuation varied across hospitals from 0% to 16.5% (P<0.001). We found a median of 24% greater odds of patients with identical covariates with premature discontinuation at one randomly selected hospital compared with another (median odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.17-1.44). Patient factors associated with premature discontinuation included lack of cardiology follow-up within 30 days of discharge and smaller initial clopidogrel fill.One in 13 patients prematurely discontinued clopidogrel, and variation in discontinuation across hospitals was observed. Patient factors were associated with premature discontinuation that may represent targets for quality improvement.
| S-EPMC4889159 | biostudies-other
Project description:BackgroundEmpirical antibiotic use is common in the hospital. Here, we characterize patterns of antibiotic use, infectious diagnoses, and microbiological laboratory results among hospitalized patients and aim to quantify the proportion of antibiotic use that is potentially attributable to specific bacterial pathogens.MethodsWe conducted an observational study using electronic health records from acute care facilities in the US Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. From October 2017 to September 2018, 482 381 hospitalizations for 332 657 unique patients that met all criteria were included. At least 1 antibiotic was administered at 202 037 (41.9%) of included hospital stays. We measured frequency of antibiotic use, microbiological specimen collection, and bacterial isolation by diagnosis category and antibiotic group. A tiered system based on specimen collection sites and diagnoses was used to attribute antibiotic use to presumptive causative organisms.ResultsSpecimens were collected at 130 012 (64.4%) hospitalizations with any antibiotic use, and at least 1 bacterial organism was isolated at 35.1% of these stays. Frequency of bacterial isolation varied widely by diagnosis category and antibiotic group. Under increasingly lenient criteria, 10.2%-31.4% of 974 733 antibiotic days of therapy could be linked to a potential bacterial pathogen.ConclusionsOverall, the vast majority of antibiotic use could be linked to either an infectious diagnosis or microbiological specimen. Nearly one-half of antibiotic use occurred when there was a specimen collected but no bacterial organism identified, underscoring the need for rapid and improved diagnostics to optimize antibiotic use.
| S-EPMC8752245 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundPrimary care providers (PCPs) vary in skills to effectively treat depression. Key features of evidence-based collaborative care models (CCMs) include the availability of depression care managers (DCMs) and mental health specialists (MHSs) in primary care. Little is known, however, about the relationships between PCP characteristics, CCM features, and PCP depression care.ObjectiveTo assess relationships between various CCM features, PCP characteristics, and PCP depression management.DesignCross-sectional analysis of a provider survey.Participants180 PCPs in eight VA sites nationwide.Main measuresIndependent variables included scales measuring comfort and difficulty with depression care; collaboration with a MHS; self-reported depression caseload; availability of a collocated MHS, and co-management with a DCM or MHS. Covariates included provider type and gender. For outcomes, we assessed PCP self-reported performance of key depression management behaviors in primary care in the past 6 months.Key resultsResponse rate was 52 % overall, with 47 % attending physicians, 34 % residents, and 19 % nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Half (52 %) reported greater than eight veterans with depression in their panels and a MHS collocated in primary care (50 %). Seven of the eight clinics had a DCM. In multivariable analysis, significant predictors for PCP depression management included comfort, difficulty, co-management with MHSs and numbers of veterans with depression in their panels.ConclusionsPCPs who felt greater ease and comfort in managing depression, co-managed with MHSs, and reported higher depression caseloads, were more likely to report performing depression management behaviors. Neither a collocated MHS, collaborating with a MHS, nor co-managing with a DCM independently predicted PCP depression management. Because the success of collaborative care for depression depends on the ability and willingness of PCPs to engage in managing depression themselves, along with other providers, more research is necessary to understand how to engage PCPs in depression management.
| S-EPMC4061347 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundEarly recognition of heart failure (HF) can reduce morbidity, yet HF is often diagnosed only after symptoms require urgent treatment.ObjectivesThe authors sought to describe predictors of HF diagnosis in the acute care vs outpatient setting within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).MethodsThe authors estimated whether incident HF diagnoses occurred in acute care (inpatient hospital or emergency department) vs outpatient settings within the VHA between 2014 and 2019. After excluding new-onset HF potentially caused by acute concurrent conditions, they identified sociodemographic and clinical variables associated with diagnosis setting and assessed variation across 130 VHA facilities using multivariable regression analysis.ResultsThe authors identified 303,632 patients with new HF, with 160,454 (52.8%) diagnosed in acute care settings. In the prior year, 44% had HF symptoms and 11% had a natriuretic peptide tested, 88% of which were elevated. Patients with housing insecurity and high neighborhood social vulnerability had higher odds of acute care diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio: 1.22 [95% CI: 1.17-1.27] and 1.17 [95% CI: 1.14-1.21], respectively) adjusting for medical comorbidities. Better outpatient quality of care (blood pressure control and cholesterol and diabetes monitoring within the prior 2 years) predicted a lower odds of acute care diagnosis. Likelihood of acute care HF diagnosis varied from 41% to 68% across facilities after adjusting for patient-level risk factors.ConclusionsMany first HF diagnoses occur in the acute care setting, especially among socioeconomically vulnerable populations. Better outpatient care was associated with lower rates of an acute care diagnosis. These findings highlight opportunities for timelier HF diagnosis that may improve patient outcomes.
| S-EPMC10069381 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundWomen veterans who use the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System theoretically have access to the full range of contraceptive methods. This study explores match between currently used and self-reported "ideal" methods as a potential marker of contraceptive access and preference matching.MethodsThis mixed methods study uses data from a nationally representative survey of reproductive-aged women veterans who use the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System for primary care, including 979 participants at risk of unintended pregnancy. Women reported all contraceptive methods used in the past month and were asked, "If you could choose any method of contraception or birth control to prevent pregnancy, what would be your ideal choice?" and selected a single "ideal" method. If applicable, participants were additionally asked, "Why aren't you currently using this method of contraception?" We used adjusted logistic regression to identify patient-, provider-, and system-level factors associated with ideal-current method match. We qualitatively analyzed open-ended responses about reasons for ideal method nonuse.ResultsOverall, 58% were currently using their ideal method; match was greatest among women selecting an IUD as ideal (73%). Non-White race/ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio, 0.68; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.89) and mental illness (adjusted odds ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.52-0.92) were negatively associated with ideal-current match in adjusted analyses; the presence of a gynecologist at the primary care site was associated with an increased odds of match (adjusted odds ratio, 1.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.75). Modifiable barriers to ideal method use were cited by 23% of women, including access issues, cost concerns, and provider-level barriers; 79% of responses included nonmodifiable reasons for mismatch including relationship factors and pregnancy plans incongruent with ideal method use, suggesting limitations of our measure based on differential interpretation of the word "ideal."ConclusionsMany women veterans are not currently using the contraceptive method they consider ideal. Results emphasize the complexity of contraceptive method selection and of measuring contraceptive preference matching.
| S-EPMC7347446 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveDevelop an improved method for auditing hospital cost and quality.Data sources/settingMedicare claims in general, gynecologic and urologic surgery, and orthopedics from Illinois, Texas, and New York between 2004 and 2006.Study designA template of 300 representative patients was constructed and then used to match 300 patients at hospitals that had a minimum of 500 patients over a 3-year study period.Data collection/extraction methodsFrom each of 217 hospitals we chose 300 patients most resembling the template using multivariate matching.Principal findingsThe matching algorithm found close matches on procedures and patient characteristics, far more balanced than measured covariates would be in a randomized clinical trial. These matched samples displayed little to no differences across hospitals in common patient characteristics yet found large and statistically significant hospital variation in mortality, complications, failure-to-rescue, readmissions, length of stay, ICU days, cost, and surgical procedure length. Similar patients at different hospitals had substantially different outcomes.ConclusionThe template-matched sample can produce fair, directly standardized audits that evaluate hospitals on patients with similar characteristics, thereby making benchmarking more believable. Through examining matched samples of individual patients, administrators can better detect poor performance at their hospitals and better understand why these problems are occurring.
| S-EPMC4213044 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the US. CRC survivors may have complex healthcare needs requiring care from both specialists and primary care. Our objective was to understand how CRC survivors perceive their survivorship care, especially management of their cardiovascular-related chronic diseases. METHODS:We identified patients diagnosed with non-metastatic CRC between 10/1/2007 and 12/31/2015 at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in North Carolina or Virginia. In 2016, we conducted telephone-based, semi-structured interviews to assess survivors' experiences with cancer survivorship and changes in health priorities. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. RESULTS:The 25 participants were, on average, 64 years old and approximately 4 years post-CRC diagnosis at the time of interview; most were white (60%), male (92%), and diagnosed with colon cancer (64%) as opposed to rectal cancer. CRC survivors reported: (1) a shift in focus from surviving cancer to reducing cardiovascular disease risk (e.g., by managing weight); (2) challenges with taking medications for CVD-related conditions; (3) new recognition of the importance of engaging with primary care providers. CONCLUSIONS:Experiences with cancer shapes how survivors view their health. Management of cardiovascular-related chronic disease is important to veteran CRC survivors. There is a need to deliver cardiovascular disease risk reduction programs tailored for CRC survivors.
| S-EPMC5845139 | biostudies-literature
Project description:PURPOSE: Given the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System's recent introduction of single-use Tonosafe disposable tonometer prisms as an alternative to Goldmann applanation tonometers (GATs), this study had two aims: to conduct a large-scale quality assurance trial to assess the reliability of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements of the Tonosafe disposable tonometer compared with GAT, particularly at extremes of pressure; to evaluate the suitability of Tonosafe disposable tonometer prisms as an acceptable substitute for GATs and for clinic-wide implementation in an academic tertiary referral setting. METHODS: Ophthalmology resident physicians measured the IOPs of patients in general and specialty eye clinics with the Tonosafe disposable tonometer and GAT. Tonosafe test-retest reliability data were also collected. A retrospective review of patient charts and data analysis were performed to determine the reliability of measurements. RESULTS: The IOPs of 652 eyes (326 patients) were measured with both GAT and Tonosafe, with a range of 3-34 mm Hg. Linear regression analysis showed R=0.93, slope=0.91, both of which supported the proposed hypothesis, and the y-intercept=-1.05 was significantly different from the hypothesized value. The Tonosafe test-retest repeatability (40 eyes of 40 patients), r=0.977, was very high, which was further supported by linear regression slope=0.993, y-intercept=0.118, and a Tonosafe repeatability coefficient of 2.06, similar to GAT repeatability. CONCLUSIONS: The IOP measurements by Tonosafe disposable prisms correlated closely with Goldmann measurements, with similar repeated measurement variability to GAT. This suggests that the Tonosafe is an acceptable substitute for GAT to measure IOP in ophthalmology clinic settings.
| S-EPMC3171273 | biostudies-other
Project description:Vaccine hesitancy undermines the control of the COVID-19 pandemic and has been observed in health care workers. As part of a quality improvement effort, we aimed to describe reasons for vaccine acceptance and hesitancy among employees in the Veteran Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). We administered an open-ended and web-based survey to all VAPORHCS employees in July 2021. Data were analyzed using a rapid usability framework, whereby qualitative data were synthesized into thematic categories to inform decision making. Among the 1157 employees who completed the survey, 88% reported that they had received the vaccine and 12% reported that they did not receive the vaccine. Over half (54%) of vaccinated respondents reported having initial hesitancy to the COVID-19 vaccine but overcame their hesitancy by deciding that the vaccine's benefits outweighed its risks. Reasons for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance were: 1) individual and community health; 2) protect vulnerable and unvaccinated family members; 3) promote patient and workplace safety; 4) scientific evidence. Reasons for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among unvaccinated employees were: 1) concerns with safety and risk profile of vaccine; 2) mistrust in vaccine development; 3) personal choice; 4) openness to future vaccination. These results provide information for tailored vaccine messaging efforts as well as emphasizes the need for trust-building between employees and health care organizations.
| S-EPMC8783525 | biostudies-literature