Children with medical complexity and paediatric palliative care: a retrospective cross-sectional survey of prevalence and needs.

BACKGROUND: Children with medical complexity (CMC) have been defined (Cohen et al., Pediatrics 127: 529-538, 2011.) as an emerging population potentially eligible for PPC. The current study investigated the prevalence of children with medical complexities eligible for a local palliative care network, including a paediatric hospice. METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional survey has been conducted using children clinical charts from 14 local health authorities of our region (Emilia Romagna, Italy). RESULTS: The total number of children with life-limiting conditions was 601, with a mean age of 7.4 ± 4.8 years, a prevalence of 8.4/10.000 residents < 19 years of age and a heterogeneous presentation among the provinces in the region. Neurological diseases affect 51% of patients, followed by congenital diseases (21%) and pathologies originating in the perinatal period (6%), while only 4% of the patients had a cancer diagnosis. Patients are dependent from many devices and supports: 32% had a gastrostomy, 22% a respiratory support and 15% of patients had both of them. CONCLUSIONS: Observed regional prevalence of complex needs is lower than that published from other European countries. More research is needed to raise awareness of palliative care for children with medical complexities in order to address specific needs.

Early Predictors of Callous and Unemotional Traits: The Roleof Infant, Toddler, and Parent Temperament

Etiological factors contributing to callous and unemotional (CU) traits, and early manifestations of child temperament and caregiver attributes, in particular, require further study. In addition, this researchmust account for overall child behavioral/emotional dysregulation. The present study does precisely this, considering infant, toddler, and parent temperament as predictors of CU traits, controlling for concurrent child behavior problems. Parent and infant temperament information was obtained at 4 and 12 months, with toddler temperament and CU traits measured at 2 years of age (N= 85). The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was utilized to measure total behavior problems, also providing an indicator of CU traits (α= .65). Hierarchical regressions indicated that CU traits were associated with infant fear, but not toddler temperament correlates, as well as maternal high intensity pleasure. These links are relevant to preventative efforts and to understanding the intergenerational transmission of risk for conduct disorder and psychopathy (AU)

Operating Room Efficiency measurement made simple by a single metric.

Operating room (OR) efficiency is a hot topic in OR management studies. Benefits of OR efficiency maximization include financial savings, improved patient safety, greater satisfaction for patients and health workers, and increased productivity. However, how to measure the efficiency of an OR suite still remains a pending question. Many performance indicators have been developed (1) and one of the most frequent approaches consists of choosing a set of indicators to create a dashboard for the monitoring of surgical activities. Macario proposed a scoring system based on eight performance indicators (2). A similar approach was used in The Canadian Paediatric Surgical Wait Times Project (3). Although the use of dashboards and scoring systems allows for a wide and in-depth understanding of the numerous factors that contribute to efficiency, it may also raise problems. The use of multiple indicators involves gathering large amounts of data that are not routinely available in every context and are subject to different interpretations if metrics show divergent trends. Moreover, it is not possible to properly establish relative weights among metrics. We propose a different approach, based on a single and overall indicator that can be used as a proxy for OR efficiency. We considered four elements as a minimum set for composing our indicator: raw utilization (RU), turn-over time (TT), preparation time (PT) and case cancellation (CC) (4). RU formed the basis for our considerations, as it is one of the most common and widespread performance indicators. RU represents the percent of time that patients spend in OR during resource hours.

Restructuring the surgical process after regional reform in Emilia-Romagna: an action-research project at Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals performing surgery in Italy underwent important transformations in recent years, with decreasing economic resources and higher expected standards of care. Regional authorities acted differently across the country to adapt to the new scenario, generating heterogeneous outcomes. The Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (ROI) in the Emilia-Romagna region started its reorganization in 2017, after the issue of new regional regulations about surgical activity. Aim of this paper is to describe the actions taken at ROI and discuss their outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Action-research. METHODS: From 2017 to 2019 an action-research project was developed to introduce organizational changes within ROI and close the existing gaps between regional requirements and actual features of the Institute. Four areas of intervention were identified: surgical scheduling, appropriateness of surgical setting, monitoring and management of the surgical path and accountability. Progress was monitored through the collection of performance indicators and qualitative investigation of the organizational culture. RESULTS: Changes were implemented in all areas of intervention. Key features were the introduction of Operating Room Management (ORM) skills and the establishment of multiprofessional teams to drive the changes. Performance indicators showed a positive trend in the comparison between 2017 and 2018. Improvements were observed in terms of productivity, scheduling, and respect of standard waiting time, while case-mix did not significantly change. CONCLUSIONS: Effective ORM and collaborative practices can successfully drive the change towards a more efficient surgical process without increasing resources consumption.

Health care utilization by men with prostate cancer during the year before their death: A 2015 population-based study.

INTRODUCTION: To study the characteristics and health care utilization of men with prostate cancer (PCa) during their last year and last month of life, as these data have been rarely reported to date. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Men covered by the national health Insurance general scheme (77% of the French population) treated for PCa (2014-2015), who died in 2015 were identified in the national health data system, including reimbursed hospital and outpatient care, and their causes of death. RESULTS: A total of 11,193 men (mean age: 81 years, SD: 9.6) were included. Almost 58% of these men died in a short-stay hospital (SSH), 4% died in hospital-at-home, 9% died in Rehab, 9% died in skilled nursing homes and 21% died at home. During the last year of life, almost all men were hospitalised at least once in SSH and 47% received hospital palliative care (HPC), immediately prior to death in 8% of cases. During the last month of life, 76% of men were hospitalised at least once in SSH, 43% attended an emergency department and 14% were admitted to intensive care, 7% received a chemotherapy session, and 24% received an antineoplastic agent dispensed by a retail pharmacy. Cancer was the main cause of death for 63% of men, corresponding to PCa in 40% of cases, and cardiovascular disease was the main cause of death for 13% of men with marked variations according to age, place of death, and use of HPC. The mean cost reimbursed per man during the last year of life was €38,750 (€48,601 including HPC). CONCLUSIONS: In France, end-of-life management of men with PCa, regardless of the cause of death, is centered on SSH and HPC, essentially at the time of death. Certain indicators of end-of-life management were particular high. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Multicentre cohort study of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy cessation after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed changes in antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the 6-year rates of continuation, discontinuation or initiation of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy after bariatric surgery compared with those in a matched control group of obese patients. METHODS: This nationwide observational population-based cohort study used data extracted from the French national health insurance database. All patients undergoing gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy in France in 2009 were matched with control patients. Mixed-effect logistic regression models were used to analyse factors that influenced discontinuation or initiation of treatment over a 6-year interval. RESULTS: In 2009, 8199 patients underwent primary gastric bypass (55·2 per cent) or sleeve gastrectomy (44·8 per cent). After 6 years, the proportion of patients receiving antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy had decreased more in the bariatric group than in the control group (antihypertensives: -40·7 versus -11·7 per cent respectively; lipid-lowering therapy: -53·6 versus -20·2 per cent; both P < 0·001). Gastric bypass was the main predictive factor for discontinuation of therapy for hypertension (odds ratio (OR) 9·07, 95 per cent c.i. 7·72 to 10·65) and hyperlipidaemia (OR 11·91, 9·65 to 14·71). The proportion of patients not receiving treatment at baseline who were subsequently started on medication was lower after bariatric surgery than in controls for hypertension (5·6 versus 15·8 per cent respectively; P < 0·001) and hyperlipidaemia (2·2 versus 9·1 per cent; P < 0·001). Gastric bypass was the main protective factor for antihypertensives (OR 0·22, 0·18 to 0·26) and lipid-lowering medication (OR 0·12, 0·09 to 0·15). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery is associated with a good discontinuation of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapy, with gastric bypass being more effective than sleeve gastrectomy.

Deaths in France: Characteristics, place of death, hospitalisations and use of palliative care during the year before death.

AIM: Only limited data are available concerning the diseases managed and the hospital pathway before death. The aim of this study was to describe diseases, hospitalisations, and use of palliative care one year before death as well as place of death in France. METHODS: French health insurance general scheme beneficiaries who died in 2013 were identified in the National Health Insurance Information System (SNIIRAM) with a selection of information concerning their various hospital stays, including hospital palliative care (HPC) and nursing home care. Diseases were identified by algorithms from reimbursement data recorded in the SNIIRAM database. RESULTS: A total of 347 253 people were included (61% of all deaths in France). The mean age of death was 77 years (SD 15.1). Diseases managed before death were cardiovascular/neurovascular diseases (56%), cancers (42%), neurological and degenerative diseases (25%), diabetes (21%) and chronic respiratory diseases (20%). Deaths occurred in hospital in 60% of cases: 51% in acute wards, 6% in rehabilitation units, 3% in hospital at home (HaH), and 13% in nursing homes. During the year preceding death, 84% of people were hospitalised at least once and 29% received HPC. People receiving HPC more often died in hospital than people not receiving HPC (69% vs. 44%). CONCLUSION: Health administrative data from the SNIIRAM database can refine our knowledge of the care pathway prior to death and of the use of hospital palliative care and can be useful to evaluate the new governmental palliative care plan recently deployed in France.

Impact of nursing home admission on health care use and disease status elderly dependent people one year before and one year after skilled nursing home admission based on 2012-2013 SNIIRAM data.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare disease status and health care use 1 year before and 1 year after skilled nursing home (SNH) admission. METHODS: People over the age of 65 years admitted to SNH during the first quarter of 2013, covered by the national health insurance general scheme (69% of the population of this age), and still alive 1 year after admission were identified (n = 14,487, mean age: 86 years, women: 76%). Their reimbursed health care was extracted from the Système National d'Information Interrégimes de l'Assurance Maladie (SNIIRAM) [National Health Insurance Information System]. RESULTS: One year after nursing home admission, the most prevalent diseases were cardiovascular/neurovascular diseases and neurodegenerative diseases (affecting 45% and 40% of people before admission vs 51% and 53% after admission, respectively). Physical therapy use increased (43% vs 64% of people had at least one physical therapy session during the year, with an average of 47 vs 84 sessions/person during the year), while specialist consultations decreased (29% of people consulted an ophthalmologist at least once during the year before admission vs 25% after admission; 27% vs 21% consulted a cardiologist). Hospitalization rates were lower during the year following institutionalization (75% vs 40% of people were hospitalized at least once during the year), together with a lower emergency admission rate and a higher day admission rate. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the new French reimbursement database specific to SNH shows that nursing home admission is associated with a reduction of some forms of outpatient care and hospitalizations.

[The REDSIAM network]. / Le réseau REDSIAM (Réseau données Sniiram) ­ Spécial REDSIAM.

The French national health database (SNIIRAM) proved to be very useful for epidemiology, health economics, evaluation, surveillance or public health. However, it is a complex database requiring important resources and expertise for being used. The REDSIAM network has been set up for promoting the collaboration of teams working on the Sniiram. The main aim of REDSIAM is to develop and validate methods for analyzing the Sniiram database for research, surveillance, evaluation and public health purposes by sharing the knowledge and experience of specialized teams in the fields of diseases identification from the Sniiram data. The work conducted within the network is devoted to the development and the validation of algorithms using Sniiram data for identifying specific diseases. The REDSIAM governance includes the Steering Committee composed of the main organizations in charge of producing and using the Sniiram data, the Bureau and the Technical Committee. The network is organized in thematic working groups focused on specific pathological domains, and a charter defines the rules for participation in the network, the functioning of the thematic working groups, the rules for publishing and making available algorithms. The articles in this special issue of the journal present the first results of some of the thematic working groups.

Value of a national administrative database to guide public decisions: From the système national d'information interrégimes de l'Assurance Maladie (SNIIRAM) to the système national des données de santé (SNDS) in France.

In 1999, French legislators asked health insurance funds to develop a système national d'information interrégimes de l'Assurance Maladie (SNIIRAM) [national health insurance information system] in order to more precisely determine and evaluate health care utilization and health care expenditure of beneficiaries. These data, based on almost 66 million inhabitants in 2015, have already been the subject of numerous international publications on various topics: prevalence and incidence of diseases, patient care pathways, health status and health care utilization of specific populations, real-life use of drugs, assessment of adverse effects of drugs or other health care procedures, monitoring of national health insurance expenditure, etc. SNIIRAM comprises individual information on the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of beneficiaries and all hospital care and office medicine reimbursements, coded according to various systems. Access to data is controlled by permissions dependent on the type of data requested or used, their temporality and the researcher's status. In general, data can be analyzed by accredited agencies over a period covering the last three years plus the current year, and specific requests can be submitted to extract data over longer periods. A 1/97th random sample of SNIIRAM, the échantillon généraliste des bénéficiaires (EGB), representative of the national population of health insurance beneficiaries, was composed in 2005 to allow 20-year follow-up with facilitated access for medical research. The EGB is an open cohort, which includes new beneficiaries and newborn infants. SNIIRAM has continued to grow and extend to become, in 2016, the cornerstone of the future système national des données de santé (SNDS) [national health data system], which will gradually integrate new information (causes of death, social and medical data and complementary health insurance). In parallel, the modalities of data access and protection systems have also evolved. This article describes the SNIIRAM data warehouse and its transformation into SNDS, the data collected, the tools developed in order to facilitate data analysis, the limitations encountered, and changing access permissions.

[Algorithms based on medico-administrative data in the field of endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, especially diabetes]. / Algorithmes basés sur les données médico-administratives dans le champ des maladies endocriniennes, nutritionnelles et métaboliques, et en particulier du diabète.

BACKGROUND: Medico-administrative databases represent a very interesting source of information in the field of endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases. The objective of this article is to describe the early works of the Redsiam working group in this field. METHODS: Algorithms developed in France in the field of diabetes, the treatment of dyslipidemia, precocious puberty, and bariatric surgery based on the National Inter-schema Information System on Health Insurance (SNIIRAM) data were identified and described. RESULTS: Three algorithms for identifying people with diabetes are available in France. These algorithms are based either on full insurance coverage for diabetes or on claims of diabetes treatments, or on the combination of these two methods associated with hospitalizations related to diabetes. Each of these algorithms has a different purpose, and the choice should depend on the goal of the study. Algorithms for identifying people treated for dyslipidemia or precocious puberty or who underwent bariatric surgery are also available. CONCLUSION: Early work from the Redsiam working group in the field of endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases produced an inventory of existing algorithms in France, linked with their goals, together with a presentation of their limitations and advantages, providing useful information for the scientific community. This work will continue with discussions about algorithms on the incidence of diabetes in children, thyroidectomy for thyroid nodules, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, and amyloidosis.

Long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery in a national cohort.

BACKGROUND: Lifelong medical follow-up is mandatory after bariatric surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the 5-year follow-up after bariatric surgery in a nationwide cohort of patients. METHODS: All adult obese patients who had undergone primary bariatric surgery in 2009 in France were included. Data were extracted from the French national health insurance database. Medical follow-up (medical visits, micronutrient supplementation and blood tests) during the first 5 years after bariatric surgery was assessed, and compared with national and international guidelines. RESULTS: Some 16 620 patients were included in the study. The percentage of patients with at least one reimbursement for micronutrient supplements decreased between the first and fifth years for iron (from 27.7 to 24.5 per cent; P < 0.001) and calcium (from 14·4 to 7·7 per cent; P < 0·001), but increased for vitamin D (from 33·1 to 34·7 per cent; P < 0·001). The percentage of patients with one or more visits to a surgeon decreased between the first and fifth years, from 87·1 to 29·6 per cent (P < 0·001); similar decreases were observed for visits to a nutritionist/endocrinologist (from 22·8 to 12·4 per cent; P < 0·001) or general practitioner (from 92·6 to 83·4 per cent; P < 0·001). The mean number of visits to a general practitioner was 7·0 and 6·1 in the first and the fifth years respectively. In multivariable analyses, male sex, younger age, absence of type 2 diabetes and poor 1-year follow-up were predictors of poor 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Despite clear national and international guidelines, long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery is poor, especially for young men with poor early follow-up.

[Characteristics, diseases and mortality of people admitted to nursing homes for dependent seniors during the first quarter of 2013 in France]. / Caractéristiques, pathologies et mortalité des résidents en établissements d'hébergement pour personnes âgées dépendantes (Ehpad) admis au cours du premier trimestre 2013 en France.

BACKGROUND: To describe the state of health, through healthcare consumption and mortality, of people admitted to nursing homes (Ehpad) in France. METHODS: People over the age of 65 years admitted to an Ehpad institution during the first quarter of 2013, beneficiaries of the national health insurance general scheme (69% of the population of this age), were identified from the Resid-Ehpad database and their reimbursed health care was extracted from the SNIIRAM database, identifying 56 disease groups by means of algorithms (long-term disease diagnoses and hospitalisations, medicinal products, specific procedures). Disease prevalences were compared to those of other beneficiaries by age- and sex-standardized morbidity/mortality ratios (SMR). RESULTS: A total of 25,534 people were admitted (mean age: 86 years, 71% women). Before admission, these people presented a marker for cardiovascular or neurovascular disease (48% of cases), dementia (34%), cancer (18%), and psychiatric disorders (14%). Compared to non-residents, new residents more frequently presented dementia (SMR=3-40 according to age and sex), psychiatric disorders (SMR=2.5-12, including psychotic disorders SMR=18-21 in the 65-74 year age-group), neurological disorders (SMR=2-12, including epilepsy SMR=14 in the 65-74 year age-group), and cardiovascular and neurovascular disease (SMR=1.2-3). Overall mortality in 2013 was 22%, with a maximum excess between the ages of 65-74 years (males, SMR=8.8, females, SMR=15.9). CONCLUSION: Medical and administrative data derived from linking the Resid-Ehpad/Sniiram databases reveal a severely impaired state of health, considering healthcare use of institutionalized dependent elderly people, and a high prevalence of diseases responsible for severe dependence and excess mortality, especially among the younger residents.

Management of diabetes patients during the year prior to initiation of dialysis in France.

AIM: This study looked at the management of diabetes patients during the year prior to the initiation of dialysis. METHODS: For this observational study, data were extracted from the National Health Insurance database for general-scheme beneficiaries (77% of the French population). Diabetes patients were identified by at least three reimbursements for antidiabetic drugs in 2012, while the initiation of dialysis was identified by specific refunds in 2013. RESULTS: Of the 6412 patients initiating dialysis, 37% (n=2378) had diabetes (men: 61%, median age: 71 years, haemodialysis: 92%). Six months prior to dialysis, 68% had filled at least one prescription for insulin, 38% for other antidiabetics (25% glinides, 8% sulphonylureas, 8% metformin, 6% DPP-4 inhibitors), 69% for three or more classes of antihypertensive drugs and 55% for erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Within 12 months to 1 month of dialysis, 81% were hospitalized, 28% with a main diagnosis of kidney disease. No nephrologist referral or hospitalization was identified at 6-0 months before dialysis in 6% of patients or in 24% at 12-7 months. One in five patients with diabetes consulted a private endocrinologist within 6 months of dialysis. An arteriovenous fistula was created 1 month before haemodialysis in 43% of patients. CONCLUSION: The quality of preparation for dialysis was variable despite frequent hospitalizations. These data illustrate the need to mobilize patients with diabetes, and for healthcare professionals to more effectively anticipate and coordinate dialysis.

[Health status of populations living in French overseas territories in 2012, compared with metropolitan France: An analysis of the national health insurance database]. / L'état de santé des populations des départements d'outre-mer en 2012, comparativement à la métropole : une analyse de la base nationale de l'Assurance maladie.

BACKGROUND: This study uses healthcare consumption to compare the health status of beneficiaries of the French national health insurance general scheme between individuals living in French overseas territories (FOT) and those living in metropolitan France. METHODS: Data were extracted from the French national health insurance database (Sniiram) for 2012, using algorithms, 56 groups of diseases and 27 groups of hospital activity were isolated. Standardized morbidity ratio for age and sex (SMR) were used to compare FOT to mainland France. RESULTS: Compared with mainland France, people living in the four FOT had high SMR for diabetes care (Guadeloupe 1.9; Martinique 1.7; Guyane 1.9; La Réunion 2.3), dialysis (2.7; 2.4; 3.8; 4.4), stroke (1.2; 1.1; 2.0; 1.5), and hospitalization for infectious diseases (1.9; 2.5; 2.4; 1.4) and obstetrics (1.4; 1.2; 1.9; 1.2). Care for inflammatory bowel disease or cancer were less frequent except for prostate in Martinique and Guadeloupe (2.3). People living in Martinique, Guadeloupe and la Reunion had more frequently care for psychotic disorders (2.0; 1.7; 1.2), dementia (1.1; 1.3; 11), epileptic seizures (1.4; 1.4; 16) and hospitalizations for burns (2.6; 1.7; 2.9). In la Reunion, people had more frequently coronary syndrome (1.3), cardiac heart failure (1.6), chronic respiratory diseases except cystic fibrosis (1.5), drug addiction (1.4) and hospitalizations for cardiovascular catheterization (1.4) and toxicology, poisoning, alcohol (1.7). Other differences were observed by gender: HIV infection, peripheral arterial disease, some chronic inflammatory disease (lupus) were more frequent in women living in Martinique or Guadeloupe, compared to women from mainland France and psychotic disorders for men. From la Reunion, men had more frequently liver and pancreatic diseases and hospitalisation for toxicology, poisoning, alcohol than men from mainland France. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the utility of administrative database to compare and follow population health status considering healthcare use. Specific Public Health policies are justified for FOT, taking into account the specific context of each FOT, the necessity of prevention initiatives and screening to reduce the frequency of the chronic diseases.

Estimation of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer incidence using a French administrative database (general sample of health insurance beneficiaries).

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare incidence of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer incidence estimated from a French administrative database with the incidences estimated from the cancer registry data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 426,410 people included in the general sample of health insurance beneficiaries (EGB) database as of January 1, 2007, was constituted. Several algorithms were developed to estimate cancer incidence between 2008 and 2012 using principal diagnosis (PD) of hospital discharge data (medical information systems program [PMSI]) and/or long-term disease (LTD) and together with a procedure necessary for histological diagnosis and indicating initial disease management. The incidence rates obtained were compared with those from the registry data using the standardized incidence ratio (SIR). RESULTS: The algorithm taking into account LTD and PD in the PMSI and the mandatory presence of a marker procedure provided estimates close to those from the registry data for breast cancer (SIR: 1.12 [1.07-1.18]) and colorectal cancer (SIR: 0.94 [0.88-1.02] in men and SIR: 0.93 [0.86-1.01] in women). For prostate cancer, taking into account specific procedures and drugs in addition to LTD and PD in the PMSI enhanced the estimation of incidence (SIR: 1.03 [0.98-1.08]). CONCLUSION: The PMSI together with reimbursement data (LTD, procedures, drugs) provided estimates of breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer incidence, at a national level, comparable to those from the cancer registry data.

Care pathways and healthcare use of stroke survivors six months after admission to an acute-care hospital in France in 2012.

INTRODUCTION: Care pathways and healthcare management are not well described for patients hospitalized for stroke. METHODS: Among the 51 million beneficiaries of the French national health insurance general scheme (77% of the French population), patients hospitalized for a first stroke in 2012 and still alive six months after discharge were included using data from the national health insurance information system (Sniiram). Patient characteristics were described by discharge destination-home or rehabilitation center (for < 3 months)-and were followed during their first three months back home. RESULTS: A total of 61,055 patients had a first admission to a public or private hospital for stroke (mean age; 72 years, 52% female), 13% died during their stay and 37% were admitted to a stroke management unit. Overall, 40,981 patients were still alive at six months: 33% of them were admitted to a rehabilitation center (mean age: 73 years) and 54% were discharged directly to their home (mean age 67 years). For each group, 45 and 62% had been previously admitted to a stroke unit. Patients discharged to rehabilitation centers had more often comorbidities, 39% were highly physically dependent and 44% were managed in specialized neurology centers. For patients with a cerebral infarction who were directly discharged to their home 76% received at least one antihypertensive drug, 96% an antithrombotic drug and 76% a lipid-lowering drug during the following month. For those with a cerebral hemorrhage, these frequencies were respectively 46, 33 and 28%. For those admitted to a rehabilitation center, more than half had at least one visit with a physiotherapist or a nurse, 15% a speech therapist, 10% a neurologist or a cardiologist and 15% a psychiatrist during the following three months back home (average numbers of visits for those with at least one visit: 23 for physiotherapists and 100 for nurses). Patients who returned directly back home had fewer physiotherapist (30%) or nurse (47%) visits but more medical consultations. The 3-month re-hospitalization rate for patients who were discharged directly to their home was 23% for those who had been admitted to a stroke unit and 25% for the others. In rehabilitation centers, this rate was 10% for patients who stayed < 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: These results illustrate the value of administrative databases to study stroke management, care pathways and ambulatory care. These data should be used to improve care pathways, organization, discharge planning and treatments.

[Health care use by free complementary health insurance coverage beneficiaries in France in 2012]. / Consommations de soins des bénéficiaires de la couverture maladie universelle complémentaire (CMUC) ou de l'aide pour une complémentaire santé (ACS) en 2012.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to investigate healthcare use among people covered by one of the two complementary healthcare insurance schemes available for people with low annual income: CMUC (universal complementary healthcare insurance) and, for people whose income exceeds the CMUC ceiling, ACS (aid for complementary healthcare insurance). Comparisons were made between CMUC and ACS beneficiaries versus CMUC and ACS non-beneficiaries and between CMUC beneficiaries and ACS beneficiaries. METHODS: Using the national health insurance information system (SNIIRAM), people less than 60 years old covered by the general national health insurance (86% of the 66 million inhabitants) and with ACS or CMUC coverage in 2012 were selected. Diseases were identified using hospital diagnosis, drugs refunds and long-term chronic disease status. Hospital related diagnoses were categorized in major hospital activity groups. Sex- and age-standardized relative risk (RR) were calculated. RESULTS: There were 4.4 million (9.6%) CMUC beneficiaries and 732,000 (1.6%) ACS beneficiaries (56% and 54% women; mean age: 24 years and 29 years respectively versus 52% and 30 years for CMUC or ACS non-beneficiaries). CMUC or ACS beneficiaries had more often cardiovascular diseases (RR=1.4;2.1) and diabetes (RR=2.2;2.4). Their sex- and age-standardized hospitalisation rates for all diagnosis were higher (18%; 17%, RR=1.3;1.4) than CMUC or ACS non-beneficiaries (13%). This was especially the case for the following major groups: toxicology, intoxications, alcohol major group (RR=3.8;4.0); psychiatry (RR=2.8;4.1); respiratory disease (RR=1.9;2.3); infectious disease (RR=1.9;2.7). Compared with CMUC beneficiaries, ACS beneficiaries had more often cancer (RR=1.5), cardiovascular disease (RR=1.5), neurological disease (RR=2.7), psychiatric illness (RR=2.6), end-stage renal disease (RR=2.8), hemophilia (RR=1.4) or cystic fibrosis (RR=1.6) and they received also more often disability allowance (20%, 4%). CONCLUSION: The disease and hospitalisation rates of ACS beneficiaries are similar or higher than those of CMUC beneficiaries, especially for disabling diseases. Both CMUC and ACS beneficiaries received healthcare for chronic diseases that can be targeted by prevention and screening programs for more optimal healthcare.

First hospitalization for transient ischemic attack in France: Characteristics, treatments and 3-year outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Characteristics of patients hospitalized for transient ischemic attack (TIA) management before and during this hospitalization and follow-up are not well documented on very large populations. METHODS: Among the 51 million beneficiaries of the French national health insurance general scheme (77% of French population), those subjects hospitalized for a first TIA in 2010 were included using the national health insurance information system (SNIIRAM). The frequencies of comorbidities during the previous five years and drug treatments received during the previous year and the first month after discharge were estimated from the SNIIRAM and then compared to data derived from the permanent randomized sample of all health insurance beneficiaries based on standardized morbidity ratios (SMR). The three-year outcome and factors associated with at least one readmission for TIA or ischemic stroke during the three months following the first hospitalization were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 18,181 patients were included (mean age: 69 years, 55% of women). The crude incidence of hospitalized TIA was 0.36 per 1000. Before hospitalization, patients presented a significantly higher rate of carotid and cerebral atherosclerosis (2.4% SMR=1.4), atrial fibrillation (9.1%, SMR=1.3), ischemic heart disease (13.7%, SMR=1.3), valvular heart disease (9.7%, SMR=1.5), and treatment with platelet aggregation inhibitors (29%, SMR=1.4), antihypertensives (60%, SMR=1.2) and antidiabetics (16%, SMR=1.5). These SMR decreased with age. One month after discharge from hospital, 82% of patients still alive filled at least one prescription for antithrombotic therapy (platelet aggregation inhibitor: 74%, vitamin K antagonist: 12%), one class of antihypertensive in 57% of patients, an antiarrhythmic in 9% of patients, an antidiabetic treatment in 14% of patients and a lipid-lowering agent in 53%. During the month following discharge from hospital, 3.2% of patients were readmitted at least once for TIA, 1.9% were readmitted for ischemic stroke and 1.5% of patients died. These figures were 3.9%, 2.4% and 2.9% at three months, and 7.2%, 5% and 16.3% at three years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, factors associated with readmission for TIA or ischemic stroke were age ≥ 65 years and antidiabetic treatment before hospitalization. In contrast, male gender, admission to a stroke unit and length of stay were associated with a lower readmission rate. CONCLUSIONS: These results illustrate the value of administrative databases to study TIA. Hospitalizations for TIA were relatively frequent and the recurrence rate was similar to that reported in similar recent studies. Level of primary and secondary prevention must be improved.

Cost-benefit of reflectance confocal microscopy in the diagnostic performance of melanoma.

BACKGROUND: The sub-optimal diagnostic accuracy for melanoma leads to excise a high number of benign lesions, with consequent costs. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) improves diagnostic specificity, thus possibly inducing a reduction in unnecessary excisions and related costs. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the influence of RCM on number of benign lesions needed to excise (NNE) a melanoma, in term of clinical outcomes and costs per patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Skin neoplasms excised by the dermatology public service in the Province of Modena were retrieved form centralized pathology database. Differences in NNE between the territorial service (using dermoscopy only) and the University Hospital (adding also RCM to the patients' workflow) were calculated and cost analysis was performed through a micro-costing approach. RESULTS: A large reduction in benign lesions excised at University Hospital was evident, leading to NNE of 6.25 for University Hospital, compared to 19.41 for Territorial Dermatology. Since 4320 unnecessary excisions can be saved every million inhabitants, an overall yearly saving of over 280,000 Eur can be expected from the use of RCM. CONCLUSIONS: The systematic use of RCM was dramatically affecting the number of benign lesions excised, and this can be translated in a significant cost-benefit advantage.