An inventory of stroke centers in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: Stroke centers are essential for the optimal care of patients with acute stroke. However, there is no universally applied standard for stroke center certification/designation and no unified list of confirmed US stroke centers. Multiple national organizations, and some state governments, certify/designate hospitals as stroke centers of various levels, but discrepancies exist between these systems. We aimed to create a unified, easily accessible, national stroke center database. METHODS: Lists of confirmed stroke centers were obtained from national certifying bodies (The Joint Commission [TJC], Det Norske Veritas, and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program) and each state government. Lists were reconciled to a common standard based on TJC requirements and incorporated into the 2018 National Emergency Department Inventory-USA database, which includes all emergency departments (EDs). RESULTS: Among 5533 US EDs, we confirmed 2446 (44%) as stroke centers, including 297 Comprehensive Stroke Centers, 14 Thrombectomy-capable Stroke Centers, 1459 Primary Stroke Centers, and 678 Acute Stroke Ready Hospitals. Compared with EDs without stroke centers, EDs with stroke centers had higher annual visit volumes, were more often academic, and were more often located in hospitals that had trauma or burn centers. CONCLUSION: We report the consolidation of multiple stroke center designation groups with varying criteria into a unified list of all confirmed US stroke centers linked to a comprehensive, national ED database. This data set will be valuable for future stroke systems research and improving access to emergency stroke care for patients. These data have the potential to further optimize the emergency care of patients with stroke.

Trends in US Emergency Department Visits for Anaphylaxis Among Infants and Toddlers: 2006-2015.

BACKGROUND: Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. The overall prevalence of anaphylaxis appears to be rising in children, but temporal trends among infants and toddlers are not well studied. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the trends in US emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations among infants and toddlers with anaphylaxis from 2006 to 2015. METHODS: We conducted a study of temporal trends in anaphylaxis among children (age <18 years) and, more specifically, infants and toddlers (age <3 years) presenting to the ED between 2006 and 2015 using a large, nationally representative database. For internal consistency, we defined anaphylaxis using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes and excluded visits with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes (late 2015). We calculated trends in the number and proportion of ED visits and hospitalizations and used multivariable logistic regression to identify predictors of hospitalization. RESULTS: Among infants and toddlers, the proportion of ED visits for anaphylaxis per year increased from 20 per 100,000 visits to 50 per 100,000 visits (Ptrend < .001). The rate of ED visits for anaphylaxis increased from 15 to 32 ED visits per 100,000 population of infants and toddlers (Ptrend < .001). Food was the most commonly identified trigger. The proportion of hospitalization among anaphylaxis-related ED visits decreased from 19% to 6% (Ptrend < .001). Among ED patients, those more likely to be hospitalized were male, privately insured, from higher income families, and presenting to urban, metropolitan teaching hospital EDs. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, nationally representative US database, from 2006 to 2015, ED visits by infants and toddlers with anaphylaxis increased, whereas hospitalization of these patients decreased.

Association of obstructive sleep apnea with all-cause readmissions after hospitalization for asthma exacerbation in adults aged 18-54 years: a population-based study, 2010-2013.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and readmission risk after hospitalization for asthma exacerbation. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, population-based cohort study using State Inpatient Databases from seven U.S. states (Arkansas, California, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, New York, and Utah) from 2010 to 2013. We identified all adults (aged 18-54 years) hospitalized for asthma exacerbation. The outcome measure was all-cause readmissions within one year after hospitalization for asthma exacerbation. To determine associations between OSA and readmission risk, we constructed negative binomial regression models estimating the incidence rate ratio (IRR) for readmissions and Cox proportional hazards models estimating hazard rate (HR) for the time-to-first readmission. RESULTS: Among 65,731 patients hospitalized for asthma exacerbation, 6,549 (10.0%) had OSA. Overall, OSA was associated with significantly higher incident rate of all cause readmission (1.36 vs. 0.85 readmissions per person-year; unadjusted IRR 1.60; 95%CI 1.54-1.66). Additionally, OSA was associated with higher incident rates of readmissions for five major diseases-asthma (IRR 1.21; 95%CI 1.15-1.27), COPD (IRR 2.03; 95%CI 1.88-2.19), respiratory failure (IRR 3.04; 95%CI 2.76-3.34), pneumonia (IRR 1.67; 95%CI 1.49-1.88), and congestive heart failure (IRR 3.78; 95%CI 3.36-4.24), compared to non-OSA. The Cox model demonstrated that patients with OSA had significantly higher rates for all-cause readmission compared to those without OSA (HR 1.56; 95% CI 1.50-1.62). These associations remained significant after adjustment for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: The observed association of OSA with a higher risk of readmissions after hospitalization for asthma exacerbation underscores the importance of identifying coexistent OSA in this population and optimizing both OSA and asthma management.

Distance From Freestanding Emergency Departments to Nearby Emergency Care.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The number of freestanding emergency departments (EDs) has increased rapidly in the United States, and there is concern that such entities are located near existing EDs rather than in areas lacking emergency care. In 2018, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended a reduction in Medicare reimbursement rates to freestanding EDs located within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED. We aim to assess the potential effect of this proposal. METHODS: Using the 2016 National Emergency Department Inventory-USA database, we identified the locations and visit volumes of all US freestanding EDs. Using QGIS, we mapped the distances from all freestanding EDs to both the nearest hospital-based ED and to the nearest ED (either hospital-based or freestanding ED). RESULTS: We collected location information for all 5,375 EDs open in 2016. Of these EDs, 609 (11%) were freestanding. Few freestanding EDs (1.4%) were located in rural areas and only 11% were located in areas with a median household income of less than $43,000. Overall, 460 freestanding EDs (76%) were within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED, and these had 5.3 million total patient visits, whereas those greater than 6 miles away had 2.6 million visits. CONCLUSION: We found that most freestanding EDs (76%) are within 6 miles of the nearest hospital-based ED, and most visits (67%) to freestanding EDs are to those within that proximity, indicating that many freestanding EDs would be affected by this Medicare Payment Advisory Commission proposal, if implemented.

Prevalence of Emergency Department Social Risk and Social Needs.

INTRODUCTION: Social risks, or adverse social conditions associated with poor health, are prevalent in emergency department (ED) patients, but little is known about how the prevalence of social risk compares to a patient's reported social need, which incorporates patient preference for intervention. The goal of this study was to describe the relationship between social risk and social need, and identify factors associated with differential responses to social risk and social need questions. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 48 hours of time-shift sampling in a large urban ED. Consenting patients completed a demographic questionnaire and assessments of social risk and social need. We applied descriptive statistics to the prevalence of social risk and social need, and multivariable logistic regression to assess factors associated with social risk, social need, or both. RESULTS: Of the 269 participants, 100 (37%) reported social risk, 83 (31%) reported social need, and 169 (63%) reported neither social risk nor social need. Although social risk and social need were significantly associated (p < 0.01), they incompletely overlapped. Over 50% in each category screened positive in more than one domain (eg, housing instability, food insecurity). In multivariable models, those with higher education (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.44 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.24-0.80]) and private insurance (aOR 0.50 [95% CI, 0.29-0.88]) were less likely to report social risk compared to those with lower education and state/public insurance, respectively. Spanish-speakers (aOR 4.07 [95% CI, 1.17-14.10]) and non-Hispanic Black patients (aOR 5.00 [95% CI, 1.91-13.12]) were more likely to report social need, while those with private insurance were less likely to report social need (private vs state/public: aOR 0.13 [95% CI, 0.07-0.26]). CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of patients in a large, urban ED screened positive for at least one social risk or social need, with over half in each category reporting risk/need across multiple domains. Different demographic variables were associated with social risk vs social need, suggesting that individuals with social risks differ from those with social needs, and that screening programs should consider including both assessments.

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and Readmissions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 2006-2015.

Rationale: In October 2012, the initial phase of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program imposed financial penalties on hospitals with higher-than-expected risk-adjusted 30-day readmission rates for Medicare beneficiaries with congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and pneumonia. We hypothesized that these penalties may also be associated with decreased readmissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the general population before COPD became a target condition (October 2014).Objectives: To determine if implementation of the initial financial penalties for other conditions was associated with a decrease in hospital readmissions for COPD.Methods: We used population-level data to examine patients readmitted for any reason or for COPD within 30 days after an initial hospitalization for COPD. The data source was seven states in the State Inpatient Database. The preimplementation period included calendar years 2006 to 2012. The postimplementation period included 2013 to 2015. Using interrupted time series, the level change was examined, which reflected the difference between the expected and actual readmission rates in 2013. The difference in slopes between the pre- and postimplementation periods was also examined.Results: We identified 805,764 hospitalizations for COPD from 904 hospitals. Overall, 26% of patients had primary insurance other than Medicare. After the intervention, patients had lower rates of all-cause 30-day readmissions (level change, -0.93%; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.44% to -0.43%; P = 0.004), which was driven by fewer early readmissions (0-7 d). The postimplementation slope became positive; the difference in slopes was 0.39% (95% CI, 0.28% to 0.50%; P < 0.001). Patients also had lower rates of COPD-related readmissions (level decrease, -0.52%; 95% CI, -0.93% to -0.12%; P = 0.02), which was due to decreases in both early and late (8-30 d) readmissions. The postimplementation slope was negative; the difference in slopes was -0.21% (95% CI, -0.35% to -0.07%; P = 0.009).Conclusions: In patients with COPD and any insurance status, there was an association between the initial phase of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program and a decrease in both all-cause and COPD-related readmissions even before COPD became a target diagnosis. The large amount of money at risk to hospitals likely resulted in broad behavioral change. Future research is needed to test which levers can effectively reduce readmission rates for COPD.

Association of obstructive sleep apnoea with acute severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation: a population-based study.

Little is known about the association of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) with the severity of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). This retrospective cohort study investigated the association of coexistent OSA with acute severity markers (i.e. invasive positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) use and hospital length of stay (LOS)) among adults hospitalised for AECOPD. Patients with coexistent OSA had a significantly higher risk of IPPV use and prolonged hospital LOS compared to those without OSA.

Time-varying Readmission Diagnoses During 30 Days After Hospitalization for COPD Exacerbation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the longitudinal changes in principal readmission diagnoses within 30 days after hospitalization for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). STUDY SETTING: Medicare claims data, 2010-2012. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. DATA COLLECTION METHODS: We identified AECOPD hospitalizations aged 65 years and above, and examined the principal 30-day readmission diagnoses (respiratory related, cardiac related, and other conditions). We also constructed Joinpoint regression models to test whether patients with each of the 3 major readmission conditions had a unique temporal pattern of readmission during the 30-day period. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Among 76,697 index hospitalizations with AECOPD, 14,090 (18.4%) were readmitted within 30 days. Respiratory-related conditions accounted for 55% of readmissions. The proportion of respiratory-related conditions as the readmission diagnosis decreased from postdischarge day 1 to day 8 (4.0% decrease), and then increased thereafter (13.2% increase; P=0.06). Cardiac-related conditions had a similar nonlinear trend with an inflection point at day 6 (P=0.02), with a subsequent downward trend from day 22 (P=0.01). By contrast, the other conditions increased from day 1 to day 6 (15.0% increase), and then significantly decreased (28.8% decrease; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The proportions of principal discharge diagnosis of readmission changed significantly at around postdischarge day 7. Our findings advance research into identification of the underlying mechanisms and development of targeted interventions to prevent readmissions.

Age-related differences in the rate and diagnosis of 30-day readmission after hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke.

Background Little is known about the association between age and readmission within 30 days after hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke. Aim To examine the age-related differences in rate and principal reason of 30-day readmissions in patients hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke. Methods In this retrospective, population-based cohort study using State Inpatient Databases from eight US states, we identified all adults hospitalized for acute ischemic stroke. We grouped the patients into four age categories: < 65, 65-74, 75-84, and ≥85 years. Outcomes were any-cause readmission within 30 days of discharge from the index hospitalization for acute ischemic stroke and the principal diagnosis of 30-day readmission. Results We identified 620,788 hospitalizations for acute ischemic stroke. The overall 30-day readmission rate was 16.6% with an increase with advanced age. Compared to patients aged <65 years, the readmission rate was significantly higher in age 65-74 years (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.16-1.21), in age 75-84 years (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.27-1.31), and in ≥ 85 years (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.22-1.27; all P<0.001). There was heterogeneity in the age-readmission rate association between men and women (Pinteraction < 0.001). Overall, 45.8% of readmissions were assigned stroke-related conditions or rehabilitation care. Compared to younger adults, older adults were more likely to present with non-stroke-related conditions (46.1% in < 65 years, 50.6% in 65-74 years, 57.1% in 75-84 years, and 62.9% in ≥ 85 years; P<0.001). Conclusions Advanced age was associated with a higher 30-day readmission rate after acute ischemic stroke. Compared with younger adults, older adults were more likely to be readmitted for non-stroke-related conditions.

Comparing Statewide and Single-center Data to Predict High-frequency Emergency Department Utilization Among Patients With Asthma Exacerbation.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies examining high-frequency emergency department (ED) utilization have primarily used single-center data, potentially leading to ascertainment bias if patients visit multiple centers. The goals of this study were 1) to create a predictive model to prospectively identify patients at risk of high-frequency ED utilization for asthma and 2) to examine how that model differed using statewide versus single-center data. METHODS: To track ED visits within a state, we analyzed 2011 to 2013 data from the New York State Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Emergency Department Databases. The first year of data (2011) was used to determine prior utilization, 2012 was used to identify index ED visits for asthma and for demographics, and 2013 was used for outcome ascertainment. High-frequency utilization was defined as 4+ ED visits for asthma within 1 year after the index visit. We performed analyses separately for children (age < 21 years) and adults and constructed two models: one included all statewide (multicenter) visits and the other was restricted to index hospital (single-center) visits. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed from potential predictors selected a priori. The final model was chosen by evaluating model performance using Akaike's Information Criterion scores, 10-fold cross-validation, and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Among children, high-frequency ED utilization for asthma was observed in 2,417 of 94,258 (2.56%) using all statewide visits, compared to 1,853 of 94,258 (1.97%) for index hospital visits only. Among adults, the corresponding results were 7,779 of 159,874 (4.87%) and 5,053 of 159,874 (3.16%), respectively. In the multicenter visit model, the area under the curve (AUC) from 10-fold cross-validation for children was 0.70 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69-0.72), compared to 0.71 (95% CI = 0.69-0.72) in the single-center visit model. The corresponding AUC results for adults were 0.76 (95% CI = 0.76-0.77) and 0.76 (95% CI = 0.75-0.77), respectively. CONCLUSION: Data available at the index ED visit can predict subsequent high-frequency utilization for asthma with AUC ranging from 0.70 to 0.76. Model accuracy was similar regardless of whether outcome ascertainment included all statewide visits (multicenter) or was limited to the index hospital (single-center).

Emergency Departments in Connecticut: A Report Utilizing the National Emergency Department Inventory Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the current state of emergency departments in Connecticut. METHODS: We analyzed Connecticut data from the National Emergency Department Inventory - Nev England survey. We categorized emergency departments (EDs) into high-volume (> 50 000 annual vis its) vs low-volume (< 50000 visits). RESULTS: 31 (89%) Connecticut EDs responded. The median annual ED visit volume was 45,000 visits with 20 (65%) EDs reported being "at or over capacity," including nearly all high-volume EDs. Only 1: (35%) EDs had pediatric emergency care coordinators, and access to specialties varied with notable shortages in neurology, neurosurgery, plastic sur- gery, and hand surgery. Electronic health records had near universal adoption but video consultation utilization was limited. Computer tomography and point-of-care ultrasound was widely available. CONCLUSION: While Connecticut EDs reported the ability to provide a broad array of emergency care services, policymakers seeking to improve acute care access should focus efforts on crowding and pediatric emergency care, as well as video consultation adoption.