Management of Thrombocytopenia and Coagulopathy in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease Undergoing Therapeutic Endoscopic Interventions.

Management of coagulopathy in patients with advanced liver disease undergoing therapeutic endoscopic procedures is complex. Improvements in the understanding of hemostasis at a physiologic level have highlighted the inaccuracy of currently available clinical tests, like platelet count and prothrombin time, in estimating hemostasis in patients with cirrhosis. With identification of novel factors that contribute to bleeding risk in patients with cirrhosis, there is a dearth of clinical trial data that account for all potentially relevant factors and that examine interventions to reduce bleeding risk. Precise recommendations regarding transfusion strategies based on hemostatic test results in patients with cirrhosis are impractical.

Designing a critical care solution using in-person and telemedicine approaches in the US-Mexico border area during COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: UC San Diego Health System (UCSDHS) is the largest academic medical center and integrated care network in US-Mexico border area of California contiguous to the Northern Baja region of Mexico. The COVID-19 pandemic compelled several UCSDHS and local communities to create awareness around best methods to promote regional health in this economically, socially, and politically important border area. PURPOSE: To improve understanding of optimal strategies to execute critical care collaborative programs between academic and community health centers facing public health emergencies during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the experience of UCSDHS and several community hospitals (one US, two Mexican) in the US-Mexico border region. METHODS: After taking several preparatory steps, we developed a two-phase program that included 1) in-person activities to perform needs assessments, hands-on training and education, and morale building and 2) creation of a telemedicine-based (Tele-ICU) service for direct patient management and/or educational coaching experiences.Findings.A clinical and educational program between academic and community border hospitals was feasible, effective, and well received. CONCLUSION: We offer several policy-oriented recommendations steps for academic and community healthcare programs to build educational, collaborative partnerships to address COVID-19 and other cross-cultural, international public health emergencies.

An In-Person and Telemedicine "Hybrid" System to Improve Cross-Border Critical Care in COVID-19.

Background: UC San Diego Health System (UCSDHS) is an academic medical center and integrated care network in the US-Mexico border area of California contiguous to the Mexican Northern Baja region. The COVID-19 pandemic deeply influenced UCSDHS activities as new public health challenges increasingly related to high population density, cross-border traffic, economic disparities, and interconnectedness between cross-border communities, which accelerated development of clinical collaborations between UCSDHS and several border community hospitals - one in the US, two in Mexico - as high volumes of severely ill patients overwhelmed hospitals. Objective: We describe the development, implementation, feasibility, and acceptance of a novel critical care support program in three community hospitals along the US-Mexico border. Methods: We created and instituted a hybrid critical care program involving: 1) in-person activities to perform needs assessments of equipment and supplies and hands-on training and education, and 2) creation of a telemedicine-based (Tele-ICU) service for direct patient management and/or consultative, education-based experiences. We collected performance metrics surrounding adherence to evidence-based practices and staff perceptions of critical care delivery. Findings: In-person intervention phase identified and filled gaps in equipment and supplies, and Tele-ICU program promoted adherence to evidence-based practices and improved staff confidence in caring for critically ill COVID-19 patients at each hospital. Conclusion: A collaborative, hybrid critical care program across academic and community centers is feasible and effective to address cross-cultural public health emergencies.

Medical Undistancing Through Telemedicine: A Model Enabling Rapid Telemedicine Deployment in an Academic Health Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: The authors draw upon their experience with a successful, enterprise-level, telemedicine program implementation to present a "How To" paradigm for other academic health centers that wish to rapidly deploy such a program in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic. The advent of social distancing as essential for decreasing viral transmission has made it challenging to provide medical care. Telemedicine has the potential to medically undistance health care providers while maintaining the quality of care delivered and fulfilling the goal of social distancing. Methods: Rather than simply reporting enterprise telemedicine successes, the authors detail key telemedicine elements essential for rapid deployment of both an ambulatory and inpatient telemedicine solution. Such a deployment requires a multifaceted strategy: (1) determining the appropriateness of telemedicine use, (2) understanding the interface with the electronic health record, (3) knowing the equipment and resources needed, (4) developing a rapid rollout plan, (5) establishing a command center for post go-live support, (6) creating and disseminating reference materials and educational guides, (7) training clinicians, patients, and clinic schedulers, (8) considering billing and credentialing implications, (9) building a robust communications strategy, and (10) measuring key outcomes. Results: Initial results are reported, showing a telemedicine rate increase to 45.8% (58.6% video and telephone) in just the first week of rollout. Over a 5-month period, the enterprise has since conducted over 119,500 ambulatory telemedicine evaluations (a 1,000-fold rate increase from the pre-COVID-19 time period). Conclusion: This article is designed to offer a "How To" potential best practice approach for others wishing to quickly implement a telemedicine program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Path to Clinical Quality Integration Through a Clinically Integrated Network: The Experience of an Academic Health System and Its Community Affiliates.

INTRODUCTION: Academic medical centers (AMCs) and community physicians seeking to establish a clinically integrated network (CIN) may benefit from a road map to navigate the opportunities and challenges of such an organizational structure. Creating and participating in a CIN requires careful consideration, investment of time, financial resources, alignment of a new quality infrastructure, shared governance, and vision. POTENTIAL BENEFITS, CHALLENGES, AND REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS: Potential AMC benefits include geographic clinical expansion, the ability to provide care for a broader population of patients, a mechanism to collaborate with regional physician graduates, and an expansion of available teaching sites for trainees. Potential benefits to community practices include propagation of high-value care, enhanced access to evidence-based protocols and priority measures, preparation for value-based reimbursement structures, and connection to an institution that produces future health care practitioners. Challenges to CIN creation include goal alignment, trust between AMC and community partners, acceptance of common quality measures and benchmarks, access to shared data, and local adoption of quality improvement activities. QUALITY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSIDERATIONS: At inception the mission was to create an innovative academic-community alliance delivering high-quality, high-value, personalized care. Defining the clinical quality goals, measurement, governance, and improvement strategy, as well as information technology structure and decision making, are described. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: The network continues to grow and now includes more than 350 physicians, in 16 different specialties across 50 different independent medical practices throughout Southern California. We believe this builds a firm foundation for value-based health care.

A case study of the 1115 waiver using population health informatics to address disparities.

As participants in the California Medicaid 1115 waiver, the University of California San Diego Health (UCSDH) used population health informatics tools to address health disparities. This case study describes a modern application of health informatics to improve data capture, describe health disparities through demographic stratification, and drive reliable care through electronic medical record-based registries. We provide a details in our successful approach using (1) standardized collection of race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, and gender identity data, (2) stratification of 8 quality measures by demographic profile, and (3) improved quality performance through registries for wellness, social determinants of health, and chronic disease. A strong population health platform paired with executive support, physician leadership, education and training, and workflow redesign can improve the representation of diversity and drive reliable processes for care delivery that improve health equity.

Early clinical and sociodemographic experience with patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at a large American healthcare system.

BACKGROUND: Despite over 4 million cases of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the United States, limited data exist including socioeconomic background and post-discharge outcomes for patients hospitalized with this disease. METHODS: In this case series, we identified patients with COVID-19 admitted to 3 Partners Healthcare hospitals in Boston, Massachusetts between March 7th, 2020, and March 30th, 2020. Patient characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes were determined. FINDINGS: A total of 247 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were identified; the median age was 61 (interquartile range [IQR]: 50-76 years), 58% were men, 30% of Hispanic ethnicity, 21% enrolled in Medicaid, and 12% dual-enrolled Medicare/Medicaid. The median estimated household income was $66,701 [IQR: $50,336-$86,601]. Most patients were treated with hydroxychloroquine (72%), and statins (76%; newly initiated in 34%). During their admission, 103 patients (42%) required intensive care. At the end of the data collection period (June 24, 2020), 213 patients (86.2%) were discharged alive, 2 patients (0.8%) remain admitted, and 32 patients (13%) have died. Among those discharged alive (n = 213), 70 (32.9%) were discharged to a post-acute facility, 31 (14.6%) newly required supplemental oxygen, 19 (8.9%) newly required tube feeding, and 34 (16%) required new prescriptions for antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, methadone, or opioids. Over a median post-discharge follow-up of 80 days (IQR, 68-84), 22 patients (10.3%) were readmitted. INTERPRETATION: Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are frequently of vulnerable socioeconomic status and often require intensive care. Patients who survive COVID-19 hospitalization have substantial need for post-acute services.

Physicians' Perspectives on Palliative Care for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease: A National Survey Study.

Specialty palliative care (PC) is underused for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD). We sought to examine attitudes of hepatologists and gastroenterologists about PC for patients with ESLD. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of these specialists who provide care to patients with ESLD. Participants were recruited from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases membership directory. Using a questionnaire adapted from prior studies, we examined physicians' attitudes about PC and whether these attitudes varied based on patients' candidacy for liver transplantation. We identified predictors of physicians' attitudes about PC using linear regression. Approximately one-third of eligible physicians (396/1236, 32%) completed the survey. Most (95%) believed that centers providing care to patients with ESLD should have PC services, and 86% trusted PC clinicians to care for their patients. Only a minority reported collaborating frequently with inpatient (32%) or outpatient (11%) PC services. Most believed that when patients hear the term PC, they feel scared (94%) and anxious (87%). Most (83%) believed that patients would think nothing more could be done for their underlying disease if a PC referral was suggested. Physicians who believed that ESLD is a terminal condition (B = 1.09; P = 0.006) reported more positive attitudes about PC. Conversely, physicians with negative perceptions of PC for transplant candidates (B = -0.22; standard error = 0.05; P < 0.001) reported more negative attitudes toward PC. In conclusion, although most hepatologists and gastroenterologists believe that patients with ESLD should have access to PC, they reported rarely collaborating with PC teams and had substantial concerns about patients' perceptions of PC. Interventions are needed to overcome misperceptions of PC and to promote collaboration with PC clinicians for patients with ESLD.

Barriers to Use of Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning Discussions for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Despite evidence for the benefits of palliative care (PC) referrals and early advance care planning (ACP) discussions for patients with chronic diseases, patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) often do not receive such care. We sought to examine physicians' perceptions of the barriers to PC and timely ACP discussions for patients with ESLD. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of hepatologists and gastroenterologists who provide care to adult patients with ESLD, recruited from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 membership registry. Using a questionnaire adapted from prior studies, we assessed physicians' perceptions of barriers to PC use and timely ACP discussions; 396 of 1236 eligible physicians (32%) completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The most commonly cited barriers to PC use were cultural factors that affect perception of PC (by 95% of respondents), unrealistic expectations from patients about their prognosis (by 93% of respondents), and competing demands for clinicians' time (by 91% of respondents). Most respondents (81%) thought that ACP discussions with patients who have ESLD typically occur too late in the course of illness. The most commonly cited barriers to timely ACP discussions were insufficient communication between clinicians and families about goals of care (by 84% of respondents) and insufficient cultural competency training about end-of-life care (81%). CONCLUSION: There are substantial barriers to use of PC and timely discussions about ACP-most hepatologists and gastroenterologists believe that ACP occurs too late for patients with ESLD. Strategies are needed to overcome barriers and increase delivery of high-quality palliative and end-of-life care to patients with ESLD.

Opioid prescribing practices in patients undergoing surgery for oral cavity cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Opioids have been overprescribed after general and orthopedic surgeries, but prescribing patterns have not been reported for head and neck surgery. The objectives of this retrospective review are to describe postoperative opioid prescriptions after oral cancer surgery and determine which patients receive higher amounts. METHODS: A single institution retrospective review was performed for 81 adults with oral cavity tumors undergoing surgery. Opioid prescriptions upon discharge were reported in daily oral morphine equivalents (OME). High opioids were defined as > 90 mg daily and > 200 mg total, commensurate with U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to investigate factors associated with high opioids. RESULTS: The median number of doses dispensed was 30 (interquartile range [IQR] 30-45; range 3-120). The median daily dose was 30 mg (IQR 20-45 mg; range 15-240 mg). Five patients (6%) received higher than the recommended daily dose. The median total dispensed amount was 225 mg (IQR 150-250 mg; range 15-1200 mg). Fifty-one (63%) received greater than the recommended total dose. On multivariable logistic regression, advanced tumor stage (odds ratio [OR] 11.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-109.4; P = 0.034) and inpatient pain scores (OR 1.3 per 1-unit increase; 95% CI 1.0-1.7; P = 0.039) were associated with receiving high total opioids after surgery. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients received greater than the recommended 200 mg total OME. Advanced stage and higher inpatient pain scores were associated with receiving more opioids for discharge. Consensus-driven analgesic plans are needed to reduce excess opioids after discharge following head and neck surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:2361-2366, 2018.

Medical Management of Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Expert Review from the Clinical Practice Updates Committee of the AGA Institute.

The purpose of this clinical practice update is to review diagnostic criteria for severe acute alcoholic hepatitis and to determine the current best practices for this life-threatening condition. The best practices in this review are based on clinical trials, systematic reviews including meta-analysis and expert opinion to develop an approach to diagnosis and management. Best Practice Advice 1: Abstinence from drinking alcohol is the cornerstone of treatment for alcohol hepatitis (AH). Best Practice Advice 2: Patients with jaundice and suspected AH should have cultures of blood, urine, and ascites, if present, to determine the presence of bacterial infections regardless of whether they have fever. Best Practice Advice 3: Patients with AH who have jaundice should be admitted to the hospital to encourage abstinence, restore adequate nutrition, and exclude serious infections. Best Practice Advice 4: Imaging of the liver is warranted as part of the evaluation, but caution should be used in administering iodinated contrast dye, as it increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). Best Practice Advice 5: Patients with AH require a diet with 1-1.5 g protein and 30-40 kcal/kg body weight for adequate recovery. If the patient is unable to eat because of anorexia or altered mental status, a feeding tube should be considered for enteral feeding. Parenteral nutrition alone is inadequate. Best Practice Advice 6: Severity and prognosis of AH should be evaluated using Maddrey Discriminant Function (MDF), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), age, bilirubin, international normalized ratio, and creatinine (ABIC), or Glasgow scoring systems. Current treatments are based on this assessment. Best Practice Advice 7: Presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) on admission is associated with an increased risk of multi-organ failure (MOF) syndrome. Development of MOF, usually due to infections developing after initial diagnosis of AH, is associated with a very high mortality rate. Best Practice Advice 8: Nephrotoxic drugs, including diuretics, should be avoided or used sparingly in patients with AH, since AKI is an early manifestation of MOF. Best Practice Advice 9: Patients with MDF > 32 or MELD score > 20 without a contraindication to glucocorticoid, such as hepatitis B viral infection, tuberculosis, or other serious infectious diseases, may be treated with methylprednisolone 32 mg daily, but the appropriate duration of treatment remains a subject of controversy. Methylprednisolone does not improve survival beyond 28 days, and the benefits for < 28 days are modest. Best Practice Advice 10: Patients with a contraindication to glucocorticoids may be treated with pentoxifylline 400 mg three times daily with meals. Data regarding the efficacy are conflicting. Best Practice Advice 11: Patients with severe AH, particularly those with a MELD score > 26 with good insight into their alcohol use disorder and good social support should be referred for evaluation for liver transplantation, as the 90-day mortality rate is very high. Best Practice Advice 12: Patients with mild to moderate AH defined by a MELD score < 20 and MDF < 32 should be referred for abstinence counseling and prescribed a high protein diet supplemented with B vitamins and folic acid.

Use of sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C viral infection in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Sofosbuvir-based direct-acting antiviral therapy revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, sofosbuvir use is not approved for patients with severe renal insufficiency (estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate below 30 ml/min) or end-stage renal disease (ESRD) based on concerns raised during premarket animal testing over hepatobiliary and cardiovascular toxicity in this population. We report the first published data on use of sofosbuvir-based regimens in patients with severe renal insufficiency and ESRD, focusing on clinical efficacy and safety. Six patients were treated with full dose sofosbuvir; three received sofosbuvir and simeprevir, two received sofosbuvir and ribavirin, and one received sofosbuvir, ribavirin, and interferon. Three of the patients had cirrhosis. On-treatment viral suppression was 100% and sustained virological response (SVR) rate at 12 weeks was 67%. One patient had to discontinue antiviral therapy early due to side effects. No hepatobiliary or cardiovascular toxicity was reported.

The Education Review Board: A Mechanism for Managing Potential Conflicts of Interest in Medical Education.

Concerns about the influence of industry support on medical education, research, and patient care have increased in both medical and political circles. Some academic medical centers, questioning whether industry support of medical education could be appropriate and not a conflict of interest, banned such support. In 2009, a Partners HealthCare System commission concluded that interactions with industry remained important to Partners' charitable academic mission and made recommendations to transparently manage such relationships. An Education Review Board (ERB) was created to oversee and manage all industry support of Partners educational activities.Using a case review method, the ERB developed guidelines to implement the commission's recommendations. A multi-funder rule was established that prohibits industry support from only one company for any Partners educational activity. Within that framework, the ERB established guidelines on industry support of educational conferences, clinical fellowships, and trainees' expenses for attending external educational programs; gifts of textbooks and other educational materials; promotional opportunities associated with Partners educational activities; Partners educational activities under contract with an industry entity; and industry-run programs using Partners resources.Although many changes have resulted from the implementation of the ERB guidelines, the number of industry grants for Partners educational activities has remained relatively stable, and funding for these activities declined only moderately during the first three full calendar years (2011-2013) of ERB oversight. The ERB continually educates both the Partners community and industry about the rationale for its guidelines and its openness to their refinement in response to changes in the external environment.