Use of Azithromycin Attributable to Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

PURPOSE: In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, preliminary results that later proved to be incorrect suggested the possible efficacy of anti-infective drugs such as azithromycin for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. These preliminary data may have influenced the prescription of azithromycin. However, no individual-level data linking the use of this antibiotic to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection are available. The present analysis aims to fill this gap. METHODS: A retrospective population-based cohort design was used including patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the period ranging from February 2020 to February 2022. The data source for antibiotic consumption was the drug database of outpatient prescriptions of Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy). Antibiotics were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification system. Consumption rates and percentages of azithromycin DDDs (defined daily doses) during the acute phase of the infection were compared with a previous control period and with the post-acute phase. Analyses were stratified by four groups according to the prevalent virus variant at time of diagnosis. RESULTS: Comparing the previous control period with the acute phase of infections, the rates of azithromycin consumption (DDD per 1000 individuals per day) increased from 1.17 to 23.11, from 0.80 to 33.03, from 0.81 to 21.01, and from 1.02 to 9.76, in the pre-Alpha, Alpha, Delta, and Omicron periods, respectively. Similarly, the percentages of individuals receiving azithromycin, and the azithromycin DDDs percentages over total systemic antibiotics DDDs increased in acute phases of infection compared with control periods. The consumption rates and percentages returned to preinfection levels in the post-acute phase. In the study period, 12.9% of the use of azithromycin in the entire adult population of Emilia-Romagna was attributable to acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the low likelihood of bacterial coinfections, the increased azithromycin consumption in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests inappropriate prescribing of this antibiotic.

The incidence and risk factors of selected drug prescriptions and outpatient care after SARS-CoV-2 infection in low-risk subjects: a multicenter population-based cohort study.

Background: Knowledge about the dynamics of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the clinical aspects of COVID-19 has steadily increased over time, although evidence of the determinants of disease severity and duration is still limited and mainly focused on older adult and fragile populations. Methods: The present study was conceived and carried out in the Emilia-Romagna (E-R) and Veneto Regions, Italy, within the context of the EU's Horizon 2020 research project called ORCHESTRA (Connecting European Cohorts to increase common and effective response to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic) (www.orchestra-cohort.eu). The study has a multicenter retrospective population-based cohort design and aimed to investigate the incidence and risk factors of access to specific healthcare services (outpatient visits and diagnostics, drug prescriptions) during the post-acute phase from day-31 to day-365 after SARS-CoV-2 infection, in a healthy population at low risk of severe acute COVID-19. The study made use of previously recorded large-scale healthcare data available in the administrative databases of the two Italian Regions. The statistical analysis made use of methods for competing risks. Risk factors were assessed separately in the two Regions and results were pooled using random effects meta-analysis. Results: There were 35,128 subjects in E-R and 88,881 in Veneto who were included in the data analysis. The outcome (access to selected health services) occurred in a high percentage of subjects in the post-acute phase (25% in E-R and 21% in Veneto). Outpatient care was observed more frequently than drug prescriptions (18% vs. 12% in E-R and 15% vs. 10% in Veneto). Risk factors associated with the outcome were female sex, age greater than 40 years, baseline risk of hospitalization and death, moderate to severe acute COVID-19, and acute extrapulmonary complications. Conclusion: The outcome of interest may be considered as a proxy for long-term effects of COVID-19 needing clinical attention. Our data suggest that this outcome occurs in a substantial percentage of cases, even among a previously healthy population with low or mild severity of acute COVID-19. The study results provide useful insights into planning COVID-19-related services.

Metal on metal hip arthroplasty surveillance at a tertiary centre: design, patients' adherence, and cost analysis.

PURPOSE: Metal-on-metal (MOM) bearings may carry higher than expected revision rates and serious complications: an appropriate surveillance may be advocated. Aims of this paper were to (1) present the biennial experience of MOM surveillance in a tertiary centre, (2) describe the patients' adherence to monitoring, and (3) analyze the costs of the surveillance METHODS: The design of MOM surveillance was developed according to the guidelines of the Italian Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology. The adherence to every follow-up was expressed as raw numbers and percentages. A cost analysis (direct and indirect costs) was conducted and projected in a five year time span. RESULTS: About 61.1% of patients adhered to the first step of the surveillance, and 13.5% answered to a specific questionnaire about MOM implant. About 36.2% of the patients participated for the annual follow-up, and 18.1% entered the six month follow-up program. Of the implants, 2.5% required a revision. A two year surveillance costs €45,520.30, €236,443.98 (57.7%) including revisions. Five-year projected costs will be €23.113,64 (5.6%). Hospital indirect costs, including personnel working days, were €150,392.30 (36.7%). The estimated economic burden for seven years will be €409,949.92 (direct € 259,557.62, indirect €150,392.30). CONCLUSION: Patients' adherence to MOM surveillance is modest and the rate of dropouts seems not to stop over the time. Most of the expenses are due to revision surgeries, as well as indirect costs. Economy of scale may be suggested to reduce the costs, involving as much MOM population as possible.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after elective hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty: protocol for a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The number of hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasties continues to rise worldwide. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development has launched an initiative (called PaRIS Initiative) for the systematic collection of Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) in patients undergoing elective hip and knee arthroplasty. The Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute (IOR) was selected as a pilot center for the launch of the Initiative in Italy given that IOR hosts the Registry of Orthopedic Prosthetic Implants (RIPO), a region-wide registry which collects joint implant data from all the hospitals in the Emilia-Romagna Region. In this specific geographic area information related to PROMs after joint replacement is unknown. This paper describes the protocol of a study (PaRIS-IOR) that aims to implement the collection of a set of PROMs within an existing implant registry in Italy. The study will also investigate the temporal trend of PROMs in relation to the type of prosthesis and the type of surgical intervention. METHODS: The PaRIS-IOR study is a prospective, single site, cohort study that consists of the administration of PROMs questionnaires to patients on the list for elective arthroplasty. The questionnaires will be administered to the study population within 30 days before surgery, and then at 6 and 12 months following surgery. The study population will consist of consecutive adult patients undergoing either hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty. The collected data will be linked with those routinely collected by the RIPO in order to assess the temporal trend of PROMs in relation to the type of prosthesis and the type of surgical intervention. DISCUSSION: The PaRIS-IOR study could have important implications in targeting the factors influencing functional outcomes and quality of life reported by patients after hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty, and will also represent the first systematic collection of PROMs related to arthroplasty in Italy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Protocol version (1.0) and trial registration data are available on the platform www.clinicaltrial.gov with the identifier NCT03790267 , first posted on December 31, 2018.

Impact of rehabilitation on mortality and readmissions after surgery for hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture in elderly patients is a rising global public health concern because of population ageing, and increasing frailty. Long-term morbidity related to poor management of hip fracture is associated with decreased quality of life, survival, and increase in healthcare costs. Receiving postoperative rehabilitation is associated with better outcomes and a higher likelihood of returning to pre-existing level of functioning. However little is known about which postoperative rehabilitation pathways are more effective to optimize patient outcomes. Few studies have analyzed postoperative rehabilitation pathways in a universal healthcare system. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of post-acute rehabilitation pathways on mortality and readmission in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fracture in a large metropolitan area in Italy. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 6-month mortality from admission and 6-month readmission after hospital discharge in patients who underwent surgical repair for hip fracture in the hospitals of the Bologna metropolitan area between 1.1.2013 and 30.6.2014. Data were drawn from the regional hospital discharge records database. Kaplan-Meier estimates and multiple Cox regression were used to analyze mortality as a function of rehabilitation pathways. Multiple logistic regression determined predictors of readmission. RESULTS: The study population includes 2208 patients, mostly women (n = 1677, 76%), with a median age of 83.8 years. Hospital rehabilitation was provided to 519 patients (23.5%), 907 (41.1%) received rehabilitation in private inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) accredited by the National Health System, and 782 (35.4%) received no post-acute rehabilitation. Compared with patient receiving hospital rehabilitation, the other groups showed significantly higher mortality risks (no rehabilitation, Hazard Ratio (HR) = 2.19, 95%CI = 1.54-3.12, p < 0.001; IRF rehabilitation, HR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.54-1.79, p < 0.001). The risk of readmission did not differ significantly among rehabilitation pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive hospital rehabilitation was significantly associated with a lower risk of mortality compared to IRF rehabilitation and no rehabilitation. Our results may help in the development of evidence-based recommendations aimed to improve resource utilization and quality of care in hip fracture patients. Further research is warranted to investigate the impact of the rehabilitation pathway on other outcomes, such as patients' functional status and quality of life.

Evaluating patient safety indicators in orthopedic surgery between Italy and the USA.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patient safety in major orthopedic procedures between an orthopedic hospital in Italy, and 26 US hospitals of similar size. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of administrative data from hospital discharge records in Italy and Florida, USA, 2011-13. Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) developed by the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research were used to identify inpatient adverse events (AEs). We examined the factors associated with the development of each different PSI, taking into account known confounders, using logistic regression. SETTING: One Italian orthopedic hospital and 26 hospitals in Florida with ≥ 1000 major orthopedic procedures per year. PARTICIPANTS: Patients ≥ 18 years who underwent 1 of the 17 major orthopedic procedures, and with a length of stay (LOS) > 1 day. INTERVENTION: Patient Safety management between Italy and the USA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Patient Safety Indicators. RESULTS: A total of 14 393 patients in Italy (mean age = 59.8 years) and 131 371 in the USA (mean age = 65.4 years) were included. US patients had lower adjusted odds of developing a PSI compared to Italy for pressure ulcers (odds ratio [OR]: 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10-0.45), hemorrhage or hematoma (OR: 0.42; CI 0.23-0.78), physiologic and metabolic derangement (OR: 0.08; CI 0.02-0.37). Italian patients had lower odds of pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis (OR: 3.17; CI 2.16-4.67) compared to US patients. CONCLUSIONS: Important differences in patient safety events were identified across countries using US developed PSIs. Though caution about potential coding differences is wise when comparing PSIs internationally, other differences may explain AEs, and offer opportunities for cross-country learning about safe practices.

[A retrospective study to evaluate the incidence of medication errors occurring in the prescription and transcription steps of the medication use process]. / Incidenza degli errori di terapia nelle fasi di prescrizione e trascrizione: un'indagine retrospettiva.

Medication errors occur frequently in many clinical settings. Various studies have highlighted that, together with adverse drug events, they represent one of the major causes of adverse events occurring in hospitals. The aim of this study was to perform a detailed retrospective medical record review in order to investigate the incidence of medication errors occurring in the prescription and transcription phases of the medication use process. Overall, 56 medical records were reviewed to determine the incidence of incomplete or incorrect prescriptions and incorrect transcription by nurses of the original medication order. The findings highlight the need to improve medication safety, in particular at the time of prescription and transcription of orders. The study also confirms that the retrospective review of medical records is an effective method for identifying certain types of medication errors that occur during the prescription and transcription phases. However, this type of review is complex and too costly to be used routinely, for continuous monitoring, in clinical practice.

[The impact of day surgery on primary care]. / Day Surgery Ortopedico: analisi del modello organizzativo con integrazione ospedale-territorio.

UNLABELLED: What impact does day surgery have on primary treatment? AIMS: highlighting the impact that day surgery has on the system of primary treatment. RESULTS: The study highlighted a lack in continuity of treatment due to a breakdown in communication between hospital specialists and general practitioners. This reflects the growing habit in the medical field whereby hospital surgeons take charge of surgical indications and carrying out the operation, thus focusing their attention on their own limited scope of action. On the other hand general practitioners are called upon merely to hand out prescriptions and certificates. However, it seems obvious that general practitioners should be involved in the selection phase and discharge of the patient, as occurs in countries where one-day surgery is now in widespread use. That is the only way to improve the quality of healthcare assistance and contain costs to the national health service.