Building a Cohort of Transgender and Nonbinary Patients from the Electronic Medical Record.

Purpose: Sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex recorded at birth (SOGI) have been routinely excluded from demographic data collection tools, including in electronic medical record (EMR) systems. We assessed the ability of adding structured SOGI data capture to improve identification of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) patients compared to using only International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes and text mining and comment on the ethics of these cohort formation methods. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to classify patient gender at a single institution using ICD-10 codes, structured SOGI data, and text mining for patients presenting for care between March 2019 and February 2021. We report each method's overall and segmental positive predictive value (PPV). Results: We queried 1,530,154 EMRs from our institution. Overall, 154,712 contained relevant ICD-10 diagnosis codes, SOGI data fields, or text mining terms; 2964 were manually reviewed. This multipronged approach identified a final 1685 TGNB patient cohort. The initial PPV was 56.8%, with ICD-10 codes, SOGI data, and text mining having PPV of 99.2%, 47.9%, and 62.2%, respectively. Conclusion: This is one of the first studies to use a combination of structured data capture with keyword terms and ICD codes to identify TGNB patients. Our approach revealed that although structured SOGI documentation was <10% in our health system, 1343/1685 (79.7%) of TGNB patients were identified using this method. We recommend that health systems promote patient EMR documentation of SOGI to improve health and wellness among TGNB populations, while centering patient privacy.

A Single-Center Study of Adherence to Breast Cancer Screening Mammography Guidelines by Transgender and Non-Binary Patients.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to screening guidelines among transgender and non-binary (TGNB) populations is not well studied. This study examines breast cancer screening patterns among TGNB patients at an urban academic medical center. METHODS: Demographic information, risk factors, and screening mammography were collected. Mammography rates were calculated in populations of interest according to national guidelines, and mammogram person-years were also calculated. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: Overall, 253 patients were analyzed: 193 transgender women and non-binary people designated male at birth (TGNB DMAB) and 60 transgender men and non-binary people designated female at birth (TGNB DFAB). The median (interquartile range) age was 53.2 years (42.3-62.6). Most patients had no family history of breast cancer (n = 163, 64.4%) and were on hormone therapy (n = 191, 75.5%). Most patients where White (n = 164, 64.8%), employed (n = 113, 44.7%), and had public insurance (n = 128, 50.6%). TGNB DFAB breast screening rates were low, ranging from 2.0 to 50.0%, as were TGNB DMAB screening rates, ranging from 7.1 to 47.6%. The screening rates among the TGNB DFAB and TGNB DMAB groups did not significantly differ from one another. Among TGNB DFAB patients, univariate analyses showed no significant predictors for mammography. Among TGNB DMAB patients, not being on hormone therapy resulted in fewer odds of undergoing mammography. There were no significant findings on multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: Mammography rates in the TGNB population are lower than institutional and national rates for cisgender patients, which are 77.3% and 66.7-78.4%, respectively. Stage of transition, organs present, hormone therapy, and risk factors should be considered to guide screening.

Factors associated with increased healthcare worker influenza vaccination rates: results from a national survey of university hospitals and medical centers.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain which components of healthcare worker (HCW) influenza vaccination programs are associated with higher vaccination rates. DESIGN: Survey. SETTING: University-affiliated hospitals. METHODS: Participating hospitals were surveyed with regard to their institutional HCW influenza vaccination program for the 2007-2008 influenza season. Topics assessed included vaccination adherence and availability, use of declination statements, education methods, accountability, and data reporting. Factors associated with higher vaccination rates were ascertained. RESULTS: Fifty hospitals representing 368,696 HCWs participated in the project. The median vaccination rate was 55.0% (range, 25.6%-80.6%); however, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs varied. Programs with the following components had significantly higher vaccination rates: weekend provision of vaccine (58.8% in those with this feature vs 43.9% in those without; P = .01), train-the-trainer programs (59.5% vs 46.5%; P = .005), report of vaccination rates to administrators (57.2% vs 48.1%; P = .04) or to the board of trustees (63.9% vs 53.4%; P = .01), a letter sent to employees emphasizing the importance of vaccination (59.3% vs 47%; P = .01), and any form of visible leadership support (57.9% vs 36.9%; P = .01). Vaccination rates were not significantly different between facilities that did and those that did not require a signed declination form for HCWs who refused vaccination (56.9% vs 55.1%; P = .68), although the precise content of such statements varied. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination programs that emphasized accountability to the highest levels of the organization, provided weekend access to vaccination, and used train-the-trainer programs had higher vaccination coverage. Of concern, the types of HCWs targeted by vaccination programs differed, and uniform definitions will be essential in the event of public reporting of vaccination rates.

Diagnostic evaluation for patients with ischemic stroke: are there sex differences?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Differences in the management of women and men with acute coronary symptoms are well documented, but relatively little is known about practices for patients with ischemic stroke. We sought to determine whether there are sex-associated differences in the utilization of diagnostic tests for ischemic stroke patients treated at academic hospitals in the United States. METHODS: Medical records were abstracted for consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to 32 US academic medical centers from January through June, 2004, as part of the University HealthSystem Consortium Ischemic Stroke Benchmarking Project. We compared the utilization rates of diagnostic tests including neuroimaging (CT or MRI), electrocardiogram (ECG), ultrasound of the carotid arteries, and echocardiography (transthoracic or transesophageal) for women and men. Multivariate logistic regression was used to test for sex differences with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: The study included 1,256 ischemic stroke patients (611 women; 645 men; mean age 66.6 +/- 14.6 years; 56% white). There were no differences between women and men in the use of neuroimaging (odds ratio, OR = 1.37; 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.58-3.24), ECG (OR = 1.00, 95% CI = 0.70-1.44), carotid artery ultrasound (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.72-1.21) or echocardiography (OR = 0.70, 95% CI = 0.70-1.22). The results were similar after covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Women and men admitted to US academic hospitals receive comparable diagnostic evaluations, even after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors.

Utilization of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for ischemic stroke: are there sex differences?

BACKGROUND: We evaluated whether there were sex-related differences in the administration of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) to patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to US academic medical centers. METHODS: Medical records were abstracted for consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted to 32 academic medical centers from January through June, 2004, as part of the University HealthSystem Consortium Ischemic Stroke Benchmarking Project. Multivariate logistic models were used to test for sex-related differences in the receipt of IV-tPA with adjustment for demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: The study included 1,234 patients (49% women; mean age 66.6 years; 56% white). IV-tPA was given to 7% (6.5% of women versus 7.5% of men, p = 0.49). Women and men were equally likely to receive IV-tPA in risk-adjusted analyses (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.64-1.64). Approximately 77% of women and men who did not receive IV-tPA did not meet the 3-hour treatment window or their time of onset was unknown. CONCLUSIONS: Women admitted to academic hospitals receive IV-tPA as often as men; however, a substantial percentage of both women and men are not arriving within the 3-hour time window required for diagnostic assessment and administration of intravenous thrombolytic therapy. Additional efforts are needed to improve the rapid identification, evaluation and treatment of stroke patients.

Outcomes of an initial set of standardized performance measures for inpatient mental health.

BACKGROUND: In January 2006, the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC) convened a committee of experts from academic health centers to identify an initial set of important standardized performance measures for inpatient psychiatric services and to evaluate the current state of performance in these measures at eight academic health centers. METHOD: The eight UHC academic medical centers completed a retrospective review of 20 inpatient psychiatric records on patients who were 18-65 years of age with a primary diagnosis of psychosis and a length of stay > or = 2 days. The performance measures, derived from practice standards and the consensus of an interdisciplinary committee of experts, focused on the processes of care, including screening, assessment, treatment, coordination, continuity, and safety. RESULTS: Although there was variability in organizational performance in a number of the psychiatric measures, some organizations demonstrated high levels of performance. Performance measures indicating the greatest improvement opportunities for organizations included notification of outpatient mental health provider of the psychiatric hospitalization within two days; collaboration with the outpatient mental health provider and/or primary care physician; and scheduling a follow-up appointment within seven days of discharge. DISCUSSION: This initial benchmarking project in mental health at academic health centers shows that there is a range of conformity to important processes of care in the inpatient mental health setting. The results of the notification, collaboration, and continuity measures in this study highlight national concerns regarding the lack of communication and collaboration between providers in the transition through the continuum of services. Future quality measurement projects in mental health services should integrate clinical process measures with outcome measures.

Result of a national audit of bariatric surgery performed at academic centers: a 2004 University HealthSystem Consortium Benchmarking Project.

HYPOTHESIS: Bariatric surgery performed at US academic centers is safe and associated with low mortality. DESIGN: Multi-institutional consecutive cohort study. SETTING: Academic medical centers. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: We audited the medical records from 40 consecutive bariatric surgery cases performed between October 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004, at each of the 29 institutions participating in the University HealthSystem Consortium Bariatric Surgery Benchmarking Project. All medical records that met inclusion criteria (patient age, >17 and <65 years; and body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters], 35-70) and exclusion criteria (previous bariatric surgery) were reviewed and data were collected on a standardized form. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic data, operative time, blood loss, transfusion requirement, complications, readmission, reoperation, and in-hospital and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Data from 1144 bariatric surgery cases were reviewed from 29 University HealthSystem Consortium institutions. The specific bariatric procedures included gastric bypass (91.7%), gastroplasty or gastric banding (8.2%), and biliopancreatic diversion (0.1%). For gastric bypass procedures (n = 1049), the mean patient age was 43 years and mean body mass index was 49; 76% of procedures were performed laparoscopically, with a conversion rate of 2.2%; the overall complication rate was 16%, with an anastomotic leakage rate of 1.6%; the 30-day readmission rate was 6.6%; and the 30-day mortality rate was 0.4%. For restrictive procedures (n = 94), the mean patient age was 45 years and mean body mass index was 45; 92% of procedures were performed laparoscopically with no conversion; the overall complication rate was 3.2%; the 30-day readmission rate was 4.3%; and the 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Within the context of the 2004 University HealthSystem Consortium Bariatric Surgery Benchmarking Project, the risk for death within 30 days after bariatric surgery at academic centers is less than 1%. In addition, the practice of bariatric surgery at these centers has shifted from open surgery to predominately laparoscopic surgery. These quality-controlled outcome data can be used as a benchmark for the practice of bariatric surgery at most US hospitals.