Sustaining e-health innovations in a complex hospital environment: learning through evidence.

Implementing and sustaining technological innovations in healthcare is a complex process. Commonly, innovations are abandoned due to unsuccessful attempts to sustain and scale-up post implementation. Limited information is available on what characterizes successful e-health innovations and the enabling factors that can lead to their sustainability in complex hospital environments. We present a successful implementation, sustainability and scale-up of a virtual care program consisting of three e-health applications (telemedicine, telehome monitoring, and interactive voice response) in a major cardiac care hospital in Canada. We describe their evolution and adaptation over time, present the innovative approach for their "business case" and funding that supported their implementation, and identify key factors that enabled their sustainability and success, which may inform future research and serve as a benchmark for other health care organizations. Despite resource constraints, e-health innovations can be deployed and successfully sustained in complex healthcare settings contingent key considerations: simplifying technology to make it intuitive for patients; providing significant value proposition that is research supported to influence policy changes; involving early supporters of adoption from administrative and clinical staff; engaging patients throughout the innovation cycle; and partnering with industry/technology providers.

IVR System Use by Patients with Heart Failure: Compliance and Services Utilization Patterns.

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and health care utilization globally. Much of the cost for HF is related to hospitalization, strategies to decrease cost need to focus on avoiding unnecessary hospital readmission. Interactive voice response (IVR) is an automated telephony system that leverages existing telephone lines to monitor patients post-discharge, for early intervention. This study explores the pattern of IVR use by HF patients in the IVR program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute (UOHI) and assesses IVR use by patients in relation to symptoms, compliance behavior, lifestyle, and hospital readmission. A total of 902 HF patients were considered; the mean age was 70 years, and 59.4% were male. Over a 12-week period of IVR use, there was an overall increase in medication adherence and a decrease in symptoms occurrence, weight gain and readmission rate. The highest and lowest compliance rates were associated with medication adherence and exercise, respectively. Overall, older, female patients from rural/community hospitals were more likely to complete the IVR calls, have less symptoms occurrence, comply with medications, weight, and lifestyle recommendations. The findings suggest that IVR system use can have a positive impact on HF patients' management. The increased use of IVR in remote patient monitoring will allow for a cheaper and more accessible form of home monitoring. Leveraging IVR technology to support other conditions, especially during a pandemic, may be beneficial for patients to avoid unnecessary visits to the hospital and complications due to delay in seeking care.

Rural-Urban Comparison of Telehome Monitoring for Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

INTRODUCTION: Rural geographic isolation may act as a promoting or restraining variable to the diffusion of technology and healthy aging in the community. Telehome monitoring (TM) leverages technology to support seniors living in the community with chronic conditions. To date, limited research has investigated the utilization of TM in rural settings. This study assesses the comparative utilization of TM for patients with heart failure in rural versus urban environments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study involving chart reviews of all patients enrolled in the TM program at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute during 2014. Data were extracted on urban/rural status, demographic characteristics, and process and outcomes of care. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: More rural patients did not have a documented reason for emergency room visits compared to urban patients. There was no significant association between the urban/rural status and the process and outcome measures at the multivariate level. Being followed-up regularly by a family physician and a specialist, as opposed to a specialist or general practitioner only, was associated with significantly longer TM period and a higher number of diuretic adjustments and calls made by nurses. DISCUSSION: Although more urban patients were older and living alone, their profile did not affect their utilization of TM. The difference in diagnosis between urban and rural patients also did not contribute to such differences. Hence, there is no variation in the process and outcome measures associated with the utilization of TM between urban and rural environments. CONCLUSIONS: Rural patients may not be perceived as extensive users of resources nor patients who represent challenges in terms of feasibility of TM use.

A prospective evaluation of telemonitoring use by seniors with chronic heart failure: Adoption, self-care, and empowerment.

Telemonitoring leverages technology for the follow-up of patients with heart failure. Limited evidence exists on how telemonitoring influences senior patients' attitudes and self-care practices. This study examines telemonitoring impacts on patient empowerment and self-care, and explores adoption factors among senior patients. A longitudinal study design was used, involving three surveys of elderly with chronic heart failure (n = 23) 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after beginning telemonitoring use. Self-care, patient empowerment, and adoption factors were assessed using existing scales. The patients involved in this study perceived value of using telemonitoring, did not expect it to be difficult to use, and did not encounter adoption barriers. There was a significant improvement in patients' confidence in their ability to evaluate their symptoms, address them, and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken to address these symptoms. Yet, patients performed less self-care maintenance activities, and the capability of involvement in the decision-making related to their condition decreased. Telemonitoring can improve seniors' confidence in evaluating and addressing their symptoms in relation to heart failure. This patient management approach should be coupled with targeted education geared toward self-maintenance and self-management practices.

Sex-Specific Trends in Incidence and Mortality for Urban and Rural Ambulatory Patients with Heart Failure in Eastern Ontario from 1994 to 2013.

BACKGROUND: Differences in outcomes have previously been reported between urban and rural settings across a multitude of chronic diseases. Whether these discrepancies have changed over time, and how sex may influence these findings is unknown for patients with ambulatory heart failure (HF). We examined the temporal incidence and mortality trends by geography in these patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 36,175 eastern Ontario residents who were diagnosed with HF in an outpatient setting from 1994 to 2013. The primary outcome was 1-year mortality. We examined temporal changes in mortality risk factors with the use of multivariable Cox proportional hazard models. The incidence of HF decreased in women and men across both rural and urban settings. Age-standardized mortality rates also decreased over time in both sexes but remained greater in rural men compared with rural women. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of HF in the ambulatory setting was greater for men than women and greater in rural than urban areas, but mortality rates remained higher in rural men compared with rural women. Further research should focus on ways to reduce this gap in the outcomes of men and women with HF.

The Impact of Web-Based Feedback on Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health of Nurses Working in a Cardiovascular Setting: A Randomized Trial.

A disconcerting proportion of Canadian nurses are physically inactive and report poor cardiovascular health. Web-based interventions incorporating feedback and group features may represent opportune, convenient, and cost-effective methods for encouraging physical activity (PA) in order to improve the levels of PA and cardiovascular health of nurses. The purpose of this parallel-group randomized trial was to examine the impact of an intervention providing participants with feedback from an activity monitor coupled with a web-based individual, friend or team PA challenge, on the PA and cardiovascular health of nurses working in a cardiovascular setting. Methods: Nurses were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1 ratio to one of the following intervention "challenge" groups: (1) individual, (2) friend or (3) team. Nurses wore a Tractivity® activity monitor throughout a baseline week and 6-week intervention. Height, body mass, body fat percentage, waist circumference, resting blood pressure (BP) and heart rate were assessed, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated, during baseline and within 1 week post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and general linear model procedures for repeated measures. Results: 76 nurses (97% female; age: 46 ± 11 years) participated. Weekly moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) changed over time (F = 4.022, df = 4.827, p = 0.002, η2 = 0.055), and was greater during intervention week 2 when compared to intervention week 6 (p = 0.011). Daily steps changed over time (F = 7.668, df = 3.910, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.100), and were greater during baseline and intervention weeks 1, 2, 3, and 5 when compared to intervention week 6 (p < 0.05). No differences in weekly MVPA or daily steps were observed between groups (p > 0.05). No changes in body mass, BMI or waist circumference were observed within or between groups (p > 0.05). Decreases in body fat percentage (-0.8 ± 4.8%, p = 0.015) and resting systolic BP (-2.6 ± 8.8 mmHg, p = 0.019) were observed within groups, but not between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: A web-based intervention providing feedback and a PA challenge initially impacted the PA, body fat percentage and resting systolic BP of nurses working in a cardiovascular setting, though increases in PA were short-lived. The nature of the PA challenge did not differentially impact outcomes. Alternative innovative strategies to improve and sustain nurses' PA should be developed and their effectiveness evaluated.

Psychosocial Burdens of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Discussion Paper.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an uncommon and devastating chronic illness with no known cure. Little is known about the disease, and even less about the psychosocial burdens. While it is important to create awareness about the physical aspects of the disease, it is equally important to create awareness about the psychosocial burdens patients and their families face. We reviewed the literature to better understand these psychosocial burdens, which include impact from physical limitations, emotional strains, financial burdens, social isolation, lack of intimacy in relationships, and an overall lack of information. The findings can be used to assist health care providers to understand the psychosocial challenges that are being experienced by patients and families in order to better provide supportive care. The creation of a standardized tool to assess the psychosocial burdens at each clinic visit can benefit health care providers by addressing challenges faced and facilitate subsequent referral to appropriate specialists.

Using interactive voice response to improve disease management and compliance with acute coronary syndrome best practice guidelines: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There is evidence from large clinical trials that compliance with standardized best practice guidelines (BPGs) improves survival of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients. However, their application is often suboptimal. PURPOSE: In this study, the researchers evaluated whether the use of an interactive voice response (IVR) follow-up system improved ACS BPG compliance. METHOD: This was a single-centre randomized control trial (RCT) of 1,608 patients (IVR=803; usual care=805). The IVR group received five automated calls in 12 months. The primary composite outcome was increased medication compliance and decreased adverse events. RESULTS: A significant improvement of 60% in the IVR group for the primary composite outcome was found (RR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.29 to 2.00, p <0.001). There was significant improvement in medication compliance (p <0.001) and decrease in unplanned medical visits (p = 0.023). At one year, the majority of patients ( 85%) responded positively to using the system again. Follow-up by IVR produced positive outcomes in ACS patients.

Implementation of a screening program to detect previously undiagnosed dysglycemia in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVE: Many people with dysglycemia are unaware that they have the condition. We conducted a study to determine whether a screening program for hospitalized patients could identify new cases of unrecognized dysglycemia and affect the actions of attending care providers during hospitalization. METHODS: We measured A1C in 466 participants with no history of diabetes who had been admitted to hospital for coronary heart disease or elective joint replacement surgery. Participants with A1C <6.0% were considered normoglycemic and those with A1C ≥6.0% were considered dysglycemic. Notifications to care providers were placed on the charts of participants who had dysglycemia, along with recommendations for in-hospital monitoring and care. Oral glucose tolerance tests were completed 6 weeks post-hospitalization for participants with dysglycemia and a subsample of participants who were normoglycemic. Sensitivity and specificity of in-hospital dysglycemia criteria were calculated. Provider practices were determined by chart review. RESULTS: In-hospital dysglycemia was present in 10.4% of patients with coronary heart disease and 11.4% of participants with elective joint replacement surgery. Attending care providers took few of the recommended actions, despite the chart notification of dysglycemia; glucose monitoring occurred <30% of the time. The in-hospital dysglycemia criterion of ≥6% demonstrated moderate sensitivity (47.5%) and high specificity (96.2%) in detecting dysglycemia based on oral glucose tolerance tests. CONCLUSIONS: Dysglycemia was a relatively common finding in patients with no history of diabetes who had been admitted for coronary heart disease or elective joint replacement surgery. The in-hospital A1C screening criteria generated a high level of false-negative tests, and a chart notification had limited effects on the practices of attending care providers. Future studies examining lower A1C thresholds and the barriers to and facilitators of attending care providers' behaviours are warranted.

Effects of caffeinated vs. non-caffeinated alcoholic beverage on next-day hangover incidence and severity, perceived sleep quality, and alertness.

AIMS: Beliefs about the effects of mixing caffeine and alcohol on hangover or sleep may play a role in motivation to consume these mixtures; therefore, information is needed about actual effects. We investigated whether intoxication with caffeinated vs. non-caffeinated beer differentially affected perceived sleep quality, sleepiness, and hangover incidence and severity the next morning. METHODS: University students (89%) and recent graduate drinkers were randomized to receive: (1) beer with the equivalent of 69mg caffeine/12oz glass of regular beer (n=28) or (2) beer without caffeine (n=36), in sufficient quantity to attain a BrAC of 0.12g%. After an 8-h supervised sleep period, participants completed measures of hangover, sleep quality, sleep latency and time asleep, and sleepiness. RESULTS: While caffeinated beer improved perceived sleep quality, effect sizes were greater for morning alertness than for quality while sleeping, with no effect on sleep latency or total sleep time. No effects were seen on hangover incidence or severity. CONCLUSIONS: Mixing caffeine and alcohol does not significantly impair amount of sleep or sleep latency, hangover, or sleepiness the morning after drinking to intoxication in this population.

Reduction in mortality as a result of direct transport from the field to a receiving center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine whether mortality complicating ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was impacted by the design of transport systems. BACKGROUND: It is recommended that regions develop systems to facilitate rapid transfer of STEMI patients to centers equipped to perform primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), yet the impact on mortality from the design of such systems remains unknown. METHODS: Within the framework of a citywide system where all STEMI patients are referred for primary PCI, we compared patients referred directly from the field to a PCI center to patients transported beforehand from the field to a non-PCI-capable hospital. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 180 days. RESULTS: A total of 1,389 consecutive patients with STEMI were assessed by the emergency medical services (EMS) and referred for primary PCI: 822 (59.2%) were referred directly from the field to a PCI center, and 567 (40.8%) were transported to a non-PCI-capable hospital first. Death at 180 days occurred in 5.0% of patients transferred directly from the field, and in 11.5% of patients transported from the field to a non-PCI-capable hospital (p < 0.0001. After adjusting for baseline characteristics in a multivariable logistic regression model, mortality remained lower among patients referred directly from the field to the PCI center (odds ratio: 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.31 to 0.88, p = 0.01). Similar results were obtained by using propensity score methods for adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: A STEMI system allowing EMS to transport patients directly to a primary PCI center was associated with a significant reduction in mortality. Our results support the concept of STEMI systems that include pre-hospital referral by EMS.

Using technology to create a medication safety net for cardiac surgery patients: a nurse-led randomized control trial.

PURPOSE: Interactive voice response (IVR) technology was used to increase medication compliance and reduce adverse events (hospitalization and emergency visits) in post-cardiac surgery patients. METHOD: Patients randomized to intervention received 11 automated IVR calls in the six months after discharge. A total of 331 patients (164 IVR, 167 usual care) participated. RESULTS: Findings showed significant differences in the IVR group for the primary composite outcome of compliance and adverse events (relative risk (RR] and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.60 [0.37, 0.96), p = 0.041) and the secondary outcome of medication compliance (RR: 0.34 (0.20, 0.56), p < 0.0001). There was no significant impact on emergency room visits (RR: 1.04 (0.63, 1.73J) and hospitalization (RR: 0.77 [0.41, 1.45]). Most patients (93%) preferred IVR follow-up to no follow-up.

The use of coaching to improve peri-operative efficiencies: the Ontario experience.

Coaching has traditionally been associated with sports, where coaches help teams and individuals focus on improving their athletic performance and achieving top results. Coaches do not play the game; rather, they stand on the side and provide advice and guidance to those who are playing. Increasingly, organizations are recognizing the value of coaching to develop and train leaders, managers and employees to become top performers. Ontario's Wait Times Strategy--which was launched in November 2004--adopted the concept of coaching to help hospitals improve access to services and reduce wait times.

A commentary on access to cardiovascular services: nursing roles and initiatives.

The Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN) applauds the work done by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society in setting benchmarks for wait times. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society is to be commended for developing the benchmark documents, as well as for establishing strategies for systematic dissemination to increase awareness, advocacy and implementation of the benchmarks across Canada. Quality nursing care, as defined within the CCCN framework, includes working with health teams to ensure that patients have timely access to specialized personnel, tests and procedures as required to prevent disease, promote health, address acute and episodic interventions, and to provide rehabilitative and palliative services, depending on patient need. To extend the access to care discussion, the CCCN suggests that further engagement of all stakeholders, especially clients/patients, is needed to find solutions to wait times and define benchmarks. In addition, preventing heart disease and promoting 'health care' should be recognized and acted on as central to reducing wait times for cardiovascular care. Finally, access to cardiovascular services will be more efficient when the first point of care is broadened to include nurses and other health care professionals. Nurses occupy creative, cost-effective roles directly aimed at reducing wait times and improving care while patients wait. The expanded role of interprofessional education and health care teams, as well as the inclusion of patients and families in program improvement, are solutions that the CCCN suggests may contribute to improved access to cardiovascular care and a sustainable health care system in Canada.

A citywide protocol for primary PCI in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: If primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is performed promptly, the procedure is superior to fibrinolysis in restoring flow to the infarct-related artery in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The benchmark for a timely PCI intervention has become a door-to-balloon time of less than 90 minutes. Whether regional strategies can be developed to achieve this goal is uncertain. METHODS: We developed an integrated-metropolitan-area approach in which all patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were referred to a specialized center for primary PCI. We sought to determine whether there was a difference in door-to-balloon times between patients who were referred directly from the field by paramedics trained in the interpretation of electrocardiograms and patients who were referred by emergency department physicians. RESULTS: Between May 1, 2005, and April 30, 2006, a total of 344 consecutive patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction were referred for primary PCI: 135 directly from the field and 209 from emergency departments. Primary PCI was performed in 93.6% of patients. The median door-to-balloon time was shorter in patients referred from the field (69 minutes; interquartile range, 43 to 87) than in patients needing interhospital transfer (123 minutes; interquartile range, 101 to 153; P<0.001). Door-to-balloon times of less than 90 minutes were achieved in 79.7% of patients who were transferred from the field and in 11.9% of those transferred from emergency departments (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Guideline door-to-balloon-times were more often achieved when trained paramedics independently triaged and transported patients directly to a designated primary PCI center than when patients were referred from emergency departments.

Telehome monitoring in patients with cardiac disease who are at high risk of readmission.

Patients with chronic conditions are heavy users of the health care system. There are opportunities for significant savings and improvements to patient care if patients can be maintained in their homes. A randomized control trial tested the impact of 3 months of telehome monitoring on hospital readmission, quality of life, and functional status in patients with heart failure or angina. The intervention consisted of video conferencing and phone line transmission of weight, blood pressure, and electrocardiograms. Telehome monitoring significantly reduced the number of hospital readmissions and days spent in the hospital for patients with angina and improved quality of life and functional status in patients with heart failure or angina. Patients found the technology easy to use and expressed high levels of satisfaction. Telehealth technologies are a viable means of providing home monitoring to patients with heart disease at high risk of hospital readmission to improve their self-care abilities.

Using personal digital assistants and patient care algorithms to improve access to cardiac care best practices.

In order to facilitate knowledge transfer between specialists and generalists and between experts and novices, and to promote interdisciplinary communication, there is a need to provide methods and tools for doing so. This interdisciplinary research team developed and evaluated a decision support tool (DST) on a personal digital assistant (PDA) for cardiac tele-triage/tele-consultation when the presenting problem was chest pain. The combined human factors methods of cognitive work analysis during the requirements-gathering phase and ecological interface design during the design phase were used to develop the DST. A pilot clinical trial was conducted at a quaternary cardiac care hospital over a 3-month period. During this time, the DST was used by the nine nursing coordinators who provide tele-triage/tele-consultation 24/7. This clinical trial validated the design and demonstrated its usefulness to advanced cardiac care nurses, its potential for use by nurses less experienced in cardiac care, and for its potential use in an interdisciplinary team environment.

Comparison of early mortality of paramedic-diagnosed ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction with immediate transport to a designated primary percutaneous coronary intervention center to that of similar patients transported to the nearest hospital.

Speed of reperfusion is critical in ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We assessed the safety and feasibility of an integrated metropolitan approach in which advanced-care paramedics interpret the prehospital electrocardiogram and independently refer patients with STEMI to a designated center for primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We developed and implemented a protocol in which paramedics trained in electrocardiographic interpretation bypassed the nearest emergency room and referred patients with suspected STEMI directly to a designated primary PCI center (paramedic-referred primary PCI). Outcomes of these patients were compared with those of a retrospective cohort of 225 consecutive patients with STEMI transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital emergency department. We treated 108 consecutive patients with STEMI using ambulance services according to the paramedic-referred primary PCI protocol. Primary PCI was performed in 93.5% versus 8.9% in the control group, and the median door-to-balloon time was 63 versus 125 minutes in the control group (p <0.0001 for 2 comparisons). Thrombolytic therapy was prescribed to 80.4% of the control group, with a median door-to-needle time of 41 minutes. In-hospital mortality was 1.9% in the paramedic-referred primary PCI group versus 8.9% in the control group (p = 0.017) and remained significantly lower after statistical adjustment for baseline risk. In conclusion, paramedic-referred primary PCI is a safe and feasible strategy for treating STEMI that is associated with rapid and effective reperfusion and very low in-hospital mortality.