Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors Use in Patients with Reduced Kidney Function Hospitalized for Fluid Overload and Heart Failure: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) are recommended in kidney disease and heart failure to reduce adverse clinical outcomes, but utilization can vary. To understand potential gaps in clinical practice and identify opportunities for improvement, we aimed to describe the prevalence and factors associated with SGLT2i prescription in patients with reduced kidney function hospitalized for fluid overload and/or heart failure. METHODS: Single-center observational study of patients with reduced kidney function (eGFR 20-59 mL/min/1.73 m2) hospitalized for fluid overload or heart failure between January 2022 and December 2023. Data were retrieved from electronic medical records. The outcome was SGLT2i prescription at discharge. Potential variables affecting SGLT2i prescription were identified during stakeholder engagement and evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 2,543 patients, the median age was 79 (71, 86) years and admission eGFR was 38.7 (28.4, 49.4) mL/min/1.73 m2. SGLT2i was prescribed to 630 (24.8%) patients at discharge. SGLT2i prescription at discharge was independently associated with cardiovascular disease (OR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.31-2.35), diabetes (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19-2.14), fluid overload or heart failure as the primary discharge diagnosis (OR 1.71, 95% CI: 1.29-2.28), SGLT2i pre-hospitalization (OR 104.91, 95% CI: 63.22-174.08), RAS blocker (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.65-2.89), and higher eGFR (OR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.003-1.02) at discharge; but inversely associated with older age (OR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98). CONCLUSION: SGLT2i prescription at discharge was suboptimal among patients with reduced kidney function hospitalized for fluid overload and/or heart failure, especially in older age and more severe kidney disease. Additionally, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, primary discharge diagnosis of fluid overload or heart failure, prior SGLT2i use, and concurrent RAS blocker at discharge were independently associated with SGLT2i prescription at discharge. Interventions are needed to increase clinicians' knowledge and overcome clinical inertia to increase SGLT2i use in patients with fluid overload and heart failure.

Cost-savings of short stay sleeve gastrectomy and walk-in hydration clinic versus conventional inpatient care.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the cost-saving of the short stay ward (SSW) versus conventional inpatient care following sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). We also compared the readmission rates pre- and post-inception of the intravenous hydration clinic and analyzed the cost-savings. METHODS: Patients who underwent LSG between December 2021 to March 2022 with SSW care were compared with standard inpatient care. Total costs were analyzed using univariate analysis. With a separate cohort of patients, 30-day readmission rates in the 12-months preceding and following implementation of the IV hydration clinic and associated cost-savings were evaluated. RESULTS: After matching on the propensity score to within ± 0.1, 20-subjects pairs were retained. The total cost per SSW-subject was significantly lower at $13,647.81 compared to $15,565.27 for conventional inpatient care (p = 0.0302). Lower average ward charges ($667.76 vs $1371.34, p < 0.0001), lower average daily treatment fee per case ($235.68 vs $836.54, p < 0.0001), and lower average laboratory investigation fee ($612.31 vs $797.21, p < 0.0001) accounted for the difference in costs between the groups. Thirty-day readmission rate reduced from 8.9 to 1.8% after implementation of the hydration clinic (p < 0.01) with decreased 30-day readmission cost (S$96,955.57 vs. S$5910.27, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: SSW for LSG is cost-effective and should be preferred to inpatient management. Walk-in hydration clinics significantly reduced readmission rates and result in tremendous cost-savings.