Clinicians' perceptions on implementation strategies used to facilitate ABCDEF bundle adoption: A multicenter survey.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians struggle to routinely implement the ICU Liberation bundle (ABCDEF bundle). As a result, critically ill patients experience increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive research related to the barriers and facilitators of bundle use, little is known regarding which implementation strategies are used to facilitate its adoption and sustainability. OBJECTIVES: To identify implementation strategies used to increase adoption of the ABCDEF bundle and how those strategies are perceived by end-users (i.e., ICU clinicians) related to their helpfulness, acceptability, feasibility, and cost. METHODS: We conducted a national, cross-sectional survey of ICU clinicians from the 68 ICU sites that previously participated in the Society of Critical Care Medicine's ICU Liberation Collaborative. The survey was structured using the 73 Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) implementation strategies. Surveys were delivered electronically to site contacts. RESULTS: Nineteen ICUs (28%) returned completed surveys. Sites used 63 of the 73 ERIC implementation strategies, with frequent use of strategies that may be readily available to clinicians (e.g., providing educational meetings or ongoing training), but less use of strategies that require changes to well-established organizational systems (e.g., alter incentive allowance structure). Overall, sites described the ERIC strategies used in their implementation process to be moderately helpful (mean score >3<4 on a 5-point Likert scale), somewhat acceptable and feasible (mean score >2<3), and either not-at-all or somewhat costly (mean scores >1<3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a potential over-reliance on accessible strategies and the possible benefit of unused ERIC strategies related to changing infrastructure and utilizing financial strategies.

Design and implementation of an Internet-Based cancer risk assessment tool: Use over 10 years.

BACKGROUND: Prevention and early intervention can improve survival and quality of life across all cancers. Patient understanding of risk factors and associated actionable lifestyle changes and screening programs is not well understood by clinicians METHODS: An Internet-based tool, Reduce My Risk, was created in 2009 and made available on oncolink.org. Users voluntarily completed a survey regarding demographics and cancer risk factors, and received information about their cancer risk RESULTS: Twenty eight thousand and one surveys were completed from 2009 to 2019. Median age was 26 years (18-101); 60% were females, 87% lived in North America, and 37% had at least a bachelor's degree. Users reported on behavioral/ modifiable risk factors: 13% were current smokers, 52% were current consumers of alcohol, and 8% of those had ≥14 drinks/week. Body mass index (BMI) was ≥30 in 19%; 74% of all surveys reported dietary risks and 36% reported infrequent exercise. Excess UV exposure was reported by 19%. Among women, 36% reported performing breast self-examinations monthly, and 50% reported receiving clinician breast examinations at least once every 3 years. Sixty seven percent of men 55-75 years reported screening prostate specific antigen testing, with 50% receiving annual digital rectal examinations. Nonmodifiable risk factors included family cancer history (64%), genetic syndrome (3%), and cancer-predisposing health conditions (26%) CONCLUSIONS: Ninety-seven percent of users reported modifiable risk factors, and 60% reported ≥4 of these risk factors. Understanding detailed characteristics of a large number of respondents has the potential to improve educational interventions to reduce cancer risk through behavioral modification and cancer screening across the general public.

A Step Forward for Intensive Care Unit Patients: Early Mobility Interventions and Associated Outcome Measures.

BACKGROUND: Critical illness survivors have impairments across physical, psychological, and cognitive health domains known as post-intensive care syndrome. Although physical activity can improve outcomes across all health domains, most intensive care unit early mobility studies focus solely on physical outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of early mobility for adult patients in the intensive care unit by analyzing early mobility intervention studies with physical, psychological, or cognitive outcome measures. METHODS: This integrative review used Whittemore and Knafl's methodology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus databases were searched for primary research articles published from 2005 through 2021 on adult intensive care unit early mobility interventions evaluated by physical, cognitive, or psychological outcome measures during or after intervention delivery. Interventions comprising only passive mobility were excluded. RESULTS: Of 1009 articles screened, 20 were included. Variations in outcome measures, measurement timing, instruments, and control groups made synthesis difficult. No study evaluated an intervention using outcome measures from all 3 health domains. Five studies measured physical and cognitive outcomes; 6 studies measured physical and psychological outcomes. CONCLUSION: Early mobility is primarily addressed objectively and unidimensionally, limiting understanding of the implications of early mobility for patients. Post-intensive care syndrome prevention begins in the intensive care unit; early mobility is a promising intervention for targeting multiple risk factors. Studies that measure outcomes in all health domains during or after early mobility are needed to better evaluate the comprehensive effects of early mobility.

Psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.

Objective: This study aimed to increase understanding of the effects of the pandemic on cancer patients, survivors and caregivers.Methods: An Internet-based survey was accessed over 2 months by individuals diagnosed with cancer or caregivers (N = 281), with descriptive statistics and chi square analysis used to compare subsets.Results: Most participants reported social isolation (76%) and mental health impact (70%) since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic; isolation appeared to correlate with mental health impact (p < .00001). Food insecurity and financial hardship correlated significantly with mental health impact; food insecurity also correlated with social isolation.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that mental health during the pandemic in the cancer population may be impacted by social isolation, financial stress, and food insecurity, as well as stress regarding accessing cancer treatments. Awareness by psychosocial healthcare providers of need for resources to support these hardships, as well as framework to identify them, are essential elements of cancer-related care.

Direct oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with morbid obesity after intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary emboli.

There is little reported on the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in morbid obesity after venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this observational study, patients were followed up after intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) at the University of Rochester Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic 2-4 months after the initial event. All patients had echocardiography and V/Q imaging regardless of symptoms. Outcomes of interest were the rates of recurrent VTE, thrombus resolution and development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) in patients with morbid obesity treated with a DOAC compared to treatment with vitamin K antagonists and to non-morbidly obese patients after PE. Using the electronic medical record, recurrent events were assessed up to 12 months after the event. 107 patients (body mass index (BMI)>40 kg·m-2, n=32; BMI 30-39.9 kg·m-2, n=39; BMI<30 kg·m-2, n=36) attended follow-up appointments after treatment for PE. A DOAC was used in 70 patients (BMI>40 kg·m-2, n=19; BMI 30-39.9 kg·m-2, n=27; BMI<30 kg·m-2, n=24). There were no recurrent events within the first 12 months of initial diagnosis based on symptoms and imaging in any patient. There was no difference in rate of residual unmatched perfusion defect with DOACs or conventional anticoagulation (49% versus 49%). This finding remained in the subset of morbidly obese patients (47% versus 50%). For the overall cohort, there was no difference in the rate of CTEPH development based on anticoagulation with a DOAC (5% versus 8% with warfarin). There were no major bleeding complications with a DOAC. DOAC therapy appears to be effective and safe in morbid obesity even after intermediate- or high-risk PE. ​.

Clinical and imaging outcomes after intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolus.

Long-term outcomes after acute pulmonary embolism vary from complete resolution to chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Guidelines after acute pulmonary embolism are generally limited to anticoagulation duration. We assessed patients with estimated prognosis >1 year in our pulmonary hypertension clinic 2-4 months after treatment for intermediate- or high-risk acute pulmonary embolism. At follow-up, ventilation-perfusion scan and echocardiogram were offered. The aim of this study was to assess for recurrent symptomatic disease, residual imaging defects or right ventricular dysfunction, and functional disability after acute management of pulmonary embolism. After treatment for acute intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolism, 104 patients followed up in pulmonary hypertension clinic. Of those, 55% of patients had self-reported limitation in activity. No patients had symptomatic recurrence of pulmonary embolism. Forty-eight percent of patients had residual perfusion defects on perfusion imaging, while 91% of patients had either normal or only mildly enlarged right ventricles. We identified heart failure preserved ejection fraction, iron deficiency, and obstructive sleep apnea as significant contributors to breathlessness. Treatment of these conditions was associated with improvement. Surprisingly, we diagnosed CTEPH in nine patients; for some, chronic thrombus may already have been present at the time of index evaluation. Our findings suggest that follow-up in a dedicated pulmonary hypertension clinic 2-4 months after acute intermediate- or high-risk pulmonary embolism may add value to patient care. We identified treatable comorbidities that could be contributing to post-pulmonary embolism syndrome as well as CTEPH.

E-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI): case series and diagnostic approach.

BACKGROUND: Since June, 2019, more than 1000 new cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injury (EVALI) have been reported in the USA. Patients presented with dyspnoea, cough, and were found to be hypoxaemic with bilateral airspace opacities on chest imaging. Most patients required management in the intensive care unit and steroid therapy. All patients recovered with cessation of vaping, supportive care, and steroid therapy and remained symptom free at follow up. E-cigarette use continues to rapidly escalate in the USA, particularly among youth. METHODS: Cases were defined as patients admitted to the University of Rochester Medical Center (Rochester, NY, USA) who had used e-cigarettes or another vaping device in the 30 days before presentation, and who had bilateral airspace opacification on chest imaging (CT or x-ray). Case details were obtained via medical record review and patient interviews over the past 3 months including symptomatology, physical exam data, imaging studies, laboratory data, vaping history, and subsequent outpatient follow-up data. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, our hospital developed a novel clinical practice algorithm based on statewide physician feedback along with input from experts in environmental health, medical toxicology, infectious disease, epidemiology, and chronic disease prevention. FINDINGS: We report 12 cases treated for suspected EVALI at our medical centre between June 6, 2019, and Sept 15, 2019. Ten (83%) patients had dyspnoea, fever, and emesis and nine (75%) had cough. 11 (92%) patients reported the use of e-cigarette cartridges containing tetrahydrocannabinol oil. Although eight (67%) patients required admission to the intensive care unit for hypoxaemic respiratory failure, no deaths occurred. The median hospitalisation duration was 7 days (IQR 7-8). All patients completing follow up (6 [50%]) had resolution of previous chest CT findings and normal spirometry. The clinical algorithm focuses on the key signs and symptoms of EVALI and the importance of ruling out infection and other cardiopulmonary conditions before making a presumptive diagnosis of EVALI. INTERPRETATION: Patients with suspected EVALI in our cohort had life-threatening hypoxaemia, with 67% requiring management in the intensive care unit. Despite the severity of presentation, similar to previous reports of patients with EVALI, most patients improved within 1-2 weeks of initial presentation after vaping cessation and administration of systemic corticosteroids when needed. Almost all (92%) patients with suspected EVALI reported vaping a THC product, making THC containing e-liquids or oils a key focus on the ongoing nationwide investigations into the cause of EVALI. Additional research is required to understand the potential toxins, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and identification of susceptible individuals at higher risk for hospitalisation due to EVALI. To our knowledge we present the first clinical practice algorithm for the evaluation and management of EVALI, which will be useful for both acute management and improved accurate reporting of this life-threatening respiratory illness. FUNDING: None.

Factors Influencing Delivery of Cancer Survivorship Care Plans: A National Patterns of Care Study.

Nearly half of all Americans will develop cancer at least once in their lifetime. Through improved screening and treatments, the number of cancer survivors is reaching all-time highs. However, survivorship care plans (SCPs) are inconsistently used, denying many survivors access to critical information. This study used 46,408 SCPs generated from 2007 to 2016 and applied machine learning to identify predictors of SCP creation, including cancer type, type of physician, and healthcare center where they received care, as well as regional variations in care plan creation. Identifying these disparities in SCP use is a critical first step in efforts toward expanding access to survivorship care planning. Using a convenience sample of survivors, it is possible to model the factors that predict generation of SCPs either by the survivor or by a healthcare provider. This study identifies several important disparities both survivor intrinsic such as cancer type, as well as treatment associated and geographic differences in SCP generation. Identifying these disparities at the national level across cancer types will allow for more targeted recommendations to improve SCP creation and dissemination in underserved groups.

Patient-reported outcomes in head and neck cancer: prospective multi-institutional patient-reported toxicity.

PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer is occurring in an increasingly younger patient population, with treatment toxicity that can cause significant morbidity. Using a patient guided, Internet-based survivorship care plan program, we obtained and looked at patterns of patient-reported outcomes data from survivors seeking information after treatment for head and neck cancer. METHODS: The Internet-based OncoLife and LIVESTRONG Care Plan programs were employed, which design unique survivorship care plans based on patient-reported data. Care plans created for survivors of head and neck cancer were used in this evaluation. Demographics, treatment modality, and toxicity were included in this evaluation. Toxicity was further analyzed, grouped into system-based subsets. RESULTS: A total of 602 care plans were created from self-identified head and neck cancer survivors, from which patient-reported outcome data were attained. A majority of patients were Caucasian (96.2%) with median age at diagnosis of 55 years, living in suburban locations (39.9%), with ~50% receiving care within 20 miles of their residence. There was an equal distribution of education levels from high school only to graduate school. The majority of patients received care through cancer centers (96.7%), with a split between academic and non-academic centers. Ninety-three percent of patients had radiation therapy as part of their treatment modality, with 70.3% having chemotherapy and 60.1% having surgery. The most common system toxicities affected the oropharynx, followed by epithelium (skin/hair/nail), and then general global health. Specifically, the most common side effects were difficulty swallowing (61.5%) and changes in skin color/texture (49.7%). One third of patients experienced hearing/tinnitus/vertigo, xerostomia, loss of tissue flexibility, or fatigue. CONCLUSION: The current work demonstrates the ability to obtain patient-reported outcomes of head and neck cancer survivors through an Internet-based survivorship care plan program. For this group dysphagia and dermatitis were the most commonly reported toxicities, as was expected; however, global effects of therapy, such as fatigue, were also significant and should be addressed in future survivorship planning.

Identifying barriers to cancer survivors sharing their survivorship care plans with their healthcare provider.

PURPOSE: To understand what factors influence whether a cancer survivor will share their survivorship care plan (SCP) with their healthcare provider (HCP). METHODS: We used data from 3231 cancer survivors who utilized the OncoLink SCP resource between 2009 and 2016. Random forest and stepwise regression were used to identify predictors of SCP satisfaction and barriers to survivors sharing their care plans with their HCPs. RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of users rated their satisfaction with their SCP as good or better; however, only 70% of survivors planned to share their SCP with their HCP. The most commonly reported reason for not sharing was a feeling that their HCP would not care. Self-reported satisfaction with their SCP was strongest predictor of whether a survivor would share their SCP. Gender, cancer status, number of chemotherapies received, and who was managing their healthcare were all associated with self-reported survivor satisfaction with their SCP. CONCLUSIONS: Survivor satisfaction with SCPs was high, but there was a disconnect in the number of satisfied survivors and the number of survivors planning to share their SCP with their HCP. To bridge this gap, additional prompts that HCPs are expecting this information should be added to the care plans. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: One of the primary functions of survivorship care plans is to improve communication between survivor and healthcare provider. While survivors are overwhelmingly satisfied with their SCP, additional steps are necessary to get survivors to share their SCP with their HCP.

Survivorship care planning in skin cancer: An unbiased statistical approach to identifying patterns of care-plan use.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer, and as a result, survivors of skin cancer compose one of the largest groups of cancer survivors. Survivorship care plans (SCPs) are an important tool for improving patient outcomes and provide critical information to both survivors and health care professionals. Recent efforts have been made to expand SCP utilization; however, which patients currently receive SCPs is poorly understood. METHODS: This study used 596 individuals with a diagnosis of melanoma (n = 391) or nonmelanoma skin cancer (n = 205) who had used an Internet-based SCP tool from May 2010 to December 2016 to model the patient and provider characteristics that determine SCP utilization. RESULTS: Survivors were predominantly white (95.3%) and female (56.5%). Survivors who received a treatment summary were more likely to also receive an SCP. University and nonuniversity cancer centers used SCPs at a higher rate than other care settings. Survivors whose care was managed by a team rather than just an individual physician were also more likely to receive an SCP. Survivors older than 70 years at diagnosis were almost twice as likely to receive a plan as survivors who were diagnosed at a younger age. CONCLUSIONS: With a convenience sample of skin cancer survivors, it is possible to model factors that predict the receipt of SCPs. Important variables include the diagnosis age, treatment setting, physician type, and treatment-summary utilization. A closer examination of these variables identified several disparities in care-plan use and, therefore, opportunities to improve the distribution of SCPs. Further validation in additional cohorts of survivors is necessary to confirm these conclusions. Cancer 2018;124:183-91. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Patient-Reported Survivorship Care Practices and Late Effects After Treatment of Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Multimodal treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) yields excellent outcomes; however, survivors are at risk of developing myriad late and long-term effects. METHODS: From a convenience sample of 964 survivors of HL (37%) and NHL (63%) using a publicly available Internet-based survivorship care plan (SCP) tool between 2011 and 2016, we examined patient-reported cancer care, toxicities, and survivorship care data. RESULTS: Of all survivors, 67% were female and 84% were white and 88% were free of cancer. Median age of diagnosis was 28 years for survivors of HL and 49 years for NHL. Many survivors reported treatment with chemotherapy (92%), surgery (52%), and/or radiation (41%), with most radiation delivered to chest/mantle fields (81%). Survivors reported a diversity of radiation- and chemotherapy-related sequelae, including thyroid dysfunction, speaking and/or swallowing changes, pulmonary fibrosis/pneumonitis, heart disease, chronic fatigue, neurocognitive decline, neuropathy, sexual changes, and secondary breast cancers. Few reported receipt of previous survivorship information. Most reported management/comanagement by an oncology specialist after active treatment; however, a shift to management by primary care provider alone was observed as a trend over time in follow-up. Sixty-six percent of users who responded to a follow-up survey reported that they intend to share the SCP with their health care team. CONCLUSION: Survivors of lymphoma, many of whom are free of disease, report a substantial burden of late and long-term adverse effects, suboptimal delivery of survivorship information, and transitions of care in follow-up in which fragmented systems and/or poor communication may contribute to unmet survivor needs. Multiple opportunities thus exist for which SCPs may be used to improve awareness regarding survivorship and associated adverse effects in addition to communicating follow-up care plans between survivors and treatment teams.

Survivorship after treatment of pancreatic cancer: insights via an Internet-based survivorship care plan tool.

Pancreatic cancer survivors face a unique set of challenges in survivorship, yet structured survivorship care planning is lacking in practice. Survivorship care plans (SCPs) are an essential part of quality cancer care and can facilitate the transition following active treatment; the use of SCPs in pancreatic cancer survivors, however, has not been explored. With a convenience sample of 117 pancreatic cancer survivors and proxies who used an Internet-based SCP tool, we examined treatment details, patient-reported outcomes, and survivorship practices. Thirty-one percent of survivors were 2 years or greater from diagnosis with a median current age of 62 years. Most patients had received multimodality therapy (67%): 68%, 86%, and 43% reported surgical intervention, intravenous chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for their pancreatic cancer, respectively. Survivors commonly reported fatigue, cognitive change, neuropathy, pancreatic insufficiency, and chronic radiation dermatitis related to treatment. Most survivors are managed (47%) or co-managed (35%) by an oncology specialist; however, this percentage decreases over time with consequent increase in management by primary care providers alone. Only 5% had previously been offered an SCP. Of the 24 users who responded to a follow-up satisfaction survey, 83% indicated they would share the SCP with their healthcare team although half of respondents felt it should include more information. In all, our results demonstrate that there is a population of pancreatic cancer survivors who exist and seek survivorship support although structured survivorship care planning is lacking in practice. SCPs have a potentially valuable role for these survivors via communication of treatment-related effects and coordination across multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Further development and evaluation of SCPs is needed for this underserved survivor population.

Survivorship and the chronic cancer patient: Patterns in treatment-related effects, follow-up care, and use of survivorship care plans.

BACKGROUND: The survivorship needs of patients living with chronic cancer (CC) and their use of survivorship care plans (SCPs) have been overlooked and underappreciated. METHODS: A convenience sample of 39,088 SCPs completed for cancer survivors with an Internet-based SCP tool was examined; it included 5847 CC survivors (15%; CC was defined as chronic leukemia and/or recurrent/metastatic cancer of another nature). Patient-reported treatment effects and follow-up care patterns were compared between CC survivors and survivors treated with curative intent (CI). Responses from a follow-up survey regarding SCP satisfaction and use were reviewed. RESULTS: CC survivors had greater odds of experiencing multiple treatment-related effects than survivors treated with CI; these effects included fatigue, cognitive changes, dyspnea, peripheral neuropathy, lymphedema, and erectile dysfunction. Nearly half of CC survivors were managed by an oncologist alone, and they were less likely than CI patients to be comanaged by a primary care provider and an oncologist. Fewer SCPs were generated by health care providers (HCPs) for CC survivors versus CI survivors. A smaller proportion of CC users versus CI users rated their experience and satisfaction with the SCP tool as very good or excellent, and CC users were less likely to share the HCP summary with their health care team. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial number of CC survivors, often considered incurable but treatable, seek survivorship support. Tools to facilitate participation, communication, and coordination of care are valuable for these patients, and future iterations of SCPs should be designed to address the particular circumstances of living with CC. Cancer 2017;123:4268-4276. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Survivorship after lower gastrointestinal cancer: Patient-reported outcomes and planning for care.

BACKGROUND: There is significant need for quality follow-up care to optimize long-term outcomes for the growing population of lower gastrointestinal (GI) cancer survivors. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide valuable information regarding late and long-term effects (LLTEs). METHODS: A convenience sample from 1129 colon, rectal, and anal cancer survivors (n = 792; 218, and 119, respectively) who participated in an Internet-based survivorship care plan (SCP) tool between May 2010 and October 2014 was used to examine patient-reported demographics, treatment, and toxicity data. Responses from a follow-up survey were reviewed. RESULTS: The median age of diagnosis was 51 years, and 81% of survivors were Caucasian. The most commonly reported LLTEs for all survivors were neuropathy, fatigue, cognitive changes, changes in GI function, urogenital and sexual dysfunction, and dermatologic effects. The prevalence of these effects varied with time since diagnosis, treatment modality, and treatment center. Individuals who had survived anal cancer reported a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction and radiation-induced dermatologic effects. Over 87% of users reported satisfaction levels of good to excellent using the SCP tool, and 69% reported that they intend to share the SCP with their health care team. CONCLUSIONS: For lower GI cancer survivors, it is feasible to obtain PROs from an Internet-based survivorship tool. Survivors report a wide spectrum of LLTEs, and these can be used to inform counseling at the time of diagnosis and to help anticipate and respond to disease-related and treatment-related sequelae during follow-up. The authors are among the first to report on PROs in anal cancer survivors. Further investigation on the impact of SCPs on health care communication and use is needed. Cancer 2017;123:1860-1868. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Fare thee well: how to help owners (and yourself) deal with the death of a beloved pet.

Pet owners often seek reassurance from their veterinarian after making the decision to have their pet euthanized. The authors present advice on how to communicate with grieving clients as well as how to cope with a personal sense of loss when a patient dies.