Development of the China's list of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs): a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The hospitalization rate of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) has been recognized as an essential indicator reflective of the overall performance of healthcare system. At present, ACSCs has been widely used in practice and research to evaluate health service quality and efficiency worldwide. The definition of ACSCs varies across countries due to different challenges posed on healthcare systems. However, China does not have its own list of ACSCs. The study aims to develop a list to meet health system monitoring, reporting and evaluation needs in China. METHODS: To develop the list, we will combine the best methodological evidence available with real-world evidence, adopt a systematic and rigorous process and absorb multidisciplinary expertise. Specific steps include: (1) establishment of working groups; (2) generations of the initial list (review of already published lists, semi-structured interviews, calculations of hospitalization rate); (3) optimization of the list (evidence evaluation, Delphi consensus survey); and (4) approval of a final version of China's ACSCs list. Within each step of the process, we will calculate frequencies and proportions, use descriptive analysis to summarize and draw conclusions, discuss the results, draft a report, and refine the list. DISCUSSION: Once completed, China's list of ACSCs can be used to comprehensively evaluate the current situation and performance of health services, identify flaws and deficiencies embedded in the healthcare system to provide evidence-based implications to inform decision-makings towards the optimization of China's healthcare system. The experiences might be broadly applicable and serve the purpose of being a prime example for nations with similar conditions.

Internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde: associação com a cobertura da atenção primária, 2015 ­ 2021 / Hospitalization for sensitive conditions in primary care: association with primary health care support, 2015-2021 / Hospitalizaciones por afecciones sensibles a la atención primaria: asociación con la cobertura de atención primaria, 2015 ­ 2021

Objetivo: Avaliar as tendências e associações relacionadas as coberturas e internações por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde no município de Fortaleza/Ceará/Brasil, no período de 2015 a 2021. Métodos: Estudo transversal com dados secundários (Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde, E- gestor atenção básica e o Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). Utilizou-se o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para as associações. Resultados: Foram registrados 176.330 internações por condições sensíveis, totalizando 8 principais, correspondendo a 78.5% do total. Obteve-se correlação inversa significativa entre a cobertura de atenção primária e internações por condições sensíveis: r=-0.86, (IC95%: -0.91/-0.61); p<0.001, bem como uma correlação moderada com cobertura de agente comunitário e internações (r=-0.59 (IC95%: -0.68/-0.54); p<0.001) Conclusão: O aumento das internações por condições sensíveis está diretamente relacionado com a cobertura da atenção primária. Além disso, enfrenta-se uma dupla carga de doenças, coexistindo as doenças infecciosas/parasitárias em concomitância com as crônicas.

Objective: To assess trends and associations related to coverage and hospitalizations for conditions sensitive to primary health care in the city of Fortaleza/Ceará/Brazil, from 2015 to 2021. Methods: Cross-sectional study with secondary data (Hospital Information System of the National Unified Health System, E- manager for primary care and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to measure associations. Results: 176,330 hospitalizations for sensitive conditions were recorded, totaling 8 main ones, corresponding to 78.5% of the total. A significant inverse correlation was obtained between primary care coverage and hospitalizations for sensitive conditions: r=-0.86, (95%CI: -0.91/-0.61); p<0.001, as well as a moderate correlation with community agent coverage and hospitalizations (r=-0.59 (95%CI: -0.68/-0.54); p<0.001) Conclusion: The increase in hospitalizations for sensitive conditions is directly associated to the primary care coverage. In addition, there is a double burden of disease, with infectious/parasitic diseases coexisting with chronic ones.

Evaluar las tendencias y asociaciones relacionadas con la cobertura y hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria de salud en la ciudad de Fortaleza/Ceará/Brasil de 2015 a 2021. Métodos: Estudio transversal con datos secundarios (Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde, E-gestor atenção básica e Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística). Se utilizó el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para las asociaciones. Resultados: Hubo 176.330 hospitalizaciones por condiciones sensibles, totalizando 8 condiciones principales, correspondiendo a 78,5% del total. Se obtuvo una correlación inversa significativa entre la cobertura de atención primaria y las hospitalizaciones por afecciones sensibles: r=- 0,86, (IC 95%: -0,91/-0,61); p<0,001, así como una correlación moderada con la cobertura de agentes comunitarios y las hospitalizaciones (r=-0,59 (IC 95%: -0,68/-0,54); p<0,001) Conclusión: El aumento de las hospitalizaciones por afecciones sensibles está directamente relacionado con la cobertura de atención primaria. Además, se enfrenta a una doble carga de enfermedad, coexistiendo enfermedades infecciosas/parasitarias en concomitancia con enfermedades crónicas.

Development of indicators for avoidable emergency medical service calls by mapping paramedic clinical impression codes to ambulatory care sensitive conditions and mental health conditions in the UK and Canada.

OBJECTIVE: Paramedic assessment data have not been used for research on avoidable calls. Paramedic impression codes are designated by paramedics on responding to a 911/999 medical emergency after an assessment of the presenting condition. Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are non-acute health conditions not needing hospital admission when properly managed. This study aimed to map the paramedic impression codes to ACSCs and mental health conditions for use in future research on avoidable 911/999 calls. DESIGN: Mapping paramedic impression codes to existing definitions of ACSCs and mental health conditions. SETTING: East Midlands Region, UK and Southern Ontario, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Expert panel from the UK-Canada Emergency Calls Data analysis and GEospatial mapping (EDGE) Consortium. RESULTS: Mapping was iterative first identifying the common ACSCs shared between the two countries then identifying the respective clinical impression codes for each country that mapped to those shared ACSCs as well as to mental health conditions. Experts from the UK-Canada EDGE Consortium contributed to both phases and were able to independently match the codes and then compare results. Clinical impression codes for paramedics in the UK were more extensive than those in Ontario. The mapping revealed some interesting inconsistencies between paramedic impression codes but also demonstrated that it was possible. CONCLUSION: This is an important first step in determining the number of ASCSs and mental health conditions that paramedics attend to, and in examining the clinical pathways of these individuals across the health system. This work lays the foundation for international comparative health services research on integrated pathways in primary care and emergency medical services.

Child Opportunity Index and Rehospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions at US Children's Hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: Child Opportunity Index (COI) measures neighborhood contextual factors (education, health and environment, social and economic) that may influence child health. Such factors have been associated with hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC). Lower COI has been associated with higher health care utilization, yet association with rehospitalization(s) for ACSC remains unknown. Our objective is to determine the association between COI and ACSC rehospitalizations. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective cohort study of children ages 0 to 17 years with a hospital admission for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in 2017 or 2018. Exposure was COI. Outcome was rehospitalization within 1 year of index admission (analyzed as any or ≥2 rehospitalization) for ACSC. Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, severity, and complex and mental health conditions. RESULTS: The study included 184 478 children. Of hospitalizations, 28.3% were by children from very low COI and 16.5% were by children from very high COI neighborhoods. In risk-adjusted models, ACSC rehospitalization was higher for children from very low COI than very high COI neighborhoods; any rehospitalization occurred for 18.7% from very low COI and 13.5% from very high COI neighborhoods (adjusted odds ratio 1.14 [1.05-1.23]), whereas ≥2 rehospitalization occurred for 4.8% from very low COI and 3.2% from very high COI neighborhoods (odds ratio 1.51 [1.29-1.75]). CONCLUSIONS: Children from neighborhoods with low COI had higher rehospitalizations for ACSCs. Further research is needed to understand how hospital systems can address social determinants of health in the communities they serve to prevent rehospitalizations.

Emergency department admissions and economic costs burden related to ambulatory care sensitive conditions in older adults living in care homes.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the frequency of emergency department admissions (EDA) for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and non-ACSC among older adults living in care homes (CH), to describe and compare their demographic and clinical characteristics, the outcomes of the hospitalisation process and the associated costs. METHOD: This multicenter, retrospective and observational study evaluated 2444 EDAs of older adults ≥ 65 years old living in care homes in 5 emergency departments in Catalonia (Spain) by ACSC and non-ACSC, in 2017. Sociodemographic variables, prior functional and cognitive status, and information on diagnosis and hospitalisation were collected. Additionally, the costs related with the EDAs were calculated, as well as a sensitivity analysis using different assumptions of decreased admissions due to ACSC. RESULTS: A total of 2444 ED admissions were analysed. The patients' mean (SD) age was 85.9 (7.2) years. The frequency of ACSC-EDA and non-ACSC-EDA was 56.6% and 43.4%, respectively. Severe dependency and cognitive impairment were present in 56.6% and 78%, respectively, with no differences between the two groups. The three most frequent ACSC were falls/trauma (13.8%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/asthma (11.4%) and urinary tract infection (7.4%). The average cost per ACSC-EDA was є1,408.24. Assuming a 60% reduction of ACSC-EDA, the estimated cost savings would be є1.2 million. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency admissions for ACSC from care homes have a significant impact on both frequency and costs. Reducing these conditions through targeted interventions could redirect the avoided costs towards improving care support in residential settings.

Performing up to Nordic principles? Geographic and socioeconomic equity in ambulatory care sensitive conditions among older adults in capital areas of Denmark, Finland and Sweden in 2000-2015.

BACKGROUND: Denmark, Finland and Sweden pursue equity in health for their citizens through universal health care. However, it is unclear if these services reach the older adult population equally across different socioeconomic positions or living areas. Thus, we assessed geographic and socioeconomic equity in primary health care (PHC) performance among the older adults in the capital areas of Denmark (Copenhagen), Finland (Helsinki) and Sweden (Stockholm) in 2000-2015. Hospitalisations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) were applied as a proxy for PHC performance. METHODS: We acquired individual level ACSCs for those aged ≥ 45 in 2000-2015 from national hospitalisation registers. To identify whether the disparities varied by age, we applied three age groups (those aged 45-64, 65-75 and ≥ 75). Socioeconomic disparities in ACSCs were described with incidence rate ratios (IRR) and annual rates by education, income and living-alone; and then analysed with biennial concentration indices by income. Geographic disparities were described with biennial ACSC rates by small areas and analysed with two-level Poisson multilevel models. These models provided small area estimates of IRRs of ACSCs in 2000 and their slopes for development over time, between which Pearson correlations were calculated within each capital area. Finally, these models were adjusted for income to distinguish between geographic and socioeconomic disparities. RESULTS: Copenhagen had the highest IRR of ACSCs among those aged 45-64, and Helsinki among those aged ≥ 75. Over time IRRs decreased among those aged ≥ 45, but only in Helsinki among those aged ≥ 75. All concentration indices slightly favoured the affluent population but in Stockholm were mainly non-significant. Among those aged ≥ 75, Pearson correlations were low in Copenhagen (-0.14; p = 0.424) but high in both Helsinki (-0.74; < 0.001) and Stockholm (-0.62; < 0.001) - with only little change when adjusted for income. Among those aged ≥ 45 the respective correlations were rather similar, except for a strong correlation in Copenhagen (-0.51, 0.001) after income adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: While socioeconomic disparities in PHC performance persisted among older adults in the three Nordic capital areas, geographic disparities narrowed in both Helsinki and Stockholm but persisted in Copenhagen. Our findings suggest that the Danish PHC incorporated the negative effects of socio-economic segregation to a lesser degree.

Emergency department utilization and hospital admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions among people seeking a primary care provider during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Primary care attachment improves health care access and health outcomes, but many Canadians are unattached, seeking a provider via provincial wait-lists. This Nova Scotia-wide cohort study compares emergency department utilization and hospital admission associated with insufficient primary care management among patients on and off a provincial primary care wait-list, before and during the first waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We linked wait-list and Nova Scotian administrative health data to describe people on and off wait-list, by quarter, between Jan. 1, 2017, and Dec. 24, 2020. We quantified emergency department utilization and ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) hospital admission rates by wait-list status from physician claims and hospital admission data. We compared relative differences during the COVID-19 first and second waves with the previous year. RESULTS: During the study period, 100 867 people in Nova Scotia (10.1% of the provincial population) were on the wait-list. Those on the wait-list had higher emergency department utilization and ACSC hospital admission. Emergency department utilization was higher overall for individuals aged 65 years and older, and females; lowest during the first 2 COVID-19 waves; and differed more by wait-list status for those younger than 65 years. Emergency department contacts and ACSC hospital admissions decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic relative to the previous year, and for emergency department utilization, this difference was more pronounced for those on the wait-list. INTERPRETATION: People in Nova Scotia seeking primary care attachment via the provincial wait-list use hospital-based services more frequently than those not on the wait-list. Although both groups have had lower utilization during COVID-19, existing challenges to primary care access for those actively seeking a provider were further exacerbated during the initial waves of the pandemic. The degree to which forgone services produces downstream health burden remains in question.

GLOBAL BURDEN OF DISEASE DUE TO AMBULATORY CARE SENSITIVE CONDITIONS, 1990-2019.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To evaluate the long-term dynamics of health losses caused by ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) to justify the priorities of public policy regarding this group of diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The data used were obtained from the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, the European database "Health for All", for 1990-2019. The study was conducted using bibliosemantic, historical and epidemiological study methods. RESULTS: Results: Disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to ACSC over 30 years in Ukraine averaged 5145.4 years per 100,000 population (95% CI 4731.1 -5559.7), which is approximately 14% of DALYs of all reasons without a clear trend of change - compound annual growth rate (CARG) of 0.14%. These five causes -angina pectoris, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), lower respiratory infections, diabetes, and tuberculosis - account for 90% of the disease burden associated with ACSCs. There was an increasing trend in DALYs (CARG varied for different ACSCs in the range of 0.59-1.88%), except for COPD, where the decrease in CARG reached -3.16%. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: This longitudinal study found a small trend toward increased DALYs due to ACSCs. State measures to influence modified risk factors to reduce the burden of losses from ACSCs proved to be ineffective. To significantly reduce DALYs, a more clear and more systematic healthcare policy regarding ACSCs is needed, which includes a set of primary prevention measures, and organizational and economic strengthening of the primary health care.

Social Determinants of Health Are Associated With Visits for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions.

OBJECTIVES: Population health experts have described the link between social factors and health, but few studies link specific social needs to disease processes. Nationwide Children's Hospital implemented a universal, annual screener for social determinants of health (SDH) in 2018. Early analyses have shown that patients identifying an SDH need were more likely to have an emergency department (ED) or inpatient stay. The objective of this study is to identify links between SDH and ED presentation for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs). METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study of children aged 0-21 years receiving care at Nationwide Children's Hospital from 2018 to 2021 that were screened for SDH. Acute care utilization within 6 months of screener completion, sociodemographic, and clinical data were collected via EPIC data extraction. Patients that completed screening tool for the first time in the ED were excluded to minimize selection bias. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between ED presentation for ACSCs and SDH needs. RESULTS: A total of 108,346 social determinants screeners were included with 9% of screeners identifying a need. Five percent of the population expressed food needs, 4% transportation needs, 3% utility needs, and 1% housing needs. Eighteen percent of patients had an ED visit for ACSC, with the most common complaints being upper respiratory infections and asthma. Having any SDH need was associated with ED visits for ACSCs (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.18). Needs in all domains were significantly associated with increased visits for ACSCs; however, patients with housing needs had the highest odds of utilization (odds ratio, 1.25; confidence interval, 1.11-1.41). CONCLUSIONS: The odds of ED presentation for ACSCs are higher in patients with expressed social needs. Further delineating the connections between specific SDH and health outcomes can inform timely and appropriate interventions.

National Norms for Hospitalizations Due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions among Adults in the US.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) are acute or chronic health issues that lead to potentially preventable hospitalizations when not treated in the outpatient primary care setting. OBJECTIVE: To describe national hospitalization rates due to ACSCs among adult inpatients in the US. DESIGN: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 US National Inpatient Sample (NIS) dataset from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project at the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality was completed in the year 2022. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adult inpatients from community hospitals in 48 states of the US and District of Columbia. MAIN MEASURES: ACSC admission rates were calculated using ICD-10 codes and the Purdy ACSC definition. The admission rates were weighted to the US inpatient population and stratified by age, sex, and race. KEY RESULTS: ACSC hospitalization rates varied considerably across age and average number of hospitalizations varied across sex and race. ACSC hospitalization rates increased with age, male sex, and Native American and Black race. The most common ACSCs were pneumonia, diabetes, and congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: Previous studies have emphasized the importance of preventable hospitalizations, however, the national rates for ACSC hospitalizations across all ages in the US have not been reported. The national rates presented will facilitate comparisons to identify hospitals and health care systems with higher-than-expected rates of ACSC admissions that may suggest a need for improved primary care services.

Evaluation of Potentially Avoidable Acute Care Utilization Among Patients Insured by Medicare Advantage vs Traditional Medicare.

Importance: Medicare Advantage plans have strong incentives to reduce potentially wasteful health care, including costly acute care visits for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs). However, it remains unknown whether Medicare Advantage plans lower acute care use compared with traditional Medicare, or if it shifts patients from hospitalization to observation stays and emergency department (ED) direct discharges. Objective: To determine whether Medicare Advantage is associated with differential utilization of hospitalizations, observations, and ED direct discharges for ACSCs compared with traditional Medicare. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study of US Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare beneficiaries from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Poisson regression models were used to compare risk-adjusted rates of Medicare Advantage vs traditional Medicare, controlling for patient demographic characteristics and clinical risk and including county fixed-effects. Data were analyzed between April 2021 and November 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Hospitalizations, observation stays, and ED direct discharges for ACSCs. Results: The study sample comprised 2 665 340 Medicare Advantage patients (mean [SD] age, 72.7 [9.8] years; 1 504 519 [56.4%] women; 1 859 067 [69.7%] White individuals) and 7 981 547 traditional Medicare patients (mean [SD] age, 71.2 [11.8] years; 4 232 201 [53.0%] women; 6 176 239 [77.4%] White individuals). Medicare Advantage patients had lower risk of hospitalization for ACSCs compared with traditional Medicare patients (relative risk [RR], 0.94; 95% CI, 0.93-0.95), primarily owing to fewer hospitalizations for acute conditions (eg, pneumonia). Medicare Advantage patients had a higher risk of ED direct discharges (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.43-1.45) and observation stays (RR, 2.38; 95% CI, 2.34-2.41) for ACSCs vs traditional Medicare patients. Overall, Medicare Advantage patients were at higher risk of needing care for an ACSC (hospitalization, ED direct discharge, or observation stay) than traditional Medicare patients (RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.30-1.31). Within the Medicare Advantage population, patients in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) were at lower risk of ACSC-related hospitalization compared with patients in its preferred provider organizations (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98); however, those in the HMOs had a higher risk of ED direct discharge (RR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.07-1.09) and observation stay (overall RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.02-1.12). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this cross-sectional study of Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare patients with ACSCs indicate that apparent gains in lowering rates of potentially avoidable acute care have been associated with shifting inpatient care to settings such as ED direct discharges and observation stays.

[Nursing home-sensitive conditions and approaches to reduce hospitalization of nursing home residents]. / Pflegeheim-sensitive Krankenhausfälle und Ansätze zur Verringerung der Hospitalisierung von Pflegeheimbewohnerinnen und -bewohnern.

BACKGROUND: Interventions to reduce potentially risky hospitalizations among nursing home residents are highly relevant for patient safety and quality improvement. A catalog of nursing home-sensitive conditions (NHSCs) grounds the policy recommendations and interventions. METHODS: In two previous research phases, an expert panel developed a catalog of 58 NHSCs using an adapted Delphi-procedure (the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method). This procedure was developed by the North American non-profit Research and Development Organisation (RAND) and clinicians of the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). We present the third phase of the project focused on the development of interventions to reduce NHSCs starting with an expert workshop. The workshop results were then evaluated by six experts from related sectors, supplemented, and systematically used to produce recommendations for action. Possible implementation obstacles were considered and the time horizon of effectiveness was estimated. RESULTS: The recommendations address communication, cooperation, documentation and care competence as well as facility-related, financial, and legal aspects. Indication bundles demonstrate the relevance for the German healthcare system. To increase effectiveness, the experts advise a meaningful combination of individual recommendations. DISCUSSION: By optimizing multidisciplinary communication and cooperation, combined with an- also digital - expansion of the infrastructure and the creation of institution-specific and legal prerequisites as well as remuneration structures, an estimated 35% of all hospitalizations, approximately 220,000 hospitalizations for Germany, could be prevented. The implementation expenditure could be refinanced by avoided hospitalization savings amounting to 768 million euros.

Veteran knowledge, perceptions, and receipt of care following visits to VA emergency departments for ambulatory care sensitive conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Receipt of follow-up care after emergency department (ED) visits for chronic ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs)-asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure, diabetes, and/or hypertension-is crucial. We assessed Veterans' follow-up care knowledge, perceptions, and receipt of care after visits to Veterans Health Administration (VA) EDs for chronic ACSCs. METHODS: Using explanatory sequential mixed methods, we interviewed Veterans with follow-up care needs after ACSC-related ED visits, and manually reviewed ED notes, abstracting interviewees' documented follow-up needs and care received. RESULTS: We interviewed and reviewed ED notes of 35 Veterans, 12-27 (mean 19) days after ED visits. Follow-up care was completely received/scheduled in 20, partially received/scheduled in eight, and not received in seven Veterans. Among those who received care, it was received within specified time frames half the time. However, interviewees often did not recall these time frames or reported them to be longer than specified in the ED notes. Veterans who had not yet received or scheduled follow-up care commonly did not recall follow-up care instructions, believed that they did not need this care since they were not currently having symptoms, or thought that such care would be difficult to obtain due to appointment unavailability and/or difficulties communicating with follow-up care providers. Among the 28 Veterans in whom all or some follow-up care had been received/scheduled, for 25 cases VA staff reached out to the Veteran or the appointment was scheduled prior to or during the ED visit. CONCLUSIONS: VA should prioritize implementing processes for EDs to efficiently communicate Veterans' needs to follow-up care providers and systems for reaching out to Veterans and/or arranging for care prior to Veterans leaving the ED. VA should also enhance practices using multimodal approaches for educating Veterans about recommended ED follow-up care and improve mechanisms for Veterans to communicate with follow-up care providers.

Changes in paediatric Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions in Victoria, 2018-20: the COVID-19 effect?

Objectives This study sought to describe the patterns in emergency department (ED) presentations and hospital admissions in children with Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions (ACSCs) before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions in Victoria, Australia, to assess if changes in out-of-hospital care resulted in an increase in delayed/severe presentations. Methods This study involved secondary analysis of Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset and Victorian Admitted Episode Dataset data. Patients (<18 years) attending EDs with a diagnosis of an ACSC were included. We compared the number and severity of ASCS presentations pre-COVID-19 (1January 2018-27 March 2020) and during COVID-19 (28 March-31 October 2020). A linear regression prediction model was built to compare the observed versus predicted presentation number in the 2020 period. Results In total, there were 108 104 paediatric ACSC ED presentations in Victoria during the study period. Females accounted for 51 462/108 104 (47.6%) of all presentations, with a median age of 3 years. A significant decrease in ED presentations was seen in 2020 (41 319 in 2018; 44 978 in 2019; and 21 807 until October 2020), predominantly due to reductions in conditions that are typically mediated by viruses in childhood (i.e. asthma, convulsions/epilepsy and ear, nose and throat conditions). The proportion of high-urgency presentations and those requiring admission was stable in 2020. Conclusions An overall reduction in the number of ED presentations and admissions with paediatric ACSCs was seen in Victoria in 2020, indicating that rates of delayed or more severe presentations did not occur as a result of changes in out-of-hospital care.

Internações de adolescentes por condições sensíveis à atenção primária à saúde na perspectiva da integralidade / Hospitalizaciones de adolescentes por condiciones sensibles de la atención primaria de salud desde la perspectiva de la integralidad / Hospitalizations of adolescents due to sensitive conditions in primary health care in the perspective of integrality

Resumo Objetivo analisar, na perspectiva da Integralidade, as internações de adolescentes por condições sensíveis à Atenção Primária em uma Regional de Saúde do Paraná. Método estudo de abordagem quantitativa, retrospectivo, realizado no período de janeiro a julho de 2018. Foram coletados dados públicos de internações de adolescentes de 10 a 19 anos disponíveis na base de dados do sistema de informações hospitalares do Ministério da Saúde, com Tabulador Oficial versão Tabwin 3.2. A análise dos dados ocorreu por estatística descritiva segundo número absoluto e frequência por ano investigado. Resultados das 82.016 internações, 9.029 (11,00%) foram por condições sensíveis à atenção primária. Entre as principais causas, destacam-se a infecção do rim e trato urinário (24,96%); epilepsias (19,27%); gastroenterites infecciosas e complicações (11,91%); doenças relacionadas ao pré-natal e parto (8,88%) e asma (7,39%). As internações do sexo feminino representaram 57,52%, prevalentes no subgrupo da faixa etária de 15 a 19 anos (66,64%). Conclusão e implicações para a prática é necessário avançar na perspectiva da construção da integralidade na atenção à saúde do adolescente, para responder às necessidades em saúde deste segmento populacional e reduzir hospitalizações por causas sensíveis à atenção primária.

Resumen Objetivo analizar, en la perspectiva de la Integralidad, las hospitalizaciones de adolescentes por condiciones sensibles a la Atención Primaria en una Regional de Salud de Paraná. Método estudio retrospectivo cuantitativo realizado de enero a julio de 2018. Se recolectaron datos públicos de hospitalizaciones de adolescentes de 10 a 19 años disponibles en la base de datos del sistema de información hospitalario del Ministerio de Salud, con Tabulador Oficial Tabwin versión 3.2. El análisis de los datos se realizó mediante estadística descriptiva según número absoluto y frecuencia por año investigado. Resultados de los 82.016 ingresos, 9.029 (11,00%) se debieron a condiciones sensibles a la atención primaria. Entre las principales causas destaca la infección del riñón y vías urinarias (24,96%); epilepsias (19,27%); gastroenteritis infecciosa y complicaciones (11,91%); enfermedades relacionadas con la atención prenatal y el parto (8,88%) y asma (7,39%). Las hospitalizaciones femeninas representaron el 57,52%, con prevalencia en el subgrupo de 15 a 19 años (66,64%). Conclusión e implicaciones para la práctica es necesario avanzar en la perspectiva de la construcción de la integralidad en la atención a la salud del adolescente, a fin de responder a las necesidades de salud de este segmento poblacional y reducir las hospitalizaciones por causas sensibles a la atención primaria.

Abstract Objective to analyze, from the perspective of integrality, the hospitalizations of adolescents due to conditions sensitive to primary care in a Regional Health unit in Paraná State. Method a quantitative retrospective study was carried out from January to July 2018. Public data were collected from hospitalizations of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years available in the database of the hospital information system of the Ministry of Health using the Official Tabulator (Tabwin, version 3.2). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics according to the absolute number and frequency per year investigated. Results out of the 82,016 admissions, 9,029 (11.00%) were due to conditions sensitive to primary care. Among the main causes, infection of the kidney and urinary tract (24.96%), epilepsies (19.27%), infectious gastroenteritis, and complications (11.91%) stood out, which are diseases related to prenatal care and childbirth (8.88%) and asthma (7.39%). Female hospitalizations accounted for 57.52%, prevalent in the 15- to 19-year-old subgroup (66.64%). Conclusion and implications for practice it is necessary to advance in the construction of integrality in adolescent health care to respond to the health needs of this population segment and reduce hospitalizations for causes sensitive to primary care.

Elderly Mortality due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions and Primary Health Care Coverage in the Federal District.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the mortality coefficients of elderly due to primary care sensitive conditions, from 2008 to 2018, and determine its association with the coverage of the Primary Health Care (Family Health Strategy and Basic Care models) in the Federal District. METHODS: Ecological time series of mortality in Federal District elderly, from 2008 to 2018. The Poisson regression model was applied, considering as significant those with p<0.05, with a CI of 95%. RESULTS: There were 70,503 deaths. There was a decrease in the risk of death of elders due to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Higher primary care coverage decreased the chance of death by sensitive conditions, both in Basic Care (OR: 0.994, CI: 0.990-0.998) and in the Family Health Strategy (OR: 0.997, CI: 0.995-0.999). CONCLUSIONS: Primary Care coverage was associated with a lower chance of death of the elderly due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions, especially in Basic Care.

Association of Medicare Advantage Star Ratings With Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions.

BACKGROUND: Enrollment in high-quality Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, measured by a 5-star quality rating system, was lower among racial and ethnic minority enrollees than White enrollees partly due to fewer high-quality plans available in their counties of residence. This may contribute to racial and ethnic disparities in ambulatory care sensitive condition (ACSC) hospitalizations. OBJECTIVE: We examined whether there were racial and ethnic disparities in ACSC hospitalizations among MA enrollees overall and by star rating. METHODS: Using the Medicare enrollment and claims data for 2016, we identified White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander enrollees in MA plans. We estimated racial and ethnic disparities in ACSC hospitalizations (per 10,000 enrollees) overall and by star rating. RESULTS: We found that the adjusted rates of ACSC hospitalizations were significantly higher among Black enrollees than White enrollees overall [39.4 (95% confidence interval: 36.3-42.5)]. However, no significant disparities were found among Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander enrollees. The adjusted rates of ACSC hospitalizations were higher in lower-rated plans than higher-rated plans in all racial and ethnic groups. The significant disparities in ACSC hospitalizations by star rating were the most pronounced between White and Black enrollees. We found suggestive evidence that enrollment in lower-rated plans was associated with higher disparities in ACSC hospitalizations between White and Black enrollees. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial disparities in ACSC hospitalizations exist between White and Black enrollees in MA plans, especially for lower-rated plans. Policies aimed at reducing racial disparities in ACSC hospitalizations could include improving access to high-rated plans.

Complex community health and social care interventions - Which features lead to reductions in hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions? A systematic literature review.

Preventing hospitalizations due to ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) is traditionally the responsibility of primary care. The determinants of ACSC hospitalizations, however, are not purely medical, but also influenced by other factors like patients' social and personal circumstances. Interventions that include or consist entirely of community health services and social care could potentially reduce the ACSC hospitalization rate. Comparisons of the features of successful interventions of this nature, however, are still lacking. We therefore conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify out-of-hospital interventions that (a) included aspects or consisted entirely of community health services and social care and (b) analyzed the ACSC hospitalization rate as an outcome measure. We identified papers reporting the results of 32 interventions and extracted structural and behavioral features to determine which of these were shared by most or all of the successful interventions. We found that all of the successful interventions included a primary care physician and provided care management. Moreover, most of the successful interventions were characterized by a high degree of interconnectedness between professional groups and provided care within so-called health care homes. We also identified a set of care coordination activities that were implemented in most of the successful interventions. Policy makers may wish to consider adopting these features when designing interventions that aim to reduce the ACSC hospitalization rate.

National Trends in Hospitalization for Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions among Korean Adults between 2008 and 2019.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine 12-year trends in hospitalization rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) and factors affecting hospitalization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used data on Korean National Health Insurance and Medical Aid patients aged 19 and over who used medical services at least once between January 2008 and December 2019 with an ACSC as their major diagnosis. As of 2019, a total of 12324071 patients were included. To check for any changes in hospitalization, age- and sex-standardized hospitalization rates were obtained for each condition and insurance type, and multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors affecting hospitalization. RESULTS: The collective average ACSC hospitalization rate decreased from 5.0% in 2008 to 4.2% in 2019. Specifically, hospitalization rates for hypertension (1.4% in 2008; 0.8% in 2019), diabetes (5.8% in 2008; 3.3% in 2019), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma (4.1% in 2008; 3.2% in 2019) decreased, while rates for pneumonia (24.5% in 2008; 28.1% in 2019) and urinary tract infection (UTI) (5.7% in 2008; 6.4% in 2019) increased. The rate for heart failure decreased 2.3% between 2008 and 2012 and then rebounded. The odds of hospitalization among Medical Aid patients were 1.45-4.20 times higher than those of National Health Insurance patients. CONCLUSION: Differences in trends were confirmed for ACSC hospitalization rates among different conditions and insurance types in Korea. These results suggest the need for policy reforms aimed at reducing hospitalization for heart failure, pneumonia, and UTI, especially among Medical Aid patients.

Trends in all-cause mortality and inpatient and outpatient visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To compare observed and expected (projected based on previous years) trends in all-cause mortality and healthcare use for ACSCs in the first year of the pandemic (March 2020 to March 2021). DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a population-based study using provincial health administrative data on general adul population (Ontario, Canada). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Monthly all-cause mortality, and hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) and outpatient visit rates (per 100,000 people at-risk) for seven combined ACSCs (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, angina, congestive heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, and epilepsy) during the first year were compared with similar periods in previous years (2016-2019) by fitting monthly time series autoregressive integrated moving-average models. RESULTS: Compared to previous years, all-cause mortality rates increased at the beginning of the pandemic (observed rate in March to May 2020 of 79.98 vs. projected of 71.24 [66.35-76.50]) and then returned to expected in June 2020-except among immigrants and people with mental health conditions where they remained elevated. Hospitalization and ED visit rates for ACSCs remained lower than projected throughout the first year: observed hospitalization rate of 37.29 versus projected of 52.07 (47.84-56.68); observed ED visit rate of 92.55 versus projected of 134.72 (124.89-145.33). ACSC outpatient visit rates decreased initially (observed rate of 4299.57 vs. projected of 5060.23 [4712.64-5433.46]) and then returned to expected in June 2020.