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1. HOSPITALISTS IN 2010EVOLUTION OR REVOLUTION? Bilal Ahmed MD, FACP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Colleen T. Fogarty MD, MSc
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Ravi Bhati MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
2. Hospital Medicine has changed
3. HOSPITAL IN USA Almshouses of 19th century.
Early 20th century:
Charitable roots had to supported by a revenue stream “No Money, No Mission”
Hospitals employed Nurses, Pharmacists, Anesthesiologists etc, but NO physicians
PCPs “brought in business”
4. How we differ Physicians of record
Outpatient MDs called in consultants for advice.
Natural to American patients and Physicians, but distinctly unusual
GPs not expected to come to hospitals. Specialist Wards
5. AMERICAN HOSPITAL CIRCA 1960-90 PCPs in Doctor’s lounge at 7:30 AM
Hospital rounds till mid morning
Returning at the end of the day
Worked well:
Patients/Physicians liked it
8-10 patients in hospital.
Pace of hospitalization was leisurely
6. So what happened? 1983: Medicare moved to DRGs
Hospitals wanted to shorten stays
Physicians disconnected with DRG payments. Clash of interests.
Technology allowed workups to be done as outpatient
PCP’s average census dropped to 1-3
Patients in the hospital were extremely sick
7. So what happened? Meanwhile patients being cared for in the hospital were had not gone away
Tremendous fragmentation
PCPs less comfortable with clinical organizational aspect of Hospitals
A new concept was born:
Generalist who spends all day in Hospitals
8. Predictable Specialists focusing on organ systems and technologies.
Specialties born due to new environments: ER, Intensive Care (Site Defined Specialties)
HOPITALISTS are Evolutionary, not Revolutionary
9. The Present Inpatient/Outpatient discontinuity offset by continuity within the Hospital
Hospitalists become experts at coordinating care in the hospital and provide a high level of access
Re Branding:
Not ‘experts’ at getting people out of the hospital, but responsible for quality of care
10. SHM ProjectionsNumber of Hospitalists
11. New Horizons Limitation of Housestaff work hours
Surgical Co-management
Academic Teaching
Committees
Palliative Care
Surgical/Neuro/Obstetrical/Pediatric/GI Hospitalists.
12. A Difficult Challenge for Hospital Medicine is the Transition of Care of Patients
13. VOLTAGE DROP
14. Transitions within the Healthcare Environment Let’s look at visual representation of transitions within the healthcare environment.
Patients can transition from the emergency department to the hospital.
They can transition between areas of the hospital, such as from the floor to the OR or ICU
They can be discharged to different sites of care, such as to SNF, home or LTC
They often follow up with primary care providers and specialists
As providers, we tend to view health care delivery within sites of care, such as these (highlight 3 examples)
Patients, however, experience episodes of illness across sites of care, such as these (highlight 2 examples)
This shifts our perspective and allows us to understand transitional care.Let’s look at visual representation of transitions within the healthcare environment.
Patients can transition from the emergency department to the hospital.
They can transition between areas of the hospital, such as from the floor to the OR or ICU
They can be discharged to different sites of care, such as to SNF, home or LTC
They often follow up with primary care providers and specialists
As providers, we tend to view health care delivery within sites of care, such as these (highlight 3 examples)
Patients, however, experience episodes of illness across sites of care, such as these (highlight 2 examples)
This shifts our perspective and allows us to understand transitional care.
15. A CASE IN POINT
16. Case Presentation-- History Ms. S is a 65 year old Spanish-speaking Cuban immigrant who presented for outpatient acute primary care visit at an inner city Square Community Health Center for evaluation of coughing and sore throat and URI symptoms.
Medications: Tamoxifen, Omeprazole, Proventil HFA 2 puff q 4 hours prn, Acetaminophen prn
N.K.D.A.
Social history: Remote smoking history; no alcohol
Born in Cuba; emigrated Cuba in her early 20’s
Disabled due to congenital cardiac disease
Family history: Divorced, Three adult daughters, 9 Grandchildren
This slide has the Slide Design template “content” applied.
The first level bullet has been set up with a “null” character to make it appear unbulleted and still allow automatic bullets for subsequent levels. The second through fifth levels have bullets: from the left margin, tab once (or click the “increase indent” button) and the second level bullet will appear; further tabbing increases the indent and produces the corresponding bullet.This slide has the Slide Design template “content” applied.
The first level bullet has been set up with a “null” character to make it appear unbulleted and still allow automatic bullets for subsequent levels. The second through fifth levels have bullets: from the left margin, tab once (or click the “increase indent” button) and the second level bullet will appear; further tabbing increases the indent and produces the corresponding bullet.
17. Case Presentation-- History Past medical history significant for:
Breast cancer--infiltrating ductal carcinoma; s/p mastectomy/radiation; Node negative 1995
Colonic polyps 1996, 11/28/2008; 7/09
Colon cancer 2008
Asthma
Past surgical history :
Endocardial cushion defect repair, 1989
Mastectomy
Partial colectomy
18. Case Presentation-- History She was found to be wheezy, Oxygen sat % 95, Peak Flow 150-130-120
Given her history of asthma, was treated with ipratropium/albuterol nebulizer with good response. She was treated for outpatient asthma exacerbation with close follow-up. The day after her initial presentation, she was substantially better.
The following week, although she had reported improvement with office nebulizer and finished prednisone and antibiotic, she was worse.
She reports not feeling well and a "noise in throat.” Thought she might have felt heart racing.
19. Follow up visit, one week later… BP 101/68, HR 92, Wt 140.2 Oxygen saturation 93%
General : mildly ill appearing, alert and oriented.
Neck: supple, no thyromegaly.
Heart: RRR, normal S1S2, , II/VI systolic murmur at her baseline.
Lungs: minimal wheezing Peak Flow 160/180/180
Abdomen: not tender. Breasts: L mastectomy scar present.
.
20. Follow up visit, one week later… I doubted the asthma was worse, but gave her a trial Duoneb.
Repeat O2 sat 95, Repeat Peak Flow 190/170/160
Lungs exam after treatment: fine crackles at the very base of lungs, bilaterally. No wheeze or rhonchi.
Extremities: perhaps a subtle trace edema.
Further history obtained:
21. Follow up visit, one week later… Admits to "walking here very slowly" today from home; further inquiry suggests increasing fatigue/decreasing ex tolerance. Denies edema. No F/C, cough. No n/v/d. When asked directly, she admitted to decreasing exercise tolerance and fatigue.
Hx of endocardial cushion defect repair and some MR; review of 10.08 cardiology visit showed stable echo and clinical status. Pt denies any prior CHF dx or sx.
EKG sinus @ 90 bpm. with Left axis deviation and LVH; no acute findings.
22. Next steps? Urgent, same-day visit at HH cardiology.
Echocardiogram:
worsening Mitral regurg
mild aortic stenosis
valve area of 1.6 cm2.
Intervention:
furosemide 20 mg bid
transesophageal echocardiogram on Tuesday
23. Outpatient cardiology Echocardiogram showed worsening Mitral regurgitation and mild aortic stenosis with a valve area of 1.6 cm2.
She was started on furosemide 20 mg bid and booked for a transesophageal echocardiogram on 6/15/2010.
24. Outpatient Cardiology Monday, patient appeared at cardiology office acutely dyspneic with palpitations and was found to be in rapid atrial fibrillation.
She was sent to the emergency department and admitted for management of atrial fibrillation and acute congestive heart failure in the setting of an impaired mitral valve.
25. Inpatient Hospital course Admitted to Highland Hospital for correction of Acute Congestive heart Failure and management of Atrial Fibrillation.
Goal was to stabilize patient and discharge her to home prior to surgical valve correction.
26. HOSPITALIST PERSPECTIVE
RAVI BHATI MD
Communication between the PCP and the Hospitalist caring for the patient is Critical
Equally important is the communication between the members of the hospital staff. Talk about the case on W7 when the BA didn’t notify me of room change and I tried to pronounce a live person dead.
It has been few months since the incident but it remains as one of the most memorable moments of my life.
I had an elderly patient (in her 90’s) who, after a prolonged hospital stay, many active medical issues and several phone calls to the family, was made hospice. One day I saw the patient late evening and she looked like she was going to pass away any moment. The following morning I get a call from the floor BA that the patient had expired and if I can come and pronounce her dead. I was not surprised about this and told the BA that I will be there in a few minutes. Unfortunately I was never told that my patient was moved to another room.
I walked in the room where I thought my patient was and saw an elderly women laying in bed – her face was turned away from the door so I didn’t see her. There were several family members in the room sitting next to her bed, they had just arrived to see the patient and didn’t want to wake her because she had a rough night. Not knowing she was a different patient, I grabbed a chair and sat next to the family and told them that the patient had died few hrs ago – they were all somewhat shocked (which surprised me a little) but admitted that she was too sick and knew this was coming; meanwhile the patient is sleeping soundly (not even snoring) and couldn’t hear our conversation about her death because she has hearing-difficulties at baseline. We talked about her life for about 15 minutes and the fact how she was a fighter and fought a cancer and many other medical conditions (unfortunately for me, this patient also had many of the same medical conditions).
I politely ask the family to step out so that I can pronounce her dead, they did. I grabbed and turned the patient and all of the sudden I see TWO LARGE EYES glaring at me in a surprise. I almost fainted. . . . few seconds later It hit me like a brick and I knew I had a mess in my hand. Lucky for me, family and the patient had good sense of humor and they all laughed when I told them what happened (of course I was just sweating, not laughing much at the time) . . . . while I was walking out the room the patient called and told me “can I make a request, can you please come to pronounce me dead the NEXT TIME I DIE”, she had a smirk on her face when she said this. I told her “madam I am never coming close to you ever again” . . . .
J Lucky for me it ended well but could’ve ended in a bad way. . . . Talk about the case on W7 when the BA didn’t notify me of room change and I tried to pronounce a live person dead.
It has been few months since the incident but it remains as one of the most memorable moments of my life.
I had an elderly patient (in her 90’s) who, after a prolonged hospital stay, many active medical issues and several phone calls to the family, was made hospice. One day I saw the patient late evening and she looked like she was going to pass away any moment. The following morning I get a call from the floor BA that the patient had expired and if I can come and pronounce her dead. I was not surprised about this and told the BA that I will be there in a few minutes. Unfortunately I was never told that my patient was moved to another room.
I walked in the room where I thought my patient was and saw an elderly women laying in bed – her face was turned away from the door so I didn’t see her. There were several family members in the room sitting next to her bed, they had just arrived to see the patient and didn’t want to wake her because she had a rough night. Not knowing she was a different patient, I grabbed a chair and sat next to the family and told them that the patient had died few hrs ago – they were all somewhat shocked (which surprised me a little) but admitted that she was too sick and knew this was coming; meanwhile the patient is sleeping soundly (not even snoring) and couldn’t hear our conversation about her death because she has hearing-difficulties at baseline. We talked about her life for about 15 minutes and the fact how she was a fighter and fought a cancer and many other medical conditions (unfortunately for me, this patient also had many of the same medical conditions).
I politely ask the family to step out so that I can pronounce her dead, they did. I grabbed and turned the patient and all of the sudden I see TWO LARGE EYES glaring at me in a surprise. I almost fainted. . . . few seconds later It hit me like a brick and I knew I had a mess in my hand. Lucky for me, family and the patient had good sense of humor and they all laughed when I told them what happened (of course I was just sweating, not laughing much at the time) . . . . while I was walking out the room the patient called and told me “can I make a request, can you please come to pronounce me dead the NEXT TIME I DIE”, she had a smirk on her face when she said this. I told her “madam I am never coming close to you ever again” . . . .
J Lucky for me it ended well but could’ve ended in a bad way. . . .
31. It was challenging to keep the patient, who wanted to go home, in the hospital especially given the fact that she got conflicting recommendations
My work as hospital-based-physician allowed me to be able make multiple daily visits to speak with the patient & her family, better coordinate care between various subspecialties and help get the patient to surgery on the same admission
Hospital utilization team were also pressuring us to discharge Ms. S after reviewing the recommendations by the surgical team
31
32. Breakout session In groups of 3-5, discuss the following:
What are the barriers for good continuity across the outpatient-inpatient setting?
How do these barriers make me feel as a clinician?
How can I as a (hospitalist/specialist/primary care clinician) contribute to lessening these barriers?
33. Discharge Scenario: Incidentaloma 65 year old man with chest pain
CAD work up is negative
Lung nodule on CXR: “compare to
previous CXR, or evaluate with CT”
Prior to D/C:
A PCP follow-up visit was arranged
Medications prescriptions given
Patient educated about nodule
Discharged on day hospital day 2
34. Clinical Scenario (cont) A discharge summary is sent to PCP with CXR finding and recommendations
Patient misses the follow up appointment
Nine months later the patient visits PCP
35. Discharge Scenario: New Medication A 43 year old diabetic woman
is hospitalized with Pneumonia
ACE inhibitor started for HTN
A discharge summary is done
The patient is sent home
The D/C summary is not available
during the follow-up visit, patient
does not bring information
PCP does not check renal function
Two months later the patient is hospitalized with hyperkalemia and ARF
36. ‘IMPATIENT’ WARFARIN DOSING C.R. 78 year old admitted with a history of Left leg swelling and dyspnea after driving up from Florida in his motor home.
MEDS:
ASA 81 mg, Lisinopril, Duonebs, Glucophage
PHYSICAL EXAM:
HR: 82/min, BP 150/80, O2 sat 91% on 2l NC.
Heart: 2/6 SEM
Extremities: Left calf swelling and tenderness.
37. IMPATIENT WARFARIN DOSING Doppler confirmed a DVT
Started on Warfarin 5 mg at bedtime and Enoxaparin.INR checked daily:
Day 0: 0.9, Day 1: 1.1, Day 3: 1.7 Coumadin Dose increased to 7.5 mg/day and patient discharged on Enoxaparin and Warfarin
Next INR draw as outpatient scheduled after 3 days.
Discharge instructions not clear as to who would manage anticoagulation and adjust the Coumadin dose
38. IMPATIENT WARFARIN DOSING The patient developed an acute left thigh & calf hematoma on day #7 and was admitted to Highland.
INR on admission was 13.2 and Hct. 22 mg %.
PRBC transfusion given, anticoagulation stopped and vitamin K 5 mg IV administered.
Greenfield filter placed by IR
39. Discharge Scenario: Amended Result A 62 year old man is admitted with
abdominal pain
A CT done and reviewed with attending
radiologist and hospitalist together
A diagnosis of constipation is made:
patient is treated and discharged
Two months later irate patient contacts
hospitalist demanding to know why he
was not told of diagnosis of renal cell cancer
CT was revised after initial read to include probable renal cell carcinoma in report, with no communication to hospitalist
40. COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOES NOT?
41. Physician Transitions of Care Improvements ANY communication to PCP improves outcomes!
Make a call to the PCP
Dictate DC summary on day of DC
Hand the patient the DC summary to take to PCP
E-mail
Fax
42. The Handoff: What’s the Big Deal? Hospitalists = Care Discontinuity = Potential miscommunications
Loss of information: “voltage drop”
Confusion over responsibilities
Potential patient dissatisfaction
Communication important to physicians and patients
There is increased risk, medically & legally, with poor communication
43. Transfer Information at “High-Risk” On Admission
Meds
Code Status
Other patient preferences
On Discharge
Meds
Testing (completed, pending and planned)
New diagnosis
44. Physician Directed Improvements: Barriers Limited time
PCP & hospitalist
Varied communications preferences
Phone: Phone tree
Fax: Propensity to get lost.
E-mail: HIPPA concerns
Little pressure to improve (to date)
45. RECOMMENDATIONS PCP’S: Continue to be a part of a continuum of care.
Medicine reconciliation on admission
Most PCP’s do not want daily calls.
Imperative to have discharge summaries available on the day of discharge
Hospitalist need to make every effort to contact PCP’s on discharge
Discharge summary focus has to be transfer of information rather than billing. Test results, Diagnosis, Discharge meds, pending tests, follow up plans
Focused, intensive patient education