Jody Jackson

Self-report compared to electronic medical record across eight adult vaccines: Do results vary by demographic factors?

Immunizations are crucial to the prevention of disease, thus, having an accurate measure of vaccination status for a population is an important guide in targeting prevention efforts. In order to comprehensively assess the validity of self-reported adult vaccination status for the eight most common adult vaccines we conducted a survey of vaccination receipt and compared it to the electronic medical record (EMR), which was used as the criterion standard, in a population of community-dwelling patients in a large healthcare system. In addition, we assessed whether validity varied by demographic factors. The vaccines included: pneumococcal (PPSV), influenza (Flu), tetanus diphtheria (Td), tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap), Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), hepatitis A (HepA), hepatitis B (HepB) and herpes zoster (shingles). Telephone surveys were conducted with 11,760 individuals, ≥18, half with documented receipt of vaccination and half without. We measured sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, net bias and over- and under-reporting of vaccination. Variation was found across vaccines, however, sensitivity and specificity did not vary substantially by either age or race/ethnicity. Sensitivity ranged between 63% for HepA to over 90% (tetanus, HPV, shingles and Flu). Hispanics were 2.7 times more likely to claim receipt of vaccination compared to whites. For PPSV and Flu those 65+ had low specificity compared to patients of younger ages while those in the youngest age group had lowest specificity for HepA and HepB. In addition to racial/ethnic differences, over-reporting was more frequent in those retired and those with household income less than

What is the impact of osteoporosis education and bone mineral density testing for postmenopausal women in a managed care setting

75,000. Accurate information for vaccination surveillance is important to estimate progress toward vaccination coverage goals and ensure appropriate policy decisions and allocation of resources for public health. It was clear from our findings that EMR and self-report do not always agree. Finding approaches to improve both EMR data capture and patient awareness would be beneficial.

Geriatric Depression, Antidepressant Treatment, and Healthcare Utilization in a Health Maintenance Organization

Objective To assess whether osteoporosis education, with and without bone mineral density (BMD) testing, increases the initiation of lifestyle changes and pharmaceutical treatment to prevent osteoporosis. Design A total of 508 women, aged 54–65, from a large managed care organization who were not on osteoporosis prevention therapy participated in an intervention study. Participants were randomly assigned to either an education class on osteoporosis (n = 301) or education plus BMD (n = 207). A control group of 187 women receiving no intervention were also surveyed to serve as comparison. Group differences and differences based on BMD test result were compared 6 months after education regarding self-reported changes in health behaviors using &khgr;2 tests and logistic regression analyses. Results Of the 508 intervention participants, 455 (90%) responded to the follow-up survey. Initiation of hormone replacement therapy was reported by 9%, with 5% reporting starting alendronate. More than half reported changes in diet, exercise, or calcium intake. Forty-three percent increased their vitamin D intake. There were no significant group differences in behavior except with regard to pharmaceutical therapy; subjects with education plus BMD were three times more likely than those receiving education only to report starting hormone replacement therapy (p = 0.004). Low BMD scores were associated with increasing vitamin D intake (p = 0.03) and starting medication (p = 0.001). Women in the intervention groups were significantly more likely to report modifying their diet (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.01), and vitamin D intake (p < 0.0001) than women in the control group, not exposed to education. Conclusion Education regarding osteoporosis prevention seems to encourage women to make lifestyle changes. The inclusion of BMD testing enhances the likelihood that women will consider pharmaceutical therapy.

Validity of diabetes self-reports in the Women's Health Initiative.

OBJECTIVES To assess the separate effects of depressive symptoms and antidepressant treatment on healthcare utilization and cost. SETTING Social Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) at HealthPartners in Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS Geriatric Social HMO enrollees were screened for depressive symptoms using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale. A stratified sample was created, composed of geriatric enrollees with depressive symptoms, with antidepressant prescriptions, or with neither (n = 516). DESIGN Regression analyses were conducted with separate equations for utilization and charge outcome variables, both outpatient and inpatient (log-transformed). The Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, and gender served as covariates. MEASUREMENT Depressive symptoms were identified through the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Antidepressant treatment was determined from the HMO pharmacy database. RESULTS Having depressive symptoms was associated with a 19 increase in the number of outpatient encounters and a 30 increase in total outpatient charges. Antidepressant treatment was associated with a 32 increase in total outpatient charges but was not significantly associated with number of outpatient encounters. Depressive symptoms and antidepressant therapy were not significantly associated with inpatient utilization or charges. CONCLUSION This study found that patients with depressive symptoms generated more outpatient health care and higher charges but not necessarily more inpatient care. Our findings suggest that programs targeted to geriatric patients whose depression is comorbid with other chronic medical conditions might be cost-effective and particularly appropriate for geriatric care.

Barriers in Identification and Referral to Genetic Counseling for Familial Cancer Risk: The Perspective of Genetic Service Providers

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the positive and negative predictive values of self-reported diabetes during the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) clinical trials. MethodsAll WHI trial participants from four field centers who self-reported diabetes at baseline or during follow-up, as well as a random sample of women who did not self-report diabetes, were identified. Women were surveyed regarding diagnosis and treatment. Medical records were obtained and reviewed for documented treatment with antidiabetes medications or for physician diagnosis of diabetes supported by laboratory measurements of glucose. ResultsWe identified 1,275 eligible participants; 732 consented and provided survey data. Medical records were obtained for 715 women (prevalent diabetes, 207; incident diabetes, 325; no diabetes, 183). Records confirmed 91.8% (95% CI, 87.0-95.0) of self-reported prevalent diabetes cases and 82.2% (95% CI, 77.5-86.1) of incident diabetes cases. Among those who never self-reported diabetes, there was no medical record or laboratory evidence for diabetes in 94.5% (95% CI, 89.9-97.2). Women with higher body mass index were more likely to accurately self-report incident diabetes. In a subgroup of participants enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare, a claims algorithm correctly classified nearly all diabetes cases and noncases. ConclusionsAmong WHI clinical trial participants, there are high positive predictive values of self-reported prevalent diabetes (91.8%) and incident diabetes (82.2%) and a high negative predictive value (94.5%) when diabetes is not reported. For participants enrolled in fee-for-service Medicare, a claims algorithm has high positive and negative predictive values.

Health literacy needs related to incontinence and skin damage among family and friend caregivers of individuals with Dementia

The purpose of this study was to obtain genetic counselors’ perspectives about the identification of appropriate patients and barriers to referral of high-risk patients for cancer genetic counseling services. Genetic service providers from eight integrated health systems were surveyed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics. Twenty-eight of 40 potential participants responded (70%). Referrals for familial cancer risk assessment overwhelmingly came from providers (89%); only 10% were self-referrals. Use of guidelines to assist providers with referral was reported by 46% of the respondents. Genetic service providers perceived patient barriers to seeking genetic counseling after referral included: risk evaluation viewed as a non-priority (72%), concerns about impact on insurability (52%), distance to appointments (48%), lack of insurance (44%), lack of patient/provider knowledge about the value of genetic counseling (36%), discouragement by family members (28%), and fear (20%). The best approaches suggested by respondents to increase appropriate referrals were attending meetings and giving presentations to oncologists, surgeons, primary care and gynecologists. The genetic service providers reported several barriers to the referral and use of genetic counseling. This finding is consistent with current literature from the providers’ perspective. Our survey adds the genetic service providers’ perspective and identifies areas of opportunity for further research and intervention as few of the perceived barriers are being addressed through current educational efforts.

Development, implementation and evaluation of an electronic medical record prompt for bone density testing.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe health literacy needs related to incontinence and skin care among family or friend caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) and develop supportive and educational materials that address these needs. DESIGN: Descriptive. SUBJECTS AND SETTINGS: The sample included 48 family/friend adult caregivers of individuals who had advanced dementia. Caregivers were spouses (44%), daughters (31%), or extended family members/friends (25%) recruited from community-based agencies, with a mean age of 64 ± 14 years (mean ± SD), and 75% were female. Nearly half (48%) had a racially or ethnically diverse background. METHODS: Focus groups, interviews, and written surveys were conducted to assess health literacy needs of AD caregivers related to incontinence and skin care; verbal responses were audiotaped, transcribed, and summarized. To address these needs, a set of educational and supportive materials was developed, whose content was directed by caregiver responses and supported by a literature review of current evidence and consultation with clinical and research experts. Study procedures were guided by an advisory committee of AD caregivers. RESULTS: Caregivers had numerous health literacy needs related to incontinence and skin care; areas of need were categorized into knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Caregivers expressed a need to validate the health literacy they possessed. Fourteen educational and supportive documents were developed to address these needs. CONCLUSION: Materials developed in this study are suitable to incorporate into interventions that support caregivers of persons with AD. They offer the potential to raise health literacy and care capacity of caregivers, increase communication with health care providers, and improve health outcomes of care recipients.

Barriers to Communication With a Healthcare Provider and Health Literacy About Incontinence Among Informal Caregivers of Individuals With Dementia.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether an electronic prompt promoting BMD testing affected the proportion of patients who received BMD and/or bone health medication. Rheumatology providers of patients 40+, on prednisone, with no record of BMD testing in the past 2 years, were targeted with the message: ‘This patient is at risk for osteoporosis due to prednisone use. We have no record of a recent Dexa scan.’ We also surveyed providers on the prompt’s value. The use of prednisone remained stable; BMD testing was quite low in all periods but increased slightly (non-statistically) over time, as did bone health medication use. Providers found the prompt not tailored enough to be clinically meaningful. Electronic prompts seem beneficial in theory; however, putting them into practice has challenges. While the EMR has great potential to improve care, more needs to be done to ensure optimal use.

Implementation of an active management of labor guideline in a managed care setting.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine barriers to communicating with healthcare professionals and health literacy about incontinence among different types of informal caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD). DESIGN: Descriptive secondary analysis. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The sample included 48 family/friend adult caregivers of individuals who had AD. Seventy-five percent were female; their mean age was 64 ± 14 years (mean ± SD). Caregivers were spouses (44%), daughters (31%), or extended family members/friends (25%). Nearly half (48%) of caregivers had a racially or ethnically diverse background; 58% of their care recipients had incontinence. METHODS: Data were collected via focus groups, interviews, and written surveys. Verbal responses were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for themes by caregiver type using content analysis. RESULTS: Caregivers of persons with AD described role-related barriers to improving health literacy about incontinence and its management. Main themes of barriers emerged for each type of role that were emotive in nature for daughters, experiential for both spouse caregivers, system related for husbands, and relational (being perceived as an outsider) for extended family/friends. CONCLUSIONS: Nurse continence specialists have an important role in raising health literacy about incontinence and its management for informal caregivers of individual with AD. Results inform the development of interventions that are tailored to the type of caregiver as recommended by national health literacy initiatives with the aim of improving outcomes such as incontinence of care recipients.

An opportunity for improving osteoporosis treatment in home health care.

This article reports on a study assessing the impact of a clinical guideline for the active management of labor. Modest changes were noted in the process of care with minimal impact on outcomes. Results might have been enhanced if more systems had been in place and if provider training had involved more comprehensive discussion and feedback on each of the components.