Ethan Cumbler, MD, FHM

Clinical question: Have the Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations led to changes in practice?

Background: The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to reduce the incidence of low-value care by providing evidence-based recommendations for common clinical situations. The rate of adoption of these recommendations is unknown.

Study design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Anthem insurance members.

Synopsis: The study examined the claims data from 25 million Anthem insurance members to compare the rate of services that were targeted by seven Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations before and after the recommendations were published in 2012.

Investigators found the incidence of two of the services declined after the Choosing Wisely recommendations were published; the other five services remained stable or increased slightly. Furthermore, the declines were statistically significant but not a marked absolute difference, with the incidence of head imaging in patients with uncomplicated headaches going down to 13.4% from 14.9% and the use of cardiac imaging in the absence of cardiac disease declining to 9.7% from 10.8%.

The main limitations are the narrow population of Anthem insurance members and the lack of specific data that could help answer why clinical practice has not changed, but that could be the aim of future studies.

Bottom line: Choosing Wisely recommendations have not been adopted on a population level; widespread implementation likely will require financial incentives, provider-level data feedback, and systems interventions.

Citation: Rosenberg A, Agiro A, Gottlieb M, et al. Early trends among seven recommendations from the Choosing Wisely campaign. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1913-1920. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.5441.

Clinical question: Have the Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations led to changes in practice?

Background: The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to reduce the incidence of low-value care by providing evidence-based recommendations for common clinical situations. The rate of adoption of these recommendations is unknown.

Study design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Anthem insurance members.

Synopsis: The study examined the claims data from 25 million Anthem insurance members to compare the rate of services that were targeted by seven Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations before and after the recommendations were published in 2012.

Investigators found the incidence of two of the services declined after the Choosing Wisely recommendations were published; the other five services remained stable or increased slightly. Furthermore, the declines were statistically significant but not a marked absolute difference, with the incidence of head imaging in patients with uncomplicated headaches going down to 13.4% from 14.9% and the use of cardiac imaging in the absence of cardiac disease declining to 9.7% from 10.8%.

The main limitations are the narrow population of Anthem insurance members and the lack of specific data that could help answer why clinical practice has not changed, but that could be the aim of future studies.

Bottom line: Choosing Wisely recommendations have not been adopted on a population level; widespread implementation likely will require financial incentives, provider-level data feedback, and systems interventions.

Citation: Rosenberg A, Agiro A, Gottlieb M, et al. Early trends among seven recommendations from the Choosing Wisely campaign. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1913-1920. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.5441.

Clinical question: Have the Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations led to changes in practice?

Background: The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to reduce the incidence of low-value care by providing evidence-based recommendations for common clinical situations. The rate of adoption of these recommendations is unknown.

Study design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Anthem insurance members.

Synopsis: The study examined the claims data from 25 million Anthem insurance members to compare the rate of services that were targeted by seven Choosing Wisely campaign recommendations before and after the recommendations were published in 2012.

Investigators found the incidence of two of the services declined after the Choosing Wisely recommendations were published; the other five services remained stable or increased slightly. Furthermore, the declines were statistically significant but not a marked absolute difference, with the incidence of head imaging in patients with uncomplicated headaches going down to 13.4% from 14.9% and the use of cardiac imaging in the absence of cardiac disease declining to 9.7% from 10.8%.

The main limitations are the narrow population of Anthem insurance members and the lack of specific data that could help answer why clinical practice has not changed, but that could be the aim of future studies.

Bottom line: Choosing Wisely recommendations have not been adopted on a population level; widespread implementation likely will require financial incentives, provider-level data feedback, and systems interventions.

Citation: Rosenberg A, Agiro A, Gottlieb M, et al. Early trends among seven recommendations from the Choosing Wisely campaign. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1913-1920. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.5441.

Clinical question: Is there a difference in patient experience on hospitalist teams compared with teaching teams?

Background: Hospitalist-intensive hospitals tend to perform better on patient-satisfaction measures on HCAHPS survey; however, little is known about the difference in patient experience between patients cared for by hospitalist and trainee teams.

Study design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: University of Chicago Medical Center.

Synopsis: A 30-day post-discharge survey was sent to 14,855 patients cared for by hospitalist and teaching teams, with 57% of teaching and 31% of hospitalist team patients returning fully completed surveys. A higher percentage of hospitalist team patients reported satisfaction with their overall care (73% vs. 67%; P<0.001; regression model odds ratio = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15–1.47). There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction with the teamwork of their providers, confidence in identifying their provider, or ability to understand the role of their provider.

Other than the inability to mitigate response-selection bias, the main limitation of this study is the single-center setting, which impacts the generalizability of the findings. Hospital-specific factors like different services and structures (hospitalists at their institution care for renal and lung transplant and oncology patients) could influence patients’ perception of their care. More research needs to be done to determine the specific factors that lead to a better patient experience.

Bottom line: At a single academic center, overall patient satisfaction was higher on a hospitalist service compared with teaching teams.

Citation: Wray CM, Flores A, Padula WV, Prochaska MT, Meltzer DO, Arora VM. Measuring patient experiences on hospitalist and teaching services: patient responses to a 30-day postdischarge questionnaire [published online ahead of print September 18, 2015]. J Hosp Med. doi:10.1002/jhm.2485.

Clinical question: Is there a difference in patient experience on hospitalist teams compared with teaching teams?

Background: Hospitalist-intensive hospitals tend to perform better on patient-satisfaction measures on HCAHPS survey; however, little is known about the difference in patient experience between patients cared for by hospitalist and trainee teams.

Study design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: University of Chicago Medical Center.

Synopsis: A 30-day post-discharge survey was sent to 14,855 patients cared for by hospitalist and teaching teams, with 57% of teaching and 31% of hospitalist team patients returning fully completed surveys. A higher percentage of hospitalist team patients reported satisfaction with their overall care (73% vs. 67%; P<0.001; regression model odds ratio = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15–1.47). There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction with the teamwork of their providers, confidence in identifying their provider, or ability to understand the role of their provider.

Other than the inability to mitigate response-selection bias, the main limitation of this study is the single-center setting, which impacts the generalizability of the findings. Hospital-specific factors like different services and structures (hospitalists at their institution care for renal and lung transplant and oncology patients) could influence patients’ perception of their care. More research needs to be done to determine the specific factors that lead to a better patient experience.

Bottom line: At a single academic center, overall patient satisfaction was higher on a hospitalist service compared with teaching teams.

Citation: Wray CM, Flores A, Padula WV, Prochaska MT, Meltzer DO, Arora VM. Measuring patient experiences on hospitalist and teaching services: patient responses to a 30-day postdischarge questionnaire [published online ahead of print September 18, 2015]. J Hosp Med. doi:10.1002/jhm.2485.

Clinical question: Is there a difference in patient experience on hospitalist teams compared with teaching teams?

Background: Hospitalist-intensive hospitals tend to perform better on patient-satisfaction measures on HCAHPS survey; however, little is known about the difference in patient experience between patients cared for by hospitalist and trainee teams.

Study design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Setting: University of Chicago Medical Center.

Synopsis: A 30-day post-discharge survey was sent to 14,855 patients cared for by hospitalist and teaching teams, with 57% of teaching and 31% of hospitalist team patients returning fully completed surveys. A higher percentage of hospitalist team patients reported satisfaction with their overall care (73% vs. 67%; P<0.001; regression model odds ratio = 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15–1.47). There was no statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction with the teamwork of their providers, confidence in identifying their provider, or ability to understand the role of their provider.

Other than the inability to mitigate response-selection bias, the main limitation of this study is the single-center setting, which impacts the generalizability of the findings. Hospital-specific factors like different services and structures (hospitalists at their institution care for renal and lung transplant and oncology patients) could influence patients’ perception of their care. More research needs to be done to determine the specific factors that lead to a better patient experience.

Bottom line: At a single academic center, overall patient satisfaction was higher on a hospitalist service compared with teaching teams.

Citation: Wray CM, Flores A, Padula WV, Prochaska MT, Meltzer DO, Arora VM. Measuring patient experiences on hospitalist and teaching services: patient responses to a 30-day postdischarge questionnaire [published online ahead of print September 18, 2015]. J Hosp Med. doi:10.1002/jhm.2485.

Clinical question: Is the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) a valid tool to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in critically ill surgical patients?

Background: VTE is a major source of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients; prevention is critical to reduce morbidity and cut healthcare costs. Risk assessment is important to determine thromboprophylaxis, yet data are lacking regarding an appropriate tool for risk stratification in the critically ill.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: University of Michigan Health System; 20-bed surgical ICU at an academic hospital.

Synopsis: This study included 4,844 surgical ICU patients. Primary outcome was VTE during the patient’s hospital admission. A retrospective risk scoring method based on the 2005 Caprini RAM was used to calculate the risk for all patients at the time of ICU admission. Patients were divided into low (Caprini score 0–2), moderate, high, highest, and super-high (Caprini score > 8) risk levels. The incidence of VTE increased in linear fashion with increasing Caprini score.

This study was limited to one academic medical center. The retrospective scoring model limits the ability to identify all patient risk factors. VTE outcomes were reported only for the length of hospitalization and did not include post-discharge follow-up. Replicating this study across a larger patient population and performing a prospective study with follow-up after discharge would address these limitations.

Bottom line: The Caprini risk assessment model is a valid instrument to assess VTE risk in critically ill surgical patients.

Citation: Obi AT, Pannucci CJ, Nackashi A, et al. Validation of the Caprini venous thromboembolism risk assessment model in critically ill surgical patients. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(10):941-948.

Clinical question: Is the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) a valid tool to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in critically ill surgical patients?

Background: VTE is a major source of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients; prevention is critical to reduce morbidity and cut healthcare costs. Risk assessment is important to determine thromboprophylaxis, yet data are lacking regarding an appropriate tool for risk stratification in the critically ill.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: University of Michigan Health System; 20-bed surgical ICU at an academic hospital.

Synopsis: This study included 4,844 surgical ICU patients. Primary outcome was VTE during the patient’s hospital admission. A retrospective risk scoring method based on the 2005 Caprini RAM was used to calculate the risk for all patients at the time of ICU admission. Patients were divided into low (Caprini score 0–2), moderate, high, highest, and super-high (Caprini score > 8) risk levels. The incidence of VTE increased in linear fashion with increasing Caprini score.

This study was limited to one academic medical center. The retrospective scoring model limits the ability to identify all patient risk factors. VTE outcomes were reported only for the length of hospitalization and did not include post-discharge follow-up. Replicating this study across a larger patient population and performing a prospective study with follow-up after discharge would address these limitations.

Bottom line: The Caprini risk assessment model is a valid instrument to assess VTE risk in critically ill surgical patients.

Citation: Obi AT, Pannucci CJ, Nackashi A, et al. Validation of the Caprini venous thromboembolism risk assessment model in critically ill surgical patients. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(10):941-948.

Clinical question: Is the Caprini risk assessment model (RAM) a valid tool to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in critically ill surgical patients?

Background: VTE is a major source of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients; prevention is critical to reduce morbidity and cut healthcare costs. Risk assessment is important to determine thromboprophylaxis, yet data are lacking regarding an appropriate tool for risk stratification in the critically ill.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: University of Michigan Health System; 20-bed surgical ICU at an academic hospital.

Synopsis: This study included 4,844 surgical ICU patients. Primary outcome was VTE during the patient’s hospital admission. A retrospective risk scoring method based on the 2005 Caprini RAM was used to calculate the risk for all patients at the time of ICU admission. Patients were divided into low (Caprini score 0–2), moderate, high, highest, and super-high (Caprini score > 8) risk levels. The incidence of VTE increased in linear fashion with increasing Caprini score.

This study was limited to one academic medical center. The retrospective scoring model limits the ability to identify all patient risk factors. VTE outcomes were reported only for the length of hospitalization and did not include post-discharge follow-up. Replicating this study across a larger patient population and performing a prospective study with follow-up after discharge would address these limitations.

Bottom line: The Caprini risk assessment model is a valid instrument to assess VTE risk in critically ill surgical patients.

Citation: Obi AT, Pannucci CJ, Nackashi A, et al. Validation of the Caprini venous thromboembolism risk assessment model in critically ill surgical patients. JAMA Surg. 2015;150(10):941-948.

Clinical question: Does total knee replacement followed by a 12-week non-surgical treatment program provide greater pain relief and improvement in function and quality of life than non-surgical treatment alone?

Background: The number of total knee replacements in the U.S. has increased dramatically since the 1970s and is expected to continue to rise. To date, evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical intervention compared to non-surgical intervention is lacking.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Aalborg University Hospital Outpatient Clinics, Denmark.

Synopsis: One hundred patients with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to undergo total knee replacement followed by 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment or to receive only 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment. The non-surgical treatment program consisted of exercise, education, dietary advice, insoles, and pain medication. Change from baseline to 12 months was assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

The total knee replacement group had a significantly greater improvement in the KOOS score than did the non-surgical group. Serious adverse events were more common in the total knee replacement group.

The study did not include a sham-surgery control group. It is unknown whether the KOOS pain subscale is generalizable to patients with severe pain. Additionally, the intensity of non-surgical treatment may have differed between groups.

Bottom line: Total knee replacement followed by non-surgical treatment is more efficacious than non-surgical treatment alone in providing pain relief and improving function and quality of life, but it is associated with higher number of adverse events.

Citation: Skou ST, Roos EM, Laursen MB, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of total knee replacement. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1597-1606.

Clinical question: Does total knee replacement followed by a 12-week non-surgical treatment program provide greater pain relief and improvement in function and quality of life than non-surgical treatment alone?

Background: The number of total knee replacements in the U.S. has increased dramatically since the 1970s and is expected to continue to rise. To date, evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical intervention compared to non-surgical intervention is lacking.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Aalborg University Hospital Outpatient Clinics, Denmark.

Synopsis: One hundred patients with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to undergo total knee replacement followed by 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment or to receive only 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment. The non-surgical treatment program consisted of exercise, education, dietary advice, insoles, and pain medication. Change from baseline to 12 months was assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

The total knee replacement group had a significantly greater improvement in the KOOS score than did the non-surgical group. Serious adverse events were more common in the total knee replacement group.

The study did not include a sham-surgery control group. It is unknown whether the KOOS pain subscale is generalizable to patients with severe pain. Additionally, the intensity of non-surgical treatment may have differed between groups.

Bottom line: Total knee replacement followed by non-surgical treatment is more efficacious than non-surgical treatment alone in providing pain relief and improving function and quality of life, but it is associated with higher number of adverse events.

Citation: Skou ST, Roos EM, Laursen MB, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of total knee replacement. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1597-1606.

Clinical question: Does total knee replacement followed by a 12-week non-surgical treatment program provide greater pain relief and improvement in function and quality of life than non-surgical treatment alone?

Background: The number of total knee replacements in the U.S. has increased dramatically since the 1970s and is expected to continue to rise. To date, evidence to support the effectiveness of surgical intervention compared to non-surgical intervention is lacking.

Study design: Randomized, controlled trial.

Setting: Aalborg University Hospital Outpatient Clinics, Denmark.

Synopsis: One hundred patients with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to undergo total knee replacement followed by 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment or to receive only 12 weeks of non-surgical treatment. The non-surgical treatment program consisted of exercise, education, dietary advice, insoles, and pain medication. Change from baseline to 12 months was assessed using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS).

The total knee replacement group had a significantly greater improvement in the KOOS score than did the non-surgical group. Serious adverse events were more common in the total knee replacement group.

The study did not include a sham-surgery control group. It is unknown whether the KOOS pain subscale is generalizable to patients with severe pain. Additionally, the intensity of non-surgical treatment may have differed between groups.

Bottom line: Total knee replacement followed by non-surgical treatment is more efficacious than non-surgical treatment alone in providing pain relief and improving function and quality of life, but it is associated with higher number of adverse events.

Citation: Skou ST, Roos EM, Laursen MB, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of total knee replacement. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(17):1597-1606.

Clinical question: Is there an improved 30-day mortality rate if patients receive blood transfusion at higher hematocrit values after postoperative myocardial infarction (MI)?

Background: Prior studies evaluating patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo non-cardiac surgery have shown similar mortality outcomes with liberal and restrictive transfusion strategies. Data are lacking for transfusion strategies in patients with CAD who experience postoperative MI after non-cardiac surgeries.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Veterans Affairs health system.

Synopsis: The study included 7,361 patients with a history of CAD who underwent non-cardiac surgery whose postoperative hematocrit was between 20% and 30%. Patients were stratified by postoperative hematocrit nadir and presence of postoperative MI. In patients with postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with lower mortality with hematocrit nadir of 20%–24% but not with hematocrit of 24%–27% or 27%–30%. In patients without postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with higher mortality in patients with hematocrit of 27%–30%.

This retrospective study was limited to the VA population of mostly male patients. The sample size was limited. The study was unable to determine if postoperative blood transfusion is a risk for developing MI.

Bottom line: Patients with a history of CAD and MI who have a postoperative MI following non-cardiac surgery may benefit from higher blood transfusion thresholds; however, further controlled studies are needed.

Citation: Hollis RH, Singeltary BA, McMurtrie JT, et al. Blood transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and anemia following noncardiac surgery [published online ahead of print October 7, 2015]. JAMA Surg. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2015.3420.

Clinical question: Is there an improved 30-day mortality rate if patients receive blood transfusion at higher hematocrit values after postoperative myocardial infarction (MI)?

Background: Prior studies evaluating patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo non-cardiac surgery have shown similar mortality outcomes with liberal and restrictive transfusion strategies. Data are lacking for transfusion strategies in patients with CAD who experience postoperative MI after non-cardiac surgeries.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Veterans Affairs health system.

Synopsis: The study included 7,361 patients with a history of CAD who underwent non-cardiac surgery whose postoperative hematocrit was between 20% and 30%. Patients were stratified by postoperative hematocrit nadir and presence of postoperative MI. In patients with postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with lower mortality with hematocrit nadir of 20%–24% but not with hematocrit of 24%–27% or 27%–30%. In patients without postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with higher mortality in patients with hematocrit of 27%–30%.

This retrospective study was limited to the VA population of mostly male patients. The sample size was limited. The study was unable to determine if postoperative blood transfusion is a risk for developing MI.

Bottom line: Patients with a history of CAD and MI who have a postoperative MI following non-cardiac surgery may benefit from higher blood transfusion thresholds; however, further controlled studies are needed.

Citation: Hollis RH, Singeltary BA, McMurtrie JT, et al. Blood transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and anemia following noncardiac surgery [published online ahead of print October 7, 2015]. JAMA Surg. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2015.3420.

Clinical question: Is there an improved 30-day mortality rate if patients receive blood transfusion at higher hematocrit values after postoperative myocardial infarction (MI)?

Background: Prior studies evaluating patients with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) who undergo non-cardiac surgery have shown similar mortality outcomes with liberal and restrictive transfusion strategies. Data are lacking for transfusion strategies in patients with CAD who experience postoperative MI after non-cardiac surgeries.

Study design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Veterans Affairs health system.

Synopsis: The study included 7,361 patients with a history of CAD who underwent non-cardiac surgery whose postoperative hematocrit was between 20% and 30%. Patients were stratified by postoperative hematocrit nadir and presence of postoperative MI. In patients with postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with lower mortality with hematocrit nadir of 20%–24% but not with hematocrit of 24%–27% or 27%–30%. In patients without postoperative MI, transfusion was associated with higher mortality in patients with hematocrit of 27%–30%.

This retrospective study was limited to the VA population of mostly male patients. The sample size was limited. The study was unable to determine if postoperative blood transfusion is a risk for developing MI.

Bottom line: Patients with a history of CAD and MI who have a postoperative MI following non-cardiac surgery may benefit from higher blood transfusion thresholds; however, further controlled studies are needed.

Citation: Hollis RH, Singeltary BA, McMurtrie JT, et al. Blood transfusion and 30-day mortality in patients with coronary artery disease and anemia following noncardiac surgery [published online ahead of print October 7, 2015]. JAMA Surg. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2015.3420.

Clinical question: Does taking a perioperative beta-blocker increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in low-risk patients with essential hypertension (HTN)?

Background: Guidelines for the use of perioperative beta-blockers are being reevaluated due to concerns about validity of prior studies that supported the use of perioperative beta-blockers. This study sought to evaluate effectiveness and safety of beta-blockers in patients with uncomplicated HTN.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Denmark.

Synopsis: This study included 55,320 hypertensive patients using at least two antihypertensive drugs who underwent non-cardiac surgery. Of these, 14,644 patients were treated with a beta-blocker. Patients with secondary cardiovascular conditions, renal disease, or liver disease were excluded; 30-day MACEs and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

In patients treated with a beta-blocker, the incidence of 30-day MACEs was 1.32% compared with 0.84% in the non-beta-blockers group; 30-day mortality in those treated with beta-blocker was 1.9% compared with 1.3% in the non-beta-blocker group. Risk of beta-blocker-associated MACEs was higher in patients 70 and older. Causality cannot be concluded based on observational data.

Bottom line: In patients with uncomplicated HTN, treatment with a beta-blocker may be associated with increased 30-day risk of perioperative MACEs after non-cardiac surgery.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. Beta-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: Does taking a perioperative beta-blocker increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in low-risk patients with essential hypertension (HTN)?

Background: Guidelines for the use of perioperative beta-blockers are being reevaluated due to concerns about validity of prior studies that supported the use of perioperative beta-blockers. This study sought to evaluate effectiveness and safety of beta-blockers in patients with uncomplicated HTN.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Denmark.

Synopsis: This study included 55,320 hypertensive patients using at least two antihypertensive drugs who underwent non-cardiac surgery. Of these, 14,644 patients were treated with a beta-blocker. Patients with secondary cardiovascular conditions, renal disease, or liver disease were excluded; 30-day MACEs and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

In patients treated with a beta-blocker, the incidence of 30-day MACEs was 1.32% compared with 0.84% in the non-beta-blockers group; 30-day mortality in those treated with beta-blocker was 1.9% compared with 1.3% in the non-beta-blocker group. Risk of beta-blocker-associated MACEs was higher in patients 70 and older. Causality cannot be concluded based on observational data.

Bottom line: In patients with uncomplicated HTN, treatment with a beta-blocker may be associated with increased 30-day risk of perioperative MACEs after non-cardiac surgery.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. Beta-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: Does taking a perioperative beta-blocker increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and all-cause mortality in low-risk patients with essential hypertension (HTN)?

Background: Guidelines for the use of perioperative beta-blockers are being reevaluated due to concerns about validity of prior studies that supported the use of perioperative beta-blockers. This study sought to evaluate effectiveness and safety of beta-blockers in patients with uncomplicated HTN.

Study design: Observational cohort study.

Setting: Denmark.

Synopsis: This study included 55,320 hypertensive patients using at least two antihypertensive drugs who underwent non-cardiac surgery. Of these, 14,644 patients were treated with a beta-blocker. Patients with secondary cardiovascular conditions, renal disease, or liver disease were excluded; 30-day MACEs and all-cause mortality were analyzed.

In patients treated with a beta-blocker, the incidence of 30-day MACEs was 1.32% compared with 0.84% in the non-beta-blockers group; 30-day mortality in those treated with beta-blocker was 1.9% compared with 1.3% in the non-beta-blocker group. Risk of beta-blocker-associated MACEs was higher in patients 70 and older. Causality cannot be concluded based on observational data.

Bottom line: In patients with uncomplicated HTN, treatment with a beta-blocker may be associated with increased 30-day risk of perioperative MACEs after non-cardiac surgery.

Citation: Jorgensen ME, Hlatky MA, Kober L, et al. Beta-blocker-associated risks in patients with uncomplicated hypertension undergoing noncardiac surgery. JAMA Intern Med. 2015;175(12):1923-1931.

Clinical question: Does pharmacist involvement in transitions of care decrease medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmissions?

Background: Previous studies show pharmacist involvement in discharge can reduce ADEs and improve patient satisfaction, but there have been inconsistent data on the impact of pharmacist involvement on readmissions, ADEs, and MEs.

Study design: Prospective, randomized, single-period, longitudinal study.

Setting: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Synopsis: Investigators included 278 patients (137 in study arm, 141 in control arm) in the final analysis. The study arm received intensive pharmacist involvement on admission and discharge, followed by phone calls at three, 14, and 30 days post-discharge. The study arm had lower composite 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmission rates compared to the control group (25% vs. 39%; P=0.001) but did not have lower isolated inpatient readmission rates (20% vs. 24%; P=0.43). ADEs and MEs were not significantly different between the two groups.

This study had extensive exclusion criteria, limiting the patient population to which these results can be applied. It was underpowered, which could have prevented the detection of a significant improvement in readmission rates.

Care transitions are high-risk periods in patient care, and there is benefit to continuity of care of an interdisciplinary team, including pharmacists.

Bottom line: Pharmacist involvement in transitions of care was shown to reduce the composite of ED visits and inpatient readmissions.

Citation: Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):39-44. doi:10.1002/jhm.2493.

Clinical question: Does pharmacist involvement in transitions of care decrease medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmissions?

Background: Previous studies show pharmacist involvement in discharge can reduce ADEs and improve patient satisfaction, but there have been inconsistent data on the impact of pharmacist involvement on readmissions, ADEs, and MEs.

Study design: Prospective, randomized, single-period, longitudinal study.

Setting: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Synopsis: Investigators included 278 patients (137 in study arm, 141 in control arm) in the final analysis. The study arm received intensive pharmacist involvement on admission and discharge, followed by phone calls at three, 14, and 30 days post-discharge. The study arm had lower composite 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmission rates compared to the control group (25% vs. 39%; P=0.001) but did not have lower isolated inpatient readmission rates (20% vs. 24%; P=0.43). ADEs and MEs were not significantly different between the two groups.

This study had extensive exclusion criteria, limiting the patient population to which these results can be applied. It was underpowered, which could have prevented the detection of a significant improvement in readmission rates.

Care transitions are high-risk periods in patient care, and there is benefit to continuity of care of an interdisciplinary team, including pharmacists.

Bottom line: Pharmacist involvement in transitions of care was shown to reduce the composite of ED visits and inpatient readmissions.

Citation: Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):39-44. doi:10.1002/jhm.2493.

Clinical question: Does pharmacist involvement in transitions of care decrease medication errors (MEs), adverse drug events (ADEs), and 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmissions?

Background: Previous studies show pharmacist involvement in discharge can reduce ADEs and improve patient satisfaction, but there have been inconsistent data on the impact of pharmacist involvement on readmissions, ADEs, and MEs.

Study design: Prospective, randomized, single-period, longitudinal study.

Setting: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago.

Synopsis: Investigators included 278 patients (137 in study arm, 141 in control arm) in the final analysis. The study arm received intensive pharmacist involvement on admission and discharge, followed by phone calls at three, 14, and 30 days post-discharge. The study arm had lower composite 30-day ED visits and inpatient readmission rates compared to the control group (25% vs. 39%; P=0.001) but did not have lower isolated inpatient readmission rates (20% vs. 24%; P=0.43). ADEs and MEs were not significantly different between the two groups.

This study had extensive exclusion criteria, limiting the patient population to which these results can be applied. It was underpowered, which could have prevented the detection of a significant improvement in readmission rates.

Care transitions are high-risk periods in patient care, and there is benefit to continuity of care of an interdisciplinary team, including pharmacists.

Bottom line: Pharmacist involvement in transitions of care was shown to reduce the composite of ED visits and inpatient readmissions.

Citation: Phatak A, Prusi R, Ward B, et al. Impact of pharmacist involvement in the transitional care of high-risk patients through medication reconciliation, medication education, and postdischarge call-backs (IPITCH Study). J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):39-44. doi:10.1002/jhm.2493.

Clinical question: Does price display impact order costs and volume as well as patient safety outcomes, and is it acceptable to providers?

Background: Up to one-third of national healthcare expenditures are wasteful, with physicians playing a central role in overall cost, purchasing almost all tests and therapies for patients. Increasing the transparency of costs for physicians is one strategy to reduce unnecessary spending.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Synopsis: Nineteen publications were selected for final analysis. Thirteen studies reported the impact of price display on costs, nine of which showed a statistically significant decrease in order costs. Only three of eight studies reporting the impact of price display on order volume showed statistically significant decreases in order volume. One study showed adverse safety findings in the form of higher rates of unscheduled follow-up care in a pediatric ED. Physicians were overall satisfied with price display in the five studies reporting this.

There was high heterogeneity among studies, which did not allow for pooling of data. Furthermore, more than half of the studies were conducted more than 15 years ago, limiting their generalizability to the modern era of electronic health records (EHRs).

Overall, this review supports the conclusion that price display has a modest effect on order costs. Additional studies utilizing EHR systems are required to more definitively confirm these findings.

Bottom line: Displaying prices to physicians can have a modest effect on overall order costs.

Citation: Silvestri MT, Bongiovanni TR, Glover JG, Gross CP. Impact of price display on provider ordering: a systematic review. J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):65-76. doi:10.1002/jhm.2500.

Clinical question: Does price display impact order costs and volume as well as patient safety outcomes, and is it acceptable to providers?

Background: Up to one-third of national healthcare expenditures are wasteful, with physicians playing a central role in overall cost, purchasing almost all tests and therapies for patients. Increasing the transparency of costs for physicians is one strategy to reduce unnecessary spending.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Synopsis: Nineteen publications were selected for final analysis. Thirteen studies reported the impact of price display on costs, nine of which showed a statistically significant decrease in order costs. Only three of eight studies reporting the impact of price display on order volume showed statistically significant decreases in order volume. One study showed adverse safety findings in the form of higher rates of unscheduled follow-up care in a pediatric ED. Physicians were overall satisfied with price display in the five studies reporting this.

There was high heterogeneity among studies, which did not allow for pooling of data. Furthermore, more than half of the studies were conducted more than 15 years ago, limiting their generalizability to the modern era of electronic health records (EHRs).

Overall, this review supports the conclusion that price display has a modest effect on order costs. Additional studies utilizing EHR systems are required to more definitively confirm these findings.

Bottom line: Displaying prices to physicians can have a modest effect on overall order costs.

Citation: Silvestri MT, Bongiovanni TR, Glover JG, Gross CP. Impact of price display on provider ordering: a systematic review. J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):65-76. doi:10.1002/jhm.2500.

Clinical question: Does price display impact order costs and volume as well as patient safety outcomes, and is it acceptable to providers?

Background: Up to one-third of national healthcare expenditures are wasteful, with physicians playing a central role in overall cost, purchasing almost all tests and therapies for patients. Increasing the transparency of costs for physicians is one strategy to reduce unnecessary spending.

Study design: Systematic review.

Setting: Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.

Synopsis: Nineteen publications were selected for final analysis. Thirteen studies reported the impact of price display on costs, nine of which showed a statistically significant decrease in order costs. Only three of eight studies reporting the impact of price display on order volume showed statistically significant decreases in order volume. One study showed adverse safety findings in the form of higher rates of unscheduled follow-up care in a pediatric ED. Physicians were overall satisfied with price display in the five studies reporting this.

There was high heterogeneity among studies, which did not allow for pooling of data. Furthermore, more than half of the studies were conducted more than 15 years ago, limiting their generalizability to the modern era of electronic health records (EHRs).

Overall, this review supports the conclusion that price display has a modest effect on order costs. Additional studies utilizing EHR systems are required to more definitively confirm these findings.

Bottom line: Displaying prices to physicians can have a modest effect on overall order costs.

Citation: Silvestri MT, Bongiovanni TR, Glover JG, Gross CP. Impact of price display on provider ordering: a systematic review. J Hosp Med. 2016;11(1):65-76. doi:10.1002/jhm.2500.