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ABSTRACT: Manual surveillance for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) by infection prevention practitioners is time-consuming and often limited to intensive care units (ICUs). An automated surveillance system using existing databases with patient-level variables and microbiology data was investigated.
Patients with a positive blood culture in 4 non-ICU wards at Barnes-Jewish Hospital between July 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006, were evaluated. CLABSI determination for these patients was made via 2 sources; a manual chart review and an automated review from electronically available data. Agreement between these 2 sources was used to develop the best-fit electronic algorithm that used a set of rules to identify a CLABSI. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and Pearson's correlation were calculated for the various rule sets, using manual chart review as the reference standard.
During the study period, 391 positive blood cultures from 331 patients were evaluated. Eighty-five (22%) of these were confirmed to be CLABSI by manual chart review. The best-fit model included presence of a catheter, blood culture positive for known pathogen or blood culture with a common skin contaminant confirmed by a second positive culture and the presence of fever, and no positive cultures with the same organism from another sterile site. The best-performing rule set had an overall sensitivity of 95.2%, specificity of 97.5%, positive predictive value of 90%, and negative predictive value of 99.2% compared with intensive manual surveillance.
Although CLABSIs were slightly overpredicted by electronic surveillance compared with manual chart review, the method offers the possibility of performing acceptably good surveillance in areas where resources do not allow for traditional manual surveillance.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 11/2011; 32(11):1086-90. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: US estimates of the Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) burden have utilized International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes. Whether ICD-9-CM code rank order affects CDI prevalence estimates is important because the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) and the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) have varying limits on the number of ICD-9-CM codes collected.
ICD-9-CM codes for CDI (008.45), C. difficile toxin assay results, and dates of admission and discharge were collected from electronic hospital databases for adult patients admitted to 4 hospitals in the United States from July 2000 through June 2006. CDI prevalence per 1000 discharges was calculated and compared for NHDS and NIS limits and toxin assay results from the same hospitals. CDI prevalence estimates were compared using the χ(2) test, and the test of equality was used to compare slopes.
CDI prevalence measured by NIS criteria was significantly higher than that measured using NHDS criteria (10.7 cases per 1000 discharges versus 9.4 cases per 1000 discharges; P<.001) in the 4 hospitals. CDI prevalence measured by toxin assay results was 9.4 cases per 1000 discharges (P=.57 versus NHDS). However, the CDI prevalence increased more rapidly over time when measured according to the NHDS criteria than when measured according to toxin assay results (β=1.09 versus 0.84; P=.008).
Compared with the NHDS definition, the NIS definition captured 12% more CDI cases and reported significantly higher CDI rates. Rates calculated using toxin assay results were not different from rates calculated using NHDS criteria, but CDI prevalence appeared to increase more rapidly when measured by NHDS criteria than when measured by toxin assay results.
Clinical Infectious Diseases 07/2011; 53(1):20-5. · 9.15 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To develop and validate a risk prediction model that could identify patients at high risk for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) before they develop disease.
Retrospective cohort study in a tertiary care medical center.
Patients admitted to the hospital for at least 48 hours during the calendar year 2003.
Data were collected electronically from the hospital's Medical Informatics database and analyzed with logistic regression to determine variables that best predicted patients' risk for development of CDI. Model discrimination and calibration were calculated. The model was bootstrapped 500 times to validate the predictive accuracy. A receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated to evaluate potential risk cutoffs.
A total of 35,350 admitted patients, including 329 with CDI, were studied. Variables in the risk prediction model were age, CDI pressure, times admitted to hospital in the previous 60 days, modified Acute Physiology Score, days of treatment with high-risk antibiotics, whether albumin level was low, admission to an intensive care unit, and receipt of laxatives, gastric acid suppressors, or antimotility drugs. The calibration and discrimination of the model were very good to excellent (C index, 0.88; Brier score, 0.009).
The CDI risk prediction model performed well. Further study is needed to determine whether it could be used in a clinical setting to prevent CDI-associated outcomes and reduce costs.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 04/2011; 32(4):360-6. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To compare incidence rates of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) during a 6-year period among 5 geographically diverse academic medical centers across the United States by use of recommended standardized surveillance definitions of CDI that incorporate recent information on healthcare facility (HCF) exposure.
Data on C. difficile toxin assay results and dates of hospital admission and discharge were collected from electronic databases. Chart review was performed for patients with a positive C. difficile toxin assay result who were identified within 48 hours after hospital admission to determine whether they had any HCF exposure during the 90 days prior to their hospital admission. CDI cases, defined as any inpatient with a stool toxin assay positive for C. difficile, were categorized into 5 surveillance definitions based on recent HCF exposure. Annual CDI rates were calculated and evaluated by use of the chi(2) test for trend and the chi(2) summary test.
During the study period, there were significant increases in the overall incidence rates of HCF-onset, HCF-associated CDI (from 7.0 to 8.5 cases per 10,000 patient-days; P < .001); community-onset, HCF-associated CDI attributed to a study hospital (from 1.1 to 1.3 cases per 10,000 patient-days; P = .003); and community-onset, HCF-associated CDI not attributed to a study hospital (from 0.8 to 1.5 cases per 1,000 admissions overall; P < .001). For each surveillance definition of CDI, there were significant differences in the total incidence rate between HCFs.
The increasing incidence rates of CDI over time and across healthcare institutions and the correlation of CDI incidence in different surveillance categories suggest that CDI may be a regional problem and not isolated to a single HCF within a community.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 10/2010; 31(10):1030-7. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We used administrative and clinical data from a case-control study to calculate the costs of surgical site infection and endometritis after cesarean delivery. Attributable costs determined by multivariate generalized least-squares regression models with the 2 data sets were similar, suggesting that administrative data can be used to calculate infection costs.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 08/2010; 31(8):872-5. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Accurate data on costs attributable to hospital-acquired infections are needed to determine their economic impact and the cost-benefit of potential preventive strategies.
To determine the attributable costs of surgical site infection (SSI) and endometritis (EMM) after cesarean section by means of 2 different methods.
Retrospective cohort.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,250-bed academic tertiary care hospital.
There were 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section from July 1999 through June 2001.
Attributable costs of SSI and EMM were determined by generalized least squares (GLS) and propensity score matched-pairs by means of administrative claims data to define underlying comorbidities and procedures. For the matched-pairs analyses, uninfected control patients were matched to patients with SSI or with EMM on the basis of their propensity to develop infection, and the median difference in costs was calculated.
The attributable total hospital cost of SSI calculated by GLS was $3,529 and by propensity score matched-pairs was $2,852. The attributable total hospital cost of EMM calculated by GLS was $3,956 and by propensity score matched-pairs was $3,842. The majority of excess costs were associated with room and board and pharmacy costs.
The costs of SSI and EMM were lower than SSI costs reported after more extensive operations. The attributable costs of EMM calculated by the 2 methods were very similar, whereas the costs of SSI calculated by propensity score matched-pairs were lower than the costs calculated by GLS. The difference in costs determined by the 2 methods needs to be considered by investigators who are performing cost analyses of hospital-acquired infections.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 03/2010; 31(3):276-82. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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Erik R Dubberke, Anne M Butler,
Deborah S Yokoe,
Jeanmarie Mayer,
Bala Hota,
Julie E Mangino,
Yosef M Khan,
Kyle J Popovich,
Kurt B Stevenson,
L Clifford McDonald,
Margaret A Olsen,
Victoria J Fraser
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ABSTRACT: To compare incidence of hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) measured by the use of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) discharge diagnosis codes with rates measured by the use of electronically available C. difficile toxin assay results.
Cases of hospital-onset CDI were identified at 5 US hospitals during the period from July 2000 through June 2006 with the use of 2 surveillance definitions: positive toxin assay results (gold standard) and secondary ICD-9-CM discharge diagnosis codes for CDI. The chi(2) test was used to compare incidence, linear regression models were used to analyze trends, and the test of equality was used to compare slopes.
Of 8,670 cases of hospital-onset CDI, 38% were identified by the use of both toxin assay results and the ICD-9-CM code, 16% by the use of toxin assay results alone, and 45% by the use of the ICD-9-CM code alone. Nearly half (47%) of cases of CDI identified by the use of a secondary diagnosis code alone were community-onset CDI according to the results of the toxin assay. The rate of hospital-onset CDI found by use of ICD-9-CM codes was significantly higher than the rate found by use of toxin assay results overall (P < .001), as well as individually at 3 of the 5 hospitals (P < .001 for all). The agreement between toxin assay results and the presence of a secondary ICD-9-CM diagnosis code for CDI was moderate, with an overall kappa value of 0.509 and hospital-specific kappa values of 0.489-0.570. Overall, the annual increase in CDI incidence was significantly greater for rates determined by the use of ICD-9-CM codes than for rates determined by the use of toxin assay results (P = .006).
Although the ICD-9-CM code for CDI seems to be adequate for measuring the overall CDI burden, use of the ICD-9-CM discharge diagnosis code for CDI, without present-on-admission code assignment, is not an acceptable surrogate for surveillance for hospital-onset CDI.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 03/2010; 31(3):262-8. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To determine independent risk factors for endometritis after low transverse cesarean delivery.
We performed a retrospective case-control study during the period from July 1999 through June 2001 in a large tertiary care academic hospital. Endometritis was defined as fever beginning more than 24 hours or continuing for at least 24 hours after delivery plus fundal tenderness in the absence of other causes for fever. Independent risk factors for endometritis were determined by means of multivariable logistic regression. A fractional polynomial method was used to examine risk of endometritis associated with the continuous variable, duration of rupture of membranes.
Endometritis was identified in 124 (7.7%) of 1,605 women within 30 days after low transverse cesarean delivery. Independent risk factors for endometritis included younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.93 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 0.90-0.97]) and anemia or perioperative blood transfusion (OR, 2.18 [CI, 1.30-3.68]). Risk of endometritis was marginally associated with a proxy for low socioeconomic status, lack of private health insurance (OR, 1.72 [CI, 0.99-3.00]); with amniotomy (OR, 1.69 [CI, 0.97-2.95]); and with longer duration of rupture of membranes.
Risk of endometritis was independently associated with younger age and anemia and was marginally associated with lack of private health insurance and amniotomy. The odds of endometritis increased approximately 1.7-fold within 1 hour after rupture of membranes, but increased duration of rupture was only marginally associated with increased risk. Knowledge of these risk factors can guide selective use of prophylactic antibiotics during labor and heighten awareness of the risk in subgroups at highest risk of infection.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 01/2010; 31(1):69-77. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bloodstream infections (BSIs) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality.
To determine the hospital costs and length of stay attributable to VRE BSI and vancomycin-sensitive Enterococcus (VSE) BSI and the independent effect of vancomycin resistance on hospital costs.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 21,154 nonsurgical patients admitted to an academic medical center during the period from 2002 through 2003. Using administrative data, attributable hospital costs (adjusted for inflation to 2007 US dollars) and length of stay were estimated with multivariate generalized least-squares (GLS) models and propensity score-matched pairs.
The cohort included 94 patients with VRE BSI and 182 patients with VSE BSI. After adjustment for demographics, comorbidities, procedures, nonenterococcal BSI, and early mortality, the costs attributable to VRE BSI were $4,479 (95% confidence interval [CI], $3,500-$5,732) in the standard GLS model and $4,036 (95% CI, $3,170-$5,140) in the propensity score-weighted GLS model, and the costs attributable to VSE BSI were $2,250 (95% CI, $1,758-$2,880) in the standard GLS model and $2,023 (95% CI, $1,588-$2,575) in the propensity score-weighted GLS model. The median values of the difference in costs between matched pairs were $9,949 (95% CI, $1,579-$24,693) for VRE BSI and $5,282 (95% CI, $2,042-$8,043) for VSE BSI. The costs attributable to vancomycin resistance were $1,713 (95% CI, $1,338-$2,192) in the standard GLS model and $1,546 (95% CI, $1,214-$1,968) in the propensity score-weighted GLS model. Depending on the statistical method used, attributable length of stay estimates ranged from 2.2 to 3.5 days for patients with VRE BSI and from 1.1 to 2.2 days for patients with VSE BSI.
VRE BSI and VSE BSI were independently associated with increased hospital costs and increased length of stay. Vancomycin resistance was associated with increased costs.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 01/2010; 31(1):28-35. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after hysterectomy ranges widely from 2% to 21%. A specific risk stratification index could help to predict more accurately the risk of incisional SSI following abdominal hysterectomy and would help determine the reasons for the wide range of reported SSI rates in individual studies. To increase our understanding of the risk factors needed to build a specific risk stratification index, we performed a retrospective multihospital analysis of risk factors for SSI after abdominal hysterectomy.
Retrospective case-control study of 545 abdominal and 275 vaginal hysterectomies from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2005, at 4 institutions. SSIs were defined by using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance criteria. Independent risk factors for abdominal hysterectomy were identified by using logistic regression.
There were 13 deep incisional, 53 superficial incisional, and 18 organ-space SSIs after abdominal hysterectomy and 14 organ-space SSIs after vaginal hysterectomy. Because risk factors for organ-space SSI were different according to univariate analysis, we focused further analyses on incisional SSI after abdominal hysterectomy. The maximum serum glucose level within 5 days after operation was highest in patients with deep incisional SSI, lower in patients with superficial incisional SSI, and lowest in uninfected patients (median, 189, 156, and 141 mg/dL, respectively; P = .005). Independent risk factors for incisional SSI included blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR], 2.4) and morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI], >35; OR, 5.7). Duration of operation greater than the 75th percentile (OR, 1.7), obesity (BMI, 30-35; OR, 3.0), and lack of private health insurance (OR, 1.7) were marginally associated with increased odds of SSI.
Incisional SSI after abdominal hysterectomy was associated with increased BMI and blood transfusion. Longer duration of operation and lack of private health insurance were marginally associated with SSI.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 11/2009; 30(11):1077-83. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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Erik R Dubberke, Anne M Butler,
Bala Hota,
Yosef M Khan,
Julie E Mangino,
Jeanmarie Mayer,
Kyle J Popovich,
Kurt B Stevenson,
Deborah S Yokoe,
L Clifford McDonald,
John Jernigan,
Victoria J Fraser
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ABSTRACT: To evaluate the impact of cases of community-onset, healthcare facility (HCF)-associated Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) on the incidence and outbreak detection of CDI.
A retrospective multicenter cohort study.
Five university-affiliated, acute care HCFs in the United States.
We collected data (including results of C. difficile toxin assays of stool samples) on all of the adult patients admitted to the 5 hospitals during the period from July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2006. CDI cases were classified as HCF-onset if they were diagnosed more than 48 hours after admission or as community-onset, HCF-associated if they were diagnosed within 48 hours after admission and if the patient had recently been discharged from the HCF. Four surveillance definitions were compared: cases of HCF-onset CDI only (hereafter referred to as HCF-onset CDI) and cases of HCF-onset and community-onset, HCF-associated CDI diagnosed within 30, 60, and 90 days after the last discharge from the study hospital (hereafter referred to as 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day CDI, respectively). Monthly CDI rates were compared. Control charts were used to identify potential CDI outbreaks.
The rate of 30-day CDI was significantly higher than the rate of HCF-onset CDI at 2 HCFs (P < .01). The rates of 30-day CDI were not statistically significantly different from the rates of 60-day or 90-day CDI at any HCF. The correlations between each HCF's monthly rates of HCF-onset CDI and 30-day CDI were almost perfect (rho range, 0.94-0.99; P < .001). Overall, 12 time points had a CDI rate that was more than 3 standard deviations above the mean, including 11 time points identified using the definition for HCF-onset CDI and 9 time points identified using the definition for 30-day CDI, with discordant results at 4 time points ((kappa = 0.794; P < .001).
Tracking cases of both community-onset and HCF-onset, HCF-associated CDI captures significantly more CDI cases, but surveillance of HCF-onset, HCF-associated CDI alone is sufficient to detect an outbreak.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 06/2009; 30(6):518-25. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Little is known concerning the impact of HIV status disclosure on quality of life, leaving clinicians and families to rely on research of children with other terminal illnesses.
The purpose of this work was to examine the impact of HIV disclosure on pediatric quality of life and to describe the distribution of age at disclosure in a perinatally infected pediatric population. METHODS. A longitudinal analysis was conducted of perinatally HIV-infected youth >/=5 years of age enrolled in a prospective cohort study, Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group 219C, with >/=1 study visit before and after HIV disclosure. Age-specific quality-of-life instruments were completed by primary caregivers at routine study visits. The distribution of age at disclosure was summarized. Six quality-of-life domains were assessed, including general health perception, symptom distress, psychological status, health care utilization, physical functioning, and social/role functioning. For each domain, mixed-effects models were fit to estimate the effect of disclosure on quality of life.
A total of 395 children with 2423 study visits were analyzed (1317 predisclosure visits and 1106 postdisclosure visits). The median age at disclosure was estimated to be 11 years. Older age at disclosure was associated with earlier year of birth. Mean domain scores were not significantly different at the last undisclosed visit compared with the first disclosed visit, with the exception of general health perception. When all of the visits were considered, 5 of 6 mean domain scores were lower after disclosure, although the differences were not significant. In mixed-effects models, disclosure did not significantly impact quality of life for any domain.
Age at disclosure decreased significantly over time. There were no statistically significant differences between predisclosure and postdisclosure quality of life; therefore, disclosure should be encouraged at an appropriate time.
PEDIATRICS 04/2009; 123(3):935-43. · 4.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To develop and evaluate computer algorithms with high negative predictive values that augment traditional surveillance for central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,250-bed tertiary care academic hospital in Saint Louis, Missouri.
We evaluated all adult patients in intensive care units who had blood samples collected during the period from July 1, 2005, to June 30, 2006, that were positive for a recognized pathogen on culture. Each isolate recovered from culture was evaluated using the definitions for nosocomial CLABSI provided by the National Healthcare Safety Network of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using manual surveillance by infection prevention specialists as the gold standard, we assessed the ability of various combinations of dichotomous rules to determine whether an isolate was associated with a CLABSI. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were calculated.
Infection prevention specialists identified 67 cases of CLABSI associated with 771 isolates recovered from blood samples. The algorithms excluded approximately 40%-62% of the isolates from consideration as possible causes of CLABSI. The simplest algorithm, with 2 dichotomous rules (ie, the collection of blood samples more than 48 hours after admission and the presence of a central venous catheter within 48 hours before collection of blood samples), had the highest negative predictive value (99.4%) and the lowest specificity (44.2%) for CLABSI. Augmentation of this algorithm with rules for common skin contaminants confirmed by another positive blood culture result yielded in a negative predictive value of 99.2% and a specificity of 68.0%.
An automated approach to surveillance for CLABSI that is characterized by a high negative predictive value can accurately identify and exclude positive culture results not representing CLABSI from further manual surveillance.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 09/2008; 29(9):842-6. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Independent risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after cesarean section have not been well documented, despite the large number of cesarean sections performed and the relatively common occurrence of SSI.
To determine independent risk factors for SSI after low transverse cesarean section.
Retrospective case-control study.
Barnes-Jewish Hospital, a 1,250-bed tertiary care hospital.
A total of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section during the period from July 1999 to June 2001.
Using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes for SSI or wound complication and/or data on antibiotic use during the surgical hospitalization or at readmission to the hospital or emergency department, we identified potential cases of SSI in a cohort of patients who underwent a low transverse cesarean section. Cases of SSI were verified by chart review using the definitions from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System. Control patients without SSI or endomyometritis were randomly selected from the population of patients who underwent cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI were determined by logistic regression.
SSIs were identified in 81 (5.0%) of 1,605 women who underwent low transverse cesarean section. Independent risk factors for SSI included development of subcutaneous hematoma after the procedure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 11.6 [95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1-33.2]), operation performed by the university teaching service (aOR, 2.7 [95% CI, 1.4-5.2]), and a higher body mass index at admission (aOR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.1]). Cephalosporin therapy before or after the operation was associated with a significantly lower risk of SSI (aOR, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1-0.5]). Use of staples for skin closure was associated with a marginally increased risk of SSI.
These independent risk factors should be incorporated into approaches for the prevention and surveillance of SSI after surgery.
Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 07/2008; 29(6):477-84; discussion 485-6. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Data are limited on the attributable outcomes of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), particularly in CDAD-endemic settings. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of nonsurgical inpatients admitted for >/=48 hours in 2003 (N = 18,050). The adjusted hazard ratios for readmission (hazard ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87-2.55) and deaths within 180 days (hazard ratio 1.23, 95% CI 1.03-1.46) were significantly different among CDAD case-patients and noncase patients. In a propensity score matched-pairs analysis that used a nested subset of the cohort (N = 706), attributable length of stay attributable to CDAD was 2.8 days, attributable readmission at 180 days was 19.3%, and attributable death at 180 days was 5.7%. CDAD patients were significantly more likely than controls to be discharged to a long-term-care facility or outside hospital. Even in a nonoutbreak setting, CDAD had a statistically significant negative impact on patient illness and death, and the impact of CDAD persisted beyond hospital discharge.
Emerging Infectious Diseases 07/2008; 14(7):1031-8. · 6.79 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The frequency of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders and hospice enrollment in children/adolescents living with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and followed in Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) Study 219C was examined, and evaluated for any association with racial disparities or enhanced quality of life (QOL), particularly psychological adjustment.
A cross-sectional analysis of children with AIDS enrolled in this prospective multicenter observational study between 2000 and 2005 was conducted to evaluate the incidence of DNR/hospice overall and by calendar time. Linear regression models were used to compare caregivers' reported QOL scores within 6 domains between those with and without DNR/hospice care, adjusting for confounders.
Seven hundred twenty-six (726) children with AIDS had a mean age of 12.9 years (standard deviation [SD]=4.5), 51% were male, 60% black, 25% Hispanic. Twenty-one (2.9%) had either a DNR order (n=16), hospice enrollment (n=7), or both (n=2). Of 41 children who died, 80% had no DNR/hospice care. Increased odds of DNR/hospice were observed for those with CD4% less than 15%, no current antiretroviral use, and prior hospitalization. No differences by race were detected. Adjusted mean QOL scores were significantly lower for those with DNR/hospice enrollment than those without across all domains except for psychological status and health care utilization. Poorer psychological status correlated with higher symptom distress, but not with DNR/hospice enrollment after adjusting for symptoms.
Children who died of AIDS rarely had DNR/hospice enrollment. National guidelines recommend that quality palliative care be integrated routinely with HIV care. Further research is needed to explore the barriers to palliative care and advance care planning in this population.
Journal of Palliative Medicine 05/2008; 11(3):459-69. · 1.85 Impact Factor
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Victoria Fraser, MD.
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ICTS Faculty Publications.
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Erik R Dubberke, Anne M Butler,
Deborah S Yokoe,
Jeanmarie Mayer,
Baba Hota,
Julie E Mangino,
Yosef M Khan,
Kyle J Popovich,
Kurt B Stevenson,
Clifford McDonald,
Margaret A Olsen,
Victoria J Fraser
Infectious Diseases Faculty Publications.
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Erik R Dubberke, Anne M Butler,
Deborah S Yokoe,
Jeanmarie Mayer,
Bala Hota,
Julie E Mangino,
Yosef M Khan,
Kyle J Popovich,
Kurt B Stevenson,
Clifford McDonald,
Margaret A Olsen,
Victoria J Fraser
Victoria Fraser, MD.
