Pulse oximetry and supplemental oxygen use in nationwide Veterans Health Administration hospitals, 2013–2017: a Veterans Affairs Patient Database validation study

ObjectiveExtraction and standardisation of pulse oximetry and supplemental oxygen data from electronic health records has the potential to improve risk-adjustment, quality assessment and prognostication. We develop an approach to standardisation and report on its use for benchmarking purposes.Materials and methodsUsing electronic health record data from the nationwide Veteran’s Affairs healthcare system (2013–2017), we extracted, standardised and validated pulse oximetry and supplemental oxygen data for 2 765 446 hospitalisations in the Veteran’s Affairs Patient Database (VAPD) cohort study. We assessed face, concurrent and predictive validities using the following approaches, respectively: (1) evaluating the stability of patients’ pulse oximetry values during a 24-hour period, (2) testing for greater amounts of supplemental oxygen use in patients likely to need oxygen therapy and (3) examining the association between supplemental oxygen and subsequent mortality.ResultsWe found that 2 700 922 (98%) hospitalisations had at least one pulse oximetry reading, and 864 605 (31%) hospitalisations received oxygen therapy. Patients monitored by pulse oximetry had a reading on average every 6 hours (median 4; IQR 3–7). Patients on supplemental oxygen were older, white and male compared with patients not receiving oxygen therapy (p<0.001) and were more likely to have diagnoses of heart failure and chronic pulmonary diseases (p<0.001). The amount of supplemental oxygen for patients with at least three consecutive values recorded during a 24-hour period fluctuated by median 2 L/min (IQR: 2–3), and 81% of such triplets showed the same level of oxygen receipt.ConclusionOur approach to standardising pulse oximetry and supplemental oxygen data shows face, concurrent and predictive validities as the following: supplemental oxygen clusters in the range consistent with hospital wall-dispensed oxygen supplies (face validity); there are greater amounts of supplemental oxygen for certain clinical conditions (concurrent validity) and there is an association of supplemental oxygen with in-hospital and postdischarge mortality (predictive validity).

VA-Wide, Multicenter Verification Study of the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 Assay

Early in the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 pandemic, there was a progressive increase in diagnostic demands that developed within a relatively short period of time. On February 4, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services issued the Emergency Use Authorization for in vitro diagnostics assays for the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 virus. Subsequently, multiple assays were approved under the Emergency Use Authorization, including the Cepheid Xpert SARS-CoV-2 assay. Presented here is a description of the nationally coordinated verification study of the Cepheid assay that was performed within the Veteran’s Affairs Health System. This coordinated study helped to expedite the verification process for a majority of the Veteran’s Affairs system labs, preserved precious system resources, and highlighted the power of a national medical system in response to an emergency.

Abstract 17319: Management of Advanced Heart Failure Patients With the Combined Use of CardioMEMS™ and Telehealth: A Single Center Experience in a Veteran’s Affairs Population

Background: Due to the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 pandemic many clinics began to utilize virtual visits in lieu of traditional office visits. It is unclear what effect this will have on outcomes and admission rates for heart failure (HF). We describe our approach and outcomes in managing HF in a Veteran’s Affairs population with previously implanted CardioMEMS™ during this time. Methods: Starting February 15 th 2020, virtual visits were utilized in patients with CardioMEMS™ during which their symptoms were discussed and medications adjusted. Patients also received weekly phone calls to ensure that they had medications and to adjust diuretics based on pulmonary artery (PA) pressure readings. They received text message reminders if a reading was missed. A nurse was also tasked to follow up on lab results. Data was collected by reviewing the charts of CardioMEMS™ patients followed in our clinic by cardiology fellows and divided into pre pandemic period of July 1 st 2018 to February 14 th 2020 and a post pandemic period of February 15 th 2020 to May 15 th 2020. Data collected included baseline demographics, number of in-office and virtual visits, hospital admissions for HF, PA pressures, and compliance with CardioMEMS™ readings. Phone calls to adjust diuretics or review labs were not counted as virtual visits. Results: In the pre-pandemic period we identified 49 patients with prior CardioMEMS™; baseline demographics are shown in Table 1A. Table 1B shows our results comparing the pre pandemic and post pandemic periods when our telemedicine program was started. Although in the post pandemic period our encounter rate was lower, our virtual program was able to maintain stable PA pressures and a lower overall hospital admission rate. Compliance with CardioMEMS™ also increased though this was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Both CardioMEMS™ and virtual visits may be used effectively to maintain low PA pressures and reduce hospital admissions for in patients with chronic HF.

146. Outpatient Antibiotic Stewardship in the COVID Era: Trends in antibiotic prescription in a statewide Veteran’s Affairs health care system

Background Outpatient antibiotic stewardship is an emerging area of interest. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unique restrictions such as social distancing and an increase in telemedicine visits. The effects on outpatient antimicrobial prescription needs further exploration. Methods We investigated the outpatient antimicrobial prescription trend pre (January 5 to March 14 2020) and post (March 15 to May 31 2020) COVID-19 restrictions at the Veteran’s Affairs Maryland Health Care System. We compared prescribing characteristics pre and post restrictions using Chi-squared and Mann Whitney U tests. Segmented regression analysis was used to compare antimicrobial prescriptions per 1000 encounters, with a control group from the same weeks in 2019. Results There were 3,881 total antibiotics prescribed for 382501 encounters during the 16 weeks in 2020. Post-restrictions, there was a significant decrease in encounters and antibiotics per week with mean difference of -15241 and -147, for encounters and antibiotics, respectively. The mean antibiotics per 1000 encounters was slightly higher in the post-restriction group, but without statistical significance by this analysis (10.1 vs 10.4, p-value 0.48). Other notable changes post-prescription described in the Table was a decrease in macrolide and an increase in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; urgent care prescriptions decreased, while primary care prescription increased; and refill prescriptions were less common, while mail prescriptions were more common. On regression analysis, we found a significant level change of +2.7 antibiotics per 1000 encounters (p=0.02) immediately after restrictions were placed, without any significant change in trend (Figure). This translates to an additional 243 antibiotics prescribed during the post-restriction weeks. This was in comparison to data from 2019 which had no significant level or trend change during the same weeks. Table 1. Characteristics of antibiotics prescribed and comparison between pre and post COVID-19 restrictions in 2020, with 2019 control. Figure 1. Segmented Regression of antibiotic prescription per 1000 encounters pre and post COVID-19 restrictions with 2019 as control group. Conclusion We found an immediate increase in antibiotics relative to encounters post COVID-19 restrictions though antibiotics and encounters were all generally decreased with azithromycin showing the most appreciable decrease. Further investigation is needed to understand these findings and the implications on the population. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Social media in ophthalmology: An analysis of use in the professional sphere

To characterize how ophthalmologists are using social media in their practice. A survey regarding ophthalmologists’ personal and professional use of social media was distributed online through a university alumni listserv. Data collection occurred over 4 weeks from January to February 2020. In total, 808 ophthalmologists opened the survey email, and 160 responded (19.8%). Of 160 respondents, 115 (71.9%) participated in social media for personal use. Professional use of social media was noted by 63 (39.4%) respondents. Age >40 years old correlated with less personal ( X2 = 5.06, p = 0.025) but not professional use ( p = 0.065). Private practice was associated with more use of social media professionally compared to those in an academic or Veteran’s Affairs hospital ( X2 = 6.58, p = 0.037). A majority of respondents (58.7%) were neutral regarding the effect of social media on their practice. The present survey showed that nearly 40% of respondents are involved in social media in a professional context. Private practice correlated with increased use of social media professionally, but providers were most commonly neutral regarding the impact of social media on their practice. This finding suggests further avenues of research including how providers using social media professionally are defining and assessing successful use.

TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED PSYCHOTHERAPY IMPROVES LIFE SATISFACTION AMONG OLDER ADULT VETERANS IN LONG-TERM CARE

To buffer the risk of declining life satisfaction among a Veteran cohort residing within a Veteran’s Affairs long term care facility, a new model of care called Individualized Non-Pharmacological Services Integrating Geriatric Health and Technology (INSIGHT) therapy was developed and evaluated. Consistent with the INSIGHT therapy model, traditional psychotherapy interventions including reminiscence, behavioral activation, and relaxation exercises were modified such that they could be delivered on a digital platform. A paired sample T-test was performed to identify the effects INSIGHT Therapy had on Veteran satisfaction with life. Findings indicated that Veteran life satisfaction ratings the month prior (M= 19.6522) to the initiation of INSIGHT intervention and the month following three months of INSIGHT intervention (M=22.4783) show that the satisfaction with life increased among residents (t(22)=-2.334, p=.028). Effect size = 0.489. These results suggest that INSIGHT therapy interventions help to contribute to an increase in life satisfaction among an older adult Veteran cohort residing within a Veteran’s Affairs long term care facility.