Browsing by Author "Carey, Timothy S"

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    Complications, revision fusions, readmissions, and utilization over a 1-year period after bone morphogenetic protein use during primary cervical spine fusions.
    (The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society, 2014-09) Goode, Adam P; Richardson, William J; Schectman, Robin M; Carey, Timothy S

    Background context

    Nationwide estimates examining bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) use with cervical spine fusions have been limited to perioperative outcomes.

    Purpose

    To determine the 1-year risk of complications, cervical revision fusions, hospital readmissions, and health care services utilization.

    Study design

    A retrospective cohort study from 2002 to 2009 using a nationwide claims database.

    Patient sample

    There were 61,937 primary cervical spine fusions of which 1,677 received BMP.

    Outcome measures

    Complications, revision fusions, 30-day hospital readmission, and health care utilization.

    Methods

    Data for these analyses come from the Thomson Reuters MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database 2010. Patients were aged 18 to 64 years, receiving and not receiving BMP with a primary (C2-C7) cervical spine fusion. All outcomes were defined by International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition Clinical Modification and Current Procedural and Terminology, 4th edition codes. Complications were analyzed as any complication and stratified by nervous system, wound, and dysphagia or hoarseness. Cervical revision fusions were determined in the 1-year follow-up. Hospital readmission discharge records defined 30-day hospital readmission and reason for the readmission. The utilization of at least one health care service of cervical spine imaging, epidural usage or rehabilitation service was examined. Poisson regression models were used to estimate the relative risk and 95% confidence interval (CI). Linear regression was used to determine the time to hospital readmission. Results were stratified by anterior or posterior and circumferential approaches.

    Results

    Patients receiving BMP were 29% more likely to have a complication (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=1.29 [95% CI, 1.14-1.46]) and a nervous system complication (aRR=1.42 [95% CI, 1.10-1.83]). Cervical revision fusions were more likely among patients receiving BMP (aRR=1.69 [95% CI, 1.35-2.13]). The risk of 30-day readmission was greater with BMP use (aRR=1.37 [95% CI, 1.07-1.73]) and readmission occurred 27.4% sooner on an average. Patients receiving BMP were more likely to receive computed tomography scans (aRR=1.34 [95% CI, 1.06-1.70]) and epidurals with anterior surgical approaches (aRR=1.29 [95% CI, 1.00-1.65]).

    Conclusions

    These findings question both the safety and effectiveness of off-label BMP use in primary cervical spine fusions.
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    Development and validation of an electronic health records-based opioid use disorder algorithm by expert clinical adjudication among patients with prescribed opioids.
    (Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety, 2023-05) Ranapurwala, Shabbar I; Alam, Ishrat Z; Pence, Brian W; Carey, Timothy S; Christensen, Sean; Clark, Marshall; Chelminski, Paul R; Wu, Li-Tzy; Greenblatt, Lawrence H; Korte, Jeffrey E; Wolfson, Mark; Douglas, Heather E; Bowlby, Lynn A; Capata, Michael; Marshall, Stephen W

    Background

    In the US, over 200 lives are lost from opioid overdoses each day. Accurate and prompt diagnosis of opioid use disorders (OUD) may help prevent overdose deaths. However, international classification of disease (ICD) codes for OUD are known to underestimate prevalence, and their specificity and sensitivity are unknown. We developed and validated algorithms to identify OUD in electronic health records (EHR) and examined the validity of OUD ICD codes.

    Methods

    Through four iterations, we developed EHR-based OUD identification algorithms among patients who were prescribed opioids from 2014 to 2017. The algorithms and OUD ICD codes were validated against 169 independent "gold standard" EHR chart reviews conducted by an expert adjudication panel across four healthcare systems. After using 2014-2020 EHR for validating iteration 1, the experts were advised to use 2014-2017 EHR thereafter.

    Results

    Of the 169 EHR charts, 81 (48%) were reviewed by more than one expert and exhibited 85% expert agreement. The experts identified 54 OUD cases. The experts endorsed all 11 OUD criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5, including craving (72%), tolerance (65%), withdrawal (56%), and recurrent use in physically hazardous conditions (50%). The OUD ICD codes had 10% sensitivity and 99% specificity, underscoring large underestimation. In comparison our algorithm identified OUD with 23% sensitivity and 98% specificity.

    Conclusions and relevance

    This is the first study to estimate the validity of OUD ICD codes and develop validated EHR-based OUD identification algorithms. This work will inform future research on early intervention and prevention of OUD.
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    Implementation of mandatory opioid prescribing limits in North Carolina: healthcare administrator and prescriber perspectives.
    (BMC health services research, 2021-11-03) Blackburn, Natalie A; Joniak-Grant, Elizabeth; Nocera, Maryalice; Dorris, Samantha Wooten; Dasgupta, Nabarun; Chelminski, Paul R; Carey, Timothy S; Wu, Li-Tzy; Edwards, David A; Marshall, Stephen W; Ranapurwala, Shabbar I

    Background

    Recent increases in state laws to reduce opioid prescribing have demonstrated a need to understand how they are interpreted and implemented in healthcare systems. The purpose of this study was to explore the systems, strategies, and resources that hospital administrators and prescribers used to implement the 2017 North Carolina Strengthen Opioid Prevention (STOP) Act opioid prescribing limits, which limited initial prescriptions to a five (for acute) or seven (for post-surgical) days' supply.

    Methods

    We interviewed 14 hospital administrators and 38 prescribers with degrees in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, business administration and public health working across North Carolina. Interview guides, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, explored barriers and facilitators to implementation. Interview topics included communication, resources, and hospital system support. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, then analyzed using flexible coding, integrating inductive and deductive coding, to inform analytic code development and identify themes.

    Results

    We identified three main themes around implementation of STOP act mandated prescribing limits: organizational communication, prescriber education, and changes in the electronic medical record (EMR) systems. Administrators reflected on implementation in the context of raising awareness and providing reminders to facilitate changes in prescriber behavior, operationalized through email and in-person communications as well as dedicated resources to EMR changes. Prescribers noted administrative communications about prescribing limits often focused on legality, suggesting a directive of the organization's policy rather than a passive reminder. Prescribers expressed a desire for more spaces to have their questions answered and resources for patient communications. While hospital administrators viewed compliance with the law as a priority, prescribers reflected on concerns for adequately managing their patients' pain and limited time for clinical care.

    Conclusions

    Hospital administrators and prescribers approached implementation of the STOP act prescribing limits with different mindsets. While administrators were focused on policy compliance, prescribers were focused on their patients' needs. Strategies to implement the mandate then had to balance patient needs with policy compliance. As states continue to legislate to prevent opioid overdose deaths, understanding how laws are implemented by healthcare systems and prescribers will improve their effectiveness through tailoring and maximizing available resources.