Browsing by Author "Sinha, Shilpee"

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    Advance Care Planning in A Preoperative Clinic: A Retrospective Chart Review
    (Springer, 2019-01-02) Sinha, Shilpee; Gruber, Rachel N.; Cottingham, Ann H.; Nation, Barb; Lane, Kathleen A.; Bo, Na; Torke, Alexia; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Patients seen in preoperative testing clinics are at an increased risk of surgical complications and most are incapacitated for during anesthesia. Advance directives (ADs) are important to guide care in the event of emergencies when patients are unable to speak for themselves. The goal of this study was to determine the frequency with which ADs are completed for patients seen in preoperative clinics prior to elective surgery and identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with having ADs available in the electronic medical record (EMR).
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    Code status orders in hospitalized patients with COVID-19
    (Elsevier, 2023-08-23) Comer, Amber R.; Fettig, Lyle; Bartlett, Stephanie; Sinha, Shilpee; D’Cruz, Lynn; Odgers, Aubrey; Waite, Carly; Slaven, James E.; White, Ryan; Schmidt, Amanda; Petras, Laura; Torke, Alexia M.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: The COVID-19 pandemic created complex challenges regarding the timing and appropriateness of do-not-attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation (DNACPR) and/or Do Not Intubate (DNI) code status orders. This paper sought to determine differences in utilization of DNACPR and/or DNI orders during different time periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, including prevalence, predictors, timing, and outcomes associated with having a documented DNACPR and/or DNI order in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Methods: A cohort study of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at two hospitals located in the Midwest. DNACPR code status orders including, DNI orders, demographics, labs, COVID-19 treatments, clinical interventions during hospitalization, and outcome measures including mortality, discharge disposition, and hospice utilization were collected. Patients were divided into two time periods (early and late) by timing of hospitalization during the first wave of the pandemic (March-October 2020). Results: Among 1375 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, 19% (n = 258) of all patients had a documented DNACPR and/or DNI order. In multivariable analysis, age (older) p =< 0.01, OR 1.12 and hospitalization early in the pandemic p = 0.01, OR 2.08, were associated with having a DNACPR order. Median day from DNACPR order to death varied between cohorts p => 0.01 (early cohort 5 days versus late cohort 2 days). In-hospital mortality did not differ between cohorts among patients with DNACPR orders, p = 0.80. Conclusions: There was a higher prevalence of DNACPR and/or DNI orders and these orders were written earlier in the hospital course for patients hospitalized early in the pandemic versus later despite similarities in clinical characteristics and medical interventions. Changes in clinical care between cohorts may be due to fear of resource shortages and changes in knowledge about COVID-19.
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    Crucial Conversations for High-Risk Populations before Surgery: Advance Care Planning in a Preoperative Setting
    (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2021-10-06) Patel, Roma; Torke, Alexia; Nation, Barb; Cottingham, Ann; Hur, Jennifer; Gruber, Rachel; Sinha, Shilpee; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: High-risk patients undergoing elective surgery are at risk for perioperative complications, including readmissions and death. Advance care planning (ACP) may allow for preparation for such events. Objectives: (1) To assess the completion rate of advance directives (ADs) and their association with one year readmissions and mortality (2) to examine clinical events for decedents. Design: This is an observational cohort study conducted through chart review. Setting/Subjects: Subjects were 400 patients undergoing preoperative evaluation for elective surgery at two hospitals in the United States. Measurements: The prevalence of ADs at the time of surgery and at one year, readmissions, and mortality at one year were determined. Results: Three-hundred ninety patients were included. In total, 102 (26.4%) patients were readmitted, yet did not complete an AD. Seventeen (4.4%) patients filed an AD during follow-up. Nineteen patients died and mortality rate was 4.9%. There was a significant association between completing an AD before death. Of the decedents, seven (37%) underwent resuscitation, but only four had ADs. Conclusions: Many high-risk surgical patients would benefit from ADs before clinical decline. Preoperative clinics present a missed opportunity to ensure ACP occurs before complications arise.
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    Development of a Protocol for Successful Palliative Care Consultation in Population of Patients Receiving Mechanical Circulatory Support
    (Elsevier, 2017) Sinha, Shilpee; Belcher, Carey; Torke, Alexia; Howard, Joycelyn; Caccamo, Marco; Slaven, James A.; Gradus-Pizlo, Irmina; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background In 2014, Joint Commission recommended palliative care (PC) engagement in ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation as destination therapy. Limited information is available on established PC protocols in the mechanical circulatory support (MCS) population. Measures The goals of our PC consultation were to document advance care planning (ACP) discussions and designate a surrogate decision maker (SDM) prior to MCS implantation. A retrospective analysis compared the frequency of PC consults, ACP discussion, and SDM before and after protocol implementation. Intervention A protocol was developed to conduct interdisciplinary PC consultations for the MCS population. Outcomes The percentage of PC consults placed prior to MCS implantation increased from 11 (17.2%) pre-protocol to 56 (96.6%) post-protocol (p<0.0001), and documented SDM increased from 26 (40.6%) pre-protocol to 57 (98.3%) post protocol (p<0.0001). Conclusion Close PC/cardiology collaboration can substantially improve ACP discussions and SDM documentation in the MCS population. This multidisciplinary protocol facilitates successful PC consultations.