Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Improving Safety Of Direct Oral Anticoagulant (Doac) Dosing In Patients With Severe Chronic And End-Stage Renal Disease, Naman Upadhyay, Md, R. Mohammed, Md, Kirpal Kochar, Md, Max Ruge, Md, Sean Dikdan, Md, Yair Lev, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The significance of this study is to determine the degree of inconsistency in dosing practice of DOACs at a quaternary care institution such as Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

1. What is the primary indication for anticoagulation in out population?
2. What percentage is dosed correctly?
3. Are patients primarily over or underdosed?

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Nursing-Driven Versus Provider-Driven Heparin Protocol, Naman Upadhyay, Md, Joseph Soucy, Md, Steven Manobianco, Md, Samantha Sokoloff, Md, Sairamya Bodempudi, Md, Veda Pejaver, Md, Max Ruge, Md, Lynda Thomson, Pharmd, Lily Ackermann, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital patients who require heparin infusions are monitored either by nursing alone or the resident and the nurse together.

This project aims to determine:

1. Which protocol more efficiently shortens the time to therapeutic?
2. Are patients therapeutic longer under a certain protocol?
3. Do more patients under either protocol suffer from bleeding complications?

Tolerability Of Switching Cholinesterase Inhibitors To Memantine Monotherapy Versus Adding Memantine As Combination Therapy For All-Cause Neurodegenerative Disorders, Estevana Isaac, Md, Mijail Serruya, Md, Phd, Keith Scott, Phd, Michael R. Sperling, Md, Carol Lippa, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Background: Prior studies have focused on the clinical efficacy of combination therapy, Donepezil and Memantine, for patient’s diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the potential adverse drug reactions while described as mild can have serious sequelae in older adults who are already managing the side effects of polypharmacy.

Objective: This study looks to explore the tolerability of switching cholinesterase inhibitors to memantine monotherapy versus adding memantine as combination therapy for all-cause neurodegenerative disorders.

Methods: The study is a retrospective chart review that includes 175 patients aged 50 and older diagnosed with neurocognitive disorders (ICD 10 F00-F03.91 and ICD10 G30-G31.84) managed on …

Decreasing Post Insulin Hypoglycemia Incidence In End Stage Renal Disease (Esrd) Patients, Anna Lo, Md, Rachana Mundada, Md, Eric Shiffrin, Md, Jenny Wang, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

ESRD patients are vulnerable to hypoglycemia due to impaired insulin clearance, glucose metabolism changes, and effects of dialysis. Hypoglycemic events lead to serious and life-threatening complications.

Aims for Improvement:

To decrease the rate of hypoglycemic events amongst ESRD patients receiving insulin for hyperkalemia treatment.

Outpatient Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Prescription Rate For Heart Failure, Svenja Schneider, Md, Sairamya Bodempudi, Md, Joshua Bernard, Md, Ryan D'Angelo, Pharmd, Eitan Frankel, Md, Sara Collins, Md, Yair Lev, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement:

Improve MRA prescription rate in the outpatient cardiology clinic by 25%

Medication Safety In The Operating Room, Tzvi Grossman, Michael Glick, Alexandra Mulholland, Febina Padiyath, Fred Balzer

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The operating room is an area where a significant number of adverse drug events occur. Anesthesia providers administer potentially dangerous medications with very little oversight. We looked for a way to decrease the likelihood that a lethal dose of phenylephrine (10mg) would be given to a patient.

Perioperative Outcomes Of A Hydrocortisone Protocol After Endonasal Surgery For Pituitary Adenoma Resection, Tyler D. Alexander, Ms, Sarah Collopy, Michael Karsy, Md, Phd, Msc, Chandala Chitguppi, Md, Christopher J. Farrell, Md, James J. Evans, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Adrenal insufficiency after transsphenoidal resection of pituitary adenoma (PA) can be seen in 1-12% of cases. In PA, the use of postoperative cortisol measurement and supplementation remains controversial. It is unclear whether postoperative cortisol supplementation has a measurable effect on improving outcomes in patients with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS). The objective of the study was to evaluate a postoperative steroid treatment protocol in patients with PA undergoing ETS.

Perioperative Vte Chemical Prophylaxis At Jefferson Hospital: A Retrospective Review Of The Department Of Surgery, Walker Lyons, Md, Matthew Metzinger, Mba, Cphq, Tyler Grenda, Md, Craig Binney, Mba, Scott Cowan, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Only 26.1% of patients are receiving perioperative VTE chemical prophylaxis for elective cases in the Department of Surgery

Utilization Of A Palliative Care Trigger In The Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Gillian Love, Md, Shawn Mangan, Msn, Rnfa, Anp-Bc, Agacnp-Bc, Michelle Mckay, Phd, Rn, Ccrn, Joshua Marks, Md, Facs, John Liantonio, Md, Mba, Hmdc

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• Our project aims to expand palliative care availability in the SICU by implementing a consult trigger program.
• We also aim to learn about and measure compassion fatigue of providers within the SICU.

Reforming The Pre-Operative Clearance Process In The Covid-19 Era, Ritam Ghosh, Md, René Daniel, Md, Jesse Edwards, Md, Catriona Harrop, Md, Janeen Duckworth, Msn, Amy Della Penna, Msn

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The problem at hand was increasing cancellation rates, increasing frustration amongst physicians, and lack of communication which guided our interventions

Some of the interventions used to improve the process are:

• PAT practioners routinely checking laboratory tests after the initial visit
• PAT practioners routinely documenting addendums in medical record in order to improve transparency and medical record
• Two step verification process: residents/surgeons going through medical record and communicating to PAT practioners if clearance was not ironclad
• Consulting physicians (i.e. cardiologists) with improved communication and documentation with PAT practioners in the event of additional testing necessary prior to clearance
• PAT physicians communicate …

Improving Time To Defibrillation At Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Sairamya Bodempudi, Md, Lisa Wus, Dnp, Rn, Crnp, Pccn-Cmc, Juergen Kloo, Md, Patrick Zeniecki, Ma, Frances Mae West, Md, Yair Lev, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement

• Increase in timely defibrillation by 30% over 1 year
• Decrease in the amount of Vfib/VTach cardiac arrests that are not defibrillated to <1% within a 1 year time frame

Preventing Iatrogenic Pneumothorax “Just-In-Time”, Jason Ho, Md, Ammar Saati, Md, Ryan Commins, Md, Justin Henneman, Md, Frances Mae West, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• In 2020 a high incidence of iatrogenic pneumothorax was noticed at TJUH after internal jugular central line insertion - Accepted rate is 0.1%
• With long periods of time between ICU rotations, residents suffer from significant procedural skill decay
• The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it an increase in the number of central lines placed
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a lack of large group training opportunities due to social distancing constraints

By December 31st 2021, our intervention will improve rates of iatrogenic pneumothorax after US-guided internal jugular central line insertion by 50% of baseline, as measured by chart review …

Mind The Gap: A Call For Attention At The Telemetry Station, N. Haroian, Md, T. Zivan, D. Frisch, A. Greenspon, Y. Lev, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

"Gaps" in telemetry recordings are a risk factor for patient identification errors and have led to near misses and adverse events in our hospital.

Goal: Completely eliminate wrongful telemetry data display by the end of the academic year.

Team-Based Outreach To Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates In An Urban Family Medicine Practice, Alexa Waters, Md, Olivia Seecof, Md, Graham Stratton, Md, Caitlyn Haines, Md, Brittany Hozick, Md, Jose Medina, Md, Kathryn Topalis, Md, Hannah Facey, Md, Chelsea Salas-Tam, Md, David Peters, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement

• Aim to increase CRCS rates for our resident team patients by 5% by May, 2021
• Target Population (n=99): Age 50-74, due for CRCS, office visit within last 2 years, team resident listed as PCP, active on MyChart, and speak English

Adolescent And Young Adult Oncology Patient And Provider Perspectives In Philadelphia (Aya-4p), Christoher Terry, Md, Miriam Pomerantz, Lsw, Jodi Sandos, Lcsw, Lindsay Wilde, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Primary Objectives

• To assess the current perspective of AYA patients regarding medical services and psychosocial support delivered to AYAs in Philadelphia
• To assess the current knowledge and perspective of healthcare providers at the SKCC about the care and services needed by AYA patients

Improving Practice Accessibility Through Mychart Utilization, G. Bires, M. Taskier, P. Padgaonkar, L. Flink, R. Wiley, S. Newsom, J. Mitchell, S. Cokenakes, J. Schutzman, A. Nwaobasi, T. Huang

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement

• Increase patient portal MyChart activation for a cohort of approximately 2,000 patients at JFMA by 1% from February to April 2021.
• Demonstrate evidence of utilization including appointment scheduling, results review, and communication with providers through MyChart after activation.

Addressing Health Disparities And Access In The Department Of Neurology Outpatient Setting In The Era Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Quality Improvement Initiative, V. Wang, M. Rehman, K. Burda, L. Liao, M. Braslavsky, T. Chuang, J. Diep, Md, E. Isaac, E. Wong

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Neurology, a largely outpatient specialty, has joined many other fields in the endeavor of incorporating telemedicine.^4,6,7 We present the results of analysis of the Epic Electronic Medical Record (EMR) of all outpatient visits from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Department of Neurology from 2019 to 2020 in order to identify areas of ethnic minority and geographic disparities with regards to usage of telemedicine. For our analyses, we have included Neurology patients across the General Neurology (JUP Neurology 909 Walnut NEU), Headache Center (HA), and Multiple Sclerosis Center (MS). Additionally, based on patient surveys from a subset of our outpatient …

Improving The Use Of Asthma Action Plans, Pooja Pandit, Md, Aaron B. Kaye, Md, Hassan Shahid, Md, Colin Peters, Do, Jessica Most, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Objectives

• Identify the percentage of asthmatics in Friday fellows’ clinic with an AAP in place.
• Determine if clinician education can increase the number of AAP created for patients.

Addressing Catheter Associated Uti In The Neuro Icu, Aria Mahtabfar, Md, Giuliana Labella, Msn, Caitlin Harley, Msn, Omar Shah, Md, Mba

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Increasing systemic pressures have forced clinicians to identify and address a variety of metrics to provide better “quality” care. Catheter associated UTIs (CAUTI) are a common health careassociated infection in the Neuro ICU and are associated with increased LOS and overall mortality.

Aims for Improvement: Improving the incidence of CAUTI at the Gibbon and JHN ICUs on an annual basis after incremental interventions.

Evaluating The Reliability Of The Problem List For Comorbidity, Joseph W. Schaefer, Alan A. Kubey, Md, Michael Li, Phd, Novel Covid Learning Group

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The problem list in EPIC provides a centralized source of patient medical conditions that informs medical decision making. This is especially important for COVID- 19 patients where risk scores such as the “4C score” inform care.

The goal of this study was to identify the accuracy of the problem list and identify areas for future improvement.

Improving Serial Imaging Protocols In Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Kevin Hines, Md, Nikolaos Mouchtouris, Md, Fadi Al-Saiegh, Md, Karim Hafazalla, Jacob Mazza, Giuliana Labella, Muhammad K. Athar, Md, Adam Flanders, Md, M. Reid Gooch, Md, Stavropoula Tjoumakaris, Md, Robert H. Rosenwasswer, Md, Pascal Jabbour, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

There is no universally agreed upon protocol to image patient presenting with intra-parenchymal hemorrhage of non-traumatic etiology (sICH). At our institution, it is common practice for a patient to have 3 CT’s done within 24 hours. They are often at onset of symptoms or presentation, 6 hours post onset of symptoms, and finally 24 hours post bleed onset.

The goal of this project will be to assess the safety and efficacy of obtaining this repeat imaging in our patients in the hopes that limiting unnecessary CT head studies will decrease resource utilization, decrease patient radiation, expedite movement of stable patients …

Evaluating Advance Care Planning In Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Retrospective Chart Review, Zachary Klock, Md, Stephanie Dobak, Rd, Gail Houseman, Rn, Margaret Kreher, Md, Facp

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• ALS is a progressive, degenerative neurologic disorder with inevitable decline in function and ultimately death.
• Most patients and families will be faced with decisions regarding mechanical ventilation and artificial nutrition.
• Prior studies have showed low rates of ACP completion in this population (<50%) and high rates of opt out in programs to aid ACP (nearly 40%).
• By reviewing charts of patients with ALS, we can analyze the impact of ACP on care utilization including artificial nutrition, mechanical ventilation and hospice utilization to help to guide efforts regarding ACP in the outpatient setting.

Addressing The Limitations Of Neurosurgical Care Via Telemedicine, Nikolaos Mouchtouris, Md, Robert Sergott, Md, Mark Moster, Md, Michael Karsy, Md, Laura Sweeney, Crnp, Christopher Farrell, Md, James Evans, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Novel telemedicine software successfully automates cranial nerve assessment of patients from the comfort of their home

Alteplase Administration For Acute Ischemic Stroke (Ais) In Er - A 5-Year Review, Ali A. Saherwala, Md, Diana Tzeng, Md, Robin Dharia, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• ER visits for AIS grown in last 10 years by 25%
• Ongoing effort by AHA/ASA to improve access to care with early stroke recognition and awareness
• Time is brain; rate of thrombolysis with alteplase (ALT) should increase with better EMS systems, awareness, and education

Increasing The Rate Of Excisional Lymph Node Biopsies At Easily Accessible Sites When Ruling Out Lymphoma, Catherine M. Tucker, Md, Xiangyun Ye, Christopher Gardner, Austin Redilla, Guldeep K. Uppal, Md, Adam F. Binder, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

The aim of this study is to increase the rate of excisional lymph node biopsies from 78% to 95% in patients presenting to the Center City campus with lymphadenopathy at easily accessible sites by September 2021.

Provider Use Of Risk Stratification Tools For Pe And Cta Ordering Practices, Christy Johnson, Do, Daniel I. Shpigel, Md, Nicole Caltabiano, Do, Benjamin Slovis, Md, Ma, Facep

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement

Quantify utilization of clinical decision tools, D-dimer and CTA-PE at TJUH and compare to benchmark and implement the logic seen in the adjacent QR code to an EPIC pop-up

The “Ok” Guideline: Implementing An Electronic Electrolyte Repletion Guideline For Improving Rates Of Oral Potassium And Magnesium Delivery, Joshua M. Riley, Jeffrey M. Riggio, Md, Alan A. Kubey, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Nearly 500,000 doses of potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) are given at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) each year. More than 80% of these doses are given intravenously.

Guidelines that encourage both intravenous and oral (PO) repletion options increase rates of PO dosing and more successfully attain goal levels than standard care.

Our goal was to increase the percent of K and Mg doses delivered by oral route to >50% of total doses distributed at TJUH within one year of implementation of an Epic-based electronic order set.

Quality Of Post-Discharge Follow-Up In Patients Admitted To Tjuh With Intermediate High Risk Pulmonary Embolism, D. Kramer, P. Kirupaharan, M. Flamenbaum, M. Scharf

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• Our institution has developed a multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) to help in the management of patients with intermediate high risk pulmonary embolism
• While the PERT focus is on acute inpatient management, it is important that PERT patients have close follow-up to monitor for known future complications including thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and chronic pulmonary embolism syndrome
• CTEPH, in particular, is a potentially treatable disease with significant morbidity if left untreated
• Therefore, an underappreciated and important aspect of the PERT team should be the coordinated follow-up and long term care of these patients
• We wanted to better understand how …

Increasing Depression Screening And Treatment, Emma De Louw, Md, Michael Danielewicz, Md, Michael Haines, Md, Molly Allanoff, Md, Elizabeth Clark, Md, Michael Bozzi, Md, Natalie Antosh, Md, Catherine Guariglia, Md, Yael Horvath, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Aims for Improvement

• Increase response to depression advisory in EHR from 39% (January 2021) to 60% or greater (March 2021)
• Increase referrals to behavioral health from baseline of 39/month (January 2021) by 25% (March 2021)

Improving Understanding Of And Compliance With Anti-Shivering Protocols During Therapeutic Hypothermia With Just-In-Time Training, Brittany Heckel, Md, Eunice Lee, Md, Courtney Curran, Md, Kasun Navarathna, Md, Henry Lee, Md, Lucy Maguire, Md, Phd, Malissa Pynes, Md, Shyam Majmundar, Md, Alexander Buslov, Md, Syed Shah, Md, Mba, Matthew Vibbert, Md

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

• Therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest has been demonstrated to improve neurologic outcomes and survival rates following cardiac arrest.
• Shivering during hypothermia increases metabolic demand, increases oxygen consumption and increases difficulty maintaining desired temperatures.
• Gaps in knowledge can lead to inadequate management of shivering, leading

Aims for Improvement

To improve understanding of and compliance with anti-shivering protocols during therapeutic hypothermia post-cardiac arrest.