Sepsis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Cefdinir is a cephalosporin antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections. Studies have shown that appropriate and timely antibiotic treatment is one of the cornerstones of therapy to prevent deaths and life-threatening complications

Pneumonia is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Cefdinir is an antibiotic that is used to treat many different types of infections caused by bacteria. Studies have shown that cefdinir is effective and safe when treating patients with pneumonia.

Psychosis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value Based Purchasing. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine used for treating anxiety, insomnia, or sleep difficulty due to anxiety or stress, status epilepticus (continuous seizures), and as a medication given right before anesthesia. Studies have shown that Lorazepam gives better anxiety relief compared to a placebo.

Major Cardiothoracic Procedures are frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Warfarin Sodium is an anticoagulant that reduces the formation of blood clots and their migration through the body.

By: Sara Riascos  May. 31, 2022

Myocardial Infarctions are frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Clopidogrel is a blood thinner used to prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problem. Studies have shown that clopidogrel could reduce all-cause mortality and the probability of recurrent myocardial infarctions.

By: Sara Riascos  May. 16, 2022

Dexur’s analysis of Real World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of Bumetanide within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Heart Failure Patients at AdventHealth Orlando in Orlando, Florida. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 19, 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Cefuroxime is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the ear, nose, throat, lungs, skin, bones, joints, bladder, or kidneys. Cefuroxime is the most commonly used antibiotic in the treatment of acute COPD exacerbation.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 18, 2022

Psychosis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Trazodone HCL is a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that Trazodone is appreciated worldwide because of its clinical effectiveness in controlling a wide range of symptoms of psychosis, and for the absence of negative effects on sleep.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 14, 2022

Kidney and Urinary Tract Infections are frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Cephalexin is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Studies have shown that cephalexin for treatment of outpatient UTI resulted in fewer treatment failures than TMP-SMX or amoxicillin.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 12, 2022

Psychoactive Substance Use is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, used to treat opioid addiction. Studies have shown that Suboxone (Buprenorphine /Naloxone) is effective in reducing opioid use short term relative to placebo.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 11, 2022

Major Joint Replacement is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Eliquis (Apixaban) is an anticoagulant prescribed by doctors to reduce the risk of stroke caused by blood clots. Studies have shown that the early use of Eliquis (Apixaban) after a Major joint replacement surgery is associated with lower rates of clinically relevant bleeding. Other studies have shown that Eliquis reduces the risk of blood clots forming in lungs and legs after undergoing a Major Joint Replacement surgery.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 07, 2022

Psychosis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Trazodone HCL is a tetracyclic antidepressant used to treat depression and anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that Trazodone is appreciated worldwide because of its clinical effectiveness in controlling a wide range of symptoms of psychosis, and for the absence of negative effects on sleep.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 07, 2022

Alcohol Dependence is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Acamprosate Calcium is used to help maintain sobriety in alcohol-dependent adults who no longer drink alcohol. Studies have shown that Acamprosate Calcium is an effective medication in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

By: Sara Riascos  Apr. 04, 2022

Narcotic Dependence is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Suboxone (Buprenorphine/Naloxone) is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone, used to treat opioid addiction. Studies have shown that Suboxone (Buprenorphine /Naloxone) is effective in reducing opioid use short term relative to placebo.

By: Sara Riascos  Mar. 10, 2022

Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures are frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing.Clopidogrel is a blood thinner used to It can prevent stroke, heart attack, and other heart problems. Studies have shown that the early and pretreatment use of Clopidogrel reduces the chance of cardiovascular death or ischemic complications before and after PCI.

By: Sara Riascos  Feb. 24, 2022

Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures are frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Brilinta(Ticagrelor) is a loop diuretic medication used to treat fluid build-up due to Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures, liver scarring, or kidney disease. Studies have shown that the early use of Brilinta(Ticagrelor) was associated with higher platelet inhibition compared to other drugs in Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures Patients.

Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of Brilinta(Ticagrelor) within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Percutaneous Cardiovascular Procedures Patients at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

By: Sara Riascos  Feb. 17, 2022

Background:

Bronchitis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. Ventolin HFA (Albuterol) is an Inhaled beta-2-agonist. Studies have shown the use of Ventolin (Albuterol) had an improvement in Bronchitis compared to the baseline. Other studies have shown the use of Ventolin (Albuterol) is safe for patients older than 4. Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of Ventolin (Albuterol) within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Bronchitis Patients. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

By: Sara Riascos  Feb. 15, 2022

Schizophrenia is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate) is an extended-release antipsychotic drug given by intramuscular injection. Studies have shown that the use of INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate) is effective six months longer than other common oral antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia. Resulting in the delay of relapse such as hospitalization, arrest and incarceration. Other studies have shown that the use of INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate) is associated with a significantly longer time to relapse and less patients to relapse compared to oral antipsychotics. Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of INVEGA SUSTENNA (paliperidone palmitate) within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Schizophrenia Patients. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

By: Sara Riascos  Feb. 15, 2022

Enterocolitis is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payors such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. FIRVANQ(vancomycin HCl) is a glycopeptide antibacterial for the treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and enterocolitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Studies have shown that a high percentage of patients encounter success faster than other brands. Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of FIRVANQ (vancomycin HCl) within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for enterocolitis Patients. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

Type II Diabetes is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. BASAGLAR KWIKPEN U-100(insulin glargine) is a disposable, single-patient-use prefilled insulin pen. BASAGLAR was the first insulin product approved through an abbreviated approval pathway by the FDA. Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of BASAGLAR KWIKPEN U-100(insulin glargine) within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Type II Diabetes. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

Acute Respiratory Failure is frequently associated with hospital readmission. Readmission is a hospital quality measure that reflects dimensions of quality of inpatient care and also impacts overall programs by payers such as CMS’s Star Rating Program, HRRP and Value-Based Purchasing. PROAIR(Albuterol) Inhaled beta-2-agonist. Studies have shown that PROAIR(Albuterol) delivers a warmer, lower-impact, and longer-lasting plume compared to its competitors. Dexur’s analysis of Real-World Evidence based on Medicare Claims data showed that the use of PROAIR(Albuterol)within 7 days of hospitalization was associated with lower hospital readmission rates for Acute Respiratory Failure. Reduction in readmission rates helps hospitals improve their outcomes for various cost and quality programs. Dexur is an approved entity to perform Medicare claims data analysis, which it uses to perform quality outcomes analysis. Dexur has published several papers with Harvard Medical School on quality outcomes related topics. Dexur’s analysis of Drugs and their impact on quality outcomes, such as readmissions and mortality, are used by Hospitals, IDNs, and ACOs to implement best practices and manage Real World Evidence based risk factors.

Dexur’s analysis of medicare claims of hospitals within a 10-mile radius of New York City, NY, showed that Hospital for Special Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center were the most cost-efficient hospitals over a 90 day episode for Spine Surgeries. Dexur’s value analysis tracks a patient’s episode of care from the date of admission for 90 days and includes the index hospitalizations, rehospitalization, home health, nursing home, and ED costs. Total cost of care data helps patients make appropriate choices and helps local ACOs, such as NewYork Quality Care, FamilyHealth ACO, LLC, Alliance for Integrated Care of New York, LLC, and HHC ACO, make appropriate referral choices. The analysis was risk-adjusted, for alive and non-hospice patients and was done at the DRG level, specifically DRG 460: Spinal Fusion Except Cervical without Major Complication or Comorbidity, to adjust for complications and comorbidities.

By: Gokul Menon  Nov. 27, 2020

Cardiac arrhythmias are conditions that cause irregular heart rates. Studies say that it is quite a common condition that can go unnoticed because of its asymptomatic nature. Thus, accurate diagnosis plays a key role in reducing mortality. ECG (Electrocardiographic) monitoring is one of the most common methods used to detect arrhythmias. With the advent of technological advancements, monitoring of vitals using wireless devices has taken precedence over traditional methods. These advanced biosensors possess the ability to predict major events like arrhythmias before they occur. These biosensors continue to reshape patient-physician relationships by opening up the possibility of continuous ECG monitoring even in an outpatient setting.

By: Yosh Thomas  Nov. 06, 2020

Dexur analyzed Medicare Claims data to calculate the Medicare Spending per Beneficiary (MSPB) cost for hospitals in the Dallas metro area for Hip and Knee Replacement surgeries and ranked the hospitals based on cost outcomes. MSPB weighs 25% in the CMS Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) program and is the only measure under the Efficiency and Cost domain. Hospitals have to wait more than a year to get aggregate MSPB numbers with no insight into DRG or service line specific costs. Dexur replicates CMS algorithms to update DRG and service line MSPB costs on a quarterly basis and with only a 5-6 month delay. For the analysis, Dexur considered hospitals in the Dallas area that record more than 11 episodes of DRG 470 during the calendar year 2019.

By: Raj Kumar  May. 08, 2019

By: Avinash Kumar  May. 01, 2019

Dexur analyzed Medicare claims data based on a 5% sample for the time period of Jan 2016 to June 2018, to understand the prevalence of oncology combination therapies. This methodology checked for relevant J codes of HCPCS code set in the claim files across the patient’s history. If a patient used a base drug, it was then checked to see what other drugs were used on the same patient.

By: James Pitt  Dec. 19, 2018

Gastrointestinal hemorrhage contributed to 3% of hospitalizations and 2.35% of in-hospital deaths among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma as a primary or secondary diagnosis, according to a Dexur analysis of 2013-2017 Medicare claims data.

By: James Pitt  Oct. 22, 2018

In goal-directed fluid therapy (GDT or GDFT), physicians use hemodynamic variables such as stroke volume (the amount of fluid the heart moves with each beat) to estimate the amount of fluid in circulation. Physicians provide fluid as needed to keep these hemodynamics variables near target values.

By: James Pitt  Aug. 13, 2018

Hospitalized patients are at greater risk of venous thromboembolism than the general population, in part because immobility increases VTE risk. According to the CDC report on healthcare-associated VTE, up to 70% of HA-VTE cases are preventable.

By: James Pitt  Jul. 30, 2018

Osteoporosis is a common disease of aging, associated with weakened bones. Bone fractures are associated with higher subsequent mortality. According to University of Washington Medicine, “The one-year mortality following a hip fracture is 12 to 24%. It is estimated that 14% of deaths following a hip or pelvic fracture in previously ambulatory women were caused or hastened by the fracture.”

By: James Pitt  Jul. 20, 2018

Pressure ulcers are wounds that develop due to reduced blood flow, typically in patients who lie in the same position for long periods. Elderly and critically ill patients are at particular risk. A study based on 2006-2007 Medicare data found that patients with pressure ulcers are more likely to die in-hospital (odds ratio 2.81); have more than double the average length of stay; and are more likely to be readmitted within 30 days of discharge (odds ratio 1.33).

By: James Pitt  Jul. 04, 2018

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition in which the body has too little iron to properly supply red blood cells, leading to fatigue and weakness. According to the Merck Manual, blood loss is the most common cause of IDA. About 70% of the body's iron is already in red blood cells, rather than stored in reserve, so patients may require iron supplementation after major blood loss.

By: James Pitt  Jul. 03, 2018

Hyperkalemia, i.e. high potassium, is a common electrolyte imbalance. Like other forms of fluid imbalance, it may affect sepsis outcomes. Dexur has extensively reported on fluid imbalance in sepsis.

By: James Pitt  Jun. 27, 2018

Hyponatremia, i.e. low blood sodium, is a common electrolyte imbalance. According to the Mayo Clinic, risk factors for hyponatremia include age, certain medications, kidney disease and heart failure (due to their effects on water excretion), and intensive physical activities like marathons.

By: James Pitt  Jun. 26, 2018

A June 4 Miami Herald investigation found that according to CMS data, Jackson Health System performed under the national benchmark on incidence of MRSA bloodstream infections, but at or above the national benchmark on five other types of infection. Dr. Lilian Abbo of Jackson Health attributed this to the case mix at Jackson Health and the high prevalence of MRSA in Miami-Dade County.

By: James Pitt  Jun. 19, 2018

Asthma is a chronic lung disease which narrows the airways. It affects over 25 million people in the US, including 7 million children. Risk factors for developing asthma include air pollution, poverty, and tobacco smoke. Though asthma is often regarded as a childhood disease, 8.8% of adults had asthma as of 2011-2014.

Dexur analysts examined hospital-level data at the twenty hospitals in Mississippi with the most Medicare-eligible inpatient discharges for asthma in 2013-2016. The average readmission rate across these hospitals was close to Mississippi's state average, so they are a fair representation of the state.

By: James Pitt  May. 30, 2018

Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are more than 300 different conditions with similar symptoms. According to the European Respiratory Society, “Only about one in three cases of interstitial lung disease has a known cause.” Different ILDs present very different risks: “Survival rates at 5 years range from 20% for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF] to almost 100% for cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.”

By: James Pitt  May. 29, 2018

Lung cancer rates are falling, but it remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Detecting cancer early can improve survival. But in recent years, overdiagnosis became a concern. The only lung cancer screen the CDC recommends is low dose CT (LDCT). But even LDCT picks up many findings that may not be dangerous. A 2016 randomized clinical trial in The Lancet Oncology found that only 4% of new solid nodules detected on LDCT were lung cancer.

By: James Pitt  May. 28, 2018

People in industrialized countries have an over 90% lifetime risk of developing hypertension, according to a 2007 review in The Lancet. Many diseases cause hypertension. Primary or “essential” hypertension is defined as hypertension with no such cause. This definition is misleading because diet, exercise, and several known genes affect the risk of primary hypertension.