Individuals with co-occurring mental and physical health issues have worse health outcomes in both domains. Integration improves outcomes and aligns with patient preference, but health services tend to be siloed. The Mental Health in Medicine Clinic (MHiM) supports patients receiving inpatient or outpatient medical or surgical care at a tertiary academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. The predominantly virtual clinic has an interdisciplinary team offering services via stepped care, matching patient need with service intensity. Measurement-based care (MBC), the systematic evaluation of patient reported outcomes, was not initially used routinely in the clinic, but its implementation may improve treatment decision-making and may be useful in allocating patients within a stepped care model.

1) To describe the stepped care model, referral patterns, diagnoses, and level of care provided since implementation of stepped care. 2) To conduct a quality improvement initiative to implement MBC in the clinic, with a goal of 50% of patients completing at the time of first assessment and prior to discharge from the clinic.

We reviewed the electronic medical record for referral source, diagnoses, and level of stepped care within the clinic. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders (clinicians, administrative staff, patients) to explore barriers to implementation of MBC. Interviews were analyzed for themes around barriers and facilitators to MBC. Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles were carried out around change concepts informed by stakeholder interviews and relevant literature.

The MHiM clinic began operations in August 2020. The clinic operated on a physician-only model until March 2022 and then shifted to a stepped care model with an interdisciplinary team. The most frequent referral sources were internal medicine, COVID19 clinics, consultation-liaison psychiatry, red blood cell disorders clinic and cardiology. Since the implementation of stepped care, 250 referrals were assessed. 58% of new referrals were assessed by the psychiatrist, 42% were managed by the NP, and 25% consulted with the social worker. Referrals consisted of trauma and stress-related disorders (32%), depression (21%) or anxiety disorders (20%). Personality, substance use, and psychotic disorders accounted for less than 10% of referrals combined. Some patients did not have any diagnosis (6%). Results from the quality improvement initiative to implement MBC will also be presented.

The MHiM clinic provides an integrated care pathway addressing comorbid mental and physical health conditions. We describe a novel stepped care model and the implementation of MBC. Future directions include ongoing quality improvement of MBC and its integration within the clinic to assess and re-assess service intensity.

None Declared

To understand how the different data collections methods of the Alberta Health Services Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPC) and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) are affecting reported rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) following total hip replacements (THRs) and total knee replacements (TKRs).

Retrospective cohort study.

Four hospitals in Alberta, Canada.

Those with THR or TKR surgeries between September 1, 2015, and March 31, 2018.

Demographic information, complex SSIs reported by IPC and NSQIP were compared and then IPC and NSQIP data were matched with percent agreement and Cohen’s κ calculated. Statistical analysis was performed for age, gender and complex SSIs. A P value <.05 was considered significant.

In total, 7,549 IPC and 2,037 NSQIP patients were compared. The complex SSI rate for NSQIP was higher compared to IPC (THR: 1.19 vs 0.68 [P = .147]; TKR: 0.92 vs 0.80 [P = .682]). After matching, 7 SSIs were identified by both IPC and NSQIP; 3 were identified only by IPC, and 12 were identified only by NSQIP (positive agreement, 0.48; negative agreement, 1.0; κ = 0.48).

Different approaches to monitor SSIs may lead to different results and trending patterns. NSQIP reports total SSI rates that are consistently higher than IPC. If systems are compared at any point in time, confidence on the data may be eroded. Stakeholders need to be aware of these variations and education provided to facilitate an understanding of differences and a consistent approach to SSI surveillance monitoring over time.

Adverse outcomes following Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) are not often reported for long-term care facility (LTCF) residents. We focused on the adverse outcomes due to CDI identified in Alberta LTCFs.

All positive Clostridioides difficile stool specimens identified by laboratory-identified (LabID) event surveillance in Alberta from 2011 to 2018, along with Alberta Continuing Care Information System, were used to define CDI in Alberta LTCFs. CDI cases were classified as long-term care onset, hospital onset, and community onset. Laboratory records were linked to provincial databases to analyze acute-care admissions and mortality within 30-day post CDI. Age, sex, case classification, episode, and operator type, were investigated using logistic regression.

Overall, 902 CDI cases were identified in 762 LTCF residents. Of all CDI events, 860 (95.3%) were long-term care onset, 38 (4.2%) were hospital onset, and 4 (0.4%) were community onset. The CDI rate was 2.0 of 100,000 resident days. In total, 157 residents (20.6%) had 30-day all-cause mortality, 126 CDI cases (14.0%) had 30-day all-cause acute-care admissions. The 30-day all-cause mortality rate was significantly higher in residents aged >80 versus ≤80 years (24.9 vs 12.3 per 100 residents; P < .05). Residents aged >80 years, with hospital-onset CDI, and those staying in private or voluntary LTCFs were more likely to have 30-day all-cause acute-care admissions.

The prevalence of CDI adverse outcomes is in LTCFs was found to be high using LabID event surveillance. Annual review of CDI adverse outcomes using LabID event can minimize the burden of surveillance and standardize the process across all Alberta LTCFs.

Increasing attention is paid to importance of hyperprolactinaemia. Sexual dysfunction and osteoporosis are reported in such patients. There is little naturalistic data showing prevalence and severity of hyperprolactinaemia in asymptomatic patients receiving antipsychotics.

All outpatients in a community mental health team in Halifax receiving antipsychotics with diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder had prolactin measurements. Upper Limit of Normal (ULN) prolactin 500mIU/L (males) and 700mIU/L (females).

Prolactin levels were obtained in 226 patients providing 253 incident cases as antipsychotic changes were made over 36-month period.

Abnormal values were found in 49% females and 29% males - 39% of the cohort. Levels >1000 mIU/L were seen in 23% (females 36%, males 10%). From the 61/125 females with abnormal levels, 74% of these had levels >1000 mIU/L and 16/125 (13%) >2000 mIU/L. Only 13/128 males had levels >1000 mIU/L. Prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia in those on antipsychotic monotherapy: olanzapine 7%, typicals 33%, amisulpride 92%, Clozapine 4%, risperidone oral 83%, and risperidone consta 65%. In Risperidone Consta patients, 15/23 (65%) had hyperprolactinaemia including 100% of females (10/10). Most females on oral risperidone (12/13) also had hyperprolactinaemia and had values >1000 mIU/L in11/12.

Routine prolactin screening showed abnormal values in 39% and significantly abnormal levels (>1000 mIU/L) that could lead to drug/dosage alterations in 23%. Exceptionally high levels >2000 mIU/L were found in 7%. Females on oral and consta risperidone may be particularly at risk of the effects of hyperprolactinaemia.

Schizophrenia patients have increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. Guidelines emphasise need for monitoring risk factors including ECG and blood pressure (BP). There is little naturalistic data on number and severity of categorical abnormalities detected.

A global health clinic was set up in 2004 to undertake systematic physical health monitoring in all schizophrenia outpatients within Larkfield CMHT. Patients received 2 hour assessments from trained nurses. BMI, laboratory (non-fasting) parameters, ECG and BP performed.

Since 2004 from 140 Schizophrenia outpatients 95 have been invited to attend screening of which 53 accepted (56%). An abnormal parameter was measured in 92% (n=49), 72% 2 abnormal findings (n=38) and 47% 3 or more. ECG abnormalities in 50% (n=26) of which 18 were significant findings (prior myocardial infarction and/or ischaemia, conduction blocks, right ventricular hypertrophy). Normal blood pressure using guidelines from British Hypertension Society (BHS) 2004 (<130/85) was determined in 36% (n=20), high-normal 11% (n=6) and varying grades of hypertension 53% (n=27). Grade 3 (severe) hypertension 8% (n=4). No patient had abnormal QTc >500 mscs. One male patient had QTc 458msecs.In 18 patients (34%) the ECG analysis was determined by the analyser to be difficult to analyse due to significant baseline patient movement.

Significant BP and ECG abnormalities are common and require evaluation for treatment. QTc abnormalities are detected significantly less often than other important abnormalities. Using the most conservative definition of hypertension 53% of this cohort would be defined as needing antihypertensive treatments and lifestyle interventions in 64%.

Patients with SMI receive long term intervention with psychotropic agents often associated with weight gain. Weight and lifestyle management programmes may prevent, reduce or reverse weight gain, however most data is short-term. Categorical data is not often reported

A group programme (Solutions for Wellness) designed to address weight and other cardiovascular risk factors commenced 2002 in Ireland. Each group provided open-ended access to referred SMI patients. Weekly group sessions consisted weighing, discussion and an 8-week rotational cycle of educational topics on aspects of weight, dietary choices and lifestyle changes. Groups were led by trained healthcare professionals.

Data is reported up to 24 months from 55 patients (27 male; 28 female) from 6 centres. Mean age 49.4 years (range 21-74). Schizophrenia 63%, Affective disorders 26%, other 11%. Patients completing 1 year - 55% and 2 years 22%. Baseline mean weight 98.6 kg (SD 19.2) decreased to final visit weight 96.9kg (SD 18.4).Paired t –test, p = 0.0030; CI Mean 2.53 (0.9-4.159). Weight increased in 11/55, maintained 7/55 and decreased 37/55.

Weight gain in SMI patients is not inevitable and was found in only 20% of patients attending weight clinics in Ireland. Patients may benefit if similar interventions were widely available.

In studies of adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) atomoxetine (ATX) has demonstrated substantial improvements in ADHD symptomatology using Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS). The pattern suggests incremental response over time with no clear plateau of response.

To identify patterns of response to ATX in adult ADHD patients and to describe those trajectories over time

To determine if patients have distinct response trajectories using CAARS in two populations, short term (12 weeks) and long term (24 weeks) treatment data.

Data from 2502 ATX patients, who had an investigator-rated CAARS total score at ≥ short or long term time point, The numbers of trajectory clusters for short term (n=2502) and long term (n=1139) data were identified using hierarchical clustering methods. Linear mixed modelling was used to describe those different trajectories over time.

Using CAARS total, 4 trajectory clusters were identified in short term treated patients and 5 in long term. Three out of 4 short term trajectory clusters (representing 84% of patients) and 4 out 5 long term (representing 96%) showed more successful trajectories. In general clusters with less improvement were those with the worst baseline CAARS and minimal initial improvement. Distinct trajectory patterns of response were found that were incremental over time in all clusters.

Adult ADHD patients receiving atomoxetine have individual trajectories of response that can be divided into 4 short term trajectories and 5 long term trajectories. Further analysis is ongoing to describe these cohorts.

The objective of this study was to systematically assess the literature regarding postnatal healthcare utilization and barriers/facilitators of healthcare in neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) children.

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PsychINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science to identify peer-reviewed research. Eligible studies were peer-reviewed articles reporting on broad aspects of primary and specialty healthcare utilization and access in NAS children. Three investigators independently reviewed all articles and extracted data. Study bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Assessment Scale and the National Institute of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool.

This review identified 14 articles that met criteria. NAS children have poorer outpatient appointment adherence and have a higher rate of being lost to follow-up. These children have overall poorer health indicated by a significantly higher risk of ER visits, hospital readmission, and early childhood mortality compared with non-NAS infants. Intensive multidisciplinary support provided through outpatient weaning programs facilitates healthcare utilization and could serve as a model that could be applied to other healthcare fields to improve the health among this population.

This review investigated the difficulties in accessing outpatient care as well as the utilization of such care for NAS infants. NAS infants tend to have decreased access to and utilization of outpatient healthcare following hospital birth discharge. Outpatient weaning programs have proven to be effective; however, these programs require intensive resources and care coordination that has yet to be implemented into other healthcare areas for NAS children.

This study aimed to explore effects of adjunctive treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on markers of inflammation and neurogenesis in bipolar depression.

This is a secondary analysis of a placebo-controlled randomised trial. Serum samples were collected at baseline, week 8, and week 32 of the open-label and maintenance phases of the clinical trial to determine changes in interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) following adjunctive NAC treatment, and to explore mediation and moderator effects of the listed markers.

Levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukins (IL) -6, 8, or 10 were not significantly changed during the course of the trial or specifically in the open-label and maintenance phases. There were no mediation or moderation effects of the biological factors on the clinical parameters.

The results suggest that these particular biological parameters may not be directly involved in the therapeutic mechanism of action of adjunctive NAC in bipolar depression.