NCT01347619

Brief Summary

The investigators propose to evaluate the effectiveness of 3 different methods to promote the dissemination and adoption of evidenced-based review guides into the nursing home setting. Specifically, the investigators will adapt Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Review products developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), specifically related to off-label use of atypical antipsychotic drugs, to improve their penetration into practice in the nursing home (NH) setting. The investigators propose the following specific aims: AIM 1: NEEDS ASSESSMENT To conduct a needs assessment for the NH setting relevant to the AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG) entitled "Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs." The assessment will identify: (a) interest in and barriers to the use of the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG in the NH setting; (b) the key audiences and stakeholders that influence atypical antipsychotic drug use in NHs; and (c) approaches to integrating comparative effectiveness research products into the NH setting. AIM 2: PRODUCTION OF THE TOOLKIT Guided by the needs assessment, the investigators will produce a toolkit containing tailored CERSG-based products targeting key audiences and stakeholders in the NH setting. The target audience(s) of the final CERSG-based products will be identified in Aim 1, and will potentially include: (a) facility leadership \[NH administrator, Medical Director, Director of Nursing\]; (b) prescribers and consultant pharmacists; (c) nursing staff \[registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse assistants\]. AIM 3: EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TOOLKIT To evaluate the effectiveness of the toolkit and three dissemination strategies using a matched, cluster randomized trial. NHs in the first arm will receive the toolkit only and web access to the materials; NHs in the second arm will receive the toolkit, web access, periodic audit and feedback reports of antipsychotic prescribing to NH leadership, and faxed educational messages adapted from the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG to prescribers; and NHs in the third arm will receive the previous items plus face-to-face academic detailing. Primary outcomes of the evaluation are the RE-AIM evaluation domains (reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance).The investigators will also include an assessment of facility-level changes in the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
42

participants targeted

Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Nov 2010

Typical duration for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

November 1, 2010

Completed
6 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 2, 2011

Completed
2 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 4, 2011

Completed
2.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2013

Completed
3 months until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

September 1, 2013

Completed
Last Updated

April 1, 2014

Status Verified

March 1, 2014

Enrollment Period

2.6 years

First QC Date

May 2, 2011

Last Update Submit

March 28, 2014

Conditions

Keywords

Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG)anti-psychotic useNursing HomeLong-term careQualitative assessment of influences on CERSG adoption in NHDevelopment of toolkit of CERSG-based products for NHsEvaluation of 3 implementation strategies of the toolkit

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

  • Aim 1 NEEDS ASSESSMENT - to describe interest in and barriers to the use of the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG

    Aim 1 - To conduct a needs assessment for the NH setting relevant to the AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG) entitled "Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs." The assessment will identify: (a) interest in and barriers to the use of the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG; (b) the key audiences and stakeholders that influence atypical antipsychotic drug use in NHs; and (c) approaches to integrating comparative effectiveness research products into the NH setting

    months 4-8

  • Aim 1 NEEDS ASSESSMENT - to describe the key audiences and stakeholders that influence atypical antipsychotic drug use in NHs

    Aim 1 - To conduct a needs assessment for the NH setting relevant to the AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG) entitled "Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs." The assessment will identify: (a) interest in and barriers to the use of the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG; (b) the key audiences and stakeholders that influence atypical antipsychotic drug use in NHs; and (c) approaches to integrating comparative effectiveness research products into the NH setting.

    months 4-8

  • Aim 1 NEEDS ASSESSMENT - to describe approaches to integrating comparative effectiveness research products into the NH setting

    Aim 1 - To conduct a needs assessment for the NH setting relevant to the AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Research Summary Guide (CERSG) entitled "Off-Label Use of Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs." The assessment will identify: (a) interest in and barriers to the use of the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG; (b) the key audiences and stakeholders that influence atypical antipsychotic drug use in NHs; and (c) approaches to integrating comparative effectiveness research products into the NH setting.

    months 4-8

  • Aim 2 - Guided by the needs assessment, we will produce a toolkit containing tailored CERSG-based products targeting key audiences and stakeholders in the NH setting.

    Aim 2 - Guided by the needs assessment, we will produce a toolkit containing tailored CERSG-based products targeting key audiences and stakeholders in the NH setting. The targets of the final CERSG-based products will be identified in Aim 1, and will potentially include: (a) facility leadership \[NH administrator, Medical Director, Director of Nursing\]; (b) prescribers and consultant pharmacists; (c) nursing staff \[registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse assistants\], and (d) residents and families.

    months 9-12

  • Aim 3 - To evaluate the effectiveness of the toolkit and three dissemination strategies using a matched, cluster randomized trial

    Aim 3 - To evaluate the effectiveness of the toolkit and three dissemination strategies using a matched, cluster randomized trial. Primary outcomes of the evaluation are the RE-AIM evaluation domains (reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance).

    months 31-36

Study Arms (3)

Arm 1. Toolkit only with Web Access

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

NHs in this arm will receive the toolkit only and web access to the materials.

Other: Toolkit only with Web Access to Online Version

Arm 2.Toolkit, Audit/Feedback, Education

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

NHs in the second arm will receive the toolkit, web access, periodic audit and feedback reports of antipsychotic prescribing to NH leadership, and faxed educational messages adapted from the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG to prescribers.

Other: Toolkit, Periodic Audit/Feedback, Educational Messages

Arm 3. All above plus academic detailing

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

NHs in the third arm will receive the previous items plus face-to-face academic detailing.

Other: Items in Arm 2 plus Academic Detailing Program

Interventions

NHs in this arm will receive a letter announcing the availability of an atypical antipsychotic toolkit within the facility and online at the Qualidigm website. The letter will be sent to the NH administrator, Director of Nursing, and Medical Director of each facility by Qualidigm. It will state that the toolkit is designed to provide NH staff, including prescribers, leadership, nursing staff, and patients' families with information about the use, risks and costs of atypical antipsychotics in the NH setting.

Arm 1. Toolkit only with Web Access

Providing healthcare professionals with data about their performance (audit and feedback) may help improve their practice. It is more effective when clinicians previously agree to review their practice. We will use an adaptation of a "Medicaid Utilization Report" developed by AM Hamer. This report will show current atypical antipsychotic prescribing rates in the NH, with comparisons to state and national levels, and information regarding summary evidence for atypical antipsychotics from the AHRQ atypical antipsychotic CERSG. Reports will be sent to the NH administrator, Director of Nursing, and Medical Director of the facilities randomized to the moderate intensity arm on an every 4-month basis.

Arm 2.Toolkit, Audit/Feedback, Education

This arm will receive the same information, toolkit, letters, and audit and feedback reports distributed to homes in the moderate-intensity arm. In addition, two visits to the NH will be scheduled by a pharmacist educator specially trained in the pharmacology of atypical antipsychotics, and communication techniques. Staff will be provided with up-to-date, unbiased information about antipsychotic use in NHs based on the AHRQ CER Review product adaptations. The educator will deliver targeted messages relevant to each stakeholder regarding roles in decision-making around the use atypical antipsychotic therapy in the NH setting. Each NH will receive up to two visits over the course of the 12-month intervention period.

Arm 3. All above plus academic detailing

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Qualidigm-affiliated Nursing Home facilities in Connecticut who agree to participate.
  • Participants in this study will include residents and employees of participating nursing homes or residents within these nursing homes. All members of this study population will be 18 years or older.

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Qualidigm

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, 06067, United States

Location

Related Publications (4)

  • Tjia J, Gurwitz JH, Briesacher BA. Challenge of changing nursing home prescribing culture. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother. 2012 Feb;10(1):37-46. doi: 10.1016/j.amjopharm.2011.12.005. Epub 2012 Jan 20.

  • Lemay CA, Mazor KM, Field TS, Donovan J, Kanaan A, Briesacher BA, Foy S, Harrold LR, Gurwitz JH, Tjia J. Knowledge of and perceived need for evidence-based education about antipsychotic medications among nursing home leadership and staff. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2013 Dec;14(12):895-900. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2013.08.009. Epub 2013 Sep 24.

  • Briesacher BA, Tjia J, Field T, Peterson D, Gurwitz JH. Antipsychotic use among nursing home residents. JAMA. 2013 Feb 6;309(5):440-2. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.211266. No abstract available.

  • Tjia J, Field T, Lemay C, Mazor K, Pandolfi M, Spenard A, Ho SY, Kanaan A, Donovan J, Gurwitz JH, Briesacher B. Antipsychotic use in nursing homes varies by psychiatric consultant. Med Care. 2014 Mar;52(3):267-71. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000000076.

Study Officials

  • Jerry H Gurwitz, MD

    UMass Medical School

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
SINGLE
Who Masked
OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Executive Director, Meyers Primary Care Inst.

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 2, 2011

First Posted

May 4, 2011

Study Start

November 1, 2010

Primary Completion

June 1, 2013

Study Completion

September 1, 2013

Last Updated

April 1, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-03

Locations