Sociodemographic Characteristics, Indicators of Quality, and Hospital Visits in Patients With COPD During COVID-19.

Background: Evidence on quality of care and sociodemographics in patients with COPD needing care during the COVID-19 pandemic is scarce. We aimed to examine indicators of quality and clinical outcomes (eg, readmissions, death) and sociodemographics in patients with COPD in need of hospital care during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic.

Methods: This was a nationwide register-based study of subjects with a hospital contact due to COPD from January 1, 2015-December 15, 2021, in Denmark.

Breast cancer, breast cancer-directed radiation therapy and risk of hypothyroidism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Breast cancer and breast cancer-directed radiation therapy (RT) may increase the risk of late effects, such as hypothyroidism. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association between breast cancer, RT, and risk of hypothyroidism in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: Through February 2022, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and references of relevant articles, to identify papers on breast cancer and breast cancer-directed RT and subsequent risk of hypothyroidism.

Patient-related healthcare disparities in the quality of acute hip fracture care: a 10-year nationwide population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To characterise and quantify possible patient-related disparities in hip fracture care including temporal changes.

Design: Population-based cohort study.

Setting: All Danish hospitals treating patients with hip fracture.

Accreditation and clinical outcomes: shorter length of stay after first-time hospital accreditation in the Faroe Islands.

Background: The aim of accreditation is to improve quality of care and patient safety. However, studies on the effectiveness of accreditation on clinical outcomes are limited and inconsistent. Comparative studies have contrasted accredited with non-accredited hospitals or hospitals without a benchmark, but assessments of clinical outcomes of patients treated at hospitals undergoing accreditation are sparse.

Patients experience more support, information and involvement after first-time hospital accreditation: a before and after study in the Faroe Islands.

Background: The impact of hospital accreditation on the experiences of patients remains a weak point in quality improvement research. This is surprising given the time and cost of accreditation and the fact that patient experiences influence outcomes. We investigated the impact of first-time hospital accreditation on patients' experience of support from health-care professionals, information and involvement in decisions.

The association between first-time accreditation and the delivery of recommended care: a before and after study in the Faroe Islands.

Background: Significant resources are spent on hospital accreditation worldwide. However, documentation of the effects of accreditation on processes, quality of care and outcomes in healthcare remain scarce. This study aimed to examine changes in the delivery of patient care in accordance with clinical guidelines (recommended care) after first-time accreditation in a care setting not previously exposed to systematic quality improvement initiatives.

Effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulation treatment beyond 1 year after venous thromboembolism in patients at intermediate recurrence risk.

Effectiveness and safety of long-term anticoagulation treatment are uncertain in venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients at intermediate risk of recurrence. We examined the association between treatment beyond 1 year and outcomes in a Danish nationwide register-based study. VTE patients at intermediate risk of recurrence, that is, non-cancer patients with a first-time unprovoked VTE, who started oral anticoagulation treatment within 30 days and were alive 365 days after the index VTE were included and followed between 2007 and 2015.

Consecutive cycles of accreditation and quality of in-hospital care: a Danish population-based study.

Background: Little is known about whether repeated cycles of hospital accreditation are a robust method to improve quality of care continuously.

Objective: We aimed to examine the association between compliance with consecutive cycles of accreditation and quality of in-hospital care.

Methods: We conducted a Danish nationwide population-based study including patients aged 18 years treated for acute stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, heart failure or hip fracture at public, non-psychiatric hospitals.

Incidence of hypothyroidism after treatment for breast cancer-a Danish matched cohort study.

Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) may have increased risk of hypothyroidism, but risk according to treatment modality is unclear. We estimated the incidence of hypothyroidism in women with breast cancer, and according to cancer treatment.

Methods: Using nationwide registries, we identified all Danish women aged ≥ 35 years diagnosed with non-metastatic breast cancer (1996-2009).

Hypothyroidism and the risk of breast cancer recurrence and all-cause mortality - a Danish population-based study.

Background: Hypothyroidism may occur as a late effect of breast cancer-directed treatment, particularly after radiotherapy, but little is known whether hypothyroidism affects the prognosis after breast cancer. We investigated the association between hypothyroidism and breast cancer recurrence, and all-cause mortality.

Methods: In this population-based cohort study, we used national medical registries to identify all Danish women 35 years or older diagnosed with stage I-III, operable breast cancer between 1996 and 2009.

Consecutive cycles of hospital accreditation: Persistent low compliance associated with higher mortality and longer length of stay.

Objective: To examine the association between compliance with consecutive cycles of accreditation and patient-related outcomes.

Design: A Danish nationwide population-based study from 2012 to 2015.

Setting: In-patients admitted with one of the 80 diagnoses at public, non-psychiatric hospitals.

Compliance with accreditation and recommended hospital care-a Danish nationwide population-based study.

Objective: To examine the association between compliance with accreditation and recommended hospital care.

Design: A Danish nationwide population-based follow-up study based on data from six national, clinical quality registries between November 2009 and December 2012.

Setting: Public, non-psychiatric Danish hospitals.

Predictors of the effectiveness of accreditation on hospital performance: A nationwide stepped-wedge study.

Objective: To identify predictors of the effectiveness of hospital accreditation on process performance measures.

Design: A multi-level, longitudinal, stepped-wedge, nationwide study.

Participants: All patients admitted for acute stroke, heart failure, ulcers, diabetes, breast cancer and lung cancer at Danish hospitals.

Improvement in quality of hospital care during accreditation: A nationwide stepped-wedge study.

Objective: To assess changes over time in quality of hospital care in relation to the first accreditation cycle in Denmark.

Design, Setting And Participants: We performed a multi-level, longitudinal, stepped-wedge, nationwide study of process performance measures to evaluate the impact of a mandatory accreditation programme in all Danish public hospitals. Patient-level data (n = 1 624 518 processes of care) on stroke, heart failure, ulcer, diabetes, breast cancer and lung cancer care were obtained from national clinical quality registries.

Is compliance with hospital accreditation associated with length of stay and acute readmission? A Danish nationwide population-based study.

Objective: To examine the association between compliance with hospital accreditation and length of stay (LOS) and acute readmission (AR).

Design: A nationwide population-based follow-up study from November 2009 to December 2012.

Setting: Public, non-psychiatric Danish hospitals.

Accreditation and improvement in process quality of care: a nationwide study.

Objective: To examine whether performance measures improve more in accredited hospitals than in non-accredited hospital.

Design And Setting: A historical follow-up study was performed using process of care data from all public Danish hospitals in order to examine the development over time in performance measures according to participation in accreditation programs.

Participants: All patients admitted for acute stroke, heart failure or ulcer at Danish hospitals.

Compliance with hospital accreditation and patient mortality: a Danish nationwide population-based study.

Objective: To examine the association between compliance with hospital accreditation and 30-day mortality.

Design: A nationwide population-based, follow-up study with data from national, public registries.

Setting: Public, non-psychiatric Danish hospitals.