Disseminating Knowledge in Intestinal Failure: Initial Report of the Learn Intestinal Failure Tele-ECHO (LIFT-ECHO) Project

Authors

Kishore Iyer, 1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Intestinal Rehab and Transplant Program, New York, New York, USA
Marjorie Nisenholtz, 1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Intestinal Rehab and Transplant Program, New York, New York, USA
David Gutierrez, 1Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Intestinal Rehab and Transplant Program, New York, New York, USA
Marion Winkler, Department of Surgery and Nutritional Support Service, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Kelly Tappenden, Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Douglas Seidner, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Donald F. Kirby, Center for Human Nutrition, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Michelle Spangeburg, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Ronald Potts, Interlink Health Services, Hillsboro, USA
Anthony Bonagura, Optum Inc, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA
Joan Bishop, Oley Foundation, Albany, New York, USA
Lisa Metzger, Oley Foundation, Albany, New York, USA
Sanjeev Arora, ECHO InstituteUniversity of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-13-2021

Abstract

Background

Intestinal failure (IF) is defined as an ultrarare disease, with an estimated prevalence of ∼25,000 cases in the US. There is a suspicion of disparities in outcomes in IF care, likely related to widespread lack of expertise. The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model originally described by Dr Sanjeev Arora has been used to disseminate knowledge and best practices in many chronic diseases to improve outcomes. We examined our initial experience with using the ECHO model to disseminate learning in IF.

Method

This is a retrospective review of the launch, growth, and geographic reach of the Learn Intestinal Failure TeleECHO (LIFT-ECHO) program using prospectively collected data.

Results

The LIFT-ECHO program has achieved significant geographic reach and clinician engagement. The program has reached close to two-thirds of the states in the US and several countries outside. Clinician engagement in the learning program appears to be growing exponentially.

Conclusion

It is feasible to use the ECHO model to disseminate knowledge in managing a rare disease like IF while maintaining fidelity to the proven model. Studies are underway to demonstrate direct benefit to patients.

Recommended Citation

Iyer, K., Nisenholtz, M., Gutierrez, D., Winkler, M., Tappenden, K., Seidner, D... & Arora, S. Disseminating knowledge in intestinal failure: initial report of the Learn Intestinal Failure Tele-ECHO (LIFT-ECHO) Project. Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. 2021; 45(5): 1108-1112. Available at: https://aspenjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/jpen.2078?casa_token=PvsiysauvHYAAAAA:t RBTWJewPNB0RZEQf7vZM6K-WVn_yvBKywfidhJfxK_wj1oM4l7KXhv4duzQovhs7CfuqULhaonD.