Articles tagged with Health Care Delivery
The study found improvements in some quality measures, such as recommended medical treatment and cancer screening, but worsened in others, like antibiotic use. Patient experience ratings also showed significant gains. However, deficits in care continue to pose serious health risks.
A 7-state research consortium led by Henry Ford Health System has been awarded funding to expand the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to enroll 1 million participants and collect data on lifestyle, environment, and genetics influencing health and disease risk.
A randomized controlled trial involving over 300 informal health care providers in West Bengal found that training increased correct case management for ailments like angina, diarrhea, and asthma. However, the training did not significantly affect drug prescribing behavior, including antibiotic overprescription.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that implementing lean processes reduced average surgical wait times from 33 days to 12 days, while increasing operative volume and reducing no-shows. The improvements were sustained over multiple areas and seen during the implementation of new technologies.
A 10-year study shows that integrating mental and physical healthcare results in higher screening rates, more proactive treatment, and better clinical outcomes for patients. Patients in team-based practices had lower rates of healthcare utilization and costs compared to traditional practices.
A study found that integrated team-based care practices were associated with higher rates of quality measures, such as active depression screening and adherence to diabetes care bundles. This approach also led to lower rates of acute care utilization and reduced payments received by the delivery system.
A recent analysis calls for broader support for patients with serious chronic illnesses, moving away from end-of-life focus and expanding medical education. Canada ranks 18th worldwide in palliative care availability and must develop more strategies to promote care to patients with non-cancerous illnesses.
The Einstein-Montefiore and CUNY research team will use the data for their own research projects, addressing scientific clinical and healthcare delivery questions that inform care in Central Africa and beyond. The ongoing study involves over 50,000 HIV-positive children and adults taking anti-retroviral therapy.
A recent study in Health Affairs highlights critical primary care shortcomings in Latin American countries, including high rates of skipping needed care and emergency department usage. The findings emphasize the urgent need for attention to address these gaps as populations continue to age.
The study found that despite progress toward universal coverage, citizens still reported gaps in primary care organization, financing, and delivery in six Latin American and Caribbean countries. People with better experiences at the primary care level were less likely to say their health system needed major reforms.
A new study finds that patients taken directly to endovascular centers receive treatment 99 minutes earlier than those transferred from one hospital to another. This reduces the chance of a good outcome by 30-40%. Implementing this insight could improve patient outcomes nationwide.
Researchers found that low UPSIT scores predicted dementia and cognitive decline in older adults, while entorhinal cortical thickness was associated with UPSIT score in those who transitioned to dementia. Odor identification testing may be useful in detecting early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
The University of Minnesota, Medica Research Institute, and HealthPartners Institute will study the impact of the Patient Centered Medical Home model on diabetes care in Minnesota. The research aims to identify specific changes in primary care offices that have improved health outcomes for patients with diabetes.
A study analyzed Medicare beneficiaries and found that admission to primary stroke centers (PSCs) was associated with lower seven-day and 30-day death rates. However, longer travel times of at least 90 minutes to PSCs appeared to offset any benefit of care there.
A new web-based data facility has been launched to aid the creation and implementation of patient-centered care policy. The Measure for Person Centred Coordinated Care (P3C) provides a compendium of measures for person centred care, making it easier to source information for commissioners and researchers.
A new study describes a scalable solution for transforming health-care delivery in primary care into the PCMH model. A simplified form of cognitive task analysis (CTA) was used to analyze how doctors' office staff thought about and delivered care, advising them on improvements.
A systematic review of 69 studies found that VA facilities offer similar or superior quality care in some areas, such as mortality rates and preventive services. The study suggests that the VA healthcare system compares favorably with other health care settings.
The VA healthcare system generally delivers safe and effective care similar to other health systems, with some exceptions. However, studies on timeliness, equity, efficiency, and patient-centeredness show mixed results.
The grant will support Columbia University's Precision Medicine Initiative and integrate special populations into translational research efforts. The Irving Institute aims to increase focus on precision medicine, develop translational therapeutics, and nurture a cadre of junior scientists with diverse backgrounds.
A systematic literature review by The Dartmouth Institute found that multicomponent strategies targeting both patient and clinician involvement are effective in reducing low-value care. These interventions include providing feedback to physicians and medical staff on their use of low-value services.
A review article argues that telehealth will transform healthcare delivery, providing access to care at a lower cost. The authors identify three trends reshaping telehealth: making care more accessible, expanding its application beyond acute conditions, and migrating from hospitals to home and mobile devices.
The UC Riverside School of Medicine has received a $2.3 million grant to integrate medical student education, resident training, and faculty development in primary care specialties. The goal is to address health disparities and improve healthcare delivery in low-income areas of inland Southern California.
Researchers identified innovative strategies to overcome barriers to integrating mind-body medicine into primary care, including group patient visits and stress management conversations. The study aims to increase the integration of mindfulness, hypnosis, and biofeedback techniques into mainstream medical practice.
The WHO has developed an Emergency Medical Teams concept to provide surge support to national health systems in disaster situations. The United States has not adopted this concept, despite over 64 countries launching or developing teams.
Four NYC medical centers, including Columbia and Weill Cornell Medicine, will collaborate on a $46.5 million NIH grant to enroll 1 million+ US volunteers in the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to improve health outcomes by understanding individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
Researchers from GW University developed a conceptual model for acute, unscheduled care, identifying issues with current care delivery and proposing ways to improve it. The model incorporates social determinants and care-seeking decisions to optimize outcomes and reduce costs.
The NY State Dept of Health AIDS Institute has funded $3.75 million in grants to support HIV/AIDS prevention among at-risk youth in NYC. Project STAY, a comprehensive health program, aims to provide education, screenings, and linkages to care for young people engaged in risk-taking behaviors.
A study published in The BMJ found that less than 60% of premature babies born in 11 European countries received a package of four simple, widely available care measures known to improve survival. Receiving full evidence-based care was associated with improved survival rates.
A new German research project will examine migrant care workers' arrangements, comparing Germany's family-responsibility model with the Netherlands' state-framed system. The study aims to assess care quality in private households and its socio-political significance.
Studies show that e-consults can decrease wait times, improve clinical care, and reduce the need for face-to-face appointments. The use of electronic consultations increases access to specialists' care for patients who often have difficulty getting a specialist, including the uninsured and underinsured.
A new study by the Dartmouth Institute found that Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are making modest gains in reducing high-cost care settings. For patients with multiple conditions, ACOs saved an estimated $136 per patient annually, while clinically vulnerable patients saw savings of $456 per year.
A new study by Dr. Joel Ray found that women born in the Caribbean or Africa are two times more likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit at the time of their delivery than Canadian-born women. The risk is higher for mothers from Jamaica and Ghana, with rates up to 2.7 times higher than Canadian-born women.
A new study by Rice University health economists aims to understand the association between physician-hospital integration and healthcare quality and price. The project will analyze data from 2008-2013 to examine the effects of integration on patient outcomes, readmission rates, and hospital finances.
Allina Health's LifeCourse approach demonstrates significantly better quality of life scores for patients with chronic illness compared to usual care. The program employs a patient-centered experience tool to understand and support the needs of complex patients.
Penn State College of Medicine faculty define health systems science and its curriculum, complementing basic and clinical sciences. They identified 12 core domains and cross-cutting domains to be included in medical school curricula.
A recent study by Indiana University researchers found that young African-American adults are less susceptible to delirium in the ICU compared to Caucasians of the same age group. The study, which analyzed data from over 2,000 adults, also revealed differences in medication use and disease severity between racial groups.
A new study shows that the innovative OnTouch Via patch enabled over 50% of diabetes patients to report improved insulin dose compliance. The wearable patch allows for discreet delivery of rapid-acting insulin at mealtimes, reducing stress and anxiety associated with dosing.
Researchers found that men with localized prostate cancer often underestimate their life expectancy without treatment and overestimate the benefits of surgery or radiation. This can lead to overtreatment, decisional regret, and decreased post-treatment quality of life. A recent study published in the Annals of Family Medicine suggests ...
A panel of international experts has published a Consensus Statement recommending how to deliver cardiac rehab components at low cost in developing countries. The statement recommends leveraging affordable technologies and community health workers to increase access to life-saving programs.
A new study suggests that lowering blood pressure goals for adults at high risk of cardiovascular disease could prevent up to 43,000 additional deaths from cardiovascular disease each year. The simulation also found that intensive blood pressure treatment would be cost-effective and improve treatment outcomes for men.
Two new studies published in The Lancet find no association between weekend senior doctor staffing levels and mortality, instead highlighting variations in quality of care throughout the week. Researchers suggest that policies to address weekend quality of care alone represent a major oversimplification of the problem.
Researchers from NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine found that the landmark national study's methodology was flawed, leading to misinterpreted results that questioned the effectiveness of PSA testing. They suggest reconsidering prostate cancer screening guidelines.
Outpatient oral antibiotic prescriptions were estimated to be 30% inappropriate in the US, with an annual impact of 34 million unnecessary prescriptions. A 15% reduction in overall antibiotic use is necessary to meet the White House National Action Plan goal by 2020.
A study at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found that using a hearing aid significantly improves cognitive test scores in older adults with hearing loss. The researchers suggest that this may help prevent or slow the development of dementia.
A new study reveals substantial disparities in healthcare quality experienced by Hispanic Puerto Rican residents in Medicare Advantage plans. Despite making up nearly a quarter of enrolled residents, Puerto Ricans received significantly worse care on 15 of 17 quality indicators, with gaps exceeding 5 percentage points.
Researchers have discovered a new neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by GNB1 gene mutations, leading to severe developmental delays and seizures. Whole-exome sequencing of patients revealed the genetic mutations, paving the way for targeted therapies.
Programs to prevent inappropriate medication use, reduce unnecessary medical procedures, and link vulnerable adults to Medicare are highlighted at the AGS16 meeting. These initiatives aim to improve quality of care and address population growth needs for older adults.
Experts estimate that expanding proven interventions in pregnancy care, infectious disease treatment, and childhood nutrition could avert millions of maternal, newborn, and child deaths annually. The estimated investment required is approximately $6-12 billion per year, equivalent to just $4.7-$6.7 per person.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has identified six promising practices to improve healthcare for individuals with social risk factors. These practices include commitment to health equity, data and measurement, comprehensive needs assessment, collaborative partnerships, care continuity, and engaging patient...
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that quality of care varied significantly among eight commercial virtual visit companies, with differences in diagnosis accuracy and adherence to guidelines. The variation was greater for certain conditions, such as viral pharyngitis and acute rhinosinusitis.
The University of Stirling has developed an innovative activity toolkit to support people living with dementia. The 'gardens' themed kit provides a group activity pack to prompt conversation and reminiscence, aiming to bring benefits such as constructive conversations, social connections, and engagement with personal histories.
A new genetic urine test has been developed to predict high-grade prostate cancer, identifying 92 percent of men with elevated PSA levels who had high-grade cancers. The test could spare hundreds of thousands of men from unnecessary biopsies and reduce the risks associated with the procedure.
Researchers found that charges are inflated by a factor of three to one, disproportionately affecting the underinsured and uninsured. The study suggests targeting office-based events and procedures rather than operating room interventions for improved value within surgical care.
Paul Lee examines the USPSTF's latest report on vision screening for asymptomatic older adults. The study highlights strengths and challenges in the current recommendation process, emphasizing the need for more rigorous clinical trials to inform treatment decisions.
A University of Michigan team proposes customer loyalty programs in healthcare to enhance both health and financial benefits. They suggest perks for patients based on how long they've stayed with the same doctors or received care from network sites.
A University of Leicester study finds that GPs and hypertension detection are associated with lower premature mortality in England. In less deprived practices, continuity of care was also linked to lower mortality rates.
Researchers found that uninsured children have the lowest and most unstable medical home experiences, despite being in greatest need of constant, quality care. The study emphasizes the need for extra efforts to ensure all children have access to quality healthcare, even with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
A Kaiser Permanente study shows that patients who accessed their online health information and received timely alerts about potential gaps in care were more likely to receive preventive tests and screenings. The online tool enhanced the rate of preventive care by 9% for mammograms, 6% for Pap smears, and 12% for diabetes testing.
Demand for VA services is expected to increase until the end of the decade, driven by an aging veteran population and higher reliance on VA health services. The system faces challenges in providing care to veterans outside its facilities, with long waits and limited access to specialty care in rural areas.
A multicenter trial found that corticosteroids significantly reduced severe respiratory complications and hospital stays in late preterm babies. The study's lead investigator believes this will transform the way healthcare is delivered to mothers at risk of late preterm delivery.