Research on how health care reaches patients. Covers online screening programs, care delays, regional cardiology, and surgical treatment access.
Two studies suggest that cleansing umbilical cord with chlorhexidine solution during and after birth can reduce sepsis and mortality in babies in rural parts of Sindh province, Pakistan. The interventions showed a significant reduction in infections and mortality risk, with no effect seen from handwashing alone.
A new study published by Kaiser Permanente found that older women who lose more than two inches in height face a higher risk of fractures and death. The research suggests that clinicians should consider bone density testing, counseling, and treatment to help prevent fractures. Women who lost more than two inches in height were 50% more...
A study published in Archives of Ophthalmology found that commercial insurance was the most frequent payer of emergency department outpatient services in Florida, followed by self-pay and Medicaid. The data suggest a shift towards Medicaid as patients move into eligible categories, which may impact eye care delivery models in the state.
Christian Davis Furman, a leading geriatrician at UofL, has been chosen for the CMS Innovation Advisors Program to enhance healthcare delivery and reduce costs. She will receive a stipend of up to $20,000 to support her activities during the one-year program.
A study of nurses and physicians in ICUs found that perceived inappropriateness of care was common, associated with inadequate decision sharing, communication, and job autonomy. The main reported reason for perceived inappropriateness of care was a mismatch between the level of care and the expected patient outcome.
A study at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that patients are overwhelmingly interested in accessing their doctors' notes, but doctors are cautious about the impact on their workflow. Patients reported benefits such as improved medication adherence and feeling more in control of their care.
Physician-defined patient complexity differs from common diagnosis-based measures, highlighting social and behavioral contexts that impact primary care. Primary care physicians designated about one-quarter of their patients as complex, with older, more experienced physicians reporting higher proportions.
A study published in Medical Care explores ways to empower patients and transform cancer care systems to improve quality. Researchers propose new approaches, including accountable care and personal health records, to address racial disparities and wasteful overuse.
Research on funding models in primary care practices found no association with superior preventive care delivery. Instead, female physicians, smaller patient loads, and electronic reminders were linked to better health outcomes.
The study found that the nation's largest for-profit chains operate with significantly lower staffing levels than non-profit and government-owned nursing homes, leading to poorer quality of care. The top 10 chains have a strategy of keeping labor costs low to increase profits, resulting in more deficiencies and serious deficiencies.
A community-based care coordination approach combining evidence-based science and asthma education has shown improvements in health outcomes, particularly among low-income and minority children. The program demonstrated reductions in emergency room visits and hospitalizations, as well as increased parent empowerment and environmental t...
New Zealand's strategic approach to health care, from patient to provider and community, has enabled the development of integrated care services. The country's experience with electronic medical records and health IT systems has helped make it a leader in overall quality of care delivery.
A partnership between Xavier University, Daughters of Charity Services and Children's Health Fund is bringing reliable healthcare to children with asthma in New Orleans. The program uses a unique approach to deliver evidence-based care through community health centers and mobile clinics.
A recent study reveals that nearly half of physician practices in the US do not meet national standards for 'medical homes', a model of care that aims to provide higher quality and cost-efficient care. The lack of access to these medical homes disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those living below the poverty l...
A survey of 87 mostly developing countries shows improvement in awareness of mental health issues among leaders, but poor political will and limited resources remain major barriers. Successful examples include mental health campaigns in Nigeria and Uganda's integration of services into primary care.
A new study found that patients who visited physical therapists directly had fewer visits and lower overall costs, while maintaining continuity of care. The study analyzed 62,707 episodes of physical therapy and suggested eliminating physician referral requirements for physical therapist services.
A QUT program trains nurses to provide end-of-treatment care plans for cancer patients, reducing the need for ongoing information and emotional support. The intervention also leads to lower proportions of patients requiring emotional support and improved GP feedback on care plans.
A study by UCLA researchers found that primary care physicians who treat Latino patients are less likely to believe they can provide high-quality care. The challenges include inadequate time with patients, lack of affordability, non-adherence to treatments, and difficulties in communication. Implementing the Affordable Care Act may add...
A new report highlights significant disparities in health care access and outcomes among vulnerable populations. The Commonwealth Fund Commission recommends a three-pronged policy framework to ensure adequate access, financial protection, and improved coordination of care. This will help reduce rates of preventable hospital admissions ...
A study found that almost 60% of people who have a stroke experience one or more falls afterwards, with most occurring in their own homes. To address this risk, experts recommend proactive measures such as assessments to create fall-proof homes and post-stroke rehabilitation to test balance and learn exercises to prevent falls.
The Austen BioInnovation Institute's Accountable Care Community (ACC) initiative aims to improve the health status and healthcare delivery in Akron, focusing on chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. The project will gather a group of health providers from nearly every community outpost to develop a blueprint guiding Akron's de...
A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that women aged 65-69 who break a hip are five times more likely to die within a year than those who don't. The study also discovered that for women aged 70-79, a hip fracture doubles the risk of dying, while for those aged 80 and older in excellent health, it nearly triples. These findings hig...
A survey of US primary care physicians reveals that nearly half believe their patients receive too much medical care, while 52% think the amount is just right. The authors suggest that reimbursement systems should encourage longer visits to reduce pressures on physicians.
Tens of billions committed globally to improve the health of women and children, with over $11 billion from poorest countries. The Every Woman, Every Child effort aims to reduce death tolls and improve health outcomes through policy and service delivery commitments.
The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare proposes an agenda to improve compassionate care in the US healthcare system. The center's recommendations include measuring compassionate care through a national quality standard, funding comparative effectiveness research, and developing comprehensive training programs.
A review article by BUSM professor Judith A. Linden outlines comprehensive protocols for evaluating and treating adult victims of sexual assault in emergency departments and primary care settings. The article highlights the importance of evidence collection, emotional support, and medical follow-up appointments to provide optimal care.
Japan has seen a recent decline in mortality rates for adult men and women, falling behind countries like Sweden, Italy, and Australia. The main explanations for this trend include high tobacco consumption, rising body mass index, and increasing suicide rates.
A study in PLoS Medicine found significant improvements in Afghanistan's health care services between 2004 and 2008, particularly in capacity and delivery of care. However, the authors warn that security issues threaten progress and the likelihood of Afghanistan emerging from its fragile status.
A new patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model has shown significant improvement in diabetes management, increasing adherence to evidence-based care guidelines and clinical outcomes. The study found a notable increase in patients receiving essential services such as yearly exams and vaccinations, leading to better health outcomes.
A lack of understanding about HPV vaccination and its link to future cervical screening has been found among parents and girls in the UK. Despite being effective against two high-risk HPV types, vaccinated individuals still require regular cervical screenings to protect against other strains that can cause cancer.
Using a dataset of 873 children's heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation measurements, researchers developed data fusion models that predicted the severity of their illness with moderate accuracy. The best-performing model had a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 75.8%, outperforming existing scoring systems.
Hospitals in US territories demonstrate worse performance on core processes for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia compared to hospitals in the US. The territories have higher mortality rates and lower performance measures for patients discharged after these conditions.
Project ECHO demonstrates that primary care providers can be trained to manage complex chronic conditions via videoconferencing technology, expanding their ability to treat very sick patients. The model has been shown to improve treatment outcomes and reduce racial and ethnic disparities in minority communities.
A study of over 2,900 pediatric patients found that 12% returned to the ER within six months of their initial visit, despite having an outpatient mental health provider. The majority of ER visits stemmed from behavioral problems or minor psychiatric crises.
A recent study indicates that prolonged sleep deprivation among doctors can result in higher rates of surgical complications. The authors suggest establishing minimum uninterrupted sleep hours as a best practice standard to ensure patient safety.
A study found that areas with higher levels of primary care physicians had modestly lower death rates and fewer preventable hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries. Beneficiaries in high-primary-care-physician areas had 6% lower ACSC hospitalization rates compared to low-primary-care-physician areas.
A telemedicine intervention in ICUs was associated with lower hospital and ICU mortality, lower rates of preventable complications, and shorter hospital and ICU lengths of stay. The study found that the tele-ICU team improved best clinical practice adherence for critical care procedures, leading to better patient outcomes.
Researchers found that heart-related hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries decreased from 1998 to 2008, with coronary artery disease and heart attack seeing significant declines. However, cardiac arrhythmia hospitalizations increased, while chronic bronchitis hospitalizations rose.
Dr. Ed Wagner receives the prestigious William B. Graham Prize for his work in chronic illness management, cancer care, and patient-centered care. The prize recognizes his significant contributions to studying how best to provide healthcare.
A quick, inexpensive, and easy-to-administer physiological measure of pupil dilation in response to emotional words can predict which patients are likely to respond to cognitive therapy. This technology has the potential to improve treatment response rates in mental health clinics.
A study comparing US and UK ICU admissions found that UK patients were sicker upon admission, while US patients required more continuing care after discharge. Hospital mortality rates varied between the countries due to differences in healthcare systems and discharge practices.
A reformed Medicaid program must prioritize coordinated primary care to ensure access and sustainability. The American College of Physicians recommends various improvements, including increased payment rates, reduced administrative burdens, and expanded long-term care options.
The VA has seen significant improvements in healthcare quality over the last decade, with better care for seniors and patients with diabetes. However, racial disparities persist, with black veterans experiencing lower quality of care and fewer favorable outcomes compared to white veterans.
A survey by the Commonwealth Fund found that seven in ten adults think the US healthcare system needs to be fundamentally changed. The concerns include access barriers, poorly coordinated care, and growing costs. Strong support was also shown for patient-centered care systems and innovative use of teams and information systems.
CMAJ states that Canada's federal election should prioritize quality health care delivery over sustainability. The six aspects of high-quality care include safety, effectiveness, patient-centred care, timeliness, efficiency, and equity. A national electronic health record system is vital to ensuring quality care.
A Europe-wide survey of over 9,000 people across seven countries found that 71% prioritize improving quality of life in their final time, while 4% aim to prolong life and 25% value both equally. The study calls for a shift towards prioritizing patients' needs alongside potentially life-prolonging treatments.
A randomized trial of 208 Group Health patients found that online care management significantly reduced symptoms of depression and improved medication adherence. The study suggests that online messaging can be a convenient and affordable alternative to traditional phone calls for follow-up care.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that only a third of births in rural Zambia occurred at a health facility, with half of mothers living over 25 km from basic emergency obstetric care. The level of care at the facility significantly influenced the odds of facility delivery.
A quality improvement intervention improved the adoption of evidence-based care practices in intensive care units, with greatest gains in catheter-related bloodstream infection prevention and ventilator-associated pneumonia prevention. The study's findings suggest that collaborative networks can help community hospitals improve ICU out...
In Pakistan, community health workers known as Lady Health Workers (LHWs) reduced stillbirths by 21% and newborn deaths by 15%, despite low coverage. The LHWs delivered a package of preventive and promotive maternal and newborn care interventions, including antenatal care promotion and clean delivery kits.
The Affordable Care Act offers comprehensive health benefits to 8.6 million uninsured adults ages 50-64 and 9.7 million underinsured adults. Baby boomers will gain improved coverage through essential benefit standards, limits on out-of-pocket spending, and elimination of lifetime benefit limits.
A RAND Corporation study finds that home health care technology can empower patients to self-manage their conditions, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs. Despite its promise, adoption faces obstacles such as restrictive insurance coverage, limited patient readiness, and concerns about product design.
The Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center hosted a symposium on high-value health care, emphasizing the need for payment reform and collaborative approaches. Panelists stressed the importance of integrated care, ACOs, and electronic health records in achieving better health outcomes.
A study found that integrating smoking cessation treatment with mental health care for PTSD resulted in higher rates of prolonged smoking abstinence among military veterans. The treatment, known as integrated care (IC), was more effective than referral to specialized cessation treatment.
A study of 25,910 adult patients found that starting dialysis too early is associated with a higher risk of death. In contrast, early referral to a nephrologist is consistently linked to improved survival rates.
The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health has secured over $40 billion in commitments to improve maternal and child health, with key stakeholders meeting in Delhi to promote accountability. The Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health has been instrumental in mobilizing these funds.
A study by the University of Michigan Health System found that specialists spend over 650,000 work weeks on routine follow-up care for patients with common chronic conditions. Delegating a proportion of this care could create system-wide efficiencies and free up specialists to focus on new patients and complex cases.
The European Board of Intensive Care Medicine aims to increase recognition of intensive care medicine within European legislation. The ESICM launches the 'Linking Intensive Care to Family Experience' (LIFE) campaign to improve quality by including patient and family views.
The article discusses the variations in end-of-life care in intensive care units (ICUs) and the need for clinicians to be aware of subtle institutional pressures and adapt their approach to individual patients. Key findings include differences in family involvement, communication styles, and attitudes toward withdrawing life support ac...
A Web-based tool extracted from the electronic medical record helps primary care physicians manage care for individual patients, groups of patients or their entire panel. The Panel Support Tool (PST) improves care for patients with diabetes and/or heart disease, and provides better preventive care for healthy patients.