Journal of general internal medicine
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The Opioid Safety Initiative (OSI) was implemented in 2013 to enhance the safe and appropriate use of opioids in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). Opioid use decreased nationally in subsequent years, but characterization of opioid de-prescribing practices has not been well established. ⋯ Veterans discontinued from high-dose long-term opioids in FY17 were more optimally managed compared to those in FY13. Findings suggest improvements in opioid de-prescribing following OSI implementation, but interpretation is limited by study design.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Health Information Exchange Plus a Care Transitions Intervention on Post-Hospital Outcomes Among VA Primary Care Patients: a Randomized Clinical Trial.
Health information exchange (HIE) notifications when patients experience cross-system acute care encounters offer an opportunity to provide timely transitions interventions to improve care across systems. ⋯ A care transitions intervention did not improve outcomes for veterans after a non-VA acute care encounter, as compared with HIE notification alone. Additional research is warranted to identify transitions services across systems that are implementable and could improve outcomes.
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Comparative Study
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Intrauterine Contraception and Tubal Ligation.
Tubal ligation remains common in the USA, especially among low-income patients. ⋯ NCT03438682.
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Healthcare fragmentation may lead to adverse consequences and may be amplified among older, sicker patients with mental health (MH) conditions. ⋯ Contrary to expectations, having a MH condition was associated with less fragmented non-MH care among older, high-risk Veterans. Further research will determine if this is due to different needs, underuse, or appropriate use of healthcare.
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The triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index is a useful marker of insulin resistance and is a predictor of several metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between the TyG index and all-cause or cardiovascular mortality using a large population-based cohort study database. ⋯ The TyG index in a young, relatively healthy, population is associated with an elevated risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This association between the TyG index and all-cause mortality persists in women after multivariable adjustment.