Annals of internal medicine
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To determine why Required Request policies, which mandate that hospitals request donation from donor-eligible families, have not resulted in increased organ procurement. ⋯ Although health care professionals do request that families donate, families consent to donation less frequently than was previously assumed. Empirically based education campaigns are needed so that health care professionals can improve their communication skills and so that discussion about this important issue can be stimulated among family members.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparing subcutaneous danaparoid with intravenous unfractionated heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism. A randomized controlled trial.
To compare the efficacy and safety of two subcutaneous doses of danaparoid with that of continuous intravenous administration of unfractionated heparin in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. ⋯ Our results suggest that high-dose danaparoid is safer and more effective than unfractionated heparin for the treatment of venous thromboembolism.
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To determine whether two applicants who misrepresented their accomplishments in applications for gastroenterology fellowships reflected isolated incidents or whether misrepresentation was more wide-spread. ⋯ Misrepresentation on applications for gastroenterology fellowships was common. The following steps are recommended: 1) Fellowship programs should require that copies of all publications and letters of acceptance for manuscripts in press be submitted with fellowship applications; 2) applications should contain a statement to be signed by the applicant that the information provided is accurate; 3) persons writing letters of recommendation should verify the information being submitted by applicants; 4) medical students and residents should be taught that embellishment of curricula vitae constitutes misconduct; and 5) institutions and professional organizations should develop policies to deal with this problem.
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Early-onset hearing impairment is a common disability in the United States. Persons with hearing loss, whether they use American Sign Language or lip-read, must look at those with whom they are speaking. ⋯ The best way to communicate with most deaf persons is through a qualified American Sign Language interpreter. This paper discusses communication with deaf persons and ways in which health care providers and hospitals can improve their interactions with deaf patients.
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To evaluate the feasibility of linking claims-based pattern analysis with medical record review in the assessment of quality of hospital care among Medicare beneficiaries with acute myocardial infarction. ⋯ Medicare principal diagnosis codes for acute myocardial infarction were accurate in the six study hospitals. Therapies that have been endorsed by clinicians in Connecticut were underused in elderly patients. Pattern analysis of Medicare claims data can be useful as a quality-of-care screening tool; however, additional clinical information is required to stimulate quality improvement efforts within hospitals.