The American journal of managed care
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To examine patient and physician factors affecting utilization of diagnostic imaging in primary care. ⋯ Both patient and physician factors have a substantial effect on primary care outpatient diagnostic imaging utilization. Several of these significantly influence both the probability that any images will be ordered and the intensity (number) of imaging.
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The emergence of information technology in healthcare holds the promise to transform the industry through the creation of highly reliable information exchange. These same technologies have a central role in the patient safety movement. Organizations that wish to deliver safe and high-quality healthcare will only be successful if they plan, develop, and use health information systems with the principles of high-performing organizations in mind. We discuss the current state of health information technology in the patient safety movement, how this technology can contribute to high organizational performance, and some caveats.
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To evaluate the factors associated with nonadherence in a nationally representative sample of patients receiving lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). ⋯ Medication adherence remains poor in patients receiving LLT. Treatment outcomes and healthcare resource use may be improved by prioritizing adherence programs in at-risk patient populations.