The American journal of managed care
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Depression self-management assistance using automated telephonic assessments and social support.
To understand patient participation in interactive voice response (IVR) depression monitoring and self-management support calls and estimate the workload from clinical alerts based on patients' IVR reports. ⋯ IVR support calls represent a viable strategy for increasing access to depression monitoring and self-management assistance in primary care. These programs generate a manageable number of alerts, most of which can be triaged with limited physician involvement.
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Multicenter Study
Impact of cardiac telemetry on patient safety and cost.
With the impetus for healthcare reform and the imperative for healthcare organizations to improve efficiency and reduce waste, it is valuable to examine high-volume procedures and practices in order to identify potential overuse. At the same time, organizations must ensure that improved efficiency does not inadvertently reduce patient safety. ⋯ Reducing the use of telemetry on nonindicated days may provide an opportunity for institutions to safely reduce cost as well as staff time and effort, while maintaining and potentially increasing patient safety.
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To identify factors associated with delayed radiotherapy (RT) in older women with early-stage breast cancer. ⋯ Timely RT should be facilitated through physician and patient education, navigation, and notification programs to improve quality of care. Queues for RT appointments should be evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure adequate access. Future research should examine modifiable barriers to RT timeliness and whether delays impact long-term outcomes.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Economic evaluation of controlled-release oxycodone vs oxycodone-acetaminophen for osteoarthritis pain of the hip or knee.
To examine, in routine practice, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of oxycodone (OxyContin) compared with standard therapy for osteoarthritis pain. ⋯ From the societal perspective, oxycodone was more effective and less costly than oxycodone-acetaminophen. From the healthcare perspective, oxycodone (compared with generic oxycodone-acetaminophen) fell within the acceptable range of cost-effectiveness between 50,000 US dollars and 100,000 US dollars per QALY gained.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The relationship of system-level quality improvement with quality of depression care.
To explore the relationship of systemwide continuous quality improvement (CQI) with depression care quality in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). ⋯ Although CQI may help bridge the healthcare quality gap, it may not be associated with higher disease-specific quality of care.