The Permanente journal
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The Permanente journal · Jan 2014
Multicenter StudyImproving appropriate use of pulmonary computed tomography angiography by increasing the serum D-dimer threshold and assessing clinical probability.
To determine whether the implementation of an increased D-dimer threshold value and clinical probability assessment increases the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients undergoing pulmonary computed tomography angiography (PCTA) in an Emergency Department setting. ⋯ The implementation of an increased D-dimer threshold value increased the prevalence of PE in patients undergoing PCTA in an Emergency Department setting, but more consistent application of clinical probability assessment remains an elusive target.
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The Emergency Department (ED) is the place where people most frequently seek urgent care. For patients living with chronic disease or malignancy who may be in a crisis, this visit may be pivotal in determining the patients' trajectory. There is a large movement in education of emergency medicine physicians, hospitalists, and intensivists from acute aggressive interventions to patient-goal assessment, recognizing last stages of life and prioritizing symptom management. ⋯ This article will summarize the following: identification of patients who may need palliation, discussing prognosis, eliciting goals of care and directives, symptom management in the ED, and making plans for further care. These efforts have been shown to improve outcomes and to decrease length of stay and cost. The focus of this article is relieving "patient" symptoms and family distress, honoring the patient's goals of care, and assisting in transition to a noncurative approach and placement where this may be accomplished.
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The Permanente journal · Jan 2014
Prediabetes and lifestyle modification: time to prevent a preventable disease.
More than 100 million Americans have prediabetes or diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes. ⋯ To prevent 1 case of diabetes during a 3-year period, 6.9 persons would have to participate in the lifestyle intervention program. In addition, recent data suggest that the difference in direct and indirect costs to care for a patient with prediabetes vs a patient with diabetes may be as much as $7000 per year. Investment in a diabetes prevention program now may have a substantial return on investment in the future and help prevent a preventable disease.
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A tele-intensive care unit (tele-ICU) uses telemedicine in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, applying technology to provide care to critically ill patients by off-site clinical resources. The purpose of this review was to examine the implementation, adoption, and utilization of tele-ICU systems by hospitals to determine their efficiency and efficacy as identified by cost savings and patient outcomes. ⋯ Intensivists working these systems are able to more effectively treat ICU patients, providing better clinical outcomes for patients at lower costs compared with hospitals without a tele-ICU.
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The Permanente journal · Jan 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of transcendental meditation on employee stress, depression, and burnout: a randomized controlled study.
Workplace stress and burnout are pervasive problems, affecting employee performance and personal health. ⋯ The Transcendental Meditation program was effective in reducing psychological distress in teachers and support staff working in a therapeutic school for students with behavioral problems. These findings have important implications for employees’ job performance as well as their mental and physical health.