Journal of the American Medical Directors Association
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
An open-label, randomized, multicenter, controlled study of epoetin alfa for the treatment of anemia of chronic kidney disease in the long term care setting.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of epoetin alfa administered in extended-dosing intervals to a target hemoglobin (Hb) level not exceeding 12.0 g/dL for the treatment of anemia in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) not on dialysis. ⋯ The administration of epoetin alfa in extended-dosing intervals of Q2W followed by Q4W was safe and effective in the treatment of anemia in subjects with CKD who reside in LTC facilities.
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Implementation of prophylaxis for venous thomboembolism (VTE) through risk assessment based on clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) is variably adopted in long term care facilities (LTCF). Current guidelines recommend venous thromboembolism prophylaxis (VTE-P) following risk assessment, individualized to patient status. In LTCF, differing comorbidity, life-expectancy, ethical, and quality-of-life issues may warrant a unique approach. This article examines VTE-P practices in LTCF before and after educational intervention to bring practice patterns consistent with CPGs. ⋯ The study confirms the presence of significant comorbidity in LTC residents, many with indications for VTE-P, some with contraindications for anticoagulation. Following educational intervention, more residents received VTE-P, influenced by risk-benefit ratio favoring treatment. These findings suggest that even a modest educational intervention significantly improves provider knowledge pertinent to risk assessment consistent with CPG and more appropriate VTE-P.
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Multicenter Study
Predicting outcomes from 6-minute walk distance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Exercise tolerance is an important clinical aspect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that can be easily and reliably measured with the 6-minute walking test (6MWT). To improve the utility of the 6MWT for patient and health care system management, the interpretation of the functional status measure in relation to death and hospitalization should be elucidated. ⋯ The 6MWD provides prognostic information that may be useful for identifying high-risk patients with COPD.