Outcomes management
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Outcomes management · Oct 2003
Multicenter StudyExploring outcomes after critical illness in the elderly.
Outcomes for elderly patients after critical illness have been examined predominantly in terms of survival and selected aspects of functional status. The objectives of this study were to explore and compare the impact of intensive care unit treatment on health and functional status outcomes among 196 elderly and middle-age patients. ⋯ Severity of illness, not age, was the best predictor of physical functioning. Despite having more documented discharge planning, elderly patients reported concern about managing their care at home and knowing less about their medications, which have direct implications for care.
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Outcomes management · Jul 2003
ReviewRole of the organization in translating research into evidence-based practice.
Many healthcare services, including nursing, aspire to make evidence-based practice a part of their operations. Little systematic attention, however, has been paid as to how to effectively make this happen. This article presents a conceptual framework to assist those attempting to bring about widespread evidence-based practice. In light of supportive translation research and evaluation, it emphasizes the role of culture, capacity, and infrastructure as integral to the long-term, sustained success of such efforts.
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Outcomes management · Jan 2003
Resource utilization in home health chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in this country, with a total annual cost of approximately $23 billion. This study examined the impact on total resource utilization when a pulmonary specialty team manages the in-home healthcare of the patient suffering from advanced COPD. Following implementation of the pulmonary specialty team, the use of hospital, emergency department, and skilled nursing facility resources decreased while home healthcare resource use increased. The overall costs were reduced on average by more than $13,000 per patient.
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Outcomes management · Jul 2002
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialGuided imagery in cardiac surgery.
Clinical research has demonstrated that guided imagery, a simple form of relaxation, can reduce preoperative anxiety and postoperative pain among patients undergoing surgical procedures. In 1998, the cardiac surgery team implemented a guided imagery program to compare cardiac surgical outcomes between two groups of patients: with and without guided imagery. ⋯ Patients who completed the guided imagery program had a shorter average length of stay, a decrease in average direct pharmacy costs, and a decrease in average direct pain medication costs while maintaining high overall patient satisfaction with the care and treatment provided. Guided imagery is now considered a complementary means to reduce anxiety, pain, and length of stay among our cardiac surgery patients.