The Mayo Clinic quadratic equation improves the prediction of glomerular filtration rate in diabetic subjects.
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BACKGROUND: Although recommended, both the Cockcroft and Gault formula (CG) and the modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) equation are not ideally predictive of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetic subjects; we tested whether the new Mayo Clinic Quadratic (MCQ) equation performed better. METHODS: In 200 diabetic subjects with a wide range of renal function, GFR was measured by 51Cr-EDTA clearance, and compared with the results of the three predictive equations by regression analysis and Bland and Altman procedures. The correlations with body mass index, age and albumin excretion rates were tested. The precisions (absolute difference as percentage), diagnostic accuracies [receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the diagnosis of moderate and severe chronic kidney disease (CKD)], and the results of stratification according to the KDOQ classification were compared. RESULTS: The CG and MCQ overestimated mean GFR, whereas the MDRD underestimated it. Correlation coefficients and areas under the ROC curves were better for the MDRD and the MCQ as compared with the CG, which was biased by body weight (+30% overestimation in obese diabetic subjects). The absolute differences with true GFR were slightly lower for the MDRD than the MCQ, and both better than the CG. Both the MDRD and MCQ correctly stratified 65% of the subjects (CG: 55%, P<0.05). In contrast with the MDRD, the MCQ did not underestimate normal GFR, and its performance for stratification was uniformly good over a wide GFR range. CONCLUSIONS: In diabetic subjects, the MCQ has a similar diagnostic performance to the MDRD, but it does not underestimate normal GFR, which is an important advantage. (+info)
Effect of hospital ownership status and payment structure on the adoption and use of drug-eluting stents for percutaneous coronary interventions.
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BACKGROUND: The impact of the use of drug-eluting stents in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) on cardiac care is still uncertain. We examined the influence of systemic factors, such as hospital ownership status, organizational characteristics and payment structure, on the use of drug-eluting stents in PCI and the effect on cardiac surgery volume. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of drug-eluting stent use in 12 993 patients undergoing PCI with stenting (drug-eluting or bare-metal) and time-series regression analyses of the monthly number of cardiac surgery and PCI procedures performed using data collected from 1998 to 2004 at 13 public and private hospitals in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. RESULTS: Public hospitals used drug-eluting stents more selectively than private hospitals, targeting the new device to patients at high risk of adverse events. The time-series regression analyses showed that the number of PCI procedures performed per year increased during this period, both in public (slope coefficient 36.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 30.2 to 43.1) and private centres (slope coefficient 6.4, 95% CI 3.1 to 9.2 ). Concurrently, there was a reduction in the number of isolated coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries, although the degree of change was higher in public than in private hospitals (coefficient -16.1 v. -6.2 respectively ). The number of CABG procedures associated with valve surgery decreased in public hospitals (coefficient -5.0, 95% CI -6.1 to -3.8) but increased in private hospitals (coefficient 4.1, 95% CI 2.0 to 6.1). INTERPRETATION: Public and private hospitals behaved differently in adopting drug-eluting stents and in using PCI with drug-eluting stents as a substitute for surgical revascularization. (+info)
Association between intention to stay on the job and job satisfaction among Japanese nurses in small and medium-sized private hospitals.
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In order to examine the relationship between the intention to stay on the job and job satisfaction among Japanese nurses, and to obtain clues for preventing turnover, we conducted a questionnaire survey. The subjects involved in the survey included 625 female nurses (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and assistant nurses) working in 4 small and medium-sized private hospitals, excluding directors of nursing. Of the 625 questionnaires distributed, 556 (89.0%) were returned. After excluding the questionnaires with missing values, 480 questionnaires were analyzed (effective response rate, 76.8%). The average age of the respondents was 32.8 yr (range: 20-65). The content of the questionnaire was nurse attributes, job satisfaction (30 items) and intention to stay on the job. For job satisfaction, factor analysis (principal factor method and promax rotation) was performed, and factors with an eigenvalue of > or =1 were extracted. Six factors were extracted by factor analysis. These factors were interpreted as "Work as specialists" (1st factor), "Relationship with superiors" (2nd factor), "Comfortable life" (3rd factor), "Relationship among nurses" (4th factor), "Communication with physicians" (5th factor) and "Working conditions" (6th factor). The factor scores were calculated and used as a scale for the evaluation of job satisfaction. To investigate the factors associated with intention to stay on the job among nurses, the standard partial regression coefficient was computed by multiple linear regression analysis, with intention to stay on the job as the dependent variable, and nurse attributes and job satisfaction (factor scores) as independent variables. Various factors including the organizational culture of each hospital may affect the relationship between job satisfaction and the intention to stay on the job. In order to adjust for these factors, differences among hospitals were included in the statistical model as independent variables. The result of the multiple regression analysis suggests that the intention to stay on the job was higher among nurses who were older and more satisfied with work as specialists (1st factor) and working conditions (6th factor). (+info)
Assessment of female participation in an employee 20-week walking incentive program at Marshfield Clinic: a large multispecialty group practice.
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OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the short-term effect of a worksite-based walking incentive program to promote physical activity and well-being in employees of a private healthcare clinic. DESIGN: A prospective, observational follow-up study. SETTING: The study was conducted at Marshfield Clinic, a large private multispecialty group practice healthcare institution in Marshfield,Wisconsin, USA. PATIENTS: Subjects for this study were Marshfield Clinic physicians and staff. METHODS: From March 31, 2005 to August 20, 2005, physical activity level, body mass index (BMI) and other well-being characteristics were observed pre- and post-program among 191 female participants from the Marshfield Clinic. A brief Web site-accessible, self-reported survey assessed the effectiveness of the exercise program. RESULTS: Our data show a statistically significant (p <0.0001) increase in participants' physical activity level, while a significant (p = 0.021) decrease in mean BMI was observed. However, there was no evidence of our incentive program reducing participants' blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings of our study suggest that the goal of worksite programs designed to support employees in their efforts to improve or maintain their level of wellness is potentially achievable. Continuing research is needed to further assess whether persistent health benefits can be induced by worksite wellness programs. (+info)
Jumping the CPOE generation gap: Queen's Epic Installation.
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The Queen's Medical Center has been a pioneer in the use of information technology for clinical care, especially for a community hospital. Queen's had demonstrated a high rate of success with CPOE dating to 1995. In 2003, Queen's took another pioneering step by choosing to upgrade its clinical systems with a single vendor solution. Additionally, a big-bang, all at once roll out was chosen. Despite this ambitious and high-risk project, Queen's has experienced success with its roll out of its next generation clinical system. (+info)
Progress towards early detection services for infants with hearing loss in developing countries.
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BACKGROUND: Early detection of infants with permanent hearing loss through infant hearing screening is recognised and routinely offered as a vital component of early childhood care in developed countries. This article investigates the initiatives and progress towards early detection of infants with hearing loss in developing countries against the backdrop of the dearth of epidemiological data from this region. METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study based on responses to a structured questionnaire eliciting information on the nature and scope of early hearing detection services; strategies for financing services; parental and professional attitudes towards screening; and the performance of screening programmes. Responses were complemented with relevant data from the internet and PubMed/Medline. RESULTS: Pilot projects using objective screening tests are on-going in a growing number of countries. Screening services are provided at public/private hospitals and/or community health centres and at no charge only in a few countries. Attitudes amongst parents and health care workers are typically positive towards such programmes. Screening efficiency, as measured by referral rate at discharge, was generally found to be lower than desired but several programmes achieved other international benchmarks. Coverage is generally above 90% but poor follow-up rates remain a challenge in some countries. The mean age of diagnosis is usually less than six months, even for community-based programmes. CONCLUSION: Lack of adequate resources by many governments may limit rapid nationwide introduction of services for early hearing detection and intervention, but may not deter such services altogether. Parents may be required to pay for services in some settings in line with the existing practice where healthcare services are predominantly financed by out-of-pocket spending rather than public funding. However, governments and their international development partners need to complement current voluntary initiatives through systematic scaling-up of public awareness and requisite manpower development towards sustainable service capacities at all levels of healthcare delivery. (+info)
Availability and use of noninvasive ventilation in the intensive care units of public, private and teaching hospitals in the greater metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
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OBJECTIVE: To determine the availability of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment, as well as the level of expertise and familiarity of physicians, nurses and physiotherapists with noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation in the intensive care units of public, private and teaching hospitals in the greater metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: On-site administration of questionnaires. RESULTS: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment was widely available and was more commonly found in private hospitals than in teaching hospitals. Such equipment was least available in public hospitals, in which the predominant method was the use of mechanical ventilators designed for invasive ventilation and adapted to noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. In private hospitals, continuous flow ventilators were more common, whereas, in teaching hospitals, ventilators specifically designed for noninvasive ventilation were typically employed. All physiotherapists felt themselves capable of initiating noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, compared with 72.6% of physicians and 33.3% of nurses. Physicians and physiotherapists presented high percentages of correct answers when asked about the indications and contraindications for the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. Over a one year period, more physiotherapists read articles about noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation and participated in related classes than did physicians, who in turn did so more than did nurses. CONCLUSION: Noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation equipment is widely available in the greater metropolitan area of Sao Paulo, although differences exist among public, private and teaching hospitals in terms of the type of equipment used. Physicians and physiotherapists exhibited considerable knowledge regarding the indications and contraindications for the use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation. More physiotherapists felt themselves able to initiate noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, and their knowledge of the subject was more current than was that of physicians or nurses. (+info)
Family members' needs at intensive care units: comparative analysis between a public and a private hospital.
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This cross-sectional study proposed to analyze the needs of adult ICU patients' family members at a public and a private hospital, regarding their level of importance and satisfaction. Ninety-one family members were interviewed, 47 from the public hospital and 44 from the private one, using the Brazilian adaptation of the Critical Care Family Need Inventory (INEFTI). There was no significant difference between the groups in the total score of importance attributed to the needs (p=0.410). The satisfaction score was higher in the private hospital than in the public one (p=0.002). Multiple linear regression analysis allowed us to establish a hierarchy of importance and satisfaction of the family members' needs in each group. The differences observed between the groups suggest that the fulfillment of their needs requires interventions directed at the specificity of each type of hospital. (+info)