Perspectives on Home-based Healthcare as an Alternative to Hospital Admission After Emergency Treatment.

Introduction: The study objective was to explore emergency physicians' (EP) awareness, willingness, and prior experience regarding transitioning patients to home-based healthcare following emergency department (ED) evaluation and treatment; and to explore patient selection criteria, processes, and services that would facilitate use of home-based healthcare as an alternative to hospitalization.

Methods: We provided a five-question survey to 52 EPs, gauging previous experience referring patients to home-based healthcare, patient selection, and motivators and challenges when considering home-based options as an alternative to admission. In addition, we conducted three focus groups and four interviews.

Survey and Chart Review to Estimate Medicare Cost Savings for Home Health as an Alternative to Hospital Admission Following Emergency Department Treatment.

Background: Almost 70% of hospital admissions for Medicare beneficiaries originate in the emergency department (ED). Research suggests that some of these patients' needs may be better met through home-based care options after evaluation and treatment in the ED.

Objective: We sought to estimate Medicare cost savings resulting from using the Home Health benefit to provide treatment, when appropriate, as an alternative to inpatient admission from the ED.

Adipose tissue depot and cell size dependency of adiponectin synthesis and secretion in human obesity.

Adiponectin is an insulin sensitizing fat cell (FC) hormone whose levels are related to adipose tissue (AT) mass and depot distribution. We hypothesized that the nature of AT expansion (hypertrophy vs. hyperplasia) contributes to obesity-related reductions in serum adiponectin and that this effect is influenced by the regional distribution of AT to subcutaneous (S) and visceral (V) depots.

Low anastomotic stricture rate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using a 21-mm circular stapling device.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been established as a safe and effective procedure for morbid obesity management. Amongst some of the postoperative complications are gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomotic strictures, with an incidence of 3 to 27 % in some series. This study evaluates the incidence of GJ strictures using a 21-mm circular stapling device and its response to treatment with endoscopic balloon dilation.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass for the adolescent patient: long-term results.

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem in the developed world. The National Survey of Children's Health 2003 estimated around 17 million children in the USA to be overweight, making this a significantly alarming disease in the young population. Findings from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey demonstrated at least 30 % of overweight adolescents to be suffering from the metabolic syndrome.

International Sleeve Gastrectomy Expert Panel Consensus Statement: best practice guidelines based on experience of >12,000 cases.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an emerging surgical approach, but 1 that has seen a surge in popularity because of its perceived technical simplicity, feasibility, and good outcomes. An international expert panel was convened in Coral Gables, Florida on March 25 and 26, 2011, with the purpose of providing best practice guidelines through consensus regarding the performance of LSG. The panel comprised 24 centers and represented 11 countries, spanning all major regions of the world and all 6 populated continents, with a collective experience of >12,000 cases.