Retrospective Application of BRUE Criteria to Patients Presenting With ALTE.

Objectives: To apply recently published brief resolved unexplained events (BRUE) guidelines to patients who presented with apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) to determine: (1) characteristics of these patients; (2) which patients meet BRUE criteria, including risk stratification; and (3) patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients presenting to the emergency department or directly to the inpatient unit of a community hospital was performed over the 3 years preceding publication of BRUE guidelines. and billing data for infants <1 year of age were used to screen for patients.

Increasing patient-initiation of cardiac rehabilitation referral in female percutaneous coronary intervention patients.

Substantial health risks continue following coronary revascularization, and cardiac rehabilitation (CR) plays a large role in enhancing prognosis. However, fewer women than men are referred to and participate in CR. This study prospectively evaluates a psycho-educational intervention designed to increase patient-initiation of CR referral discussion with their physician, It was hypothesized that an educational brochure along with a motivational interview would facilitate the discussion of CR between physicians and female patients, ultimately resulting in increased referral of women to CR when compared to a control group.

Physician management preferences for cardiac patients: factors affecting referral to cardiac rehabilitation.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an evidence-based intervention that has been shown to reduce both morbidity and mortality. However, CR is widely underused due to multiple factors, including physician referral practices.

Objectives: To describe physicians' preferences in managing cardiac patients and the barriers they face in referring patients to CR.

Automatic referral to cardiac rehabilitation.

Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) remains underused and inconsistently accessed, particularly for women and minorities. This study examined the factors associated with CR enrollment within the context of an automatic referral system through a retrospective chart review plus survey. Through the Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization, it was postulated that enabling and perceived need factors, but not predisposing factors, would significantly predict patient enrollment.