Publications by authors named "Andrew M Siroka"
Background And Objectives: This study examined the relationship between health-related quality of life and subsequent mortality among AKI survivors treated with renal replacement therapy.
Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: Multivariable Cox regression models were used to assess the associations between Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and ambulation, emotion, cognition, and pain scores at 60 days and all-cause mortality at 1 year in 60-day AKI survivors (n=439 with evaluable HUI3 assessments) from a randomized multicenter study comparing less- with more-intensive renal replacement therapies.
Results: The median 60-day HUI3 index score was 0.
Study Design: We reviewed existing methods for identifying patients with neck and back pain in administrative data. We compared these methods using data from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Objective: To answer the following questions: (1) what diagnosis codes should be used to identify patients with neck pain and back pain in administrative data; (2) because the majority of complaints are characterized as nonspecific or mechanical, what diagnosis codes should be used to identify patients with nonspecific or mechanical problems in administrative data; and (3) what procedure and surgical codes should be used to identify patients who have undergone a surgical procedure on the neck or back.
Objective: This study analyzed spending for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in fiscal years (FYs) 2000 through 2007.
Methods: VA spending as reported in the VA Decision Support System was linked to patient utilization data as reported in the Patient Treatment Files, the National Patient Care Database, and the VA Fee Basis files. All care and costs from FY 2000 to FY 2007 were analyzed.
Background: While studies have demonstrated higher medium-term mortality for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), mortality and costs have not been characterized for healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) over a 1-year period.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate mortality rates and health system costs for patients with CAP or HCAP during initial hospitalization and for 1 year after hospital discharge. We selected 50 758 patients admitted to the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system between October 2003 and May 2007.
Background: Since 2002 the US Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system has initiated national policies and programmes to reduce smoking among its patients and to increase evidence-based treatment for smoking.
Objective: To document changes in dispensing rates of cessation-related medications in VA from 2004 to 2008.
Design: Retrospective analysis of VA administrative data.
Background And Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after acute kidney injury (AKI) is an area of great importance to patients. It was hypothesized that HRQOL after AKI would relate to intensity of dialysis during AKI and dialysis dependence at follow-up.
Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: The Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network Study was a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial of intensive versus less intensive renal replacement therapy in critically ill patients with AKI.