Online Simulation Model to Estimate the Total Costs of Tobacco Product Waste in Large U.S. Cities.

Tobacco product waste (TPW) is one of the most ubiquitous forms of litter, accumulating in large amounts on streets, highways, sidewalks, beaches, parks, and other public places, and flowing into storm water drains, waste treatment plants, and solid waste collection facilities. In this paper, we evaluate the direct and indirect costs associated with TPW in the 30 largest U.S.

Economic evaluation of passive monitoring technology for seniors.

Background: Advances such as passive monitoring technology (PMT), which provides holistic supervision of chronically ill and elderly patients, enable and support improved monitoring and observation, thus empowering the growing population of older adults to live more independently while lowering health care expenses.

Aims: This study develops a conceptual model to estimate the potential savings associated with PMT.

Methods: We first develop a conceptual model to identify the main cost variables associated with independent living, focusing on three pathways: (1) PMT, (2) independent living supported by the current standard of care, and (3) facility-based care.

Outcomes of Surgeries Performed in Physician Offices Compared With Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Hospital Outpatient Departments in Florida.

Background: The proportion of outpatient surgeries performed in physician offices has been increasing over time, raising concern about the impact on outcomes.

Objective: To use a private insurance claims database to compare 7-day and 30-day hospitalization rates following relatively complex outpatient surgical procedures across physician offices, freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and hospital outpatient departments (HOPDs).

Methods: A multivariable logistic regression model was used to compare the risk-adjusted probability of hospitalization among patients after any of the 88 study outpatient procedures at physician offices, ASCs, and HOPDs over 2008-2012 in Florida.

Assessing the impact of state "opt-out" policy on access to and costs of surgeries and other procedures requiring anesthesia services.

In 2001, the U.S. government released a rule that allowed states to "opt-out" of the federal requirement that a physician supervise the administration of anesthesia by a nurse anesthetist.

Cost impact of unexpected disposition after orthopedic ambulatory surgery associated with category of anesthesia provider.

Study Objective: To provide estimates of the costs and health outcomes implications of the excess risk of unexpected disposition for nurse anesthetist (NA) procedures.

Design: A projection model was used to apply estimates of costs and health outcomes associated with the excess risk of unexpected disposition for NAs reported in a recent study.

Setting: Ambulatory and inpatient surgery.

Economic evaluation of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy in acute respiratory infections: a US health system perspective.

Background: Whether or not antibiotic stewardship protocols based on procalcitonin levels results in cost savings remains unclear. Herein, our objective was to assess the economic impact of adopting procalcitonin testing among patients with suspected acute respiratory tract infection (ARI) from the perspective of a typical US integrated delivery network (IDN) with a 1,000,000 member catchment area or enrollment.

Methods: To conduct an economic evaluation of procalcitonin testing versus usual care we built a cost-impact model based on patient-level meta-analysis data of randomized trials.

Organizational boundaries of medical practice: the case of physician ownership of ancillary services.

Physician ownership of in-office ancillary services (IOASs) has come under increasing scrutiny. Advocates of argue that IOASs allow physicians to supervise the quality and coordination of care. Critics have argued that IOASs create financial incentives for physicians to increase ancillary service volume.