Comparative risk of bloodstream infection in hospitalized patients receiving intravenous medication by open, point-of-care, or closed delivery systems.

Purpose: The impact of i.v. drug delivery via point-of-care (POC)-activated and closed systems versus traditional manual admixture systems on the risk of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (BSI) is examined.

Ultrasound guidance decreases complications and improves the cost of care among patients undergoing thoracentesis and paracentesis.

Ultrasound guidance enables visualization of the needle insertion site for thoracentesis and paracentesis. The improved accuracy of needle placement using ultrasound may reduce risk of complications and their costs associated with these procedures. Using claims data from the Premier Perspective hospital database from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2008, we conducted an observational cohort study examining the effect of ultrasound guidance on risk of pneumothorax among patients undergoing thoracentesis and on risk of bleeding complications after paracentesis.

Long-Term Costs of Ischemic Stroke and Major Bleeding Events among Medicare Patients with Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation.

Purpose. Acute healthcare utilization of stroke and bleeding has been previously examined among patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The long-term cost of such outcomes over several years is not well understood.

Prevalence of apolipoprotein E4 genotype and homozygotes (APOE e4/4) among patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Population allele frequencies of apolipoprotein E (APOE) vary by geographic region. The purpose of this study is to summarize and evaluate published estimates for the prevalence of APOE e4 carrier status among the population diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) by geographic region and country.

Methods: A systematic review of English-language publications from January 1, 1985, through May 31, 2010, was conducted.

Bloodstream infections in patients receiving manufactured parenteral nutrition with vs without lipids: is the use of lipids really deleterious?

Background: This study compared overall bacterial and bloodstream infection rates in patients receiving premixed parenteral nutrition (PN) with vs without lipid emulsion.

Methods: Data from hospitalized patients who were ≥18 years of age and receiving premixed PN between 2005 and 2007 were extracted from the Premier Perspective database. Data were categorized into 2 groups: patients who received premixed PN only and those receiving premixed PN with lipids.

Bloodstream infections associated with parenteral nutrition preparation methods in the United States: a retrospective, large database analysis.

Background: The incidence of bloodstream infection (BSI) among patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) is reported to vary widely from 1.3%-39%. BSI rates in a large inpatient population were compared in this study to determine if PN prepared by different methods was associated with BSI.

Nutrition therapy cost analysis in the US: pre-mixed multi-chamber bag vs compounded parenteral nutrition.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) occur in up to 350 000 inpatient admissions each year in the US, with BSI rates among patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) varying from 1.3% to 39%. BSI-attributable costs were estimated to approximate $US12 000 per episode in 2000.

Methods to identify and compare parenteral nutrition administered from hospital-compounded and premixed multichamber bags in a retrospective hospital claims database.

Purpose: Use of parenteral nutrition (PN) is indicated for patients who are unable to meet their needs enterally. PN may be administered via custom-compounded mix or commercially available ready-to-use multichamber bags (MCB), but little is known about potential differences in clinical outcomes between these delivery systems. This study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of comparing custom-compounded and MCB PN in a large hospital claims database.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopy versus open and laparoscopic techniques in urology procedures: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS) is an integral part of the urologist's armamentarium. We aimed to perform a comprehensive meta-analysis comparing HALS renal surgery with open and laparoscopic techniques.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of HALS renal procedures (donor nephrectomy, nephrectomy, or nephroureterectomy) from 1996 to 2007 was performed.

Cost efficiency of anticoagulation with warfarin to prevent stroke in medicare beneficiaries with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Background And Purpose: in controlled trials, anticoagulation with warfarin reduces stroke risk by nearly two thirds, but the benefit has been less pronounced in clinical practice. This report describes the extent of warfarin use, its effectiveness, and its impact on medical costs among Medicare patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Methods: using claims from >2 million beneficiaries in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services 5% Sample Standard Analytic Files, we identified patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 2004 to 2005.

Apolipoprotein E ε4 prevalence in Alzheimer's disease patients varies across global populations: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Background: The ε4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE) is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, attributable risk due to APOE4 varies by region and by race/ethnicity.

Methods: A literature review and meta-analysis were conducted to estimate the prevalence of APOE4 by geographic area among AD patients.