Publications by authors named "D Muench"

Purpose Of Review: Increasing transplant access overall and particularly among historically underserved and marginalized patient groups is a shared goal nationwide. Patient challenges with psychosocial factors, such as social support and health literacy, are recognized as among the top reasons patients may not be referred, evaluated, or waitlisted, key steps along the pathway to transplantation. Yet referring providers' (e.

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The extraction and processing of bitumen from the oil sands in northern Alberta, Canada generates large volumes of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). OSPW contains a complex mixture of inorganic and organic compounds, including naphthenic acid fraction compounds (NAFCs) that are of particular concern due to their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective, scalable approach that has the potential to remove NAFCs from OSPW and reduce OSPW toxicity.

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Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a complex mixture of organic compounds released during bitumen extraction from mined oil sands that are important contaminants of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). NAs can be toxic to aquatic organisms and, therefore, are a main target compound for OSPW. The ability of microorganisms to degrade NAs can be exploited for bioremediation of OSPW using constructed wetland treatment systems (CWTS), which represent a possible low energy and low-cost option for scalable in situ NA removal.

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Purpose: The financial sustainability of the US healthcare system is a growing concern in an environment of declining reimbursement and rising costs. Variable Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) reimbursement and denial rates for specific imaging examinations exist across sites of service, adding complexity to financial planning for healthcare organizations. Understanding the financial implications of site of service in existing CMS reimbursement for imaging may be of strategic importance for organizations going forward.

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Article Synopsis
  • The review highlights the Southeastern Kidney Transplant Coalition's mission to enhance kidney transplant access and address inequities through community and academic collaboration.
  • It identifies that challenges to kidney transplant access involve various factors that differ from those affecting referral and evaluation processes, requiring ongoing community involvement.
  • The importance of community-based strategies is emphasized to ensure that regional disparities in transplant access are identified and effectively tackled over time.
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