HIV-associated anal dysplasia: experience from a multiethnic-HIV clinic in Hawaii.

Purpose: To assess the proportion as well as predictors of anal dysplasia in HIV-infected Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review evaluating the proportion of anal dysplasia among a multiethnic population from an ambulatory university-based HIV clinic in Hawaii. Demographic, clinical, and virologic parameters were examined with respect to abnormal anal Pap smear.

A quality-improvement project use of a computerized medical database and reminder letters to increase preventive care use in kaiser permanente patients.

Context: Previous studies have suggested that preventive health care measures may be improved by proactive patient-reminder systems and use of electronic medical databases.

Objective: Our objective was to use Kaiser Permanente's (KP's) electronic medical databases to improve the preventive health care delivered to KP patients in Honolulu, HI.

Design: Patients not seen by their primary care physician in more than one year ("low-utilizing patients") and overdue for preventive health care services were identified using KP's electronic medical databases.

Thoracic vertebral actinomycosis: Actinomyces israelii and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Actinomyces spp. are considered rare pathogens in today's medicine, especially with thoracic vertebral involvement. Classic actinomycosis (50%) presents as an oral-cervicofacial ("lumpy jaw") infection.

Pediatric prescription pick-up rates after ED visits.

Objective: To determine the compliance rate in filling outpatient medication prescriptions written upon discharge from the emergency department (ED).

Methods: Emergency department records of children during a 3-month period were examined along with pharmacy claim data obtained in cooperation with the largest insurance carrier in the community (private and Medicaid). Pharmacy claim data were used to validate the prescription pick-up date.

Dental fracture risk of metal vs plastic laryngoscope blades in dental models.

Background: Dental fracture is a complication of laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the potential fracture rates in dental models using metal laryngoscope blades with those using plastic laryngoscope blades.

Methods: Size 3 Macintosh plastic and metal laryngoscope blades were applied against 4 different dental model materials at varying torques to determine when the dental model material would fracture.