Overordering of tumor marker for outpatients revealed by performance indicators and the impact of a health policy intervention: An observational study using administrative records.

Purpose: The overuse of laboratory tests contributes to impair health systems effectiveness, tumor markers (TMs) being a paradigmatic example. In the present study we applied indicators of TMs appropriateness developed from administrative datasets to appraise regionwide overordering in the clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: TMs ordered to outpatients in the Veneto Region over 6 years were obtained from the eletronic Outpatients' Records of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures.

Are Gyms a Feasible Setting for Exercise Training Interventions in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors? An Italian 10-Years Cross-Sectional Survey Comparison.

Background: Exercise training is a known important prevention and treatment modality in patients with cardiovascular (CV) diseases. However, the CV risk factors in gym users have been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to monitor CV risk factors of gym users over 10 years in order to investigate whether gyms are used settings for secondary disease prevention.

Impact of breast cancer screening in a population with high spontaneous coverage with mammography.

Objective: The impact of organized screening programs on breast cancer (BC) mortality is unclear in an era of high spontaneous referral of women to mammography. The aim of this study was to analyze if the introduction of mammographic screening programs reduced BC mortality in the Veneto region, Italy, despite already widespread spontaneous access to mammography.

Methods: In Veneto, screening was introduced in different years between 1999 and 2009 across 21 local health units (LHUs), inviting asymptomatic women aged 50-69 years to undergo mammography biennially.

[Observed smoking in car: results of a study of the Regional Health Prevention Service of Veneto, Northern Italy].

Objective: to estimate the prevalence of smokers inside cars or duty vehicles and the presence of children exposed to second hand smoke on board, in the NHS districts of Veneto Region.

Design: an observational study was carried out by the technicians of the Prevention department from October 1st to October 17th 2008. The observers had to record sex of the driver and of the passengers, their presumed ages, verify if drivers or passengers were smoking, and if there were any children on board.