Tracking spending among commercially insured beneficiaries using a distributed data model.

Objectives: To explore the feasibility of using a distributed data model for ongoing reporting of local healthcare spending, specifically to investigate the contribution of utilization and pricing to geographic variation and trends in reimbursements for commercially insured beneficiaries younger than 65 years.

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive analysis.

Methods: Commercial claims were obtained for beneficiaries in 5 states for the years 2008 to 2010 using a distributed data model.

Reported dose as a measure of drug exposure after paracetamol overdose in children.

The decision to administer antidote after paracetamol overdose is based on the extent of drug exposure, and this often relies on the reported dose. Few data exist concerning the validity of this approach in children. The present observational study sought to examine the relationship between the reported dose and paracetamol concentrations in patients aged ≤18 years admitted to York Hospital between October 2008 and November 2010 inclusive.

Comparative drug dose and drug combinations in patients that present to hospital due to self-poisoning.

Self-poisoning is a common reason for acute presentation to hospital. Commonly involved drugs have been reported, but few data exist concerning the different combinations of agents or comparative doses ingested. The present study sought to better characterise the typical patterns of drug overdose that may present via the emergency department.