Randomized Controlled Trial of Enhanced Recovery Program Dedicated to Elderly Patients After Colorectal Surgery.

Background: Enhanced recovery program is a multimodal, multidisciplinary-team, evidence-based care approach to reduce perioperative surgical stress, decrease morbidity and hospital stay, and improve recovery after surgery. This program may be most beneficial for elderly (≥70 y), but sparse series have investigated this question.

Objective: Feasibility and efficiency of a dedicated enhanced recovery program in the elderly as compared with standard care were studied.

Hospital costs impact of post ischemic stroke dysphagia: Database analyses of hospital discharges in France and Switzerland.

Introduction: Oropharyngeal dysphagia is frequent in hospitalized post-stroke patients and is associated with increased mortality and comorbidities. The aim of our analysis was to evaluate the impact of dysphagia on Length of Hospital Stay (LOS) and costs. The hospital perspective was used to assess costs.

What can we learn from international comparisons of costs by DRG?

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare costs data by diagnosis related group (DRG) between Belgium and Switzerland. Our hypotheses were that differences between countries can probably be explained by methodological differences in cost calculations, by differences in medical practices and by differences in cost structures within the two countries.

Methods: Classifications of DRG used in the two countries differ (AP-DRGs version 1.

A comparative survey of antidepressant drug prescribing habits of general practitioners and psychiatrists.

Objective: Clinical experience suggests important differences in prescriptions from general practitioners and specialists. This study investigated these differences and their determinants for antidepressant drug prescribing intentions by general practitioners and psychiatrists in France.

Study Participants: In May 1995, a mail questionnaire was sent to a representative panel of 300 general practitioners and 100 psychiatrists from the Midi-Pyrenees area (South West France).

Intensified treatment of type 1 diabetes: prospective evaluation at one year of a therapeutic patient education programme.

Background: Type 1 diabetes treatment requires not only an intensive insulin regimen, but also intensive management, which daily involves participation of the patient. Our aim was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy on patient skills and metabolic control of our routine 5-day in-patient education programme.

Methods: Over one year, each type 1 diabetic patient undertaking the programme for the first time, and able to complete a 2, 6, and 12 month follow-up, participated in the study (n=76).