Management of Patients With Sepsis in Canadian Community Emergency Departments: A Retrospective Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality representing significant financial burden on the health-care system. Early identification and intervention is crucial to maximizing positive outcomes. We studied a quality improvement initiative with the aim of reviewing the initial management of patients with sepsis in Canadian community emergency departments, to identify areas for improving the delivery of sepsis care.

Obtaining the Patient's Voice from within Three Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

The purpose of this qualitative program was to determine if a trend exists across three LSU medical homes according to patient feedback concerning their experiences within the medical home for ongoing disease management and quality healthcare; and to obtain recommendations for the most effective way to involve patients in shaping system policies, procedures, and practices consistent with patient and family-centered care principles. A total of 94 adult patients participated in either cognitive interviews (n = 45) or structured focus groups (n = 49) using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT). Exit surveys collected demographic information and feedback from patients about opportunities for their involvement in shaping medical homes.

Evaluating A Patient-Centered Medical Home From the Patient's Perspective.

Background: The medical home is an organizational approach for improving care, improving patient experience, and reducing costs. The purpose of this qualitative project was to obtain input from patients that could be used to improve their experiences in the medical home for ongoing disease management and health improvement and to obtain their recommendations for the most effective methods to involve patients in shaping system policies, procedures, and practices consistent with patient- and family-centered care principles.

Methods: We conducted cognitive interviews to complete patient experience surveys, structured focus groups, and exit surveys.

Stability of transition to adulthood among individuals with pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries.

Background/objective: Cross-sectional studies have provided information about the outcomes of adults with pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries (SCIs), but there has been no information about the stability of those outcomes over time. The purpose of this study was to assess the stability of independent living, employment, and life satisfaction and to determine factors associated with stable, successful outcomes.

Methods: Structured interviews of individuals who had sustained an SCI at age 18 years or younger and were 24 years or older at first interview.

Overview of adult outcomes in pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries: implications for transition to adulthood.

Objective: To provide an overview of the adult outcomes of individuals with pediatric-onset spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and the implications of those findings for transition to adulthood.

Method: Structured interview including standardized measures.

Participants: Individuals who sustained SCI at < or = 18 years of age and were > or = 24 years of age at interview; matched community controls.

Prevalence and etiology of autonomic dysreflexia in children with spinal cord injuries.

Objective: To delineate the prevalence, etiologies, clinical manifestations, complications, and management of autonomic dysreflexia in individuals who sustained spinal cord injury (SCI) as children.

Method: Retrospective chart review.

Participants: All individuals with > or = T6 SCI who were injured at 13 years of age or younger and who were cared for at one pediatric SCI program.