Risk of fall-related injury and all-cause hospitalization of select concomitant central nervous system medication prescribing in older adult persistent opioid users: A case-time-control analysis.

Background: Concomitant use of central nervous system (CNS) medications frequently occurs in older adults with persistent opioid use. The risks of adverse outcomes associated with combinations of opioids, sedative hypnotics, or skeletal muscle relaxants have not been sufficiently described in this population.

Objective: To compare the overall and incremental risk of (1) fall-related injury and (2) all-cause hospitalization associated with sedative hypnotics and skeletal muscle relaxants among older persistent opioid users.

Mediation analyses of socioeconomic factors determining racial differences in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a cohort of older adults.

Despite near universal health coverage under Medicare, racial disparities persist in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) among older patients in the United States. Studies evaluating DLBCL outcomes often treat socioeconomic status (SES) measures as confounders, potentially introducing biases when SES factors are mediators of disparities in cancer treatment.To examine differences in DLBCL treatment, we performed causal mediation analyses of SES measures, including: metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of residence; census-tract poverty level; and private Medicare supplementation using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database between 2001 and 2011.

Myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia after receipt of granulocyte colony-stimulating factors in older patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs), which are used for the prevention of complications from chemotherapy-related neutropenia, are linked to the risk of developing second primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between using a specific G-CSF agent and the risk of MDS/AML among older patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adults aged >65 years who were diagnosed with first primary NHL between 2001 and 2011.

Impact of a Medication Therapy Management Clinic on Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Blood Pressure, and Resource Utilization.

Background: Medication therapy management is widely promoted to improve care. However, few well-controlled studies have evaluated its impact.

Objectives: We evaluated whether enrollment in a comprehensive medication therapy management clinic (MTMC) was associated with improved 12-month outcomes.

Competencies for Patient Safety and Quality Improvement: A Synthesis of Recommendations in Influential Position Papers.

Background: There is limited conformity among patient safety and quality improvement (QI) competencies of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSA), by stage of skill acquisition, essential for all health professionals. A study was conducted to identify, categorize, critically appraise, and discuss implications of competency recommendations published in influential position papers.

Methods: A literature search was conducted of competency recommendations in position papers published by national and international professional associations, expert panels, consortia, centers and institutes, and convened committees, in the domain of patient safety and QI.