Healthcare expenditures for privately insured US patients with cystic fibrosis, 2010-2016.

Objectives: Published cost estimates for cystic fibrosis (CF) are based on older data and do not reflect increased use of specialty drugs in recent years. We assessed recent trends in healthcare expenditures for CF patients in the United States (US) with employer-sponsored health insurance.

Methods: The study is a retrospective analysis of claims data for privately insured individuals aged 0-64 years who were continuously enrolled in non-capitated plans for at least 1 calendar year during 2010-2016.

Precision Medicine In Action: The Impact Of Ivacaftor On Cystic Fibrosis-Related Hospitalizations.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening genetic disease that causes severe damage to the lungs. Ivacaftor, the first drug that targeted the underlying defect of the disease caused by specific mutations, is a sterling example of the potential of precision medicine. Clinical trial and registry studies showed that ivacaftor improved outcomes and reduced hospitalizations.

The Role of Primary Care Practices in Advancing Population Health.

Improving population health requires the contribution of many entities including state and local governments, hospitals, community organizations, health centers, and private practices. Primary care practices have the potential to play a key role in improving population health. While sporadic, primary care practices engage in a spectrum of practice- and community-based population health activities.

U.S. trends in computed tomography use and diagnoses in emergency department visits by patients with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary embolism, 2001-2009.

Objectives: Using computed tomography (CT) to evaluate patients with chest symptoms is common in emergency departments (EDs). This article describes recent trends of CT use in U.S.

National trends in emergency department use, care patterns, and quality of care of older adults in the United States.

Objectives: To describe trends in use of emergency departments (EDs) of older adults, reasons for visits, resource use, and quality of care.

Design: Analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Setting: U.

Why do some primary care practices engage in practice improvement efforts whereas others do not?

Objective: To understand what motivates primary care practices to engage in practice improvement, identify external and internal facilitators and barriers, and refine a conceptual framework.

Data Sources: In-depth interviews and structured telephone surveys with clinicians and practice staff (n = 51), observations, and document reviews.

Study Design: Comparative case study of primary care practices (n = 8) to examine aspects of the practice and environment that influence engagement in improvement activities.

EHRs in primary care practices: benefits, challenges, and successful strategies.

Objectives: To understand the current use of electronic health records (EHRs) in small primary care practices and to explore experiences and perceptions of physicians and staff toward the benefits, challenges, and successful strategies for implementation and meaningful use of advanced EHR functions.

Study Design: Qualitative case study of 6 primary care practices in Virginia.

Methods: We performed surveys and in-depth interviews with clinicians and administrative staff (N = 38) and observed interpersonal relations and use of EHR functions over a 16-month period.