A Community Needs Index for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program Planning: Application of Spatial Generalized Linear Mixed Models.

Objective The objective is to estimate community needs with respect to risky adolescent sexual behavior in a way that is risk-adjusted for multiple community factors. Methods Generalized linear mixed modeling was applied for estimating teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STD) incidence by postal ZIP code in New York State, in a way that adjusts for other community covariables and residual spatial autocorrelation. A community needs index was then obtained by summing the risk-adjusted estimates of pregnancy and STD cases.

A Statewide Quality Improvement Initiative to Reduce Non-Medically Indicated Scheduled Deliveries.

Objectives To evaluate a large two-phase, statewide quality improvement (QI) collaborative to decrease non-medically indicated (N-MI) deliveries scheduled between 36 and 38 weeks gestation (early). Methods The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) convened a Perinatal Quality Collaborative to devise a two-phase QI initiative using a rapid cycle incremental learning model. Phase 1 included Regional Perinatal Centers (RPCs), and Phase 2 added their affiliated perinatal hospitals.

Ready for our children? Results from a survey of upstate New York hospitals' utilization of Pediatric Emergency Preparedness Toolkit guidance.

Objective: This project evaluated New York (NY) hospitals outside of New York City (upstate) for their awareness and utilization of the NY State Department of Health Pediatric and Obstetric Emergency Preparedness Toolkit (toolkit) and presence of pediatric emergency preparedness planning elements.

Methods: A survey assessing toolkit awareness and utilization was distributed to all 145 upstate NY hospitals. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using summary statistics, χ(2) analysis, and odds ratios (OR) in aggregate, by hospital size, and by presence of pediatric medicine/surgery, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and/or neonatal ICU (NICU) beds (pediatric beds).

Breastfeeding practices in New York State maternity hospitals: results from a statewide survey.

Objective: This study characterized maternity hospital breastfeeding practices in New York.

Methods: The New York State Department of Health Breastfeeding Survey was sent to 138 hospitals providing maternity services to assess breastfeeding and rooming-in policies, infant feeding practices, breastfeeding training, staff structure, and support mechanisms. Additionally, hospital-specific exclusive breastfeeding rates were obtained from Hospital Profile data.

Assessing the health of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in New York State: statewide data 2003-2005.

Objectives: New York State data were used to document demographic characteristics and identify the top five most prevalent disease conditions among migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families working in the state from 2003 to 2005.

Methods: Prevalence estimates were derived using enumeration and diagnosis data provided by New York State Department of Health contractors. The sample totals ranged from 6,500 to 8,000 migrant and seasonal farmworkers and their families.

A multistate outbreak of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection associated with contaminated intravenous magnesium sulfate from a compounding pharmacy.

Background: In contrast to pharmaceutical manufacturers, compounding pharmacies adhere to different quality-control standards, which may increase the likelihood of undetected outbreaks. In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention received reports of cases of Serratia marcescens bloodstream infection occurring in patients who underwent cardiac surgical procedures in Los Angeles, California, and in New Jersey. An investigation was initiated to determine whether there was a common underlying cause.

Risk factors for cartilage infections of the ear.

Background: Investigation and case-control study to identify risk factors in a large outbreak in 2003 of auricular chondritis associated with piercing.

Methods: Epidemiologic, environmental, and laboratory (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) investigation, and case-control study. Telephone interviews were conducted for 15 cases and 61 controls.