Costs of Care and Location of Death in Community-Based Pediatric Palliative Care.

Children with complex chronic conditions (CCCs) are dying at home with increased frequency, yet the number of studies on the financial feasibility of community-based pediatric palliative care is limited. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe characteristics of patients who died in a community-based palliative care program and (2) evaluate cost differences associated with participant characteristics and location of death. A retrospective cohort analysis of administrative and electronic medical record data was employed.

Increasing adherence to a community-based guideline for acute sinusitis through education, physician profiling, and financial incentives.

Objectives: To implement a large-scale multifaceted intervention consisting of physician education, profiling, and a financial incentive, to improve treatment quality for acute sinusitis.

Study Design: Cohort trial using a historical control of treatment patterns among approximately 500 internists, 200 family practitioners, and 200 pediatricians in a northeastern community-wide individual practice association.

Participants And Methods: Episode treatment group methods were adapted to identify cases (episodes) and to assess care patterns for acute sinusitis among 420,000 health maintenance organization patients seen between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2001.