Early morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass in the elderly: a NSQIP analysis.

Background: Even though the U.S. population is aging, outcomes of bariatric surgery in the elderly are not well defined.

Method for minimizing observer variation for the quantitation of high-resolution computed tomographic signs of lung disease.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe a method of reducing interobserver variation associated with the visual quantitation of high-resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) signs of airways and interstitial lung disease (ILD).

Methods: The HRCT scans of 2 cohorts of patients with airways disease (n = 144) and ILD (n = 109) were evaluated by 2 observers. Selected signs of airways disease were evaluated: (1) bronchial wall thickness and (2) the extent of the decreased attenuation.

Bill 8--accountability and control.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and the hospitals of Ontario have for some time agreed that there has been little clarity as to their respective expectations in accounting to each other for their responsibilities in the delivery of healthcare. Bill 8, introduced in the Ontario Legislature in November 2003, provides the vehicle the government proposes to use to introduce formal accountability processes for hospitals. One major area of disagreement between the Ministry and the OHA concerns Sections 26 and 27, which would permit the Minister to intervene directly with a hospital's CEO.