A mobile, web-based system can improve positive airway pressure adherence.

SleepMapper is a mobile, web-based system that allows patients to self-monitor their positive airway pressure therapy, and provides feedback and education in real time. In addition to the usual, comprehensive support provided at our clinic, we gave the SleepMapper to 30 patients initiating positive airway pressure. They were compared with patients initiating positive airway pressure at our clinic without SleepMapper (controls) to determine whether SleepMapper affected adherence.

Lung function abnormalities among service members returning from Iraq or Afghanistan with respiratory complaints.

Background: Service members deploying to Afghanistan (OEF) and Iraq (OIF) often return with respiratory symptoms. We sought to determine prevalence of lung function abnormalities following OEF/OIF.

Methods: We identified OEF/OIF patients who had unexplained respiratory symptoms evaluated using lung function testing.

Validation of the International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism Bleeding Risk Score.

Background: Recent guidelines recommend assessing medical inpatients for bleeding risk prior to providing chemical prophylaxis for VTE. The International Medical Prevention Registry on Venous Thromboembolism (IMPROVE) bleeding risk score (BRS) was derived from a well-defined population of medical inpatients but it has not been validated externally. We sought to externally validate the IMPROVE BRS.

Dental caries disparities in early childhood: A study of kindergarten children in British Columbia.

Objective: The objective of this paper was to describe results of a public health-administered, provincial dental survey of children aged 4-6 years old in British Columbia, and assess the changes in rates of dental caries geographically and by neighbourhood socio-economic status between baseline (2006/07) and follow-up data collection (2009/10).

Method: The study design involved two retrospective cohorts of kindergarten children who received a public health-administered dental assessment in the years 2006/07 and 2009/10. Neighbourhood socio-economic status was measured by an index created from Canadian Census and Tax Filer data sets.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for patients receiving regional anesthesia following injury in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Background: Soldiers with combat-related traumatic injury are at high risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and often require regional anesthesia (RA) for pain control. We evaluated whether the recommended reduction in chemoprophylaxis in the presence of RA increases VTE rates.

Methods: We collected data each hospital day for all soldiers admitted to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center following injury in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Thromboprophylaxis and VTE rates in soldiers wounded in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Objectives: US soldiers suffer catastrophic injuries during combat. We sought to define risk factors and rates for VTE in this population.

Methods: We gathered data each hospital day on all patients injured in Afghanistan or Iraq who were admitted to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC).

Reducing low birth weight infancy: assessing the effectiveness of the Health Start program in Arizona.

This study compares the incidence of low birth weight among mothers enrolled in Arizona's Health Start program to a sample of non-Health Start mothers with similar medical and social risk factors. A quasi-experimental design was used to match Health Start program participants to non-participants on the basis of similar medical and social risk factors. Health Start program data were linked to birth certificate data to create a sample of 5,480 pregnant women.

Analyzing pathogen transmission in the dialysis unit: time for a (schedule) change?

Background And Objectives: Infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms are a growing problem for the dialysis population. The frequency of patient visits and intimate, prolonged physical contact with the inanimate environment during dialysis treatments make these facilities potentially efficient venues for nosocomial pathogen transmission. Isolation measures and infection control practices can be inconvenient and consume limited resources.