Costs to hospitals of acquiring and processing blood in the US: a survey of hospital-based blood banks and transfusion services.

Background: little is known about the economics of acquiring and processing the more than 14 million units of red blood cells used annually in the US.

Objective: to determine the average price paid by hospitals to suppliers for a unit of red blood cells and to identify cost variations by region and facility type and size. A secondary objective was to examine costs for additional blood components as well as costs for blood-related processes performed by hospitals.

End-of-life care for hospitalized patients with lung cancer: utilization of a palliative care service.

Purpose: High symptom burden and hospital mortality among patients with lung cancer argues for early palliative care intervention. Patient characteristics and discharge dispositions in hospitalized patients with lung cancer receiving usual care were compared to those referred to a new palliative care service.

Methods: A retrospective database review of all lung cancer discharges receiving usual care (UC) and palliative care service (PCS) consultation was conducted.

Obesity management interventions: a review of the evidence.

The burden of disease associated with the obesity epidemic shortens lives, and prevalence is accelerating. As with other chronic diseases, improved outcomes are associated with effective self-management of obesity across the life span. The disease of obesity, then, fits squarely within the disease management and chronic care models.

Quality measurement in diabetes care.

This study aimed to evaluate diabetes quality measurement efforts, assess their strengths and areas for improvement, and identify gaps not adequately addressed by these measures. We conducted an environmental scan of diabetes quality measures, focusing on metrics included in the National Quality Measures Clearinghouse or promulgated by leading measurement organizations. Key informant interviews were also completed with thought leaders who develop, promote, and use quality measures.