Policy Change for Deep Vein Thrombosis: Effects on Length of Stay and Hospitalization Costs of Moving From Warfarin to Direct Oral Anticoagulants.

Purpose: Renown Health (Reno, Nevada), a large, locally owned, not-for-profit integrated health care network, has developed an institution-wide policy to shift the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from a short-acting anticoagulant and vitamin K antagonist to the direct oral anticoagulant rivaroxaban combined with pharmacy-directed follow-up at an outpatient anticoagulation clinic. We examined data on hospitalizations and costs pre-/post-policy change.

Methods: Data were obtained from the electronic health records of adults with newly diagnosed DVT treated at Renown Health.

Preventing diseases and outbreaks at child care centers using an education, evaluation, and inspection method.

From 2005 to 2008, Washoe County, Nevada, child care centers experienced an increase in illnesses from communicable disease outbreaks. The number of ill children and caregivers from these outbreaks went from 26 in 2005 to 266 in 2008, an increase of 923%. A clear need to reverse this trend existed.

Nutrient adequacy during weight loss interventions: a randomized study in women comparing the dietary intake in a meal replacement group with a traditional food group.

Background: Safe and effective weight control strategies are needed to stem the current obesity epidemic. The objective of this one-year study was to document and compare the macronutrient and micronutrient levels in the foods chosen by women following two different weight reduction interventions.

Methods: Ninety-six generally healthy overweight or obese women (ages 25-50 years; BMI 25-35 kg/m2) were randomized into a Traditional Food group (TFG) or a Meal Replacement Group (MRG) incorporating 1-2 meal replacement drinks or bars per day.