Immersive Virtual Reality for the Management of Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Immersive virtual reality (VR) can provide a high level of engagement and distraction analgesia to address pain. However, community-based applications of this technology for older adults have not been studied. The objective of this study was to examine the applicability and effectiveness of an immersive VR intervention for pain, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults.

Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: Where Are We Now?

Objective: To synthesize the literature and provide guidance to practitioners regarding double therapy (DT) and triple therapy (TT) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) requiring percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Data Sources: PubMed and MEDLINE (January 2000 to February 2018) were searched using the following terms: atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary intervention, anticoagulation, dual-antiplatelet therapy, clopidogrel, aspirin, ticagrelor, prasugrel, and triple therapy.

Study Selection And Data Extraction: The results included randomized and nonrandomized clinical trials and meta-analyses.

Self-Uncertainty and the Influence of Alternative Goals on Self-Regulation.

The current research examines factors that facilitate or undermine goal pursuit. Past research indicates that attempts to reduce self-uncertainty can result in increased goal motivation. We explore a critical boundary condition of this effect-the presence of alternative goals.

Intravenous Vancomycin Associated With the Development of Nephrotoxicity in Patients With Class III Obesity.

Background: A consensus statement recommends initial intravenous (IV) vancomycin dosing of 15-20 mg/kg every 8- 24 hours, with an optional 25- to 30-mg/kg loading dose. Although some studies have shown an association between weight and the development of vancomycin-associated nephrotoxicity, results have been inconsistent.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between incidence of nephrotoxicity associated with weight-based IV vancomycin dosing strategies in nonobese and obese patients.

Translating Guidelines Into Practice: Interpreting the 2016 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Role of Non-Statin Therapies for LDL-Cholesterol Lowering in the Management of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk.

Objective: In 2016, the American College of Cardiology released a decision pathway, based on expert consensus, to guide use of non-statin agents in the management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk. The purpose of this article is to assist practitioners, health systems and managed care entities with interpreting this consensus statement in order to simplify implementation of the recommendations into patient care.

Methods: Major themes from the consensus statement are briefly summarized and explained.

Initial Medication Adherence in the Elderly Using PACE Claim Reversals: A Pilot Study.

Background: The Medicare Modernization Act, with its requirements for Medicare Part D to comply with electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), bolstered the adoption of e-prescribing, which increased to 73% in 2013. Therefore, understanding whether electronic prescriptions are less likely to be picked up is important as e-prescribing continues to be emphasized.

Objective: To assess whether prescription origin is among the factors associated with initial medication adherence, using claim reversals as a proxy measure.

Initial Medication Adherence in the Elderly Using PACE Claim Reversals: A Pilot Study.

Background: The Medicare Modernization Act, with its requirements for Medicare Part D to comply with electronic prescribing (e-prescribing), bolstered the adoption of e-prescribing, which increased to 73% in 2013. Therefore, understanding whether electronic prescriptions are less likely to be picked up is important as e-prescribing continues to be emphasized.

Objective: To assess whether prescription origin is among the factors associated with initial medication adherence, using claim reversals as a proxy measure.

The changing landscape of adverse drug events associated with chronic hepatitis C virus therapy.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has rapidly changed since the approval of IFN in the 1990s. Early treatment brought about significant and therapy limiting adverse drug events (ADEs) such as anemia. Since the direct-acting antivirals were first approved in 2011 and then advanced in 2013, treatment-related ADEs and therapy discontinuations have rapidly decreased, while sustained virologic response rates have significantly increased.

Opportunities for Prevention: Assessing Where Low-Income Patients Seek Care for Preventable Coronary Artery Disease.

The Affordable Care Act has many aspects that are aimed at improving health care for all Americans, including mandated insurance coverage for individuals, as well as required community health needs assessments (CHNAs), and reporting of investments in community benefit by nonprofit hospitals in order to maintain tax exemptions. Although millions of Americans have gained access to health insurance, many--often the most vulnerable--remain uninsured, and will continue to depend on hospital community benefits for care. Understanding where patients go for care can assist hospitals and communities to develop their CHNA and implementation plans in order to focus resources where the need for prevention is greatest.

Leveraging effective clinical registries to advance medical care quality and transparency.

Policy makers, payers, and the general public are increasingly focused on health care quality improvement. Measuring quality requires robust data systems that collect data over time, can be integrated with other systems, and can be analyzed easily for trends. The goal of this project was to study effective tools and strategies in the design and use of clinical registries with the potential to facilitate quality improvement, value-based purchasing, and public reporting on the quality of care.