Continuity of care and 30-day readmission for patients evaluated in the emergency room after cerebral aneurysm treatment.

Background: The association between continuity of care and the rate of 30-day readmissions after surgical procedures continues to be debated.

Objective: To investigate the association of 30-day readmissions with evaluation in the hospital where the original procedure was performed for patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) after cerebral aneurysm treatment.

Methods: We performed a cohort study of patients with cerebral aneurysms, who were evaluated in the ED within 30 days after discharge following surgical clipping or endovascular coiling between 2009 and 2013, and were registered in the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database.

Competing priorities in treatment decision-making: a US national survey of individuals with depression and clinicians who treat depression.

Objective: To identify information priorities for consumers and clinicians making depression treatment decisions and assess shared decision-making (SDM) in routine depression care.

Design: 20 questions related to common features of depression treatments were provided. Participants were initially asked to select which features were important, and in a second stage they were asked to rank their top 5 'important features' in order of importance.

Surgical clipping versus endovascular coiling for elderly patients presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: The comparative effectiveness of the two treatment options (surgical clipping and endovascular coiling) for ruptured cerebral aneurysms has not been studied in real-world practice in the USA. We investigated the association between the treatment method for ruptured cerebral aneurysms and outcomes.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of elderly patients who underwent treatment for ruptured cerebral aneurysms from 2007 to 2012 using a 100% sample of Medicare fee-for-service claims data.

Effectiveness, training and quality assurance of colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer.

Screening for colorectal cancer has been proven to be effective in reducing colorectal cancer incidence and mortality. While the precise benefit of screening exclusively by colonoscopy is not yet known, unarguably, the exam is central to the success of any screening programme. The test affords the opportunity to detect and resect neoplasia across the entire large bowel and is the definitive examination when other screening tests are positive.

Republished: Key characteristics of successful quality improvement curricula in physician education: a realist review.

Purpose: Quality improvement (QI) is a common competency that must be taught in all physician training programmes, yet, there is no clear best approach to teach this content in clinical settings. We conducted a realist systematic review of the existing literature in QI curricula within the clinical setting, highlighting examples of trainees learning QI by doing QI.

Method: Candidate theories describing successful QI curricula were articulated a priori.

Rapid fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) for HER2 (ERBB2) assessment in breast and gastro-oesophageal cancer.

Evaluation of HER2 (ERBB2) gene amplification or protein expression is standard of care in breast (BR) and advanced stage gastro-oesophageal cancers to identify patients eligible for anti-HER2 therapies. Here, we evaluate a rapid fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) technology (HER2 instant quality (IQ) FISH pharmDx Kit) for detection of HER2 in patients with BR and gastro-oesophageal cancer using 30 FFPE samples that had been previously evaluated with the PathVysion HER2 DNA Probe Kit. Cases were scored as positive (HER2:CEN-17 ≥2.

Perceived Characteristics of Intervention Scale: Development and Psychometric Properties.

The Perceived Characteristics of Intervention Scale (PCIS), a 20-item assessment measure, was developed to assess health care providers' views of interventions. Two hundred and fifteen Department of Veterans Affairs' residential treatment providers from 38 programs across the United States completed an online survey that included the PCIS as well as self-reported use of two evidence-based treatments. The PCIS was anchored to ask about two evidence-based psychotherapies for posttraumatic stress disorder, prolonged exposure, and cognitive processing therapy.

Key characteristics of successful quality improvement curricula in physician education: a realist review.

Purpose: Quality improvement (QI) is a common competency that must be taught in all physician training programmes, yet, there is no clear best approach to teach this content in clinical settings. We conducted a realist systematic review of the existing literature in QI curricula within the clinical setting, highlighting examples of trainees learning QI by doing QI.

Method: Candidate theories describing successful QI curricula were articulated a priori.

Impact of obesity and physical activity on functional outcomes in the elderly: data from NHANES 2005-2010.

Objective: The objective of this study was to (a) to examine whether the association between obesity and physical functioning among older adults is moderated by physical activity (PA) and (b) to test whether this moderating effect varies by gender.

Method: Data from adults (aged >60 years) who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2005-2010) were analyzed. Using multivariate logistic regression, we estimated the prevalence ratio (PR) of functional limitations and impairment in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, by body mass index and PA, while adjusting for age, educational level, and a comorbidity index.

Performance of the OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test for screening exposed patients in a hepatitis C outbreak investigation.

During a nosocomial hepatitis C outbreak, emergency public clinics employed the OraQuick HCV rapid antibody test on site, and all results were verified by a standard enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Of 1,157 persons, 1,149 (99.3%) exhibited concordant results between the two tests (16 positive, 1,133 negative).