This population-based analysis of patients with cancer in California found significant differences in proton beam therapy use by health insurance type, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
Community social determinants of health such as rurality and low socioeconomic status moderate the association between an individual’s race and emergency care use.
Even in a fully integrated healthcare system, only 28% of cancer quality measures could be validated by using electronically available data.
Greater geographic variation was found among private than public payers in the inpatient price per discharge for most hospital services.
This study measured breast cancer screening practice patterns in relation to evidence-based guidelines and accountability metrics, and found closer alignment is needed for providing patient-centered care.
Science 37 hopes to help researchers produce clinical trial results that are closer to real-world experiences, for the benefit of patients, pharma, and payers.
The authors report the experience of one of the first Southern US communities to develop a comprehensive health care data repository for tracking processes and outcomes of care and identifying areas of greatest need.
Among HIV-positive Medicaid patients with comorbid medical and psychiatric disorders, there was increased outpatient service utilization, yet relative cost savings, for patients who were treated in patient-centered medical homes.
An analysis of the opportunity cost associated with ambulatory medical care in the United States demonstrates substantial time costs for individuals and society.
Self-testing of anticoagulation improves outcomes, but is expensive. One might assume it is more helpful for patients living farther from care, but the authors disprove this assumption.
Omission of radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery leads to poor outcomes. Geographic isolation and scarcity of healthcare specialists correlate with low adjuvant radiation therapy use.
Compared with other costs of treatment, expenditures for antibiotics were nominal in an adult primary care population with lower respiratory tract infections.
Although we found no DCIS treatment disparities by race/ethnicity, use of adjuvant radiation therapy was less among older women and among residents of poorer neighborhoods.
Influenza vaccination rates in pregnant women and healthcare workers were increased with standing orders, vaccine advocates, and educational activities on influenza immunization.
This study utilizes a validated instrument to create case and control groups to measure the effect of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)’s patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model on utilization patterns among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Disease management programs for diabetes can improve some processes of care, but they do not improve intermediate outcomes beyond doubt.
Enrollment in managed care among Medicaid enrollees presents challenges to classifying Medicaid coverage in cancer registries.
Introduction of drug-eluting stents resulted in improved clinical outcomes for patients and reduced overall procedural costs.
In 2001, Maryland began to reimburse hospitals for excess volume at full case rates. The authors investigated the impact on hospital utilization and finances.
Efficacy of switching statin therapy from generic simvastatin was examined in a VA population. Ezetimibe/simvastatin was more potent than atorvastatin or rosuvastatin in lowering LDL.
Analysis of spending differences among accountable care organizations (ACOs) may help identify cost savings opportunities. We examined the magnitude and sources of spending variation among ACOs over 4 years.