February 2012

Cell phone“based text messaging may be used to feasibly support chronic disease management and engagement in diabetes self-care behaviors for some patients.

Nurses can improve lipid control in people with diabetes in a primarily indigent population through telephone care using moderately complex algorithms. Telephone-based outreach may decrease resource utilization.

Specifically trained care managers are essential for quality gains from a dementia care management program; even higher quality accrues with coordination across community and primary care.

Findings from a systematic evidence review of the medical home are promising, but indicate the critical need for stronger evaluations to guide policy makers.

Hospital readmission rates in Medicare Advantage plans are considerably lower than those in Medicare's traditional fee-for-service program, after accounting for differences in risk.

Identifying patients with osteoporosis or low bone mineral density and high risk for osteoporotic fractures is possible in administrative data using osteoporosis diagnoses and fracture risk profile.

Analysis of studies of worksite wellness programs suggested mixed impact on health-related behaviors and cost, with insufficient evidence regarding absenteeism and mental health.

For future studies focusing on quality of care from the background of the Chronic Care Model, the PACIC short form is appropriate.

Small primary care practices reap some organizational and quality of care improvements from electronic health records; however, challenges persist in achieving meaningful use standards.