Care Pathways in US Healthcare Settings: Current Successes and Limitations, and Future Challenges
January 19th 2016Care pathways influence quality of care and outcomes. Despite positive trends in development and implementation, further efforts in process transparency and evaluation are required.
Oral Anticoagulant Discontinuation in Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
January 11th 2016The risk of discontinuation of oral anticoagulant therapy (both warfarin and direct oral anticoagulant therapies [DOACs]) among nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients was high. Although the hazard ratio for discontinuation favors DOACs, it is unlikely that the small difference in discontinuation relative to warfarin is clinically meaningful.
Outcomes Trends for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Congestive Heart Failure, and Pneumonia, 2005-2009
January 7th 2016The 3 core measures of acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia are the leading causes of hospital admissions and expenditures. Our study sets the benchmark foundation for outcome evaluations of CMS’s value-based purchasing program and the Affordable Care Act.