Search

Suggests the application of theory-guided, evidence-based reflective practice at the core of nursing education and practice. Definition of evidence-based medicine; Components of reflective practice; Types of practice inquiry foci developed to address future issues in nursing and healthcare.

There is an increasing emphasis and interest in the economic evaluation of health care. There is a great deal of confusion about the labels i.e. cost-effectiveness analysis or cost-benefit analysis and sometimes the methodologies used to evaluate programs or treatment alternatives from an economic perspective. Cost-effectiveness analysis is the form of economic evaluation presented in this article and the particular methodological approach used is decision analysis. Insurers and health policy decision makers should view a birth center as an economical model of health care delivery.

Examines the experience of the University of Rochester in managed care. Information about The School-Based Health Center (SBHC); Criteria for membership; Services provided; Evaluation of the program; Problems faced in implementing the program; Status of the program; Future plans.

The article offers a guide to understanding and addressing health care disparities. It looks at the tension that exists between integration and segregation in caring for diverse ethnic and racial populations. Three factors are explored to explain how to address health care disparities between minority and majority patients. The role of health system leaders in recognition of health care disparities is also addressed.

A quality improvement collaborative evaluated Hepatitis B virus (HBV) care for resettled refugees and identified strategies to enhance care. 682 of the 12,934 refugees from five refugee health clinics in Colorado, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania had chronic HBV. Timely care was defined relative to a HBsAg + result: staging (HBV DNA, hepatitis Be antigen, hepatitis Be antibody, alanine transaminase testing) within 14 days, comorbid infection screening (hepatitis C virus and HIV) within 14 days, and linkage to care (HBV specialist referral within 30 days and visit within 6 months). Completed labs included: HBV DNA (93%), hepatitis Be antigen (94%), hepatitis Be antibody (92%), alanine transaminase (92%), hepatitis C screening (86%), HIV screening (97%). 20% had HBV specialist referrals within 30 days; 36% were seen within 6 months. Standardized reflex HBV testing and specialist referral should be prioritized at the initial screening due to the association with timely care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. International travel poses a risk of destination-specific illness and may contribute to the global spread of infectious diseases. Despite this, little is known about the health characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers, particularly those at higher risk of travel-associated illness. Methods. We formed a national consortium (Global TravEpiNet) of 18 US clinics registered to administer yellow fever vaccination. We collected data regarding demographic and health characteristics, destinations, purpose of travel, and pretravel healthcare from 13 235 international travelers who sought pretravel consultation at these sites from January 2009 through January 2011. Results. The destinations and itineraries of Global TravEpiNet travelers differed from those of the overall population of US international travelers. The majority of Global TravEpiNet travelers were visiting low- or lower-middle-income countries, and Africa was the most frequently visited region. Seventy-five percent of travelerswere visitingmalaria-endemic countries, and 38% were visiting countries endemic for yellow fever. Fifty-nine percent of travelers reported ≤1 medical condition. Atovaquone/proguanil was the most commonly prescribed antimalarial drug, and most travelers received an antibiotic for self-treatment of travelers' diarrhea. HepatitisA and typhoid were themost frequently administered vaccines. Conclusions. Data from Global TravEpiNet provide insight into the characteristics and pretravel healthcare of US international travelers who are at increased risk of travel-associated illness due to itinerary, purpose of travel, or existing medical conditions. Improved understanding of this epidemiologically significant population may help target risk-reduction strategies and interventions to limit the spread of infections related to global travel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Strongyloidiasis infects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and is an important cause of mortality from intestinal helminth infection in developed countries. The persistence of infection, increasing international travel, lack of familiarity by health care providers, and potential for iatrogenic hyperinfection all make strongyloidiasis an important emerging infection. Methods: Two studies were performed. A retrospective chart review of Strongyloides stercoralis cases identified through microbiology laboratory records from 1993-2002 was conducted. Subsequently, 363 resident physicians in 15 training programs worldwide were queried with a case scenario of strongyloidiasis, presenting an immigrant with wheezing and eosinophilia. The evaluation focused on resident recognition and diagnostic recommendations. Results: In 151 strongyloidiasis cases, stool ova and parasite sensitivity is poor (51%), and eosinophilia (>5% or >400 cells/μL) commonly present (84%). Diagnosis averaged 56 months (intra-quartile range: 4-72 months) after immigration. Presenting complaints were nonspecific, although 10% presented with wheezing. Hyperinfection occurred in 5 patients prescribed corticosteroids, with 2 deaths. Treatment errors occurred more often among providers unfamiliar with immigrant health (relative risk of error: 8.4; 95% confidence interval, 3.4-21.0; P <.001). When presented with a hypothetical case scenario, US physicians-in-training had poor recognition (9%) of the need for parasite screening and frequently advocated empiric corticosteroids (23%). International trainees had superior recognition at 56% (P <.001). Among US trainees, 41% were unable to choose any parasite causing pulmonary symptoms. Conclusions: Strongyloidiasis is present in US patients. Diagnostic consideration should occur with appropriate exposure, nonspecific symptoms including wheezing, or eosinophilia (>5% relative or >400 eosinophils/μL). US residents’ helminth knowledge is limited and places immigrants in iatrogenic danger. Information about Strongyloides should be included in US training and continuing medical education programs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Describes a day in the practice lives of nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives in the U.S. using survey results of advanced practice nurses (APN). Effects of changes in the health care delivery system; Kinds of information from which inferences can be made about the quality of care; Ethnicity of patients; List of common and difficult clinical problems.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the editorial "Inadequate health care for migrants in the USA," in the March 28, 2009 issue.