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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2050, non-Hispanic whites will be in the numerical minority. This rapid diversification requires healthcare organizations to pay closer attention to cross-cultural [...]

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Health plans, healthcare purchasers, and provider organizations throughout the United States are crafting pay-for-performance programs with the intent of improving the quality of care and with recognition of [...]

This article provides an overview of current research and practice guidelines related to the use of pulmonary artery catheters in hemodynamic analysis. Pulmonary artery catheters provide detailed hemodynamic information but pose a health risk to patients and involve high equipment costs without clear data supporting improved patient outcomes.

Hospital nurses contribute largely to good health care which is the key to patient satisfaction. A model developed at a University hospital center targeted specifics of care, such as food, discharge planning, housekeeping, nursing care, and staff attitude. The nurses also investigated why patients were especially dissatisfied during one-day stays. Despite staff reduction and budget constraints, the level of patient satisfaction rose following pertinent changes.

A hospital and a vendor for therapeutic bed surfaces collaborated in a study to test clinical indicators for the care of pressure sores. The vendor provided project funding, a national database used to develop clinical indicators on bedsores, and data processing. The hospital offered access to patients, clinical knowledge, and project coordination. Benefits from this collaboration included developing specific treatment outcomes, risk assessment tools, and increased ability to evaluate skin care techniques.

An updated medical care standard from the American Diabetes Association is discussed. The new standard puts the hemoglobin A1C level of 6.5% or higher for a person to be diagnosed with diabetes and blood glucose goals remain at less than 7% for adults. Low dose aspirin is recommended by the new standard to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke among patients.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetes screening should be considered by asymptomatic adults regardless of age. The association's recommendation for treating gestational diabetes, hospitalized patients with diabetes, and diabetes education are discussed.