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An economic analysis of heart-lung transplantation. Costs, insurance coverage, and reimbursement.

Rarely has the cost of heart-lung transplantation received attention. Although the procedure is still largely regarded as experimental, this does not diminish the significance of costs. The National Cooperative Transplantation Study was undertaken to better understand the costs of all transplants, including heart-lung transplantation. Data on transplantation charges from date of procedure to discharge were obtained from more than 65% of all heart-lung transplantation programs active in 1988. These programs accounted for 61% of all transplantations performed in 1988. Valid sample survey data (no more than 25 procedures per center) were obtained for 42 patients, or approximately 58% of all procedures done in the United States. Detailed data were also collected on sources of payment and amount reimbursed. Because of outlier data, we report statistical medians, rather than means, as our measure of central tendency. The median charge for heart-lung transplantation was $134,881, with an average hospital stay of 31 days. Total charges fell between $99,535 and $216,639 for 50% of the cases studied. Half of the patients spent between 23 and 49 days in the hospital. Because of the small number of cases available for analysis, it was not meaningful to cross-classify the data according to various prognostic variables. More than 78% of the procedures studied were paid for by private insurers. Reimbursement exceeded 90% of billed charges for 84.6% of the cases analyzed. Despite the experimental status of heart-lung transplantation, insurance reimbursement has been favorable for those heart-lung transplantations that insurers have covered. Nevertheless, the future of heart-lung transplantation is unclear. The availability of donors remains a serious constraint, as is seen in the decrease of procedures performed annually. In fact, lung transplantation now appears to be the preferred approach to the treatment of pulmonary disease.

Fees and Charges

The acquisition of life skills through adventure-based activities and programs: a review of the literature.

This paper discusses the definition of at-risk elementary and secondary school students and identifies incidence and prevalence of various related stressors and behaviors. Assessment issues for at-risk students are highlighted. Theoretical issues that pertain to early adolescence and educational adventure-based program approaches that have been used to intervene or assist in risk remediation for the identified student are addressed. A comparison between the adventure-based programs and the more traditional life skills approach is presented. Empirical evaluations and limitations of adventure programming and adventure-based counseling as well as practice implications and suggestions for further research are reviewed.

Adolescent

International student enrollment in US dental hygiene schools.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the international student enrollment in US dental hygiene programs, identify methods used to recruit and retain international students, and describe accommodations used for them. METHOD: A 27-item, closed-ended questionnaire was mailed to all dental hygiene program directors (n = 216) in the US. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Responses were received from 154 dental hygiene program directors for a response rate of 71%. Of the 154 returned questionnaires, 70 (45%) dental hygiene program directors indicated that international students were enrolled in their programs, totalling 4% of the total student population, with female students outnumbering males. The highest international student population came from Canada (42%) followed by Asia (32%), Europe (10%), Central America (9%), South America (3%), and Africa and the Caribbean (2%). Six percent of dental hygiene programs actively recruited international students, 3% had an articulation agreement with institutions outside the US, and 96% did not offer special orientation for incoming international students. CONCLUSION: Research showed a need for professional oral health services in other countries. US dental hygiene programs do not actively recruit nor retain international students. The benefits of US dental hygiene programs actively recruiting and retaining international students would be: 1) international students would be equipped to provide comprehensive, preventive oral health services upon returning to their native country 2) international students would foster a better understanding of cultural diversity, which could transfer to social and professional settings among students in US dental hygiene programs.

Dental Hygienists

A behaviorally-oriented activities therapy for program for adolescents.

A behaviorally-oriented activities therapy program was designed and implemented with adolescents who manifested problems in school, at home, and with peers. Baseline measures for target behaviors were taken within the activities therapy program and, after a behavioral analysis, specific techniques were chosen to remediate problems. Techniques employed included: contingency contracting, assertiveness training, relaxation training, and cognitive restructuring. Evaluation of the effectiveness of each program was performed through daily measurement of the frequency of the occurrence of the target behaviors. Three case studies are presented which are illustrative of the range of programs which can be successfully implemented with this population.

Acting Out

Genetics-Informed Mapping Identifies a CRIM1-Associated Endocardial Inflammatory Remodeling State in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) reflects inherited susceptibility and inflammatory remodeling, but the cellular contexts linking genetic risk to disease remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS We integrated a meta-transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) with a human cardiac single-nucleus RNA-sequencing atlas contained 11 individuals (5 AMI and 6 donor) to identify genetics-informed cellular programs. Composite program states were defined by global score quartiles. A fixed 5-gene panel was evaluated for nucleus-level endocardial low-transcriptional-state (Endo_LTS) vs endocardial high-transcriptional-state (Endo_HTS) discrimination within the AMI endocardium using 5-fold leave-1-patient-out cross-validation. Functional follow-up used CRIM1 silencing in hypoxia-treated human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived endocardial endothelial-like cells and complementary peripheral blood analyses. RESULTS The endocardium exhibited the most prominent infarction-associated increase in TWAS-anchored program activity, with expansion of program-high states and higher CytoTRACE scores. A consensus 5-gene panel (RPS8, PLEC, CFDP1, CRIM1, TNS2) was identified. Among 2163 AMI endocardial nuclei from 5 patients, the state classifier included 364 Endo_LTS and 751 Endo_HTS nuclei; 1048 Endo_MTS nuclei were excluded. Pooled out-of-fold ROC-AUCs ranged from 0.665 to 0.831. The panel also showed discriminatory value in an independent peripheral-blood AMI-vs-control cohort. CRIM1 was prioritized as a candidate linked to the remodeling program. CRIM1 silencing attenuated ACTA2/alpha-SMA, vimentin, LDHA, CCL2, and VEGFA and partially restored CD31, whereas TGF-ß remained elevated. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify a genetics-informed endocardial inflammatory remodeling state in AMI and define a 5-gene surrogate of its activated state. CRIM1 is prioritized as a candidate linked to selected inflammatory, metabolic, and structural outputs. Persistent TGF-b elevation after CRIM1 silencing argues against a simple linear regulatory model and indicates that further mechanistic validation is required.

Humans

Dog interaction with persons receiving institutional geriatric care.

A prospective study of 66 geriatric residents in 2 facilities was conducted to quantitate people-dog interactions. Residents were assigned randomly to sessions with dog activity and to sessions with other activity in a crossover design. This study involved a 12-week prestudy activity period and two 12-week activity periods, one before crossover and one after crossover. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, psychologic evaluation of case histories, and other health and social variables were measured on all residents for dog activity and other combinations of programmed activity sessions. Frequence of attendance in both facilities was higher at dog activity sessions than at other activity sessions (P less than 0.01). Resident systolic blood pressures were lower in one facility during dog activity (P less than 0.02). Combined pre- and postactivity systolic and diastolic blood pressures at the same facility were lower when residents had 12 weeks of dog activity before 12 weeks of other activity (P less than 0.04). There were no significant differences in residents' blood pressures between measurements before and after dog activity (treatment mode) or between measurements before and after other activity. Psychologic scores of residents in both facilities were not significantly different between periods of the study. Of the 9 types of interaction between the residents and the dog, grooming and touching were the 2 most commonly used by residents.

Aged

Drug-use evaluation programs in short-term-care general hospitals.

The results of a survey to assess drug-use evaluation (DUE) programs in short-term-care general U.S. hospitals are reported. During February 1992, questionnaires were mailed to pharmacy directors at 491 randomly selected short-term-care general hospitals with 100 or more beds. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on the characteristics of surveyed hospitals and their pharmacies, DUE program characteristics, and the perceptions of pharmacists about the DUE programs. The net response rate was 66.6% (327 usable replies). Pharmacists involvement in DUE program activities was found to be very high, with two thirds of respondents indicating they participated in all five ASHP-recommended activities. Pharmacists rated the effectiveness of current DUE programs as moderate, while the importance of pharmacist participation was perceived to be very high. Pharmacists were members of 97.9% of the respondents' DUE committees, but only 65.5% of the pharmacist members held voting privileges. Pharmacists reported devoting an average of 11.27 hours weekly to DUE-related tasks. Reasons used to select drugs for DUEs, interventions employed, uses of DUE results, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of DUE programs all varied widely. In short-term-care general hospitals with 100 or more beds, pharmacists assigned to DUE activities were highly involved in DUE committees and programs. The effectiveness of these activities needs to be assessed in more detail.

Data Collection

Surgical oncology in university departments of surgery in the United States.

Data on surgical oncology and multidisciplinary cancer program activity were obtained from 124 of 126 university surgery departments in the United States. Most of these institutions have American College of Surgeons-approved cancer programs (84%) as well as divisions of medical (95%), radiation (94%), pediatric (76%), and gynecologic (79%) oncology. Only 47 departments (38%) have formal divisions of surgical oncology. There are no major staffing or activity differences in surgical departments with or without such divisions, but multidisciplinary cancer program activity is greater in those institutions with a surgical oncology focus. Peer-reviewed cancer research grants are more frequent in departments of surgery with a surgical oncology division (68% vs 47%). The activities of the existing 47 divisions of surgical oncology are mainly operative, with breast cancer, melanoma, and soft-tissue sarcomas being the major clinical responsibilities. Chemotherapy is also frequent (81%). Cancer education for undergraduate and postgraduate surgical trainees is a major responsibility of most divisions, but only a small proportion (28%) have postresidency surgical oncology training programs. In contrast to the growth of some oncologic specialties, the establishment of surgical oncology within university departments has been slow, and the manpower needs appear modest.

Academic Medical Centers

Selected chronic disease 'risk factors' in two elementary school populations. A pilot study.

Ninety-five first-grade elementary school students (aged 5 to 6 years) in two New York City area schools participated in a pilot test of a chronic disease primary prevention program stressing nutrition, antismoking, and physical activity. Program components included a health knowledge questionnaire; measurement of height, weight, skin-fold thickness, total serum cholesterol level, and blood pressure; and a modified Harvard step test of pulse rate recovery after exercise and subsequent classroom health education. The proportion of students with test values higher than specified critical levels was much greater in school M compared with school S. These measures will be repeated after one year to determine the feasibility and potential effectiveness of certain classroom health education activities.

Blood Pressure

The USDA Forest Service pesticide spray behavior and application development program--an overview.

The USDA Forest Service, even though a minor user of pesticides, has maintained an active program for understanding the performance, atomization, evaporation, efficacy, environmental fate, atmospheric dispersion, and environmental impact of chemical and biological insecticides. Since its self-imposed ban on use of dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) in 1964, the USDA Forest Service has pursued insecticides that are less persistent and have reduced potential for impact on nontarget organisms, application technology that supports their efficient and efficacious use, and computer models that predict insecticide fate in the environment. This program has been active over the last 3 decades, beginning with research for chemical insecticide substitutes for DDT, progressing in time to biological insecticides and other biorational control agents. In our effort to make the less persistent insecticides work under forestry conditions, it was necessary to investigate insecticide monitoring, detection, and sampling methods; application systems; atmospheric influences; tank mixes and adjuvants; nozzles and atomization; evaporation; spray deposition and canopy penetration; biological response; and environmental fate. This paper reviews some of this work that might be applicable to mosquito control.

Animals

Trends in rehabilitation after cochlear implantation.

Although postimplant rehabilitation is generally considered to be an important aspect of a cochlear implant program, the literature reports widely varying practices in the implementation of such programs. The National Institutes of Health consensus statement on cochlear implantation (May 1988), while recognizing that aural rehabilitation facilitates maximal use of the implant, offers no specific guidelines or recommendations. A questionnaire survey was made of over 200 otolaryngologists to determine current practices in a variety of aspects of their cochlear implant programs. Results were obtained from a total of more than 1400 patients, including adults, adolescents, and children. Rehabilitation is an integral part of the cochlear implant program in the vast majority of active programs surveyed. General aspects of cochlear implant programs, as well as those of rehabilitation programs in particular, are discussed.

Adolescent

Determinants of heart-lung transplantation outcomes: results of a consensus survey.

Substantial progress has been made in clinical heart-lung transplantation. Although outcomes vary across centers, 1-year patient survival is now 59%. This study was an attempt to assess consensus among transplant program directors regarding the major determinants of patient outcome. In the National Cooperative Transplantation Study we evaluated consensus through a survey of all heart-lung transplant programs active in 1988. Of the eligible programs, 23 (85%) returned completed surveys. Data on the medical and surgical determinants of outcome were analyzed. There was considerable consensus among program directors as to the importance of several factors. The three most critical predictors of favorable outcomes were periodic pulmonary function tests to detect rejection (85.7%), avoidance of use of prednisone during the first 14 days after transplantation (76.2%), and annual left and right heart catheterization with coronary arteriography (76.2%). Several approaches were considered undesirable or unnecessary. These included electrocardiogram as standard rejection monitoring technique (71.4%), cytoimmunological monitoring as standard rejection monitoring technique (66.7%), and routine steroid discontinuation after transplantation (66.7%). On various other treatment approaches there was little evidence of consensus. These included prophylaxis with acyclovir and severe bronchiolitis as a criterion for retransplantation. Although controversial, consensus conferences are one means by which to evaluate technological innovations. Based on their results, practice guidelines can be developed to better inform third-party payers on issues related to transplantation.

Data Collection

Cancer Program Administrators' survey results.

In summary, cancer programs across the country have been developing since 1975. A more formal organizational structure has been adopted to program activities since 1980. The full-time Cancer Program Administrator position exists in about one-third of the programs reporting. Persons occupying the position are at least bachelors degreed with many also having a masters degree. Strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles to program development are basically the same items across the country. It appears that programs that have one problem resolved are still working towards the solution of another problem and vice versa among programs. All programs are struggling for identity within the hospital and are in developmental stages with a lot of activity focused on clarifying the position of an organized cancer program within the hospital organization.

Cancer Care Facilities

Lifestyle physical activity interventions. History, short- and long-term effects, and recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Lifestyle physical activity interventions have resulted in response to the public health problem of promoting regular amounts of physical activity to the majority of U.S. adults who remain inadequately or completely inactive. These lifestyle interventions allow a person to individualize his/her physical activity programs to include a wide variety of activities that are at least of moderate intensity and to accumulate bouts of these activities in a manner befitting his/her life circumstances. METHODS: We reviewed the history of lifestyle physical activity interventions and defined lifestyle physical activity based on this review. We located 14 studies that met this definition. RESULTS: Lifestyle physical activity interventions are effective at increasing and maintaining levels of physical activity that meet or exceed public health guidelines for physical activity in representative samples of previously sedentary adults and obese children. The majority of these interventions have been delivered by face-to-face contact in small groups, which limits their public health impact. However, a small number of studies demonstrate that these interventions can be delivered by mail and telephone, which may enhance their generalizability. Most of these studies utilized behavior change theories such as Social Cognitive Theory, the Transtheoretical Model, and Behavior Learning to shape the interventions. Lifestyle interventions aimed at modifying the environment, such as signs posted to increase stair climbing, also have been shown to be effective over the short term. CONCLUSIONS: The major issues concerning lifestyle physical activity interventions are: (1) testing their ability to be implemented on a large scale; (2) examining cost-effectiveness for different modes of delivery; and (3) researching the efficacy in populations such as the elderly, minorities, economically disadvantaged, and individuals with concurrent disease. More studies aimed at manipulating the environment to increase physical activity need to be tested over periods of one year or longer. It is possible that lifestyle interventions could be integrated and delivered by new technologies such as interactive computer-mediated programs, telephone, or computer web-based formats. All of these recommended approaches should utilize valid and reliable measures of physical activity and should examine the health effects, particularly on a longitudinal basis. Basic dose-response studies in controlled settings also are needed to help us understand the health effects of accumulated moderate intensity activity.

Adult

Using concept mapping to develop a conceptual framework of staff's views of a supported employment program for individuals with severe mental illness.

This article describes the use of concept mapping to develop a pictorial multivariate conceptual framework of staff views of a program of supported employment (SE) for individuals with severe mental illness. The SE program involves extended individualized supported employment for clients through a mobile job support worker (MJSW) who maintains contact with the client after job placement and supports the client in various ways. All 14 staff members of a psychiatric rehabilitation agency with assignments associated with the SE program. They brainstormed a large number of specific program activity statements (N = 96), sorted and rated the statements, and interpreted the map that was produced through multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. The resulting map enabled identification of 4 issues that should be included in any theory of SE programs--the specific activity sequences that characterize the program itself; the pattern of local program evolution; the definition of program staff roles; and the influence of key contextual factors such as the client's family or the program's administrative structure. The implications of concept mapping methodology for theory development and program evaluation are considered.

Community Mental Health Services

The effect of aspartame as part of a multidisciplinary weight-control program on short- and long-term control of body weight.

This study investigated whether the addition of the high-intensity sweetener aspartame to a multidisciplinary weight-control program would improve weight loss and long-term control of body weight. One hundred sixty-three obese women were randomly assigned to consume or to abstain from aspartame-sweetened foods and beverages during 16 wk of a 19-wk weight-reduction program (active weight loss), a 1-y maintenance program, and a 2-y follow-up period. Women in both treatment groups lost approximately 10% of initial body weight (10 kg) during active weight loss. Among women assigned to the aspartame-treatment group, aspartame intake was positively correlated with percentage weight loss during active weight loss (r = 0.32, P < 0.01). During maintenance and follow-up, participants in the aspartame group experienced a 2.6% (2.6 kg) and 4.6% (4.6 kg) regain of initial body weight after 71 and 175 wk, respectively, whereas those in the no-aspartame group gained an average of 5.4% (5.4 kg) and 9.4% (9.4 kg), respectively. The aspartame group lost significantly more weight overall (P = 0.028) and regained significantly less weight during maintenance and follow-up (P = 0.046) than did the no-aspartame group. Percentage weight losses at 71 and 175 wk were also positively correlated with exercise (r = 0.32, P < 0.001; and r = 0.34, P < 0.01, respectively) and self-reported eating control (r = 0.37, P < 0.001; and r = 0.33, P < 0.01, respectively). These data suggest that participation in a multidisciplinary weight-control program that includes aspartame may facilitate the long-term maintenance of reduced body weight.

Adult