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Outcomes of a community-based three-year breast and cervical cancer screening program for medically underserved, low income women.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a community level three-year breast and cervical cancer screening program for medically underserved, low income women. DATA SOURCES: Descriptive data on 128 women gathered from five semiannual screening programs held between 1995 and 1997 were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Poor and medically under served women often face barriers that may discourage or prevent screening activity and measures for early detection of breast and cervical cancer. Besides success in recruiting women to the program, community collaborative partnerships were established that continue to sustain this program. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results from this project provide an example of how advance practice nurses (APNs) can demonstrate meaningful and competitive health care services for underserved women and how APNs can actively evaluate programs they offer that affect the health practices of communities in need.

Adult↗

Listening to women: culturally tailoring the violence prevention guidelines from the put prevention into practice program.

PURPOSE: To develop five reliable and valid (culturally tailored) guidelines focused on the prevention of violence as presented in the violence prevention guideline of the Put Prevention into Practice Clinician's Handbook on Preventative Services (PPIP). DATA SOURCES: The data collection for this qualitative, descriptive design of naturalistic inquiry was focus group interviews with five different ethnic groups of women (Caucasian, Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese and Hispanic) using a semi-structured interview guide. CONCLUSIONS: The women interviewed provided a variety of suggestions for adaptations to the guideline. Cultural similarities and differences are presented. Development of a nonjudgmental and trusting relationship is key to disclosure. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Violence against women is recognized as a major public health problem. Little is known about the effectiveness of standardized interventions such as those contained in the PPIP Handbook. Even less is known about the efficacy of such protocols within culturally diverse populations. Providers should consider adaptation of the guideline based on the individual relationship with the client. The next phase of this research is to implement the culturally tailored adaptations of these guidelines and test their effectiveness.

Female↗

Obesity as a confounding health factor among women with mobility impairment.

PURPOSE: To examine the relationships between self-reported height and weight and factors associated with disabilities that impair mobility among adult women. DATA SOURCES: Survey data were gathered from a convenience sample of 83 women with disabilities at community events targeting the disabled population. Height, weight, and factors associated with their disabilities were reported on a demographic questionnaire. Body mass index (BMI) was estimated using a conversion table and the self-reported height and weight of each participant. CONCLUSIONS: The average self-reported weight was 168.3 lb. Only 38% of the women fell into the normal range on estimated BMI, but 62% of the women fell into the categories of overweight or obese. The incidence of overweight and obesity exceeded that reported for the general population of women in a national sample X2 = 6.48, p = 03, 2 df). Self-reported weight was positively correlated with the number of comorbidities reported by the women (r = .419, p < .0001). IMPLICATIONS: The issue of obesity is an important problem facing women with disabilities. Women who have mobility limitations need to be weighed periodically, and strategies should be devised for weight management, including both dietary plans and appropriate exercise regimens given their limitations.

Body Mass Index↗

The process of changing health risk behaviors: an Oregon rural clinic experience.

PURPOSE: A counseling intervention was conducted by nurse practitioners (NPs) at a rural clinic in Oregon. The intervention was designed to help individuals change health risk behaviors. Three focus groups were conducted to aid in understanding the barriers to changing health behaviors and to identify resources that rural individuals needed to succeed in behavior change. DATA SOURCES: Quantitative data were collected using appraisal forms that were specific to five behaviors. Qualitative data were from written comments submitted by focus group participants in answer to questions sent prior to each meeting and from written summaries of focus group meetings submitted by the focus group leader. CONCLUSIONS: Most participants were not successful in changing their health behaviors. The issues raised in the focus group discussions provide an overview of the barriers to health behavior change as perceived by a group of adults in a rural environment. Both individual lack of will and the rural community environment were barriers to adopting new health behaviors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: NPs in rural health care clinics could provide important support for individuals attempting to adopt new health behaviors. Specific suggestions from focus group participants included discussing risky behaviors more often, forming support groups that do not charge a fee, and developing a peer-mentoring program.

Adult↗

Knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes of advanced practice nursing students regarding medical genetics.

PURPOSE: To describe the current medical genetic knowledge and perceptions of graduate advanced practice nursing (advanced practice nurse [APN]/nurse practitioner and nurse anesthetist) students using survey data for future integration of genetic topics, principles, and healthcare issues into curriculum. DATA SOURCES: Survey data of APNs' perceived knowledge of genetics and a review of the literature from past research studies of students and current articles from professional journals and organizations. Web sites were those of the National Coalition of Health Professions for Education in Genetics and National Institutes of Health, Human Genome Research Institute; professional organizations; and the authors' professional, clinical, and educational experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Most APN students perceived they had minimum knowledge and prior training regarding medical genetics. There is a need to integrate genetic concepts, principles, and medical conditions into advanced practice nursing curriculum and to provide clinical experiences in genetic conditions across the life span and throughout the health and illness spectrum. APN students have positive attitudes toward integrating genetics into graduate curricula. Potential methods for program integration include readings, small group discussion, standardized patients, and role-play as measures to increase information. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The National Coalition for Health Profession Education in Genetics, the American Nursing Association, and the American College of Nursing Education have recommended integration of genetics knowledge and skills into routine health care to provide effective interventions for individuals and families. However, previous research and data from this study have revealed that many nurses have minimal training in genetics. Advanced practice nurses must be knowledgeable on genetic principles, topics, and the ethical, legal, and social implications related to medical genetics to increase the ability to diagnose, prevent, and treat diseases and to provide effective care for individuals and families.

Adult↗

Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies to combat malaria in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the cost effectiveness of selected malaria control interventions in the context of reaching the millennium development goals for malaria. DESIGN: Generalised cost effectiveness analysis. DATA SOURCES: Efficacy data came from the literature and authors' calculations supported by expert opinion. Quantities for resource inputs came from the literature and from expert opinion; prices came from the WHO-CHOICE database. METHODS: Costs were assessed in year 2000 international dollars, and effects were assessed as disability adjusted life years averted by a 10 year implementation programme. Analysis was restricted to sub-Saharan regions where the most deadly form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, is most prevalent. The impact on population health for various interventions, and their combinations, was evaluated at selected coverage levels by using a state-transition model. Sensitivity analysis was done for age weights and discounting. RESULTS: High coverage with artemisinin based combination treatments was found to be the most cost effective strategy for control of malaria in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. CONCLUSIONS: A much larger infusion of resources than those currently available is needed to make headway in the fight to roll back malaria. On cost effectiveness grounds, in most areas in sub-Saharan Africa greater coverage with highly effective combination treatments should be the cornerstone of malaria control. However, treatment alone can achieve less than half the total benefit obtainable through a combination of interventions-scaling up the use of impregnated mosquito nets or indoor spraying with insecticides is also critical. Intermittent presumptive treatment of pregnant women can bring a small but important additional health gain at relatively low cost.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies for child health in developing countries.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the costs and effectiveness of selected child health interventions-namely, case management of pneumonia, oral rehydration therapy, supplementation or fortification of staple foods with vitamin A or zinc, provision of supplementary food with counselling on nutrition, and immunisation against measles. DESIGN: Cost effectiveness analysis. DATA SOURCES: Efficacy data came from published systematic reviews and before and after evaluations of programmes. For resource inputs, quantities came from literature and expert opinion, and prices from the World Health Organization Choosing Interventions that are Cost Effective (WHO-CHOICE) database, RESULTS: Cost effectiveness ratios clustered in three groups, with fortification with zinc or vitamin A as the most cost effective intervention, and provision of supplementary food and counselling on nutrition as the least cost effective. Between these were oral rehydration therapy, case management of pneumonia, vitamin A or zinc supplementation, and measles immunisation. CONCLUSIONS: On the grounds of cost effectiveness, micronutrients and measles immunisation should be provided routinely to all children, in addition to oral rehydration therapy and case management of pneumonia for those who are sick. The challenge of malnutrition is not well addressed by existing interventions.

Child↗

From targeted "black spots" to area-wide pedestrian safety.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and illustrate the geographic distribution of pedestrian crash sites in an urban setting (Montreal, Canada) with an alternative data source. METHODS: Data on pedestrian victims were extracted for a 5-year period (1999-2003) from ambulance services information systems. The locations of crash sites and pedestrian victim density were mapped using a geographic information system. Pedestrian "black spots" were defined as sites where there had been at least eight pedestrian victims. RESULTS: The 22 identified black spots represent only 1% of all city intersections with at least one victim and 4% of all injured pedestrians, whereas 5082 victims were injured at >3500 different crash sites. The number and population rates of injured pedestrians are greater in central boroughs. Accordingly, the density of pedestrian victims is much higher in central boroughs. Over the 5-year period, in some central boroughs, pedestrian crashes occurred in up to 26% of intersections. CONCLUSIONS: Ambulance information systems were relevant to map pedestrian crash sites. Most pedestrians were injured at locations that would have been missed by the black spot approach. This high-risk preventive strategy cannot substantially reduce the total number of injured or the insecurity that many pedestrians experience when walking. Considering the large number and widespread occurrence of pedestrian crashes in Montreal, prevention strategies should include comprehensive environmental measures such as global reduction of traffic volume and speed.

Accidents, Traffic↗

Population impact of stricter adherence to recommendations for pharmacological and lifestyle interventions over one year in patients with coronary heart disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential number of lives saved associated with the full implementation of aspects of the National Service Framework (NSF) for coronary heart disease (CHD) in England using recently developed population impact measures. DESIGN: Modelling study. SETTING: Primary care. DATA SOURCES: Published data on prevalence of acute myocardial infarction and heart failure, baseline risk of mortality, the relative risk reduction associated with different interventions and the proportion treated, eligible for treatment and adhering to each intervention. MAIN RESULTS: Adopting the NSF recommendations for pharmacological interventions would prevent an extra 1027 (95% CI 418 to 1994) deaths in post-acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients and an extra 37 899 (95% CI 25 690 to 52 503) deaths in heart failure patients in the first year after diagnosis. Lifestyle based interventions would prevent an extra 848 (95% CI 71 to 1 614) deaths in post-AMI patients and an extra 7249 (95% CI 995 to 16 696) deaths in heart failure patients. CONCLUSIONS: Moving from current to "best" practice as recommended in the NSF will have a much greater impact on one year mortality rates among heart failure patients compared with post-AMI patients. Meeting pharmacological based recommendations for heart failure patients will prevent more deaths than meeting lifestyle based recommendations. Population impact numbers can help communicate the impact on a population of the implementation of guidelines and, when created using local data, could help policy makers assess the local impact of implementing a range of health care targets.

Aged↗

Potential population impact of the UK government strategy for reducing the burden of coronary heart disease in England: comparing primary and secondary prevention strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To use population impact measures to help prioritise the National Service Framework (NSF) strategies recommended by the UK government for reducing the population burden of coronary heart disease (CHD). DESIGN: Modelling study. SETTING: Primary care. DATA SOURCES: Published data on incidence, baseline risk and prevalence of risk factors for CHD and the proportion treated, eligible for treatment, and adhering to the different interventions. Data from meta-analyses and systematic reviews for relative risk and relative risk reduction associated with different risk factors and interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Population impact measures for the decline in the prevalence of a risk factor and the increased uptake of interventions expressed as number of CHD events prevented in the population. RESULTS: If lifestyle targets for primary prevention are met, 73 522 (95% CI 54,117 to 95,826) CHD events would be prevented per year, with the greatest gain coming from reduced cholesterol and blood pressure levels. In those at high risk of developing CHD, achieving target levels for lifestyle interventions would prevent 4410 (95% CI 1993 to 8014) CHD events and for pharmacological treatments 2008 (95% CI 790 to 3627) CHD events. For patients with established CHD, achieving NSF targets will result in the prevention of 3067 (95% CI 1572 to 5878) CHD events through improved drug treatment and 1103 (95% CI 179 to 2097) events through lifestyle interventions. CONCLUSION: Current strategies focus largely on secondary prevention, but many more cardiovascular events would be prevented by meeting the government's public health and primary prevention targets than targeting people at high risk or those with established heart disease.

Age Distribution↗

The process of pregnancy smoking cessation: implications for interventions.

OBJECTIVE: There is a growing body of knowledge about the pregnant smoker and what happens as she goes through the pregnancy and postpartum periods. This article reviews the process of smoking cessation in the context of pregnancy. DATA SOURCES: Epidemiological data, extant reviews of the literature, and current original research reports are used to examine characteristics of the women and of the change process for those women smokers who quit, stop, or modify their smoking during pregnancy and the postpartum period. DATA SYNTHESIS: An analysis of the interaction of the process of smoking cessation with pregnancy was conducted to gain insight into the unique problems faced by the pregnant smoker and discover directions for intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy and the postpartum period provide a window of opportunity to promote smoking cessation and smoke free families. Understanding obstacles and pathways for pregnancy and postpartum smoking cessation can guide implementation of effective existing programs and development of new ones. Recommendations include promoting cessation before and at the beginning of pregnancy, increasing delivery of treatment early in pregnancy, helping spontaneous and intervention assisted quitters to remain tobacco free postpartum, aiding late pregnancy smokers, and involving the partner of the woman smoker.

Female↗

Methods of cost-effectiveness analysis in the assessment of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease.

New treatments for Alzheimer's disease highlight the complex clinical and financial issues at stake with new pharmacotherapies. This paper describes cost-effectiveness analysis as a method for assessing these issues. Cost-effectiveness analyses show the relationship between resources used and health benefits achieved for a medical intervention compared with an alternative strategy. In analyses of treatments of Alzheimer's disease, costs include health care resources, such as diagnostic tests, medications and efforts to monitor or treat side effects, acute hospital care, physicians' services, home health care, and nursing home care; non-health-care resources, such as support services provided by paid caregivers; and time spent by family members in unpaid provision of care and by patients in seeking care or undergoing an intervention. Effectiveness of interventions can be assessed by measuring changes in patients' cognitive functioning or by measuring years of life gained and the quality of life during those years. Cost-effectiveness studies often make use of disparate data sources, including data collected as part of randomized controlled clinical trials, and they often use mathematical models to support estimates. Because economic evaluations of new interventions for Alzheimer's disease will likely play an increasingly influential role in clinical and resource allocation in the coming years, physicians and other health system stakeholders should familiarize themselves with the techniques of cost-effectiveness analysis and become critical consumers of the literature describing these analyses.

Aged↗

Use of ondansetron for control of projectile vomiting in patients with neurosurgical trauma: two case reports.

OBJECTIVE: To describe two cases of projectile vomiting that were treated successfully with ondansetron in patients with neurosurgical trauma. Causes and pharmacologic treatments for nausea and emesis are also discussed. DATA SOURCES: Patient data and literature citations from published case reports, review articles, and clinical research reports as identified by MEDLINE. DATA SYNTHESIS: Ondansetron, a potent and highly selective antagonist of serotonin at the 5-HT3 (subtype 3)-receptor, possesses potent antiemetic effects. It has not been associated with the extrapyramidal adverse effects seen with traditional antiemetics. The occurrence of extrapyramidal reactions may limit the usefulness of conventional antiemetics in neurosurgical patients because such agents interfere with serial mental status examinations and lower the seizure threshold. Therefore, ondansetron may be preferable in this patient population. Two patients with head trauma and projectile vomiting were treated successfully with ondansetron following treatment failure with prochlorperazine. These represent the first reported cases of efficacious treatment with ondansetron in neurosurgical trauma patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ondansetron may be the preferred agent for controlling nausea and vomiting in patients with neurosurgical trauma. Controlled clinical trials are needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy in this patient population.

Accidental Falls↗

Pharmacy in Iceland.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the practice of pharmacy in Iceland. DATA SOURCES: Human resources were the primary sources of data for this publication. Personal observation by Cleary is the basis of this publication. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data on areas related to Icelandic history, practice of pharmacy, Icelandic health system, and the European Economic Community and Education were obtained through interviews. Information is presented to give an appreciation of pharmacy practice in a Nordic country. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacy education and practice is progressive and flourishing in Iceland's National Health Service. Clinical pharmacy services are in their infancy; however, the potential for growth is immense. The Fulbright experience was educational and beneficial for all parties involved.

Education, Pharmacy↗

Lansoprazole: a proton pump inhibitor.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the published data on lansoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the treatment of duodenal ulcer, erosive esophagitis, and pathologic hypersecretory conditions (e.g., Zollinger-Ellison syndrome). DATA SOURCES: Published data on lansoprazole identified by MEDLINE searches (1985-1996), as well as other pertinent literature. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical efficacy trials discussed were limited to multicenter, double-blind, parallel group, prospective studies, where possible. DATA SYNTHESIS: Lansoprazole inhibits gastric acid secretion via inhibition of gastric hydrogen/potassium adenosine triphosphatase (H+,K(+)-ATPase), an enzyme of the gastric parietal cell membrane that forms part of the proton pump that performs the final step in the acid secretory process. Lansoprazole binds covalently to parietal cell H+,K(+)-ATPase, rendering it nonfunctional and inhibiting the secretion of gastric acid. In clinical trials, lansoprazole has been shown to be more effective than placebo and standard doses of histamine (H)2-receptor antagonists and as effective as standard doses of omeprazole for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Lansoprazole is safe and effective for the treatment of acid-related disorders. It is more effective than the H2-receptor antagonists and comparable to omeprazole for these indications. The choice between lansoprazole and omeprazole is likely to be institution-specific and pharmacoeconomic.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

Does consumer satisfaction information matter? Evidence on member retention in FEHBP plans.

Taking advantage of a natural experiment, this study explores the crucial link between consumer satisfaction, distribution of consumer satisfaction information, and member retention at open enrollment. Multiple data sources, panel data regression analysis, and instrumental variable techniques inform how retention is affected by consumer satisfaction, before and after free distribution of report card information, controlling for market structure, consumer characteristics, premiums, benefits, and other plan attributes in about 250 Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) plans nationwide. Study results suggest that consumer satisfaction boosts member retention. Free distribution of consumer satisfaction information to federal employees during open enrollment is associated with lower member retention, which may suggest that consumers might have used this newly distributed information and then decided to withdraw from their previous plans.

Consumer Behavior↗

Measuring managed care and its environment using national surveys: a review and assessment.

Measuring the characteristics of managed care plans and of the health care markets in which the plans operate is a complex undertaking. Based on a previously developed framework of health plan factors, we review measures of managed care plans and the characteristics of the area in which an individual resides using two national surveys, the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and other data sources such as the Area Resources File and the United States census. We provide empirical applications of these measures and also discuss common analytical issues that should be considered. Despite the many analytical challenges presented by these complex surveys, the MEPS and NHIS are rich sources of data for examining the impact of health plans and the characteristics of markets or areas on health care expenditures and outcomes.

Health Care Sector↗

Using Ontario's "Telehealth" health telephone helpline as an early-warning system: a study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The science of syndromic surveillance is still very much in its infancy. While a number of syndromic surveillance systems are being evaluated in the US, very few have had success thus far in predicting an infectious disease event. Furthermore, to date, the majority of syndromic surveillance systems have been based primarily in emergency department settings, with varying levels of enhancement from other data sources. While research has been done on the value of telephone helplines on health care use and patient satisfaction, very few projects have looked at using a telephone helpline as a source of data for syndromic surveillance, and none have been attempted in Canada. The notable exception to this statement has been in the UK where research using the national NHS Direct system as a syndromic surveillance tool has been conducted. METHODS/DESIGN: The purpose of our proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Ontario's telephone nursing helpline system as a real-time syndromic surveillance system, and how its implementation, if successful, would have an impact on outbreak event detection in Ontario. Using data collected retrospectively, all "reasons for call" and assigned algorithms will be linked to a syndrome category. Using different analytic methods, normal thresholds for the different syndromes will be ascertained. This will allow for the evaluation of the system's sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. The next step will include the prospective monitoring of syndromic activity, both temporally and spatially. DISCUSSION: As this is a study protocol, there are currently no results to report. However, this study has been granted ethical approval, and is now being implemented. It is our hope that this syndromic surveillance system will display high sensitivity and specificity in detecting true outbreaks within Ontario, before they are detected by conventional surveillance systems. Future results will be published in peer-reviewed journals so as to contribute to the growing body of evidence on syndromic surveillance, while also providing an non US-centric perspective.

Algorithms↗