Medical care
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We sought to compare the ability of the EQ-5D, Health Utilities Index Mark 2 (HUI2), and HUI Mark 3 (HUI3) index scores to discriminate between respondents based on the presence or absence of chronic medical conditions in a population health survey. ⋯ Although the EQ-5D seems to be marginally less informative, the EQ-5D, HUI2, and HUI3 index scores were generally comparable in determining health burden of chronic medical conditions in this population health survey data.
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Similar patient populations and favorable regulations have led many home health agencies to become Medicare and/or Medicaid certified as hospice agencies (mixed), but home health and hospice programs differ in focus and scope. Little research has been performed examining the differences between mixed hospices and those agencies only certified as hospices (nonmixed). ⋯ Mixed agencies provide a narrower range of services to hospice patients than nonmixed agencies, including fewer services considered cornerstones of hospice treatment.
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With the increasing use of colonoscopy there is growing concern about the quality of these procedures. ⋯ Only 29.4% of individuals with an incomplete colonoscopy underwent complete colonic evaluation within 1 year after the procedure. Women > or =80 years and those who had their colonoscopy in a private office or clinic were less likely to undergo complete colonic evaluation. The quality of care provided to older women and colonoscopy practice in office settings may be suboptimal.