Journal of general internal medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized Trial Evaluating Health System Expenditures with Transitional Care Services for Adults with No Usual Source of Care at Discharge.
Multidisciplinary transitional care services reduce readmissions for high-risk patients, but it is unclear if health system costs to offer these intensive services are offset by avoidance of higher downstream expenditures. ⋯ Offering TC services for vulnerable adults at discharge reduced net health system expenditures over 180 days. The promising economic case for multidisciplinary transitional care interventions warrants further research.
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Unhealthy alcohol use is a significant health issue for the US population. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening adults 18 years or older for unhealthy alcohol use during primary care visits. ⋯ Screening for unhealthy alcohol use using a validated questionnaire is uncommonly performed during US primary care visits. Interventions or incentives may be needed to increase uptake of USPSTF alcohol screening recommendations.
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Between August 2016 and July 2018, three states classified gabapentin as a Schedule V drug and nine states implemented prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) regulation for gabapentin. It is highly unusual for states to take drug regulation into their own hands. The impact of these changes on gabapentin prescribing is unclear. ⋯ Classifying gabapentin as a Schedule V drug results in substantial reduction in total days prescribed whereas PDMP regulation results in modest reduction.