Journal of managed care pharmacy : JMCP
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To determine severe sepsis (SS) incidence, hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and costs associated with care in a sample of enrollees in a nationally representative individual practice association (IPA)-network managed care organization (MCO). ⋯ Incidence, hospital, and 1-year mortality rates were lower in this population compared with literature reports and were associated with a lower average age in this managed care population. Mean SS hospitalization costs were high, and nearly one half of survivors required rehospitalization within 1 year. Study results suggest the need to evaluate SS interventions for improvement in health outcomes and cost outcomes, particularly in postsurgical patients.
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To (1) determine the prevalence of heart failure (HF) and cardiovascular risk factors within a hypertensive managed care population, (2) measure blood pressure goal attainment in patients with concurrent HF and hypertension (HTN), and (3) assess the use of drug therapy for diabetic and nondiabetic patients with concurrent HF and HTN, particularly regarding the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ⋯ The study results indicate a deficit in the treatment of HTN among HF patients with and without diabetes, including failure to achieve blood pressure goals (< 130/85 mm Hg at the time of this study period). More aggressive quality improvement programs are necessary to educate providers and patients on the importance of treating blood pressure to nationally accepted goal using antihypertensives proven beneficial for hypertensive patients with HF.