The American journal of managed care
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This activity is designed for healthcare providers making formulary decisions for managed care organizations. ⋯ 1. List general considerations for establishing a pediatric drug formulary. 2. Understand the importance of growth and development when selecting drug therapy for pediatric patients. 3. Discuss potential difficulties with administering medications during school hours. 4. Identify specific medications within the drug classes of antibiotics, asthma medications, endocrine, and gastrointestinal agents that should be available on a pediatric drug formulary.
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To report the results of a 2-year pilot program of asthma education based on National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute treatment guidelines. ⋯ For asthmatic members of this health plan, a comprehensive asthma health management program improved processes of care and outcomes.
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Comparative Study
The cost of inpatient endometriosis treatment: an analysis based on the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample.
To determine the prevalence and cost of endometriosis-related hospitalizations based on the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP-3). ⋯ Endometriosis-related hospitalization is a major burden on healthcare systems.
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Our hypothesis was that a program designed to identify the causes of discharge delays would reduce the length of stay in our neonatal intensive care unit. We reviewed every admission from January, 1994, to December, 1995. A discharge delay was defined as any delay not related to illness after the infant was cleared for release. ⋯ For 1995, discharge delays cost $41,553 ($233/day) for a total cost of $262,431. Total savings in 1995 versus 1994 was $184,745 ($516/day). Despite the low birth weight and relatively severe illnesses of the infants, we believe that a focused team approach and monitoring for potential discharge delays can result in considerable reduction in hospital stay and cost.
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Coronary heart disease (CHD) has high prevalence in the United States and is associated with significant mortality as well as costs to society. Hyperlipidemia is a major and common modifiable risk factor for CHD. ⋯ Cost-effectiveness data have established that clinical and economic benefits are gained by instituting early and aggressive lipid-lowering therapy. We present new evidence for the clinical benefits and cost effectiveness of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy as primary or secondary prevention of CHD and describe strategies that managed care organizations can take to benefit from a lipid management program.