Arch Intern Med
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Serious problems exist with respect to documentation of do not resuscitate (DNR) orders. We studied the impact of a procedure-specific DNR order form on documentation of these orders. ⋯ A procedure-specific DNR order form can improve documentation of DNR decisions. The reduction of uncertainty in these orders about the use of specific procedures can prevent errors in patient care.
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Fluconazole has been reported to interact with many medications. This study examined the effect of low-dose fluconazole therapy on the hypoprothrombinemic response of warfarin sodium in patients. ⋯ Fluconazole predictably potentiates the hypoprothrombinemic response of warfarin. Prothrombin times must be monitored when fluconazole is administered to patients taking warfarin.
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It is uncertain, under prospective payment, if hospitals face financial disincentives to treat older Medicare patients. Therefore, we studied associations between age and hospital charges and length of stay for Medicare patients and the impact on hospital reimbursement of Medicare's decision in October 1987 to eliminate older age (> or = 70 years) as a criterion for stratifying diagnosis-related groups (DRGs). ⋯ These findings suggest that currently hospitals may face financial disincentives to care for older Medicare patients and that the equitability of DRG-based hospital payments, with respect to age, may have been adversely affected by Medicare's decision to eliminate older age (> or = 70 years) as a criterion for classifying DRGs. The inclusion of patient age in prospective payment formulas may make hospital reimbursement more equitable.