J Natl Med Assoc
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Sickle cell disease (SCD), the most commonly inherited hemoglobinopathy in the United States, increases the likelihood of postoperative complications, resulting in higher costs and readmissions. We used a retrospective cohort study to explore SCD's influence on postoperative complications and readmissions after cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and hysterectomy. ⋯ Sickle cell disease patients are at high risk for poor outcomes based on their demographic characteristics. Therefore, perioperative physicians including hematologists, anesthesiologists, and surgeons need to take this knowledge into consideration for management and counselling of SCD patients on the risks of surgery and recovery.
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Transparency about the costs that patients incur is an increasingly important factor in making decisions throughout the course of diagnosis and treatment. Both patients and providers regard honest, informed discussions about these costs as critical to providing person-centered care, but often encounter a range of barriers to initiating and maintaining these conversations. ⋯ This article reports the results of this work with recommendations for providers about how to incorporate cost of care discussions into the normal clinical work flow and patient life flow.
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To compare the communication experiences and preferences of racial/ethnic minority and non-Hispanic white (NHW) families in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), including their interactions with bedside nurses. ⋯ In general, families of PICU patients prefer meeting with the medical team during rounds or unplanned bedside meetings as opposed to formal family meetings. Despite this preference, minority families are less likely to receive communication from the medical team in their preferred settings. Meeting all families' communication setting needs may improve their communication experiences in the PICU.