Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Aug 2010
Consequence of dysphagia in the hospitalized patient: impact on prognosis and hospital resources.
To determine if comorbid dysphagia in all hospitalized patients has the potential to prolong hospital stay and increase morbidity. Dysphagia is increasingly prevalent with age and comorbid medical conditions. Our research group has previously shown that dysphagia is a bad prognostic indicator in patients with stroke. ⋯ Dysphagia has a significant impact on hospital length of stay and is a bad prognostic indicator. Early recognition of dysphagia and intervention in the hospitalized patient is advised to reduce morbidity and length of hospital stay.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyLack of financial barriers to pediatric cochlear implantation: impact of socioeconomic status on access and outcomes.
(1) To analyze if socioeconomic status influences access to cochlear implantation in an environment with adequate Medicaid reimbursement. (2) To determine the impact of socioeconomic status on outcomes after unilateral cochlear implantation. ⋯ In an environment with adequate Medicaid reimbursement, eligible children have equal access to cochlear implantation, regardless of socioeconomic background. However, lower socioeconomic background is associated with higher rates of postoperative complications, worse follow-up compliance, and lower rates of sequential bilateral implantation, observed herein in Medicaid-insured patients. These findings present opportunities for cochlear implant centers to create programs to address such downstream disparities.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyDeterminants of treatment outcome after use of the mandibular advancement device in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
To determine the predictors affecting treatment outcome after application of the mandibular advancement device (MAD). ⋯ The length of the soft palate showed a difference between success and nonsuccess groups, and widening of retropalatal space might be an important factor for successful outcome with MAD application.