CMAJ open
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Pediatric palliative care is a relatively new and evolving field, and the cost of pediatric palliative care programs is unclear. We conducted a systematic review to compare inpatient health care utilization and costs among children with life-threatening conditions who have accessed a pediatric palliative care program and those who have not. ⋯ Evidence suggests that pediatric palliative care programs may result in a shift of utilization to other health care settings beyond hospital care. These settings should be considered when measuring resource utilization and costs.
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Screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) is recommended in patients born between 1945 and 1965 ("baby boomers") in the United States. Because these patients are often screened for colorectal cancer, dual screening for HCV may enhance case identification. Our objectives were to assess the acceptability and yield of screening for HCV among patients undergoing screening for colorectal cancer. ⋯ Acceptance of screening for HCV is high among patients undergoing screening for colorectal cancer in the Calgary area. However, the low prevalence of HCV suggests that the cost-effectiveness of birth-cohort screening in this population warrants evaluation.