Task Force Recommends Using Aspirin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease When the Benefits Outweigh the Harms
The U.S Preventative Services Task Force found solid evidence that aspirin decreases first heart attacks in men and first strokes in women. The new recommendations have been made that offer more specific guidance about benefits and harms to specific age groups and sex-specific benefits. It is recommended that men 45 to 79 should use aspirin to lower their risk for heart attacks when the benefits outweigh the harms for potential gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, women 55 to 79 should use aspiring to reduce their risk for ischemic stroke when the benefits outweigh the harms for potential gastrointestinal bleeding.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA1.htm
Boosting and Preserving Green Spaces in Urban Neighborhoods May Help Reduce Childhood Obesity
In 2003-2004, approximately one in five children and youth were obese and one-third were overweight. Researchers have reported that low-income, mostly African American youth who live in high-density neighborhoods with abundant green space have lower body mass index. This is believed to be true because of possible proximity to parks and other spaces that promote physical activity and time outdoors.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA2.htm
Some Patients Choose Safer Hospitals When an Insurer Offers an Incentive Program
Research has been done to investigate whether patients will choose hospitals with excellent patient safety track records over other hospitals if their insurer provides financial incentive to go to safer hospitals. Studies have shown that there are significant numbers of patients that choose this route. However, when it came to more complex cases, especially surgeries, the “incentive” hospitals did not prevail. The authors suggest that these types of incentives will continue to spread as employers and insurers aim to receive higher value from their health care investments.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA4.htm
Perception of Patient Safety Climate in Hospitals Varies by Management Level and Clinical Discipline
Studies show that senior managers at a hospital are more likely to recognize the patient safety environment more positively than hospital personnel closer to direct contact with patient care. Researchers recommend the need for interventions that promote addressing senior management and encourage them to stay involved and communicate with staff.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA5.htm
Nearly a Fifth of Elderly Patients are Readmitted After a Hospital Stay for Psychiatric Care
Approximately 22 percent of elderly patients who were treated and released from hospitals return to the hospital within six months. Studies who that readmission rates for patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are about fifty percent higher than for those patients who are depressed or have substance abuse disorders. A possible explanation for these findings is those patients’ need for treatment of medical problems may outweigh their psychiatric condition.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA16.htm
Care Quality Disparities Exist for Children Seen in Urban Versus Rural Hospitals
Less than 10 percent of emergency departments are equipped to handle pediatric emergencies, an Institute of Medicine report recently stated. Urban children’s hospitals were found to provide better care for seriously ill or injured children than rural hospitals. This study also revealed that all physicians who work in rural hospital emergency departments provide poorer quality care to young patients that those of urban settings, regardless of training.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA18.htm
Negative Effects Are Seen When Patients Reach Drug Benefit Thresholds in Medicare Part D
Medicare beneficiaries who reach their drug benefit threshold under the Part D prescription drug benefit are older, high medication users who suffer negative consequences post-threshold. Greater morbidity, increased hospitalization, and less medication adherence levels are all effects seen from those that reach their drug benefit threshold.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA22.htm
Immigrants Use Fewer Preventive Services Than U.S. Natives
In contrast with U.S. natives, immigrants have less medical and dental visits, fewer flu shots, and screened less often for high cholesterol levels and cervical, breast, and prostate cancers. It is believed that immigrant may opt out of these preventative services because they are not familiar with these services being covered by insurance, other bills, or devoting time to adapting to foreign environment.
www.ahrq.gov/research/apr09/0409RA34.htm
