Articles Tagged With:
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Diagnostic Utility of CSF Alpha-Synuclein
This observational study investigated whether the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-synuclein (α-syn) real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, applied to 289 CSF samples, accurately identified patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) caused by probable Lewy body (LB) disease. RT-QuIC identified patients with MCI-LB against cognitively unimpaired controls with 95% sensitivity, 97% specificity, and 96% accuracy and showed 98% specificity in neuropathologic controls, indicating that CSF α-syn RT-QuIC is a robust biomarker for prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies.
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Surgical Approaches to Decompression in Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis
A multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial of people with symptomatic lumbar stenosis and single-level spondylolisthesis who were refractory to conservative treatment found no significant difference between outcomes in those who underwent decompression surgery with instrumented fusion vs. decompression surgery without fusion.
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CDC Pledges Massive Investment in Infection Control and Prevention
Outlay to boost current battles against COVID-19 pandemic and prepare the healthcare industry to protect against future threats.
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Report: U.S. Hospitals Could Sustain $54 Billion Net Income Loss for 2021
Higher expenses, fewer outpatient visits, and sicker patients have put many healthcare facilities in the red.
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Best Practices for Managing Denials
When denials occur, case managers should create a plan to investigate and manage each one to determine why the claim was denied and how they can help. Using this approach, some managers have uncovered trends and root causes that can prevent future denials. It is critical for case managers to hone this skill for the benefit of the patient and the hospital. -
Improving Care for Long-Stay Patients
In a perfect world, an ill patient would recover in the hospital and return home as soon as possible. When they are medically stable and can leave the inpatient care setting, nothing is holding them back. Unfortunately, that does not always happen. Even when patients are medically ready to return home, they end up waiting in the hospital longer. A prolonged hospital stay typically is described as a stay that persists for a certain number of days (often 10 days) past the patient’s geometric length of stay. The problem of prolonged hospital stays seems to be getting worse. -
Care Coordination Approach Designed for IBD Also Could Help Others
High-risk patients with inflammatory bowel disease experience high direct costs and a substantial symptom burden. Researchers designed a care coordination-based solution to improve their symptoms and reduce care costs. The solution was cost-neutral, but helped improve patient symptom scores. -
Going Beyond the Quadruple Aim Is a Worthy Goal for Pandemic Future
The quadruple aim healthcare model continues to evolve as healthcare providers realize the importance of social determinants of health. Healthcare professionals need to develop a trusting relationship with patients, which is part of the quadruple aim’s goal of enhancing patient experience. -
Care Transitions Clinic Reduces Hospitalizations, ED Visits
The results of a recent study revealed a care transitions clinic can reduce emergency department discharge time and increase the clinic’s rate of successful transition to community primary care. Intervening within 72 hours of discharge is important for patient engagement and facilitating education about their health and care management. -
Ways for Case Managers to Cope During Trying Times
Case managers are combatting stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout on several fronts as the COVID-19 pandemic surges across many parts of the United States. They are fighting to help patients and families at a time when hospital resources are strained and care transitions are challenging. They are fighting their own grief as more patients die. They are combatting misinformation online and in person as anti-vaccine and anti-mask patients make their views loud and clear.