(c) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3075846]“
“Background: Remote monitoring of the clinical status of heart failure patients has developed rapidly and is the subject of several trials. Patient satisfaction is an important outcome, as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to use in clinical research, and should be included in studies concerning remote monitoring. The objective of this review is to describe the current state of the literature on patient satisfaction with noninvasive telemedicine, regarding definition, measurement, and overall level of patient satisfaction with telemedicine.
Methods
and Results: The Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane, and Cinahl databases were searched using heart failure, satisfaction-, and telemedicine-related search terms. The literature search identified 193 publications, which were reviewed by 2 independent reviewers. Fourteen
ABT-263 articles were included. None of the articles described a clear definition or concept of patient satisfaction with telemedicine. Patient satisfaction with telemedicine was measured with self-developed questionnaires or face-to-face or telephonic interviews. None of the articles used the same questionnaire or telephonic survey to measure patient satisfaction. Only one questionnaire was assessed for validity and reliability. In general, patients seemed to be satisfied or very satisfied with the use of telemedicine.
Conclusions: Measurement of patient satisfaction is still underexposed in telemedicine research and the measurement of patient satisfaction with telemedicine underappreciated
with click here poorly constructed questionnaires. (J Cardiac Fail 2011;17:684-690)”
“ObjectiveTo estimate the yearly economic burden of opioid-related poisoning in the United States.
BackgroundRates of opioid poisoning and related mortality have increased substantially over the past decade. Although previous studies have measured the costs of misuse and abuse, costs related specifically to opioid poisoning have not been quantified. This study quantifies the economic burden of opioid poisoning in the United States to help evaluate the economic case for efforts to reverse or prevent opioid poisoning and its associated morbidity and mortality.
MethodsMean costs and prevalence estimates were estimated using publically available datasets. A societal perspective was assumed and accordingly estimated RSL3 in vitro direct medical and productivity costs. Direct medical costs included treatment for opioid poisoning in the emergency department (ED) and inpatient settings, along with emergency transport and drug costs. Productivity costs were estimated using the human capital method and included lost wages due to mortality and absenteeism costs from ED visits and hospitalizations. All costs were inflated to 2011 U.S. dollars.
ResultsIn 2009, total costs were estimated at approximately $20.4 billion with indirect costs constituting 89% of the total. Direct medical costs were approximately $2.2 billion.