The role of accountable care organizations in delivering value

The goal of Accountable Care Organizations is to improve patient outcomes while maximizing the value of the services provided. This will be achieved through the use of performance and quality measures that facilitate efficient, cost-effective, evidence-based care. By creating a network connecting primary care physicians, specialists, rehabilitation facilities and hospitals, patient care should be maximized while at the same time delivering appropriate value for those services provided. The Medicare Shared Savings Program will financially reward ACOs that meet performance standards while at the same time lowering costs. The orthopaedic surgeon can only benefit by understanding how to participate in and negotiate the complexities of these organizations.     

A systematic narrative review of consumer‐directed care for older people: implications for model development

Consumer‐directed care is increasingly becoming a mainstream option in community‐based aged care. However, a systematic review describing how the current evaluation research translates into practise has not been published to date. This review aimed to systematically establish an evidence base of user preferences for and satisfaction with services associated with consumer‐directed care programmes for older people. Twelve databases were searched, including MedLine, BioMed Central, Cinahl, Expanded Academic ASAP, PsychInfo, ProQuest, Age Line, Science Direct, Social Citation Index, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. Google Scholar and Google were also searched. Eligible studies were those reporting on choice, user preferences and service satisfaction outcomes regarding a programme or model of home‐based care in the United States or United Kingdom. This systematic narrative review retrieved literature published from January 1992 to August 2011. A total of 277 references were identified. Of these 17 met the selection criteria and were reviewed. Findings indicate that older people report varying preferences for consumer‐directed care with some demonstrating limited interest. Clients and carers reported good service satisfaction. However, research comparing user preferences across countries or investigating how ecological factors shape user preferences has received limited attention. Policy‐makers and practitioners need to carefully consider the diverse contexts, needs and preferences of older adults in adopting consumer‐directed care approaches in community aged care. The review calls for the development of consumer‐directed care programmes offering a broad range of options that allow for personalisation and greater control over services without necessarily transferring the responsibility for administrative responsibilities to service users. Review findings suggest that consumer‐directed care approaches have the potential to empower older people.     

应用界面理论扩大护患接触面的工作模式重建

目的:应用界面理论变革护理工作模式,扩大护患接触面,以达到护理贴近临床、贴近患者、护理服务功能高度集成的目的。方法:应用界面理论设计护理工作流程,实现护理工作面由横断面转为轴辐面;应用固化夜班的扁平化护理工作模式,在护理人力资源不足的情况下,成功地开展责任制护理。结果:构建了良好的护患交互界面,护士全面履行职责,患者得到全方位照顾。结论:护患接触界面除业务感知界面外,还有信息沟通界面和心理交互界面;为提高患者满意度,需扩大直接护患接触界面。     

American Diabetes Association–Cure–Care–Commitment <www.diabetes.org>

Abstract

This attractive and very user-friendly site covers prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and personal and family issues related to diabetes. It also includes news, links to health professional and community sites, research, recipes, and material for children related to diabetes. Advice on lifestyle changes and self-help is easy to read and follow. Health professionals can investigate on-going research projects and news from the literature.     

Opportunities for Improving Post-Hospital Home Medication Management Among Older Adults

SUMMARY

Effective post-hospital home medication management among older adults is a convoluted, error-prone process. Older adults, whose complex medication regimens are often changed at hospital discharge, are susceptible to medication-related problems (e.g., Adverse Drug Events or ADEs) as they resume responsibility for managing their medications at home. Human error theory frames the discussion of multi-faceted, interacting factors including care system functions, like discharge medication teaching that contribute to post-hospital ADEs. The taxonomy and causes of post-hospital ADEs and related risk factors are reviewed, as we describe in high-risk older adults a population that may benefit from targeted interventions. Potential solutions and future research possibilities highlight the importance of interdisciplinary teams, involvement of clinical pharmacists, use of transitional care models, and improved use of informational technologies.