New Evidence Report on Congestive Heart Failure Available
AHRQ announced the availability of a new evidence report on cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) for congestive heart failure. AHRQ's University of Alberta Evidence-based Practice Center conducted this systematic review to examine the success rate and safety of biventricular pacemaker implantation and the efficacy of CRT in patients with heart failure. In addition, the researchers conducted a decision analysis to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of CRT versus medical therapy alone.
The researchers concluded that when added to medical therapy in certain patients with symptomatic heart failure, CRT reduces all-cause mortality by 25% and heart failure hospitalizations by 32%. These benefits are particularly significant in patients with heart failure who are at higher risk. Select to read the summary. A print copy of the summary and the report are available by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Unique Prescription Program to Offer Patients Assistance With Generic Medicines
More than 108 million lower-income adults and children will now have access to the country's first prescription drug assistance program for 50 different FDA-approved generic drugs. Rx Outreach complements other prescription drug assistance programs and it is estimated that the program's eligibility requirements will allow almost 25 million people to access affordable medications. The three key benefits provided by this program are:
[black small square]Affordable medications. Medicines through Rx Outreach cost $18 for a 3-month supply or $30 for a 6-month supply. The price is the same regardless of the type of medicine ordered. There are no membership fees, contracts, or additional costs to use the service
[black small square]Beneficial income requirements. Depending on the household size, the income requirement may range from $23,275 for a single person to more than $63,000 for a family of six.
[black small square]An easy enrollment process. Rx Outreach asks participants to affirm income level but does not does not require tax returns, W2 forms, or other documents to verify income.
For information about Rx Outreach visit http://www.rxoutreach.com or call 1-800-769-3880.
Conference to Focus on Nursing Administration and Workforce Issues
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is hosting the biennial National Nursing Administration Research Conference (NARC) in Tucson, Arizona, in October 2005. Conference objectives include sharing research findings on workforce issues, improving nursing care quality and cost outcomes, and identifying creative ways to translate research into meaningful solutions. More information about the conference can be found at:http://www.nursing.arizona.edu/narc
Second Volume of 'Closing the Quality Gap' Is Available
The second volume in the series of AHRQ Evidence-based Practice Center Technical Reviews, titled Closing the Quality Gap: A Critical Analysis of Quality Improvement Strategies, Volume 2: Diabetes Mellitus Care, is now available. The reports explore the human and organizational factors influencing quality improvement strategies and evaluate nine quality improvement strategies, tools, or processes aimed at reducing the quality gap.
Volume 2 examines strategies for improving the quality of care for adults with type 2 diabetes through changes in provider behavior, patient behavior, and modifications to the organization of care. Outpatient care for diabetes exemplifies the challenges of, and opportunities for, chronic disease management. You can e-mail [email protected] for a print copy of Volumes 1 or 2 or select to download both volumes by going to http://www.ahrq.gov. Volume 3, which will focus on improving the treatment of patients with hypertension, will be available soon.
Free Home Care and Hospice Community Outreach Videos Available
Ministry Home Care, a Wisconsin-based home health and hospice provider, has created two highly acclaimed videos designed for professional education, marketing to referral sources, community education, and patient/caregiver information. Both productions feature testimonials of real patients and family members, demonstrating the impact home-based care can have on the lives of individuals.
When home is where you want to be...Home Health Care has been heralded as an outstanding production useful in broadening public awareness about options when anticipating rehabilitation from a surgical or medical procedure or recovery from illness.
Recipient of the esteemed bronze Telly Award, Hospice...Because Every Moment Matters provides a clear, concise overview of today's hospice program-including elements of the holistic services, philosophy of care, and capabilities of specially trained professionals and volunteers.
Professionals and organizations can get free full-length copies of each of these videos, as well as information on how to get them customized for their own agencies on either VHS or DVD, by contacting Liz Sheahan at [email protected].
Kaplan University Launches Geriatric Care Management Certificate
Kaplan University's School of Continuing and Professional Studies has introduced a new online program that provides comprehensive geriatric care management training for healthcare professionals. The program is open to health and human services professionals, including registered nurses, social workers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, rehabilitation counselors, case managers, psychologists, and medical doctors.
Kaplan University's Geriatric Care Management Certificate is the most recent addition to a series of certificate programs called Health Care Pathways. Offerings include certificates in Forensic Nursing, Legal Nurse Consulting, Life Care Planning and Case Management. The Geriatric Care Management Certificate is offered online as a 12-month, noncredit program. For more information on this program or to enroll, log onto http://www.kaplan.edu/hcp.