Aligning the flow cytometric evaluation with the diagnostic need: an evidence-based approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 740-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn Williams-Voorbeijtel ◽  
Francisco Sanchez ◽  
Christine G Roth
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Just In Time ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
A Value ◽  
Screening Approach ◽  
Minimum Requirements

AimsElimination of non-value added testing without compromising high-quality clinical care is an important mandate for laboratories in a value-based reimbursement system. The goal of this study was to determine the optimal combination of flow cytometric markers for a screening approach that balances efficiency and accuracy.MethodsAn audit over 9 months of flow cytometric testing was performed, including rereview of all dot plots from positive cases.ResultsOf the 807 cases in which leukaemia/lymphoma testing was performed, 23 were non-diagnostic and 189 represented bronchoalveolar lavage specimens. Of the remaining 595 cases, 137 (23%) were positive for an abnormal haematolymphoid population. Review of the positive cases identified minimum requirements for a screening tube as well as analysis strategies to overcome the diagnostic pitfalls noted. It is estimated that 38% fewer antibodies would be used in a screening approach, representing an opportunity for significant cost savings.ConclusionsWe provide a framework for developing an evidence-based screening combination for cost-effective characterisation of haematolymphoid malignancies, promoting adoption of ‘just-in-time’ testing systems that tailor the evaluation to the diagnostic need.

scholarly journals Biotechnological Valorization of Pectinolytics and Their Industrial Applications: A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1400901 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Irshad ◽  
Muhammad Asgher ◽  
Zahid Anwar ◽  
Aftab Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Green Biotechnology ◽  
A Value ◽  
Physico Chemical ◽  
Target Yield ◽  
High Yields ◽  
Agricultural Materials

In the last several years, in serious consideration of the worldwide economic and environmental issues there has been an increasing research interest in the value of naturally occurring bio-sourced materials. Agro-industrial based biomass comprised of pectin is an inexpensive, renewable, abundant natural resource that could be utilized for large-scale and cost-effective production of natural products i.e., pectinolytics. Pectinolytics are one of the most widely distributed enzymes in bacteria, fungi and plants. From ancient times to date, many methods have been introduced to improve the optimization of pectinolytics to obtain high yields of maximal purity. To expand the range of natural bio-resources the rapidly evolving tools of biotechnology can lower the conversion costs and also enhance target yield of the product of interest. This green biotechnology presents a promising approach to convert most of the agricultural materials into a value-added product with multiple applications. Major advances have already been achieved in recent years in order to obtain high levels of purity with optimal yields. The present review begins with an overview of pectinolytics and their physico-chemical features, and their specific role with classification based on pectic materials. Information is also given on the culture influences and potential sources of pectinolytics, followed by a brief summary of various industrial and biotechnological applications and future considerations.

Quality Dementia Care

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Noel ◽  
Thomas S. Kaluzynski ◽  
Virginia H. Templeton
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Average Annual Cost ◽  
Effective Models

Absent a cure or effective disease modifying treatment for dementia, developing cost-effective models of care that address the needs of caregivers alongside the medical management of the disease is necessary to maximize quality of care, address safety issues, and enhance the patient/caregiver experience. MemoryCare, a community-based non-profit organization, has 15 years of experience delivering a medical and care management model for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Designed to supplement primary care services, the average annual cost-per-patient is US$1,279. Observational data on 967 patients and 3,251 caregivers served by the program in 2013 reveal high levels of satisfaction, increased dementia-specific knowledge, improved perceived ability to manage challenging behavioral aspects of dementia, and lengthened perceived time in the home setting. Data suggest lower hospitalization rates and related cost savings. These findings warrant a further study of broader integration of caregivers into clinical care models for persons with dementia.

scholarly journals One Size Does Not Fit All: A Comprehensive Clinical Approach to Reducing Suicidal Ideation, Attempts, and Deaths

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (19) ◽  
pp. 3606 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Jobes ◽  
Samantha A. Chalker
Keyword(s):  
Mentally Ill ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Stepped Care ◽  
Clinical Approach ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Suicidal Risk ◽  
The One

While the existence of mental illness has been documented for centuries, the understanding and treatment of such illnesses has evolved considerably over time. Ritual exorcisms and locking mentally ill patients in asylums have been fundamentally replaced by the use of psychotropic medications and evidence-based psychological practices. Yet the historic roots of mental health management and care has left a certain legacy. With regard to suicidal risk, the authors argue that suicidal patients are by definition seen as mentally ill and out of control, which demands hospitalization and the treatment of the mental disorder (often using a medication-only approach). Notably, however, the evidence for inpatient care and a medication-only approach for suicidal risk is either limited or totally lacking. Thus, the “one-size-fits-all” approach to treating suicidal risk needs to be re-considered in lieu of the evolving evidence base. To this end, the authors highlight a series of evidence-based considerations for suicide-focused clinical care, culminating in a stepped care public health model for optimal clinical of suicidal risk that is cost-effective, least-restrictive, and evidence-based.

Cognitive Services in Nutrition Support Pharmacy

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 271-279
Author(s):  
James J. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Outpatient Setting ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Nutrition Support ◽  
Therapy Outcomes ◽  
Cognitive Services ◽  
A Value ◽  
Home Infusion ◽  
Opportune Time

Many new opportunities are available to the clinical pharmacist in search of an appropriate environment in which to tailor specific clinical services. This is an opportune time for pharmacists to become more creative in their practice settings and to become more involved with, and responsible for, the therapy process of patients. Cognitive services provide a value-added service to the patient, physician, and third-party payor. The value of pharmaceutical cognitive services becomes more evident in the outpatient setting. The value of cognitive services varies depending on the practice setting, demographics of the patient, and resources of the pharmacy organization. This article describes a pharmacist's experience in developing nutritional support cognitive services to patients and targeted physicians in an outpatient home infusion pharmacy. If properly developed, a well-marketed cognitive service can add tremendous revenue to a pharmacy by creating respect and loyalty from physicians and third-party payors, creating a formidable patient base. Cognitive services are not reimbursed separately at present, but future studies should show the value of these services if more pharmacists will provide cost-effective cognitive services and be able to show more positive patient therapy outcomes.

Niobium-Bearing Offshore Plate Steel Process Metallurgy, Design and Quality

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven G. Jansto
Keyword(s):  
Corrosion Resistance ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Offshore Structures ◽  
Offshore Platforms ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Steel Mill ◽  
Excellent Corrosion Resistance

Offshore structural steel design and material requirements continue to present increasing challenges for the steelmaker and fabricators. Niobium-bearing steels currently play a key role in meeting these objectives through the Nb-grain refinement mechanism of the microstructure and cost effective steelmaking. These steels possess a combination of exceptional properties with high strength, excellent weldability, high toughness at low temperature, good ductility, excellent corrosion resistance, and high formability. Reduced variation of Charpy toughness through the thickness of heavy plates is imperative in these offshore platforms to enhance reliability and performance. Toughness variation can be reduced through the proper continuous casting and hot rolling mechanical metallurgy process. These high-performance steels (HPS) possess an optimized balance of these properties to provide maximum cost effective performance in offshore structures at strength levels from 355 to 700MPa with excellent corrosion resistance. This combination of good strength-toughness balance, excellent weathering properties and reduced preheat temperatures for welding in these low carbon Nb-structural steels result in significant cost savings. These enhancements provide structural engineers the opportunity to further improve the structural design and offshore platform performance. Lower carbon Nb-alloy designs have exhibited reduced operational production cost at the steel mill as well, thereby embracing the value-added attribute Nb provides to benefit both the producer and the end user throughout the supply chain.

Algal compost – toward sustainable fertilization

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izabela Michalak ◽  
Katarzyna Chojnacka
Keyword(s):  
Metal Content ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Utilization ◽  
Plant Cultivation ◽  
A Value ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Nitrogen Phosphorus ◽  
Beach Cast

AbstractIn the present paper, the possibilities of the utilization of large amounts of beach-cast seaweeds are discussed. It is important to examine the methods of removing and processing algal biomass and find a manner of its cost-effective utilization in order to obtain a value-added product. A review of composting methods of algal biomass is presented. Compost from seaweeds can find several applications, for example, as an alternative to conventional fertilizers. Algae have been used for centuries as a natural fertilizer in many coastal areas because they are known to be rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Moreover, the biomass is characterized by the high content of trace elements and metabolites. There are different ways of management for algae for their use in agriculture. The most common is composting of algal biomass, for example, in piles. The advantages (i.e., high content of plant nutrients, organic components, etc.) and disadvantages (i.e., heavy metal content and salinity) of the composted biomass are presented. Finally, examples of the application of seaweed compost in plant cultivation are reported.

Mineral/microfibrillated cellulose composite materials: High performance products, applications, and product forms

TAPPI Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (09) ◽  
pp. 507-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Skuse ◽  
Mark Windebank ◽  
Tafadzwa Motsi ◽  
Guillaume Tellier
Keyword(s):  
Composite Materials ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Aqueous Suspension ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
New Materials ◽  
Wet Strength ◽  
Product Forms ◽  
Cellulose Composite

When pulp and minerals are co-processed in aqueous suspension, the mineral acts as a grinding aid, facilitating the cost-effective production of fibrils. Furthermore, this processing allows the utilization of robust industrial milling equipment. There are 40000 dry metric tons of mineral/microfbrillated (MFC) cellulose composite production capacity in operation across three continents. These mineral/MFC products have been cleared by the FDA for use as a dry and wet strength agent in coated and uncoated food contact paper and paperboard applications. We have previously reported that use of these mineral/MFC composite materials in fiber-based applications allows generally improved wet and dry mechanical properties with concomitant opportunities for cost savings, property improvements, or grade developments and that the materials can be prepared using a range of fibers and minerals. Here, we: (1) report the development of new products that offer improved performance, (2) compare the performance of these new materials with that of a range of other nanocellulosic material types, (3) illustrate the performance of these new materials in reinforcement (paper and board) and viscosification applications, and (4) discuss product form requirements for different applications.

Novel CO2-Thermic Oxidation Process with Mg-Based Intermetallic Compounds and Its Application to Energy Storage Materials

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Younghwan Cha ◽  
Jung-In Lee ◽  
Panpan Dong ◽  
Xiahui Zhang ◽  
Min-Kyu Song
Keyword(s):  
Intermetallic Compounds ◽  
Oxidation Process ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Energy Storage Materials ◽  
Reaction Products ◽  
Materials Synthesis ◽  
Energy Materials ◽  
A Value ◽  
Carbon Coated ◽  
Novel Strategy

A novel strategy for the oxidation of Mg-based intermetallic compounds using CO<sub>2</sub> as an oxidizing agent was realized via simple thermal treatment, called ‘CO2-thermic Oxidation Process (CO-OP)’. Furthermore, as a value-added application, electrochemical properties of one of the reaction products (carbon-coated macroporous silicon) was evaluated. Considering the facile tunability of the chemical/physical properties of Mg-based intermetallics, we believe that this route can provide a simple and versatile platform for functional energy materials synthesis as well as CO<sub>2</sub> chemical utilization in an environment-friendly and sustainable way.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document