scholarly journals Advances in Rapid Molecular Blood Culture Diagnostics: Healthcare Impact, Laboratory Implications, and Multiplex Technologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 617-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosemary C She ◽  
Jeffrey M Bender
Keyword(s):  
Blood Culture ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
Resistance Marker ◽  
Stewardship Program ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Organism Identification ◽  
Marker Detection

Abstract Background For far too long, the diagnosis of bloodstream infections has relied on time-consuming blood cultures coupled with traditional organism identification and susceptibility testing. Technologies to define the culprit in bloodstream infections have gained sophistication in recent years, notably by application of molecular methods. Content In this review, we summarize the tests available to clinical laboratories for molecular rapid identification and resistance marker detection in blood culture bottles that have flagged positive. We explore the cost–benefit ratio of such assays, covering aspects that include performance characteristics, effect on patient care, and relevance to antibiotic stewardship initiatives. Summary Rapid blood culture diagnostics represent an advance in the care of patients with bloodstream infections, particularly those infected with resistant organisms. These diagnostics are relatively easy to implement and appear to have a positive cost–benefit balance, particularly when fully incorporated into a hospital's antimicrobial stewardship program.

scholarly journals Risk Factors and Cost of Nosocomial Infections in Pediatric Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feyza Incekoy Girgin ◽  
Makbule Nilufer Ozturk
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Pediatric Intensive Care ◽  
Bloodstream Infections ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to determine the factors that increase and decrease the presence of the nosocomial infections in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury, and the effects on both treatment cost and length of hospital stay.Methods: We performed a case-control study on patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with (n=66) or without (n=120) traumatic brain injury (TBI) between 2012 and 2014. The risk factors, length of stay, and costs of nosocomial infections, were determined. Results: Data for 186 patients were analyzed. Hundred and twenty patients were controls (54 males vs. 66 females), while 66 were cases (27 males vs. 39 females). Seventeen out of the 186 PICU patients had nosocomial infections. The most isolated microbial agent was Acinetobacter baumannii (four cases). Thirteen (76.5%) out of the 17 infections were catheter-related bloodstream infections. The mean expenses per PICU patient were $762, with an additional cost of $2081 for patients with nosocomial contamination. Conclusion: The use of catheters was the most critical risk factor for nosocomial infections in our study. The cost was probably underestimated for several reasons. Nevertheless, the findings supported our hypothesis about the additional burden of nosocomial spread on PICU patients. The results of this study should help to provide evidence on cost-effectiveness or calculating the cost-benefit ratio of reducing nosocomial infections in children.

scholarly journals Cardiovascular Imaging in Obesity

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 744
Author(s):  
Sophie I. Mavrogeni ◽  
Flora Bacopoulou ◽  
George Markousis-Mavrogenis ◽  
George Chrousos ◽  
Evangelia Charmandari
Keyword(s):  
Wall Motion ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Diffuse Fibrosis ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Rest Perfusion ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Obese Subjects ◽  
The Cost

Obesity represents one of the most challenging public health problems of our century. It accounts for approximately 5% of deaths worldwide, mostly owing to cardiovascular disease and its associated complications. Cardiovascular noninvasive imaging may provide early accurate information about hypertrophy and ischemia/fibrosis in obese subjects. Echocardiography and nuclear cardiology have serious limitations in obese subjects owing to poor acoustic window and attenuation artifacts, respectively. Coronary computed tomography angiography can provide information about obstructive coronary disease; however, the use of radiation is a serious disadvantage. Finally, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) holds the promise of an “all in one” examination by combining evaluation of function, wall motion/thickness, stress rest/perfusion, replacement and diffuse fibrosis without radiation. Future studies are required to document the cost/benefit ratio of the CMR in the evaluation of cardiovascular risk in overweight/obese children and adolescents.

Home Visitation Investment

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
NORMAN J. SISSMAN
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Home Visits ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Home Visitation ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Health Care Resources ◽  
Detailed Consideration ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Women And Children ◽  
The Cost

To the Editor.— Two recent reviews in Pediatrics1,2 provide much interesting information on the effect of home visits on the health of women and children. However, I was disappointed not to find in either article more than token reference to the cost of the programs reviewed. In this day of increasingly scarce health care resources, we no longer have the luxury of evaluating programs such as these without detailed consideration of their cost-benefit ratio.

scholarly journals Ultrasound scan as a potential source of nosocomial and cross-infection: a literature review

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Hadyme Miyague ◽  
Fernando Marum Mauad ◽  
Wellington de Paula Martins ◽  
Augusto César Garcia Benedetti ◽  
Ana Elizabeth Gomes de Melo Tavares Ferreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Cross Infection ◽  
Ultrasound Scan ◽  
Benefit Ratio ◽  
Source Of Infection ◽  
Potential Source ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThe authors review the main concepts regarding the importance of cleaning/disinfection of ultrasonography probes, aiming a better comprehension by practitioners and thus enabling strategies to establish a safe practice without compromising the quality of the examination and the operator productivity. In the context of biosafety, it is imperative to assume that contact with blood or body fluids represents a potential source of infection. Thus, in order to implement cleaning/disinfection practice, it is necessary to understand the principles of infection control, to consider the cost/benefit ratio of the measures to be implemented, and most importantly, to comprehend that such measures will not only benefit the health professional and the patient, but the society as a whole.

scholarly journals Comparative economics of cashew nut kernel processing technology in Bastar region of India

2014 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 165-172
Author(s):  
Praveen Kumar Verma ◽  
SK Nag ◽  
SK Patil
Keyword(s):  
Cost Reduction ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Working Capital ◽  
Cashew Nut ◽  
Net Profit ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Comparative Economics ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Improved Technology

The paper has studied the economic viability of improved technology (Introduced under NAIP component-3) for extraction of cashew kernel from cashew nut in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, India. Cost concept has been used to calculate economics of cashew kernel. The technology (Boiling, steaming, cutting, drying, and peeling) has been found viable over conventional practices (Traditional manual separation by stone or hammer) on account of higher recovery of 40 percent and cost reduction by 29.71 percent. Overall net profit per unit (One unit includes one boiler, one steamer, two cutter, one dryer, six peelers and cost of land, depreciation and interest on working capital) in the case of improved technology has been estimated to be Rs 7.32 lakh. Cost of production in machine extraction practices was 202.80 Rupees per kilogram of cashew in spite of traditionally practiced 288.56 Rupees per kilogram. The cost benefit ratio was found higher in machine extraction (1.57) as compare to traditionally practiced (0.169). The mechanical decortications and separation could not only save time and money, also reduced women drudgery (due to manual breaking by stone or hammer to separate kernel). The technology has been found suitable for promotion of entrepreneurship on the processing of cashew kernel from cashew nut in the production catchments which otherwise is not properly utilized. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjar.v39i1.20166 Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 39(1): 165-172, March 2014

scholarly journals Transoperative refusion: a simple and safe method in emergency surgery

2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 292-296
Author(s):  
Luiz Carlos Buarque Gusmão ◽  
Sérgio Henrique Chagas Valoes ◽  
José da Silva Leitão Neto
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Blood Transfusions ◽  
Factor V ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Blood Contamination ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Selection Of

The objective is to reinforce the importance of blood reinfusion as a cheap, safe and simple method, which can be used in small hospitals, especially those in which there is no blood bank. Moreover, even with the use of devices that perform the collection and filtration of blood, more recent studies show that the cost-benefit ratio is much better when autologous transfusion is compared with blood transfusions, even when there is injury to hollow viscera and blood contamination. It is known that the allogeneic blood transfusion carries a number of risks to patients, among them are the coagulation disorders mediated by excess enzymes in the conserved blood, and deficiency in clotting factors, mainly the Factor V, the proacelerin. Another factor would be the risk of contamination with still unknown pathogens or that are not investigated during screening for selection of donors, such as the West Nile Fever and Creutzfeldt-Jacob, better known as "Mad Cow" disease. Comparing both methods, we conclude that blood autotransfusion has numerous advantages over heterologous transfusion, even in large hospitals. We are not against blood transfusions, just do not agree that the patient's own blood is discarded without making sure there will be enough blood in stock to get him out of the hemorrhagic shock.

scholarly journals Cost efficient internet of things based smart farm system for rural farmers: Leveraging design thinking approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Segun Adebayo ◽  
Ozichi Emuoyibofarhe ◽  
Tolulope Awofolaju
Keyword(s):  
Design Thinking ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Farm Productivity ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Farmers are faced with challenges of producing enough food and the use of traditional methods seems not to keep pace with the ever-growing demand of the populace thus creating increased concern in food scarcity. Although it has been identified that smart tools will enhance the production pace needed in the Agricultural sector, unfortunately, most of these tools are designed for farmers without their inputs, thus creating tools that are not meeting demands. This study focused on a farmer-centered design, development, and deployment approach to improving farm productivity. The design thinking approach was used to identify the specific need of the farmers in selected areas, ideas were created using brainstorming sessions involving experts in the field, and prototypes were developed and deployed to evaluate the impact performance. The result shows that the proposed system improved the cost-benefit ratio of crop farming from 2.14 to 2.26. This is a 12% productivity increase.

scholarly journals Firms Political Connections and Winning Government Contracts

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saidatou Dicko
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Political Connections ◽  
Government Contracts ◽  
Competitive Advantages ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Canadian Context ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Corporate Actions ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

<p>This study investigates the impact of political connections on the awarding of government contracts to Canadian companies.<strong> </strong>Two-stage least squares (2SLS) analyses were performed on a sample of S&amp;P/TSX companies from 2010 to 2014 inclusively.<strong> </strong>The results show that political connections are positively and significantly associated with the winning of government contracts. Politically connected firms obtain more government contracts and higher contract values than non-connected firms. Political connections thus appear to be directly associated with securing government contracts in the Canadian context. Firms can view political connections as a non-market, long-term strategy to help them gain competitive advantages and improve their performance. Accordingly, they tend to appoint directors and managers taking these connections and the advantages that can be gained into account. However, they must seriously consider the cost-benefit ratio of this strategy. For example, the costs incurred could be ethical in nature and firms could find themselves in a position of conflict of interest that could lead to extensive negative media exposure.<strong> </strong>These results alert regulatory and governmental organizations to the need for them to remain vigilant and to strengthen corporate governance regulations to prevent the excesses and abuses that could arise from firms’ political actions.<strong> </strong>Our study is the first to demonstrate a direct relationship between corporate political connections and government contracts in the Canadian context. The results confirm the growing interdependence between politics and business, particularly the increase in the number of corporate actions intended to influence government decisions.</p>

scholarly journals The Mother’s Perspective: Factors Considered When Choosing to Enter a Stay-at-Home Father and Working Mother Relationship

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1260-1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassie Rushing ◽  
Misti Sparks
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Working Mother ◽  
Biological Children ◽  
Decision Making Factors ◽  
Cost Benefit Ratio ◽  
Work Family ◽  
The Cost ◽  
At Home

A qualitative study was conducted to examine the decision-making factors of entering a stay-at-home father and working mother relationship based on the mother’s perspective. A total of 20 married, heterosexual, working mothers with biological children aged 1 to 4 years were asked questions regarding how they decided to enter a stay-at-home father and working mother relationship as well as contributing factors to this decision. The findings presented in this article were part of a larger study that examined mothers’ overall perspectives of the working mother stay-at-home father dynamics. The themes that emerged regarding how the decision was made to enter this kind of relationship were creating a work–family life balance, utilizing the cost-benefit ratio, and applying personality/trait strengths.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document