scholarly journals Use of Biatain dressing material in patients with diabetic foot syndrome: randomized comparative study

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oleg Viktorovich Udovichenko ◽  
Evgenia Viktorovna Bublik

Aim. To compare efficiency, safety, and cost of different treatment modalities. Materials and methods. The study included 40 patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes, foot and lower leg trophic ulcers at granulation stage I-II (Wagners classification)free from wound infection. The patients were randomized for the treatment during 2 months with a Biatain dressing (Coloplast, Denmark)(group1) and for conventional treatment with the use of an atraumatic mesh dressing (group 2). Biatain dressings were changed every 2-4 (up to 5) daysand conventional dressings once daily. Patients in the two groups were adjusted for age, sex, ulcer type, size and duration, length of antibiotic therapy beforeand during treatment, blood glucose level, and other characteristics (p>0.05). Results. Ulcers healed within 2 months in 70% of the patients in group 1 and in 53.3% in group 2 (insignificant difference, p = 0.48). Other efficiency (medianhealing time, survival curves) and safety parameters were not significantly different either. The cost of treatment by the two methods was comparabledespite a higher cost of Biatain dressings due to their rarer change and economy of material for secondary dressing. When dressings were changed by medicalprofessionals rather than by the patient or his (her) relatives at home, treatment with the use of Biatain dressings proved 1.75 times cheaper. Conclusion. Efficiency and safety of high-tech and conventional dressing materials is comparable. The real difference between the costs of treatment byeither method is significantly smaller than the difference between retail prices of the two materials. Cost effectiveness of high-tech dressings is higher if thetreatment is accomplished in a medical facility.

Author(s):  
Suchi M. Shah ◽  
Anil P. Singh ◽  
Parth K. Vachhani

Background: The objective of the present study was to analyze the prices of metformin, losartan, atorvastatin, paracetamol and aspirin for the doses which are included in the list of Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013.Methods: Current index medical specialties India, 37th year, April-July 2015 issue was used for analysis. The retail prices of the drugs in INR were tabulated in Microsoft Office Excel 2013. The prices of the above listed drugs were compared with prices of DPCO 2013 for the same doses of drugs. The analysis of drugs costing more than the prices listed in the DPCO with the margin of the difference in percentage was carried out.Results: Out of 25 brands of metformin 500 mg tablet, 11 (44%) brands had price higher than listed in DPCO 2013. Similarly, prices for losartan 25 mg and 50 mg tablets, 8 (25%) out of 32 and 11 (31.42%) out of 35 were higher respectively. For atorvastatin 5 mg and 10 mg tablets, 2 (9.52%) out of 21 and 8 (13.55%) out of 59 brands had higher prices. For paracetamol 500 mg tablet, 12 (63.15%) out of 19 brands were priced higher than DPCO list. For aspirin 100 mg tablet and 325 mg tablet, 3 (100%) out of 3 brands and 1 (100%) out of 1 brand had higher prices.Conclusions: Many of the brand formulations have higher prices than the DPCO 2013 issued by government of India. The clinicians prescribing these drugs should be aware of these brand formulations to reduce the cost of the drug therapy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 693-702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Holyfield ◽  
Sydney Brooks ◽  
Allison Schluterman

Purpose Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an intervention approach that can promote communication and language in children with multiple disabilities who are beginning communicators. While a wide range of AAC technologies are available, little is known about the comparative effects of specific technology options. Given that engagement can be low for beginning communicators with multiple disabilities, the current study provides initial information about the comparative effects of 2 AAC technology options—high-tech visual scene displays (VSDs) and low-tech isolated picture symbols—on engagement. Method Three elementary-age beginning communicators with multiple disabilities participated. The study used a single-subject, alternating treatment design with each technology serving as a condition. Participants interacted with their school speech-language pathologists using each of the 2 technologies across 5 sessions in a block randomized order. Results According to visual analysis and nonoverlap of all pairs calculations, all 3 participants demonstrated more engagement with the high-tech VSDs than the low-tech isolated picture symbols as measured by their seconds of gaze toward each technology option. Despite the difference in engagement observed, there was no clear difference across the 2 conditions in engagement toward the communication partner or use of the AAC. Conclusions Clinicians can consider measuring engagement when evaluating AAC technology options for children with multiple disabilities and should consider evaluating high-tech VSDs as 1 technology option for them. Future research must explore the extent to which differences in engagement to particular AAC technologies result in differences in communication and language learning over time as might be expected.


Author(s):  
SAFITRI NURHIDAYATI ◽  
RIZKI AMELYA SYAM

This study aims to analyze whether the difference that occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor, and factory overhead costs between the standard costs and the actual costs in PLTU LATI is a difference that is favorable or unfavorable. Data collection techniques with field research and library research. The analytical tool used is the analysis of the difference in raw material costs, the difference in direct labor costs and the difference in factory overhead costs. The hypothesis in this study is that the difference allegedly occurs in the cost of raw materials, direct labor costs, and factory overhead costs at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb is a favorable difference. The results showed that the difference in the cost of producing MWh electricity at PT Indo Pusaka Berau Tanjung Redeb in 2018, namely the difference in the price of raw material costs Rp. 548,029.80, - is favorable, the difference in quantity of raw materials is Rp. 957,216,602, - is (favorable) , the difference in direct labor costs Rp 2,602,642,084, - is (unfavorable), and the difference in factory overhead costs Rp 8,807,051,422, - is (favorable) This shows that the difference in the overall production cost budget is favorable or profitable. This beneficial difference shows that the company is really able to reduce production costs optimally in 2018.  


Author(s):  
Jan Abel Olsen

Chapter 19 starts by distinguishing between the two contrasting perspectives that an economic evaluation would take: the healthcare sector perspective versus the societal perspective. The former is considered a ‘narrow analysis’ which includes only the costs accruing within the healthcare sector, while the latter represents a ‘broad analysis’ that accounts for all resource implications in all sectors of the economy. After an investigation into various types of costs, a ‘limited societal perspective’ is suggested to be more appropriate than either of the two ‘extreme perspectives’. The chapter continues with a discussion of the cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) threshold and explains the difference between a demand side- versus a supply-side approach to determining a threshold value for a QALY.


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A177-A177
Author(s):  
Jaejin An ◽  
Dennis Hwang ◽  
Jiaxiao Shi ◽  
Amy Sawyer ◽  
Aiyu Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Trial-based tele-obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) cost-effectiveness analyses have often been inconclusive due to small sample sizes and short follow-up. In this study, we report the cost-effectiveness of Tele-OSA using a larger sample from a 3-month trial that was augmented with 2.75 additional years of epidemiologic follow-up. Methods The Tele-OSA study was a 3-month randomized trial conducted in Kaiser Permanente Southern California that demonstrated improved adherence in patients receiving automated feedback messaging regarding their positive airway pressure (PAP) use when compared to usual care. At the end of the 3 months, participants in the intervention group pseudo-randomly either stopped or continued receiving messaging. This analysis included those participants who had moderate-severe OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index >=15) and compared the cost-effectiveness of 3 groups: 1) no messaging, 2) messaging for 3 months only, and 3) messaging for 3 years. Costs were derived by multiplying medical service use from electronic medical records times costs from Federal fee schedules. Effects were average nightly hours of PAP use. We report the incremental cost per incremental hour of PAP use as well as the fraction acceptable. Results We included 256 patients with moderate-severe OSA (Group 1, n=132; Group 2, n=79; Group 3, n=45). Group 2, which received the intervention for 3 months only, had the highest costs and fewest hours of use and was dominated by the other two groups. Average 1-year costs for groups 1 and 3 were $6035 (SE, $477) and $6154 (SE, $575), respectively; average nightly hours of PAP use were 3.07 (SE, 0.23) and 4.09 (SE, 0.42). Compared to no messaging, messaging for 3 years had an incremental cost ($119, p=0.86) per incremental hour of use (1.02, p=0.03) of $117. For a willingness-to-pay (WTP) of $500 per year ($1.37/night), 3-year messaging has a 70% chance of being acceptable. Conclusion Long-term Tele-OSA messaging was more effective than no messaging for PAP use outcomes but also highly likely cost-effective with an acceptable willingness-to-pay threshold. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that this greater use will yield both clinical and additional economic benefits. Support (if any) Tele-OSA study was supported by the AASM Foundation SRA Grant #: 104-SR-13


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562199265
Author(s):  
Ishwarya Shradha Mamidi ◽  
Esperanza Mantilla-Rivas ◽  
Brynne A. Ichiuji ◽  
Md Sohel Rana ◽  
Karen I. Ramirez ◽  
...  

Objective: Oronasal fistula (ONF) is a known complication after primary palatoplasty (PP). Studies investigating the effect of perioperative antibiotics on fistula rates after PP are limited by inadequate sample size or reliance on self-reporting through national databases. In this study, the authors evaluated the association between single-dose perioperative antibiotics and postoperative fistula rates after PP at a single institution. Design: A retrospective study. Participants: Children younger than 2 years who underwent PP from April 2009 to September 2019 were included. Interventions: Patients were divided into 2 categories: Group 1 received a single intraoperative dose of IV antibiotic, while group 2 did not. Main Outcome Measure(s): Outcome measures included ONF formation, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day readmission rates. Multivariable firth logistic regression, quantile regression, and χ2 tests were performed. Results: Of the 424 patients, 215 and 209 patients were in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The overall ONF rate was 1.9% among all patients. Patients in group 1 experienced an ONF rate of 3.3%, while patients in group 2 had an ONF rate of 0.5%. After correcting for confounding variables, the difference in ONF rates was not statistically different ( P = .68). Median LOS was 35.7 hours and 35.5 hours ( P = .17), while the rate of readmission within 30 days was 4.7% and 2.4% for group 1 and 2, respectively ( P = .96). Conclusions: Administration of a single-dose perioperative antibiotic did not decrease fistula formation after PP, nor did it affect the patient’s LOS or 30-day readmission rate.


Author(s):  
Federico Solla ◽  
Eytan Ellenberg ◽  
Virginie Rampal ◽  
Julien Margaine ◽  
Charles Musoff ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To analyze the cost of the terror attack in Nice in a single pediatric institution. Methods: We carried out descriptive analyses of the data coming from the Lenval University Children’s Hospital of Nice database after the July 14, 2016 terror attack. The medical cost for each patient was estimated from the invoice that the hospital sent to public insurance. The indirect costs were calculated from the hospital’s accounting, as the items that were previously absent or the difference between costs in 2016 versus the previous year. Results: The costs total 1.56 million USD, corresponding to 2% of Lenval Hospital’s 2016 annual budget. Direct medical costs represented 9% of the total cost. The indirect costs were related to human resources (overtime, sick leave), revenue shortfall, and security and psychiatric reinforcement. Conclusion: Indirect costs had a greater impact than did direct medical costs. Examining the level and variety of direct and indirect costs will lead to a better understanding of the consequences of terror acts and to improved preparation for future attacks.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bastiaan C. ter Meulen ◽  
Johanna M. van Dongen ◽  
Marinus van der Vegt ◽  
Henry C. Weinstein ◽  
Raymond W. J. G. Ostelo

Abstract Background Transforaminal epidural injections with steroids (TESI) are used increasingly for patients with sciatica. However, their safety, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness are still a matter of debate. This a priori statistical analysis plan describes the methodology of the analysis for the STAR trial that assesses the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute stage of sciatica (< 8 weeks). Methods The STAR trial is a multicentre, randomized controlled, prospective trial (RCT) investigating the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI by making a three-group comparison among patients with acute sciatica due to a herniated lumbar disc (< 8 weeks): (1) TESI combined with levobupivacaine added to oral pain medication (intervention group 1) versus oral pain medication alone (control group), (2) intervention group 1 versus transforaminal epidural injection with levobupivacaine and saline solution added to oral pain medication (intervention group 2), and (3) intervention group 2 versus control group. Co-primary outcomes were physical functioning (Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire), pain intensity (10-point numerical rating scale), and global perceived recovery (7-point Likert scale, dichotomized into ‘recovered’ and ‘not recovered’). For all three comparisons, we defined the following minimal clinically relevant between-group differences: two points for pain intensity (range 0–10), four points for physical functioning (range 0–24) and a 20% difference in recovery rate. Secondary outcomes are health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) and patient satisfaction (7-point Likert scale) and surgery rate. We also collected resource use data to perform an economic evaluation. Analyses will be conducted by intention-to-treat with p < 0.05 (two-tailed) for all three comparisons. Effects will be estimated using mixed models by maximum likelihood. For each comparison, mean differences, or difference in proportions, between groups will be tested per time point and an overall mean difference, or difference in proportions, between groups during the complete duration of follow-up (6 months) will be estimated. In the economic evaluation, Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations will be used to handle missing data. Cost and effect differences will be estimated using seemingly unrelated regression, and uncertainty will be estimated using bootstrapping techniques. Discussion This statistical analysis plan provides detailed information on the intended analysis of the STAR trial, which aims to deliver evidence about the (cost-)effectiveness of TESI during the acute phase of sciatica (< 8 weeks). Trial registration Dutch National trial register NTR4457 (6 March 2014)


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6294
Author(s):  
Peiqing Zhu ◽  
Jianbo Song

Internal control plays a role in risk prevention for firms when dealing with serious emergencies, which ensures the sustainable development of firms during a crisis. Based on the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 in China, this paper empirically tests whether internal control alleviates the negative impact of the pandemic on firm performance. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms from the first quarter of 2019 to the third quarter of 2020 and employing the difference-in-difference (DID) method, we find that the firms with a higher quality of internal control achieve better financial performance during the pandemic period; the more serious the pandemic is, the more obvious effect internal control plays. Furthermore, we consider the industry heterogeneity and firm heterogeneity of the risk resistance effect of internal control. In the manufacturing industry, which is a “disaster zone” of the pandemic, and the non-high-tech industry with a low degree of digitization, internal control can play a more important role in firms’ performance. Moreover, for state-owned enterprises, and firms with strong financing constraints, the role of internal control is more prominent. The above results provide empirical evidence for the risk prevention function of internal control and shed new light on the measures for firms to resist emergencies in the future.


2000 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Eichner ◽  
Mark McClellan ◽  
David A. Wise

We are engaged in a long-term project to analyze the determinants of health care cost differences across firms. An important first step is to summarize the nature of expenditure differences across plans. The goal of this article is to develop methods for identifying and quantifying those factors that account for the wide differences in health care expenditures observed across plans.We consider eight plans that vary in average expenditure for individuals filing claims, from a low of $1,645 to a high of $2,484. We present a statistically consistent method for decomposing the cost differences across plans into component parts based on demographic characteristics of plan participants, the mix of diagnoses for which participants are treated, and the cost of treatment for particular diagnoses. The goal is to quantify the contribution of each of these components to the difference between average cost and the cost in a given firm. The demographic mix of plan enrollees accounts for wide differnces in cost ($649). Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the results is that, after adjusting for demographic mix, the difference in expenditures accounted for by the treatment costs given diagnosis ($807) is almost as wide as the unadjusted range in expenditures ($838). Differences in cost due to the different illnesses that are treated, after adjusting for demographic mix, also accounts for large differences in cost ($626). These components of cost do not move together; for example, demographic mix may decrease expenditure under a particular plan while the diagnosis mix may increase costs.Our hope is that understanding the reasons for cost differences across plans will direct more focused attention to controlling costs. Indeed, this work is intended as an important first step toward that goal.


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