Budget Allocation System of a Highly Urbanized Local Government Unit in Central Luzon, Philippines

The study determined the local planning and budget process of a highly urbanized local government unit (LGU) in Central Luzon, Philippines. It involves all department concerns and civil society organizations (CSOs) that use the City's local governance performance management system (LGPMS). The researchers used a descriptive research study to obtain the necessary data from a survey to seventy-five (75) rank and file employees. The researchers used a purposive sampling technique to gather the respondents involved in planning, budgeting, and managing programs and projects. With a self-made instrument that underwent validity, the researchers gathered the essential data for the study. The data were statistically analyzed using frequency, percentage distribution, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-test for independent variables. Preliminary results illustrated that respondents' status was in regular status as division head level, and their years of service were more than sixteen (16) years. The statistical analyses revealed no significant variations in the assessment on the budget allocation system of the local government unit (LGU) as determined on its indicators. The management also agrees that employees work effectively in the budget allocation of the local government unit. The study recommended the orientation and assessment on the current allocation and budget process wherein the department's prioritization can review the objectives and policy decisions.

Impact of Obesity on Heart Transplantation Outcomes

Background Patients with obesity and advanced heart failure face unique challenges on the path to heart transplantation. There are limited data on waitlist and transplantation outcomes in this population. We aimed to evaluate the impact of obesity on heart transplantation outcomes, and to investigate the effects of the new organ procurement and transplantation network allocation system in this population. Methods and Results This cohort study of adult patients listed for heart transplant used the United Network for Organ Sharing database from January 2006 to June 2020. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) (18.5–24.9, 25–29.9, 30–34.9, 35–39.9, and 40–55 kg/m 2 ). Recipient characteristics and donor characteristics were analyzed. Outcomes analyzed included transplantation, waitlist death, and posttransplant death. BMI 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 was used as the reference compared with progressive BMI categories. There were 46 645 patients listed for transplantation. Patients in higher BMI categories were less likely to be transplanted. The lowest likelihood of transplantation was in the highest BMI category, 40 to 55 kg/m 2 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.19 [0.05–0.76]; P =0.02). Patients within the 2 highest BMI categories had higher risk of posttransplantation death (HR, 1.29; P <0.001 and HR, 1.65; P <0.001, respectively). Left ventricular assist devices among patients in obese BMI categories decreased after the allocation system change ( P <0.001, all). After the change, patients with obesity were more likely to undergo transplantation (BMI 30–35 kg/m 2 : HR, 1.31 [1.18–1.46], P <0.001; BMI 35–55 kg/m 2 : HR, 1.29 [1.06–1.58]; P =0.01). Conclusions There was an inverse relationship between BMI and likelihood of heart transplantation. Higher BMI was associated with increased risk of posttransplant mortality. Patients with obesity were more likely to undergo transplantation under the revised allocation system.

Trends and Outcomes of Cardiac Transplantation in the Lowest Urgency Candidates

Background Due to discrepancies between donor supply and recipient demand, the cardiac transplantation process aims to prioritize the most medically urgent patients. It remains unknown how recipients with the lowest medical urgency compare to others in the allocation process. We aimed to examine differences in clinical characteristics, organ allocation patterns, and outcomes between cardiac transplantation candidates with the lowest and highest medical urgency. Methods and Results We performed a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database. Patients listed for cardiac transplantation between January 2011 and May 2020 were stratified according to status at time of transplantation. Baseline recipient and donor characteristics, waitlist survival, and post‐transplantation outcomes were compared in the years before and after the 2018 allocation system change. Lower urgency patients in the old system were older (58.5 vs. 56 years) and more likely female (54.4% vs. 23.8%) compared to the highest urgency patients, and these trends persisted in the new system (p<0.001, all). Donors for the lowest urgency patients were more likely older, female, or have a history of CMV, hepatitis C, or diabetes (p<0.01, all). The lowest urgency patients had longer waitlist times, and under the new allocation system received organs from shorter distances with decreased ischemic times (178 vs. 269 miles, 3.1 vs 3.5 hours, p<0,001, all). There was no difference in post‐transplantation survival (p<0.01, all). Conclusions Patients transplanted as lower urgency receive hearts from donors with additional comorbidities compared to higher urgency patients, but outcomes are similar at one year.