The incidence of perioperative myocardial infarction in men undergoing noncardiac surgery

Article Abstract:

Patients with coronary artery disease who undergo noncardiac surgery may have a higher risk of suffering a perioperative heart attack than those without coronary artery disease. A perioperative heart attack is one that occurs before, during or after surgery. A study examined the incidence of perioperative heart attacks among 1,487 men over 40 years old who underwent a major, non-emergent, noncardiac operation. Four percent of the patients with coronary artery disease suffered a perioperative heart attack, compared with 1% of the patients with peripheral vascular disease and none of the patients without atherosclerosis but with a high risk of developing the disease. Individuals over 75 years old had a higher risk of a perioperative heart attack than younger individuals. Other risk factors included signs of heart failure, heart disease and a planned vascular operation.

Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Surgery, Coronary heart disease, Heart attack, Postoperative complications

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The association between the quality of inpatient care and early readmission

Article Abstract:

Substandard inpatient care of people with diabetes, chronic obstructive lung disease, or heart failure may increase the likelihood of an unplanned readmission within two weeks after discharge. Researchers followed 593 men with diabetes, 1,172 with obstructive lung disease, and 748 with heart failure who were hospitalized in any of 12 VA hospitals and measured quality of inpatient care based on three variables: the admission workup, evaluation and treatment during the stay, and readiness for discharge. Patients with diabetes or heart failure were more likely to be readmitted within two weeks if the readiness for discharge score was below the 25th percentile. Patients with obstructive lung disease were at risk for readmission if the admission workup was incomplete.

Evaluation, Hospitals, Hospital admission and discharge

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Hospital use and survival among Veterans Affairs beneficiaries

Article Abstract:

The changes implemented in 1995 by the Veterans' Health Administration to reduce hospitalization rates have not had a negative impact on the health of veterans, according to a study of 342,300 veterans. The VA adopted a primary care model financed through capitation and reduced the number of hospital beds by 55%. Nevertheless, most veterans still received adequate medical care and survival rates essentially remained the same between 1994 and 1998.

United States, Government domestic functions, Administration of Veterans' Affairs, Veterans, Office of Veterans Affairs, Care and treatment, Social policy, Medical care utilization, Hospital utilization, United States. Department of Veterans Affairs, Health policy

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