ABSTRACT
This study was designed to determine the extent of retention of patients in staff-model HMOs. Study groups with Type II diabetes were compared with a control group without diabetes. Each study group (three groups of approximately 400 patients, drawn from three MCOs) was enrolled in a staff-model HMO in 1990. Patients were then followed for five consecutive years through 1995. The age- and gender-matched control groups (approximately 400 patients randomly selected from each of the three MCOs) were identified from managed care plan enrollees without a diagnosis of diabetes. It was found that the retention rates of patients with diabetes are higher than those without diabetes in two plans. For the third plan, the retention rates among patients with diabetes were the same as the control group's. The first year of enrollment was found to be the most important predictor of patient retention. The findings of this study strongly suggest plans seek methods to optimize treatments and delay the natural history, morbidity, and exacerbations associated with diabetes, since there is a higher probability that these patients will be members in the future.
Subject(s)
Diabetes Mellitus/therapy , Disease Management , Health Maintenance Organizations/statistics & numerical data , Patient Satisfaction/statistics & numerical data , Case-Control Studies , Cost of Illness , Data Collection , Diabetes Mellitus/economics , Health Maintenance Organizations/economics , Health Maintenance Organizations/organization & administration , Health Services Research , Humans , Models, Organizational , Retrospective Studies , United StatesSubject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae/surgery , Methylmethacrylates , Povidone , Prostheses and Implants , Spinal Fusion/instrumentation , Adult , Aged , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Equipment Failure , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Methylmethacrylates/chemistry , Middle Aged , Osseointegration , Osteogenesis , Povidone/chemistry , Spinal Fusion/adverse effectsSubject(s)
Esophageal Diseases/diagnosis , Aged , Esophageal Diseases/surgery , Fatal Outcome , Female , Humans , Rupture, SpontaneousABSTRACT
A case of atraumatic gluteal compartment syndrome complicated by sciatic nerve palsy and acute rhabdomyolysis is presented. A presumed diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis led to a delay in diagnosis. Gluteal compartment syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the swollen leg.
Subject(s)
Compartment Syndromes/diagnosis , Adult , Buttocks , Compartment Syndromes/complications , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Humans , Paralysis/etiology , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Rhabdomyolysis/etiology , Sciatic Nerve , Thrombophlebitis/diagnosis , Time FactorsABSTRACT
A program to counter the emotional and social impact on a family with a diabetic child approached the problem from a family developmental perspective. All family members participated in activities to increase awareness of common problems.
