Marginalized transition shared random effects models for longitudinal binary data with nonignorable dropout.

In longitudinal studies investigators frequently have to assess and address potential biases introduced by missing data. New methods are proposed for modeling longitudinal categorical data with nonignorable dropout using marginalized transition models and shared random effects models. Random effects are introduced for both serial dependence of outcomes and nonignorable missingness. Fisher-scoring and Quasi-Newton algorithms are developed for parameter estimation. Methods are illustrated with a real dataset.

Procedural outcomes of repeated transradial coronary procedure.

We evaluated the changes in radial arterial diameter and the procedural outcomes of repeated transradial procedures through the same radial artery in 117 cases. No significant differences were found in the mean diameter of the radial artery between preprocedure and 1 day after procedure on initial and repeated procedures. However, the mean radial arterial diameter was significantly decreased from 2.63 +/- 0.35 to 2.51 +/- 0.29 mm during follow-up after the initial procedure (P = 0.01). There was no significant difference in the vascular access times of the initial and repeated procedures (2.9 +/- 3.1 vs. 3.3 +/- 3.6 min; P = 0.08), and procedural success of repeated procedure was similar to those of the initial procedure. However, the incidence of radial arterial occlusion was higher for repeated procedures (2.6% vs. 0%; P = 0.01). We conclude that the repeated use of the radial artery is feasible in most patients with a high procedural success rate and low vascular complications.

[Development of the critical pathway for the patient with tonsillectomy].

PURPOSE: This study aimed at developing a critical pathway for the children undergoing tonsillectomy. METHOD: Six steps of critical pathway developmental process were used based on the literature review. The researcher reviewed 70 medical records of children who had tonsillectomy between January 4th and April 30th, 2001. They received 76 kinds of medical services during six average hospitalization days. Five of them had post-operative bleeding problem. A professional group carefully screened 67 out of 76 medical services and adopted them with five average hospitalization days as the critical pathway framework. This framework was applied to 34 children undergoing tonsillectomy during June 1st through August 21st, 2001. RESULT: The children who used the pathways with five average hospitalization days had post-operative bleeding problem. In other words, the group who utilized the critical pathway resulted in better outcomes compared to the group who did not use the tool. CONCLUSION: Since the critical pathway is an efficient care management tool, nurses need to participate more positively participate in developing and utilizing the tool for other health problem.