Creating a population-based linked health database: a new resource for health services research.

As the availability of both health utilization and outcome information becomes increasingly important to health care researchers and policy makers, the ability to link person-specific health data becomes a critical objective. The integration of population-based administrative health databases has been realized in British Columbia by constructing an historical file of all persons registered with the health care system, and by probabilistically linking various program files to this 'coordinating' file. The linkages have achieved a high rate of success in matching service events to person-specific registration records. This success has allowed research projects to be proposed which would otherwise not have been feasible, and has initiated the development of policies and procedures regarding research access to linked data. These policies and procedures include a framework for addressing the ethical issues surrounding data linkage. With continued attention to confidentiality issues, these linked data present a valuable resource for health services research and planning.

The Effects of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) Application to Different Life Stages on Adult Emergence of the Cat Flea Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché).

Abstract- The effect of nematode Steinernema carpocapsae on cat flea larvae and pupae in different substrates was studied. Nematode application to potting soil, sand, or gravel substrates containing flea eggs, larvae or pupae reduced adult flea emergence; the effects on sand and gravel were equivalent to and greater than the effects on soil. To determine if the cat flea cocoon provides protection from nematodes, pupae in cocoons of silk, sand and silk, or naked (without cocoons) were placed in close proximity to nematodes. All pupae in cocoons or naked were susceptible to nematode attack. When nematode numbers were increased from one to 25 per cocoon the chance for flea infections also increased. Résumé- Les effets du nématode steinerma carpocapsae sur les larves et nymphes de puces de chat dans différents substrats sont étudiés, L'application de némadodes sur des substrats de terre, de sable ou de gravier contenant des oeufs de puces, des larves ou des nymphes, réduit l'émergence de puces adultes; les effets sur le sable ou le gravier sont identiques et supérieurs à ceux obtenus lors d'application sur de la terre. Pour déterminer si le cocon de la puce de chat fournit une protection contre les nématodes, des nymphes dans des cocons de soie, de sable et de soie, ou nues sont placées à proximité des nématodes. Toutes les nymphes nues ou dans des cocons sont sensibles aux attaques des nematodes. Quand le nombre de nématodes par cocon est augmenté de un à 25 la probabilité d'infection des puces est également augmentée. [Henderson, G., Manweiler, S. A., Lawrence, W. J., Templeman, R. J., Foil, L. D. The effects of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) application to different life stages on adult emergence of the cat flea Ctenophalides felis (Bouché) (Les effets de l'application de steinerma carpocapsae (Weiser) à différentes phases du cycle sur l'émergence de l'adulte de la puce du chat ctenocephalides felis (Bouché)). Resumen- Se estudió el efecto del nemátodo Steinernema carpocapsae en las larvas y crisálidas de la pulga del gato en diferentes substratos. La aplicación del nemátoto en la tierra, arena o grava para deposiciones con huevos, larvas o crisálidas de pulga redució la salida del adulto; los efectos sobre la arena o grava fueron similares y superiores a los efectos sobre la tierra. Para determinar si el capullo de la pulga del gato protege de los nemátodos, se colocaron crisálidas en capullos de seda, de seda y arena y desnudas (sin capullos) muy cerca de los nemátodos. Todas las crisálidas en capullos o desnudas eran susceptibles al ataque de los nemátodos. Cuando se incrementaba el número de nemátodos de uno a 25 por capullo, también aumentaban las probabilidades de infestación de las pulgas. [Henderson, G., Manweiler, S. A., Lawrence, W. J., Templeman, R. J., Foil, L. D. The effects of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) application to different life stages on adult emergence of the cat flea Ctenophalides felis (Bouché) (Efectos de la aplicación Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) a distintos estadios en la salida del adulto de la pulga del gato Ctenocephalides felis (Bouche)).

Digital diagnostic imaging with a comprehensive PACS: hypothetical economic evaluation at a large community hospital.

Since 1983, the 422-bed Victoria General Hospital (VGH) and Siemens Electric Limited have been piloting the implementation of digital medical imaging, including digital acquisition of diagnostic images, in British Columbia. Although full PACS is not yet in place at VGH, experience to date has been used to project annual cost figures (including capital replacement) for a fully digital department. The resulting economic evaluation has been labeled hypothetical to emphasize that some key cost components were estimated rather than observed; this paper presents updated cost figures based on recent revisions to proposed departmental equipment configuration. Compared with conventional diagnostic imaging, digital imaging appears to raise overall annual costs at VGH by nearly $0.7 million, (Canadian currency) or 11.6%; this is more favorable than the previous results, which indicated extra annual costs of $1 million (16.9%). Sensitivity analysis still indicates that all reasonable changes in the underlying assumptions result in higher costs for digital imaging than for conventional imaging. Digital imaging appears likely to offer lower radiation exposure to patients, shorter waiting times, and other potential advantages, but as yet the price of obtaining these benefits remains substantial.