REVIEW: Nanobiotechnology: Cradle for revolution in drug carrier systems.

The role of nanobiotechnology in the treatment of diseases is limitless. In this review we tried to focus main aspects of nanotechnology in drug carrier systems for treatment and diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer, pulmonary diseases, infectious diseases, vaccine development, diabetes mellitus and the role of nanotechnology on our economy and its positive social impacts on our community. We discussed here about the different "Biotechnano Strategies" to develop new avenues and ultimately improve the treatment of multiple diseases.

Estimating the health impact of vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 low-income and middle-income countries from 2000 to 2030: a modelling study.

BACKGROUND: The past two decades have seen expansion of childhood vaccination programmes in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We quantify the health impact of these programmes by estimating the deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) averted by vaccination against ten pathogens in 98 LMICs between 2000 and 2030. METHODS: 16 independent research groups provided model-based disease burden estimates under a range of vaccination coverage scenarios for ten pathogens: hepatitis B virus, Haemophilus influenzae type B, human papillomavirus, Japanese encephalitis, measles, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, Streptococcus pneumoniae, rotavirus, rubella, and yellow fever. Using standardised demographic data and vaccine coverage, the impact of vaccination programmes was determined by comparing model estimates from a no-vaccination counterfactual scenario with those from a reported and projected vaccination scenario. We present deaths and DALYs averted between 2000 and 2030 by calendar year and by annual birth cohort. FINDINGS: We estimate that vaccination of the ten selected pathogens will have averted 69 million (95% credible interval 52-88) deaths between 2000 and 2030, of which 37 million (30-48) were averted between 2000 and 2019. From 2000 to 2019, this represents a 45% (36-58) reduction in deaths compared with the counterfactual scenario of no vaccination. Most of this impact is concentrated in a reduction in mortality among children younger than 5 years (57% reduction [52-66]), most notably from measles. Over the lifetime of birth cohorts born between 2000 and 2030, we predict that 120 million (93-150) deaths will be averted by vaccination, of which 58 million (39-76) are due to measles vaccination and 38 million (25-52) are due to hepatitis B vaccination. We estimate that increases in vaccine coverage and introductions of additional vaccines will result in a 72% (59-81) reduction in lifetime mortality in the 2019 birth cohort. INTERPRETATION: Increases in vaccine coverage and the introduction of new vaccines into LMICs have had a major impact in reducing mortality. These public health gains are predicted to increase in coming decades if progress in increasing coverage is sustained. FUNDING: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Neglecting the neglected: the objective evidence of underfunding in rheumatic heart disease.

BACKGROUND: Despite the substantial global burden of disease, rheumatic heart disease research receives little funding globally. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study and funding from the G-FINDER database, we propose a novel logarithmic disability neglect index (DNI) to describe disease burden using disability-adjusted life years relative to funding for 16 major tropical diseases. RESULTS: Across a range of diseases, rheumatic heart disease received the least funding relative to disease burden (DNI=3.83). Other diseases facing similar underfunding include cysticercosis (DNI=2.71) and soil-transmitted helminths (DNI=2.41). CONCLUSIONS: Rheumatic heart disease remains severely underfunded relative to disease burden.

Long-term impact of competitive biddings and an antimicrobial stewardship program in a general hospital in Chile / Impacto de un programa de control de antimicrobianos (PCA) y licitaciones públicas sobre el consumo de estos medicamentos

ABSTRACT Background: The long-term effect of an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) and its integrated impact with competitive biddings have been seldom reported. Aim: To evaluate the long-term effect of an ASP on antimicrobial consumption, expenditure, antimicrobial resistance and hospital mortality. To estimate the contribution of competitive biddings on cost-savings. Material and Methods: A comparison of periods prior (2005-2008) and posterior to ASP initiation (2009 and 2015) was done. An estimation of cost savings attributable to ASP and to competitive biddings was also performed. Results: Basal median antimicrobial consumption decreased from 221.3 to 170 daily defined doses/100 beds after the start of the ASP. At the last year, global antimicrobial consumption declined by 28%. Median antimicrobial expenditure per bed (initially US$ 13) declined to US$ 10 at the first year (-28%) and to US$ 6 the last year (-57%). As the reduction in consumption was lower than the reduction in expenditure during the last year, we assumed that only 48.4% of savings were attributable to the ASP. According to antimicrobial charges per bed from prior and after ASP implementation, we estimated global savings of US$ 393072 and US$ 190000 directly attributable to the ASP, difference explained by parallel competitive biddings. Drug resistance among nosocomial bacterial isolates did not show significant changes. Global and infectious disease-associated mortality per 1000 discharges significantly decreased during the study period (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The ASP had a favorable impact on antimicrobial consumption, savings and mortality rates but did not have effect on antimicrobial resistance in selected bacterial strains.

Antecedentes: Existe poca información sobre el impacto a largo plazo de un programa de control de antimicrobianos (PCA) y su efecto combinado con licitaciones públicas de fármacos. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto de un PCA sobre el consumo, gasto, mortalidad y estimar la contribución de las licitaciones. Material y Métodos: Comparación antes (2005-2008) - después (2009-2015) del PCA y estimación porcentual del ahorro atribuible al PCA y licitaciones. Resultados: El consumo bajó de 221,3 a 170 dosis diarias definidas por 100 días camas (medianas) al primer año. En el último año el consumo declinó un 27,6%. La mediana del gasto por cama ocupada se redujo de 13 a 10 US$ el primer año y a 6 US$ el último año (-57%). Debido a que el gasto bajó más que el consumo, estimamos que solo el 48,4% del ahorro fue debido al PCA (cuociente de ambas reducciones: −27,6%/-57%). De acuerdo con el gasto en antimicrobianos por cama entre ambos períodos, se calculó un ahorro global de 393.000 US$ y de 190.000 US$ directamente atribuible al PCA, siendo la diferencia explicada por licitaciones. Los porcentajes de resistencia en cepas de infecciones nosocomiales no mostraron incrementos o reducciones significativas en el tiempo y la mortalidad por egresos asociada a enfermedades infecciosas (Códigos CIE 10) se redujo significativamente (p < 0,05). Conclusiones: El PCA se asoció a largo plazo a un impacto favorable sobre el consumo de antimicrobianos, gasto por antimicrobianos y egresos por enfermedades infecciosas sin un impacto en la resistencia antimicrobiana. Las licitaciones tuvieron un efecto aditivo en el ahorro.

A dynamic Bayesian Markov model for health economic evaluations of interventions in infectious disease.

BACKGROUND: Health economic evaluations of interventions in infectious disease are commonly based on the predictions of ordinary differential equation (ODE) systems or Markov models (MMs). Standard MMs are static, whereas ODE systems are usually dynamic and account for herd immunity which is crucial to prevent overestimation of infection prevalence. Complex ODE systems including distributions on model parameters are computationally intensive. Thus, mainly ODE-based models including fixed parameter values are presented in the literature. These do not account for parameter uncertainty. As a consequence, probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA), a crucial component of health economic evaluations, cannot be conducted straightforwardly. METHODS: We present a dynamic MM under a Bayesian framework. We extend a static MM by incorporating the force of infection into the state allocation algorithm. The corresponding output is based on dynamic changes in prevalence and thus accounts for herd immunity. In contrast to deterministic ODE-based models, PSA can be conducted straightforwardly. We introduce a case study of a fictional sexually transmitted infection and compare our dynamic Bayesian MM to a deterministic and a Bayesian ODE system. The models are calibrated to simulated time series data. RESULTS: By means of the case study, we show that our methodology produces outcome which is comparable to the "gold standard" of the Bayesian ODE system. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to ODE systems in the literature, the dynamic MM includes distributions on all model parameters at manageable computational effort (including calibration). The run time of the Bayesian ODE system is 15 times longer.

Preclinical efficacy studies in investigator brochures: Do they enable risk-benefit assessment?

Human protection policies require favorable risk-benefit judgments prior to launch of clinical trials. For phase I and II trials, evidence for such judgment often stems from preclinical efficacy studies (PCESs). We undertook a systematic investigation of application materials (investigator brochures [IBs]) presented for ethics review for phase I and II trials to assess the content and properties of PCESs contained in them. Using a sample of 109 IBs most recently approved at 3 institutional review boards based at German Medical Faculties between the years 2010-2016, we identified 708 unique PCESs. We then rated all identified PCESs for their reporting on study elements that help to address validity threats, whether they referenced published reports, and the direction of their results. Altogether, the 109 IBs reported on 708 PCESs. Less than 5% of all PCESs described elements essential for reducing validity threats such as randomization, sample size calculation, and blinded outcome assessment. For most PCESs (89%), no reference to a published report was provided. Only 6% of all PCESs reported an outcome demonstrating no effect. For the majority of IBs (82%), all PCESs were described as reporting positive findings. Our results show that most IBs for phase I/II studies did not allow evaluators to systematically appraise the strength of the supporting preclinical findings. The very rare reporting of PCESs that demonstrated no effect raises concerns about potential design or reporting biases. Poor PCES design and reporting thwart risk-benefit evaluation during ethical review of phase I/II studies.

How much does the treatment of each major disease cost? A decomposition of Swiss National Health Accounts.

In most countries, surprisingly little is known on how national healthcare spending is distributed across diseases. Single-disease cost-of-illness studies cover only a few of the diseases affecting a population and in some cases lead to untenably large estimates. The objective of this study was to decompose healthcare spending in 2011, according to Swiss National Health Accounts, into 21 collectively exhaustive and mutually exclusive major disease categories. Diseases were classified following the Global Burden of Disease Study. We first assigned the expenditures directly mapping from National Health Accounts to the 21 diseases. The remaining expenditures were assigned based on diagnostic codes and clues contained in a variety of microdata sources. Expenditures were dominated by non-communicable diseases with a share of 79.4%. Cardiovascular diseases stood out with 15.6% of total spending, followed by musculoskeletal disorders (13.4%), and mental and substance use disorders (10.6%). Neoplasms (6.0% of the total) ranked only sixth, although they are the leading cause of premature death in Switzerland. These results may be useful for the design of health policies, as they illustrate how healthcare spending is influenced by the epidemiological transition and increasing life expectancy. They also provide a plausibility check for single cost-of-illness studies. Our study may serve as a starting point for further research on the drivers of the constant growth of healthcare spending.

Disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India: 1995-2014.

OBJECTIVES: The prime objective of this study is to examine the trends of disease and age pattern of hospitalisation and associated costs in India during 1995-2014. DESIGN: Present study used nationally representative data on morbidity and healthcare from the 52nd (1995) and 71st (2014) rounds of the National Sample Survey. SETTINGS: A total of 120 942 and 65 932 households were surveyed in 1995 and 2014, respectively. MEASURES: Descriptive statistics, logistic regression analyses and decomposition analyses were used in examining the changes in patterns of hospitalisation and associated costs. Hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation (out-of-pocket expenditure) were estimated for selected diseases and in four broad categories: communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), injuries and others. All the costs are presented at 2014 prices in US$. RESULTS: Hospitalisation rate in India has increased from 1661 in 1995 to 3699 in 2014 (per 100 000 population). It has more than doubled across all age groups. Hospitalisation among children was primarily because of communicable diseases, while NCDs were the leading cause of hospitalisation for the 40+ population. Costs per hospitalisation have increased from US$177 in 1995 to US$316 in 2014 (an increase of 79%). Costs per hospitalisation for NCDs in 2014 were US$471 compared with US$175 for communicable diseases. It was highest for cancer inpatients (US$942) followed by heart diseases (US$674). Age is the significant predictor of hospitalisation for all the selected diseases. Decomposition results showed that about three-fifth of the increase in unconditional costs per hospitalisation was due to increase in mean hospital costs, and the other two-fifth was due to increase in hospitalisation rates. CONCLUSION: There has been more than twofold increase in hospitalisation rates in India during the last two decades, and significantly higher rates were observed among infants and older adults. Increasing hospitalisation rates and costs per hospitalisation are contributing substantially to the rising healthcare costs in India.

Adolescent health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: findings from the global burden of disease 2015 study.

OBJECTIVES: The 22 countries of the East Mediterranean Region (EMR) have large populations of adolescents aged 10-24 years. These adolescents are central to assuring the health, development, and peace of this region. We described their health needs. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 (GBD 2015), we report the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for adolescents in the EMR from 1990 to 2015. We also report the prevalence of key health risk behaviors and determinants. RESULTS: Communicable diseases and the health consequences of natural disasters reduced substantially between 1990 and 2015. However, these gains have largely been offset by the health impacts of war and the emergence of non-communicable diseases (including mental health disorders), unintentional injury, and self-harm. Tobacco smoking and high body mass were common health risks amongst adolescents. Additionally, many EMR countries had high rates of adolescent pregnancy and unmet need for contraception. CONCLUSIONS: Even with the return of peace and security, adolescents will have a persisting poor health profile that will pose a barrier to socioeconomic growth and development of the EMR.

Infectious disease screening in asylum seekers: range, coverage and economic evaluation in Germany, 2015.

Screening asylum seekers for infectious diseases is widely performed, but economic evaluations of such are scarce. We performed a policy analysis and economic evaluation of such screening in Germany, and analysed the effect of screening policies on cost differences between federal states. Of the 16 states, screening was compulsory for tuberculosis (TB) in asylum seekers ≥ 16 years of age in all states as well as in children < 16 years of age and pregnant women in six states, hepatitis B and enteropathogens in three, syphilis in two and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in one state. Of 441,899 asylum seekers, 88.0% were screened for TB, 22.9% for enteropathogens, 16.9% for hepatitis B, 13.1% for syphilis and 11.3% for HIV. The total costs for compulsory screening in 2015 were 10.3 million euros (EUR). Costs per case were highest for infections with Shigella spp. (80,200 EUR), Salmonella spp. (8,000 EUR), TB in those ≥ 16 years of age (5,300 EUR) and syphilis (1,150 EUR). States with extended screening had per capita costs 2.84 times those of states that exclusively screened for TB in asylum seekers ≥ 16 years of age (p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.96-4.10). Screening practices in Germany entailed high costs; evidence-based approaches to infectious disease screening are needed.

Estimated economic impact of vaccinations in 73 low- and middle-income countries, 2001-2020.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the economic impact likely to be achieved by efforts to vaccinate against 10 vaccine-preventable diseases between 2001 and 2020 in 73 low- and middle-income countries largely supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. METHODS: We used health impact models to estimate the economic impact of achieving forecasted coverages for vaccination against Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus, Japanese encephalitis, measles, Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A, rotavirus, rubella, Streptococcus pneumoniae and yellow fever. In comparison with no vaccination, we modelled the costs - expressed in 2010 United States dollars (US$) - of averted treatment, transportation costs, productivity losses of caregivers and productivity losses due to disability and death. We used the value-of-a-life-year method to estimate the broader economic and social value of living longer, in better health, as a result of immunization. FINDINGS: We estimated that, in the 73 countries, vaccinations given between 2001 and 2020 will avert over 20 million deaths and save US$ 350 billion in cost of illness. The deaths and disability prevented by vaccinations given during the two decades will result in estimated lifelong productivity gains totalling US$ 330 billion and US$ 9 billion, respectively. Over the lifetimes of the vaccinated cohorts, the same vaccinations will save an estimated US$ 5 billion in treatment costs. The broader economic and social value of these vaccinations is estimated at US$ 820 billion. CONCLUSION: By preventing significant costs and potentially increasing economic productivity among some of the world's poorest countries, the impact of immunization goes well beyond health.

The relationship between burden of childhood disease and foreign aid for child health.

BACKGROUND: We sought to examine the relationship between child specific health aid (CHA) and burden of disease. Based on existing evidence, we hypothesized that foreign aid for child health would not be proportional to burden of disease. METHODS: In order to examine CHA and burden of disease, we obtained estimates of these parameters from established sources. Estimates of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in children (0-5 years) were obtained from the World Health Organization for 2000 and 2012. The 10 most burdensome disease categories in each continent, excluding high-income countries, were identified for study. Descriptions of all foreign aid commitments between 1996 and 2009 were obtained from AidData, and an algorithm to designate the target diseases of the commitments was constructed. Data were examined in scatterplots for trends. RESULTS: The most burdensome childhood diseases varied by continent. In all continents, newborn diseases, vaccine-preventable diseases (lower respiratory diseases, measles, meningitis, tetanus, and pertussis), and diarrheal diseases ranked within the four most burdensome diseases. Infectious diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV were also among the ten most burdensome diseases in sub-Saharan Africa, and non-communicable diseases were associated with much of the burden in the other continents. CHA grew from $7.4 billion in 1996 to $17.7 billion in 2009 for our study diseases. Diarrheal diseases and malnutrition received the most CHA as well as the most CHA per DALY. CHA directed at HIV increased dramatically over our study period, from $227,000 in 1996 to $3.4 billion in 2008. Little aid was directed at injuries such as drowning, car accidents, and fires, as well as complex medical diseases such as leukemia and endocrine disorders. CONCLUSION: CHA has grown significantly over the last two decades. There is no clear relationship between CHA and burden of disease. This report provides a description of foreign aid for child health, and hopes to inform policy and decision-making regarding foreign aid.

Economic analysis of costs with enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy according to disease and outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct an economic analysis of enteral and parenteral diet costs according to the type of disease and outcome (survivors versus deaths). METHODS: It is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study with a qualitative and quantitative design, based on analysis of hospital accounts from a healthcare insurance provider in the Southern region of Brazil. RESULTS: We analyzed 301 hospital accounts of individuals who used enteral and parenteral diets. The total cost of the diet was 35.4% of hospital account total costs. The enteral modality accounted for 59.8% of total dietary costs. The major costs with diets were observed in hospitalizations related to infections, cancers and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. The major costs with parenteral diet were with admissions related by cancers (64.52%) and dementia syndromes (46.17%). The highest ratio between total diet costs with the total of hospital account costs was in dementia syndromes (46.32%) and in cancers (41.2%). The individuals who died spent 51.26% of total of hospital account costs, being 32.81% in diet (47.45% of total diet value and 58.81% in parenteral modality). CONCLUSION: Enteral and parenteral nutritional therapies account for a significant part of the costs with hospitalized individuals, especially in cases of cancers and dementia syndromes. The costs of parenteral diets were higher in the group of patients who died. OBJETIVO: Realizar uma análise econômica de custos da terapia nutricional enteral e parenteral, conforme o tipo de doença e o desfecho (sobreviventes versus óbitos). MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, observacional, retrospectivo, com estratégia qualitativa e quantitativa, a partir da análise de contas hospitalares de uma operadora de saúde da Região Sul do Brasil. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 301 contas hospitalares de usuários que utilizaram dieta enteral e parenteral. O custo total com dieta foi de 35,4% do custo total das contas hospitalares. A modalidade enteral representou 59,8% do custo total em dieta. Os maiores custos com dieta foram observados em internações relacionadas a infecções, cânceres e doenças cérebro-cardiovasculares. Os maiores custos com dieta parenteral foram observados nas internações relacionadas aos cânceres (64,52%) e às síndromes demenciais (46,17%). A maior relação entre o custo total com dieta e o custo total da conta foi na síndrome demencial (46,32%) e no câncer (41,2%). Os usuários que foram a óbito consumiram 51,26% dos custos totais das contas, sendo 32,81% com dieta (47,45% do valor total com dieta e 58,81% do custo na modalidade parenteral). CONCLUSÃO: As terapias nutricionais enteral e parenteral representaram uma parte importante dos custos no tratamento de indivíduos hospitalizados, principalmente nos casos dos cânceres e nas síndromes demenciais. O custo com dieta parenteral foi maior no grupo de usuários que foram a óbito.

Economic analysis of costs with enteral and parenteral nutritional therapy according to disease and outcome / Análise econômica dos custos com terapia nutricional enteral e parenteral conforme doença e desfecho

ABSTRACT Objective To conduct an economic analysis of enteral and parenteral diet costs according to the type of disease and outcome (survivors versus deaths). Methods It is a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study with a qualitative and quantitative design, based on analysis of hospital accounts from a healthcare insurance provider in the Southern region of Brazil. Results We analyzed 301 hospital accounts of individuals who used enteral and parenteral diets. The total cost of the diet was 35.4% of hospital account total costs. The enteral modality accounted for 59.8% of total dietary costs. The major costs with diets were observed in hospitalizations related to infections, cancers and cerebro-cardiovascular diseases. The major costs with parenteral diet were with admissions related by cancers (64.52%) and dementia syndromes (46.17%). The highest ratio between total diet costs with the total of hospital account costs was in dementia syndromes (46.32%) and in cancers (41.2%). The individuals who died spent 51.26% of total of hospital account costs, being 32.81% in diet (47.45% of total diet value and 58.81% in parenteral modality). Conclusion Enteral and parenteral nutritional therapies account for a significant part of the costs with hospitalized individuals, especially in cases of cancers and dementia syndromes. The costs of parenteral diets were higher in the group of patients who died.

RESUMO Objetivo Realizar uma análise econômica de custos da terapia nutricional enteral e parenteral, conforme o tipo de doença e o desfecho (sobreviventes versus óbitos). Métodos Estudo transversal, observacional, retrospectivo, com estratégia qualitativa e quantitativa, a partir da análise de contas hospitalares de uma operadora de saúde da Região Sul do Brasil. Resultados Foram analisadas 301 contas hospitalares de usuários que utilizaram dieta enteral e parenteral. O custo total com dieta foi de 35,4% do custo total das contas hospitalares. A modalidade enteral representou 59,8% do custo total em dieta. Os maiores custos com dieta foram observados em internações relacionadas a infecções, cânceres e doenças cérebro-cardiovasculares. Os maiores custos com dieta parenteral foram observados nas internações relacionadas aos cânceres (64,52%) e às síndromes demenciais (46,17%). A maior relação entre o custo total com dieta e o custo total da conta foi na síndrome demencial (46,32%) e no câncer (41,2%). Os usuários que foram a óbito consumiram 51,26% dos custos totais das contas, sendo 32,81% com dieta (47,45% do valor total com dieta e 58,81% do custo na modalidade parenteral). Conclusão As terapias nutricionais enteral e parenteral representaram uma parte importante dos custos no tratamento de indivíduos hospitalizados, principalmente nos casos dos cânceres e nas síndromes demenciais. O custo com dieta parenteral foi maior no grupo de usuários que foram a óbito.

A systematic review of health economic evaluations of vaccines in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil, since 2005, the Ministry of Health requires Health Economic Evaluation (HEE) of vaccines for introduction into the National Immunization Program. OBJECTIVES: To describe and analyze the full HEE on vaccines conducted in Brazil from 1980 to 2013. METHODS: Systematic review of the literature. We searched multiple databases. Two researchers independently selected the studies and extracted the data. The methodological quality of individual studies was evaluated using CHEERS items. RESULTS: Twenty studies were reviewed. The most evaluated vaccines were pneumococcal (25%) and HPV (15%). The most used types of HEE were cost-effectiveness analysis (45%) and cost-utility analysis (20%). The research question and compared strategies were stated in all 20 studies and the target population was clear in 95%. Nevertheless, many studies did not inform the perspective of analysis or data sources. CONCLUSIONS: HEE of vaccines in Brazil has increased since 2008. However, the studies still have methodological deficiencies.

Health care institutional charges associated with ambulatory bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant patients.

BACKGROUND: The impact of ambulatory bloodstream infections (Amb-BSIs) in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant (PO/SCT) patients is poorly understood, although a large portion of their treatment increasingly occurs in this setting. This study aimed to understand the economic impact and length of stay (LOS) associated with these infections. PROCEDURE: Charges and LOS were retrospectively collected and analyzed for Amb-BSI events leading to a hospital admission between 2012 and 2013 in a tertiary, university-affiliated hospital. Events were grouped as BSI-MIXED when hospitalizations with care unrelated to the infection-extended LOS by more than 24 hr or as BSI-PURE for all others. Billing codes were used to group charges and main drivers were analyzed. RESULTS: Seventy-four BSI events were identified in 61 patients. Sixty-nine percent met definition for central line-associated BSI (CLABSI). Median total charge and LOS for an Amb-BSI were $40,852 (interquartile range [IQR] $44,091) and 7 days (IQR 6), respectively. Median charges for BSI-PURE group (N = 62) were $36,611 (IQR $34,785) and $89,935 (IQR $153,263) in the BSI-MIXED (N = 12) group. Median LOS was 6 (IQR 5) days in the BSI-PURE group and 15 (IQR 24) in the BSI-MIXED. Room, pharmacy, and procedure charges accounted for more than 70% of total charges in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Amb-BSIs in PO/SCT patients result in significant healthcare charges and unplanned extended hospital admissions. This analysis suggests that efforts aiming at reducing rates of infections could result in substantial system savings, validating the need for increased efforts to prevent Amb-BSIs.

[Reducing non-communicable diseases and health care costs: building a prevention alliance]. / Un laboratorio di prevenzione quale strumento per ridurre le malattie croniche non trasmissibili e la spesa sanitaria.

In Italy, as well as in most European Countries, the loss of almost 70% of the years of life is attributable to cerebro-cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Whereas the Italian population is expected to grow older, with a significant increase in the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases, the reduction in incidence of chronic diseases and the compression of morbidity are priorities. This is the reason why in Italy the implementation of the National Plan for Prevention and related regional plans becomes necessary, as it can promote the co-operation of multidisciplinary skills in several areas: political, health, economic, legal, sociological. In Piedmont (Northern Italy), it seems useful the creation of a regional Laboratory of prevention,which provides support for the development and implementation of the regional prevention plan, through actions and programmes based on cost-effectiveness analyses. The use of resources in prevention should not be exclusively interpreted as a cost, but as an investment, which, in some cases, can become an avoided cost. Using prevention policies makes it possible to gain years of healthy life and to potentially reduce the cost of healthcare system. The creation of the Laboratory of prevention is a multidisciplinary context, so it is an opportunity to involve the stakeholders in order to achieve the regional health objectives.

A Review Of Innovative International Financing Mechanisms To Address Noncommunicable Diseases.

Noncommunicable diseases have become prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. A key question that remains unresolved is how to support the development of systems to prevent and treat noncommunicable disease through international financing mechanisms. We conducted a review of articles and grey literature published from 2000 through 2014 on innovative financing models proposed or used for other disease control efforts. We found that the greatest available evidence supported pooled funding models, where funding from multiple groups is combined for a specific investment, with such models previously deployed in vaccine and infectious disease funding areas. Robust evidence also supported the viability of international transactions taxes or levies placed on specific transactions to fund investments in drug procurement and supply, and of the front-loading of development aid through bond sales, particularly to stabilize funding and subsidize drug procurement. Far less compelling evidence was available to support diaspora bonds or debt reduction programs as mechanisms to aid low- and middle-income countries' health systems in financing noncommunicable disease prevention and care services.

Biomarker detection for disease diagnosis using cost-effective microfluidic platforms.

Early and timely detection of disease biomarkers can prevent the spread of infectious diseases, and drastically decrease the death rate of people suffering from different diseases such as cancer and infectious diseases. Because conventional diagnostic methods have limited application in low-resource settings due to the use of bulky and expensive instrumentation, simple and low-cost point-of-care diagnostic devices for timely and early biomarker diagnosis is the need of the hour, especially in rural areas and developing nations. The microfluidics technology possesses remarkable features for simple, low-cost, and rapid disease diagnosis. There have been significant advances in the development of microfluidic platforms for biomarker detection of diseases. This article reviews recent advances in biomarker detection using cost-effective microfluidic devices for disease diagnosis, with the emphasis on infectious disease and cancer diagnosis in low-resource settings. This review first introduces different microfluidic platforms (e.g. polymer and paper-based microfluidics) used for disease diagnosis, with a brief description of their common fabrication techniques. Then, it highlights various detection strategies for disease biomarker detection using microfluidic platforms, including colorimetric, fluorescence, chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence (ECL), and electrochemical detection. Finally, it discusses the current limitations of microfluidic devices for disease biomarker detection and future prospects.

Safety, cost, and clinical considerations for the use of premixed parenteral nutrition.

Premixed parenteral nutrition (PN) can be used for PN therapy in place of traditional compounded or customized PN. Premixed PN may have a number of advantages over compounded PN such as decreased costs, decreased compounding time, reduced chance for error, and reduced incidence of bloodstream infections. However, premixed PN may not be appropriate for all patients and may have other additional costs associated with its use. This article discusses the data available with regard to the use of premixed PN, focusing on the potential advantages and disadvantages of using premixed PN, and also discusses the implementation of premixed PN in a large tertiary cancer center.