Outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to a pasteurized ice cream product served to hospitalized patients.

Two cases of hospital-acquired listeriosis were linked to a commercially produced, pasteurized ice cream mix. Manufacturers should implement safety measures from the Food Safety Modernization Act to minimize the risk of Listeria contamination. Dietary guidelines for persons at high risk of listeriosis may need revision to recognize the potential risk from pasteurized products.

Factors affecting the polarity and magnitude of photoresponse of transient photodetectors.

The addition of an insulating layer (I) between one of the metal electrodes (M) and the photoactive semiconducting layer (S) in a standard organic MSM solar cell architecture changes the DC photocurrent response into a strong transient signal. Such a device can, in simple terms, be thought of as a charging voltage source (S) in contact with a charging capacitor (I). The magnitude of the photocurrent signal can be strongly enhanced through the intimate contact of the active layer with the insulating layer, if the various pre-polarizations within the device act synergically. In this study, the effect of the built-in potentials within the device on the polarity and magnitude of the photocurrent response is studied using the well-characterized bulk heterojunction blend system of poly(3-hexylthiophenone):[6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM) as the semiconductor layer, and an ionic liquid as the insulating layer. This study shows that the polarity of the response is not simply determined by the energy level difference of the outer electrodes, but through a delicate interplay of all the energy levels in the device. Furthermore, these observations could be reproduced for devices with a solid-state insulator layer, where possible side-effects of the ionic liquid, such as swelling and doping, could be considered absent.

HEDIS, what is it? What does it mean to me? How does it affect my practice?

Collection of data to allow for fact based comparison of health coverage is needed. While the intent is commendable, one must contemplate how to deal with the stream of auditors coming into the office Another issue, proposed to be addressed in the 1996 version, is adjustment of the data for severity of illness. Physician-patient populations are not exactly alike and require severity adjustments to enable valid comparison. Results of data analysis should be shared with the physician. Clarification with each health plan is necessary to ascertain if the analyzed data will be used in a punitive manner (deselection) or in a true CQI (continuous quality improvement) process to allow for identification of weakness and subsequent improvement. Hopefully in the future it will be possible for HEDIS data to be collected by one organization with subsequent distribution of the information to the respective health plans. Not only would this decrease intrusions into daily operation of a medical practice, it would also result in a standardization of collection methodology among all health plans. Until the HEDIS process matures, it may be wise to address some of these concerns in the contract between the physician and health plan. HEDIS can be of benefit not only to employers, but to everyone involved in the health care system--purchasers, patients, and physicians. The HEDIS development process must be closely monitored to be certain data collection is consistent ant reliable, the data collected is meaningful, and the data analysis results are used to improve health care quality--not just for cost control and health planning.