Operating costs and energy demand of wastewater treatment plants in Austria: benchmarking results of the last 10 years.

This work presents operating costs and energy consumption of Austrian municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) (≥10,000 PE-design capacity) that have been classified into different size groups. Different processes as well as cost elements are investigated and processes with high relevance regarding operating costs and energy consumption are identified. Furthermore, the work shows the cost-relevance of six investigated cost elements. The analysis demonstrates the size-dependency of operating costs and energy consumption. For the examination of the energy consumption the investigated WWTPs were further classified into WWTPs with aerobic sludge stabilisation and WWTPs with mesophilic sludge digestion. The work proves that energy consumption depends mainly on the type of sludge stabilisation. The results of the investigation can help to determine reduction potential in operating costs and energy consumption of WWTPs and form a basis for more detailed analysis which helps to identify cost and energy saving potential.

Silicone implant correction of pectus excavatum.

Between May 1989 and December 2000 in 24 adult patients with pectus excavatum, a subcutaneous implantation of silicone prostheses was performed. Of the 24 patients, 20 were followed. During follow-up the authors encountered seroma complications in 13 patients and postoperative hematoma in 4 patients. The patients stayed in the hospital 5 days on average, and showed excellent aesthetic results in 80% (N = 16), good results in 10% (N = 2), and fair results in 10% (N = 2). Patient satisfaction was also taken into consideration. A follow-up survey questioned whether patients were satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. On a scale of 1 to 5 points, with 1 point being the highest level of satisfaction, 85% of patients used ratings of 1 and 2 to express satisfaction levels. Silicone implant correction of pectus excavatum in adult patients without any impairment of cardiopulmonary function has value. The major advantages are the minimally invasive operation, the short hospital stay, good aesthetic results, and high patient satisfaction

An integrated approach to health care costs: the case of American Can.

Faced with numerous health care options, corporations are searching for plans which provide necessary benefits while containing costs. This article examines the case of the American Can Company where, since 1978, a new approach has produced mutual economic gains and employee satisfaction. American Can's efforts involved differential pricing and encouraged responsible selection by employees. The company was one of several studied by the Health Systems Management Center at Case Western Reserve University under contract with the Business Roundtable Health Initiatives Task Force. Such studies provide insight for other companies seeking ways to attack burgeoning corporate health care costs. This article is one of a series reporting the results of these studies.