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Deborah Braccia

Publications and source records attributed to Deborah Braccia.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Systematic review of economic analyses of health care-associated infections.

BACKGROUND: Economic evidence is needed to assess the burden of health care-associated infections (HAIs) and cost-effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing related morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was conducted to assess the quality of economic evaluations related to HAI and synthesize the evidence. METHODS: A systematic review of research published between January 2001 and June 2004 was conducted. Quality of the publication was estimated using a Likert-type scale. All cost estimates were standardized into a common currency. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression were conducted to identify predictors of high quality. RESULTS: 70 studies were audited. There was wide variation in these cost estimates. Publications estimating the cost attributable to an infection were almost 7 times more likely judged to be of higher quality than studies of the cost of interventions (P < .05). Papers in which the authors stated the perspective (hospital or societal) were twice as likely to be judged as being of high quality (P < .05). CONCLUSION: There are more publications and growing interest in estimating the costs of HAI. However, the methods employed vary. We recommend (1) the use of guidelines for authors and editors on conducting an economic analysis, (2) development of more sophisticated mathematical models, and (3) training of infection control professionals in economic methods.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗
PubMed2004

Current treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide. In the United States, the incidence of HCC has increased by nearly 75% since the 1980s. The rise in HCC diagnoses in the United States has been attributed to an increased number of patients infected with viral hepatitis and better diagnostic techniques. The management of HCC begins with diagnostic confirmation, followed by accurate staging. Historically, the prognosis for patients with HCC has been poor; however, improved surveillance and radiologic imaging techniques have led to earlier detection of HCC and an increased opportunity to treat patients. Treatment options for HCC include surgical and nonsurgical modalities. Surgical therapy, by way of partial hepatectomy or orthotopic liver transplantation, is the only potentially curative treatment for HCC, but most patients are not eligible for these procedures by the time of diagnosis. Palliative options include ablative techniques, radiation, and systemic therapies. As the incidence of this malignancy continues to rise, oncology nurses, who are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team caring for these patients, must be aware of current management for HCC. This article will provide an overview of the complex management of patients with HCC in the United States.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗