Biomedical subjects

M Quartararo

Publications and source records attributed to M Quartararo.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Trends in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in New South Wales between 1990-1998.

During the last three decades, ectopic pregnancy rates have increased considerably in different parts of the world including Australia. Recent reports, however, suggest that the incidence is decreasing or at least stabilising. An analysis of the New South Wales Inpatient Statistics Data collected during the period between 1990 and 1998 has shown a decline in the rate of ectopic pregnancy after 1993. Overall the rate decreased from 17.4 per 1,000 births in 1990-1991 to 16.2 per 1,000 births in 1997-1998. The decline was greater for women aged 35-44 years than for younger women. The findings are consistent with recent studies in other countries, which indicate slowing or the end of the previous upward trend in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

A simple geriatric assessment measure to assist a consultative team decision for nursing home placement.

In this study, Barthel and Mini-mental State Examination scores were combined and examined for their ability to predict a geriatric assessment team's decisions for nursing home care. We examined cross-sectional data from a project of consultative geriatric assessment for nursing home applicants in a high socioeconomic status area of Sydney, Australia. The maximum combined score was 160, and a "grey zone" between 100 and 140 was identified where classification errors were greater than 30%. Above 140, most patients were assigned by the team to other care, and below 100, nursing home care was recommended for most. The effectiveness of a classification test will be increased by identification of a grey zone so that if patients fall within this zone, greater care can be taken in the decision-making process. Given the select nature of subjects in this analysis, the generalizability of the derived combined score will be limited. However, the study illustrates one approach that may be taken in the development of classification methods to aid decision-making in the clinical or screening settings.

Geriatric Assessment↗

PubMed1995

Classification trees for decision making in long-term care.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to develop a classification tool predicting a requirement for nursing home care in a population of nursing home applicants. In long-term care services, the objectives of classification mechanisms will include the prevention of inappropriate nursing home admission. METHOD: We studied 295 nursing home applicants residing in the Lower North Shore Area of Sydney, a high socioeconomic status area of Sydney, Australia. The predictor variables examined included: demographic data, social work assessment data, the presence of dementia and incontinence, the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, and the Mini-Mental State Examination. RESULTS: Classification analysis using the C4.5 Program resulted in several classification trees for a decision for nursing home care with sensitivities greater than 70%. The best classification tree was one which combined the scores of the Barthel Index and the Mini-Mental State Examination. CONCLUSION: Classification trees in their simplicity of design and application have advantages over other analytical methods of classification. Classification analysis and the trees examined in this study may have future useful application in decision making for long-term care.

Classification↗

PubMed1991

Assessing the residential care needs of nursing home applicants.

In a study of nursing home applicants, residential care decisions made by a multidisciplinary assessment team were examined. The team agreed that of the 296 applicants assessed, 54 per cent required the high level of physical and supportive care provided in a nursing home. Hostel care was recommended for 17 per cent, continuing care at home for 17 per cent, hospice care for 1 subject, and in 13 per cent of cases the team postponed their decision. A decision for nursing home care was associated with low Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living scores, dementia, incontinence and the absence of a carer willing to continue care. A decision to delay was associated, in most cases, with a requirement for further in-patient assessment and/or rehabilitation, and therefore with a potential for functional improvement. A decision for hostel care instead of home care was associated with a low level of informal support and the absence of a carer who was a spouse or daughter. The findings suggest that a program of geriatric assessment will accurately identify the differing care needs of nursing home applicants. The initial value of such an assessment program may be to contribute to the planning of residential and other long-term care services rather than to reduce inappropriate nursing home admissions.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1990

Nursing home admissions: the effect of a multidisciplinary assessment team on the frequency of admission approvals.

In a study of nursing home applicants in the Lower North Shore Area of Sydney, the assessed requirement for nursing home care is compared with the Department of Community Services and Health's NH5 approval rate. A multidisciplinary team decided that only 62.6 per cent of 246 nursing home applicants required nursing home admission whereas 98.4 per cent had their applications approved by the Department. The findings suggest that by providing multidisciplinary assessment for nursing home applicants, the previously high approval rates for nursing home admission can be lowered and thus may reduce the number of inappropriate admissions that occur. However, the extent to which this reduction can be maintained will depend on how effective the alternative care options are in preventing or delaying nursing home admission.

Activities of Daily Living↗