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Biomedical subjects

R Padman

Publications and source records attributed to R Padman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Determinants of information technology outsourcing among health maintenance organizations.

We analyze the determinants of HMO information technology outsourcing using two studies. Study 1 examines the effect of asset specificity on outsourcing for development and operation activities, using HMO specific fixed effects to control for differences between HMOs. Study 2 regresses the HMO specific fixed effects from Study 1, which measure an HMO's propensity to outsource, on HMO characteristics. The data comes from a 1995 InterStudy survey about information technology organization of HMOs. While HMOs split roughly equally in outsourcing information technology development activities, they are extremely unlikely to outsource the day-to-day operation of information systems. The greater an HMO's information technology capability and the complexity of information systems supported, the less likely is an HMO to outsource. While HMOs less than two years old, for-profit HMOs, local or Blue Cross-affiliated HMOs, and mixed HMOs are more likely to outsource, federally qualified HMOs are less likely to outsource. Policy and managerial implications for the adoption and diffusion of new ways of organizing information technology, such as application service providers (ASPs), are discussed.

Decision Making, Organizational↗
PubMed2001

The child with persistent cough.

Coughing is a healthy reflex. Causes of a cough can vary from minor upper respiratory illnesses to malignancy. When a child's cough continues for weeks, parents worry. Primary care providers must decide when reassessment is needed and if a vigorous workup and referral to a pulmonologist are required. The above discussion should assist these physicians.

Asthma↗
PubMed2001

Pleural space disease in pediatric patients: a retrospective analysis.

Pleural space disease, pleural effusions, and parapneumonic empyema present a therapeutic dilemma regarding the most appropriate medical and surgical management (i.e., performing a thoracentesis on admission versus delayed, placing a pigtail catheter versus a regular chest tube, and performing early versus late thoracoscopy). Other questions remain about early surgical intervention to decrease morbidity, shorten hospital stay, and produce cost-effective results. To define a clinical approach for a prospective study, the charts of all patients who were discharged with ICD-9 codes 511.8, 511.9, and 510.9, between June 5, 1991, and May 7, 1995, were reviewed. Thirty-one patients were identified. A database was developed and the results were analyzed. This paper presents a clinical pathway suggested by this retrospective study with cost analysis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The diffusion of information technology among health maintenance organizations.

This article examines the information technology functions, staffing and cost, services provided, and advanced technologies among health maintenance organizations (HMOs) using a national sample of HMOs from mid-1995. HMOs have a well-developed capability to use data from administrative functions, such as claims processing. Nationally affiliated HMOs and HMOs in markets with greater HMO penetration support more IT functions. Relatively little work has been completed integrating clinical with administrative systems.

Data Collection↗
PubMed1999

Effects of the flutter device on pulmonary function studies among pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that the Scandipharm Flutter airway clearance device has increased the ability of cystic fibrosis patients to expectorate mucus. Studies that show the effects of the Flutter on pulmonary function among the pediatric cystic fibrosis patients are limited. Thus, we embarked on a study to assess the device's effectiveness. METHODS: The long-term effect of the Flutter on pulmonary function tests (PFTs) was studied and compared with other airway clearance techniques, such as chest physiotherapy (CPT) and Vital Signs, Inc. 9000 PEP positive expiratory pressure (PEP) therapy for cystic fibrosis patients of five to 17 years of age with mild to moderate disease. Of the 15 patients who qualified, six completed the study. The patients were evaluated using PFTs and a respiratory assessment at the beginning and end of each new therapy. Duration of each therapy was one month. RESULTS: No respiratory assessment parameters changed between the therapies studied. All patients who used the Flutter preferred it over the other two therapies. The patients stated they felt better clinically, were able to expectorate mucus more easily, and felt more in control of their therapies. Paired t-test statistical analysis from the PFT data indicated no significant changes in forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration (FEV1), forced expiratory flow from 25 percent to 75 percent of the loop (FEF25-75), airway resistance (Raw), or specific airway conductance (sGaw) among the three therapies studied. CONCLUSION: This study has shown no significant change in respiratory assessment parameters or pulmonary function. Further studies involving multicenter trials are warranted to evaluate the effects of the Flutter on pulmonary function.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Noninvasive ventilation via bilevel positive airway pressure support in pediatric practice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of bilevel positive airway pressure support in critically ill children with underlying medical conditions. DESIGN: Prospective, clinical study. SETTING: Pediatric intensive care unit (ICU). PATIENTS: Thirty-four patients (6 mos to 20 yrs, mean 11.06 +/- 0.9 yrs) with impending respiratory failure were enrolled in the study. All patients required airway or oxygenation/ventilation support (awake or asleep) and required admission to our pediatric ICU. Each patient served as his or her own control. Exclusion criteria were absent cough or gag reflex, multiple organ system failure, age of <6 mos, vocal cord paralysis, and noncooperation with nasal mask. INTERVENTIONS: Bilevel positive airway pressure support ventilation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with 35 episodes of respiratory insufficiency requiring airway support or oxygenation/ventilatory support were treated with bilevel positive airway pressure support ventilation. Dyspnea score decreased at least two deviations in all patients; dyspnea score decreased five deviations in 67% of patients. Resting heart rate decreased from 126 +/- 3.2 to 102 +/- 3.2 beats/min (p < .001), respiratory rate decreased from 39 +/- 3 to 25 +/- 1 breaths/min (p < .004), bicarbonate concentrations decreased from 30.0 +/- 1.0 to 24.0 +/- 0.7 mmol/L (p < .01), and room air saturation increased from 85 +/- 2% to 97 +/- 1%. Bilevel positive airway pressure support ventilation failure was characterized by an inability to stabilize progression of respiratory failure and the subsequent placement of an artificial airway. Three patients required placement of an artificial airway. CONCLUSIONS: A decrease in respiratory rate, heart rate, and dyspnea score and an improvement in oxygenation were noted in >90% of patients studied, resulting in only an 8% frequency of intubation. The efficacy of bilevel positive airway pressure support ventilation in selected groups of patients indicates the need to include this form of noninvasive pressure support ventilation in the care offered by pediatric ICUs.

Acidosis, Respiratory↗
PubMed1994

Use of BiPAP by nasal mask in the treatment of respiratory insufficiency in pediatric patients: preliminary investigation.

A device for nasally applied bilevel positive airway pressure, BiPAP (Respironics Inc., Murrysville, PA), is currently being evaluated for the treatment of respiratory failure in pediatric and adult patients. This retrospective case review examines our experience with using BiPAP in the treatment of acute ventilatory deterioration in pediatric patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency. All patients who presented to the intensive care unit with chronic respiratory insufficiency and ventilatory failure but without hypoxia were given a trial on BiPAP. Fifteen patients, ages 4-21 years, received such ventilatory support. Four of them had cystic fibrosis (CF) and 11 had neuromuscular disease (2, spinal muscular atrophy; 7, Duchenne muscular dystrophy; 1, spinal cord injury; and 1, myopathy of undetermined origin). Hospital days, respiratory rates, resting heart rates, arterial blood gases, serum bicarbonates, and subjective assessment by parents and or patients of dyspnea, sleep pattern, and activity tolerance were compared prior to and after initiation of BiPAP. Patients were followed from 1 day to 21 months. In 14 of 15 patients placement of an artificial airway could be avoided. Significant decreases in hospital days, respiratory rate, heart rate, serum bicarbonate, and arterial PCO2 were observed after initiation of BiPAP. Decline in dyspnea (87% with severe distress at rest prior vs. 80% comfortable at rest after BiPAP), increased activity tolerance (57% attending school after BiPAP vs. none prior to BiPAP), and improved quality of sleep (93% with comfortable sleep, no daytime somnolence vs. none with comfortable sleep and 36% with daytime somnolence prior to BiPAP).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1994

Innominate artery compression of the trachea: relationship to cervical herniation of the normal thymus.

PURPOSE: To document the possible association of segmental tracheomalacia in the thoracic inlet with the combination of a large thymus and normal innominate artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight infants with symptoms of innominate artery compression of the trachea were studied. The diagnostic approach included observation of posterior tracheal displacement and focal tracheal collapse at fluoroscopy, ablation of the right radial pulse by rigid endoscopic pressure, and compression of the anterior tracheal wall by the innominate artery at magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Six patients had relief of symptoms with either thymectomy and innominate artery reimplantation (n = 4) or subtotal thymectomy and innominate artery suspension (n = 2). The ratio of the sagittal diameter of the thymus to the sagittal diameter of the thoracic inlet was significantly (P < .0009) higher in the symptomatic patients (0.58 +/- 0.03) than in age-matched control subjects (0.35 +/- 0.08). CONCLUSION: Crowding of the thoracic inlet by cervical herniation of an enlarged but normal thymus may contribute to the development of tracheomalacia and the symptoms of innominate artery compression.

Brachiocephalic Trunk↗
PubMed1993

Intrapleural streptokinase as adjunctive treatment for persistent empyema in pediatric patients.

Successful treatment of persistent empyema by intrapleural streptokinase is described in five pediatric patients. Their ages ranged from 18 months to 7 years. All experienced dramatic improvement in the resolution of their empyemas following intrapleural streptokinase. Improved chest tube drainage occurred concurrently with clinical improvement. Intrapleural instillation of streptokinase appears to be a safe adjunctive therapeutic tool to facilitate drainage of persistent empyema in the small number of pediatric patients in whom it has been employed. Additional study will be required to further assess the long-term therapeutic efficacy and consequences of intrapleural streptokinase therapy.

Chest Tubes↗
PubMed1993

Complications of tracheostomy and decannulation in pediatric and young patients with traumatic brain injury.

Tracheostomy is indicated for many patients who are in a prolonged comatose state. The procedure in children is believed to be associated with a higher morbidity and mortality; however, most studies have focused on adult patients. Thus, to better define the incidence, a retrospective study was done on 30 head injured pediatric patients who had tracheostomies at our rehabilitation institution. In 26 patients tracheostomy was indicated for prolonged hyperventilation. The average duration of tracheostomy was 49 days. Twenty-six total complications (86.6%) were reported within seven days of tracheostomy; pneumonia was the most common. Twenty-seven late complications (90%) were reported, with tracheal granuloma being the most common. Ten patients (58%) were successfully decannulated during rehabilitation; seven tracheostomies remained patent when patients were discharged. Results of this study confirm the high rate of airway complications in traumatic brain injury pediatric patients and suggest that most occur within 50 days of intubation. Limiting artificial airway management to less than approximately 50 days may markedly reduce airway complications in the pediatric TBI patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Outcome of short-term hospitalization for children with severe asthma.

This study presents results of a family-centered, short-term residential program in which medical, behavioral, and treatment assessments were provided to the child with severe asthma and the family. After a median stay of 15 days, forty-four consecutively admitted children with severe asthma achieved a 93% reduction in hospital days (median, 7 hospital days for the year before treatment versus median 0 hospital days per patient per year at 20 1/2-month follow-up; p less than 0.001) and an 81% reduction in emergency care (median, 4 visits for the year previously versus median, 0.4 visits per patient per year at follow-up; p less than 0.01). There was also a significant reduction in corticosteroid bursts and improvement in FEV1. Unique to this program was mandatory family participation focusing on the child's and family's adaptation to severe asthma and development of family-specific interventions to promote compliance with the treatment regimen. Child and family functioning was assessed at admission and follow-up. Hospital use at follow-up was greater for children from dysfunctional families. Families demonstrating difficulties in disciplining the child with asthma required more hospital days both before admission and at follow-up. Short-term hospitalization for children with severe asthma is associated with significant improvement in pulmonary morbidity when the family of the child is included in assessment and treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Nocturnal negative pressure ventilation.

In this study, 25 patients between the ages of 12 and 24 years who had neuromuscular diseases, a vital capacity less than 50 percent of predicted, and a history suggestive of nocturnal hypoventilation were observed with overnight monitoring of end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) and O2 saturation (SaO2). Those patients with a strong clinical history and evidence of nocturnal hypoventilation (increased EtCO2 of 50 to 70 torr and decreased SaO2 [less than 90 percent]) (10 patients) were placed on nocturnal negative pressure ventilation (NNPV). Admission, treatment, and posttreatment arterial blood gases were analyzed by paired statistical "t" tests. Comparison of mean PaO2 values obtained on admission with those obtained during treatment revealed a greater than 97.5 percent confidence (p = 0.025; n = 7). Mean PaO2 values obtained after treatment (off negative pressure ventilation [NPV], awake during daytime) were 65.9 +/- 18.2 mmHg and 79.0 + 14.5 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.005; n = 6). Comparison of post-treatment PaO2 values as a percentage of admission (pretest) values showed a significant change at the 0.5 percent level with an applied Wilcoxan Signed-ranks Matched-pairs Test. The mean PaCO2 values obtained upon admission and those obtained during treatment were 53.7 +/- 15.1 mmHg and 48.1 +/- 14.2 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.05; n = 7), and comparison mean PaCO2 values obtained upon admission and after treatment were 57.9 +/- 16.0 mmHg and 51.2 +/- 7.0 mmHg, respectively (p = 0.1; n = 6).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Postoperative pulmonary complications in children with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent posterior spinal fusion.

Children with neuromuscular scoliosis may develop restrictive pulmonary disease, with substantially lower than normal predicted lung function. Posterior spinal fusion (PSF) is often used to slow down this rapid deterioration of pulmonary function. Postoperatively, these patients frequently develop pulmonary complications. In this retrospective study of 38 patients with neuromuscular scoliosis who underwent PSF, the preoperative vital capacity was related to postoperative pulmonary complications and need for postoperative ventilatory assistance. In two patients who developed postoperative atelectasis and pulmonary edema, the preoperative vital capacity was 44% of that predicted. In six patients who developed atelectasis only, it was 49.2%. In the remaining 30 patients who developed no postoperative pulmonary complications, the average was 64.6%. Low preoperative vital capacity was also shown to correlate with the need for longer postoperative ventilatory assistance. The preoperative vital capacity is an important prognostic parameter in evaluating postoperative pulmonary recovery.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Gastroesophageal reflux and recurrent/chronic pulmonary disease in infants and children.

It is now widely recognized that gastroesophageal reflux (GER) causes many symptoms in infants and children; however, the implication of a causal relationship between GER and pulmonary disease still raises skepticism in many clinicians. Recurrent or chronic pulmonary disease (CPD) is a significant cause for morbidity and mortality in infants and children. There is no single, reliable, diagnostic test that consistently demonstrates that pulmonary symptoms are caused directly by GER. This contributes to lack of firm association between GER and CPD. Is GER a contributory factor to the severity of the pulmonary disease, as in chronic asthma? Is it the primary cause of all the respiratory pathophysiology? Or, is GER the result of altered pulmonary mechanics? These are questions that remain unanswered. The purpose of this article is to review the literature raising skepticism among clinicians, paving the way for future directions of research.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1987

CT digital radiography: alternative technique for airway evaluation in physically disabled patients.

Evaluation of the airway for the presence of granulation tissue prior to removal of a tracheostomy is essential to prevent sudden respiratory decompensation secondary to obstruction. Airway examination in a brain and/or spinal cord injured patient is especially difficult under fluoroscopy. The patient's lack of mobility results in poor visualization of the trachea, secondary to the overlying dense osseous components of the shoulders and thoracic cage. A CT localization view (digital view), which allows manipulation and magnification of the digital data in order to see the hidden airway and detect associated obstructing lesions, is proffered as an alternative technique to high KV, magnification technique. Thirteen examinations were performed satisfactorily in eleven patients examined by this technique with little expenditure of time, physical exertion, and irradiation. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of digital airway examination were 100%, 67% and 92% respectively with bronchoscopy used as the standard.

Adolescent↗