Diabetes

A new report finds that the US healthcare system could save more than $200 billion a year if prescription medications were more prudently administered.

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics are associated with an increased risk of blood glucose swings in diabetic patients, researchers reported.

An inhaled insulin device made by MannKind Corp proved more effective than injected and oral treatments in trials, potentially improving the quality of life for millions of diabetics.

Adherence to medication can improve healthcare outcomes but is associated with higher total healthcare expenses, especially during the years immediately following the onset of diabetes.

Economists specialize in pointing out unpleasant trade-offs - a skill that is on full display in the health care debate.

Wade M. Aubry, MD, associate clinical professor, University of California, San Francisco, continues discussions saying that comparative effectiveness research (CER) and the evolution of evidence-based medicine can facilitate innovations under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), especially with the inclusion of value-based insurance design (VBID).

The effort to drive quality-based performance in physicians is now evident in the provision of preventive medicine.

Albert Tzeel says providers must consider how aspects of the changing healthcare landscape may affect their performance.

Annual ACO survey shows care coordination remains a work in progress for many providers.

Fewer hospital admissions and trips to the ER, and better and less costly diabetes care, are among the 2012 results of the patient-centered medical home program of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the insurer announced.

In this segment, William Herman, MD, MPH, analyzes Dr Huckfeldt's presentation on glycemic targeting from a health service and clinical research perspective.

In this video segment Dr. Huckfeldt discussed factors contributing to low levels of glycemic control. Patient, medication and physician factors can all effect medication adherence.

Anupam Jena, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Healthcare Policy, Harvard Medical School, presented research on how therapeutic choice and patient outcomes vary at the physician level.

In her keynote address Anne Peters, MD, CDE, Director, Clinical Diabetes Program, University of Southern California, opened the meeting by defining what patient-centered care is. Providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individual patient preferences, needs, values, and ensuring that patients are involved in all clinical decisions, said Dr. Peters. She emphasizes the importance of looking to the needs of the individual patient and make decisions.

Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who are at the lowest levels of healthcare consumption often become some of the highest level consumers in subsequent years.