Much evidence suggests that the US does not achieve good value for its health care spending. This book provides a unique perspective on this problem by considering the economic, social, political, and ethical factors that contribute to it, and by seeking to show how experience can guide better policy making in the future.
The US prescription drug business is a $500 billion industry whose rising prices carry profound consequences for patients, caregivers, employers and taxpayers across the nation. In the United States, average prices of leading brand-name drugs are two to four times higher than prices charged in other wealthy countries, raising questions as to what Americans are getting for the extra expense. On the other hand, healthy industry returns have arguably fueled life-saving innovation. With the advent of ever more targeted and powerful treatments, including cell- and gene-based therapies with multi-million-dollar price tags, the need for sensible drug pricing policies will only intensify. The Right Price sheds light on the controversial topic of drug pricing by providing an accessible guide to pharmaceutical markets and analytic techniques used to measure the value of drug therapies. It illustrates the need for value-based pricing through real-life stories of patients and their experiences with the drug industry and explains why simple solutions like price controls and the importation of cheaper drugs from other countries are problematic. This volume describes how researchers and policy makers have pursued drug valuation efforts in the past, and lays out a series of recommendations, based on years of shared author experience serving on national drug policy platforms, for how to further improve pharmaceutical value assessment in the United States. With unique industry insights and clear narrative, The Right Price unveils why the pricing of drugs continues to be so challenging and how public and private officials can create more informed policies to achieve the right balance between drug pricing and value.
Finite Element Methods are used for numerous engineering applications where numerical solutions of partial differential equations are needed. As computers can now deal with the millions of parameters used in these methods, automatic error estimation and automatic adaptation of the utilised method (according to this error estimation), has become a hot research topic. This text offers comprehensive coverage of this new field of automatic adaptation and error estimation, bringing together the work of eight outstanding researchers in this field who have completed a six year national research project within the German Science Foundation. The result is a state-of-the-art work in true reference style. Each chapter is self-contained and covers theoretical, algorithmic and software presentations as well as solved problems. A main feature consists of several carefully elaborated benchmarks of 2D- and 3D- applications. First book to go beyond the Finite Element Method in itself Covers material from a new research area Presents benchmarks of 2D- and 3D- applications Fits with the new trend for genetic strategies in engineering
Much evidence suggests that the US does not achieve good value for its health care spending. This book provides a unique perspective on this problem by considering the economic, social, political, and ethical factors that contribute to it, and by seeking to show how experience can guide better policy making in the future.
Braunwald’s Heart Disease remains your indispensable source for definitive, state-of-the-art answers on every aspect of contemporary cardiology. Edited by Drs. Robert O. Bonow, Douglas L. Mann, Douglas P. Zipes, and Peter Libby, this dynamic, multimedia reference helps you apply the most recent knowledge in molecular biology and genetics, imaging, pharmacology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, and much more. Weekly updates online, personally selected by Dr. Braunwald, continuously keep you current on the most important new developments affecting your practice. Enhanced premium online content includes new dynamic cardiac imaging videos, heart sound recordings, and podcasts. With sweeping updates throughout, and contributions from a "who’s who" of global cardiology, Braunwald’s is the cornerstone of effective practice. Continuously access the most important new developments affecting your practice with weekly updates personally selected by Dr. Braunwald, including focused reviews, "hot off the press" commentaries, and late-breaking clinical trials. Practice with confidence and overcome your toughest challenges with advice from the top minds in cardiology today, who synthesize the entire state of current knowledge and summarize all of the most recent ACC/AHA practice guidelines. Locate the answers you need fast thanks to a user-friendly, full-color design with more than 1,200 color illustrations. Search the complete contents online at www.expertconsult.com. Stay on top of the latest advances in molecular imaging, intravascular ultrasound, cardiovascular regeneration and tissue engineering, device therapy for advanced heart failure, atrial fibrillation management, structural heart disease, Chagasic heart disease, ethics in cardiovascular medicine, the design and conduct of clinical trials, and many other timely topics. Hone your clinical skills with new dynamic cardiac imaging videos, heart sound recordings, and podcasts at www.expertconsult.com.
Completely updated edition, written by a close-knit author team Presents a unique approach to stroke - integrated clinical management that weaves together causation, presentation, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation Includes increased coverage of the statins due to clearer evidence of their effectiveness in preventing stroke Features important new evidence on the preventive effect of lowering blood pressure Contains a completely revised section on imaging Covers new advances in interventional radiology
Ideal for neurosurgeons, neurologists, neuroanesthesiologists, and intensivists, Monitoring in Neurocritical Care helps you use the latest technology to more successfully detect deteriorations in neurological status in the ICU. This neurosurgery reference offers in-depth coverage of state-of-the-art management strategies and techniques so you can effectively monitor your patients and ensure the best outcomes. Understand the scientific basis and rationale of particular monitoring techniques and how they can be used to assess neuro-ICU patients. Make optimal use of the most advanced technology, including transcranial Doppler sonography, transcranial color-coded sonography, measurements of jugular venous oxygen saturation, near-infrared spectroscopy, brain electrical monitoring techniques, and intracerebral microdialysis and techniques based on imaging. Apply multimodal monitoring for a more accurate view of brain function, and utilize the latest computer systems to integrate data at the bedside. Access practical information on basic principles, such as quality assurance, ethics, and ICU design.
An informed argument for reworking the broken market†‘based U.S. healthcare system by making cost and quality more transparent The United States has the most expensive healthcare system in the world. While policy makers have argued over who is at fault for this, the system has been quietly moving toward high†‘deductible insurance plans that require patients to pay large amounts out of pocket before insurance kicks in. The idea behind this shift is that patients will become better consumers of healthcare when forced to pay for their medical expenses. Laying bare the perils of the current situation, Peter A. Ubel—a physician and behavioral scientist—notes that even when patients have time to shop around, healthcare costs remain largely opaque, difficult to access, and hard to compare. Arguing for a middle path between a market†‘based and a completely free system, Ubel envisions more transparent, smarter healthcare plans that tie the prices of treatments to the value they provide so that people can afford to receive the care they deserve.
A comprehensive coronary care textbook for medical, nursing and paramedic staff The Coronary Care Manual, 2nd Edition is a practical medical manual designed to assist with management of the acute coronary patient. This respected medical resource is written by a group of coronary experts, both Australian and international. Its aim is to strike a balance between a large and rapidly-changing evidence base and practical application in the Coronary Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department and the ambulance. The second edition of this important health textbook covers an extensive range of coronary care medicine, providing a handy companion for a night ‘on call’. Chapter topics in the Coronary Care Manual, 2nd Edition include pathophysiology, drug and non-drug therapies and postcoronary management, with chapters organised into subsections. Completely redesigned with fresh, new artwork, this new edition of the Coronary Care Manual is organised to suit academics and medical practitioners alike. • covers a broad range of coronary care medicine • provides specific advice on the management of common clinical problems • eliminates the need to refer to a larger reference book • features a consistent style and focus, with standardised artwork for figures • is now also available as an eBook! A code inside the Coronary Care Manual enables a full text download, allowing you to browse and search electronically, make notes and bookmarks in the electronic files and highlight material
Praise for the prior edition "The author has done a magnificent job... this book is highly recommended for introducing biophysics to the motivated and curious undergraduate student." ―Contemporary Physics "a terrific text ... will enable students to understand the significance of biological parameters through quantitative examples―a modern way of learning biophysics." ―American Journal of Physics "A superb pedagogical textbook... Full-color illustrations aid students in their understanding" ―Midwest Book Review This new edition provides a complete update to the most accessible yet thorough introduction to the physical and quantitative aspects of biological systems and processes involving macromolecules, subcellular structures, and whole cells. It includes two brand new chapters covering experimental techniques, especially atomic force microscopy, complementing the updated coverage of mathematical and computational tools. The authors have also incorporated additions to the multimedia component of video clips and animations, as well as interactive diagrams and graphs. Key Features: Illustrates biological examples with estimates and calculations of biophysical parameters. Features two brand-new chapters on experimental methods, a general overview and focused introduction to atomic force microscopy. Includes new coverage of important topics such as measures of DNA twist, images of nanoparticle assembly, and novel optical and electron nanoscopy. Provides a guide to investigating current expert biophysical research. Enhanced self-study problems and an updated glossary of terms.
The only comprehensive source of information on this frequently misdiagnosed problem, with information critical for physicians, ER and ICU doctors, and psychiatrists. An under-recognized condition that can potentially cause brain damage and even death, nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is an important clinical problem, occurring in about 25% of status epilepsy cases. Despite this prevalence, Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus is the first comprehensive clinical text to cover its diagnosis and management. The book progresses logically, beginning with chapters discussing the history and classification of NCSE, reflecting a contemporary understanding of developmental, syndromic, and clinical aspects. Following chapters discuss relevant epidemiology, electrophysiology, imaging and pathophysiology of NCSE, with supplementary sections devoted to psychiatric and behavioral aspects of NCSE and to the different diagnostic considerations of its frequently unusual behavioral presentations. Highlights include: An emphasis on diagnosis, management, and all pertinent clinical issues A heavily illustrated section on EEG interpretation in NCSE Contributions by the foremost international experts on NCSE Throughout, the book maintains a practical focus on recognizing the key signs and symptoms of this subtly presented and clinically challenging condition. This multidisciplinary volume will provide physicians, ER and ICU doctors, and psychiatrists with a comprehensive source of information and opinion on nonconvulsive status epilepticus.
Stochastic Modeling of Scientific Data combines stochastic modeling and statistical inference in a variety of standard and less common models, such as point processes, Markov random fields and hidden Markov models in a clear, thoughtful and succinct manner. The distinguishing feature of this work is that, in addition to probability theory, it contains statistical aspects of model fitting and a variety of data sets that are either analyzed in the text or used as exercises. Markov chain Monte Carlo methods are introduced for evaluating likelihoods in complicated models and the forward backward algorithm for analyzing hidden Markov models is presented. The strength of this text lies in the use of informal language that makes the topic more accessible to non-mathematicians. The combinations of hard science topics with stochastic processes and their statistical inference puts it in a new category of probability textbooks. The numerous examples and exercises are drawn from astronomy, geology, genetics, hydrology, neurophysiology and physics.
This book represents the first complete and systematic guide to the virus-like particles (VLPs) and their applications as vaccines, therapeutic tools, nanomaterials, and nanodevices. The grouping of the VLPs follows the most recent virus taxonomy and the traditional Baltimore classification of viruses, which are based on the genome structure and mechanism of mRNA synthesis. Within each of the seven Baltimore classes, the order taxon serves as a framework of the chapter’s arrangement. The term "VLP" is used as a universal designation for the virus-, core-, or capsid-like structures, which became an important part of the modern molecular virology. The 3D structures, expression systems, and nanotechnological applications are described for VLPs in the context of the original viruses and uncover their evolving potential as novel vaccines and medical interventions. Key Features Presents the first full guide to the VLP nanotechnology, classified by current viral taxonomy Outlines specific structural properties and interconnection of the virions and VLPs Explains generation and characteristics of VLPs produced by various expression systems Offers up-to-date summary of VLPs designed as vaccines and delivery tools Unveils interconnection of VLPs with novel organic and inorganic nanomaterials
One of the key tools in effectively managing critical illness is the use of mechanical ventilator support. This essential text helps you navigate this rapidly evolving technology and understand the latest research and treatment modalities. A deeper understanding of the effects of mechanical ventilation will enable you to optimize patient outcomes while reducing the risk of trauma to the lungs and other organ systems. A physiologically-based approach helps you better understand the impact of mechanical ventilation on cytokine levels, lung physiology, and other organ systems. The latest guidelines and protocols help you minimize trauma to the lungs and reduce patient length of stay. Expert contributors provide the latest knowledge on all aspects of mechanical ventilation, from basic principles and invasive and non-invasive techniques to patient monitoring and controlling costs in the ICU. Comprehensive coverage of advanced biological therapies helps you master cutting-edge techniques involving surfactant therapy, nitric oxide therapy, and cytokine modulators. Detailed discussions of both neonatal and pediatric ventilator support helps you better meet the unique needs of younger patients.
“Everyone in a hospital leadership role should read this book as it offers a wealth of practical advice for organizations intent on improving their clinical care delivery.” —Amy C. Edmondson, professor, Harvard Business School, and author of The Fearless Organization All Americans deserve and should have access to high quality, affordable healthcare services delivered by professionals who have sufficient time and resources to care for them. This book offers proven and practical approaches for redesigning healthcare organizations to be less fragmented—and more patient-centered—by tapping into the experiences of staff on the front lines of patient care. Peter Lazes and Marie Rudden show how collaboration and active communication among administrators, medical staff, and patients are a core element of a successful organizational change effort. Through case studies and the direct voices and experiences of frontline workers, they explore exactly what it takes to effectively engage staff and providers in improving the patient care shortcomings within their institutions. This book not only is a manual detailing what can be achieved when frontline staff have a direct voice in controlling their practice environments but was written to show how to accomplish transformative changes in how our hospitals and outpatient clinics work. At a time when the massive gaps in our healthcare systems have been laid bare by the fragmented responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, this book offers hope and a plan for change.
In the 20 years since the publication of the author's multi-contributor volume on defoaming, a vast amount of new work has been published and many new insights have been revealed. A cohesive, single-authored book, The Science of Defoaming: Theory, Experiment and Applications provides comprehensive coverage of the topic. It describes the mode of act
The impacts of climate change on agricultural systems and rural economies are already evident throughout Europe and Central Asia. This study, Reducing the Vulnerability of Georgia s Agricultural Systems to Climate Change, provides a menu of options for climate change adaptation in the agricultural and water resources sectors in Georgia.
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