BACKGROUND A survey was conducted of 26 physician offices and the County Health Department to determine the quality of vaccine storage. METHODS All refrigerators were examined for secure electrical supply, firmly shut door, storage of inappropriate items, and expired vaccines. A maximum-minimum thermometer was then placed in the middle of the storage area for 24 hours, and temperatures were r...

In the United States, many visits to physician offices are for complaints of pain. Patients who have moderate to severe pain can be effectively treated with different modalities, including opioids. Proper management requires that physicians be open-minded and thorough. Physicians should take a complete history and perform a complete physical evaluation including an osteopathic structural examin...

The following overview introduces a series of articles that focuses on multifactor productivity (MFP) growth in health care. This edition of the Health Care Financing Review begins with a theoretical discussion of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI) and the conceptual reasons for the MFP adjustment incorporated into the Medicare physician fee schedule (MPFS). The issue then moves on to an explora...

INTRODUCTION This study investigated whether neuropsychological testing in primary care (PC) offices altered physician-initiated interventions related to cognitive impairment (CI) or slowed the rate of CI progression. METHODS This 24-month, cluster-randomized study included 11 community-based PC practices randomized to either treatment as usual (5 practices) or cognitive report (CR; 6 practic...

In the United States, vulnerable populations at highest risk for poor oral health are more likely to visit a physician than a dentist. Patients in acute dental pain often present to hospital emergency departments or primary care offices where only palliative care is available. While numerous measures to improve oral health access in the United States are necessary, the authors propose that phys...

Essential hypertension is the most common diagnosis in US primary care settings for middle-aged persons and seniors. Yet, data on hypertension screening, treatment, and control in such settings are limited. We analyzed National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data to examine the rates of and factors associated with hypertension screening, treatment, and control during US office visits in 2003 an...

BACKGROUND We asked whether visits to physician offices and hospital outpatient clinics for angina have changed over time and whether more frequent use of certain diagnostic techniques or referrals in this setting may account for such changes. METHODS AND RESULTS We combined data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to study...