Quality of care is emerging as an important concern for low- and middle-income countries working to expand and improve coverage. However, there is limited systematic, large-scale empirical guidance to inform policy design. Our study operationalized indicators for six dimensions of quality of care that are captured in currently available, standardized Service Provision Assessments. We implemente...

Introduction Underfeeding is still reported as a major therapeutic failure in intensive care units (ICU), despite the increasing recognition of nutritional support as a predictor of patients’ outcome. Early optimized enteral nutrition is reported to diminish infectious events, length of stay (LoS) and, with less preponderance. Implementation of nutritional protocols is likely to improve enteral...

We examined whether a combination of predisposing, enabling, need, and primary care experience variables would predict trust in medical health care providers for homeless veterans over 18 months. Linear mixed model analysis indicated that, among these variables, race, social support, service-connected disability status, and satisfaction and continuity with providers predicted trust in provider ...

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recognizes that children's unique and ever-changing needs depend on a variety of support systems. Key components of effective support systems address the needs of the child and family in the context of their home and community and are dynamic so that they reflect, monitor, and respond to changes as the needs of the child and family change. The AAP believ...

Infusion therapy is one of the most invasive, complex, and pervasive therapies in the current health care system, yet there is very little investment in organizational knowledge management and intellectual human capital required to maintain patient safety. Catheter complications, fluid and medication errors, inadequate nutritional support, and transfusion of incompatible blood products manifest...

BACKGROUND There is increasing global interest in regional palliative care networks (PCN) to integrate care, creating systems that are more cost-effective and responsive in multi-agency settings. Networks are particularly relevant where different professional skill sets are required to serve the broad spectrum of end-of-life needs. We propose a comprehensive framework for evaluating PCNs, focus...

The success of Nepal's community-based health programmes in promoting maternal and child health has been achieved due to an overall improvement in service delivery facilities and health support systems. This article assesses the progress made by the Government of Nepal in improving health service delivery by introducing three key components: an improved health logistics management, facility-bas...

Current federal policy is directed toward encouraging reliance on the voluntary sector for the provision of personal care services to the frail elderly. "Of particular interest is the development of volunteer and peer group support. . . which will reduce dependence on social services" {Federal Register, 1982, p. 55114). One impetus behind this policy is the fear that the expansion of formal com...