Laura T. Pizzi

A Review of Health-Related Workplace Productivity Loss Instruments

The objective of this review was to identify health-related workplace productivity loss survey instruments, with particular emphasis on those that capture a metric suitable for direct translation into a monetary figure.A literature search using Medline, HealthSTAR, PsycINFO and Econlit databases between 1966 and 2002, and a telephone-administered survey of business leaders and researchers, were conducted to identify health-related workplace productivity measurement survey instruments. This review was conducted from the societal perspective. Each identified instrument was reviewed for the following: (i) reliability; (ii) content validity; (iii) construct validity; (iv) criterion validity; (v) productivity metric(s); (vi) instrument scoring technique; (vii) suitability for direct translation into a monetary figure; (viii) number of items; (ix) mode(s) of administration; and (x) disease state(s) in which it had been tested.Reliability and validity testing have been performed for 8 of the 11 identified surveys. Of the 11 instruments identified, six captured metrics that are suitable for direct translation into a monetary figure. Of those six, one instrument measured absenteeism, while the other five measured both absenteeism and presenteeism. All of the identified instruments except for one were available as paper, self-administered questionnaires and many were available in languages other than English.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the published, peerreviewed survey instruments available to measure health-related workplace productivity loss. As the field of productivity measurement matures, tools may be developed that will allow researchers to accurately calculate lost productivity costs when performing cost-effectiveness and cost-benefit analyses. Using data captured by these instruments, society and healthcare decision makers will be able to make better informed decisions concerning the value of the medications, disease management and health promotion programmes that individuals receive.

Health-related workplace productivity measurement: General and migraine-specific recommendations from the ACOEM expert panel

An establishment of health-related productivity measurements and critical evaluation of health-related productivity tools is needed. An expert panel was created. A literature search was conducted to identify health-related productivity measurement tools. Each instrument was reviewed for: 1) supporting scientific evidence (eg, reliability and validity); 2) applicability to various types of occupations, diseases, and level of severity of disease; 3) ability to translate data into a monetary unit; and 4) practicality. A modified Delphi technique was used to build consensus. The expert panel recommended absenteeism, presenteeism, and employee turnover/replacement costs as key elements of workplace health-related productivity measurement. The panel also recommended that productivity instruments should: 1) have supporting scientific evidence, 2) be applicable to the particular work setting, 3) be supportive of effective business decision-making, and 4) be practical. Six productivity measurement tools were reviewed. The panel recommended necessary elements of workplace health-related productivity measurement, key characteristics for evaluating instruments, and tools for measuring work loss. Continued research, validation, and on-going evaluation of health-related productivity instruments are needed.

Relationship Between Potential Opioid-Related Adverse Effects and Hospital Length of Stay in Patients Receiving Opioids After Orthopedic Surgery

To determine whether there is an association between opioid‐related adverse effects and postoperative hospital length of stay (p‐LOS).

Factors related to physicians' adoption of electronic prescribing: results from a national survey.

Electronic prescribing (E-RX) is a component of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The objective of this study was to identify factors related to physicians’ adoption of E-RX for outpatients. This study employed an electronic survey of US physicians who subscribe to the Physicians Online Internet service. Electronic prescribers were compared to traditional prescribers in terms of demographics, practice type and location, technology use, and beliefs about E-RX. A total of 1104 physicians responded, 19% of whom prescribed electronically. Electronic prescribers were more likely to be generalists practicing in academic or publicly funded centers, have fewer years in practice, and work in technology-equipped offices. They also held different beliefs versus traditional prescribers in terms of E-RX limitations and its potential to improve medication safety and prescribing efficiency. In addition to financial incentives established by MMA, adoption can be stimulated by improvements in the technology and on organizational commitment.

Costs to hospitals of acquiring and processing blood in the US

BackgroundLittle is known about the economics of acquiring and processing the more than 14 million units of red blood cells used annually in the US.ObjectiveTo determine the average price paid by hospitals to suppliers for a unit of red blood cells and to identify cost variations by region and facility type and size. A secondary objective was to examine costs for additional blood components as well as costs for blood-related processes performed by hospitals. Qualitative input was sought to identify potential cost drivers.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was performed of a randomized sample of hospital-based blood bank and transfusion service directors. The survey instrument assessed costs of specific blood components and services as incurred by hospitals. Analysis of variance was performed to test for significant variation in costs for red blood cells by geographic region and division, facility type and bed capacity.ResultsA total of 213 surveys were completed. The mean (SD) acquisition cost for one unit of red blood cells purchased from a supplier (n = 204) was

Minimally invasive: minimally reimbursed? An examination of six laparoscopic surgical procedures.

US210.74 ± 37.9 and the mean charge to the patient (n = 167) was

Physician Beliefs and Practices for Adjuvant and Salvage Radiation Therapy After Prostatectomy

US343.63 ± 135. There was significant statistical variation in acquisition cost by US census region (p < 0.0001) and division (p < 0.0001). Teaching hospitals were more likely to receive volume discounts than other facility types. The mean prices paid per unit for fresh frozen plasma (n = 167) and apheresis platelets (n = 153) were

Cost-Effectiveness of Allopurinol and Febuxostat for the Management of Gout

US60.70 ± 20 and

Work Loss, Healthcare Utilization, and Costs among US Employees with Chronic Pain

US533.90 ± 69, respectively. The median cost for mandated screening performed onsite (n = 56) was

Cost Effectiveness of a Home-Based Intervention That Helps Functionally Vulnerable Older Adults Age in Place at Home

US50.00 ± 120 and the median storage and retrieval cost (n = 46) was