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Catasys on Healthcare |
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The Latest in Healthcare News — July 2011 |
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Prevalence and Correlates of At-Risk Drinking Among Older Adults
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34.7% of this large base study of adults 60+ was at risk. High-risk alcohol use was common among older adults, male Caucasians, those ages 60-64, and those with lower levels of education. These findings could help physicians identify older patients at increased risk for problems from alcohol consumption.
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Source: Barnes et al. 2010 Aug;25(8):840-6. Epub 2010 Apr 16. J Gen Intern Med. |
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Baby Boomers Addiction and Alcoholism May Take Down Medicare |
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By 2020 the number of seniors with alcohol and other drug problems will grow 150% from 1.7 million in 2001 to 4.4 million in 2020. Baby Boomers, the first generation to widely experiment with recreational drugs, will “likely swamp the [Medicare] system” per SAMHSA. Boomers are much more vulnerable to late-life manifestation of alcoholism, addiction, and drug abuse. Medicare projections may significantly under-estimate the number of addicts and alcoholics and their medical needs – the financial implications of which would be “catastrophic.” |
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Article Source: Clark-Gananian, Jeannine. October 8, 2009.
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeannine_Clark-Gananian |
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Follow-up Services after an Emergency Department Visit for Substance Use |
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Of the patients who visited an ED with a diagnosis of substance abuse, only 13% received follow-up substance abuse services within 14 days of their ED visit. An additional 36% of patients had an outpatient service that did not code a substance abuse diagnosis within 2 weeks of an ED visit. These patients are slipping through the cracks. |
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Source: Breton et al. 2007 Sep;13(9):497-505. Am J Manag Care. |
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Cost Offset of Treatment Services |
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There is a great paucity on nationwide data related to the cost benefit of substance use treatment. However, the limited research in some states suggests that there is a major benefit to substance use treatment. Treatment has been shown to have a benefit-cost ratio of 7:1 with reductions in ER visits and hospital stays. Employees treated for substance use have: reduced absenteeism, reduced tardiness, fewer mistakes and lower on-the-job injuries. |
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Source: SAMHSA. April 2009.
http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Cost-Offset-of-Treatment-Services-Fact-Sheet-/SMA09-4441 |
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