OBJECTIVES: This study developed a model that predicted 30-day mortality for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and compared the SMR among 41 Malaysian public hospitals using statistical process control charts.
METHODS & RESULTS: Data from referral centres and specialist hospitals with cardiology services were analysed. Both referral centres and specialist hospitals had comparable mortality, except for Hospitals A and B, which the study considered outliers. Two-thirds of the remaining hospitals had an SMR of above one (SMR 1.05-1.51), but the indices were still within the expected variations.
CONCLUSION: The SMR coupled with a funnel plot and variable life adjusted display (VLAD) can identify hospitals with potentially higher than expected mortality rates.
METHODS: The data of 955 older adults with any type of psychiatric disorders were extracted from the database of the Research on Asian Psychotropic Prescription Patterns for Antidepressants (REAP-AD) project. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. Both univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed.
RESULTS: The proportion of benzodiazepine and antidepressant combination in this cohort was 44.3%. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that higher doses of antidepressants, younger age (<65 years), inpatients, public hospital, major comorbid medical conditions, antidepressant types, and country/territory were significantly associated with more frequent co-prescription of benzodiazepines and antidepressants.
CONCLUSIONS: Nearly, half of the older adults treated with antidepressants in Asia are prescribed concurrent benzodiazepines. Given the potentially adverse effects of benzodiazepines, the rationale of benzodiazepines and antidepressants co-prescription needs to be revisited.