This retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the appropriateness of antibiotic therapy for suspected urinary tract infections in long term care residents. The author concludes that antibiotic prescribing was inappropriate in around 40 percent of cases. The author suggests that attention should be paid to each individual case to preserve quality of life while maximizing the effectiveness of antibiotics and minimizing medication-related problems. Retchin, Sheldon M. Variations in Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations. It is expected that fully one-third of the Medicare population will be enrolled in HMOs by 2005.
Enrollment varies across the United States.
For example, over 20 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in San Francisco are enrolled in HMOs while only one percent are enrolled in Detroit. Payments can vary from region to region as well. The author of this editorial discusses several factors which can contribute to successful relationships for both physicians and Medicare beneficiaries in HMOs. Rowe, John W. Geriatrics, Prevention, and the Remodeling of Medicare. Geriatric medicine has to date focused on dealing with chronic and acute conditions in the elderly.