Case Presentation
Mr. R is a 78-year-old married male who was living at home with his wife of 55 years. He suffers from hypertension that is well controlled on losartan 50 mg daily, and also takes finasteride 5 mg daily for benign prostatic hypertrophy. Mr. R suffers a fall while crossing the street when he is out walking with his wife. He is unable to get up and is brought to the emergency room by EMS. Mr. R appears somewhat confused and complains of pain in his right leg. He is found to have a fracture of the right hip. An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. F, is called for consultation and re

Unlike the rest of the U.S. economy, reimbursement for healthcare is not a simple matter of supply and demand. Reimbursement decisions are based to an increasing extent on politics. Not surprisingly, this nonmarket approach has resulted in quality concerns in healthcare. Less-than-optimum healthcare outcomes are in part due to the lack of capital and incentives available from the current reimbursement system—a reimbursement system that unfortunately has become a matter of politics, forcing physicians and other providers to manipulate or “game” the system in order to obtain more appropria

February has always been one of my favorite months. It marks the beginning of noticeably longer days and the early stages of spring, at least where I currently live. It is also the month of my mother’s and daughter’s birthdays and the time we celebrate Valentines Day, a day we express affection and solidify relationships. Although commercial interests have perhaps benefited most from this special day with the rise of Valentines cards and gifts, it is also a holiday associated with chocolate, a food with perhaps greater benefit than we had previously thought.

Chocolate is made from co