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Maryland medicine: MM: a publication of MEDCHI, the Maryland State Medical Society 02/2007; 8(4):10-1.
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Sam Ho
Managed care (Langhorne, Pa.) 11/2006; 15(10 Suppl 8):14-5; discussion 19-20.
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Sam Ho
Disease Management 02/2003; 6(Suppl 1):S4-10. · 1.13 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to explore through a department quality improvement tool a possible relation between quality of life (QOL), complication rates, and length of intrathecal baclofen (IB) treatment as reported by patients receiving IB therapy in a community-based rehabilitation center outpatient clinic. A second objective was to examine complication rates among the clinic's patients. No conclusions could be drawn as to the relation between QOL, various reported complications, and length of treatment. A rank order frequency of areas reported by respondents to have the greatest impact on their QOL could be extrapolated from the data collected. In addition, complication rates among the patients who responded to the survey could be reported. Surveys from 49 patients about their experiences with IB therapy were analyzed. Respondents included 30 adult and 19 pediatric patients. Thirty-six patients (73%) had used the IB pump for 1 year or more. The survey included questions about QOL, complications, and length of IB treatment. Forty-three respondents (88%) stated they felt that their QOL had improved with IB therapy. Four patients (8%) responded that they were not sure that it had, and only 2 patients (4%) said that IB had not improved their QOL. The most frequently reported positive effects on QOL were reported in the following areas: spasticity control without the sedative effect of oral medication; ease of care for caregivers; easier positioning; less pain/increased comfort; and improved patient transfers. High ratings of improvement in the patients' QOL were reported despite a reported overall complication rate of 39%. The most common complications cited were infection and catheter breakage or disconnect. The overall infection rate for respondents was 10% (5 patients of the 49 surveyed reported infection). The rate of catheter breakage or disconnect was also 10%. Despite the complications reported, 46 patients stated they would recommend baclofen treatment to others. Three patients did not respond to the question. None of the patients said they would not recommend baclofen to others.
Rehabilitation nursing: the official journal of the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses 28(5):159-63. · 0.55 Impact Factor
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Sam Ho
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ABSTRACT: As PacifiCare Health Systems' senior vice president and chief medical officer, Dr. Sam Ho is responsible for developing and implementing strategies and programs to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services throughout the company. Dr. Ho is responsible for all initiatives related to quality assessment and improvement, medical management, disease management, informatics, report cards, clinical product development, e-health, and healthcare liaison with public policy, government affairs, industry relations, media relations, provider network management, and sales and marketing. Since joining PacifiCare in its California MCO in October 1994, he has spearheaded companywide quality initiatives and improvement in population health outcomes, and developed the QUALITY INDEX profile of medical groups, a consumer-focused report card of provider performance. He also led efforts to achieve systemwide accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance in all markets and Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) score improvements. Previously he served as deputy director of health, medical director, and county health officer for the San Francisco Department of Public Health. He has held faculty appointments at the Schools of both Medicine and Nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. The Honolulu native received his BA in sociology from Northwestern University in 1972 with Phi Beta Kappa honors and his MD from Tufts University School of Medicine in 1976. Dr. Ho completed his residency in family practice at the University of California, San Francisco, and has since maintained board certification with the American Board of Family Practice.
Journal for Healthcare Quality 25(6):25-7.
