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Bammert P, Schüttig W, Novelli A, Iashchenko I, Spallek J, Blume M, Diehl K, Moor I, Dragano N, Sundmacher L. The role of mesolevel characteristics of the health care system and socioeconomic factors on health care use - results of a scoping review. Int J Equity Health 2024; 23:37. [PMID: 38395914 PMCID: PMC10885500 DOI: 10.1186/s12939-024-02122-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Besides macrolevel characteristics of a health care system, mesolevel access characteristics can exert influence on socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. These reflect access to healthcare, which is shaped on a smaller scale than the national level, by the institutions and establishments of a health system that individuals interact with on a regular basis. This scoping review maps the existing evidence about the influence of mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic position on healthcare use. Furthermore, it summarizes the evidence on the interaction between mesolevel access characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in healthcare use. METHODS We used the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and PsycINFO and followed the 'Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR)' recommendations. The included quantitative studies used a measure of socioeconomic position, a mesolevel access characteristic, and a measure of individual healthcare utilisation. Studies published between 2000 and 2020 in high income countries were considered. RESULTS Of the 9501 potentially eligible manuscripts, 158 studies were included after a two-stage screening process. The included studies contained a wide spectrum of outcomes and were thus summarised to the overarching categories: use of preventive services, use of curative services, and potentially avoidable service use. Exemplary outcomes were screening uptake, physician visits and avoidable hospitalisations. Access variables included healthcare system characteristics such as physician density or distance to physician. The effects of socioeconomic position on healthcare use as well as of mesolevel access characteristics were investigated by most studies. The results show that socioeconomic and access factors play a crucial role in healthcare use. However, the interaction between socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics is addressed in only few studies. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic position and mesolevel access characteristics are important when examining variation in healthcare use. Additionally, studies provide initial evidence that moderation effects exist between the two factors, although research on this topic is sparse. Further research is needed to investigate whether adapting access characteristics at the mesolevel can reduce socioeconomic inequity in health care use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Bammert
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Wiebke Schüttig
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Novelli
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Iryna Iashchenko
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jacob Spallek
- Department of Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany
- Lausitz Center for Digital Public Health, Brandenburg University of Technology, Senftenberg, Germany
| | - Miriam Blume
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Monitoring, Robert-Koch-Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Katharina Diehl
- Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Irene Moor
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Interdisciplinary Center for Health Sciences, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Nico Dragano
- Institute of Medical Sociology, Centre for Health and Society, University Hospital and Medical Faculty, University of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Leonie Sundmacher
- Chair of Health Economics, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Peters S, Adler M, Rossoff J. Outcomes of Children Discharged Prior to Absolute Neutrophil Count Recovery After Admission for Febrile Neutropenia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023; 45:e948-e952. [PMID: 37700440 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Febrile neutropenia (FN) management in pediatric oncology patients traditionally necessitates inpatient admission until evidence of bone marrow recovery. Discharge before count recovery may be a way to safely reduce the length of hospitalizations for select patients. A chart review was conducted of patients admitted for FN at one tertiary care children's hospital, where the standard is to discharge well-appearing patients after 48 hours of negative cultures if afebrile for at least 24 hours, irrespective of absolute neutrophil count (ANC). Patients with ANC <500 at discharge were identified as early discharges, and data were collected with respect to rates of readmission and infectious complications in this cohort. Among 1230 FN encounters, 765 (62%) were early discharges. 122 patients (15.9%) were readmitted within 7 days. Patients with acute myeloid leukemia and ANC <100 at discharge were more likely to be readmitted. Of the early discharges, only 10 (1.31%) were readmitted with positive blood cultures and 5 (0.7%) were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit within 24 hours of readmission. Routine discharge before ANC recovery allows for short hospital stays with low rates of readmission, infectious complications, and critical illness for pediatric oncology patients. This safe and beneficial policy should be considered at other institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Peters
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Mark Adler
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
| | - Jenna Rossoff
- Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Division of Hematology/Oncology/Neuro-Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL
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Givone A, Duval-Destin J, Delebarre M, Abou-Chahla W, Lervat C, Dubos F. Consensus survey on the management of children with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia and at low risk of severe infection. Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2023; 41:172-178. [PMID: 37293777 DOI: 10.1080/08880018.2023.2218406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Our aim was to identify national consensus criteria for the management of children with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN), for evidence-based step-down treatment approaches for patients classified at low risk of severe infection. In 2018, a five-section, 38-item survey was e-mailed to all pediatric hematology and oncology units in France (n = 30). The five sections contained statements on possible consensus criteria for the (i) definition of FN, (ii) initial management of children with FN, (iii) conditions required for initiating step-down therapy in low-risk patients, (iv) management strategy for low-risk patients, and (v) antibiotic treatment on discharge. Consensus was defined by respondents' combined answers (somewhat agree and strongly agree) at 75% or more. Sixty-five physicians (participation rate: 58%), all specialists in pediatric onco-hematology, from 18 centers completed the questionnaire. A consensus was reached on 22 of the 38 statements, including the definition of FN, the criteria for step-down therapy in low-risk children, and the initial care of these patients. There was no consensus on the type and duration of antibiotic therapy on discharge. In conclusion, a consensus has been reached on the criteria for initiating evidence-based step-down treatment of children with FN and a low risk of severe infection but not for the step-down antimicrobial regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Givone
- Pediatric Emergency Unit & Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Jean Duval-Destin
- Pediatric Emergency Unit & Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Mathilde Delebarre
- Pediatric Emergency Unit & Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
- Pediatric Emergency Unit, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul Hospital, GHICL, Lille, France
| | - Wadih Abou-Chahla
- Pediatric Hematology Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
| | - Cyril Lervat
- Pediatric Oncology Unit, Oscar Lambret Cancer Center, Lille, France
| | - François Dubos
- Pediatric Emergency Unit & Infectious Diseases, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lille, Lille, France
- ULR 2694 - METRICS: Évaluation des technologies de santé et des pratiques médicales, Université de Lille, Lille, France
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Boccia R, Glaspy J, Crawford J, Aapro M. OUP accepted manuscript. Oncologist 2022; 27:625-636. [PMID: 35552754 PMCID: PMC9355811 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutropenia and febrile neutropenia (FN) are common complications of myelosuppressive chemotherapy. This review provides an up-to-date assessment of the patient and cost burden of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia/FN in the US, and summarizes recommendations for FN prophylaxis, including the interim guidance that was recommended during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This review indicates that neutropenia/FN place a significant burden on patients in terms of hospitalizations and mortality. Most patients with neutropenia/FN presenting to the emergency department will be hospitalized, with an average length of stay of 6, 8, and 10 days for elderly, pediatric, and adult patients, respectively. Reported in-hospital mortality rates for neutropenia/FN range from 0.4% to 3.0% for pediatric patients with cancer, 2.6% to 7.0% for adults with solid tumors, and 7.4% for adults with hematologic malignancies. Neutropenia/FN also place a significant cost burden on US healthcare systems, with average costs per neutropenia/FN hospitalization estimated to be up to $40 000 for adult patients and $65 000 for pediatric patients. Evidence-based guidelines recommend prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs), which have been shown to reduce FN incidence while improving chemotherapy dose delivery. Availability of biosimilars may improve costs of care. Efforts to decrease hospitalizations by optimizing outpatient care could reduce the burden of neutropenia/FN; this was particularly pertinent during the COVID-19 pandemic since avoidance of hospitalization was needed to reduce exposure to the virus, and resulted in the adaptation of recommendations to prevent FN, which expanded the indications for G-CSF and/or lowered the threshold of use to >10% risk of FN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Boccia
- Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John Glaspy
- UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Crawford
- Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matti Aapro
- Corresponding author: Matti Aapro, Cancer Centre, Clinique de Genolier, Case Postale (PO Box) 100, Route du Muids 3, 1272 Genolier, Switzerland. Tel: +41 22 3669136;
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Alvarez E, Spunt SL, Malogolowkin M, Li Q, Wun T, Brunson A, Thorpe S, Kreimer S, Keegan T. Treatment at Specialized Cancer Centers Is Associated with Improved Survival in Adolescent and Young Adults with Soft Tissue Sarcoma. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol 2021; 11:370-378. [PMID: 34910881 PMCID: PMC9536344 DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2021.0110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of tumors whose management benefits from a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. Published data suggest that cancer treatment at a specialized cancer center (SCC) can improve survival in other cancers. Therefore, we examined the impact of the location of treatment on survival in children and adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with STS. Methods: We performed a population-based analysis of children and AYAs hospitalized within 1 year of diagnosis with first primary STS (2000-2014) using the California Cancer Registry linked with hospitalization data. Patients were categorized based on receiving all inpatient treatments at a SCC versus part/none. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression identified factors associated with overall and STS-specific survival by age group. Results are presented as adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Of the 1,674 patients with STS, 142 were children (0-14) and 1,532 were AYAs (15-39) and 89.4% and 40.4% received all inpatient treatments at a SCC, respectively. Overall, the 5-year survival was improved for patients who received all inpatient care at a SCC (59.8% vs. those who received part/none, 50.7%). Multivariable regression analysis found that having all treatments at a SCC was associated with better overall survival (HR, 0.79, CI: 0.65-0.95) in AYAs, but not in children. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that treatment for STS at a SCC is associated with better survival in AYAs. Eliminating barriers to treatment of AYAs with STS at SCCs could improve survival in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elysia Alvarez
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Sheri L Spunt
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Marcio Malogolowkin
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Qian Li
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Center for Oncology, Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Ted Wun
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Center for Oncology, Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Ann Brunson
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Center for Oncology, Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
| | | | - Sara Kreimer
- Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Theresa Keegan
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Center for Oncology, Hematology Outcomes Research and Training (COHORT), University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California, USA
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Huschart E, Ducore J, Chung J. Assessing Safe Discharge Criteria for Pediatric Oncology Patients Admitted for Febrile Neutropenia. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2021; 43:e880-e885. [PMID: 33625079 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies suggest outpatient therapy, oral antibiotics, or earlier discharge could be appropriate in some pediatric patients admitted with febrile neutropenia; supporting data are lacking. Retrospective chart review of patients admitted from September 2005 through October 2016 identified 131 "early discharge" febrile neutropenia admissions with discharge absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500/µl and negative cultures. All were afebrile and discharged without outpatient antibiotics. Eleven of 131 patients (8%) were readmitted. Two patients called back for late positive cultures. Nine were readmitted with febrile neutropenia; 2 had positive cultures on readmission. All 4 patients with positive cultures were safely treated with appropriate antibiotics. The remaining 7 patients had uneventful readmissions. Average ANC (SD) at discharge was lower for patients readmitted versus those not readmitted (69 [70] vs. 196 [145], P≤0.001), as was absolute phagocyte count (APC) at discharge (97 [82] vs. 453 [431], P≤0.001). APC on admission was not significantly lower for those readmitted (165 [254] vs. 321 [388], P=0.09). Few patients required readmission; those with bacterial infections were easily identified and appropriately treated. Higher ANC or APC criteria for discharge would increase length of hospital stay without decreasing morbidity. A subset of patients admitted with febrile neutropenia can be safely discharged before count recovery without oral antibiotics.
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Tarnasky AM, Olivere LA, Ledbetter L, Tracy ET. Examining the Effect of Travel Distance to Pediatric Cancer Centers and Rurality on Survival and Treatment Experiences: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2021; 43:159-171. [PMID: 33625091 DOI: 10.1097/mph.0000000000002095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Accessing pediatric cancer treatment remains problematic for rural families or those living at increased distances from specialized centers. Rural adult cancer patients or those living far removed from treatment may present with later stage disease, receive different treatments than their closer counterparts, and experience worsened survival. While the financial and psychosocial strain of increased travel is well documented, effects of travel distance on similar outcomes for pediatric cancer patients remain ill-defined. We conducted a systematic review to synthesize literature examining the effect of travel distance and/or rurality (as a proxy for distance) on pediatric cancer treatment experiences and survival outcomes. Included studies examined travel distance to specialized centers or rural status for patients above 21 years of age. Studies were excluded if they focused on financial or quality of life outcomes. We analyzed 24 studies covering myriad malignancies and outcomes, including location of care, clinical trial participation, and likelihood of receiving specialized treatments such as stem cell transplants or proton beam therapy. Most were retrospective, and 9 were conducted outside the United States. While some studies suggest rural patients may experience worsened survival and those traveling furthest may experience shorter hospitalization times/rates, the available evidence does not uniformly assert negative effects of increased distance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Elisabeth T Tracy
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC
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Lekshminarayanan A, Bhatt P, Linga VG, Chaudhari R, Zhu B, Dave M, Donda K, Savani S, Patel SV, Billimoria ZC, Bhaskaran S, Zaid-Kaylani S, Dapaah-Siakwan F, Bhatt NS. National Trends in Hospitalization for Fever and Neutropenia in Children with Cancer, 2007-2014. J Pediatr 2018; 202:231-237.e3. [PMID: 30029861 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.06.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2018] [Revised: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the trends of inpatient resource use and mortality in pediatric hospitalizations for fever with neutropenia in the US from 2007 to 2014. STUDY DESIGN Using National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS) and International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes, we studied pediatric cancer hospitalizations with fever with neutropenia between 2007 and 2014. Using appropriate weights for each NIS discharge, we created national estimates of median cost, length of stay, and in-hospital mortality rates. RESULTS Between 2007 and 2014, there were 104 315 hospitalizations for pediatric fever with neutropenia. The number of weighted fever with neutropenia hospitalizations increased from 12.9 (2007) to 18.1 (2014) per 100 000 US population. A significant increase in fever with neutropenia hospitalizations trend was seen in the 5- to 14-year age group, male sex, all races, and in Midwest and Western US hospital regions. Overall mortality rate remained low at 0.75%, and the 15- to 19-year age group was at significantly greater risk of mortality (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.36-3.68, P = .002). Sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, and mycosis were the comorbidities with greater risk of mortality during fever with neutropenia hospitalizations. Median length of stay (2007: 4 days, 2014: 5 days, P < .001) and cost of hospitalization (2007: $8771, 2014: $11 202, P < .001) also significantly increased during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides information regarding inpatient use associated with fever with neutropenia in pediatric hospitalizations. Continued research is needed to develop standardized risk stratification and cost-effective treatment strategies for fever with neutropenia hospitalizations considering increasing costs reported in our study. Future studies also are needed to address the greater observed mortality in adolescents with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Lekshminarayanan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Functional Cholesterol, Diabetes, and Endocrinology Center, Springdale, OH
| | - Parth Bhatt
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX
| | - Vijay Gandhi Linga
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX
| | - Riddhi Chaudhari
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut, Hartford, CT
| | - Brian Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX
| | - Mihir Dave
- Department of Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Keyur Donda
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL
| | - Sejal Savani
- Department of Public Health, New York University, New York, NY
| | - Samir V Patel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sparks Health Systems, Fort Smith, AR
| | | | - Smita Bhaskaran
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX
| | - Samer Zaid-Kaylani
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX
| | | | - Neel S Bhatt
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI.
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Alvarez EM, Keegan TH, Johnston EE, Haile R, Sanders L, Wise PH, Saynina O, Chamberlain LJ. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act dependent coverage expansion: Disparities in impact among young adult oncology patients. Cancer 2017; 124:110-117. [DOI: 10.1002/cncr.30978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elysia M. Alvarez
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto California
| | - Theresa H. Keegan
- Division of Hematology and Oncology; University of California at Davis School of Medicine; Sacramento California
| | - Emily E. Johnston
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology; Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto California
| | - Robert Haile
- Division of Oncology; Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto California
| | - Lee Sanders
- Division of General Pediatrics; Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto California
| | - Paul H. Wise
- The Center for Policy, Outcomes and Prevention, Stanford University; Palo Alto California
| | - Olga Saynina
- The Center for Policy, Outcomes and Prevention, Stanford University; Palo Alto California
| | - Lisa J. Chamberlain
- Division of General Pediatrics; Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto California
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