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Fos EB, Thompson ME, Elnitsky CA, Platonova EA. Community Benefit Spending Among North Carolina's Tax-Exempt Hospitals After Performing Community Health Needs Assessments. JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MANAGEMENT AND PRACTICE 2020; 25:E1-E8. [PMID: 31136519 DOI: 10.1097/phh.0000000000000921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT As of March 23, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires tax-exempt hospitals to conduct Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every 3 years to incentivize hospitals to provide programs responsive to the health needs of their communities. OBJECTIVE To examine the distribution and variation in community benefit spending among North Carolina's tax-exempt hospitals 2 years after completing their first IRS-mandated CHNA. DESIGN Cross-sectional study using secondary analysis of published community benefit reports. Community benefit was categorized on the basis of North Carolina Hospital Association's community benefit reporting guidelines. Multiple regression analysis using generalized linear model was used to examine the variation in community benefit spending among study hospitals considering differences in hospital-level and community characteristics. SETTING Fifty-three private, nonprofit hospitals across North Carolina. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Dollar expenditures as a percentage of operating expenses of the 2 categories of community benefit spending: patient care financial assistance and community health programs. RESULTS Study hospitals' aggregate community benefit spending was $2.6 billion, 85% of which was in the form of patient care financial assistance, with only 0.7% of total spending allocated to community-building activities such as affordable housing, economic development, and environmental improvements. On average, the study hospitals' community benefit spending was equivalent to 14.6% of operating expenses. Hospitals with 300 or more beds provided significantly higher investments in community health programs as a percentage of their operating expenses than hospitals with 101 to 299 beds (P = .03) or hospitals with 100 or fewer beds (P = .04). Access to care was not associated with patient care financial assistance (P = .81) or community health programs expenditures (P = .94). CONCLUSIONS The study hospitals direct most of their community benefit expenditures to patient care financial assistance (individual welfare) rather than population health improvement initiatives, with virtually no investments in community-building activities that address socioeconomic determinants of health.
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Fos EB, Thompson ME, Elnitsky CA, Platonova EA. Did Performing Community Health Needs Assessments Increase Community Health Program Spending by North Carolina's Tax-Exempt Hospitals? Popul Health Manag 2018; 22:339-346. [PMID: 30457936 DOI: 10.1089/pop.2018.0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As of March 23, 2012, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires tax-exempt hospitals to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every 3 years. This study assessed whether the IRS CHNA mandate incentivized North Carolina's tax-exempt hospitals to increase investments in community health programs. The authors gathered the 2012-2016 community benefit reports of 53 North Carolina private, nonprofit hospitals from the North Carolina Hospital Association. Community benefit spending data from the year of the first CHNA were compared to that 2 years later using paired t tests among matched subjects. No significant increases were found in hospitals' community health programs spending (P = 0.6920) or in providing patient care financial assistance (charity or discounted care) (P = 0.0934). In fact, aggregate community health programs spending effectively decreased by 4%, from $393.3 million to $377.5 million. Among all community benefit items, only the unreimbursed cost for treating Medicare patients increased significantly (P = 0.0297). The proportion of spending on community health programs relative to patient care financial assistance decreased significantly (P = 0.0338). Performing CHNAs did not incentivize North Carolina's tax-exempt hospitals to progressively invest in community health programs. The hospitals continue to spend heavily on patient care financial assistance and little on disease prevention and community health improvement activities. These findings suggest that tax-exempt hospitals continue to function as a safety net for the poor and the uninsured rather than as active partners in population health management initiatives. At present, performing CHNAs may be more a demonstration of compliance than a tool to improve population health.
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Elnitsky CA, Blevins C, Findlow JW, Alverio T, Wiese D. Student Veterans Reintegrating From the Military to the University With Traumatic Injuries: How Does Service Use Relate to Health Status? Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2017; 99:S58-S64. [PMID: 29097180 DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2017.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of campus services on the health of veterans with traumatic injuries and comorbidities as they return from military service and enter college. DESIGN Cross-sectional Internet survey using a mixed-methods analysis approach. SETTING Four-year urban research university. PARTICIPANTS Veterans returning from active military duty (N=127). INTERVENTIONS None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Surveys included standardized measures of health status, traumatic injuries, and functional impairment (PTSD Checklist, Civilian version; Veterans Health Administration traumatic brain injury [TBI] screen; and Veterans RAND-12 item Health Survey); use of campus services and perceived effectiveness of these services in supporting reintegration to the university; and recommendations for additional services. RESULTS Quantitative and qualitative data revealed that student veterans experience high rates of chronic pain that interfere with their daily functioning (92.7%), symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (77.9%), symptoms of TBI (26.0%), and comorbidities as the polytrauma clinical triad (14.2%). Despite the high prevalence of pain, PTSD, and TBI, few students used disability services (5.2%), counseling services (18.8%), or student health services (36.5%). Students experienced challenges accessing needed health services when reintegrating from the military to the university, including mutable university service factors. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate the need for campus services to address the particular needs of student veterans and the need for determining what particular services should be offered to help this population cope with injuries and succeed in college.
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Elnitsky CA, Kilmer RP. Facilitating reintegration for military service personnel, veterans, and their families: An introduction to the special issue. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY 2017; 87:109-113. [PMID: 28206798 DOI: 10.1037/ort0000252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
As service members return from active duty and, in some cases, exit the military, they face a process of reintegration (also referred to as community reintegration) as they seek to resume participation in their life roles as civilians. Facilitating this dynamic process of reintegration for service members, veterans, and their families-including outlining potential strategies for supporting this return to civilian life and its demands, roles, and responsibilities-is the focus of this Special Issue. Reintegration has been framed as a national priority (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 2015) and has been a point of emphasis of efforts at federal, state, and local levels. As the articles in this issue suggest, multiple public, private, and voluntary systems and the communities to which service members, veterans, and their families return can help influence their health outcomes and, ultimately, their reintegration. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Elnitsky CA, Blevins CL, Fisher MP, Magruder K. Military service member and veteran reintegration: A critical review and adapted ecological model. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY 2017; 87:114-128. [PMID: 28206799 DOI: 10.1037/ort0000244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Returning military service members and veterans (MSMVs) experience a wide range of stress-related disorders in addition to social and occupational difficulties when reintegrating to the community. Facilitating reintegration of MSMVs following deployment is a societal priority. With an objective of identifying challenges and facilitators for reintegration of MSMVs of the current war era, we critically review and identify gaps in the literature. We searched 8 electronic databases and identified 1,764 articles. Screening of abstracts and full-text review based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria, yielded 186 articles for review. Two investigators evaluating relevant articles independently found a lack of clear definition or comprehensive theorizing about MSMV reintegration. To address these gaps, we linked the findings from the literature to provide a unified definition of reintegration and adapted the social ecological systems theory to guide research and practice aimed at MSMV reintegration. Furthermore, we identified individual, interpersonal, community, and societal challenges related to reintegration. The 186 studies published from 2001 (the start of the current war era) to 2015 included 6 experimental studies or clinical trials. Most studies do not adequately account for context or more than a narrow set of potential influences on MSMV reintegration. Little evidence was found that evaluated interventions for health conditions, rehabilitation, and employment, or effective models of integrated delivery systems. We recommend an ecological model of MSMV reintegration to advance research and practice processes and outcomes at 4 levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal). (PsycINFO Database Record
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Elnitsky CA, Fisher MP, Blevins CL. Military Service Member and Veteran Reintegration: A Conceptual Analysis, Unified Definition, and Key Domains. Front Psychol 2017; 8:369. [PMID: 28352240 PMCID: PMC5348503 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Returning military service members and veterans (MSMVs) may experience a variety of stress-related disorders and challenges when reintegrating from the military to the community. Facilitating the reintegration, transition, readjustment and coping, and community integration, of MSMVs is a societal priority. To date, research addressing MSMV reintegration has not identified a comprehensive definition of the term or defined the broader context within which the process of reintegration occurs although both are needed to promote valid and reliable measurement of reintegration and clarify related challenges, processes, and their impact on outcomes. Therefore, this principle-based concept analysis sought to review existing empirical reintegration measurement instruments and identify the problems and needs of MSMV reintegration to provide a unified definition of reintegration to guide future research, clinical practice, and related services. We identified 1,459 articles in the health and social sciences literature, published between 1990 and 2015, by searching multiple electronic databases. Screening of abstracts and full text review based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria, yielded 117 articles for review. Two investigators used constant conceptual comparison to evaluate relevant articles independently. We examined the term reintegration and related terms (i.e., transition, readjustment, community integration) identifying trends in their use over time, analyzed the eight reintegration survey instruments, and synthesized service member and veteran self-reported challenges and needs for reintegration. More reintegration research was published during the last 5 years (n = 373) than in the previous 10 years combined (n = 130). The research suggests coping with life stresses plays an integral role in military service member and veteran post-deployment reintegration. Key domains of reintegration include individual, interpersonal, community organizations, and societal factors that may facilitate or challenge successful reintegration, and results suggest that successful coping with life stressors plays an integral role in post-deployment reintegration. Overall, the literature does not provide a comprehensive representation of reintegration among MSMVs. Although, previous research describes military service member and veteran reintegration challenges, this concept analysis provides a unified definition of the phenomenon and identifies key domains of reintegration that may broaden our understanding and guide reintegration research and practice.
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Pugh MJ, Finley EP, Wang CP, Copeland LA, Jaramillo CA, Swan AA, Elnitsky CA, Leykum LK, Mortensen EM, Eapen BA, Noel PH, Pugh JA. A retrospective cohort study of comorbidity trajectories associated with traumatic brain injury in veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Brain Inj 2016; 30:1481-1490. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2016.1219055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Phillips KM, Clark ME, Gironda RJ, McGarity S, Kerns RW, Elnitsky CA, Andresen EM, Collins RC. Pain and psychiatric comorbidities among two groups of Iraq and Afghanistan era Veterans. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 53:413-32. [PMID: 27532156 DOI: 10.1682/jrrd.2014.05.0126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Elnitsky CA, Powell-Cope G, Besterman-Dahan KL, Rugs D, Ullrich PM. Implementation of Safe Patient Handling in the U.S. Veterans Health System: A Qualitative Study of Internal Facilitators' Perceptions. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2015. [PMID: 26220147 DOI: 10.1111/wvn.12098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the literature has noted the positive effects of facilitation in implementation research, little is known about what facilitators do or how they increase adoption of a program. The purpose of this study was to understand internal facilitation activities in implementing a national safe patient handling program from the perspective of facility coordinators who implemented the program. METHODS Using a qualitative descriptive design, data were collected in five focus groups at two international Safe Patient Handling and Mobility Conferences. Participants were 38 facility coordinators implementing a safe patient handling program in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers throughout the United States. Data were analyzed using direct content analysis to gather descriptions of internal facilitation. RESULTS The internal facilitation process involved engaging multiple disciplines and levels of leadership for implementation. Fifty-four facilitation activities were identified, including five activities not currently listed in an existing taxonomy. Key characteristics and skills of facilitators included persistence, credibility and clinical experience, and leadership and project management experience. Themes were mapped onto an existing framework and taxonomy of facilitation activities. LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION Internal facilitation is both an implementation intervention and a process involving a wide range of activities. The findings provide an understanding of what internal facilitators are doing to support practice changes and the characteristics and skills of internal facilitators that are likely to result in long-term organizational change. Five recommendations for action address organizations, senior leaders, and internal facilitators.
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Elnitsky CA, Chapman PL, Thurman RM, Pitts BL, Figley C, Unwin B. Gender differences in combat medic mental health services utilization, barriers, and stigma. Mil Med 2014; 178:775-84. [PMID: 23820352 DOI: 10.7205/milmed-d-13-00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Military health care providers experience considerable stressors related to their exposure to death and traumatic injuries in others. This study used survey data from 799 active duty U.S. Army Combat Medics deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Military experiences, combat exposures, and mental health care seeking of active duty Combat Medics were explored and compared across both genders. Barriers to care were also assessed. Male and female Combat Medics reported surprisingly similar experiences, exposures, and health issues. Overall, results indicate no striking differences in barriers for females compared to their male counterparts, suggesting the barriers to utilization of mental health services may be consistent across gender. Although medics endorsed barriers and stigma related to mental health counseling services, they still sought these health services. Female and male medics who endorsed barriers were more likely to report seeking services than those who did not endorse barriers. This study provides an initial description of utilization of mental health counseling services for U.S. Army Combat Medics, the majority of whom were involved in combat operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. Our findings indicate that comprehensive assessment of the military experiences and combat exposures is needed to appreciate their potential influence on military health care providers.
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Elnitsky CA, Lind JD, Rugs D, Powell-Cope G. Implications for patient safety in the use of safe patient handling equipment: a national survey. Int J Nurs Stud 2014; 51:1624-33. [PMID: 24856578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2014.04.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Revised: 04/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/23/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among nursing staff has been high due to patient handling and movement. Internationally, healthcare organizations are integrating technological equipment into patient handling and movement to improve safety. Although evidence shows that safe patient handling programs reduce work-related musculoskeletal injuries in nursing staff, it is not clear how safe these new programs are for patients. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to explore adverse patient events associated with safe patient handling programs and preventive approaches in US Veterans Affairs medical centers. METHODS The study surveyed a convenience sample of safe patient handling program managers from 51 US Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers to collect data on skin-related and fall-related adverse patient events. RESULTS Both skin- and fall-related adverse patient events associated with safe patient handling occurred at VA Medical centers. Skin-related events included abrasions, contusions, pressure ulcers and lacerations. Fall-related events included sprains and strains, fractures, concussions and bleeding. Program managers described contextual factors in these adverse events and ways of preventing the events. CONCLUSIONS The use of safe patient handling equipment can pose risks for patients. This study found that organizational factors, human factors and technology factors were associated with patient adverse events. The findings have implications for how nursing professionals can implement safe patient handling programs in ways that are safe for both staff and patients.
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Elnitsky CA, Andresen EM, Clark ME, McGarity S, Hall CG, Kerns RD. Access to the US Department of Veterans Affairs health system: self-reported barriers to care among returnees of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. BMC Health Serv Res 2013; 13:498. [PMID: 24289747 PMCID: PMC3893594 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6963-13-498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) implemented the Polytrauma System of Care to meet the health care needs of military and veterans with multiple injuries returning from combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Studies are needed to systematically assess barriers to use of comprehensive and exclusive VA healthcare services from the perspective of veterans with polytrauma and with other complex health outcomes following their service in Afghanistan and Iraq. These perspectives can inform policy with regard to the optimal delivery of care to returning veterans. METHODS We studied combat veterans (n = 359) from two polytrauma rehabilitation centers using structured clinical interviews and qualitative open-ended questions, augmented with data collected from electronic health records. Our outcomes included several measures of exclusive utilization of VA care with our primary exposure as reported access barriers to care. RESULTS Nearly two thirds of the veterans reported one or more barriers to their exclusive use of VA healthcare services. These barriers predicted differences in exclusive use of VA healthcare services. Experiencing any barriers doubled the returnees' odds of not using VA exclusively, the geographic distance to VA barrier resulted in a 7 fold increase in the returnees odds of not using VA, and reporting a wait time barrier doubled the returnee's odds of not using VA. There were no striking differences in access barriers for veterans with polytrauma compared to other returning veterans, suggesting the barriers may be uniform barriers that predict differences in using the VA exclusively for health care. CONCLUSIONS This study provides an initial description of utilization of VA polytrauma rehabilitation and other medical care for veteran returnees from all military services who were involved in combat operations in Afghanistan or Iraq. Our findings indicate that these veterans reported important stigmatization and barriers to receiving services exclusively from the VA, including mutable health delivery system factors.
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Elnitsky CA, Latlief GA, Andrews EE, Adams-Koss LB, Phillips SL. Preferences for rehabilitation services among women with major limb amputations. Rehabil Nurs 2013; 38:32-6. [PMID: 23365003 DOI: 10.1002/rnj.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We present five cases of adult females with major limb amputations, their concerns and preferences for services across the life span. DESIGN A convenience sample of five veteran and nonveteran women aged 19-58 with major limb amputations participating in a regional VA Prosthetics Conference in 2010 took part in a panel interview. FINDINGS The concerns identified by these women as high priorities included independence and participation in a full range of life activities, limitations in access, patient decision-making and body image concerns, and preferences for selected services. Maximizing function and quality of life for women amputees requires identifying patient preferences for rehabilitation and prosthetic services. Lessons learned could inform development of clinic-based rehabilitation care, prosthetic services, and studies of women with major limb amputations. CONCLUSIONS As the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan wind down, the number of women veterans seeking rehabilitation and prosthetic services will increase. With this information, rehabilitation and prosthetic service providers and organizations will be uniquely positioned to provide prevention and treatment of amputations for this growing population of women veterans in national care delivery systems and in communities. CLINICAL RELEVANCE An open-ended facilitated discussion among a panel of women with major limb amputations provided insights for providers and organizations with respect to needs, concerns, and preferences for rehabilitation and prosthetic services.
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Elnitsky CA, Stone P. Patient preferences and cost-utility analysis. Appl Nurs Res 2005; 18:74-6. [PMID: 15991103 DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2005.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This column discusses patient preference measures and their application in cost utility analysis. A variety of methods of eliciting patient preferences by use of generic utility measures are described. Practical issues in the use of utility measures are discussed.
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Abstract
With the increased emphasis on cost containment, hospital administrators are investigating community outreach projects to remain economically viable. The authors describe the planning and implementation of a mobile health unit for rural elderly residents. This project represents an alternative model of healthcare delivery in a rural area with limited resources and healthcare providers.
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Abstract
The ill elderly are more at risk for recurrent hospitalizations than any other segment of the population. What is known about hospital admission readmission of chronically ill older adults and how can this information be used to develop cost-effective strategies? The authors found variation in percent reimbursement (43% to 93%) of overall average charges, which indicates that further examination of low reimbursement major diagnostic categories can be useful. Hospital readmission data should be used to improve quality of care while containing hospital costs.
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