Does state-mandated reporting work? The case of surgical site infection in CABG patients

This paper is the first empirical study to explore the relationship between the state-mandated reporting of surgical site infections (SSIs) and changes in infection rates, length of stay and costs among coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients. This paper uses generalized difference-in-difference (DID) methods to analyze patient discharge data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from January 2004 to December 2011 merged with state-level data on mandatory reporting status. After controlling patient and hospital characteristics, and state and year fixed effects, we do not find empirical evidence that state-mandated reporting leads to lower odds of SSIs in CABG procedure. Although it is associated with shorter length of stay and lower costs, the effect is not significant. These results suggest that merely requiring hospitals to report outcomes may not lead to significant changes at least in the case of SSIs among CABG patients.     

泸县农村宅基地有偿使用制度改革效果评价

[目的]宅基地有偿使用制度研究有利于推进宅基地制度改革,缓解无偿无限期带来的土地超占乱占和闲置问题。[方法]文章运用层次分析法和模糊综合评价法对2016年和2018年泸县农村宅基地有偿使用制度改革政策效果进行评价。[结果]政策的开展能有效推进村民自治建设进程,但政策的实施要注重公开透明性;有偿使用政策能有效缓解一户多宅、低效闲置、超占乱占等土地浪费现象实现土地的节约集约利用;政策的实施能有效地改善基础设施和农村面貌,但对泸县生产方式转变、新业态发展、农户生活水平提升影响力较小;总体来看农户对有偿使用政策满意度和支持度较高。[结论]针对当前有偿使用制度改革,该文认为宅基地有偿使用制度改革还应该完善有偿使用费收取管理政策,增强政策执行透明度;注重基层队伍建设,实现有偿使用费保值增值;合理选择安置模式,发展农村新业态;加强宅基地有偿使用与有偿退出的高效联动,推进宅基地制度改革进程。     

Local Labor Market Condition and Influenza Vaccination

Influenza vaccination is a cost-effective preventive service, but its utilization rate is below the recommended level. Many studies have explored possible predictors and causes for low vaccination rates. Despite a large volume of studies in this area, there is limited research on how local economic conditions can affect individual influenza vaccination. This study explores this topic by merging the 2008–2012 individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) with the Area Health Resources Files (AHRF), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Using county-level unemployment rates as a measurement of local economic conditions, we used multivariate probit models to examine its relationship with individual flu vaccination while controlling for individual socioeconomic and demographic factors and contextual characteristics. We found that county-level unemployment rates were significantly and negatively associated with individual influenza vaccination, especially for people who were employed or living in metropolitan counties. Our results support public health interventions to improve flu vaccination during economic recessions.     

曹妃甸港疏运体系优化对策探讨

曹妃甸港作为我国北方地区重要的能源型港口,优化曹妃甸港铁矿石疏港运输体系,提高港口大宗物资铁路运输比例,在更好地满足唐山地区钢铁企业对疏港矿石运输需求的同时,对服务国家运输结构调整和打赢蓝天保卫战具有重要意义。从市场需求情况、铁路疏港运输能力方面分析曹妃甸港疏港运输现状,针对存在的问题,结合曹妃甸港疏运体系面临的形势任务,提出提升综合运输能力、创新运营管理、提升铁路服务水平等曹妃甸港疏运体系优化对策,以打通制约环节,畅通运输堵点,提升路网资源效率。     

提高我国商业银行风险管理水平的新思路

风险管理是商业银行经营管理中最主要的任务之一。针对当前我国商业银行风险管理思路、战略、效率等问题,结合现实、未来经济形势及竞争需要,有点及面地提出风险管理的新思路,为我国商业银行风险管理工作提供参考。     

同一问题的不同看法——美国公司丑闻对会计的影响

在美国被安然、世通,以及其他一些公司的丑闻搞得焦头烂额之时,中国也爆发与其颇为相似的银广夏事件,它直接导致追究公司领导层的法律责任,对其财务报表发表无保留意见的中天勤会计师事务所被撤销,签字注册会计师面临牢狱之灾。此后,一些其他蓝筹股公司也被发现存在伪造财务数据,披露误导性财务信息的行为。这些丑闻的揭露极大地打击了投资者的信心,成为中国股市长久低迷的一个重要原因。有趣的是在惊爆这些公司丑闻背后的故事。三位美国女性因揭露了丑闻而成为新闻人物,她们是:SherronWatkins(安然)、CynthiaCooper(世通)和ColeenRowley…     

论区域经济发展与中国西部地方政府行政创新

从我国经济的整体发展形势角度而言,东、中、西部区域在经济发展上存在着明显的差别.西部地区处于相对落后的地位,其影响因素是表现在诸多方面的,其中地方政府行政的创新能力则是不容忽视的关键点.对于西部地区而言,要进一步增进地方经济发展绩效,除了走资源投入拉动经济增长之路外,还要注重政府创新力的培养与挖掘.创新的方向和重点应该集中于加速转变政府职能、精简政府机构、整合行政流程、管理手段和方式的替代等方面.     

Joining the WTO: Why Does It Take So Long?

Open Economies Review - The WTO aspires to universal membership, but the process of joining has become very lengthy and many countries have faced particularly difficult and prolonged negotiations....     

论区域经济发展与中国西部地方政府行政创新

从我国经济的整体发展形势角度而言,东、中、西部区域在经济发展上存在着明显的差别.西部地区处于相对落后的地位,其影响因素是表现在诸多方面的,其中地方政府行政的创新能力则是不容忽视的关键点.对于西部地区而言,要进一步增进地方经济发展绩效,除了走资源投入拉动经济增长之路外,还要注重政府创新力的培养与挖掘.创新的方向和重点应该集中于加速转变政府职能、精简政府机构、整合行政流程、管理手段和方式的替代等方面.