Too much data, and still not enough information

Abstract

This analysis of the National Inpatient Sample Database found that Medicare and Medicaid patients with peripheral arterial disease had higher rates of amputation and in-hospital mortality as compared to private pay and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) patients. Raising awareness of disparities of outcomes among vulnerable populations should lead all healthcare providers to examine gaps in care. Administrative databases are necessarily limited. Prospective registries should be developed to demonstrate that early detection of PAD with simple, cost effective tests like the ankle brachial index can improve outcomes.