On the Foundation of Decision Making under Partial Information

The author shows how to model imprecision in the decision maker's judgements, within a Bayesian context. He provides axioms leading to work with families of value functions, if the problem is under certainty, or probability distributions and utility functions, if the problem is under uncertainty, or probability distributions and utility functions, if the problem is under uncertainty. Some solution concepts are suggested. On the whole, he provides a robust decision theory based on a set of axioms embodying coherence, and essentially implies carrying out a family of coherent decision analyses

A framework for sensitivity analysis in discrete multi-objective decision-making

Available from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:7769.555(LU-SCS--89-1) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Risk factor documentation in elective and emergency vascular surgical admissions

AbstractObjectives: this study investigates current practice of risk factor documentation in a vascular unit and compares variations in risk factor assessment between elective and emergency admissions. Methods: one hundred and forty-four patients who underwent vascular surgical intervention for atherosclerotic disease during the year 2000 were retrospectively identified from computerised database. Case note review collated demographic details, data on risk factor assessment and the nature of surgery. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical software. Results: the male to female ratio was 2.3:1 with a median (range) age of 73 (31-95) years. For 55 (38%) emergency admissions the following risk factors were not documented; ischaemic heart disease (8), diabetes mellitus (10), hypertension (10), smoking habit (13) and antiplatelet therapy (18). For 89 (62%) elective admissions the following risk factors were not documented; ischaemic heart disease (11), diabetes mellitus (9), hypertension (4), smoking habit (5) and antiplatelet therapy (19). Sixty-six (72.5%) routine admissions and 11 (20.8%) emergency admissions had estimations of serum cholesterol documented ({\chi}2 p < 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences in the documentation of other risk factors between the 2 groups. Conclusion: risk factors are not documented consistently for emergency vascular surgical admissions. Staff education should aim to improve risk factor assessment for elective and emergency admissions to reduce cardiovascular events and possibly improve surgical outcome in patients with atherosclerotic disease.Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 25, 568-572 (2003