Card-Based Remittances: A Closer Look at Supply and Demand

Analyzes the supply and demand for card-based transfers among Latin American and Caribbean immigrants sending remittances. Outlines card features and fee structures, and examines usage by country of origin, legal status, location, and card type

Linking Tax Refunds and Low-Cost Bank Accounts: A Social Development Strategy for Low-Income Families?

This article describes a pilot program encouraging low-income workers to have their tax refunds directly deposited into low-cost bank accounts. The program did not lead to substantial saving and asset accumulation in the short-term. However, surveys and interviews suggest that the program helped some participants spend money more slowly and more thoughtfully, introduced some to account ownership or direct deposit, and encouraged some to obtain other mainstream financial products. Thus, the program may have helped low-income families “get on track” for future saving and asset accumulation

Linking Tax Refunds and Low-Cost Bank Accounts

This paper was commissioned for Inclusion in Asset Building: Research and Policy Symposium, an event hosted in September 2000 by the Center for Social Development at Washington University in St. Louis. A version was subsequently developed for publication in Inclusion in the American Dream: Assets, Poverty, and Public Policy (Oxford University Press, 2005). The papert presents findings from an evaluation of the Extra Credit Savings Program (ECSP). Piloted in Chicago by ShoreBank and the Center for Law and Human Services, the program was designed to connect unbanked households to mainstream financial services and to facilitate ongoing asset accumulation in low-income households by linking tax refunds to low-cost bank accounts. The program targeted households eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, encouraging filers in those households to save the 1999 federal tax refund in a no-fee, no-minimum-balance savings account. A 10% bonus was offered for funds remaining in the account in December 2000. The findings are suggestive for researchers and policymakers engaged in efforts to improve the financial well-being of vulnerable families. The results are also relevant for financial institutions seeking to enhance their Community Reinvestment Act ratings

Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sustained hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. The specific aim was to determine if a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol (IIP) was effective in maintaining blood glucose values (BG) within a target goal of 100–150 mg/dL across different intensive care units (ICUs) and to describe glycemic control during the 48 hours after protocol discontinuation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive, retrospective review of 366 patients having 28,192 blood glucose values in three intensive care units, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU), Medical (MICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in a quaternary care hospital was conducted. Patients were > 15 years of age, admitted to STICU (n = 162), MICU (n = 110) or CCU (n = 94) over 8 months; October 2003-June 2004 and who had an initial blood glucose level > 150 mg/dL. We summarized the effectiveness and safety of a nurse initiated IIP, and compared these endpoints among STICU, MICU and CCU patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median blood glucose values (mg/dL) at initiation of insulin infusion protocol were lower in STICU (188; IQR, 162–217) than in MICU, (201; IQR, 170–268) and CCU (227; IQR, 178–313); <it>p </it>< 0.0001. Mean time to achieving a target glucose level (100–150 mg/dL) was similar between the three units: 4.6 hours in STICU, 4.7 hours in MICU and 4.9 hours in CCU (<it>p </it>= 0.27). Hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dL) occurred in 7% of STICU, 5% of MICU, and 5% of CCU patients (<it>p </it>= 0.85). Protocol violations were uncommon in all three ICUs. Mean blood glucose 48 hours following IIP discontinuation was significantly different for each population: 142 mg/dL in STICU, 167 mg/dL in MICU, and 160 mg/dL in CCU (<it>p </it>< 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The safety and effectiveness of nurse initiated IIP was similar across different ICUs in our hospital. Marked variability in glucose control after the protocol discontinuation suggests the need for further research regarding glucose control in patients transitioning out of the ICU.</p

Maine Voices piece by Jennifer L. Tescher of South Portland, twice a victim a

Maine Voices piece by Jennifer L. Tescher of South Portland, twice a victim a rape. Tescher says that speaking out against the violence of rape is the only way to let our lawmakers know that rapists must face substantial punishment when caught

Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/7/14</p><p>BMC Emergency Medicine 2007;7():14-14.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2064915.</p><p></p

Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients-5

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients"</p><p>http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-227X/7/14</p><p>BMC Emergency Medicine 2007;7():14-14.</p><p>Published online 29 Aug 2007</p><p>PMCID:PMC2064915.</p><p></p