Abstract: An anonymous testing system for taking a sample of body fluid to be tested, the sample is acquired in private and sent for analyzation to obtain results. The system comprises a test kit for creating a sample of body fluid, a personal code for anonymously identifying the sample and the person, and an electronic file telephonically created and accessed by the person taking the test and identified by the personal code. The electronic file contains the test results determined by analyzation. There is also a method of anonymously testing of a person's body fluid in private and the results to be anonymously received by the person without having to reveal his or her identification. The method comprises the steps of procuring a test kit for taking a sample of the body fluid. The test kit has a personal code associated therewith and equipment to take the sample. The person uses the equipment to obtain the sample and sends the sample with the personal code to a testing site.

Abstract: An anonymous testing system for taking a sample of body fluid to be tested, the sample is acquired in private and sent for analyzation to obtain results. The system comprises a test kit for creating a sample of body fluid, a personal code for anonymously identifying the sample and the person, and an electronic file telephonically created and accessed by the person taking the test and identified by the personal code. The electronic file contains the test results determined by analyzation. There is also a method of anonymously testing of a person's body fluid in private and the results to be anonymously received by the person without having to reveal his or her identification. The method comprises the steps of procuring a test kit for taking a sample of the body fluid. The test kit has a personal code associated therewith and equipment to take the sample. The person uses the equipment to obtain the sample and sends the sample with the personal code to a testing site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively monitoring the performance of a group of health-care providers. In-patient payment claim records representative of in-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within the group of health-care providers and out-patient payment claim records representative of out-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers within group of health-care providers are stored in databases. A plurality of sickness episode data records are built from the in-patient payment claim records and the out-patient payment claim records, and an objective severity adjustment analysis is performed on the sickness episode data records to form a plurality of severity-adjusted sickness episode data records.

Abstract: A stabilized, essentially sodium free, alkaline and aspirin combination compound which is readily soluble in a preselected fluid, which when dissolved forms potassium acetylsalicylate. Such alkaline and aspirin combination compound consisting essentially of aspirin, having a predetermined particle size. Such aspirin being present in the alkaline and aspirin combination compound generally within a range of between about 325.0 mg and about 1,000.0 mg per unit dose. A preselected alkaline compound is present in such alkaline and aspirin combination compound generally within a range of between about 250.0 mg and about 3,000.0 mg per unit dose. The preselected alkaline compound having a ph generally within a range of between about 8.0 and 10.0 and such preselected alkaline compound being present in this alkaline and aspirin combination compound in a molar amount which is greater than a molar amount required to neutralize the aspirin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for objectively assessing the complexity of health-care services delivered by each health-care provider within a group of health-care providers to patients serviced by the group of health-care providers. In-patient data records representative of inpatient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers with the group of health-care providers are stored in a database. Out-patient data records representative of out-patient health-care services performed for patients by health-care providers with the group of health-care providers are also stored in a database. A plurality of sickness episode data records are built by combining information from the in-patient and out-patient data records. Each sickness episode data record corresponds to an individual sickness episode for which health-care services were performed for one of the patients by at least one health-care provider from the group of health-care providers.

Abstract: In combination with an alkaline and aspirin combination compound the improvement of a package which serves as both a shipping container for an individual dosage of such medication and at least one of a mixing vessel for mixing such individual dosage with a requisite volume of a liquid solvent and for serving as a drinking cup. The package includes a back portion formed of a material impervious to such liquid solvent and a front portion, also formed of a material impervious to such liquid solvent, overlaying such back portion. Such front portion and such back portion being joined together substantially at a common periphery to form a closed envelope structure with such individual dosage sealed within such closed envelope structure between the front portion and such back portion. This envelope structure adapted to be opened at one edge to convert it to an open-topped envelope structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stabilized, essentially sodium free, granular aspirin compound mixed with a granular potassium bicarbonate compound comprising the steps of determining a desirable dose size of such aspirin compound which is to be packaged. Weighing out an amount of granular aspirin based on the dose size determined. Placing an amount of such granular potassium bicarbonate compound into a container which is uniformly distributed over a bottom surface of such container to a predetermined depth. Placing such container into a heat treating apparatus. Heat treating the granular potassium bicarbonate compound at a temperature which is at least sufficient to convert an outer surface layer of such granular potassium bicarbonate compound to potassium carbonate and for a time which is at least sufficient to ensure that essentially all of such outer surface layer of the granular potassium bicarbonate compound is converted to such potassium carbonate.

Abstract: A strip of pliable or flexible material that is sized to circumferentially extend about a digit of a person from whom a blood sample is to be taken. The strip of pliable material has upper and lower generally parallel and planar surfaces. Also, the flexible film or strip defines a throughhole between opposite ends of the film. The lower or bottom surface of the strip has a skin contacting adhesive thereon allowing the film to be tautly applied about the person's digit, with the throughhole circumscribing an underlying surface skin area that is to be punctured to create blood flow. The taut application of the strip about the digit inhibits venus blood return thus enhancing blood flow from the puncture and thereby providing an adequate blood specimen even in person's that have a difficultly bleeding. A method of obtaining a blood specimen is also disclosed.