Abstract: A method for controlling healthcare costs comprising creating associational databases in a computer system containing physician, hospital, patient and payer information; cross-referencing and searching said databases for specific occurrences of treatment, discharge, or transfers with characteristics leading to higher medical costs, and providing statistical information to payers on specific physicians and hospitals such that payer's can determine whether to retain such providers services for specific procedures.

Abstract: A method of determining the efficacy of treatment, correlation of efficacy to specified temporal events, physician and facility efficacy utilizes existing data bases of patient information to determine historic trends relative to patients, physicians, facilities, procedures, date of discharge, length of stay, end of benefits, date of discharge and other variables.

Abstract: A method for controlling healthcare costs comprising creating associational databases in a computer system containing physician, hospital, patient and payer information; cross-referencing and searching said databases for specific occurrences of treatment, discharge, or transfers with characteristics leading to higher medical costs, and providing statistical information to payers on specific physicians and hospitals such that payer's can determine whether to retain such providers services for specific procedures.

Abstract: The surgical suturing instrument incorporates a pressurized fluid suture feed system for passing a suture through the instrument and the tissues to be joined thereby. A fluid jet in communication with a suture feed conduit selectively entrains a suture in a stream of pressurized fluid, which carries the suture through the instrument's hollow tissue penetrating needle. The tissue penetrating needle may be shaped to direct the suture's free end to a point external the body cavity. Alternatively, a suture return conduit may be provided to engage the hollow tissue penetrating needle to receive and carry the suture's leading end to a point external the body cavity. External or internal pressurized fluid sources are utilized. A surface irregularity proximal the suture's leading end enhances the entrainment of the suture with the fluid stream. Individual, cartridge and spool fed sutures may all be utilized.

Abstract: A method of determining the efficacy of treatment, correlation of efficacy to specified temporal events, physician and facility efficacy utilizes existing data bases of patient information to determine historic trends relative to patients, physicians, facilities, procedures, date of discharge, length of stay, end of benefits, date of discharge and other variables.

Abstract: A double face seal for coke ovens comprising charging and venting tubes having flanges; charging and venting ports having top surfaces; and sealing means attached to the flanges for engaging and sealing the top surfaces during charging and venting of coke ovens.