National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 44 Research Studies DisplayedSabbatini AK, Merck LH, Froemming AT
Optimizing patient-centered communication and multidisciplinary care coordination in emergency diagnostic imaging: a research agenda.
This article summarizes findings reached during the patient-centered outcomes session of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." The primary objective was to develop a research agenda focused on 1) defining component parts of the emergency diagnostic imaging care coordination process, 2) identifying gaps in communication that affect emergency diagnostic imaging, and 3) defining optimal methods of communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Sabbatini AK, Merck LH, Froemming AT .
Optimizing patient-centered communication and multidisciplinary care coordination in emergency diagnostic imaging: a research agenda.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1427-34. doi: 10.1111/acem.12826.
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Keywords: Communication, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Imaging, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Finnerty NM, Rodriguez RM, Carpenter CR
Clinical decision rules for diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: a research agenda.
The objective of this working group and article was to generate a consensus-based research agenda for the development and implementation of clinical decision rules (CDRs) for diagnostic imaging in the emergency department. A research agenda was developed, prioritizing a number of questions, including: what are the optimal methods to justify the derivation and validation of diagnostic imaging CDRs?
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Finnerty NM, Rodriguez RM, Carpenter CR .
Clinical decision rules for diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: a research agenda.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1406-16. doi: 10.1111/acem.12828.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Imaging
Kanzaria HK, McCabe AM, Meisel ZM
Advancing patient-centered outcomes in emergency diagnostic imaging: a research agenda.
This article provides background on patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) in emergency diagnostic imaging. and the conclusions of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference PCOR work group regarding "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." The goal was to determine a prioritized research agenda to establish which outcomes related to emergency diagnostic imaging are most important to patients, caregivers, and other key stakeholders.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Kanzaria HK, McCabe AM, Meisel ZM .
Advancing patient-centered outcomes in emergency diagnostic imaging: a research agenda.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1435-46. doi: 10.1111/acem.12832.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Imaging, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Kuehl DR, Berdahl CT, Jackson TD
Advancing the use of administrative data for emergency department diagnostic imaging research.
This article summarizes the discussions of the breakout session on the use of administrative data for emergency imaging research at the May 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." The authors describe the areas where administrative data have been applied to research evaluating the use of diagnostic imaging in the ED, the common sources for these data, and the strengths and limitations of administrative data.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Kuehl DR, Berdahl CT, Jackson TD .
Advancing the use of administrative data for emergency department diagnostic imaging research.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1417-26. doi: 10.1111/acem.12827.
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Keywords: Data, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Imaging
Risko R, Merdan S, Womble PR
Clinical predictors and recommendations for staging computed tomography scan among men with prostate cancer.
This study identified clinical variables associated with a positive computed tomography (CT) scan and estimated the performance of imaging recommendations in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. It found that implementation of criterion for CT imaging that includes PSA levels greater than 20, a Gleason score of 8 or higher, or locally advanced disease (interpreted as cT3/4) would ensure that CT scans are performed for almost all men who would test positive for metastases.
AHRQ-funded; HS018346
Citation: Risko R, Merdan S, Womble PR .
Clinical predictors and recommendations for staging computed tomography scan among men with prostate cancer.
Urology. 2014 Dec;84(6):1329-34. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2014.07.051..
Keywords: Cancer: Prostate Cancer, Imaging
Moore CL, Broder J, Gunn ML
Comparative effectiveness research: alternatives to "traditional" computed tomography use in the acute care setting.
The goal was to seek consensus in identifying and prioritizing research questions and themes that involve the comparative effectiveness of "traditional" computed tomography use versus alternative diagnostic strategies in the acute care setting. A modified Delphi technique was used that included input from emergency physicians, emergency radiologists, medical physicists, and an industry expert to achieve this.
AHRQ-funded; HS021271; HS023498.
Citation: Moore CL, Broder J, Gunn ML .
Comparative effectiveness research: alternatives to "traditional" computed tomography use in the acute care setting.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1465-73. doi: 10.1111/acem.12831.
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Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Imaging, Critical Care, Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Marin JR, Mills AM
Developing a research agenda to optimize diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: an executive summary of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
The 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization" was held on May 12, 2015, with the goal of developing a high-priority research agenda on which to base future research. The authors describe the specific aims of the conference and the methods used to achieve consensus.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Marin JR, Mills AM .
Developing a research agenda to optimize diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: an executive summary of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1363-71. doi: 10.1111/acem.12818.
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Keywords: Imaging, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Research Methodologies
Marin JR, Mills AM
Developing a research agenda to optimize diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: an executive summary of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
The 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference, "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization" was held on May 12, 2015, with the goal of developing a high-priority research agenda on which to base future research. The authors describe the specific aims of the conference and the methods used to achieve consensus.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Marin JR, Mills AM .
Developing a research agenda to optimize diagnostic imaging in the emergency department: an executive summary of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
Pediatr Emerg Care 2015 Dec;31(12):876-82. doi: 10.1097/pec.0000000000000636.
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Keywords: Imaging, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Research Methodologies
Kanzaria HK, Hall MK, Moore CL
Emergency department diagnostic imaging: the journey to quality.
The authors examine the current state of quality measurement as it pertains to ED imaging. They also review relevant policies and discuss both the associated challenges and the facilitators of using quality measures to help optimize ED imaging. Understanding such factors will help ensure the delivery of diagnostic imaging that is appropriate, high-quality, and patient-centered.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Kanzaria HK, Hall MK, Moore CL .
Emergency department diagnostic imaging: the journey to quality.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1380-4. doi: 10.1111/acem.12817.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Imaging, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality of Care
Cherney AR, Marin JR, Brown J
AHRQ Author: Henriksen K
Funding research in emergency diagnostic imaging: summary of a panel discussion at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
As part of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization," a panel of representatives from several Federal agencies and organizations including AHRQ was assembled to discuss future opportunities for funding research in this particular area of interest. Representatives from these agencies and organizations discussed their missions and priorities and how they distribute funding.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cherney AR, Marin JR, Brown J .
Funding research in emergency diagnostic imaging: summary of a panel discussion at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1400-5. doi: 10.1111/acem.12825.
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Keywords: Imaging, Emergency Department, Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Utilization
Grainger R, Dalbeth N, Keen H
Imaging as an outcome measure in gout studies: Report from the OMERACT Gout Working Group.
Discussion in the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) working group was focused to consider (1) features of gout that should be recorded using imaging, (2) best methods of measuring these features, and (3) joints that should be imaged. The working group identified 3 relevant domains for imaging in gout studies: urate deposition (tophus burden), joint inflammation, and structural joint damage.
AHRQ-funded; HS021110.
Citation: Grainger R, Dalbeth N, Keen H .
Imaging as an outcome measure in gout studies: Report from the OMERACT Gout Working Group.
J Rheumatol 2015 Dec;42(12):2460-4. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.141164..
Keywords: Imaging, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Chronic Conditions
Blackmore CC, Castro A
Improving the quality of imaging in the emergency department.
The six-tier efficacy hierarchy of Fryback and Thornbury enables understanding of the value of imaging on multiple levels, ranging from technical efficacy to medical decision-making and higher-level patient and societal outcomes. In this article, the authors elucidate the Fryback and Thornbury framework to define the value of imaging in the ED and to relate emergency imaging to the IOM quality domains.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Blackmore CC, Castro A .
Improving the quality of imaging in the emergency department.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1385-92. doi: 10.1111/acem.12816.
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Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Emergency Department, Imaging, Quality Improvement
Gullett J, Donnelly JP, Sinert R
Interobserver agreement in the evaluation of B-lines using bedside ultrasound.
The researchers evaluated agreement among trained emergency physicians assessing the degree of B-line presence on bedside ultrasound in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with acute undifferentiated dyspnea. They concluded that interrater agreement was best in the anterior/superior thoracic zones followed by the lateral/superior zones for both expert/expert and expert/novice pairs.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Gullett J, Donnelly JP, Sinert R .
Interobserver agreement in the evaluation of B-lines using bedside ultrasound.
J Crit Care 2015 Dec;30(6):1395-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2015.08.021.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Imaging, Respiratory Conditions
Probst MA, Dayan PS, Raja AS
Knowledge translation and barriers to imaging optimization in the emergency department: a research agenda.
This article outlines a research agenda to promote the dissemination and implementation (also known as knowledge translation) of evidence-based interventions for emergency department (ED) imaging, i.e., clinical pathways, clinical decision instruments, and clinical practice guidelines. A multidisciplinary group of stakeholders held online and telephone discussions over a 6-month period culminating at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference. They were able to identify four overarching research questions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Probst MA, Dayan PS, Raja AS .
Knowledge translation and barriers to imaging optimization in the emergency department: a research agenda.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1455-64. doi: 10.1111/acem.12830.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Services Research (HSR), Guidelines, Imaging, Implementation
Berdahl C, Schuur JD, Fisher NL
Policy measures and reimbursement for emergency medical imaging in the era of payment reform: proceedings from a panel discussion of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
In May 2015, Academic Emergency Medicine convened a consensus conference titled "Diagnostic Imaging in the Emergency Department: A Research Agenda to Optimize Utilization." As part of the conference, a panel of health care policy leaders and emergency physicians discussed the effect of the Affordable Casre Act and other quality programs on ED diagnostic imaging. This article discusses the content of the panel's presentations.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Berdahl C, Schuur JD, Fisher NL .
Policy measures and reimbursement for emergency medical imaging in the era of payment reform: proceedings from a panel discussion of the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1393-9. doi: 10.1111/acem.12829.
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Keywords: Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs, Payment, Policy, Imaging, Policy, Quality Improvement
Lewiss RE, Chan W, Sheng AY
Research priorities in the utilization and interpretation of diagnostic imaging: Education, assessment, and competency.
A group of radiologists, physicists, and emergency physicians convened at the 2015 Academic Emergency Medicine consensus conference to discuss and prioritize a research agenda related to education, assessment, and competency in ordering and interpreting diagnostic imaging. In this article, the authors review the supporting reliability and validity evidence and make specific recommendations for future research on the education, competency, and assessment of learning diagnostic imaging.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Lewiss RE, Chan W, Sheng AY .
Research priorities in the utilization and interpretation of diagnostic imaging: Education, assessment, and competency.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1447-54. doi: 10.1111/acem.12833.
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Keywords: Imaging, Education: Continuing Medical Education, Emergency Department, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare Utilization, Health Services Research (HSR)
Melnick ER, Shafer K, Rodulfo N
Understanding overuse of computed tomography for minor head injury in the emergency department: a triangulated qualitative study.
The objective was to identify nonclinical, human factors that promote or inhibit the appropriate use of computed tomography (CT) in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with minor head injury. Five core domains emerged from the analysis: establishing trust, anxiety (patient and provider), constraints related to ED practice, the influence of others, and patient expectations.
AHRQ-funded; HS021271.
Citation: Melnick ER, Shafer K, Rodulfo N .
Understanding overuse of computed tomography for minor head injury in the emergency department: a triangulated qualitative study.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Dec;22(12):1474-83. doi: 10.1111/acem.12824.
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Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Imaging, Brain Injury, Shared Decision Making, Health Services Research (HSR)
Easter JS, Haukoos JS, Meehan WP
Will neuroimaging reveal a severe intracranial injury in this adult with minor head trauma?: The rational clinical examination systematic review.
The study objective was to assess systematically the accuracy of symptoms and signs in adults with minor head trauma in order to identify those with severe intracranial injuries. It found that combinations of history and physical examination features in clinical decision rules can identify patients with minor head trauma at low risk of severe intracranial injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS017526.
Citation: Easter JS, Haukoos JS, Meehan WP .
Will neuroimaging reveal a severe intracranial injury in this adult with minor head trauma?: The rational clinical examination systematic review.
JAMA 2015 Dec 22-29;314(24):2672-81. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.16316..
Keywords: Falls, Brain Injury, Imaging, Trauma, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Yaghi S, Herber C, Willey JZ
Itemized NIHSS subsets predict positive MRI strokes in patients with mild deficits.
The researchers' aim was to identify predictors of MRI-positive stroke from the itemized NIHSS. They concluded that NIHSS score subsets predict diffusion-weighted imaging positivity in mild strokes, and the presence of neglect or visual field deficits on the NIHSS subsets is most likely to have an MRI correlate even in patients with low NIHSS.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Yaghi S, Herber C, Willey JZ .
Itemized NIHSS subsets predict positive MRI strokes in patients with mild deficits.
J Neurol Sci 2015 Nov 15;358(1-2):221-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.08.1548.
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Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Stroke
Callaghan BC, Kerber KA, Pace RJ
Headache neuroimaging: routine testing when guidelines recommend against them.
The aim of this article was to determine the patient-level factors associated with headache neuroimaging in outpatient practice. It concluded that neuroimaging is routinely ordered in outpatient headache patients including populations where guidelines specifically recommend against their use (migraines, chronic headaches, no red flags).
AHRQ-funded; HS017690.
Citation: Callaghan BC, Kerber KA, Pace RJ .
Headache neuroimaging: routine testing when guidelines recommend against them.
Cephalalgia 2015 Nov;35(13):1144-52. doi: 10.1177/0333102415572918.
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Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Guidelines, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, James KT
Lumbar Imaging with Reporting of Epidemiology (LIRE)--protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized trial.
The researchers will conduct a pragmatic cluster randomized clinical trial to test the hypothesis that inserting data on the prevalence of incidental imaging findings into lumbar spine imaging reports for studies ordered by primary care providers will reduce subsequent spine-related interventions. Their primary outcome will be spine-related intervention intensity based on Relative Value Units (RVUs) during the following year.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, James KT .
Lumbar Imaging with Reporting of Epidemiology (LIRE)--protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized trial.
Contemp Clin Trials 2015 Nov;45(Pt B):157-63. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2015.10.003.
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Keywords: Imaging, Back Health and Pain, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
This study evaluated a theoretically based, systematically designed implementation strategy to support adoption and implementation of a patient navigation-based intervention, called Peace of Mind Program (PMP), aimed at improving breast cancer screening among underserved women.. Any potential confounding or bias will be controlled in the analysis. Outcomes such as appointment adherence, patient referral to diagnostics, time to diagnostic referral, patient referral to treatment, time to treatment referral, and budget impact of the intervention will be assessed.
AHRQ-funded; HS023255.
Citation: Highfield L, Rajan SS, Valerio MA .
A non-randomized controlled stepped wedge trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level mammography intervention in improving appointment adherence in underserved women.
Implement Sci 2015 Oct 14;10:143. doi: 10.1186/s13012-015-0334-x.
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Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Women, Vulnerable Populations, Prevention, Imaging
Murphy DR, Thomas EJ, Meyer AN
Development and validation of electronic health record-based triggers to detect delays in follow-up of abnormal lung imaging findings.
In this study, the researchers developed an electronic health record (EHR)-based trigger algorithm to identify delays in follow-up evaluation of patients with imaging findings suggestive of lung cancer. After validating the trigger with retrospective data, they concluded that EHR-based triggers can be used to identify patients with suspicious imaging findings in whom follow-up diagnostic evaluation was delayed.
AHRQ-funded; HS017820.
Citation: Murphy DR, Thomas EJ, Meyer AN .
Development and validation of electronic health record-based triggers to detect delays in follow-up of abnormal lung imaging findings.
Radiology 2015 Oct;277(1):81-7. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2015142530..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Imaging
Marin JR, Wang L, Winger DG
Variation in computed tomography imaging for pediatric injury-related emergency visits.
This study assessed variation in the use of computed tomography (CT) for pediatric injury-related emergency department (ED) visits. It found wide variation in CT imaging for pediatric injury-related visits not attributable solely to case mix. In multivariable analysis of nonpediatric EDs, trauma centers and nonacademic EDs were associated with CT use. Higher pediatric volume was associated with any CT use.
AHRQ-funded; HS023498.
Citation: Marin JR, Wang L, Winger DG .
Variation in computed tomography imaging for pediatric injury-related emergency visits.
J Pediatr 2015 Oct;167(4):897-904.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2015.06.052..
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Children/Adolescents, Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department, Imaging
Shaffer SM, Joshi RP, Chambers BS
Multiplexed detection of viral infections using rapid in situ RNA analysis on a chip.
The authors demonstrated that rapid RNA FISH is a viable alternative method to RT-PCR or ELISA. They concluded that their results established RNA FISH as a methodology with potential for viral point-of-care diagnostics.
AHRQ-funded; HS020939.
Citation: Shaffer SM, Joshi RP, Chambers BS .
Multiplexed detection of viral infections using rapid in situ RNA analysis on a chip.
Lab Chip 2015 Aug 7;15(15):3170-82. doi: 10.1039/c5lc00459d.
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Keywords: Genetics, Imaging, Infectious Diseases