Research Activities, April 2012, No. 380 April 2012, No. 380 Research Activities includes announcements of Agency products and projects and summarizes research findings from studies supported by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).ContentsAbout Research ActivitiesFeature StoryAHRQ expert discusses trends and challenges in health information technologyFrom the DirectorPrimary CareMajority of conditions treated in emergency departments are treatable in primary care clinicsPrimary care providers who provide contraceptive counseling increase patients' contraceptive usePrimary care visits every 2 weeks linked to better treatment outcomes for patients with diabetesPatient Safety and QualityA "diabetes dashboard" screen helps clinicians quickly and accurately access patient data needed for quality diabetes carePatient surveys are an additional useful tool for identifying adverse events occurring during hospital staysPublic reporting of performance data seems to motivate and energize improvements to hospital performanceChronic DiseaseInjection of hyaluronic acid, a natural joint lubricant, appears effective in reducing pain from wear and tear on the kneeHeart failure hospitalization and mortality rates drop between 1998 and 2008Drug-eluting stents appear safe for older patients with chronic kidney diseaseMarket forces underlie provision of peritoneal dialysis by dialysis facilities Outcomes/Effectiveness ResearchBlood pressure control persists after physician-pharmacist intervention endsPhysician personality factors do not seem to influence whether patients with symptoms undergo extended diagnostic evaluationsC-reactive protein testing is not more effective than an educational intervention to decrease antibiotic prescriptions for patients seen for acute coughAccuracy of ultrasound for ectopic pregnancy in the emergency department is not helped by measuring a key pregnancy hormonePerformance measures for gastroenterology can lead to improved accountabilityClinical algorithm can identify and locate serious internal bleeding related to oral anticoagulant useComparative Effectiveness ResearchSelf-measured blood pressure monitoring to manage hypertension may offer a small benefitNot enough evidence to recommend fecal DNA testing for adults at average risk for colorectal cancerElderly/Long-Term CareElders and families find it difficult to interpret data from passive sensors that help monitor elderly activityImproving quality of care for falls and urinary incontinence also improves quality of life in elderly patientsDisparities/Minority HealthLower flu vaccination rates for black nursing home residents a cause for concernAgency News and NotesSix in 10 obese adults have joint painHospital readmissions higher for chronic conditionsMidwest hospitals lead in newborn male circumcision ratesAnnouncementsNew resources available for comparing osteoarthritis pain medicationsRegister for the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Data Users' WorkshopRegister for HCUP webinar seriesAHRQ offers public reporting organizations communications tipsFree TeamSTEPPS® training opportunitiesAHRQ announces funding opportunity on patient-centered outcomes research disseminationAHRQ solicits measures of children's health care quality for CHIPRA 2013Research BriefsResearch BriefsSubscribe to AHRQ's Electronic NewsletterHealthcare 411Follow AHRQ News on Twitter Current as of April 2012 Internet Citation: Research Activities, April 2012, No. 380: April 2012, No. 380. April 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/research-activities/apr12/index.html
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