Research Activities September 2012, No. 385 September 2012, No. 385 About Research ActivitiesFeature StoryAHRQ-funded medical liability and patient safety initiative shows promise for reducing patient harm, lawsuits, and costsFrom the DirectorPatient Safety and QualityA five-point checklist can help public report sponsors avoid misclassifying the performance of health care providersHospital volume does not predict mortality for patients undergoing lung cancer surgeryDistance-based training in spirometry use increases the quality of asthma diagnosisChronic DiseaseOpioid prescriptions for treating chronic abdominal pain doubled between 1997 and 2008Response to etanercept for rheumatoid arthritis can be predicted by 12 weeksAbout three-fourths of patients in the United States estimated to remain in HIV careHealth Care Costs and FinancingThe financial burden from prescription drugs has declined for the nonelderly, but remains a problem for some groupsDifferences in the costs of drugs prescribed lead to regional variation in Medicare Part D drug spendingElderly Health and Long-Term CareStudies link adverse drug interactions to elevated risk for hospitalization among the elderlyConventional and atypical antipsychotic drugs show differing safety risks among older nursing home residentsSeveral factors influence completion of chemotherapy in elderly patients with stage-III colon cancerAdolescent/Child HealthNo link found between stimulant treatment of youth with ADHD and cardiovascular problemsPediatric visits for ADHD have risen and the condition is increasingly being managed by psychiatristsStudy fails to find link between guideline-based emergency treatment for pediatric asthma and patient outcomesHealth Information TechnologyParental reports more accurate than electronic health records in documenting child diet and exercise counselingTelemedicine dermatology consultations change diagnoses and improve outcomesDrug interaction decision support software has limitations and pharmacists' knowledge of support features is limitedDisparities/Minority HealthDespite more widespread prescribing of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection, disparities remainMinority-serving hospitals have problems with quality of care and patient satisfactionRadionovela promotes awareness and knowledge of cervical cancer vaccine among Hispanic parentsComparative EffectivenessIncreased fluid and supplemental treatments may reduce recurrence of kidney stonesAgency News and NotesClinician and patient resources now available on ADHD treatment optionsAnnouncementsNew AHRQ handbook helps practices implement interactive preventive health recordsAHRQ releases training modules to help improve the safety of nursing home residentsResearch BriefsResearch BriefsSubscribe to AHRQ's Electronic NewsletterHealthcare 411Follow AHRQ news on Twitter Current as of September 2012 Internet Citation: Research Activities September 2012, No. 385: September 2012, No. 385. September 2012. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. http://www.ahrq.gov/news/newsletters/research-activities/sept12/index.html
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