Defining the Emergency Care Sensitive Condition: A Health Policy Research Agenda in Emergency Medicine

This weekly compilation of articles appearing in recently released journals and newsletters includes:

• Articles funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) or authored by AHRQ researchers.
• Articles mentioning or discussing AHRQ staff, activities, and publications/products.
• Articles related to AHRQ-funded Evidence-based Practice Centers.
• Articles related to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force or Put Prevention into Practice program.
• Articles mentioning the National Healthcare Disparities Report and National Healthcare Quality Report.
• Other research using AHRQ data or products.

AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Carr BG, Conway PH, Meisel ZF, Steiner CA, Clancy C. Defining the emergency care sensitive condition: a health policy research agenda in emergency medicine. Ann Emerg Med 2009 Dec 31. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by grant K08 HS17960 (to first author); fourth and fifth authors are a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets and the AHRQ director, respectively.]

American Journal of Hematology
Sobota A, Graham DA, Heeney MM, et al. Corticosteroids for acute chest syndrome in children with sickle cell disease: variation in use and association with length of stay and readmission. Am J Hematol 2010 Jan; 85(1):24-8. [Supported in part by T32 NRSA HS00063 (Harvard Pediatric Health Services Research Fellowship); cites AHRQ-authored article by McCormick, Kass, and Elixhauser (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets).] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine
Wolf MS, Davis TC, Bass PF, et al. Improving prescription drug warnings to promote patient comprehension. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):50-6. [Supported in part by grant R01 HS17687 (to first [principal investigator], second, and last [Parker] authors).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Yehia BR, Fleishman JA, Hicks PL, et al. Inpatient health services utilization among HIV-infected adult patients in care 2002-2007. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2009 Oct 16; (Epub):1-8. [Supported in part by contract 290-01-0012; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Fleishman and Hellinger (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends and Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets, respectively) (J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2001 and 2003), Fleishman et al. (Med Care, 2005), Gebo, Fleishman et al. (Med Care, 2005), Gebo, Fleishman and Moore (J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2005), and Hellinger(J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Shankar A, McMunn A, Steptoe A. Health-related behaviors in older adults: relationships with socioeconomic status. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):39-46. [Cites article by Singh-Manoux, Adler, and Marmot (Soc Sci Med, 2003), Batty et al. (J Public Health, 2003), Singh-Manoux et al. (Am J Public Health, 2005), Adler et al. (Soc Sci Med, 2008), using study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ; cites AHRQ-funded article by Marmot (Med J Aust, 2000).]

Archives of Internal Medicine
Lopez RP, Amella EJ, Strumpf NE, et al. The influence of nursing home culture on the use of feeding tubes. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):83-8. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Mor et al. (Milbank Q, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

Chen Y, Briesacher BA, Field TS, et al. Unexplained variation across US nursing homes in antipsychotic prescribing rates. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):89-95. [Cites AHRQ-authored articles by Doshi, Shaffer (former AHRQ researcher), and Briesacher (J Am Geriatr Soc, 2005), using 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data and by Lau, Kasper, Potter, and Lyles (first and third authors are former and current researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends (Health Serv Res, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

Rochon PA, Anderson GM. Prescribing optimal drug therapy for older people: sending the right message.Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):103-6. [Comments on article by Dorsey et al., cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Schneeweiss et al. (CMAJ, 2007) and Ray et al. (N Engl J Med, 2009).]

BMJ
Grocott MP. Improving outcomes after surgery: early recognition and treatment of complications, and high quality clinical databases are key. BMJ 2010 Feb 9; 340(7737):62-3. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Ghaferi, Birkmeyer, and Dimick (N Engl J Med, 2009); cites article by Head et al. (BMJ, 2008), using study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.]

Canadian Journal of Emergency Medical Care
Khwaja SM, Minnerop M, Singer AJ. Comparison of ibuprofen, cyclobenzaprine or both in patients with acute cervical strain: a randomized controlled trial. CJEM 2010 Jan; 12(1):39-44. [Notes that findings are "consistent with the clinical practice guideline by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research...", citing AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Acute Low Back Problems in Adults,1994.] Select to access the abstract.

Critical Care Nursing Quarterly
Cato DL, Murray M. Use of simulation training in the intensive care unit. Crit Care Nurs Q 2010 Jan-Mar; 33(1):44-51. [Mentions that organizations, such as AHRQ, "have provided support and encouragement for the use of innovative teaching modalities to create enhanced learning".] Select to access the abstract.

Emergency Medicine Reports
Braithwaite S, Handrigan MT. Novel H1N1 influenza. Emerg Med Rep 2010 Jan 1; 31(1):1-14. [Cites AHRQ publication, Mass Medical Care with Scarce Resources: A Community Planning Guide, 2007, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Emerging Infectious Diseases
Gómez-Gómez A, Magaña-Aquino M, García-Sepúlveda CA, et al. Severe pneumonia associated with pandemic (H1N1) 2009 outbreak, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. Emerg Infect Dis 2010 Jan; 16(1):27-34. [Uses prediction model developed by the AHRQ-sponsored Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team ( PORT) and described inAHRQ publication, Pneumonia: New Prediction Model Proves Promising. Research Findings for Clinicians, 1997, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Dorsey ER, de Roulet J, Thompson JP, et al. Funding of US biomedical research, 2003-2008. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):137-43. [Notes inclusion of funding data for AHRQ health services research from 2003-2008 in the Reports on Federal Funding for Health Services Research 2004-2008, from the Coalition for Health Services Research Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Mental Health Policy and Economics
Rothbard AB, Lee S, Blank MB. Cost of treating seriously mentally ill persons with HIV following highly active retroviral therapy (HAART). J Ment Health Policy Econ 2009 Dec; 12(4):187-94. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Bozzette et al. (N Engl J Med, 2001) from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS).]

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
O'Leary KJ, Kulkarni N, Landler MP, et al. Hospitalized patients' understanding of their plan of care. Mayo Clin Proc 2010 Jan; 85(1):47-52. [Cites AHRQ publication, Case and Commentary: Allergy to Holter, 2004, as published on AHRQ's Web Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web Web site; cites AHRQ-funded article by Heisler et al. (J Gen Intern Med, 2003) and Staiger et al. (J Gen Intern Med, 2005).] Select to access the abstract.

New England Journal of Medicine
Holbrook TL, Galarneau MR, Dye JL, et al. Morphine use after combat injury in Iraq and post-traumatic stress disorder. N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 14; 362(2):110-17. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Holbrook et al. (J Trauma Injury Infect Crit Care, 2001).] Select to access the abstract.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)/Put Prevention Into Practice (PPIP)-Related Articles

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Stovitz SD, Hannan PJ, Lytle LA, et al. Child height and the risk of young-adult obesity. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):74-7. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored summary of evidence on screening and interventions for childhood overweight (Pediatrics, 2005).]

Taplin SH, Rollason D, Camp A, et al. Imagining an electronic medical record for turning cancer screening knowledge into practice. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):89-97. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored article on methodologies forshared decisionmaking about screening and chemoprevention (Am J Prev Med, 2004).]

Baron RC, Melillo S, Rimer BK, et al. Intervention to increase recommendation and delivery of screening for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers by healthcare providers: a systematic review of provider reminders. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):110-17. [Cites USPSTF cancer recommendations in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for breast cancer, 2009, cervical cancer, 2003, and colorectal cancer, 2008, all as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Jones BH, Canham-Chervak M, Sleet DA. An evidence-based public health approach to injury priorities and prevention: recommendations for the U.S. military. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1 Suppl 1):S1-S10. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored articles on USPSTF methodologies and processesby Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001), Barton et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2007),and Guirguis-Blake et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2007).]

Canham-Chervak M, Hooper TI, Brennan FH, Jr., et al. A systematic process to prioritize prevention activities: sustaining progress toward the reduction of military injuries. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1 Suppl 1):S11-S18. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001) which reviews USPSTF methodologies.]

Bullock SH, Jones BH, Gilchrist J, et al. Prevention of physical training-related injuries: recommendations for the military and other active populations based on expedited systematic reviews. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1 Suppl 1):S156-S181. [Cites USPSTF publication, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Ratings: Strength of Recommendations and Quality of Evidence, as published in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, Third Edition: Periodic Updates, 2000-2003, 2000, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Archives of Internal Medicine
Ferket BS, Colkesen EB, Visser JJ, et al. Systematic review of guidelines on cardiovascular risk assessment: which recommendations should clinicians follow for a cardiovascular health check? Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):27-40. [Uses AHRQ's National Guideline Clearinghouse™ (NGC) to identify applicable guidelines, citing NGC Web site, 2009; includes USPSTF guidelines on dyslipidemia, hypertension, and dysglycemia in a table of selected guidelines on cardiovascular risk assessment; cites USPSTF recommendation statements on screening for lipid disorders in adults, 2008, as published on AHRQ Web site, screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults (Ann Intern Med, 2008), and aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF reaffirmation recommendation statement on screening for high blood pressure (Ann Intern Med, 2007); cites article by Shekelle et al. (JAMA, 2001), which discusses AHRQ's clinical practice guidelines.] Select to access the abstract.

Smith SC Jr. Screening for high-risk cardiovascular disease: a challenge for the guidelines. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):40-2. [Comments on above article.]

JAMA
Woolf SH. The 2009 breast cancer screening recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):162-163. [Comments on updated USPSTF recommendations on breast cancer/mammography screening (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF grade definitions, 2007; cites USPSTF recommendation and rationale on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002); cites AHRQ-authored article by Gaus (Health Aff, 2003), discussing thethreatened defunding of AHRQ's predecessor agency.]

Woloshin S, Schwartz LM. The benefits and harms of mammography screening: understanding the trade-offs. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):164-5. [Comments on updated USPSTF recommendations on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites AHRQ-funded article by Mandelblatt et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009).]

Murphy AM. Mammography screening for breast cancer: a view from 2 worlds. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):166-7. [Comments on updated USPSTF recommendations on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Nelson et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), updating the evidence on breast cancer screening since the USPSTF's 2002 recommendations.]

Berg WA. Benefits of screening mammography. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):168-9. [Comments on updated USPSTF recommendations on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Nelson et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), updating the evidence on breast cancer screening since the USPSTF's 2002 recommendations.]

DeAngelis CD, Fontanarosa PB. US Preventive Services Task Force and breast cancer screening. JAMA 2010 Jan 13; 303(2):172-3. [Comments on updated USPSTF recommendations on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF "About USPSTF" Web page, 2010, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Nelson et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), updating the evidence on breast cancer screening since the USPSTF's 2002 recommendations; cites AHRQ-funded article by Mandelblatt et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009); cites USPSTF recommendation and rationale on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002); cites USPSTF summary of recommendations on screening for breast cancer, 2009, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites article by Esserman, Shieh, and Thompson (JAMA, 2009), which uses USPSTF-sponsored summary of evidence on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2002); cites articles by Woolf, Woloshin and Schwartz, Murphy, and Berg,allcited above.]

Mayo Clinic Proceedings
Sheehy AM, Flood GE, Tuan WJ, et al. Analysis of guidelines for screening diabetes mellitus in an ambulatory population. Mayo Clin Proc 2010 Jan; 85(1):27-35. Uses USPSTF criteria for diabetes screening, citing USPSTF recommendations in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, Third Edition, 2000, cites USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults (Ann Intern Med, 2008), and USPSTF-sponsored article by Sheehy, Coursin, and Gabbay (Mayo Clin Proc, 2009), which discusses USPSTF recommendation statements and related reviews on screening for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults; cites USPSTF-sponsored review of evidence on screening for type 2 diabetes (Ann Intern Med, 2008); cites USPSTF-sponsored article by Petitti et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), which discusses USPSTF methodologies on insufficient evidence; uses and cites AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Archives of Internal Medicine
Dorsey ER, Rabbani A, Gallagher SA, et al. Impact of FDA black box advisory on antipsychotic medication use. Arch Intern Med 2010 Jan 11; 170(1):96-103. [Cites AHRQ evidence synthesis, Efficacy and Comparative Effectiveness of Off-label Use of Atypical Antipsychotics, 2007; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Hersh, Stefanick, and Stafford (JAMA, 2004), Radley, Finkelstein, and Stafford (Arch Intern Med, 2006), Schneeweiss et al. (CMAJ, 2007), and others; last author, Alexander, reports previous AHRQ funding.] Select to access the abstract.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Cheng EM, Cohen SN, Lee ML, et al. Use of antithrombotic agents among U.S. stroke survivors, 2000-2006. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):47-53. [Uses 2000-2006 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, citing AHRQ-authored article by Cohen (directorof AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care, 2003).]

Biello KB, Rawlings J, Carroll-Scott A, et al. Racial disparities in age at preventable hospitalizations among U.S. adults. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):54-60. [Uses AHRQ's Prevention Quality Indicators, citing AHRQ's Prevention Quality Indicators Software Documentation, version 3.1, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ publications, Preventable Hospitalizations: A Window into Primary and Preventive Care, 2000, HCUP Fact BookNo. 5 2004, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Shih Y, Pan I. Influenza vaccination among individuals with cancer and their family members. Am J Prev Med 2010 Jan; 38(1):61-9. [Uses 2005-2006 MEPS data, citing AHRQ publication, Clinical Classifications for Health Policy Research, Version 2: Software and User's Guide, HCUP Research Note No. 2,1996; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Cohen (director of AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care, 2003) and Selden and Hudson (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Med Care, 2006).]

Annals of Surgery
Simons JP, Hill JS, Ng SC, et al. Perioperative mortality for management of hepatic neoplasm: a simple risk score. Ann Surg 2009 Dec; 250(6):929-34. [Uses 1998-2005 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Arthritis and Rheumatism
Molloy ES, Calabrese LH. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy: a national estimate of frequency in systemic lupus erythematosus and other rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Rheum 2009 Dec; 60(12):3761-5. [Uses 1998-2005 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Cancer
Gore JL, Yu HY, Setodji C, et al. Urinary diversion and morbidity after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Cancer Jan 15, 2010;116(2):331-9. [Uses 2001-2005 HCUP NIS data; uses and cites AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology
Chapin E, Zhan M, Hsu VD, et al. Adverse safety events in chronic kidney disease: the frequency of "multiple hits". Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010 Jan; 5(1):95-101. [Uses AHRQ's definition of Patient Safety Indicators, citing AHRQ-authored articles by Rosen, Zhao, Rivard, Loveland, Montez-Rath, Elixhauser (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Delivery), et al. (Med Care, 2006) and Friedman, Encinosa, Jiang, and Mutter (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets) (Med Care, 2009); cites article by Meyer et al. (Int J Qual Health Care, 2003, discussing AHRQ's activities in patient safety research.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons
Chang DC, Zhang Y, Mukherjee D, et al. Variations in referral patterns to high-volume centers for pancreatic cancer. J Am Coll Surg 2009 Dec; 209(6):720-6. [Uses 2000-2005 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP NIS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
Are C, Afuh C, Ravipati L, et al. Preoperative nomogram to predict risk of perioperative mortality following pancreatic resections for malignancy. J Gastrointest Surg 2009 Dec; 13(12):2152-62. [Uses 2000-2005 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP NIS Web site; uses and cites AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al, Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Savage CJ, Vickers AJ. Low annual caseloads of United States surgeons conducting radical prostatectomy. J Urol 2009 Dec; 182(6):2677-9. [Uses 2005 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP NIS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Sorensen MD, Krieger JN, Rivara FP, et al. Fournier's gangrene: management and mortality predictors in a population based study. J Urol 2009 Dec; 182(6):2742-7. [Uses 2001 and 2004 HCUPState Inpatient Databases (SID) data, citing HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Vascular Surgery
Egorova NN, Guillerme S, Gelijns A, et al. An analysis of the outcomes of a decade of experience with lower extremity revascularization including limb salvage, lengths of stay, and safety. J Vasc Surg 2009 Dec 31; (Epub):1-8, 8e.1. [Uses 1998-2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

New EnglandJournal of Medicine
Baicker K, Chandra A. Uncomfortable arithmetic—whom to cover versus what to cover. N Engl J Med 2010 Jan 14; 362(2):95-7. [Uses 2002 MEPS data, citing AHRQ publication, 2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component, 2008, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Chen MW, Narayan D. Economics of upper extremity replantation: national and local trends. Plast Reconstr Surg 2009 Dec; 124(6):2003-11. [Uses 1993-2002 HCUP NIS data, citing HCUP NIS Web site.] Select to access the abstract.