Patient-centered Comparative Effectiveness Research: Essential for High-quality Care

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

Archives of Internal Medicine
Slutsky JR, Clancy CM. Patient-centered comparative effectiveness research: essential for high-quality care. Arch Intern Med 2010 Mar 8; 170(5):403-4. [Authors are director of AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence and AHRQ director, respectively.]

Persell SD, Zei C, Cameron KA, et al. Potential use of 10-year and lifetime coronary risk information for preventive cardiology prescribing decisions: a primary care physician survey. Arch Intern Med 2010 Mar 8; 170(5):470-7. [Supported in part by Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award grant 1 K08 HS15647-01 (to first author); cites USPSTF recommendation statement on aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Economics
Meyerhoefer CD, Zuvekas SH. New estimates of the demand for physical and mental health treatment. Health Econ 2010 Mar; 19(3):297-315. [Authors are former and current researchers, respectively, in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends (CFACT); uses 1996-2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data, citing MEPS Compendia of Tables for 2003, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Bozikis MR, Braun BI, Kritchevsky SB. How accurately are starting times documented in the medical record? Implications for surgical infection prevention performance measurement. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010 Mar; 31(3):307-9. [Supported by grant R01 HS11331-01.]

JAMA
Conway PH, Clancy C. Charting a path from comparative effectiveness funding to improved patient-centered health care. JAMA 2010 Mar 10; 303(10):985-6. [Authors are researcher in AHRQ's Office of the Director and AHRQ director, respectively; discusses AHRQ's role in comparative effectiveness research and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; comments on and cites article by Hochman and McCormick (JAMA, 2010) cited in AHRQ Related Articles below; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Conway and Clancy (researcher in AHRQ's Office of the Director and AHRQ director, respectively) (JAMA, 2009) and Dougherty and Conway (researchers in AHRQ's Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority Populations and Office of the Director, respectively) (JAMA, 2008).]

Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety
Loren DJ, Garbutt J, Dunagan WC, et al. Risk managers, physicians, and disclosure of harmful medical errors. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 36(3):101-8. [Supported by grants 1 U18 HS11890 and 1 K08 HS01402-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Aagaard EM, Gonzales R, Camargo CA Jr, et al. Physician champions are key to improving antibiotic prescribing quality. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 36(3):109-16. [Supported by grant HS13915 (in partnership with the Health Service Research and Development Service of the Veterans Health Administration).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Torke AM, Moloney R, Siegler M, Abalos A, Alexander GC. Physicians' views on the importance of patient preferences in surrogate decision-making. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010 Mar; 58(3):533-8. [Supported in part by Career Development Award grant K08 HS15699-01A1 (to last author).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Cancer Survivorship
Crespi CM, Smith SK, Petersen L, et al. Measuring the impact of cancer: a comparison of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and breast cancer survivors. J Cancer Surviv 2010 Mar; 4(1):45-58. [Supported in part by NRSA training grant T32 HS00032.] Select to access the abstract.

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Manber R, Schnyer RN, Lyell D, et al. Acupuncture for depression during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115(3):511-20. [Supported by grant HS09988; cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Perinatal Depression, Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes, 2005.] Select to access the abstract.

Kuppermann M, Learman LA, Schembri M, et al. Predictors of hysterectomy use and satisfaction. Obstet Gynecol 2010 Mar; 115(3):543-51. [Supported by grants U01 HS09478 (in partnership with the National Institute on Aging and Office of Research in Women's Health, National Institutes of Health), R01 HS11657, and U01 HS07373; cites AHRQ publication, Treatment of Common Non-Cancerous Uterine Conditions: Issues for Research. Conference Summary, 1995.] Select to access the abstract.

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Studnicki J, Fisher JW, Kamble S. Race-differentiated outcomes in multiple special healthcare taxing districts. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3):311-16. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Bierman (former AHRQ researcher) et al. (J Ambul Care Manage, 1998) and Rust and Cooper (J Am Board Fam Med, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Backinger CL, Thornton-Bullock A, Miner C, et al. Building consumer demand for tobacco-cessation products and services: the National Tobacco Cessation Collaborative's Consumer Demand Roundtable. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S307-S311. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.]

Muramoto ML, Wassum K, Connolly T, et al. Helpers Program: A pilot test of brief tobacco intervention training in three corporations. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S319-S326. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Czarnecki KD, Vichinsky LE, Ellis JA, et al. Media campaign effectiveness in promoting a smoking-cessation program. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S333-S342. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Levy DT, Graham AL, Mabry PL, et al. Modeling the impact of smoking-cessation treatment policies on quit rates. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S364-S372. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Levy DT, Mabry PL, Graham AL, et al. Reaching Healthy People 2010 by 2013: A SimSmoke simulation. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S373-S381. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Shiffman S. Smoking-cessation treatment utilization: The need for a consumer perspective. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S382-S384. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Woods SS, Jaén CR. Increasing consumer demand for tobacco treatments: Ten design recommendations for clinicians and healthcare systems. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S385-S392. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Bonniot Saucedo C, Schroeder SA. Simplicity sells: Making smoking cessation easier. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S393-S396. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Christiansen BA, Brooks M, Keller PA, et al. Closing tobacco-related disparities: Using community organizations to increase consumer demand. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S397-S402. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Weiss SM, Smith-Simone SY. Consumer and health literacy: The need to better design tobacco-cessation product packaging, labels, and inserts. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S403-S413. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Husten CG. A Call for ACTTION: Increasing access to tobacco-use treatment in our nation. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S414-S417. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

DiClemente CC, Delahanty JC, Fiedler RM. The journey to the end of smoking: A personal and population perspective. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S418-S428. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Backinger CL, Malarcher AM. The things that get measured are the things that get done. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S433-S436. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.]

Archives of Internal Medicine
Johnson M. Changing the culture of nursing homes: The physician's role. Arch Intern Med 2010 Mar 8; 170(5):407-9. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Covinsky et al. (J Am Geriatr Soc, 2003) and Engberg, Castle, and McCaffrey (Gerontologist, 2008).]

Jang TL, Bekelman JE, Liu Y, et al. Physician visits prior to treatment for clinically localized prostate cancer. Arch Intern Med 2010 Mar 8; 170(5):440-50. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Romano, Roos, and Jollis (J Clin Epidemiol, 1993) and Fowler et al. (Am J Med, 1998, and JAMA, 2000).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Affairs
Sepulveda MJ, Tait F, Zimmerman E, et al. Impact of childhood obesity on employers. Health Aff 2010 Mar-Apr; 29(3):513-21. [Cites AHRQ publication, The Five Most Costly Conditions, 1996 and 2006: Estimates for the U.S. Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population, MEPS Statistical Brief No. 248, 2008, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Stimpson JP, Wilson FA, Eschbach K. Trends in health care spending for immigrants in the United States. Health Aff 2010 Mar-Apr; 29(3):544-50. [Cites AHRQ publication, Sample Design of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component, 1998-2007, MEPS Methodology Report No. 22, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Bizzarro MJ, Sabo B, Noonan M, et al. A quality improvement initiative to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections in a neonatal intensive care unit. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2010 Mar; 31(3):241-8. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Pronovost et al. (N Engl J Med, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Pettker CM, Funai EF. Getting it right when things go wrong. JAMA 2010 Mar 10; 303(10):977-8. [Mentions AHRQ's definition of "just culture," citing AHRQ Web page Patient Safety Primer: Safety Culture, as published on AHRQ's Patient Safety Network (PSNet) Web site.]

Hochman M, McCormick D. Characteristics of published comparative effectiveness studies of medications. JAMA 2010 Mar 10; 303(10):951-8. [Cites the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which allocated comparative effectiveness research funds to AHRQ; cites the US Congressional Budget Office report Research on the Comparative Effectiveness of Medical Treatments: Issues and Options for an Expanded Federal Role, 2007, citing AHRQ publication, Registries for Evaluating Patient Outcomes: A User's Guide, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
Gruneir A, Bell CM, Bronskill SE, et al. Frequency and pattern of emergency department visits by long-term care residents—a population-based study. J Am Geriatr Soc 2010 Mar; 58(3):510-17. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Deyo, Cherkin, and Ciol (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992), Schneeweiss et al. (Am J Epidemiol, 2001), and Carter et al. (J Aging Health, 2003).]

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Hanmer J, Vanness D, Gangnon R, et al. Three methods tested to model SF-6D health utilities for health states involving comorbidity/co-occurring conditions. J Clin Epidemiol 2010 Mar; 63(3):331-41. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Cohen, Monheit, Beauregard, Cohen, Lefkowitz, Potter, Sommers, Taylor, et al. (staff members in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends) (Inquiry, 1996-1997), using MEPS data; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Fryback et al. (Med Decis Making, 1997), Brauer et al. (Value Health, 2006), and Ko and Coons (Curr Med Res Opin, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Patient Safety
Classen D, Bates DW, Denham CR. Meaningful use of computerized prescriber order entry. J Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 6(1):15-23. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Linder et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2007), Yu et al. (Am J Med Qual, 2009), Teufel, Kazley, and Basco (Clin Pediatr, 2009), and others.]

Burgess LH, Cohen MR, Denham CR. A new leadership role for pharmacists: a prescription for change. J Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 6(1):31-7. [Cites AHRQ publication, Trends in Outpatient Prescription Drug Utilization and Expenditures, 1997-2000, MEPS Statistical Brief no. 21, 2003, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Bates et al. (JAMA, 1995) and Kowiatek et al. (Am J Health Syst Pharm, 2004), and Thomas et al. (BMC Health Serv Res, 2005).]

Lancet
Hajat S, O'Connor M, Kosatsky T. Health effects of hot weather: from awareness of risk factors to effective health protection. Lancet 2010 Mar 6; 375(9717):856-63. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Koken, Piver, Elixhauser (researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets), et al. (Environ Health Perspect, 2003).] Select to access the abstract.

New England Journal of Medicine
Basch E. The missing voice of patients in drug-safety reporting. N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 11; 362(10):865-9. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Weingart et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2005).]

Goldman L, Goroll AH, Kessler B. Do not enroll in the current MOC program. N Engl J Med 2010 Mar 11; 362(10):950-2. [Cites systematic review by Chaudhry, Fletcher, and Soumerai (Ann Intern Med, 2005), as published in AHRQ-funded Improving Patient Care section of journal.]

Research on Aging
Daaleman TP, Dobbs D. Religiosity, spirituality, and death attitudes in chronically ill older adults. Res Aging 2010 Mar; 32(2):224-43. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Ware and Sherbourne (Med Care, 1992) and Sloane et al. (Fam Med, 2006).]

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

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Ludman EJ, Ichikawa LE, Simon GE, et al. Breast and cervical cancer screening specific effects of depression and obesity. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3):303-10. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence summary on breast cancer screening (Ann Intern Med, 2002).] Select to access the abstract.

Chu SY, Goodwin MM, D'Angelo DV. Physical violence against U.S. women around the time of pregnancy, 2004-2007. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3):317-22. [Cites USPSTF recommendation statement Screening for family and Intimate Partner Violence, 2004, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Krist AH, Woolf SH, Johnson RE, et al. Patient costs as a barrier to intensive health behavior counseling. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3):344-8. [Cites USPSTF summary of recommendations on counseling to prevent tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease, 2003, behavioral counseling in primary care to promote a healthy diet, 2003, and behavioral counseling in primary care to promote physical activity, 2002, all as published on AHRQ Web site; cites USPSTF recommendation statement on counseling to prevent tobacco use and tobacco-caused disease, 2003; cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence summaries on counseling by clinicians to improve physical activity (Ann Intern Med, 2002) and screening and interventions for obesity in adults (Ann Intern Med, 2003).] Select to access the abstract.

Current Opinion in Urology
Hoffman RM. Randomized trial results did not resolve controversies surrounding prostate cancer screening. Curr Opin Urol 2010 Mar 10. [Epub ahead of print. Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for prostate cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002 and 2008) and USPSTF-sponsored updated recommendations on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Affairs
Bogira S. Youngsters trade bagels and butter for cucumbers and carrots. Health Aff 2010 Mar-Apr; 29(3):491-7. [Cites USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for obesity in children and adolescents (Pediatrics, 2010).]

JAMA
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevalence of abnormal lipid levels among youths—United States, 1999-2006. JAMA 2010 Mar 10; 303(10):930-2. [Discuses and cites USPSTF recommendation statement on screening for lipid disorders in children, 2007, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Creative Nursing
Moriconi C, Stabler-Haas S. Making connections: integration of psychiatric and medical-surgical nursing and relationship-based care. Creative Nurs 2010; 16(1):13-17. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Post-myocardial Infarction Depression, 2005, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

Breastfeeding Medicine
Alexander A, Dowling D, Furman L. What do pregnant low-income women say about breastfeeding? Breastfeed Med 2010 Feb; 5(1):17-25. [Cites Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Breastfeeding and Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes, 2007, as published on AHRQ Web site.]

National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR)/National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR)-Related Articles

Journal of Patient Safety
Angood P, Dingman J, Foley ME, et al. Patient and family involvement in contemporary health care. J Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 6(1):38-42. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored publication, Envisioning the National Health Care Quality Report, 2001; cites AHRQ published notice Special Emphasis Notice: Research Priorities for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2004, which discusses limitations on available grants for fiscal year 2005.]

Henderson D, Carson-Stevens A, Bohnen J, et al. Check a box. Save a life: how student leadership is shaking up health care and driving a revolution in patient safety. J Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 6(1):43-7. [Cites AHRQ's NHQR/NHDR, 2008.]

Research By Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Abrams DB, Graham AL, Levy DT, et al. Boosting population quits through evidence-based cessation treatment and policy. Am J Prev Med 2010 Mar; 38(3 Suppl):S351-S363. [Uses/reviews and applies treatment recommendations from AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Applied Health Economics and Health Policy
Rendas-Baum R, Yang M, Gricar J, et al. Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatments for premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Appl Health Econ Health Policy 2010; 8(2):129-40. [Uses data reported in the AHRQ News and Numbers release Primary Care Doctors Account for Nearly Half of Physician Visits but Less Than One-Third of Expenses, 2007—based on findings from AHRQ publication, Expenses for Office-Based Physician Visits by Specialty, 2004, MEPS Statistical Brief No. 166, 2007.as published on AHRQ Web site, to determine the cost of specialty visits.] Select to access the abstract.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Sonnenberg A. Similar geographic variations of mortality and hospitalization associated with IBD and Clostridium difficile colitis. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010 Mar; 16(3):487-93. [Uses 2001-2006 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) data, citing AHRQ publications Overview of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Introduction to the HCUP State Inpatient Databases (SID), 2009, as published on the AHRQ and HCUPnet Web sites.] Select to access the abstract.

Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety
Weaver SJ, Rosen MA, DiazGranados D, et al. Does teamwork improve performance in the operating room? A multilevel evaluation. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2010 Mar; 36(3):133-42. [Uses/evaluates AHRQ's TeamSTEPPS™ within the operating room service line and AHRQ's Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS) for data collection, citing AHRQ publications, Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture: 2009 Comparative Database Report, 2009, TeamSTEPPS™: Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety Instructor Guide, 2006, and About the National Implementation Plan, as published on AHRQ's Web sites TeamSTEPPS™ Web site; cites AHRQ-authored articles by Clancy (AHRQ director) and Tornberg (Am J Med Qual, 2007) and Clancy (AORN J, 2007), both using TeamSTEPPS™; cites AHRQ poster Translating Evidence into Practice: The National Implementation of TeamSTEPPS™, as presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges' Integrating Quality Initiative Meeting, 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Ettner SL, Steers N, Duru OK, et al. Entering and exiting the Medicare Part D coverage gap: role of comorbidities and demographics. J Gen Intern Med 2010 Mar 9. [Epub ahead of print. Uses HCUP data, citing HCUP Clinical Classifications Software (CCS) for ICD-9-CM, 2008, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Urology
Makarov DV, Loeb S, Landman AB, et al. Regional variation in total cost per radical prostatectomy in the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample Database. J Urol 2010 Apr; 183(4):1504-9. [Uses 2004 HCUP NIS data, citing AHRQ publication HCUP Overview of the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) as published on AHRQ Web site; uses and cites AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites AHRQ-authored article by Friedman, Jiang, Elixhauser (researchers in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets), et al. (Med Care Res Rev, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Psychological Medicine
Nabi H, Singh-Manoux A, Ferrie JE, et al. Hostility and depressive mood: results from the Whitehall II prospective cohort study. Psychol Med 2010 Mar; 40(3):405-13. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.