Linking Inpatient Clinical Registry Data to Medicare Claims Data Using Indirect Identifiers

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

American Heart Journal
Hammill BG, Hernandez AF, Peterson ED, et al. Linking inpatient clinical registry data to Medicare claims data using indirect identifiers. Am Heart J 2009 Jun; 157(6):995-1000. [Supported in part by grant U18 HS10548.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Caughey AB, Stotland NE, Washington AE, et al. Who is at risk for prolonged and postterm pregnancy? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009 Jun; 200(6):683.e1-683.e5. [Supported in part by Promoting Effective Communication and Decision Making for Diverse Populations grant P01 HS10856.] Select to access the abstract.

Annals of Emergency Medicine
Peterson SE, Stull MJ, Collins MW, Wang HE. Neurocognitive function of emergency department patients with mild traumatic brain injury. Ann Emerg Med 2009 Jun; 53(6):796-803.e1. [Supported in part by Clinical Scientist Development Award grant K08 HS13628 (to last author).] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Tebb KP, Wibbelsman C, Neuhaus JM, et al. Screening for asymptomatic Chlamydia infections among sexually active adolescent girls during pediatric urgent care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Jun; 163(6):559-64. [Supported in part by grant R01 HS10537-04 (co-funded with CDC and the Kaiser Garfield Memorial Fund).] Select to access the abstract.

Sterkel R, Banister C, Bruns J, et al. Collaboration with pediatric call centers for patient recruitment. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2009 Jun; 163(6):588-9. [Supported by grant HS15378.] Select to access the

Health Affairs
Hudson JL. Families with mixed eligibility for public coverage: navigating Medicaid, CHIP, and uninsurance. Health Aff 2009 Jun 23; (Epub):w697-w709. [Author is a senior economist in AHRQ's Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends; uses and cites 1996-2005 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology
Elliott MN, Morrison PA, Fremont A, et al. Using the Census Bureau's surname list to improve estimates of race/ethnicity and associated disparities. Health Serv Outcomes Res Methodol 2009; 9(2):69-83. [Supported in part by contract 282-00-0005, task order 13.] Select to access the

Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Resnick B, Galik E, Gruber-Baldini AL, et al. Implementing a restorative care philosophy of care in assisted living: pilot testing of Res-Care-AL. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 2009 Feb; 21(2):123-33. [Supported by grant R01 HS/MH 13372-01.] Select to access the abstract.

New England Journal of Medicine
Dhruva SS, Phurrough SE, Salive ME, et al. CMS's landmark decision on CT colonography—examining the relevant data. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360(26):2699-2701. [Second author is a medical officer in AHRQ's Center for Outcomes and Evidence.]

Neurology
Arsava EM, Rahman R, Rosand J, et al. Severity of leukoaraiosis correlates with clinical outcome after ischemic stroke. Neurology 2009 Apr 21; 72(16):1403-10. [Supported in part by grant R01 HS11392.] Select to access the abstract.

Public Health Reports
Messina CR, Lane DS, Colson RC. Colorectal cancer screening among users of county health centers and users of private physician practices. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):568-78. [Supported by grant R21 CA1035717-1-30427 (attributed to AHRQ and NCI).]

Quality and Safety in Health Care
Wakefield DS, Brokel J, Ward MM, et al. An exploratory study measuring verbal order content and context. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):169-73. [Supported in part by AHRQ-THQIT Implementation grant 1 UC1 HS15196; see comments in article by Baum (Qual Saf Health Care, 2009), cited in AHRQ-Related Articles below.] Select to access the abstract.

Singh R, McLean-Plunckett EA, Kee R, et al. Experience with a trigger tool for identifying adverse drug events among older adults in ambulatory primary care. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):199-204. [Supported by grant R21 HS14867.] Select to access the abstract.

Wang HE, Weaver MD, Abo BN, et al. Ambulance stretcher adverse events. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):213-16. [Supported in part by Clinical Scientist Award K08 HS13628 (to first author).] Select to access the abstract.

Messina CR, Lane DS, Colson RC. Colorectal cancer screening among users of county health centers and users of private physician practices. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):568-78. [Secondarily supported by grant R21 CA1035717-1-30427; cites USPSTF recommendation and rationale on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002) and USPSTF-sponsored summary of the evidence on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2002).]

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Gregory KD, Fridman M, Shah S, et al. Global measures of quality- and patient safety-related childbirth outcomes: should we monitor adverse or ideal rates? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009 Jun; 200(6):681.e1-681.e7. [Cites Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) directory listing, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites Institute of Medicine publication, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2001, which was partly supported by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

Archives of Internal Medicine

Schattner A. The silent dimension: expressing humanism in each medical encounter. Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169(12):1095-9. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Levinson et al. (JAMA, 2000), Morse et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2008), Braddock et al. (JAMA, 1999), and others.]

Lyman S, Marx RG, Bach PB. Cost-effectiveness analysis of an established, effective procedure. Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169(12):1102-03. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Escalante et al. (Med Care, 2002) and Holtzman et al. (Med Care, 2002).]

Losina E, Walensky RP, Kessler CL, et al. Cost-effectiveness of total knee arthroplasty in the United States: patient risk and hospital volume. Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169(12):1113-21; discussion 1121-2. [Cites 2005 HCUP data, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Katz et al. (J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2004) and Finkler et al. (Ann Intern Med, 1982); cites article by Hervey et al. (J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2003) using HCUP data; discussion by Bozic cites AHRQ-funded article by Katz et al. (J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

Casalino LP, Dunham D, Chin MH, et al. Frequency of failure to inform patients of clinically significant outpatient test results. Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169(12):1123-29. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Poon et al. (Arch Intern Med, 2004), Studdert et al. (N Engl J Med, 2006), Fernald et al. (Ann Fam Med, 2004), and others; cites AHRQ Web site Questions are the Answer.] Select to access the abstract.

Einhorn LM, Zhan M, Hsu VD, et al. The frequency of hyperkalemia and its significance in chronic kidney disease. Arch Intern Med 2009 Jun 22; 169(12):1156-62. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Deyo et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 1992).] Select to access the abstract.

Circulation
Ranucci M, Castelvecchio S, Menicanti L, et al. Risk of assessing mortality risk in elective cardiac operations: age, creatinine, ejection fraction, and the law of parsimony. Circulation 2009 Jun 23; 119(24):3053-61. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by O'Connor et al. (Circulation, 1992) and Wells, Feinstein, and Walter (J Clin Epidemiol, 1990).] Select to access the abstract.

Geriatrics
Meyer RP. Consider medical care at home. Geriatrics 2009 Jun; 64(6):9-11. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by McCall et al. (Health Care Financ Rev, 2002).]

Health Services and Outcomes Research Methodology
Higgs G. The role of GIS for health utilization studies: literature review. Health Serv Outcomes Res Methodol 2009; 9(2):84-99. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Dutton et al. (Soc Sci Med, 1986) and Onega et al. (Cancer, 2008).]

JAMA
Grumbach K, Mold JW. A health care cooperative extension service: transforming primary care and community health. JAMA 2009 Jun 24; 301(24):2589-91. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Meyers and Clancy (director of AHRQ's Center for Primary Care, Prevention, and Clinical Partnerships and AHRQ director, respectively) (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the ; cites AHRQ-funded article by Mold et al. (J Am Board Fam Med, 2008).]

Journal of the American Pharmacists Association
Cooper JW, Burfield AH. Medication interventions for fall prevention in the older adult. J Am Pharm Assoc 2009 May-Jun; 49(3):e70-e82; quiz e83-e84. [Uses resources on the AHRQ Web site identified by the search terms "falls, medications and falls, fall risk factors, and falls interventions and outcomes to assess the causes of falls" and compile recommended actions that pharmacists can take to decrease patients' risks of falling; cites AHRQ-funded article by Ray et al. (N Engl J Med, 1987).] Select to access the abstract.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
Fulda KG, Lykens K, Bae S, et al. Factors for accessing a medical home vary among CSHCN from different levels of socioeconomic status. Matern Child Health J 2009 Jul; 13(4):445-56. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Newacheck et al. (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2005).] Select to access the abstract.

Howard DL, Strobino D, Sherman SG, et al. Timing of incarceration during pregnancy and birth outcomes: exploring racial differences. Matern Child Health J 2009 Jul; 13(4):457-66. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Hessol et al. (Obstet Gynecol, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Ngui E, Cortright A, Blair K. An investigation of paternity status and other factors associated with racial and ethnic disparities in birth outcomes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Matern Child Health J 2009 Jul; 13(4):467-78. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Samadi et al. (Obstet Gynecol, 1996 and 1998) and Koroukian et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2002).] Select to access the abstract.

Uscher-Pines L, Hanlon AL, Nelson DB. Racial differences in bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women: the relationship between demographic and behavioral predictors and individual BV-related microorganism levels. Matern Child Health J 2009 Jul; 13(4):512-19. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Markovic et al. (Am J Obstet Gynecol, 2000).] Select to access the abstract.

Milbank Quarterly
Powell LM, Chaloupka FJ. Food prices and obesity: evidence and policy implications for taxes and subsidies. Milbank Q 2009 Mar; 87(1):229-57. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn, and Wang (Health Aff, 2003) using MEPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Chalkidou K, Tunis S, Lopert R, et al. Comparative effectiveness research and evidence-based health policy: experience from four countries. Milbank Q 2009 Jun; 87(2):339-67. [Quotes in the lead paragraph an excerpt from AHRQ-authored article by Tunis, Stryer, and Clancy (AHRQ director) (JAMA, 2003) describing gaps in the generation of information needed by health care decision makers; describes AHRQ's early role "to identify which existing health care technologies work" and notes organizational changes in AHRQ and predecessor agencies involved in similar functions; notes AHRQ funding for comparative effectiveness research under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; notes that section 1013 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 "precludes conclusions from CER (undertaken by AHRQ and NIH) from being used to determine coverage or reimbursement policies of private and public payers or to inform national clinical guidelines."] Select to access the abstract.

Satterfield JM, Spring B, Brownson RC, et al. Toward a transdisciplinary model of evidence-based practice. Milbank Q 2009 Jun; 87(2):368-90. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Choudhry et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2005); cites Institute of Medicine publication, Health Professions Education: A Bridge To Quality, 2003, which was partly supported by AHRQ; notes that although the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and other interdisciplinary groups "have offered successful and influential systematic reviews and practice guidelines, these organizations serve as 'producers' of evidence-based materials and rarely serve as EBP 'consumers..." and directs readers to the AHRQ Web site for more information on USPSTF methods and recommendations.] Select to access the abstract.

Greenhalgh T, Humphrey C, Hughes J, et al. How do you modernize a health service? A realist evaluation of whole-scale transformation in London. Milbank Q 2009 Jun; 87(2):391-416. [Cites publication, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2003, which is partly supported by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

McWilliams JM. Health consequences of uninsurance among adults in the United States: recent evidence and implications. Milbank Q 2009 Jun; 87(2):443-494. [Cites AHRQ-authored article by Franks, Clancy (AHRQ director), and Gold (JAMA, 1993); cites AHRQ-funded articles by Baker et al. (J Gen Intern Med, 2006 and Med Care, 2002 and 2006), Bradley et al. (Cancer, 2005), Diggs et al. (Am J Manag Care, 2007), and others.]

Kertesz SG, Crouch K, Milby JB, et al. Housing first for homeless persons with active addiction: are we overreaching? Milbank Q 2009 Jun; 87(2):495-534. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Hwang et al. (Ann Intern Med, 1997) and Kessell et al. (J Urban Health, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

New EnglandJournal of Medicine
Cantor WJ, Fitchett D, Borgundvaag B, et al. Routine early angioplasty after fibrinolysis for acute myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360(26):2705-18. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Nallamothu et al. (Circulation, 2005).] Select to access the abstract.

Verheugt FW. Routine angioplasty after fibrinolysis—how early should "early" be? N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360(26):2779-81. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Nallamothu et al. (Circulation, 2006).]

Wachter RM. Growth in care provided by hospitalists. N Engl J Med 2009 Jun 25; 360(26):2789-90; author reply 2790-1. [Cites AHRQ-funded article Wachter et al. (Ann Intern Med, 1999).]

Public Health Reports
Shebl F, Poppell CF, Zhan M, et al. Measuring health behaviors and landline telephones: potential coverage bias in a low-income, rural population. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):495-502. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Bindman et al. (Fam Med, 1993).]

Kayani NA, Homan S, Yun S, et al. Health and economic burden of traumatic brain injury: Missouri, 2001-2005. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):551-60. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Finkler et al. (Ann Intern Med, 1982).]

Quality and Safety in Health Care
Baum KD. Getting your point across: verbal orders and patient safety. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):164. [Comments on AHRQ-funded article by Wakefield et al. (Qual Saf Health Care, 2009) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.]

Wakefield DS, Wakefield BJ. Are verbal orders a threat to patient safety? Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):165-68. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Wakefield et al. (Am J Med Qual, 2008) and Shojania et al. (JAMA, 2002); cites AHRQ publication, Getting to the Root of the Matter, AHRQ Web M&M Case & Commentary, 2005, as published on AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Dale J, Petrova M, Munday D, et al. A national facilitation project to improve primary palliative care: impact of the Gold Standards Framework on process and self-ratings of quality. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):174-80. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Adams et al. (Int J Qual Health Care, 1999).] Select to access the abstract.

Estabrooks CA, Cummings GG, Olivo SA, et al. Effects of shift length on quality of patient care and health provider outcomes: systematic review. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):181-88. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Fletcher et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2004), Rogers et al. (Health Aff, 2004), and Scott et al. (Am J Crit Care, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Perren A, Previsdomini M, Cerutti B, et al. Omitted and unjustified medications in the discharge summary. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):205-8. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Bates et al. (JAMA, 1997), Morimoto et al. (Qual Saf Health Care, 2004), and Karsh (Qual Saf Health Care, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

May F, Simpson D, Hart L, et al. Experience with academic detailing services for quality improvement in primary care practice. Qual Saf Health Care 2009 Jun; 18(3):225-31. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Soumerai et al. (JAMA, 1990).] Select to access the abstract.

Social Sciences and Medicine
Yiannakoulias N, Hill MD, Svenson LW. Geographic hierarchies of diagnostic practice style in cerebrovascular disease. Soc Sci Med 2009 Jun; 68(11):1985-92. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Bertakis et al. (Fam Med, 1999) and Street et al. (Soc Sci Med, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Women and Health
Dalmida SG, Holstad MM, Diiorio C, et al. Spiritual well-being, depressive symptoms, and immune status among women living with HIV/AIDS. Women Health 2009 Mar; 49(2):119-43. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Lorenz et al. (J Palliat Med, 2005).] Select to access the abstract.

Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing

Adib-Hajbaghery M. Evidence-based practice: Iranian nurses' perceptions. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2009; 6(2):93-101. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Melnyk et al. (Worldviews Evid Based Nurs, 2004); cites Institute of Medicine publication, Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century, 2001, which was partly supported by AHRQ.] Select to access the abstract.

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

Public Health Reports
Hillman JB, Corathers SD, Wilson SE. Pediatricians and screening for obesity with body mass index: does level of training matter? Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):561-7. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored summary of evidence on screening and interventions for childhood overweight.]

Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
Melnyk BM. Evidence to guide clinical care with premature infants and parents. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2009; 6(2):121-4. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored review of the process on current methods of the USPSTF (Am J Prev Med, 2001).]

Biron AD, Loiselle CG, Lavoie-Tremblay M. Work interruptions and their contribution to medication administration errors: an evidence review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2009; 6(2):70-86. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Systems to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence, 2002; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Balas et al. (Appl Nurs Res, 2004), Fairbanks et al. (Ann Emerg Med, 2007), Hurley et al. (J Nurs Adm, 2007), Leape et al. (JAMA, 1995), and others.] Select to access the abstract.

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

Maternal and Child Health Journal
Lara MA, Le HN, Letechipia G, et al. Prenatal depression in Latinas in the U.S. and Mexico. Matern Child Health J 2009 Jul; 13(4):567-76. [Uses and cites evidence report/technology assessment Perinatal Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes, 2005; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Zambrana et al. (Am J Public Health, 1997) and Stewart et al. (J Health Psychol, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing
Biron AD, Loiselle CG, Lavoie-Tremblay M. Work interruptions and their contribution to medication administration errors: an evidence review. Worldviews Evid Based Nurs 2009; 6(2):70-86. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Systems to Rate the Strength of Scientific Evidence, 2002; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Balas et al. (Appl Nurs Res, 2004), Fairbanks et al. (Ann Emerg Med, 2007), Hurley et al. (J Nurs Adm, 2007), Leape et al. (JAMA, 1995), and others.] Select to access the abstract.

Research by Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy
Farley JF, Blalock SJ. Trends and determinants of prescription medication use for treatment of osteoporosis. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2009 Jul 1; 66(13):1191-201. [Uses and cites 1999-2005 MEPS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Public Health Reports
Galson SK. Self-management programs: one way to promote healthy aging. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(4):478-80. [Uses 2004 HCUP data.] Select to access the

Punnett L, Cherniack M, Henning R, et al. A conceptual framework for integrating workplace health promotion and occupational ergonomics programs. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(Suppl 1):16-25. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.]

Henning R, Warren N, Robertson M, et al. Workplace health protection and promotion through participatory ergonomics: an integrated approach. Public Health Rep 2009 Jul-Aug; 124(Suppl 1):26-35. [Uses study cohort data from the Whitehall II study, previously funded by AHRQ.]