EPC Evidence-based Reports

Under the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPC) Program of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (formerly the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research—AHCPR), 5-year contracts are awarded to institutions in the United States and Canada to serve as EPCs. The EPCs review all relevant scientific literature on clinical, behavioral, and organization and financing topics to produce evidence reports and technology assessments. These reports are used for informing and developing coverage decisions, quality measures, educational materials and tools, guidelines, and research agendas. The EPCs also conduct research on methodology of systematic reviews.

The following list provides contact information and Web sites where available for the 11 Evidence-based Practice Centers currently funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) serves as the science partner with private-sector and public organizations in their efforts to improve the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care delivery in the United States, and to expedite the translation of evidence-based research findings into improved health care services. In this context, AHRQ awards task order contracts to its Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) to undertake scientific analysis and evidence syntheses on topics of high priority to its stakeholders, which includes public and private health care payers, providers, and the health care community in general.

The EPCs review all relevant scientific literature on clinical, behavioral, and organization and financing topics to produce evidence reports and technology assessments.

• Cancer and Blood Disorders
• Complementary and Alternative Care
• Dietary Supplements
• Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions
• Heart and Vascular Diseases
• Infectious Diseases
• Kidney and Urological Conditions
• Laboratory Testing
• Lung Conditions
• Mental Health Conditions and Substance Abuse
• Metabolic, Nutritional, and Endocrine Conditions
• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Nerve and Brain Conditions
• Obstetric and Gynecologic Conditions
• Oral and Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Pediatric Conditions

The EPCs review all relevant scientific literature on clinical, behavioral, and organization and financing topics to produce evidence reports and technology assessments.

• Health Information Technology
• Public Health Preparedness
• Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

The EPCs review all relevant scientific literature on clinical, behavioral, and organization and financing topics to produce evidence reports and technology assessments.

• Methodology

To view an evidence-based report, use this alphabetic index and click on the desired topic.

Guide for partners in the Effective Health Care Program program.

The following list provides complete titles of released reports and technical reviews in reverse numerical order.

The following is a list of topics for which work has begun on evidence reports from the Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs). Knowledge of an evidence report and its release date might be useful to decisionmakers. Note that the expected release dates are tentative and subject to change, being updated as necessary.