National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 194 Research Studies DisplayedSalwei ME, Hoonakker P, Carayon P
Usability of a human factors-based clinical decision support in the emergency department: lessons learned for design and implementation.
A human-centered design process was followed to assess the usability and adoption of human factors (HF)-based clinical decision support (CDS) in the emergency department (ED). A CDS was developed to aid in pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis, showing high usability in testing. However, despite positive perceptions, actual CDS usage remained low due to integration issues with clinician workflow. The findings highlight the need for ongoing refinement of CDS design to align with clinical workflows and enhance usability.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395; HS024558; HS022086. NIH 142099
Citation: Salwei ME, Hoonakker P, Carayon P .
Usability of a human factors-based clinical decision support in the emergency department: lessons learned for design and implementation.
Hum Factors 2024 Mar; 66(3):647-57. doi: 10.1177/00187208221078625.
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Emergency Department, Implementation
Hernandez SE, Solomon D, Moon J
Understanding clinical implementation coordinators' experiences in deploying evidence-based interventions.
Researchers described their fluoroquinolone restriction for the prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (FIRST) trial, a multisite clinical study which used an electronic health record-based best-practice alert to optimize the use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in acute care settings. Their goals were to describe the roles and responsibilities of clinical implementation coordinators within antibiotic stewardship teams and to identify facilitators and barriers coordinators experienced within the implementation process. The researchers conducted directed content analysis of semistructured interviews, implementation diaries, and check-in meetings. Their results indicated that clinical implementation coordinators facilitated the implementation process via their roles and responsibilities and acted as strategic partners in the improvement of adoption and sustainability of a fluoroquinolone preauthorization protocol.
AHRQ-funded; HS026226.
Citation: Hernandez SE, Solomon D, Moon J .
Understanding clinical implementation coordinators' experiences in deploying evidence-based interventions.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2024 Feb 8; 81(4):120-28. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxad272.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Implementation, COVID-19
Dayao JKO, Duffy CEL, Cristiano AM
Implementation and evaluation of Exercise is Medicine in primary care clinics within a large academic health system.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, implementation, and effectiveness of the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) initiative. Researchers used a combination of the Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) and the Learning Evaluation model to implement EIM; data was collected from the EHR, including Physical Activity Vital Sign (PAVS) scores, and also from qualitative surveys and interviews with the patients, clinicians, and staff of 5 primary care clinics within a large academic health system. The results indicated that EIM is feasible for routine primary care practice within a large academic health system. The researchers concluded that EIM is a model to emulate to help primary care providers address healthy lifestyle behaviors more efficiently.
AHRQ-funded; HS026517.
Citation: Dayao JKO, Duffy CEL, Cristiano AM .
Implementation and evaluation of Exercise is Medicine in primary care clinics within a large academic health system.
Fam Med Community Health 2024 Feb 2; 12(1):e002608. doi: 10.1136/fmch-2023-002608..
Keywords: Primary Care, Lifestyle Changes, Health Promotion, Implementation
Frehn JL, Li JN, Liu KR
Implementation of a universal screening and follow-up care system for pediatric developmental and behavioral health in federally qualified health center sites.
This study assessed the results of implementing an intervention to increase screening of developmental delays in children at six federally qualified health center (FQHC) sites in Northern California from April 2014 to April 2017. The goals of the intervention were to increase (a) standardized developmental screening at recommended intervals and (b) follow-up care and support for early intervention services. The aim was to optimize each site's screening processes, supported by an automated electronic tablet-based system. Social workers were hired to conduct follow-up clinical assessments, provide psychosocial education and treatment, provide referrals, provide case management support, and collaborate with service partners. During the last year of the intervention, when tablet-based screening was adopted, the sites screened an estimated 6,550 children ages 0-18 at 23 intervals in three domains (developmental, autism, and psychosocial/behavioral), compared to a baseline where they screened children ages 0-3 at four intervals in one domain. Screening rates increased from 65.3% to 75.5% after automation was extended from the first to the second site and continued its’ increase to 91.8% after automation was expanded to the remaining sites. Ranges for follow-up visits were between 74% and 88%.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Frehn JL, Li JN, Liu KR .
Implementation of a universal screening and follow-up care system for pediatric developmental and behavioral health in federally qualified health center sites.
Fam Syst Health 2023 Dec; 41(4):454-66. doi: 10.1037/fsh0000803..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Disabilities, Screening, Implementation
Goldberg DG, Owens-Jasey C, Haghighat S
Implementation strategies for large scale quality improvement initiatives in primary care settings: a qualitative assessment.
This study focused on gaining a comprehensive understanding of perspectives from research participants and research team members on the value of implementation strategies and factors that influenced the AHRQ-funded EvidenceNOW initiative in Virginia. The goal of EvidenceNOW’s Advancing Heart Health in Primary Care initiative is to assist primary care practices in the US in implementing evidence-based practices in cardiovascular care and building capacity for quality improvement. In 2018, the authors conducted 25 focus groups with clinicians and staff at participating practices, including 80 physicians, advanced practice clinicians, practice managers, and other practice staff. They also conducted face-to-face and telephone interviews with 22 research team members, including lead investigators, practice facilitators, physician expert consultants, and evaluators. They used the integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in the Health Services (i-PARIHS) framework in their qualitative data analysis and organization of themes. Implementation strategies that were valued by both practice representatives and research team members included the kick-off event, on-site practice facilitation, and interaction with physician expert consults. Day-to-day activities often overwhelmed clinicians and staff, which hindered their ability to fully participate in the EvidenceNOW initiative.
AHRQ-funded; HS023913.
Citation: Goldberg DG, Owens-Jasey C, Haghighat S .
Implementation strategies for large scale quality improvement initiatives in primary care settings: a qualitative assessment.
BMC Prim Care 2023 Nov 17; 24(1):242. doi: 10.1186/s12875-023-02200-8..
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Implementation
Lovero KL, Kemp CG, Wagenaar BH
Application of the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation of strategies to health intervention implementation in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.
The authors conducted a systematic literature review on the use of Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) project strategies for health intervention implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in order to identify gaps and to inform future research. The results indicated that ERIC usage in LMICs is rapidly growing, but its application has not been consistently used to test strategy effectiveness. The authors recommended that future LMICs research test strategies need to be better specified, so they may be compared across contexts and their impact on outcomes evaluated.
AHRQ-funded; HS025632.
Citation: Lovero KL, Kemp CG, Wagenaar BH .
Application of the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) compilation of strategies to health intervention implementation in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.
Implement Sci 2023 Oct 30; 18(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s13012-023-01310-2..
Keywords: Implementation, Evidence-Based Practice
Kim B, Cruden G, Crable EL
A structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms.
This article delineated a structured approach to applying systems analysis methods to examining implementation mechanisms. This approach included steps for selecting, tailoring, and evaluating an implementation strategy. The authors illustrated the approach by using an example case, then discussed the strengths and limitations of this approach, when each step might be appropriate. They suggested work that might extend systems analysis methods to the implementation mechanisms research.
AHRQ-funded; HS025632.
Citation: Kim B, Cruden G, Crable EL .
A structured approach to applying systems analysis methods for examining implementation mechanisms.
Implement Sci Commun 2023 Oct 19; 4(1):127. doi: 10.1186/s43058-023-00504-5..
Keywords: Implementation, Evidence-Based Practice, Health Systems
Tyler A, Jolles M
Methodological progress note: implementation science contributions to healthcare research and practice.
Existing research reflects that specific populations such as senior citizens, minorities, and rural Americans have proportionally less access to telehealth when compared to the average American. The purpose of this study was to explore specific strategies for overcoming barriers to telehealth access through an evaluation of data collected by a medical student-run telehealth education program. During the study period the researchers contacted 47 patients by telephone through the GET (Geriatric Education On Telehealth) Access Program. The study found 4 main themes during the discussions with patients, including: completion of registration steps, familiarity with accessing and using video conferencing software, attainment of proxy access for parents of a pediatric patient, and resolution of miscellaneous technical queries.
AHRQ-funded; HS026512.
Citation: Tyler A, Jolles M .
Methodological progress note: implementation science contributions to healthcare research and practice.
J Hosp Med 2023 Oct; 18(10):920-25. doi: 10.1002/jhm.13147..
Keywords: Implementation, Health Services Research (HSR), Evidence-Based Practice
Johnson PT, Conway SJ, Berkowitz SA
Transforming health care from volume to value: a health system implementation road map.
The mission of the High Value Practice Academic Alliance is to 1) rapidly disseminate effective value-based performance improvement processes to safely decrease the cost of care for patients, and 2) train the next generation of physicians in principles of high value practice. The organization convened 100 academic medical center partners, and after 5 years of practice, opened membership to any medical center and became the High Value Practice Alliance. In 2021 and 2022, directors of the alliance devoted educational programs of the annual conference to developing a care delivery roadmap identifying the strategies and programs required to maximize resource use, clinical effectiveness, and care coordination. The group is now publishing the “playbook” as a series of focused articles, a comprehensive framework to improve the health care value in a delivery system. This playbook includes 3 performance improvement approaches: 1) resource focused, 2) infrastructure focused, and 3) condition focused. The Transforming Healthcare from Volume to Value: a Health System Implementation RoadMap manuscript series will address each of the strategies and relevant programs.
AHRQ-funded; HS029151; HS026350.
Citation: Johnson PT, Conway SJ, Berkowitz SA .
Transforming health care from volume to value: a health system implementation road map.
Am J Med 2023 Aug; 136(8):763-67. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2023.04.030..
Keywords: Health Systems, Implementation, Healthcare Delivery
Rome D, Sales A, Cornelius T
Impact of telemedicine modality on quality metrics in diverse settings: implementation science-informed retrospective cohort study.
The objective of this study was to assess telemedicine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic and impact of visit modality on primary care quality metrics in diverse, low socioeconomic status settings. Research was informed by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework. Researchers found that there were marginally better quality metrics for in-person care versus video and phone visits, and that de-adoption of telemedicine was marked within 2 years in the study population. They concluded that the impact of visit modality on quality outcomes, provider and patient preferences, and technological barriers in historically marginalized settings should be considered.
AHRQ-funded; HS025198.
Citation: Rome D, Sales A, Cornelius T .
Impact of telemedicine modality on quality metrics in diverse settings: implementation science-informed retrospective cohort study.
J Med Internet Res 2023 Jul 26; 25:e47670. doi: 10.2196/47670..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Implementation, Quality Measures, Quality of Care
Lin YJ, Ranusch A, Seagull FJ
Dynamic interplay between available resources and implementation climate across phases of implementation: a qualitative study of a VA national population health tool.
This study analyzed the factors that may determine successful implementation of an intervention by examining the co-occurrence patterns between available resources and implementation climate across different implementation phases. There have been very few studies that have investigated how the required resources change over the phases of implementation. The authors conducted a secondary analysis of interviews that were conducted with 20 anticoagulation professionals at 17 clinical sites in the Veterans Health Administration health system about their experiences with a population health dashboard for anticoagulant management. Key relationships between available resources and implementation climate were identified and summarized. Resources necessary to support the successful implementation of an intervention were found to not be static, Both quantity and types of resources shift based on the phases of the intervention. Increased resource availability does not guarantee the sustainment of intervention success. New technological interventions require resources in the form of technological support and social/emotional support to help users establish trust. Resources that foster and maintain collaboration between users and other stakeholders can help them stay motivated during sustainment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026874.
Citation: Lin YJ, Ranusch A, Seagull FJ .
Dynamic interplay between available resources and implementation climate across phases of implementation: a qualitative study of a VA national population health tool.
Implement Sci Commun 2023 Jun 29; 4(1):74. doi: 10.1186/s43058-023-00460-0..
Keywords: Implementation, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Blebu BE, Liu PY, Harrington M
Implementation of cross-sector partnerships: a description of implementation factors related to addressing social determinants to reduce racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes.
The purpose of this mixed methods design study was to integrate the perspectives of healthcare staff and community-based partner organizations to describe the implementation of a cross-sector partnership developed for the purpose of addressing social and structural determinants in pregnancy. The researchers utilized in-depth interviews and social network analysis to incorporate the perspectives of healthcare clinicians and staff with the views of community-based partner organizations to identify implementation factors related to cross-sector partnerships. The study identified 7 implementation variables related to 3 themes: strengths of a network approach to cross-sector collaboration, relationship-centered care, and barriers and facilitators of cross-sector partnerships. The study results highlighted establishing relationships between healthcare staff, patients, and community-based partner organizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407.
Citation: Blebu BE, Liu PY, Harrington M .
Implementation of cross-sector partnerships: a description of implementation factors related to addressing social determinants to reduce racial disparities in adverse birth outcomes.
Front Public Health 2023 Jun 16; 11:1106740. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1106740..
Keywords: Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Maternal Care, Women, Implementation
Gustavson AM, Vincenzo J, Miller MJ
Equitable implementation of innovations to promote successful aging in place.
The growing and diversifying older adult population in the United States necessitates equitable and effective care strategies to support aging-in-place. However, evidence-based innovations developed with equity in mind may not translate to equitable implementation due to different contextual barriers experienced by a diverse population of older adults. This paper aims to (1) define the concept of "equitable implementation" and identify current equity gaps in aging research and (2) present a customizable research logic model that can guide the equitable implementation and scaling of aging innovations. The proposed logic model, informed by the Health Equity Implementation Framework, offers a structured approach to identify determinants of equitable implementation, select implementation strategies, examine hypothesized mechanisms of change, and evaluate outcomes across individual, implementation, and population levels. The application of this logic model will advance the development, implementation, and evaluation of equitable innovations to support aging-in-place for all older adult populations, particularly those most marginalized.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Gustavson AM, Vincenzo J, Miller MJ .
Equitable implementation of innovations to promote successful aging in place.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2023 Feb; 71(2):683-88. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18177..
Keywords: Elderly, Implementation
Dorsch MP, Chen CS, Allen AL
Nationwide implementation of a population management dashboard for monitoring direct oral anticoagulants: Insights from the Veterans Affairs health system.
Although they exhibit a robust efficacy and safety profile, prescribing Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in accordance with evidence-based practices can be difficult due to varying dosage requirements based on factors like indication, renal function, and drug interactions. To assist pharmacists in reviewing anticoagulant prescriptions, the Veterans Health Affairs (VHA) created and deployed a population management dashboard that displays information on DOACs, prescribed dosages, renal function, age, weight, potential drug interactions, and refill needs. This dashboard operates as a standalone system. The purpose of this study was to assess the DOAC dashboard using the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework, analyzing login data from the dashboard. The study found that from August 2016 to June 2020, 150 out of 164 VHA sites utilized the dashboard, with an average of 1875 patients per site. The dashboard was introduced to sites in a staggered manner. Moderate or high adoption, defined as logging in on at least two separate days per month, started slowly with 3 out of 5 pilot sites but quickly rose to 142 out of 150 (94.7%) sites by June 2020. The mean number of unique users per site grew from 2.4 to 7.5 during the study. By the end of the research period, 126 out of 150 (84.0%) sites maintained moderate to high adoption of the dashboard for over six months. The researchers concluded that the population health dashboard for evidence-based anticoagulant prescribing witnessed rapid and sustained implementation and adoption across the national VHA health system in the United States. Investigating the tool's impact on clinical outcomes and replicating this care model in other healthcare systems would be crucial for widespread dissemination and adoption.
AHRQ-funded; HS026874.
Citation: Dorsch MP, Chen CS, Allen AL .
Nationwide implementation of a population management dashboard for monitoring direct oral anticoagulants: Insights from the Veterans Affairs health system.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2023 Feb; 16(2):e009256. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.122.009256..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Medication, Implementation
Starmer AJ, Spector ND, O'Toole JK
Implementation of the I-PASS handoff program in diverse clinical environments: a multicenter prospective effectiveness implementation study.
The purpose of this study was to assess I-PASS patient handoff intervention implementation across diverse settings to evaluate whether there it impacted pediatric patient safety and communication. External teams provided coaching over 18 months to hospital residents from diverse specialties across 32 hospitals (12 community, 20 academic) with 2735 resident physicians and 760 faculty champions from multiple specialties (16 internal medicine, 13 pediatric, 3 other) participating. The researchers collected 1942 error surveillance reports. Following I-PASS implementation, major and minor handoff-related reported adverse events decreased 47%. Intervention implementation was related with increased inclusion of all five key handoff data elements in verbal and written handoffs, as well as increased frequency of handoffs with high quality verbal and written patient summaries, verbal and written contingency plans, and verbal receiver syntheses.
AHRQ-funded; HS023291.
Citation: Starmer AJ, Spector ND, O'Toole JK .
Implementation of the I-PASS handoff program in diverse clinical environments: a multicenter prospective effectiveness implementation study.
J Hosp Med 2023 Jan; 18(1):5-14. doi: 10.1002/jhm.12979..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Implementation, Communication
Rizk S, Kaelin VC, Sim JGC
Implementing an electronic patient-reported outcome and decision support tool in early intervention.
The study’s aim was to identify and prioritize early intervention (EI) stakeholders' perspectives of supports and barriers to implementing the Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM), an electronic patient-reported outcome (e-PRO) tool, for scaling its implementation across multiple local and state EI programs. A mixed-methods study was conducted with EI families (n = 6), service coordinators (n = 9), and program leadership (n = 7). Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted and used to share quantitative trial results. All three stakeholder groups identified thematic supports and barriers across multiple constructs within each of four Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) domains: (1) Six themes for "intervention characteristics," (2) Six themes for "process," (3) Three themes for "inner setting," and (4) Four themes for "outer setting." Priorities from stakeholders included prioritized reaching families with diverse linguistic preferences and user navigation needs, further tailoring its interface with automated data capture and exchange processes ("process"); and fostering a positive implementation climate ("inner setting"). Improving EI access (“outer setting”) using YC-PEM e-PRO results was also articulated by service coordinators and program leadership.
AHRQ-funded; HS027583.
Citation: Rizk S, Kaelin VC, Sim JGC .
Implementing an electronic patient-reported outcome and decision support tool in early intervention.
Appl Clin Inform 2023 Jan; 14(1):91-107. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-1760631..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Children/Adolescents, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Implementation
Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of this study was to investigate the implementation of telehealth in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data from a national survey of nursing home administrative leaders using six survey questions and semi-structured interviews. Their conclusions indicate that training, restructuring teams and tasks, and adaptation of work processes to support communication could improve usability and sustainability of telehealth in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS02249.
Citation: Powell KR, Winkler AE, Liu J .
A mixed-methods analysis of telehealth implementation in nursing homes amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Dec;70(12):3493-502. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18020..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Implementation
Lewis CC, Klasnja P, Lyon AR
The mechanics of implementation strategies and measures: advancing the study of implementation mechanisms.
The purpose of this project is to identify strategy-mechanism linkages, develop causal models for mechanism evaluation, produce measures needed to evaluate such linkages, and make these models, methods, and measures available in a user-friendly website. The study reports that once strategy-mechanism linkages are identified, implementation scientists can utilize the resulting searchable database to create customized implementation strategies and generate stronger evidence about which strategies work best in which situations. Additionally, providers will be able to choose implementation strategies that best address their specific implementation challenges. The researchers concluded that new possibilities in implementation strategy development, optimization, evaluation, and deployment are anticipated to be more achievable as a result of this research, which can lead to improved implementation of evidence-based interventions and related improvements in patient outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS025632.
Citation: Lewis CC, Klasnja P, Lyon AR .
The mechanics of implementation strategies and measures: advancing the study of implementation mechanisms.
Implement Sci Commun 2022 Oct 22;3(1):114. doi: 10.1186/s43058-022-00358-3..
Keywords: Implementation
Pestka DL, Paterson NL, Brummel AR
Barriers and facilitators to implementing pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication management in primary care transformation.
The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators when integrating pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication management (CMM) services into a health system's team-based primary care transformation (PCT) using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Findings showed that identifying and addressing implementation barriers and facilitators early during PCT rollout was critical to the success of team-based services such as CMM and becoming a learning health system. Further, clinical pharmacists providing CMM represented a valuable interdisciplinary care team member who can help to improve healthcare quality and access to primary care.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Pestka DL, Paterson NL, Brummel AR .
Barriers and facilitators to implementing pharmacist-provided comprehensive medication management in primary care transformation.
Am J Health Syst Pharm 2022 Jul 22;79(15):1255-65. doi: 10.1093/ajhp/zxac104..
Keywords: Medication, Provider: Pharmacist, Primary Care, Implementation, Practice Improvement
Hinson JS, Klein E, Smith A
Multisite implementation of a workflow-integrated machine learning system to optimize COVID-19 hospital admission decisions.
This study’s objective was to develop, implement, and evaluate an electronic health record (EHR) embedded clinical decision support (CDS) system that leveraged machine learning (ML) to estimate short-term risk for clinical deterioration in patients with or under investigation for COVID-19. The system translates model-generated risk for critical care needs within 24 hours and inpatient care needs within 72 hours into rapidly interpretable COVID-19 Deterioration Risk Levels made viewable within ED clinician workflow. A retrospective cohort of 21,452 ED patients who visited one of five ED study sites was used to derive ML models and were prospectively validated in 15,670 ED visits that occurred before (n = 4322) or after (n = 11,348) CDS implementation. Model performance and numerous patient-oriented outcomes including in-hospital mortality were measured across study periods. ML model performance was excellent under all conditions. AUC ranged from 0.85 to 0.91 for prediction of critical care needs and 0.80-0.90 for inpatient care needs. Total mortality was unchanged across study periods but was reduced among high-risk patients after the implementation.
AHRQ-funded; HS026640.
Citation: Hinson JS, Klein E, Smith A .
Multisite implementation of a workflow-integrated machine learning system to optimize COVID-19 hospital admission decisions.
NPJ Digit Med 2022 Jul 16;5(1):94. doi: 10.1038/s41746-022-00646-1..
Keywords: COVID-19, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Implementation, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Emergency Department, Shared Decision Making
Wyse JJ, Mackey K, Lovejoy TI
Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder through locally-initiated implementation.
The purpose of this study was to identify and describe locally- and internally-developed approaches to improve patient access to medication treatment for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The researchers utilized the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to guide qualitative interviews and ethnographic observations to examine the planning, design, and implementation of a locally-initiated process to expand access to MOUD. The study found that a self-appointed local team successfully developed and implemented a Primary Care-based Buprenorphine Clinic and E-Consult Service to expand access to MOUD to patients across the health care system, including national and local policy changes, identifying appropriate and widely supported models of care delivery and consultation, and increasing staff investment in the efforts by including them in collaborative planning and problem-solving. The study concluded that a local team can plan, develop and build new processes of care that are customized to meet local needs and contribute to long-term sustainability in the community.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Wyse JJ, Mackey K, Lovejoy TI .
Expanding access to medications for opioid use disorder through locally-initiated implementation.
Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022 Jun 20;17(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13722-022-00312-7..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication, Access to Care, Practice Patterns, Implementation
Petragallo R, Bardach N, Ramirez E
Barriers and facilitators to clinical implementation of radiotherapy treatment planning automation: a survey study of medical dosimetrists.
Researchers examined the barriers and facilitators to adoption of commercially available automated planning tools into the clinical workflow using a survey of medical dosimetrists. Through surveys, three categories of barriers to use of automation were identified. This investigation highlighted several concrete approaches that could potentially increase the translation of automation into the clinic, along with areas of needed research.
AHRQ-funded; HS026486.
Citation: Petragallo R, Bardach N, Ramirez E .
Barriers and facilitators to clinical implementation of radiotherapy treatment planning automation: a survey study of medical dosimetrists.
J Appl Clin Med Phys 2022 May;23(5):e13568. doi: 10.1002/acm2.13568..
Keywords: Treatments, Implementation
Cope EL, Johnson M, Khan M
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB
Contextual factors affecting implementation of pediatric quality improvement programs.
Researchers assessed the role of contextual factors in influencing the efforts of 5 diverse quality improvement projects as part of the Pediatric Quality Measure Program (PQMP) directed by AHRQ. In a mixed methods study, they conducted semistructured interviews, followed by structured worksheets, of 5 PQMP grantees. They found that using a determinant framework, such as the Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases, is valuable in facilitating comparisons across heterogeneous projects, allowing identification of key contextual factors influencing the implementation of pediatric quality measures across a diverse range of clinical topics and settings.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Cope EL, Johnson M, Khan M .
Contextual factors affecting implementation of pediatric quality improvement programs.
Acad Pediatr 2022 Apr;22(3S):S81-S91. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.08.016..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Quality Measures, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Implementation
Mistry KB, Sagatov RDF, Schur C
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB, Sagatov RDF
Design and implementation of the Pediatric Quality Measures Program 2.0.
This AHRQ-authored research discusses the design and implementation of the Pediatric Quality Measures Program (PQMP) 2.0. The PQMP was established in response to the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009. AHRQ and CMS awarded 6 grants to Centers of Excellence (COEs) and a contract to facilitate collaboration and learning across the COEs. The COEs partnered with stakeholders from multiple levels to field test real-world implementation and refinement of pediatric quality measures and quality improvement initiatives. A PQMP Learning Collaborative (PQMP-LC) consisting of AHRQ, CMS, the 6 COEs, and L&M Policy Research, LLC was created to complete literature reviews, conduct key informant interviews, and collect data to develop reports to address the Research Foci. It also aided with development of measure implementation and quality improvement toolkits; conceptualized an implementation science framework, analysis, and roadmap; and facilitated dissemination of learnings and products. The various products created are intended to support the uptake of PQMP measures and inform future pediatric measurement and improvement work.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Mistry KB, Sagatov RDF, Schur C .
Design and implementation of the Pediatric Quality Measures Program 2.0.
Acad Pediatr 2022 Apr;22(3s):S59-S64. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2021.12.021..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Quality Measures, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Implementation
Schnipper JL, Reyes Nieva H, Mallouk M
Effects of a refined evidence-based toolkit and mentored implementation on medication reconciliation at 18 hospitals: results of the MARQUIS2 study.
This study was a follow-up of the first Multicenter Medication Reconciliation Quality Improvement Study (MARQUIS1) that demonstrated mentored implementation of a medication reconciliation best practices toolkit. The toolkit decreased total unintentional medication discrepancies in five hospitals, but results varied by site. The toolkit has been refined with lessons learned and retooled as MARQUIS2. The tool was implemented at 18 North American hospitals or hospital systems from 2016 to 2018, offering 17 system-level and 6-patient-level interventions. One of eight physicians coached each site remotely via monthly calls and one or two site visits. A total of 4947 patients were sampled, with 1229 preimplementation and 3718 postimplementation. A steady decline in medication discrepancy rates were experienced from 2.85 discrepancies per patient down to 0.98 discrepancies. An interrupted time series analysis of the 17 sites showed the intervention was associated with a 5% relative decrease in discrepancies per month.
AHRQ-funded; HS025486; HS023757.
Citation: Schnipper JL, Reyes Nieva H, Mallouk M .
Effects of a refined evidence-based toolkit and mentored implementation on medication reconciliation at 18 hospitals: results of the MARQUIS2 study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2022 Apr;31(4):278-86. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2020-012709..
Keywords: Medication, Evidence-Based Practice, Tools & Toolkits, Implementation, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety