Predischarge Antibiotics Review Associated With Lower Antibiotic Overuse

AHRQ Stats: Substance Use Disorder Inpatient Stay Hot Spots

During 2016 through 2018, inpatient stays for alcohol-related disorders were concentrated in the Midwest, parts of Appalachia, Nevada and Rhode Island, while stays for opioid-related disorders were concentrated in Appalachia and New Jersey. (Source: AHRQ, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief #289, Geographic Variation in Inpatient Stays for Five Leading Substance Use Disorders, 2016-2018.)

Today's Headlines:

• Predischarge Antibiotics Review Associated With Lower Antibiotic Overuse.
• Deadline Extended for Public Input on AHRQ’s Framework for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Investments.
• AHRQ Releases New Resources for Primary Care Practices To Treat Stimulant Use.
• Register Now for April 27-28 Workshops on Using Data From Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project.
• Highlights From AHRQ’s Patient Safety Network.
• Register Now for May 3 Webinar on Use of Surveys on Patient Safety Culture Nursing Home Survey: What You Need to Know.
• New Research and Evidence From AHRQ.
• AHRQ in the Professional Literature.

Predischarge Antibiotics Review Associated With Lower Antibiotic Overuse

Hospitals that reviewed patients’ use of antibiotics before discharge had less antibiotic overuse, AHRQ-supported research found. In a survey of 39 Michigan hospitals conducted in 2019, researchers found that hospitals used a median of 12 antibiotic stewardship strategies, including establishing an antibiotic stewardship team and reviewing antibiotics prior to discharge. The more stewardship strategies a hospital used, the lower its antibiotic overuse at discharge. However, review of antibiotics prior to discharge was the only strategy consistently associated with lower antibiotic overuse. The study, published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, reported that strategies targeted specifically at the discharge process showed the most success in reducing antibiotic overuse. Access the abstract.

Deadline Extended for Public Input on AHRQ’s Framework for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Investments

May 24 is the new deadline for public input on a Federal Register Notice that solicits public input on a draft strategic framework for AHRQ’s future investments in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) dissemination and implementation projects. The framework will help guide AHRQ’s PCOR investments, long-range planning and the selection and scope of objectives, projects and outcomes. AHRQ’s investments, supported by the PCOR Trust Fund, are intended to have the greatest impact on equitable whole-person care across lifespans. Responses to AHRQ’s draft framework are sought from healthcare providers, patients, community groups, employers, health services researchers, dissemination and implementation scientists, communications experts, representatives from health systems, and public and private payers. Access more information about AHRQ’s draft framework and the agency’s PCOR activities.

AHRQ Releases New Resources for Primary Care Practices To Treat Stimulant Use

A new guide from AHRQ’s Academy for Integrating Behavioral Health and Primary Care  provides research evidence, guidance and resources for treating stimulant use in primary care practices. It can help practices support screening, assessment, treatment, management and continuing care for stimulant use. The Academy has also added new tools and resources for treating stimulant and opioid co-use, such as the Addictions, Drug & Alcohol Institute’s People Who Use Opioids and Stimulants, as well as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders. AHRQ’s Academy was created to respond to the need for a national resource and coordinating center for supporting the integration of behavioral health and primary care. 

Register Now for April 27-28 Workshops on Using Data From Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project

Registration is open for April 27-28 online workshops to help researchers plan analytic studies that use databases and/or research tools from AHRQ’s Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). The April 27 workshop will provide an overview of HCUP and HCUP User Support while providing guidance on deciding which HCUP database to use, using multiyear HCUP data, and defining conditions and/or procedures of interest. The April 28 workshop will provide insights on how to identify data elements of interest, validate HCUP estimates, purchase HCUP databases and confirm HCUP publication requirements. Both workshops are scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. ET.

Highlights From AHRQ’s Patient Safety Network

AHRQ’s Patient Safety Network (PSNet) highlights journal articles, books and tools related to patient safety. Articles featured this week include:

• Workarounds in electronic health record systems and the revised Sociotechnical Electronic Health Record Workaround Analysis Framework: scoping review.
• Implementing a robust process improvement program in the neonatal intensive care unit to reduce harm.
• Error and cognitive bias in diagnostic radiology.

Review additional new publications in PSNet’s current issue or access recent cases and commentaries in AHRQ’s WebM&M (Morbidity and Mortality Rounds on the Web).

Register Now for May 3 Webinar on Use of Surveys on Patient Safety Culture Nursing Home Survey: What You Need to Know

Registration is open for a webinar May 3 from 1 to 2 p.m. ET about use of AHRQ’s Surveys on Patient Safety Culture™ (SOPS®) Nursing Home Survey to assess and improve resident safety culture. Speakers will describe the importance of resident safety culture, the survey and its administration, and the benefits of participating in AHRQ’s SOPS Nursing Home Survey Database. An opportunity to participate in a pilot study of workplace safety supplemental items will also be shared.

New Research and Evidence From AHRQ

• Technical Brief (draft open for comment): Infection Prevention and Control for the Emergency Medical Services/911 Workforce.

AHRQ in the Professional Literature

Understanding engagement behaviors and rapport building in tobacco cessation telephone counseling: an analysis of audio-recorded counseling calls. Schnitzer K, Senft N, Tindle HA, et al. J Subst Abuse Treat 2022 Apr;135:108643. Epub 2021 Oct 23. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Everyday discrimination and cancer metaphor preferences: the mediating effects of needs for personal significance and cognitive closure. Fernandez JR, Richmond J, Nápoles AM, et al. SSM Popul Health 2022 Mar;17:100991. Epub 2021 Dec 18. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Integration of regional hospitalizations, registry and vital statistics data for development of a single statewide ischemic stroke database. Yan Z, Nielsen V, Song G, et al. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2022 Mar;31(3):106236. Epub 2021 Dec 23. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Field trauma triage among older adults: a cost-effectiveness analysis. Maughan BC, Lin A, Caughey AB, et al. J Am Coll Surg 2022 Feb;234(2):139-54. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Quality of care for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: data from the American College of Rheumatology RISE Registry. Schmajuk G, Li J, Evans M, et al. Arthritis Care Res 2022 Feb;74(2):179-86. Epub 2021 Dec 27. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Demianczyk AC, Bechtel Driscoll CF, Karpyn A, et al. Child Care Health Dev 2022 Jan;48(1):129-38. Epub 2021 Oct 1. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Making sense of diabetes medication decisions: a mixed methods cluster randomized trial using a conversation aid intervention. Kunneman M, Branda ME, Ridgeway JL, et al. Endocrine 2022 Feb;75(2):377-91. Epub 2021 Sep 9. Access the abstract on PubMed®.

Association of implementation and social network factors with patient safety culture in medical homes: a coincidence analysis. Dy SM, Acton RM, Yuan CT, et al. J Patient Saf 2022 Jan;18(1):e249-56. Access the abstract on PubMed®.