A Resident-led Quality Improvement Initiative to Improve Obesity Screening

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 Journal of Medical Quality
Laiteerapong N, Key CE, Naylor KB, et al. A resident-led quality improvement initiative to improve obesity screening. Am J Med Qual 2011 Jul-Aug; 26(4):315-22. [Supported by grant T32 HS00084 (to first author). Select to access the abstract.

Anesthesia and Analgesia
Memtsoudis SG, Ma Y, Chiu YL, Poultsides L, Gonzalez della Valle A, Mazumdar M. Bilateral total knee arthroplasty: risk factors for major morbidity and mortality. Anesth Analg 2011 Jul 13. [Epub ahead of print. Supported by Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) grant RFA HS05-14 (to last author).] Select to access the abstract.

Circulation
Mathews R, Peterson ED, Li S, et al. Use of emergency medical service transport among patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction: findings from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry Acute Coronary Treatment Intervention Outcomes Network Registry—Get with the Guidelines. Circulation 2011 Jul 12; 124(2):154-63. [Supported by grant U18 HS16964.] Select to access the abstract.

Congenital Heart Disease
Schidlow DN, Anderson JB, Klitzner TS, et al. Variation in interstage outpatient care after the Norwood procedure: a report from the Joint Council on Congenital Heart Disease National Quality Improvement Collaborative. Congen Heart Dis 2011 Mar-Apr; 6(2):98-107. [Supported by grant HS16957.] Select to access the abstract.

Brown DW, Connor JA, Pigula FA, et al. Variation in preoperative and intraoperative care for first-state palliation of single-ventricle heart disease: a report from the Joint Council on Congenital Heart Disease National Quality Improvement Collaborative. Congen Heart Dis 2011 Mar-Apr; 6(2):108-15. Supported by grant HS16957.] Select to access the abstract.

Baker-Smith CM, Neish SR, Klitzner TS, et al. Variation in postoperative care following Stage 1 palliation for single-ventricle patients: a report from the Joint Council on Congenital Heart Disease National Quality Improvement Collaborative. Congen Heart Dis 2011 Mar-Apr; 6(2):116-27. Supported by grant HS16957.] Select to access the abstract.

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness
Hodge JG Jr, Anderson ED, Kirsch TD, et al. Facilitating hospital emergency preparedness: introduction of a model memorandum of understanding. Disaster Med Public Health Prep 2011 Mar; 5(1):54-61. [Supported by grant U01 HS145330-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Affairs
Fleurant M, Kell R, Love J, et al. Massachusetts e-health project increased physicians' ability to use registries, and signals progress toward better care. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1256-64. [Supported by 1 UC1 HS15397.] Select to access the abstract.

McHugh MD, Kelly LA, Sloane DM, et al. Contradicting fears, California's nurse-to-patient mandate did not reduce the skill level of the nursing workforce in hospitals. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1299-306. [Supported by grant K08 HS17551 (first author, principal investigator).] Select to access the abstract.

Hypertension
Persell SD. Prevalence of resistant hypertension in the United States, 2003-2008. Hypertension 2011 Jun; 57(6):1076-80. [Supported by Career Development Award grant 1 K08 HS15647-01.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Ambulatory Care Management
Gerber LM, Mongoven J, McDonald M, et al. Activation among chronically ill older adults with complex medical needs: challenges to supporting effective self-management. J Ambul Care Manage 2011 Jul-Sep; 34(3):292-303. [Supported by contract 290-00-0013, task order 3; acknowledges assistance from AHRQ researchers Tricia Trinite and Cynthia Palmer.] Select to access the abstract.

Fagnan LJ, Dorr DA, Davis M, et al. Turning on the care coordination switch in rural primary care: voices from the practices—clinician champions, clinician partners, administrators, and nurse care managers. J Ambul Care Manage 2011 Jul-Sep; 34(3):304-18. [Supported by contract HHSA29020071000161 task order 5.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association
Hripcsak G, Vawdrey DK, Fred MR, et al. Use of electronic clinical documentation: time spent and team interactions. J Am Med Inform Assoc 2011 Mar-Apr; 18(2):112-17. [Supported by grant R03 HS18250.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Lee JK, Parisi SM, Akers AY, et al. The impact of contraceptive counseling in primary care on contraceptive use. J Gen Intern Med 2011 Jul; 26(7):731-6. [Supported by grant R18 HS17093; cites USPSTF recommendations in Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2006, and compares them with recommendations from the 1996 edition.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Wound Ostomy Continence Nursing
Bergquist-Beringer S, Daley CM. Adapting pressure ulcer prevention for use in home health care. J Wound Ostomy Continence Nurs 2011 Mar-Apr; 38(2):145-54. [Supported by grant R03 HS17353.] Select to access the abstract.

Pharmacotherapy
Bhardwaja B, Carroll NM, Raebel MA, et al. Improving prescribing safety in patients with renal insufficiency in the ambulatory setting: the Drug Renal Alert Pharmacy (DRAP) program. Pharmacotherapy 2011 Apr; 31(4):346-56. [Supported by grant 1 UC1 HS14249.] Select to access the abstract.

Public Health Reports
Holman RC, Folkema AM, Singleton TJ, Redd JT, Christensen KY, Steiner CA, et al. Disparities in infectious disease hospitalizations for American Indian/Alaska Native people. Public Health Rep 2011 Jul-Aug; 126(4):508-21. [Sixth author is a researcher in AHRQ's Center for Delivery, Organization, and Markets; uses 1998-2006 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) data.]

AHRQ-Related Articles

American Journal of Medical Quality
Kalisch BJ, Tschannen D, Lee H, et al. Hospital variation in missed nursing care. Am J Med Qual 2011 Jul-Aug; 26(4):291-9. [Discusses recognition of errors of omission vs. commission from AHRQ's PSNet Patient Safety Network: Glossary, on AHRQ's PSNet Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Lin JJ, Moor C. Impact of an electronic health record on follow-up time for markedly elevated serum potassium results. Am J Med Qual 2011 Jul-Aug; 26(4):308-14. [Cites AHRQ factsheet, 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors, as published on AHRQ's Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Nursing
Pfeifer GM. Nurse staffing matters—again. Am J Nurs 2011 Jul; 111(7):15. [Cites AHRQ-funded articles by Needleman et al. (N Engl J Med, 2011) and Curry et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2011).]

American Journal of Public Health
Tindle HA, Shiffman S. Smoking cessation behavior among intermittent smokers versus daily smokers. Am J Public Health 2011 Jul; 101(7):e1-e3. [Cites AHRQ-sponsored guideline, Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Circulation
Schwartz JS. Primary prevention of coronary heart disease with statins: it's not about the money. Circulation 2011 Jul 12; 124(2):130-1. [Author reports receiving previous AHRQ educational training support grants.]

Health Affairs
Boutwell AE, Johnson MB, Rutherford P, et al. An early look at a four-state initiative to reduce avoidable hospital readmissions. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1272-80. [Notes that "the majority of successful and durable approaches to reducing hospitalizations occur under conditions in which hospitals had financial incentives to take the necessary steps [and] in which investigators received direct grant funding, such as that from [AHRQ]," citing AHRQ-funded article by Jack et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009).] Select to access the abstract.

Belmont E, Haltom CC, Hastings DA, et al. A new quality compass: hospital boards' increased role under the Affordable Care Act. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1282-9. [Cites AHRQ-authored articles by Jiang et al. (J Healthc Manag, 2009) and Jiang, Lockee, and Fraser (Health Care Manage Rev, 2011).] Select to access the abstract.

Feng Z, Fennell ML, Tyler DA, et al. Growth of racial and ethnic minorities in US nursing homes driven by demographics and possible disparities in options. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1358-65. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Mor et al. (Milbank Q, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

Golann D. Dropped medical malpractice claims: their surprising frequency, apparent causes, and potential remedies. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1343-50. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Studdert et al. (N Engl J Med, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Zilberberg MD, Tabak YP, Sievert DM, et al. Using electronic health information to risk-stratify rates of Clostridium difficile infection in US hospitals. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011 Jul; 32(7):649-55. [Cites AHRQ's HCUP databases on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

JAMA
Suffredini AF, Munford RS. Novel therapies for septic shock over the past 4 decades. JAMA 2011 Jul 13; 306(2):194-9. [Cites AHRQ publication, Diagnostic Groups with Rapidly Increasing Costs by Payer, 2001-2007, HCUP Statistical Brief 91, 2010.] Select to access the abstract.

Bergstrom N, Horn SD. Racial disparities in rates of pressure ulcers in nursing homes and site of care. JAMA 2011 Jul 13; 306(2):211-12. [Notes AHRQ's support in the 1990s of "development of two guidelines for prediction, prevention, and treatment of pressure ulcers," citing AHRQ-sponsored guidelines, Pressure Ulcers in Adults: Prediction and Prevention, 1992, and Treatment of Pressure Ulcers, 1994; comments on article by Li et al. (JAMA, 2011) cited in National Healthcare Quality Report (NHQR)/National Healthcare Disparities Report (NHDR)-Related Articles.]

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Tugwell P, Knottnerus A, Idzerda L. How can clinical epidemiology better support evidence-based guidelines and policies in low-income countries? J Clin Epidemiol 2011 Jul; 64(7):705-7. [Mentions AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures as used in article by Gagne et al. (J Clin Epidemiol, 2011) cited in Research By Others Using AHRQ Data or Products.]

Stafoggia M, Lallo A, Fusco D, et al. Spie charts, target plots, and radar plots for displaying comparative outcomes of health care. J Clin Epidemiol 2011 Jul; 64(7):770-8. [Cites AHRQ's Quality Indicators. Guide to Inpatient Quality Indicators: Quality of Care in Hospitals—Volume, Mortality, and Utilization, Version 3.1, 2007, as published on AHRQ's Quality Indicators Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Zulman DM, Sussman JB, Chen X, et al. Examining the evidence: a systematic review of the inclusion and analysis of older adults in randomized controlled trials. J Gen Intern Med 2011 Jul; 26(7):783-90. [Cites AHRQ publications, Trends in Health Care Expenditures for the Elderly Age 65 and Over: 2006 Versus 1996, MEPS Statistical Brief 256, 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Brody H, Hermer LD. Professionally responsible malpractice reform. J Gen Intern Med 2011 Jul; 26(7):806-9. [Cites Medical Liability Reform and Patient Safety: Demonstration Grants, on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Humphrey LL, Shannon J, Partin MR, et al. Improving the follow-up of positive hemoccult screening tests: an electronic intervention. J Gen Intern Med 2011 Jul; 26(7):691-7. [Cites AHRQ publication, 20 Tips to Help Prevent Medical Errors, 2000, as published on AHRQ Web site; cites AHRQ-funded article by Poon et al. (J Biomed Inform, 2003).] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care
Hall JA, Blanch-Hartigan D, Roter DL. Patients' satisfaction with male versus female physicians: a meta-analysis. Med Care 2011 Jul; 49(7):611-17. [Cites AHRQ-funded article by Rosenthal et al. (N Engl J Med, 2006).] Select to access the abstract.

Modern Healthcare
Barr P. Hostile reception: value-based purchasing changes get poor reviews. Mod Healthc 2011 Jul 11; 41(28):10-11. [Discusses use of AHRQ's Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey data as a means of assessing hospital bonuses and penalties.]

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

American Journal of Public Health
Singh D, Fine DN, Marrazzo JM. Chlamydia trachomatis infection among women reporting sexual activity with women screened in family planning clinics in the Pacific Northwest, 1997-2005. Am J Public Health 2011 Jul; 101(7):1284-90. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence update on screening for chlamydial infection (Ann Intern Med, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Austin GL, Goldstein JI, Peters SL, et al. Are colorectal cancer screening recommendations for first-degree relatives of patients with adenomas too aggressive? Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2011 Apr;9(4):308-13. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for colorectal cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2008.] Select to access the abstract.

Tieng'O JG, Pengpid S, Skaal L, et al. Knowledge attitude and practice of breast cancer examination among women attending a health facility in Gaborone, Botswana. Gend Behav 2011 Jun; 9(1):3513-27. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored summary of the evidence on breast cancer screening by Humphrey et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2002).]

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology
Linares LA, Thornton DJ, Strymish J, et al. Electronic memorandum decreases unnecessary antimicrobial use for asymptomatic bacteriuria and culture-negative pyuria. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2011 Jul; 32(7):644-8. [Cites USPSTF recommendations on screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults (Ann Intern Med, 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

International Journal of Clinical Practice
Chen WT, White CM, Phung OJ, et al. Are the risk factors listed in warfarin prescribing information associated with anticoagulation-related bleeding? A systematic literature review. Int J Clin Pract 2011 Jul; 65(7):749-63. [Uses USPSTF evidence-rating methodologies as presented in USPSTF-sponsored article by Harris et al. (Am J Prev Med, 2001.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of General Internal Medicine
Lembke A, Bradley KA, Henderson P, et al. Alcohol screening scores and the risk of new-onset gastrointestinal illness or related hospitalization. J Gen Intern Med 2011 Jul; 26(7):777-82. [Cites USPSTF-sponsored evidence summary of behavioral counseling interventions in primary care to reduce risky/harmful alcohol use by adults (Ann Intern Med, 2004).] Select to access the abstract.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
Balkam JA, Cadwell K. Effect of components of a workplace lactation program on breastfeeding duration among employees of a public-sector employer. Matern Child Health J 2011 Jul; 15(5):677-83. [Cites USPSTF recommendation statement, Behavioral Interventions to Promote Breastfeeding, 2003, as published on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care
Eamranond PP, Davis RB, Phillips RS, et al. Patient-physician language concordance and primary care screening among Spanish-speaking patients. Med Care 2011 Jul; 49(7):668-67. [Uses screening criteria based on USPSTF recommendations, citing USPSTF landing page on the AHRQ Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

MMWR: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vital signs: colorectal cancer screening, incidence, and mortality—United States, 2002-2010. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2011 Jul 8; 60(26):884-9. [Discusses and cites USPSTF recommendation statement Screening for Colorectal Cancer, 2008, as published on the USPSTF Web site and innovation profile Integrated System Nearly Doubles Colorectal Cancer Screening Rate Through Distribution of In-Home Kit and Followup with Nonresponders, 2010, as published on the AHRQ Innovations Exchange Web site. Also refer to AHRQ-funded article by Lee et al. (J Gen Intern Med, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles and article by Acheson (JAMA, 2011) cited in Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles.] Select to access the abstract.

Evidence-based Practice Centers-Related Articles

JAMA
Ziogas A, Horick NK, Kinney AY, et al. Clinically relevant changes in family history of cancer over time. JAMA 2011 Jul 13; 306(2):172-8. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Collection and Use of Cancer Family History in Primary Care, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

Acheson LS. Recording, interpreting, and updating the family history of cancer: implications for cancer prevention. JAMA 2011 Jul 13; 306(2):208-10. [Comments on article by Ziogas et al. cited above in this section; cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Collection and Use of Cancer Family History in Primary Care, 2007; cites National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference statement, Family History and Improving Health, as published in article by Berg et al. (Ann Intern Med, 2009), which is based on AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Family History and Improving Health, 2009; Cites USPSTF recommendations on genetic risk assessment and BRCA mutation testing for breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility and on screening for breast cancer (Ann Intern Med, 2005 and 2009, respectively) and USPSTF-sponsored evidence review/update Screening for Breast Cancer, 2009, as published on the National Library of Medicine Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Ambulatory Care Management
Brownstein JN, Hirsch GR, Rosenthal EL, et al. Community health workers "101" for primary care providers and other stakeholders in health care systems. J Ambul Care Manage 2011 Jul-Sep; 34(3):210-20. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Outcomes of Community Health Worker Interventions, 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Rosenthal EL, Wiggins N, Ingram M, et al. Community health workers then and now: an overview of national studies aimed at defining the field. J Ambul Care Manage 2011 Jul-Sep; 34(3):247-59. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Outcomes of Community Health Worker Interventions, 2009.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Counseling and Development
Choate LH, Gintner GG. Prenatal depression: best practice guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. J Couns Dev 2011 Summer; 89(3):373-81. [Cites AHRQ Evidence Report/Technology Assessment, Perinatal Depression: Prevalence, Screening Accuracy, and Screening Outcomes, 2005.]

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

JAMA
Li Y, Yin J, Cai X, et al. Association of race and sites of care with pressure ulcers in high-risk nursing home residents. JAMA 2011 Jul 13; 306(2):179-86. [Cites AHRQ's NHDR, 2009; cites AHRQ-authored article by Mukamel, Spector et al. (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, 2007) and AHRQ-funded articles by Mor et al. (Milbank Q, 2004) and others.] Select to access the abstract.

Medical Care
Peek ME, Wagner J, Tang H, et al. Self-reported racial discrimination in health care and diabetes outcomes. Med Care 2011 Jul; 49(7):618-25. [Cites AHRQ's 2009 NHDR, 2010.] Select to access the abstract.

Cooke CR, Nallamothu B, Kahn JM, et al. Race and timeliness of transfer for revascularization in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Med Care 2011 Jul; 49(7):662-7. [Cites AHRQ's 2009 NHDR, 2010.] Select to access the abstract.

Research By Others Using AHRQ Data or Products

Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research
De Wit M, Zilberberg MD, Boehmier JM, et al. Outcomes of patients with alcohol use disorders experiencing healthcare-associated infections. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2011 Jul; 35(7):1368-73. [Uses 2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Cardiology
Rodriguez FH, Moodie DS, Parekh DR, et al. Outcomes of hospitalization in adults in the United States with atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and atrioventricular septal defect. Am J Cardiol 2011 Jul 15; 108(2):290-3. [Uses 2007 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Health Promotion
Nguyen HT, Markides KS, Winkleby MA. Physician advice on exercise and diet in a U.S. sample of obese Mexican-American adults. Am J Health Promot 2011 Jul-Aug; 25(6):402-7. [Uses 2002-2007 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data; cites AHRQ publication, An Examination of State Estimates Using Multiple Years of Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, Household Component, MEPS Working Paper 06004, 2006, and AHRQ's NHDR, 2007.] Select to access the abstract.

American Journal of Medical Quality
Goeschel CA, Berenholtz SM, Culbertson RA. Board quality scorecards: measuring improvement. Am J Med Qual 2011 Jul-Aug; 26(4):254-60. [Uses AHRQ's Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs) to rate selected measures; cites AHRQ-funded articles by Pronovost et al. (Crit Care Med, 2005, and J Crit Care, 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

Chen J, Rizzo JA, Rodriguez HP. The health effects of cost-related treatment delays. Am J Med Qual 2011 Jul-Aug; 26(4):261-71. [Uses 2002-2005 MEPS data; cites MEPS HC-105: 2006 Full-Year Consolidated Data File, on AHRQ's MEPS Web site, and AHRQ-authored article by Zuvekas and Fleishman (Med Care, 2008).] Select to access the abstract.

Circulation
Lazar LD, Pletcher MJ, Coxson PG, et al. Cost-effectiveness of statin therapy for primary prevention in a lost-cost statin era. Circulation 2011 Jul 12; 124(2):146-53. [Uses HCUP data to derive the costs of hospitalization for acute kidney failure and liver failure.] Select to access the abstract.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
Brook RA, Kleinman NL, Choung RS, et al. Excess comorbidity prevalence and cost associated with functional dyspepsia in a employed population. Dig Dis Sci 2011 Jul 13. [Epub ahead of print. Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Health Affairs
Li Y, Cai X, Glance LG, et al. Mentally ill Medicare patients less likely than others to receive certain types of surgery. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1307-15. [Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites AHRQ-authored article by Basu, Friedman, and Burstin (Health Serv Res, 2004) and several AHRQ-funded articles.] Select to access the abstract.

Rothkopf J, Brookler K, Wadhwa S, et al. Medicaid patients seen at federally qualified health centers use hospital services less than those seen by private providers. Health Aff 2011 Jul; 30(7):1335-42. [Uses the definition of "preventable hospital admission" from Prevention Quality Indicators Overview on AHRQ's Quality Indicators Web site and AHRQ's Prevention Quality Indicators Technical Specifications, Version 4.2, 2010, also on AHRQ's Quality Indicators Web site, to identify preventable hospital admissions.] Select to access the abstract.

Health Services Research
Martino SC, Elliott MN, Kanouse DE, et al. Depression and the health care experiences of Medicare beneficiaries. Health Serv Res 2011 Jul 15. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2009 CAHPS Medicare 4.0 Fee-for-Service Survey; cites AHRQ-authored article by Fleishman and Zuvekas (Med Care, 2007).] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Gagne JJ, Glynn RJ, Avorn J, et al. A combined comorbidity score predicted mortality in elderly patients better than existing scores. J Clin Epidemiol 2011 Jul; 64(7):749-59. [Uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998).] Select to access the abstract.

Liver International
Congly SE, Shaheen AA, Meddings L, et al. Amoebic liver abscess in USA: a population-based study of incidence, temporal trends and mortality. Liver Int 2011 Jun 23. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 1993-2007 HCUP NIS data and AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); cites NIS Database Documentation, 2009, 2004 HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Comparison Report, HCUP Method Series Report 2007-03, 2007, Final Report on Calculating Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) Variances, 2001, HCUP Method Series Report 2003-2, 2003, and Hierarchical Modeling Using HCUP Data, HCUP Methods Series Report 2007-01, 2007, all on AHRQ's HCUP Web site.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics
Piatt JH Jr. Intracranial suppuration complicating sinusitis among children: an epidemiological and clinical study. J Neurosurg Pediatr 2011 Jun; 7(6):567-74. [Uses 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006 HCUP Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) data.] Select to access the abstract.

Journal of Periodontology
Elangovan S, Nalliah R, Allareddy V, et al. Outcomes in patients visiting hospital emergency departments in the United States because of periodontal conditions. J Periodontol 2011 Jun; 82(6):809-19. [Uses 2006 HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) data, citing Nationwide ED Sample Database Documentation—Year 2006 Documentation as published on AHRQ's HCUP Web site, and uses AHRQ's Elixhauser comorbidity measures (Elixhauser et al., Med Care, 1998); Select to access the abstract.

NIHCM Foundation Data Brief
Schoenman JA, Chockley N. Understanding U.S. health care spending. NIHCM Found Data Brief 2011 Jul; Online. [Uses 2008 MEPS data, from AHRQ's MEPS Web site.]

Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal
Tai E, Richardson LC, Townsend J, et al. Clostridium difficile infection among children with cancer. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2011 Jul; 30(7):610-12. [Uses 2000. 2003, and 2006 HCUP KID data.] Select to access the abstract.

Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health
Monea E, Thomas A. Unintended pregnancy and taxpayer spending. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2011 Jun; 43(2):88-93. [Uses information from AHRQ publication, Hospitalizations Related to Childbirth, 2003, HCUP Statistical Brief 110, 2006, to calculate nine estimates of the average public cost associated with a fetal loss; cites AHRQ publication, Health Care Expenditures for Uncomplicated Pregnancies, 2003, MEPS Research Findings 27, 2006.] Select to access the abstract.

Public Health Reports
Gulley SP, Rasch EK, Chan L. The complex web of health: relationships among chronic conditions, disability, and health services. Public Health Rep 2011 Jul-Aug; 126(4):495-507. [Uses 2002-2004 MEPS data and AHRQ's Chronic Condition Indicator, from AHRQ's HCUP Web site; cites AHRQ publication, Health Care Expenses for Adults with Chronic Conditions, 2005, MEPS Statistical Brief 203, 2008.]

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy
Ganguli A, Wang J, Gourley DR. Does combining antiretroviral agents in a single dosage form enhance quality of life of HIV/AIDS patients? A cost-utility study. Res Soc Adm Pharm 2011 Jun 27. [Epub ahead of print. Uses 2001-2006 MEPS data, citing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Consolidated Data File, HC-105, from AHRQ's MEPS Web site; cites AHRQ-authored article by Miller, Moeller, and Stafford (Inquiry, 2005) as an example of a study providing "evidence of new therapies as not being cost-effective despite having superior clinical efficacy."] Select to access the abstract.

Stroke
Huang MC. Baaj AA, Downes K, et al. Paradoxical trends in the management of unruptured cerebral aneurysms in the United States: analysis of nationwide database over a 10-year period. Stroke 2011 Jun; 42(6):1730-5. [Uses 1997-2006 HCUP NIS data.] Select to access the abstract.

Surgical Endoscopy
Harrison VL, Dolan JP, Pham TH, et al. Bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in hospitals with and without surgical residency programs: is there a difference? Surg Endosc 2011 Jun; 25(6):1969-74. [Uses 1997-2006 HCUP State Inpatient Database (SID) data for Florida. Also refer to AHRQ-authored article by Holman et al. (Public Health Rep, 2011) cited in AHRQ-Funded/Authored Articles.] Select to access the abstract.