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Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.
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1 to 25 of 7935 Research Studies DisplayedMcClellan C, Maclean JC, Saloner B
Integrated care models and behavioral health care utilization: quasi-experimental evidence from Medicaid health homes.
This study provided the first population-level evidence on the effects of Medicaid health homes (HH) on behavioral health care service use. As of 2016, 16 states had adopted an HH for enrollees with serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the authors found that HH adoption increased service use among enrollees and enrollee self-reported health improved post-HH.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: McClellan C, Maclean JC, Saloner B .
Integrated care models and behavioral health care utilization: quasi-experimental evidence from Medicaid health homes.
Health Econ 2020 Sep;29(9):1086-97. doi: 10.1002/hec.4027..
Keywords: Mental Health, Medicaid, Substance Abuse, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Outpatient Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Smith ME, Vitous CA, Hughes TM
Barriers and facilitators to de-implementation of the Choosing Wisely((R)) guidelines for low-value breast cancer surgery.
The objective of this study was to understand why surgeons stop performing certain unnecessary cancer operations but not others and how best to de-implement entrenched and emerging unnecessary procedures. The investigators concluded that with a growing focus on the elimination of ineffective, unproven or low value practices, it is imperative that the behavioral determinants are understood and targeted with specific interventions to decrease utilization rapidly.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Smith ME, Vitous CA, Hughes TM .
Barriers and facilitators to de-implementation of the Choosing Wisely((R)) guidelines for low-value breast cancer surgery.
Ann Surg Oncol 2020 Aug;27(8):2653-63. doi: 10.1245/s10434-020-08285-0..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Decision Making, Guidelines, Women
Sprague BL, Miglioretti DL, Lee CI
New mammography screening performance metrics based on the entire screening episode.
Established mammography screening performance metrics use the initial screening mammography assessment because they were developed for radiologist performance auditing, yet these metrics are frequently used to inform health policy and screening decision making. The authors developed new performance metrics based on the final assessment that consider the entire screening episode, including diagnostic workup. They concluded that established screening performance metrics underestimated the interval cancer rate of a mammography screening episode, particularly for women with dense breasts or an elevated breast cancer risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Sprague BL, Miglioretti DL, Lee CI .
New mammography screening performance metrics based on the entire screening episode.
Cancer 2020 Jul 15;126(14):3289-96. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32939..
Keywords: Mammogram, Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Prevention, Women, Provider Performance
Greenzang KA, Fasciano KM, Block SD
Early information needs of adolescents and young adults about late effects of cancer treatment.
This study evaluated the importance, quality, and implications of information about late effects in adolescents and young adults (AYA) recently diagnosed with cancer. Surveying AYAs with cancer who were 15 to 29 years old and were treated at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, researchers found that most AYAs with cancer value early information about the risks of late effects and infertility, yet many patients felt that they had not received high-quality information about these topics. They recommended the development of age-appropriate late-effect communication strategies that recognize high AYA distress to address the gap between desired information and perceived information quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS022986.
Citation: Greenzang KA, Fasciano KM, Block SD .
Early information needs of adolescents and young adults about late effects of cancer treatment.
Cancer 2020 Jul 15;126(14):3281-88. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32932..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Cancer, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communications, Risk
Villa Zapata L, Hansten PD, Horn JR
Evidence of clinically meaningful drug-drug interaction with concomitant use of colchicine and clarithromycin.
Colchicine is currently approved for the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever, among other conditions. Clarithromycin, a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, dramatically increases colchicine's half-life, augmenting the risk of a life-threatening adverse reaction when used inadvertently with colchicine. The aim of this study was to examine the evidence and clinical implications of concomitant use of colchicine and clarithromycin.
AHRQ-funded; HS025984.
Citation: Villa Zapata L, Hansten PD, Horn JR .
Evidence of clinically meaningful drug-drug interaction with concomitant use of colchicine and clarithromycin.
Drug Saf 2020 Jul;43(7):661-68. doi: 10.1007/s40264-020-00930-7..
Keywords: Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Upadhya KK, Psoter KJ, Connor KA
Cluster randomized trial of a pre/interconception health intervention for mothers in pediatric visits.
Recognizing that pediatric primary care focuses on family health and is an important location of contact for women of childbearing age, this project assessed the effectiveness of a pre/interconception women's health intervention delivered during pediatric primary care using a cluster randomized trial. The investigators concluded that pediatric visits are an opportune location for addressing maternal health. They indicated that this intervention demonstrated feasibility and improved outcomes for some but not all outcome.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Upadhya KK, Psoter KJ, Connor KA .
Cluster randomized trial of a pre/interconception health intervention for mothers in pediatric visits.
Acad Pediatr 2020 Jul;20(5):660-69. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.10.003..
Keywords: Family Health and History, Pregnancy, Women, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery
Sheetz KH, Ryan A
Accuracy of quality measurement for the hospital acquired conditions reduction program.
Accuracy of quality measurement for the hospital acquired conditions reduction program.
AHRQ-funded; HS026244; HS000053.
Citation: Sheetz KH, Ryan A .
Accuracy of quality measurement for the hospital acquired conditions reduction program.
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Jul;29(7):605-07. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009747..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Quality Measures, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Surgery, Infectious Diseases
O'Leary KJ, Hanrahan K, Cyrus RM
Teamwork essentials for hospitalists.
The authors examine the concept of teamwork in hospitals. They assert that measurement is key to understanding baseline performance and assessing whether teamwork is improving. The authors recommend a multifaceted approach, using a combination of complementary interventions with an ultimate goal that improved teamwork translates into improved patient outcomes.
Citation: O'Leary KJ, Hanrahan K, Cyrus RM .
Teamwork essentials for hospitalists.
Med Clin North Am 2020 Jul;104(4):727-37. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.03.001.
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Keywords: Teams, Hospitals, Quality of Care
Luzum M, Sebolt J, Chopra V
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection, Clostridioides difficile colitis, central line-associated bloodstream infection, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
This article provides summaries of the background, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infection, catheter-associated urinary tract infection, Clostridioides difficile, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infections. Additional prevention strategies, including those related to recent national interventions, are also reviewed.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835.
Citation: Luzum M, Sebolt J, Chopra V .
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection, Clostridioides difficile colitis, central line-associated bloodstream infection, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Med Clin North Am 2020 Jul;104(4):663-79. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2020.02.004..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Clostridium difficile Infections, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases
Lafferty M, Fauer A, Wright N
Causes and consequences of chemotherapy delays in ambulatory oncology practices: a multisite qualitative study.
The purpose of this study was to examine the causes and consequences of chemotherapy treatment delays and possible solutions to improve quality of care. The authors identified four primary themes from the analysis that affect delays. They suggest future investigations to examine nurses' communication practices in the context of timely chemotherapy administration since communication and documentation technologies within healthcare settings continuously evolve.
AHRQ-funded; HS024914.
Citation: Lafferty M, Fauer A, Wright N .
Causes and consequences of chemotherapy delays in ambulatory oncology practices: a multisite qualitative study.
Oncol Nurs Forum 2020 Jul 1;47(4):417-27. doi: 10.1188/20.Onf.417-427..
Keywords: Chemotherapy, Cancer, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Quality of Care, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communications, Provider: Nurse, Provider, Nursing, Chronic Conditions
Govindarajan P, Shiboski S, Grimes B
Effect of acute stroke care regionalization on intravenous alteplase use in two urban counties.
Investigators sought to determine whether increasing access to primary stroke centers (regionalization) led to an increase in intravenous alteplase use in acute ischemic stroke patients. Studying two urban counties in the western region of US that regionalized acute stroke care, they found that in Santa Clara County, intravenous alteplase was administered to 1.7% of patients in the pre-regionalization period and 2.1% in the post-regionalization period, while in San Mateo County, the numbers were 1.3% and 3.2%, respectively. In the post-regionalization phase, San Mateo County had greater change in paramedic stroke detection, higher number of transports to primary stroke centers, and more frequent use of intravenous alteplase at stroke centers. They concluded that greater post-regionalization improvements in San Mateo County contributed to significantly improved county-level thrombolysis use than Santa Clara County.
AHRQ-funded; HS026207; HS017965.
Citation: Govindarajan P, Shiboski S, Grimes B .
Effect of acute stroke care regionalization on intravenous alteplase use in two urban counties.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2020 Jul-Aug;24(4):505-14. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1679303..
Keywords: Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Urban Health, Access to Care, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Critical Care
Adami G, Saag KG, Mudano G, Saag KG, Mudano AS
Factors associated with the contemplative stage of readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment.
Osteoporos Int 2020 Jul;31(7):1283-90. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05312-4.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Adami G, Saag KG, Mudano G, Saag KG, Mudano AS .
Factors associated with the contemplative stage of readiness to initiate osteoporosis treatment.
Osteoporos Int 2020 Jul;31(7):1283-90. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05312-4..
Keywords: Osteoporosis, Women, Decision Making
Rhee TG, Wilkinson ST
Exploring the psychiatrist-industry financial relationship: insight from the open payment data of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The Physician Payments Sunshine Act (PPSA) requires reporting of financial payments by pharmaceutical and medical device companies to teaching hospitals and individual physicians in the United States. In this study, industry payments made to psychiatrists were quantified. The investigators found that over half of active psychiatrists (55.7%) received some form of payments from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Rhee TG, Wilkinson ST .
Exploring the psychiatrist-industry financial relationship: insight from the open payment data of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Adm Policy Ment Health 2020 Jul;47(4):526-30. doi: 10.1007/s10488-020-01009-2.
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Keywords: Provider: Physician, Provider, Mental Health, Payment, Policy
Sutherland BL, Pecanac K, Bartels CM
Expect delays: poor connections between rural and urban health systems challenge
Rural Americans with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) face a 50% increased risk of major amputation compared to their urban counterparts. In this study, the investigators sought to identify health system barriers contributing to this disparity. The investigators concluded that poor connections across rural and urban healthcare systems were described as the primary health system barrier driving the rural disparity in major amputations.
AHRQ-funded; HS026279.
Citation: Sutherland BL, Pecanac K, Bartels CM .
Expect delays: poor connections between rural and urban health systems challenge
J Foot Ankle Res 2020 Jun 16;13(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s13047-020-00395-y..
Keywords: Rural Health, Healthcare Systems, Disparities, Diabetes, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Delivery
Stone CA, Stollings JL, Lindsell CJ
Risk-stratified management to remove low-risk penicillin allergy labels in the ICU.
Patients admitted to a medical ICU (MICU) often have chronic illnesses or altered immunity, increasing their need for immediate antibiotic use. In this study, the investigators sought to determine whether MICU patients with low-risk penicillin allergy history could be challenged directly with amoxicillin to have their allergy label safely removed during an acute inpatient stay.
Citation: Stone CA, Stollings JL, Lindsell CJ .
Risk-stratified management to remove low-risk penicillin allergy labels in the ICU.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2020 Jun 15;201(12):1572-75. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202001-0089LE..
Keywords: Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Antibiotics, Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Risk, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Simione M, Sharifi M, Gerber MW
Family-centeredness of childhood obesity interventions: psychometrics & outcomes of the family-centered care assessment tool.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of a modified version of the Family Centered-Care Assessment (mFCCA) tool and to assess the family-centeredness of two clinical-community childhood obesity interventions. Using the mFCCA which demonstrated good psychometric properties for the assessment of family-centered care among parents of children with obesity, the investigators found that individualized health coaching is a family-centered approach to pediatric weight management.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332; HS022986.
Citation: Simione M, Sharifi M, Gerber MW .
Family-centeredness of childhood obesity interventions: psychometrics & outcomes of the family-centered care assessment tool.
Health Qual Life Outcomes 2020 Jun 11;18(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s12955-020-01431-y..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Family Health and History
Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rushkin M
Screening for unhealthy drug use: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Illicit drug use is among the most common causes of preventable morbidity and mortality in the US. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the literature on screening and interventions for drug use to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The investigators concluded that several screening instruments with acceptable sensitivity and specificity are available to screen for drug use, although there is no direct evidence on the benefits or harms of screening.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500007I.
Citation: Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rushkin M .
Screening for unhealthy drug use: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Jun 9;323(22):2310-28. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.21381..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Substance Abuse, Screening, Evidence-based Practice, Guidelines, Primary Care, Prevention
Martsolf GR, Nuckols TK, Fingar KR
Nonspecific chest pain and hospital revisits within 7 days of care: variation across emergency department, observation and inpatient visits.
The purpose of this study was to compare the rate at which patients with nonspecific chest pain return to the hospital within 7 days after index observation visits versus after index emergency department and inpatient visits. Findings showed that up to 1 in 10 patients discharged with nonspecific chest pain returned to the hospital within 1week. Compared with emergency department and inpatient care, observation visits were associated with lower revisit rates. Recommendations include further research to refine clinical standards of care for nonspecific chest pain as well as to investigate the healthcare delivery and patient factors that influence 7-day revisit rates.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Martsolf GR, Nuckols TK, Fingar KR .
Nonspecific chest pain and hospital revisits within 7 days of care: variation across emergency department, observation and inpatient visits.
BMC Health Serv Res 2020 Jun 8;20(1):516. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05200-x..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Department, Pain, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Cunningham-Erves J, Barajas C, Mayo-Gamble TL
Formative research to design a culturally-appropriate cancer clinical trial education program to increase participation of African American and Latino communities.
This study’s goal was to address knowledge deficiencies about cancer clinical trials and biospecimen donation that can potentially improve participation among racial and ethnic minorities. The researchers included community-based organization (CBO) leaders as research team members, conducted focus groups and cognitive interviews with community members as reviewers/consultants, and interacted with two community advisory groups. Five focus group themes were identified. A final program consisted of two versions (English and Spanish) of a culturally-appropriate slide presentation with speaker notes and videos that represent community member and researcher testimonials. It is hoped these findings will help promote cancer clinical trial participation among African Americans and Latinos.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Cunningham-Erves J, Barajas C, Mayo-Gamble TL .
Formative research to design a culturally-appropriate cancer clinical trial education program to increase participation of African American and Latino communities.
BMC Public Health 2020 Jun 3;20(1):840. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-08939-4..
Keywords: Cancer, Racial / Ethnic Minorities, Cultural Competence, Research Methodologies, Disparities
Zuvekas SH, Biener AI, Hicks WD
The effects of survey enhancements on the quality of reporting in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2008–2015.
It is well established that survey respondents imperfectly recall health care use in surveys. However, careful attention to both survey design and fielding procedures can enhance recall. In this study, the investigators examined the effects of a comprehensive, multi-pronged approach to changing field procedures in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) to improve quality of health care use reporting.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Zuvekas SH, Biener AI, Hicks WD .
The effects of survey enhancements on the quality of reporting in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, 2008–2015.
J Surv Stat Methodol 2020 Jun;8(3):589-616..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Research Methodologies
Yang AD, Hewitt DB, Blay E
Multi-institution evaluation of adherence to comprehensive postoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis.
The aims of this study were to: (1) measure the rate of failure to provide defect-free postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE) chemoprophylaxis, (2) identify reasons for failure to provide defect-free VTE chemoprophylaxis, and (3) examine patient- and hospital-level factors associated with failure. The investigators concluded that in contrast to SCIP-VTE-2, their novel quality measure unmasked VTE chemoprophylaxis failures in 18% of colectomies. They found that most failures were due to patient refusals or ordering errors.
AHRQ-funded; HS024516.
Citation: Yang AD, Hewitt DB, Blay E .
Multi-institution evaluation of adherence to comprehensive postoperative VTE chemoprophylaxis.
Ann Surg 2020 Jun;271(6):1072-79. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003124..
Keywords: Patient Adherence/Compliance, Guidelines, Blood Clots, Blood Thinners, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Adverse Events
Vyles D, Antoon JW, Norton A
Children with reported penicillin allergy: public health impact and safety of delabeling.
The objectives of this study were to: 1.) Review the relevant literature related to children with reported penicillin allergy 2.) Highlight the different ways in which children could be delabeled and 3.) Evaluate the public health impact that a penicillin allergy has for children. The investigators concluded that penicillin allergy was overdiagnosed, often incorrectly, and the label was frequently first applied during childhood.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Vyles D, Antoon JW, Norton A .
Children with reported penicillin allergy: public health impact and safety of delabeling.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020 Jun;124(6):558-65. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.03.012..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Public Health
Smith ME, Shubeck SP, Nuliyalu U
Local referral of high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals: surgical outcomes, cost savings, and travel burdens.
In this study, the investigators sought to assess the potential changes in Medicare payments and clinical outcomes of referring high-risk surgical patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas. The investigators concluded that complication rates and Medicare payments were significantly lower for high-risk patients treated at local high-quality hospitals. The investigators suggest that triaging high-risk patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas may serve as a template for improving the value of surgical care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024763.
Citation: Smith ME, Shubeck SP, Nuliyalu U .
Local referral of high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals: surgical outcomes, cost savings, and travel burdens.
Ann Surg 2020 Jun;271(6):1065-71. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003208..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Hospitals, Medicare, Outcomes
Shah SC, Dai Q, Zhu X
Associations between calcium and magnesium intake and the risk of incident oesophageal cancer: an analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study prospective cohort.
Risk reduction through dietary modifications is an adjunct strategy for prevention of oesophageal cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this study, the investigators aimed to estimate the association between calcium and magnesium intakes and incident oesophageal cancer (OC) by conducting a retrospective analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study prospective cohort.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Shah SC, Dai Q, Zhu X .
Associations between calcium and magnesium intake and the risk of incident oesophageal cancer: an analysis of the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study prospective cohort.
Br J Cancer 2020 Jun;122(12):1857-64. doi: 10.1038/s41416-020-0818-6..
Keywords: Cancer, Vitamins and Supplements, Risk
Rogal S, Youk A, Zhang H
Impact of alcohol use disorder treatment on clinical outcomes among patients with cirrhosis.
Despite significant medical and economic consequences of coexisting alcohol use disorder (AUD) in patients with cirrhosis, little is known about AUD treatment patterns and their impact on clinical outcomes in this population. In this study the investigators aimed to characterize the use of and outcomes associated with AUD treatment in patients with cirrhosis. This retrospective cohort study included Veterans with cirrhosis who received Veterans Health Administration (VA) care and had an index diagnosis of AUD between 2011 and 2015.
AHRQ-funded; HS019461.
Citation: Rogal S, Youk A, Zhang H .
Impact of alcohol use disorder treatment on clinical outcomes among patients with cirrhosis.
Hepatology 2020 Jun;71(6):2080-92. doi: 10.1002/hep.31042..
Keywords: Alcohol Consumption, Substance Abuse, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Veterans
