National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (5)
- Adverse Events (10)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Blood Clots (2)
- Blood Pressure (3)
- Blood Thinners (8)
- Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (59)
- Care Management (2)
- Chronic Conditions (6)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- Communication (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (10)
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1)
- Critical Care (1)
- Data (2)
- Dementia (1)
- Diabetes (4)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (4)
- Dialysis (1)
- Disparities (2)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Elderly (11)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (2)
- Emergency Department (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (16)
- Eye Disease and Health (1)
- Family Health and History (1)
- Guidelines (3)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (5)
- Healthcare Costs (3)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- Healthcare Utilization (4)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (4)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Health Promotion (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Health Status (1)
- (-) Heart Disease and Health (92)
- Home Healthcare (3)
- Hospital Discharge (2)
- Hospitalization (12)
- Hospital Readmissions (11)
- Hospitals (4)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Imaging (1)
- Implementation (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (2)
- Kidney Disease and Health (2)
- Lifestyle Changes (3)
- Low-Income (1)
- Medical Devices (9)
- Medicare (12)
- Medication (18)
- Men's Health (1)
- Mortality (10)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Nursing Homes (1)
- Nutrition (1)
- Obesity (2)
- Obesity: Weight Management (1)
- Outcomes (22)
- Palliative Care (3)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (3)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (24)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (1)
- Patient Safety (5)
- Patient Self-Management (1)
- Payment (3)
- Pneumonia (2)
- Practice Patterns (3)
- Prevention (9)
- Primary Care (6)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (1)
- Provider: Health Personnel (1)
- Provider Performance (4)
- Quality Improvement (8)
- Quality Measures (1)
- Quality of Care (7)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (6)
- Registries (8)
- Rehabilitation (2)
- Research Methodologies (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (2)
- Risk (20)
- Screening (1)
- Sex Factors (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Stroke (4)
- Surgery (8)
- Telehealth (1)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- Transplantation (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (2)
- Uninsured (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 92 Research Studies DisplayedSterling MR, Silva AF, Leung PBK
"It's like they forget that the word 'health' is in 'home health aide'": Understanding the perspectives of home care workers who care for adults with heart failure.
Home care workers (HCWs) were interviewed about their role and perspectives in caring for community-dwelling adults with heart failure (HF) posthospitalization. Researchers conducted a total of 8 focus groups in partnership with the Home Care Industry Education Fund. A total of 46 English- and Spanish-speaking HCWs employed by 21 unique home care agencies participated. Generally they felt overworked and unappreciated but care about their clients and families and still love their job. The majority of HCWs have not received HF training, so do not feel supported when their clients’ symptoms worsened.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Sterling MR, Silva AF, Leung PBK .
"It's like they forget that the word 'health' is in 'home health aide'": Understanding the perspectives of home care workers who care for adults with heart failure.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Dec 4;7(23):e010134. doi: 10.1161/jaha.118.010134..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Home Healthcare, Provider: Health Personnel
Lowenstern A, Al-Khatib SM, Sharan L
Interventions for preventing thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.
The purpose of this review was to compare the effectiveness of therapies to prevent thromboembolic events and bleeding complications in adults with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Two independent reviewers screened citations in order to identify comparative studies of treatments to prevent stroke in adults with nonvalvular AF who reported thromboembolic or bleeding complications, then abstracted data from 220 selected articles, assessed study quality and applicability, and rated the strength of evidence. The article concludes that available direct-acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are at least as effective and safe as warfarin for patients with nonvalvular AF and had similar benefits across several patient subgroups.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500004I.
Citation: Lowenstern A, Al-Khatib SM, Sharan L .
Interventions for preventing thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2018 Dec 4;169(11):774-87. doi: 10.7326/m18-1523..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Blood Thinners, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medication, Comparative Effectiveness, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Meddings J, Smith SN, Hofer TP
Mixed messages to consumers from Medicare: Hospital Compare grades versus value-based payment penalty.
This study examined the discrepancy of ratings with hospitals with low readmission grades for heart failure (HF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on the Hospital Compare website, yet received penalties for excessive readmissions under the hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. A retrospective data analysis was conducted of 2956 hospitals that had publicly reported HF grades on Hospital Compare. Of those, 92% were graded as “no different” than the national rate for HD readmissions, yet included 48.6% that were scored as having excessive HF admissions and 87% received an overall readmission penalty. Of the 120 hospitals graded as “better”, none were scored as having excessive HF readmissions and 50% were penalized. There were similar results for AMI.
AHRQ-funded; HS018334; HS019767.
Citation: Meddings J, Smith SN, Hofer TP .
Mixed messages to consumers from Medicare: Hospital Compare grades versus value-based payment penalty.
Am J Manag Care 2018 Dec;24(12):e399-e403..
Keywords: Medicare, Hospital Readmissions, Heart Disease and Health, Hospitals, Quality of Care, Cardiovascular Conditions, Provider Performance, Payment
Zullo AR, Hersey M, Lee Y
Outcomes of "diabetes-friendly" vs "diabetes-unfriendly" beta-blockers in older nursing home residents with diabetes after acute myocardial infarction.
This study analyzed outcomes of using beta-blockers that are considered “diabetes-friendly” vs “diabetes-unfriendly” in older nursing home residents with diabetes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Primary outcomes included hospitalizations for hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia in the 90 days after AMI and secondary outcomes functional decline, death, all-cause re-hospitalization and fracture hospitalization. Out of 2855 nursing home residents with type-2 diabetes (T2D), 29% were prescribed a diabetes-friendly beta-blocker vs. 24% without. T2D medicine showed a reduction in hospitalization for hyperglycemia but was unassociated with hypoglycemia. For secondary outcomes T2D-friendly beta-blocks were associated with a greater rate of re-hospitalization but not death, functional decline, or fracture.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Hersey M, Lee Y .
Outcomes of "diabetes-friendly" vs "diabetes-unfriendly" beta-blockers in older nursing home residents with diabetes after acute myocardial infarction.
Diabetes Obes Metab 2018 Dec;20(12):2724-32. doi: 10.1111/dom.13451..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Diabetes, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Hospitalization, Medication, Nursing Homes, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Borre ED, Goode A, Raitz G
Predicting thromboembolic and bleeding event risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.
This systematic review compared the strength of tools to predict stroke and bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking blood thinners. Sixty-one studies were found to predict thromboembolic risk and 38 to predict bleeding risk.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500004I.
Citation: Borre ED, Goode A, Raitz G .
Predicting thromboembolic and bleeding event risk in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.
Thromb Haemost 2018 Dec;118(12):2171-87. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1675400..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Stroke, Blood Clots, Blood Thinners, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Risk, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Marcum ZA, Walker R, Bobb JF
Serum cholesterol and incident Alzheimer's disease: findings from the adult changes in thought study.
The purpose of this prospective population-based cohort study was to evaluate associations between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) and non-HDL-C levels at specific ages and subsequent Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. The investigators concluded that people with low (120 mg/dL) and high (210 mg/dL) non-HDL-C levels during their 60s and 70s had modestly higher risk of AD than those with intermediate (160 mg/dL) levels.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Marcum ZA, Walker R, Bobb JF .
Serum cholesterol and incident Alzheimer's disease: findings from the adult changes in thought study.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2018 Dec;66(12):2344-52. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15581..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Dementia, Elderly, Risk
Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Wilcock A
HF mortality trends under Medicare readmissions reduction program at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals.
After announcement and implementation of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), 30-day readmissions declined rapidly among seniors with heart failure (HF) while 30-day mortality rose. This raised questions about whether the policy was responsible, because lower HF readmission rates have historically been associated with higher mortality. In this study, the investigators compared trends in heart failure (HF) mortality at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals nationally.
AHRQ-funded; HS024284.
Citation: Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Wilcock A .
HF mortality trends under Medicare readmissions reduction program at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2018 Nov 13;72(20):2539-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2174..
Keywords: Mortality, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare, Hospitals, Provider Performance, Payment
Amin AP, Miller S, Rahn B
Reversing the "risk-treatment paradox" of bleeding in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: risk-concordant use of bleeding avoidance strategies is associated with reduced bleeding and lower costs.
Bleeding avoidance strategies (BAS) are effective, but are paradoxically used less often with patients at high risk of bleeding. This article describes the implementation of an intervention in a St. Louis, MO, hospital intended to reverse the bleeding risk-treatment paradox. Temporal trends in BAS use and the association of risk-concordant BAS use with bleeding as well as hospital costs of percutaneous coronary intervention were examined. Patient-centered care that aimed directly toward making treatment-related decisions based on predicted risk of bleeding led to a more risk-concordant use of BAS and a reversal of the risk-treatment paradox. The authors conclude that larger multicentered studies will be needed to corroborate these results.
AHRQ-funded; HS022481.
Citation: Amin AP, Miller S, Rahn B .
Reversing the "risk-treatment paradox" of bleeding in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: risk-concordant use of bleeding avoidance strategies is associated with reduced bleeding and lower costs.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Nov 6;7(21):e008551. doi: 10.1161/jaha.118.008551..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Heart Disease and Health, Risk, Surgery, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Costs
Amin AP, Pinto D, House JA
Association of same-day discharge after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States with costs and outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to examine (1) the incidence and trends in same day discharge (SDD); (2) hospital variation in SDD; (3) the association between SDD and readmissions for bleeding, acute kidney injury (AKI), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or mortality at 30, 90, and 365 days after PCI; and (4) hospital costs of SDD and its drivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Amin AP, Pinto D, House JA .
Association of same-day discharge after elective percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States with costs and outcomes.
JAMA Cardiol 2018 Nov;3(11):1041-49. doi: 10.1001/jamacardio.2018.3029..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospital Discharge, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Heart Disease and Health
Kenzik KM, Mehta A, Richman JS
Congestive heart failure in older adults diagnosed with follicular lymphoma: a population-based study.
This population-based study examined congestive heart failure in older adults diagnosed with follicular lymphoma. The investigators concluded that patients with follicular lymphoma who were exposed to anthracyclines between the ages of 66 years and 75 years were found to be at an increased risk of new-onset CHF; preexisting hypertension and diabetes appeared to increase this risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Kenzik KM, Mehta A, Richman JS .
Congestive heart failure in older adults diagnosed with follicular lymphoma: a population-based study.
Cancer 2018 Nov 1;124(21):4221-30. doi: 10.1002/cncr.31695..
Keywords: Cancer, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health
Gadhoumi K, Do D, Badilini F
Wavelet leader multifractal analysis of heart rate variability in atrial fibrillation.
Accurate and timely detection of atrial fibrillation (AF) episodes is important in primary and secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and heart-related problems. In this work, heart rate regularity of ECG inter-beat intervals was investigated in episodes of AF and other rhythms using a wavelet leader based multifractal analysis. The investigators’ aim was to improve the detectability of AF episodes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022860.
Citation: Gadhoumi K, Do D, Badilini F .
Wavelet leader multifractal analysis of heart rate variability in atrial fibrillation.
J Electrocardiol 2018 Nov - Dec;51(6s):S83-s87. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2018.08.030..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Cardiovascular Conditions
Desai NR, Ott LS, George EJ
Variation in and hospital characteristics associated with the value of care for Medicare beneficiaries with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia.
The objectives of this study were to investigate the association between hospital-level 30-day risk-standardized mortality rates (RSMRs) and 30-day risk-standardized payments (RSPs) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), and pneumonia (PNA); to characterize patterns of value in care; and to identify hospital characteristics associated with high-value care (defined by having lower than median RSMRs and RSPs).
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Desai NR, Ott LS, George EJ .
Variation in and hospital characteristics associated with the value of care for Medicare beneficiaries with acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia.
JAMA Netw Open 2018 Oct 5;1(6):e183519. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.3519..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Hospitalization, Hospitals, Heart Disease and Health, Inpatient Care, Medicare, Mortality, Pneumonia
Baldwin LM, Fischer MA, Powell J
Virtual educational outreach intervention in primary care based on the principles of academic detailing.
This paper describes the efforts of the Healthy Hearts Northwest (H2N) EvidenceNOW cooperative in providing virtual outreach intervention in primary care based on the principles of academic detailing (AD). EvidenceNOW is AHRQ’s initiative to fund seven regional cooperatives to identify and implement effective strategies to improve the quality of cardiovascular care in communities across the United States. The H2N network covers three states: Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. For this initiative they recruited 259 primary care practices that had 10 full-time or fewer providers and met stage 1 electronic health record meaningful use criteria. The aim was to increase adoption of the four ABCS of heart disease prevention: Aspirin use by high-risk individuals, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. Due to the long distances and staffing limitations H2N decided to develop an educational outreach program using virtual visits instead of the traditional AD program structure. The findings and outcomes of this program is described in detail in this paper.
AHRQ-funded; HS023236; HS023908.
Citation: Baldwin LM, Fischer MA, Powell J .
Virtual educational outreach intervention in primary care based on the principles of academic detailing.
J Contin Educ Health Prof 2018 Fall;38(4):269-75. doi: 10.1097/ceh.0000000000000224..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Evidence-Based Practice, Primary Care, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Prevention
Sterling MR, Shaw AL, Leung PB
Home care workers in heart failure: a systematic review.
This systematic review aimed to 1) describe utilization patterns of home care workers (HCWs) by adults with heart failure (HF), 2) examine the effect of HCWs on HF outcomes, and 3) review HF interventions that involve HCWs. The investigators concluded that the literature on these HCWs in HF is limited. They suggest that additional research is warranted on the potential role of HCWs in HF self-care and on outcomes among adults with HF.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569; T32 HS000066.
Citation: Sterling MR, Shaw AL, Leung PB .
Home care workers in heart failure: a systematic review.
J Multidiscip Healthc 2018 Sep 25;11:481-92. doi: 10.2147/jmdh.s175512..
Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Heart Disease and Health, Home Healthcare
Sterling MR, Silva AF, Robbins L
Let's talk numbers: a qualitative study of community-dwelling US adults to understand the role of numeracy in the management of heart failure.
This qualitative study examined the role of numeracy (basic number skills) in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). Thirty men and women aged 47-89 years with a history of HF were recruited from an urban academic primary care practice. Participants all had a history of HF within the past year, were seen at the practice within the last year, and had been hospitalized for HF within the last 6 months. They were interviewed about their numeracy to help manage monitoring weight, maintaining a low-salt diet, and monitoring blood pressure. A wide range of knowledge and understanding was found and fear served as a barrier and facilitator to carrying out HF self-care tasks involving numbers. If the patient has a caregiver who also lacks those skills or does not have HF care training, patients may not be managing their HF as well as they should.
AHRQ-funded; HS000066.
Citation: Sterling MR, Silva AF, Robbins L .
Let's talk numbers: a qualitative study of community-dwelling US adults to understand the role of numeracy in the management of heart failure.
BMJ Open 2018 Sep 19;8(9):e023073. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023073..
Keywords: Patient Self-Management, Education: Patient and Caregiver, Care Management, Heart Disease and Health, Nutrition, Lifestyle Changes, Obesity: Weight Management, Obesity, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Conditions
Mentias A, Shantha G, Chaudhury P
Assessment of outcomes of treatment with oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and multiple chronic conditions: a comparative effectiveness analysis.
The purpose of this retrospective comparative effectiveness analysis was to determine whether there are differences in efficacy and safety of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and warfarin regarding stroke prevention and bleeding rates, respectively, in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) with multiple chronic conditions (MCC). The investigators concluded that oral anticoagulants were similarly effective in stroke prevention among patients with AF with MCC. However, the indicate that dabigatran and rivaroxaban use may be associated with lower rates of mortality in patients with MCC.
AHRQ-funded; HS023104.
Citation: Mentias A, Shantha G, Chaudhury P .
Assessment of outcomes of treatment with oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation and multiple chronic conditions: a comparative effectiveness analysis.
JAMA Netw Open 2018 Sep 7;1(5):e182870. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2870..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Medication, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Chronic Conditions
Rymer JA, Chen AY, Thomas L
Advanced practice provider versus physician-only outpatient follow-up after acute myocardial infarction.
This study examines the prevalence of using advanced practice providers (APPs) for care following myocardial infarction as opposed to physicians due to physician shortages and reimbursement changes. Outpatient cardiology or primary care visits within 90 days of MI among 29,477 Medicare-insured patients aged 65 or older from 364 hospitals were examined from data in the Acute Coronary Treatment Intervention Outcomes Network Registry. Medicare adherence, all-cause readmission risk, mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events were compared for patients seen by APPs versus physicians only. Patients seen by APPs were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, heart failure, be discharged to a nursing facility, and had more outpatient visits. There was no differences in the factors listed between patients seen by APPs or physicians. Patients seen by APPs were in more need of frequent monitoring and were more likely to have other chronic conditions leading to higher risk of post-MI complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Rymer JA, Chen AY, Thomas L .
Advanced practice provider versus physician-only outpatient follow-up after acute myocardial infarction.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Sep 4;7(17):e008481. doi: 10.1161/jaha.117.008481..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Medicare, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Registries
Hirayama A, Goto T, Shimada YJ
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and subsequent risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation.
Although emerging evidence has suggested the relationship of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with atrial fibrillation (AF), little is known about whether acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) increases the risk of repeated AF-related healthcare utilization. The investigators found that among patients with existing AF, AECOPD was associated with a higher risk of AF-related ED visit or hospitalization in the first 90-day post-AECOPD period.
AHRQ-funded; HS023305.
Citation: Hirayama A, Goto T, Shimada YJ .
Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and subsequent risk of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for atrial fibrillation.
Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2018 Sep;11(9):e006322. doi: 10.1161/circep.118.006322..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Department, Respiratory Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Hospitalization, Risk, Healthcare Utilization
Thompson MP, Cabrera L, Strobel RJ
Association between postoperative pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery.
Postoperative pneumonia is the most common healthcare-associated infection in cardiac surgical patients, yet their impact across a 90-day episode of care remains unknown. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery. The investigators concluded that postoperative pneumonia was associated with significantly higher 90-day episode payments and inferior outcomes at the patient and hospital level.
AHRQ-funded; HS022535.
Citation: Thompson MP, Cabrera L, Strobel RJ .
Association between postoperative pneumonia and 90-day episode payments and outcomes among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing cardiac surgery.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2018 Sep;11(9):e004818. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.118.004818..
Keywords: Elderly, Surgery, Medicare, Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Pneumonia, Payment, Healthcare Costs, Outcomes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Health Insurance
Fish-Trotter H, Collins SP, Danagoulian S
Design and rationale of a randomized trial: using short stay units instead of routine admission to improve patient centered health outcomes for acute heart failure patients (SSU-AHF).
The evidence for existing acute heart failure (AHF) therapies are poor; currently used AHF treatment do not reliably improve long-term outcomes and emergency department treatment has changed little in 40 years. The authors of this article propose a robust clinical effectiveness trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of short-stay units for the management of AHF for lower-risk patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025411.
Citation: Fish-Trotter H, Collins SP, Danagoulian S .
Design and rationale of a randomized trial: using short stay units instead of routine admission to improve patient centered health outcomes for acute heart failure patients (SSU-AHF).
Contemp Clin Trials 2018 Sep;72:137-45. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.08.003..
Keywords: Patient-Centered Healthcare, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Hospitalization
Goto T, Shimada YJ, Faridi MK
Incidence of acute cardiovascular event after acute exacerbation of COPD.
There is a lack of comprehensive view of the association between acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) and the risk of acute cardiovascular events. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of AECOPD with 30-day and 1-year incidences of acute cardiovascular event. The investigators concluded that AECOPD was associated with increased 30-day and 1-year incidences of acute cardiovascular event.
AHRQ-funded; HS023305.
Citation: Goto T, Shimada YJ, Faridi MK .
Incidence of acute cardiovascular event after acute exacerbation of COPD.
J Gen Intern Med 2018 Sep;33(9):1461-68. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4518-3.
.
.
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk, Chronic Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Outcomes
Gelfman LP, Barron Y, Moore S
Predictors of hospice enrollment for patients with advanced heart failure and effects on health care use.
This study sought to identify the predictors of hospice enrollment for patients with heart failure (HF) and determine the impact of hospice enrollment on health care use. The study found that beneficiaries' characteristics, including symptom burden and functional status, do not predict hospice enrollment. Those patients who enrolled in hospice used less health care, survived longer, and were less likely to die in the hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS020257.
Citation: Gelfman LP, Barron Y, Moore S .
Predictors of hospice enrollment for patients with advanced heart failure and effects on health care use.
JACC Heart Fail 2018 Sep;6(9):780-89. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2018.04.009..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Palliative Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Zhu J, Alexander GC, Nazarian S
Trends and variation in oral anticoagulant choice in patients with atrial fibrillation, 2010-2017.
This paper discusses trends in usage of oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation from 2010 to 2017. Since 2010, several non-vitamin K antagonist oral coagulants (NOACs) have been brought to the US market. This study examined trends in usage. A cross-sectional analysis of medical and pharmacy claims was done for commercial and Medicare Advantage enrollees in a large, private, US Health plan. A total of 112,187 adults with nonvalvular AF starting OACs was identified. In the first quarter of 2017, out of 7502 patients starting OACs, 78.9% used NOACs and 21.1% warfarin. Usage of regular anticoagulants such as apixaban increases with age, female sex, stroke or bleeding risk and comorbidities. Warfarin and apixaban are generally preferred for elderly patients and patients with higher stroke or bleeding risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS024737.
Citation: Zhu J, Alexander GC, Nazarian S .
Trends and variation in oral anticoagulant choice in patients with atrial fibrillation, 2010-2017.
Pharmacotherapy 2018 Sep;38(9):907-20. doi: 10.1002/phar.2158..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Cardiovascular Conditions, Healthcare Utilization, Heart Disease and Health, Medication
Jonas DE, Kahwati LC, Yun JDY
Screening for atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The objective of this study was to review the evidence on screening for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography (ECG) and stroke prevention treatment in asymptomatic adults 65 years or older to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The authors concluded that although screening with ECG can detect previously unknown cases of atrial fibrillation, it has not been shown to detect more cases than screening focused on pulse palpation.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Jonas DE, Kahwati LC, Yun JDY .
Screening for atrial fibrillation with electrocardiography: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2018 Aug 7;320(5):485-98. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.4190..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Prevention
Ciolino JD, Jackson KL, Liss DT
Design of Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3): a practice-randomized, comparative effectiveness study.
The Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3) study is part of a nationwide effort, EvidenceNOW, seeking to better understand the ability of small primary care practices to improve "ABCS" clinical quality measures: appropriate Aspirin therapy, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. In this paper, the authors describe the design and randomization of the H3 study.
AHRQ-funded; HS023921.
Citation: Ciolino JD, Jackson KL, Liss DT .
Design of Healthy Hearts in the Heartland (H3): a practice-randomized, comparative effectiveness study.
Contemp Clin Trials 2018 Aug;71:47-54. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2018.06.004..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Prevention, Primary Care, Quality of Care, Quality Improvement, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research