National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
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Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (2)
- Adverse Events (2)
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Blood Clots (2)
- Blood Thinners (1)
- Caregiving (1)
- Care Management (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (2)
- Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) (1)
- Disparities (1)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (2)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Falls (1)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (2)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Hospital Discharge (1)
- (-) Hospitalization (17)
- Hospital Readmissions (1)
- Hospitals (6)
- Infectious Diseases (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (2)
- Medication (2)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Patient and Family Engagement (2)
- Patient Safety (3)
- Pneumonia (1)
- (-) Prevention (17)
- Quality Improvement (2)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (2)
- Quality Measures (2)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Respiratory Conditions (2)
- Risk (2)
- Rural/Inner-City Residents (2)
- Rural Health (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Teams (1)
- Tools & Toolkits (1)
- Vaccination (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 17 of 17 Research Studies DisplayedHogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
Capacity in community health and social services networks may be limited in geographic regions like Appalachia because of the combined effects of rurality and consistently poor health and social outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine insurer connectivity in cross-sector networks across Kentucky’s geographic regions and the relationship between connectivity and the probability of preventable hospitalizations. The study found sizable geographic differences in the relationship between insurer connectivity in community networks and preventable hospitalization. Insurer connectivity in rural Appalachian communities was related with decreased likelihood that an individual was admitted for a preventable hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS025494.
Citation: Hogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R .
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
J Appalach Health 2023 Aug; 5(2)..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Prevention, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Hogg-Graham R, Lang J, Waters TM
The Appalachian gap in preventable hospitalizations: are we seeing any progress? .
The purpose of this study was to explore whether within-rural variations in Kentucky’s preventable hospitalization rates exist and how these variations may be changing longitudinally. The study found that rural Appalachian counties had significantly higher preventable hospitalizations rates compared to their rural non-Appalachian and urban counterparts. A decreasing trend in overall preventable hospitalizations was witnessed for rural Appalachia over time, but trends were relatively stable for rural non-Appalachian and urban counties. Regression results revealed no significant longitudinal decrease in the “Appalachian gap.”
AHRQ-funded; HS025494.
Citation: Hogg-Graham R, Lang J, Waters TM .
The Appalachian gap in preventable hospitalizations: are we seeing any progress? .
J Appalach Health 2023 Aug; 5(2)..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Prevention, Hospitalization
Dykes PC, Burns Z, Adelman J
Evaluation of a patient-centered fall-prevention tool kit to reduce falls and injuries: a nonrandomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to assess whether a fall-prevention tool kit that engages patients and families in the fall-prevention process throughout hospitalization is associated with reduced falls and injurious falls. Findings showed that, in this nonrandomized controlled trial, implementation of a fall-prevention tool kit was associated with a significant reduction in falls and related injuries. A patient-care team partnership appeared to be beneficial for prevention of falls and fall-related injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS023535.
Citation: Dykes PC, Burns Z, Adelman J .
Evaluation of a patient-centered fall-prevention tool kit to reduce falls and injuries: a nonrandomized controlled trial.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025889. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25889..
Keywords: Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Prevention, Tools & Toolkits, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Hospitalization, Hospitals
Oh ES, Needham DM, Nikooie R
Antipsychotics for preventing delirium in hospitalized adults: a systematic review.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review evaluating the benefits and harms of antipsychotics to treat delirium in adults. Results showed that there was little evidence demonstrating neurologic harms associated with short-term use of antipsychotics for treating delirium in adult inpatients, but potentially harmful cardiac effects tended to occur more frequently. Current evidence does not support routine use of haloperidol or second-generation antipsychotics to treat delirium in adult inpatients.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500006I.
Citation: Oh ES, Needham DM, Nikooie R .
Antipsychotics for preventing delirium in hospitalized adults: a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2019 Oct 1;171(7):474-84. doi: 10.7326/m19-1859..
Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Medication, Hospitalization, Inpatient Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Behavioral Health, Prevention
Wiese AD, Griffin MR, Grijalva CG
Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalizations for pneumonia in the United States.
In this study, the investigators described the existing evidence for both the direct and indirect impact of Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) on pneumonia among children and adults in the US since PCV introduction. The introduction of PCVs into the US routine infant vaccination schedule led to important reductions in the burden of invasive pneumococcal diseases and non-invasive pneumonia among vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. The impact of direct vaccination of older adults in the US since 2014, though difficult to quantify, is currently being evaluated.
AHRQ-funded; HS022342.
Citation: Wiese AD, Griffin MR, Grijalva CG .
Impact of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines on hospitalizations for pneumonia in the United States.
Expert Rev Vaccines 2019 Apr;18(4):327-41. doi: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1582337..
Keywords: Vaccination, Pneumonia, Respiratory Conditions, Hospitalization, Prevention
Goodman KE, Simner PJ, Klein EY
How frequently are hospitalized patients colonized with carbapenem-resistant
This study evaluated whether hospitalized patients who tested positive for carbapenem-resistant Enteriobacteriaceae (CRE) were on contact precautions so that staff and other patients would not risk transmission. Since CRE colonization at admission was infrequent, there is some risk of transmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS025089.
Citation: Goodman KE, Simner PJ, Klein EY .
How frequently are hospitalized patients colonized with carbapenem-resistant
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Dec;39(12):1491-93. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.236..
Keywords: Hospitalization, Hospitals, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Risk
Prey JE, Polubriaginof F, Grossman LV
Engaging hospital patients in the medication reconciliation process using tablet computers.
Researchers conducted a pilot study to determine whether patients’ use of an electronic home medication review tool on a table computer could improve medication safety before or after hospitalization. Patients were randomized to the tool and out of 76 patients approached, 65 participated. About three-quarters (74%) made changes to their home medication list. Out of that total, 74% of the changes identified had a significant or greater potential severity, and 49% had a greater than 50-50 chance of harm. This medication reconciliation tool showed great potential to improve medication safety during and after hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS021816.
Citation: Prey JE, Polubriaginof F, Grossman LV .
Engaging hospital patients in the medication reconciliation process using tablet computers.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2018 Nov;25(11):1460-69. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocy115..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitalization, Hospitals, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Safety, Prevention
Wu P, Escobar GJ, Gebretsadik T
Effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis in reducing bronchiolitis hospitalizations among high-risk infants.
This retrospective cohort study examined the effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prophylaxis for infants born between 1996 and 2008. The infants were enrolled in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California integrated health system. Infants who ever received RSV immunoprophylaxis had a 32% decreased risk of bronchiolitis hospitalization and finants with chronic lung disease (CLD) had a 52% decreased risk. The 2014 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines changed recommendations for RSV immunoprophylaxis which made 48% of infants no longer eligible but nearly all infants with CLD would remain eligible.
AHRQ-funded; HS018454.
Citation: Wu P, Escobar GJ, Gebretsadik T .
Effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus immunoprophylaxis in reducing bronchiolitis hospitalizations among high-risk infants.
Am J Epidemiol 2018 Jul;187(7):1490-500. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwy008..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Hospitalization, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention, Respiratory Conditions, Risk
Graham KL, Auerbac AD, Schnipper JL
Preventability of early versus late hospital readmissions in a national cohort of general medicine patients.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether readmissions within 7 days of discharge differed from those between 8 and 30 days after discharge with respect to preventability. The investigators found that early readmissions were more likely to be preventable and amenable to hospital-based interventions. Late readmissions were less likely to be preventable and were more amenable to ambulatory and home-based interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Graham KL, Auerbac AD, Schnipper JL .
Preventability of early versus late hospital readmissions in a national cohort of general medicine patients.
Ann Intern Med 2018 Jun 5;168(11):766-74. doi: 10.7326/m17-1724..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Hospitalization, Prevention
Parast L, Bardach NS, Burkhart Q
Development of new quality measures for hospital-based care of suicidal youth.
This study researched the value of 4 new quality measures developed to assess hospital-based care for suicidal youth. The four quality measures focused on counseling caregivers about restricting access to lethal means of self-harm, and the benefits and risks of antidepressant medications. They were divided into measures for the emergency department (ED) and inpatient measures. Survey field tests were conducted with caregivers of youth who were admitted to the ED or inpatient care for suicidality at 1 of 2 children’s hospitals between July 2013 and June 2014. Most caregivers did receive counseling about restricting their child’s access to lethal means of self-harm and also reported higher rates of counseling of benefits on antidepressants both in the ED and in the inpatient setting than the risks.
AHRQ-funded; HS020506.
Citation: Parast L, Bardach NS, Burkhart Q .
Development of new quality measures for hospital-based care of suicidal youth.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Apr;18(3):248-55. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2017.09.017..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS), Education: Patient and Caregiver, Emergency Department, Hospitalization, Hospitals, Inpatient Care, Behavioral Health, Prevention, Quality of Care, Quality Measures
Lau BD, Streiff MB, Pronovost PJ
Venous thromboembolism quality measures fail to accurately measure quality.
This study reviewed a large number of international quality measures for venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention. Researchers discovered that none of them accurately characterize VTE prevention methods or outcomes in hospitalized patients. They describe an ideal, defect-free VTE prevention process.
AHRQ-funded; HS024547.
Citation: Lau BD, Streiff MB, Pronovost PJ .
Venous thromboembolism quality measures fail to accurately measure quality.
Circulation 2018 Mar 20;137(12):1278-84. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.116.026897..
Keywords: Blood Clots, Hospitalization, Prevention, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality Measures
Bhise V, Sittig DF, Vaghani V
An electronic trigger based on care escalation to identify preventable adverse events in hospitalised patients.
Researchers refined the methods of the Institute of Healthcare Improvement's Global Trigger Tool application and leveraged electronic health record data to improve detection of preventable adverse events, including diagnostic errors. In the studied sample, preventable adverse events were identified, including adverse drug events, patient falls, procedure-related complications, and hospital-associated infections. The authors concluded that such e-triggers can help overcome limitations of currently available methods to detect preventable harm in hospitalized patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS022087; HS023602.
Citation: Bhise V, Sittig DF, Vaghani V .
An electronic trigger based on care escalation to identify preventable adverse events in hospitalised patients.
BMJ Qual Saf 2018 Mar;27(3):241-46. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-006975..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitalization, Hospitals, Patient Safety, Prevention, Quality of Care, Quality Improvement, Quality Indicators (QIs)
Farbman KS, Michelson KA, Neuman MI
Reducing hospitalization rates for children with anaphylaxis.
A quality improvement (QI) intervention was conducted to improve care and reduce hospitalization rates for children with anaphylaxis. This intervention was able to safely reduce unnecessary hospitalizations for children with anaphylaxis and sustain the change over 3 years by using a QI initiative that included evidence-based guideline development and implementation, reinforced by provider reminders and structured feedback.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Farbman KS, Michelson KA, Neuman MI .
Reducing hospitalization rates for children with anaphylaxis.
Pediatrics 2017 Jun;139(6). doi: 10.1542/peds.2016-4114.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Hospitalization, Quality Improvement, Prevention
Metersky ML, Eldridge N, Wang Y
AHRQ Author: Eldridge N
Predictors of warfarin-associated adverse events in hospitalized patients: Opportunities to prevent patient harm.
The researchers assessed the relationship between daily versus less frequent international normalized ratio ( INR) monitoring and overanticoagulation and warfarin-related adverse events. They bconcluded that daily INR measurement and recognition of a rapidly rising INR might decrease the frequency of warfarin-associated adverse events in hospitalized patients.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201200003C.
Citation: Metersky ML, Eldridge N, Wang Y .
Predictors of warfarin-associated adverse events in hospitalized patients: Opportunities to prevent patient harm.
J Hosp Med 2016 Apr;11(4):276-82. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2528.
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Keywords: Blood Thinners, Care Management, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Patient Safety, Hospitalization, Prevention
Sentell T, Miyamura J, Ahn HJ
Potentially preventable hospitalizations for congestive heart failure among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i.
The authors studied congestive heart failure (CHF) hospitalizations among racial groups. They found that high preventable CHF hospitalization rates are seen in some Asian and Pacific Islander groups, especially Native Hawaiians and Filipinos, who have these hospitalizations at younger ages than other studied groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990.
Citation: Sentell T, Miyamura J, Ahn HJ .
Potentially preventable hospitalizations for congestive heart failure among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawai'i.
J Immigr Minor Health 2015 Oct;17(5):1289-97. doi: 10.1007/s10903-014-0098-4.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Hospitalization, Prevention, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Social Determinants of Health
Heo HH, Sentell TL, Li D
Disparities in potentially preventable hospitalizations for chronic conditions among Korean Americans, Hawaii, 2010-2012.
The researchers compared preventable hospitalizations for chronic conditions in aggregate and for congestive heart failure (CHF) for Korean Americans and whites in Hawaii. They found that older Korean American patients may have significant disparities in preventable hospitalizations, which suggests poor access to or poor quality of primary health care.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990.
Citation: Heo HH, Sentell TL, Li D .
Disparities in potentially preventable hospitalizations for chronic conditions among Korean Americans, Hawaii, 2010-2012.
Prev Chronic Dis 2015 Sep 17;12:E152. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.150057.
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Keywords: Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Hospitalization, Prevention, Chronic Conditions
Streiff MB, Brady JP, Grant AM
AHRQ Author: Brady JP
CDC Grand Rounds: preventing hospital-associated venous thromboembolism.
Approximately half of new venous thromboembolism (VTE) cases occur during a hospital stay or within 90 days of an inpatient admission or surgical procedure, and many are not diagnosed until after discharge. Prevention of VTE can be complicated as physicians must balance the risk for thrombosis with the risk for bleeding from anticoagulants. A collaborative, team-based approach to care is needed for significant and sustained improvement, and it also offers efficiency and capacity to tackle other patient safety problems.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Streiff MB, Brady JP, Grant AM .
CDC Grand Rounds: preventing hospital-associated venous thromboembolism.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2014 Mar 7;63(9):190-3.
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Keywords: Blood Clots, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitalization, Prevention, Teams