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
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (4)
- (-) Adverse Events (21)
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Blood Pressure (1)
- Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (1)
- Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) (1)
- Depression (1)
- Diabetes (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Digestive Disease and Health (1)
- Disabilities (1)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (3)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (2)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Hospitalization (2)
- Hospitals (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (3)
- Labor and Delivery (8)
- Low-Income (1)
- Maternal Care (8)
- Medical Errors (2)
- Medical Liability (1)
- Medication (4)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Mortality (1)
- Newborns/Infants (4)
- Outcomes (6)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Safety (7)
- Policy (1)
- Pregnancy (13)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Risk (4)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Simulation (1)
- Surgery (7)
- Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (1)
- Teams (1)
- TeamSTEPPS (1)
- Training (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- (-) Women (21)
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 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedPineles BL, Harris AD, Goodman KE
Adverse maternal and delivery outcomes in children and very young (age ≤13 years) US adolescents compared with older adolescents and adults.
This study compared adverse maternal and delivery outcomes of pregnant 10- to 13-year-olds vs 14- to 17-year-olds and 18- to 19-year-olds. This cross-sectional study looked at all patients aged 10 to 19 years who delivered at hospitals in the Premier Healthcare Database from January 2019 through May 2021. The study included 90,876 deliveries across 655 US hospitals. Controlling for patient race and ethnicity, insurance type, and obesity status: 10- to 13-year-olds had significantly higher risks of preterm delivery and cesarean delivery compared with 14- to 17-year-olds. The risk of preeclampsia was not higher for 10- to 13-year-olds compared to 14- to 17-year-olds. There was a higher risk of preterm delivery for 10- to 13-year-olds compared to 18- to 19-year-olds, but not significantly different for cesarean delivery and preeclampsia.
AHRQ-funded; HS028363.
Citation: Pineles BL, Harris AD, Goodman KE .
Adverse maternal and delivery outcomes in children and very young (age ≤13 years) US adolescents compared with older adolescents and adults.
JAMA 2022 Nov 1;328(17):1766-68. doi: 10.1001/jama.2022.18340..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Women, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Maternal Care
Horner-Johnson W, Garg B, Darney BG BG
Severe maternal morbidity and other perinatal complications among women with physical, sensory, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The authors assessed differences in severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and other perinatal complications by presence and type of disability in a retrospective cohort study of California births from 2000-2012. They found that SMM and other perinatal complications were more common among women with disabilities than among women without disabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Horner-Johnson W, Garg B, Darney BG BG .
Severe maternal morbidity and other perinatal complications among women with physical, sensory, or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2022 Sep;36(5):759-68. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12873..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Disabilities, Adverse Events, Pregnancy, Women
Kern-Goldberger AR, Kneifati-Hayek J, Fernandes Y
Wrong-patient orders in obstetrics.
The objective of this observational study was to compare rates of wrong-patient orders among patients on obstetric units compared with reproductive-aged women admitted to medical-surgical units. The investigators concluded that order errors occurred more frequently on obstetric units compared with medical-surgical units.
AHRQ-funded; HS024538; HS026121.
Citation: Kern-Goldberger AR, Kneifati-Hayek J, Fernandes Y .
Wrong-patient orders in obstetrics.
Obstet Gynecol 2021 Aug 1;138(2):229-35. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000004474..
Keywords: Medical Errors, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Pollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate whether 30- and 90-day surgical complication and postoperative hospitalization rates after hysterectomy for benign conditions differed by race/ethnicity and whether the differences remained after controlling for patient, hospital, and surgical characteristics. The investigators concluded that Black and Asian/Pacific Islander women had higher risk of some 30- and 90-day surgical complications after hysterectomy than white women. Black and Hispanic women had higher risk of posthysterectomy hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Pollack LM, Lowder JL, Keller M .
Racial/ethnic differences in the risk of surgical complications and posthysterectomy hospitalization among women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions.
J Minim Invasive Gynecol 2021 May;28(5):1022-32.e12. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.12.032..
Keywords: Surgery, Risk, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Women
Leifheit KM, Schwartz GL, Pollack CE
Severe housing insecurity during pregnancy: association with adverse birth and infant outcomes.
This study measured the association of severe housing insecurity with adverse birth and infant outcomes. Data was analyzed from 3248 mother-infant dyads enrolled in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. This prospective cohort study represented births in 20 large U.S. cities from 1998 to 2000. Severe housing insecurity was defined as threatened eviction or homelessness. Adverse outcomes included low birth weight and/or preterm birth, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or stepdown facility, extended hospitalization after delivery, and infant health and temperament. There were statistically significant associations found between severe housing insecurity during pregnancy and low birth weight and/or preterm births. Housing insecurity and infant fair or poor health and poor temperament were not found to have statistically significant associations. Population attributable fraction (PAF) estimates suggested that up to 3% of adverse birth and infant outcomes could be avoided by eliminating severe housing insecurity among low-income, pregnant women.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Leifheit KM, Schwartz GL, Pollack CE .
Severe housing insecurity during pregnancy: association with adverse birth and infant outcomes.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020 Nov 21;17(22):8659. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17228659..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Vulnerable Populations, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Women, Low-Income, Newborns/Infants
Guglielminotti J, Li G
Exposure to general anesthesia for cesarean delivery and odds of severe postpartum depression requiring hospitalization.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated the risk of general anesthesia use in cesarean delivery versus neuraxial anesthesia on maternal mental health. Cesarean deliveries performed in New York State hospitals between 2006 and 2013 were included. Exclusion criteria included having more than 1 cesarean delivery during the study period, residing outside of New York State, and having a general anesthetic for other surgery or delivery in the year before or after the index case. The primary outcome looked at was severe postpartum depression (PPD), and secondary outcomes were suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The majority of cesareans used neuraxial anesthesia and only 8% (34,356) had general anesthesia. Severe PPD requiring hospitalization occurred in 1158 women with 60% identified during readmission. General anesthesia was found to be associated with a 54% increased odds of PPD, and a 91% increased odds of suicidal ideation or self-inflicted injury. There was insufficient evidence for increased risk of anxiety orders.
AHRQ-funded; HS025787.
Citation: Guglielminotti J, Li G .
Exposure to general anesthesia for cesarean delivery and odds of severe postpartum depression requiring hospitalization.
Anesth Analg 2020 Nov;131(5):1421-29. doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000004663..
Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women, Depression, Behavioral Health, Surgery, Risk, Hospitalization, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events
Xu X, Lin H, Wright JD
Association between power morcellation and mortality in women with unexpected uterine cancer undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy.
Despite concerns that power morcellation may adversely affect prognosis of patients with occult uterine cancer, empirical evidence has been limited and inconclusive. In this study, the investigators aimed to determine whether uncontained power morcellation at the time of hysterectomy or myomectomy was associated with increased mortality risk in women with occult uterine cancer.
AHRQ-funded; HS024702.
Citation: Xu X, Lin H, Wright JD .
Association between power morcellation and mortality in women with unexpected uterine cancer undergoing hysterectomy or myomectomy.
J Clin Oncol 2019 Dec 10;37(35):3412-24. doi: 10.1200/jco.19.00562..
Keywords: Cancer, Mortality, Women, Surgery, Risk, Adverse Events
Lewkowitz AK, Rosenbloom JI, Lopez JD
Association between stillbirth at 23 weeks of gestation or greater and severe maternal morbidity.
Researchers conducted this retrospective cohort study to estimate whether stillbirth at 23 weeks of gestation or more is associated with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared with live birth, when stratified by maternal comorbidities. Data from HCUP’s Florida State Inpatient Database was used. The researchers found that, although severe maternal morbidity is overall uncommon, delivering a stillborn fetus at 23 weeks of gestation or greater is associated with increased likelihood of severe maternal morbidity, particularly among women with comorbidities. They conclude that health care providers must be vigilant about severe maternal morbidity during stillbirth delivery.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Lewkowitz AK, Rosenbloom JI, Lopez JD .
Association between stillbirth at 23 weeks of gestation or greater and severe maternal morbidity.
Obstet Gynecol 2019 Nov;134(5):964-73. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000003528..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Pregnancy, Maternal Care, Women, Adverse Events
Balk EM, Adam GP, Corsi K
Adverse events associated with nonsurgical treatments for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review.
Investigators systematically reviewed nonsurgical interventions for urgency, stress, or mixed urinary incontinence (UI) in women, focusing on adverse events (AEs). They found that behavioral therapies and neuromodulation have a low risk of adverse events, while anticholinergics and alpha agonists have high rates of dry mouth and constitutional effects. Further, onabotulinum toxin A (BTX) is associated with UTIs and voiding dysfunction, and periurethral bulking agents are associated with erosion and voiding dysfunction. They concluded that these AEs should be considered when selecting appropriate UI treatment options, noting that AE reporting is inconsistent and that AE rates across studies tended to vary widely.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500002.
Citation: Balk EM, Adam GP, Corsi K .
Adverse events associated with nonsurgical treatments for urinary incontinence in women: a systematic review.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Aug;34(8):1615-25. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05028-0.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Women, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Guglielminotti J, Landau R, Li. G
Adverse events and factors associated with potentially avoidable use of general anesthesia in cesarean deliveries.
Compared with neuraxial anesthesia, general anesthesia for cesarean delivery is associated with increased risk of maternal adverse events. Reducing avoidable general anesthetics for cesarean delivery may improve safety of obstetric anesthesia care. This study examined adverse events, trends, and factors associated with potentially avoidable general anesthetics for cesarean delivery. The investigators concluded that compared with neuraxial anesthesia, avoidable general anesthetics are associated with increased risk of adverse maternal outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS025787.
Citation: Guglielminotti J, Landau R, Li. G .
Adverse events and factors associated with potentially avoidable use of general anesthesia in cesarean deliveries.
Anesthesiology 2019 Jun;130(6):912-22. doi: 10.1097/aln.0000000000002629..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Labor and Delivery, Surgery, Pregnancy, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Women, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Maternal Care
Kahwati LC, Sorensen AV, Teixeira-Poit S
AHRQ Author: Mistry KB
Impact of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Safety Program for Perinatal Care.
The purpose of this study was to describe the Safety Program for Perinatal Care (SPPC) implementation experience and evaluate the short-term impact on labor and delivery (L&D) unit patient safety culture, processes, and adverse events. SPPC implementation by L&D units were supported sing a program toolkit, trainings, and technical assistance. Researchers then evaluated the program using a pre-post, mixed-methods design. Changes in safety and quality were measured using the Modified Adverse Outcome Index (MAOI) and other perinatal care indicators. Findings showed that SPPC had a favorable impact on unit patient safety culture and processes, but mixed short-term impact on maternal and neonatal adverse events.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 2902010000241.
Citation: Kahwati LC, Sorensen AV, Teixeira-Poit S .
Impact of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's Safety Program for Perinatal Care.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2019 Apr;45(4):231-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2018.11.002..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP), Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Patient Safety, Pregnancy, Simulation, Surveys on Patient Safety Culture, Teams, TeamSTEPPS, Training, Women
Glazer KB, Eliot MN, Danilack VA
Residential green space and birth outcomes in a coastal setting.
The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between green and blue space and birth outcomes in a coastal area of the northeastern US. Findings from this study did not support the hypothesis that residential green space was associated with reduced risk of preterm birth or higher birthweight after adjustment for individual and contextual socioeconomic factors, but variation in results with incremental adjustment raised questions about the optimal degree of control for confounding by markers of SES. The investigators found that living near a freshwater body was associated with higher birthweight.
AHRQ-funded; HS025013.
Citation: Glazer KB, Eliot MN, Danilack VA .
Residential green space and birth outcomes in a coastal setting.
Environ Res 2018 May;163:97-107. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.01.006..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Women
Brousseau EC, Danilack V, Cai F
Emergency department visits for postpartum complications.
The investigators performed a retrospective analysis of all postpartum visits to the emergency department (ED) at a tertiary care women's hospital over 6 months and described characteristics of the population and clinical details of the ED visit, specifically the presenting complaint, delivery type, final diagnosis, and admission rate. They found that women presenting to the ED postpartum period had a wide variety of medical issues but 78% were not admitted.
AHRQ-funded; HS025013.
Citation: Brousseau EC, Danilack V, Cai F .
Emergency department visits for postpartum complications.
J Womens Health 2018 Mar;27(3):253-57. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2016.6309..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Emergency Department, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women
Calderwood MS, Huang SS, Keller V
Variable case detection and many unreported cases of surgical-site infection following colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy in a statewide validation.
This study assesses hospital surgical-site infection (SSI) identification and reporting following colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy via a statewide external validation. The authors concluded that claims-based surveillance is a standardized approach that hospitals can use to augment traditional surveillance methods and health departments can use for external validation.
AHRQ-funded; HS021424.
Citation: Calderwood MS, Huang SS, Keller V .
Variable case detection and many unreported cases of surgical-site infection following colon surgery and abdominal hysterectomy in a statewide validation.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Sep;38(9):1091-97. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.134..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Patient Safety, Women, Adverse Events, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Hospitals
Metz TD, Gonzalez C, Allshouse AA
Influence of patient-level factors on mode of delivery among operative vaginal delivery candidates in modern practice.
This study aimed to evaluate which patient-level factors influence mode of delivery among candidates for operative vaginal delivery. Odds of forceps versus vacuum were higher with induction, nulliparity, epidural, maternal indication, older maternal age, and longer second stage. Odds of cesarean versus operative vaginal delivery were higher with maternal indication, a perinatologist, longer second stage, older gestational age and longer labor.
AHRQ-funded; HS022143.
Citation: Metz TD, Gonzalez C, Allshouse AA .
Influence of patient-level factors on mode of delivery among operative vaginal delivery candidates in modern practice.
Am J Perinatol 2017 Aug;34(10):974-81. doi: 10.1055/s-0037-1601441.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Events, Healthcare Delivery, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Thomas HN, Evans GW, Berlowitz DR
Antihypertensive medications and sexual function in women: baseline data from the SBP intervention trial (SPRINT).
The researchers evaluated the relations among class of antihypertensive medication from women in the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) and the outcomes: sexual activity and sexual function. There were no significant differences in sexual activity among women taking one or more antihypertensives and women not taking any. Women taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker had higher odds of sexual activity. The authors concluded that no single class of antihypertensive medication was associated with sexual dysfunction.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Thomas HN, Evans GW, Berlowitz DR .
Antihypertensive medications and sexual function in women: baseline data from the SBP intervention trial (SPRINT).
J Hypertens 2016 Jun;34(6):1224-31. doi: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000000911.
.
.
Keywords: Medication, Blood Pressure, Sexual Health, Women, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events
Epps KC, Holper EM, Selzer F
Sex differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention according to age.
Women <50 years of age with coronary artery disease may represent a group at higher risk for recurrent ischemic events after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, no long-term, multicenter outcomes assessment exists in this population. This study found that, compared with older women, younger women remained at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, whereas all outcome rates were similar in older women and men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000009.
Citation: Epps KC, Holper EM, Selzer F .
Sex differences in outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention according to age.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2016 Feb;9(2 Suppl 1):S16-25. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.115.002482.
.
.
Keywords: Women, Heart Disease and Health, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Cardiovascular Conditions
Camelo Castillo W, Boggess K, Sturmer T
Association of adverse pregnancy outcomes with glyburide vs insulin in women with gestational diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women receiving glyburide compared with insulin for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a US population-based cohort. It found an association between glyburide (compared with insulin) and elevated risk of NICU admission, neonatal hypoglycemia, respiratory distress, birth injury, and large for gestational age in women with GDM.
AHRQ-funded; HS017950.
Citation: Camelo Castillo W, Boggess K, Sturmer T .
Association of adverse pregnancy outcomes with glyburide vs insulin in women with gestational diabetes.
JAMA Pediatr 2015 May;169(5):452-8. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.74..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Comparative Effectiveness, Diabetes, Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Medication, Newborns/Infants, Outcomes, Pregnancy, Women
Olsen MA, Nickel KB, Margenthaler JA
Increased risk of surgical site infection among breast-conserving surgery re-excisions.
The aim of this study was to determine the risk of surgical site infection (SSI) after primary breast-conserving surgery (BCS) versus re-excision among women with carcinoma in situ or invasive breast cancer. It found that the risk of SSI after re-excision remained significantly higher after accounting for multiple procedures within a woman.
AHRQ-funded; HS019713.
Citation: Olsen MA, Nickel KB, Margenthaler JA .
Increased risk of surgical site infection among breast-conserving surgery re-excisions.
Ann Surg Oncol 2015;22(6):2003-9. doi: 10.1245/s10434-014-4200-x..
Keywords: Surgery, Risk, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Women
Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
This article presents a case study concerning challenges, including physician resistance, to the establishment of a common full disclosure protocol at five labor and delivery demonstration sites. Twenty-seven months after implementation, the rate of full disclosure had increased by 221 percent. Practitioners saw a number of factors as key catalysts for change including consistent and ongoing leadership by local practitioners and hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS019608.
Citation: Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J .
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
Health Aff 2014 Jan;33(1):39-45. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.1009..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Labor and Delivery, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Policy, Pregnancy, Women
Letourneau AR, Calderwood MS, Huang SS
Harnessing claims to improve detection of surgical site infections following hysterectomy and colorectal surgery.
The researchers conducted retrospective cohort studies at 2 academic medical centers, extending analyses of patients undergoing hysterectomy or colorectal surgery. They concluded that claims-enhanced surveillance can help to identify surgical site infections (SSIs) missed by routine surveillance, identifying nearly twice as many SSIs following hysterectomy and 4 times more SSIs following colorectal surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS021424.
Citation: Letourneau AR, Calderwood MS, Huang SS .
Harnessing claims to improve detection of surgical site infections following hysterectomy and colorectal surgery.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2013 Dec;34(12):1321-3. doi: 10.1086/673975..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Surgery, Patient Safety, Adverse Events, Women, Digestive Disease and Health