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
Topics
- Adverse Events (2)
- Antibiotics (1)
- (-) Evidence-Based Practice (15)
- Eye Disease and Health (1)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Hospitals (1)
- Medication (2)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Obesity (2)
- Orthopedics (2)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (8)
- (-) Patient Safety (15)
- Prevention (1)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Quality Improvement (11)
- Quality of Care (10)
- (-) Surgery (15)
- System Design (1)
- Women (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 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedHu QL, Grant MC, Hornor MA
Technical evidence review for emergency major abdominal operation conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
This technical evidence review focuses on the use of enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) for emergency major abdominal surgery conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR). This national ERP initiative is funded by AHRQ and implemented in 2017 through a collaboration with American College of Surgeons, and Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. Five common emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures were focused on: perforated peptic ulcer repair, colectomy, lysis of adhesions, small bowel resection, and exploratory laparotomy. The authors identified seventeen candidate components for emergency major abdominal ERP. The components span the continuum of care from preoperative setting to hospital discharge. For every component they conducted a systematic literature review to find relevant studies. Each component was examined for rationale, evidence, and summary and recommendations. Many were supported by evidence and guidelines specific to their particular operation. Key gaps in literature were highlighted, specifically lack of evidence specific to these operations across many ERP processes.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Hu QL, Grant MC, Hornor MA .
Technical evidence review for emergency major abdominal operation conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
J Am Coll Surg 2020 Dec;231(6):743-64.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.08.772..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Surgery, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Hu QL, Fischer CP, Wescott AB
Evidence review for the American College of Surgeons Quality Verification part I: building quality and safety resources and infrastructure.
The goal of this review was to synthesize the evidence supporting the first 4 of 12 American College of Surgeons (ACS) Quality Verification Program core principles of building quality and safety resources and infrastructure. Findings showed that, despite heterogeneous study design and lack of randomized controlled trials, the available literature supports the importance of committed top-level hospital leadership, mid-level leadership, and committee dedicated to surgical quality and culture of safety and high reliability. In conclusion, adequate resources and infrastructure integral to the ACS Quality Verification Program are critical to achieving safe and high-quality surgical outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Hu QL, Fischer CP, Wescott AB .
Evidence review for the American College of Surgeons Quality Verification part I: building quality and safety resources and infrastructure.
J Am Coll Surg 2020 Nov;231(5):557-69.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.08.758..
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Surgery, Evidence-Based Practice
Liu JY, Hu QL, Lamaina M
Surgical technical evidence review for acute cholecystectomy conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
In this study, the authors identified 13 overall components to consider for a nonelective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis enhanced recovery pathways. They indicated that hospitals participating in AHRQ’s Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery will be supported in carrying out practices that enhance care for patients and in gathering data to support continuous quality improvement around the enhanced recovery pathways.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Liu JY, Hu QL, Lamaina M .
Surgical technical evidence review for acute cholecystectomy conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
J Am Coll Surg 2020 Mar;230(3):354.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.11.014..
Keywords: Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Practice
Grant MC, Gibbons MM, Ko CY
Evidence review conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery: focus on anesthesiology for gynecologic surgery.
This paper is an evidence review of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for gynecologic surgery that will be used as part of AHRQ’s Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery. This initiative was developed in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. The authors conducted a literature review of the various anesthesia components which may influence outcomes and facilitate recovery after gynecological surgery. They included interventions for preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases of care and then summarized the best available evidence for ERAS for gynecological surgery. The best evidence was summarized for recommendations to be used in the initiative.
Citation: Grant MC, Gibbons MM, Ko CY .
Evidence review conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery: focus on anesthesiology for gynecologic surgery.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Women
Grant MC, Gibbons M M, Ko CY
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery: focus on anesthesiology for bariatric surgery.
The authors conducted an evidence review to select anesthetic interventions that positively influence outcomes and facilitate recovery after bariatric surgery. They summarize the best available evidence to recommend the anesthetic components of care for enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery. The concluded that there is evidence in the literature, and from society guidelines, to support AHRQ’s Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery goals for bariatric surgery.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Grant MC, Gibbons M M, Ko CY .
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery: focus on anesthesiology for bariatric surgery.
Anesth Analg 2019 Jul;129(1):51-60. doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000003696..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Medication, Obesity, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Surgery
Calderwood MS, Yokoe DS, Murphy MV
Effectiveness of a multistate quality improvement campaign in reducing risk of surgical site infections following hip and knee arthroplasty.
The authors assessed the effect of a multistate quality improvement campaign to promote the adoption of evidence-based surgical site infection (SSI) prevention practices. Rates of SSI among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty during pre-intervention and post-intervention in five states included in a multistate trial of the Project JOINTS campaign and five matched comparison states were analyzed. The authors found a larger reduction of SSI rates following hip and knee arthroplasty in intervention states than in the matched control states.
AHRQ-funded; HS021424.
Citation: Calderwood MS, Yokoe DS, Murphy MV .
Effectiveness of a multistate quality improvement campaign in reducing risk of surgical site infections following hip and knee arthroplasty.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 May;28(5):374-81. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-007982..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Orthopedics, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Patient Safety
Ban KA, Gibbons MM, Ko CY
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving
This evidence review was conducted for AHRQ in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality who have developed the Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR). This national effort will disseminate best practices in perioperative care to more than 750 hospitals across multiple procedures in the next 5 years. This evidence-based review is focused on improving patient safety of anesthesiology for colorectal (CR) surgery. Components reviewed included carbohydrate loading, reduced fasting, multimodal preanesthesia medicine, antibiotic prophylaxis, normothermia, blood transfusion, intraoperative fluid management/goal-directed fluid therapy, a standardized intraoperative anesthesia pathway, and standard postoperative multimodal analgesic regiments. The results of this review will be used to develop an evidence-based CR protocol for implementation.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Ban KA, Gibbons MM, Ko CY .
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving
Anesth Analg 2019 May;128(5):879-89. doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000003366..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Antibiotics, Medication, Medication: Safety
Soffin EM, Gibbons MM, Ko CY
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety program for improving surgical care and recovery: focus on anesthesiology for total hip arthroplasty.
Successes using enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for total hip arthroplasty (THA) are increasingly being reported. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, in partnership with the American College of Surgeons and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, has developed the Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery. In this study, the investigators conducted an evidence review to select anesthetic interventions that positively influence outcomes and facilitate recovery after total hip arthroplasty (THA).
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Soffin EM, Gibbons MM, Ko CY .
Evidence review conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety program for improving surgical care and recovery: focus on anesthesiology for total hip arthroplasty.
Anesth Analg 2019 Mar;128(3):454-65. doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000003663..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Hornor MA, Liu JY, Hu QL
Surgical technical evidence review for acute appendectomy conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
This evidence review uses enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs) protocols developed for the AHRQ-funded Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR Program) to develop ERPs for acute appendectomy surgery. The authors classified appendicitis into uncomplicated (nonperforated) and complicated (perforated or gangrenous) to help with risk stratification. They identified 13 components for appendectomy for review. The processes are organized by perioperative phase, and each phase includes the rationale, evidence review, summary of guidelines, and a recommendation summary of the evidence for or against inclusion in the ERP. Preoperative management components included: education and counseling; preoperative antibiotics; initial nonsurgical management for perforated appendicitis with abscess or phlegmon, venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, delay for operation for 12-24 hours for uncomplicated appendicitis. Intraoperative management components include: laparoscopic surgical technique, peritoneal drain placement, urinary catheter placement, and prophylactic nasogastric tube insertion. Postoperative management components include same-day surgery discharge for uncomplicated appendicitis, antibiotics, early oral alimentation, and early mobilization. Of the ERPs reviewed: there was no evidence to support the routine use of abdominal drainage in patients undergoing appendectomies, urinary catheter insertion for laparoscopic surgery, use of prophylactic nasogastric tube placement, postoperative antibiotic use for uncomplicated appendicitis, and early oral alimentation for uncomplicated appendicitis.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Hornor MA, Liu JY, Hu QL .
Surgical technical evidence review for acute appendectomy conducted for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
J Am Coll Surg 2018 Dec;227(6):605-17.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.09.024..
Keywords: Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
Bayramzadeh S, Joseph A, Allison D
Using an integrative mock-up simulation approach for evidence-based evaluation of operating room design prototypes.
This paper describes the process and tools developed as part of a multidisciplinary collaborative simulation-based approach for iterative design and evaluation of operating room (OR) prototypes. Researchers and architecture students worked closely with clinicians and architects to develop OR design prototypes and engaged clinical end-users in simulated scenarios. An evaluation toolkit was developed to compare design prototypes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Bayramzadeh S, Joseph A, Allison D .
Using an integrative mock-up simulation approach for evidence-based evaluation of operating room design prototypes.
Appl Ergon 2018 Jul;70:288-99. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2018.03.011..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Surgery, System Design, Evidence-Based Practice
Nanji KC, Roberto SA, Morley MG
Preventing adverse events in cataract surgery: recommendations from a Massachusetts expert panel.
The purpose of this article is to identify contributing factors to the adverse events (AEs) reported in Massachusetts and present the panel's recommended strategies to prevent them. The panel identified 2 principal categories of contributing factors to the state's cataract surgery-related AEs: systems failures and choice of anesthesia technique. The panel recommended several strategies to prevent AEs during cataract surgery, including performing a distinct time-out with at least 2 care-team members before block administration.
AHRQ-funded; HS024764.
Citation: Nanji KC, Roberto SA, Morley MG .
Preventing adverse events in cataract surgery: recommendations from a Massachusetts expert panel.
Anesth Analg 2018 May;126(5):1537-47. doi: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002529.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Events, Evidence-Based Practice, Eye Disease and Health, Patient Safety, Surgery
Chang SH, Freeman NLB, Lee JA
Early major complications after bariatric surgery in the USA, 2003-2014: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses <30-d major complications associated with bariatric procedures, including anastomotic leak, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism. The review included 71 studies conducted in the USA between 2003 and 2014 and 107,874 patients undergoing either gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy, with mean age of 44 years and pre-surgery body mass index of 46.5 kg m(-2).
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Chang SH, Freeman NLB, Lee JA .
Early major complications after bariatric surgery in the USA, 2003-2014: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obes Rev 2018 Apr;19(4):529-37. doi: 10.1111/obr.12647..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Evidence-Based Practice, Obesity, Patient Safety, Surgery
Childers CP, Siletz AE, Singer ES
Surgical technical evidence review for elective total joint replacement conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
AHRQ, the American College of Surgeons, and the Johns Hopkins Medicine Armstrong Institute for Patent Safety and Quality have developed the Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery - a national effort to catalyze implementation of practices to improve perioperative care and enhance recovery of surgical patients. This review synthesizes evidence that can be used to develop a protocol for elective total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Childers CP, Siletz AE, Singer ES .
Surgical technical evidence review for elective total joint replacement conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
Geriatr Orthop Surg Rehabil 2018 Feb 12;9:2151458518754451. doi: 10.1177/2151458518754451.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Orthopedics, Patient Safety, Surgery, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Ban KA, Gibbons MM, Ko CY
Surgical technical evidence review for colorectal surgery conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
The objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the evidence supporting the surgical components of the Improving Surgical Care and Recovery (ISCR) colorectal (CR) pathway. This review will evaluate the evidence supporting CR pathways and develop an evidence-based CR protocol to help hospitals participating in the ISCR program implement evidence-based practices.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500020I.
Citation: Ban KA, Gibbons MM, Ko CY .
Surgical technical evidence review for colorectal surgery conducted for the AHRQ Safety Program for Improving Surgical Care and Recovery.
J Am Coll Surg 2017 Oct;225(4):548-57.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.06.017.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Hospitals, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Surgery, Quality of Care, Guidelines
Varghese TK, Jr., Ghaferi AA
Cutting-edge efforts in surgical patient safety.
In October, 2015, the Surgical Outcomes Club convened a patient safety panel in Chicago, Illinois. The goal was to emphasize that patient safety efforts require a uniform, systematic, evidence-based approach. This article incorporates the major themes of the session—developing reliable measures of surgeon performance, real-world methods for continuous improvement and learning, and opportunities for incorporating the principles of implementation science into patient safety efforts.
AHRQ-funded; HS023621; HS024403.
Citation: Varghese TK, Jr., Ghaferi AA .
Cutting-edge efforts in surgical patient safety.
JAMA Surg 2017 Aug;152(8):719-20. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0858.
.
.
Keywords: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Patient Safety, Evidence-Based Practice, Provider: Physician, Provider