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 (3)
- Antibiotics (1)
- Behavioral Health (1)
- Blood Clots (2)
- Blood Pressure (2)
- Blood Thinners (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (7)
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) (1)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (6)
- Disparities (1)
- Elderly (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (11)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (2)
- Heart Disease and Health (5)
- Hospitalization (2)
- Hospitals (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (3)
- Inpatient Care (1)
- Long-Term Care (1)
- Medication (9)
- Mortality (2)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Nursing Homes (2)
- Obesity (1)
- Osteoporosis (1)
- (-) Outcomes (19)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (13)
- Patient Safety (3)
- (-) Prevention (19)
- Primary Care (3)
- Quality Improvement (3)
- Quality of Care (3)
- Registries (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (3)
- Risk (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Stroke (1)
- Surgery (2)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Transplantation (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (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 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedCohen DJ, Sweeney SM, Miller WL
Improving smoking and blood pressure outcomes: the interplay between operational changes and local context.
This study identified conditions and operational changes linked to improvements in smoking and blood pressure (BP) outcomes in primary care using samples and interviews from a subset of 104 practices participating in EvidenceNOW, a multisite cardiovascular disease prevention initiative. The authors calculated Clinical Quality Measure improvements, with targets of 10-point or greater absolute improvements in the proportion of patients with smoking screening, and if relevant, counseling and the proportion of hypertensive patients with adequately controlled BP. Primary care staff were surveyed and interviewed. In clinician-owned practices, implementing a workflow to routinely screen and counsel patients on smoking cessation resources, or implementing a documentation change or a referral to a resource alone led to an improvement of at least 10 points in the smoking outcome. These improvements did not occur though in health- or hospital system-owned practices or in Federally Qualified Health Centers. BP outcome improved by at least 10 points among solo practices after medical assistants learned how to take an accurate BP. Among larger, clinician-owned practices, BP outcomes improvement took place when staff took a second BP measurement after the first measurement was elevated and when staff learned where to document this information in the electronic health record. For larger and health- and hospital system-owned practices, 50 or more hours of facilitation was needed to improve BP outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023940.
Citation: Cohen DJ, Sweeney SM, Miller WL .
Improving smoking and blood pressure outcomes: the interplay between operational changes and local context.
Ann Fam Med 2021 May-Jun;19(3):240-48. doi: 10.1370/afm.2668..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Tobacco Use, Primary Care, Quality Improvement, Cardiovascular Conditions, Quality of Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention, Outcomes
Pennington KM, Dykhoff HJ, Yao X
The impact of antifungal prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients.
This study evaluated the effect of antifungal prophylaxis on all-cause mortality and invasive fungal infections (IFI) on lung transplant recipients. Administrative claims data was used to identify adult patients who underwent lung transplantation between 2005 and 2018. The authors identified 662 lung transplant recipients. All-cause mortality was found to be significantly lower in those receiving antifungal prophylaxis compared to those who did not. Patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis also had a lower rate of IFI, but it was not statistically significant.
AHRQ-funded; HS025164; HS025402; HS025517; HS024075.
Citation: Pennington KM, Dykhoff HJ, Yao X .
The impact of antifungal prophylaxis in lung transplant recipients.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021 Mar;18(3):468-76. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202003-267OC..
Keywords: Transplantation, Surgery, Medication, Prevention, Respiratory Conditions, Mortality, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Zullo AR, Ofori-Asenso R, Wood M
Effects of statins for secondary prevention on functioning and other outcomes among nursing home residents.
Studies examining the effects of statins after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) excluded frail older adults, especially nursing home (NH) residents, and few examined functional outcomes. Older NH residents may benefit less from statins and be particularly susceptible to adverse drug events like myopathy-related functional decline. In this retrospective cohort study, the investigators evaluated the effects of statins on 1-year functional decline, rehospitalization, and death in NH residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Ofori-Asenso R, Wood M .
Effects of statins for secondary prevention on functioning and other outcomes among nursing home residents.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020 Apr;21(4):500-07.e8. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.01.102..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Medication, Prevention, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
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
Shahu A, Herrin J, Dhruva SS
Disparities in socioeconomic context and association with blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes in ALLHAT.
This study used data from the randomized clinical trial ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) to study the effect of socioeconomics and blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes. The study sites were stratified by their county-level median household income into income quintiles. The lowest income sites (quintile 1) were most likely to be women, black or Hispanic, have less education, to live in the South and to have fewer cardiovascular risk factors. Despite standardized treatment protocols, quintile 1 participants were less likely to have blood pressure control, and all greater all-cause mortality, heart failure hospitalizations/mortality and end-stage renal disease than the highest income participants (quintile 5).
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Shahu A, Herrin J, Dhruva SS .
Disparities in socioeconomic context and association with blood pressure control and cardiovascular outcomes in ALLHAT.
J Am Heart Assoc 2019 Aug 6;8(15):e012277. doi: 10.1161/jaha.119.012277..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Conditions, Disparities, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Medication, Prevention, Outcomes
Fink HA, MacDonald R, Forte ML
Long-term drug therapy and drug discontinuations and holidays for osteoporosis fracture prevention: a systematic review.
Optimal long-term osteoporosis drug treatment (ODT) is uncertain. The purpose of this study was to summarize the effects of long-term ODT and ODT discontinuation and holidays. The investigators concluded that: long-term alendronate and zoledronic acid therapies reduce fracture risk in women with osteoporosis; long-term bisphosphonate treatment may increase risk for rare adverse events, and continuing treatment beyond 3 to 5 years may reduce risk for vertebral fractures; and long-term hormone therapy reduces hip fracture risks but has serious harms.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, MacDonald R, Forte ML .
Long-term drug therapy and drug discontinuations and holidays for osteoporosis fracture prevention: a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2019 Jul 2;171(1):37-50. doi: 10.7326/m19-0533.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Injuries and Wounds, Medication, Osteoporosis, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
Zullo AR, Mogul A, Corsi K
Association between secondary prevention medication use and outcomes in frail older adults after acute myocardial infarction.
In order to examine the effect of using more guideline-recommended medications after myocardial infarction on mortality, rehospitalization, and functional decline in the frailest and oldest segment of long-stay nursing home residents, researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of U.S. nursing home residents aged 65 years or older. Exposure was the number of secondary prevention medications initiated after myocardial infarction; outcomes were 90-day death, rehospitalization, or functional decline. The results of the study indicate that the use of more guideline-recommended medications after myocardial infarction was associated with decreased mortality in older, predominantly frail adults, but there was no difference in rehospitalization. Functional decline outcomes were discordant and the researchers note that this does not rule out an increased risk associated with more medication use.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Zullo AR, Mogul A, Corsi K .
Association between secondary prevention medication use and outcomes in frail older adults after acute myocardial infarction.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2019 Apr;12(4):e004942. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.118.004942..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Heart Disease and Health, Medication, Nursing Homes, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
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
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
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
Fudim M, Liu PR, Shrader P
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism in patients with atrial fibrillation: findings from the ORBIT-AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation) registry.
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) therapy may be beneficial to patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), but little is known about their use in patients with AF and subsequent outcomes. In order to better understand MRA use and subsequent outcomes, the investigators performed a retrospective cohort study of the contemporary ORBIT-AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation) registry.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Fudim M, Liu PR, Shrader P .
Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism in patients with atrial fibrillation: findings from the ORBIT-AF (Outcomes Registry for Better Informed Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation) registry.
J Am Heart Assoc 2018 Apr 13;7(8). doi: 10.1161/jaha.117.007987..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Medication, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention, Registries, Stroke
Wang SV, Huybrechts KF, Fischer MA
Generalized boosted modeling to identify subgroups where effect of dabigatran versus warfarin may differ: an observational cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation.
The purpose of this study was to explore generalized boosted modeling (GBM) as a method for identifying subgroups with greater benefit or harm with dabigatran versus warfarin for treatment of atrial fibrillation. The investigators concluded that dabigatran's superiority to warfarin at prevention of thromboembolism may be greater in secondary than primary prevention. They indicated that in practice, secondary prevention patients are more often treated with warfarin.
AHRQ-funded; HS022193.
Citation: Wang SV, Huybrechts KF, Fischer MA .
Generalized boosted modeling to identify subgroups where effect of dabigatran versus warfarin may differ: an observational cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 2018 Apr;27(4):383-90. doi: 10.1002/pds.4395..
Keywords: Blood Clots, Blood Thinners, Cardiovascular Conditions, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Heart Disease and Health, Medication, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Prevention
Wolff TA, Krist AH, LeFevre M
AHRQ Author: Wolff TA
Update on the methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: linking intermediate outcomes and health outcomes in prevention.
Given the frequent lack of evidence on health outcomes, the USPSTF uses evidence on intermediate outcomes when appropriate. The ultimate goal is to determine precisely a consistent relationship between the direction and magnitude of change in an intermediate outcome with a predictable resultant direction and magnitude of change in the health outcomes. The USPSTF will exercise great caution when making a recommendation that depends on the evidence linking intermediate and health outcomes because of inherent evidence limitations.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Wolff TA, Krist AH, LeFevre M .
Update on the methods of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: linking intermediate outcomes and health outcomes in prevention.
Am J Prev Med 2018 Jan;54(1s1):S4-s10. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2017.08.032.
.
.
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Outcomes, Prevention, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Costa DK, White MR, Ginier E
Identifying barriers to delivering the awakening and breathing coordination, delirium, and early exercise/mobility bundle to minimize adverse outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients: a systematic review.
The purpose of this review was to identify and catalog the barriers to the Awakening and Breathing Coordination, Delirium, and Early exercise/mobility bundle (ABCDE) delivery based on a widely used implementation framework, and to provide a resource to guide clinicians in overcoming barriers to implementation. It provides the first, to the authors’ knowledge, systematic differential diagnosis of barriers to ABCDE delivery, moving beyond the conventional focus on patient-level factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS024552.
Citation: Costa DK, White MR, Ginier E .
Identifying barriers to delivering the awakening and breathing coordination, delirium, and early exercise/mobility bundle to minimize adverse outcomes for mechanically ventilated patients: a systematic review.
Chest 2017 Aug;152(2):304-11. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2017.03.054.
.
.
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Adverse Events, Prevention, Outcomes
Shaw CA, Steelman VM, DeBerg J
Effectiveness of active and passive warming for the prevention of inadvertent hypothermia in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
The purpose of this review is to answer the question: Does the type of warming intervention influence the frequency or severity of inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH) in surgical patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia? The review concluded that during neuraxial anesthesia, active warming (AW) reduces IPH more effectively than passive warming. Even with AW, IPH persists in some patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS021422.
Citation: Shaw CA, Steelman VM, DeBerg J .
Effectiveness of active and passive warming for the prevention of inadvertent hypothermia in patients receiving neuraxial anesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
J Clin Anesth 2017 May;38:93-104. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2017.01.005.
.
.
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Prevention, Outcomes, Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Obremskey WT, Schmidt AH, O'Toole RV
A prospective randomized trial to assess oral versus intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of postoperative wound infection after extremity fractures (POvIV study).
The POvIV study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial to compare oral (PO) with intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy in patients with postoperative wound infections after extremity fractures. This study will be the largest prospective randomized trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PO antibiotic use for treatment of postoperative wound infections. Results will inform clinician decisions on antibiotic delivery in patients with postoperative wound infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Obremskey WT, Schmidt AH, O'Toole RV .
A prospective randomized trial to assess oral versus intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of postoperative wound infection after extremity fractures (POvIV study).
J Orthop Trauma 2017 Apr;31 Suppl 1:S32-s38. doi: 10.1097/bot.0000000000000802.
.
.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Comparative Effectiveness, Medication, Patient Safety, Adverse Events, Prevention, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
McAlearney AS, Hefner JL
Getting to zero: goal commitment to reduce blood stream infections.
The researchers examined goal-setting as a factor contributing to program outcomes in eight hospitals focused on preventing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). They conducted qualitative case studies to compare higher- and lower-performing hospitals, and explored differences in contextual factors that might contribute to performance variation. Finally, they present a goal commitment framework that characterizes factors associated with successful CLABSI program outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; 290200600022.
Citation: McAlearney AS, Hefner JL .
Getting to zero: goal commitment to reduce blood stream infections.
Med Care Res Rev 2016 Aug;73(4):458-77. doi: 10.1177/1077558715616028.
.
.
Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Outcomes, Patient Safety, Prevention
Hemmila MR, Osborne NH, Henke PK
Prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement does not result in a survival benefit for trauma patients.
The researchers examined the relationship between prophylactic inferior vena cava (IVC) filter use, mortality, and venous thromboembolic events (VTE). They found that high rates of prophylactic IVC filter placement have no effect on reducing trauma patient mortality and are associated with an increase in deep venous thromboembolism (DVT) events.
AHRQ-funded; HS018728.
Citation: Hemmila MR, Osborne NH, Henke PK .
Prophylactic inferior vena cava filter placement does not result in a survival benefit for trauma patients.
Ann Surg 2015 Oct;262(4):577-85. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000001434..
Keywords: Blood Clots, Outcomes, Mortality, Injuries and Wounds, Prevention
Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This study, the first systematic, quantitative study of childhood obesity prevention programs on blood lipids in high-income countries found that most interventions (70 percent) showed similar significant or no effects on adiposity- and lipid outcomes; 15 percent of interventions improved both adiposity- and lipids outcomes; 55 percent had no significant effects on either. These programs had a significant desirable effect on LDL-C and HDL-C.
AHRQ-funded; 290200710061I
Citation: Cai L, Wu Y, Cheskin LI .
Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obes Rev. 2014 Dec;15(12):933-44. doi: 10.1111/obr.12227..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Obesity, Prevention, Outcomes, Social Determinants of Health