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AHRQ Research Studies
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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 5 of 5 Research Studies DisplayedXiao Y, Smith A, Abebe E
Understanding hazards for adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge: insights from frontline care professionals.
The purpose of this study was to utilize a systems approach to examine hazards to medication safety for older adults during care transitions. The researchers interviewed 38 hospital-based professionals (5 hospitalists, 24 nurses, 4 clinical pharmacists, 3 pharmacy technicians, and 2 social workers) from 4 hospitals about ADE risks after hospital discharge among older adults. For each concern the participants provided, the hazard for medication-related harms was coded and grouped by its sources utilizing a human factors and systems engineering model. The study found that the hazards fell into 6 groups: 1) medication tasks related at home, 2) patient and caregiver related, 3) hospital work system related, 4) home resource related, 5) hospital professional-patient collaborative work related, and 6) external environment related. The type of medications indicated most frequently when describing concerns included anticoagulants, insulins, and diuretics. The types of hazards coded the most were: complex dosing, patient and caregiver knowledge gaps in medication management, errors in discharge medications, unaffordable cost, inadequate understanding about changes in medications, and gaps in access to care or in sharing medication information.
AHRQ-funded; HS024436.
Citation: Xiao Y, Smith A, Abebe E .
Understanding hazards for adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge: insights from frontline care professionals.
J Patient Saf 2022 Dec 1;18(8):e1174-e80. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001046..
Keywords: Elderly, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Medication, Medication: Safety, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Transitions of Care
Hoffman GJ, Min LC, Liu H
Role of post-acute care in readmissions for preexisting healthcare-associated infections.
Researchers examined the risk of preexisting healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) readmissions according to patient discharge disposition and comorbidity level. They found that skilled nursing facility discharges were associated with fewer avoidable readmissions for preexisting HAIs compared with home discharges. They recommended further research to identify modifiable mechanisms to improve posthospital infection care at home.
AHRQ-funded; HS025838; HS025451.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, Min LC, Liu H .
Role of post-acute care in readmissions for preexisting healthcare-associated infections.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Feb;68(2):370-78. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16208..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospital Readmissions, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Patient Safety, Elderly
Bain AM, Werner RM, Yuan Y
Do hospitals participating in accountable care organizations discharge patients to higher quality nursing homes?
This study examined whether hospitals participating in Medicare's Shared Saving Program increased use of highly rated skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) or decreased the use of low-rated SNFs after initiation of accountable care organization (ACO) contracts, compared with non-ACO hospitals. The findings indicate that, after joining an ACO, the percentage of hospital discharges going to a high-quality SNF increased slightly; the probability of discharge from ACO-participating hospitals to low-quality SNFs did not change significantly in comparison with non-ACO hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS024266.
Citation: Bain AM, Werner RM, Yuan Y .
Do hospitals participating in accountable care organizations discharge patients to higher quality nursing homes?
J Hosp Med 2019 May;14(5):288-89. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3147..
Keywords: Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Medicare, Nursing Homes, Quality of Care
Middleton A, Kuo YF, Graham JE
Readmission patterns over 90-day episodes of care among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged to post-acute care.
This retrospective cohort study’s objective was to examine readmission patterns over 90-day episodes of care in patients discharged from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Data was used from a national cohort of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged from SNF care from July 2013 to July 2014. The cohort studied were adults 65 years and older who were hospitalized for stroke, joint replacement, or hip fracture, and had survived 90 days post-discharge. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke were more likely than those with ischemic stroke to be rehospitalized over the first 30 days after discharge. For patients receiving nonelective joint replacements, readmissions increased from the 30 to 90-day period post-acute discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Middleton A, Kuo YF, Graham JE .
Readmission patterns over 90-day episodes of care among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged to post-acute care.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2018 Oct;19(10):896-901. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2018.03.006..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Hospital Discharge, Medicare, Hospitals, Elderly
Middleton A, Downer B, Haas A
Functional status is associated with 30-day potentially preventable readmissions following skilled nursing facility discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
This retrospective cohort study’s objective was to determine the association between patients’ functional status at discharge from skilled nursing facility (SNF) care and 30-day potentially preventable readmissions. Data was used from a national cohort of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries discharged from SNF care from July 2013 to July 2014. The average age was 81.4 years, 67% were women, and 86.3% non-Hispanic white. Functional data used from the Minimum Data Set was self-care, mobility, and cognition domains. The overall rate of 30-day potentially preventable readmissions was 5.7%. The 5 most common conditions for readmissions were congestive heart failure, septicemia, urinary tract infection, bacterial pneumonia, and renal failure. Mobility was the most dependent category followed by self-care and cognition.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Middleton A, Downer B, Haas A .
Functional status is associated with 30-day potentially preventable readmissions following skilled nursing facility discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2018 Apr;19(4):348-54.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.12.003..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Hospital Discharge, Hospitals, Medicare, Elderly