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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.
Results
76 to 100 of 116 Research Studies DisplayedRamirez-Zohfeld V, Seltzer A, Xiong L
Use of electronic health records by older adults, 85 years and older, and their caregivers.
Healthcare providers may not offer patient portal (PP) access to electronic health records (EHRs) to their patients older than 85 years, due to the false impression that they do not utilize technology. It is imperative that older adults be given equal opportunity to use technology in regard to their healthcare. The objective of this study was to characterize the content and frequency of use of PP messaging tethered to EHRs by older adults, aged 85 years and older, and their caregivers.
AHRQ-funded; HSO24071.
Citation: Ramirez-Zohfeld V, Seltzer A, Xiong L .
Use of electronic health records by older adults, 85 years and older, and their caregivers.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 May;68(5):1078-82. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16393..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Elderly, Caregiving
Sanghavi P, Pan S, Caudry D
Assessment of nursing home reporting of major injury falls for quality measurement on Nursing Home Compare.
The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of nursing home self-report of major injury falls on the Minimum Data Set (MDS). They linked inpatient claims for major injury falls with MDS assessments. The investigators concluded that the nursing home-reported data used for the Nursing Home Compare (NHC) falls measure may be highly inaccurate.
AHRQ-funded; HS026957.
Citation: Sanghavi P, Pan S, Caudry D .
Assessment of nursing home reporting of major injury falls for quality measurement on Nursing Home Compare.
Health Serv Res 2020 Apr;55(2):201-10. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13247..
Keywords: Falls, Nursing Homes, Quality Measures, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality of Care, Elderly, Public Reporting, Injuries and Wounds
Hass Z, Woodhouse M, Arling G
Do residents participating in Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative experience similar postdischarge outcomes to their peers?
The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative (RTCI) on post-discharge outcomes for nursing home residents transitioned through the program. The study sample consisted of over 29 thousand Minnesota nursing home discharges in 2015. Secondary data from the Minimum Data Set and RTCI staff, state Medicaid eligibility files and death records were also used. Results showed that the RTCI-assisted residents fared well post-discharge in their time to mortality, nursing home readmission, and Medicaid conversion. Additionally, they lived longer than a propensity-matched sample of their peers.
AHRQ-funded; HS020224.
Citation: Hass Z, Woodhouse M, Arling G .
Do residents participating in Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative experience similar postdischarge outcomes to their peers?
Med Care 2020 Apr;58(4):399-406. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001281..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Elderly, Transitions of Care
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
Powell KR, Deroche CB, Carnahan EJ
Exploring resident care information technology use and nursing home quality.
The purpose of this study was to explore differences in nursing home (NH) information technology (IT) sophistication used in resident care processes based on facility characteristics over 4 consecutive years and to examine the impact on select long-stay NH quality measures. Results indicated that IT systems used in resident care are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with NH bed size, type of ownership, and location being significant predictors of IT score. Results also suggested that as electronic clinical processes and documents increase, more falls with injury were detected.
AHRQ-funded; HS022497.
Citation: Powell KR, Deroche CB, Carnahan EJ .
Exploring resident care information technology use and nursing home quality.
J Gerontol Nurs 2020 Apr;46(4):15-20. doi: 10.3928/00989134-20200303-02..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care
Nahm ES, Zhu S, Bellantoni M
Patient portal use among older adults: what is really happening nationwide?
Patient portals (PPs), secure websites that allow patients to access their electronic health records and other health tools, can benefit older adults managing chronic conditions. However, studies have shown a lack of PP use in older adults. Little is known about the way they use PPs in community settings and specific challenges they encounter. The aim of this study was to examine the current state of PP use in older adults, employing baseline data (quantitative and qualitative) from an ongoing nationwide online trial.
AHRQ-funded; HS024739.
Citation: Nahm ES, Zhu S, Bellantoni M .
Patient portal use among older adults: what is really happening nationwide?
J Appl Gerontol 2020 Apr;39(4):442-50. doi: 10.1177/0733464818776125..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Mack DS, Tjia J, Hume AL
Prevalent statin use in long-stay nursing home residents with life-limiting illness.
Investigators sought to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with statin pharmacotherapy in long-stay nursing home residents with life-limiting illness. Study participants were Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with life-limiting illness who were long-stay residents in US Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home facilities. The investigators found that, despite having a life-limiting illness, more than one-third of clinically compromised long-stay nursing home residents remain on statins. They suggested that the benefit of continued therapy in an advanced age population near the end of life is questionable and recommended efforts to deprescribe statins in the nursing home setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS026840.
Citation: Mack DS, Tjia J, Hume AL .
Prevalent statin use in long-stay nursing home residents with life-limiting illness.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Apr;68(4):708-16. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16336..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Elderly, Medication
Schmutte TJ, Wilkinson ST
Suicide in older adults with and without known mental illness: results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2016.
Suicide risk increases with age, and evidence exists for the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of suicide risk in older adults. Recent data suggest that many U.S. adults who die from suicide do not have a known mental health condition. This study compared the characteristics and precipitating circumstances of geriatric suicide decedents with and without known mental illnesses.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Schmutte TJ, Wilkinson ST .
Suicide in older adults with and without known mental illness: results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003-2016.
Am J Prev Med 2020 Apr;58(4):584-90. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2019.11.001..
Keywords: Elderly, Behavioral Health
Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
This study examined whether discontinuing annual mammography screening in women older than 70 years results in an increased 8-year breast cancer mortality. The researchers used data from the Medicare program and looked at over 1 million beneficiaries aged 70 to 84 who had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, and who underwent screening mammography from 2000 to 20008. The 8-year risk difference for women aged 70 to 74 years was -1.0 death per 1000 women and for women aged 75 to 84 years it was 0.07. Neither of these show substantial reductions in 8-year breast cancer mortality compared with stopping screening.
AHRQ-funded; HS023128.
Citation: Garcia-Albeniz X, Hernan MA, Logan RW .
Continuation of annual screening mammography and breast cancer mortality in women older than 70 years.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Mar 17;172(6):381-89. doi: 10.7326/m18-1199..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Women, Elderly, Mortality
Sakaguchi-Tang DK, Turner AM, Taylor JO
Connected personas: translating the complexity of older adult personal health information management for designers of health information technologies.
HumanHuman-centered design (HCD) can be used to communicate research study findings to designers of health information technologies (HIT). In this paper, the investigators describe how they used the HCD approach to develop personas, scenarios, and design guidelines for designers with the aim that it would lead to new HIT designs that support the autonomy and health of older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS022106.
Citation: Sakaguchi-Tang DK, Turner AM, Taylor JO .
Connected personas: translating the complexity of older adult personal health information management for designers of health information technologies.
AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2020 Mar 4;2019:1177-86..
Keywords: Elderly, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Popejoy LL, Vogelsmeier AA, Wakefield BJ
Adapting Project RED to skilled nursing facilities.
This article described the investigator recommendations for adapting hospital-based RED (Reengineered Discharge) processes to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Using focus groups, the SNFs' discharge processes were assessed twice additionally, research staff then recorded field notes documenting discussions about facility discharge processes as they related to RED processes. Data were systematically analyzed using thematic analysis to identify recommendations for adapting RED to the SNF setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS022140.
Citation: Popejoy LL, Vogelsmeier AA, Wakefield BJ .
Adapting Project RED to skilled nursing facilities.
Clin Nurs Res 2020 Mar;29(3):149-56. doi: 10.1177/1054773818819261..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Elderly, Transitions of Care, Patient-Centered Healthcare
Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
This study evaluated whether elderly nursing home residents with mild depression and intact cognition experienced cognitive impairment after using anticholinergic drugs. The study was a population-based nested case-control study using Minimum Data Set (MDS)-linked Medicare data where the base cohort were patients 65 years and older with depression who had intact cognition. Cumulative anticholinergic burden was measured within 30, 60, and 90 days preceding the event (cognitive measurement) date using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). The end sample compared 3707 cases with mild-to-moderate cognition to 3707 matched controls with intact cognition. There was no association with cumulative anticholinergic exposure at 30 days with cognitive impairment, but the odds of cognitive impairment increased with exposure 60 and 90 days before the event date. This study concludes there should be concern in using anticholinergic drugs for longer than 30 days with elderly nursing home residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS021264.
Citation: Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM .
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2020 Mar;16(3):329-35. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.05.020..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Depression, Behavioral Health, Medication, Neurological Disorders, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Basciotta M, Zhou W, Ngo L
Antipsychotics and the risk of mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults.
Investigators sought to evaluate the risk of death or nonfatal cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults exposed to antipsychotics. They found that, in hospitalized adults, typical antipsychotics were associated with increased mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest, whereas atypical antipsychotics were only associated with increased risk among adults age 65 years and older. They recommended that providers be thoughtful when prescribing antipsychotic medications, especially to older adults in settings where data regarding benefit are lacking.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Basciotta M, Zhou W, Ngo L .
Antipsychotics and the risk of mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Mar;68(3):544-50. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16246..
Keywords: Medication, Risk, Hospitalization, Cardiovascular Conditions, Mortality, Elderly
Rundell SD, Resnik L, Heagerty PJ
Comparing the performance of comorbidity indices in predicting functional status, health-related quality of life, and total health care use in older adults with back pain.
The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to determine how well the functional comorbidity index (FCI) predicted outcomes in older adults with back pain compared to Quan's modification of the Charlson comorbidity index (Quan-Charlson comorbidity index) and the Elixhauser comorbidity index. The investigators concluded that all indices performed similarly in predicting outcomes. The authors indicated that there is still a need to develop better function-based risk-adjustment models that improve prediction of functional outcomes versus standard comorbidity indices.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222; HS022972.
Citation: Rundell SD, Resnik L, Heagerty PJ .
Comparing the performance of comorbidity indices in predicting functional status, health-related quality of life, and total health care use in older adults with back pain.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020 Mar;50(3):143-48. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2020.8764..
Keywords: Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Pain, Chronic Conditions, Quality of Life, Healthcare Utilization, Health Status
Fashaw S, Chisholm L, Mor V
Inappropriate antipsychotic use: the impact of nursing home socioeconomic and racial composition.
Researchers examined how nursing home characteristics, particularly the racial and socioeconomic composition of residents, are associated with the inappropriate use of antipsychotics, using national data from Long-Term Care: Facts on Care. They found an overall decline in the use of antipsychotics. Although findings indicated facilities with higher proportions of blacks had lower inappropriate antipsychotic use, facility-level socioeconomic disparities continued to persist among nursing homes. They recommended that policy interventions focusing on reimbursement be considered to promote reductions in antipsychotic use, specifically among Medicaid-reliant nursing homes.
ARHQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Fashaw S, Chisholm L, Mor V .
Inappropriate antipsychotic use: the impact of nursing home socioeconomic and racial composition.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Mar;68(3):630-36. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16316..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Elderly, Medication, Medication: Safety, Social Determinants of Health, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Zive D, Newgard CD, Lin A
Injured older adults transported by emergency medical services: one year outcomes by POLST status.
Advance care planning documents, including Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), are intended to guide care near end of life, particularly in emergency situations. Yet, research on POLST during emergency care is sparse. This study examined one year outcomes, by Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment status, of injured adults transported by EMS. The investigators concluded that among injured older adults transported by ambulance in Oregon, one in 5 had an active POLST form at the time of 9-1-1 contact, the prevalence of which increased over the following year.
AHRQ-funded; HS023796.
Citation: Zive D, Newgard CD, Lin A .
Injured older adults transported by emergency medical services: one year outcomes by POLST status.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2020 Mar-Apr;24(2):257-64. doi: 10.1080/10903127.2019.1615154..
Keywords: Elderly, Injuries and Wounds, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department
White EM, Aiken LH, Sloane DM
Nursing home work environment, care quality, registered nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships between work environment, care quality, registered nurse (RN) burnout, and job dissatisfaction in nursing homes. In this study, the investigators linked 2015 RN4CAST-US nurse survey data with LTCfocus and Nursing Home Compare. They indicate that their results suggest that the work environment is an important area to target for interventions to improve care quality and nurse retention in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: White EM, Aiken LH, Sloane DM .
Nursing home work environment, care quality, registered nurse burnout and job dissatisfaction.
Geriatr Nurs 2020 Mar-Apr;41(2):158-64. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.08.007..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Burnout, Provider: Nurse, Provider, Quality of Care, Provider Performance
Morris RS, Milia D, Glover J
Predictors of elderly mortality after trauma: a novel outcome score.
Elderly trauma patients are at high risk for mortality, even when presenting with minor injuries. Previous prognostic models are poorly used because of their reliance on elements unavailable during the index hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to develop a predictive algorithm to accurately estimate in-hospital mortality using easily available metrics. A two-tiered scoring system to predict in-hospital mortality was developed: a quick elderly mortality after trauma (qEMAT) score for use at initial patient presentation and a full EMAT (fEMAT) score for use after radiologic evaluation.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Morris RS, Milia D, Glover J .
Predictors of elderly mortality after trauma: a novel outcome score.
J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2020 Mar;88(3):416-24. doi: 10.1097/ta.0000000000002569..
Keywords: Elderly, Mortality, Trauma, Injuries and Wounds
Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
Norovirus transmissibility is poorly understood and the goal of this study was to examine transmission via vomiting, diarrhea, and patient exposures. Six nursing home outbreaks in South Carolina were examined from 2014 to 2016. Vomiting infected 2.12 times the number of individuals as non-vomiters, diarrhea 1.39 times, and resident cases infected 1.53 times the number of individuals as staff cases. This finding is important for not just nursing homes, but other sites of norovirus outbreaks such as cruise ships.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA .
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
PLoS Comput Biol 2020 Mar;16(3):e1007271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007271..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Infectious Diseases, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Public Health
Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to systematically review the test accuracy of cognitive screening instruments and benefits and harms of interventions to treat cognitive impairment in older adults (>/=65 years) to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. The investigators concluded that screening instruments could adequately detect cognitive impairment. They indicated that there was no empirical evidence, however, that screening for cognitive impairment improved patient or caregiver outcomes or causes harm.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500007I.
Citation: Patnode CD, Perdue LA, Rossom RC .
Screening for cognitive impairment in older adults: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Feb 25;323(8):764-85. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.22258..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Elderly, Guidelines, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice
Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
This study examined the frequency of limited health literacy and demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a sample of older black Americans. The participants enrolled in a community-based intervention to promote colorectal cancer screening and completed baseline surveys that assessed their health literacy using the Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, Revised (REALM-R) test, CRC awareness, cancer fatalism, Preventive Health Model (PHM) constructs, and demographics. Findings showed that limited health literacy was associated with multiple complex factors. Recommendations include interventions to incorporate patient health literacy and low-literacy materials that can be delivered through multiple channels.
AHRQ-funded; HS026120.
Citation: Davis SN, Wischhusen JW, Sutton SK .
Demographic and psychosocial factors associated with limited health literacy in a community-based sample of older Black Americans.
Patient Educ Couns 2020 Feb;103(2):385-91. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2019.08.026..
Keywords: Health Literacy, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Elderly, Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Prevention
Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
Inappropriate antibiotic use is common in older adults (aged >65 y), and they are particularly vulnerable to serious antibiotic-associated adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, delirium, aortic dissection, drug-drug interactions, and Clostridioides difficile. In this study, to help improve the clinical care of older adults, the investigators reviewed drivers of antibiotic prescribing in this population, explored systems aspects of ambulatory care that can create barriers to optimal antibiotic use, discussed existing stewardship interventions, and provided guidance on priority areas for future inquiry.
AHRQ-funded; HS024342.
Citation: Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ .
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Feb;68(2):244-49. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16256..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Elderly, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events
Killelea BK, Evans SB, Mougalian SS
Association between perceived benefits and receipt of radiotherapy among older breast cancer patients.
This study examined perceptions of older women with stage I estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer who underwent lumpectomy and were considering or receiving radiotherapy. Perceptions among 63 older women was that radiotherapy would reduce their 10-year-risk of local recurrent by an average of 18.7% although the literature showed only an 8% risk reduction. Participants who had the perception of a larger benefit were more likely to receive radiotherapy treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Killelea BK, Evans SB, Mougalian SS .
Association between perceived benefits and receipt of radiotherapy among older breast cancer patients.
Breast J 2020 Feb;26(2):231-34. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13518..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Shared Decision Making
Ochs-Ross R, Daly EJ, Zhang Y
Efficacy and safety of esketamine nasal spray plus an oral antidepressant in elderly patients with treatment-resistant depression-TRANSFORM-3.
This phase 3 double-blind study randomized patients with treatment-resistant depression age 65 or older to flexibly-dosed esketamine nasal spray and new oral antidepressant (esketamine/antidepressant) or new oral antidepressant and placebo nasal spray (antidepressant/placebo). The primary endpoint was change in the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) over 28 days from baseline. Results showed that esketamine/antidepressant did not achieve statistical significance for patients ages 75 and older; however, greater differences were seen for patients ages 65-74 and patients with earlier onset of depression younger than age 55.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Ochs-Ross R, Daly EJ, Zhang Y .
Efficacy and safety of esketamine nasal spray plus an oral antidepressant in elderly patients with treatment-resistant depression-TRANSFORM-3.
Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2020 Feb;28(2):121-41. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.10.008..
Keywords: Medication, Depression, Behavioral Health, Elderly, Comparative Effectiveness, Treatments, Evidence-Based Practice
McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the modified Fried Index (mFI) and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to predict death or patient-reported new disability 90 days after major elective surgery. Results showed that older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience a new patient-reported disability after surgery and that although accuracy was similar, the CFS, compared to the mFI, was easier to use and feasibility was higher.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL .
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
Ann Surg 2020 Feb;271(2):283-89. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002967..
Keywords: Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Mortality, Adverse Events, Risk, Outcomes