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
- Antibiotics (1)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (1)
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Clostridium difficile Infections (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (1)
- Critical Care (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Genetics (1)
- (-) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (21)
- Hospitals (4)
- Imaging (1)
- Infectious Diseases (6)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (4)
- Long-Term Care (4)
- Medication (1)
- (-) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (21)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (1)
- Newborns/Infants (2)
- Nursing Homes (4)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (1)
- (-) Patient Safety (21)
- Prevention (11)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- Screening (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 21 of 21 Research Studies DisplayedPakyz AL, Wang H, Ozcan YA
Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score, magnet designation, and healthcare-associated infections in United States hospitals.
The goal of this study was to determine whether Magnet designation and hospitals with better Leapfrog Hospital Safety Scores have fewer healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Findings showed that “A” hospitals performed better on clostridium difficile infection (CDI) but not methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections, while Magnet designation was associated with fewer than expected MRSA infections but more than expected CDIs. These mixed results show that hospital global assessments of safety and workplace quality differentially and imperfectly predict its level of HAIs.
AHRQ-funded; HS018578.
Citation: Pakyz AL, Wang H, Ozcan YA .
Leapfrog Hospital Safety Score, magnet designation, and healthcare-associated infections in United States hospitals.
J Patient Saf 2021 Sep 1;17(6):445-50. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000378..
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Patient Safety
Lydecker AD, Osei PA, Pineles L
Targeted gown and glove use to prevent Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in community-based nursing homes: a pilot study.
This study tested the feasibility of targeted gown and glove use by healthcare personnel caring for high-risk nursing home residents to present Staphylococcus aureus transmission in short-stay residents. The study included 322 residents in 2 community-based Maryland nursing homes on mixed short- and long-stay units. During a 2-month baseline period, all residents had nose and inguinal fold swabs taken to estimate S. aureus presence. MRSA acquisition rate decreased from 11.9% during the baseline period to 3.6% during the intervention period among short-stay residents. MRSA acquisition rate also decreased from 9.1% during the baseline period to 3.6% during the intervention period for longer-term care residents. Resident-to-resident transmission rate also decreased from 5.9% during the baseline period to 0.8% during the intervention period.
AHRQ-funded; HS025451.
Citation: Lydecker AD, Osei PA, Pineles L .
Targeted gown and glove use to prevent Staphylococcus aureus acquisition in community-based nursing homes: a pilot study.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2021 Apr;42(4):448-54. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.1219..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Patient Safety
Harris AD, Morgan DJ, Pineles L
Acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria in the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) cluster randomized trial.
This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial in 20 hospital intensive units called Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) to see if intervention decreases the acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The primary outcome included 40,492 admission and discharge perianal swabs from 20,246 individual patient admissions. A non-statistically significant decrease in acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria was associated with universal glove and gown use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024045.
Citation: Harris AD, Morgan DJ, Pineles L .
Acquisition of antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacteria in the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) cluster randomized trial.
Clin Infect Dis 2021 Feb 1;72(3):431-37. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa071..
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Patient Safety
Gall E, Long A, Hall KK
Chlorhexidine bathing strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms: a summary of recent evidence.
This systematic literature review investigated the latest evidence for patient bathing with a 2%-4% chlorhexidine gluconate solution to reduce multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission and infection. Three databases were searched for articles from 2008 through 2018, as well as any key articles published after 2018. Findings focused on health care-associated infections (HAIs) and 3 categories of MDROs: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Chlorhexidine reduced MRSA acquisition and carriage, but no studies found significant reductions in infections. Several studies found that chlorhexidine bathing reduced VRE acquisition and carriage. Two very large studies found bathing significantly reduced HAIs, but these reductions may be smaller when HAIs are already controlled with other anti-infection measures.
AHRQ-funded; HHSP233201500013I.
Citation: Gall E, Long A, Hall KK .
Chlorhexidine bathing strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms: a summary of recent evidence.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S16-s22. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000743..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety, Infectious Diseases
McKinnell JA, Singh RD, Miller LG
The SHIELD Orange County project: multidrug-resistant organism prevalence in 21 nursing homes and long-term acute care facilities in Southern California.
The authors reported baseline multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) prevalence in 21 nursing homes (NHs) and long-term acute care facilities (LTACs). They found that prevalence of MDROs was 65% in NHs and 80% in LTACs. They concluded that the majority of NH residents and LTAC patients harbor MDROs, and that MDRO status is frequently unknown to the facility. The high MDRO prevalence highlights the need for prevention efforts in NHs/LTACs as part of regional efforts to control MDRO spread.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: McKinnell JA, Singh RD, Miller LG .
The SHIELD Orange County project: multidrug-resistant organism prevalence in 21 nursing homes and long-term acute care facilities in Southern California.
Clin Infect Dis 2019 Oct 15;69(9):1566-73. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz119.
.
.
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety
Jarvenpaa M, Sater MRA, Lagoudas GK
A Bayesian model of acquisition and clearance of bacterial colonization incorporating within-host variation.
The authors present a Bayesian model that provides probabilities of whether two bacterial strains could be considered the same. This will help in predicting the spread of infections such as methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
AHRQ-funded; HS019388.
Citation: Jarvenpaa M, Sater MRA, Lagoudas GK .
A Bayesian model of acquisition and clearance of bacterial colonization incorporating within-host variation.
PLoS Comput Biol 2019 Apr 22;15(4):e1006534. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006534..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Patient Safety
Jackson SS, Lydecker AD, Magder LS
Development and validation of a clinical prediction rule to predict transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in nursing homes.
This study’s goal was to develop and validate a clinical prediction rule that can predict transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in nursing homes. The researchers wanted to identify residents who were most likely to transmit MRSA to health-care workers (HCWs) on their hands or clothing during clinical care. Demographic and clinical characteristic data was used from residents of community nursing homes in Maryland and Michigan from 2012 to 2014. The clinical prediction rule that was developed was then externally validated in a cohort of Department of Veterans Affairs nursing home residents from 7 states between 2012 and 2016. Variables in the prediction model included sex, race, resident dependency on care, the presence of any medical device, diabetes mellitus, and chronic skin breakdown. The prediction model showed good performance although it showed less utility in the validation cohort.
AHRQ-funded; HS019979.
Citation: Jackson SS, Lydecker AD, Magder LS .
Development and validation of a clinical prediction rule to predict transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in nursing homes.
Am J Epidemiol 2019 Jan;188(1):214-21. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwy220..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Nursing Homes, Patient Safety
McBride S, Thurm C, Gouripeddi R
Comparison of empiric antibiotics for acute osteomyelitis in children.
Broad-spectrum antibiotics are commonly used for the empiric treatment of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis and often target methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with medication-associated risk and unknown treatment benefit. In this study, the investigators aimed to compare clinical outcomes among patients with osteomyelitis who did and did not receive initial antibiotics used to target MRSA. The investigators found that, early antibiotic treatment used to target MRSA was associated with a higher rate of repeat MRI.
AHRQ-funded; HS019862.
Citation: McBride S, Thurm C, Gouripeddi R .
Comparison of empiric antibiotics for acute osteomyelitis in children.
Hosp Pediatr 2018 May;8(5):280-87. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0079..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Antibiotics, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medication, Imaging, Patient Safety
Pierce R, Bryant K, Elward A
Bacterial infections in neonates following mupirocin-based MRSA decolonization: a multicenter cohort study.
This study characterized the risk of infection after MRSA decolonization with intranasal mupirocin. It concluded that in a multicentered cohort of MRSA-colonized neonates, mupirocin-based decolonization treatment appeared to decrease the risk of infection with select gram-positive organisms as intended, and the treatment was not significantly associated with risk of subsequent infections with organisms not covered by mupirocin's spectrum of activity.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Pierce R, Bryant K, Elward A .
Bacterial infections in neonates following mupirocin-based MRSA decolonization: a multicenter cohort study.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Aug;38(8):930-36. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.108.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Newborns/Infants, Patient Safety
Deshpande A, Cadnum JL, Fertelli D
Are hospital floors an underappreciated reservoir for transmission of health care-associated pathogens?
In a survey of 5 hospitals, the researchers found that floors in patient rooms were frequently contaminated with pathogens and high-touch objects such as blood pressure cuffs and call buttons were often in contact with the floor. Contact with objects on floors frequently resulted in transfer of pathogens to hands.
AHRQ-funded; HS020004.
Citation: Deshpande A, Cadnum JL, Fertelli D .
Are hospital floors an underappreciated reservoir for transmission of health care-associated pathogens?
Am J Infect Control 2017 Mar;45(3):336-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.11.005.
.
.
Keywords: Hospitals, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Clostridium difficile Infections, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety
Anderson DJ, Chen LF, Weber DJ
Enhanced terminal room disinfection and acquisition and infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile (the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection study): a cluster-randomised, multicentre, crossover study.
The researchers determined the effects of three enhanced strategies for terminal room disinfection (disinfection of a room between occupying patients) on acquisition and infection due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, C difficile, and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter. They found that the incidence of target organisms among exposed patients was significantly lower after adding UV (quaternary ammonium disinfectant and disinfecting ultraviolet [UV-C]) light to standard cleaning strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Anderson DJ, Chen LF, Weber DJ .
Enhanced terminal room disinfection and acquisition and infection caused by multidrug-resistant organisms and Clostridium difficile (the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room Disinfection study): a cluster-randomised, multicentre, crossover study.
Lancet 2017 Feb 25;389(10071):805-14. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31588-4.
.
.
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety
Albrecht JS, Croft L, Morgan DJ
Perceptions of gown and glove use to prevent methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus transmission in nursing homes.
This qualitative study explored current use and perceptions of glove and gown use in nursing homes. Analysis of recordings of three focus group discussions revealed that direct care staff reported using gowns and gloves primarily as self-protection against contact with bodily fluids, not to prevent MRSA transmission. Glove use was described as common and more acceptable to staff and residents than gown use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024560; HS022135.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Croft L, Morgan DJ .
Perceptions of gown and glove use to prevent methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus transmission in nursing homes.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2017 Feb;18(2):158-61. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2016.08.016.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Nursing Homes, Prevention, Patient Safety
Peterson LR, Boehm S, Beaumont JL
Reduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in long-term care is possible while maintaining patient socialization: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
The researchers sought to demonstrate that a novel, minimally invasive program not interfering with activities of daily living or socialization could lower methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) disease in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). They found that the MRSA infection rate decreased 65% between baseline and year 2, with a significant reduction observed at each of the three participating LTCFs. They concluded that on-site MRSA surveillance with targeted decolonization resulted in a significant decrease in clinical MRSA infection among LTCF residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS019968.
Citation: Peterson LR, Boehm S, Beaumont JL .
Reduction of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in long-term care is possible while maintaining patient socialization: a prospective randomized clinical trial.
Am J Infect Control 2016 Dec;44(12):1622-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2016.04.251.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Patient Safety, Prevention
Dicks KV, Lofgren E, Lewis SS
A multicenter pragmatic interrupted time series analysis of chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in community hospital intensive care units.
This study sought to determine whether daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing of intensive care unit (ICU) patients leads to a decrease in hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), particularly infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). It concluded that hospitals that implemented CHG bathing attained a decrease in ICU central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), ICU primary BSIs, and VRE central-line-associated bloodstream infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Dicks KV, Lofgren E, Lewis SS .
A multicenter pragmatic interrupted time series analysis of chlorhexidine gluconate bathing in community hospital intensive care units.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016 Jul;37(7):791-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2016.23.
.
.
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Reich PJ, Boyle MG, Hogan PG
Emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in the neonatal intensive care unit: an infection prevention and patient safety challenge.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The researchers characterized the clinical and molecular epidemiology of MRSA strains colonizing NICU patients. They found that community-acquired MRSA strains are prominent in the NICU and associated with distinct risk factors.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736; HS024269.
Citation: Reich PJ, Boyle MG, Hogan PG .
Emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in the neonatal intensive care unit: an infection prevention and patient safety challenge.
Clin Microbiol Infect 2016 Jul;22(7):645.e1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cmi.2016.04.013.
.
.
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Patient Safety, Prevention, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Newborns/Infants, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Morgan DJ, Pineles L, Shardell M
Effect of chlorhexidine bathing and other infection control practices on the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) trial: a subgroup analysis.
The researchers report the results of a subgroup analysis of the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown trial. In 20 intensive care units, the reduction in acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus observed in this trial was observed in units also using chlorhexidine bathing and in those that previously performed active surveillance.
AHRQ-funded; HS018111; 290200600015.
Citation: Morgan DJ, Pineles L, Shardell M .
Effect of chlorhexidine bathing and other infection control practices on the Benefits of Universal Glove and Gown (BUGG) trial: a subgroup analysis.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015 Jun;36(6):734-7. doi: 10.1017/ice.2015.33..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Prevention, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Patel PA, Robicsek A, Grayes A
Evaluation of multiple real-time PCR tests on nasal samples in a large MRSA surveillance program.
The researchers evaluated the LightCycler MRSA Advanced Test (Roche Molecular Diagnostics, Pleasanton, CA), the BD MAX MRSA assay (Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, NJ), and the Xpert MRSA assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA) on nasal samples using the same population. Their results suggest that the performance of the three commercial assays is similar.
AHRQ-funded; HS019968.
Citation: Patel PA, Robicsek A, Grayes A .
Evaluation of multiple real-time PCR tests on nasal samples in a large MRSA surveillance program.
Am J Clin Pathol 2015 May;143(5):652-8. doi: 10.1309/ajcpmdy32ztdxpfc..
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Genetics
Lee CS, Montalmont B, O'Hara JA
Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization using sponges.
The researchers investigated whether the additional use of a sponge to collect skin culture samples would significantly improve the sensitivity of MRSA detection. They found that the sensitivity of nasal swab culture for screening MRSA carriage is low, but it can be improved significantly by adding a second method, either sampling the skin or the pharynx.
AHRQ-funded; HS021521.
Citation: Lee CS, Montalmont B, O'Hara JA .
Screening for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization using sponges.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015 Jan;36(1):28-33. doi: 10.1017/ice.2014.4..
Keywords: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Quality of Care, Screening
Fritz SA, Hogan PG, Singh LN
Contamination of environmental surfaces with Staphylococcus aureus in households with children infected with methicillin-resistant S aureus.
This study of the households of 50 children with active or recent culture-positive community-associated methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection found MRSA-contaminated surfaces in 23 of the 50 households, most frequently form the bed linens (18 percent), television remote control (16 percent), and bathroom hand towel (15 percent).
AHRQ-funded; HS021736
Citation: Fritz SA, Hogan PG, Singh LN .
Contamination of environmental surfaces with Staphylococcus aureus in households with children infected with methicillin-resistant S aureus.
JAMA Pediatr. 2014 Nov;168(11):1030-8. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2014.1218..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Children/Adolescents, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Harris AD, Pineles L, Belton B
Universal glove and gown use and acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ICU: a randomized trial.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. It is unknown whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in the intensive care unit (ICU) decreases acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study was to assess whether wearing gloves and gowns for all patient contact in the ICU decreases acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) compared with usual care.
AHRQ-funded; HS018111; 290200600015.
Citation: Harris AD, Pineles L, Belton B .
Universal glove and gown use and acquisition of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the ICU: a randomized trial.
JAMA 2013 Oct 16;310(15):1571-80. doi: 10.1001/jama.2013.277815..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Infectious Diseases, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hospitals, Prevention, Critical Care
Huang SS, Septimus E, Kleinman K
Targeted versus universal decolonization to prevent ICU infection.
In this pragmatic, cluster-randomized trial the authors compared targeted versus universal decolonization of patients in intensive care units (ICUs) as strategies for preventing health care-associated infections, particularly those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They found that in routine ICU practice, universal decolonization was more effective than targeted decolonization or screening and isolation in reducing rates of MRSA clinical isolates and bloodstream infection from any pathogen.
AHRQ-funded; 290201000008I.
Citation: Huang SS, Septimus E, Kleinman K .
Targeted versus universal decolonization to prevent ICU infection.
N Engl J Med 2013 Jun 13;368(24):2255-65. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1207290..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Infectious Diseases, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient Safety, Prevention