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
- Adverse Events (1)
- Blood Clots (1)
- Brain Injury (1)
- Cancer (9)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (7)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (2)
- Dementia (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (21)
- Disabilities (1)
- Domestic Violence (1)
- Elderly (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (2)
- Emergency Department (4)
- Evidence-Based Practice (5)
- Guidelines (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (2)
- Health Insurance (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- (-) Imaging (26)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Medical Errors (1)
- Medicare (1)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Safety (2)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Prevention (3)
- Primary Care (1)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Provider Performance (2)
- Quality Improvement (2)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (1)
- Quality Measures (1)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Respiratory Conditions (2)
- Screening (6)
- Shared Decision Making (4)
- Treatments (1)
- Vulnerable Populations (1)
- Women (6)
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 25 of 26 Research Studies DisplayedStillman AE, Gatsonis C, Lima JAC
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
AHRQ-funded; HS019403.
Citation: Stillman AE, Gatsonis C, Lima JAC .
Coronary computed tomography angiography compared with single photon emission computed tomography myocardial perfusion imaging as a guide to optimal medical therapy in patients presenting with stable angina: the RESCUE trial.
J Am Heart Assoc 2020 Dec 15;9(24):e017993. doi: 10.1161/jaha.120.017993..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Imaging, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Fu Y, Ippolito JE, Ludwig DR
Technical note: automatic segmentation of CT images for ventral body composition analysis.
The authors developed a fully automatic body tissue decomposition procedure to segment three major compartments that are related to body composition analysis: subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, and muscle. They found that their proposed method enables fully automated quantification of three-dimensional ventral body composition metrics from computed tomography images.
Citation: Fu Y, Ippolito JE, Ludwig DR .
Technical note: automatic segmentation of CT images for ventral body composition analysis.
Med Phys 2020 Nov;47(11):5723-30. doi: 10.1002/mp.14465..
Keywords: Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Thomas MA, Olick-Gibson J, Fu Y
Using prediction models to evaluate magnetic resonance image guided radiation therapy plans.
Comprehensive analysis of daily, online adaptive plan quality and safety in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided radiation therapy is critical to its widespread use. In this study the investigators describe using prediction models to evaluate magnetic resonance image guided radiation therapy plans. Artificial neural network models developed with offline plans created after simulation were used to analyze and compare online plans that were adapted and reoptimized in real time prior to treatment.
AHRQ-funded; HS022888.
Citation: Thomas MA, Olick-Gibson J, Fu Y .
Using prediction models to evaluate magnetic resonance image guided radiation therapy plans.
Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2020 Oct 28;16:99-102. doi: 10.1016/j.phro.2020.10.002..
Keywords: Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Radhakrishnan A
Physician-reported misuse of thyroid ultrasonography.
The authors explored physician-reported use of thyroid ultrasonography. They found that a substantial number of physicians endorsed the use of ultrasonography for reasons not supported by clinical guidelines and in conflict with the Choosing Wisely recommendations. They concluded that their study highlights the need for focused physician education on clinically supported and unsupported indications for use of thyroid ultrasonography, with potential roles for future clinical practice guidelines, patient decision-making aids, and clinical decision-making support tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Chen DW, Reyes-Gastelum D, Radhakrishnan A .
Physician-reported misuse of thyroid ultrasonography.
JAMA Surg 2020 Oct;155(10):984-86. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2020.2507..
Keywords: Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice
Haymart MR, Reyes-Gastelum D, Caoili E
The relationship between imaging and thyroid cancer diagnosis and survival.
Controversy exists over whether there has been a true increase in the occurrence of thyroid cancer or overdiagnosis secondary to imaging practices. Because cancer overdiagnosis is associated with detection of indolent disease, overdiagnosis can be associated with perceived improvement in survival. The investigators concluded that there was improved disease-specific survival in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer after thyroid ultrasound as compared with after other imaging.
AHRQ-funded; HS024512.
Citation: Haymart MR, Reyes-Gastelum D, Caoili E .
The relationship between imaging and thyroid cancer diagnosis and survival.
Oncologist 2020 Sep;25(9):765-71. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2020-0159..
Keywords: Cancer, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Marin JR, Rodean J, Hall M
Trends in use of advanced imaging in pediatric emergency departments, 2009-2018.
This study looked at trends in advanced imaging use in pediatric emergency departments (ED) from 2009 to 2018. This cross-sectional study assessed 26,082,062 ED visits by children younger than 18 years from the Pediatric Health Information System administrative database. These visits were made by 9,868,406 children (mean [SD] age, 5.59 [5.15] years; 13,842,567 [53.1%] male; 9,273,181 [35.6%] non-Hispanic white) to 32 US pediatric EDs during the 10-year study period. Advanced imaging trends looked at were for computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Trends in ED length of stay after imaging was also examined. ED encounters increased from 6.4% in 2009 to 8.7% in 2018. There were increases for ultrasonography and MRIs, but rates decreased slightly for CT. Increased use of ultrasonography were for abdominal pain and appendectomy, and MRI for ventricular shunt procedures. The largest decreases in CT rates were for concussion, appendectomy, ventricular shunt procedures, and headaches.
AHRQ-funded; HS026006.
Citation: Marin JR, Rodean J, Hall M .
Trends in use of advanced imaging in pediatric emergency departments, 2009-2018.
JAMA Pediatr 2020 Sep;174(9):e202209. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.2209..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department, Imaging
Arana-Chicas E, Kioumarsi A, Carroll-Scott A
Barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative approach.
The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities. During 2015-2016 the researchers administered in-depth interviews with 30 women with intellectual disabilities and their caregivers in Philadelphia. The study found additional evidence supporting prior research on barriers to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities as well as novel barriers (e.g., lack of awareness of breast ultrasound, sedation failing to work, and lack of mammogram education) and novel facilitators (e.g., extended family support and positive attitudes.) The researchers concluded that the study results support the need to address barriers and focus on facilitators to improve the mammography experience in women with intellectual disabilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS023966.
Citation: Arana-Chicas E, Kioumarsi A, Carroll-Scott A .
Barriers and facilitators to mammography among women with intellectual disabilities: a qualitative approach.
Disabil Soc 2020;35(8):1290-314. doi: 10.1080/09687599.2019.1680348..
Keywords: Women, Disabilities, Vulnerable Populations, Screening, Prevention, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging
Sprague BL, Miglioretti DL, Lee CI
New mammography screening performance metrics based on the entire screening episode.
Established mammography screening performance metrics use the initial screening mammography assessment because they were developed for radiologist performance auditing, yet these metrics are frequently used to inform health policy and screening decision making. The authors developed new performance metrics based on the final assessment that consider the entire screening episode, including diagnostic workup. They concluded that established screening performance metrics underestimated the interval cancer rate of a mammography screening episode, particularly for women with dense breasts or an elevated breast cancer risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Sprague BL, Miglioretti DL, Lee CI .
New mammography screening performance metrics based on the entire screening episode.
Cancer 2020 Jul 15;126(14):3289-96. doi: 10.1002/cncr.32939..
Keywords: Screening, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Prevention, Women, Provider Performance, Imaging
Thomas MA, Fu Y, Yang D
Development and evaluation of machine learning models for voxel dose predictions in online adaptive magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy.
Daily online adaptive plan quality in magnetic resonance imaging guided radiation therapy (MRgRT) is difficult to assess in relation to the fully optimized, high quality plans traditionally established offline. In this paper, the authors discuss their machine learning prediction models capable of predicting 3D dose distributions and enabling the evaluation of online adaptive plan quality to better inform adaptive decision-making in MRgRT.
AHRQ-funded; HS022888.
Citation: Thomas MA, Fu Y, Yang D .
Development and evaluation of machine learning models for voxel dose predictions in online adaptive magnetic resonance guided radiation therapy.
J Appl Clin Med Phys 2020 Jul;21(7):60-69. doi: 10.1002/acm2.12884..
Keywords: Imaging, Treatments
Lowry KP, Coley RY, Miglioretti DL
Screening performance of digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography in community practice by patient age, screening round, and breast density.
The purpose of this study was to compare digital mammography (DM) vs digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) performance by age, baseline vs subsequent screening round, and breast density category. Information was taken from screening examinations at participating Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium facilities of 1.5 million women aged 40 to 79 with no prior history of breast cancer. Findings showed that improvements in recall and cancer detection rates with DBT were greatest on baseline mammograms. On subsequent screening mammograms, the benefits of DBT varied by age and breast density, and women with extremely dense breasts did not benefit from improved recall or cancer detection with DBT on subsequent screening rounds.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Lowry KP, Coley RY, Miglioretti DL .
Screening performance of digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography in community practice by patient age, screening round, and breast density.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Jul;3(7):e2011792. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.11792..
Keywords: Imaging, Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women, Evidence-Based Practice, Comparative Effectiveness, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Schoenfeld EM, Houghton C, Patel PM
Shared decision making in patients with suspected uncomplicated ureterolithiasis: a decision aid development study.
The objective of this study was to develop a decision aid (DA) to facilitate shared decision making (SDM) around whether to obtain computed tomography (CT) imaging in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected uncomplicated ureterolithiasis. Using stakeholder engagement and qualitative inquiry, the investigators developed their evidence-based DA. They indicated that future research will test the efficacy of the DA in facilitating SDM.
AHRQ-funded; HS025701.
Citation: Schoenfeld EM, Houghton C, Patel PM .
Shared decision making in patients with suspected uncomplicated ureterolithiasis: a decision aid development study.
Acad Emerg Med 2020 Jul;27(7):554-65. doi: 10.1111/acem.13917..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Emergency Department, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Lacson R, Healey MJ, Cochon LR
Unscheduled radiologic examination orders in the electronic health record: a novel resource for targeting ambulatory diagnostic errors in radiology.
The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of unscheduled radiologic examination orders in an electronic health record and to assess the proportion of unscheduled orders that are clinically necessary. Unscheduled radiologic examination orders were retrieved for seven modalities: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, obstetric ultrasound, bone densitometry, mammography, and fluoroscopy. Findings showed that large numbers of radiologic examination orders remain unscheduled in the electronic health record. Identifying and performing clinically necessary unscheduled radiologic examination orders may help reduce diagnostic errors related to diagnosis and treatment delays and enhance patient safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS024722.
Citation: Lacson R, Healey MJ, Cochon LR .
Unscheduled radiologic examination orders in the electronic health record: a novel resource for targeting ambulatory diagnostic errors in radiology.
J Am Coll Radiol 2020 Jun;17(6):765-72. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.12.021..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Patient Safety
DiPiro PJ, Alper DP, Giess CS
Comparing breast and abdominal subspecialists' follow-up recommendations for incidental liver lesions on breast MRI.
This study compared breast and abdominal subspecialists’ follow-up recommendations following discovery of incidental liver lesions (ILLs) after breast MRI. When breast subspecialists recommended no follow-up abdominal subspecialists agreed with them in 29 out of 30 cases examined, but disagreed with 28 or 30 breast subspecialists’ follow-up recommendations. When breast imagers reported no ILLs, there was 93% agreement with abdominal subspecialists.
AHRQ-funded; HS024722.
Citation: DiPiro PJ, Alper DP, Giess CS .
Comparing breast and abdominal subspecialists' follow-up recommendations for incidental liver lesions on breast MRI.
J Am Coll Radiol 2020 Jun;17(6):773-78. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.12.024..
Keywords: Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Screening, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Women
Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo BL, Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo R, Luo Y
Identifying tests related to breast cancer care in claims data.
The goal of this study was to develop a method for calculating rates of testing for breast cancer recurrence in patients who have already undergone initial treatment for breast cancer. Rates were calculated from a cohort of Medicare breast cancer patients and an age-matched noncancer cohort. They calculated testing rates in the breast cancer cohort above the background rate in the noncancer population. There were similar estimates of testing prevalence and frequency in the two groups, with exception of prevalence of computed tomography (CT).
AHRQ-funded; HS024936.
Citation: Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo BL, Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo R, Luo Y .
Identifying tests related to breast cancer care in claims data.
Breast J 2020 Jun;26(6):1227-30. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13691..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Healthcare Utilization
Zhou Y, Abel GA, Hamilton W
Imaging activity possibly signalling missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer: a longitudinal data-linkage study using primary care electronic health records.
Sub-optimal use or interpretation of imaging investigations prior to diagnosis of certain cancers may be associated with less timely diagnosis, but pre-diagnostic imaging activity for urological cancer is unknown. In this study, the investigators analysed linked data derived from primary and secondary care records and cancer registration to evaluate the use of clinically relevant imaging tests pre-diagnosis, in patients with bladder and kidney cancer diagnosed in 2012-15 in England.
AHRQ-funded; HS022087.
Citation: Zhou Y, Abel GA, Hamilton W .
Imaging activity possibly signalling missed diagnostic opportunities in bladder and kidney cancer: a longitudinal data-linkage study using primary care electronic health records.
Cancer Epidemiol 2020 Jun;66:101703. doi: 10.1016/j.canep.2020.101703..
Keywords: Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Primary Care, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Providers often pursue imaging in patients at low risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), resulting in imaging yields <10% and false-positive imaging rates of 10% to 25%. Attempts to curb overtesting have had only modest success and no interventions have used implementation science frameworks. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of evidence-based diagnostic testing for PE.
AHRQ-funded; HS025701.
Citation: Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P .
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Acad Emerg Med 2020 Jun;27(6):447-56. doi: 10.1111/acem.13908..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Practice Patterns, Provider: Physician, Provider: Clinician, Provider
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
This study is a systematic review of biomarker and test accuracy for identification of Alzheimer Disease (AD) in older adults. Studies with low or medium risk of bias were analyzed, and two reviewers rated risk of bias. Fifteen brain imaging studies and 9 cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies met analysis criteria and were included. The meta-analysis found that in methodologically heterogeneous studies of uncertain applicability to typical clinical settings, the biomarkers amyloid PET, 18F-FDG proton emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were highly sensitive for neuropathologic AD. Single studies suggested that adding amyloid PET, 18F-FDG PET, and CSF test combinations may add accuracy to clinical evaluation.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, Silverman PC .
Accuracy of biomarker testing for neuropathologically defined Alzheimer disease in older adults with dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):669-77. doi: 10.7326/m19-3888..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Henry MK, Feudtner C, Fortin K
Occult head injuries in infants evaluated for physical abuse.
Abusive head injuries in infants may be occult but clinically or forensically important. Data conflict regarding yield of neuroimaging in detecting occult head injuries in infants evaluated for physical abuse, with prior studies identifying yields of 4.3-37.3 %. The objectives of this study were (1) To quantify yield of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in identification of occult head injuries in infants with concerns for physical abuse and (2) To evaluate risk factors for occult head injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS024194.
Citation: Henry MK, Feudtner C, Fortin K .
Occult head injuries in infants evaluated for physical abuse.
Child Abuse Negl 2020 May;103:104431. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104431..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Brain Injury, Domestic Violence, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Injuries and Wounds
Thiessen M, Vogel JA, Byyny RL
Emergency ultrasound literature and adherence to standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy criteria.
Given the wide usage of emergency point-of-care ultrasound (EUS) among emergency physicians (EPs), rigorous study surrounding its accuracy is essential. The Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) criteria were established to ensure robust reporting methodology for diagnostic studies. Adherence to the STARD criteria among EUS diagnostic studies has yet to be reported. In this study, the objective was to evaluate a body of EUS literature shortly after STARD publication for its baseline adherence to the STARD criteria.
AHRQ-funded; HS023901.
Citation: Thiessen M, Vogel JA, Byyny RL .
Emergency ultrasound literature and adherence to standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy criteria.
J Emerg Med 2020 Apr;58(4):636-46. doi: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2019.09.029..
Keywords: Imaging, Emergency Department, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Lacson R, Wang A, Cochon L
Factors associated with optimal follow-up in women with BI-RADS 3 breast findings.
Investigators assessed the rate of and the factors associated with optimal follow-up in patients with BI-RADS 3 breast findings. They found that follow-up of BI-RADS 3 breast imaging findings is optimal in only 74% of women. They recommended further interventions to promote follow-up targeting younger, unmarried women, those with Hispanic ethnicity, and women without history of breast cancer and without insurance coverage.
AHRQ-funded; HS024722.
Citation: Lacson R, Wang A, Cochon L .
Factors associated with optimal follow-up in women with BI-RADS 3 breast findings.
J Am Coll Radiol 2020 Apr;17(4):469-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.10.003..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Screening, Women, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Richardson S, Cohen S, Khan S
Higher imaging yield when clinical decision support is used.
Increased utilization of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism has been associated with decreasing diagnostic yields and rising concerns about the harms of unnecessary testing. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinical decision support (CDS) use would be associated with increased imaging yields after controlling for selection bias.
AHRQ-funded; HS022061.
Citation: Richardson S, Cohen S, Khan S .
Higher imaging yield when clinical decision support is used.
J Am Coll Radiol 2020 Apr;17(4):496-503. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.021.
.
.
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Shared Decision Making, Blood Clots
Kotok D, Yang L, Evankovich JW
The evolution of radiographic edema in ARDS and its association with clinical outcomes: a prospective cohort study in adult patients.
The authors assessed the longitudinal evolution of radiographic edema using chest X-rays in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and examined its association with prognostic biomarkers, ARDS sub-phenotypes, and outcomes. They found that the Radiographic Assessment of Lung Edema (RALE) score was easily implementable with high inter-rater reliability. They concluded that the longitudinal RALE scoring appeared to be a reproducible approach to track the evolution of radiographic edema in patients with ARDS and could potentially predict prolonged need for mechanical ventilation.
AHRQ-funded; HS025455.
Citation: Kotok D, Yang L, Evankovich JW .
The evolution of radiographic edema in ARDS and its association with clinical outcomes: a prospective cohort study in adult patients.
J Crit Care 2020 Apr;56:222-28. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2020.01.012..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Sprague BL, Coley RY, Kerlikowske K
Assessment of radiologist performance in breast cancer screening using digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography.
Many US radiologists have screening mammography recall rates above the expert-recommended threshold of 12%. The influence of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) on the distribution of radiologist recall rates is uncertain. The objective of this study was to evaluate radiologists' recall and cancer detection rates before and after beginning interpretation of DBT examinations.
AHRQ-funded; HS018366.
Citation: Sprague BL, Coley RY, Kerlikowske K .
Assessment of radiologist performance in breast cancer screening using digital breast tomosynthesis vs digital mammography.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Mar 2;3(3):e201759. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.1759..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Screening, Women, Prevention, Provider Performance
Kocher KE, Arora R, Bassin BS
Baseline performance of real-world clinical practice within a statewide emergency medicine quality network: the Michigan Emergency Department Improvement Collaborative (MEDIC).
The Michigan Emergency Department Improvement Collaborative (MEDIC) has baseline performance data to identify practice variation across 15 diverse emergency departments on key emergency care quality indicators. The authors assessed MEDIC quality measures and found that performance varied greatly, with demonstrated opportunity for improvement. They conclude that MEDIC provides a robust platform for emergency physician engagement across emergency department practice settings to improve care and is a model for other states.
AHRQ-funded; HS024160.
Citation: Kocher KE, Arora R, Bassin BS .
Baseline performance of real-world clinical practice within a statewide emergency medicine quality network: the Michigan Emergency Department Improvement Collaborative (MEDIC).
Ann Emerg Med 2020 Feb;75(2):192-205. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2019.04.033..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Quality Improvement, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality Measures, Quality of Care, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Hong AS, Levin D, Parker L
Trends in diagnostic imaging utilization among Medicare and commercially insured adults from 2003 through 2016.
This study examined trends in use of noninvasive diagnostic imaging (NDI) among commercially insured individuals compared to Medicare enrollees from 2003 through 2016. There was more of an increase among Medicare enrollees than commercially insured patients, but both showed upward trends until the early 2010’s where trends began to be flat or decline. The notable exception was for CT imaging among commercially insured patients aged 45-64 years and Medicare enrollees after 2012.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Hong AS, Levin D, Parker L .
Trends in diagnostic imaging utilization among Medicare and commercially insured adults from 2003 through 2016.
Radiology 2020 Feb;294(2):342-50. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2019191116..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Medicare, Imaging, Healthcare Utilization, Health Insurance