National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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
101 to 125 of 12214 Research Studies DisplayedFoot C, Korthuis PT, Tsui JI
Associations between stimulant use and return to illicit opioid use following initiation onto medication for opioid use disorder.
The objective of this secondary analysis of data from two clinical trials comparing buprenorphine and extended-release naltrexone was to estimate the effect of ongoing stimulant use on return to illicit opioid use after initiation of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The findings indicated that people on medication for opioid use disorder who subsequently used stimulants appeared more likely to return to non-prescribed opioids use compared with those without stimulant use; this association appeared stronger among patients who initiated buprenorphine compared with those who initiated extended-release naltrexone.
AHRQ-funded; HS026370.
Citation: Foot C, Korthuis PT, Tsui JI .
Associations between stimulant use and return to illicit opioid use following initiation onto medication for opioid use disorder.
Addiction 2024 Jan; 119(1):149-57. doi: 10.1111/add.16334..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Medication, Behavioral Health
Haimovich AD, Shah MN, Southerland LT
Automating risk stratification for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department.
This study discussed using automated risk stratification to implement screening programs for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department (ED). This method would reduce significant workloads at a time of record-breaking ED patient volumes, staff shortages, and hospital boarding crises. The authors defined the concept of automated risk stratification and screening using existing electronic health record (EHR) data. They discussed progress made in three potential use cases in the ED: falls, cognitive impairment, and end-of-life and palliative care; emphasizing the importance of linking automated screening with systems of healthcare delivery. They found that research progress and operational deployment vary by use case, ranging from deployed solutions in falls screening to algorithmic validation in cognitive impairment and end-of-life care, but should still be considered a potential solution.
AHRQ-funded; HS027735.
Citation: Haimovich AD, Shah MN, Southerland LT .
Automating risk stratification for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2024 Jan; 72(1):258-67. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18594..
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Risk, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Adams DR
Availability and accessibility of mental health services for youth: a descriptive survey of safety-net health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The goal of this study was to assess the availability of outpatient mental health services for children and adolescents at safety-net health centers in a large metropolitan county. A comprehensive sample of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) received a 5-minute survey approximately one year after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The response indicated that 10% of health centers had closed and 20% reported that they were not offering outpatient mental health services. Reported wait times were longer at CMHCs than FQHCs. The author concluded that these findings suggested that online directories such as the SAMHSA Treatment Locator are often inaccurate or out-of-date.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Adams DR .
Availability and accessibility of mental health services for youth: a descriptive survey of safety-net health centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Ment Health J 2024 Jan; 60(1):88-97. doi: 10.1007/s10597-023-01127-9..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Behavioral Health, Access to Care, COVID-19, Public Health
Jurlina A, Maul T, Hunsaker P
Changes in bronchiolitis characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a description of pediatric emergency department visits in a community hospital, 2019-2021.
The purpose of this retrospective, cross-sectional study was to describe changes in bronchiolitis characteristics in pediatric emergency department patients in a community hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. The researchers conducted the study with children with bronchiolitis aged 1 to 24 months during an ED visit between 2019 and 2021. The study found that bronchiolitis cases decreased by 75% from 2019 to 2020 and rose back to prepandemic levels by 2021. Radiographs, steroids, and bronchodilators decreased during the study period. Laboratory studies, viral testing, antibiotic use, and respiratory support were unchanged. The decrease in steroids and bronchodilators was related to a clinical pathway that discouraged their use. Respiratory support remained unchanged.
AHRQ-funded; HS026393.
Citation: Jurlina A, Maul T, Hunsaker P .
Changes in bronchiolitis characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic: a description of pediatric emergency department visits in a community hospital, 2019-2021.
Clin Pediatr 2024 Jan; 63(1):73-79. doi: 10.1177/00099228231208941..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department
Qureshi N, Kroger J, Zangwill KM
Changes in perceptions of antibiotic stewardship among neonatal intensive care unit providers over the course of a learning collaborative: a prospective, multisite, mixed-methods evaluation.
The purpose of this study was to assess clinician perceptions towards the value and implementation of antibiotic stewardship (AS) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). The researchers conducted a mixed-methods study of AS perceptions utilizing surveys and interviews in 30 California NICUs before and after a multicenter collaborative (Optimizing Antibiotic Use in California NICUs [OASCN]). The study found that pre-OASCN, 24% of respondents believed there was "a lot of" or "some" inappropriate prescribing, often driven by fear of a bad outcome or hesitation to change existing practices. Clinicians reported statistically significant increases in AS importance, perceived AS activity, and more openness to change after OASCN.
AHRQ-funded; HS026168.
Citation: Qureshi N, Kroger J, Zangwill KM .
Changes in perceptions of antibiotic stewardship among neonatal intensive care unit providers over the course of a learning collaborative: a prospective, multisite, mixed-methods evaluation.
J Perinatol 2024 Jan; 44(1):62-70. doi: 10.1038/s41372-023-01823-0..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Newborns/Infants, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Critical Care
Chase BA, Semenov I, Rubin S
Characteristics associated with response to subcutaneously administered anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody medications in a real-world community cohort of persons living with migraine: a retrospective clinical and genetic study.
This study’s objective was to evaluate response to anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) migraine preventives in a real-world community cohort of persons living with migraine and to identify clinical and genetic characteristics associated with efficacious response. The authors looked at users of erenumab-aooeb, fremanezumab-vrfm, and galcanezumab-gnl and their reasons for stopping or starting these medications. No difference was seen at either first or second follow-ups between galcanezumab and fremanezumab or fremanezumab and erenumab. There was a decrease in MDM at follow-up that was generally proportional to baseline MDM, larger in females, and increased with months on medication, with the reasons for switching or stopping a preventive varying between medications and was often related to cost or insurance coverage. At both follow-ups, patient tolerance and continued use were high and similar across preventives.
AHRQ-funded; HS024057.
Citation: Chase BA, Semenov I, Rubin S .
Characteristics associated with response to subcutaneously administered anti-CGRP monoclonal antibody medications in a real-world community cohort of persons living with migraine: a retrospective clinical and genetic study.
Headache 2024 Jan; 64(1):68-92. doi: 10.1111/head.14655.AHRQ-funded; HS024057..
Keywords: Neurological Disorders, Medication
Jones KM, Krein SL, Mantey J
Characterizing infection prevention programs and urinary tract infection prevention practices in nursing homes: a mixed-methods study.
This study assessed nursing home (NH) infection prevention and control (IPC) resources and practices related to catheter and non-catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI and UTI). This mixed-methods study was conducted from April 2018 through November 2019 using quantitative surveys and semistructured qualitative interviews. Surveys were completed by 51 NH infection preventionists (IPs), and interviews were conducted with 13 participants from 7 NHs. The participating IPs had limited experience and/or additional roles, and in 36.7% of NHs, IPs had no specific IPC training, with a high turnover rate often mentioned during interviews. Most NHs were aware of their CAUTI and UTI rates and reported using prevention practices, such as hydration (85.7%) or nurse-initiated catheter discontinuation (65.3%). Interviewees expressed concerns about overuse of urine testing and antibiotics. Transfer sheets were used by 84% to communicate about infection, but the information received was described as suboptimal.
AHRQ-funded; HS25451.
Citation: Jones KM, Krein SL, Mantey J .
Characterizing infection prevention programs and urinary tract infection prevention practices in nursing homes: a mixed-methods study.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2024 Jan; 45(1):40-47. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.127..
Keywords: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Nursing Homes, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention
Jardon C, Choi KR
COVID-19 experiences and mental health among graduate and undergraduate nursing students in Los Angeles.
This observational study’s purpose was to 1) describe the mental health of nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) investigate relationships between stressful COVID-19 experiences and mental health, and (3) examine correlates of mental health service use. The authors created a web-based survey to assess COVID-19 experiences, self-reported mental health, and mental health service utilization among nursing students in Los Angeles in spring 2021 (N = 174, 30.1% response rate). The survey measured stressful COVID-19 experiences (personal COVID-19 illness, hospitalization of close friends or family, and death of close friends or family), loneliness, resilience, depression, anxiety, COVID-19-related traumatic stress, and utilization of campus and noncampus mental health services. Students were found to have high levels of depression (30%), anxiety (38%), and traumatic stress (30%). No relationship was found between stressful COVID-19 experiences and mental health, but loneliness was associated with higher odds of mental health problems and resilience with lower odds. Students with primary caregiving responsibilities (OR = 0.22) and students who identified as Asian/Pacific Islander (OR = 0.24) had lower odds of mental health service utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS026407.
Citation: Jardon C, Choi KR .
COVID-19 experiences and mental health among graduate and undergraduate nursing students in Los Angeles.
J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc 2024 Jan-Feb; 30(1):86-94. doi: 10.1177/10783903211072222..
Keywords: COVID-19, Provider: Nurse, Education: Academic, Burnout
Yilmaz S, LeClaire M, Begnaud A
Developing LHS scholars' competency around reducing burnout and moral injury.
The study addresses the lack of a wellness competency focusing on burnout and moral injury prevention within Learning Health Systems (LHS). Experts collaborated to develop pathways for implementing such programs, emphasizing distinctions between moral injury and burnout, proposing interventions, and integrating expert input. The study found that a competency aimed at equipping scholars with skills for measuring, intervening, and embedding burnout and moral injury prevention into LHS structures, would potentially improve work lives and patient outcomes within LHS.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Yilmaz S, LeClaire M, Begnaud A .
Developing LHS scholars' competency around reducing burnout and moral injury.
Learn Health Syst 2024 Jan; 8(1):e10378. doi: 10.1002/lrh2.10378..
Keywords: Learning Health Systems, Health Systems, Burnout, Provider: Health Personnel
Wolf RM, Hall M, Williams DJ
Disparities in pharmacologic restraint for children hospitalized in mental health crisis.
This retrospective cohort study examined associations between pharmacologic restraint use and race and ethnicity among children (aged 5-≤18 years) admitted for mental health conditions to acute care nonpsychiatric children's hospitals. Study period was 2018 to 2022 and was conducted at 41 US children’s hospitals and included a cohort of 61,503 hospitalizations. Compared with non-Hispanic Black children, children of non-Hispanic White (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.81), Asian (aOR, 0.82), or other race and ethnicity (aOR, 0.68) were less likely to receive pharmacologic restraint, with no significant difference with Hispanic children. When stratified by sex, racial/ethnic differences were magnified in males, except for Hispanic males, and not found in females. Sensitivity analysis revealed amplified disparities for all racial/ethnic groups, including Hispanic youth.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Wolf RM, Hall M, Williams DJ .
Disparities in pharmacologic restraint for children hospitalized in mental health crisis.
Pediatrics 2024 Jan; 153(1). doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-061353..
Keywords: Disparities, Children/Adolescents, Behavioral Health, Inpatient Care, Hospitals, Medication
Li J
Home health agencies with high quality of patient care star ratings reduced short-term hospitalization rates and increased days independently at home.
Accurate Medicare Quality of Patient Care home health star ratings are crucial to helping patients find high-quality care, yet critics of these ratings indicate that they are not valid. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess whether using the highest-rated home health agency available in a ZIP code improves outcomes. The researchers included 1,870,080 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries using home health care from July 2015 through July 2016 in the United States. The study found that treatment by the highest-rated agencies available decreased risks of hospitalization, emergency department use, and institutionalization during the initial episode, and increased days independently at home by 2.6% or 3.75 days in the 180 days after the end of the initial episode. Treatment effects were stronger for agencies that were above-average, had 1 or more stars than the next-best agency, and nonrural residents. Effects were positive for both postacute and community-entry patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS026836.
Citation: Li J .
Home health agencies with high quality of patient care star ratings reduced short-term hospitalization rates and increased days independently at home.
Med Care 2024 Jan; 62(1):11-20. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001930..
Keywords: Home Healthcare, Quality of Care, Hospitalization, Provider Performance
Donnelly JP, Seelye SM, Kipnis P
Impact of reducing time-to-antibiotics on sepsis mortality, antibiotic use, and adverse events.
Researchers estimated benefits and harms of shortened time-to-antibiotics for sepsis. Their simulation study used a cohort of over 1.5 million hospitalizations via emergency department with more than two systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria. The results showed that impacts of faster time-to-antibiotics for sepsis varied markedly across simulated hospital types; however, even in worst-case scenarios, new antibiotic-associated adverse events were rare.
AHRQ-funded; HS026725.
Citation: Donnelly JP, Seelye SM, Kipnis P .
Impact of reducing time-to-antibiotics on sepsis mortality, antibiotic use, and adverse events.
Ann Am Thorac Soc 2024 Jan; 21(1):94-101. doi: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202306-505OC..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Medication, Sepsis, Mortality
Kaufman BG, Holland DE, Vanderboom CE
Implementation costs of technology-enhanced transitional palliative care for rural caregivers.
Rural FCG experience higher levels of burden accessing coordinated care for their loved ones during and after hospitalization than urban family caregivers (FCG). The role of technology-enhanced transitional palliative care (TPC) on caregiver outcomes is currently being assessed in a randomized control trial. The purpose of this study was to assess resource use and health system costs of this FCG-focused TPC intervention and potential Medicare reimbursement mechanisms. The researchers randomized rural caregivers of hospitalized patients into an 8-week intervention which included video visits conducted by a registered nurse certified in palliative care, and supplemented with phone calls and texts (n = 215), or attentional control. The researchers estimated labor costs for a registered nurse and compared to scenario analyses utilizing a nurse practitioner or social worker wages. Medicare reimbursement scenarios included Transitional Care Management (TCM) and Chronic Care Management (CCM) CPT codes. The researchers found the base case, TPC cost was $395 per FCG conducted by a registered nurse, compared to $337 and $585 if conducted by a social worker or nurse practitioner, respectively. Reimbursement in the CCM-only scenario was $348 and $274 for complex and non-complex patients, respectively. Average Medicare reimbursement in the TCM-only scenario was $322 and $260 for high or moderate complexity patients, respectively. Reimbursement in the TCM+CCM scenario was $496 and $397, for high/complex and moderate/non-complex patients, respectively.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Kaufman BG, Holland DE, Vanderboom CE .
Implementation costs of technology-enhanced transitional palliative care for rural caregivers.
Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024 Jan; 41(1):38-44. doi: 10.1177/10499091231156145..
Keywords: Rural Health, Caregiving, Palliative Care, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Eliason EL, Agostino J, Vivier P
Infant health care disruptions by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This cross-sectional study examined the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on infant health care, and broke it down by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance type. This study used the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System COVID-19 supplement with data from 29 jurisdictions to examine infant health care disruptions due to the pandemic: 1) well visits/checkups canceled or delayed, 2) well visits/checkups changed to virtual appointments, and 3) postponed immunizations. The authors found that among 12,053 parental respondents with infants born from April to December 2020, 7.25% reported cancelations or delays in infant well visits/checkups, 5.49% reported changes to virtual infant care appointments, and 5.33% reported postponing immunizations, with significant differences by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance type. They found higher odds of canceling/delaying visits and postponing immunizations among non-Hispanic Black infants and infants whose parents were uninsured or had Medicaid-paid deliveries. The odds of switching to virtual appointments was also significantly higher among Hispanic infants and infants whose parents had Medicaid-paid deliveries.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Eliason EL, Agostino J, Vivier P .
Infant health care disruptions by race and ethnicity, income, and insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Acad Pediatr 2024 Jan-Feb; 24(1):105-10. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.07.005..
Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, COVID-19, Access to Care, Uninsured, Health Insurance, Healthcare Delivery
Cohen TN, Berdahl CT, Coleman BL
Medication safety event reporting: Factors that contribute to safety events during times of organizational stress.
This study’s objective was to understand the insights conveyed in hospital incident reports about how work system factors affected medication safety during a coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) surge. The authors randomly selected 100 medication safety incident reports from an academic medical center (December 2020 to January 2021), identified near misses and errors, and classified contributing work system factors using the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System-Healthcare. Results showed that among 35 near misses/errors, incident reports described contributing factors (mean 1.3/report) involving skill-based errors (n = 20), communication (n = 8), and tools/technology (n = 4). Seven of these events were linked to COVID-19.
AHRQ-funded; HS027455.
Citation: Cohen TN, Berdahl CT, Coleman BL .
Medication safety event reporting: Factors that contribute to safety events during times of organizational stress.
J Nurs Care Qual 2024 Jan-Mar; 39(1):51-57. doi: 10.1097/ncq.0000000000000720..
Keywords: Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, COVID-19, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medical Errors
Liu S, Matvekas A, Naimi T
Morphomics-informed population pharmacokinetic and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to optimize cefazolin surgical prophylaxis.
This study’s objective was to use algorithms that repurpose radiologic data into body composition (morphomics) to aid in informing dosing decisions for the antibiotic cefazolin for patients undergoing colorectal surgery who have obesity. This prospective study measured cefazolin plasma, fat, and colon tissue concentrations in these patients to develop a morphomics-informed population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model to guide dose adjustments. A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was also constructed to inform tissue partitioning in 21 morbidly obese patients (body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 with one or more co-morbid conditions). Morphomics and pharmacokinetic data were available in 58 patients with a median weight of 95.9 kg and and 55 years, respectively. The plasma-to-subcutaneous fat partition coefficient was predicted to be 0.072 for the PopPK model and 0.060 for the PBPK model. Covariates of cefazolin exposure were identified as the estimated creatinine clearance (eCL(cr) ) and body depth at the third lumbar vertebra (body depth_L3). The authors concluded that kidney function and morphomics were more informative than body weight as covariates of cefazolin target site exposure. They advised that data from more diverse populations, consensus on target cefazolin exposure, and comparative studies are needed before a change in practice can be implemented.
AHRQ-funded; HS027183.
Citation: Liu S, Matvekas A, Naimi T .
Morphomics-informed population pharmacokinetic and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling to optimize cefazolin surgical prophylaxis.
Pharmacotherapy 2024 Jan; 44(1):77-86. doi: 10.1002/phar.2878..
Keywords: Surgery, Antibiotics, Medication, Prevention, Obesity, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Scharp D, Hobensack M, Davoudi A
Natural language processing applied to clinical documentation in post-acute care settings: a scoping review.
The purpose of this scoping review was to assess the scope of the application of natural language processing to free-text clinical notes in post-acute care and provide a foundation for future natural language processing-based research in the same settings. The researchers searched PubMed, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Embase in February 2023. Twenty-one eligible studies. Almost all of which were conducted in home health care settings, had quantitative designs that utilized natural language processing applied to clinical documentation in post-acute care settings. Most studies extracted data from electronic health records to explore the risk for negative outcomes, including acute care utilization, medication errors, and suicide mortality. About half of the studies did not report age, sex, race, or ethnicity data or utilize standardized terminologies. Only 8 studies included variables from socio-behavioral domains. Most studies fulfilled all quality appraisal indicators.
AHRQ-funded; HS027742.
Citation: Scharp D, Hobensack M, Davoudi A .
Natural language processing applied to clinical documentation in post-acute care settings: a scoping review.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024 Jan; 25(1):69-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.09.006..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Home Healthcare
Zamalin D, Hamlin Shults, J J
Predictors of making a referral to child protective services prior to expert consultation.
This study investigated factors affecting child protective services (CPS) referrals before consultation by a Child Abuse Pediatrician (CAP) for suspected cases of physical abuse in children under 5 years old. Analysis revealed that despite the CAP expressing low concern for abuse in 38% of cases, 61% received preconsultation referrals. Socioeconomic biases, particularly evident in referral rates based on insurance status, were found to influence referral decisions.
AHRQ-funded; HS028847.
Citation: Zamalin D, Hamlin Shults, J J .
Predictors of making a referral to child protective services prior to expert consultation.
Acad Pediatr 2024 Jan-Feb; 24(1):78-86. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.05.002..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Domestic Violence, Vulnerable Populations
Goyal NK, Sood E, Gannon MA
Priorities for well child care of families affected by parental opioid use disorder.
This study’s objective was to explore priorities for well childcare (WCC) visit content for women in treatment with opioid use disorder to inform primary care recommendations for this population. Eligible participants had children 2 years or younger and were English speaking. Among the 30 parent participants, they were overwhelmingly White (83%) and unmarried (90%). Thirteen clinicians participated, of whom 9 were attending physicians. Interviews were conducted with parents and clinicians which led to five emerging themes: (1) improving knowledge and confidence related to child development, behavior, and nutrition; (2) mitigating safety concerns; (3) addressing complex health and subspecialty needs through care coordination; (4) acknowledging parental health and wellbeing in the pediatric encounter; and (5) supporting health education and care related to neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. These issues were expressed as hard to address by parents and clinicians due to time constraints, social determinants of health, and significant informational needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS027399.
Citation: Goyal NK, Sood E, Gannon MA .
Priorities for well child care of families affected by parental opioid use disorder.
J Addict Med 2024 Jan-Feb; 18(1):48-54. doi: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001243..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Caregiving, Children/Adolescents
Cantor AG, Jungbauer RM, Skelly AC
Respectful maternity care : a systematic review.
The purpose of this systematic review was to collect information on definitions and valid measurements of respectful maternity care (RMC), its effectiveness for improving pregnant and postpartum maternal and infant health outcomes, and strategies for implementation. Frameworks for RMC were found to be well described but varied in definition. Evidence was lacking on the effectiveness of implementing RMC to improve any maternal or infant health outcome. Tools to measure RMC demonstrated consistency but lacked a gold standard; the authors conclude that further evaluation was needed before implementation in U.S. settings.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006
Citation: Cantor AG, Jungbauer RM, Skelly AC .
Respectful maternity care : a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2024 Jan; 177(1):50-64. doi: 10.7326/m23-2676..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Peaker B, Dooley C B, Peaker B, Dooley C C
AHRQ Author: Peaker B
Screening for syphilis in nonpregnant adolescents and adults.
This case study described a 42-year-old male presenting at the clinic with low back pain that had been radiating down his right leg for one week. Case study questions related to the USPSTF recommendation on Screening for Syphilis in Nonpregnant Adolescents and Adults addressed why this patient was at increased risk, whether screening should take place, and why the USPSTF does not recommend screening for all people.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Peaker B, Dooley C B, Peaker B, Dooley C C .
Screening for syphilis in nonpregnant adolescents and adults.
Am Fam Physician 2024 Jan; 109(1):79-80..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Sexual Health, Children/Adolescents
Scaife JH, Bryce JR, Iantorno SE
Secondary undertriage of pediatric trauma patients across the United States emergency departments.
The term “Undertriage” refers to the treatment of patients at facilities lacking in the equipment needed to treat the patient's injuries appropriately. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the relationship between patient and hospital characteristics and secondary undertriage in children after major trauma. The researchers utilized the 2019 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample and included patients aged less than 18 years of age if they presented to a Level 3 or non-trauma center (NTC) and were diagnosed with a traumatic injury with an injury severity score of greater than 15 based on International Classification of Diseases 10 codes. The study found that of 6,572 weighted patients, 15% were undertriaged. Undertriage was significantly associated with older age, metropolitan location, and major abdominal injuries. After multivariable adjustment, secondary undertriage was significantly associated with patients aged 6-10 years of age compared to patients aged 15-17 years, penetrating injury, major chest injury, and presentation at a teaching hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS025776.
Citation: Scaife JH, Bryce JR, Iantorno SE .
Secondary undertriage of pediatric trauma patients across the United States emergency departments.
J Surg Res 2024 Jan; 293:37-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.07.054..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department, Trauma, Injuries and Wounds
Cron DC, Braun HJ, Ascher NL
Sex-based disparities in access to liver transplantation for waitlisted patients with model for end-stage liver disease score of 40.
The objective of this study was to determine association of sex with access to liver transplantation among candidates with the highest possible model for end-stage liver disease score (MELD 40). Using national transplant registry data, researchers compared liver offer acceptance and waitlist outcomes by sex for waitlisted liver transplant candidates who reached MELD 40. Results showed that even among candidates with high disease severity and equally high MELD scores, women have reduced access to liver transplantation and worse outcomes compared with men. The researchers concluded that policies addressing this disparity should consider factors beyond MELD score adjustments.
AHRQ-funded; HS028476.
Citation: Cron DC, Braun HJ, Ascher NL .
Sex-based disparities in access to liver transplantation for waitlisted patients with model for end-stage liver disease score of 40.
Ann Surg 2024 Jan; 279(1):112-18. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005933..
Keywords: Disparities, Access to Care, Sex Factors, Transplantation
Oke I, Elze T, Miller JW
Surgical approach and reoperation risk in intermittent exotropia in the IRIS Registry.
This cohort study compared the 5-year reoperation rates for children with intermittent exotropia (IXT). Reoperation rates for children with IXT treated with horizontal muscle strabismus surgery using bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLR) vs unilateral lateral rectus recession with medial rectus resection (RR) were compared. The authors examined data obtained from the Intelligent Research in Sight (IRIS) Registry on 7482 children (age, <18 years) with IXT who underwent horizontal eye muscle strabismus surgery, excluding children undergoing initial surgeries involving 3 or more horizontal muscles, vertical muscles, or reoperations. Primary outcome was the adjusted cumulative incidence of repeat horizontal muscle surgery within 5 years after the initial surgery. BLR was performed more frequently than RR (85.3% vs 14.7%), especially in younger children. After data adjustment, the 5-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was 21.3%. The adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence of reoperation was higher for BLR than for RR. Unilateral lateral rectus recession with medial rectus resection was associated with a lower 5-year reoperation risk compared with BLR. Younger age at time of initial surgery was associated with a higher reoperation risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS000063.
Citation: Oke I, Elze T, Miller JW .
Surgical approach and reoperation risk in intermittent exotropia in the IRIS Registry.
JAMA Ophthalmol 2024 Jan; 142(1):48-52. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2023.5288..
Keywords: Surgery, Risk
Wooldridge AR, Carayon P, Hoonakker P
Team cognition in handoffs: relating system factors, team cognition functions and outcomes in two handoff processes.
This study investigated how team cognition occurs in care transitions from operating room (OR) to intensive care unit (ICU) and then sought to understand how the sociotechnical system and team cognition are related. The authors conducted the study in an academic, Level 1 trauma center in the Midwestern US. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 healthcare workers that included physicians (surgery, anesthesia, pediatric critical care) and nurses (OR, ICU). Three cognition functions in hand-offs were described by participants: (1) information exchange, (2) assessment, and (3) planning and decision making; information exchange was mentioned most. Inter-professional handoffs facilitated information exchange but included large teams with diverse backgrounds communicating that can decrease efficiency. Intra-professional handoffs decreased team size and role diversity, which may simplify communication but can increase information loss. Participants in inter-professional handoffs reflected on outcomes significantly more in relation to system factors and team cognition, while participants in intra-professional handoffs discussed handoffs as a task.
AHRQ-funded; HS023837.
Citation: Wooldridge AR, Carayon P, Hoonakker P .
Team cognition in handoffs: relating system factors, team cognition functions and outcomes in two handoff processes.
Hum Factors 2024 Jan; 66(1):271-93. doi: 10.1177/00187208221086342..
Keywords: Teams, Transitions of Care, Communication