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
Topics
- Adverse Events (7)
- Antibiotics (6)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Cancer (2)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (1)
- Comparative Effectiveness (2)
- Evidence-Based Practice (3)
- Guidelines (1)
- (-) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (16)
- Healthcare Costs (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Hospitals (1)
- Infectious Diseases (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (6)
- Medical Devices (1)
- Medication (6)
- Obesity (1)
- Orthopedics (1)
- Outcomes (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Safety (10)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- (-) Prevention (16)
- Public Health (1)
- Quality Improvement (2)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Risk (2)
- (-) Surgery (16)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (1)
- Women (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 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedLiu 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)
Warren DK, Peacock KM, Nickel KB
Postdischarge prophylactic antibiotics following mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction.
The authors investigated factors associated with post-discharge prophylactic antibiotic use after mastectomy with and without immediate reconstruction and the impact on surgical-site infection (SSI). They found that anti-methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus antibiotics were associated with decreased risk of SSI for patients who had mastectomy only and those who had mastectomy with immediate reconstruction. They concluded that the high numbers needed to treat suggest that potential benefits of post-discharge antibiotics should be weighed against potential harms associated with antibiotic overuse.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Warren DK, Peacock KM, Nickel KB .
Postdischarge prophylactic antibiotics following mastectomy with and without breast reconstruction.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2022 Oct;43(10):1382-88. doi: 10.1017/ice.2021.400..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Medication, Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Women, Practice Patterns
Brajcic BC, Ko CY, Liu JB
A NSQIP-based randomized clinical trial evaluating choice of prophylactic antibiotics for pancreaticoduodenectomy.
This paper describes the protocol for an upcoming multicenter randomized surgical trial to evaluate choice of prophylactic antibiotics for pancreaticoduodenectomy. The rationale and methodology of the trial evaluating piperacillin-tazobactam compared to cefoxitin for surgical site infection prevention is described. The study will utilize a clinical registry for data collection.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Brajcic BC, Ko CY, Liu JB .
A NSQIP-based randomized clinical trial evaluating choice of prophylactic antibiotics for pancreaticoduodenectomy.
J Surg Oncol 2021 May;123(6):1387-94. doi: 10.1002/jso.26402..
Keywords: Cancer, Antibiotics, Medication, Prevention, Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Strobel RJ, Harrington SD, Hill C
Evaluating the impact of pneumonia prevention recommendations after cardiac surgery.
Pneumonia is the most prevalent healthcare-associated infection after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the relative effectiveness of strategies to reduce its incidence remains unclear. In this study, the investigators evaluated the relationship between healthcare-associated infection recommendations and risk of pneumonia after CABG. These pneumonia prevention recommendations may serve as effective targets for avoiding postoperative healthcare-associated infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS022535; HS022909.
Citation: Strobel RJ, Harrington SD, Hill C .
Evaluating the impact of pneumonia prevention recommendations after cardiac surgery.
Ann Thorac Surg 2020 Sep;110(3):903-10. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.12.053..
Keywords: Pneumonia, Cardiovascular Conditions, Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Adverse Events, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Risk
De Roo AC, Hendren S, Ameling JM
Using appropriateness criteria to identify opportunities to improve perioperative urinary catheter use.
Researchers applied Michigan Appropriate Perioperative criteria to statewide registry data to identify improvement targets for urinary catheter use. They found that perioperative urinary catheter use was appropriate for most simple abdominal procedures, but duration of use varied in all categories.
AHRQ-funded; HS019767; HS024385; HS018334; HS000053.
Citation: De Roo AC, Hendren S, Ameling JM .
Using appropriateness criteria to identify opportunities to improve perioperative urinary catheter use.
Am J Surg 2020 Sep;220(3):706-13. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.01.008..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Surgery, Prevention, Adverse Events
Alfred M, Catchpole K, Huffer E
Work systems analysis of sterile processing: decontamination.
This study examined the work of sterile processing departments (SPDs) from a systems perspective. This paper reports the results of a work systems analysis that sought to identify the complex multilevel interdependencies that create performance variation and identify potential improvement interactions. The analysis was conducted at a 700-bed academic hospital with two reprocessing facilities decontaminating approximately 23,000 units each month. Mixed methods, including 56 hours of observations of work was done, as well as formal and informal interviews with relevant stakeholders and analysis of data collected about the system. The authors identified 21 different performance shaping factors, 30 potential failures, 16 types of process variance, and 10 outcome variances in decontamination. Approximately 2% of trays were returned to decontamination from assembly with 1% of surgical cases having decontamination problems.
AHRQ-funded; HS025538.
Citation: Alfred M, Catchpole K, Huffer E .
Work systems analysis of sterile processing: decontamination.
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Apr;29(4):320-28. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009422..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Prevention, Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Chandanabhumma PP, Fetters MD, Pagani FD
Understanding and addressing variation in health care-associated infections after durable ventricular assist device therapy: protocol for a mixed methods study.
This paper discusses an ongoing AHRQ-funded study to understand and address variation in health care-associated infections (HAIs) after durable ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation surgery. This procedure is used only on patients with advanced heart failure who have a poor 1-year estimated survival rate. This is a sequential mixed methods study which is conducting a systematic review of HAI prevention studies, and an in-depth quantitative analyses using administration claims, in-depth clinical data, and organizational surveys of VAD centers. The last aim is to develop and disseminate a best practices toolkit for HAI prevention. Data analysis is currently underway.
AHRQ-funded; HS026003.
Citation: Chandanabhumma PP, Fetters MD, Pagani FD .
Understanding and addressing variation in health care-associated infections after durable ventricular assist device therapy: protocol for a mixed methods study.
JMIR Res Protoc 2020 Jan 7;9(1):e14701. doi: 10.2196/14701..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Medical Devices, Prevention, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Adverse Events
Calderwood MS, Yokoe DS, Murphy MV
Effectiveness of a multistate quality improvement campaign in reducing risk of surgical site infections following hip and knee arthroplasty.
The authors assessed the effect of a multistate quality improvement campaign to promote the adoption of evidence-based surgical site infection (SSI) prevention practices. Rates of SSI among Medicare beneficiaries undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty during pre-intervention and post-intervention in five states included in a multistate trial of the Project JOINTS campaign and five matched comparison states were analyzed. The authors found a larger reduction of SSI rates following hip and knee arthroplasty in intervention states than in the matched control states.
AHRQ-funded; HS021424.
Citation: Calderwood MS, Yokoe DS, Murphy MV .
Effectiveness of a multistate quality improvement campaign in reducing risk of surgical site infections following hip and knee arthroplasty.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 May;28(5):374-81. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-007982..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Orthopedics, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Patient Safety
Kline SE, Sanstead EC, Johnson JR
Cost-effectiveness of pre-operative Staphylococcus aureus screening and decolonization.
In this study, the investigators developed a decision analytic model to evaluate the impact of a preoperative Staphylococcus aureus decolonization bundle on surgical site infections (SSIs), health-care-associated costs (HCACs), and deaths due to SSI. The investigators predict that the treat-all strategy would be the most effective and cost-saving strategy for preventing SSIs. However, they concluded that because this strategy might select more extensively for mupirocin-resistant S. aureus and cause more medication adverse effects than the test-and-treat approach or the SOC, additional studies are needed to define its comparative benefits and harms.
AHRQ-funded; HS022912.
Citation: Kline SE, Sanstead EC, Johnson JR .
Cost-effectiveness of pre-operative Staphylococcus aureus screening and decolonization.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Nov;39(11):1340-46. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.228..
Keywords: Surgery, Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety, Prevention, Healthcare Costs
Baker AW, Haridy S, Salem J
Performance of statistical process control methods for regional surgical site infection surveillance: a 10-year multicentre pilot study.
The authors performed a pilot study within a large network of community hospitals to evaluate performance of statistical process control (SPC) methods for detecting surgical site infections (SSI) outbreaks. Their findings illustrated the potential usefulness and feasibility of real-time SPC surveillance of SSI to rapidly identify outbreaks and improve patient safety. Further study is needed to optimize SPC chart selection and calculation, statistical outbreak detection rules and the process for reacting to signals of potential outbreaks.
AHRQ-funded; HS023821.
Citation: Baker AW, Haridy S, Salem J .
Performance of statistical process control methods for regional surgical site infection surveillance: a 10-year multicentre pilot study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2018 Aug;27(8):600-10. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2017-006474..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Surgery, Hospitals, Public Health, Prevention, Adverse Events
Allegranzi B, Aiken AM, Zeynep Kubilay N
A multimodal infection control and patient safety intervention to reduce surgical site infections in Africa: a multicentre, before-after, cohort study.
The researchers aimed to establish the effect of a multimodal intervention on surgical site infections (SSIs) in Africa. SSI cumulative incidence significantly decreased post intervention, from 8.0 percent to 3.8 percent and this decrease persisted in the sustainability period. A substantial improvement in compliance with prevention measures was consistently observed in the follow-up and sustainability periods.
AHRQ-funded; 290201000027.
Citation: Allegranzi B, Aiken AM, Zeynep Kubilay N .
A multimodal infection control and patient safety intervention to reduce surgical site infections in Africa: a multicentre, before-after, cohort study.
Lancet Infect Dis 2018 May;18(5):507-15. doi: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30107-5.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Prevention
Taaffe K, Lee B, Ferrand Y
The influence of traffic, area location, and other factors on operating room microbial load.
The researchers sought to determine how the movement of patients, equipment, materials, staff, and door openings within the operating room (OR) affect microbial loads at various locations within the OR. They found that the microbial load was affected by the time of year that the samples were taken. Both microbial load measured by the air samplers and by settle plates in 1 area of the OR was correlated with the physical movement of people in the same area.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Taaffe K, Lee B, Ferrand Y .
The influence of traffic, area location, and other factors on operating room microbial load.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Apr;39(4):391-97. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.323.
.
.
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Prevention, Patient Safety
Olsen MA, Nickel KB, Fraser VJ
Prevalence and predictors of postdischarge antibiotic use following mastectomy.
This study determined utilization, predictors, and outcomes of postdischarge prophylactic antibiotics after mastectomy with or without immediate breast reconstruction. The study conclude that prophylactic postdischarge antibiotics are commonly prescribed after mastectomy; immediate reconstruction is the strongest predictor. The authors recommended stewardship efforts in this population to limit continuation of prophylactic antibiotics after discharge are needed to limit antimicrobial resistance.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Olsen MA, Nickel KB, Fraser VJ .
Prevalence and predictors of postdischarge antibiotic use following mastectomy.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Sep;38(9):1048-54. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.128.
.
.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medication, Patient Safety, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Prevention, Adverse Events, Risk
Obremskey WT, Schmidt AH, O'Toole RV
A prospective randomized trial to assess oral versus intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of postoperative wound infection after extremity fractures (POvIV study).
The POvIV study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial to compare oral (PO) with intravenous (IV) antibiotic therapy in patients with postoperative wound infections after extremity fractures. This study will be the largest prospective randomized trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PO antibiotic use for treatment of postoperative wound infections. Results will inform clinician decisions on antibiotic delivery in patients with postoperative wound infections.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Obremskey WT, Schmidt AH, O'Toole RV .
A prospective randomized trial to assess oral versus intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of postoperative wound infection after extremity fractures (POvIV study).
J Orthop Trauma 2017 Apr;31 Suppl 1:S32-s38. doi: 10.1097/bot.0000000000000802.
.
.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Comparative Effectiveness, Medication, Patient Safety, Adverse Events, Prevention, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes
O'Toole RV, Joshi M, Carlini AR
Supplemental perioperative oxygen to reduce surgical site infection after high-energy fracture surgery (OXYGEN study).
This study is a clinical trial with a primary goal of assessing the efficacy of 2 different concentrations of perioperative oxygen in the prevention of surgical site infection (SSI) in adults with tibial plateau, pilon (tibial plafond), or calcaneus fractures at higher risk of infection and definitively treated with plate and screw fixation.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: O'Toole RV, Joshi M, Carlini AR .
Supplemental perioperative oxygen to reduce surgical site infection after high-energy fracture surgery (OXYGEN study).
J Orthop Trauma 2017 Apr;31 Suppl 1:S25-s31. doi: 10.1097/bot.0000000000000803.
.
.
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Patient Safety, Adverse Events
Gans I, Jain A, Sirisreetreerux N
Current practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical fixation of closed long bone fractures: a survey of 297 members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
This study found heterogeneity in the use of single- versus multiple-dose antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical repair of closed long bone fractures. Many surgeons were unsure of current evidence-based recommendations regarding perioperative antibiotic use. Most respondents indicated they would be receptive to high-level evidence regarding the single- versus multiple-dose perioperative prophylactic antibiotics for the treatment of closed long bone fractures.
AHRQ-funded; HS024547.
Citation: Gans I, Jain A, Sirisreetreerux N .
Current practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for surgical fixation of closed long bone fractures: a survey of 297 members of the Orthopaedic Trauma Association.
Patient Saf Surg. 2017 Jan 16;11:2. doi: 10.1186/s13037-016-0118-5.
.
.
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medication, Prevention, Surgery