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 Drug Events (ADE) (1)
- Adverse Events (1)
- Caregiving (2)
- Children/Adolescents (1)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (2)
- Disparities (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (3)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- (-) Health Information Technology (HIT) (12)
- Hospital Discharge (1)
- Hospitalization (2)
- (-) Hospitals (12)
- Inpatient Care (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Medication (1)
- Medication: Safety (1)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (1)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (1)
- (-) Patient and Family Engagement (12)
- Patient Experience (2)
- Patient Safety (3)
- Prevention (1)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Telehealth (1)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- Urban Health (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 12 of 12 Research Studies DisplayedSchnock KO, Snyder JE, Gershanik E
Unique patient-reported hospital safety concerns with online tool: MySafeCare.
This study evaluated the MySafeCare (MSC) application at six acute care units for 18 months as part of a patient-centered health information technology intervention to promote engagement and safety in the acute care setting. This web-based application allowed hospitalized patients to submit safety concerns anonymously and in real time. The authors evaluated rates of submissions to MSC and compared them to the hospital’s submissions to the Patient Family Relations Department. They received 46 submissions to MSC, and 33% of them were received anonymously. The overall rate of submissions was 0.6 submissions per 1000 patient-days, which was considerably lower than the rate of submissions to the Patient Family Relations Department during the same time period (4.1 per 1000 patient-days). MSC did capture important content concerning unmet care needs and preferences, inadequate communication, and concerns about safety of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS023535.
Citation: Schnock KO, Snyder JE, Gershanik E .
Unique patient-reported hospital safety concerns with online tool: MySafeCare.
J Patient Saf 2022 Jan;18(1):e33-e39. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000697..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient and Family Engagement
McAlearney AS, Walker DM, Gaughan A
Helping patients be better patients: a qualitative study of perceptions about inpatient portal use.
This qualitative study looked at perceptions about inpatient portal use and its impact on patient experience and the care process. The authors interviewed 120 patients and 433 care team members across a seven-hospital academic medical center that offers an inpatient portal to hospitalized patients. Care team members felt the inpatient portal helped patients be “better patients” by improving their ability to be informed about their health and enabling them to be more involved in the care process. The care team members suggested portal use could be improved by addressing challenges with tablet administration, use of the patient education feature, and the functionality of the scheduling feature.
AHRQ-funded; HS024379; HS024091.
Citation: McAlearney AS, Walker DM, Gaughan A .
Helping patients be better patients: a qualitative study of perceptions about inpatient portal use.
Telemed J E Health 2020 Sep;26(9):1184-87. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2019.0198..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Inpatient Care, Hospitals
Fuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
This clinical trial studied implementation of a suite of EHR-integrated digital health tools to engage patients, caregivers, and clinicians in discharge preparation during hospitalization. Patients who were enrolled agreed to watch a discharge video, complete a checklist assessing discharge readiness, and request postdischarge text messaging with a physician 24 to 48 hours before their expected discharge date. Out of 752 patient admissions, from December 2017 to July 2018, 510 participated, 416 watched the video and completed the checklist, and 94 completed only the checklist. Most patients endorsed the tools, but felt that the video and checklist would be more useful closer to the actual discharge date. Clinicians participating in focus groups perceived the value for patients but felt that there were a number of limitations including low awareness and variable workflow regarding the intervention. A number of strategies were offered by the authors to address implementation barriers and promote adoption of these tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS024751.
Citation: Fuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N .
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
J Med Internet Res 2020 Apr 28;22(4):e15573. doi: 10.2196/15573..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Caregiving, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care, Hospitals
Haldar S, Mishra SR, Pollack AH
Informatics opportunities to involve patients in hospital safety: a conceptual model.
This study investigated how hospital inpatients experience undesirable events (UEs) and to see if those present opportunities for new informatics solutions. The authors surveyed 242 patients and caregivers during their hospital stay and asked them open-ended questions about their experiences with UEs. They then developed a 4-stage conceptual model which illustrates inpatient experiences: from when they first encounter UEs, and opportunities to promote inpatients’ participation and engagement in the quality and safety of their care, help healthcare systems learn from inpatient experience, and reduce those harmful events.
AHRQ-funded; HS022894.
Citation: Haldar S, Mishra SR, Pollack AH .
Informatics opportunities to involve patients in hospital safety: a conceptual model.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2020 Feb;27(2):202-11. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocz167.
.
.
Keywords: Patient Safety, Hospitals, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Experience, Quality of Care
Haldar S, Mishra SR, Kim Y
Use and impact of an online community for hospital patients.
This study examined the impact of a technology resembling an online health community for hospitalized patients to exchange advice and provide each other support during their hospitalization. It was deployed at 1 pediatric and 1 adult hospital. Thirty participants were recruited and were interviewed bedside and were observed how they used the technology, along with follow-up phone interviews. It was found to be helpful to patients and that most (64%) of the shared advice was positive in nature. They also reported positive impacts to their quality, safety, and hospital experience due to the inpatient peer support community.
AHRQ-funded; HS022894.
Citation: Haldar S, Mishra SR, Kim Y .
Use and impact of an online community for hospital patients.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2020 Apr;27(4):549-57. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocz212..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Experience
Asan O, Scanlan MC, Crotty B
Parental perceptions of displayed patient data in a PICU: an example of unintentional empowerment.
The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of parents of pediatric patients in a PICU regarding real-time open electronic health record data displayed in patient rooms. The investigators suggest that a new health information technology system providing continuous access to open electronic health record data may be an effective way to empower and engage parents in the PICU, but also note potential drawbacks.
AHRQ-funded; HS023626.
Citation: Asan O, Scanlan MC, Crotty B .
Parental perceptions of displayed patient data in a PICU: an example of unintentional empowerment.
Pediatr Crit Care Med 2019 May;20(5):435-41. doi: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000001895..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Communication, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient and Family Engagement
Sadasivaiah S, Lyles CR, Kyoi S
Disparities in patient-reported interest in web-based patient portals: survey at an urban academic safety-net hospital.
Offering hospitalized patients' enrollment into a health system's patient portal may improve patient experience and engagement throughout the care continuum, especially across care transitions, but this process is less studied than portal engagement in the ambulatory setting. The objective of this study was to evaluate sociodemographic characteristics associated with interest in a health care system's portal among hospitalized patients and reasons for no interest.
AHRQ-funded; HS022408; HS022561; HS023558.
Citation: Sadasivaiah S, Lyles CR, Kyoi S .
Disparities in patient-reported interest in web-based patient portals: survey at an urban academic safety-net hospital.
J Med Internet Res 2019 Mar 26;21(3):e11421. doi: 10.2196/11421..
Keywords: Disparities, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Hospitals, Patient and Family Engagement, Urban Health
McAlearney AS, Fareed N, Gaughan A
Empowering patients during hospitalization: perspectives on inpatient portal use.
This study looked at the effects of instituting an inpatient portal at hospitals and its impact on feelings of patient empowerment. Patients (n=120) who used an inpatient portal were interviewed at day 15 of hospitalization or 6 months after discharge. They also interviewed care team members (n=331) at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year after implementation about their perspectives on patient use of the portal. Three features were most commonly used: 1) ordering meals, 2) looking up health information, and 3) viewing the care team. Most patients did not feel comfortable using the secure message feature. The inpatient portal promoted independence, reduced anxiety, informed families, and increased empowerment. The findings suggest that hospitals should encourage implementation of inpatient portals in their institution.
AHRQ-funded; HS024091; HS024767; HS024379.
Citation: McAlearney AS, Fareed N, Gaughan A .
Empowering patients during hospitalization: perspectives on inpatient portal use.
Appl Clin Inform 2019 Jan;10(1):103-12. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1677722..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Hospitalization, Hospitals
Prey JE, Polubriaginof F, Grossman LV
Engaging hospital patients in the medication reconciliation process using tablet computers.
Researchers conducted a pilot study to determine whether patients’ use of an electronic home medication review tool on a table computer could improve medication safety before or after hospitalization. Patients were randomized to the tool and out of 76 patients approached, 65 participated. About three-quarters (74%) made changes to their home medication list. Out of that total, 74% of the changes identified had a significant or greater potential severity, and 49% had a greater than 50-50 chance of harm. This medication reconciliation tool showed great potential to improve medication safety during and after hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS021816.
Citation: Prey JE, Polubriaginof F, Grossman LV .
Engaging hospital patients in the medication reconciliation process using tablet computers.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2018 Nov;25(11):1460-69. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocy115..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitalization, Hospitals, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient Safety, Prevention
Mishra SR, Miller AD, Haldar S
Supporting collaborative health tracking in the hospital: patients' perspectives.
Through interviews and design probes, the authors of this study investigated hospitalized patients' health data tracking activity and analyzed their results using the stage-based personal informatics model. Their findings uncovered new directions for HCI research and highlighted ways to support patients in tracking their care and improving patient safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS022894.
Citation: Mishra SR, Miller AD, Haldar S .
Supporting collaborative health tracking in the hospital: patients' perspectives.
Proc SIGCHI Conf Hum Factor Comput Syst 2018;2018. doi: 10.1145/3173574.3174224..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Adherence/Compliance, Patient and Family Engagement
Walker DM, Sieck CJ, Menser T
Information technology to support patient engagement: where do we stand and where can we go?.
The authors evaluated the current capability of hospitals to offer health information technology that facilitates patient engagement (PE). They concluded that, while hospitals have reached modest levels of adoption of PE technologies, consistent monitoring of this capacity can identify opportunities to use technology to facilitate engagement.
AHRQ-funded; HS024091.
Citation: Walker DM, Sieck CJ, Menser T .
Information technology to support patient engagement: where do we stand and where can we go?.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2017 Nov 1;24(6):1088-94. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocx043.
.
.
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Patient and Family Engagement
Mishra SR, Haldar S, Pollack AH
"Not just a receiver": understanding patient behavior in the hospital environment.
Through interviews with hospitalized patients and their caregivers, the authors identified ways that patients and caregivers actively participate in their care. They described the different roles patients and caregivers assume in interacting with their hospital care team and then discuss how systems designed to support patient engagement in the hospital setting can promote active participation and help patients achieve better outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS022894.
Citation: Mishra SR, Haldar S, Pollack AH .
"Not just a receiver": understanding patient behavior in the hospital environment.
Proc SIGCHI Conf Hum Factor Comput Syst 2016 May 7;2016:3103-14. doi: 10.1145/2858036.2858167.
.
.
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Patient and Family Engagement, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research