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.
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1 to 5 of 5 Research Studies DisplayedBlecker S, Herrin J, Li L
Trends in hospital readmission of Medicare-covered patients with heart failure.
This study sought to compare trends in Medicare risk-adjusted, 30-day readmissions following principal heart failure (HF) hospitalizations and other hospitalizations with HF. The investigators found that patients with HF are often hospitalized for other causes, and these hospitalizations have high readmission rates. Policy changes led to decreases in readmission rates for both principal and secondary HF hospitalizations. Readmission rates in both groups remained high, suggesting that initiatives targeting all hospitalized patients with HF continue to be warranted.
AHRQ-funded; HS022882; HS023683.
Citation: Blecker S, Herrin J, Li L .
Trends in hospital readmission of Medicare-covered patients with heart failure.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2019 Mar 12;73(9):1004-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.12.040..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Medicare, Policy
Meddings J, Smith SN, Hofer TP
Mixed messages to consumers from Medicare: Hospital Compare grades versus value-based payment penalty.
This study examined the discrepancy of ratings with hospitals with low readmission grades for heart failure (HF) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on the Hospital Compare website, yet received penalties for excessive readmissions under the hospital Readmissions Reduction Program. A retrospective data analysis was conducted of 2956 hospitals that had publicly reported HF grades on Hospital Compare. Of those, 92% were graded as “no different” than the national rate for HD readmissions, yet included 48.6% that were scored as having excessive HF admissions and 87% received an overall readmission penalty. Of the 120 hospitals graded as “better”, none were scored as having excessive HF readmissions and 50% were penalized. There were similar results for AMI.
AHRQ-funded; HS018334; HS019767.
Citation: Meddings J, Smith SN, Hofer TP .
Mixed messages to consumers from Medicare: Hospital Compare grades versus value-based payment penalty.
Am J Manag Care 2018 Dec;24(12):e399-e403..
Keywords: Medicare, Hospital Readmissions, Heart Disease and Health, Hospitals, Quality of Care, Cardiovascular Conditions, Provider Performance, Payment
Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Wilcock A
HF mortality trends under Medicare readmissions reduction program at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals.
After announcement and implementation of the Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), 30-day readmissions declined rapidly among seniors with heart failure (HF) while 30-day mortality rose. This raised questions about whether the policy was responsible, because lower HF readmission rates have historically been associated with higher mortality. In this study, the investigators compared trends in heart failure (HF) mortality at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals nationally.
AHRQ-funded; HS024284.
Citation: Huckfeldt P, Escarce J, Wilcock A .
HF mortality trends under Medicare readmissions reduction program at penalized and nonpenalized hospitals.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2018 Nov 13;72(20):2539-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.2174..
Keywords: Mortality, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare, Hospitals, Provider Performance, Payment
Desai NR, Ross JS, Kwon JY
Association between hospital penalty status under the hospital readmission reduction program and readmission rates for target and nontarget conditions.
This study compared trends in readmission rates for target and nontarget conditions, stratified by hospital penalty status after the announcement of the Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP). It found that Medicare fee-for-service patients at hospitals subject to penalties under the HRRP had greater reductions in readmission rates compared with those at nonpenalized hospitals. Changes were greater for target vs nontarget conditions for patients at the penalized hospitals but not at the other hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS022882; HS023000.
Citation: Desai NR, Ross JS, Kwon JY .
Association between hospital penalty status under the hospital readmission reduction program and readmission rates for target and nontarget conditions.
JAMA 2016 Dec 27;316(24):2647-56. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.18533.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Medicare, Pneumonia
Wang Y, Eldridge N, Metersky ML
AHRQ Author: Eldridge N
Association between hospital performance on patient safety and 30-day mortality and unplanned readmission for Medicare fee-for-service patients with acute myocardial infarction.
The researchers studied the relationship between hospital performance on adverse event rates and hospital performance on 30-day mortality and unplanned readmission rates for Medicare fee-for-service patients hospitalized for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). They found that for Medicare fee-for-service patients discharged with AMI, hospitals with poorer patient safety performance were also more likely to have poorer performance on 30-day all-cause mortality and on unplanned readmissions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Wang Y, Eldridge N, Metersky ML .
Association between hospital performance on patient safety and 30-day mortality and unplanned readmission for Medicare fee-for-service patients with acute myocardial infarction.
J Am Heart Assoc 2016 Jul;5(7):pii: e003731. doi: 10.1161/jaha.116.003731.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Medicare, Mortality, Heart Disease and Health, Patient Safety, Provider Performance