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
- Access to Care (1)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (3)
- Adverse Events (4)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
- Antibiotics (1)
- Brain Injury (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (1)
- Care Coordination (2)
- Clostridium difficile Infections (1)
- Dementia (1)
- Disparities (2)
- (-) Elderly (43)
- Emergency Department (7)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Healthcare Costs (3)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Home Healthcare (6)
- (-) Hospital Discharge (43)
- Hospitalization (8)
- Hospital Readmissions (14)
- Hospitals (5)
- Injuries and Wounds (3)
- Long-Term Care (4)
- Medicare (14)
- Medication (5)
- Medication: Safety (3)
- Mortality (2)
- Nursing (1)
- Nursing Homes (8)
- Nutrition (1)
- Opioids (3)
- Outcomes (3)
- Patient Adherence/Compliance (2)
- Patient and Family Engagement (1)
- Patient Experience (1)
- Patient Safety (5)
- Payment (1)
- Primary Care (1)
- Provider Performance (1)
- Quality of Care (3)
- Quality of Life (1)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Rehabilitation (1)
- Risk (4)
- Rural Health (1)
- Shared Decision Making (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Surgery (1)
- Telehealth (1)
- Transitions of Care (8)
- Trauma (3)
- Vulnerable Populations (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
26 to 43 of 43 Research Studies DisplayedJones CD, Jones J, RIchard A
"Connecting the Dots": a qualitative study of home health nurse perspectives on coordinating care for recently discharged patients.
This study described home health care (HHC) nurse perspectives about challenges and solutions to coordinating care for recently discharged patients. HHC nurses described challenges and solutions within domains of Accountability, Communication, Assessing Needs & Goals, and Medication Management. One additional domain of Safety, for both patients and HHC nurses, emerged from the analysis.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Jones J, RIchard A .
"Connecting the Dots": a qualitative study of home health nurse perspectives on coordinating care for recently discharged patients.
J Gen Intern Med 2017 Oct;32(10):1114-21. doi: 10.1007/s11606-017-4104-0.
.
.
Keywords: Care Coordination, Elderly, Home Healthcare, Health Services Research (HSR), Hospital Discharge
Dharmarajan K, Qin L, Bierlein M
Outcomes after observation stays among older adult Medicare beneficiaries in the USA: retrospective cohort study.
This study characterized rates and trends over time of emergency department treatment-and-discharge stays, repeat observation stays, inpatient stays, any hospital revisit, and death within 30 days of discharge from observation stays. Hospital revisits are common after discharge from observation stays, frequently result in inpatient hospitalizations, and have increased over time among Medicare beneficiaries.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Dharmarajan K, Qin L, Bierlein M .
Outcomes after observation stays among older adult Medicare beneficiaries in the USA: retrospective cohort study.
BMJ 2017 Jun 20;357:j2616. doi: 10.1136/bmj.j2616.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare
Middleton A, Zhou J, Ottenbacher KJ
Hospital variation in rates of new institutionalizations within 6 months of discharge.
The primary objective of this study was to examine the hospital-level variation in rates of new institutionalizations among Medicare beneficiaries. The overall observed rate of new institutionalizations was 3.6 percent (N = 173,998). Older age, white race, Medicaid eligibility, longer hospitalization, and having a skilled nursing facility stay over the 6 months before hospitalization were associated with higher adjusted odds. Observed rates ranged from 0.9 percent to 5.9 percent across states.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Middleton A, Zhou J, Ottenbacher KJ .
Hospital variation in rates of new institutionalizations within 6 months of discharge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2017 Jun;65(6):1206-13. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14760.
.
.
Keywords: Hospitalization, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Hospital Discharge
Regenbogen SE, Cain-Nielsen AH, Norton EC
Costs and consequences of early hospital discharge after major inpatient surgery in older adults.
This study evaluated the association between early postoperative discharge practices and overall surgical episode spending and expenditures for postdischarge care use and readmissions. It concluded that early routine postoperative discharge after major inpatient surgery is associated with lower total surgical episode payments. There is no evidence that savings from shorter postsurgical hospitalization are offset by higher postdischarge care spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS024698.
Citation: Regenbogen SE, Cain-Nielsen AH, Norton EC .
Costs and consequences of early hospital discharge after major inpatient surgery in older adults.
JAMA Surg 2017 May 17;152(5):e170123. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0123.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Surgery, Hospital Discharge, Healthcare Costs, Outcomes
Buys DR, Campbell AD, Godfryd A
Meals enhancing nutrition after discharge: findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial.
This pilot study's objective was to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial assessing a post-discharge home-delivered meal program's impact on older adults' nutritional intake and hospital readmissions and to assess patient acceptability and satisfaction with the program. It found that participants were overwhelmingly satisfied (82 percent to 100 percent satisfied or very satisfied) with staff performance, meal quality, and delivery processes.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Buys DR, Campbell AD, Godfryd A .
Meals enhancing nutrition after discharge: findings from a pilot randomized controlled trial.
J Acad Nutr Diet 2017 Apr;117(4):599-608. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2016.11.005.
.
.
Keywords: Nutrition, Patient Experience, Elderly, Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge
Singh S, Lin YL, Nattinger AB
Variation in readmission rates by emergency departments and emergency department providers caring for patients after discharge.
This study of Texas acute-care hospitals and ED facilities has found that the risk of readmission varies by ED provider caring for patients after discharge. A large part of this variation is explained by the ED facility in which the ED providers practice. Thus, ED provider practices patterns and ED facility systems of care may be a target for interventions to reduce readmissions.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Singh S, Lin YL, Nattinger AB .
Variation in readmission rates by emergency departments and emergency department providers caring for patients after discharge.
J Hosp Med 2015 Nov;10(11):705-10. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2407.
.
.
Keywords: Emergency Department, Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare
Gozalo P, Leland NE, Christian TJ
Volume matters: returning home after hip fracture.
This study examined the effect of the relationship between volume (number of hip fracture admissions during the 12 months before participant’s fracture) and other facility characteristics on outcomes. It concluded that in community-dwelling persons with their first hip fracture, successful return to the community varies substantially, according to skilled nursing facility provider volume and staffing characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Gozalo P, Leland NE, Christian TJ .
Volume matters: returning home after hip fracture.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Oct;63(10):2043-51. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13677..
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Elderly, Outcomes, Hospital Discharge
Toth M, Holmes M, Van Houtven C
Rural Medicare beneficiaries have fewer follow-up visits and greater emergency department use postdischarge.
This study tested whether rural Medicare beneficiaries have a lower likelihood of follow-up care and greater likelihood of a readmission and ED visit within 30 days postdischarge, compared with urban beneficiaries. The results provide evidence of lower quality postdischarge care for Medicare beneficiaries in rural settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Toth M, Holmes M, Van Houtven C .
Rural Medicare beneficiaries have fewer follow-up visits and greater emergency department use postdischarge.
Med Care 2015 Sep;53(9):800-8. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000401..
Keywords: Rural Health, Elderly, Medicare, Hospital Readmissions, Emergency Department, Hospital Discharge
Carey K
Measuring the hospital length of stay/readmission cost trade-off under a bundled payment mechanism.
This paper investigates the relationship between length of stay and readmission within 30 days of discharge from an acute care hospitalization. It found that the cost of an additional day of stay was offset by expected cost savings from an avoided readmission in the range of 15 to 65 percent.
AHRQ-funded; HS020995.
Citation: Carey K .
Measuring the hospital length of stay/readmission cost trade-off under a bundled payment mechanism.
Health Econ 2015 Jul;24(7):790-802. doi: 10.1002/hec.3061..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization, Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Medicare
Baier RR, Wysocki A, Gravenstein S
A qualitative study of choosing home health care after hospitalization: the unintended consequences of 'patient choice' requirements.
The purpose of this qualitative study is to learn how quality reports are used when choosing home care. Focus groups with 13 home health consumers and interviews with 28 hospital case managers from five hospitals revealed that both groups were unaware of public reports about home care quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS021879
Citation: Baier RR, Wysocki A, Gravenstein S .
A qualitative study of choosing home health care after hospitalization: the unintended consequences of 'patient choice' requirements.
J Gen Intern Med. 2015 May;30(5):634-40. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-3164-7..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Elderly, Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care
Field TS, Ogarek J, Garber L
Association of early post-discharge follow-up by a primary care physician and 30-day rehospitalization among older adults.
The researchers aimed to determine whether an office visit with a primary care physician within 7 days after discharge is associated with 30-day rehospitalization. Of 3,661 patients discharged to home during the study year, 1,808 received an office visit within 7 days and of these, 1,000 were with a primary care physician. No protective effect for office visits within 7 days was found.
AHRQ-funded; HS017203.
Citation: Field TS, Ogarek J, Garber L .
Association of early post-discharge follow-up by a primary care physician and 30-day rehospitalization among older adults.
J Gen Intern Med 2015 May;30(5):565-71. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-3106-4..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Primary Care, Hospital Discharge, Elderly, Healthcare Costs
Nasarwanji N, Werner NE, Carl K
Identifying challenges associated with the care transition workflow from hospital to skilled home health care: perspectives of home health care agency providers.
The authors studied the workflow for transitioning older adults from the hospital to skilled home health care (SHHC). They found three overarching challenges to optimal care transitions: information access, coordination, and communication/teamwork. They recommended that future investigations test whether redesigning the transition from hospital to SHHC improves workflow and care quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS022916.
Citation: Nasarwanji N, Werner NE, Carl K .
Identifying challenges associated with the care transition workflow from hospital to skilled home health care: perspectives of home health care agency providers.
Home Health Care Serv Q 2015;34(3-4):185-203. doi: 10.1080/01621424.2015.1092908.
.
.
Keywords: Care Coordination, Elderly, Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care
Gabayan GZ, Sarkisian CA, Liang LJ
Predictors of admission after emergency department discharge in older adults.
The objective of this study was to identify the incidence and predictors of admissions to nonfederal California hospitals within 7 days of ED discharge of older Medicare beneficiaries. It found that five percent of older Medicare beneficiaries have a hospital inpatient admission after discharge from the ED, with chronic disease such as renal disease and heart failure being associated with the greatest odds of admission.
AHRQ-funded; HS18098.
Citation: Gabayan GZ, Sarkisian CA, Liang LJ .
Predictors of admission after emergency department discharge in older adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Jan;63(1):39-45. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13185..
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare
Albrecht JS, Gruber-Baldini AL, Hirshon JM
Hospital discharge instructions: comprehension and compliance among older adults.
The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to quantify the prevalence of non-comprehension and non-compliance with discharge instructions and to identify associated patient characteristics. The investigators concluded that non-comprehension of discharge instructions among older adults was prevalent, multi-factorial, and varies by domain.
AHRQ-funded; HS021068.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Gruber-Baldini AL, Hirshon JM .
Hospital discharge instructions: comprehension and compliance among older adults.
J Gen Intern Med 2014 Nov;29(11):1491-8. doi: 10.1007/s11606-014-2956-0..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Literacy, Hospital Discharge, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Goldman LE, Sarkar U, Kessell E
Support from hospital to home for elders: a randomized trial.
The researchers studied a peridischarge, nurse-led intervention combined with telephone follow-up designed to reduce readmissions among patients who were 55 or older. They found that the nurse-led, in-hospital discharge support intervention did not show a reduction in readmissions or ED visits among 700 diverse, low-income older adults at a safety-net hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS018090.
Citation: Goldman LE, Sarkar U, Kessell E .
Support from hospital to home for elders: a randomized trial.
Ann Intern Med 2014 Oct 7;161(7):472-81. doi: 10.7326/m14-0094..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Emergency Department, Elderly, Social Determinants of Health, Nursing
Mixon AS, Neal E, Bell S
Care transitions: a leverage point for safe and effective medication use in older adults--a mini-review.
The authors discuss medication adherence in older adults across the continuum of care, describing reasons for nonadherence, methods to assess adherence, and tools to improve adherence, with particular focus on emerging techniques and technologies.
AHRQ-funded; HS019598.
Citation: Mixon AS, Neal E, Bell S .
Care transitions: a leverage point for safe and effective medication use in older adults--a mini-review.
Gerontology 2015;61(1):32-40. doi: 10.1159/000363765.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Adherence/Compliance
Wang CY, Graham JE, Karmarkar AM
FIM motor scores for classifying community discharge after inpatient rehabilitation for hip fracture.
A major goal of this study was to identify which discharge functional independence measure (FIM)--total, motor, or cognition--best discriminates community versus institutional discharges. It found that the FIM motor scale yields the best overall discrimination of patients discharged to the community versus those discharged to an institution after inpatient rehabilitation for hip fracture.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Wang CY, Graham JE, Karmarkar AM .
FIM motor scores for classifying community discharge after inpatient rehabilitation for hip fracture.
PM & R 2014 Jun; 6(6):493-7. doi: 10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.12.008..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Injuries and Wounds, Elderly
Clancy CM
AHRQ Author: Clancy CM
New hospital readmission policy links financial and quality incentives.
This article describes AHRQ-related projects to reduce hospital readmissions, including Porject RED (Re-Engineered Discharge), Project BOOST (Better Outcomes for Older adults through Safe Transitions), and Patient Safety Organizations (PSOs).
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Clancy CM .
New hospital readmission policy links financial and quality incentives.
J Nurs Care Qual 2013 Jan-Mar;28(1):1-4. doi: 10.1097/NCQ.0b013e3182725d82.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Hospital Discharge, Patient Safety, Hospital Readmissions, Transitions of Care