National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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- Access to Care (12)
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- Cancer (1)
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- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Home Healthcare (1)
- Hospitalization (2)
- Hospitals (3)
- Implementation (3)
- Medicaid (2)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (1)
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- Newborns/Infants (1)
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- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (1)
- (-) Rural Health (23)
- Simulation (1)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Substance Abuse (4)
- Surgery (1)
- Teams (2)
- TeamSTEPPS (1)
- Telehealth (3)
- Urban Health (3)
- Vulnerable Populations (2)
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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
1 to 23 of 23 Research Studies DisplayedCE Kranz, AM DeYoreo, M
AHRQ Author: O'Hanlon
Access, quality, and financial performance of rural hospitals following health system affiliation.
This study examined the effect of a rural hospital affiliating itself with a health system. The comparison study used data from 2008 to 2017. A propensity score-weighted set of twelve measures were used on structure, utilization, financial performance, and quality. The rural hospitals that affiliated themselves with a health system experienced a significant reduction in on-site diagnostic imaging technologies, the availability of obstetric and primary care services, and outpatient nonemergency visits as well as a significant increase in operating margins. While these affiliations may help to keep a rural hospital open, it may also reduce access to services in these rural areas.
AHRQ-funded; HS024067.
Citation: CE Kranz, AM DeYoreo, M .
Access, quality, and financial performance of rural hospitals following health system affiliation.
Health Aff 2019 Dec;38(12):2095-104. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00918..
Keywords: Provider Performance, Quality of Care, Hospitals, Rural Health
Salvador J, Bhatt S, Fowler R
Engagement with Project ECHO to increase medication-assisted treatment in rural primary care.
The purpose of this study was to understand the barriers and facilitators that affect engagement with Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) to implement medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in primary care settings. This brief report identified key systematic challenges that may directly limit primary care providers' engagement in telementoring models such as Project ECHO.
AHRQ-funded; HS025345.
Citation: Salvador J, Bhatt S, Fowler R .
Engagement with Project ECHO to increase medication-assisted treatment in rural primary care.
Psychiatr Serv 2019 Dec;70(12):1157-60. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201900142..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Primary Care, Rural Health, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Kirby JB, Zuvekas SH, Borsky AE
AHRQ Author: Kirby JB, Zuvekas SH, Borsky AE, Ngo-Metzger Q.
Rural residents with mental health needs have fewer care visits than urban counterparts.
This analysis compared the number of adults with mental health needs living in rural areas compared to those in urban areas. A nationally representative sample of adults showed that there were fewer ambulatory mental health visits for rural residents, even with those already on prescription medications for mental health conditions.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kirby JB, Zuvekas SH, Borsky AE .
Rural residents with mental health needs have fewer care visits than urban counterparts.
Health Aff 2019 Dec;38(12):2057-60. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00369..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Rural Health, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Germack HD, Kandrack R, Martsolf GR
When rural hospitals close, the physician workforce goes.
Researchers examined the relationship between rural hospital closures and the supply of physicians across different specialties in the years leading up to and after a closure. They observed significant annual reductions in the supply of general surgeons in the years leading up to a closure. They also found that rural hospital closures were associated with immediate and persistent decreases in the supply of surgical specialists and long-term decreases in the supply of physicians across multiple specialties. Because this decrease could lead to reduced access to care for rural residents, they recommended that future policy efforts focus on supporting and maintaining health care delivery models that do not depend on hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Germack HD, Kandrack R, Martsolf GR .
When rural hospitals close, the physician workforce goes.
Health Aff 2019 Dec;38(12):2086-94. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00916..
Keywords: Rural Health, Hospitals, Workforce, Provider: Physician, Provider
Vakkalanka JP, Harland KK, Wittrock A
Telemedicine is associated with rapid transfer and fewer involuntary holds among patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural hospitals: a propensity matched cohort study.
The purpose of this retrospective propensity-matched cohort study was to evaluate the impact of telemedicine in clinical management and patient outcomes of patients presenting to rural critical access hospital emergency departments (EDs) with suicidal ideation or attempt. The authors suggest that the role of telemedicine in influencing access, quality and efficiency of care in underserved rural hospitals is critically important as these networks become more prevalent in rural healthcare environments.
AHRQ-funded; HS025753.
Citation: Vakkalanka JP, Harland KK, Wittrock A .
Telemedicine is associated with rapid transfer and fewer involuntary holds among patients presenting with suicidal ideation in rural hospitals: a propensity matched cohort study.
J Epidemiol Community Health 2019 Nov;73(11):1033-39. doi: 10.1136/jech-2019-212623..
Keywords: Telehealth, Rural Health, Access to Care, Behavioral Health, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Care Management, Outcomes, Emergency Department
Sockolow PS, Bass EJ, Ynag Y
Availability and quality of information used by nurses while admitting patients to a rural home health care agency.
This study investigated the availability and quality of information used by nurses in a rural home health care agency during patient admission. Twelve in-home admissions were observed and the nurses were interviewed before and after the admissions process. Content and quality of documents available to the nurses was analyzed and needed documents were not uniformly present. They rarely received visit pattern or medication management information. These results show the need for a high quality electronic health record system.
AHRQ-funded; HS024537.
Citation: Sockolow PS, Bass EJ, Ynag Y .
Availability and quality of information used by nurses while admitting patients to a rural home health care agency.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2019 Aug 21;264:798-802. doi: 10.3233/shti190333..
Keywords: Rural Health, Home Healthcare, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Provider: Nurse, Provider
Cochran G, Cole ES, Warwick J
Rural access to MAT in Pennsylvania (RAMP): a hybrid implementation study protocol for medication assisted treatment adoption among rural primary care providers.
This paper reports the design and protocol of an implementation study seeking to advance availability of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid use disorder (OUD) in rural Pennsylvania counties for patients insured by Medicaid in primary care settings. Results showed an urgent need in the US to expand access to high quality, evidence-based OUD treatment, particularly in rural areas where capacity is limited for service delivery, in order to improve patient health and protect lives. Further, results of this study will provide needed evidence in the field for appropriate methods for implementing MAT among a large number of rural primary care providers.
AHRQ-funded; HS025072.
Citation: Cochran G, Cole ES, Warwick J .
Rural access to MAT in Pennsylvania (RAMP): a hybrid implementation study protocol for medication assisted treatment adoption among rural primary care providers.
Addict Sci Clin Pract 2019 Aug 1;14(1):25. doi: 10.1186/s13722-019-0154-4..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Rural Health, Medication, Access to Care, Implementation, Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery, Medicaid
Cole ES, DiDomenico E, Cochran G
The role of primary care in improving access to medication-assisted treatment for rural Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder.
The authors examined the degree to which rural residents with opioid use disorder (OUD) are engaged with primary care providers (PCPs); they also described the role of rural PCPs in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) delivery, and estimated the association between enrollee distance to MAT prescribers and MAT utilization. They concluded that PCP utilization among rural Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with OUD is high, presenting a potential intervention point to treat OUD, particularly if the enrollee's PCP is located nearer than their MAT prescriber.
AHRQ-funded; HS025072.
Citation: Cole ES, DiDomenico E, Cochran G .
The role of primary care in improving access to medication-assisted treatment for rural Medicaid enrollees with opioid use disorder.
J Gen Intern Med 2019 Jun;34(6):936-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-04943-6..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Rural Health, Medication, Access to Care, Implementation, Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery, Medicaid
Spees LP, Brewster WR, Varia MA
Examining urban and rural differences in how distance to care influences the initiation and completion of treatment among insured cervical cancer patients.
Although rural cancer patients encounter substantial barriers to care, they more often report receiving timely care than urban patients. In this study, the investigators examined whether geographic distance, a contributor to urban-rural health disparities, differentially influenced treatment initiation and completion among insured urban and rural cervical cancer patients. The investigators found that geographic distance differentially influenced the initiation and completion of treatment among urban and rural cervical cancer patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, Brewster WR, Varia MA .
Examining urban and rural differences in how distance to care influences the initiation and completion of treatment among insured cervical cancer patients.
Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2019 May;28(5):882-89. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.Epi-18-0945..
Keywords: Rural Health, Urban Health, Disparities, Access to Care, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Cancer
Bond WF, Barker LT, Cooley KL
A simple low-cost method to integrate telehealth interprofessional team members during in situ simulation.
This article describes the integration of remote telehealth electronic intensive care unit (eICU) personnel into in situ simulations with rural emergency department (ED) care teams and the technical challenges of creating shared awareness of the patient's condition and the care team's progress among the care team, the eICU, and those running the simulation. The purpose of the simulations was to introduce telehealth technology and new processes of engaging the eICU via telehealth during sepsis care in rural EDs; development of the scenarios included experts in sepsis, telehealth, and emergency medicine. A shared in situ simulation clinical actions observational checklist was created using an off-the-shelf survey software program. The checklist was completed during the simulations by an onsite observer, and shared with the eICU team via teleconferencing software to and cue eICU nurse engagement. Staff from the two EDs were engaged and an eICU nurse participated in debriefing via the telehealth video system.
AHRQ-funded; HS024027.
Citation: Bond WF, Barker LT, Cooley KL .
A simple low-cost method to integrate telehealth interprofessional team members during in situ simulation.
Simul Healthc 2019 Apr;14(2):129-36. doi: 10.1097/sih.0000000000000357..
Keywords: Critical Care, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Emergency Department, Health Information Technology (HIT), Rural Health, Simulation, Teams, Telehealth
Reid R, Rising E, Kaufman A
The influence of a place-based foundation and a public university in growing a rural health workforce.
This article describes a partnership between a private, place-based foundation and the University of New Mexico's Office for Community Health. The university’s resources and the JF Maddox Foundation’s entrepreneurial nature, discretionary grant-making, and local convening capabilities combined to an innovative approach for addressing an acute shortage in the local health care delivery workforce in an isolated, rural setting in New Mexico. Results included a significant increase in recruitment of key health care professionals, a more cohesive medical community, a school-based clinic, and support for other community challenges such as the prevention of teen pregnancy.
AHRQ-funded; HS023904.
Citation: Reid R, Rising E, Kaufman A .
The influence of a place-based foundation and a public university in growing a rural health workforce.
J Community Health 2019 Apr;44(2):292-96. doi: 10.1007/s10900-018-0585-y..
Keywords: Access to Care, Community-Based Practice, Community Partnerships, Rural Health, Workforce
Gore MO, Krantz MJ, Albright K
A controlled trial of mobile short message service among participants in a rural cardiovascular disease prevention program.
Researchers with the Colorado Healthy Heart Solutions (CHHS) program conducted a pilot trial to see determine if the use of mobile phone SMS (text messages) improves cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk profiles for the medically underserved population it serves. Results showed that for most outcomes there was no statistical significance between the intervention and control groups for all but self-reported fat intake.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Gore MO, Krantz MJ, Albright K .
A controlled trial of mobile short message service among participants in a rural cardiovascular disease prevention program.
Prev Med Rep 2019 Mar;13:126-31. doi: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.11.021..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Rural Health
Ray KN, Demirci JR, Uscher-Pines L
Geographic access to international board-certified lactation consultants in Pennsylvania.
The goals of this study were to assess geographic access to international board-certified lactation consultants in Pennsylvania, to compare access in rural vs. urban counties, and to compare access by county-level breastfeeding initiation rates. Researchers used geographic information systems methodology and a cross-sectional observational design to calculate the proportion of all young children, children in urban and rural counties, children in counties with low, medium, and high breastfeeding initiation rates who lived within specific distances of board-certified lactation consultants in Pennsylvania. Comparisons were made to answer the research goals. While the results indicate that most Pennsylvania children live in proximity to a board-certified lactation consultant, a lower percentage of children in rural counties and in counties with lower breastfeeding rates do.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Ray KN, Demirci JR, Uscher-Pines L .
Geographic access to international board-certified lactation consultants in Pennsylvania.
J Hum Lact 2019 Feb;35(1):90-99. doi: 10.1177/0890334418768458..
Keywords: Access to Care, Breast Feeding, Newborns/Infants, Rural Health
Spees LP, Wheeler SB, Varia M
Evaluating the urban-rural paradox: the complicated relationship between distance and the receipt of guideline-concordant care among cervical cancer patients.
A recent study suggests that the distance to reach care may affect urban and rural cancer patients differentially; the authors of this article examined whether or not this urban-rural paradox exists among cervical cancer patients. Patients diagnosed with cervical cancer from 2004 to 2013 were identified via a statewide cancer registry linked to multi-payer insurance claims. 62% of the cervical cancer patients received guideline-concordant care. The association between distance and receipt of care differed by type of treatment. The authors conclude that there is evidence supporting the urban-rural paradox.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Spees LP, Wheeler SB, Varia M .
Evaluating the urban-rural paradox: the complicated relationship between distance and the receipt of guideline-concordant care among cervical cancer patients.
Gynecol Oncol 2019 Jan;152(1):112-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2018.11.010.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Cancer: Cervical Cancer, Disparities, Evidence-Based Practice, Rural Health, Urban Health
Mueller LR, Donnelly JP, Jacobson KE
National characteristics of emergency medical services in frontier and remote areas.
This study sought to describe the national characteristics and outcomes of EMS care provided in frontier and remote (FAR) areas in the continental United States (US). It found that FAR responses were more likely to be of American Indian or Alaska Native race. Age, ethnicity, location type, and clinical impressions were similar between FAR and non-FAR responses. On-scene death was more likely in FAR than non-FAR responses.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Mueller LR, Donnelly JP, Jacobson KE .
National characteristics of emergency medical services in frontier and remote areas.
Prehosp Emerg Care 2016;20(2):191-9. doi: 10.3109/10903127.2015.1086846.
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Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Rural Health, Provider: Health Personnel, Health Services Research (HSR), Outcomes
Jarman MP, Castillo RC
Rural risk: geographic disparities in trauma mortality.
The authors sought to quantify differences in injury mortality comparing rural and nonrural residents with traumatic injuries. They concluded that rural residents are significantly more likely than nonrural residents to die after traumatic injury, a disparity that varies by trauma center designation, injury severity, and US Census region.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Jarman MP, Castillo RC .
Rural risk: geographic disparities in trauma mortality.
Surgery 2016 Dec;160(6):1551-59. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2016.06.020.
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Keywords: Access to Care, Disparities, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Rural Health
Caldwell JT, Ford CL, Wallace SP
Intersection of living in a rural versus urban area and race/ethnicity in explaining access to health care in the United States.
The researchers examined whether living in a rural versus urban area differentially exposes populations to social conditions associated with disparities in access to health care. They cocluded that rural status confers additional disadvantage for most of the health care use measures, independently of poverty and health care supply.
AHRQ-funded; HS022811.
Citation: Caldwell JT, Ford CL, Wallace SP .
Intersection of living in a rural versus urban area and race/ethnicity in explaining access to health care in the United States.
Am J Public Health 2016 Aug;106(8):1463-9. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2016.303212.
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Keywords: Rural Health, Urban Health, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Access to Care, Social Determinants of Health
Zhu X, Baloh J, Ward MM
Deliberation makes a difference: preparation strategies for TeamSTEPPS implementation in small and rural hospitals.
The researchers studied the implementation of TeamSTEPPS in 14 critical access hospitals, proposing five strategic preparation steps for TeamSTEPPS. They discussed potential steps that hospitals may take to better prepare for TeamSTEPPS implementation.
AHRQ-funded; HS024112; HS018396.
Citation: Zhu X, Baloh J, Ward MM .
Deliberation makes a difference: preparation strategies for TeamSTEPPS implementation in small and rural hospitals.
Med Care Res Rev 2016 Jun;73(3):283-307. doi: 10.1177/1077558715607349.
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Keywords: TeamSTEPPS, Teams, Rural Health, Hospitals, Implementation, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Davis MM, Spurlock M, Dulacki K
Disparities in alcohol, drug use, and mental health condition prevalence and access to care in rural, isolated, and reservation areas: Findings from the South Dakota Health Survey.
The authors studied alcohol, drug use, and mental health (ADM) condition prevalence and access to care across diverse geographies in a predominantly rural state. They concluded that geographic disparities in ADM conditions are related to differences in access as opposed to prevalence, particularly for individuals in isolated and reservation areas.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Davis MM, Spurlock M, Dulacki K .
Disparities in alcohol, drug use, and mental health condition prevalence and access to care in rural, isolated, and reservation areas: Findings from the South Dakota Health Survey.
J Rural Health 2016 Jun;32(3):287-302. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12157.
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Keywords: Disparities, Behavioral Health, Rural Health, Access to Care, Substance Abuse
Peltz A, Wu CL, White ML
Characteristics of rural children admitted to pediatric hospitals.
The researchers assessed characteristics and hospitalizations of rural children admitted to US children's hospitals in 2012. They found that rural children more often resided in low-income ZIP codes and Health Professional Shortage Areas; they further noted that rural children had a higher prevalence of complex chronic conditions and medical technology assistance. Rural children also experienced higher inpatient costs and higher odds of 30-day readmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS023092.
Citation: Peltz A, Wu CL, White ML .
Characteristics of rural children admitted to pediatric hospitals.
Pediatrics 2016 May;137(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3156.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Hospitalization, Children/Adolescents, Rural Health, Vulnerable Populations
Smith MW, Owens PL, Andrews RM
AHRQ Author: Owens PL, Andrews RM, Steiner CA
Differences in severity at admission for heart failure between rural and urban patients: the value of adding laboratory results to administrative data.
This study’s main objective was to examine the role of laboratory test results in measuring disease severity at the time of admission for inpatients who reside in rural and urban areas. It concluded that heart failure patients from rural areas are hospitalized at lower severity levels than their urban counterparts. Laboratory test data provide insight on clinical severity and practice patterns beyond what is available in administrative discharge data.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 29020060009.
Citation: Smith MW, Owens PL, Andrews RM .
Differences in severity at admission for heart failure between rural and urban patients: the value of adding laboratory results to administrative data.
BMC Health Serv Res 2016 Apr 18;16(1):133. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1380-z.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Hospitalization, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Rural Health
Weintraub JA, Burgette JM, Chadwick DG
Educating North Carolina's oral health workforce in an evolving environment.
In 2014, North Carolina had 4,681 actively practicing dentists and ranked 47th among US states in dentist-to-population ratio. The need for dentists is increasing as the population grows, and underserved areas persist. This commentary discusses the impact of the state's 2 dental schools and external factors on dental workforce trends.
AHRQ-funded; HS000032.
Citation: Weintraub JA, Burgette JM, Chadwick DG .
Educating North Carolina's oral health workforce in an evolving environment.
N C Med J 2016 Mar-Apr;77(2):107-11. doi: 10.18043/ncm.77.2.107..
Keywords: Dental and Oral Health, Education, Access to Care, Rural Health, Vulnerable Populations
Singh JA, Ramachandaran R
Does rural residence impact total ankle arthroplasty utilization and outcomes?
The objective of this study was to compare total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) utilization and outcomes by patient residence. It demonstrated an absence of any evidence of rural-urban differences in TAA outcomes. The rural-urban differences in TAA utilization noted in 2003 were no longer significant in 2011.
AHRQ-funded; HS021110.
Citation: Singh JA, Ramachandaran R .
Does rural residence impact total ankle arthroplasty utilization and outcomes?
Clin Rheumatol 2016 Feb;35(2):381-6. doi: 10.1007/s10067-015-2908-z.
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Keywords: Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs), Rural Health, Surgery, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Healthcare Utilization