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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
76 to 100 of 387 Research Studies DisplayedNazareno J, Zhang W, Silver B
Home health utilization in assisted living settings.
The authors explored the growth in the delivery of home health agency (HHA) services to Medicare beneficiaries in assisted living (AL) compared with other home settings between 2012 and 2014. Their findings suggested that there was a slight growth in the share of HHA services being delivered in AL. HHA recipients in AL were more likely to have cognitive and activities of daily living impairments than those receiving HHA services in other settings. This study is among the first of those to examine HHA utilization in AL.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Nazareno J, Zhang W, Silver B .
Home health utilization in assisted living settings.
Med Care Res Rev 2020 Dec;77(6):620-29. doi: 10.1177/1077558719835049..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Medicare, Healthcare Utilization
Geissler K, Ranchoff BL, Cooper MI
Association of insurance status with provision of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits.
Investigators examined rates of recommended services during the comprehensive postpartum visits and differences by insurance type. Data was taken from annual National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys. Their findings suggested that receipt of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits was less than 50% for most services and was similar across insurance types. These findings underscored the importance of efforts to reconceptualize postpartum care to ensure that women have access to a range of supports to manage their health during this sensitive period.
AHRQ-funded; HS025515.
Citation: Geissler K, Ranchoff BL, Cooper MI .
Association of insurance status with provision of recommended services during comprehensive postpartum visits.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025095. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25095..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization
Shah AN, Auger KA, Sucharew HJ
Effect of parental adverse childhood experiences and resilience on a child's healthcare reutilization.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor health outcomes in adults. Resilience may mitigate this effect. There is limited evidence regarding how parents' ACEs and resilience may be associated with their children's health outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the association of parental ACEs and resilience with their child's risk of unanticipated healthcare reutilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735; HS026393.
Citation: Shah AN, Auger KA, Sucharew HJ .
Effect of parental adverse childhood experiences and resilience on a child's healthcare reutilization.
J Hosp Med 2020 Nov;15(11):645-51. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3396..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Family Health and History, Healthcare Utilization
Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
This study looked at outcomes from reducing behavioral health care Medicare coinsurance from 50% to 20% from 2009 to 2013. The sample of patients looked at included some diagnosed with SMI (serious mental illness) including schizophrenia, bipolar, or major depressive disorder). Data analysis was performed on 793,275 beneficiaries with SMI in 2008 and compared them with costs in 2013. The mean adjusted out-of-pocket costs for outpatient behavioral care decreased from $132 annually to $64, but the number of visits only increased slightly. No association was found between cost-sharing reductions and changes in behavioral health care visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS024725.
Citation: Fung V, Price M, Nierenberg AA .
Assessment of behavioral health services use among low-income Medicare beneficiaries after reductions in coinsurance fees.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2019854. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19854..
Keywords: Medicare, Health Insurance, Depression, Behavioral Health, Low-Income, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Wu SS, Bellantoni m, Weiner JP
Geriatric syndrome risk factors among hospitalized postacute Medicare patients.
The purpose of this study was to assess the association of geriatric syndrome risk factors with postacute utilization among hospitalized Medicare patients (both Medicare Advantage [MA] and fee-for-service [FFS] cohorts) and to examine patterns of postacute care for MA and FFS cohorts with high geriatric syndrome risk. The investigators found that geriatric syndrome risk factors not only play a role in postacute care and inpatient utilization in MA and FFS cohorts but also explain different utilizations between MA and FFS cohorts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wu SS, Bellantoni m, Weiner JP .
Geriatric syndrome risk factors among hospitalized postacute Medicare patients.
Am J Manag Care 2020 Oct;26(10):e319-e26. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2020.88505..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Elderly, Medicare, Risk, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization
Ramgopal S, Aronson PL, Marin JR
United States' emergency department visits for fever by young children 2007-2017.
The authors estimated rates of emergency department (ED) visits for fever by children less than 2 years of age and evaluated frequencies of testing and treatment during these visits. They found that, given existing guidelines, blood and urine culture performance was low for infants up to 90 days old. For children 91 days up to 2 years, rates of radiography and antibiotic use were higher in general EDs compared to pediatric EDs. They concluded that their findings suggest opportunities to improve care among febrile young children in the ED.
AHRQ-funded; HS026006.
Citation: Ramgopal S, Aronson PL, Marin JR .
United States' emergency department visits for fever by young children 2007-2017.
West J Emerg Med 2020 Oct 27;21(6):146-51. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2020.8.47455..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization
Riddle SW, Sherman SN, Moore MJ
A qualitative study of increased pediatric reutilization after a postdischarge home nurse visit.
The Hospital to Home Outcomes (H2O) trial was a 2-arm, randomized controlled trial that assessed the effects of a nurse home visit after a pediatric hospital discharge. Children randomized to the intervention had higher 30-day postdischarge reutilization rates compared with those with standard discharge. The investigators sought to understand perspectives on why postdischarge home nurse visits resulted in higher reutilization rates and to elicit suggestions on how to improve future interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Riddle SW, Sherman SN, Moore MJ .
A qualitative study of increased pediatric reutilization after a postdischarge home nurse visit.
J Hosp Med 2020 Sep;15(9):518-25. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3370..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals
Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB, Ali MM
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB
Medicaid expansion and health insurance coverage and treatment utilization among individuals with a mental health condition.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Zuvekas SH, McClellan CB, Ali MM .
Medicaid expansion and health insurance coverage and treatment utilization among individuals with a mental health condition.
J Ment Health Policy Econ 2020 Sep 1;23(3):151-82..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Behavioral Health, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Uninsured
Smith LB, Desai NR, Dowd B
Patient and provider-level factors associated with changes in utilization of treatments in response to evidence on ineffectiveness or harm.
High-quality health care not only includes timely access to effective new therapies but timely abandonment of therapies when they are found to be ineffective or unsafe. Little is known about changes in use of medications after they are shown to be ineffective or unsafe. In this study, the investigators examined changes in use of two medications: fenofibrate, which was found to be ineffective when used with statins among patients with Type 2 diabetes (ACCORD lipid trial); and dronedarone, which was found to be unsafe in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (PALLAS trial).
AHRQ-funded; HS025164.
Citation: Smith LB, Desai NR, Dowd B .
Patient and provider-level factors associated with changes in utilization of treatments in response to evidence on ineffectiveness or harm.
Int J Health Econ Manag 2020 Sep;20(3):299-317. doi: 10.1007/s10754-020-09282-2..
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety, Quality of Care
Wu S, Mulcahy J, Kasper JD
Comparing survey-based frailty assessment to Medicare claims in predicting health outcomes and utilization in Medicare beneficiaries.
The purpose of this study was to assess two models for the prediction of health utilization and functions using standardized in-person assessments of frailty and administrative claims-based geriatric risk measures among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years and above. Outcomes of hospitalizations, death, and functional help were investigated for participants in the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wu S, Mulcahy J, Kasper JD .
Comparing survey-based frailty assessment to Medicare claims in predicting health outcomes and utilization in Medicare beneficiaries.
J Aging Health 2020 Aug-Sep;32(7-8):764-77. doi: 10.1177/0898264319851995..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Risk
Iyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
This study examined end-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who died during the period 2013-2014. Data on 146,240 decedents with COPD was investigated from 306 hospital referral regions (HRRs). The overall spending during the last 2 years of life varied significantly nationwide. Inpatient care accounted for 40.2% of spending, with 82% of decedents admitted to the hospital for 13.7±3.1 days and 55%±11% admitted to an intensive care unit for 3-7 days. Skilled nursing facilities accounted for 11.6% of spending and were utilized by 31-45% of decedents for 14-23 days. Hospitals were utilized by 39-56% of decedents and accounted for 10.3% of spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Iyer AS, Goodrich CA, Dransfield MT .
End-of-life spending and healthcare utilization among older adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Am J Med 2020 Jul;133(7):817-24.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2019.11.024..
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Utilization, Respiratory Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Palliative Care
Kubi B, Enumah ZO, Lee KT
Theory-based development of an implementation intervention using community health workers to increase palliative care use.
This study used the Behavior Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework models to help design an implementation intervention using community health workers (CHWs) to increase palliative care use in African American communities. There were two phases to the study. In Phase 1, focus group sessions were conducted to identify barriers and facilitators of palliative care use. Phase 2 consisted of a stakeholder meeting to select intervention content and prioritize modes of delivery after applying the framework. There were 15 stakeholders total that participated in the study. Interventions identified were designed to improve patient capability and motivation, physician capability and motivation, and increase patient opportunities to use palliative care services. The strategies were all facilitated by CHWs and included creation and dissemination of brochures, empowerment and activation of patients to initiate goals-of-care discussions, outreach to community churches, and expanding patient social support.
AHRQ-funded; HS024736.
Citation: Kubi B, Enumah ZO, Lee KT .
Theory-based development of an implementation intervention using community health workers to increase palliative care use.
J Pain Symptom Manage 2020 Jul;60(1):10-19. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2020.02.009..
Keywords: Community-Based Practice, Palliative Care, Healthcare Utilization, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Implementation, Disparities, Healthcare Delivery
Martsolf GR, Nuckols TK, Fingar KR
AHRQ Author: Stocks C, Owens PL
Nonspecific chest pain and hospital revisits within 7 days of care: variation across emergency department, observation and inpatient visits.
The purpose of this study was to compare the rate at which patients with nonspecific chest pain return to the hospital within 7 days after index observation visits versus after index emergency department and inpatient visits. Findings showed that up to 1 in 10 patients discharged with nonspecific chest pain returned to the hospital within 1week. Compared with emergency department and inpatient care, observation visits were associated with lower revisit rates. Recommendations include further research to refine clinical standards of care for nonspecific chest pain as well as to investigate the healthcare delivery and patient factors that influence 7-day revisit rates.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Martsolf GR, Nuckols TK, Fingar KR .
Nonspecific chest pain and hospital revisits within 7 days of care: variation across emergency department, observation and inpatient visits.
BMC Health Serv Res 2020 Jun 8;20(1):516. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05200-x..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Department, Pain, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether administration of antenatal late-preterm betamethasone was cost-effective in the immediate neonatal period. Cost-effectiveness analysis of late-preterm betamethasone administration with a time horizon of 7.5 days was conducted using a health-system perspective The investigators concluded that administration of betamethasone in the late-preterm period was likely not cost-effective in the short-term.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K .
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020 Jun;33(12):2109-15. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1540582..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Newborns/Infants, Pregnancy, Respiratory Conditions, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo BL, Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo R, Luo Y
Identifying tests related to breast cancer care in claims data.
The goal of this study was to develop a method for calculating rates of testing for breast cancer recurrence in patients who have already undergone initial treatment for breast cancer. Rates were calculated from a cohort of Medicare breast cancer patients and an age-matched noncancer cohort. They calculated testing rates in the breast cancer cohort above the background rate in the noncancer population. There were similar estimates of testing prevalence and frequency in the two groups, with exception of prevalence of computed tomography (CT).
AHRQ-funded; HS024936.
Citation: Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo BL, Franc BL, Thombley R, Luo R, Luo Y .
Identifying tests related to breast cancer care in claims data.
Breast J 2020 Jun;26(6):1227-30. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13691..
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Healthcare Utilization
Coon ER, Stoddard G, Brady PW
Intensive care unit utilization after adoption of a ward-based high-flow nasal cannula protocol.
This study examined whether the adoption of ward-based high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) protocol in pediatric intensive care units (ICUs) reduced ICU utilization. This retrospective cohort study included infants aged 3 to 24 months hospitalized with bronchiolitis at hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database. There was a 93% response rate with the 44 hospitals contacted for the survey, of which 18 were categorized as non-adopting hospitals and 12 were categorized as adopting hospitals. Ward-based HFNC protocol data were included from the 2010-2011 and 2015-2016 respiratory seasons. Early protocols were paradoxically associated with increased ICU utilization.
AHRQ-funded; HS023827.
Citation: Coon ER, Stoddard G, Brady PW .
Intensive care unit utilization after adoption of a ward-based high-flow nasal cannula protocol.
J Hosp Med 2020 Jun;15(6):325-30. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3417..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Respiratory Conditions, Healthcare Utilization, Newborns/Infants, Inpatient Care
Taylor WM, Lu Y, Wang S
Long-term healthcare utilization by Medicaid enrolled children with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate healthcare utilization in Medicaid enrolled children with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the first 2 years of life. The investigators concluded that a diagnosis of NAS did not appear to be an independent predictor of increased healthcare utilization in the first 2 years of life. They indicated that their results differed from some other published studies.
AHRQ-funded; HS022941.
Citation: Taylor WM, Lu Y, Wang S .
Long-term healthcare utilization by Medicaid enrolled children with neonatal abstinence syndrome.
J Pediatr 2020 Jun;221:55-63.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.02.077..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Utilization, Medicaid, Newborns/Infants, Substance Abuse
Freeman RE, Boggs KM, Zachrison KS
National study of telepsychiatry use in U.S. emergency departments.
This study examined the use of telepsychiatry in US emergency departments (EDs). A survey was conducted of all 5,375 US EDs in 2016. The survey found that about 20% reported receiving telepsychiatry. EDs that utilized telepsychiatry the most tended to have higher annual total visit volumes, rural location, and Critical Access Hospital designation. Autonomous freestanding EDs tended to have a lower likelihood of telepsychiatry use. The majority (59%) reported telepsychiatry as their only form of emergency psychiatric services and 25% received services at least once a day. The most common uses were admission or discharge decisions (80%) and transfer coordination (76%).
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Freeman RE, Boggs KM, Zachrison KS .
National study of telepsychiatry use in U.S. emergency departments.
Psychiatr Serv 2020 Jun;71(6):540-46. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201900237..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Behavioral Health, Healthcare Utilization
Maclean JC, Halpern MT, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Hill SC
The effect of Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for breast cancer hormonal therapy medications.
The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for effective breast cancer hormonal therapies (tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors) among Medicaid enrollees. Data from the Medicaid State Drug Utilization Database was used. Findings showed that Medicaid expansion may have had a meaningful impact on the ability of lower-income women to access effective hormonal therapies used to treat breast cancer.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Maclean JC, Halpern MT, Hill SC .
The effect of Medicaid expansion on prescriptions for breast cancer hormonal therapy medications.
Health Serv Res 2020 Jun;55(3):399-410. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13289..
Keywords: Medicaid, Cancer: Breast Cancer, Cancer, Medication, Policy, Women, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Health Insurance
Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
The authors developed a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the U.S. Population and what can happen to every person who gets infected with COVID-19. The goal was to estimate resource use and direct medical costs per infection at the national level at different infection rates. They found that a single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs. If 80% of the population got infected it would cost $654.0 billion in direct costs during the course of the pandemic. If 20% were to become infected, direct costs are estimated at $163.4 billion.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA .
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
Health Aff 2020 Jun;39(6):927-35. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, COVID-19, Healthcare Utilization
Bailey SR, Marino M, Ezekiel-Herrera D
Tobacco cessation in Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion states versus non-expansion states.
This study examined whether states that expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA had increased smoking quit rates, tobacco cessation medication orders, and greater health care utilization compared to patients in non-expansion states. The researchers used electronic health record (EHR) data from 219 community health centers (CHCs) in 10 states that expanded Medicaid as of January 2014. They identified patients aged 19-64 with tobacco use status in their records within six months prior to ACA Medicaid expansion and 1 or more visits. They found that patients in expansion states had increased adjusted odds of quitting, having a medication ordered and having follow-up visits compared to patients in non-expansion states.
AHRQ-funded; HS024270.
Citation: Bailey SR, Marino M, Ezekiel-Herrera D .
Tobacco cessation in Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion states versus non-expansion states.
Nicotine Tob Res 2020 Jun;22(6):1016-22. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz087..
Keywords: Tobacco Use: Smoking Cessation, Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse, Medication, Medicaid, Policy, Healthcare Utilization, Access to Care, Health Insurance
Kochhar A, Zhang Y, Fisher L
Analysis of the operative utilization of concurrent rhinoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery.
Investigators sought to quantify and analyze the concurrent performance of rhinoplasty (RP) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) using cases from the State Ambulatory Surgery Databases of California, Florida, Maryland, and New York. They found that RP with FESS more frequently involved fewer sinuses and was also less likely to involve revision rhinoplasty. Procedures combining the two had a reduction in operating room time compared to the hypothetical sum of two standalone procedures.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Kochhar A, Zhang Y, Fisher L .
Analysis of the operative utilization of concurrent rhinoplasty and endoscopic sinus surgery.
Laryngoscope 2020 May;130(5):E311-E119. doi: 10.1002/lary.28031..
Keywords: Surgery, Respiratory Conditions, Healthcare Utilization
Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine differences in utilization across health care settings among children by body mass index (BMI) categories to help identify opportunities for interventions. The authors concluded that the children's BMI categories were associated with health care utilization, specifically primary care visits, ED visits, and hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS024332.
Citation: Kovalerchik O, Powers E, Holland ML .
Differences in frequency of visits to pediatric primary care practices and emergency departments by body mass index.
Acad Pediatr 2020 May-Jun;20(4):532-39. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2019.12.011..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Primary Care, Emergency Department, Obesity, Healthcare Utilization
Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California, increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in sickle cell disease (SCD). Findings showed that Medicaid expansion did not appear to have improved enrollment or acute healthcare utilization among individuals with SCD in California. Recommendations included future studies exploring whether individuals with SCD transitioned to other insurance plans or became uninsured post-expansion, the underlying reasons for low hydroxyurea utilization, and the lack of effect on hospital admissions despite a modest effect on emergency department visits.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011; HS025297.
Citation: Kayle M, Valle J, Paulukonis S .
Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.
Pediatr Blood Cancer 2020 May;67(5):e28152. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28152..
Keywords: Sickle Cell Disease, Medicaid, Access to Care, Healthcare Utilization, Medication, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Investigators evaluated variation in the availability of primary care new patient appointments for Medi-Cal (California Medicaid) enrollees in Northern California and its relationship to emergency department (ED) use after Medicaid expansion. Data from the California Health Interview Survey, Medi-Cal enrollment reports, and California hospital discharge records were used. The investigators found that access to primary care in Northern California was limited for new patient Medi-Cal enrollees and varied across counties, despite standard statewide reimbursement rates. Further, counties with more limited access to primary care new patient appointments had higher ED use by Medi-Cal enrollees.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Melnikow J, Evans E, Xing G .
Primary care access to new patient appointments for California Medicaid enrollees: a simulated patient study.
Ann Fam Med 2020 May;18(3):210-17. doi: 10.1370/afm.2502..
Keywords: Primary Care, Access to Care, Medicaid, Health Insurance, Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization