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
- Adverse Events (2)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (2)
- Antibiotics (1)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Caregiving (4)
- Case Study (1)
- (-) Children/Adolescents (19)
- Chronic Conditions (2)
- Clinician-Patient Communication (1)
- Communication (2)
- Data (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Emergency Department (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (2)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Hospital Readmissions (1)
- Hospitals (2)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Medication (1)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Newborns/Infants (1)
- Nutrition (1)
- Outcomes (2)
- Palliative Care (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3)
- Patient and Family Engagement (1)
- Patient Safety (4)
- Provider (3)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Physician (2)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
- Risk (2)
- Shared Decision Making (3)
- Sleep Problems (1)
- (-) Surgery (19)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- Transplantation (2)
- Trauma (1)
- Vaccination (1)
- Workflow (1)
- Young Adults (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 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedCzosek RJ, Anderson JB, Baskar S
Predictors and outcomes of heart block during surgical stage I palliation of patients with a single ventricle: a report from the NPC-QIC.
This study investigated patient and surgical risks of heart block and its effect on 12-month transplant-free survival in children with a single ventricle. In total, 1423 patients were identified from the National Pediatric Cardiology Improvement Collaborative with and without heart block. One-year outcomes were analyzed. A very small percentage (2%) developed heart block during their surgical admission. Associated risk factors for block included heterotaxy syndrome and atrial flutter/fibrillation. Patients with complete heart block had lower 12-month survival, which wasn’t true for patients with second degree block. At 12 months of age, 43% of patients with heart block died and were more likely to experience mortality than patients without heart block.
AHRQ-funded; HS021114.
Citation: Czosek RJ, Anderson JB, Baskar S .
Predictors and outcomes of heart block during surgical stage I palliation of patients with a single ventricle: a report from the NPC-QIC.
Heart Rhythm 2021 Nov;18(11):1876-83. doi: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2021.05.019..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Surgery, Palliative Care, Risk, Outcomes
Joseph A, Neyens D, Mihandoust S
Impact of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions and movement patterns during pediatric outpatient surgeries.
This quantitative observational study observed the impacts of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions (FDs), the number of contacts between team members, and the distance traveled. Findings showed that the orientation of the surgical table significantly influenced staff workflow and movement in the operating room, with an angled surgical table orientation being the least disruptive to surgical work. The anesthesia provider, scrub nurse, and circulating nurse experienced more FDs compared to the surgeon.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Joseph A, Neyens D, Mihandoust S .
Impact of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions and movement patterns during pediatric outpatient surgeries.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Jul 31;18(15). doi: 10.3390/ijerph18158114..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Surgery, Workflow
Links AR, Callon W, Wasserman C
Treatment recommendations to parents during pediatric tonsillectomy consultations: a mixed methods analysis of surgeon language.
A deeper understanding of the dialogue clinicians use to relay treatment recommendations is needed to fully understand their influence on patient decisions about surgery. In this study, the authors characterize how otolaryngologists provide treatment recommendations and suggest a classification framework. The investigators concluded that clinicians provide treatment recommendations in a variety of ways that may introduce more or less certainty and choice to parental treatment decisions.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Links AR, Callon W, Wasserman C .
Treatment recommendations to parents during pediatric tonsillectomy consultations: a mixed methods analysis of surgeon language.
Patient Educ Couns 2021 Jun;104(6):1371-79. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.11.015..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Surgery, Caregiving, Shared Decision Making, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Provider: Physician, Provider
Lipsett SC, Haines L, Monuteaux MC
Variation in oophorectomy rates for children with ovarian torsion across US children's hospitals.
A multicenter study of 1783 children diagnosed with ovarian torsion from 2012 to 2017 undergoing oophorectomy was conducted. Four-hundred and two children (22.5%) underwent oophorectomy. Odds of oophorectomy were higher in children under 11 years of age, children with public insurance, and children with complex chronic conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS026503.
Citation: Lipsett SC, Haines L, Monuteaux MC .
Variation in oophorectomy rates for children with ovarian torsion across US children's hospitals.
J Pediatr 2021 Apr;231:269-72.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.12.019..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Surgery, Hospitals
Malone S, McKay VR, Krucylak C
A cluster randomized stepped-wedge trial to de-implement unnecessary post-operative antibiotics in children: the optimizing perioperative antibiotic in children (OPerAtiC) trial.
This paper describes an upcoming clinical trial to determine best strategies to de-implement inappropriate antibiotic use in pediatric post-operative surgical cases deemed low risk for infection. This study will provide important information on the impact of two potential strategies while assessing important clinical outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS026742.
Citation: Malone S, McKay VR, Krucylak C .
A cluster randomized stepped-wedge trial to de-implement unnecessary post-operative antibiotics in children: the optimizing perioperative antibiotic in children (OPerAtiC) trial.
Implement Sci 2021 Mar 19;16(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13012-021-01096-1..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Surgery
Leu GR, Links AR, Ryan MA
Assessment of parental choice predisposition for tonsillectomy in children.
The decision to proceed with tonsillectomy to treat pediatric obstructive sleep-disordered breathing (OSDB) often falls on individual families. Despite emphasis on shared decision-making between parents and surgeons about tonsillectomy for OSDB, the extent to which parents have already decided about surgery prior to the child's consultation is not known. The objective of this study was to identify predictors of parent choice predisposition for surgical treatment of OSDB with tonsillectomy and describe its association with parent-clinician communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932.
Citation: Leu GR, Links AR, Ryan MA .
Assessment of parental choice predisposition for tonsillectomy in children.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021 Mar;147(3):263-70. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.5031..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Shared Decision Making, Surgery, Sleep Problems, Respiratory Conditions
Berry JG, Difazio RL, Melvin P
Hospital resource use after hip reconstruction surgery in children with neurological complex chronic conditions.
This study assessed how co-occurring conditions influence recovery after hip reconstruction surgery in children with neurological complex chronic conditions (CCCs). This retrospective analysis of 4058 children age 4 years or older was conducted from 2015 to 2018 in 49 children’s hospitals. The presence of CCCs was assessed using the AHRQ Chronic Condition Indicator system. Outcomes looked for included postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS), 30 -day readmission rates, and median hospital costs. The most common co-occurring conditions were digestive (60.1%) and respiratory (37.9%). Median LOS increased 67% as co-existing conditions increased from one to four or more. Median hospital costs increased 41% and readmission rates increased 250%. Malnutrition was associated with the greatest increase in postoperative hospital use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024453.
Citation: Berry JG, Difazio RL, Melvin P .
Hospital resource use after hip reconstruction surgery in children with neurological complex chronic conditions.
Dev Med Child Neurol 2021 Feb;63(2):204-10. doi: 10.1111/dmcn.14712..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Chronic Conditions, Surgery, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Neurological Disorders
Feldman AG, Sundaram SS, Beaty BL
Immunization status at the time of liver transplant in children and adolescents.
In this research letter, the authors quantified the percentage of patients at Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation centers who were up to date for their age on immunizations at the time of transplant, and determined whether demographic and clinical factors were associated with immunization status at the time of transplant. They concluded that further research is needed to understand barriers to immunization in the pediatric transplant population and called for novel tools that provide pretransplant vaccine education and enhance communication between primary care and subspecialty clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS026510.
Citation: Feldman AG, Sundaram SS, Beaty BL .
Immunization status at the time of liver transplant in children and adolescents.
JAMA 2019 Nov 12;322(18):1822-24. doi: 10.1001/jama.2019.14386..
Keywords: Transplantation, Children/Adolescents, Vaccination, Surgery
Mogul DB, Fredericks EM, Brady TM
Digital wings: innovations in transition readiness for adolescent and young adult transplant recipients.
This article reports on two multi-stakeholder symposia organized by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine on February 2, 2018, and January 11, 2019, to address the problem of high graft failure in adolescent and young adult solid organ transplant recipients. Additionally, data collected from recipients demonstrated a substantial gap in how this population uses technologies for health-related activities, alongside an increased interest in an app to help them manage their transplant.
AHRQ-funded; HS023876.
Citation: Mogul DB, Fredericks EM, Brady TM .
Digital wings: innovations in transition readiness for adolescent and young adult transplant recipients.
Transplantation 2019 Oct;103(10):1970-74. doi: 10.1097/tp.0000000000002749..
Keywords: Transplantation, Children/Adolescents, Young Adults, Surgery, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Garrity B, Berry Crofton, C
Parent-to-parent advice on considering spinal fusion in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.
The purpose of this study was to convey advice from families whose children recently underwent spinal fusion to families whose children are under consideration for initial spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis and to providers who counsel families on this decision. Results showed that parents of children who had recently undergone spinal fusion had strong perceptions about what information to convey to families considering surgery, which may improve communication between future parents and physicians. Further investigation is needed to assess how best to incorporate the wisdom and experiences of parent peers into shared decisionmaking and preparation for spinal fusion in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.
AHRQ-funded; HS024453.
Citation: Garrity B, Berry Crofton, C .
Parent-to-parent advice on considering spinal fusion in children with neuromuscular scoliosis.
J Pediatr 2019 Oct;213:149-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.05.055..
Keywords: Shared Decision Making, Patient and Family Engagement, Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Back Health and Pain, Surgery
Liu L, Ni Y, Zhang N
Mining patient-specific and contextual data with machine learning technologies to predict cancellation of children's surgery.
The objectives of this study were: 1) to develop predictive models of last-minute surgery cancellation, utilizing machine learning technologies, from patient-specific and contextual data from two distinct pediatric surgical sites of a single institution; and 2) to identify specific key predictors that impact children's risk of day-of-surgery cancellation. The study demonstrated the capacity of machine learning models for predicting pediatric patients at risk of last-minute surgery cancellation and providing useful insight into root causes of cancellation. The author’s approach offers the promise of targeted interventions to significantly decrease both healthcare costs and families' negative experiences.
AHRQ-funded; HS024983.
Citation: Liu L, Ni Y, Zhang N .
Mining patient-specific and contextual data with machine learning technologies to predict cancellation of children's surgery.
Int J Med Inform 2019 Sep;129:234-41. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2019.06.007..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Data, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Surgery
Hoonakker PLT, Wooldridge AR, Hose BZ
Information flow during pediatric trauma care transitions: things falling through the cracks.
In order to investigate information flow during pediatric trauma care transitions, researchers interviewed 18 clinicians about communication and coordination between the emergency department, operating room, and pediatric intensive care unit, then surveyed the clinicians about patient safety during these transitions. They found that, despite the fact that the many services and units involved in pediatric trauma cooperate well together during trauma cases, important patient care information is often lost when transitioning patients between units. To manage the transition of this fragile and complex population better, they recommend finding ways to manage the information flow during these transitions better by, for instance, providing technological support to ensure shared mental models.
AHRQ-funded; HS023837.
Citation: Hoonakker PLT, Wooldridge AR, Hose BZ .
Information flow during pediatric trauma care transitions: things falling through the cracks.
Intern Emerg Med 2019 Aug;14(5):797-805. doi: 10.1007/s11739-019-02110-7..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Communication, Emergency Department, Healthcare Delivery, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient Safety, Provider, Provider: Clinician, Surgery, Transitions of Care, Trauma
Ranganathan K, Kochkodan JM, Baker MK
Variation in the desire for cleft revision surgery among children, caregivers, and surgeons.
This study examined the differences in perception between children, caregivers, and their surgeons for the need for cleft revision surgery. A sample of 100 children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate and their caregivers (n=100) were surveyed on satisfaction with appearance using the Cleft Evaluation Profile. Ten surgeons and ten control observers then rated photographs of these children using questions analogous to the Profile. The children generally reported greater satisfaction in appearance across all domains compared with surgeons. Children and caregivers had similar degrees of satisfaction in appearance of the lip and maxilla. The authors concluded that more care must be given to children’s perception before moving forward with further revision surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Ranganathan K, Kochkodan JM, Baker MK .
Variation in the desire for cleft revision surgery among children, caregivers, and surgeons.
Plast Reconstr Surg 2019 Jul;144(1):171-78. doi: 10.1097/prs.0000000000005722..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Surgery, Provider, Provider: Physician
Hoch JM, Fatusin O, Yenokyan G
Feeding methods for infants with single ventricle physiology are associated with length of stay during stage 2 surgery hospitalization.
The purpose of this paper was to identify types of feeding methods following stage 2 palliation and their influence on length of stay. Results showed that feeding methods established at admission for stage 2 palliation are not likely to change by discharge, and that length of stay is more likely to be impacted by tube feeding and intubation history than by age or weight-for-age z score at admission. Recommendations included a better understanding for selection of feeding methods and their impact on patient outcomes in order to develop evidence-based guidelines to decrease variability in clinical practice patterns and to provide appropriate counseling to caregivers.
AHRQ-funded; HS021114.
Citation: Hoch JM, Fatusin O, Yenokyan G .
Feeding methods for infants with single ventricle physiology are associated with length of stay during stage 2 surgery hospitalization.
Congenit Heart Dis 2019 May;14(3):438-45. doi: 10.1111/chd.12742.
.
.
Keywords: Nutrition, Newborns/Infants, Children/Adolescents, Hospitalization, Surgery, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Childers CP, Dworsky JQ, Massoumi RL
The contemporary appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children.
The purpose of this research was to study cases of acute, uncomplicated appendicitis in children. The researchers found that, in a population of 9,507 patients, the children have excellent clinical outcomes, although children aged 5 and under have an increased risk of negative appendectomy. Also, more than one-third of children received a computed tomography prior to the operation despite guidelines against their use.
AHRQ-funded; HS025079.
Citation: Childers CP, Dworsky JQ, Massoumi RL .
The contemporary appendectomy for acute uncomplicated appendicitis in children.
Surgery 2019 May;165(5):1027-34. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2018.12.019..
Keywords: Case Study, Children/Adolescents, Surgery
Berry JG, Johnson C, Crofton C
Predicting postoperative physiologic decline after surgery.
This prospective study looked at postoperative physiologic decline (PoPD) in pediatric surgical patients at a freestanding children’s hospital. Median age of the child at surgery was 8 years, 70.9% had a complex chronic condition (CCC), and 7.3% used 11 or more home medications. The odds of a patient experiencing PoPD increases if the child has an active health problem, takes 11 or more home medications and has 3 or more CCCs. More than 25% of pediatric patients undergoing elective surgery experienced PoPD.
AHRQ-funded; HS024453.
Citation: Berry JG, Johnson C, Crofton C .
Predicting postoperative physiologic decline after surgery.
Pediatrics 2019 Apr;143(4). doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-2042..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Children/Adolescents, Patient Safety, Surgery
Gerber JS, Ross RK, Szymczak JE
Infections after pediatric ambulatory surgery: incidence and risk factors.
Investigators studied the prevalence of surgical-site infections (SSIs) in a single pediatric healthcare network between ambulatory surgery facilities and a hospital-based facility. No statistical difference in the number of SSIs was found.
AHRQ-funded; HS020921.
Citation: Gerber JS, Ross RK, Szymczak JE .
Infections after pediatric ambulatory surgery: incidence and risk factors.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2019 Feb;40(2):150-57. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.211..
Keywords: Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Risk, Surgery, Injuries and Wounds
Shah RK, Stey AM, Jantana KR
Identification of opportunities for quality improvement and outcome measurement in pediatric otolaryngology.
This study evaluated perioperative outcomes in pediatric otolaryngology through analysis of records residing in the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) database. It found that although the overall rate of major postoperative morbidity in pediatric otolaryngology is low, the following areas may be targeted for targeted quality-improvement interventions: tracheostomy, airway reconstruction, mastoidectomy, and abscess drainage.
AHRQ-funded; HS022932
Citation: Shah RK, Stey AM, Jantana KR .
Identification of opportunities for quality improvement and outcome measurement in pediatric otolaryngology.
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2014 Nov;140(11):1019-26. doi: 10.1001/jamaoto.2014.2067..
Keywords: Surgery, Children/Adolescents, Quality Improvement, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Nguyen C, Hernandez-Boussard T, Davies SM
Cleft palate surgery: an evaluation of length of stay, complications, and costs by hospital type.
The purpose of this study was to assess length of stay (LOS), complication rates, costs, and charges of cleft palate repair by various hospital types. Results showed that pediatric hospitals had higher comorbidities yet shorter LOS. Pediatric resources significantly decreased the relative rate of LOS greater than 2 days, and median costs and charges increased by 41% with LOS greater than 2 days.
AHRQ-funded; HS018558.
Citation: Nguyen C, Hernandez-Boussard T, Davies SM .
Cleft palate surgery: an evaluation of length of stay, complications, and costs by hospital type.
Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2014 Jul;51(4):412-9. doi: 10.1597/12-150.
.
.
Keywords: Adverse Events, Children/Adolescents, Patient Safety, Children/Adolescents, Surgery