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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Elderly (1)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (3)
- (-) Healthcare Costs (19)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (1)
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- Hospitalization (3)
- Hospital Readmissions (2)
- (-) Hospitals (19)
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- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (1)
- Medicare (8)
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- Orthopedics (1)
- Outcomes (2)
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- Quality of Care (3)
- Sepsis (1)
- Surgery (3)
- Transitions of Care (1)
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 19 of 19 Research Studies DisplayedIbrahim AM, Nuliyalu U, Lawton EJ
Evaluation of US hospital episode spending for acute inpatient conditions after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
This study evaluated the association between enactment of Affordable Care Act (ACA) reforms and 30-day price standardized hospital episode spending for Medicare patients. Reforms to reduce spending were targeted to acute care hospitals and often focused on specific diagnoses such as acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia. The policy evaluation included index discharges between January 2008 and August 31, 2015 from a random 20% sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Three different estimation approaches were used to evaluate the association between reforms and episode spending: difference-in-difference (DID) analysis among acute care hospitals; a DID analysis comparing acute care hospitals and critical care hospitals; and a generalized synthetic control analysis, comparing acute care and critical access hospitals. A total of 7,634,242 index discharges were included. All 3 approaches found that ACA-associated spending reforms were associated with a significant reduction in episode spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS024525; HS024728.
Citation: Ibrahim AM, Nuliyalu U, Lawton EJ .
Evaluation of US hospital episode spending for acute inpatient conditions after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2023926. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.23926..
Keywords: Elderly, Policy, Hospitals, Medicare, Healthcare Costs
Bourne DS, Davis BS, Gigli KH
Economic analysis of mandated protocolized sepsis care in New York hospitals.
Investigators evaluated the effects of the 2013 New York State sepsis regulations on the costs of care for patients hospitalized with sepsis. They found that mandated protocolized sepsis care was not associated with significant changes in hospital costs in patients hospitalized with sepsis in New York State.
AHRQ-funded; HS025146.
Citation: Bourne DS, Davis BS, Gigli KH .
Economic analysis of mandated protocolized sepsis care in New York hospitals.
Crit Care Med 2020 Oct;48(10):1411-18. doi: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004514..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Sepsis, Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Hospitals
Sankaran R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U
A comparison of estimated cost savings from potential reductions in hospital-acquired conditions to levied penalties under the CMS Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program.
The Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP) from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reduces Medicare payments to hospitals with high rates of hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) by 1% each year. It is not known how the savings accruing to CMS from such penalties compare to savings resulting from a reduction in HACs driven by this program. This study compared the reported savings to CMS from financial penalties levied under the HACRP with savings resulting from potential reductions in HACs.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053; HS026244.
Citation: Sankaran R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U R, Gulseren B, Nuliyalu U .
A comparison of estimated cost savings from potential reductions in hospital-acquired conditions to levied penalties under the CMS Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2020 Aug;46(8):438-47. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2020.05.002.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Patient Safety, Medicare
Machta RM, Reschovsky J, Jones DJ
AHRQ Author: Furukawa MF
Can vertically integrated health systems provide greater value: the case of hospitals under the comprehensive care for joint replacement model?
The authors sought to assess whether system providers perform better than non-system providers under an alternative payment model that incentivizes high-quality, cost-efficient care. Using CMS data linked to AHRQ’s Compendium of US Health Systems, along with secondary sources, they found that when operating under alternative payment model incentives, vertical integration may enable hospitals to lower costs with similar quality scores.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201600001C.
Citation: Machta RM, Reschovsky J, Jones DJ .
Can vertically integrated health systems provide greater value: the case of hospitals under the comprehensive care for joint replacement model?
Health Serv Res 2020 Aug;55(4):541-47. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13313..
Keywords: Health Systems, Hospitals, Orthopedics, Healthcare Costs, Payment, Quality of Care
Yakusheva O, Hoffman GJ
Does a reduction in readmissions result in net savings for most hospitals? An examination of Medicare's hospital readmissions reduction program.
This study aimed (1) to estimate the impact of an incremental reduction in excess readmissions on a hospital's Medicare reimbursement revenue, for hospitals subject to penalties under the Medicare's Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program and (2) to evaluate the economic case for an investment in a readmission reduction program.
AHRQ-funded; HS025838.
Citation: Yakusheva O, Hoffman GJ .
Does a reduction in readmissions result in net savings for most hospitals? An examination of Medicare's hospital readmissions reduction program.
Med Care Res Rev 2020 Aug;77(4):334-44. doi: 10.1177/1077558718795745..
Keywords: Medicare, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Healthcare Costs, Policy
Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
This study looked at outcomes of transferred (TRAN) versus directly admitted (DA) emergency general surgery (EGS) patients. Patients with a diagnosis of EGS were identified from the 2008-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Outcomes included were in-hospital mortality and morbidity. They identified 274,145 TRAN and 10,456,100 DA encounters. Morbidity and mortality were both higher in TRAN patients than DA. TRAN patients were more likely to have greater comorbidity scores, have Medicare insurance, and reside in an area with a lesser median household income compared to DA patients. Morbidity among TRAN patients were primarily due urinary-, gastrointestinal-, and pulmonary-related complications. Median stay and median cost at the hospital were greater for TRAN patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025224; HS022694.
Citation: Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X .
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
Surgery 2020 Aug;168(2):280-86. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.01.005..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Transitions of Care, Mortality, Outcomes, Healthcare Costs, Hospitals
Hoffman GJ, Tilson S, Yakusheva O
The financial impact of an avoided readmission for teaching and safety-net hospitals under Medicare's hospital readmission reduction program.
This study examined the financial incentives to avoid readmissions under Medicare’s Hospital Readmission Reduction Program for teaching hospitals (THs) and safety-net hospitals (SNHs). Readmissions data for 2,465 hospitals was analyzed using Medicare’s FY 2016 Hospital Compare. The authors tested for differential revenue gains for SNHs relative to non-SNHs and for major and minor THs relative to non-THs. They found that revenue gains of an avoided readmission were 10-15% greater for major THs compared with non-THs, but no different for SNHs compared with non-SNHs.
AHRQ-funded; HS025838.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, Tilson S, Yakusheva O .
The financial impact of an avoided readmission for teaching and safety-net hospitals under Medicare's hospital readmission reduction program.
Med Care Res Rev 2020 Aug;77(4):324-33. doi: 10.1177/1077558718795733..
Keywords: Medicare, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitals, Healthcare Costs
Childers CP, Maggard-Gibbons M, Weber SM
All-payer spending on common hospital-based services in California.
Researchers conducted an all-payer assessment to determine which services contribute to US health care spending. Assessing hospital financial statements from acute-care general hospitals in California, they found that overall hospital-based spending increased 66.6% between 2007 and 2016 in California with wide variation in spending growth across revenue centers. They concluded that understanding this variation can guide efforts to curb excessive health care spending and optimize resource dedication to current and future patient care needs.
AHRQ-funded; HS025079.
Citation: Childers CP, Maggard-Gibbons M, Weber SM .
All-payer spending on common hospital-based services in California.
Med Care 2020 Jun;58(6):534-40. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001303..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospitals
Smith ME, Shubeck SP, Nuliyalu U
Local referral of high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals: surgical outcomes, cost savings, and travel burdens.
In this study, the investigators sought to assess the potential changes in Medicare payments and clinical outcomes of referring high-risk surgical patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas. The investigators concluded that complication rates and Medicare payments were significantly lower for high-risk patients treated at local high-quality hospitals. The investigators suggest that triaging high-risk patients to local high-quality hospitals within small geographic areas may serve as a template for improving the value of surgical care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024763.
Citation: Smith ME, Shubeck SP, Nuliyalu U .
Local referral of high-risk patients to high-quality hospitals: surgical outcomes, cost savings, and travel burdens.
Ann Surg 2020 Jun;271(6):1065-71. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003208..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Hospitals, Medicare, Outcomes
Ho V, Metcalfe L, Vu L
Annual spending per patient and quality in hospital-owned versus physician-owned organizations: an observational study.
This study examined whether there are patient spending differences between practices owned by hospitals versus independent physician practices. The study used data from patients aged 19 to 64 enrolled in a Blue Cross Blue Shield Preferred Provider organization in the four largest metropolitan areas in Texas. Spending was found to be significantly higher for durable medical equipment, imaging, unclassified services, and outpatient care in hospital-owned practices. Estimates were that expenses were 5.8% higher in those practices.
AHRQ-funded; HS024727.
Citation: Ho V, Metcalfe L, Vu L .
Annual spending per patient and quality in hospital-owned versus physician-owned organizations: an observational study.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Mar;35(3):649-55. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05312-z..
Keywords: Hospitals, Healthcare Costs, Quality of Care
Selden TM
AHRQ Author: Selden TM
Differences between public and private hospital payment rates narrowed, 2012-16.
In 2000-12 payments for inpatient hospital stays, emergency department visits, and outpatient hospital care for privately insured patients grew much faster than payments for Medicare and Medicaid patients. This widening of private-public payment gaps slowed or even reversed itself in 2012-16. In this paper, the author discusses the differences between public and private hospital payment rates, 2012-2016.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM .
Differences between public and private hospital payment rates narrowed, 2012-16.
Health Aff 2020 Jan;39(1):94-99. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00415..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Hospitals, Payment, Healthcare Costs, Medicaid, Medicare
Shen C, Gu D, Klein R
Factors associated with hospital decisions to purchase robotic surgical systems.
Robotic surgical systems are expensive to own and operate, and the purchase of such technology is an important decision for hospital administrators. Most prior literature focuses on the comparison of clinical outcomes between robotic surgery and other laparoscopic or open surgery. There is a knowledge gap about what drives hospitals' decisions to purchase robotic systems. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with a hospital's acquisition of advanced surgical systems.
AHRQ-funded; HS024608.
Citation: Shen C, Gu D, Klein R .
Factors associated with hospital decisions to purchase robotic surgical systems.
MDM Policy Pract 2020 Jan-Jun;5(1):2381468320904364. doi: 10.1177/2381468320904364..
Keywords: Hospitals, Surgery, Healthcare Costs
Carey K, Dor A
Hospital response to CMS public reports of hospital charge information.
This study examined trends in charge increases for Medicare inpatients treated in approximately 3400 hospitals after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began reporting charges online in 2013 for Medicare inpatients. The investigators applied difference-in-differences analysis to comprehensive inpatient charge data from New York and Florida for the years 2011-2016. After public reporting was implemented the growth in reported charges in New York hospitals was 4-9% lower than unreported diagnosis-related groups and in Florida it was 2-8% lower.
AHRQ-funded; HS025074.
Citation: Carey K, Dor A .
Hospital response to CMS public reports of hospital charge information.
Med Care 2020 Jan;58(1):70-73. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001232..
Keywords: Hospitals, Healthcare Costs, Public Reporting, Medicare, Hospitalization
Reiter KL, Jiang HJ, Wang J
AHRQ Author: Jiang HJ
Facing the recession: how did safety-net hospitals fare financially compared with their peers?
The authors examined the effect of the recession on the financial performance of safety-net versus non-safety-net hospitals. They concluded that safety-net hospitals may not be disproportionately vulnerable to macro-economic fluctuations, but their significantly lower margins leave less financial cushion to weather sustained financial pressure.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Reiter KL, Jiang HJ, Wang J .
Facing the recession: how did safety-net hospitals fare financially compared with their peers?
Health Serv Res 2014 Dec;49(6):1747-66. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12230.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitals
David G, Lindrooth RC, Helmchen LA
Do hospitals cross-subsidize?
The authors used repeated shocks to a profitable service in the market for hospital-based medical care to test for cross-subsidization of unprofitable services. They studied how incumbent hospitals adjusted their provision of three uncontested services that are widely considered to be unprofitable. They estimated that the hospitals most exposed to entry reduced their provision of psychiatric, substance-abuse, and trauma care services at a rate of about one uncontested-service admission for every four cardiac admissions they stood to lose.
AHRQ-funded; HS010730.
Citation: David G, Lindrooth RC, Helmchen LA .
Do hospitals cross-subsidize?
J Health Econ 2014 Sep;37:198-218. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2014.06.007.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Quality of Care, Hospitals
Ryan AM, Mushlin AI
The Affordable Care Act's payment reforms and the future of hospitals.
The author places likely hospital responses to the Affordable Care Act’s payment reforms in the historical context of their previous responses to such reforms as price controls, certificate-of-need laws, and prospective payment systems. He then discusses possible hospital responses to counter readmission penalties, revenue reductions, bundled payment strategies, and accountable care organizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS018546
Citation: Ryan AM, Mushlin AI .
The Affordable Care Act's payment reforms and the future of hospitals.
Ann Intern Med. 2014 May 20;160(10):729-30. doi: 10.7326/M13-2033..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Payment, Hospitals, Policy
Bazzoli GJ, Fareed N, Waters TM
Hospital financial performance in the recent recession and implications for institutions that remain financially weak.
This study of 2,971 private short-term general medical or surgical hospitals found that hospitals that were financially weak before the recession remained so during and after the recession. The total margins of nonprofit hospitals declined in 2008 but returned to pre-recession levels by 2011. The recession did not create additional fiscal pressure on hospitals that were previously financially weak or in safety-net roles.
AHRQ-funded; HS020627
Citation: Bazzoli GJ, Fareed N, Waters TM .
Hospital financial performance in the recent recession and implications for institutions that remain financially weak.
Health Aff. 2014 May;33(5):739-45. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0988..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospitals
Ederhof M, Chen LM
Critical access hospitals and cost shifting.
In the context of ongoing discussion about critical access hospital (CAH) reimbursement, it is important to better understand how health care providers currently utilize funds from the CAH Programs. This study found that among hospitals converted to CAH designation while part of a hospital system, the relative proportion of costs that reflect shared services provided by the parent organization is significantly higher than would be expected in the post-conversion period.
AHRQ-funded; HS020671.
Citation: Ederhof M, Chen LM .
Critical access hospitals and cost shifting.
JAMA Intern Med 2014 Jan;174(1):143-4. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.11901..
Keywords: Hospitals, Healthcare Costs, Health Services Research (HSR)
O'Donnell BE, Schneider KM, Brooks JM
Standardizing Medicare payment information to support examining geographic variation in costs.
This paper describes a method for standardizing claim payments, and demonstrates the difference in actual versus standardized payments by geographic region. It found that without standardization of payments, certain areas of the country are mischaracterized as either high or low healthcare resource-consuming areas.
AHRQ-funded; HS019574; HS019440.
Citation: O'Donnell BE, Schneider KM, Brooks JM .
Standardizing Medicare payment information to support examining geographic variation in costs.
Medicare Medicaid Res Rev 2013 Sep 10;3(3). doi: 10.5600/mmrr.003.03.a06..
Keywords: Medicare, Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Hospitals