National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 25 of 57 Research Studies DisplayedIribarren S, Lentz C, Sheinfil AZ
Using an HIV self-test kit to test a partner: attitudes and preferences among high-risk populations.
Researchers explored attitudes and preferences among HIV-negative men who have sex with men and HIV-negative transgender women using an HIV self-testing (HIVST) kit to test partners. They found that most preferred gum swab over fingerprick tests, but would prefer a blood test if it gave results for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They concluded that efforts to improve HIVST uptake should focus on incorporating testing for other STIs, reducing test kit size, and reducing cost.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Iribarren S, Lentz C, Sheinfil AZ .
Using an HIV self-test kit to test a partner: attitudes and preferences among high-risk populations.
AIDS Behav 2020 Nov;24(11):3232-43. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02885-3..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Infectious Diseases, Prevention
Byrnes ME, Varlamos CJ, Rivard SJ
"You're used to being the one that can fix things…": a qualitative snapshot of colorectal surgeons during COVID-19.
This viewpoint article reflects the narratives of 58 colorectal surgeons who engaged in an in-depth qualitative interview during the COVID-19 shutdown of elective surgeries. The goal for reporting these findings is to offer a snapshot of surgeon perspectives on the delays of elective surgeries and to give voice to surgeons who were unable to perform most or all their duties as a surgeon.
AHRQ-funded; HS025365; HS000053.
Citation: Byrnes ME, Varlamos CJ, Rivard SJ .
"You're used to being the one that can fix things…": a qualitative snapshot of colorectal surgeons during COVID-19.
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Dec;63(12):1575-78. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001818..
Keywords: Surgery, Provider: Physician, Provider, COVID-19, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to health care workers (HCWs) on gowns and gloves has been an issue in nursing homes. This study evaluated the effect of the burden in 13 community-based nursing homes in Maryland and Michigan. Residents were cultured for S. aureus at the perianal skin and the anterior nares areas. A total of 403 residents were enrolled, with 169 colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Transmission to HCW gowns and gloves was greater from those colonized with greater quantities of S. aureus on the perianal skin. These findings inform future infection control practices for both MRSA and MSSA in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019979; HS025451.
Citation: Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM .
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2020 Dec;41(12):1396-401. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.336..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention
Soares WE, Schoenfeld EM, Visintainer P
Safety assessment of a noninvasive respiratory protocol for adults with COVID-19.
As evidence emerged supporting noninvasive strategies for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related respiratory distress, the investigators implemented a noninvasive COVID-19 respiratory protocol (NCRP) that encouraged high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) and self-proning across our healthcare system. To assess safety, the investigators conducted a retrospective chart review evaluating mortality and other patient safety outcomes after implementation of the NCRP protocol (April 3, 2020, to April 15, 2020) for adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, compared with preimplementation outcomes (March 15, 2020, to April 2, 2020).
AHRQ-funded; HS025701.
Citation: Soares WE, Schoenfeld EM, Visintainer P .
Safety assessment of a noninvasive respiratory protocol for adults with COVID-19.
J Hosp Med 2020 Dec;15(12):734-38. doi: 10.12788/jhm.3548..
Keywords: Patient Safety, COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Inpatient Care, Infectious Diseases
Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z
AHRQ Author: Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z
The risk of severe COVID-19 within households of school employees and school-age children.
Across the United States, school districts are grappling with questions of whether and how to reopen elementary and secondary schools in the 2020-21 academic year. Using pre-pandemic household data, the authors examined how often persons at risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were connected to schools, either as employees or by living in the same households as school employees or school-age children.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Selden TM, Berdahl TA, Fang Z .
The risk of severe COVID-19 within households of school employees and school-age children.
Health Aff 2020 Nov;39(11):2002-09. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01536..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Public Health, Risk, Infectious Diseases
Fan T, Palma M
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
This case study of a 24-year-old cisgender woman presents three questions with answers concerning USPSTF recommendations about sexually transmitted infections and counseling.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Palma M .
Behavioral counseling interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
Am Fam Physician 2020 Nov 15;102(10):623-24..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Prevention, Case Study, Guidelines
Lentz C, Iribarren S, Giguere R
Broaching the topic of HIV self-testing with potential sexual partners among men and transgender women who have sex with men in New York and Puerto Rico.
This randomized controlled trial examined whether access to free HIV self-testing (ST) kits had an impact on use of condoms during anal intercourse for 272 transgender women and men who have sex with men in New York City and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The trial included 136 persons in an intervention group and 136 persons in a control group. The intervention group had 32% fewer condomless anal intercourse (CAI) encounters- with the New York City group being statistically significant. In San Juan the results were non-significant, but two hurricanes may have impacted results in unmeasured ways.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Lentz C, Iribarren S, Giguere R .
Broaching the topic of HIV self-testing with potential sexual partners among men and transgender women who have sex with men in New York and Puerto Rico.
AIDS Behav 2020 Nov;24(11):3033-43. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02851-z..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Sexual Health, Prevention, Screening
Misra-Hebert AD, Ji X, Nowacki AS
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers' risk of infection and outcomes in a large, integrated health system.
Researchers assessed healthcare workers (HCW) risk for COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Participants were individuals who had tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a large academic healthcare system. The study found that, in a large healthcare system, HCW had similar odds for testing positive, but lower odds of hospitalization, compared to non-HCW. Patient-facing HCW had higher odds of a positive test.
AHRQ-funded; HS024128.
Citation: Misra-Hebert AD, Ji X, Nowacki AS .
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers' risk of infection and outcomes in a large, integrated health system.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Nov;35(11):3293-301. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06171-9..
Keywords: COVID-19, Risk, Provider: Health Personnel, Public Health, Healthcare Delivery, Infectious Diseases
Anderson DJ, Ilieş I, Foy K
Early recognition and response to increases in surgical site infections using optimized statistical process control charts-the Early 2RIS Trial: a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial with stepped wedge design.
This paper discusses the study protocol that was used to conduct the Early 2RIS Trial, which was a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial from 2016 to 2020 to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) rates. The trial was performed in 29 hospitals in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) and 105 clusters over 4 years. All patients who underwent one of 13 targeted procedures at study hospitals were included. Six clusters were identified: cardiac, orthopedic, gastrointestinal, OB-GYN, vascular, and spinal. Clusters were randomized to intervention, and also underwent surveillance and feedback using optimized SPC charts. Surveillance data feedback was provided to all clusters, regardless of allocation or type of surveillance. The goal was to lower SSI through SPC intervention compared to traditional surveillance and feedback alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS023821.
Citation: Anderson DJ, Ilieş I, Foy K .
Early recognition and response to increases in surgical site infections using optimized statistical process control charts-the Early 2RIS Trial: a multicenter cluster randomized controlled trial with stepped wedge design.
Trials 2020 Oct 28;21(1):894. doi: 10.1186/s13063-020-04802-4..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Patient Safety
Haessler S, Lindenauer PK, Zilberberg MD
Blood cultures versus respiratory cultures: 2 different views of pneumonia.
This study examined characteristics and outcomes of patients with positive cultures for pneumonia by site. The authors compared results from blood and respiratory cultures to see if organisms and resistance patterns differed by site. They studied adult patients discharged from July 2010 to June 2015 with principal diagnoses of pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome, respiratory arrest, or sepsis with a secondary diagnosis of pneumonia. Out of 138,651 hospitalizations of patients with pneumonia, 9.3% yielded positive cultures with 6438 from respiratory culture and 5992 blood cultures, and 45 both respiratory and blood cultures. Isolates from respiratory samples were often more resistant than were isolates from blood. Patients with positive cultures in both sites had higher case-fatality, longer lengths of stay and higher costs than patients who only had one culture site positive. Among respiratory cultures, the most common pathogens identified were Staphylococcus aureus (34%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17%), whereas blood cultures most commonly grew Streptococcus pneumoniae (33%), followed by S. aureus (22%).
AHRQ-funded; HS024277.
Citation: Haessler S, Lindenauer PK, Zilberberg MD .
Blood cultures versus respiratory cultures: 2 different views of pneumonia.
Clin Infect Dis 2020 Oct 23;71(7):1604-12. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz1049..
Keywords: Pneumonia, Community-Acquired Infections, Respiratory Conditions, Infectious Diseases
Chou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
This study examined the effectiveness of N95, surgical, and cloth masks in community and health care settings for preventing respiratory virus infections, including coronavirus. The effects of reuse or extended use of N95 masks was also studied. The authors used multiple electronic databases, including the World Health Organization COVID-19 database and medRxiv preprint server (2003 through 2020), and reference lists. Randomized trials of masks and risks for respiratory virus infection were included. The studies were abstracted and methodological limitations were assessed by one reviewer, with a second reviewer providing verification. Thirty-nine studies with 33,867 participants were included. No studies were found that evaluated reuse or extended use of N95 masks. The studies showed that COVID-19 and MERS probably decreased with use versus nonuse and possibly decreased with N95 versus surgical mask use. Random trials in community settings found not much difference between N95 versus surgical masks. The studies’ findings were not definitive.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500009I.
Citation: Chou R, Dana T, Jungbauer R .
Masks for prevention of respiratory virus infections, including SARS-CoV-2, in health care and community settings : a living rapid review.
Ann Intern Med 2020 Oct 6;173(7):542-55. doi: 10.7326/m20-3213..
Keywords: COVID-19, Respiratory Conditions, Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Public Health, Evidence-Based Practice
Vaughn VM, O'Malley M, Flanders SA
Association of infectious disease physician approval of peripherally inserted central catheter with appropriateness and complications.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether infectious disease physician approval prior to PICC placement for intravenous antimicrobials was associated with more appropriate device use and fewer complications. The authors concluded that this cohort study suggested that, when PICCs were placed for intravenous antimicrobial therapy, infectious disease physician approval of PICC insertion was associated with more appropriate device use and fewer complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS026530; HS025891.
Citation: Vaughn VM, O'Malley M, Flanders SA .
Association of infectious disease physician approval of peripherally inserted central catheter with appropriateness and complications.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2017659. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.17659..
Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Adverse Events
Skaathun B, Pho MT, Pollack HA
Comparison of effectiveness and cost for different HIV screening strategies implemented at large urban medical centre in the United States.
This analysis compared the effectiveness and cost of three HIV testing strategies in a high HIV burden area in the U.S. in identifying new HIV infections. The investigators performed a cost analysis comparing three HIV testing strategies in Chicago: (1) routine screening (RS) in an inpatient and outpatient setting, (2) modified partner services (MPS) among networks of the recently HIV infected and diagnosed, and (3) a respondent drive sampling (RDS)-based social network (SN) approach targeting young African-American men who have sex with men.
AHRQ-funded; HS000084.
Citation: Skaathun B, Pho MT, Pollack HA .
Comparison of effectiveness and cost for different HIV screening strategies implemented at large urban medical centre in the United States.
J Int AIDS Soc 2020 Oct;23(10):e25554. doi: 10.1002/jia2.25554..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Screening, Healthcare Costs, Prevention, Infectious Diseases
Sheinfil AZ, Giguere R, Dolezal C
Information and motivation predict HIV-serostatus among a population of high-risk men and transgender women who have sex with men.
In this study, two constructs from the information-motivation-behavioral skills model were used to predict HIV-serostatus among a sample of men and transgender women who have sex with men. Hypotheses were that lower levels of HIV knowledge and lower levels of motivation to remain HIV-negative would be associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a positive HIV test result at a study eligibility-screening session.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Sheinfil AZ, Giguere R, Dolezal C .
Information and motivation predict HIV-serostatus among a population of high-risk men and transgender women who have sex with men.
AIDS Behav 2020 Oct;24(10):2863-71. doi: 10.1007/s10461-020-02835-z..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Sexual Health, Infectious Diseases, Risk
Bartsch SM, O'Shea KJ, Ferguson MC
Vaccine efficacy needed for a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine to prevent or stop an epidemic as the sole intervention.
This study examined the needed efficacy and coverage of a COVID-19 vaccine to prevent or stop the pandemic. Simulation experiments were conducted at 60-80% efficacy rates. At 60% efficacy, vaccination coverage needs to be 100%. If the coverage rate is reduced to 75%, the efficacy needs to be 70% and up to 80% when coverage drops to 60%. These findings show that the vaccine needs to have at least an efficacy rate of 70% to prevent an epidemic and at least 80% to extinguish an epidemic without any other measures such as social distancing.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Bartsch SM, O'Shea KJ, Ferguson MC .
Vaccine efficacy needed for a COVID-19 coronavirus vaccine to prevent or stop an epidemic as the sole intervention.
Am J Prev Med 2020 Oct;59(4):493-503. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.06.011..
Keywords: Vaccination, COVID-19, Public Health, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Infectious Diseases
White EM, Kosar CM, Feifer RA
Variation in SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in U.S. skilled nursing facilities.
The objective of this study was to identify county and facility factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreaks in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). The investigators concluded that larger SNFs and SNFs in areas of high SARS-CoV-2 prevalence were at high risk for outbreaks and must have access to universal testing to detect cases, implement mitigation strategies, and prevent further potentially avoidable cases and related complications.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: White EM, Kosar CM, Feifer RA .
Variation in SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in U.S. skilled nursing facilities.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Oct;68(10):2167-73. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16752..
Keywords: COVID-19, Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Public Health, Infectious Diseases
Schimmel JJ, Haessler S, Imrey P
Pneumococcal urinary antigen testing in United States hospitals: a missed opportunity for antimicrobial stewardship.
The Infectious Disease Society of America recommends pneumococcal urinary antigen testing (UAT) when identifying pneumococcal infection would allow for antibiotic de-escalation. However, the frequencies of UAT and subsequent antibiotic de-escalation are unknown. The authors conducted this retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted with community-acquired or healthcare-associated pneumonia to 170 US hospitals in the Premier database from 2010-2015, to describe variation in UAT use, associations of UAT results with antibiotic de-escalation, and associations of de-escalation with outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS024277.
Citation: Schimmel JJ, Haessler S, Imrey P .
Pneumococcal urinary antigen testing in United States hospitals: a missed opportunity for antimicrobial stewardship.
Clin Infect Dis 2020 Sep 12;71(6):1427-34. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz983..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Community-Acquired Infections, Infectious Diseases, Pneumonia
Eaton EF, Lee RA, Westfall AO
An integrated hospital protocol for persons with injection-related infections may increase medications for opioid use disorder use but challenges remain.
This study looked at whether a hospital-based protocol would increase the use of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) for persons who are hospitalized for infectious complications. Participants who received care for an infection at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital from 2015 to 2018 were included. The protocol included use of an intravenous antibiotic and addiction team (IVAT) consultation and a 9-item risk assessment. The percentage of patients with OUD receiving MOUD increased significantly with IVAT (29% to 37%) and MOUD use was higher in “high risk” participants (62%). However, the uptake of MOUD remains suboptimal at less than 50%.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Eaton EF, Lee RA, Westfall AO .
An integrated hospital protocol for persons with injection-related infections may increase medications for opioid use disorder use but challenges remain.
J Infect Dis 2020 Sep 2;222(Suppl 5):S499-s505. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa005..
Keywords: Opioids, Substance Abuse, Medication, Infectious Diseases, Hospitals
Gall E, Long A, Hall KK
Chlorhexidine bathing strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms: a summary of recent evidence.
This systematic literature review investigated the latest evidence for patient bathing with a 2%-4% chlorhexidine gluconate solution to reduce multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) transmission and infection. Three databases were searched for articles from 2008 through 2018, as well as any key articles published after 2018. Findings focused on health care-associated infections (HAIs) and 3 categories of MDROs: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Chlorhexidine reduced MRSA acquisition and carriage, but no studies found significant reductions in infections. Several studies found that chlorhexidine bathing reduced VRE acquisition and carriage. Two very large studies found bathing significantly reduced HAIs, but these reductions may be smaller when HAIs are already controlled with other anti-infection measures.
AHRQ-funded; HHSP233201500013I.
Citation: Gall E, Long A, Hall KK .
Chlorhexidine bathing strategies for multidrug-resistant organisms: a summary of recent evidence.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S16-s22. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000743..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention, Patient Safety, Infectious Diseases
Schoyer E, Hall K
Environmental cleaning and decontamination to prevent clostridioides difficile infection in health care settings: a systematic review.
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the most effective and feasible methods for environmental cleaning and decontamination to prevent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in health care settings. The investigators concluded that the studied practices for environmental cleaning and decontamination were associated with significant decreases in facility-level CDI rates in most of the reviewed studies; however, study quality was low.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500013I.
Citation: Schoyer E, Hall K .
Environmental cleaning and decontamination to prevent clostridioides difficile infection in health care settings: a systematic review.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S12-s15. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000749..
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Prevention, Patient Safety
Eaton EF, Vettese T
Management of opioid use disorder and infectious disease in the inpatient setting.
Interactions between patients with acute bacterial infections and acute care physicians provide an opportunity to diagnose opioid use disorder (OUD) and treat patients with medications for OUD. This paper discusses Addiction Medicine Consultation and, when this resource is unavailable, employing infectious diseases providers, hospitalists, and other clinicians to serve a valuable role in the diagnosis and treatment of OUD.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Eaton EF, Vettese T .
Management of opioid use disorder and infectious disease in the inpatient setting.
Infect Dis Clin North Am 2020 Sep;34(3):511-24. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2020.06.008..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Substance Abuse, Infectious Diseases, Inpatient Care
Jackman KP, Murray S, Hightow-Weidman
Digital technology to address HIV and other sexually transmitted infection disparities: intentions to disclose online personal health records to sex partners among students at a historically Black college.
Among an online survey sample of co-ed students, the authors described latent constructs and other variables associated with perceived behavioral intentions to disclose sexually transmitted infection (STI) test history using patient portals. They found that latent constructs representing communication valuation beliefs and practices were not associated with intentions, while self-reporting prior STI diagnosis was associated with intentions to disclose. They concluded that point-of-care messages focused on improvements to validating test results, communication, and empowerment, may be an effective strategy to support the adoption of patient portals for STI prevention among populations of college-aged Black youth.
AHRQ-funded; HS023057.
Citation: Jackman KP, Murray S, Hightow-Weidman .
Digital technology to address HIV and other sexually transmitted infection disparities: intentions to disclose online personal health records to sex partners among students at a historically Black college.
PLoS One 2020 Aug 21;15(8):e0237648. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237648..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Infectious Diseases, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Young Adults, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Prevention
Steele MK, Wikswo ME, Hall AJ
Characterizing norovirus transmission from outbreak data, United States.
Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in the United States. In this study, the investigators estimated the basic (R(0)) and effective (R(e)) reproduction numbers for 7,094 norovirus outbreaks reported to the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) during 2009-2017 and used regression models to assess whether transmission varied by outbreak setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Steele MK, Wikswo ME, Hall AJ .
Characterizing norovirus transmission from outbreak data, United States.
Emerg Infect Dis 2020 Aug;26(8):1818-25. doi: 10.3201/eid2608.191537..
Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Digestive Disease and Health
Kim JH, Fine DR, Li L
Disparities in United States hospitalizations for serious infections in patients with and without opioid use disorder: a nationwide observational study.
This study examined the differences in patients with and without opioid use disorder (OUD) who were hospitalized for serious infections focusing on infective endocarditis, epidural abscess, septic arthritis or osteomyelitis. The authors used the 2016 National Inpatient Sample to examine differences in length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and charges. Patients with OUD had a lower probability of discharge at any given LOS, and lower odds of discharge to home with higher odds of discharge to a post-acute care facility. There were no significant differences in average total hospital charges.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Kim JH, Fine DR, Li L .
Disparities in United States hospitalizations for serious infections in patients with and without opioid use disorder: a nationwide observational study.
PLoS Med 2020 Aug;17(8):e1003247. doi: 10.1371/ournal.pmed.1003247.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Disparities, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Hospitalization, Medication, Infectious Diseases
Chatterjee P, Williams MD, Coppin JD
Effectiveness of copper-impregnated solid surfaces on lowering microbial bio-burden levels in an acute care hospital.
This study examined whether using novel coper-impregnated solid materials on high-touch surfaces in patient rooms lowered bacterial contamination which may lead to health care-associated infections in acute care hospitals. Sixteen rooms were installed with copper-impregnated surfaces and were compared to standard noncopper laminate surfaces in 16 rooms over a 3-day period. Samples were taken 3 times per day. A lower level of microbial contamination was found in copper-impregnated solid surfaces as compared to standard surfaces.
AHRQ-funded; HS025598.
Citation: Chatterjee P, Williams MD, Coppin JD .
Effectiveness of copper-impregnated solid surfaces on lowering microbial bio-burden levels in an acute care hospital.
Open Forum Infect Dis 2020 Aug;7(8). doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa238..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Hospitals, Comparative Effectiveness, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice