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
- Back Health and Pain (4)
- Cancer: Lung Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Chronic Conditions (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (4)
- Data (1)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (1)
- (-) Elderly (19)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Guidelines (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Status (2)
- Heart Disease and Health (1)
- Hospital Discharge (1)
- Hospitalization (2)
- Hospital Readmissions (1)
- Hospitals (1)
- Imaging (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (1)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Long-Term Care (1)
- Medical Devices (2)
- Medicare (2)
- Medication (1)
- Mortality (3)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Nursing Homes (1)
- (-) Outcomes (19)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3)
- Primary Care (2)
- Quality of Care (1)
- Registries (1)
- Risk (1)
- Surgery (3)
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 DisplayedSanghavi P, Jena Newhouse, JP
Outcomes of basic versus advanced life support for out-of-hospital medical emergencies.
The researchers compared outcomes after advanced life support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) in out-of-hospital medical emergencies. They found that advanced life support is associated with substantially higher mortality for several acute medical emergencies than BLS.
AHRQ-funded; HS022798.
Citation: Sanghavi P, Jena Newhouse, JP .
Outcomes of basic versus advanced life support for out-of-hospital medical emergencies.
Ann Intern Med 2015 Nov 3;163(9):681-90. doi: 10.7326/m15-0557..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Outcomes
Gozalo P, Leland NE, Christian TJ
Volume matters: returning home after hip fracture.
This study examined the effect of the relationship between volume (number of hip fracture admissions during the 12 months before participant’s fracture) and other facility characteristics on outcomes. It concluded that in community-dwelling persons with their first hip fracture, successful return to the community varies substantially, according to skilled nursing facility provider volume and staffing characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; HS000011.
Citation: Gozalo P, Leland NE, Christian TJ .
Volume matters: returning home after hip fracture.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Oct;63(10):2043-51. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13677..
Keywords: Injuries and Wounds, Elderly, Outcomes, Hospital Discharge
Deyo RA, Bryan M, Comstock BA
Trajectories of symptoms and function in older adults with low back disorders.
The researchers sought to determine whether there are distinct trajectories of back pain and function among older adults and to identify characteristics that distinguish among patients with substantially different prognoses. They found that, although most patients remained relatively stable over a year, latent class analysis identified small groups with major improvement in pain, function, or both.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222.
Citation: Deyo RA, Bryan M, Comstock BA .
Trajectories of symptoms and function in older adults with low back disorders.
Spine 2015 Sep 1;40(17):1352-62. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000000975.
.
.
Keywords: Data, Elderly, Back Health and Pain, Chronic Conditions, Outcomes
Brooke BS, Goodney PP, Kraiss LW
Readmission destination and risk of mortality after major surgery: an observational cohort study.
This study examined the association between readmission destination and mortality risk in the USA in Medicare beneficiaries after a range of common operations. It found that patients who are readmitted to hospital after various major operations consistently achieve improved survival if they return to the hospital where their surgery took place.
AHRQ-funded; HS021581.
Citation: Brooke BS, Goodney PP, Kraiss LW .
Readmission destination and risk of mortality after major surgery: an observational cohort study.
Lancet 2015 Aug 29;386(9996):884-95. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(15)60087-3..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Mortality, Surgery, Elderly, Outcomes, Hospitals
Fink HA, Hemmy LS, MacDonald R
Intermediate- and long-term cognitive outcomes after cardiovascular procedures in older adults: a systematic review.
This study summarized evidence about cognitive outcomes in adults aged 65 years or older at least 3 months after coronary or carotid revascularization, cardiac valve procedures, or ablation for atrial fibrillation. It concluded that intermediate- and long-term cognitive impairment in older adults attributable to the studied cardiovascular procedures may be uncommon.
AHRQ-funded; 2902007100641.
Citation: Fink HA, Hemmy LS, MacDonald R .
Intermediate- and long-term cognitive outcomes after cardiovascular procedures in older adults: a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2015 Jul 21;163(2):107-17. doi: 10.7326/m14-2793..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Neurological Disorders, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Risk, Surgery
Chen CY, Stevenson LW, Stewart GC
Real world effectiveness of primary implantable cardioverter defibrillators implanted during hospital admissions for exacerbation of heart failure or other acute co-morbidities: cohort study of older patients with heart failure.
The researchers examined the effectiveness of primary implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in elderly patients receiving the device during a hospital admission for exacerbation of heart failure or other acute co-morbidities. They concluded that the benefits of primary ICD therapy seen in pivotal trials were not apparent in patients aged 66 or over who received ICDs during a hospital admission for exacerbation of heart failure or other acute co-morbidities.
AHRQ-funded; 290-2005-0016-I -TO3; HS017731.
Citation: Chen CY, Stevenson LW, Stewart GC .
Real world effectiveness of primary implantable cardioverter defibrillators implanted during hospital admissions for exacerbation of heart failure or other acute co-morbidities: cohort study of older patients with heart failure.
BMJ 2015 Jul 14;351:h3529. doi: 10.1136/bmj.h3529..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Elderly, Medical Devices, Heart Disease and Health, Outcomes
Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
The researchers examined changes in health outcomes and medical services in the Medicare population after implementation of Medicare Part D. They found that 5 years after implementation, and contrary to previous reports, there was no evidence of Part D's effect on a range of population-level health indicators among Medicare enrollees. Further, there was no clear evidence of gains in medical care efficiencies.
AHRQ-funded; HS018577
Citation: Briesacher BA, Madden JM, Zhang F .
Did Medicare Part D affect national trends in health outcomes or hospitalizations? A time-series analysis.
Ann Intern Med. 2015 Jun 16;162(12):825-33. doi: 10.7326/m14-0726..
Keywords: Hospitalization, Outcomes, Medicare, Health Status, Elderly
Masoudi FA, Go AS, Magid DJ
Age and sex differences in long-term outcomes following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in contemporary clinical practice: findings from the Cardiovascular Research Network.
The objectives of this study were to characterize the risks of adverse outcomes in women and older patients. following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement with a focus on death, hospitalization, and complications. It concluded that the burden of adverse outcomes is substantial and varies according to patient age and sex. These differences in outcome generally do not vary according to baseline heart failure characteristics.
AHRQ-funded; 290050033; HS019814.
Citation: Masoudi FA, Go AS, Magid DJ .
Age and sex differences in long-term outcomes following implantable cardioverter-defibrillator placement in contemporary clinical practice: findings from the Cardiovascular Research Network.
J Am Heart Assoc 2015 Jun 2;4(6):e002005. doi: 10.1161/jaha.115.002005..
Keywords: Medical Devices, Cardiovascular Conditions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Elderly, Outcomes
Sjoding MW, Prescott HC, Wunsch H
Hospitals with the highest intensive care utilization provide lower quality pneumonia care to the elderly.
The researchers investigate the relationship between a hospital’s ICU admission rate for elderly patients with pneumonia and the quality of care it provided to patients with pneumonia. They found that quality of care was lower among hospitals with the highest rates of ICU admission for elderly patients with pneumonia; such hospitals were less likely to deliver pneumonia processes of care and had worse outcomes for patients with pneumonia.
AHRQ-funded; HS020672.
Citation: Sjoding MW, Prescott HC, Wunsch H .
Hospitals with the highest intensive care utilization provide lower quality pneumonia care to the elderly.
Crit Care Med 2015 Jun;43(6):1178-86. doi: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000000925..
Keywords: Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Elderly, Inpatient Care, Quality of Care, Outcomes
Smith-Ray RL, Hughes SL, Prohaska TR
Impact of cognitive training on balance and gait in older adults.
The researchers assessed whether a commercially available computer-based cognitive training program delivered in a classroom format over a 10-week period improved physical performance outcomes related to walking and balance in older adults. They found that the time to complete the Timed Up and Go increased less for the intervention group; however, there were no significant differences by group on gait speed or gait speed while distracted.
AHRQ-funded; HS018295.
Citation: Smith-Ray RL, Hughes SL, Prohaska TR .
Impact of cognitive training on balance and gait in older adults.
J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci 2015 May;70(3):357-66. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbt097..
Keywords: Elderly, Health Information Technology (HIT), Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes
Kumamaru H, Jalbert JJ, Nguyen LL
Surgeon case volume and 30-day mortality after carotid endarterectomy among contemporary medicare beneficiaries: before and after national coverage determination for carotid artery stenting.
The objective of this study is to examine the decline in past-year case-volumes of surgeons performing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) before and after the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for carotid artery stenting (CAS) and to assess its effect on 30-day post-CEA mortality. It found that the rate of CEA procedures decreased substantially during 2001 to 2008. The postprocedural mortality in Medicare beneficiaries was high compared with trial patients.
AHRQ-funded; 29020050016I.
Citation: Kumamaru H, Jalbert JJ, Nguyen LL .
Surgeon case volume and 30-day mortality after carotid endarterectomy among contemporary medicare beneficiaries: before and after national coverage determination for carotid artery stenting.
Stroke 2015 May;46(5):1288-94. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.114.006276..
Keywords: Surgery, Mortality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Elderly
Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
The researchers explored the prospective effects of multimorbidity on health outcomes (health status, major health decline, and mortality). They found a strong and significant association between multimorbidity and prospective health status, major health decline, and mortality and concluded that multimorbidity may be used — both in clinical practice and in research — to identify older adults with heightened vulnerability for adverse outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023113.
Citation: Koroukian SM, Warner DF, Owusu C .
Multimorbidity redefined: prospective health outcomes and the cumulative effect of co-occurring conditions.
Prev Chronic Dis 2015 Apr 23;12:E55. doi: 10.5888/pcd12.140478..
Keywords: Outcomes, Health Status, Mortality, Elderly
Jarvik JG, Gold LS, Comstock BA
Association of early imaging for back pain with clinical outcomes in older adults.
This study compared function and pain at the 12-month follow-up visit among older adults who received early imaging with those who did not receive early imaging after a new primary care visit for back pain without radiculopathy. It found that early imaging was not associated with better 1-year outcomes. The researchers concluded that the value of early diagnostic imaging in older adults for back pain with radiculopathy is uncertain.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222, HS022972
Citation: Jarvik JG, Gold LS, Comstock BA .
Association of early imaging for back pain with clinical outcomes in older adults.
JAMA. 2015 Mar 17;313(11):1143-53. doi: 10.1001/jama.2015.1871..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Elderly, Primary Care, Outcomes, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging
Nadpara PA, Madhavan SS, Tworek C
Guideline-concordant lung cancer care and associated health outcomes among elderly patients in the United States.
This study comprehensively evaluates the variations in guideline-concordant lung cancer care among elderly in the US. It found that less than half of all patients (44.7 percent) received guideline-concordant care in the study population. The likelihood of receiving guideline-concordant care significantly decreased with increasing age, non-white race, higher comorbidity score, and lower income.
AHRQ-funded; HS018622.
Citation: Nadpara PA, Madhavan SS, Tworek C .
Guideline-concordant lung cancer care and associated health outcomes among elderly patients in the United States.
J Geriatr Oncol 2015 Mar;6(2):101-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2015.01.001..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Elderly, Guidelines, Outcomes, Evidence-Based Practice
Rundell SD, Sherman KJ, Heagerty PJ
The clinical course of pain and function in older adults with a new primary care visit for back pain.
This study reports the clinical course of older adults presenting for a new primary care visit for back pain, with no healthcare visit for back pain within the prior 6 months, by describing pain intensity, disability, pain interference, and resolution of back pain over 12 months. It found that improvements in disability and interference with activity over 12 months differed according to age, duration of back pain, symptoms of depression and anxiety, and expectation for recovery.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222.
Citation: Rundell SD, Sherman KJ, Heagerty PJ .
The clinical course of pain and function in older adults with a new primary care visit for back pain.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Mar;63(3):524-30. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13241..
Keywords: Elderly, Primary Care, Back Health and Pain, Comparative Effectiveness, Outcomes
Lo-Ciganic WH, Perera S, Gray SL
Statin use and decline in gait speed in community-dwelling older adults.
The objective of this study was to examine the association between statin use and risk of decline in gait speed of 0.1 m/s or more in community-dwelling older adults. The results suggest no greater decline in gait speed with statin use than with nonuse in community-dwelling older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS017695; HS018721.
Citation: Lo-Ciganic WH, Perera S, Gray SL .
Statin use and decline in gait speed in community-dwelling older adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2015 Jan;63(1):124-9. doi: 10.1111/jgs.13134..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication, Outcomes
Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA
A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis.
The researchers designed the Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections for Spinal Stenosis trial to compare the effectiveness of epidural injections of glucocorticoids plus anesthetic with injections of anesthetic alone in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. They found that epidural injection of glucocorticoids plus lidocaine offered minimal or no short-term benefit as compared with lidocaine alone.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222
Citation: Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA .
A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis.
N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 3;371(1):11-21. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1313265..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Chronic Conditions, Elderly, Outcomes
Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, Heagerty PJ
Back pain in seniors: the Back pain Outcomes using Longitudinal Data (BOLD) cohort baseline data.
Back pain, function, and health-related quality of life varied by demographic and geographic factors among seniors, based on data in the Back pain Outcomes using Longitudinal Data (BOLD) Registry. Lower education, female sex, black race, and older age were linked to worse disability.
AHRQ-funded; HS019222
Citation: Jarvik JG, Comstock BA, Heagerty PJ .
Back pain in seniors: the Back pain Outcomes using Longitudinal Data (BOLD) cohort baseline data.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2014 Apr 23;15:134. doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-15-134..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Elderly, Outcomes, Registries
Spector WD
AHRQ Author: Spector WD
Response to letter to the editor regarding the paper "potentially avoidable hospitalization for elderly long-stay residents in nursing homes".
The author argues against the strategy than is implied by Dr. Powers’ letter to the editor. Rather than adding one aspect of care organization at a time to administrative data, he states that we should identify a small set of easily collected measures that generally modify the effects of care organization innovations. With these in place, we can then add measures like consistent assignment to better understand how it improves clinical outcomes.
AHRQ-authored
Citation: Spector WD .
Response to letter to the editor regarding the paper "potentially avoidable hospitalization for elderly long-stay residents in nursing homes".
Med Care 2014 Jan;52(1):93-4. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000072..
Keywords: Hospitalization, Elderly, Outcomes, Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes