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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 25 of 50 Research Studies DisplayedAbu HO, Anatchkova MD, Erskine NA
Are we "missing the big picture" in transitions of care? Perspectives of healthcare providers managing patients with unplanned hospitalization.
The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the factors that negatively/positively influence care transitions following an unplanned hospitalization from the perspective of healthcare providers. The study identified factors within and outside the discharging healthcare facility that influence care transitions and ultimately affect patient-centered outcomes and provider satisfaction with delivered care.
AHRQ-funded; HS022694.
Citation: Abu HO, Anatchkova MD, Erskine NA .
Are we "missing the big picture" in transitions of care? Perspectives of healthcare providers managing patients with unplanned hospitalization.
Appl Nurs Res 2018 Dec;44:60-66. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2018.09.006..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Hospitalization, Transitions of Care, Clinician-Patient Communication
Balentine CJ, Kenzik K, Chu DI
Planning post-discharge destination for gastrointestinal surgery patients: room for improvement?
Investigators compared short-term recovery for patients discharged to inpatient rehabilitation versus skilled nursing facilities after gastrointestinal surgery. They found that there was no difference in 30-day readmission rates, but post-discharge mortality was higher for patients discharged to skilled nursing facilities compared to inpatient rehabilitation.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Balentine CJ, Kenzik K, Chu DI .
Planning post-discharge destination for gastrointestinal surgery patients: room for improvement?
Am J Surg 2018 Nov;216(5):912-18. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2018.05.004..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Surgery, Digestive Disease and Health, Rehabilitation, Nursing Homes, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Transitions of Care
Desai AD, Simon TD, Leyenaar JK
Utilizing family-centered process and outcome measures to assess hospital-to-home transition quality.
This commentary describes the success of using 8 new caregiver-reported measures to assess the quality of hospital- and emergency department (ED)-to-home transitions in pediatric patients. This measures were originally created by the national Pediatric Quality Measures Program mandated by the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA). An original article describing these measures was published 2016 and there have been several follow-up studies. These measures are undergoing further testing.
AHRQ-funded; HS024133; HS024299; HS020506.
Citation: Desai AD, Simon TD, Leyenaar JK .
Utilizing family-centered process and outcome measures to assess hospital-to-home transition quality.
Acad Pediatr 2018 Nov - Dec;18(8):843-46. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2018.07.013..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Transitions of Care, Quality of Care, Quality Measures, Quality Improvement, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Evidence-Based Practice
Klueh MP, Hu HM, Howard RA
Transitions of care for postoperative opioid prescribing in previously opioid-naive patients in the USA: a retrospective review.
The purpose of this study was to identify specialties prescribing opioids to surgical patients who develop new persistent opioid use. Results showed that, among surgical patients who developed new persistent opioid use, surgeons provided the majority of opioid prescriptions during the first 3 months after surgery, but by 9 to 12 months after surgery, the majority of opioid prescriptions were provided by primary care physicians. Recommendations included enhanced care coordination between surgeons and primary care physicians to allow earlier identification of patients at risk for new persistent opioid use in order to prevent misuse and dependence.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: Klueh MP, Hu HM, Howard RA .
Transitions of care for postoperative opioid prescribing in previously opioid-naive patients in the USA: a retrospective review.
J Gen Intern Med 2018 Oct;33(10):1685-91. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4463-1..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Opioids, Substance Abuse, Surgery, Pain, Medication, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Hong I, Karmarker A, Chan W
Discharge patterns for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients going from acute care hospitals to inpatient and skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Investigators explored variation in acute care use of inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities rehabilitation after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. They found demographic and clinical differences among stroke patients admitted for post-acute rehabilitation at inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities settings. Additionally, examination of variation in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke discharges suggests acute facility-level differences and indicates a need for careful consideration of patient and facility factors when comparing the effectiveness of inpatient rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing facilities rehabilitation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134; HS024711.
Citation: Hong I, Karmarker A, Chan W .
Discharge patterns for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients going from acute care hospitals to inpatient and skilled nursing rehabilitation.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Sep;97(9):636-45. doi: 10.1097/phm.0000000000000932..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Hospital Discharge, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions, Nursing Homes, Rehabilitation
Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge decreased the 30-day reutilization rate for urgent care services and enhanced overall transition success. The investigators concluded that although postdischarge nurse contact did not decrease the reutilization rate of postdischarge urgent health care services, the method showed promise to bolster postdischarge education.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL .
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Pediatr 2018 Sep;172(9):e181482. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1482..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Children/Adolescents, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Hospital Discharge, Outcomes, Provider, Provider: Nurse, Telehealth, Transitions of Care
Naylor MD, Hirschman KB, Toles MP
Adaptations of the evidence-based Transitional Care Model in the U.S.
The goal of this study was to describe and classify common local adaptations of the evidence-based intervention Transitional Care Model (TCM); this model is comprised of 10 components that have been proven in multiple clinical trials to improve care and outcomes for chronically ill older adults who are transitioning home from hospitals. 582 U.S.-based transitional care clinicians in health systems and community-based organizations were asked to complete a survey, then researchers interviewed a subset of survey respondents regarding implementation of TCM in their distinct organizations. The results suggest hypotheses that can be used to guide rigorous examination of the association between adaptations of TCM components and desired outcomes, and reinforce a need for investment in adaptation science.
AHRQ-funded; HS022406.
Citation: Naylor MD, Hirschman KB, Toles MP .
Adaptations of the evidence-based Transitional Care Model in the U.S.
Soc Sci Med 2018 Sep;213:28-36. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.07.023..
Keywords: Elderly, Chronic Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Transitions of Care
Bindman AB, Cox DF
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare adopted transitional care management (TCM) payment codes in 2013 to encourage clinicians to furnish TCM services after beneficiaries were discharged to the community from medical facilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the receipt of TCM services was associated with the subsequent health care costs and mortality of the beneficiaries in the month after the service was provided. The study concluded that despite the apparent benefits of TCM services for Medicare beneficiaries, the use of this service remains low.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bindman AB, Cox DF .
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Sep;178(9):1165-71. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2572..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospital Discharge, Medicare, Mortality, Transitions of Care
Jones CD, Anthony A, Klein MD
The effect of a pharmacist-led multidisciplinary transitions-of-care pilot for patients at high risk of readmission.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of a pharmacist-led transitions-of-care (TOC) pilot targeted to patients at high risk of readmission on process measures, hospital readmissions, and emergency department visits. Results showed that a pharmacist-led TOC pilot demonstrated potential for reducing hospital readmissions. The intervention was time intensive and led to the creation of a TOC pharmacist role to implement medication-related transitional care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Anthony A, Klein MD .
The effect of a pharmacist-led multidisciplinary transitions-of-care pilot for patients at high risk of readmission.
J Am Pharm Assoc 2018 Sep - Oct;58(5):554-60. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2018.05.008..
Keywords: Hospital Readmissions, Provider: Pharmacist, Transitions of Care
Rosenberg A, Campbell Britton
A taxonomy and cultural analysis of intra-hospital patient transfers.
Existing research on intra-hospital patient transitions focuses chiefly on handoffs, or exchanges of information, between clinicians. Less is known about patient transfers within hospitals, which include but extend beyond the exchange of information. Using participant observations and interviews at a 1,541-bed, academic, tertiary medical center, the investigators explored the ways in which staff define and understand patient transfers between units.
AHRQ-funded; HS023554.
Citation: Rosenberg A, Campbell Britton .
A taxonomy and cultural analysis of intra-hospital patient transfers.
Res Nurs Health 2018 Aug;41(4):378-88. doi: 10.1002/nur.21875..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Patient Safety, Hospitals
Gupta A, Lacson R, Balthazar PC
Assessing documentation of critical imaging result follow-up recommendations in emergency department discharge instructions.
The purpose of this study was to facilitate follow-up of critical test results across transitions in patient care settings, the investigators implemented an electronic discharge module that enabled care providers to include follow-up recommendations in the discharge instructions. Implementation of a discharge module was associated with increased documentation of critical imaging finding follow-up recommendations in ED discharge instructions. However, one in four patients still did not receive adequate follow-up recommendations, suggesting further opportunities for performance improvement exist.
AHRQ-funded; HS022586.
Citation: Gupta A, Lacson R, Balthazar PC .
Assessing documentation of critical imaging result follow-up recommendations in emergency department discharge instructions.
J Digit Imaging 2018 Aug;31(4):562-67. doi: 10.1007/s10278-017-0039-6..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Imaging, Transitions of Care
Desai AD, Jacob-Files EA, Lowry SJ
Development of a caregiver-reported experience measure for pediatric hospital-to-home transitions.
The objective for this study was to develop and test a caregiver-reported experience measure for pediatric hospital-to-home transitions. An eight-item caregiver-reported experience measure to evaluate hospital-to-home transition outcomes in pediatric populations demonstrated acceptable content validity and psychometric properties.
AHRQ-funded; HS024299.
Citation: Desai AD, Jacob-Files EA, Lowry SJ .
Development of a caregiver-reported experience measure for pediatric hospital-to-home transitions.
Health Serv Res 2018 Aug;53 Suppl 1:3084-106. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12864..
Keywords: Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality Measures, Transitions of Care
Balentine CJ, Leverson G, Vanness DJ
Selecting post-acute care settings after abdominal surgery: are we getting it right?
Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data, the authors investigated whether variation in post-acute care (PAC) services could be explained by surgeons discharging clinically similar patients to different PAC destinations. They found considerable potential for reducing variation in PAC use and costs by better understanding how surgeons make decisions about PAC placement.
AHRQ-funded; HS023009.
Citation: Balentine CJ, Leverson G, Vanness DJ .
Selecting post-acute care settings after abdominal surgery: are we getting it right?
Am J Surg 2018 Aug;216(2):260-66. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.08.043..
Keywords: Care Management, Decision Making, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Transitions of Care
Durojaiye AB, McGeorge NM, Puett LL
Mapping the flow of pediatric trauma patients using process mining.
The purpose of this study was to describe a process mining approach for mapping the inhospital flow of pediatric trauma patients, to identify and characterize the major patient pathways and care transitions, and to identify opportunities for patient flow and triage improvement. Process mining was successfully applied to derive process maps from trauma registry data and to identify opportunities for trauma triage improvement and optimization of PICU use.
AHRQ-funded; HS023837.
Citation: Durojaiye AB, McGeorge NM, Puett LL .
Mapping the flow of pediatric trauma patients using process mining.
Appl Clin Inform 2018 Jul;9(3):654-66. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1668089..
Keywords: Trauma, Children/Adolescents, Transitions of Care, Data
Auger KA, Simmons JM, Tubbs-Cooley HL
Postdischarge Nurse Home Visits and Reuse: the Hospital to Home Outcomes (H2O) Trial.
In this study, the investigators evaluated the effects of a pediatric transition intervention, specifically a single nurse home visit, on postdischarge outcomes in a randomized controlled trial. The investigators concluded that children randomly assigned to the intervention had higher rates of 30-day postdischarge unplanned health care reuse. They also noted that parents in the intervention group recalled more clinical warning signs 2 weeks after discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Auger KA, Simmons JM, Tubbs-Cooley HL .
Postdischarge Nurse Home Visits and Reuse: the Hospital to Home Outcomes (H2O) Trial.
Pediatrics 2018 Jul;142(1). doi: 10.1542/peds.2017-3919..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge, Nursing, Transitions of Care
Garfield CF, Simon CD, Rutsohn J
Stress from the neonatal intensive care unit to home: paternal and maternal cortisol rhythms in parents of premature infants.
The purpose of the study was to examine cortisol diurnal rhythms, a physiologic marker of stress, over the transition from the critical care setting to home for fathers and mothers of very low-birth-weight infants, including how cortisol is associated with psychosocial stress and parenting sense of competence. The investigators noted that fathers may be especially susceptible to stressors during this transition.
AHRQ-funded; HS020316.
Citation: Garfield CF, Simon CD, Rutsohn J .
Stress from the neonatal intensive care unit to home: paternal and maternal cortisol rhythms in parents of premature infants.
J Perinat Neonatal Nurs 2018 Jul/Sep;32(3):257-65. doi: 10.1097/jpn.0000000000000296..
Keywords: Caregiving, Newborns/Infants, Newborns/Infants, Stress, Transitions of Care
Mueller SK, Zheng J, Orav J
Interhospital transfer and receipt of specialty procedures.
This study examines the practice of transferring patients between acute care hospitals, and whether the patient actually receives the specialty services at the new hospital which is the reason for the transfer. A retrospective analysis used 2013 100% Master Beneficiary Summary and Inpatient claims files from the CMS. The cohort were aged 65 and above, continuously enrolled in Medicare A and B, with an acute care hospitalization claim, and transferred to another acute hospital with a primary diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, gastrointestinal bleed, renal failure, or hip fracture/dislocation. Of the 19,613 included beneficiaries, between 32.4% and 89.1% did not receive any associated specialty procedure at the receiving hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS023331.
Citation: Mueller SK, Zheng J, Orav J .
Interhospital transfer and receipt of specialty procedures.
J Hosp Med 2018 Jun;13(6):383-87. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2875..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Patient Safety, Surgery, Healthcare Delivery
Buttke D, Cooke V, Abrahamson K
A statewide model for assisting nursing home residents to transition successfully to the community.
Minnesota's Return to Community Initiative (RTCI) is a novel, statewide initiative to assist private paying nursing home residents to return to the community and to remain in that setting without converting to Medicaid. The objective of this manuscript was to describe in detail RTCI's development and design, its key operational components, and characteristics of its clients and their care outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS020224.
Citation: Buttke D, Cooke V, Abrahamson K .
A statewide model for assisting nursing home residents to transition successfully to the community.
Geriatrics 2018 Jun;3(2):18. doi: 10.3390/geriatrics3020018..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Transitions of Care
Regenhardt RW, Mecca AP, Flavin SA
Delays in the air or ground transfer of patients for endovascular thrombectomy.
This study’s objective was to examine associations between transfer time, modes of transfer, endovascular therapy (ET), and outcomes within a hub-and-spoke telestroke network. Results showed an association between longer transfer time and decreased likelihood of undergoing ET. Nocturnal transfers were associated with a substantial delay relative to daytime transfers. In contrast, delivery of tPA was not associated with delays, underscoring the impact of effective protocols at spoke hospitals. More efficient transfer may enable higher ET treatment rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Regenhardt RW, Mecca AP, Flavin SA .
Delays in the air or ground transfer of patients for endovascular thrombectomy.
Stroke 2018 Jun;49(6):1419-25. doi: 10.1161/strokeaha.118.020618.
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Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Telehealth, Transitions of Care, Stroke
Jones CD, Burke RE
Inpatient notes - getting past the "black box"-opportunities for hospitalists to improve postacute care transitions.
The care provided after hospital discharge in skilled-nursing facilities and home health care is collectively termed postacute care (PAC). In this article, the authors outline 3 key problems with postacute care transitions and offer potential solutions.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Burke RE .
Inpatient notes - getting past the "black box"-opportunities for hospitalists to improve postacute care transitions.
Ann Intern Med 2018 May 15;168(10):HO2-HO3. doi: 10.7326/m18-0940..
Keywords: Health Services Research (HSR), Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge, Long-Term Care, Transitions of Care
Jones CD, Burke RE
Web exclusive. Annals for Hospitalists Inpatient Notes - getting past the "black box"-opportunities for hospitalists to improve postacute care transitions.
In this article, the authors outline 3 key problems in postacute care (PAC) transitions and offer potential solutions. They assert that improving hospitalists' knowledge of PAC, improving communication after hospital discharge, and creating mechanisms for feedback to hospitalists are all possible ways of getting past the PAC “black box.”
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Burke RE .
Web exclusive. Annals for Hospitalists Inpatient Notes - getting past the "black box"-opportunities for hospitalists to improve postacute care transitions.
Ann Intern Med 2018 May 15;168(10):H02 - H03. doi: 10.7326/m18-0940..
Keywords: Communication, Hospital Discharge, Inpatient Care, Transitions of Care
Sockolow PS, Yang Y, Bass EJ
Data visualization of home care admission nurses' decision-making.
This study investigated nurses’ decision making regarding hospital to home care admissions. They conducted a focus group case study with six admitting home health nurses at a rural agency in Pennsylvania and analyzed the data using thematic analysis.
AHRQ-funded; HS024537.
Citation: Sockolow PS, Yang Y, Bass EJ .
Data visualization of home care admission nurses' decision-making.
AMIA Annu Symp Proc 2018 Apr 16;2017:1597-606..
Keywords: Data, Decision Making, Home Healthcare, Nursing, Transitions of Care
Yao Y, Ahn H, Stifter J
Continuity index measures in the acute care hospital setting: an analytic review and tests using electronic health record data and computer simulation.
This study examined continuity index measures in the acute care hospital setting. These measures can be used to examine the influence of nurse staffing patterns on patient outcomes. The researchers examined the behavior of continuity indexes as applied to clinical practice data that were collected with the Hands-On Automated Nursing Data System (HANDS) and data from computer simulation. The findings provided a deep understanding of the conceptual foundations and properties of various continuity measures.
AHRQ-funded; HS015054; HS023072.
Citation: Yao Y, Ahn H, Stifter J .
Continuity index measures in the acute care hospital setting: an analytic review and tests using electronic health record data and computer simulation.
J Nurs Meas 2018 Apr 1;26(1):20-35. doi: 10.1891/1061-3749.26.1.20..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Care Coordination, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Provider: Nurse, Provider, Hospitals, Outcomes
Statile AM, Unaka N, Auger KA
Preparing from the outside looking in for safely transitioning pediatric inpatients to home.
In this editorial, the authors discuss a paper by Rehm, et al. published in 2018 in Journal of Hospital Medicine entitled “Issues Identified by Post-Discharge Contact after Pediatric Hospitalization: A Multi-site Study.”
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Statile AM, Unaka N, Auger KA .
Preparing from the outside looking in for safely transitioning pediatric inpatients to home.
J Hosp Med 2018 Apr;13(4):287-88. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2935..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Hospital Discharge, Hospitalization, Patient Safety, Transitions of Care
Makam AN, Nguyen OK, Xuan L
Factors associated with variation in long-term acute care hospital vs skilled nursing facility use among hospitalized older adults.
This study examined factors associated with variation in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) vs less costly skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) transfer among hospitalized older adults. It concluded that half of the variation in LTAC vs SNF transfer is independent of patients' illness severity or clinical complexity, and is explained by where the patient was hospitalized and in what region, with far greater use in the South.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Makam AN, Nguyen OK, Xuan L .
Factors associated with variation in long-term acute care hospital vs skilled nursing facility use among hospitalized older adults.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Mar;178(3):399-405. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.8467.
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Keywords: Elderly, Long-Term Care, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Transitions of Care
