National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
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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 7 of 7 Research Studies DisplayedFuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
This clinical trial studied implementation of a suite of EHR-integrated digital health tools to engage patients, caregivers, and clinicians in discharge preparation during hospitalization. Patients who were enrolled agreed to watch a discharge video, complete a checklist assessing discharge readiness, and request postdischarge text messaging with a physician 24 to 48 hours before their expected discharge date. Out of 752 patient admissions, from December 2017 to July 2018, 510 participated, 416 watched the video and completed the checklist, and 94 completed only the checklist. Most patients endorsed the tools, but felt that the video and checklist would be more useful closer to the actual discharge date. Clinicians participating in focus groups perceived the value for patients but felt that there were a number of limitations including low awareness and variable workflow regarding the intervention. A number of strategies were offered by the authors to address implementation barriers and promote adoption of these tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS024751.
Citation: Fuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N .
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
J Med Internet Res 2020 Apr 28;22(4):e15573. doi: 10.2196/15573..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Caregiving, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care, Hospitals
Wyatt DL
AHRQ Author: Wyatt DL
Employing technology to make care transitions safer.
This commentary discusses the potential for errors in patient handoffs; important information about medications and instructions regarding patient care may be overlooked when the patient is referred to special care, moved to a new hospital setting, or discharged. The problem is especially acute for patients with multiple chronic conditions who often undergo frequent transitions to new care settings and healthcare providers. The author describes AHRQ’s funding opportunities for health information technology interventions that aim to improve communication and coordination during care transitions, such as location-based smartphone alerts, a patient-centered discharge toolkit, and a ‘smart pillbox’ electronic medication adherence reporting project.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Wyatt DL .
Employing technology to make care transitions safer.
J Nurs Care Qual 2019 Jul/Sep;34(3):185-88. doi: 10.1097/ncq.0000000000000417..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Care Coordination, Chronic Conditions, Communication, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Hospital Discharge, Medical Errors, Medication, Patient Safety, Transitions of Care
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
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
Lacson R, Desai S, Landman A
Impact of a health information technology intervention on the follow-up management of pulmonary nodules.
Recommendations to improve care for patients with pulmonary nodules require follow-up management. However, transitions in care can exacerbate failures in follow-up testing and compromise patient safety. The study authors evaluated the impact of a discharge module that included follow-up recommendations for further management of pulmonary nodules on the study outcome and follow-up management of patients with pulmonary nodules within 1 year after discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS022586.
Citation: Lacson R, Desai S, Landman A .
Impact of a health information technology intervention on the follow-up management of pulmonary nodules.
J Digit Imaging 2018 Feb;31(1):19-25. doi: 10.1007/s10278-017-9989-y..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care
Sanger PC, Hartzler A, Han SM
Patient perspectives on post-discharge surgical site infections: towards a patient-centered mobile health solution.
This study explored patient experience of surgical site infections (SSI) and openness to a mobile health (mHealth) wound monitoring ‘‘app’’ as a novel solution to address the problem of patient perceptions about barriers experienced while seeking care for post-discharge SSI. It found that patients are dissatisfied with the current standard post-hospitalization care practice and were accepting of the concept of a patient-centered wound monitoring application.
AHRQ-funded; HS019482.
Citation: Sanger PC, Hartzler A, Han SM .
Patient perspectives on post-discharge surgical site infections: towards a patient-centered mobile health solution.
PLoS One 2014 Dec;9(12):e114016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114016..
Keywords: Surgery, Health Information Technology (HIT), Adverse Events, Patient Experience, Hospital Discharge
Liao JM, Roy CL, Eibensteiner K
Lost in transition: discrepancies in how physicians perceive the actionability of the results of tests pending at discharge.
Effective communication of pending hospital test results between inpatient and primary care physicians is sometimes challenging or nonexistent. This communication is essential for safe, quality transactions at discharge. Health information technology (such as email and fax) is an effective strategy for improving and reporting test-result management.
AHRQ-funded; HS018229
Citation: Liao JM, Roy CL, Eibensteiner K .
Lost in transition: discrepancies in how physicians perceive the actionability of the results of tests pending at discharge.
J Hospital Med. 2014 Jun;9(6):407-9. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2177..
Keywords: Communication, Care Coordination, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Patient Safety