National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Adverse Events (1)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (2)
- Cancer (1)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- Communication (1)
- Community-Based Practice (1)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (2)
- Emergency Department (3)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Healthcare Delivery (10)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (4)
- Hospitals (1)
- Implementation (3)
- Inpatient Care (1)
- Lifestyle Changes (1)
- Nursing (1)
- Organizational Change (2)
- Patient Experience (1)
- Patient Safety (4)
- Prevention (1)
- Primary Care (8)
- Primary Care: Models of Care (2)
- Provider (2)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Nurse (1)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Provider Performance (1)
- Quality Improvement (5)
- Quality of Care (5)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
- Screening (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Surgery (3)
- Teams (2)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- Urban Health (1)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (1)
- (-) Workflow (20)
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 20 of 20 Research Studies DisplayedBurden A, Potestio C, Pukenas E
Influence of perioperative handoffs on complications and outcomes.
The authors describe the perioperative environment, calling it dynamic and complex, and indicate that there are multiple distractions that can interfere with effective communication and safe patient care. They discuss various aspects involved in handoffs, concluding that an institutional culture that highlights the importance of patient safety and that encourages team collaboration has demonstrated that harm can be decreased and patient safety can be improved.
AHRQ-funded; HS026158.
Citation: Burden A, Potestio C, Pukenas E .
Influence of perioperative handoffs on complications and outcomes.
Adv Anesth 2021 Dec;39:133-48. doi: 10.1016/j.aan.2021.07.008..
Keywords: Patient Safety, Transitions of Care, Workflow
Johnson KD, Schumacher D, Lee RC
Identifying strategies for the management of interruptions for novice triage nurses using an online modified Delphi method.
This study’s purpose was to use the Delphi Method to identify strategies used by triage nurses to effectively manage interrupts that can be taught to novice nurses. A panel of nine triage, education, and operational management experts were selected. The panel participated in three Delphi rounds. Results were synthesized and summaries returned to the participants. A final consensus was reached regarding recommendations for successful strategies to address triage interruptions. Eight strategies to mitigate the impact of interruptions were identified. Six of those strategies were identified as best being taught using simulation.
AHRQ-funded; HS025844.
Citation: Johnson KD, Schumacher D, Lee RC .
Identifying strategies for the management of interruptions for novice triage nurses using an online modified Delphi method.
J Nurs Scholarsh 2021 Nov;53(6):718-26. doi: 10.1111/jnu.12683..
Keywords: Nursing, Workflow
Salwei ME, Carayon P, Hoonakker PLT
Workflow integration analysis of a human factors-based clinical decision support in the emergency department.
Numerous challenges with the implementation, acceptance, and use of health IT are related to poor usability and a lack of integration of the technologies into clinical workflow, and have, therefore, limited the potential of these technologies to improve patient safety. In this paper, the investigators propose a definition and conceptual model of health IT workflow integration. Using interviews of 12 emergency department (ED) physicians, they identified 134 excerpts of barriers and facilitators to workflow integration of a human factors (HF)-based clinical decision support (CDS) implemented in the ED.
AHRQ-funded; HS022086.
Citation: Salwei ME, Carayon P, Hoonakker PLT .
Workflow integration analysis of a human factors-based clinical decision support in the emergency department.
Appl Ergon 2021 Nov;97:103498. doi: 10.1016/j.apergo.2021.103498..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Workflow, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Implementation
Benneyan JC, White T, Nehls N
Systems analysis of a dedicated ambulatory respiratory unit for seeing and ensuring follow-up of patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
This paper is a systems analysis of a dedicated ambulatory respiratory unit for patients with COVID-19 symptoms. Workflow redesigns were necessitated by COVID and included new ambulatory workflows to handle surge volumes, protect patients and staff, and ensure timely reliable care. The workflow innovations observed can possibly be used to benefit routine care. Observations found that more than 85% of follow-ups were completed within 24 hours, and no staff or patient infections were associated with unit operations. Identified issues included role confusion, staffing and gatekeeping bottlenecks, and patient reluctance to visit in person or discuss concerns on the phone.
AHRQ-funded; HS027282.
Citation: Benneyan JC, White T, Nehls N .
Systems analysis of a dedicated ambulatory respiratory unit for seeing and ensuring follow-up of patients with COVID-19 symptoms.
J Ambul Care Manage 2021 Oct-Dec;44(4):293-303. doi: 10.1097/jac.0000000000000390..
Keywords: COVID-19, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Respiratory Conditions, Workflow, Healthcare Delivery
Joseph A, Neyens D, Mihandoust S
Impact of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions and movement patterns during pediatric outpatient surgeries.
This quantitative observational study observed the impacts of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions (FDs), the number of contacts between team members, and the distance traveled. Findings showed that the orientation of the surgical table significantly influenced staff workflow and movement in the operating room, with an angled surgical table orientation being the least disruptive to surgical work. The anesthesia provider, scrub nurse, and circulating nurse experienced more FDs compared to the surgeon.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Joseph A, Neyens D, Mihandoust S .
Impact of surgical table orientation on flow disruptions and movement patterns during pediatric outpatient surgeries.
Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Jul 31;18(15). doi: 10.3390/ijerph18158114..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Surgery, Workflow
Hung DY, Mujal G, Jin A
Patient experiences after implementing lean primary care redesigns.
The authors examined the effect of Lean primary care redesigns on patient satisfaction with care and timeliness of care received. After implementation of Lean redesigns, they found that patients reported a 44.8 percent increase in satisfaction with the adequacy of time spent with care providers during office visits. They also reported 71.6 percent higher satisfaction with their care provider's ability to listen to their concerns and a 55.4 percent increase in perceived staff helpfulness at the visit. The amount of time elapsed between a patient request for a routine appointment and the scheduled visit day decreased. On the day of the visit, patient wait times to be seen also decreased gradually.
AHRQ-funded; HS024529.
Citation: Hung DY, Mujal G, Jin A .
Patient experiences after implementing lean primary care redesigns.
Health Serv Res 2021 Jun;56(3):363-70. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13605..
Keywords: Patient Experience, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Workflow, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Freedman S, Golberstein E, Huang TY
Docs with their eyes on the clock? The effect of time pressures on primary care productivity.
J Health Econ 2021 May;77:102442. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102442.
Investigators examined how time pressure, an important constraint faced by medical care providers, affects productivity in primary care. Data was taken from the electronic health records of a large integrated delivery system. They found that greater time pressure reduced the number of diagnoses recorded during a visit and increased both scheduled and unscheduled follow-up care. Further, they found evidence of increased low-value care, decreased preventive care, and decreased opioid prescribing.
Investigators examined how time pressure, an important constraint faced by medical care providers, affects productivity in primary care. Data was taken from the electronic health records of a large integrated delivery system. They found that greater time pressure reduced the number of diagnoses recorded during a visit and increased both scheduled and unscheduled follow-up care. Further, they found evidence of increased low-value care, decreased preventive care, and decreased opioid prescribing.
AHRQ-funded; HS000036.
Citation: Freedman S, Golberstein E, Huang TY .
Docs with their eyes on the clock? The effect of time pressures on primary care productivity.
J Health Econ 2021 May;77:102442. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2021.102442..
Keywords: Primary Care, Healthcare Delivery, Workflow
Linke SE, Kallenberg GR, Kronick R
Integrating "Exercise Is Medicine" into primary care workflow: a study protocol.
As a major contributor to the burden of most chronic diseases, insufficient physical activity (PA) creates a significant financial burden on the health care system. Exercise Is Medicine (EIM) is a global health initiative committed to the belief that PA is integral to the prevention and treatment of diseases and should be routinely assessed as a vital sign and treated in the health care setting. This paper described an in-progress embedded quality improvement (QI) project that integrated EIM into routine clinical practice.
AHRQ-funded; HS026517.
Citation: Linke SE, Kallenberg GR, Kronick R .
Integrating "Exercise Is Medicine" into primary care workflow: a study protocol.
Transl Behav Med 2021 Apr 26;11(4):921-29. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibaa088..
Keywords: Primary Care, Lifestyle Changes, Workflow, Healthcare Delivery
Jurewicz KA, Neyens DM, Catchpole K
Observational study of anaesthesia workflow to evaluate physical workspace design and layout.
The objective of this study was to observe the relationship between task switching and physical layout, and then use the data collected to design and assess different anesthesia workspace layouts. Six videos of anesthesia providers from a single medical center in the United States were analyzed. Findings showed that current operating theater layouts do not fit work demands. The authors reported a simple method that facilitates a quick layout design assessment and showed that the anesthesia workspace can be improved to better suit workflow and patient care. They suggested that this arrangement could reduce anesthesia workload while improving task flow efficiency and potentially the safety of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Jurewicz KA, Neyens DM, Catchpole K .
Observational study of anaesthesia workflow to evaluate physical workspace design and layout.
Br J Anaesth 2021 Mar;126(3):633-41. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.08.063..
Keywords: Workflow, Healthcare Delivery, Surgery
Hung DY, Truong QA, Liang SY
Implementing lean quality improvement in primary care: impact on efficiency in performing common clinical tasks.
Investigators examined 3-year impacts of Lean implementation on the amount of time taken for physicians to complete common clinical tasks. They found that Lean redesigns led to improvements in timely completion of 3 out of 4 common clinical tasks, thus supporting the use of Lean techniques to engage teams in routine aspects of patient care. They recommended more research to understand the mechanisms by which Lean promotes quality improvement and effectiveness of care team workflows.
AHRQ-funded; HS024529.
Citation: Hung DY, Truong QA, Liang SY .
Implementing lean quality improvement in primary care: impact on efficiency in performing common clinical tasks.
J Gen Intern Med 2021 Feb;36(2):274-79. doi: 10.1007/s11606-020-06317-9..
Keywords: Primary Care, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Primary Care: Models of Care, Primary Care, Implementation, Workflow, Teams, Healthcare Delivery
Patel VL, Denton CA, Soni HC
Physician workflow in two distinctive emergency departments: an observational study.
In this study, the investigators characterized physician workflow in two distinctive emergency departments (ED). Physician practices mediated by electronic health records (EHR) were explored within the context of organizational complexity for the delivery of care. The investigators concluded that 1.) the nature of the clinical practice and EHR-mediated workflow reflected the ED work practices; 2.) physicians in more complex organizations may be less efficient because of the fragmented workflow- however these effects could be mitigated by effort distribution through team communication, which affords inherent safety checks.
AHRQ-funded; HS022670.
Citation: Patel VL, Denton CA, Soni HC .
Physician workflow in two distinctive emergency departments: an observational study.
Appl Clin Inform 2021 Jan;12(1):141-52. doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1722615..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Workflow, Healthcare Delivery, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Read JM, Weiler DT, Satterly T
Provider preference in exam room layout design and computing.
This study examined the impact of electronic health records (EHRs) on exam room design which would make it easier for providers to promote flexibility, mobility, and body orientation directed towards the patient. Semistructured interviews with 28 providers was conducted and the interviews were audio recorded and transcribed for analysis. Flexibility in sharing the computer screen with patients was an important theme as well as exam room layout, exam room computing and provider workflow.
AHRQ-funded; HS024488.
Citation: Read JM, Weiler DT, Satterly T .
Provider preference in exam room layout design and computing.
Appl Clin Inform 2019 Oct;10(5):972-80. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-3401813..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Workflow, Primary Care, Provider
Manojlovich M, Ameling JM, Forman J
Contextual barriers to communication between physicians and nurses about appropriate catheter use.
This study identified contextual barriers to communication between physicians and nurses that contribute to inappropriate use of catheters and increased risk of health care-associated infections. The researchers conducted individual and small-group semistructured interviewed with physicians and nurses in a progressive care unit of an academic hospital. Common barriers included workflow misalignment between clinicians, issues with electronic medical records and pagers, and strained relationships between clinicians.
AHRQ-funded; HS024385.
Citation: Manojlovich M, Ameling JM, Forman J .
Contextual barriers to communication between physicians and nurses about appropriate catheter use.
Am J Crit Care 2019 Jul;28(4):290-98. doi: 10.4037/ajcc2019372..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Communication, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Provider, Provider: Nurse, Provider: Physician, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), Workflow
Joseph A, Khoshkenar A, Taaffe KM
Minor flow disruptions, traffic-related factors and their effect on major flow disruptions in the operating room.
This study researched the impact of minor flow disruptions (FDs) on operating room (OR) flow and how it contributes to an increase in serious adverse events. The rate of minor FDs increases the rate of major FDs. More major and minor FDs occur in the anesthesia area than in all other OR areas. They concluded that room design and layout issues contribute to those FDs and that is an important consideration in OR design.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Joseph A, Khoshkenar A, Taaffe KM .
Minor flow disruptions, traffic-related factors and their effect on major flow disruptions in the operating room.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 Apr;28(4):276-83. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-007957.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Healthcare Delivery, Patient Safety, Surgery, Workflow
Batt RJ, Kc DS, Stats BR
The effects of discrete work shifts on a nonterminating service system.
The authors showed that in emergency departments (EDs), the patients’ rate of service completion varies over the course of the physician shift. Furthermore, patients that have experienced a physician handoff have a higher rate of service completion than non-handed-off patients. The authors also demonstrated that patients that have been handed off are more likely to revisit the ED within three days, which suggests that patient handoffs lower clinical quality. Finally, the authors used simulation to demonstrate that shift length and new‐patient cutoff rules can be used to reduce handoffs, but at the expense of system throughput.
AHRQ-funded; HS024558.
Citation: Batt RJ, Kc DS, Stats BR .
The effects of discrete work shifts on a nonterminating service system.
Prod Oper Manag 2019 Jun;28(6):1528-44. doi: 10.1111/poms.12999..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Healthcare Delivery, Quality of Care, Workflow
Hung DY, Harrison MI, Liang SY
AHRQ Author: Harrison MI
Contextual conditions and performance improvement in primary care.
This study examined organizational features of primary care clinics that had gone through Lean redesigns and had experienced the greatest performance improvements. They surveyed 1333 physicians and staff in 43 primary care clinics across a large primary care system. They found that clinics with prior experience with quality improvement had the highest increases in efficiency. Clinics reporting the highest levels of burnout and work stress before the redesign also made efficiency gains. Physician productivity gains was associated with a history of change, staff participation and leadership support. The greatest improvements in patient satisfaction occurred where there was the lowest stress levels with highest levels of teamwork, staff engagement and leadership support.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 2902010000221.
Citation: Hung DY, Harrison MI, Liang SY .
Contextual conditions and performance improvement in primary care.
Qual Manag Health Care 2019 Apr/Jun;28(2):70-77. doi: 10.1097/qmh.0000000000000198..
Keywords: Organizational Change, Healthcare Delivery, Primary Care, Provider Performance, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Workflow
McGrath SP, Perreard IM, Garland MD
Improving patient safety and clinician workflow in the general care setting with enhanced surveillance monitoring.
This researched analyzed the impact of implementing an improved clinical monitoring system with enhanced surveillance. This enhanced monitoring system was shown to improve patient safety and clinical workflow in inpatient hospital settings. After implementation higher staff satisfaction was shown and reduced average vital signs data collection time by 28%. It improved the availability and accuracy of patient information. However, there was little or no impact on clinical alarms.
AHRQ-funded; HS024403.
Citation: McGrath SP, Perreard IM, Garland MD .
Improving patient safety and clinician workflow in the general care setting with enhanced surveillance monitoring.
IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2019 Mar;23(2):857-66. doi: 10.1109/jbhi.2018.2834863..
Keywords: Hospitals, Inpatient Care, Patient Safety, Provider: Clinician, Quality Improvement, Workflow
Fiori K, Patel M, Sanderson D
From policy statement to practice: integrating social needs screening and referral assistance with community health workers in an urban academic health center.
The authors described their experience implementing a novel social needs screening program at an academic pediatric clinic. They found that, on average, 76% of providers had their patients screened on more than half of eligible well-child visits. Their experience suggested that screening for social needs at well-child visits is feasible as part of routine primary care. They recommended that success would best be achieved by leveraging resources, obtaining provider buy-in, and defining program components to sustain activities.
AHRQ-funded; HS026396.
Citation: Fiori K, Patel M, Sanderson D .
From policy statement to practice: integrating social needs screening and referral assistance with community health workers in an urban academic health center.
J Prim Care Community Health 2019 Jan-Dec;10:2150132719899207. doi: 10.1177/2150132719899207..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Community-Based Practice, Healthcare Delivery, Implementation, Screening, Social Determinants of Health, Urban Health, Workflow, Primary Care
Hung DY, Gray CP, Truong QA
AHRQ Author: Harrison MI
Sustainment of lean redesigns for primary care teams.
This mixed-methods study examined the sustainment of Lean workflow redesigns for primary care teams several years after being implemented in a large, ambulatory care delivery system. Results showed that staff participation in Lean redesign is a key to facilitating buy-in and adherence to changes. Change ownership and continued availability of time for improvement activities are also critical to the long-term success of Lean implementation in primary care.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 2902010000221.
Citation: Hung DY, Gray CP, Truong QA .
Sustainment of lean redesigns for primary care teams.
Qual Manag Health Care 2019 Jan/Mar;28(1):15-24. doi: 10.1097/qmh.0000000000000200..
Keywords: Primary Care, Workflow, Teams, Organizational Change, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
The objective of this paper is to optimize a new visit-independent, population-based cancer screening system (TopCare) by using operations research techniques to simulate changes in patient outreach staffing levels (delegates, navigators), modifications to user workflow within the information technology (IT) system, and changes in cancer screening recommendations. Results showed that simulating the impact of changes in staffing, system parameters, and clinical inputs on the effectiveness and efficiency of care can inform the allocation of limited resources in population management.
AHRQ-funded; HS018161.
Citation: Zai AH, Kim S, Kamis A .
Applying operations research to optimize a novel population management system for cancer screening.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2014 Feb;21(e1):e129-35. doi: 10.1136/amiajnl-2013-001681.
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Keywords: Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Prevention, Screening, Workflow