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 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedTemkin-Greener H, Guo W, Mao Y
COVID-19 pandemic in assisted living communities: results from seven states.
The purpose of this observational study was to describe variations in COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths among assisted living (AL) residents and examine their associations with key AL characteristics. The investigators concluded that ALs with a higher proportion of minorities had more COVID-19 cases. Many of the previously identified individual risk factors were also present in this vulnerable population.
AHRQ-funded; HS024923; HS026893; HS026893.
Citation: Temkin-Greener H, Guo W, Mao Y .
COVID-19 pandemic in assisted living communities: results from seven states.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Dec;68(12):2727-34. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16850..
Keywords: Elderly, Public Health, COVID-19, Nursing Homes, Vulnerable Populations, Risk
Topaz M, Woo K, Ryvicker M
Home healthcare clinical notes predict patient hospitalization and emergency department visits.
About 30% of home healthcare patients are hospitalized or visit an emergency department (ED) during a home healthcare (HHC) episode. Novel data science methods are increasingly used to improve identification of patients at risk for negative outcomes. The aim of the study was to identify patients at heightened risk hospitalization or ED visits using HHC narrative data (clinical notes).
AHRQ-funded; HS027742.
Citation: Topaz M, Woo K, Ryvicker M .
Home healthcare clinical notes predict patient hospitalization and emergency department visits.
Nurs Res 2020 Nov/Dec;69(6):448-54. doi: 10.1097/nnr.0000000000000470..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Emergency Department, Hospitalization, Risk, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Mangrum R, Stewart MD, Gifford DR
Omissions of care in nursing homes: a uniform definition for research and quality improvement.
The goal of this study was to create a uniform definition of omission of care in US nursing homes. Lack of a uniform definition has made efforts to prevent them challenging. Subject matter experts and a broad range of nursing home stakeholders were brought together in iterative rounds of engagement to identify key concepts and aspects of omissions of care and develop a consensus-based definition. The concise definition decided on was: “Omissions of care in nursing homes encompass situations when care–either clinical or nonclinical–is not provided for a resident and results in additional monitoring or intervention or increases the risk of an undesirable or adverse physical, emotional, or psychosocial outcome for the resident."
AHRQ-funded; 233201500014I.
Citation: Mangrum R, Stewart MD, Gifford DR .
Omissions of care in nursing homes: a uniform definition for research and quality improvement.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020 Nov;21(11):1587-91.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.08.016..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Medical Errors, Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Risk, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Wu SS, Bellantoni m, Weiner JP
Geriatric syndrome risk factors among hospitalized postacute Medicare patients.
The purpose of this study was to assess the association of geriatric syndrome risk factors with postacute utilization among hospitalized Medicare patients (both Medicare Advantage [MA] and fee-for-service [FFS] cohorts) and to examine patterns of postacute care for MA and FFS cohorts with high geriatric syndrome risk. The investigators found that geriatric syndrome risk factors not only play a role in postacute care and inpatient utilization in MA and FFS cohorts but also explain different utilizations between MA and FFS cohorts.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wu SS, Bellantoni m, Weiner JP .
Geriatric syndrome risk factors among hospitalized postacute Medicare patients.
Am J Manag Care 2020 Oct;26(10):e319-e26. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2020.88505..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Elderly, Medicare, Risk, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization
Khera R, Kondamudi N, Zhong L
Temporal trends in heart failure incidence among Medicare
This retrospective, national cohort study looked at temporal trends in heart failure (HF) incidence among Medicare beneficiaries from 2011 to 2016. There had been a decline in claims during that time period. Five percent of all fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries with no prior HF diagnosis were followed up from 2011-2016. Annual trends were examined in HF incidence among groups with and without primary HF risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, and obesity) and predisposing cardiovascular conditions (acute myocardial infarction (MI) and atrial fibrillation (AF). Of the approximately 1.8 million Medicare beneficiaries at risk for HF, 249,832 had a new diagnosis of HF. The prevalence of all 5 risk factors had increased during the 5-year study period. There was a relative decline in HF incidence among beneficiaries with primary HF risk factors, but incidence increased among individuals with acute MI and AF.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Khera R, Kondamudi N, Zhong L .
Temporal trends in heart failure incidence among Medicare
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Oct;3(10):e2022190. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.22190.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Medicare, Risk, Elderly, Mortality
Hoffman GJ, Tinetti ME, Ha J
Prehospital and posthospital fall injuries in older US adults.
Investigators estimated the risk of older adult fall injury within and across discrete periods during a 12-month care episode anchored by an acute hospitalization using national data from 2006 to 2014. Participants in this cohort study included Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 and older from the Health and Retirement Study. The investigators found that an episode-based assessment of fall injury illustrated substantial variability in period-specific risks over an extended period including an anchor hospitalization. Risk transitions between periods included sizable increases just before hospitalization that do not fully subside after hospital discharge. Financial incentives to coordinate hospital and posthospital care for patients at risk for fall injury are needed.
AHRQ-funded; HS025838.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, Tinetti ME, Ha J .
Prehospital and posthospital fall injuries in older US adults.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Aug 3;3(8):e2013243. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.13243..
Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Risk, Hospitalization, Medicare
Wu S, Mulcahy J, Kasper JD
Comparing survey-based frailty assessment to Medicare claims in predicting health outcomes and utilization in Medicare beneficiaries.
The purpose of this study was to assess two models for the prediction of health utilization and functions using standardized in-person assessments of frailty and administrative claims-based geriatric risk measures among Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries aged 65 years and above. Outcomes of hospitalizations, death, and functional help were investigated for participants in the 2011 National Health and Aging Trends Study.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Wu S, Mulcahy J, Kasper JD .
Comparing survey-based frailty assessment to Medicare claims in predicting health outcomes and utilization in Medicare beneficiaries.
J Aging Health 2020 Aug-Sep;32(7-8):764-77. doi: 10.1177/0898264319851995..
Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Healthcare Utilization, Risk
Shang J, Russell D, Dowding D
A predictive risk model for infection-related hospitalization among home healthcare patients.
Infection prevention is a high priority for home healthcare (HHC), but tools are lacking to identify patients at highest risk of developing infections. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a predictive risk model to identify HHC patients at risk of an infection-related hospitalization or emergency department visit. A nonexperimental study using secondary data was conducted.
AHRQ-funded; HS024723.
Citation: Shang J, Russell D, Dowding D .
A predictive risk model for infection-related hospitalization among home healthcare patients.
J Healthc Qual 2020 May/Jun;42(3):136-47. doi: 10.1097/jhq.0000000000000214..
Keywords: Elderly, Home Healthcare, Infectious Diseases, Community-Acquired Infections, Risk, Hospitalization, Emergency Department
Basciotta M, Zhou W, Ngo L
Antipsychotics and the risk of mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults.
Investigators sought to evaluate the risk of death or nonfatal cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults exposed to antipsychotics. They found that, in hospitalized adults, typical antipsychotics were associated with increased mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest, whereas atypical antipsychotics were only associated with increased risk among adults age 65 years and older. They recommended that providers be thoughtful when prescribing antipsychotic medications, especially to older adults in settings where data regarding benefit are lacking.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Basciotta M, Zhou W, Ngo L .
Antipsychotics and the risk of mortality or cardiopulmonary arrest in hospitalized adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Mar;68(3):544-50. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16246..
Keywords: Medication, Risk, Hospitalization, Cardiovascular Conditions, Mortality, Elderly
McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the modified Fried Index (mFI) and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to predict death or patient-reported new disability 90 days after major elective surgery. Results showed that older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience a new patient-reported disability after surgery and that although accuracy was similar, the CFS, compared to the mFI, was easier to use and feasibility was higher.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL .
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
Ann Surg 2020 Feb;271(2):283-89. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002967..
Keywords: Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Mortality, Adverse Events, Risk, Outcomes
Dworsky JQ, Childers CP, Gornbein J
Hospital experience predicts outcomes after high-risk geriatric surgery.
This study examined if there an association between a hospital’s annual volume of high-risk geriatric surgery and their risk of inpatient mortality, postoperative length of stay, and discharge to nursing facility. Using the 2014 National Inpatient Sample, older adults were identified who had undergone high-risk geriatric surgery. There were an estimated 514,950 hospital encounters at 3,115 hospitals undergoing surgery. A higher proportion of high-risk geriatric surgery patients was associated with decreased mortality and shorter postoperative length of stay. Higher volume hospitals were not associated with mortality but was associated with longer length of stay and decreased discharge to nursing facilities.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046; HS025079.
Citation: Dworsky JQ, Childers CP, Gornbein J .
Hospital experience predicts outcomes after high-risk geriatric surgery.
Surgery 2020 Feb;167(2):468-74. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2019.07.026..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Elderly, Surgery, Risk, Hospitals, Outcomes, Mortality
De Roo AC, Li Y, Abrahamse PH
Long-term functional decline after high-risk elective colorectal surgery in older adults.
This study examined the long-term risks of functional decline after elective colorectal surgery in older adults. This retrospective matched cohort study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of adults >50 years of age. This survey collected data on functional status, cognition, and demographics, among other topics. The survey was linked with Medicare claims and National Death Index data from 1992 to 2012 and used patients 65 years and older. Surgery patients did experience a greater likelihood of functional decline with or without complications compared to control subjects. The older the patient, the more likelihood of a functional decline occurring after surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: De Roo AC, Li Y, Abrahamse PH .
Long-term functional decline after high-risk elective colorectal surgery in older adults.
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Jan;63(1):75-83. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001541..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Adverse Events, Risk
Bobb JF, Obermeyer Z, Wang Y
Cause-specific risk of hospital admission related to extreme heat in older adults.
The purpose of this study was to identify possible causes of hospital admissions during extreme heat events and to estimate their risks using historical data. The investigators found that among older adults, periods of extreme heat were associated with increased risk of hospitalization for fluid and electrolyte disorders, renal failure, urinary tract infection, septicemia, and heat stroke. They noted however, that the absolute risk increase was small and of uncertain clinical importance.
AHRQ-funded; HS021991.
Citation: Bobb JF, Obermeyer Z, Wang Y .
Cause-specific risk of hospital admission related to extreme heat in older adults.
JAMA 2014 Dec 24-31;312(24):2659-67. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.15715..
Keywords: Elderly, Hospitalization, Risk
Shear TC, Balachandran JS, Mokhlesi B
Risk of sleep apnea in hospitalized older patients.
This study assessed the prevalence of undiagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among general medical inpatients and to investigate whether OSA risk is associated with in-hospital sleep quantity and quality. It found that two of every 5 inpatients older than 50 years screened at high risk for OSA. Those screening at high risk have worse in-hospital sleep quantity and quality.
AHRQ-funded; HS016967.
Citation: Shear TC, Balachandran JS, Mokhlesi B .
Risk of sleep apnea in hospitalized older patients.
J Clin Sleep Med 2014 Oct 15;10(10):1061-6. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.4098..
Keywords: Elderly, Sleep Problems, Risk, Respiratory Conditions
Safford MM, Barasch A, Curtis JR
Bisphosphonates and hip and nontraumatic subtrochanteric femoral fractures in the Veterans Health Administration.
This study examined associations between bisphosphonate use and nontraumatic subtrochanteric (NTST) femoral fractures and hip fractures in the Veterans Health Administration. It found that nontraumatic subtrochanteric femoral fractures were uncommon, and longer bisphosphonate use was associated with lower (not higher) risk. In men, risks of NTST femoral fractures associated with bisphosphonate treatment may be low in contrast to substantial protective benefits for hip fracture.
AHRQ-funded; HS016956; HS018517.
Citation: Safford MM, Barasch A, Curtis JR .
Bisphosphonates and hip and nontraumatic subtrochanteric femoral fractures in the Veterans Health Administration.
J Clin Rheumatol 2014 Oct;20(7):357-62. doi: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000000170..
Keywords: Elderly, Injuries and Wounds, Risk, Medication, Adverse Events
Baillargeon J, Urban RJ, Kuo YF
Risk of myocardial infarction in older men receiving testosterone therapy.
The purpose of this paper was to examine the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in a population-based cohort of older men receiving intramuscular testosterone. The investigators found that older men who were treated with intramuscular testosterone did not appear to have an increased risk of MI. For men with high MI risk, testosterone use was modestly protective against MI.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Baillargeon J, Urban RJ, Kuo YF .
Risk of myocardial infarction in older men receiving testosterone therapy.
Ann Pharmacother 2014 Sep;48(9):1138-44. doi: 10.1177/1060028014539918..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Men's Health, Heart Disease and Health, Risk
Aparasu RR, Chatterjee S, Chen H
Risk of hospitalization and use of first- versus second-generation antipsychotics among nursing home residents.
This study examined the risk of all-cause hospitalization among dual-eligible elderly nursing home residents who were using antipsychotic medications and found that, on average, there was a 58 percent increase in hospitalization risk after 20 days of using a first-generation drug.
AHRQ-funded; HS016920
Citation: Aparasu RR, Chatterjee S, Chen H .
Risk of hospitalization and use of first- versus second-generation antipsychotics among nursing home residents.
Psychiatr Serv. 2014 Jun;65(6):781-8. doi: 10.1176/appi.ps.201300093..
Keywords: Long-Term Care, Medication, Hospitalization, Elderly, Risk
Albrecht JS, Gruber-Baldini AL, Hirshon JM
Depressive symptoms and hospital readmission in older adults.
The purpose of this study was to quantify the risk of 30-day unplanned hospital readmission in adults aged 65 and older with depressive symptoms. The investigators concluded that, although not associated with hospital readmission, depressive symptoms were associated with other poor outcomes and may be underdiagnosed in hospitalized older adults. They asserted that hospitals interested in reducing readmission should focus on older adults with more comorbid illness and recent hospitalizations.
AHRQ-funded; HS021068.
Citation: Albrecht JS, Gruber-Baldini AL, Hirshon JM .
Depressive symptoms and hospital readmission in older adults.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2014 Mar;62(3):495-9. doi: 10.1111/jgs.12686..
Keywords: Depression, Elderly, Emergency Department, Hospital Readmissions, Risk