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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 15 of 15 Research Studies DisplayedWilliams PH, Gilmartin HM, Leonard C
The influence of the Rural Transitions Nurse Program for veterans on healthcare utilization costs.
This study’s objective was to examine changes from pre- to post-hospitalization in total, inpatient, and outpatient 30-day healthcare utilization costs for Veterans Affairs Healthcare System Rural Transitions Nurse Program (TNP) enrollees compared to controls. Although findings showed no difference in change in total costs between veterans enrolled in TNP and controls, TNP was associated with a smaller increase in direct inpatient medical costs and a larger increase in direct outpatient medical costs, suggesting a shifting of costs from the inpatient to outpatient setting.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Williams PH, Gilmartin HM, Leonard C .
The influence of the Rural Transitions Nurse Program for veterans on healthcare utilization costs.
J Gen Intern Med 2022 Nov;37(14):3529-34. doi: 10.1007/s11606-022-07401-y..
Keywords: Rural Health, Nursing, Transitions of Care, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Costs
Cimiotti JP, Becker ER, Li Y
Association of registered nurse staffing with mortality risk of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with sepsis.
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine if registered nurse workload was related with mortality in Medicare beneficiaries admitted to an acute care hospital with sepsis. The researchers evaluated the records of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 to 99 years with a primary diagnosis of sepsis that was present on admission to 1 of 1958 nonfederal, general acute care hospitals that had data on CMS SEP-1 scores and registered nurse workload. Researchers utilized 2018 data from the American Hospital Association Annual Survey, CMS Hospital Compare, and Medicare claims. The patient outcome of interest was mortality within 60 days of admission. The study found that 702,140 Medicare beneficiaries with a mean age of 78.2 years, 51% of whom were women, had a diagnosis of sepsis. In a multivariable regression model, each additional registered nurse hour per patient day (HPPD) was associated with a 3% decrease in the odds of 60-day mortality. The researchers concluded that hospitals which provide more registered nurse hours of care could possibly decrease the likelihood of mortality in Medicare beneficiaries with sepsis.
AHRQ-funded; HS026232.
Citation: Cimiotti JP, Becker ER, Li Y .
Association of registered nurse staffing with mortality risk of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with sepsis.
JAMA Health Forum 2022 May;3(5):e221173. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2022.1173..
Keywords: Sepsis, Mortality, Provider: Nurse, Nursing, Workforce
Gilmartin HM, Warsavage T, Hines A
Effectiveness of the rural transitions nurse program for veterans: a multicenter implementation study.
This study evaluated the effectiveness of the rural Transitions Nurse Program (TNP), a program to help veterans transferred from rural areas to urban VA Medical Centers for care. A case-control study was conducted from April 2017 to September 2019 with 3001 veterans enrolled in TNP and 6002 matched controls. Interventions were led by a transition nurse who assessed discharge readiness, provided postdischarge communication with primary care providers (PCPs), and called the Veteran within 72 h of discharge home to assess needs, and encouraged follow-up appointment attendance. Controls had no change to their care. Primary outcomes evaluated were PCP visits within 14 days of discharge and all-cause 30-day readmissions, with secondary outcomes 30-day emergency department (ED) visits and 30-day mortality. Patients were matched by their length of stay, prior hospitalizations and PCP visits, urban/rural status, and 32 Elixhauser comorbidities. The veterans enrolled in TNP were more likely to see their PCP within 14 days of discharge than their matched controls. TNP enrollment was not associated with reduced 30-day ED visits or readmissions but was associated with reduced 30-day mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Gilmartin HM, Warsavage T, Hines A .
Effectiveness of the rural transitions nurse program for veterans: a multicenter implementation study.
J Hosp Med 2022 Mar;17(3):149-57. doi: 10.1002/jhm.12802..
Keywords: Rural Health, Transitions of Care, Nursing, Healthcare Delivery
Douthit BJ, Walden RL, Cato K
Data science trends relevant to nursing practice: a rapid review of the 2020 literature.
This study’s objective was to summarize the latest research and applications of nursing-relevant patient outcomes and clinical processes in the data science literature. Numerous contemporary data science methods were represented in the literature including the use of machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing. This review provides an overview of the data science trends that were relevant to nursing practice in 2020.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Douthit BJ, Walden RL, Cato K .
Data science trends relevant to nursing practice: a rapid review of the 2020 literature.
Appl Clin Inform 2022 Jan;13(1):161-79. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1742218..
Keywords: Nursing, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
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
Bender M, Williams M, Cruz MF
A study protocol to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Clinical Nurse Leader care model in improving quality and safety outcomes.
The authors discuss the Clinical Nurse Leader care model, a Hybrid Type II Implementation-Effectiveness study to evaluate the effect of the care model on standardized quality and safety outcomes and to identify implementation characteristics that are sufficient and necessary to achieve outcomes. Findings are expected to elucidate Registered Nurse's mechanisms of action as organized into frontline models of care and link actions to improved care quality and safety.
AHRQ-funded; HS027181.
Citation: Bender M, Williams M, Cruz MF .
A study protocol to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Clinical Nurse Leader care model in improving quality and safety outcomes.
Nurs Open 2021 Nov;8(6):3688-96. doi: 10.1002/nop2.910..
Keywords: Implementation, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Patient Safety, Nursing, Evidence-Based Practice
Kutney-Lee A, Brooks Carthon M, Sloane DM
Electronic health record usability: associations with nurse and patient outcomes in hospitals.
Researchers examined associations between electronic health record (EHR) usability and nurse job and surgical patient outcomes. Data from the American Hospital Association, state patient discharges, and nurse surveys were linked in a cross-sectional analysis. The researchers found that employing EHR systems with suboptimal usability was associated with higher odds of adverse nurse job outcomes and surgical patient mortality and readmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS023805.
Citation: Kutney-Lee A, Brooks Carthon M, Sloane DM .
Electronic health record usability: associations with nurse and patient outcomes in hospitals.
Med Care 2021 Jul;59(7):625-31. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001536..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Surgery, Outcomes, Nursing, Provider: Nurse
Lasater KB, Sloane DM, McHugh MD
Evaluation of hospital nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and sepsis bundles on patient outcomes.
Despite nurses' responsibilities in recognition and treatment of sepsis, little evidence documents whether patient-to-nurse staffing ratios are associated with clinical outcomes for patients with sepsis. Using linked data sources from 2017 including MEDPAR patient claims, Hospital Compare, American Hospital Association, and a large survey of nurses, the investigators estimated the effect of hospital patient-to-nurse staffing ratios and adherence to the Early Management Bundle for patients with Severe Sepsis/Septic Shock SEP-1 sepsis bundles on patients' odds of in-hospital and 60-day mortality, readmission, and length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS026232.
Citation: Lasater KB, Sloane DM, McHugh MD .
Evaluation of hospital nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and sepsis bundles on patient outcomes.
Am J Infect Control 2021 Jul;49(7):868-73. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.12.002..
Keywords: Sepsis, Nursing, Provider: Nurse, Inpatient Care, Hospitals
Rasooly IR, Kern-Goldberger AS, Xiao Rasooly IR, Kern-Goldberger AS, Xiao R
Physiologic monitor alarm burden and nurses' subjective workload in a children's hospital.
Physiologic monitor alarms occur at high rates in children's hospitals; ≤1% are actionable. The burden of alarms has implications for patient safety and is challenging to measure directly. Nurse workload, measured by using a version of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) validated among nurses, is a useful indicator of work burden that has been associated with patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to measure the relationship between alarm count and nurse workload by using the NASA-TLX.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS026620.
Citation: Rasooly IR, Kern-Goldberger AS, Xiao Rasooly IR, Kern-Goldberger AS, Xiao R .
Physiologic monitor alarm burden and nurses' subjective workload in a children's hospital.
Hosp Pediatr 2021 Jul;11(7):703-10. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-003509..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Nursing, Inpatient Care, Patient Safety
McDonald MV, Brickner C, Russell D
Observation of hand hygiene practices in home health care.
The purpose of this observational study was to describe nurse hand hygiene practices in the home health care (HHC) setting, nurse adherence to hand hygiene guidelines, and factors associated with hand hygiene opportunities during home care visits. The investigators concluded that hand hygiene adherence in HHC was suboptimal, with rates mirroring those reported in hospital and outpatient settings.
AHRQ-funded; HS024723.
Citation: McDonald MV, Brickner C, Russell D .
Observation of hand hygiene practices in home health care.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 May;22(5):1029-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.07.031..
Keywords: Home Healthcare, Nursing, Provider: Nurse, Provider, Prevention, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Guidelines
Woods-Hill CZ, Papili K, Nelson E
Harnessing implementation science to optimize harm prevention in critically ill children: a pilot study of bedside nurse CLABSI bundle performance in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Central-line associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is associated with increased mortality, morbidity, and cost in hospitalized children. An evidence-based bundle of care can decrease CLABSI, but bundle compliance is imperfect. In this study, the investigators explored factors impacting bundle performance in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) by bedside nurses. The investigators concluded that PICU nurses were knowledgeable and motivated to prevent CLABSI, but faced challenges from competing clinical tasks, limited resources, and complex family interactions. Physician engagement was specifically noted to impact nurse motivation to complete the bundle.
AHRQ-funded; HS025642.
Citation: Woods-Hill CZ, Papili K, Nelson E .
Harnessing implementation science to optimize harm prevention in critically ill children: a pilot study of bedside nurse CLABSI bundle performance in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Am J Infect Control 2021 Mar;49(3):345-51. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.019..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Patient Safety, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Nursing, Patient Safety
Dowding D, Russell D, McDonald MV
"A catalyst for action": factors for implementing clinical risk prediction models of infection in home care settings.
This study looked at how a clinical risk prediction model for identifying patients at risk of infection is perceived by home care nurses. It was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 50 home care nurses. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed with data evaluation using thematic analysis. Findings indicated that the nurses would find a clinical risk prediction model useful, as long as it provided both context around the reasons why a patient was deemed to be high risk and provided some guidance for action.
AHRQ-funded; HS024723.
Citation: Dowding D, Russell D, McDonald MV .
"A catalyst for action": factors for implementing clinical risk prediction models of infection in home care settings.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2021 Feb 15;28(2):334-41. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaa267..
Keywords: Home Healthcare, Nursing, Risk, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Provider: Nurse, Provider
Howland C, Despins L, Sindt J
Primary care clinic nurse activities with a telehealth monitoring system.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in the types of nursing activities and communication processes reported in a primary care clinic between patients using a home-based monitoring system to electronically communicate self-monitored blood glucose and blood pressure values and those assuming usual care. Significant differences were identified for the direct care nursing activities of providing lifestyle and health education, medication adjustments, and patient follow-up, providing evidence of greater nursing activity reported in a primary care clinic in patients who utilized a home-based monitoring system.
AHRQ-funded; HS017035.
Citation: Howland C, Despins L, Sindt J .
Primary care clinic nurse activities with a telehealth monitoring system.
West J Nurs Res 2021 Jan;43(1):5-12. doi: 10.1177/0193945920923082..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Blood Pressure, Primary Care, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Patient Self-Management, Nursing, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Diabetes
Martsolf GR, Auerbach D, Benevent R
AHRQ Author: Stocks C, Jiang HJ
Examining the value of inpatient nurse staffing: an assessment of quality and patient care costs.
The authors assessed the effect of nurse staffing on quality of care and inpatient care costs. They found that increases in nurse staffing levels were associated with reductions in nursing-sensitive adverse events and length of stay, while changing skill mix by increasing the number of registered nurses, as a proportion of licensed nursing staff, led to reductions in costs.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290200600009C.
Citation: Martsolf GR, Auerbach D, Benevent R .
Examining the value of inpatient nurse staffing: an assessment of quality and patient care costs.
Med Care 2014 Nov;52(11):982-8. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000248.
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Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Quality of Care, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Inpatient Care, Nursing
Goldman LE, Sarkar U, Kessell E
Support from hospital to home for elders: a randomized trial.
The researchers studied a peridischarge, nurse-led intervention combined with telephone follow-up designed to reduce readmissions among patients who were 55 or older. They found that the nurse-led, in-hospital discharge support intervention did not show a reduction in readmissions or ED visits among 700 diverse, low-income older adults at a safety-net hospital.
AHRQ-funded; HS018090.
Citation: Goldman LE, Sarkar U, Kessell E .
Support from hospital to home for elders: a randomized trial.
Ann Intern Med 2014 Oct 7;161(7):472-81. doi: 10.7326/m14-0094..
Keywords: Hospital Discharge, Hospital Readmissions, Emergency Department, Elderly, Social Determinants of Health, Nursing