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
26 to 50 of 2874 Research Studies DisplayedFunk RJ, Pagani FD, Hou H
Care fragmentation predicts 90-day durable ventricular assist device outcomes.
The purpose of this cohort study was to investigate the relationship between care fragmentation and in-hospital as well as 90-day post-operative outcomes for patients receiving durable ventricular assist device (VAD) implants. The research utilized Medicare claims connected to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (Intermacs) for patients who underwent VAD implantation from July 2009 to April 2017. Medicare information was employed to assess the fragmentation of the multidisciplinary care delivery network at the treating hospital, based on the providers' patient-sharing history within the preceding year. The STS Intermacs database was utilized for risk adjustment and outcome determination. Hospitals were categorized into terciles according to the level of network fragmentation, measured by the average number of connections separating providers in the network. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between network fragmentation and the risk of death or infection within 90 days. The study included 5159 patients who received VAD implants, and found 11.2% mortality and 27.6% infection incidence within 90 days following implantation. After adjusting for confounders, a one-unit increase in network fragmentation correlated with a 0.179 rise in in-hospital infection probability and a 0.183 increase in the likelihood of 90-day infection. Comparable findings were observed in models assessing the number of in-hospital and 90-day infections. While network fragmentation was a predictor of 90-day mortality probability, this association was not significant after adjustment.
AHRQ-funded; HS026003
Citation: Funk RJ, Pagani FD, Hou H .
Care fragmentation predicts 90-day durable ventricular assist device outcomes.
Am J Manag Care 2022 Dec;28(12):e444-e51. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2022.89280.
Keywords: Medical Devices, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Berkman ND, Chang E, Seibert J
Characteristics of high-need, high-cost patients : a "best-fit" framework synthesis.
This paper’s objective was to identify characteristics and criteria to distinguish high-need, high-cost (HNHC) patients. Searches of multiple databases and gray literature from 2000 to January 2022 were conducted. The final review included 64 studies comprising multivariate exposure studies (n = 47), cluster analyses (n = 11), and qualitative studies (n = 6). National Academy of Medicine (NAM) taxonomy was used for organizing the synthesis of findings. Patient characteristics associated with being defined as HNHC included number and severity of comorbid conditions and having chronic clinical conditions, particularly heart disease, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cancer, and hypertension. HNHC risk was often amplified by behavioral health conditions and social risk factors. The authors revised the NAM taxonomy to create a final framework, adding chronic pain and prior patterns of high health care use as characteristics associated with an increased risk for being HNHC.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I
Citation: Berkman ND, Chang E, Seibert J .
Characteristics of high-need, high-cost patients : a "best-fit" framework synthesis.
Ann Intern Med 2022 Dec;175(12):1728-41. doi: 10.7326/m21-4562..
Keywords: Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Delivery
Tan MS, Gomez-Lumbreras A, Villa-Zapata L
Colchicine and macrolides: a cohort study of the risk of adverse outcomes associated with concomitant exposure.
The authors conducted a cohort study using electronic health records comparing encounters with colchicine plus a macrolide and colchicine with an antibiotic non-macrolide, then assessed the relationship between the two groups. They found that heart failure was more frequent in the colchicine plus a macrolide cohort and that there was also a higher mortality rate. As there is a significant increase in the risk of hepatic failure and mortality when colchicine is concomitantly administered with a macrolide, they concluded that colchicine should not be used concomitantly with these antibiotics or should be temporarily discontinued to avoid toxic levels of colchicine.
AHRQ-funded; HS025984.
Citation: Tan MS, Gomez-Lumbreras A, Villa-Zapata L .
Colchicine and macrolides: a cohort study of the risk of adverse outcomes associated with concomitant exposure.
Rheumatol Int 2022 Dec;42(12):2253-59. doi: 10.1007/s00296-022-05201-5..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medication, Risk, Antibiotics, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Leyenaar JK, Tolpadi A, Parast L
Collaborative to increase lethal means counseling for caregivers of youth with suicidality.
The authors implemented an eight-hospital quality improvement collaborative with the goals of an absolute increase in hospitals' mean rate of caregiver lethal means counseling (LMC) and evaluating the effectiveness of the collaborative on LMC. The collaborative used a structured process of alternating learning sessions and action periods to improve LMC; electronic medical record documentation of LMC were evaluated during three phases: precollaborative, active collaborative, and postcollaborative. Findings showed that LMC increased during the collaborative but did not exceed expected trends. The authors concluded that interventions developed by the participating hospitals may be beneficial to improve LMC for caregivers of hospitalized youth with suicidality.
AHRQ-funded; HS025291.
Citation: Leyenaar JK, Tolpadi A, Parast L .
Collaborative to increase lethal means counseling for caregivers of youth with suicidality.
Pediatrics 2022 Dec 1;150(6):e2021055271. doi: 10.1542/peds.2021-055271..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Caregiving, Behavioral Health
Kim HS, Hernaez R, Sansgiry S
Comparative effectiveness of surveillance colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer outcomes in a national cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
The purpose of this study was to determine the comparative effectiveness of varying colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer (CRC) outcomes among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Data was from the National Veterans Health Administration. Findings showed that, in a national cohort of patients with CRC-IBD, colonoscopy within 3 years prior to CRC diagnosis was associated with early tumor stage at diagnosis, and colonoscopy within 1 year was associated with a reduced all-cause mortality compared with no colonoscopy, supporting colonoscopy intervals of 1 to 3 years in patients with IBD in order to reduce late-stage CRC and all-cause mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS024122.
Citation: Kim HS, Hernaez R, Sansgiry S .
Comparative effectiveness of surveillance colonoscopy intervals on colorectal cancer outcomes in a national cohort of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022 Dec;20(12):2848-57.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2022.02.048..
Keywords: Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Digestive Disease and Health, Imaging, Screening, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Borgatti AC, Crockett KB, Jacob AE
Correlates of psychological distress among adults with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in stress and loneliness among participants with obesity who were engaged in weight loss self-management in the US during COVID-19, and to identify risk factors that may increase psychosocial distress during this period. Participants completed an online survey about social, economic and health behavior changes during COVID-19 and their relationship to changes in perceived stress and loneliness. Results indicated that stress and loneliness increased two months into the COVID-19 pandemic-related shutdown. Factors associated with increased stress and/or loneliness included higher body mass index, social distancing, alcohol intake, and working from home. The authors concluded that ongoing attention to psychosocial well-being among individuals with obesity remains imperative both during the ongoing pandemic and afterwards.
AHRQ-funded; HS013852.
Citation: Borgatti AC, Crockett KB, Jacob AE .
Correlates of psychological distress among adults with obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychol Health 2022 Dec; 37(12):1547-64. doi: 10.1080/08870446.2022.2038790..
Keywords: COVID-19, Obesity, Stress, Social Stigma, Behavioral Health
Rosen A, Carter D, Applebaum JR
Critical care clinicians' experiences of patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of this mixed methods, multi-institutional study was to explore how the COVID-19 pandemic worsened preexisting issues of patient safety and created new challenges for patient safety within United States intensive care units (ICU.) The researchers conducted a national survey of critical care clinicians to assess their experiences related to patient safety during the pandemic. The survey instrument was distributed via email through the Society of Critical Care Medicine listserv, with results reported as percentages while free-text responses were analyzed and coded for themes. The study found that of the 355 survey responses received, 61% believed that conditions during the pandemic were more hazardous when compared with the period prior to the pandemic. When compared with providers who cared for mostly non-COVID-19 or no COVID-19 patients, the professionals who cared for primarily COVID-19 patients had an increased likelihood of perceiving that care was more hazardous. In the coded free-text responses, providers identified themes in patient safety risks including ventilator-related lung injury, medication and diagnostic errors, oversedation, oxygen device removal, and falls. The study concluded that higher levels of COVID-19 case burden were significantly related with perceptions of a less safe patient care environment by frontline ICU clinicians, and further identified specific hazards in intensive care units.
AHRQ-funded; HS026121.
Citation: Rosen A, Carter D, Applebaum JR .
Critical care clinicians' experiences of patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
J Patient Saf 2022 Dec 1;18(8):e1219-e25. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001060..
Keywords: COVID-19, Patient Safety, Critical Care, Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Giardina TD, Hunte H, Hill MA
Defining diagnostic error: a scoping review to assess the impact of the National Academies' report improving diagnosis in Health Care.
This study looked at peer-reviewed published literature to explore how researchers operationalize the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine’s (NASEM) definition of diagnostic error that was defined in their 2015 publication “Improving Diagnosis in Health Care”. Published literature was identified from October 2015 to February 2021. The authors also conducted subject matter expert interviews. Of the 34 studies identified, 16 were analyzed and abstracted to determine how diagnostic error was operationalized and measured. Studies were grouped by four themes: epidemiology, patient focus, measurement/surveillance, and clinician focus. Nine studies identified used the NASM definition. Five of those studies also operationalized with existing definitions proposed before the NASEM report, four operationalized the components of the NASEM definition, and three studies operationalized error using existing definitions only. Subject matter experts concluded that the NASEM definition functions as a foundation for researchers to conceptualize diagnostic error.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500022I; HS027280; HS025474; HS027363.
Citation: Giardina TD, Hunte H, Hill MA .
Defining diagnostic error: a scoping review to assess the impact of the National Academies' report improving diagnosis in Health Care.
J Patient Saf 2022 Dec 1;18(8):770-78. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000999..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Quality of Care, Medical Errors, Adverse Events, Healthcare Delivery
Graber J, Juarez-Colunga E, Thigpen C
Development of reference charts for monitoring quadriceps strength with handheld dynamometry after total knee arthroplasty.
This retrospective analysis’ purpose was to develop reference charts that describe normative quadriceps strength recovery after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) as measured by handheld dynamometry (HHD). The authors analyzed post-TKA quadriceps strength recovery using a longitudinal dataset consisting of both clinical and research HHD data. They created sex-specific models for recovery using Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape and reference charts from the models to display the recovery of population centiles over the first six postoperative months. They analyzed a total of 588 patient records with 1176 observations. There was a rapid increase in quadriceps strength for both sexes over the first 60 postoperative days followed by a more gradual increase over the next 120 days. They found that males appeared to demonstrate faster recovery and greater strength on average compared to females. The reference charts may aid clinicians’ ability to monitor and intervene upon quadriceps weakness-a pronounced and debilitating post-TKA impairment-throughout rehabilitation.
AHRQ-funded; HS025692.
Citation: Graber J, Juarez-Colunga E, Thigpen C .
Development of reference charts for monitoring quadriceps strength with handheld dynamometry after total knee arthroplasty.
Disabil Rehabil 2022 Dec;44(24):7535-42. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1995054..
Keywords: Surgery, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation
Baker AW, Ilieş I, Benneyan JC
Early recognition and response to increases in surgical site infections using optimised statistical process control charts - the early 2RIS trial: a multicentre stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.
This study compared outcomes of traditional surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance versus optimized statistical control process (SPC) surveillance post-surgery. The authors conducted a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial of patients who underwent any of 13 types of common surgical procedures across 29 community hospitals in the Southeastern United States. They divided the 13 procedures into six clusters. The study period was from March 2016 through February 2020 with 204,233 unique patients undergoing 237,704 surgical procedures. SSIs occurred more frequently in patients assigned control surveillance (1171 procedures) compared to 781 procedures that received the intervention. More formal investigations were also generated from control surveillance – 74 formal investigations versus 24. Multiple best practice deficiencies were identified from optimized SPC surveillance as well.
AHRQ-funded; HS023821.
Citation: Baker AW, Ilieş I, Benneyan JC .
Early recognition and response to increases in surgical site infections using optimised statistical process control charts - the early 2RIS trial: a multicentre stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial.
EClinicalMedicine 2022 Dec;54:101698. doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101698..
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Dalton AF, Golin CE, Morris C
Effect of a patient decision aid on preferences for colorectal cancer screening among older adults: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
This research studied the effects of a patient decision aid on preferences for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among adults aged 76 to 84 years. Participants were recruited from 14 community-based primary care practices who were not up to date with screening and had an appointment within 6 weeks. They were randomized to receive the intervention or control. Among the 424 participants, mean age was 76.8, 248 were women, and 333 were White. There were no statistically significant differences found in patient preferences between the health groups. Additional studies that are appropriately powered were recommended.
AHRQ-funded; HS021133.
Citation: Dalton AF, Golin CE, Morris C .
Effect of a patient decision aid on preferences for colorectal cancer screening among older adults: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Dec;5(12):e2244982. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.44982..
Keywords: Elderly, Shared Decision Making, Screening, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer
Lock LJ, Channa R, Brennan MB
Effect of health system on the association of rurality and level of disadvantage with receipt of diabetic eye screening.
The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the role of level of disadvantage in diabetic eye screening to explain the effect of health systems on rural and urban disparities. Researchers used an all-payer, statewide claims database to include adult Wisconsin residents with diabetes who had claims billed throughout the baseline and measurement years. Results indicated that patients from urban underserved clinics were more likely to receive screening than those from rural underserved clinics; similar findings emerged for both Medicare and non-Medicare subgroups. The researchers concluded that health systems, especially those that serve urban underserved populations, have an opportunity to increase screening rates by leveraging health system-level interventions and supporting patients in overcoming barriers.
AHRQ-funded; HS026279.
Citation: Lock LJ, Channa R, Brennan MB .
Effect of health system on the association of rurality and level of disadvantage with receipt of diabetic eye screening.
BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2022 Dec;10(6):e003174. doi: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2022-003174..
Keywords: Rural Health, Access to Care, Screening, Diabetes, Eye Disease and Health, Disparities, Chronic Conditions, Health Systems
Creedon TB, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC
AHRQ Author: Zuvekas SH, Hill SC, McClellan C
Effects of Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use among adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid.
The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use for adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid. The researchers utilized the 2008-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) PUBSIM model to identify adults between the ages of 26-64 years with disabilities who were newly Medicaid-eligible in expansion states or would have been eligible in non-expansion states if those states had opted in to ACA Medicaid expansion. The study found that among adults with disabilities who were newly eligible for Medicaid, Medicaid expansion was associated with significant increases in full-year Medicaid coverage, receipt of primary care, receipt of flu shots and a significant decrease in out-of-pocket spending. There were greater improvements for adults with disabilities compared to those without disabilities in full-year Medicaid coverage and receipt of flu shots. The researchers concluded that Medicaid expansion was associated with improvements in full-year insurance coverage, receipt of primary and preventive care, and out-of-pocket spending for adults with disabilities who were newly eligible for Medicaid, and there were greater improvements for adults with disabilities than for adults without disabilities.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Creedon TB, Zuvekas SH, Hill SC .
Effects of Medicaid expansion on insurance coverage and health services use among adults with disabilities newly eligible for Medicaid.
Health Serv Res 2022 Dec;57(suppl 2):183-94. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14034..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Medicaid, Health Insurance, Disabilities, Policy, Access to Care
Chu J, Roby DH, Boudreaux MH
Effects of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on immigrant children's healthcare access.
The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) on insurance coverage, access, utilization, and health outcomes among immigrant children. The researchers utilized the restricted use 2000-2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)with a sample which included immigrant children between the ages of 0 and 18 born outside the United States, with family income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The study found that CHIPRA was related with a decrease in uninsured rates and an increase in public insurance enrollment for immigrant children. The effects of CHIPRA became small and statistically not significant 3 years after adoption. The researchers found no significant changes in health care access and utilization, and health outcomes, overall and across subgroups due to CHIPRA. The researchers concluded that the eligibility expansion of CHIPRA was related with increases in public insurance coverage for low-income children. However, no effect of CHIPRA on access to care and health was found.
AHRQ-funded; HS028532.
Citation: Chu J, Roby DH, Boudreaux MH .
Effects of the Children's Health Insurance Reauthorization Act on immigrant children's healthcare access.
Health Serv Res 2022 Dec;57(suppl 2):315-25. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.14061..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health Insurance, Access to Care, Vulnerable Populations, Uninsured
Jensen JL, Sweeney A, Gill C
Evaluation of patient access to Spanish-language-concordant care on a postpartum unit.
This study evaluated patient access to Spanish-language-concordant care on a postpartum unit and to identify facilitators and barriers to the use of interpretation services. This mixed-methods study included a chart review of 50 randomly selected birthing parent-newborn couplets and interviews with 14 inpatient health care team members, and semistructured interviews at a tertiary academic medical center in the southeastern United States. The chart review included examination of patient characteristics, health care team composition including Spanish language proficiency, length of stay, number of interpreter requests, and time between clinician interpreter requests and interpreter arrival on the unit. Access to an interpreter or clinician certified in medical Spanish was offered to 12 of 50 (24%) couplets upon admission to the unit and to 7 of 50 (14%) of couplets for daily maternal and newborn medical rounds. Clinicians reported on long and unpredictable wait times to access interpreters. Temporary solutions included relying on hand gestures, broken Spanish, and smartphone apps to "get by" when communicating with patients without certified interpretation services. These deviations from national standards may put postpartum families at risk for harm.
AHRQ-funded; HS027260.
Citation: Jensen JL, Sweeney A, Gill C .
Evaluation of patient access to Spanish-language-concordant care on a postpartum unit.
Nurs Womens Health 2022 Dec;26(6):429-38. doi: 10.1016/j.nwh.2022.09.002.
Keywords: Maternal Care, Cultural Competence, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication
Bergman ZR, Tignanelli CJ, Gould R
Factors associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving prolonged ventilatory support.
This study examined outcomes for COVID-19 patients who required mechanical ventilation from March 2020 through December 2021 across a system of 11 hospitals. A cohort of 600 patients were included, with in-hospital mortality of 40.3%. Increased age, prolonged ventilation, receiving corticosteroids, and being non-English speaking were associated with mortality. Intubations lasting longer than 21 days had a lower in-hospital mortality of 25.7%.
AHRQ-funded; HS026379.
Citation: Bergman ZR, Tignanelli CJ, Gould R .
Factors associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19 receiving prolonged ventilatory support.
Surg Infect 2022 Dec;23(10):893-901. doi: 10.1089/sur.2022.195..
Keywords: COVID-19, Mortality, Respiratory Conditions
Parikh MA, Fabiyi C, Mistry KB
AHRQ Author: Fabiyi C, Mistry KB
Factors associated with postprocedure opioid prescribing and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients: A nationally representative sample.
This study’s objective was to examine factors associated with postprocedure opioid receipt and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients in a nationally representative sample. The authors used panels 18-20 in MEPS between the years 2013 and 2015. They found that younger age, Western location, and a high-school degree were associated with higher odds of postprocedure opioid receipt. Patients who had procedures in an inpatient, outpatient, and dental setting; or musculoskeletal diagnoses and injuries were more likely to have postprocedure opioid receipt. Persistent opioid use was associated with Midwest and Northeast location, musculoskeletal diagnosis, public insurance, and positive depression screening.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Parikh MA, Fabiyi C, Mistry KB .
Factors associated with postprocedure opioid prescribing and persistent opioid use among opioid-naive patients: A nationally representative sample.
Ann Surg 2022 Dec 1;276(6):e706-e13. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000004630..
Keywords: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), Opioids, Medication, Practice Patterns, Pain
Hinesley JLG, Brooks EM, O'Loughlin K
Feasibility of patient navigation for care planning in primary care.
The purpose of this study was to help better control chronic conditions by connecting patients with a navigator for support creating a personal care goal. Twenty-four clinicians in 12 practices in the Virginia Ambulatory Care Outcomes Research Network (ACORN) participated in a care planning intervention under a structured process that guided 87 patients with uncontrolled chronic conditions, trained navigators, and adapted the navigation process to meet the needs of each practice. Findings indicated that patient navigation to address care plans should be feasible, with a minimal time commitment and non-intensive training. However, given the burden and competing demands in primary care, this help cannot be offered without additional resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS026223.
Citation: Hinesley JLG, Brooks EM, O'Loughlin K .
Feasibility of patient navigation for care planning in primary care.
J Prim Care Community Health 2022 Jan-Dec;13:21501319221134754. doi: 10.1177/21501319221134754..
Keywords: Primary Care, Chronic Conditions, Patient and Family Engagement
Keita Fakeye MB, Samuel LJ, Wolff JL
Financial contributions and experiences of non-spousal, employed family caregivers.
Investigators examined out-of-pocket spending among employed, retired, and unemployed caregivers. Using data from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and the National Study of Caregiving, they found that employed caregivers incur more out-of-pocket spending on caregiving than retired and unemployed counterparts. They concluded that caregiving exacerbates economic well-being among employed caregivers, particularly for those with socioeconomic vulnerability.
AHRQ-funded; HS000029.
Citation: Keita Fakeye MB, Samuel LJ, Wolff JL .
Financial contributions and experiences of non-spousal, employed family caregivers.
J Appl Gerontol 2022 Dec;41(12):2459-68. doi: 10.1177/07334648221115261..
Keywords: Elderly, Caregiving, Healthcare Costs
Bolte TB, Swanson MB, Kaldjian AM
Hospitals that report severe sepsis and septic shock bundle compliance have more structured sepsis performance improvement.
This study linked survey data on quality improvement (QI) practices from Iowa hospitals to severe sepsis/septic shock (SEP-1) performance data and mortality. All Iowa hospitals (100%) completed the survey. SEP-1 reporting hospitals were more likely to have sepsis QI practices, including reporting sepsis quality to providers (64% versus 38%) and using the case review process to develop sepsis care plans. Increased SEP-1 scores were not associated with sepsis QI practices. A sepsis registry was associated with decreased odds of being in the bottom quartile of sepsis mortality, and presence of a sepsis committee was associated with lower hospital-specific mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS025753.
Citation: Bolte TB, Swanson MB, Kaldjian AM .
Hospitals that report severe sepsis and septic shock bundle compliance have more structured sepsis performance improvement.
J Patient Saf 2022 Dec 1;18(8):e1231-e36. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001062..
Keywords: Sepsis, Hospitals, Quality Improvement, Quality Indicators (QIs), Quality of Care
Canedo JR, Villalta-Gil V, Grijalva CG CG
How do Hispanics/Latinos perceive and value the return of research results?
This study’s objective was to examine differences among Hispanics/Latinos by education and income in the experience and expectations about the return of research results, perceived value of specific types of information, and the least and most valuable specific information. This retrospective observational design study used a cross-sectional national survey sample of Hispanics/Latinos (n = 327). Higher educational attainment and income were both positively associated with the perceived value of getting results. Higher education respondents specifically perceived greater value in information about how lifestyle and genetics affect their risk of disease, how genetics affect how they respond to medications, their ancestry, available clinical trials near them, and how to connect with other study participants.
AHRQ-funded; HS026122.
Citation: Canedo JR, Villalta-Gil V, Grijalva CG CG .
How do Hispanics/Latinos perceive and value the return of research results?
Hisp Health Care Int 2022 Dec;20(4):238-47. doi: 10.1177/15404153211070821..
Keywords: Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Cultural Competence, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Cohen DJ, Balasubramanian BA, Lindner S
How does prior experience pay off in large-scale quality improvement initiatives?
This study’s goal was to examine the association of prior investment on the effectiveness of organizations delivering large-scale external support to improve primary care. A mixed-methods study was conducted with 7 EvidenceNOW grantees and their recruited primary practices (n = 1720). Data was analyzed on the grantees’ implementation of helping primary care practice improve (1) clinical quality, measured as practices' performance on Aspirin, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Smoking (ABCS); and (2) practice capacity, measured using the Adaptive Reserve (AR) score and Change Process Capacity Questionnaire (CPCQ). Grantees with higher levels of prior experience with and investment in large-scale QI before EvidenceNOW recruited more geographically dispersed and diverse practices. They also had lower baseline ABCS performance (differences ranging from 2.8% for blood pressure to 41.5% for smoking), delivered more facilitation (mean=+20.3 hours), and made greater improvements in practices' QI capacity (CPCQ: +2.04) and smoking performance (+6.43%) than grantees with less experience. Having established networks of facilitators at the start of EvidenceNOW and leadership experienced in supporting this workforce explained their better recruitment, delivery of facilitation, and improvement in outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS023940.
Citation: Cohen DJ, Balasubramanian BA, Lindner S .
How does prior experience pay off in large-scale quality improvement initiatives?
J Am Board Fam Med 2022 Dec; 35(6):1115-27. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2022.AP.220088..
Keywords: Quality Improvement, Primary Care, Quality of Care
A Wehbe, RM Wu, T
AHRQ Author: Tibrewala
Hyponatremia is a powerful predictor of poor prognosis in left ventricular assist device patients.
Researchers sought to investigate the prognostic value of serum sodium in left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients and whether hyponatremia reflects worsening heart failure or an alternative mechanism. Heart failure patients who had undergone LVAD implantation 2008-2019 were identified; the researchers assessed for differences in hyponatremia before and after implantation. The findings suggested that hyponatremia in LVAD patients was associated with a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality and recurrent heart failure hospitalizations. The researchers concluded that hyponatremia may be a marker of ongoing neurohormonal activation more sensitive than other lab values, echocardiography parameters, and hemodynamic measurements.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: A Wehbe, RM Wu, T .
Hyponatremia is a powerful predictor of poor prognosis in left ventricular assist device patients.
ASAIO J 2022 Dec;68(12):1475-82. doi: 10.1097/mat.0000000000001691.
Keywords: Medical Devices, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions
Richards JE, Yarborough BJH, Holden E
Implementation of suicide risk estimation analytics to support mental health care for quality improvement.
The purpose of this mixed-methods quality improvement study was to examine and describe the use of estimation analytics to enhance existing suicide prevention practices during routine mental health specialty engagements. The study found that during the 3.5 month observation period there were 4,789 patient engagements by 1939 patients. This included 161 engagements newly identified by suicide risk estimation analytics. The researchers reported that the engagement-based risk identifications did not consistently trigger additional suicide risk assessment as intended. During newly identified engagements: 57 patients reported frequent suicidal ideation and, as per preexisting workflow, 54 completed a Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS); 75 patients reported no or infrequent suicidal ideation, but only 10 completed a C-SSRS, per new workflow; 29 patients did not answer the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and only 1 patient completed a C-SSRS, per new workflow. The providers interviewed (n = 8) reported important implementation concerns, including 1) lack of follow-up, 2) electronic health record- (EHR-) related inefficiencies, and 3) reliability and accuracy of the trigger. The patients interviewed (n = 20) repeated concerns about reliability and accuracy of estimation analytics. In addition, providers described concerns about access to care and potential liability associated with known suicide risk. Patients repeated the provider concerns about access and reported fears about identification of suicide risk resulting in coercive care. The researchers conclude that this unique quality improvement study underscores important implications for health care organizations considering implementation of estimation analytics to support engagement-based identification of suicide risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS026369.
Citation: Richards JE, Yarborough BJH, Holden E .
Implementation of suicide risk estimation analytics to support mental health care for quality improvement.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Dec;5(12):e2247195. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.47195..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Auty SG, Griffith KN, Shafer PR
Improving access to high-value, high-cost medicines: the use of subscription models to treat hepatitis C using direct acting antivirals in the United States.
This paper discusses the use of state-sponsored subscription models to support increased access to high-value medications such as direct acting antivirals (DAAs) which can cure chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The authors discuss the use of subscription models, a type of advanced purchase commitment (APC), to support increased access to high-value DAAs to treat HCV. They provide background information on HCV, its treatment, and state financing of prescription medications. They review the implementation of HCV subscription models in two states, Louisiana and Washington, and early evidence of their impact, as DAAs can cost upwards of $90,000 for treatment course.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395.
Citation: Auty SG, Griffith KN, Shafer PR .
Improving access to high-value, high-cost medicines: the use of subscription models to treat hepatitis C using direct acting antivirals in the United States.
J Health Polit Policy Law 2022 Dec 1;47(6):691-708. doi: 10.1215/03616878-10041121..
Keywords: Hepatitis, Medication, Chronic Conditions, Access to Care