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Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.
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1 to 11 of 11 Research Studies DisplayedFowler TT, Schiff J, Applegate MS
Early elective deliveries accounted for nearly 9 percent of births paid for by Medicaid.
The authors reported the results of a perinatal project, led by the state Medicaid medical directors, that sought to coordinate quality improvement efforts related to early elective deliveries for the Medicaid population. Using data from 22 states, they found that 8.9% of Medicaid singleton births were early elective deliveries, and they therefore estimated that there are 160,000 early elective Medicaid deliveries nationwide each year. They concluded that their study offers additional evidence and new tools for policy makers pursuing strategies to further reduce the number of such deliveries.
AHRQ-funded; 29020090015C.
Citation: Fowler TT, Schiff J, Applegate MS .
Early elective deliveries accounted for nearly 9 percent of births paid for by Medicaid.
Health Aff 2014 Dec;33(12):2170-8. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0534.
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Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Maternal Care, Medicaid, Pregnancy
Rokicki S, Montana L, Fink G
Impact of migration on fertility and abortion: evidence from the household and welfare study of Accra.
The researchers used detailed pregnancy and migration histories collected as part of the Household and Welfare Study of Accra (HAWS) to examine the association between migration and pregnancy outcomes among women residing in the urban slums of Accra, Ghana. They found that the completed fertility patterns of lifetime Accra residents are remarkably similar to those of residents who migrated.
AHRQ-funded; HS000055.
Citation: Rokicki S, Montana L, Fink G .
Impact of migration on fertility and abortion: evidence from the household and welfare study of Accra.
Demography 2014 Dec;51(6):2229-54. doi: 10.1007/s13524-014-0339-0..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Urban Health, Social Determinants of Health, Labor and Delivery
Lorch SA, Martin AE, Ranade R
Lessons for providers and hospitals from Philadelphia's obstetric services closures and consolidations, 1997-2012.
The researchers examined the experience of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, where thirteen of nineteen hospital obstetric units closed between 1997 and 2012, and they conducted interviews at eleven hospitals whose obstetric units remained open. Interviewees reported sharp surges in delivery volume and an increase in the proportion of patients with public insurance or no insurance. The authors concluded that their study supports the need for policy makers to anticipate reductions in supply and monitor patient outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS018661.
Citation: Lorch SA, Martin AE, Ranade R .
Lessons for providers and hospitals from Philadelphia's obstetric services closures and consolidations, 1997-2012.
Health Aff 2014 Dec;33(12):2162-9. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2014.0136.
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Keywords: Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Hospitals
Henke RM, Wier LM, Marder WD
Geographic variation in cesarean delivery in the United States by payer.
This study aimed (1) to determine whether the geographic variation in cesarean delivery rate is consistent for private insurance and Medicaid, and (2) to identify the patient, population, and market factors associated with cesarean rate and determine if these factors vary by payer. It concluded that factors associated with geographic variation in cesarean delivery, a frequent and high-resource inpatient procedure, vary somewhat by payer.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290200600009C.
Citation: Henke RM, Wier LM, Marder WD .
Geographic variation in cesarean delivery in the United States by payer.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014 Nov 19;14:387. doi: 10.1186/s12884-014-0387-x.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Health Insurance, Labor and Delivery, Medicaid, Pregnancy
Ahrens KA, Louik C, Kerr S
Seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risks of preterm delivery and small for gestational age birth.
The researchers examined the associations between seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risks of PTD and SGA among a multiyear retrospective cohort of pregnancies. With the exception of pre-term delivery (PTD) associated with the 2009–10 seasonal vaccine, they found no meaningful increases in PTD or small for gestational age risks associated with seasonal trivalent influenza vaccination during pregnancy.
AHRQ-funded; HS018463.
Citation: Ahrens KA, Louik C, Kerr S .
Seasonal influenza vaccination during pregnancy and the risks of preterm delivery and small for gestational age birth.
Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol 2014 Nov;28(6):498-509. doi: 10.1111/ppe.12152..
Keywords: Influenza, Vaccination, Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery
Dublin S, Johnson KE, Walker RL
Trends in elective labor induction for six United States health plans, 2001-2007.
The authors sought to describe trends in labor induction, including elective induction, from 2001 to 2007 for six U.S. health plans and to examine the validity of induction measures derived from birth certificate and health plan data. They found that induction prevalence rose from 28% in 2001 to 32% in 2005, then declined to 29% in 2007, with the trend being similar for subgroups by parity and gestational age. Elective induction prevalence varied considerably across plans.
AHRQ-funded; HS016955.
Citation: Dublin S, Johnson KE, Walker RL .
Trends in elective labor induction for six United States health plans, 2001-2007.
J Womens Health 2014 Nov;23(11):904-11. doi: 10.1089/jwh.2014.4779.
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Keywords: Centers for Education and Research on Therapeutics (CERTs), Health Insurance, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women
Eden KB, Perrin NA, Vesco KK
A randomized comparative trial of two decision tools for pregnant women with prior cesareans.
The authors evaluated tools to help pregnant women with prior cesareans make informed decisions about having trials of labor. They found that women in both groups felt more informed, were more clear about their birth priorities, felt more supported, and overall reported less conflict after receiving either intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS011338; HS013959.
Citation: Eden KB, Perrin NA, Vesco KK .
A randomized comparative trial of two decision tools for pregnant women with prior cesareans.
J Obstet Gynecol Neonatal Nurs 2014 Sep-Oct;43(5):568-79. doi: 10.1111/1552-6909.12485.
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Keywords: Education: Patient and Caregiver, Decision Making, Labor and Delivery, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Sentell T, Chang A, Cheng Y
Maternal quality and safety outcomes for Asians and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii: an observational study from five years of statewide data.
The authors investigated maternal quality and safety outcomes across heterogeneous Asian and Pacific Islanders subgroups in the United States. They found significant variation for Asian and Pacific Islander subgroups across maternal quality and safety outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019990; HS021903.
Citation: Sentell T, Chang A, Cheng Y .
Maternal quality and safety outcomes for Asians and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii: an observational study from five years of statewide data.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2014 Aug 30;14:298. doi: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-298.
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Keywords: Disparities, Labor and Delivery, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Quality Indicators (QIs), Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Darney BG, Caughey AB
Elective induction of labor symposium: nomenclature, research methodological issues, and outcomes.
This article focuses on key method issues in studies of elective induction of labor. The authors first identify methodological concerns with the existing literature and discuss each in return. They then review existing evidence about the relationship between elective induction and cesarean delivery.
AHRQ-funded; HS017582
Citation: Darney BG, Caughey AB .
Elective induction of labor symposium: nomenclature, research methodological issues, and outcomes.
Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jun;57(2):343-62. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000029..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Outcomes, Labor and Delivery, Women
Moore JE, Low LK, Titler MG
Moving toward patient-centered care: women's decisions, perceptions, and experiences of the induction of labor process.
The researchers identified factors that influence inductions from the perspective of women. They found that lack of informed decision making was cited as a barrier to optimal care; additional themes emerged from the preinduction and postinduction interviews.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Moore JE, Low LK, Titler MG .
Moving toward patient-centered care: women's decisions, perceptions, and experiences of the induction of labor process.
Birth 2014 Jun;41(2):138-46. doi: 10.1111/birt.12080.
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Keywords: Decision Making, Labor and Delivery, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient Experience, Pregnancy
Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
This article presents a case study concerning challenges, including physician resistance, to the establishment of a common full disclosure protocol at five labor and delivery demonstration sites. Twenty-seven months after implementation, the rate of full disclosure had increased by 221 percent. Practitioners saw a number of factors as key catalysts for change including consistent and ongoing leadership by local practitioners and hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS019608.
Citation: Hendrich A, McCoy CK, Gale J .
Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.
Health Aff 2014 Jan;33(1):39-45. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.1009..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Labor and Delivery, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Policy, Pregnancy, Women
