National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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- Adverse Events (3)
- Behavioral Health (1)
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- Cancer: Colorectal Cancer (1)
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- Caregiving (1)
- Community-Acquired Infections (2)
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- Diabetes (3)
- (-) Elderly (22)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
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- Mortality (6)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Nursing Homes (2)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3)
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- Pneumonia (1)
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- Quality Improvement (1)
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- Surgery (3)
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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 22 of 22 Research Studies DisplayedHaimovich AD, Shah MN, Southerland LT
Automating risk stratification for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department.
This study discussed using automated risk stratification to implement screening programs for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department (ED). This method would reduce significant workloads at a time of record-breaking ED patient volumes, staff shortages, and hospital boarding crises. The authors defined the concept of automated risk stratification and screening using existing electronic health record (EHR) data. They discussed progress made in three potential use cases in the ED: falls, cognitive impairment, and end-of-life and palliative care; emphasizing the importance of linking automated screening with systems of healthcare delivery. They found that research progress and operational deployment vary by use case, ranging from deployed solutions in falls screening to algorithmic validation in cognitive impairment and end-of-life care, but should still be considered a potential solution.
AHRQ-funded; HS027735.
Citation: Haimovich AD, Shah MN, Southerland LT .
Automating risk stratification for geriatric syndromes in the emergency department.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2024 Jan; 72(1):258-67. doi: 10.1111/jgs.18594..
Keywords: Elderly, Emergency Department, Risk, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Temkin-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
Lee AK, Lee CJ, Huang ES
Risk factors for severe hypoglycemia in black and white adults with diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
Severe hypoglycemia is a rare but important complication of type 2 diabetes. Few studies have examined the epidemiology of hypoglycemia in a community-based population. This study concluded that poor glycemic control, glycemic variability as captured by 1,5-anhydroglucitol, kidney damage, and measures of cognitive and functional impairments were strongly associated with increased risk of severe hypoglycemia.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Lee AK, Lee CJ, Huang ES .
Risk factors for severe hypoglycemia in black and white adults with diabetes: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study.
Diabetes Care 2017 Dec;40(12):1661-67. doi: 10.2337/dc17-0819.
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Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Elderly, Diabetes, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Risk
Park JS, Bateni SB, Bold RJ
The modified frailty index to predict morbidity and mortality for retroperitoneal sarcoma resections.
The researchers performed a retrospective analysis of patients with a diagnosis of primary malignant retroperitoneal neoplasm who underwent surgical resection. The modified frailty index (mFI) was calculated according to standard published methods. Their data demonstrate that the majority of patients undergoing retroperitoneal sarcoma resections have few, if any, comorbidities. The mFI was a limited predictor of overall and serious complications and was not a significant predictor of mortality.
AHRQ-funded; HS022236.
Citation: Park JS, Bateni SB, Bold RJ .
The modified frailty index to predict morbidity and mortality for retroperitoneal sarcoma resections.
J Surg Res 2017 Sep;217:191-97. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.05.025.
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Keywords: Cancer, Elderly, Health Status, Mortality, Risk
Mehta HB, Mehta V, Goodwin JS
Association of hypoglycemia with subsequent dementia in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
This study evaluated an association of hypoglycemia with subsequent dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycemia is associated with a higher risk of dementia and may be responsible in part for the higher risk of dementia in patients with diabetes. Alternatively, hypoglycemia may be a marker for undiagnosed cognitive impairment, and we cannot rule out the possibility of reverse causation between hypoglycemia and dementia.
AHRQ-funded; HS022134.
Citation: Mehta HB, Mehta V, Goodwin JS .
Association of hypoglycemia with subsequent dementia in older patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2017 Aug;72(8):1110-16. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glw217.
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Keywords: Dementia, Diabetes, Elderly, Risk
Galambos C, Rantz M, Back J
Older adults' perceptions of and preferences for a fall risk assessment system: exploring stages of acceptance model.
The study aim was to explore the perceptions and preferences of older adults and their family members about a fall risk assessment system. Using a qualitative approach, this study found that there was acceptance of the technology as participants adapted to it. Two themes were present across the five points in time-safety and usefulness. Five stages of acceptance emerged from the data from preinstallation to 2 years postinstallation.
AHRQ-funded; HS018477.
Citation: Galambos C, Rantz M, Back J .
Older adults' perceptions of and preferences for a fall risk assessment system: exploring stages of acceptance model.
Comput Inform Nurs 2017 Jul;35(7):331-37. doi: 10.1097/cin.0000000000000330.
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Keywords: Elderly, Falls, Risk, Patient Safety
Hoffman GJ, Hays RD, Wallace SP
Depressive symptomatology and fall risk among community-dwelling older adults.
The directionality of observed relationship between falls and depressive symptoms (DS) is in need of elaboration given that cross-sectional study designs can yield biased estimates of the DS-falls relationship. This study found that the DS-falls relationship was not significant when use of psychiatric medications, which was positively associated with falls, was included in the model.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, Hays RD, Wallace SP .
Depressive symptomatology and fall risk among community-dwelling older adults.
Soc Sci Med 2017 Apr;178:206-13. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.02.020.
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Keywords: Depression, Elderly, Falls, Patient Safety, Risk
Palta P, Huang ES, Kalyani RR
Hemoglobin A1c and mortality in older adults with and without diabetes: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988-2011).
In this paper, the investigators sought to estimate the risk of mortality by HbA1c levels among older adults with and without diabetes. They concluded that an HbA1c >8.0% was associated with increased risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults with diabetes. The investigators suggest that their results support the idea that better glycemic control is important for reducing mortality; however, they also indicate that there is a need for individualized glycemic targets for older adults with diabetes depending on their demographics, duration of diabetes, and existing comorbidities.
AHRQ-funded; HS018542.
Citation: Palta P, Huang ES, Kalyani RR .
Hemoglobin A1c and mortality in older adults with and without diabetes: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988-2011).
Diabetes Care 2017 Apr;40(4):453-60. doi: 10.2337/dci16-0042.
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Keywords: Cancer, Cardiovascular Conditions, Diabetes, Elderly, Mortality, Risk
Hoffman GJ, Hays RD, Wallace SP
Receipt of caregiving and fall risk in US community-dwelling older adults.
The researchers examined whether receipt of low (0-13 weekly hours) and high levels (>/=14 weekly hours) of informal care or any formal care is associated with lower risk of falls and fall-related injuries (FRI) among community-dwelling older adults. They found that among individuals with >/=3 activities of daily living, fall risks were reduced by 21 percent for those receiving high levels of informal care.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Hoffman GJ, Hays RD, Wallace SP .
Receipt of caregiving and fall risk in US community-dwelling older adults.
Med Care 2017 Apr;55(4):371-78. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000677.
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Keywords: Caregiving, Elderly, Falls, Risk, Patient Safety
Frei CR, Rehani S, Lee GC
Application of a risk score to identify older adults with community-onset pneumonia most likely to benefit from empiric pseudomonas therapy.
The researchers assessed the impact of empiric Pseudomonas pharmacotherapy on 30-day mortality in hospitalized patients with community-onset pneumonia stratified according to their risk (low, medium, or high) of drug-resistant pathogens. By using a risk score, they found that empiric Pseudomonas therapy was associated with lower 30-day mortality in the high-risk group but not the low- or medium-risk groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Frei CR, Rehani S, Lee GC .
Application of a risk score to identify older adults with community-onset pneumonia most likely to benefit from empiric pseudomonas therapy.
Pharmacotherapy 2017 Feb;37(2):195-203. doi: 10.1002/phar.1891.
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Keywords: Elderly, Community-Acquired Infections, Pneumonia, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Risk
Jutkowitz E, MacLehose RF, Gaugler JE
Risk factors associated with cognitive, functional, and behavioral trajectories of newly diagnosed dementia patients.
This study examined the effect of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors on cognitive, functional, and behavioral declines in incident dementia patients. Age of onset, region of residence, and history of hypertension and psychiatric problems predicted behaviors at diagnosis. Cognition explained changes in behavior. Sociodemographic characteristics and clinical comorbidities predicted cognitive and functional changes. Only cognitive status explained behavioral decline.
AHRQ-funded; HS024165.
Citation: Jutkowitz E, MacLehose RF, Gaugler JE .
Risk factors associated with cognitive, functional, and behavioral trajectories of newly diagnosed dementia patients.
J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2017 Feb;72(2):251-58. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glw079.
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Keywords: Dementia, Elderly, Behavioral Health, Neurological Disorders, Risk, Social Determinants of Health