National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (1)
- Adverse Events (1)
- Chronic Conditions (1)
- Communication (1)
- (-) Diagnostic Safety and Quality (6)
- (-) Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (6)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (6)
- Imaging (3)
- Kidney Disease and Health (1)
- Patient Safety (2)
- Quality Improvement (1)
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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 6 of 6 Research Studies DisplayedLacson R, Gujrathi I, Healey M
Closing the loop on unscheduled diagnostic imaging orders: a systems-based approach.
This study looked at the impact of implementing a tool called SCORE (System for Coordinating Orders for Radiology Exams), whose objective is to manage unscheduled orders for outpatient diagnostic imaging in an electronic health record (EHR) with embedded computerized physician order entry. The rate of unscheduled imaging orders was compared before SCORE (October 2017 to September 2018) and after (October 2018 to June 2019). There was a 49% reduction in unscheduled orders after SCORE implementation at a large academic institution.
AHRQ-funded; HS024722.
Citation: Lacson R, Gujrathi I, Healey M .
Closing the loop on unscheduled diagnostic imaging orders: a systems-based approach.
J Am Coll Radiol 2021 Jan;18(1 Pt A):60-67. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2020.09.031..
Keywords: Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Safety
Danforth KN, Hahn EE, Slezak JM
Follow-up of abnormal estimated GFR results within a large integrated health care delivery system: a mixed-methods study.
This study examined the rates of follow-up with patients after abnormal estimated glomular filtration rate (eGFR) laboratory results, which may indicate chronic kidney disease. A large integrated health system was used with a total of 244,540 patients aged 21 or older with abnormal eGFRs were included from January 2010 through December 2015. Timely follow-up was defined as repeat eGFR testing within 60 to 150 days, follow-up testing before 60 days that indicated normal kidney function, or diagnosis before 60 days of chronic kidney disease or kidney cancer. Follow-up was found to be poor, with 58% of patients lacking timely follow-up. Fifteen physicians were also interviewed and it was found that both system-level and provider-level factors influenced follow-up rates.
AHRQ-funded; HS024437.
Citation: Danforth KN, Hahn EE, Slezak JM .
Follow-up of abnormal estimated GFR results within a large integrated health care delivery system: a mixed-methods study.
Am J Kidney Dis 2019 Nov;74(5):589-600. doi: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2019.05.003..
Keywords: Healthcare Delivery, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Kidney Disease and Health, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Chronic Conditions
Kang SK, Garry K, Chung R
Natural language processing for identification of incidental pulmonary nodules in radiology reports.
The authors developed natural language processing (NLP) to identify incidental lung nodules (ILNs) in radiology reports for assessment of management recommendations using the electronic health records for patients who underwent chest CT before and after implementation of a department-wide dictation macro of the Fleischner Society recommendations. They concluded that NLP reliably automates identification of ILNs in unstructured reports, pertinent to quality improvement efforts for ILN management.
AHRQ-funded; HS024376.
Citation: Kang SK, Garry K, Chung R .
Natural language processing for identification of incidental pulmonary nodules in radiology reports.
J Am Coll Radiol 2019 Nov;16(11):1587-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.04.026..
Keywords: Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Health Information Technology (HIT), Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Quinn M, Forman J, Harrod M
Electronic health records, communication, and data sharing: challenges and opportunities for improving the diagnostic process.
Diagnosis requires that clinicians communicate and share patient information in an efficient manner. Advances in electronic health records (EHRs) and health information technologies have created challenges and opportunities for such communication. In this multi-method, focused ethnographic study of physicians on general medicine inpatient units in two teaching hospitals, the investigators found that existing communication technologies and EHR-based data sharing processes were perceived as barriers to diagnosis. In particular, reliance on paging systems and lack of face-to-face communication among clinicians created obstacles to sustained thinking and discussion of diagnostic decision-making.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835; HS024385.
Citation: Quinn M, Forman J, Harrod M .
Electronic health records, communication, and data sharing: challenges and opportunities for improving the diagnostic process.
Diagnosis 2019 Aug 27;6(3):241-48. doi: 10.1515/dx-2018-0036.
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Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Communication
Deng F, Li MD, Wong A
Quality of documentation of contrast agent allergies in electronic health records.
The purpose of this study was to describe and appraise contrast agent allergy documentation in the electronic health record (EHR). The investigators concluded that contrast allergy records in EHRs were diverse and commonly low quality. They suggest that continued EHR enhancements and training are needed to support contrast allergy documentation to facilitate improved patient care and medical research.
AHRQ-funded; HS025375.
Citation: Deng F, Li MD, Wong A .
Quality of documentation of contrast agent allergies in electronic health records.
J Am Coll Radiol 2019 Aug;16(8):1027-35. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.01.027..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Imaging
Murphy DR, Meyer AN, Sittig DF
Application of electronic trigger tools to identify targets for improving diagnostic safety.
This article discusses the use of electronic trigger tools to reduce diagnostic errors and improve patient safety. The authors present a framework called Safer Dx Trigger Tools Framework that will enable health systems to develop and implement e-trigger tools. It identifies and measures diagnostic errors using comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) data. The application of the algorithms used will require a diverse team of specialists to implement. Future research is also outlined.
AHRQ-funded; HS022901; HS022087; HS017820.
Citation: Murphy DR, Meyer AN, Sittig DF .
Application of electronic trigger tools to identify targets for improving diagnostic safety.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 Feb;28(2):151-59. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-008086..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Safety