National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Search All Research Studies
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- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (1)
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- (-) Transitions of Care (9)
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 9 of 9 Research Studies DisplayedMakam AN, Nguyen OK, Miller ME
Comparative effectiveness of long-term acute care hospital versus skilled nursing facility transfer.
This study compared the effectiveness of long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) use versus skilled nursing facility (SNF) transfer after hospitalization. Medicare claims linked to electronic health record (EHR) data from six Texas hospitals between 2009 and 2010 were used to conduct a retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients transferred to either an LTACH or SNF and followed for one year. Out of 3505 patients, 18% were transferred to an LTACH and overall were younger, less likely to be female, and white, but sicker than transfers to an SNF. Patients transferred to an LTACH were less likely to survive (59 vs. 65%) or recover (62.5 vs 66%). Adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders found in Medicare claims and EHR data, transfer location was not significantly associated with differences in mortality but was associated with greater Medicare spending.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Makam AN, Nguyen OK, Miller ME .
Comparative effectiveness of long-term acute care hospital versus skilled nursing facility transfer.
BMC Health Serv Res 2020 Nov 11;20(1):1032. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05847-6..
Keywords: Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice, Long-Term Care, Elderly, Medicare, Transitions of Care, Nursing Homes, Hospitals
Jones CD, Falvey J, Hess E
Predicting hospital readmissions from home healthcare in Medicare beneficiaries.
The authors used patient-level clinical variables to develop and validate a parsimonious model to predict hospital readmissions from home healthcare (HHC) in Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries. They found that variables available to HHC clinicians at the first post-discharge HHC visit can predict readmission risk and inform care plans in HHC. They recommend that future analyses incorporating measures of social determinants of health, such as housing instability or social support, have the potential to enhance prediction of this outcome.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Falvey J, Hess E .
Predicting hospital readmissions from home healthcare in Medicare beneficiaries.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2019 Dec;67(12):2505-10. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16153..
Keywords: Home Healthcare, Hospital Readmissions, Medicare, Elderly, Transitions of Care
Mueller S, Zheng J, Orav EJ
Inter-hospital transfer and patient outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.
Inter-hospital transfer (IHT, the transfer of patients between hospitals) occurs regularly and exposes patients to risks of discontinuity of care, though outcomes of transferred patients remains largely understudied. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to evaluate the association between IHT and healthcare utilisation and clinical outcomes. The investigators concluded that IHT was associated with higher costs, longer LOS and lower odds of discharge home, but was differentially associated with odds of early death and 30 -day mortality depending on patients' disease category.
AHRQ-funded; HS023331.
Citation: Mueller S, Zheng J, Orav EJ .
Inter-hospital transfer and patient outcomes: a retrospective cohort study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2019 Nov;28(11):e1. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2018-008087..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Hospitals, Patient Safety, Elderly, Outcomes, Chronic Conditions, Mortality, Medicare
Goldstone AB, Chiu P, Baiocchi M
Interfacility transfer of Medicare beneficiaries with acute type a aortic dissection and regionalization of care in the United States.
Researchers investigated the hypothesis that regionalizing care at high-volume hospitals for acute type A aortic dissections will lower mortality. Operative mortality and long-term survival were compared for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with an acute type A aortic dissection who were transferred versus not transferred, underwent surgery at high-volume versus low-volume hospitals, and were rerouted versus not rerouted to a high-volume hospital for treatment. The researchers found that, despite delaying surgery, a regionalization policy that transfers patients to high-volume hospitals was associated with a 7.2% absolute risk reduction in operative mortality. They recommended that policymakers evaluate the feasibility and benefits of regionalizing the surgical treatment of acute type A aortic dissection in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS022192.
Citation: Goldstone AB, Chiu P, Baiocchi M .
Interfacility transfer of Medicare beneficiaries with acute type a aortic dissection and regionalization of care in the United States.
Circulation 2019 Oct 8;140(15):1239-50. doi: 10.1161/circulationaha.118.038867..
Keywords: Transitions of Care, Medicare, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Risk, Evidence-Based Practice, Mortality, Hospitals
Abara NO, Huang N, Raji MA
Effect of retail clinic use on continuity of care among Medicare beneficiaries.
Researchers examined the relationship between retail clinic use and primary care physician (PCP) continuity among Medicare enrollees in the Houston metropolitan area. They found that retail clinic use was lower in the elderly population, compared with the previously published rate in the younger populations. The lower rate of continuity of care observed among retail clinic users was an issue of concern, especially for those with chronic medical conditions.
AHRQ-funded; HS020642.
Citation: Abara NO, Huang N, Raji MA .
Effect of retail clinic use on continuity of care among Medicare beneficiaries.
J Am Board Fam Med 2019 Jul-Aug;32(4):531-38. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2019.04.180349..
Keywords: Medicare, Transitions of Care, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Primary Care
Bindman AB, Cox DF
AHRQ Author: Bindman AB
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
Medicare adopted transitional care management (TCM) payment codes in 2013 to encourage clinicians to furnish TCM services after beneficiaries were discharged to the community from medical facilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the receipt of TCM services was associated with the subsequent health care costs and mortality of the beneficiaries in the month after the service was provided. The study concluded that despite the apparent benefits of TCM services for Medicare beneficiaries, the use of this service remains low.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Bindman AB, Cox DF .
Changes in health care costs and mortality associated with transitional care management services after a discharge among Medicare beneficiaries.
JAMA Intern Med 2018 Sep;178(9):1165-71. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.2572..
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Hospital Discharge, Medicare, Mortality, Transitions of Care
Wang SY, Aldridge MD, Gross CP
End-of-life care transition patterns of Medicare beneficiaries.
The researchers characterized the patterns of transitions in care and factors associated with multiple transitions in the last 6 months of life of U.S. decedents (N = 660,132). They found that 218,731 had four or more transitions within the last 6 months of life. Women, blacks, individuals younger than 85, and individuals without dementia were more likely to have four or more transitions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023900.
Citation: Wang SY, Aldridge MD, Gross CP .
End-of-life care transition patterns of Medicare beneficiaries.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2017 Jul;65(7):1406-13. doi: 10.1111/jgs.14891.
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Keywords: Elderly, Medicare, Palliative Care, Transitions of Care
Jones CD, Bowles KH, Richard A
High-value home health care for patients with heart failure: an opportunity to optimize transitions from hospital to home.
Providing home health nursing and therapy could promote recovery in vulnerable HF patients with post-hospital syndrome and potentially reduce readmissions. The authors argue that understanding the characteristics of effective post-acute HHC for patients with HF will inform best practices, optimal outcomes for cost, and ultimately high-value care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024569.
Citation: Jones CD, Bowles KH, Richard A .
High-value home health care for patients with heart failure: an opportunity to optimize transitions from hospital to home.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2017 May;10(5). doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.117.003676.
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Keywords: Home Healthcare, Heart Disease and Health, Transitions of Care, Care Coordination, Medicare
Kindermann DR, Mutter RL, Houchens RL
AHRQ Author: Mutter RL
The transfer instability index: a novel metric of emergency department transfer relationships.
The researchers developed the “transfer instability index” to describe sending hospitals’ relationships with receiving hospitals. They found that emergency departments with a greater share of publicly insured patients had a greater transfer instability index, which may indicate less stable, protocolized, and regionalized transfer relationships.
AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Kindermann DR, Mutter RL, Houchens RL .
The transfer instability index: a novel metric of emergency department transfer relationships.
Acad Emerg Med 2015 Feb;22(2):166-71. doi: 10.1111/acem.12589..
Keywords: Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Emergency Department, Transitions of Care, Medicaid, Medicare