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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 8 of 8 Research Studies DisplayedShah W, Villaflores CW, Chuong LH
Association between in-person vs telehealth follow-up and rates of repeated hospital visits among patients seen in the emergency department.
This study investigated whether the rates of emergency department (ED) return visits and hospitalization differ between patients who obtain in-person versus telehealth encounters for post-ED follow-up care. This retrospective cohort study included adult patients who came to either of 2 in-system EDs of a single urban integrated academic system from April 2020 to September 2021, were discharged home, and obtained a follow-up appointment with a primary care physician within 14 days of their index ED visit. Overall, the study recorded 12,848 patients with 16,987 ED encounters (mean age 53 years; 57% women, 12% Black or African American; 22% Hispanic or Latinx; and 58% White) included. Overall, 17% of initial ED encounters led to returns to the ED, and 4% subsequent hospitalizations. Telehealth vs in-person follow-up visits were associated with increased rates of ED returns (28.3 more ED returns per 1000 encounters) and hospitalizations (10.6 more hospitalizations per 1000 encounters).
AHRQ-funded; HS026372.
Citation: Shah W, Villaflores CW, Chuong LH .
Association between in-person vs telehealth follow-up and rates of repeated hospital visits among patients seen in the emergency department.
JAMA Netw Open 2022 Oct;5(10):e2237783. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.37783..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Emergency Department, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals
Legler S, Diehl M, Hilliard B
Evaluation of an intrahospital telemedicine program for patients admitted with COVID-19: mixed methods study.
This pilot study’s objective was to evaluate an intrahospital telemedicine program along with its impact on exposure risk and communication for patients admitted with COVID-19. Virtual care was the main primary exposure variable and patient characteristics, PPE use rates, and their association with virtual care were assessed. Out of 137 total patients in their primary analysis, 43 patients used virtual care. There were 82 inpatient days of use, and 401 inpatient days without use. Surveys of 41 patients and clinicians showed high rates of recommendation for further use. A significant reduction in PPE use and physical exam rate was associated with virtual care. However, there are limitations in usability, medical assessment, and empathetic communication.
AHRQ-funded; HS026732.
Citation: Legler S, Diehl M, Hilliard B .
Evaluation of an intrahospital telemedicine program for patients admitted with COVID-19: mixed methods study.
J Med Internet Res 2021 Apr 29;23(4):e25987. doi: 10.2196/25987..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Hospitalization, Communication, COVID-19
McAlearney AS, Walker DM, Gaughan A
Helping patients be better patients: a qualitative study of perceptions about inpatient portal use.
This qualitative study looked at perceptions about inpatient portal use and its impact on patient experience and the care process. The authors interviewed 120 patients and 433 care team members across a seven-hospital academic medical center that offers an inpatient portal to hospitalized patients. Care team members felt the inpatient portal helped patients be “better patients” by improving their ability to be informed about their health and enabling them to be more involved in the care process. The care team members suggested portal use could be improved by addressing challenges with tablet administration, use of the patient education feature, and the functionality of the scheduling feature.
AHRQ-funded; HS024379; HS024091.
Citation: McAlearney AS, Walker DM, Gaughan A .
Helping patients be better patients: a qualitative study of perceptions about inpatient portal use.
Telemed J E Health 2020 Sep;26(9):1184-87. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2019.0198..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Inpatient Care, Hospitals
Zachrison KS, Boggs KM, Hayden EM
A national survey of telemedicine use by US emergency departments.
Telemedicine has the potential to improve the delivery of emergency medical care: however, the extent of its adoption in United States (US) emergency departments is not known. The objectives of this study were to characterise the prevalence of telemedicine use among all US emergency departments, describe clinical applications for which it is most commonly used, and identify emergency department characteristics associated with its use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Zachrison KS, Boggs KM, Hayden EM .
A national survey of telemedicine use by US emergency departments.
J Telemed Telecare 2020 Jun;26(5):278-84. doi: 10.1177/1357633x18816112..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Emergency Department, Healthcare Delivery, Hospitals
Sharma R, Zachrison KS, Viswanathan A
Trends in telestroke care delivery: a 15-year experience of an academic hub and its network of spokes.
Telestroke provides access to vascular neurology expertise for hospitals lacking stroke coverage, and its use has risen rapidly in the past decade. In this study the investigators aimed to characterize consultations, spoke behavior, and the relationship between spoke telestroke utilization (number of telestroke consults per year) and spoke alteplase treatment metrics in an academic telestroke network.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Sharma R, Zachrison KS, Viswanathan A .
Trends in telestroke care delivery: a 15-year experience of an academic hub and its network of spokes.
Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2020 Mar;13(3):e005903. doi: 10.1161/circoutcomes.119.005903..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Stroke, Healthcare Delivery, Care Management, Hospitals
Gadhia R, Schwamm LH, Viswanathan A
Evaluation of the experience of spoke hospitals in an academic telestroke network.
Implementation of telestroke has been associated with improved thrombolysis rates and clinical outcomes in remote or neurologically underserved spoke hospitals. Yet, the experience of spoke hospitals using telestroke has not been well described. In this study, the investigators sought to characterize spoke hospitals' perceptions of telestroke to understand perceived advantages, challenges, and barriers to use.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Gadhia R, Schwamm LH, Viswanathan A .
Evaluation of the experience of spoke hospitals in an academic telestroke network.
Telemed J E Health 2019 Jul;25(7):584-90. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2018.0133..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Stroke, Cardiovascular Conditions
Moreno A, Schwamm LH, Siddiqui KA
Frequent hub-spoke contact is associated with improved spoke hospital performance: results from the Massachusetts General Hospital Telestroke Network.
This study investigated the association of a strong hub-spoke hospital connection with improved spoke hospital performance for acute ischemic stroke patients associated with the Massachusetts General Hospital Telestroke Network. Investigators identified 375 patients treated with tPA by conventional or telestroke methods from 2006-2015 with 16 spoke hospitals. There was a positive association between more frequent contact between a telestroke spoke and its hub and faster tPA delivery for patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS024561.
Citation: Moreno A, Schwamm LH, Siddiqui KA .
Frequent hub-spoke contact is associated with improved spoke hospital performance: results from the Massachusetts General Hospital Telestroke Network.
Telemed J E Health 2018 Sep;24(9):678-83. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2017.0252..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Provider Performance, Quality of Care, Stroke, Telehealth
Couture B, Lilley E, Chang F
Applying user-centered design methods to the development of an mHealth application for use in the hospital setting by patients and care partners.
This article describes user-centered design methods and results for developing the patient and family facing user interface and functionality of MySafeCare, a safety reporting tool for hospitalized patients and their family members. Results showed that user-centered design should focus on workflow functionality, terminology, and user interface issues for mHealth applications.
AHRQ-funded; HS023535.
Citation: Couture B, Lilley E, Chang F .
Applying user-centered design methods to the development of an mHealth application for use in the hospital setting by patients and care partners.
Appl Clin Inform 2018 Apr;9(2):302-12. doi: 10.1055/s-0038-1645888..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospitals, Caregiving