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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 11 of 11 Research Studies DisplayedShapiro J, Robins L, Galowitz P
Disclosure coaching: an ask-tell-ask model to support clinicians in disclosure conversations.
The authors developed an "Ask-Tell-Ask" model and materials to guide the disclosure coaching process. In this paper, they described a comprehensive approach to coaching developed over years of coaching experience that incorporates their model, its rationale, step-by-step coaching strategies and guidance, and organizational considerations regarding implementation of a coaching program to support patient-centered transparent communication after harmful events.
AHRQ-funded; HS019531.
Citation: Shapiro J, Robins L, Galowitz P .
Disclosure coaching: an ask-tell-ask model to support clinicians in disclosure conversations.
J Patient Saf 2021 Dec 1;17(8):e1364-e70. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000491..
Keywords: Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Medical Liability, Patient Safety
Antunez AG, Saari A, Miller J
Patient preferences in cases of inter-system medical error discovery (IMED).
This study looked at patients’ preferences in reporting by physicians when there are medical errors, both self-discovered by the physician, and for inter-system medical error discoveries (IMEDs). Telephone interviews were conducted with 30 patient volunteers from Michigan from January to March 2018. Two medical vignettes were presented, one involving a single physician discovering their own error and the other involving an IMED scenario. Analysis showed that patients considered IMED essentially equivalent to self-discovered errors, and strongly preferred disclosure for both scenarios. Patients said they would likely take certain actions following disclosure of another physician’s error, ranging from confronting the physician to changing providers to taking legal action.
AHRQ-funded; HS026030.
Citation: Antunez AG, Saari A, Miller J .
Patient preferences in cases of inter-system medical error discovery (IMED).
Ann Surg 2021 Mar;273(3):516-22. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003507..
Keywords: Medical Errors, Adverse Events, Medical Liability, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication
Gallagher TH, Mello MM, Sage WM
Can communication-and-resolution programs achieve their potential? Five key questions.
Communication-and-resolution programs (CRPs) are intended to promote accountability, transparency, and learning after adverse events. In this article the authors address five key challenges to the programs' future success: implementation fidelity, the evidence base for CRPs and their link to patient safety, fair compensation of harmed patients, alignment of CRP design with participants' needs, and public policy on CRPs.
AHRQ-funded; HS024504.
Citation: Gallagher TH, Mello MM, Sage WM .
Can communication-and-resolution programs achieve their potential? Five key questions.
Health Aff 2018 Nov;37(11):1845-52. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2018.0727..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Medical Liability
Mello MM, Greenberg Y, Senecal SK
Case outcomes in a communication-and-resolution program in New York hospitals.
The researchers sought to determine case outcomes in a communication-and-resolution program (CRP) implemented to respond to adverse events in general surgery. They concluded that the bulk of CRPs' work is in investigating and communicating about events not caused by substandard care. These CRPs were quite successful in handling such events, but less consistent in offering compensation in cases involving substandard care.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS019505.
Citation: Mello MM, Greenberg Y, Senecal SK .
Case outcomes in a communication-and-resolution program in New York hospitals.
Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2583-99. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12594.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Surgery
Mello MM, Armstrong SJ, Greenberg Y
Challenges of implementing a communication-and-resolution program where multiple organizations must cooperate.
The researchers sought to implement a communication-and-resolution program (CRP) in a setting in which liability insurers and health care facilities must collaborate to resolve incidents involving a facility and separately insured clinicians. They found that sites experienced small victories in resolving particular cases and streamlining some working relationships, but they were unable to successfully implement a collaborative CRP.
AHRQ-funded; HS019531.
Citation: Mello MM, Armstrong SJ, Greenberg Y .
Challenges of implementing a communication-and-resolution program where multiple organizations must cooperate.
Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2550-68. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12580.
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Keywords: Communication, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Patient Safety
Helmchen LA, Lambert BL, McDonald TB
Changes in physician practice patterns after implementation of a communication-and-resolution program.
The researchers tested if a 2006 communication-and-resolution program to address unexpected adverse outcomes was associated with changes in cost and use trajectories. They found that the intervention hospital recorded an increase in the number of patients with a principal diagnosis of chest pain. Among admitted patients, quarterly growth rates of clinical laboratory and radiology charges at the intervention hospital declined by 3.8 and 6.9 percentage points.
AHRQ-funded; HS019565.
Citation: Helmchen LA, Lambert BL, McDonald TB .
Changes in physician practice patterns after implementation of a communication-and-resolution program.
Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2516-36. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12610.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Practice Patterns
Gallagher TH, Farrell ML, Karson H
Collaboration with regulators to support quality and accountability following medical errors: The Communication and Resolution Program Certification Pilot.
The Medical Quality Assurance Commission (MQAC, board of medicine) in Washington State has collaborated with the Foundation for Health Care Quality (FHCQ) on the CRP Certification pilot. A panel of physicians, risk managers, and patient advocates at FHCQ will review cases for use of the CRP key elements. After describing the process, the authors concluded that the CRP Certification program is a promising example of collaboration among institutions, insurers, and regulators to promote patient-centered accountability and learning following adverse events.
AHRQ-funded; HS019531.
Citation: Gallagher TH, Farrell ML, Karson H .
Collaboration with regulators to support quality and accountability following medical errors: The Communication and Resolution Program Certification Pilot.
Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2569-82. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12557.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Medical Errors, Medical Liability, Patient Safety, Quality of Care
Lambert BL, Centomani NM, Smith KM
The "Seven Pillars" response to patient safety incidents: effects on medical liability processes and outcomes.
This study's objective was to determine whether a communication and resolution approach to patient harm is associated with changes in medical liability processes and outcomes. It found that the intervention nearly doubled the number of incident reports, halved the number of claims, and reduced legal fees and costs as well as total costs per claim, settlement amounts, and self-insurance costs. The study found that a communication and optimal resolution (CANDOR) approach to adverse events was associated with long-lasting, clinically and financially significant changes in a large set of core medical liability process and outcome measures.
AHRQ-funded; HS019565.
Citation: Lambert BL, Centomani NM, Smith KM .
The "Seven Pillars" response to patient safety incidents: effects on medical liability processes and outcomes.
Health Serv Res 2016 Dec;51 Suppl 3:2491-515. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12548.
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Keywords: Adverse Events, Medical Liability, Medical Errors, Communication, Patient Safety
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
Sage WM, Gallagher TH, Armstrong S
How policy makers can smooth the way for communication-and- resolution programs.
The authors argue that State and federal policy makers should try to allay potential defendants’ fears of litigation (e.g., by protecting apologies from use in court), facilitate patient participation (e.g., by ensuring access to legal representation), and address the reputational and economic concerns of health care providers (e.g., by clarifying practices governing National Practitioner Data Bank reporting and payers’ financial recourse following medical error).
AHRQ-funded; HS019505; HS019531; HS019561; HS019565; HSO19608; HS19537.
Citation: Sage WM, Gallagher TH, Armstrong S .
How policy makers can smooth the way for communication-and- resolution programs.
Health Aff 2014 Jan;33(1):11-9. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0930..
Keywords: Communication, Policy, Medical Liability, Policy
Mello MM, Senecal SK, Kuznetsov Y
Implementing hospital-based communication-and-resolution programs: lessons learned in New York City.
The researchers report on the experiences of five hospitals with implementing the communications-and-resolution program (CRP) in general surgery over a twenty-two-month period. They found that all of the hospitals improved disclosure and surveillance of adverse events but were not able to fully implement the program’s compensation component. These experiences suggest that strong support from top leadership at the hospital and insurer levels, and adequate staff resources, are critical for the success of CRPs.
AHRQ-funded; HS019505.
Citation: Mello MM, Senecal SK, Kuznetsov Y .
Implementing hospital-based communication-and-resolution programs: lessons learned in New York City.
Health Aff 2014 Jan;33(1):30-8. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0849..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Communication, Medical Liability, Patient Safety