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Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Antibiotics (1)
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Blood Pressure (2)
- Care Management (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- Comparative Effectiveness (2)
- Depression (1)
- Domestic Violence (1)
- (-) Evidence-Based Practice (17)
- Guidelines (4)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Insurance (1)
- (-) Maternal Care (17)
- Medicaid (1)
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- Newborns/Infants (2)
- Outcomes (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (7)
- Pregnancy (5)
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- Screening (3)
- Sexual Health (1)
- Telehealth (1)
- Training (1)
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (6)
- Women (15)
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 17 of 17 Research Studies DisplayedCantor AG, Jungbauer RM, Skelly AC
Respectful maternity care : a systematic review.
The purpose of this systematic review was to collect information on definitions and valid measurements of respectful maternity care (RMC), its effectiveness for improving pregnant and postpartum maternal and infant health outcomes, and strategies for implementation. Frameworks for RMC were found to be well described but varied in definition. Evidence was lacking on the effectiveness of implementing RMC to improve any maternal or infant health outcome. Tools to measure RMC demonstrated consistency but lacked a gold standard; the authors conclude that further evaluation was needed before implementation in U.S. settings.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006
Citation: Cantor AG, Jungbauer RM, Skelly AC .
Respectful maternity care : a systematic review.
Ann Intern Med 2024 Jan; 177(1):50-64. doi: 10.7326/m23-2676..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Henderson JT, Webber EM, Thomas RG
Screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to update the evidence on the effectiveness of screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with the purpose of informing the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. The main outcome was Morbidity or mortality, with measures of health-related quality of life. The review included 6 fair-quality studies comparing changes in prenatal screening practices with routine screening at in-person office visits (usual care). This systematic review did not find evidence that any alternate screening strategies for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy had increased effectiveness over routine blood pressure measurement at in-person prenatal visits. No harms of the different screening strategies were identified.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00004.
Citation: Henderson JT, Webber EM, Thomas RG .
Screening for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Sep 19; 330(11):1083-91. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.4934..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Blood Pressure, Screening, Prevention, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Maternal Care, Women
Saldanha IJ, Adam GP, Kanaan G
Delivery strategies for postpartum care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
This systematic review examined the effects of postpartum health care-delivery strategies on health care utilization and maternal outcomes. The authors searched medical databases from inception to November 16, 2022. They found 64 eligible studies (50 randomized controlled trials, 14 nonrandomized comparative studies; N=543,480). The review found that for general postpartum care, care location (clinic, at home, by telephone) did not affect depression or anxiety symptoms (low strength of evidence), and care integration (by multiple types of health care professionals) did not affect depression symptoms or substance use (low strength of evidence). Providing contraceptive care earlier (compared with later) was associated with greater implant use at 6 months (moderate strength of evidence). Low strength of evidence was found for location of breastfeeding affecting hospitalization, other unplanned care utilization, or mental health symptoms. Peer support was associated with higher rates of any or exclusive breastfeeding at 1 month and any breastfeeding at 3-6 months but not other breastfeeding measures (all moderate strength of evidence). Care by a lactation consultant was associated with higher breastfeeding rates at 6 months but not exclusive breastfeeding (all moderate strength of evidence). Moderate strength of evidence was found for the association of use and nonuse of information technology for breastfeeding care with comparable rates of breastfeeding. Moderate strength of evidence was found for the association of testing reminders for screening or preventive care and greater adherence to oral glucose tolerance testing but not random glucose or hemoglobin A1c testing.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00001; 75Q80121F32007.
Citation: Saldanha IJ, Adam GP, Kanaan G .
Delivery strategies for postpartum care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Sep 1; 142(3):529-42. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005293..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Healthcare Delivery, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN
Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
The objective of this evidence review was to evaluate new evidence on the benefits and harms of folic acid supplementation for the prevention of neural tube defects to inform the US Preventive Services Task Force. New evidence from observational studies provided evidence of the benefit of folic acid supplementation and no evidence of harms related to multiple gestation, autism, or maternal cancer. The new evidence was consistent with previously reviewed evidence on benefits and harms.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00007.
Citation: Viswanathan M, Urrutia RP, Hudson KN .
Folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2023 Aug 1; 330(5):460-66. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.9864..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines, Newborns/Infants, Maternal Care, Women
Steele DW, Adam GP, Saldanha IJ
Postpartum home blood pressure monitoring: a systematic review.
This systematic review’s objective was to assess the effectiveness of postpartum home blood pressure (BP) monitoring compared with clinic-based follow-up and the comparative effectiveness of alternative home BP-monitoring regimens. The authors included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), nonrandomized comparative studies, and single-arm studies that evaluated the effects of postpartum home BP monitoring (up to 1 year), with or without telemonitoring, on postpartum maternal and infant outcomes, health care utilization, and harm outcomes. After double screening, they extracted demographics and outcomes to SRDR+. Thirteen studies (3 RCTs, 2 nonrandomized comparative studies, and 8 single-arm studies) met eligibility criteria. Home BP monitoring was not associated with the rate of BP treatment initiation but was associated with reduced unplanned hypertension-related hospital admissions. Home BP monitoring, compared with office-based follow-up, was associated with reduced racial disparities in BP ascertainment by approximately 50%. Most patients (ranging from 83.3% to 87.0%) were satisfied with management related to home BP monitoring.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00001; 75Q80121F32006.
Citation: Steele DW, Adam GP, Saldanha IJ .
Postpartum home blood pressure monitoring: a systematic review.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Aug 1; 142(2):285-95. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005270..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Blood Pressure, Women, Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Balk EM, Danilack VA, Bhuma MR
Reduced compared with traditional schedules for routine antenatal visits: a systematic review.
This systematic review’s objective was to assess differences in maternal and child outcomes in studies comparing reduced routine antenatal visit schedules with traditional schedules. The search was conducted in multiple databases searching for antenatal (prenatal) care, pregnancy, obstetrics, telemedicine, remote care, smartphones, telemonitoring, and related terms. Abstrackr was used for double independent screening for studies comparing televisits and in person routine antenatal care visits for maternal, child, health care utilization, and harm outcomes. The authors found five randomized controlled trials and five nonrandomized comparative studies that compared reduced routine antenatal visit schedules with traditional schedules. The studies did not find differences between schedules in gestational age at birth, likelihood of being small for gestational age, likelihood of a low Apgar score, likelihood of neonatal intensive care unit admission, maternal anxiety, likelihood of preterm birth, and likelihood of low birth weight. There was also insufficient evidence for numerous prioritized outcomes of interest, including completion of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists-recommended services and patient experience measures.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00001.
Citation: Balk EM, Danilack VA, Bhuma MR .
Reduced compared with traditional schedules for routine antenatal visits: a systematic review.
Obstet Gynecol 2023 Jul 1; 142(1):8-18. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005193..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Newborns/Infants, Women, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Outcomes, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Saldanha IJ, Adam GP, Kanaan G
Health insurance coverage and postpartum outcomes in the US: a systematic review.
The objective of this evidence review was to assess whether extension of health insurance coverage or improvements in health care access are associated with postpartum health care utilization and maternal outcomes. Findings with moderate strength of evidence suggested that more comprehensive association was likely to be related to greater postpartum visit attendance; findings with low strength of evidence indicated a possible association between more comprehensive insurance, fewer preventable readmissions, and emergency department visits. The authors concluded that these findings suggested that evidence evaluating insurance coverage and postpartum visit attendance and unplanned care utilization is, at best, of moderate strength of evidence. They recommended that future research should evaluate clinical outcomes associated with more comprehensive insurance coverage.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00001.
Citation: Saldanha IJ, Adam GP, Kanaan G .
Health insurance coverage and postpartum outcomes in the US: a systematic review.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Jun; 6(6):e2316536. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.16536..
Keywords: Health Insurance, Maternal Care, Women, Outcomes, Medicaid, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
This comparative effectiveness review was conducted on the effectiveness and harms of telehealth interventions for women's reproductive health and intimate partner violence (IPV) services. A literature search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies of telehealth strategies for women's reproductive health and IPV versus usual care for the period July 2016 to May 2022. Eight RCTs, 1 nonrandomized trial, and 7 observational studies were included (7 studies of contraceptive care and 9 of IPV services). Telehealth services demonstrated similar care as usual care for contraceptive use, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy (low strength of evidence [SOE]). Evidence on abortion was insufficient. Outcomes were also similar between telehealth and usual care interventions to replace or supplement IPV services and comparators for repeat IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, fear of partner, coercive control, self-efficacy, and safety behaviors (low SOE). Telehealth barriers identified included limited internet access, digital literacy, technical challenges, and confidentiality concerns. Safety strategies increased telehealth use for IPV services. Evidence lacked on access, health equity, or harms.
AHRQ-funded; 75Q80120D00006.
Citation: Cantor AG, Nelson HD, Pappas M .
Telehealth for women's preventive services for reproductive health and intimate partner violence: a comparative effectiveness review.
J Gen Intern Med 2023 May; 38(7):1735-43. doi: 10.1007/s11606-023-08033-6..
Keywords: Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Women, Prevention, Domestic Violence, Evidence-Based Practice, Maternal Care, Sexual Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness
Garrett SB, Walia A, Miller F
Antibias efforts in United States maternity care: a scoping review of the publicly funded health equity intervention pipeline.
Clin Obstet Gynecol 2023 Mar 1; 66(1):110-23. doi: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000761.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Garrett SB, Walia A, Miller F .
Antibias efforts in United States maternity care: a scoping review of the publicly funded health equity intervention pipeline.
Clin Obstet Gynecol 2023 Mar 1; 66(1):110-23. doi: 10.1097/grf.0000000000000761..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Women, Training, Evidence-Based Practice
Viswanathan M, Cook Middleton J, Stuebe AM
Maternal, fetal, and child outcomes of mental health treatments in women: a meta‐analysis of pharmacotherapy
The authors systematically reviewed evidence on pharmacotherapy for perinatal mental health disorders. The investigators concluded that evidence from few studies supported the use of pharmacotherapy for perinatal mental health disorders. Although many studies reported on adverse events, they could not rule out underlying disease severity as the cause of the association between exposures and adverse events.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Viswanathan M, Cook Middleton J, Stuebe AM .
Maternal, fetal, and child outcomes of mental health treatments in women: a meta‐analysis of pharmacotherapy
Psych Res Clin Pract 2021 Sep;3(3):123-40. doi: 10.1176/appi.prcp.20210001..
Keywords: Behavioral Health, Women, Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Medication, Evidence-Based Practice
Saldanha IJ, Cao W, Bhuma MR
Management of primary headaches during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding: a systematic review.
Primary headaches (migraine, tension headache, cluster headache, and other trigeminal autonomic cephalgias) are common in pregnancy and postpartum. It is unclear how to best and most safely manage them. In this study, the investigators conducted a systematic review (SR) of interventions to prevent or treat primary headaches in women who are pregnant, attempting to become pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500002I.
Citation: Saldanha IJ, Cao W, Bhuma MR .
Management of primary headaches during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding: a systematic review.
Headache 2021 Jan;61(1):11-43. doi: 10.1111/head.14041..
Keywords: Pregnancy, Maternal Care, Care Management, Women, Evidence-Based Practice
Friedman Peahl A, Heisler M, Essenmacher LK
A comparison of international prenatal care guidelines for low-risk women to inform high-value care.
The authors compared U.S. to international prenatal care consensus guidelines for low-risk women to inform care delivery reforms. They found that U.S. and peer-country guidelines recommended similar prenatal education and psychosocial services for low-risk women; however, peer countries generally recommended fewer visits, longer intervals between visits, and less reliance on obstetrician-gynecologists for routine, low-risk prenatal care. They recommended that further investigation evaluate associations between recommended care and actual practice, as well as the effects of different components of prenatal care and delivery models on maternal-infant outcomes, patient-centeredness, and health care expenditures in the U.S.
AHRQ-funded; HS025465.
Citation: Friedman Peahl A, Heisler M, Essenmacher LK .
A comparison of international prenatal care guidelines for low-risk women to inform high-value care.
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020 May;222(5):505-07. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2020.01.021..
Keywords: Maternal Care, Pregnancy, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Healthcare Delivery
Kahwati LC, Clark R, Berkman N
Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant adolescents and women to prevent preterm delivery: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Researchers sought to update the evidence on screening and treatment of asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy for the USPSTF. They found that the evidence suggests no difference in the incidence of preterm delivery and related outcomes from treatment for asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis in a general obstetric population but was inconclusive for women with a prior preterm delivery. Maternal adverse events from treatment appear to be infrequent and minor, but the evidence about harms from in utero exposure was inconclusive.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500011I.
Citation: Kahwati LC, Clark R, Berkman N .
Screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnant adolescents and women to prevent preterm delivery: updated evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2020 Apr 7;323(13):1293-309. doi: 10.1001/jama.2020.0233..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Evidence-Based Practice, Prevention, Women, Children/Adolescents, Pregnancy, Maternal Care, Antibiotics, Medication
O'Connor E, Senger CA, Henninger ML
Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
This evidence review, funded by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force examined if interventions to prevent perinatal depression was effective. A large number of studies were identified, and 50 were included in the review. There was an absolute difference in the risk of perinatal depression from 1.3% reduction in the control group to 31.8% greater reduction in the intervention group. Most of the studies were limited to women at increased risk for perinatal depression. Counseling interventions seemed to be the most effective.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500017I.
Citation: O'Connor E, Senger CA, Henninger ML .
Interventions to prevent perinatal depression: evidence report and systematic review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
JAMA 2019 Feb 12;321(6):588-601. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.20865.
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Keywords: Depression, Evidence-Based Practice, Pregnancy, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Women, Behavioral Health, Maternal Care
Kemper AR, Fan T, Grossman DC
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Gaps in evidence regarding iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women and young children: summary of US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.
The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend routine iron supplementation for pregnant women or routine screening for iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women or young children. The USPSTF identified a critical evidence gap that is related to whether changing hematologic indexes in otherwise asymptomatic pregnant women or in infants within populations who are reflective of the United States leads to an improvement in maternal or child health outcomes.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Kemper AR, Fan T, Grossman DC .
Gaps in evidence regarding iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women and young children: summary of US Preventive Services Task Force recommendations.
Am J Clin Nutr 2017 Dec;106(Suppl 6):1555s-58s. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.117.155788.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Evidence-Based Practice, Maternal Care, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)
Kaplan HC, Sherman SN, Cleveland C
Reliable implementation of evidence: a qualitative study of antenatal corticosteroid administration in Ohio hospitals.
The objective of this study was to understand conditions that enable delivery of antenatal corticosteroid administration (ANCS) with high reliability among hospitals participating in an Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative (OPQC) ANCS project. Among the major themes supporting reliable implementation of ANCS at these hospitals that emerged were: (1) presence of a high reliability culture, (2) processes that emphasize high reliability, and (3) timely and efficient administration process.
AHRQ-funded; HS021114.
Citation: Kaplan HC, Sherman SN, Cleveland C .
Reliable implementation of evidence: a qualitative study of antenatal corticosteroid administration in Ohio hospitals.
BMJ Qual Saf 2016 Jun 8;25(3):173-81. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2015-003984..
Keywords: Evidence-Based Practice, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Maternal Care
Fan T, Blitz J
AHRQ Author: Fan T
Screening for iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation in pregnant women to improve maternal health and birth outcomes.
This case study involves a 28-year-old woman presents for a routine antepartum visit. She is 33 weeks pregnant and also has a four-year-old son. She has no particular problems, and the findings from your examination are unremarkable. She asks if her blood iron level should be tested. Based on the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the quiz asks 3 questions involving screening and treatment.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Fan T, Blitz J .
Screening for iron deficiency anemia and iron supplementation in pregnant women to improve maternal health and birth outcomes.
Am Fam Physician 2016 Jan 15;93(2):137-8..
Keywords: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), Screening, Maternal Care, Women, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice