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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.
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1 to 2 of 2 Research Studies DisplayedMeille G, Decker SL, Owens PL
AHRQ Author: Meille G, Decker SL, Owens PL
COVID-19 admission rates and changes in US hospital inpatient and intensive care unit occupancy.
The objective of this cross-sectional study was to measure the relationship between COVID-19 admission rates and hospital occupancy in different US areas at different time periods during 2020. Data were taken from the HCUP State Inpatient Databases for patients in nonfederal acute care hospitals. The results showed that hospital occupancy decreased during weeks with low COVID-19 admissions and increased during weeks with high COVID-19 admissions; the largest changes occurred early in the pandemic. The authors concluded that their findings suggest that COVID-19 surges strained intensive care unit capacity and were associated with decreases in the number of surgical patients. These occupancy fluctuations may have affected quality of care and hospital finances.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Meille G, Decker SL, Owens PL .
COVID-19 admission rates and changes in US hospital inpatient and intensive care unit occupancy.
JAMA Health Forum 2023 Dec; 4(12):e234206. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.4206..
Keywords: COVID-19, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Hospitals
Martin BI, Brodke DS, Wilson FA
The impact of halting elective admissions in anticipation of a demand surge due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
This study’s objective was to estimate excess demand for hospital beds due to COVID-19 and the net financial impact of eliminating elective admissions to meet demand. An economic simulation was conducted combining epidemiological reports, the US Census, American Hospital Association Annual Survey, and the National Inpatient Sample. The base case used relied on a hospital admission rate reported by the CDC of 137.6 per 100,000, with the highest rates in people aged 65 year and older and 50-64 years. Elective admissions accounted for 20% of total hospital admissions, with an average rate of 30% unoccupied beds across hospitals. Hospitals that restricted elective care due to a COVID surge was only financial favorable if capacity was filled by a high proportion of COVID-19 cases among hospitals with low rates of elective admissions. There is a substantial financial risk to hospitals that restrict elective care.
AHRQ-funded; HS024714.
Citation: Martin BI, Brodke DS, Wilson FA .
The impact of halting elective admissions in anticipation of a demand surge due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19).
Med Care 2021 Mar;59(3):213-19. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001496..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), COVID-19, Hospitals, Healthcare Costs, Access to Care, Public Health