National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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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 DisplayedHogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
Capacity in community health and social services networks may be limited in geographic regions like Appalachia because of the combined effects of rurality and consistently poor health and social outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine insurer connectivity in cross-sector networks across Kentucky’s geographic regions and the relationship between connectivity and the probability of preventable hospitalizations. The study found sizable geographic differences in the relationship between insurer connectivity in community networks and preventable hospitalization. Insurer connectivity in rural Appalachian communities was related with decreased likelihood that an individual was admitted for a preventable hospitalization.
AHRQ-funded; HS025494.
Citation: Hogg-Graham R, Gatton KR, Ingram R .
Association between insurer connectivity in Appalachian population health networks and preventable hospitalizations: evidence from Kentucky.
J Appalach Health 2023 Aug; 5(2)..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Prevention, Hospitalization, Health Insurance
Hogg-Graham R, Lang J, Waters TM
The Appalachian gap in preventable hospitalizations: are we seeing any progress? .
The purpose of this study was to explore whether within-rural variations in Kentucky’s preventable hospitalization rates exist and how these variations may be changing longitudinally. The study found that rural Appalachian counties had significantly higher preventable hospitalizations rates compared to their rural non-Appalachian and urban counterparts. A decreasing trend in overall preventable hospitalizations was witnessed for rural Appalachia over time, but trends were relatively stable for rural non-Appalachian and urban counties. Regression results revealed no significant longitudinal decrease in the “Appalachian gap.”
AHRQ-funded; HS025494.
Citation: Hogg-Graham R, Lang J, Waters TM .
The Appalachian gap in preventable hospitalizations: are we seeing any progress? .
J Appalach Health 2023 Aug; 5(2)..
Keywords: Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Prevention, Hospitalization
Loomer L, Rahman M, Mroz TM
Impact of higher payments for rural home health episodes on rehospitalizations.
This article evaluated the impact of higher Medicare payments for rural home health care on rehospitalizations. In 2010, Medicare began paying home health (HH) providers 3% more to serve rural beneficiaries. The authors used Medicare data on postacute HH episodes from 2007 to 2014 to estimate the impact of higher payments on beneficiaries outcomes using difference-in-differences analysis, comparing rehospitalizations between rural and urban postacute HH episodes before and after 2010. Their sample included 5.6 million post acute HH episodes (18% rural). After 2010 30- and 60-day rehospitalization rates declined by 10.08% and 16.49% for urban HH episodes and 9.87% and 16.08% for rural HH episodes, respectively. The difference-in-difference estimate was 0.29 percentage points and 0.57 percentage points for 30- and 60-day rehospitalization, respectively.
AHRQ-funded; HS027054.
Citation: Loomer L, Rahman M, Mroz TM .
Impact of higher payments for rural home health episodes on rehospitalizations.
J Rural Health 2023 Jun; 39(3):604-10. doi: 10.1111/jrh.12725..
Keywords: Payment, Rural Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Hospital Readmissions, Hospitalization
Dixon BE, Grannis SJ, Lembcke LR
The synchronicity of COVID-19 disparities: statewide epidemiologic trends in SARS-CoV-2 morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality among racial minorities and in rural America.
Researchers sought to examine trends in COVID-19 morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality over time for minority and rural populations, especially during the U.S. fall surge. Data were taken from a statewide cohort of adult residents in Indiana tested for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The researchers found that, by the fall of 2020, hospitalization and mortality rates in rural areas surpassed those of urban areas, and gaps between black/brown and white populations narrowed. Cumulative morbidity and mortality were highest among minority groups and in rural communities. They concluded that the synchronicity of disparities in COVID-19 by race and geography suggested that health officials explicitly measure disparities and adjust mitigation as well as vaccination strategies to protect those sub-populations with greater disease burden.
AHRQ-funded; HS025502.
Citation: Dixon BE, Grannis SJ, Lembcke LR .
The synchronicity of COVID-19 disparities: statewide epidemiologic trends in SARS-CoV-2 morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality among racial minorities and in rural America.
PLoS One 2021 Jul 23;16(7):e0255063. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0255063..
Keywords: COVID-19, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Hospitalization, Mortality, Rural Health
Davidov DM, Davis SM, Zhu M
AHRQ Author: Stocks C
Intimate partner violence-related hospitalizations in Appalachia and the non-Appalachian United States.
The objective of this study was to estimate the rate of intimate partner violence -related hospitalizations in Appalachia and the non-Appalachian United States for 2007-2011 and compare hospitalizations in each region by clinical and sociodemographic factors.. After adjusting for age and rurality, Appalachian counties had a 22 percent higher hospitalization rate than non-Appalachian counties.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Davidov DM, Davis SM, Zhu M .
Intimate partner violence-related hospitalizations in Appalachia and the non-Appalachian United States.
PLoS One 2017 Sep 8;12(9):e0184222. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184222.
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Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Domestic Violence, Hospitalization, Social Determinants of Health, Rural Health
Peltz A, Wu CL, White ML
Characteristics of rural children admitted to pediatric hospitals.
The researchers assessed characteristics and hospitalizations of rural children admitted to US children's hospitals in 2012. They found that rural children more often resided in low-income ZIP codes and Health Professional Shortage Areas; they further noted that rural children had a higher prevalence of complex chronic conditions and medical technology assistance. Rural children also experienced higher inpatient costs and higher odds of 30-day readmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS023092.
Citation: Peltz A, Wu CL, White ML .
Characteristics of rural children admitted to pediatric hospitals.
Pediatrics 2016 May;137(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2015-3156.
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Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Hospitalization, Children/Adolescents, Rural Health, Vulnerable Populations
Smith MW, Owens PL, Andrews RM
AHRQ Author: Owens PL, Andrews RM, Steiner CA
Differences in severity at admission for heart failure between rural and urban patients: the value of adding laboratory results to administrative data.
This study’s main objective was to examine the role of laboratory test results in measuring disease severity at the time of admission for inpatients who reside in rural and urban areas. It concluded that heart failure patients from rural areas are hospitalized at lower severity levels than their urban counterparts. Laboratory test data provide insight on clinical severity and practice patterns beyond what is available in administrative discharge data.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 29020060009.
Citation: Smith MW, Owens PL, Andrews RM .
Differences in severity at admission for heart failure between rural and urban patients: the value of adding laboratory results to administrative data.
BMC Health Serv Res 2016 Apr 18;16(1):133. doi: 10.1186/s12913-016-1380-z.
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Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Hospitalization, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Rural Health
Yang NH, Dharmar M, Kuppermann N
Appropriateness of disposition following telemedicine consultations in rural emergency departments.
The researchers compared the overall and stratified observed-to-expected hospital admission ratios between telemedicine and telephone cohorts of acutely ill and injured children. They found that there were no statistically significant differences between the observed-to-expected admission ratios using Pediatric Risk of Admission II and Revised Pediatric Emergency Assessment Tool.
AHRQ-funded; HS013179; HS019712.
Citation: Yang NH, Dharmar M, Kuppermann N .
Appropriateness of disposition following telemedicine consultations in rural emergency departments.
Pediatr Crit Care Med 2015 Mar;16(3):e59-64. doi: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000000337..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Hospitalization, Rural Health, Telehealth