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- Adverse Events (2)
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- (-) Health Information Technology (HIT) (16)
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- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (1)
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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 16 of 16 Research Studies DisplayedShannon EM, Mueller SK, Schnipper JL
Patient, caregiver, and clinician experience with a technologically enabled pillbox: a qualitative study.
The purpose of this study was to explore whether medication safety could be improved by the use of a technologically-enabled pillbox prescribed to patients at hospital discharge. The study included semi-structured telephone interviews with patients, patient caregivers, and inpatient and outpatient clinicians who participated in the Smart Pillbox Transition Study. The researchers utilized the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) framework to develop an interview guide, which included the a priori domains of 1) barriers to implementation, 2) facilitators of the intervention, and 3) general feedback regarding experience with the intervention. The study found patient-endorsed barriers in the theme of technology and tools included signal issues, inappropriate alarms, and portability. Barriers in the theme of logistics and tasks included coordination with pharmacists in the event of a prescription change. Barriers mentioned by clinicians included patients who were poor fits for the intervention and competing demands at discharge (under the themes of personnel and patients, and logistics and tasks, respectively). Facilitators that were reported often by patients and caregivers in the theme of technology and tools included useful alarms and ease of use. Clinicians reported that communication with pharmacy and study staff facilitated the intervention.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Shannon EM, Mueller SK, Schnipper JL .
Patient, caregiver, and clinician experience with a technologically enabled pillbox: a qualitative study.
ACI Open 2023 Jul; 7(2):e61-e70..
Keywords: Medication, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Self-Management, Hospital Discharge, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Kimchi A, Aronow HU, Ni YM
Postdischarge noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching improve outcomes in heart failure patients with high burden of comorbidity.
The purpose of this study was to explore how comorbidity burden modulates the effectiveness of Noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching (NTM-NTC) and identify patients with HF who may benefit from postdischarge NTM-NTC based on their burden of comorbidity. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the Better Effectiveness After Transition - Heart Failure trial, patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF were randomized to postdischarge NTM-NTC or usual care. In this secondary analysis of 1313 patients with complete data, comorbidity burden was assessed by scoring complication and coexisting diagnoses from index admissions. Clinical outcomes included 30-day and 180-day readmissions, mortality, days alive, and combined days alive and out of the hospital. Patients had a mean of 5.7 comorbidities and were stratified into low (0-2), moderate (3-8), and high comorbidity (≥9) subgroups. Increased comorbidity burden was associated with worse outcomes. NTM-NTC was not associated with readmission rates in any comorbidity subgroup. Among high comorbidity patients, NTM-NTC was associated with significantly lower mortality at 30 days (hazard ratio 0.25, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.90) and 180 days (hazard ratio 0.51, 95% confidence interval 0.27-0.98), as well as more days alive (160.1 vs 140.3, P = .029) and days alive out of the hospital (152.0 vs 133.2, P = .044) compared with usual care. CONCLUSIONS: Postdischarge NTM-NTC improved survival among patients with HF with a high comorbidity burden. Comorbidity burden may be useful for identifying patients likely to benefit from this management strategy.
AHRQ-funded; HS019311.
Citation: Kimchi A, Aronow HU, Ni YM .
Postdischarge noninvasive telemonitoring and nurse telephone coaching improve outcomes in heart failure patients with high burden of comorbidity.
J Card Fail 2023 May; 29(5):774-83. doi: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2022.11.012..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge
Harrison JD, Sudore RL, Auerbach AD
Automated telephone follow-up programs after hospital discharge: do older adults engage with these programs?
The purpose of this study was to examine whether and how older adults experience automated post-hospital discharge telephone follow-up programs and characterize the prevalence of patient-reported post-discharge issues. Eighteen thousand and seventy-six patients, all part of a post-hospital discharge program between May 1, 2018 and April 30, 2019, were included and categorized into age groups. The study found that more patients 65-84 years old were reached compared to patients 64 years old or less (84.3% compared to 78.9%). Patients aged 85 or older were more likely to have questions about their follow-up plans and require assistance scheduling appointments compared to those 64 years old or less (19.0% vs. 11.9%). The researchers concluded that post-hospital automated telephone calls are effective at reaching older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS026383.
Citation: Harrison JD, Sudore RL, Auerbach AD .
Automated telephone follow-up programs after hospital discharge: do older adults engage with these programs?
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Oct;70(10):2980-87. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17939..
Keywords: Elderly, Patient and Family Engagement, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care, Telehealth, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Orenstein EW, ElSayed-Ali O, Kandaswamy S
Evaluation of a clinical decision support strategy to increase seasonal influenza vaccination among hospitalized children before inpatient discharge.
The authors’ goal was to design and evaluate a clinical decision support (CDS) strategy to increase the proportion of eligible hospitalized children who receive a seasonal influenza vaccine prior to inpatient discharge. They found that a user-centered CDS may be associated with significantly improved influenza vaccination rates among hospitalized children.
AHRQ-funded; HS027689.
Citation: Orenstein EW, ElSayed-Ali O, Kandaswamy S .
Evaluation of a clinical decision support strategy to increase seasonal influenza vaccination among hospitalized children before inpatient discharge.
JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jul;4(7):e2117809. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.17809..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Influenza, Vaccination, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge
Dalal AK, Piniella N, Fuller TE
Evaluation of electronic health record-integrated digital health tools to engage hospitalized patients in discharge preparation.
Researchers sought to evaluate the effect of electronic health record (EHR)-integrated digital health tools comprised of a checklist and video on transitions-of-care outcomes for patients preparing for discharge. They found that EHR-integrated digital health tools to prepare patients for discharge did not significantly increase patient activation and was associated with a longer length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS024751.
Citation: Dalal AK, Piniella N, Fuller TE .
Evaluation of electronic health record-integrated digital health tools to engage hospitalized patients in discharge preparation.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2021 Mar 18;28(4):704-12. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaa321..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Patient and Family Engagement, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Fuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
This clinical trial studied implementation of a suite of EHR-integrated digital health tools to engage patients, caregivers, and clinicians in discharge preparation during hospitalization. Patients who were enrolled agreed to watch a discharge video, complete a checklist assessing discharge readiness, and request postdischarge text messaging with a physician 24 to 48 hours before their expected discharge date. Out of 752 patient admissions, from December 2017 to July 2018, 510 participated, 416 watched the video and completed the checklist, and 94 completed only the checklist. Most patients endorsed the tools, but felt that the video and checklist would be more useful closer to the actual discharge date. Clinicians participating in focus groups perceived the value for patients but felt that there were a number of limitations including low awareness and variable workflow regarding the intervention. A number of strategies were offered by the authors to address implementation barriers and promote adoption of these tools.
AHRQ-funded; HS024751.
Citation: Fuller TE, Pong DD, Piniella N .
Interactive digital health tools to engage patients and caregivers in discharge preparation: implementation study.
J Med Internet Res 2020 Apr 28;22(4):e15573. doi: 10.2196/15573..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient and Family Engagement, Caregiving, Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care, Hospitals
Wyatt DL
AHRQ Author: Wyatt DL
Employing technology to make care transitions safer.
This commentary discusses the potential for errors in patient handoffs; important information about medications and instructions regarding patient care may be overlooked when the patient is referred to special care, moved to a new hospital setting, or discharged. The problem is especially acute for patients with multiple chronic conditions who often undergo frequent transitions to new care settings and healthcare providers. The author describes AHRQ’s funding opportunities for health information technology interventions that aim to improve communication and coordination during care transitions, such as location-based smartphone alerts, a patient-centered discharge toolkit, and a ‘smart pillbox’ electronic medication adherence reporting project.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Wyatt DL .
Employing technology to make care transitions safer.
J Nurs Care Qual 2019 Jul/Sep;34(3):185-88. doi: 10.1097/ncq.0000000000000417..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Care Coordination, Chronic Conditions, Communication, Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Delivery, Hospital Discharge, Medical Errors, Medication, Patient Safety, Transitions of Care
Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a single nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge decreased the 30-day reutilization rate for urgent care services and enhanced overall transition success. The investigators concluded that although postdischarge nurse contact did not decrease the reutilization rate of postdischarge urgent health care services, the method showed promise to bolster postdischarge education.
AHRQ-funded; HS024735.
Citation: Auger KA, Shah SS, Tubbs-Cooley HL .
Effects of a 1-time nurse-led telephone call after pediatric discharge: the H2O II randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Pediatr 2018 Sep;172(9):e181482. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1482..
Keywords: Care Coordination, Children/Adolescents, Health Information Technology (HIT), Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Delivery, Healthcare Utilization, Hospital Discharge, Outcomes, Provider, Provider: Nurse, Telehealth, Transitions of Care
Gupta A, Lacson R, Balthazar PC
Assessing documentation of critical imaging result follow-up recommendations in emergency department discharge instructions.
The purpose of this study was to facilitate follow-up of critical test results across transitions in patient care settings, the investigators implemented an electronic discharge module that enabled care providers to include follow-up recommendations in the discharge instructions. Implementation of a discharge module was associated with increased documentation of critical imaging finding follow-up recommendations in ED discharge instructions. However, one in four patients still did not receive adequate follow-up recommendations, suggesting further opportunities for performance improvement exist.
AHRQ-funded; HS022586.
Citation: Gupta A, Lacson R, Balthazar PC .
Assessing documentation of critical imaging result follow-up recommendations in emergency department discharge instructions.
J Digit Imaging 2018 Aug;31(4):562-67. doi: 10.1007/s10278-017-0039-6..
Keywords: Emergency Department, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Imaging, Transitions of Care
Lacson R, Desai S, Landman A
Impact of a health information technology intervention on the follow-up management of pulmonary nodules.
Recommendations to improve care for patients with pulmonary nodules require follow-up management. However, transitions in care can exacerbate failures in follow-up testing and compromise patient safety. The study authors evaluated the impact of a discharge module that included follow-up recommendations for further management of pulmonary nodules on the study outcome and follow-up management of patients with pulmonary nodules within 1 year after discharge.
AHRQ-funded; HS022586.
Citation: Lacson R, Desai S, Landman A .
Impact of a health information technology intervention on the follow-up management of pulmonary nodules.
J Digit Imaging 2018 Feb;31(1):19-25. doi: 10.1007/s10278-017-9989-y..
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Transitions of Care
Broecker M, Ponto K, Tredinnick R
SafeHOME: promoting safe transitions to the home.
This paper introduces the SafeHome Simulator system, a set of immersive Virtual Reality Training tools and display systems to train patients in safe discharge procedures in captured environments of their actual houses. The aim is to lower patient readmission by significantly improving discharge planning and training. The SafeHOME Simulator is a project currently under review.
AHRQ-funded; HS022548.
Citation: Broecker M, Ponto K, Tredinnick R .
SafeHOME: promoting safe transitions to the home.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2016;220:51-4.
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Keywords: Transitions of Care, Health Information Technology (HIT), Patient Safety, Patient Self-Management, Hospital Discharge
Smith KJ, Handler SM, Kapoor WN
Automated communication tools and computer-based medication reconciliation to decrease hospital discharge medication errors.
This study examines a health care system’s implementation of a broader set of automated primary care physician communication tools, including computerized medication reconciliation, and its impact on discharge medication errors. It found that implementation of automated health system–based tools, including computerized discharge medication reconciliation, decreased hospital discharge medication errors in medically complex patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS018151.
Citation: Smith KJ, Handler SM, Kapoor WN .
Automated communication tools and computer-based medication reconciliation to decrease hospital discharge medication errors.
Am J Med Qual 2016 Jul;31(4):315-22. doi: 10.1177/1062860615574327..
Keywords: Health Information Technology (HIT), Communication, Medication, Medical Errors, Hospital Discharge
Garfield CF, Lee YS, Kim HN
Supporting parents of premature infants transitioning from the NICU to home: a pilot randomized control trial of a smartphone application.
This study determined whether parents of Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW) infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) transitioning home with the NICU-2-Home smartphone application have greater parenting self-efficacy, are better prepared for discharge and have shorter length of stay (LOS) than control parents. It found that a smartphone application can improve parenting self-efficacy, discharge preparedness, and LOS with improved benefits based on usage.
AHRQ-funded; HS020316.
Citation: Garfield CF, Lee YS, Kim HN .
Supporting parents of premature infants transitioning from the NICU to home: a pilot randomized control trial of a smartphone application.
Internet Interv 2016 May;4(Pt 2):131-37. doi: 10.1016/j.invent.2016.05.004.
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Keywords: Newborns/Infants, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Health Information Technology (HIT), Home Healthcare, Hospital Discharge
Naessens JM, Visscher SL, Peterson SM
Incorporating the last four digits of social security numbers substantially improves linking patient data from de-identified hospital claims databases.
The study objective was to assess algorithms for linking patients across de-identified databases without compromising confidentiality. It found that addition of SSNL4 to administrative data, accompanied by appropriate data use and data release policies, can enable trusted repositories to link data with nearly perfect accuracy.
AHRQ-funded; HS020043.
Citation: Naessens JM, Visscher SL, Peterson SM .
Incorporating the last four digits of social security numbers substantially improves linking patient data from de-identified hospital claims databases.
Health Serv Res 2015 Aug;50 Suppl 1:1339-50. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12323..
Keywords: Data, Registries, Hospital Discharge, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Sanger PC, Hartzler A, Han SM
Patient perspectives on post-discharge surgical site infections: towards a patient-centered mobile health solution.
This study explored patient experience of surgical site infections (SSI) and openness to a mobile health (mHealth) wound monitoring ‘‘app’’ as a novel solution to address the problem of patient perceptions about barriers experienced while seeking care for post-discharge SSI. It found that patients are dissatisfied with the current standard post-hospitalization care practice and were accepting of the concept of a patient-centered wound monitoring application.
AHRQ-funded; HS019482.
Citation: Sanger PC, Hartzler A, Han SM .
Patient perspectives on post-discharge surgical site infections: towards a patient-centered mobile health solution.
PLoS One 2014 Dec;9(12):e114016. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114016..
Keywords: Surgery, Health Information Technology (HIT), Adverse Events, Patient Experience, Hospital Discharge
Liao JM, Roy CL, Eibensteiner K
Lost in transition: discrepancies in how physicians perceive the actionability of the results of tests pending at discharge.
Effective communication of pending hospital test results between inpatient and primary care physicians is sometimes challenging or nonexistent. This communication is essential for safe, quality transactions at discharge. Health information technology (such as email and fax) is an effective strategy for improving and reporting test-result management.
AHRQ-funded; HS018229
Citation: Liao JM, Roy CL, Eibensteiner K .
Lost in transition: discrepancies in how physicians perceive the actionability of the results of tests pending at discharge.
J Hospital Med. 2014 Jun;9(6):407-9. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2177..
Keywords: Communication, Care Coordination, Health Information Technology (HIT), Hospital Discharge, Patient Safety