National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
Latest available findings on quality of and access to health care
Data
- Data Infographics
- Data Visualizations
- Data Tools
- Data Innovations
- All-Payer Claims Database
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
- AHRQ Quality Indicator Tools for Data Analytics
- State Snapshots
- United States Health Information Knowledgebase (USHIK)
- Data Sources Available from AHRQ
Search All Research Studies
AHRQ Research Studies Date
Topics
- Access to Care (2)
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (4)
- Adverse Events (2)
- Alcohol Use (1)
- Arthritis (1)
- Back Health and Pain (1)
- Behavioral Health (2)
- Blood Thinners (1)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (1)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Children/Adolescents (9)
- Chronic Conditions (4)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (1)
- COVID-19 (3)
- Critical Care (1)
- Data (1)
- Diabetes (1)
- Disparities (2)
- Domestic Violence (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (1)
- Emergency Department (4)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- (-) Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (56)
- (-) Healthcare Costs (56)
- Healthcare Delivery (1)
- Healthcare Utilization (9)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (1)
- Health Insurance (2)
- Health Services Research (HSR) (2)
- Health Systems (1)
- Hospitalization (22)
- Hospital Readmissions (3)
- Hospitals (9)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Infectious Diseases (1)
- Influenza (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (1)
- Inpatient Care (3)
- Labor and Delivery (1)
- Medicaid (3)
- Medical Errors (1)
- Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) (1)
- Medicare (1)
- Medication (4)
- Mortality (2)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Newborns/Infants (2)
- Nursing (1)
- Nutrition (1)
- Orthopedics (2)
- Outcomes (3)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (2)
- Patient Safety (1)
- Policy (5)
- Pregnancy (2)
- Pressure Ulcers (1)
- Public Health (1)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (2)
- Research Methodologies (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
- Risk (2)
- Sepsis (2)
- Shared Decision Making (1)
- Skin Conditions (5)
- Stroke (1)
- Substance Abuse (1)
- Surgery (8)
- Transitions of Care (1)
- Trauma (1)
- Uninsured (1)
- Vaccination (1)
- Women (1)
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
Results
1 to 25 of 56 Research Studies DisplayedEncinosa W, Moon K, Figueroa J
AHRQ Author: Encinosa W
Complications, adverse drug events, high costs, and disparities in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children vs COVID-19.
This cross-sectional study’s goal was to determine outcomes from multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) after COVID-19. Outcomes examined were 50 complications, adverse medication events, costs, and the Social Vulnerability Index. An analysis was conducted using data from the 2021 HCUP in individuals younger than 21 years from 31 states. There were 4107 individuals hospitalized with MIS-C (median age 9 years, 59.5% male, 38.1% White) and 23,686 hospitalizations for COVID-19 without MIS-C (median age 15 years, 54.5% female, 44.1% White). Hospitalization rate for MIS-C was 1.48 per 100,000 children, ranging from 0.97 hospitalizations per 100 for White and 1.99 hospitalizations per 100 for Black children. Outcomes were worse when organ dysfunction increased from 2 to 8 organs, with deaths increasing from less than 1% to 5.8% for MIS-C, and 1% to 17.2% for COVID-19. Median length of stay increased from 4 to 8 days for MIS-C, and 3 to 16 days for COVID-19. Median costs for MIS-C increased from $16,225 to $53 359 and from $6474 to $98,643 for COVID-19. The percentage of MIS-C cases in Black children doubled from 16.2% to 31.7% as organ dysfunction increased, remaining unchanged with COVID-19.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Encinosa W, Moon K, Figueroa J .
Complications, adverse drug events, high costs, and disparities in multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children vs COVID-19.
JAMA Netw Open 2023 Jan;6(1):e2244975. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.44975..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Children/Adolescents, COVID-19, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Healthcare Costs, Disparities, Racial and Ethnic Minorities
Pickens G, Smith MW, McDermott KW
Trends in treatment costs of U.S. emergency department visits.
In recent years, emergency department (ED) spending has been increasing more than in other areas of health care. Few studies have focused on changes in ED treatment costs. The purpose of this study was to analyze recent increases in emergency department treatment costs to highlight possibilities for reducing the growth of overall hospital costs. The researchers used data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) and applied Cost-to-Charge Ratios for ED Files to the HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample for 2012 through 2019. The study found that ED treatment costs experienced a 5.4% annual growth rate, increasing from $54 billion to $88 billion, with higher treatment cost per visit responsible for 4.4 of those percentage points. The researchers concluded that the study provides valuable information for decision- and policy-makers by bringing attention to components of the healthcare delivery system with the highest increasing costs as well as trends in overall ED costs.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201800001C.
Citation: Pickens G, Smith MW, McDermott KW .
Trends in treatment costs of U.S. emergency department visits.
Am J Emerg Med 2022 Aug;58:89-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.05.035..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Emergency Department
Pickens GT, Moore B, Smith MW
AHRQ Author: Karaca Z
Methods for estimating the cost of treat-and-release emergency department visits.
The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare approaches to estimating the service delivery cost of emergency department (ED) visits from total charge data only. The investigators concluded that when cost-center-level charge detail for ED visits is unavailable, alternative methods relying on total ED charges can estimate ED service costs for patient and hospital segments.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201800001C.
Citation: Pickens GT, Moore B, Smith MW .
Methods for estimating the cost of treat-and-release emergency department visits.
Health Serv Res 2021 Oct;56(5):953-61. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13709..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs
Narla S, Silverberg JI
The inpatient burden and comorbidities of pyoderma gangrenosum in adults in the United States.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, predictors, outcomes, and costs of hospitalization for pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) in United States adults. Data from the 2002-2012 National Inpatient Sample were analyzed. Findings showed that PG admissions were more likely at teaching and medium or large hospitals. The majority of inpatients with PG were classified with minor or moderate likelihood of dying, but moderate and major loss of function. PG was associated with numerous other health disorders. This study demonstrated a substantial and increasing inpatient burden of PG in the United States, with considerable disability and mortality risk, multiple comorbid health disorders, and costs.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Narla S, Silverberg JI .
The inpatient burden and comorbidities of pyoderma gangrenosum in adults in the United States.
Arch Dermatol Res 2021 May;313(4):245-53. doi: 10.1007/s00403-020-02098-7..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Skin Conditions, Injuries and Wounds, Hospitalization, Healthcare Costs
Kaltenborn Z, Paul K, Kirsch JD
Super fragmented: a nationally representative cross-sectional study exploring the fragmentation of inpatient care among super-utilizers.
Researchers sought to determine the prevalence of super-utilizers who receive fragmented care across different hospitals and to describe associated risks, costs, and health outcomes. Using HCUP data, they found that inpatient care fragmentation was common among super-utilizers and disproportionately affected vulnerable populations. It was associated with high yearly costs and a decreased probability of correctly identifying super-utilizers.
AHRQ-funded; HS026732.
Citation: Kaltenborn Z, Paul K, Kirsch JD .
Super fragmented: a nationally representative cross-sectional study exploring the fragmentation of inpatient care among super-utilizers.
BMC Health Serv Res 2021 Apr 14;21(1):338. doi: 10.1186/s12913-021-06323-5..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization
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
Henke RM, Karaca Z, Gibson TB
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations and childbirth outcomes.
This study examined the impact of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to childbirth outcomes. States that use Medicaid ACOs were compared with states that had not adopted ACO. Using HCUP data, the relationship between Medicaid ACO adoption and neonatal and maternal outcomes, and cost per birth was examined. Medicaid ACO implementation was associated with a moderate reduction in hospital costs per birth and decreased cesarean section rates with results varying by state. There was no association with other birth outcomes, including infant inpatient mortality, low birthweight, neonatal intensive care unit utilization and severe maternal morbidity.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Henke RM, Karaca Z, Gibson TB .
Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations and childbirth outcomes.
Med Care Res Rev 2020 Dec;77(6):559-73. doi: 10.1177/1077558718823132..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Medicaid, Health Insurance, Healthcare Costs, Labor and Delivery, Pregnancy, Women, Outcomes
Bourne DS, Davis BS, Gigli KH
Economic analysis of mandated protocolized sepsis care in New York hospitals.
Investigators evaluated the effects of the 2013 New York State sepsis regulations on the costs of care for patients hospitalized with sepsis. They found that mandated protocolized sepsis care was not associated with significant changes in hospital costs in patients hospitalized with sepsis in New York State.
AHRQ-funded; HS025146.
Citation: Bourne DS, Davis BS, Gigli KH .
Economic analysis of mandated protocolized sepsis care in New York hospitals.
Crit Care Med 2020 Oct;48(10):1411-18. doi: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004514..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Sepsis, Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Hospitals
Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
This study looked at outcomes of transferred (TRAN) versus directly admitted (DA) emergency general surgery (EGS) patients. Patients with a diagnosis of EGS were identified from the 2008-2011 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS). Outcomes included were in-hospital mortality and morbidity. They identified 274,145 TRAN and 10,456,100 DA encounters. Morbidity and mortality were both higher in TRAN patients than DA. TRAN patients were more likely to have greater comorbidity scores, have Medicare insurance, and reside in an area with a lesser median household income compared to DA patients. Morbidity among TRAN patients were primarily due urinary-, gastrointestinal-, and pulmonary-related complications. Median stay and median cost at the hospital were greater for TRAN patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025224; HS022694.
Citation: Philip JL, Yang DY, Wang X .
Effect of transfer status on outcomes of emergency general surgery patients.
Surgery 2020 Aug;168(2):280-86. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.01.005..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Transitions of Care, Mortality, Outcomes, Healthcare Costs, Hospitals
Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether administration of antenatal late-preterm betamethasone was cost-effective in the immediate neonatal period. Cost-effectiveness analysis of late-preterm betamethasone administration with a time horizon of 7.5 days was conducted using a health-system perspective The investigators concluded that administration of betamethasone in the late-preterm period was likely not cost-effective in the short-term.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Rosenbloom J, Lewkowitz A, Sondgeroth K .
Antenatal corticosteroid administration in late-preterm gestations: a cost-effectiveness analysis.
J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020 Jun;33(12):2109-15. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1540582..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Newborns/Infants, Pregnancy, Respiratory Conditions, Medication, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization
Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
The authors developed a Monte Carlo simulation model representing the U.S. Population and what can happen to every person who gets infected with COVID-19. The goal was to estimate resource use and direct medical costs per infection at the national level at different infection rates. They found that a single symptomatic COVID-19 infection would cost a median of $3,045 in direct medical costs. If 80% of the population got infected it would cost $654.0 billion in direct costs during the course of the pandemic. If 20% were to become infected, direct costs are estimated at $163.4 billion.
AHRQ-funded; HS023317.
Citation: Bartsch SM, Ferguson MC, McKinnell JA .
The potential health care costs and resource use associated with COVID-19 in the United States.
Health Aff 2020 Jun;39(6):927-35. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00426..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, COVID-19, Healthcare Utilization
Subramanian MP, Liu J, Chapman WC
Utilization trends, outcomes, and cost in minimally invasive lobectomy.
The objective of this study was to compare outcomes and hospitalization costs among patients undergoing open, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and RATS lobectomy. The investigators concluded that minimally invasive approaches were associated to improved clinical outcomes compared with open lobectomy. However, only robotic-assisted lobectomy has had rapid growth in utilization. Despite additional cost, RATS lobectomy appeared to provide a viable minimally invasive alternative for general thoracic procedures.
AHRQ-funded; HS019455.
Citation: Subramanian MP, Liu J, Chapman WC .
Utilization trends, outcomes, and cost in minimally invasive lobectomy.
Ann Thorac Surg 2019 Dec;108(6):1648-55. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.06.049..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Outcomes
Boudreaux M, Gangopadhyaya A, Long SK
AHRQ Author: Karaca Z
Using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for state health policy research.
Investigators describe the opportunities and challenges of using HCUP data to conduct state health policy research and to provide empirical examples of what can go wrong when using the national HCUP data inappropriately. Analyzing cesarean delivery rates, discharges per capita, and discharges by the payer, they found that state-level estimates are volatile and often provide misleading policy conclusions. They conclude that the Nationwide Inpatient Sample should not be used for state-level research and specified that AHRQ provides resources to assist analysts with state-specific studies using State Inpatient Database files.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Boudreaux M, Gangopadhyaya A, Long SK .
Using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project for state health policy research.
Med Care 2019 Nov;57(11):855-60. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001196..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Policy, Health Services Research (HSR), Healthcare Costs, Data, Research Methodologies
Pickens G, Karaca Z, Gibson TB
AHRQ Author: Karaca Z, Wong HS
Changes in hospital service demand, cost, and patient illness severity following health reform.
This study examined the effects of expanded Medicaid coverage and the health insurance exchange on the number of hospital inpatient and emergency department (ED) utilization rates, cost, and patient illness severity. There was a significant drop in uninsured inpatient discharges and ED visits in states where Medicaid was expanded. For all by young females, uninsured inpatient discharge rates fell by 39% or greater. In nonexpansion states, the rates remained unchanged or increased slightly. Changes in all-payer and private insurance rates were not as dramatic, as was inpatient costs per discharge and all-payer inpatient costs.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Pickens G, Karaca Z, Gibson TB .
Changes in hospital service demand, cost, and patient illness severity following health reform.
Health Serv Res 2019 Aug;54(4):739-51. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.13165..
Keywords: Access to Care, Health Insurance, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Hospitals, Medicaid, Policy, Uninsured
Delling FN, Vittinghoff E, Dewland TA
Does cannabis legalisation change healthcare utilisation? A population-based study using the healthcare cost and utilisation project in Colorado, USA.
Researchers studied whether the legalization of cannabis in Colorado has affected healthcare utilization compared to two states where it is still illegal (New York and Oklahoma). ICD-9 was used to determine changes in healthcare utilization relative to various medical diagnoses. According to the National Academy of Science (NAS), legal cannabis use creates an increase in cannabis abuse hospitalizations and also linked to motor vehicle accidents, alcohol abuse, and overdose injury and that was true in CO. There was not a change in hospital stays and costs in CO compared to NY and OK.
AHRQ-funded.
Citation: Delling FN, Vittinghoff E, Dewland TA .
Does cannabis legalisation change healthcare utilisation? A population-based study using the healthcare cost and utilisation project in Colorado, USA.
BMJ Open 2019 May 15;9(5):e027432. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027432..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Policy, Substance Abuse
Martin BI, Mirza SK, Spina N
Trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates and associated hospital costs for degenerative spinal diseases in the United States, 2004 to 2015.
This study analyzed trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates for degenerative spinal diseases in the US from 2004 to 2015 as well as associated hospital costs. Spinal fusion is considered an appropriate procedure for spinal deformity and instability, but has limited evidence of effectiveness for primary disc herniation and spinal stenosis without instability. The analysis showed that aggregate hospital costs increased 177% during the analysis period with disc degeneration, herniation and stenosis accounted for 42.3% of the elective surgery. The largest increases in the elective surgery were for spondylolisthesis and scoliosis and has slightly decreased for those procedures with less evidence of effectiveness.
AHRQ-funded; HS024714.
Citation: Martin BI, Mirza SK, Spina N .
Trends in lumbar fusion procedure rates and associated hospital costs for degenerative spinal diseases in the United States, 2004 to 2015.
Spine 2019 Mar 1;44(5):369-76. doi: 10.1097/brs.0000000000002822..
Keywords: Back Health and Pain, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Surgery
Patel KR, Singam V, Rastogi S
Association of vitiligo with hospitalization for mental health disorders in US adults.
The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between vitiligo and mental-health hospitalizations in the US using data from the National Inpatient Sample. Prevalence of hospitalization for mental-health disorders, length of stay (LOS), and cost of care were examined for patients with vitiligo in comparison with those without vitiligo. Hospitalization for mental-health disorders occurred more commonly in those with vitiligo. Vitiligo patients who were hospitalized with any mental-health disorder had higher LOS as well as cost of inpatient care.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Patel KR, Singam V, Rastogi S .
Association of vitiligo with hospitalization for mental health disorders in US adults.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Jan;33(1):191-97. doi: 10.1111/jdv.15255..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Healthcare Costs, Hospitalization, Behavioral Health, Skin Conditions
Coupet E, Karp D, Wiebe DJ
Shift in U.S. payer responsibility for the acute care of violent injuries after the Affordable Care Act: Implications for prevention.
In this study, the investigators determined the total annual charges for the acute care of injuries from interpersonal violence and the shift in financial responsibility for these charges after the Medicaid expansion from the Affordable Care Act in 2014. After Medicaid expansion, taxpayers are now accountable for nearly half of the $10.7 billion in annual charges for the acute care of violent injury in the U.S. The investigators suggest that these findings highlight the benefit to state Medicaid programs of preventing interpersonal violence.
AHRQ-funded; HS000028.
Citation: Coupet E, Karp D, Wiebe DJ .
Shift in U.S. payer responsibility for the acute care of violent injuries after the Affordable Care Act: Implications for prevention.
Am J Emerg Med 2018 Dec;36(12):2192-96. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2018.03.070..
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Emergency Department, Healthcare Costs, Policy, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Medicaid
Williams CN, Piantino J, McEvoy C
The burden of pediatric neurocritical care in the United States.
This article attempts to quantify the burden of pediatric neurocritical care (PNCC) by developing national estimates of disease incidence, evaluating use of critical care interventions (CCI), and examining hospital outcomes. The Kids Inpatient Database (KID) was analyzed to evaluate cohorts with the following conditions: traumatic brain injury, neuro-infection, or inflammatory diseases; status epilepticus; stroke; hypoxic ischemic injury after cardiac arrest; or spinal cord injury.
AHRQ-funded; HS022981.
Citation: Williams CN, Piantino J, McEvoy C .
The burden of pediatric neurocritical care in the United States.
Pediatr Neurol 2018 Dec;89:31-38. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2018.07.013..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Critical Care, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Neurological Disorders, Stroke, Trauma
Kwa MC, Silverberg JI, Ardalan K
Inpatient burden of juvenile dermatomyositis among children in the United States.
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for hospitalization with juvenile dermatomyositis and assess inpatient burden of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). The study authors found that JDM contributes to both increased length of hospitalization and inpatient cost of care. Non-Medicaid government insurance was associated with higher rates of hospitalization for JDM while Hispanic and other non-white racial/ethnic groups demonstrated increased length of stay and cost of care.
AHRQ-funded; HS023011.
Citation: Kwa MC, Silverberg JI, Ardalan K .
Inpatient burden of juvenile dermatomyositis among children in the United States.
Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2018 Nov 13;16(1):70. doi: 10.1186/s12969-018-0286-1..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Skin Conditions
Slight SP, Seger DL, Franz C
The national cost of adverse drug events resulting from inappropriate medication-related alert overrides in the United States.
Investigators worked to determine the national cost of adverse drug events (ADEs) in the United States in 2014. They used three different regression models. They used a random sample of 40,990 adult inpatients at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston with over 1.6 million medication orders. They extrapolated the medication orders using 2014 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data. They estimated that out of 78.8 million total medication alerts, 5.5 million medication alerts would have been inappropriately overridden resulting in 196,660 ADEs. They estimated it would have cost between $871 million and $1.8 billion for treating these preventable ADEs in the United States.
AHRQ-funded; HS021094.
Citation: Slight SP, Seger DL, Franz C .
The national cost of adverse drug events resulting from inappropriate medication-related alert overrides in the United States.
J Am Med Inform Assoc 2018 Sep;25(9):1183-88. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocy066..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Healthcare Costs, Medical Errors, Medication
Urish KL, Qin Y, Li BY
Predictors and cost of readmission in total knee arthroplasty.
The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement bundle was created to decrease total knee arthroplasty (TKA) cost. To help accomplish this, there is a focus on reducing TKA readmissions. The study’s authors used the Nationwide Readmission Database to examine national readmission rates, predictors of readmission, and associated readmission costs for elective TKA procedures.
AHRQ-funded; HS018726.
Citation: Urish KL, Qin Y, Li BY .
Predictors and cost of readmission in total knee arthroplasty.
J Arthroplasty 2018 Sep;33(9):2759-63. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2018.04.008..
Keywords: Arthritis, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospital Readmissions, Orthopedics
Rosko M, Wong HS, Mutter R
AHRQ Author: Wong HS Mutter R
Characteristics of high- and low-efficiency hospitals.
Researchers compared the performance, operating characteristics, and market environments of low- and high-efficiency hospitals in the states that supplied inpatient data to HCUP from 2006 to 2010. Their findings indicated that the most efficient hospitals tended to be nonteaching, investor-owned, and members of multihospital systems; these hospitals also tended to have lower average costs and higher labor productivity and profit margins when compared to the least efficient hospitals. High-efficiency hospitals had a higher proportion of Medicaid and Medicare admissions and were usually located in areas with lower health maintenance organization penetration and less competition. The researchers conclude that these results suggest opportunities for public policies that support improved efficiency in the hospital sector.
AHRQ-authored.
Citation: Rosko M, Wong HS, Mutter R .
Characteristics of high- and low-efficiency hospitals.
Med Care Res Rev 2018 Aug;75(4):454-78. doi: 10.1177/1077558716689197..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitals, Healthcare Costs
Richards CA, Rundle AG, Wright JD
Association between hospital financial distress and immediate breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy among women with ductal carcinoma in situ.
Hospital financial distress may reduce the services a hospital can offer, particularly unprofitable ones. This study examined the association between hospital financial distress (HFD) and receipt of immediate breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy among women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). It concluded that the financial strength of the hospital where a patient receives treatment is associated with receipt of immediate breast reconstruction surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS021709.
Citation: Richards CA, Rundle AG, Wright JD .
Association between hospital financial distress and immediate breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy among women with ductal carcinoma in situ.
JAMA Surg 2018 Apr;153(4):344-51. doi: 10.1001/jamasurg.2017.5018.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer: Breast Cancer, Healthcare Costs, Healthcare Utilization, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Surgery
Henke RM, Karaca Z, Gibson TB
AHRQ Author: Karaca Z, Wong HS
Medicare Advantage penetration and hospital costs before and after the Affordable Care Act.
This study investigated the relationship between Medicare Advantage (MA) program growth and inpatient hospital costs and utilization before and after the ACA. Its results suggest that MA enrollment growth is associated with diminished spillover reductions in hospital admission costs after the ACA. Researchers did not observe a strong relationship between MA enrollment and inpatient days per enrollee
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 290201300002C.
Citation: Henke RM, Karaca Z, Gibson TB .
Medicare Advantage penetration and hospital costs before and after the Affordable Care Act.
Med Care 2018 Apr;56(4):321-28. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000885.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Costs, Policy, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Hospitalization, Medicare