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
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (3)
- Adverse Events (76)
- Ambulatory Care and Surgery (13)
- Antibiotics (33)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship (24)
- Arthritis (3)
- Blood Clots (4)
- Burnout (1)
- Cancer (6)
- Cancer: Breast Cancer (2)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (11)
- Caregiving (1)
- Care Management (2)
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) (49)
- Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI) (56)
- Children/Adolescents (44)
- Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (3)
- Clostridium difficile Infections (44)
- Colonoscopy (2)
- Communication (8)
- Community-Acquired Infections (4)
- Comparative Effectiveness (11)
- Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) (8)
- COVID-19 (2)
- Critical Care (15)
- Data (5)
- Decision Making (8)
- Diagnostic Safety and Quality (8)
- Dialysis (1)
- Digestive Disease and Health (1)
- Disparities (2)
- Education: Continuing Medical Education (2)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (4)
- Elderly (14)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (12)
- Emergency Department (4)
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (1)
- Evidence-Based Practice (22)
- Genetics (3)
- Guidelines (14)
- (-) Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (420)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (5)
- Healthcare Costs (15)
- Healthcare Delivery (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (18)
- Health Insurance (2)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (6)
- Home Healthcare (9)
- Hospital Discharge (6)
- Hospitalization (9)
- Hospital Readmissions (4)
- Hospitals (68)
- Imaging (1)
- Implementation (3)
- Infectious Diseases (65)
- Influenza (1)
- Injuries and Wounds (49)
- Inpatient Care (11)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (33)
- Kidney Disease and Health (4)
- Labor and Delivery (1)
- Long-Term Care (28)
- Maternal Care (2)
- Medicaid (1)
- Medical Devices (6)
- Medical Errors (1)
- Medicare (15)
- Medication (31)
- Medication: Safety (2)
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (42)
- Mortality (4)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) (6)
- Newborns/Infants (12)
- Nursing (9)
- Nursing Homes (22)
- Nutrition (1)
- Obesity (2)
- Organizational Change (2)
- Orthopedics (5)
- Outcomes (9)
- Patient-Centered Healthcare (2)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (17)
- Patient Experience (1)
- Patient Safety (217)
- Patient Self-Management (1)
- Payment (11)
- Pneumonia (12)
- Policy (6)
- Practice Patterns (10)
- Pregnancy (1)
- Pressure Ulcers (10)
- Prevention (133)
- Primary Care (1)
- Provider (9)
- Provider: Health Personnel (4)
- Provider: Nurse (7)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Provider Performance (11)
- Public Health (11)
- Public Reporting (1)
- Quality Improvement (28)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (4)
- Quality Measures (8)
- Quality of Care (51)
- Racial and Ethnic Minorities (3)
- Registries (4)
- Research Methodologies (2)
- Respiratory Conditions (8)
- Risk (50)
- Screening (1)
- Sepsis (10)
- Skin Conditions (2)
- Social Determinants of Health (1)
- Stroke (2)
- Surgery (85)
- Surveys on Patient Safety Culture (2)
- Teams (4)
- Telehealth (3)
- Tobacco Use (1)
- Tools & Toolkits (1)
- Transplantation (2)
- Treatments (2)
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) (38)
- Women (4)
- Workflow (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
201 to 225 of 420 Research Studies DisplayedD'Agata EMC
Addressing the problem of multidrug-resistant organisms in dialysis.
This review examined the problem of multi-drug resistant organisms in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. It is common problem in patients on hemodialysis, with rates of colonization of multi-drug resistant organisms ranging from 3% to over 20%. A prospective cohort study of patients was conducted in one outpatient dialysis unit. The acquisition of these organisms occurred in 40% of patients, with 13% and 15% of patients acquiring MRSA and VRE respectively. Contamination came from dialysis machines and chairs, and also believed to come from healthcare workers as well. The study recommends implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to improve antimicrobial prescribing patterns and decreasing health care costs. AHRQ is one of the agencies involved in this promotion and research effort.
AHRQ-funded; HS021666.
Citation: D'Agata EMC .
Addressing the problem of multidrug-resistant organisms in dialysis.
Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2018 Apr 6;13(4):666-68. doi: 10.2215/cjn.13781217..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Larson EL, Murray MT, Cohen B
Behavioral interventions to reduce infections in pediatric long-term care facilities: the keep it clean for kids trial.
Researchers examined the success of behavioral interventions to reduce infections in pediatric long-term care facilities. The intervention, called Keep it Clean for Kids, included leadership commitment, frequent hand-washing, and electronic monitoring of hand hygiene. Improvements were show in infection reduction in two sites, fewer hospitalizations in all sites, and varied outcomes in the number of outbreaks/cases.
AHRQ-funded; HS021470.
Citation: Larson EL, Murray MT, Cohen B .
Behavioral interventions to reduce infections in pediatric long-term care facilities: the keep it clean for kids trial.
Behav Med 2018 Apr-Jun;44(2):141-50. doi: 10.1080/08964289.2017.1288607..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Long-Term Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Prevention
Lee YSH, Stone PW, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M
Differences in work environment for staff as an explanation for variation in central line bundle compliance in intensive care units.
The objective of this study was to determine what aspects of the work environment lead to better adherence to best safety practice for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) prevention. Data was obtained from the Prevention of Nosocomial Infections and Cost-Effectiveness Refined Survey with data on ICU and hospital characteristics obtained from the National Healthcare Safety Network. Workload and a quality-conscious environment were the most important factors associated with CLABSI bundle compliance.
AHRQ-funded; HS018987.
Citation: Lee YSH, Stone PW, Pogorzelska-Maziarz M .
Differences in work environment for staff as an explanation for variation in central line bundle compliance in intensive care units.
Health Care Manage Rev 2018 Apr/Jun;43(2):138-47. doi: 10.1097/hmr.0000000000000134..
Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient Safety, Prevention
Jump RLP, Crnich CJ, Mody L
Infectious diseases in older adults of long-term care facilities: update on approach to diagnosis and management.
The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases in older adults in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), particularly nursing facilities, remains a challenge for all health providers who care for this population. This review provides updated information on the currently most important challenges of infectious diseases in LTCFs. With the increasing prescribing of antibiotics in older adults, particularly in LTCFs, the topic of antibiotic stewardship is presented in this review.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465.
Citation: Jump RLP, Crnich CJ, Mody L .
Infectious diseases in older adults of long-term care facilities: update on approach to diagnosis and management.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2018 Apr;66(4):789-803. doi: 10.1111/jgs.15248.
.
.
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Evidence-Based Practice, Guidelines
Taaffe K, Lee B, Ferrand Y
The influence of traffic, area location, and other factors on operating room microbial load.
The researchers sought to determine how the movement of patients, equipment, materials, staff, and door openings within the operating room (OR) affect microbial loads at various locations within the OR. They found that the microbial load was affected by the time of year that the samples were taken. Both microbial load measured by the air samplers and by settle plates in 1 area of the OR was correlated with the physical movement of people in the same area.
AHRQ-funded; HS024380.
Citation: Taaffe K, Lee B, Ferrand Y .
The influence of traffic, area location, and other factors on operating room microbial load.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Apr;39(4):391-97. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.323.
.
.
Keywords: Surgery, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Injuries and Wounds, Prevention, Patient Safety
Harris AD, Sbarra AN, Leekha S
Electronically available comorbid conditions for risk prediction of healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection.
This study analyzed whether electronically available comorbid conditions are risk factors for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-defined, hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) after controlling for antibiotic and gastric acid suppression therapy use. It concluded that comorbid conditions are important risk factors for CDI.
AHRQ-funded; HS022291.
Citation: Harris AD, Sbarra AN, Leekha S .
Electronically available comorbid conditions for risk prediction of healthcare-associated Clostridium difficile infection.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Mar;39(3):297-301. doi: 10.1017/ice.2018.10.
.
.
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Risk
Gunter RL, Fernandes-Taylor S, Rahman S
Feasibility of an image-based mobile health protocol for postoperative wound monitoring.
Many surgical site infections (SSIs) develop in the postdischarge period and are inadequately recognized by patients. To address this, the authors developed a mobile health protocol of remote wound monitoring using smartphone technology. The current study aims to establish its feasibility among patients and providers. It found that participant and provider satisfaction was universally high.
AHRQ-funded; HS023395.
Citation: Gunter RL, Fernandes-Taylor S, Rahman S .
Feasibility of an image-based mobile health protocol for postoperative wound monitoring.
J Am Coll Surg 2018 Mar;226(3):277-86. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.12.013.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Telehealth, Patient Safety, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Khamash DF, Voskertchian A, Milstone AM
Manipulating the microbiome: evolution of a strategy to prevent S. aureus disease in children.
Hospitalized infants have the highest rates of invasive Staphylococcus aureus disease of any population and infection control strategies such as decolonization have been insufficient. In this article, the authors review what is known about bacterial communities in the nasal cavity of infants and discuss how future microbiome studies may help identify novel interventions to protect high-risk infants from S. aureus disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Khamash DF, Voskertchian A, Milstone AM .
Manipulating the microbiome: evolution of a strategy to prevent S. aureus disease in children.
J Perinatol 2018 Feb;38(2):105-09. doi: 10.1038/jp.2017.155..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Children/Adolescents, Prevention, Newborns/Infants, Patient Safety
Anderson DJ, Knelson LP, Moehring RW
Implementation lessons learned from the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room (BETR) Disinfection study: process and perceptions of enhanced disinfection with ultraviolet disinfection devices.
The purpose of this article was to summarize and discuss logistic and administrative challenges encountered during the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room (BETR) Disinfection Study and lessons learned that are pertinent to future utilization of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices in other hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Anderson DJ, Knelson LP, Moehring RW .
Implementation lessons learned from the Benefits of Enhanced Terminal Room (BETR) Disinfection study: process and perceptions of enhanced disinfection with ultraviolet disinfection devices.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Feb;39(2):157-63. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.268..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Patient Safety
Paje D, Conlon A, Kaatz S
Patterns and predictors of short-term peripherally inserted central catheter use: a multicenter prospective cohort study.
The goal of this study was to identify patient, provider, and device characteristics and the clinical outcomes associated with short-term peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Trained abstractors collected data from the medical records of adults that received PICCs during hospitalization; patients were prospectively followed until PICC removal, death, or 70 days after insertion. Complications associated with short-term use were assessed. Major complications included venous thromboembolism or central line associated bloodstream infection. Common minor complications were catheter occlusion and tip migration.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835.
Citation: Paje D, Conlon A, Kaatz S .
Patterns and predictors of short-term peripherally inserted central catheter use: a multicenter prospective cohort study.
J Hosp Med 2018 Feb;13(2):76-82. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2847..
Keywords: Adverse Events, Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Inpatient Care, Patient Safety, Practice Patterns
Patel PK, Gupta A, Vaughn VM
Review of strategies to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in adult ICUs.
This systematic review was conducted back in October 2015 within PubMed and Cochrane databases on interventions to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The interventions were categorized by stages applicable to both CAUTI and CLABSI prevention. Stage 0: avoid catheter if possible; Stage 1: ensure aseptic placement; Stage 2: maintain awareness and proper care of catheters in place, and Stage 3: promptly remove unnecessary catheters. They also looked for effective components that the 5 stages were most successful with. The review is designed for hospitalists to use to formulate quality improvement interventions for infection reduction.
AHRQ-funded; HS018334.
Citation: Patel PK, Gupta A, Vaughn VM .
Review of strategies to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in adult ICUs.
J Hosp Med 2018 Feb;13(2):105-16. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2856..
Keywords: Care Management, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Evidence-Based Practice, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Patient Safety, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Govindan S, Wallace B, Iwashyna TJ
Do experts understand performance measures? A mixed-methods study of infection preventionists.
This study assessed expert interpretation of CLABSI quality data using a cross-sectional survey of members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network (SRN). The investigators found that significant variability in the interpretation of CLABSI data exists among experts. They assert that this finding is likely related to data complexity, particularly with respect to risk-adjusted data. They suggest that improvements appear necessary in data sharing and public policy efforts to account for this complexity.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835.
Citation: Govindan S, Wallace B, Iwashyna TJ .
Do experts understand performance measures? A mixed-methods study of infection preventionists.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018 Jan;39(1):71-76. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.243..
Keywords: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI), Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Provider, Provider Performance, Quality of Care, Quality Measures
Hogan PG, Rodriguez M, Spenner AM
Impact of systemic antibiotics on staphylococcus aureus colonization and recurrent skin infection.
This study found that systemic antibiotics, as part of acute skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) management in conjunction with incision and drainage, impacted S. aureus colonization, thus contributing to a decreased incidence of recurrent SSTI. The mechanism by which clindamycin differentially affects colonization and recurrent SSTI compared to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) warrants further study.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736; HS024269.
Citation: Hogan PG, Rodriguez M, Spenner AM .
Impact of systemic antibiotics on staphylococcus aureus colonization and recurrent skin infection.
Clin Infect Dis 2018 Jan 6;66(2):191-97. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix754.
.
.
Keywords: Antibiotics, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Skin Conditions
Seibert G, Ewers T, Barker AK
What do visitors know and how do they feel about contact precautions?
This study surveyed visitors of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) patients to understand their compliance, knowledge, and perceptions of contact precautions. Nursing staff were the fundamental source for information on personal protective equipment (PPE) for visitors, but the researchers discovered variation in staff communication regarding the need for PPE use. Although most visitors knew where to find required personal protective equipment, less than half were fully compliant with gown and gloves.
AHRQ-funded; HS024039.
Citation: Seibert G, Ewers T, Barker AK .
What do visitors know and how do they feel about contact precautions?
Am J Infect Control 2018 Jan;46(1):115-17. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.05.011..
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Guidelines, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Prevention
Cox ED, Hansen K, Rajamanickam VP
Are parents who feel the need to watch over their children's care better patient safety partners?
In this study, the investigators assessed whether needing to watch over care predicted parent performance of recommended safety behaviors to reduce medication errors and health care-associated infections. The researchers concluded that parents who reported the need to watch over care were more likely to perform behaviors specific to safe medication use (but not hand hygiene) compared with those not reporting this need.
AHRQ-funded; HS018680.
Citation: Cox ED, Hansen K, Rajamanickam VP .
Are parents who feel the need to watch over their children's care better patient safety partners?
Hosp Pediatr 2017 Dec;7(12):716-22. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2017-0036..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Caregiving, Children/Adolescents, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Medical Errors, Medication, Patient Safety
Skube SJ, Hu Z, Arsoniadis EG
Characterizing surgical site infection signals in clinical notes.
Building off of previous work for automated and semi-automated surgical site infections (SSIs) detection using expert-derived "strong features" from clinical notes, researchers hypothesized that additional SSI phrases may be contained in clinical notes. They systematically characterized phrases and expressions associated with SSIs. While 83 percent of expert-derived original terms overlapped with new terms and modifiers, an additional 362 modifiers associated with both positive and negative SSI signals were identified.
AHRQ-funded; HS024532.
Citation: Skube SJ, Hu Z, Arsoniadis EG .
Characterizing surgical site infection signals in clinical notes.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2017;245:955-59.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Injuries and Wounds, Patient Safety, Adverse Events, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care
Katz MJ, Gurses AP, Tamma PD
AHRQ Author: Miller MA
Implementing antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care settings: an integrative review using a human factors approach.
In this integrative review, the authors analyzed published evidence in the context of a human factors engineering approach as well as educational interventions to understand aspects of multimodal interventions associated with the implementation of successful stewardship programs in long term care facilities. The outcomes indicate that effective antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care is supported by incorporating multidisciplinary education, tools integrated into the workflow of nurses and prescribers that facilitate review of antibiotic use, and involvement of infectious disease consultants.
AHRQ-authored; AHRQ-funded; 2332015000201.
Citation: Katz MJ, Gurses AP, Tamma PD .
Implementing antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care settings: an integrative review using a human factors approach.
Clin Infect Dis 2017 Nov;65(11):1943-51. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix566.
.
.
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Elderly, Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes
Knelson LP, Ramadanovic GK, Chen LF
Self-monitoring by environmental services may not accurately measure thoroughness of hospital room cleaning.
The hospital environment and environmental contamination are increasingly emphasized in the prevention of healthcare associated infection. In this study, the authors compare cleaning compliance data collected by environmental services (EVS) supervisors with parallel cleaning compliance data collected by study personnel. The investigators concluded that their findings validate the recommendations in the CDC tool kit that independent observers should be used to achieve the most objective approach to monitoring.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Knelson LP, Ramadanovic GK, Chen LF .
Self-monitoring by environmental services may not accurately measure thoroughness of hospital room cleaning.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Nov;38(11):1371-73. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.205..
Keywords: Hospitals, Prevention, Patient Safety, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Jump RLP, Gaur S, Katz MJ
Template for an antibiotic stewardship policy for post-acute and long-term care settings.
To support compliance with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) requirements and aid facilities in establishing a stewardship program, the Infection Advisory Committee at the American Medical Directors Association -The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, has developed an antibiotic stewardship policy template tailored to the long-term care setting. This paper describes that policy template.
AHRQ-funded; HS022465; HS023779.
Citation: Jump RLP, Gaur S, Katz MJ .
Template for an antibiotic stewardship policy for post-acute and long-term care settings.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2017 Nov;18(11):913-20. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2017.07.018..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Policy, Prevention
Haessler S, Lagu T, Lindenauer PK
Treatment trends and outcomes in healthcare-associated pneumonia.
This retrospective cohort study assessed changes in hospital rates of concordant antibiotic use over time and their correlation with outcomes related to management of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). The study concluded that only 1 in 5 patients with risk factors for HCAP received treatment that was fully in accordance with guidelines, and many received community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) therapy instead.
AHRQ-funded; HS018723.
Citation: Haessler S, Lagu T, Lindenauer PK .
Treatment trends and outcomes in healthcare-associated pneumonia.
J Hosp Med 2017 Nov;12(11):886-91. doi: 10.12788/jhm.2877..
Keywords: Antibiotics, Elderly, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Pneumonia
Herc E, Patel P, Washer LL
A model to predict central-line-associated bloodstream infection among patients with peripherally inserted central catheters: the MPC Score.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are associated with central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). However, no tools to predict risk of PICC-CLABSI have been developed. The purpose of this study is to operationalize or prioritize CLABSI risk factors when making decisions regarding the use of PICCs using a risk model to estimate an individual's risk of PICC-CLABSI prior to device placement.
AHRQ-funded; HS022835.
Citation: Herc E, Patel P, Washer LL .
A model to predict central-line-associated bloodstream infection among patients with peripherally inserted central catheters: the MPC Score.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Oct;38(10):1155-66. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.167..
Keywords: Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CLABSI), Decision Making, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety
Masnick M, Morgan DJ, Sorkin JD
Can national healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) data differentiate hospitals in the United States?
This study was designed to determine whether patients using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Hospital Compare website can use nationally reported healthcare-associated infection (HAI) data to differentiate hospitals. The authors concluded that HAI data generally are reported by enough hospitals to meet minimal criteria for useful comparisons in many geographic locations, though this varies by type of HAI.
AHRQ-funded; HS018111.
Citation: Masnick M, Morgan DJ, Sorkin JD .
Can national healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) data differentiate hospitals in the United States?
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Oct;38(10):1167-71. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.179..
Keywords: Quality of Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Hospitals, Provider Performance, Quality Measures
Barker AK, Zellmer C, Tischendorf J
On the hands of patients with Clostridium difficile: a study of spore prevalence and the effect of hand hygiene on C difficile removal.
This study assessed the prevalence of Clostridium difficile spores in 48 observations of infected inpatients after randomly assigning them to hand hygiene with either alcohol-based handrub or soap and water.
AHRQ-funded; HS023791.
Citation: Barker AK, Zellmer C, Tischendorf J .
On the hands of patients with Clostridium difficile: a study of spore prevalence and the effect of hand hygiene on C difficile removal.
Am J Infect Control 2017 Oct;45(10):1154-56. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2017.03.005..
Keywords: Clostridium difficile Infections, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Prevention
Anderson DJ, Addison R, Lokhnygina Y
The Antimicrobial Scrub Contamination and Transmission (ASCOT) trial: a three-arm, blinded, randomized controlled trial with crossover design to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs in preventing healthcare provider contamination.
The objective of the study was to determine whether antimicrobial-impregnated textiles decrease the acquisition of pathogens by healthcare provider (HCP) clothing. The authors found that antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs were not effective at reducing HCP contamination. They indicated, however, that the environment was an important source of HCP clothing contamination.
AHRQ-funded; HS023866.
Citation: Anderson DJ, Addison R, Lokhnygina Y .
The Antimicrobial Scrub Contamination and Transmission (ASCOT) trial: a three-arm, blinded, randomized controlled trial with crossover design to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial-impregnated scrubs in preventing healthcare provider contamination.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017 Oct;38(10):1147-54. doi: 10.1017/ice.2017.181..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Patient Safety, Prevention
Jackson SS, Leekha S, Magder LS
Electronically available comorbidities should be used in surgical site infection risk adjustment.
A multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing surgical procedures at 28 US hospitals was performed. The authors developed a well-performing risk adjustment model for surgical site infections (SSI) using electronically available comorbidities. Healthcare-associated infections, such as SSIs, are used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as pay-for-performance metrics. The authors recommended that comorbidity-based risk adjustment should be strongly considered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and CMS to adequately compare SSI rates across hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS022291.
Citation: Jackson SS, Leekha S, Magder LS .
Electronically available comorbidities should be used in surgical site infection risk adjustment.
Clin Infect Dis 2017 Sep 1;65(5):803-10. doi: 10.1093/cid/cix431..
Keywords: Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Surgery, Patient Safety, Risk, Injuries and Wounds, Adverse Events