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 25 of 42 Research Studies DisplayedFuery MA, Kadhim B, Samsky MD
Electronic health record embedded strategies for improving care of patients with heart failure.
This article reviews recent findings from randomized clinical trials examining the impact of electronic health record (HER) alerts (called nudges) on quality of care for heart failure patients. These clinical trials demonstrated that some EHR alerts can improve care for heart failure patients. The trials described utilized default options, involved clinicians in the alert design process, provided actionable recommendations, and aimed to minimize disruptions to typical workflow.
AHRQ-funded; HS027626.
Citation: Fuery MA, Kadhim B, Samsky MD .
Electronic health record embedded strategies for improving care of patients with heart failure.
Curr Heart Fail Rep 2023 Aug; 20(4):280-86. doi: 10.1007/s11897-023-00614-0..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Gay HC, Yu J, Persell SD
Comparison of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescribing in patients with diabetes mellitus with and without cardiovascular disease.
Researchers sought to describe trends in prescribing for sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RAs) to reduce cardiovascular events and mortality in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in diverse care settings. Their focus was on outpatient clinics in a midwestern integrated health system and small- and medium-sized community-based primary care practices and health centers in three Midwestern states. Results showed that an increase in prescription rates was greater for SGLT2is than for GLP1-RAs in a large integrated medical center and community primary care practices; overall, prescription rates for eligible patients were low, and the researchers observed racial disparities.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385; HS023921.
Citation: Gay HC, Yu J, Persell SD .
Comparison of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist prescribing in patients with diabetes mellitus with and without cardiovascular disease.
Am J Cardiol 2023 Feb 15; 189:121-30. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2022.10.041..
Keywords: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Medication, Primary Care
Demianczyk AC, Bechtel Driscoll CF, Karpyn A
Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease.
This study’s objective was to identify parental coping strategies following diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) and compare use of coping strategies among different groups (mothers vs. fathers, prenatal vs. postnatal diagnosis). A diverse sample of 34 parents (20 mothers and 14 fathers) of young children with CHD participated in semistructured interviews. Parents described using between 1 and 10 different adaptive and maladaptive strategies measured by the COPE Inventory, an instrument that assesses common adult responses to stress. Mothers were more likely than fathers to report a focus on and venting of emotions (70% vs 21.43%) and behavioral disengagement (25% vs. 0%). Parents who had received a prenatal diagnosis described a greater variety of coping strategies compared to parents who received a postnatal CHD diagnosis (6.23 vs 4.52) and more often reported positive reinterpretation and growth, behavioral disengagement, and denial.
AHRQ-funded; HS026393.
Citation: Demianczyk AC, Bechtel Driscoll CF, Karpyn A .
Coping strategies used by mothers and fathers following diagnosis of congenital heart disease.
Child Care Health Dev 2022 Jan;48(1):129-38. doi: 10.1111/cch.12913..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Carey RM, Wright JT, Taler SJ
Guideline-driven management of hypertension: an evidence-based update.
This paper is an evidence-based update to the 2017 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Blood Pressure Guideline. The authors conducted a literature review of relevant observational studies, randomized clinical trials, and meta-analyses published between January 2018 and March 2021. Topics included blood pressure (BP) measurement, patient evaluation, patient evaluation for secondary hypertension, cardiovascular disease risk assessment and BP threshold for drug therapy, lifestyle and pharmacological management, treatment target BP goal, management of hypertension in older adults, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, resistant hypertension, and optimization of care using patient, provider, and health system approaches.
AHRQ-funded; HS027944.
Citation: Carey RM, Wright JT, Taler SJ .
Guideline-driven management of hypertension: an evidence-based update.
Circ Res 2021 Apr 2;128(7):827-46. doi: 10.1161/circresaha.121.318083..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Guidelines, Evidence-Based Practice, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Gregg LP, Hedayati SS, Yang H
Association of blood pressure variability and diuretics with cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 1-5.
This study looked at whether blood pressure variability (BPV) is associated with cardiovascular outcomes and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in patients with chronic kidney disease. The authors studied US veterans with nondialysis chronic kidney disease stages 1-5 and hypertension on nondiuretic antihypertensive monotherapy. This case-control study compared veterans on only one antihypertensive prescription with those who were prescribed a second antihypertensive prescription. Each group had 31,394 participants. BPV was associated with composite cardiovascular events. It was associated with cardiovascular events and death but not ESKD in patients with chronic kidney disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Gregg LP, Hedayati SS, Yang H .
Association of blood pressure variability and diuretics with cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 1-5.
Hypertension 2021 Mar 3;77(3):948-59. doi: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16117..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Brown CS, Osborne NH, Kim GY
Effect of concomitant deep venous reflux on truncal endovenous ablation outcomes in the Vascular Quality Initiative.
This study looked at outcomes for patients with varicose veins (C2 disease) undergoing truncal endovenous ablation with and without deep venous reflux. Data from the Vascular Quality Initiative was analyzed from 2015 to 2019. A total of 4881 patients were included, with 46.2% having combined deep and superficial reflux. Follow-up around a year later (median 336.5 days) was conducted after. Patients with deep reflux were less likely to be female, more likely to be Caucasian, and had no difference in BMI. Additionally, there were no differences in rates of prior varicose vein treatments, number of pregnancies, or history of deep venous thrombosis. However, patients without deep reflux were more likely to use anticoagulants at the time of the procedure. Patients without deep reflux had slightly higher median preprocedural Venous Clinician Severity Score (VCSS) scores as well as postprocedural VCSS scores. Total symptom score was higher for patients without deep reflux before and after the procedure, but there was no change in symptom score after the procedure. Patients with deep reflux had substantially higher rates of complications with a particular increase in proximal thrombus extension.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Brown CS, Osborne NH, Kim GY .
Effect of concomitant deep venous reflux on truncal endovenous ablation outcomes in the Vascular Quality Initiative.
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2021 Mar;9(2):361-68.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.04.031..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Surgery, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Brown CS, Obi AT, Cronenwett JL
Outcomes after truncal ablation with or without concomitant phlebectomy for isolated symptomatic varicose veins (C2 disease).
This study looked outcomes of patients with varicose veins (C2 disease) who were treated with venous ablation alone or ablation plus phlebectomy using the Vascular Quality Initiative Varicose Vein Registry. Data between January 2015 and March 2015 was used to investigate postoperative as well as long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes among patients with documented symptomatic C2 disease undergoing truncal endovenous ablations alone and combined ablation and phlebectomy. Out of 3375 patients, 40.1% underwent isolated truncal ablation and the rest had the combined procedure of ablation and phlebectomy. Complications were low for both procedures (8.4% and 8.7%). Overall, improvement in symptoms was experienced by 94.4% of patients with more increases in patients undergoing ablation and phlebectomy than ablation alone. Both procedures are recommended by the authors to be covered by insurance.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Brown CS, Obi AT, Cronenwett JL .
Outcomes after truncal ablation with or without concomitant phlebectomy for isolated symptomatic varicose veins (C2 disease).
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2021 Mar;9(2):369-76. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.05.016..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Surgery, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Li K, Ferguson T, Embil J
Risk of kidney failure, death, and cardiovascular events after lower limb complications in patients with CKD.
Investigators sought to determine how interim lower limb complications modify the subsequent risk of progression to kidney failure, all-cause mortality before kidney failure, and cardiovascular events in a cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages G3 to G5. Patient-level data obtained from several administrative databases from Manitoba, Canada, were analyzed. They found that interim lower limb complications were associated with an increased risk of kidney failure, all-cause mortality before kidney failure, and cardiovascular-related hospitalization. They stated that clinical trials of screening and treatment strategies for patients with CKD at risk for lower limb complications may help determine optimal strategies to manage this risk.
AHRQ-funded; HS018574.
Citation: Li K, Ferguson T, Embil J .
Risk of kidney failure, death, and cardiovascular events after lower limb complications in patients with CKD.
Kidney Int Rep 2021 Feb;6(2):381-88. doi: 10.1016/j.ekir.2020.11.010..
Keywords: Kidney Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Risk, Adverse Events, Mortality, Outcomes
Brown CS, Osborne NH, Kim GY
Comparison of unilateral vs bilateral and staged bilateral vs concurrent bilateral truncal endovenous ablation in the Vascular Quality Initiative.
This study compares outcomes in patients who have undergone unilateral vs bilateral venous ablation procedures or between staged and concurrent bilateral procedures. Data from the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2015 to 2019 was used to investigate immediate postoperative as well as long-term clinical and patient-reported outcomes. A total of 5029 patients were included, of whom 75.2% underwent unilateral procedures. Follow-up was conducted with a median of 227 days after. Unilateral patients were less likely to be female and white and had lower BMI compared with patients undergoing bilateral procedures. In addition, unilateral patients had fewer prior varicose vein treatments and had higher Venous Clinical Severity Scores (VCSS). There were no differences in complications in patients undergoing unilateral vs bilateral procedures. Systemic complications were rare in both groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: Brown CS, Osborne NH, Kim GY .
Comparison of unilateral vs bilateral and staged bilateral vs concurrent bilateral truncal endovenous ablation in the Vascular Quality Initiative.
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord 2021 Jan;9(1):113-21.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jvsv.2020.05.008..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Surgery, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Comparative Effectiveness, Evidence-Based Practice
Bobo WV, Ryu E, Petterson TM
Bi-directional association between depression and HF: an electronic health records-based cohort study.
This study examined whether heart failure (HF) patients were more likely to be diagnosed with depression, or patients with depression were more likely to be diagnosed with HF. This retrospective cohort study utilized electronic health records (EHRs) from a large healthcare system in 2006 for adults who received primary care services. The EHR identified 10,649 people with depression, and 5,911 people with HF between 2006 to 2018. In the depression cohort there were 2,024 newly diagnosed occurrences of HF, and 944 occurrences of newly diagnosed depression in the HF cohort over 4-6 years of follow-up. There was a significantly higher risk of developing HF in the depression cohort than vice versa.
AHRQ-funded; HS023077.
Citation: Bobo WV, Ryu E, Petterson TM .
Bi-directional association between depression and HF: an electronic health records-based cohort study.
J Comorb 2020 Jan-Dec;10:2235042x20984059. doi: 10.1177/2235042x20984059..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Depression, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Chronic Conditions
Mentias A, Briasoulis A, Vaughan Sarrazin MS
Trends, perioperative adverse events, and survival of patients with left ventricular assist devices undergoing noncardiac surgery.
This longitudinal cohort study examined outcomes of noncardiac surgery (NCS) in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). This study examined patients enrolled in Medicare who had undergone durable LVAD implantation from January 2012 to November 2017 with follow-up through December 2017. Primary outcome after NCS was major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), defined as in-hospital or 30-day all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, or intracerebral hemorrhage. Of the 8118 patients with LVAD, 1326 underwent NCS with 75.4% emergent or urgent, and 24.6% elective. Both elective and urgent or emergent NCS was associated with higher mortality early and late compared with patients with LVAD who did not undergo NCS.
AHRQ-funded; HS023104.
Citation: Mentias A, Briasoulis A, Vaughan Sarrazin MS .
Trends, perioperative adverse events, and survival of patients with left ventricular assist devices undergoing noncardiac surgery.
JAMA Netw Open 2020 Nov 2;3(11):e2025118. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.25118..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Surgery, Medical Devices, Chronic Conditions, Outcomes, Adverse Events
Pollack LM, Wang M, Leung MYM
Obesity-related multimorbidity and risk of cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged population in the United States.
The purpose of this paper was to investigate the prevalence of obesity-related multimorbidity (co-occurrence of ≥2 obesity-related chronic diseases, ORCDs) and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the presence of multimorbidity in middle-aged adults in the United States. The investigators found that hypertension was most commonly the first diagnosed ORCD for populations with 2-4 ORCDs, followed by diabetes for populations with 2-3 ORCDs.
AHRQ-funded; HS022330.
Citation: Pollack LM, Wang M, Leung MYM .
Obesity-related multimorbidity and risk of cardiovascular disease in the middle-aged population in the United States.
Prev Med 2020 Oct;139:106225. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106225..
Keywords: Obesity, Cardiovascular Conditions, Risk, Chronic Conditions
Kaelber DC, Localio AR, Ross M
Persistent hypertension in children and adolescents: a 6-year cohort study.
The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of pediatric hypertension. The study was conducted over a 72-month period among 165 primary care sites; blood pressure measurements from two consecutive 36-month periods were compared. Findings indicated that, in a primary care cohort, most children initially meeting criteria for hypertension or elevated blood pressure had subsequent normal blood pressure levels or did not receive recommended follow-up measurements. These results highlight the need for more nuanced initial blood pressure assessment and systems to promote follow-up of abnormal results.
AHRQ-funded; HS021645.
Citation: Kaelber DC, Localio AR, Ross M .
Persistent hypertension in children and adolescents: a 6-year cohort study.
Pediatrics 2020 Oct;146(4):Oct. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-3778..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Blood Pressure, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions
Koopman RJ, Canfield SM, Belden JL
Home blood pressure data visualization for the management of hypertension: designing for patient and physician information needs.
This study examined whether using home blood pressure visualization tools helps management of hypertension for both patients and physicians. A multidisciplinary team used iterative user-centered design to create a blood pressure visualization EHR prototype that included patient-generated blood pressure data. The study included an attitude and behavior survey and 10 focus groups with 16 patients and 24 physicians. Most patients measured their blood pressure at home, but only half shared data with their physician. Data visualization helped patients and physicians have a fuller understanding of the blood pressure “story” and helped with patient-physician interactions to better control hypertension.
AHRQ-funded; HS023328.
Citation: Koopman RJ, Canfield SM, Belden JL .
Home blood pressure data visualization for the management of hypertension: designing for patient and physician information needs.
BMC Med Inform Decis Mak 2020 Aug 18;20(1):195. doi: 10.1186/s12911-020-01194-y..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Chronic Conditions, Cardiovascular Conditions
Bath J, Smith JB, Kruse RL
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts disease severity and outcome after lower extremity procedures.
This study examined the association of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and complications for patients undergoing interventions for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and other lower extremity conditions. NLR has been associated with higher mortality and other adverse outcomes for those with PAD. The study used inpatients undergoing lower extremity procedures (2008-2016) that were selected from the Cerner Health Facts database (Cerner Corporation, North Kansas City, Mo) using ICD-9 procedure codes. A total of 3687 patients were evaluated, with 2183 undergoing endovascular procedures and 1504 undergoing open procedures. White patients were likely to experience claudication but have less tissue loss. Open procedures had higher NLR rates than endovascular procedures. Preoperative high NLR was strongly associated with in-hospital deaths, cardiac complications, amputation, renal failure, respiratory complications, and prolonged length of stay. Postoperative high NLR values were also associated with more severe PAD.
AHRQ-funded; HS022140.
Citation: Bath J, Smith JB, Kruse RL .
Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio predicts disease severity and outcome after lower extremity procedures.
J Vasc Surg 2020 Aug;72(2):622-31. doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2019.10.094..
Keywords: Surgery, Cardiovascular Conditions, Outcomes, Chronic Conditions
Shaffer VA, Wegier P, Valentine KD
Use of enhanced data visualization to improve patient judgments about hypertension control.
Uncontrolled hypertension is driven by clinical uncertainty around blood pressure data. This research sought to determine whether decision support-in the form of enhanced data visualization-could improve judgments about hypertension control. The investigators concluded that enhancing data visualization with the use of a smoothing function to minimize the variability present in raw blood pressure data significantly improved judgments about hypertension control.
AHRQ-funded; HS023328.
Citation: Shaffer VA, Wegier P, Valentine KD .
Use of enhanced data visualization to improve patient judgments about hypertension control.
Med Decis Making 2020 Aug;40(6):785-96. doi: 10.1177/0272989x20940999..
Keywords: Blood Pressure, Decision Making, Chronic Conditions, Cardiovascular Conditions, Health Information Technology (HIT)
Hadler RA, Curtis BR, Ikejiani DZ
"I'd have to basically be on my deathbed": heart failure patients' perceptions of and preferences for palliative care.
This cohort study examined individuals with New York Heart Association Class II-IV disease attitude towards palliative care (PC). Participants were recruited from inpatient and outpatient settings at an academic quaternary care hospital. They were given semistructured interviews discussing perceptions, knowledge, and preferences regarding PC, and also barriers to to PC delivery by facilitators. They interviewed 27 adults with heart failure (mean age 63, 85% white, 63% male). Participants frequently confused PC with hospice but once corrected they expressed variable preferences for primary versus specialist services. Preferences for primary versus specialist PC were based on different factors. Although there was more understanding of PC after the interviews, triggers for initiation remained focused on late-stage disease.
AHRQ-funded; HS022989.
Citation: Hadler RA, Curtis BR, Ikejiani DZ .
"I'd have to basically be on my deathbed": heart failure patients' perceptions of and preferences for palliative care.
J Palliat Med 2020 Jul;23(7):915-21. doi: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0451..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Palliative Care, Clinician-Patient Communication, Communication, Chronic Conditions
Prasada S, Rivera A, Nishtala A
Differential associations of chronic inflammatory diseases with incident heart failure.
The purpose of this study was to compare the risks of incident heart failure (HF) among a variety of chronic inflammatory diseases (CIDs) and to determine whether risks varied by severity of inflammation within each CID. Electronic health records from a large urban medical system were examined. Findings showed that systemic sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus were associated with the highest risks of HF, followed by rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. Measurements of inflammation were associated with HF risk across different CIDs.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Prasada S, Rivera A, Nishtala A .
Differential associations of chronic inflammatory diseases with incident heart failure.
JACC Heart Fail 2020 Jun;8(6):489-98. doi: 10.1016/j.jchf.2019.11.013..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Risk
Mszar R, Grandhi GR, Valero-Elizondo J
Cumulative burden of financial hardship from medical bills across the spectrum of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among non-elderly adults in the United States.
This study looked at the rates of financial hardship from medical bills with non-elderly adults diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) and diagnosed with and without atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). ASCVD with DM accounts for approximately two-thirds of deaths in this patient population. Data from the National Health Interview Survey from 2013 to 2017 was used, with a total study population of 121,672 individuals. Approximately 3.1% of the population had ASCVD, 5.6% had DM, and 1.3% had both. Almost half of individuals with both conditions reported financial hardship from medical bills, with 23% unable to pay medical bills at all, compared to around 28% of those with neither ASCVD and DM reporting financial hardship with 8% being unable to pay at all.
AHRQ-funded; HS023000.
Citation: Mszar R, Grandhi GR, Valero-Elizondo J .
Cumulative burden of financial hardship from medical bills across the spectrum of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease among non-elderly adults in the United States.
J Am Heart Assoc 2020 May 18;9(10):e015523. doi: 10.1161/jaha.119.015523..
Keywords: Diabetes, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Healthcare Costs
Mahtta D, Ahmed ST, Shah NR
Facility-level variation in cardiac stress test use among patients with diabetes: findings from the Veterans Affairs national database.
The authors evaluate facility-level variation in cardiac stress test use among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) across the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. Their results suggest that significant residual variation in overall stress test use exists among veterans with DM. They recommend future studies to assess system-wide appropriateness of stress testing, to assess patient-level symptom data, and to conduct qualitative analyses in order to understand individual provider-level drivers behind such variation.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Mahtta D, Ahmed ST, Shah NR .
Facility-level variation in cardiac stress test use among patients with diabetes: findings from the Veterans Affairs national database.
Diabetes Care 2020 May;43(5):e58-e60. doi: 10.2337/dc19-2160..
Keywords: Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health, Diabetes, Decision Making, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Chronic Conditions
Chen J, Sadasivam R, Blok AC
The association between patient-reported clinical factors and 30-day acute care utilization in chronic heart failure.
The purpose of this study was to identify post-discharge patient-reported clinical factors associated with repeat acute care use. Through phone surveys with patients with chronic heart failure, findings indicated that patient-reported poor health status, pain, and poor appetite were positively associated with 30-day acute care utilization. Recommendations included further study before incorporation into risk prediction to drive quality improvement efforts.
AHRQ-funded; HS017786.
Citation: Chen J, Sadasivam R, Blok AC .
The association between patient-reported clinical factors and 30-day acute care utilization in chronic heart failure.
Med Care 2020 Apr;58(4):336-43. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001258..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Emergency Department, Chronic Conditions
Pokorney SD, Black-Maier E, Hellkamp AS
Oral anticoagulation and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease.
The objective of this study was to describe patterns of oral anticoagulant (OAC) use in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and their associations with cardiovascular outcomes. Medicare fee-for-service 5% claims data from 2007 to 2013 was analyzed in a cohort of patients with ESRD and AF. A cohort of 8,410 patients with AF and ESRD was identified, with a total of 3,043 (36.2%) patients treated with OAC during the study period. Treatment with OAC was not associated with hospitalization for stroke, or death but was associated with increased hospitalization for bleeding and intracranial hemorrhage.
AHRQ-funded; HS021092.
Citation: Pokorney SD, Black-Maier E, Hellkamp AS .
Oral anticoagulation and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and end-stage renal disease.
J Am Coll Cardiol 2020 Mar 24;75(11):1299-308. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.01.019..
Keywords: Blood Thinners, Medication, Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Kidney Disease and Health, Chronic Conditions, Outcomes
Poon BY, Shortell SM, Rodriguez HP
Patient activation as a pathway to shared decision-making for adults with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Shared decision-making (SDM) is widely recognized as a core strategy to improve patient-centered care. However, the implementation of SDM in routine care settings has been slow and its impact mixed. In this study, the investigators examined the temporal association of patient activation and patients' experience with the SDM process to assess the dominant directionality of this relationship.
AHRQ-funded; HS022241.
Citation: Poon BY, Shortell SM, Rodriguez HP .
Patient activation as a pathway to shared decision-making for adults with diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
J Gen Intern Med 2020 Mar;35(3):732-42. doi: 10.1007/s11606-019-05351-6.
Keywords: Decision Making, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Conditions, Chronic Conditions, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient and Family Engagement
Goyal P, Gorodeski EZ, Marcum ZA
Cardiac rehabilitation to optimize medication regimens in heart failure.
This paper discusses the use of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) to optimize medication regimens for older adults with heart failure. Challenges in CR are discussed length and strategies were offered for leveraged CR.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Goyal P, Gorodeski EZ, Marcum ZA .
Cardiac rehabilitation to optimize medication regimens in heart failure.
Clin Geriatr Med 2019 Nov;35(4):549-60. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2019.06.001..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Rehabilitation, Medication, Patient-Centered Healthcare, Patient Adherence/Compliance, Chronic Conditions
Popescu I, Sood N, Joshi S
Trends in the use of skilled nursing facility and home health care under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: an interrupted time-series analysis.
Medicare's Hospital Readmission Reduction Program penalizes hospitals with elevated 30-day readmission rates for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, or pneumonia. The authors investigated if, in order to reduce readmissions, hospitals may have increased referrals to skilled nursing facilities and home health care. They found that hospitals might be shifting to more intensive postacute care to avoid readmissions among seniors with pneumonia. At the same time, penalized hospitals' efforts to prevent readmissions may be keeping higher proportions of their patients in the community.
AHRQ-funded; HS024284; HS025394.
Citation: Popescu I, Sood N, Joshi S .
Trends in the use of skilled nursing facility and home health care under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: an interrupted time-series analysis.
Med Care 2019 Oct;57(10):757-65. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000001184..
Keywords: Home Healthcare, Nursing Homes, Chronic Conditions, Hospital Readmissions, Long-Term Care, Hospitals, Heart Disease and Health, Pneumonia, Cardiovascular Conditions