National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Topics
- Adverse Drug Events (ADE) (21)
- (-) Adverse Events (54)
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- Antimicrobial Stewardship (1)
- Behavioral Health (3)
- Blood Clots (3)
- Blood Thinners (2)
- Brain Injury (3)
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- Disparities (1)
- Education: Patient and Caregiver (1)
- (-) Elderly (54)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (2)
- Emergency Department (4)
- Evidence-Based Practice (1)
- Falls (9)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (2)
- Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) (2)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (3)
- Health Literacy (1)
- Heart Disease and Health (2)
- Hospital Discharge (4)
- Hospitalization (6)
- Hospital Readmissions (2)
- Hospitals (4)
- Injuries and Wounds (8)
- Inpatient Care (1)
- Long-Term Care (5)
- Medical Errors (1)
- Medication (22)
- Medication: Safety (12)
- Mortality (4)
- Neurological Disorders (3)
- Nursing Homes (8)
- Opioids (6)
- Orthopedics (1)
- Outcomes (4)
- Pain (2)
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- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (6)
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- Provider (1)
- Provider: Pharmacist (1)
- Provider Performance (1)
- Quality Improvement (1)
- Quality Indicators (QIs) (1)
- Quality of Care (2)
- Quality of Life (1)
- Registries (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (1)
- Risk (19)
- Screening (1)
- Sex Factors (1)
- Substance Abuse (2)
- Surgery (12)
- Transitions of Care (3)
- Trauma (1)
- Treatments (3)
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 54 Research Studies DisplayedDekeyser GJ, Martin BI, Marchand LS
Geriatric distal femur fractures treated with distal femoral replacement are associated with higher rates of readmissions and complications.
The objective of this study was to compare mortality and complications of distal femur fracture repair among elderly patients who received operative fixation versus distal femur replacement (DFR). Participants were Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older with distal femur fracture who were identified using Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services data. Most of the patients received operative fixation surgery. Results indicated that DFR was associated with significantly greater rates of infection, device-related complication, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, costs, and readmission.
AHRQ-funded; HS024714.
Citation: Dekeyser GJ, Martin BI, Marchand LS .
Geriatric distal femur fractures treated with distal femoral replacement are associated with higher rates of readmissions and complications.
J Orthop Trauma 2023 Oct; 37(10):485-91. doi: 10.1097/bot.0000000000002638..
Keywords: Elderly, Injuries and Wounds, Hospital Readmissions, Adverse Events
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Urman RD
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospitalization for major orthopedic procedures.
The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to identify risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events (ORADEs) after hospital discharge following orthopedic procedures. The participants of this study included a national sample of Medicare beneficiaries who underwent major orthopedic surgery during hospitalization in 2016 and had an opioid prescription filled within 2 days of discharge. The study found that among 30,514 hospitalizations with a major orthopedic procedure and an opioid claim, a potential ORADE requiring hospital revisit occurred in 2.5%. After adjustment for patient characteristics, prior opioid use, co-prescribed sedating medications, and opioid prescription characteristics were not related with ORADEs. Independent risk factors did include age of 80 years or older, female sex, and clinical conditions, including heart failure, respiratory illness, kidney disease, dementia/delirium, anxiety disorder, and musculoskeletal/nervous system injuries.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Urman RD .
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospitalization for major orthopedic procedures.
J Patient Saf 2023 Oct 1; 19(6):379-85. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000001144..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Hospitalization, Orthopedics, Surgery, Medication, Risk, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Jiang Y, Mason M, Cho Y
Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: a secondary analysis of data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes.
The purpose of this study was to explore the tolerance of capecitabine oral chemotherapy among older adults with cancer and investigate factors associated with related side effects and treatment changes. The researchers combined data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes, and found that older adults were more likely to experience fatigue and experienced more severe fatigue and hand-foot syndrome (HFS) than younger adults. The severity of fatigue and HFS were associated with the number of outpatient medications and the duration of treatment respectively. Female sex, breast cancer diagnosis, capecitabine monotherapy, and severe HFS were found to be associated with subsequent dose reductions. The study concluded that older adults were less likely to tolerate capecitabine treatment and had different co-occurring side effects compared to younger adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS027846.
Citation: Jiang Y, Mason M, Cho Y .
Tolerance to oral anticancer agent treatment in older adults with cancer: a secondary analysis of data from electronic health records and a pilot study of patient-reported outcomes.
BMC Cancer 2022 Sep 3;22(1):950. doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10026-3..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Wei YJ, Chen C, Cheng TD
Association of injury after prescription opioid initiation with risk for opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
This study’s objectives were to examine the association between incident injury after prescription opioid initiation and subsequent risk of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs) and to assess whether the association differs by recency of injury among older patients. The researchers observed that incident diagnosis of injury following opioid initiation was associated with subsequent increased risk of ORAEs, and the risk was only significant among patients with injury in the month before the index date. They recommended regular monitoring for injury in order to identify older opioid users at high risk for ORAEs.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Wei YJ, Chen C, Cheng TD .
Association of injury after prescription opioid initiation with risk for opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
PLoS Med 2022 Sep;19(9):e1004101. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004101..
Keywords: Opioids, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Substance Abuse, Elderly, Adverse Events
Chen C, Winterstein AG, Lo-Ciganic WH
Concurrent use of prescription gabapentinoids with opioids and risk for fall-related injury among older US Medicare beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain: a population-based cohort study.
This study compared the risk of fall-related injury in two cohorts who used gabapentinoids concurrently with opioid use and those who used opioids only. The authors created 2 cohorts based on whether concurrent users initiated gabapentinoids on the day of opioid initiation (Cohort 1) or after opioid initiation (Cohort 2). Both cohorts were identified from a sample of older Medicare beneficiaries with chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP). Four concurrent users were matched up with 1 opioid-only user. They identified 6,733 concurrent users and 27,092 matched opioid-only users in Cohort 1 and 5,709 concurrent users and 22,388 matched opioid-only users in Cohort 2. Cohort 1’s incidence rate of fall-related injury was 24.5 per 100 person-users during follow-up and was 18.0 per 100-person-years during follow-up for Cohort 2. Concurrent users had had similar risk of fall-related injury as opioid-only users in Cohort 1 but had higher risk for fall-related injury than opioid-only users in Cohort 2.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Chen C, Winterstein AG, Lo-Ciganic WH .
Concurrent use of prescription gabapentinoids with opioids and risk for fall-related injury among older US Medicare beneficiaries with chronic noncancer pain: a population-based cohort study.
PLoS Med 2022 Mar;19(3):e1003921. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003921..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Falls, Patient Safety, Injuries and Wounds, Pain, Chronic Conditions
Wei YJ, Chen C, Lewis MO
Trajectories of prescription opioid dose and risk of opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
This study used a sample of older patients who are Medicare beneficiaries who were newly prescribed opioids to determine rates of 4 prescription opioid dose trajectories and the risk of opioid-related adverse events (ORAEs). A 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries from 2011 to 2018 was used to conduct a nested case-control study of patients age 65 and older who were newly diagnosed with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Among the cases and controls, 2,192 (70.6%) were women and mean age was 77.1 years. Four prescribed opioid trajectories before the incident ORAE diagnosis or matched date emerged: gradual dose discontinuation (from ≤3 to 0 daily morphine milligram equivalent (MME), 1,456 [23.5%]), gradual dose increase (from 0 to >3 daily MME, 1,878 [30.3%]), consistent low dose (between 3 and 5 daily MME, 1,510 [24.3%]), and consistent moderate dose (>20 daily MME, 1,362 [22.0%]). Less than 5% were prescribed a mean daily dose of ≥90 daily MME during 6 months before diagnosis or matched date. Patients with gradual dose discontinuation versus those with a consistent low or moderate dose, and increase dose were more likely to be 65 to 74 years, Midwest US residents, and receiving no low-income subsidy. Those with gradual dose increase and consistent moderate dose had a higher risk of ORAE, after adjustment for covariates.
AHRQ-funded; HS027230.
Citation: Wei YJ, Chen C, Lewis MO .
Trajectories of prescription opioid dose and risk of opioid-related adverse events among older Medicare beneficiaries in the United States: a nested case-control study.
PLoS Med 2022 Mar;19(3):e1003947. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003947..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Risk, Chronic Conditions, Pain, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Medication: Safety, Patient Safety
Martin BA, Breslow RM, Sims A
Identifying over-the-counter information to prioritize for the purpose of reducing adverse drug reactions in older adults: a national survey of pharmacists.
This study’s objective was to determine which information on over-the-counter (OTC) Drug Facts Labels (DFS) is most critical in reducing adverse drug reactions (ADRs) among older adults and should be placed in front of the label. A national survey of practicing pharmacists knowledgeable about OTC medication use by older adults asked respondents to rank order the importance of the DFL sections to reduce ADRs. A total of 318 responses were analyzed. There was high consensus that uses and purposes, active ingredient, warnings, and directions for use were the most important sections on the label. Two specific warnings “Do not use” and “Ask a doctor or pharmacist” were deemed most important in the warnings section.
AHRQ-funded; HS025386.
Citation: Martin BA, Breslow RM, Sims A .
Identifying over-the-counter information to prioritize for the purpose of reducing adverse drug reactions in older adults: a national survey of pharmacists.
J Am Pharm Assoc 2022 Jan-Feb;62(1):167-75.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2021.08.019..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Health Literacy, Education: Patient and Caregiver
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS,, Jung y
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge.
This study examined patient- and prescribing-related risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events (ADEs) after hospital discharge among medical patients. Administrative billing codes and medication claims were used to define potential opioid-related ADEs within 30 days of hospital discharge. Findings showed that potential opioid-related ADEs occurred in 7% of older adults discharged from a medical hospitalization with an opioid prescription. Recommendations included using identified risk factors to inform physician decision-making, having conversations with older adults about risk, and increasing development and targeting of harm reduction strategies.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS,, Jung y .
Risk factors for opioid-related adverse drug events among older adults after hospital discharge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2022 Jan;70(1):228-34. doi: 10.1111/jgs.17453..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Risk, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Medication, Hospital Discharge
Field TS, Fouayzi H, Crawfo TS, Fouayzi H, Crawford S
The association of nursing home characteristics and quality with adverse events after a hospitalization.
This prospective cohort analysis measured the association of long-stay nursing home residents returning to the facility after a hospitalization and adverse events (AEs). Thirty-two nursing homes in New England states participated with a total of 555 long-stay residents contributing 762 returns from hospitalizations. The authors measured the association between AEs developing in the 45 days following discharge back to long-term care and characteristics of the nursing homes including bed size, ownership, 5-star quality ratings, registered nurse and nursing assistant hours, and the individual Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality indicators. They found no association of AEs with most nursing home characteristics. Several individual quality indicators were associated with AEs. The highest tertile of residents with depression had a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.65 and the highest tertile of the percentage taking antipsychotic medications had an HR of 1.58. Residents needing increased assistance with activities of daily living was statistically significant, but not monotonic.
AHRQ-funded; HS024422.
Citation: Field TS, Fouayzi H, Crawfo TS, Fouayzi H, Crawford S .
The association of nursing home characteristics and quality with adverse events after a hospitalization.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Oct;22(10):2196-200. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2021.02.027..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Adverse Events, Hospitalization
Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Jung Y
Relative risks of adverse events among older adults receiving opioids versus NSAIDs after hospital discharge: a nationwide cohort study.
This retrospective cohort study’s objective was to determine the incidence and risk of post-discharge adverse events among opioid claims in the week after hospital discharge, compared to those with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) claims alone. A national sample of Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older who were hospitalized in the United States in 2016 was used. Beneficiaries who were admitted from or discharged to a facility were excluded. The authors used 3:1 propensity matching to match beneficiaries with an opioid claim in the week after discharge (13,385) with beneficiaries with NSAID claim alone (4,677). Beneficiaries receiving opioids had a higher incidence of death, healthcare utilization, and any potential adverse effect compared to those with an NSAID claim only. Specific adverse effects included higher relative risk of fall/fracture, nausea/vomiting, and slowed colonic motility.
AHRQ-funded; HS026215.
Citation: Herzig SJ, Anderson TS, Jung Y .
Relative risks of adverse events among older adults receiving opioids versus NSAIDs after hospital discharge: a nationwide cohort study.
PLoS Med 2021 Sep 27;18(9):e1003804. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003804..
Keywords: Elderly, Opioids, Medication, Medication: Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Risk, Hospital Discharge
Harben AL, Kashy DA, Esfahanian S
Using change detection to objectively evaluate whether novel over-the-counter drug labels can increase attention to critical health information among older adults.
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs have many benefits but also carry risks, such as adverse drug reactions, which are more prevalent in older adults. Because these products do not require the oversight of a physician or pharmacist, labeling plays a key role in communicating information required for their safe and effective use. In two experiments, the investigators used a change detection task to objectively evaluate how novel label designs that employ highlighting and a warning label placed on the package's front impact attention to critical information among older participants (65 and older).
AHRQ-funded; HS025386.
Citation: Harben AL, Kashy DA, Esfahanian S .
Using change detection to objectively evaluate whether novel over-the-counter drug labels can increase attention to critical health information among older adults.
Cogn Res Princ Implic 2021 May 26;6(1):40. doi: 10.1186/s41235-021-00307-z..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Gurwitz JH, Kapoor A, Garber L
Effect of a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention on medication safety after hospitalization in persons prescribed high-risk medications: a randomized clinical trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention improves medication safety for patients who are discharged from the hospital and prescribed medications within 1 or more of these high-risk drug classes: anticoagulants, diabetes agents, and opioids. The randomized clinical trial was conducted at a large multidisciplinary group practice in Massachusetts and included patients 50 years or older. Findings showed that there was not an observed lower rate of adverse drug-related incidents or clinically important medication errors during the posthospitalization period that was associated with a clinical pharmacist intervention.
AHRQ-funded; HS023774.
Citation: Gurwitz JH, Kapoor A, Garber L .
Effect of a multifaceted clinical pharmacist intervention on medication safety after hospitalization in persons prescribed high-risk medications: a randomized clinical trial.
JAMA Intern Med 2021 May;181(5):610-18. doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.9285..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Provider: Pharmacist, Provider
Griffey RT, Schneider RM, Adler L
Post-acute and long-term care patients account for a disproportionately high number of adverse events in the emergency department.
This retrospective observation study compares emergency department (ED) rates for adverse events (AEs) between post-acute and long-term care settings (PA/LTC) residents and non-PA/LTC residents. The authors describe all-cause harm among patients from PA/LTC setting seen in the ED. The study used the ED Trigger Tool, with dual independent nurse reviews of 5582 ED records with triggers. Data was captured for all adult patients at an urban, academic ED over a 13-month period. PA/LTC patients tended to be older (median 69 vs 50 years old). They accounted for 21% of all AEs (26% present on arrival, 13% in ED). Present on arrival AEs from a PA/LTC setting were most commonly patient-care related (39%), medication (34%) and infections (16%). The analysis showed that a disproportionate number of ED visits from PA/LTC are for AEs, which is an admission rate double that for non-PA/LTC patients.
AHRQ-funded; R18 HS025052.
Citation: Griffey RT, Schneider RM, Adler L .
Post-acute and long-term care patients account for a disproportionately high number of adverse events in the emergency department.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2021 Apr;22(4):907-12.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.06.043..
Keywords: Elderly, Long-Term Care, Emergency Department, Adverse Events
Dworsky JQ, Shellito AD, Childers CP
Association of geriatric events with perioperative outcomes after elective inpatient surgery.
Researchers investigated the prevalence and association of geriatric events (GEs) with clinical outcomes after elective surgery. Using National Inpatient Sample data, they found that, compared to admissions with no GEs, one or more GEs were associated with higher probability of worse outcomes including mortality, postoperative complications, prolonged length of stay, and discharge to a skilled nursing facility. They recommended efforts focusing on mutable factors responsible for GEs in order to optimize surgical care for older adults.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Dworsky JQ, Shellito AD, Childers CP .
Association of geriatric events with perioperative outcomes after elective inpatient surgery.
J Surg Res 2021 Mar;259:192-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2020.11.011..
Keywords: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), Elderly, Surgery, Adverse Events, Outcomes
Osterman CK, Deal AM, McCloskey H
Impairment and longitudinal recovery of older adults treated with radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer includes radical cystectomy, a major surgery that can be associated with significant toxicity. Limited data exist related to changes in patient global health status and recovery following radical cystectomy. In this study, the investigators used geriatric assessment to longitudinally compare health related impairments in older and younger patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer who undergo radical cystectomy.
AHRQ-funded; HS024134.
Citation: Osterman CK, Deal AM, McCloskey H .
Impairment and longitudinal recovery of older adults treated with radical cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer.
J Urol 2021 Jan;205(1):94-99. doi: 10.1097/ju.0000000000001323..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer, Surgery, Adverse Events, Quality of Life
Mangrum R, Stewart MD, Gifford DR
Omissions of care in nursing homes: a uniform definition for research and quality improvement.
The goal of this study was to create a uniform definition of omission of care in US nursing homes. Lack of a uniform definition has made efforts to prevent them challenging. Subject matter experts and a broad range of nursing home stakeholders were brought together in iterative rounds of engagement to identify key concepts and aspects of omissions of care and develop a consensus-based definition. The concise definition decided on was: “Omissions of care in nursing homes encompass situations when care–either clinical or nonclinical–is not provided for a resident and results in additional monitoring or intervention or increases the risk of an undesirable or adverse physical, emotional, or psychosocial outcome for the resident."
AHRQ-funded; 233201500014I.
Citation: Mangrum R, Stewart MD, Gifford DR .
Omissions of care in nursing homes: a uniform definition for research and quality improvement.
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020 Nov;21(11):1587-91.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.08.016..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Medical Errors, Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Risk, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
This paper is a systematic review of the literature published between 2008 to 2018 that studies the effect of interventions to reduce preventable adverse drug effects (ADEs) for adults who are prescribed multiple medications. Two safety practices were examined: 1) deprescribing interventions to reduce polypharmacy; and 2) use of the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Potentially Inappropriate Prescriptions (STOPP) to reduce potentially inappropriate medications (PIMS). A total of 26 studies and 1 systematic review were included (14 for deprescribing and 12 for STOPP). Deprescribing interventions included decision support tools, educational interventions, and medication reviews. The STOPP tool most reported changes in PIMS, as well as some economic outcomes. Both methods were found to be effective.
AHRQ-funded; HHSP233201500013I.
Citation: Earl TR, Katapodis ND, Schneiderman SR .
Using deprescribing practices and the screening tool of older persons' potentially inappropriate prescriptions criteria to reduce harm and preventable adverse drug events in older adults.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S23-s35. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000747..
Keywords: Elderly, Medication: Safety, Medication, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety, Screening, Prevention
Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of the benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia (CATD). Studies with low or medium risk of bias (ROB) were analyzed and rated. The analysis concluded there was a slight reduction in short-term cognitive decline with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantime, and cholinesterase inhibitors slightly reduced reported functional decline. There was mostly insufficient evidence on drug treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and on supplements for all outcomes.
AHRQ-funded; 290201500008I.
Citation: Fink HA, Linskens EJ, MacDonald R .
Benefits and harms of prescription drugs and supplements for treatment of clinical Alzheimer-type dementia
Ann Intern Med 2020 May 19;172(10):656-68. doi: 10.7326/m19-3887..
Keywords: Elderly, Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Medication, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice, Outcomes, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Treatments
Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
This study evaluated whether elderly nursing home residents with mild depression and intact cognition experienced cognitive impairment after using anticholinergic drugs. The study was a population-based nested case-control study using Minimum Data Set (MDS)-linked Medicare data where the base cohort were patients 65 years and older with depression who had intact cognition. Cumulative anticholinergic burden was measured within 30, 60, and 90 days preceding the event (cognitive measurement) date using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). The end sample compared 3707 cases with mild-to-moderate cognition to 3707 matched controls with intact cognition. There was no association with cumulative anticholinergic exposure at 30 days with cognitive impairment, but the odds of cognitive impairment increased with exposure 60 and 90 days before the event date. This study concludes there should be concern in using anticholinergic drugs for longer than 30 days with elderly nursing home residents.
AHRQ-funded; HS021264.
Citation: Chatterjee S, Bali V, Carnahan RM .
Anticholinergic burden and risk of cognitive impairment in elderly nursing home residents with depression.
Res Social Adm Pharm 2020 Mar;16(3):329-35. doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.05.020..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Depression, Behavioral Health, Medication, Neurological Disorders, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events, Patient Safety
Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
Inappropriate antibiotic use is common in older adults (aged >65 y), and they are particularly vulnerable to serious antibiotic-associated adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, delirium, aortic dissection, drug-drug interactions, and Clostridioides difficile. In this study, to help improve the clinical care of older adults, the investigators reviewed drivers of antibiotic prescribing in this population, explored systems aspects of ambulatory care that can create barriers to optimal antibiotic use, discussed existing stewardship interventions, and provided guidance on priority areas for future inquiry.
AHRQ-funded; HS024342.
Citation: Pulia MS, Keller SC, Crnich CJ .
Antibiotic stewardship for older adults in ambulatory care settings: addressing an unmet challenge.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Feb;68(2):244-49. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16256..
Keywords: Antimicrobial Stewardship, Antibiotics, Medication, Elderly, Patient Safety, Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Adverse Events
McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of the modified Fried Index (mFI) and the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) to predict death or patient-reported new disability 90 days after major elective surgery. Results showed that older people with frailty are significantly more likely to die or experience a new patient-reported disability after surgery and that although accuracy was similar, the CFS, compared to the mFI, was easier to use and feasibility was higher.
AHRQ-funded; HS023313.
Citation: McIsaac DI, Taljaard M, Bryson GL .
Frailty as a predictor of death or new disability after surgery: a prospective cohort study.
Ann Surg 2020 Feb;271(2):283-89. doi: 10.1097/sla.0000000000002967..
Keywords: Elderly, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Surgery, Mortality, Adverse Events, Risk, Outcomes
Abraham NS, Noseworthy PA, Inselman J
Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases with combinations of antithrombotic agents and patient age.
This study investigated whether age of patient and time frame increased the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) in elderly patients being treated with anticoagulants, antiplatelets, or a combination of both therapies. This retrospective analysis used nationwide claims data from privately insured and Medicare Advantage enrollees who received anticoagulant and/or antiplatelet agents from October 1, 2010, through May 31, 2017. The final cohort included 311,211 patients who had a primary diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, ischemic heart disease, or venous thromboembolism. There was no significant different in the proportion of patients with GIB after anticoagulant or antiplatelet monotherapy, but combination therapy increased GIB risk. Advancing age was also associated with increasing 1-year probability of FIB, especially patients older than 75 years taking combination therapy.
AHRQ-funded; HS025402.
Citation: Abraham NS, Noseworthy PA, Inselman J .
Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases with combinations of antithrombotic agents and patient age.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020 Feb;18(2):337-46.e19. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2019.05.017..
Keywords: Adverse Drug Events (ADE), Medication, Adverse Events, Medication: Safety, Elderly, Blood Thinners, Blood Clots, Digestive Disease and Health
De Roo AC, Li Y, Abrahamse PH
Long-term functional decline after high-risk elective colorectal surgery in older adults.
This study examined the long-term risks of functional decline after elective colorectal surgery in older adults. This retrospective matched cohort study used data from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of adults >50 years of age. This survey collected data on functional status, cognition, and demographics, among other topics. The survey was linked with Medicare claims and National Death Index data from 1992 to 2012 and used patients 65 years and older. Surgery patients did experience a greater likelihood of functional decline with or without complications compared to control subjects. The older the patient, the more likelihood of a functional decline occurring after surgery.
AHRQ-funded; HS000053.
Citation: De Roo AC, Li Y, Abrahamse PH .
Long-term functional decline after high-risk elective colorectal surgery in older adults.
Dis Colon Rectum 2020 Jan;63(1):75-83. doi: 10.1097/dcr.0000000000001541..
Keywords: Elderly, Cancer: Colorectal Cancer, Cancer, Surgery, Adverse Events, Risk
Venema DM, Skinner AM, Nailon R
Patient and system factors associated with unassisted and injurious falls in hospitals: an observational study.
Unassisted falls are more likely to result in injury than assisted falls. However, little is known about risk factors for falling unassisted. Furthermore, rural hospitals, which care for a high proportion of older adults, are underrepresented in research on hospital falls. This study identified risk factors for unassisted and injurious falls in rural hospitals.
AHRQ-funded; HS021429.
Citation: Venema DM, Skinner AM, Nailon R .
Patient and system factors associated with unassisted and injurious falls in hospitals: an observational study.
BMC Geriatr 2019 Dec 11;19(1):348. doi: 10.1186/s12877-019-1368-8..
Keywords: Falls, Injuries and Wounds, Patient Safety, Elderly, Risk, Hospitals, Adverse Events
Kapoor A, Field T, Handler S
Characteristics of long-term care residents that predict adverse events after hospitalization.
This study examined the characteristics of long-term care (LTC) residents that predict adverse events (AEs) after discharge from recent hospitalization. This cohort study looked at AEs that occurred at 32 nursing homes from six New England states. AE incidents involving a total of 555 LTC residents with 762 transitions from the hospital back to LTC were reviewed. The association between all AEs and preventable AEs developing in the 45 days following discharge back to LTC was measured. There were 283 discharges with one or more AEs and 212 with preventable AEs. Characteristics independently associated with higher risk of AEs included hospital length of stay (LOS) 9 or more days, 18 or more regularly scheduled medications, and 19 and above on the dependency in activities of daily living (ADL) scale.
AHRQ-funded; HS024422.
Citation: Kapoor A, Field T, Handler S .
Characteristics of long-term care residents that predict adverse events after hospitalization.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Nov;68(11):2551-57. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16770..
Keywords: Elderly, Long-Term Care, Nursing Homes, Hospitalization, Adverse Events, Transitions of Care, Hospital Discharge, Risk