Search all AHRQ sites
Menu
SHARE:
AHRQ Research Studies
Sign up: 
AHRQ Research Studies Email updates
Research Studies is a monthly compilation of research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers and recently published in journals or newsletters.
Results
1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedAguirre A, Trupin L, Margaretten M
Using process improvement and systems redesign to improve rheumatology care quality in a safety net clinic.
Researchers sought to develop and evaluate interventions to improve quality of care in four priority areas in an urban safety net adult rheumatology clinic serving a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patient population. Clinical processes were redesigned to achieve pre-specified benchmarks in the following four areas: 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) administered to immunocompromised patients; Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) disease activity monitoring for patients with rheumatoid arthritis; latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening for new biologic users with rheumatoid arthritis; reproductive health counseling among women receiving potentially teratogenic medications. Through an interprofessional approach, the researchers achieved durable improvements in key rheumatology quality measures largely by enhancing workflow, engaging non-physician providers, and managing practice variation.
AHRQ-funded; HS024412; HS025638.
Citation: Aguirre A, Trupin L, Margaretten M .
Using process improvement and systems redesign to improve rheumatology care quality in a safety net clinic.
J Rheumatol 2020 Nov;47(11):1712-20. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.190472..
Keywords: Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Quality Improvement, Quality of Care, Healthcare Delivery
Lee SJC, Hamann HA, Browning T
Stakeholder engagement to initiate lung cancer screening in an urban safety-net health system.
The authors sought to develop a population-based lung cancer screening program using low-dose computed tomography imaging at Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas County, Texas, providing coverage of uninsured patients through a combination of Medicare, Medicaid, and the Dallas medical assistance program for under- and uninsured, low-income county residents. They found that establishing a uniform clinical pathway connecting different clinical specialists requires a system-level view of care coordination to ensure that referrals trigger appointments, result reporting, and follow-up. Additionally, primary care providers need to educate and refer patients, address smoking cessation needs, and document shared decision-making counseling between the referring provider and the patient.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Lee SJC, Hamann HA, Browning T .
Stakeholder engagement to initiate lung cancer screening in an urban safety-net health system.
Healthc 2020 Mar;8(1):100370. doi: 10.1016/j.hjdsi.2019.100370.
.
.
Keywords: Cancer: Lung Cancer, Cancer, Screening, Prevention, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Rinehart DJ, Oronce C, Durfee MJ
Identifying subgroups of adult superutilizers in an urban safety-net system using latent class analysis: implications for clinical practice.
The objective of the study was to identify clinically distinct subgroups of adult superutilizers. The overall cohort had high rates of multiple chronic medical conditions, mental health and substance use disorders, and homelessness. However, the patterns of these conditions were different between subgroups, providing important information for tailoring interventions.
AHRQ-funded; HS023901.
Citation: Rinehart DJ, Oronce C, Durfee MJ .
Identifying subgroups of adult superutilizers in an urban safety-net system using latent class analysis: implications for clinical practice.
Med Care 2018 Jan;56(1):e1-e9. doi: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000628.
.
.
Keywords: Healthcare Utilization, Hospitalization, Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents
Clarity C, Sarkar U, Lee J
Clinician perspectives on the management of abnormal subcritical tests in an urban academic safety-net health care system.
Missed or delayed follow-up of abnormal subcritical tests (tests that do not require immediate medical attention) can lead to poor patient outcomes. Safety-net health systems with limited resources and socially complex patients are vulnerable to safety gaps resulting from delayed management. In this study, clinician perspectives to identify system challenges, vulnerable situations, and potential solutions, were sought in focus groups.
AHRQ-funded; HS023558.
Citation: Clarity C, Sarkar U, Lee J .
Clinician perspectives on the management of abnormal subcritical tests in an urban academic safety-net health care system.
Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2017 Oct;43(10):517-23. doi: 10.1016/j.jcjq.2017.05.007..
Keywords: Urban Health, Rural/Inner-City Residents, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient Safety, Vulnerable Populations, Ambulatory Care and Surgery, Communication, Provider: Clinician
