National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report
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Search All Research Studies
Topics
- Blood Clots (2)
- Cardiovascular Conditions (2)
- Care Management (1)
- Children/Adolescents (2)
- (-) Clinical Decision Support (CDS) (18)
- COVID-19 (1)
- Dementia (1)
- (-) Diagnostic Safety and Quality (18)
- Digestive Disease and Health (1)
- Electronic Health Records (EHRs) (4)
- Emergency Department (4)
- Evidence-Based Practice (2)
- Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs) (1)
- Health Information Technology (HIT) (8)
- Heart Disease and Health (3)
- Hospitalization (1)
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (1)
- Imaging (3)
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (1)
- Kidney Disease and Health (1)
- Neurological Disorders (1)
- Obesity (1)
- Obesity: Weight Management (1)
- Outcomes (1)
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (3)
- Patient Safety (2)
- Pneumonia (1)
- Practice Patterns (1)
- Provider (1)
- Provider: Clinician (1)
- Provider: Physician (1)
- Respiratory Conditions (3)
- Risk (1)
- Screening (1)
- Sepsis (3)
- Shared Decision Making (6)
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 18 of 18 Research Studies DisplayedSalwei ME, Carayon P, Wiegmann D
Usability barriers and facilitators of a human factors engineering-based clinical decision support technology for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
The authors sought to identify and describe the usability barriers and facilitators of a human factors engineering (HFE)-based clinical decision support (CDS) prior to implementation in the emergency department. Through debrief interviews, they identified 271 occurrences of usability barriers and facilitators of the HFE-based CDS. They concluded that the systematic use of HFE principles in the design of CDS improves the usability of these technologies and recommended workflow integration in order to reduce usability barriers.
AHRQ-funded; HS026395; HS024558; HS022086.
Citation: Salwei ME, Carayon P, Wiegmann D .
Usability barriers and facilitators of a human factors engineering-based clinical decision support technology for diagnosing pulmonary embolism.
Int J Med Inform 2022 Feb;158:104657. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2021.104657..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Soares WE, Knee A, Gemme SR
SC, et al. A prospective evaluation of Clinical HEART score agreement, accuracy, and adherence in emergency department chest pain patients.
The HEART score is a risk stratification aid that may safely reduce chest pain admissions for emergency department patients. However, differences in interpretation of subjective components potentially alters the performance of the score. In this study, the investigators compared agreement between HEART scores determined during clinical practice with research-generated scores and estimated their accuracy in predicting 30-day major adverse cardiac events.
AHRQ-funded; HS024815.
Citation: Soares WE, Knee A, Gemme SR .
SC, et al. A prospective evaluation of Clinical HEART score agreement, accuracy, and adherence in emergency department chest pain patients.
Ann Emerg Med 2021 Aug;78(2):231-41. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2021.03.024..
Keywords: Heart Disease and Health, Cardiovascular Conditions, Emergency Department, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT)
Sick-Samuels AC, Linz M, Bergmann J
Diagnostic stewardship of endotracheal aspirate cultures in a PICU.
This study describes the development and impact of a clinical decision support algorithm to standardize the use of endotracheal aspirate cultures (EACs) from ventilated PICU patients in the evaluation of suspected ventilator-associated infections. Bacterial growth in EACs does not distinguish bacterial colonization from infection and may lead to overtreatment with antibiotics. The rate of EACs was compared pre- and postintervention. In the preintervention year there were 557 EACs over 5092 ventilator days. After introduction of the algorithm the rate went down to 234 EACs over 3654 ventilator days. There was a 41% decrease in the monthly rate of EACs. This intervention did not affect mortality, readmissions, or length of stay in ventilated PICU patients.
AHRQ-funded; HS025642.
Citation: Sick-Samuels AC, Linz M, Bergmann J .
Diagnostic stewardship of endotracheal aspirate cultures in a PICU.
Pediatrics 2021 May;147(5). doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-1634..
Keywords: Children/Adolescents, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Gale BM, Hall KK
The use of patient monitoring systems to improve sepsis recognition and outcomes: a systematic review.
This systematic review’s aim was to determine the impact of automated patient monitoring systems (PMSs) on sepsis recognition and outcomes. The review was conducted using articles published from 2008 through 2018. Nineteen articles were identified for inclusion with 4 systematic reviews and 15 individual studies. Study results for outcome measures were mixed, with more than half the studies showing a significant improvement in at least one outcome measure (eg mortality, intensive care unit length of stay, ICU transfer). Evidence for process measure improvement was of moderate strength across multiple hospital units.
AHRQ-funded; 233201500013I.
Citation: Gale BM, Hall KK .
The use of patient monitoring systems to improve sepsis recognition and outcomes: a systematic review.
J Patient Saf 2020 Sep;16(3S Suppl 1):S8-s11. doi: 10.1097/pts.0000000000000750..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Sepsis, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Screening, Outcomes, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Evidence-Based Practice
Joshi RP, Pejaver V, Hammarlund NE
A predictive tool for identification of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative emergency department patients using routine test results.
This retrospective case-control study investigated whether the use of a prediction tool based on complete blood count results and patient sex can better allocate testing for SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing in hospital emergency departments. Participants were emergency department patients who had concurrent complete blood counts and SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing in Northern California, Seattle, Washington, Chicago Illinois, and South Korea. A hypothetical scenario of 1000 patients requiring testing was developed, but in this scenario testing resources are limited to 60% of patients. This tool would allow a 33% increase in properly allocated resources.
AHRQ-funded; HS026385.
Citation: Joshi RP, Pejaver V, Hammarlund NE .
A predictive tool for identification of SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative emergency department patients using routine test results.
J Clin Virol 2020 Aug;129:104502. doi: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104502..
Keywords: Emergency Department, COVID-19, Pneumonia, Respiratory Conditions, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Clinical Decision Support (CDS)
Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Providers often pursue imaging in patients at low risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), resulting in imaging yields <10% and false-positive imaging rates of 10% to 25%. Attempts to curb overtesting have had only modest success and no interventions have used implementation science frameworks. The objective of this study was to identify barriers and facilitators to the adoption of evidence-based diagnostic testing for PE.
AHRQ-funded; HS025701.
Citation: Westafer LM, Kunz A, Bugajska P .
Provider perspectives on the use of evidence-based risk stratification tools in the evaluation of pulmonary embolism: a qualitative study.
Acad Emerg Med 2020 Jun;27(6):447-56. doi: 10.1111/acem.13908..
Keywords: Respiratory Conditions, Evidence-Based Practice, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Imaging, Shared Decision Making, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Practice Patterns, Provider: Physician, Provider: Clinician, Provider
Carayon P, Hoonakker P, Hundt AS
Application of human factors to improve usability of clinical decision support for diagnostic decision-making: a scenario-based simulation study.
This study used a scenario-based simulation to compare a human factor (HF)-based clinician decision support (CDS) with a web-based CDS (MDCalc) for clinicians to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE) in the emergency department. A total of 32 emergency physicians participated using both CDS types. Emergency physicians made more appropriate diagnoses decisions with the PE-Dx CDS (94%) than with the web-based CDS (84%). Experimental tasks were also performed faster (average 96 seconds per scenario versus 117 seconds). They also reported lower workload and higher satisfaction with the HF-based CDS.
AHRQ-funded; HS024342; HS024558; HS022086.
Citation: Carayon P, Hoonakker P, Hundt AS .
Application of human factors to improve usability of clinical decision support for diagnostic decision-making: a scenario-based simulation study.
BMJ Qual Saf 2020 Apr;29(4):329-40. doi: 10.1136/bmjqs-2019-009857..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Emergency Department
Richardson S, Cohen S, Khan S
Higher imaging yield when clinical decision support is used.
Increased utilization of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for the evaluation of pulmonary embolism has been associated with decreasing diagnostic yields and rising concerns about the harms of unnecessary testing. The objective of this study was to determine whether clinical decision support (CDS) use would be associated with increased imaging yields after controlling for selection bias.
AHRQ-funded; HS022061.
Citation: Richardson S, Cohen S, Khan S .
Higher imaging yield when clinical decision support is used.
J Am Coll Radiol 2020 Apr;17(4):496-503. doi: 10.1016/j.jacr.2019.11.021.
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Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Imaging, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Shared Decision Making, Blood Clots
Meyer AND, Giardina TD, Spitzmueller C
Patient perspectives on the usefulness of an artificial intelligence-assisted symptom checker: cross-sectional survey study.
This study examined patients’ experiences using an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted online symptom checker and their doctors’ reactions to that use. From March 2 through March 15, 2018 an online survey was conducted of US users of the Isabel Symptom Checker within 6 months of their use. The majority of users were women, white, and had a mean age of 48. Overall, patients had a positive experience with the symptom checker and felt they would use it again (91.4%). About 48% discussed the findings with their physician and felt about 40% of their physicians were interested. Patients who had previously experienced diagnostic errors were more likely to use the symptom checker to determine if they should seek care.
AHRQ-funded; HS025474; HS027363.
Citation: Meyer AND, Giardina TD, Spitzmueller C .
Patient perspectives on the usefulness of an artificial intelligence-assisted symptom checker: cross-sectional survey study.
J Med Internet Res 2020 Jan 30;22(1):e14679. doi: 10.2196/14679..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient Safety
Barnes DE, Zhou J, Walker RL
Development and validation of eRADAR: a tool using EHR Data to detect unrecognized dementia.
The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to develop and validate an electronic health record (EHR)-based tool to help detect patients with unrecognized dementia. The tool was named EHR Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Assessment Rule (eRADAR). This study was conducted at Kaiser Permanente Washington (KPWA) using participants in the Adult Changes in Thought (ACT) study who undergo comprehensive testing every 2 years to detect and diagnose dementia and have linked KPWA EHR data. Overall, 1015 ACT visits resulted in a diagnosis of incident dementia, of which 49% were previously unrecognized in the EHR. The final 31-predictor model included markers of dementia-related symptoms, healthcare utilization patterns, and dementia risk factors. The study showed good discrimination in the development interval and validation samples.
AHRQ-funded; HS022982.
Citation: Barnes DE, Zhou J, Walker RL .
Development and validation of eRADAR: a tool using EHR Data to detect unrecognized dementia.
J Am Geriatr Soc 2020 Jan;68(1):103-11. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16182..
Keywords: Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Dementia, Neurological Disorders, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making
Levy AE, Shah NR, Matheny ME
Determining post-test risk in a national sample of stress nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging reports: implications for natural language processing tools.
The authors investigated whether Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools could potentially help estimate myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) risk. Subjects were VA patients who underwent stress MPI and coronary angiography 2009-11; stress test reports were randomly selected for analysis. The authors found that post-test ischemic risk was determinable but rarely reported in this sample of stress MPI reports. They conclude that this supports the potential use of NLP to help clarify risk and recommend further study of NLP in this context.
AHRQ-funded; HS022998.
Citation: Levy AE, Shah NR, Matheny ME .
Determining post-test risk in a national sample of stress nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging reports: implications for natural language processing tools.
J Nucl Cardiol 2019 Dec;26(6):1878-85. doi: 10.1007/s12350-018-1275-y..
Keywords: Imaging, Risk, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Cardiovascular Conditions, Heart Disease and Health
Hoonakker PLT, Carayon P, Salwei ME
The design of PE Dx, a CDS to support pulmonary embolism diagnosis in the ED.
One possible explanation for user resistance to clinical decision support (CDS) procedures may be poor CDS design. This study describes the design of PE Dx, a CDS built to aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism in the emergency department using human factors methods.
AHRQ-funded; HS022086.
Citation: Hoonakker PLT, Carayon P, Salwei ME .
The design of PE Dx, a CDS to support pulmonary embolism diagnosis in the ED.
Stud Health Technol Inform 2019 Aug 9;265:134-40. doi: 10.3233/shti190152..
Keywords: Blood Clots, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Shared Decision Making, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Emergency Department, Respiratory Conditions
Bhattacharjee P, Edelson DP, Churpek MM
Identifying patients with sepsis on the hospital wards.
The goal of this review was to discuss recent advances in the detection of sepsis in patients on the hospital wards. The investigators discuss data highlighting the benefits and limitations of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria for screening patients with sepsis, such as its low specificity, as well as newly described scoring systems, including the proposed role of the quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score.
AHRQ-funded; HS000078.
Citation: Bhattacharjee P, Edelson DP, Churpek MM .
Identifying patients with sepsis on the hospital wards.
Chest 2017 Apr;151(4):898-907. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2016.06.020..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Hospitalization, Sepsis
Goldstein SL
Automated/integrated real-time clinical decision support in acute kidney injury.
The author argues that early, real-time identification and notification to healthcare providers of patients at risk for, or with, acute or chronic kidney disease can drive simple interventions to reduce harm. Similarly, he believes that screening patients at risk for acute kidney injury with these platforms to alert research personnel will lead to improve study subject recruitment.
AHRQ-funded; HS023763; HS021114.
Citation: Goldstein SL .
Automated/integrated real-time clinical decision support in acute kidney injury.
Curr Opin Crit Care 2015 Dec;21(6):485-9. doi: 10.1097/mcc.0000000000000250.
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Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Kidney Disease and Health, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, Diagnostic Safety and Quality
Almario CV, Chey WD, Iriana S
Computer versus physician identification of gastrointestinal alarm features.
This study's objective was to compare the number of alarms documented by physicians during usual care vs. that collected by a computer algorithm called Automated Evaluation of Gastrointestinal Symptoms (AEGIS). AEGIS identified more patients with positive alarm features compared to physicians and also documented more positive alarms. Moreover, clinicians documented only 30% of the positive alarms self-reported by patients through AEGIS.
AHRQ-funded; HS000046.
Citation: Almario CV, Chey WD, Iriana S .
Computer versus physician identification of gastrointestinal alarm features.
Int J Med Inform 2015 Dec;84(12):1111-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2015.07.006.
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Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Digestive Disease and Health, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Patient Safety
Makam AN, Nguyen OK, Auerbach AD
Diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness of automated electronic sepsis alert systems: a systematic review.
This review aimed to determine whether automated real-time electronic sepsis alerts can: (1) accurately identify sepsis and (2) improve process measures and outcomes. It found that automated sepsis alerts derived from electronic health data may improve care processes but tend to have poor positive predictive value and do not improve mortality or length of stay.
AHRQ-funded; HS022418.
Citation: Makam AN, Nguyen OK, Auerbach AD .
Diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness of automated electronic sepsis alert systems: a systematic review.
J Hosp Med 2015 Jun;10(6):396-402. doi: 10.1002/jhm.2347..
Keywords: Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Health Information Technology (HIT), Sepsis, Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Shaikh U, Berrong J, Nettiksimmons J
Impact of electronic health record clinical decision support on the management of pediatric obesity.
The investigators assessed the impact of electronic health record-based clinical decision support in improving the diagnosis and management of pediatric obesity. They found a statistically significant increase in the diagnosis of overweight/obesity, scheduling of follow-up appointments, frequency of ordering recommended laboratory investigations, and assessment and counseling for nutrition and physical activity.
AHRQ-funded; HS018567.
Citation: Shaikh U, Berrong J, Nettiksimmons J .
Impact of electronic health record clinical decision support on the management of pediatric obesity.
Am J Med Qual 2015 Jan-Feb;30(1):72-80. doi: 10.1177/1062860613517926.
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Keywords: Care Management, Children/Adolescents, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Electronic Health Records (EHRs), Health Information Technology (HIT), Obesity, Obesity: Weight Management
Crane HM, Heckbert SR, Drozd DR
Lessons learned from the design and implementation of myocardial infarction adjudication tailored for HIV clinical cohorts.
In this study, a team of researchers developed, implemented, and evaluated a myocardial infarction (MI) adjudication protocol for cohort research of human immunodeficiency virus. They found that central adjudication is crucial and that clinical diagnoses alone are insufficient for ascertainment of MI. Over half the events ultimately determined to be MIs were not identified by clinical diagnoses.
AHRQ-funded; HS019515
Citation: Crane HM, Heckbert SR, Drozd DR .
Lessons learned from the design and implementation of myocardial infarction adjudication tailored for HIV clinical cohorts.
Am J Epidemiol. 2014 Apr 15;179(8):996-1005. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwu010..
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Heart Disease and Health, Clinical Decision Support (CDS), Diagnostic Safety and Quality