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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.
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1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedMajumder MS, Cusick M, Rose S
Measuring concordance of data sources used for infectious disease research in the USA: a retrospective data analysis.
This study’s objective was to investigate the strengths and limitations of sources currently being used for infectious disease research. This retrospective data analysis used four different data sources to determine differences in the yearly number of national-level and state-level disease-specific case counts and disease clusters for three diseases (measles, mumps, and varicella) during a 5-year study period (2013-2017). The four sources used were Optum (health insurance billing claims data), HealthMap (online news surveillance data), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (official government reports) and National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (government case surveillance data). The authors found that when compared with the other three sources of interest, Optum data showed substantially higher, implausible standardized case counts for all three diseases. All four sources identified variations in state-level reporting.
AHRQ-funded; HS026128.
Citation: Majumder MS, Cusick M, Rose S .
Measuring concordance of data sources used for infectious disease research in the USA: a retrospective data analysis.
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Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Research Methodologies
Goodman KE, Lessler J, Harris AD
A methodological comparison of risk scores versus decision trees for predicting drug-resistant infections: a case study using extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) bacteremia.
Timely identification of multidrug-resistant gram-negative infections remains an epidemiological challenge. Statistical models for predicting drug resistance can offer utility where rapid diagnostics are unavailable or resource-impractical. The investigators previously reported on a decision tree for predicting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase bloodstream (ESBL) infections. Their objective in the current study was to develop a risk score from the same ESBL dataset to compare these 2 methods and to offer general guiding principles for using each approach.
AHRQ-funded; HS025089.
Citation: Goodman KE, Lessler J, Harris AD .
A methodological comparison of risk scores versus decision trees for predicting drug-resistant infections: a case study using extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) bacteremia.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2019 Apr;40(4):400-07. doi: 10.1017/ice.2019.17..
Keywords: Research Methodologies, Risk, Infectious Diseases
Muenks CE, Hogan PG, Burnham CD
Comparing the yield of Staphylococcus aureus recovery with static versus agitated broth incubation.
This study sought to compare the yield of Staphylococcus aureus with a broth enrichment method when incubated in agitated versus static conditions. The investigators found that when broth enrichment was used (both static and agitated), the burden of S. aureus growth was higher compared to the direct plating culture method.
AHRQ-funded; HS021736; HS024269.
Citation: Muenks CE, Hogan PG, Burnham CD .
Comparing the yield of Staphylococcus aureus recovery with static versus agitated broth incubation.
J Pathog 2018 Jul 26;2018:1462671. doi: 10.1155/2018/1462671..
Keywords: Diagnostic Safety and Quality, Research Methodologies, Infectious Diseases
Totten M, Ross T, Voskertchian A
Analysis of morphologically similar Staphylococcus aureus colonies for assessment of phenotypic and genotypic correlation.
In an effort to track and control the transmission of Staphylococcus aureus, patient isolates are saved for epidemiological studies (1–3). Study investigators often assume that colonies with the same morphology on the original culture plate represent the same clone. However, there is very limited literature to support this assumption. In this study, multiple S. aureus colonies were saved from a single culture plate and tested to determine their genotypes and susceptibility profiles.
AHRQ-funded; HS022872.
Citation: Totten M, Ross T, Voskertchian A .
Analysis of morphologically similar Staphylococcus aureus colonies for assessment of phenotypic and genotypic correlation.
J Clin Microbiol 2017 Jul;55(7):2285-86. doi: 10.1128/jcm.00402-17..
Keywords: Genetics, Infectious Diseases, Research Methodologies